DIY Holiday Treats

I started my vacation off attempting to make four types of holiday treats - go big or go home right?? My 4 yr. old sous chef was also off from school and was more than willing to get in on the action.  The two of us put on our aprons and got busy.

A few weeks ago the folks over at Wheat Thins sent me over a box of their new holiday crackers imprinted with candy canes, snow flakes, gingerbread men, and bells.

We decided these would be our base for three of the snacks.  The other idea was inspired by  a healthy food blogger I follow on Instagram who posted the most amazingly yummy photo one day. I knew I needed to try that too (if you keep reading you can see).

INGREDIENTS WE USED: White and semi-sweet dark chocolate chips, sweetened coconut, crushed candy canes (my sous chef had the honor of crushing these), bananas, peanut butter and of course the Holiday Wheat Thins. 

OUR UTENSILS: You will need tongs, parchment paper and a cookie sheet. 

First we microwaved the chocolate. If your have a double boiler you can use that too. You just have to watch it closely.

After about a minute and a half we removed the bowl (times may differ depending on your microwave) from the microwave. The bowl may be hot so might have to use and oven mitten. Clearly I have man-hands.

IMAGINATION TIME!

We used our tongs to dip our crackers in just the chocolate for those who don't like toppings. The others we dipped in the candy cane crumble and coconut. We drizzled the remaining chocolate on top for  kicks. Waste not want not I always say.

The last deliciousness we made came by way of @myhealthydish_ on IG. It's a peanut butter and banana sandwich dipped in chocolate...chile!


If you don't like peanut butter or are allergic you can easily omit or substitute with almond butter, or Nutella. 

Finally, we laid everything out on parchment paper then placed in the freezer for 30 min. After that we packed them up in a tin to deliver to our friends. 

It was an easy kid apprentice activity and about a seven on the clean up scale. Try it and let me know how they turned out. They make good gifts for teachers and babysitters a well. 

Happy holidays everyone,

Chicbusymom  

Chicbusymom was not paid for this post. 

What I'm NOT Going to do this Holiday Season

These last few weeks I have been overwhelmed by the incessant 'Sale' emails,  numerous food related gifts, holiday cards, and holiday school responsibilities. 

Therefore, I felt it necessary to share my battle cry (of sorts ) of what this Chicbusymom is NOT going to do this holiday season. 

In Top Five form:

1. I will not fall prey to glitzy eblasts and the endless impossible-to-beat deals that I keep receiving. Instead, I have written out a very specific list of who I am buying for. I made a promise to not to shop for myself during any online or rare in-person shopping experience (until after Christmas). I will stay on budget and will only buy for my Secret 'Family' Santa (a great way to save money with the adults in your fam), the kids and a few others.

2. I will not fall victim to gaining back the entire 17lbs I lost (yes you heard me right--17 whole pounds! insert the following lyric She's a Bad Mama Jama). This means seriously eating in moderation when attending the numerous office holiday parties or saying no to the occasional glass of wine. Because honestly, its not worth it to have to start from scratch all over again.

3. I am not going to feel guilty that I didn't shoot, create, print and mail any holiday cards this year. Instead, I will secretly throw something together to get out for New Years or my mother and mother-in-law will kill me. Who am I fooling, guilt is a mother!

4. I will not lose track of all the end-of-the-semester school presentations, holiday potlucks, plays, etc. that happen around this time. I will promise to put all commitments in my calendar and coordinate with my husband to splice ourselves so we can be there.

5.  Lastly, I am not going to listen to the children complain about the Trash/Keep/Donate toy piles they have to create before Christmas comes for the following three reasons:

                          a. Because I said so!

                          b. Because if you have never/hardly played with it I'm sure another child would  love to put it to good use (trying to teach a little graciousness here).

                          c. There is no damn room.

#happyholidays!

Smooches Hot Chicks,

CBM

Mommy Wants to Party too!

Ok, so I was browsing one of my favorite sites, Refinery29 and it was like I pulled into the following story. I'm a girl who loves a sparkle, sequin, metallics. If it shines its mine. 


Truth be told I've even started my mini-me on sparkly things and she is only 4 (poor thing--never had a chance).


Anyway, check out these glitzy gifts and party looks throughout. You know for when you get a date night, holiday party or just a night off damnit! 


Enjoy.


Courtesy of www.refinery29.com. December 6, 2011. 


Slideshow can be found here: http://www.refinery29.com/shimmer-list-50-glitzy-gifts-to-give/slideshow#slide-1





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Smooches Hot Chicks,
CBM