Crushed Oreo Vanilla Pudding Parfait

Sometimes you just want something simple. And tasty. Very tasty.

Something that isn't going to take 30 minutes to make and doesn't require you to turn on the oven. Something that's easy to whip up on a weeknight so your husband can say, "Wow, how'd you find the time to make that?" I made these Oreo parfaits one night while I was simultaneously cooking dinner, with Miss A on the floor, with no husband in sight. That doesn't happen very often around these parts. Making dinner is hard enough on it's own!  

I had some heavy cream in the fridge that was getting ready to expire. I also had a giant box of Oreo's that the hubby and I couldn't pass up on our last visit to Costco. And I had a box of vanilla pudding! Winning. Miss A was able to "help" me by smashing up the Oreo's. I put them in a ziploc bag and had her whack away at them with a wooden spoon. This kept her entertained for quite a while. I was able to make the pudding and whip up the heavy cream from start to finish and then layered them in these tall glasses.

Serves: 2
1 box of vanilla pudding
2 cups cold milk
6 Oreo's
3/4 cup of heavy cream

First, crush cookies in a ziploc bag. Grab a bowl and prepare the pudding according to package directions. In another bowl beat the heavy cream on low, gradually increase to medium, and lastly high. Beat until it begins to thicken, about five minutes, until your desired consistency.  To layer the parfaits, start with the pudding, cookie crumbs, and whipped cream. For the next layer, pour cookie crumbs, pudding, and then whipped cream. Garnish with a cookie if desired.

Life as a SAHM

Miss A and I had so much fun this week. With only one rough day and plenty of play dates, we had lots to keep us occupied. Starting with last weekend, we went to a friends house for a cookout. I can't believe we have a picture of her seeing like this! It's so hard to get her to look directly into the camera, let alone smile!

Miss A's new favorite thing to do is play in the bathroom cabinets and with my jewelry. It's actually working quite well, I can get ready in peace while she plays and takes everything out. Sure, there's a mess to pick up, but at least I can get dressed from start to finish! 

The weather has been a mix of really hot temperatures with high humidity to mild and nice and breezy. I love going for a walk at the end of the day, before it's time to start dinner. We usually take our walks on our neighborhood trails. It's so peaceful!

Our dog Sandy doesn't receive the attention she deserves! Miss A is really interacting with her now, from petting her belly lovingly to shaking her paws. It's absolutely adorable and my heart melts every time! 

We went to the library twice this week and I love their new "baby corner" area. Full of board books for her to pull down right by a colorful comfy rug.

We also go to story time at least once a week and we both get to socialize with other moms and babies. I look forward to it every week!

On one of our play dates, we went to check out a cafe that is 100% baby friendly and has SO many toys! We had a blast. 

Her favorite thing was this wooden aligator walker. She went back and forth many, many times. I can't wait to take her back here soon. 

To round out the end of the week we spent some time outside in our front yard. She was having a bit of a cranky day and a change of scenery always seems to help. 

Also new this week- walking independently and new words! Her confidence with walking has grown tremendously and on Friday night she walks laps around the house without stopping to catch he balance or to hold on any furniture. I think it's safe to say we have ourselves a walker!! She is also saying new words- "hi", "bye", "baby", "ba" for ball and "sa" for sock. She's changing and growing her fast and I'm loving every minute! I can't WAIT to take her to the beach this coming week, it will be her first time, and also our first mini family vacation.

Hope you're having a great weekend! 

Five on Friday

It's Friday and I've got food, more food, Halloween chit chat, and my favorite TV show to share with you on this edition of Five on Friday.

1. Have You Started Decorating for Fall?

So, I may have jumped the gun and started decorating for Fall and Halloween. This is a sneak peek of our mantle. I want to add a garland and play around with the setup a little more before showing you the finished product. I love it so far!

2. Little Miss Strawberry

Since we're on the subject, I found Miss A's Halloween costume yesterday!! It was a steal at Marshall's. I'm SO freaking excited for Halloween now. I can't wait for her to be a little strawberry!

3. I Love Cookbooks

I have a small collection of cookbooks and I'm always looking for more. I went to the library this week and discovered their HUGE cookbook aisle. I always forget that the library can be a great source to find new recipes. Here are a few I brought home with me. Have you used any of these? What are some of your favorite cookbooks?

