Posts by Bekah Banihashemi
Trader Joe’s Favorites March 2019
We LOVE Trader Joe’s!
I love it because it has great, healthy options for meals, snacks and treats (my favorite dark chocolate!!) at great prices. The kids love it because we buy their favorite snacks, they have tasters and they get stickers at the end of each trip 🙂
Here is a list of some of our most recent favorites with some added “Oldies but Goodies in there, too!
Dry Roasted & Salted Mixed Nuts (50% Less Salt)
- I love having different kinds of nuts around the house when I need an afternoon snack- such a healthy snack
- I usually prefer unsalted but this mix is not too salty
- A little pricey but lasts for a while if it is used as a pre-lunch snack or afternoon pick-me-up
- TJ’s has great to-go trail mix options in small grab-n-go bags, too
Cheddar Rockets
- These are a definite go-to in our house
- Much less salty than goldfish
- They go fast so if you don’t go to TJs often, grab an extra box!
Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - ORGANIC
- The kids LOVE this snack and I like that it has a little more substance than some other snack foods
Organic Spicy Avocado Hummus - ORGANIC
- So good and versatile – can eat with chips, crackers, pita chips or as a spread on a sandwich or burger
- Not too spicy but has a great kick
100% Whole Wheat Middle Eastern Flatbread - This has become a staple in our house
- We like to eat it with melted cheese in the panini maker, rolled up with turkey, dipped in hummus, or as a side to many different dishes
- Good source of fiber
10 Minute Farro - Delicious and healthy side dish
- Really only takes 10 minutes to make
- Cooking it in chicken broth or chicken stock adds a
Celebrating on a Budget — A FIN-tastic Dory Party
By now, you know that we all LOVE to CELEBRATE!
This week, we celebrated Sophie, my firstborn, turning THREE! I can’t believe it! She decided that she wanted a Dory party a couple months ago and has been anxiously waiting for it since! Once she had made up her mind, I got right to the idea board. I knew I needed to find fun ideas that would not break the bank for her party! So, I started with my party go-to’s…
Pinterest is where I always go to get my creative juices flowing. I look at what other people have done and either create my own ideas from that or try to recreate what has been done before. It is also just a great way to get ideas organized in one place and to start honing in on a theme.
Party Purchases…
Party City is a great place to look for specific themes and colors. They had a few fun Dory favor and decor items. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a variety of plastic serve ware in all different shapes and sizes that worked great for this party – and they were great prices too! I was also able to find a 20% coupon to use in store which was an added bonus!
Walmart has the best prices for paper products and simple decor like streamers. They have some themed items, as well.
Oriental Trading has so many options for party items- fun favors, treat bags, decor and more! They often have discounts on their websites, too!
I even used Ebay for this party to find some unique favors!
JOANN Fabrics is the place to go for theme fabric. We used fabric for a party dress for Sophie, table cloth, and the fishing game drape. For previous parties, …
Read MoreHabits of Thankfulness
I love that November is a time of year to really focus on what we can be grateful for. Although we make an effort to bring THANKFULNESS into our everyday lives throughout the year, November is a time I can step back and focus less on the busyness of motherhood and life and remember all that I have to be thankful for! This year, I have implemented two new traditions that I hope to continue on in the coming years.
The 30 Days of Giving Thanks cards have been a really fun thing to do every morning. It is made to do for a one-time 30 day project. But, because my littles are young, I wanted to continue doing it for the next few years. Each morning, we read the verse and talk about what we are thankful for. I have been asking my 2 1/2 year old, Sophie, what she is thankful for so there have been some pretty funny responses. I write them each down with the year and will continue this for years to come when her brother can join in, too! And, as the kids get older, we can work on memorizing the verses on the cards (and laugh about their responses from younger ages 😀 )!
Last week at MOPS, we heard someone talk about gratitude. She encouraged us to text ONE PERSON about THREE things we are THANKFUL for everyday for 14 DAYS. She said that science shows that this formula will increase happiness for 6 months! I would say that is worth it so, lets go through what you need to do…
- Pick your person
- Tell them what you are planning to do (and see if they want to join!)
- Put a reminder in your phone with an alert because life is busy
Our Rookie of the Year is ONE!
We love to CELEBRATE! People, things, events…you name it, we like to celebrate it! Especially if there’s a theme and costumes 🙂 Most recently, we celebrated our newest ONE year old of the family, Hezekiah, with a San Francisco Giants theme party.
Our ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
I made their shirts using my Silhouette Cameo and Silhouette Heat Transfers.
