Kid-Friendly Holiday Snack Recipes

Kid-Friendly Holiday Snack Recipes

What are you cooking that’s exciting for the kiddos on Christmas Day? Here are some fun, quick and tasty recipes that they’ll love!

Grinch Fruit Kabobs

Tools:

  • Cutting Board
  • Wooden Skewers/Toothpicks/Colorful Straws

Ingredients:

  • Strawberries
  • Bananas
  • Marshmallows
  • & Green grapes

Chocolate Covered Apples & Strawberries

Ingredients:

  • Apples
  • Strawberries

Easy Steps:

  1. Melt chocolate chips on the stove or microwave.
  2. Wash and slice fruit.
  3. Dip them in the melted chocolate.
  4. As you dip them, place them on parchment paper to cool for about 10 minutes.

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Tools:

  • Waffle Maker

Ingredients: 

  • 1 tube Pillsbury™ cinnamon rolls with icing
  • Cooking spray

Easy Steps:

  1. Spray cooking spray on your waffle maker iron
  2. Open your can(s) of cinnamon rolls and place them one at a time on a waffle iron
  3. Allow it to cook as you would a waffle!
  4. Once it’s done, top with icing or maple syrup.

Rice Krispie Treats

Tools:

  • Pot
  • 9 x 13-inch pan

Ingredients:

  • 1-9 cups of Rice Krispie Cereal
  • 2 10-oz bags of Mini Marshmallows (divided)
  • 1-2 sticks of Salted Butter
  • ½ tsp of Sea Salt

Easy Steps: 

  1. Line a 9 x 13-in pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and lightly grease with butter. Set aside 2 cups of the marshmallows.
  2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
  3. Allow the butter to fully melt (turning light brown), and then take the pot off the heat.
  4. Add the remaining marshmallows, vanilla, and salt into the pot.
  5. Now, place the pot back over medium heat and stir the mixture until the marshmallows are completely melted.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cereal. 
  7. Add the reserved marshmallows and stir until they are softened and partially melted. Don’t overmix!
  8. Transfer the mixture to the lined baking pan. Using damp fingers, press the mixture gently into an even layer on the pan.
  9. Let it cool at room temperature for at least an hour.
  10. Use the foil to lift the rice Krispie treat mixture onto a cutting board, and then cut into squares.

Last-Minute Christmas Grabs: Easy Holiday Gifts

Last-Minute Christmas Grabs: Easy Holiday Gifts

Feel no shame if you’re shopping for gifts at the last minute! As many of us are so busy during this season, finding time to land the “perfect gift” can be a challenge. If you have a few last-minute grabs on your list — whether planning to take a quick trip to Walmart or glide through Target the night before Christmas, no worries!

I’ve put together a list of easy, can’t-go-wrong Christmas gifts, perfect for every member of your family!

Take a look:

For the Moms in Your Life

I like to consider myself especially qualified to make suggestions in this area (we hard working moms need a little R&R too!)

Ember Temperature Control Mug

This temperature control mug will stop you from having to reheat your mug 1000 times a day, so you can enjoy your coffee on your schedule.

Robe

If you know me, you know I love robes. They are classic, they are simple, and they are essential for the amount of time we are spending at home these days.

Self-Care Gift Cards

We all could use a “treat yourself” moment. Whether it’s a giftcard for Lush, a mani-pedi, or even a massage, it’s an indulgence that feels special.

For Your Mans

Why is that your husband can sometimes be the hardest person to shop for?! I love to keep things simple by getting gifts that I know he will use.

Luggage

Nothing can beat a quality luggage set. If you invest now, this gift will have mega lasting power and will be his go-to on every trip.

Planner

Help your man keep track of his plans by getting him a classic planner. Secretly a gift for you too, he won’t have to rely on you to let him know when he’s got an appointment on the books!

Docking Station

Make it easy for your husband to charge all of his electronics in one place. It will help cut down on clutter and make everything readily accessible for him!

For Your Little Girls

Shopping for my girls is truly one of my favorite parts of Christmas!

