LilSugar

Battle of the Baby Weight: LilSugar's Green Bean Recipe!

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:04 -0800

Eating healthy can be hard for moms who have picky kids to feed. So today (as part of the Get Fit for 2010 challenge) I'm sharing one of my favorite healthy family recipes for Asian inspired green beans. It's low in fat, high in fiber, and dairy-free making it perfect for vegetarians and those with diet restrictions. Serve it to your children with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 10 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage good-bye too, set a goal, and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support!

To get see the rest of these mouthwatering pics and to get the recipe, read more.

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LilSugar's Asian Inspired Green Beans
Original Recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces of green beans
1 tbs toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup of minced yellow onion
1 minced clove of minced garlic
6 ounces of sliced mushrooms
5 ounces shredded carrots
2 green onions
2 - 3 ounces of toasted and unsalted sliced almonds
soy sauce (to taste)
rice vinegar (to taste)
sea salt
pepper
Sarachi sauce (optional)

Directions
Blanch green beans, then strain and set to the side.
In a pan, saute minced onion and garlic, mushrooms and carrots in 1 tbs of toasted sesame oil.
If you need to add moisture to speed up the process, add two tbs of water to the hot pan.
Toss in the sliced green onion about one minute before you take the veggies off of the heat.
Next mix all the vegetables together in a large bowl.
Shake in the almonds.
Add a splash of soy sauce (I use the low sodium variety) to taste.
Then, do the same with rice wine vinegar.
Add a dash of sea salt and a pinch of pepper before plating and serving.
Salt and pepper to taste.
If you want to spice the dish up, put a little Sarachi sauce on the side.

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11 Healthier Winter Treats For Your Tots

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:00:55 -0800

The frightful Winter weather makes kids and parents crave heavier carbs and sweets (pumpkin pie and hot chocolate anyone?!), which can make being inventive and health-conscious in the kitchen a bit more complicated. The good news is, many favorite goodies can be lightened or improved upon to create kid-approved treats that aren't loaded with sugar. Here are some of my shoo-in simple recipes and suggestions for turning everyday snacks into warm morsels.

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Delilicious: Leaf Us Alone Brussels Sprouts

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:18 -0800

Your little sprout can help you bake up this healthy side dish for your holiday meal. Chef Lisa Barnes claims, "Although they are one of my favorites, I realize Brussels sprouts are not welcome by many. I think they get a bad rap because they are usually boiled, bland, and still rock hard in the center. Peeling the leaves and discarding the center core makes for an entirely different taste and texture. And yes, you and your kids may even have a new green favorite. Note this takes time and patience, but little hands make great peelers."

For the delicious and kid friendly recipe, just read more.

Leaf Us Alone Brussels Sprouts
From Petit Appetit: Eat Drink and Be Merry

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil.

Cut off bottom stem or core of each sprout. Carefully peel away the leaves until it becomes too hard to peel. Cut off bottom core again and peel more layers. Continue cutting and peeling until it is too difficult to peel apart.

Place leaves in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and stir until all leaves are coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir again.

Spread leaves onto prepared baking pan in a single layer. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, until leaves are cooked and start to crisp with golden edges.

The author, Lisa Barnes, says, "I brought these to the table to peel while my children were having a snack. It must have looked interesting as both my four year old and 18 month old starting peeling, too. I told them they were Brussels Buddies. My son just kept telling his dad 'We’re only eating the skins.' ”

*Makes 6 servings

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Bite of Love: Macaroon'ed by Love Brownie Cupcakes

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:00:55 -0800

Looking to dress up your simple kid-friendly Valentine's Day dessert? Much to my children's pleasure I've been testing out a variety of tiny brownie bite "cupcakes" and pudding treats for a preschool party and our family celebration of love.

While most of the treats air on the simple side, I decided to dress up the beautiful, but plain Pretty-in-Pink cupcakes with tiny macaroons from the French bakery around the corner from our house. Not only does the dessert look more polished, but the mini macaroon on the top adds an extra nibble of sweetness for your little sweets.

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Need more ideas for creating tiny delicious treats for your tots this Valentine's Day? Check out our Bite of Love series for inspiration.

Babycakes: Bake Sweets With Baby Food!

LilSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Once your baby has outgrown pureed foods, what's a mama to do with her stockpile of jars in the pantry? Well, Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown found a winning dessert in one mother's cupcake recipe. Made with pureed baby food, the moist and delicious pecan-laced treats satisfy a sweet-tooth of any age.
To get the inventive recipe, read more.

Babycakes
Lisa Roman, Food Network

Have some leftover baby food in the pantry, try baking with it!

Ingredients

Cupcake Batter Ingredients:

* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 eggs
* 1/4 clover honey
* 1/2 cup light brown sugar
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 (4-ounce) jar pumpkins with pears baby food (recommended: Nature's Goodness brand)
* 2 (4-ounce) jars applesauce and apricots baby food (recommended: Earth's Best brand)
* 1/2 cup ground pecans

Frosting Ingredients:

* 1 teaspoon almond extract
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup ground pecans
* Special equipment: 2 (12-cup) mini muffin pans

Directions
Cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small mixing bowl add the baking soda, salt, baking powder and flour. Mix thoroughly with a fork and set aside. In a large mixing bowl add the eggs, honey, both sugars and butter. Mix until smooth using a hand mixer. Add the cinnamon and baby food. Mix until smooth. Using a rubber spatula fold in the pecans. Slowly add the flour mixture using a sifter and fold in until ingredients are evenly mixed.

