Pumpkin Playdoh Party Favors

Many schools are encouraging healthy treats for parties and some are even suggesting non-food items.  I decided that I was going to make Playdoh Jack-o-Lanterns for my son's preschool class.  They were very simple and used very basic ingredients so it didn't cost me an arm and a leg either.  

Supplies

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 4 TablespoonsVegetable Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
• 2 Tablespoons Salt
• 2 Cups Warm Water
• 1 6oz pakg Orange Jello

• Small Cello Bags
• Ribbon
• Happy Halloween Tag
• Black Sharpie

This is enough to do 10-12 small balls

In a medium sauce pot combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, and jello.  Mix together.  Then add water and vegetable oil and whisk until all the lumps are dissolved.  

Over medium-high heat stir continuously as mixture begins to thicken.  This will take a couple of minutes

Continue stirring and folding the dough as it becomes more solid.

Remove from pan and place on wax paper to cool.

After Playdoh cools place rounded balls into the cello bag.  Attach the tag and tie the top closed with a small piece of ribbon.  Last draw a Jack-o-lantern face on the bag with a black sharpie.  

Here is the link for the Happy Halloween Tags

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Birthday Lunch

Both my boys have summer birthdays so I wasn't sure that I would ever get to do this, but Evan is going to day camp this week so it was the perfect opportunity.  Last night before went to bed I got out the wrapping paper and packed his lunch.  I wrapped up his PB&J and the rest of his lunch.  I laughed the entire time I was wrapping because I could only imagine what the police officers that run the junior police camp were going to say.  When Evan got home from camp, he immediately told me how COOL it was and that everyone sang him Happy Birthday!  I am sure that he is going to expect it every year!  

Buffalo Thigh Surprise

Here's a delicious, healthier alternative to buffalo wings. Even if wings are cooked in the oven, they have the skin on them which is high in fat. If you do boneless breast meat, you add a lot of carbs with the breading. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs give you a great alternative without the skin, no breading, but still a tender and juicy dark meat that makes chicken wings taste so damn good!

Ingredients:
- 1 package of 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup red hot
- 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust more or less for your spice preference)
Dash pepper
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown the chicken thighs on the stovetop for about 5 -7 minutes. Transfer to a baking dish with cooking spray. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken. Cook in oven at 350 for 25 minutes.

Serve with homemade Low Fat Ranch Dressing. I make mine by using the Hidden Valley packets for dip but sub nonfat greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Tonight I served with Simple Herb Roasted Potatoes.

Nutella Banana Fudgesicles

One of my favorite treats at Disney World is a frozen banana.  I am not sure if that is because it tastes so good or if it is because it is always so hot!  Either way I love them!  This banana fudgesicle satisfies my chocolate fix without too much fat, calories, or crazy ingredients.  Oh and the kids LOVE them too!  We have been trying a new popsicle varieties this summer... I am not sure who is enjoying it more-the kids...or me?!?  One of my favorites is the Strawberry Banana Creamsicle

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Nutella
• 3 Medium Bananas

Put ingredients in food processor and blend on until smooth.  Pour mixture into popsicle molds.  Place in freezer.  

Freeze for about 8 hours and enjoy!

If you are looking for something else to do with extra bananas check out 

Tracy's Version of the 2-Ingredient Cookie

Frozen Blueberry Bites

Frozen Blueberry Bites are a perfect hot weather treat!  They taste like blueberry cheesecake!  Only with A LOT LESS fat and calories.  You can substitute other types of berries like raspberries or strawberries.  You can pick them up with your fingers or put a few in a bowl and eat them with a spoon.  Either way it is a yummy guilt free treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Fat Free Cool Whip
• 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
• 2 oz 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese
• 1 Cup of Blueberries

Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, blueberries in food processor or blender.

 Place in bowl and hand stir in cool whip.

 Place in silicone baking tray (or ice cube tray) place in freezer for at least two hours.

Easter Peeps S'mores

                           

The Henderson and Lewis kids have spent much of their Spring Break together.  They have building forts and tents throughout the house.  Last night they asked for s'mores so the Magical Moms decided to make some festive treats. 

Ingredients:

• Graham Crackers
• Peeps or other marshmallow
• Chocolate bar or chocolate kisses

Place chocolate on top of graham cracker and microwave for 15-20 seconds.  Add Peep or marshmallow and microwave for additional 10-15 seconds.  Top with another graham cracker and enjoy!

Bailey's Irish Brownie Trifle

Last year Scott and Tracy went over to some friends' house for dinner on St. Patty's Day and  needed to bring a dessert.  There was no time to go to the store.  This dessert can be quickly whipped up with things found in most pantries.  Since it was so good, of course she will be making it again this year.  You can leave out the Bailey's and make it kid friendly too!

Ingredients:

• Box of Brownie Mix (and whatever it requires)
• 1/2 Cup Cool Whip Plus more to top
• About 3 tablespoons of Toffee Bits
• 2 1/2 Cups of Milk
• 5.9 oz Box of Instant Chocolate Pudding
• 2 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream Liquor

**Makes about 5 Servings

Bake the Brownies as directed on the box and let them cool completely.  Place a layer of brownies in the bottom of a trifle dish then sprinkle layer of toffee bits.

In bowl combine 2 1/2 cups of milk and box of instant pudding mix and whisk together.  Fold in coolwhip and Bailey's.  Next, pour pudding mixture on top of the layer of brownie and toffee.  Top with a little more coolwhip, a small piece of brownie and a little more toffee.  Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

This can also be made with out the Bailey's and it is delicious too.

S'mores on a Stick

My boys are constantly building forts and tents and nothing goes better with camping than S'mores.  Generally speaking S'mores are messy and require a campfire, but NOT today!  

 Ingredients:

• Marshmallow
• Milk Chocolate Chips
• Graham Crackers
• Lollipop Sticks

The kids can do this almost all by themselves because there is no actual cooking involved.  

Nathan pointed out the Hidden Mickey we created!

First place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and finely crush them.  My little guy enjoyed using his "ninja skills" to chop them up!  Next, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave- stirring occasionally.  Then simply insert the stick into the marshmallow, dip about halfway into the chocolate, and then dip again into graham cracker crumbs.  That's it!  You can eat them right away or let the chocolate harden a little bit first.  I don't advise sticking in the fridge because the marshmallow will harden.

I know that I said it wouldn't be messy, but somehow he got chocolate on his nose!  

Connie's Caramel Corn

My Mother-in-law is a HUGE popcorn fan. My kids got her an air popcorn popper for Christmas so together they decided to make some caramel corn.

We normally just make popcorn in the microwave, so this was a huge treat for them!

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of butter
• 2 cups of brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 1/2 cup Karo Syrup
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups unpopped popcorn

First, pop (in air-popper) 1.5 cups of popcorn. After popped, pour popcorn into shallow baking dishes.

Melt 1 cup of butter on medium heat in sauce pan. Stir in 2 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of Karo Syrup and 1 tsp of salt. Bring to boil, stirring constantly.

Once it comes to a rolling boil, let boil for five minutes WITHOUT stirring. Then remove caramel from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of Vanilla. Mix well. Gradually pour caramel over popcorn and gently mix.

Bake at 250 for one hour stirring every 15 minutes. Let popcorn cool completely before breaking it apart. Store popcorn in air tight container. This recipe made 3 gallon size bags full.

This recipe was featured on the Magical Moms' July Menu.  Be sure to check out all of our monthly menus


Lots of AMAZING recipes on the Magical Moms' June Menu, Marvelous May Menu, Appetizing April Menu, and March Madness Menu.