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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Chocolate cupcakes with Peppermint cream cheese frosting.

These cupcakes were given a 10 1/2 by my sweet mom.

And she takes her food seriously.

So try them!

First make your chocolate cupcakes using your favorite recipe.

I'll share mine soon:)

Then make this for the frosting.

Peppermint cream cheese frosting.

1/2 cup butter softened

8 oz cream cheese softened

1/2 t. peppermint extract

1/4 c. liquid whipping cream

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Then add the whipping cream and mix together.

Sift in your powdered sugar and mix until combined.  Finally add in your peppermint extract and mix that in.

I kind of make this recipe up as I went so you may need a bit more powdered sugar.  Just sift it in until the frosting is the consistency you want it.

Frost your cupcakes and top with a peppermint kiss.

Enjoy!

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A healthy and yummy yogurt breakfast.

If you are looking for a super yummy, light breakfast.

This is the one.

I really am not a fan of breakfast foods.

And when I do eat breakfast, I like it to be fairly light.

This one is absolutely perfect.

Plus it tastes exactly like frozen yogurt.

And it doesn't get better than that.

See below for the easiest recipe ever.

You will need:

Greek yogurt (I love the honey flavored)

Oats

Frozen blueberries or any other fruit

Chia seeds. (You can find these either online or at your local health food store. Look them up they are really good for you. Oh and don't worry they aren't like bulky salty seeds.  They are tiny like poppy seeds and really yummy.)

Put your yogurt in a bowl and top with remaining ingredients. Mix it up and enjoy!

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A Christmas book tradition.

My grandma started a tradition with her own children years ago of giving each of her children a Christmas book around Christmas time.

Now that I'm married with a baby, my mom decided that she wanted to do the same thing.

And I'm not going to lie, I'm excited about this.

This year she gave us this book, Olivia Claus.

Since we have a little Olivia.

I'm very excited about this tradition and will be glad to have a cute little Christmas book collection.

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Baby girl Christmas nightgown.

Like many, I would like to give my kids a cute pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve every year.

Right now since I only have my 1 little girl, I thought it would be cute to make her a nightgown.

I used my baby girl nightgown tutorial found here.

Except of course made it a bit bigger.

I also sewed a small strip of lace right around the middle.

I then decided to make a matching bow using this tutorial.

I love how they turned out and I can't wait to see her in it!

Happy sewing!

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Your every dinner basic salad.

The family loves this salad.
It's nothing fancy, but it's quick and easy and goes with just about everything.
All you need is lettuce (we like to use regular lettuce and mix it with spinach), some mozzarella cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes (if you want), and your favorite dressing.
Put your salad in a bowl and mix in chopped onions, cheese, and tomatoes.
You can mix the dressing in as well or you can just have everyone put on there on dressing.

Enjoy!

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Buddy's (from the Cake Boss) amazing pumpkin pie.

If you are looking for an AMAZING pumpkin pie recipe.

This here is the one.

I usually always make my pumpkin pie using the recipe on the back of the can.

But when I spotted this recipe in the newspaper, I thought I'd give it a try.

And oh my gosh it was a hit.

My husband doesn't really even like pumpkin pie and he said would gladly have another piece!

So there you go, try it!!

It really is quite easy.

Gather all your ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 450.
Make sure the oven rack is in the center of the oven.

Put the pumpkin, sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace and vanilla in the bowl of a standstill mixer. Paddle at low speed for about 2 minutes.

Add the milk in two additions and mix for 2 minutes.
Then add the eggs and mix for another 2 minutes.
(It will be runny just so you know)

I doubled the recipe when I made it.
(This recipe is good for 1 9 inch pie crust. Deep dish.)

Pour it into your pie crust, either homemade or store bought.
Pop them in the oven and bake for 15 minutes on 45o and then turn the oven own to 375 and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes.
Or until a finger dabbed onto the surface emerges clean.

Here it is!!
When I pulled off the aluminum it kind of ripped part of the crust off.
I have no idea why.
But that definitely did not affect the taste:)

Here is the complete recipe.

Buddy's Pumpkin Pie

1 unbaked 9 inch pie crust, homemade or store bought.
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree ( I like Libby's pure pumpkin)
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 t. cornstarch
1/2 t. fine sea salt
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. ground ginger

1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground allspice
1/4 t. ground mace (I found this in the spice section at Wal-mart)
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. whole milk
2 extra large eggs.

1) Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Put the pumpkin, sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace, and vanilla in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Paddle at low-medium speed for approximately 2 minutes.
3) With the motor running, pour milk in two additions. Stop the motor, scrape the sides of the bowl with a wooden spatula, restart, and paddle for an additional 2 minutes. Add the eggs and paddle until absorbed, approximately 2 additional minutes.
4) Pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie crust pan and bake for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until finger dabbed onto the surface emerges clean, 30-40 minutes.
5) Remove the pie from oven and let cool for 1-2 hours. Slice and serve right away with whipped cream (if you want) or cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Enjoy!

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Mountains.

 My family calls them mountains. 

But most probably know them as German pancakes.

Anyway, they are simply amazing and make such a yummy breakfast.

Even dinner occasionally:)

So here's how you make them.

You will need:

6 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1/2 t. salt

5 T. butter

Melt the butter in a glass pan or really any pan. About the size of a 9x13. Just stick it right in the oven while you are waiting for it to preheat to 450 degress F.  Whip the other ingredients together.  It is better to do this by hand because you want it to be lumpy! As soon as the butter is melted pour the mixture in and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the mountains form and are slightly golden brown.

Serve immediately with syrup and powdered sugar on top.

Yum!

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Brown sugar/cinnamon glazed rolls.

These rolls are AMAZING.

I got the recipe from my aunt who used to make it for all of us cousins.

We really all thought they were the best and would down a whole pan in seconds.

These can be made as a side or for a dessert.

We usually will make them as a side for Sunday dinner or something.

Okay here's the recipe.

Put bout 20 frozen (Rhodes) rolls in a pan and cover.

Let rise for 2-3 hours.

Then make your sauce.

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Heat on medium until the sugar starts to dissolve.
Stir constantly.

Don't heat too long though.

It will look kind of like this!

Then remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Stir.

Pour over the top of your rising rolls and let them finish rising.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the rolls are done.

Enjoy!!

Brown sugar/cinnamon glazed rolls.

1: Put 20 rolls in pan.  Cover and let rise for 2-3 hours.

2: Combine:

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3:Heat on medium until sugar dissolves while stirring constantly.

4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

5: Pour over the top of your rolls and then cover and continue rising for another hour or so.

6: Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10-12 minutes.

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