“Chocolate Covered Strawberries” Breakfast Smoothie

Nutrition, Recipes

“Chocolate Covered Strawberries” Breakfast Smoothie

We created a yummy shake this morning! Protein shakes have been a part of our daily routine for over 10 years now so you have to get creative! :)

This one combined two of my favorite things…chocolate and strawberries.  I LOVE Chocolate covered strawberries, so this satisfied that craving!

“Chocolate Covered Strawberries” Breakfast Smoothie

The Kale does not even have a taste. It will make your shake a pretty green and fill it will lots of goodness! Try it, don’t be scared! I de-vain mine first so that I don’t have to deal with the woody stalk not blending up completely. Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth!  Enjoy!

Micaiah’s Pet Rock Business

Business, Family

Micaiah’s Pet Rock Business

Micaiah, our 8 year old, had a Business Day in 2nd grade last month. Each child had to create a “business” that sold either a good or a service. She came up with “Micaiah’s Brainy Brownies.” It is a fabulous recipe for brownies that has two secret ingredients…spinach and protein (these are gluten free and completely flourless!).  Her business was a hit in 2nd grade, to say the least!

Right around this time, we had sat our kids down and walked them through in detail what we do in our own home business. Nathan and I both work from home and we thought it might be a good idea to bring them in to what we are doing. Per suggestion of a good friend, Diane McCracken, we told them all the details and then created incentives for THEM to earn as we achieved our goals. We work for incentives, so why can’t they??  They LOVED the idea. We spent hours making a list of things they thought would be good incentives for themselves as they “helped” us hit our goals each month in our business.

This conversation fueled Micaiah to begin thinking non-stop about business. She asked when she could join us in our business and have her own (not till she’s 18!). But, much to our excitement, a few days later on a Saturday, she started her own little business. It was completely her idea. We saw her in our backyard collecting rocks from a huge rock pile we have a round a drainage ditch. Then we heard her in the bathroom cleaning every one. Next came the hairdryer to dry them all off quickly (she had money to make and had no time to waste on them air drying!).

Then came the massive amounts of paint, feathers, eyes, pom poms, markers, and glue, glue, and more glue!!  She worked tirelessly for hours that Saturday. Every day after school she all of a sudden miraculously LOVED doing her homework and would walk in, drop her bag, get it all done, and head to her work station for more rock painting.

That next weekend, she went out in the neighborhood with Nathan and knocked on doors to sell her Pet Rocks. She sold every one and came bursting through the front door waving $16 dollars!  That’s alot of money for an eight year old to make in 2 hours!  So, needless to say, she has the business fever. She’s worked non-stop on many other creations and is now taking orders. :)

Here are a few of Micaiah’s Pet Rocks

This is Phatty

This is Mo (Short for Mohawk)

This is Fred

This is Tuffin

And this is Marlin

Here is Marlin’s Story: This is the one she made especially for me….to match my blue, white and brown bedroom. I was woken up the other day to a sticky feeling on my hand. I opened my eyes to she a toothless grin and this rock in my hand, fresh glue still dripping off. She is amazing. Definitely made me giggle!

Honey Bees Protein Balls

Nutrition, Recipes

Honey Bees Protein Balls

This is a version of my HealthyOates Protein Bars that you’ve already tried.   My friend, Rachel Brewer, at www.PureGoodness.net did these for her son’s Bug Themed birthday party.  Click here to see all her creative ideas for this party. It seriously is the most amazing and creative thing I’ve ever seen. And the best part?  It’s all healthy food for a party!!

Honey Bees:

* 1 cup plain, vanilla, or chocolate Shaklee Protein, or Shaklee Cinch protein
* 1 cup oats, + more oats as needed (Bob’s Gluten Free are great!)
* 1/3 cup flax meal
* 1 cup almond butter or natural PB
* 2/3 cup raw honey
* 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
* Almond Slivers
* Melted Chocolate for Stripes and eyes in a baggie.

Directions:

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Melt together the Peanut Butter & Honey in a sauce pan. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and mix. Mold into 1 inch ovals and lay out on a tray. Let cool. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Place in a baggie and drizzle lines for the bee’s back and dots for eyes. Lay almond slivers on their backs and cool!

A few Pictures from Rachel Brewer’s party! You have to check it out!! Who thinks of this stuff?  I wish I was this creative!! You’re amazing Rachel! You definitely need your own TV Show!