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Energy Bars

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If you are looking forward to some make ahead quick breakfast ideas, then these energy bars are something not to be missed upon. These are super easy to make and in only 3 steps.

These energy bars are our family’s favorite. I prefer making it in advance and storing it in an airtight container. They are a savior as quick to-go breakfast on busy mornings or a filling snack in the evenings. They remain nice and crisp for a good amount of time as well.

These bars are not only wholesome, but also highly adaptive and can be varied with a number of ingredients. I find that peanut butter gives a good binding to the ingredients as compared to almond butter. You can also add whipped frosting of any flavors, just to give an additional twist of taste.

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cups peanut butter (or any other nut butter)
I cup nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dry dates etc.
2tbs flax seed
¼ cup honey
Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Take rolled oats, dried fruits, flax seed powder, peanut butter, almond butter and honey in a dish.


2. In a chopper, coarsely grind all the ingredients.


3. Now add choco chips to the mixture.

4. Next, take a raised baking dish, firmly press the mixture into it. Cover it for 2hrs or until firm.

4. Now using a knife slice it into bars. Store it into an airtight container.

Easy Mac & Cheese, beans and hash brown casserole

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This super simple casserole is perfect as a side dish or even as a main course. This Mac & Cheese casserole includes beans in addition so it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this gives an additional twist of health to the regular Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed making it and it perfectly fits as a one dish dinner for the whole family.

In this recipe, I have used packed Mac & Cheese since I prefer to make it on busier days and this will make your cooking easier. You can also cook Mac & Cheese using elbow Macaroni from scratch.

For the hash browns as well, you can use store bought hash browns or freshly grate potatoes at home. Store bought hash browns are ready to use as per the instructions. However, if you are making it from scratch, then take two big potatoes, shred them using a boxed grater, wash them and drain them before spreading them on the casserole.

Beans also can be altered to your choice. I used kidney beans in the recipe. I soaked it for around 4 to 5 hours before cooking.

Ingredients:

2 cups hash browns
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cajun spice (garlic, pepper, salt)
3 cups Mac & Cheese
1 cup kidney beans
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup onions (chopped)
1/4 cup tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. In a casserole spread, hash browns with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of cajun spice. Let it bake in oven at 450 degree Fahrenheit for 15 mins.

2 In another bowl, pour the ingredients of Mac & Cheese and mix water and let it it cook for 15 mins in microwave for 9 mins. (Check in between to see if there are no spills).

3. In a pressure cooker, cook (overnight soaked) beans for 15 mins or until turned soft. You can also add salt in the beans at this time.

4. In a wok, add butter then add onions. When it turns slightly golden, add tomatoes and cajun spice.

5. When tomatoes turn soft, add beans and let it cook for 5 minutes.

6. Meanwhile over the baked hashbrowns, spread cooked beans and then Mac & Cheese.

7. Spread cheese over the layers and bake it for 5 minutes. I used, shredded pepper jack and parmesan.

8. The layers will be set by this time now serve hot.

My Hot Chocolate Bar DIY

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Who doesn’t love hot chocolates, specially in winter. So this winter we thought to do our own hot chocolate bar. The idea was that my little one (who is all love with chocolate) can relish his own cup of hot chocolate specially on weekends or after a cold day or a snow day.

This hot chocolate bar is made with minimal items available at home and is quite budget friendly. Just select a corner in your home, get some decor and cutlery and you are set to go.

By the way this hot chocolate bar was an ultimate hit at my home. So do your own cocoa bar and sip a mug of hot chocolate with your favorite book. Nothing beats this combination on the planet, I am sure you will agree to it! Lets get into making!

You need to do the following to set up your own hot chocolate bar.

1. Designate an area in your home. It can be simply a side table, a cart or simply a tray in your room. Put a table cover if you want to.

2. Pick up a theme. Your theme will help you select decor like banner or other accents that you will use for the bar. I chose a theme in red, white and black generally to give a wintery feel. This theme will also go well around Christmas.

3. Your favorite packet of cocoa for quick cups or your own homemade recipe of cocoa. I used Swiss miss hot cocoa.

4. Some cute mugs which fit into your theme. I used mugs with snowman and other winter things print.

5. Jars to keep cocoa and other toppings.

6. Banners for display and labels for the items. You can easily print them and hang it or display on a board. I used a little display board saying “Baby it’s cold outside, warm up here”. I also used a li’l flag of “Hot Chocolate Bar” and some hangings saying “ Let it snow”.

