What to put in your diaper bag.

 

As we all know what we have in our diaper bag is of up most importance.

Going out of the house with a baby is quite the adventure to say the least.

So we better be prepared for whatever those cute little things decide they need.

Here is a list of things I make sure to always have in my diaper bag.

This is a fairly long list but it's funny how I can say that I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have each of these items on hand.

A small container of hand sanitizer.

3-4 extra diapers

A small wipe container full with wipes. 

(Make sure to replenish after every outing!)

A changing pad.

Burpcloth

Extra outfit. 

(Never know when there will be an explosion or they will spill something all over themselves.)

A small flashlight.

A couple books/toys.

Either a bottle or sippy cup of milk, juice, or water.

A fruit snack.

Another container with some sort of snack. I usually have goldfish.

A couple packets or small container of antibacterial wipes.

(I use these all the time to wipe down the carts and highchairs before we use them.)

A mini can of Lysol.

A small treat. (Like smarties.)

An extra Binky.

Proof of their insurance.

A small container of baby lotion.

A bulb syringe. 

(Especially when they have a cold.)

Tide-to-go pen.

A small container of sunscreen.

A small container of baby Tylenol.

A couple bandaids or small first aid kit.

A few things I put in for me:

An extra pad/tampon

A granola bar.

Chapstick.

Keys.

Wallet.

Cell phone.

 I usually do a quick clean-out of my diaper bag after each outing that way it is ready right when I need it!

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Spinach and Feta Pasta

Here is a quick and easy recipe and not to mention a delicious dinner from one of my new favorite cook books "Our Best Bites." It uses simple/fresh ingredients and is actually quite healthy.  And did I mention that it is husband approved!?

Bon appetit!

-8 ounces penne pasta
-1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
-1 onion, finely chopped
-1 loose cup chopped fresh mushrooms
-3 cups fresh spinach
-2 (14.8 oz) cans of diced tomatoes
-4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
-Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Boil water and cook penne pasta according to package directions.

2. While cooking the pasta, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms and cook until tender.  

3. Add spinach and cook until wilted.  Add tomatoes, and heat, then add drained pasta and crumbled cheese.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  

Enjoy!!!

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Banana bread.

I really think banana bread has to be one of the most wonderful kinds of breads out there.

I love that it is light and moist.

My brother who HATES bananas including banana bread said he actually likes this one.

Yay!

So pretty much this recipe is amazing.

I got the recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook.

Although, I did a few things different and even added an extra special ingredient.

Here's the recipe:

Banana bread

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter (softened)

3 mashed ripe bananas. (Use 4 if you like a stronger banana flavor)

1/3 cup water

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease and flour the bottom of your loaf pan. 

In a separate bowl whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Mix your sugar and butter together. (I used a kitchen aid but you can use a hand mixer as well.) Mix in the eggs one at a time. Add bananas and water and mix well. Finally slowly mix in your flour mixture and mix that well.  Pour into the loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  About 1 hour 15 minutes.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before taking it out.

Spread on that butter and enjoy!

Sidenote: Oh you can add 1/2 cups of nuts if you want. I hate nuts so I never do.

Oh and I also always double it. Cause one loaf just isn't enough.

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Banana cream pie.

Looking for a yummy banana cream pie recipe?

This is a lovely one.

Really easy too.

Banana Cream Pie

(My aunt Lisa's recipe)

In a saucepan combine:

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 t. salt

Slowly add 2 cups of cold milk

Cook and stir on medium heat until it boils and thickens like pudding (but still a little runny).

Remove from heat and add 1 large egg (beaten)

Cook again on medium while stirring for 1 more minute.

Remove from heat and add:

2 Tablespoons of butter

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Cover with wax paper and cool to room temp.
Either make your crust or just buy one.
I used store bought.

Slice bananas in the crust. (Thin slices and cover the whole bottom in about 2 layers)

(About 2 bananas)

Pour the mix over that and refrigerate.

Top with whipped cream!

Makes 1 pie.

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Buddy's (from the Cake Boss) homemade fluffy pancakes.

Once you make these, you will never go back to the bag.

They are easy and so much better tasting it's not even funny.

I have been know to hate pancakes.

But when I found this recipe on TLC's website and decided to try it out, I found that I may now be a pancake lover.

Here's the recipe:

It makes around 7-8 nice sized pancakes.

2 1/2 cup flour

 2 BIG pinches of granulated sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

Scant 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

2 large eggs

4 tablespoons of butter melted and slightly cooled

2 cups milk (Probably not skim!)

Grease your griddle or pan and plop them on there!

Serve however you like to eat your pancakes.

My favorite is with either strawberry or peach yogurt and a bit of whipped cream on top.

It's like dessert for breakfast!

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Cinnamon/sugar covered almonds.

 I found this recipe here.

It's simply amazing.

Here's what you need:

1 cup sugar
3 cups raw almonds 

1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup water

In a large skillet combine the sugar, cinnamon and water. Add the almonds and stir constantly over medium heat, coating the almonds with the sugar, cinnamon and water mixture. Keep stirring until the sugar crystallizes. This takes a little bit.  So be patient! Remove the pan from heat and scoop the almonds onto parchment paper or aluminum foil. 

I doubled the recipe because I knew my family would completely down them.

And they did!

I'm sure there are lots of cute things you can do with them, like put them in a small bag and give them as gifts.

I don't know, be creative!

Or just keep them for yourself.

That's what I did:)

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Toscana Soup-Olive Garden.

 This is without a doubt the BEST soup I have ever tasted.
I got the recipe from my mother in law.

I really am not a huge fan of soups but oh my gosh you will want this everyday after you taste it.

It's also super easy which is always a bonus!

Here's how you make it.

In a pan, combine:

3/4 cup onions (I did a little less just because I am not a huge fan of onions).

1 package of Jimmy Dean hot or regular sausage. (I did regular cause I am not a huge fan of spicy food).

Saute them until the sausage meat is browned and add 1 1/4 teaspoon of garlic.

While you are browning the meat combine these ingredients in a large pot:

5 bouillon cubes

1 qt of water

And simmer.

Then add 2 medium sliced potatoes (do not peel)

Add the sausage mixture

And a slice of bacon for flavoring. (Make sure you remove it before you serve it)

Cook for another 15 minutes.

Finally add 2-4 cups of kale (I did 4 because it is just so darn good in the soup).

3/4 cup liquid whipped cream.

Heat thru.

 It serves about 4-5 depending on how hungry you are!
And make sure you serve it with a piece of buttered bread.

(I am terrible at taking pictures and it was late that night so don't judge it by the way it looks in the pictures.  Just try it, you will love it!!)

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