{Toddler Approved} Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles

One of the items on our Summer Bucket List was to make popsicles. 

The weather here in TX was well into the high 90's in May. 

The mini and myself were craving something cool to enjoy in the afternoon heat. 

For me, there's nothing better than homemade popsicles. 

Especially out on the deck while watching the mini splash around in her water table. 

Ingredients: 

10-12 large fresh strawberries (cleaned and cut)

1 cup of fresh pineapple 

1/4 cup of OJ

Directions: 

Put the strawberries, pineapple and OJ into a blender. I used my nutribullet. 

I blended it until it was completely smooth. Once that was done, I poured it into popsicle molds I found at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight. Enjoy! 

Secret Fruit Salad

This past weekend my parents had us over for a BBQ.  My mom and I always talk about the menu a few days before we get together.  Since spring weather has arrived, I knew we had to have fruit salad on the menu.  And I remembered seeing a pin that said adding vanilla pudding to fruit salad was amazing.  So, I added fruit salad and vanilla pudding to the grocery list.  

Results: The pin was spot on.  This is the secret to the best fruit salad.  I didn't really measure the amount of pudding mix I used.  I just added it until I felt most of the fruit was coated.  

All of the guests asked what I added to make it so tasty.  I'll be making it this way from now on! 

Secret Fruit Salad

Courtesy of Rachel Schultz 

Energy Bites

This recipe had been on my to-make list for months now. I've heard so many people talk about how good they are and healthy too!  So this past week I finally made the time to make them.  Honestly, they took 20 minutes.  I wish I had made them sooner! They were amazing.  I followed the exact recipe below, only substituting chocolate chips for dairy and soy free chocolate chips. Not only did I love this snack, but the husband loved it as well. Every single day he has asked me when I'm going to make some more.  Enjoy!   

No Bake Energy Balls

Courtesy of Smashed Peas and Carrots 

(makes 18-20 bites)

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated.  Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.  Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy!  Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Christmas Popcorn

This popcorn is the perfect party snack.  

Christmas Popcorn

Ingredients: 

3 bags of popcorn (kettle corn or lightly buttered)

1 bag of white chocolate chips or almond bark 

red and green candy chips for decoration

sprinkles for decoration

Directions:

Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl

Melt the chocolate chips or almond bark 

Pour over the popcorn and toss to coat

After it's coated, place a large amount of wax paper on a flat surface

Pour the popcorn on the wax paper to set

This is the time to decorate it how you wish. 

I melted green and red candy chips and poured it over the popcorn and topped with sprinkles 

*I make it the day before serving and store it in an airtight container*

Enjoy!

White Chocolate Popcorn

Baby Shower Recipe: Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks.  A few weeks ago I tried caramel corn and loved it! I had a small bowl I wanted to use for the baby shower and thought a bag of popcorn would fit perfectly.  This was an easy recipe and can be made a thousand different ways.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 bag of kettle corn popcorn
1 cup of white chocolate chips
colored sprinkles

Directions:
1.  Pop the popcorn as directed on the bag.
2.  Pour onto a cookie sheet and cool.
3.  Melt chocolate.  Heat 30 seconds, stir.  Heat another 30 seconds and it should be melted perfectly.
4.  Drizzle over popcorn.  Add sprinkles.
5.  Allow popcorn to cool completely.  Store in an air tight container until it's time to serve.

Caramel Corn

Back in December when I went to visit one of my best friends in Indiana, I was introduced to this easy peasy recipe for caramel corn.  The recipe comes from Karo.  I made this snack for our Super Bowl party.  I was very worried about how it would come out because it didn't seem like the popcorn was coating easily.  But, the time in the oven and stirring every 10 minutes really worked.  The popcorn was addicting and good all week long! 

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter OR margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract

1. Spray a large shallow roasting pan with cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in preheated 250°F oven while preparing caramel.
2. Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Boil 5 minutes WITHOUT STIRRING. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla.
4. Pour syrup mixture over warm popcorn, stirring to coat evenly.
5. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and spread on foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
6. Cool; break apart. Store in tightly covered container.

Cinnamon Popcorn

This recipe is coming from All Recipes.com.

Ingredients

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

Place popcorn in a large bowl. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 1 minute longer or until the butter is melted. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat. Transfer to two greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Bake, uncovered, at 300 degrees F for 10 minutes. Cool. Store in an airtight container.