6.26.2011

Banana Cookies - YUM!

Just made the BEST (and healthy!) cookies!  They are vegan and sugar free so suitable for the munchkin too.  Quite a bit easier than the other cookies I've made for Silver as well.

I found the recipe on allrecipes.com and adapted it based on people's suggestions:

Healthy Banana Cookies

3 ripe bananas
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1/3 cup applesauce
1/4 finely shredded coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas.
Stir in oats, dates, applesauce, coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.

*NOTE:
This was my first time cooking with dates.  I figured it would be easiest to chop them up in the food processor - and it was!  However, I kept chopping and chopping them until they coagulated together and looked very much like a Larabar.  So... don't over do it with the food processor.  :)  It made it more difficult to stir it all together.


They look granola-y but are really pretty soft.  Perfect for Silver who just has her six teeth in the front.

6.22.2011

Carrot and Bean Cakes

These reminded me a lot of the Oatmeal and Bean Waffles but were WAY easier for me to make.  Will be doing them again soon.

Found the recipe on Homemade-Baby-Food-Recipes.com

Carrot and Bean Cakes

4 oz (1/2 cup) cooked, mashed carrot
8 oz (1 cup) cannellini beans (or other white beans), mashed well
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 tbsp flour
olive oil

Mix the carrot puree with the mashed beans, garlic and flour.
Form the mixture into little patties with your hands - if the mixture is too moist, add a little more flour.
Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan/skillet.
Fry the patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden.
Serve with applesauce for dipping!

These were great and Silver loved them!  I omitted the garlic b/c I thought it might be too much flavor, although next time I think I'll do it b/c there wasn't a lot of flavor to them.

Also, I used spelt flour and think it turned out okay.  These cooked up a lot differently than the Oatmeal and Bean Waffles - much less hearty.  Probably easier for Silver to eat too.  I tried some in the waffle maker but think they did better as pancakes.

6.01.2011

Hip Mountain Mama Sisterhood



While I like to consider myself to be a hip mama, :)  come to find out, there is actually an a-mazing company out there called Hip Mountain Mamaand I have been given the most awesome opportunity to review some products for them! 


Hip Mountain Mama is a family-run business that offers great natural and eco-friendly clothes, home accessories, and all kinds of other goodies!


Hip Mountain Mama and the family behind it promote natural parenting techniques such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and attachment parenting.  They also promote green, reusable and natural products and use renewable energy and recycled packaging materials.  Right up my alley, huh?!  :)  Love it.


The owner, Suzie, was looking for some mamas with a commitment to the Earth who were interested in sharing their experiences with her products.  


So... Stay tuned for some super fabulous reviews of great hip, handmade, free trade, natural, sustainable, make your heart happy sorta stuff!!!  :)  In the meantime, go visit the Hip Mountain Mama page on Facebook and be a fan!  And hop on over and check out the Hip Mountain Mama Blog.  I'm feeling kinda famous today... :)


"Hip Mountain Mama is a Natural Attitude for any Altitude."  Heart that.