• Recipes: Homemade M&M Cookies

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    Fresh out-of-the-oven Homemade M&M Cookies

    There is something comforting about walking into the house and the smell of freshly baked cookies.  It is welcoming, not to mention the delicious taste when you sink your teeth into a warm fresh cookie as it melts in your mouth.  I remember as a kid when we would get off the school bus sometimes my Mom would be pulling a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven for us to enjoy.  No matter how crazy school had been that day you knew you would feel better after Mom’s homemade cookies!

    Our kids don’t ride the school bus so they don’t get to experience that “get off the school bus and encounter freshly baked cookies sensation” however, I do try to bring them homemade cookies, send it with them in their lunches, or make them at times when they are home.  It is nice to surprise them with a special treat every once in awhile.  Sometimes if they are playing outside I will make up a quick batch and the next time they come inside they get to sink their teeth into the hot cookies.

    M&M Cookie Recipe:

    •  2/3 cup Margarine
    • 2/3 cup Butter Flavored Crisco
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Brown Sugar
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1/2 teaspoon imitation Rum Extract
    • 3 cups Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 package Chocolate Chips

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix the margarine, crisco, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, rum and eggs together.  Then add the dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda) and mix.  Fold in the M&M’s.  Grease the baking sheet.  Drop by small spoonfuls onto the baking sheet.  Bake for 9 to 11 minutes depending on the oven.  Serves 3 to 4 dozen.

    Recipes - Chocolate Chip Cookies - M&M Cookies - No Bake CookiesP1480779c

    Another batch ready to go into the oven!  The house is smelling good….

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    School Lunch Box Meal

    The girls have a lot of fun helping put together their lunches for school.  Often they will pick out their favorite drink, containers, baggies and other goodies.  They enjoy eating homemade applesauce, jello, and more items that we make together.  The best part about making the fruits, cookies, and other food from scratch at home is you know exactly what goes into it.  You can make it with whole wheat, no sugar as well as adding other healthy ingredients.  Each meal the girls get a protein, fruit, vegetable, diary, drink and snack.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Peanut Butter & Homemade Strawberry Jam Sandwich
    • Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
    • Peach or Vanilla Yogurt
    • Lemon or Raspberry Jello
    • Broccoli, Cabbage, & Carrots “Straws” (Broccoli Coleslaw Mix that the girls have renamed broccoli straws)
    • Chocolate Milk
    • BBQ Chips
    • Mint Solo Granola Bar
    • Homemade Cookies

    The rainbow sandwich container, candy corn baggie and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.

     

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Lunch box meals for the kids school lunch.

    Our girls are starting to get more efficient in packing their lunches.  Yes, they are a little more generous with the peanut butter or meat on their sandwiches (but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing).  It works best for us if we pre-pack the majority of the items for the girls lunches (and any work lunches) the evening before.  After packing the next days lunches we put them into the refrigerator so we can grab them, pop in an ice pack and go the next day.

    • Ham &  Cheese Sandwich
    • Fresh Green Beans
    • Pita Chips
    • Vanilla or Peach Yogurt
    • Strawberry or Lemon Jello
    • Homemade Applesauce
    • Reduced Sugar Fruit Juice
    • Homemade Cookies

    Homemade applesauce and fresh green beans are one of the girls favorites to take to school.