No, I'm not going on a diet, but I looked through it at the library, lots of promising recipes here!

Rachael Ray's newest cookbook. I own two of hers and love them. It has more than just burgers- fries, sandwiches, and spreads. I can't wait to try something!

I know this is a favorite of many food bloggers, there are some mouthwatering pictures in this book!

I freaked out when I stumble across this one. Am I the only one who was not aware Panera had a cookbook?

4. Sorry, more food!

Every week I feel compelled to share with you my favorite food pins of the week. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, and a sweet treat!

Arugula and Prosciutto Eggs Benedict 

Quick BBQ Pork Sandwiches

 Strawberry Crumb Bars

5. Parenthood

Fall TV is almost here I can hardly wait for all my favorite shows to start back up. I think I'm most excited for Parenthood to begin again. There's just something about that show that I absolutely LOVE and I enjoy every single minute. I'm always so sad to see the end of an episode. Anyone else a Parenthood fan?

Have a great weekend!

What We Ate Wednesday

It's Wednesday and I'm linking up again for What I Ate Wednesday, or in my case, What WE Ate Wednesday. Here's a look at what Miss A and I ate one day last week!

Breakfast: 8:15 am I ate: scrambled eggs with provolone cheese and spinach, a slice of whole wheat toast with apple butter, and some strawberries and bananas Miss A: scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach, untouched strawberries and bananas, and a few slurps of her fruit pouch

Yeah, it was a cranky morning.

Lunch: 12:15 pm

I ate: honey mustard chicken with lettuce and cheddar cheese in a whole wheat tortilla with a side of watermelon

Miss A: a ham, spinach, and cheese quesdilla with a side of watermelon (notice how she banished her sliced bananas to the side of her tray?)

Snack: 3:00pm

I ate: crackers with Laughing Cow strawberry cream cheese spread (it's delicious) and a Kashi cookie. LOVE Kashi cookies!

Miss A: watermelon, again, and a couple of my crackers

Much happier at snack time!

Dinner: 6:30pm

I ate: Chicken Primavera- sauteed chicken with zucchini, yellow squash, and red peppers over pasta

Miss A: the same, chopped chicken, pasta, and a few bites of squash. Red peppers and the squash were banished to the side of her tray

Toddler Friendly Spinach & Zucchini Meatballs

Today I'm linking up with the Kid-Tested, Mom-Approved Party. Read up on how you can join the fun, there are lots of ways to participate! 

My daughter is a very picky eater. She hates nearly all fruits and likes very few vegetables. As a mom, I stress out about what she is NOT eating all the time. I offer her fruit on a daily basis, only to watch it fall to the floor and be consumed by our dog. I'm constantly trying to be creative and sneaky to try and get some good stuff into her body. Sometimes it works. Most of the time, it doesn't.

Miss A loves pasta. And bread. Lots and lots of bread. She is quite the carb-o-holic. She also likes chicken, ground beef, rice, mashed potatoes, yogurt, crackers, Cheerios, and mac and cheese. The first time I made her spaghetti and meatballs, she devoured it! I was so excited because I realized there were so many ways I could hide vegetables into the sauce and meatballs. 

In these meatballs I hid zucchini and spinach. I grated a whole zucchini and chopped up several fresh leaves of spinach. I baked them in the oven and served them with a side of pasta with a small amount of tomato sauce. At first I thought she was going to pick out the spinach, but she must have been really hungry because she gobbled it up! I was so relieved! It's a victory in this house whenever she eats everything off her tray and I may have a done a little happy dance and told her she just had a ton of vegetables!

Servings: 6 meatballs
1/2 package of ground beef
1/4 cup italian bread crumbs
1 egg
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1/8 dried oregano
1/8 dried basil
1 zucchini, grated, and excess moisture drained
Handful of spinach, chopped
1/2 cup pasta, cooked
1/4 cup of jarred or homemade tomato sauce

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside. In a bowl, combine ground beef with all ingredients. Lightly mix together and form into balls (if mixture is too sticky, add a little more bread crumbs). Arrange on baking sheet, making sure to have an inch a part and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

In a saucepan, bring water to boil for the pasta. Follow the directions as indicated and serve alongside the meatballs with tomato sauce. Cross your fingers and hope your toddler will enjoy it!

You can double up this recipe and freeze the extra meatballs, unbaked. When ready to bake, defrost and bake as indicated.