Sophie’s Shirt: “The Greats”
KRUK & KUIP…WILLIE & WILLIE…BUM & BUSTER…HEZI & SOPHIE
<– We had a last minute purchase (one of my favorite things from the party) and had buttons made with Hezi on them (You can see them in the picture to the left). We used MPix.com for the first time and were very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the pins and some photos that we got!
Costco is another great place to get pictures printed – no shipping costs when you pick them up at your local warehouse and can usually be printed in one day!
We used as many Giants puns and sayings as we could think of that would go with our party! We rounded up all of our paraphernalia and game promo items for our decor! The wall decals were made with Silhouette Vinyl. I have started the tradition of putting out a “Birthday Book” for party guests to write a message in and am hoping to continue this to give them after their 18th birthday.
The baseball field veggie tray (made by Mom – “the implementer”; I’m more of the idea person and then she makes it a reality 😀 including all of the items with fabric – garland, table runner, high chair skirt, Hezi’s pants and Sophie’s skirt, fabric gates) turned out amazing and made the food table so fun! We used ramekins filled with hummus for the bases, veggies …
Read MoreA Strong Willed Child
As I have written before, I love listening to the Focus on the Family radio broadcast. I’ll usually put it on when we go on a walk so I can get some “me-time” while we can all enjoy getting some fresh air and looking for doggies (the kids favorite!). The material is so apparent to so many different aspects of marriage, parenting and family. I have learned so much from these 20 minute broadcasts and I usually end up wanting to buy most of the books they discuss because I want to learn more of the information they are sharing about! Today, I am writing about the broadcast called “Surviving the Strong-Willed Child Part 1” by Cynthia Tobias. This is the third time I’ve listened to it because, well, we have a strong willed child…
Our 2 1/2 year old daughter is strong willed! And it has been pushing us to the brink…so we have been searching for some material that may be our “golden ticket”, some strategies that will work for us and our little one to bring a little more peace in our home and overall lives.
Here are some of the points in the discussion that really stood out to me…
Strong Will is Not a Negative Trait
Strong will does not mean rebellion, defiance, and disobedience. These are characteristics that need to be dealt with but it can be done without distinguishing the strong will. Strong will is what pushes one to move ahead. God can use strong will!
“You don’t need to get the strong will out of your child…you need to teach your child how to use the strong will to bring honor and glory to God.”
“Strong will is not a negative trait, it’s one of the most powerful and positive traits a …
Read MoreHealthy Apple Muffins
What a more perfect way to begin the feeling of Fall than to go to Apple Hill! It has been hard to accept the fact that Fall is officially here when it is still high 90s in Clovis so it was fun to go up the hill for some cooler weather and everything apple! The boys started off the morning with all different flavors of apple donuts. We kept the fun going with a tractor ride, lots of photo ops, and a 10 lb box of apples to take home! So, I was quite inspired for a new apple baking recipe…and these healthy apple muffins did not disappoint!
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3/4 Cup Oat Flour (I ground up oats in my Vitamix 3/4 cup of oats, ground into 3/4 cup)
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 TBS Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Grated Granny Smith Apple, peeled (approx 1 med-large apple)
1 Cup Diced Granny Smith Apple, peeled (approx 1 med-large apple)
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (or Melted Coconut Oil)
1/2 Cup Honey
2 eggs
1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt, full fat
1/2 Cup Applesauce
1 tsp Vanilla
Optional: 1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
Cinnamon Sugar to sprinkle on top after baking
Adapted from www.CookieAndKate.com
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease muffin tin.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl – wheat flour, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the oil and honey. Add the eggs and beat well. Then, add the yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix well. (Note from Cookie and Kate: “If the coconut oil (optional) solidifies in contact with cold ingredients, gently warm the mixture in the microwave in 30 second bursts.”
- Combine
Caprese Panini – A Delicious Summer Meal
We love Caprese Paninis! Although it is a hot meal, it is a great summer meal even when the weather is hot because you don’t have to use the oven. We have a Cuisinart Griddler that we love using for Panini night! And, check out the ingredient list below for some of our new favorites when Caprese sandwiches are on our meal list!
These paninis are best served hot right off the panini press dipped into our balsamic vinegar dressing.