7. A raised tray or a stand to add an element of height to your set up.

8. Toppings of your choice. I used marshmallows (which is generally a must), whipping cream, chocolate chips, candy melts, candy canes and sprinkles.

Some options for hot cocoa toppings are:

• Whipped cream

• Marshmallows of different sizes and flavors

• Chocolate Bits

• Coconut shavings

• Chopped nuts

• Mini chocolate cookies

• Toffee bits

• Sprinkles

• Crushed Candy Canes

• Pirouettes

• Butterscotch chips

• M&Ms

• Chopped mints

• Pretzel rods

• Ice cream

• Cinnamon

• Caramel drizzle

• Chocolate syrup

Some of the printables I used for my DIY are given below:

Waffle Pops recipe

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If you are looking for a delicious crispy yet chewy waffle recipe, you are at the right place. These waffles call for just the perfect treat for your kiddos. For mine, it was a heavenly delight and he was over the moon when I made these.

I have been recently obssesed with my mini Dash waffle maker. The waffles are perfect in size if you are trying to eat a limited portion plus the texture too is perfect. These are not as soft as the Belgian Waffles and the crispiness is also particularly distinct. It will not be wrong to say that this mini device can make a massive impact in any kitchen.

The batter used is close to the pancake batter, just that it takes melted butter in addition. And of course, the measurements for batter also need to be precisely followed since the change in batter consistency will lead to variable results.

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 cup milk
2 tbsp softened unsalted butter
Popsicle sticks

For waffle pop coating

1 cup chocolate frosting
1 cup vanilla frosting
Water

For topping

Marshmallows
Chocolate sauce
Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

2. Whisk together milk, egg and melted butter in a separate bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mix until nicely combined.

3. Add 2 tbsp of batter to the waffle maker and cook for 6-4 minutes, it will turn golden brown on both the sides.

4. Vertically insert popsicle stick through each waffle while warm.

For Waffle Pop coating

1. Mix chocolate frosting and vanilla frosting separately with water in a medium bowl.

2. Holding the popsicle stick, dip half from the sides of each waffle into a bowl.

3. Now top with sprinkles, marshmallows and chocolate drizzle.

Notes:

1. If you substitute ingredients, they may not work the same way.

2. Units of measure shouldn’t be altered.

3. When whisking, don’t overwhisk else the waffles tend to lose their crispiness and get softer.

4. Different waffle makers give different results, for example a Belgian Waffle maker will make relatively softer waffles, so do a research before buying one.

DIY Snowman

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Who doesn’t love a snowman?! After all these creatures are super cute to behold. And what if one can be found in one of the corners of your house; that too a one which doesn’t melt😀!

This is one of the cutest craft I’ve done in recent times. Although, it might look difficult but it is one easy thing to do, and believe me kids will be in the middle of it too!

Yarn is such a versatile craft material. I so very much wanted to do a yarn craft for a very long time. The balls will require yarn in ample, if you are making it of a bigger size. Popping up the balloon and getting a stiff yarn ball was the most favorite part of the process. As far as accessorizing and doing up the snowman is concerned, you can be highly adaptable with it and use felt, buttons etc. instead of the art paper.

Let’s get into making!

Materials required:

White yarn
2 Balloons
1 bottle of Tacky glue (4 ounce)
Water
Bowl for mixing
Glitter (optional)
Art paper (blue for hat, black for eyes & smile, orange for nose, red for buttons)
Scissors
Hot glue gun
2 twigs
Scarf
Ribbon (for hat)

Directions:

1. First start by blowing up the ballons. Keep one a little smaller than the other, for the head and the body respectively.

2. Mix glue in water (as much as is comfortable to work with) and start by dipping the yarn in glue mixture and then wrapping it around the balloons. Keep wrapping until they are covered sufficiently but not fully.

3. Sprinkle glitter on wet ballons and let them dry for around 24 hours.

4. Now make a hat using art paper, cutting two circular discs (for the bottom and top of the hat) and a rectangular disc to make a cylinder. Glue the parts to make it look like a hat.

5. Similarly make eyes, nose, face and buttons with art paper.

6. Once the yarn is completely dry, pop the balloon and take it out of the ball.

7. Cut a small circle at the bottom of its head and using a glue gun stick it to the body.

8. Glue the hat. Similarly stick the eyes, nose, smile, and buttons.

9. Insert twigs for hands and tuck in the scarf and your snowman is ready!