Baking....ha

Well.. I attempted to make one of those big cupcake cakes round 1 was unsuccessful.. A delicious homemade cake with homemade mocha frosting... Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words...

What a delicious mess! now I can bake well but I have to get to love on the new pan first before we mesh well.

I did though make some pb cookies too. This is not my recipe but if you don't know this recipe you are missing out. It's so simple

1 cup sugar, 1 cup peanut butter & 1 egg... all one bowl, mix well roll into balls and roll in sugar and press with fork bake in a preheated 350 oven for 10-12 mins (if you have a fast cooking oven like mine only about 8 mins)

Ice Cream Sunday..

I am a full believer that Children need sweets..and us grown ups too! At least once a week we will have a special treat. I do try to keep it healthy but sometimes you just need to have a calorie fest lol. This isn't so much a recipe as it is an idea. You can make this as easy or as hard as you want on yourself.

Ice Cream Cookie sandwiches
12 Large Chocolate Chip Cookies
*you can make them using our recipe or your own, buy them from the bakery, or refrigerated cookie dough.
Ice Cream (can be homemade) Vanilla or chocolate
sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, mini m&m's etc.

* Set up some plates with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, mini m&m's etc. Take 6 cookies and spread about 1/4 cup of ice cream on them. Then place another cookie on top. Press down so that it holds together but careful not to squish the ice cream out. Then roll the sides of the sandwich over a plate with the sprinkles etc. Wrap the sandwich loosely in plastic wrap then again with tin foil. let them freeze for about 1/2 hour to an hour before eating or they will melt to fast.

The kids just love rolling the cookies across sprinkles and such. Lots of variation here. We once did chocolate cookies with chocolate chip mint ice cream and rolled them in crushed Andie's candies. They where really good. We used a healthy cookie recipe and low fat ice cream so it didn't seem as bad for you.

Word up Wednesday! (Breastfeeding/Cup of Serenity)

I recently stumbled upon a newscast where a nursing mother was asked to "cover up" while nursing her 3 month old baby in a local coffee shop. I could smell the boycott and "Nurse-in" from a mile away. One thing if nothing else this coffee shop learned just how powerful Nursing mothers can be. My first impression was that it really was a shame because these types of situations could lead mothers away from nursing, make them feel ashamed, or make them feel bound to their homes while they have a nursing baby. I think that more people need to stand up for the rights of nursing mothers and nursing babies. I think society has over sexualized womens breasts when we should be focusing more on what breast are intended for. I for one go out of my way to tell a nursing mother she is doing a great thing when I see a mother nursing. Breastfeeding is a great gift to both you and your baby. While I do understand that some mothers can not nurse for a variety of reasons be it medical or production issues. The nutritional values alone are huge. Here is a little article I found on Breastfeeding and another one here on Breastfeeding in Public. Also did you know that breastfeeding is a great way to get out of Jury Duty lol. Did you also know that their are several recipes out their that can help you use up your extra milk. I will to take a moment to applaud Cup of Serenity for their attempt to remedy the situation by supporting a Nurse-in On Sept 13th naming Mondays "Mommy Mondays" Which could be a good thing for their already struggling coffee shop.

Of course I love to share recipes so because of todays topic what better then a recipe that is supposed to up a nursing mothers milk production!

Lactation Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 TBSP water
2 TBSP Flax seed meal
2 eggs
1 Tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 Tsp baking soda
1 Tsp Salt
3 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips
2-4 TBSP Brewers yeast

Preheat over to 350
Mix flax seed meal and water and let stand for 5 min.
beat together butter and sugars well
add eggs & flax mixture, mix in well
sift together flour, yeast, baking soda & salt
add dry mixture to wet mixture
stir in oats & chocolate chips
place spoonfuls on greased cookie sheets, bake for 10-12 mins, allow to set for a few moments on the tray before removing. the whole family can enjoy these no worries that anyone will spring a leak it only helps production in a mother who is already producing :)
(this is not a Kitchen full of kids original recipe)

MMMMM Monday (Chocolate Chip Cookies)

What kid doesn't like chocolate chip cookies. The smell alone of chocolate chip cookies reminds me of simpler times of my childhood. Erynn my oldest daughter has a huge sweet tooth just like her mom and always asks me to make cookies. Even worse she always wants that refrigerated cookie dough at the store. While those are super easy and all they are not very good for you. I never want to be the mom that doesn't allow treats and desserts. Moderation is key and when you make healthy treats its all the better.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (makes about 36 cookies)
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup raw sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup coconut oil, softened (or you can use margarine)
2 large eggs
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
chopped walnuts optional

Preheat your oven to 375 and grease you cookie sheets well
in a large bowl cream together coconut oil, raw sugar & brown sugar stir in eggs and vanilla
in a large bowl mix remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips and walnuts. Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients then fold chocolate chips and walnuts in. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets bake for 8 to 10 minutes until done leave on cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. You can also make these into bars by pressing into a jelly roll pan and cooking for 12-15 minuets.