American Girl Doll

These dolls are a wonderful educational tool for getting your daughters interested in a historical time period and diverse ethnic backgrounds. (Plus they are so dang cute!)

Books

It may seem simple, but books can be some of the most wonderful Christmas presents. Take your little one on an adventure anywhere with a carefully chosen story.

Tea Set

This is the perfect gift in our family with three little girls; it’s something they all can share and a treat for you to sit in on, too!

For Your Little Boys

Does it roll, build, or make loud noises? Then your son will probably love it! But in case you still need some hints, here’s what I think:

Bike or Scooter

Get him up and moving! Having something he can race around on (preferably outside the house) will add so much fun to his day.

Train Set

A culmination of everything I recommend, a train set will let your son build the perfect track, roll his train at high speeds, and don’t forget that train whistle! Choo-choo!

Video Games

This one is a no-brainer! Finding an educational or problem solving video game is a great way to keep your son developing while also having fun.

I love the Christmas season, and while it certainly isn’t all about the gifts, hopefully these ideas will give you a little help putting presents under the tree this year!

Holiday Deal Alert: Where I’m Shopping!

Holiday Deal Alert: Where I’m Shopping!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love a good deal! And nothing satisfies my sale needs quite like Black Friday. Forget the rush and rumble of holiday shoppers storming the stores, this is the perfect year to bag great purchases from home. So what steals am I shopping for this year? Let me show you!

For My Kitchen

You better believe I am stocking up on all my kitchen essentials. I want to head into the holidays ready to serve up some fabulous feasts!

Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Pressure Cooker 9 in 1,  6 Qt, 48 One Touch Programs - The F Word, Tamela Davis

Instant Pot Duo

At 50% off, now is the time to buy this pressure cooker. With 9 different settings (including baking, steaming, slow-cooking, sauteing, and more) the Instant Pot is like a kitchen miracle. It’s an all-in-one appliance that will meet your every cooking need and help you have dinner on the table in no time.

GET IT HERE.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven, 3.5 qt., Oyster - The F Word, Tamela Davis

Sauteuse Oven

While I love a high-tech kitchen gadget, I am still a classicist in some ways. This gorgeous cast iron piece may seem like a pricey purchase, but with $120 off you’ll be glad you invested during Black Friday. With this in your arsenal, you’ll be cooking soups, stews, and casseroles that will make your mama proud (and maybe even a little jealous).

GET IT HERE.

 

Le Creuset Stoneware Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid, 14 3/4"x9"x2 1/2" (2.75 qt.), Oyster - The F Word, Tamela Davis

Stoneware Cooking and Serving Dish

This Le Creuset masterpiece will pair perfectly with your new cast iron sauteuse. I love stoneware because it moderates temperatures so your food cooks evenly and easily, no scorch marks here! Not to mention it’s dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe (talk about versatile).

GET IT HERE.

 

Ninja Kitchen System with Auto IQ Boost and 7-Speed Blender - The F Word, Tamela Davis

Ninja Blender

Now at 50% off, this blender is your one-stop-shop for all of your chopping, dicing, and pureeing needs. When it comes to smoothie making, there is simply nothing better for breaking down fruit and veggies and even frozen ingredients (those blades will stop at nothing!).  If this blender still seems out of your price range, check out this Oster Blender. Also at 50% off, its price can be a little easier to swallow and comes with a smoothie cup so you can take your drinks on the go.

GET IT HERE.

 

Ninja Foodi Programmable 10-in-1 5qt Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer - FD101 - The F Word - Tamela Davis

Ninja Foodi

Air frying is the new frontier, my friends!  Save $70 on this new kitchen essential and transform your fried meals into a healthier alternative without losing any of that crisp and crunch. Like the Instant Pot, this appliance offers multiple cooking settings and with a five-quart non-stick pot, you’ll have plenty of room to fit dinner for the whole family.

GET IT HERE.

 

For My Kids

I love using Black Friday to get a jump start on Christmas presents for my kids. It’s a great opportunity to add a few more treats under the tree, without breaking the bank.

LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box First LEGO Set with Storage Box 10913 - Tamela Davis - The F Word

Lego Duplo Set

I don’t know about you, but with four kids, we go through Legos like crazy in my house. I can never have enough. This toddler-friendly set has a great variety and best of all… comes with its own storage box! No more piercing my foot on waylaid Lego bricks!

GET IT HERE.

 

Jenga Game - The F Word - Black Friday - Tamela Davis

Jenga

I love this classic. At 50% off, it’s an easy buy that can get my whole family bonding over a shared game. And isn’t that what the holidays are about?

GET IT HERE.

 

Dash Mini Waffle Maker - The F Word - Tamela Davis

Mini Waffle Maker

Okay, okay, I know this seems like another kitchen appliance, but hear me out! This waffle maker makes it easy to get my kids in the kitchen with me. With a non-stick tray and a one-step set-up, breakfast can become fun and accessible for my kiddos with an easy clean up for me.

GET IT HERE.

 

For Myself (duh!)

Of course, treating yourself to a few Black Friday deals doesn’t hurt! I wouldn’t go overboard, but every working mama needs a little something special for herself (and at a discount, I might add).

 

Buttah Baby Hair - The F Word - Tamela Davis

Wigs and Weaves

Buttah Baby is one of my favorite wig shops because they offer quality virgin hair wigs and weaves. They offer a wide range of textures, lengths, and colors, ensuring I never have a problem finding what I’m looking for. With markdowns on the entire site and free shipping on orders over $75, now is the time to buy.

GET IT HERE.

 

Old Navy Holiday Sale - Website - The F Word - Tamela Davis

Old Navy

They had me at 50% of EVERYTHING! With prices as low as $5, I can refresh my wardrobe just in time for winter. Even better than that? Old Navy is known for family-friendly styles, so I can stock up not only for myself but for my kids and husband too. Would matching holiday PJs be too much? Nah!

GET IT HERE.

 

I hope my suggestions have helped prep you for your Black Friday shopping bash.  Let me know if any of these products made your holiday just that much brighter, and don’t forget to share your favorite sale steals in the comments and on social!

Recipe Week: Thanksgiving Series (#4): BBQ Ribs

Recipe Week: Thanksgiving Series (#4): BBQ Ribs

RECIPE #4: BBQ Ribs that will have you licking your fingers and going back for seconds and thirds! I saved a tasty favorite for the final recipe of our Recipe Week. I hope you’ve enjoyed the flood of recipes.

Ingredients

2 slabs of ribs 

1 lemon

4 teaspoons of seasoning salt

2 tablespoon of paprika

1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 onion, thickly sliced

1 large bottle of BBQ sauce of your choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Wash the meat thoroughly, then rub it down with the sliced lemon (or the juice of the lemon).
  3. Combine all the spices (seasoning salt, paprika, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder) in a small bowl, and then sprinkle the mix over the ribs.
  4. Slice the onion into thick slices and place them over the ribs.
  5. Cove the baking dish with aluminum foil.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Remove ribs from the oven and add the BBQ sauce on top.
  8. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until ribs is tender to liking. Pour off access liquids, slice and serve. 

Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving!

Recipe Week: Thanksgiving Series (#3): Mexican Cornbread

Recipe Week: Thanksgiving Series (#3): Mexican Cornbread

Here’s RECIPE #3! You’ve had cornbread. But have you had “Mexican” Cornbread? If not, it’s a must-try. For this Thanksgiving, give the family a little something different… something you can bet on tasting flavorful!

Ingredients 

1 box of cornbread mix

1 Jalapeño pepper

½ can of cream corn

½ cup of shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat an 8-inch pan on the stovetop with a tablespoon of oil or butter and a tablespoon of dry cornmeal. 
  2. Whisk together cornbread mix, milk, melted butter, and egg until moistened (Follow the box instructions!!) Stir in shredded cheese, corn, and jalapeños.
  3. Pour mixture into the prepared pan. If desired, sprinkle with more cheese.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let sit 5 minutes before slicing and serving.