Place 24 mini baking cups (2-inch, nonfoil) into each hole of the mini muffin pan. Place a 1-gallon resealable freezer bag into a bowl (for support) and pour the cupcake batter into the bag. Seal the bag and cut the tip off 1 of the bottom corners of the bag. Squeeze the batter into each baking cup, filling them only 3/4 of the way full. Place the mini muffin pan in the oven on the center rack. Bake for 12 minutes.

Frosting:

In a small mixing bowl add the extracts, milk, cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy using a hand mixer. When the cupcakes are done baking remove each cupcake from the pan and place on a cooling rack. Place the cooling rack in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 minutes.

Once the cupcakes are cooled remove them from the refrigerator. Frost each cupcake by putting a generous dollop of frosting on the top with a spoon. Garnish top with ground pecans and they are ready to serve.

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Bite of Love: Marshmallow My Love Pudding Cuppycake

LilSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

If you don't have time to make almond butter and brownie cupcakes or fancy brownie cupcakes sprinkled with frosting, serve up a routine treat in an unusual presentation for your family's Valentine's Day fete.

I dished up chocolate pudding into mini cups and decorated the top with mini marshmallows for a festive, but portioned controlled dessert. Your child's mouth will water at the thought of a cup of sweet goodness, but the reality is you're only serving them four spoonfuls of pudding.

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For tips on how to make these little bites of love, read more.
I used one six pack of pudding from the health food store, which I dished into about 14 mini cups (you know the kind you used in college for Jello shots). I decorated with marshmallows, but you could use any candies or serve plain.

Bite of Love: Almond Be There For You Brownie Cupcakes

LilSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:48 -0800

If you want to treat your family to a special treat on Valentine's Day, but hope to keep their sugar consumption reserved to Conversation Hearts, forgo fancy icing and add a pretty protein boost to a brownie bite. Almond butter is a delicious and nutritious paste that can be substituted for traditional peanut butter on sandwiches, waffles, pancakes, and used as a healthy decoration on desserts.

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To check out my guide to making these yourself, read more.

Almond Be There for You Brownie Cupcake
lilsugar original

Dress up a brownie bite for a healthy treat.

Ingredients

1. Package of pre-made brownie bites or homemade mini brownies
2. Almond butter (or peanut butter if your child has been tested and isn't allergic)
3. Carob or chocolate chips for decoration

Directions
Dress the brownie bites by spreading a thin amount of almond butter on top as a frosting alternative. Make sure to only put a little dab of butter so as not to overpower the brownie.

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Need more ideas for creating tiny delicious treats for your tots this Valentine's Day? Check out our Bite of Love series for inspiration.

Bite of Love: Pretty-In-Pink Brownie Cupcakes

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:56 -0800

Sometimes it's the simplest things that bring our children the most delight. When planning your impressive Valentine's Day dessert menu opt for the easiest, quickest sweet treat that will deliver a smile and small sugar rush in one beautiful and loving bite. I dressed up a regular brownie bite with cupcake frosting I found at the grocery store for an inexpensive, but dare I say, impressive dessert worthy of the lil (and big!) loves in my life.

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To check out my guide to making these yourself, read more.

Pretty-In-Pink Brownie Cupcakes
lilsugar original

Dress up a simple brownie bite for an impressive dessert fit for kids.

Ingredients

1. Package of pre-made brownie bites or homemade mini brownies
2. Cupcake or cake frosting (homemade or store bought)

Directions
Dress the brownie bites with fancy frosting work. Make sure to only put a little frosting so as not to overpower the brownie.

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Bite of Love: I Heart You Brownie Cupcakes

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:00:45 -0800

Nothing says I love you like homemade treats, but many mothers don't have time to make decadent desserts. Save yourself an expensive trip to the bakery or hours spent in front of the oven by dressing up a simple kid favorite - the brownie bite. Show your kids how much you love them with this simple Valentine's treat. I added a little festive conversation heart and frosting to a package of brownies we had around the house.

To check out my guide to making these yourself, read more.

I Heart You Brownie Cupcakes
lilsugar original

Simple "dressed up" brownie bite cupcakes.

Ingredients

Package of pre-made brownie bites or homemade mini brownies
Tube of cookie frosting
Conversation Hearts

Directions
Put a small dollop of cookie frosting on the top of your brownie bite and place conversation hearts in the center as festive decoration.

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Stay tuned for a whole series of simple, quick and inexpensive Valentine's Day dessert treats for your tots!

Delilicious: Cheese, Onion, and Olive Toasts

LilSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:16 -0800

If your kids get a case of the midnight munchies tonight, steer clear of sugar treats and curb their hunger with a more nutritious snack. Now matter how picky a tot is, they usually have a taste for toast and cheese. So whip up this incredibly easy, warm appetizer that takes a matter of minutes and uses a handful of ingredients. Simply mix shredded cheddar cheese with a sprinkle of finely sliced green onion, and then sprinkle in some diced black olives. Spread the mix on baguette slices and pop it in a 350°F oven until the cheese bubbles. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving to those with tired eyes and growling bellies. For parents and those with more adventurous pint-sized palates, substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey jack and add some diced green chilies.