Ingredients
4 large ciabata style rolls **
12 ¼ inch slices fresh mozzarella cheese
1 roasted red pepper, saute with McCormick Italian Seasoning
8 basil leaves chopped into small pieces
2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 tomatoes sliced (8-10 slices)
Homemade balsamic vinegar dressing see recipe below
**(We love the Trader Joe’s Half Baked Panini Rustic Rolls – when using these, we like to microwave the roll and cheese for about 1 1/2-2 min to melt the cheese without over crisping the bread; These rolls are smaller so the ingredient amounts may differ when using these)
Cut Ciabata bread in half lengthwise. Open up and layer on bottom half-cheese, tomato slices, red pepper,spinach and basil. Press two halves together and put into a panini press. Let sandwich heat until cheese is melted and top and bottom of the ciabata is crispy.
Homemade Balsamic Dressing
¼ cup olive oil
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
1-2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (Our favorite is McCormick Italian Seasoning for this too)
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 tsp salt and pepper
Pour all ingredients into a salad dressing emulsifier and mix until well blended.
exchange jealousy for joyfulness
I received an email today that seemed so relevant with the topic of GROWTH we are talking about this month. It was from Jordan Lee Dooley, an author, speaker and founder of SoulScripts. I follow her on instagram and she gives such encouragement and speaks Truth through her life experiences and through her joy for life.
Speaking of joy for life ^^^ 😀
I thought her email was pretty spot on with how we can grow away from jealousy so I wanted to share it with all of you…It is entitled “my #1 tip to overcoming jealousy”…
“If you’re anything like me, i can bet that you probbbbbably struggle with comparison from time to time.
okay, okay, let’s be honest here.
if you’re anything like me, you probably struggle with it a lot of the time.
but what is comparison, really? where does it come from?
i think so much of comparisons is rooted in jealousy.
ick.
i hate that word.
but recently i’ve been putting a little trick into practice and i want to share it with you.
cool? okay, cool.
so here’s my #1 tip for anyone struggling with JEALOUSY:
consider what you are jealous of in your friend or acquaintance. Is it her family? Her hair? Her success?
Identify the root of the issue. And, then, replace it with something about her that brings you joy. Is it the advice she gives? Her creative ideas? The way you guys can laugh like crazy together?
When I begin to envy my friends in any way, I try not to wallow in that feeling but instead remove the jealous thoughts and replace them with joyful truths.
i also try to remember that if i were to trade that one thing I’m jealous of, I’d also have to vie …
Read MoreBooks for Growth, our favorites.
I love to read, but as a mom of littles and in a home that seems to always have something to be done or to clean up, reading has not been fitting into my life like it once could.
Reading can be such a source for growth, whether it is for personal growth, spiritual growth, or even growth for your mind to be at peace, to get lost in a different world, or to be engaged in a stage of life you are currently in.
Here are a list of some of our favorite books that have brought each of us growth in different times of our lives…
KERRY
Desiring God by John Piper
Growth was learning that God desires my delighting in Him, not doing things for Him, just being with Him and finding joy in relationships
Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen
I loved the reminder that we do not have to strive to please God or prove ourself to earn His favor
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
a Biblical based response to the current culture’s desire to believe there is no evil and no hell
RACHEL
Greater by Steven Furtick
Learn how to dream bigger and ignite God’s greater vision for your life
High Performance Habits by Brendan Bouchard
Developing six habits for success
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Living a life of meaning and connection instead of perfection
JESSICA
Love Unending by Becky Thompson
On marriage in the midst of motherhood
Life Giving Table by Sally Clarkson
Using the table in your home as a place of discipleship
BETHANY
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
A book on changing your perspective on thankfulness
Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning
Stretching our view on trust and what God has for us in trusting Him
Love Does by …
Read MoreSprinkled with Love Sugar Cookies
We are in full on “SPRINKLES” mode!! This weekend is our Sprinkled with Love Baby Shower to celebrate Bethany and the soon-to-be newest girl addition to the family! We are so excited!!
I decided to try a fun new Sugar Cookie recipe that looks so pretty and delicious for the shower! Probably the most fun part of the process was that Sophie wanted to be my “helper”. She may have been a little more excited to eat the cookies than to bake them but it was pretty special for me to share my passion for baking with this cutie 🙂
1 Cup Unsalted Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Large Egg
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
Sprinkles for Rolling (I used 1/2 cup of Rainbow Sprinkles)
Parchment Paper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Add dry ingredients and mix until dough is formed.
- Pour sprinkles onto a plate to create a flat layer. Roll dough into bowls and then roll into the sprinkles until covered. Set on the cookie sheet and slightly flatten each cookie ball.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove cookies from oven and let them cool for 15+ minutes (I was surprised how long it took these cookies to cool. Do not remove them from the parchment paper until cooled.)
Makes approx 20 cookies
We love to hear when you try the recipes we post! Leave a comment here or on any of our social media accounts 🙂
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