Recipes - Easy and Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, but it can also be one of the hardest (especially when you have kids to get ready for school)!  Here are some simple recipes to help make your morning less hectic -

• Homemade peanut butter granola - this would be great to make ahead for the week.
• Whole wheat pancakes - you may not have time to make these in the morning, but consider making them ahead and freezing them.  They would also be great for a family breakfast on the weekend.

Easy Pumpkin Muffins

• 1 box yellow cake mix(dry)
• 1 can pumpkin
• Chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix well with a hand mixer.
3. Pour batter into lined muffin cups. 
4. Cook 15-20 minutes.

If you want to reduce the sugar in these, consider making homemade yellow cake mix - you can change up the amounts a little bit to suit your own needs.

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

Fun Ideas for St. Patrick's Day - Part 2

St. Patrick's Day is getting closer!  Here are a few more ideas that your kids (and you) will love -

• When you're packing your child's lunch, use as many green items as you can.  Broccoli, kiwis, avocado, green m&ms, spinach, apples, etc.
• Make a try on leprechaun mirror.
• Create a leprechaun marionette and have puppet shows.
• Walk to a nearby park and search for 4 leaf clovers.
• Talk about the color wheel and how green is made from yellow and blue.

Make sure you check out our previous post, too!
~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique


*Image credit

New Feature - Recipes!

 Bear Hugs Baby is starting another new feature - recipes!  We'll be sharing some of our favorite recipes and giving you ideas that are great for new and/or busy parents.  We'll also share ideas that will help you teach your kids to cook, give you gift ideas, and suggest some kitchen gadgets that can make your life easier.

*Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything!

Today's recipe -

Crock Pot Taco Soup
Crock pot meals are great for busy days - just dump everything in the morning and supper is ready at the end of the day!

• 3 frozen chicken breasts(this ends up being a lot of chicken, so feel free to reduce the amount)
• 1 envelope ranch dressing mix
• 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
• 1 medium onion diced (or dried onion)
• 1 can rotel
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can white beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can vegetarian baked beans
• 1 can kernel corn

Directions:

1. Put everything in the crock pot in the ORDER LISTED.
2. DO NOT rinse or drain beans.
3. DO NOT STIR.
4. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
5. Shred the chicken in the bottom with 2  forks.
6. Stir and eat.

*You can't really mess this up, so modify it to suit your family's preferences!
~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

*Image credit

Fun Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

 St. Patrick's Day is about a month away, but it's not too soon to start thinking of fun ideas.  We'll be giving you craft, recipe, and activity ideas about once a week from now until St. Patrick's Day.  Here are a few to get you started -

• Make green velvet cupcakes or shamrock sugar cookies.
• Learn about the history of St. Patrick's Day.
• Make shamrock t-shirts.

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

*Image credit 

Creating an Eco Friendly Nursery

 A World Full of Friends Organic Cotton Baby Blanket

Eco friendly living is a great way to take care of our planet and ourselves.  We just wrote a Squidoo post giving you some tips on creating an eco friendly nursery - make sure to check it out!  Here's one more tip -

Consider buying gently used furniture (such as a dresser or bookshelf).  You can find great deals on pieces that are in good shape.  One thing to remember - you should never buy a used mattress or crib for your baby.  Also be sure that you buy new enough pieces that lead paint isn't an issue (or have the piece tested). 

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

The Giveaway Linky is Back!

We just wanted to let y'all know that our giveaway linky is back up!  Thanks for your patience! :)

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

♥ Valentine's Day Fun - Part 4

 Only 5 more days until Valentine's Day! Check out these fun ideas - 

• Read Guess How Much I Love You with your kids.  Take a look at these cute ideas from the publisher for a Guess How Much I Love You Party.  And if you home school, here are some great ideas for incorporating the book into your lesson plans.
• Make marshmallow lollipops or and chocolate covered oreos.
• Use leftover Christmas candy canes to make Chocolate Candy Cane Valentine Suckers.

*Bonus tip - Remember how we suggested making homemade coupons?  Here's a link to some cute ones you can customize and print.

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

*Picture credit

Fun Ideas for Snow Days

 

Many areas are being hit with winter storms.  When you're stuck inside for days, you get bored pretty quickly!  Here are a few fun ideas -

• Make a snowman cake!
• Make snow cream and homemade hot chocolate.
• Color.  You can find all kinds of coloring sheets online - just search for whatever topic your kids like.
• Watch movies.
• Play games.
• Try new craft ideas - you can find all kinds of fun ideas here.  (And check out all of our craft ideas, too!)
• And of course, after the storm is over, go play in the snow!  (This is also a great way to burn some of your kids' energy!)

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique

*Photo credit 

New Feature - Giveaway Linky!

Hi y'all!  We just wanted to let you know that we recently added a giveaway linky to our sidebar.  Make sure to check it out, whether you have a giveaway to share or just like to win free stuff! :)

Also - we've been adding more jewelry to our site, and there's still time to order a gift for Valentine's Day!  Here are a couple of the new pieces - head over to our website to see the rest!

Purple Crystal Sterling Silver Swarovski Crystal Necklace

(there are also matching earrings)

Pearl Coin Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings

~~~~~~

Bear Hugs Baby Boutique