Homemade Playdough

This recipe makes GREAT play dough! It is quick, and the play dough will last a very long time.
Making it in large batches is great for groups of children, or to use as a party favor. Making your own play dough is also cheaper. The main expense is the Cream of Tartar. It is usually not sold in a large container at the grocery store, but can be purchased online. The price of this bulk container is about the same as two small spice jars purchased at a grocery store.

Mix ingredients into a medium-large sauce pan. (Children can help with this process before turning on the heat)

Notice the oil in a sports top bottle = easy to use!

3 cups flour
3 cups water
3/4 cups salt
2 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring

Heat the mixture over medium heat until it pulls away from the edges.

Move dough to a large plate to cool.

While still warm, knead the dough many times with your hands to smooth out any lumps and bumps.

Store in an airtight container or plastic bag.

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars

This recipe is a hit with kids and adults. Kids may easily mistake them as a cookie, but they are wholesome and filling. Best of all they are easy to make, and kids can participate!

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Homemade Granola Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned oats)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (can do a little less)
• 1/3 cup wheat bran or wheat germ (wheat bran has more protein)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (optional, but makes them have a nice texture)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (optional)
• 1 tablespoon flax oil (optional)
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
  
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat bran/germ, cinnamon, flours, and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil, applesauce, flax oil, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well using  a large spoon or your hands. Stir in the raisins and chocolate chips (if adding)
3.  Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut. 

Healthier Chocolate Cake

Most children, actually most people love a cake, especially a fresh moist one. Here is a recipe easy enough to have even young children help make, but it is healthier and lower in fat than store bought and traditional box mix cakes.

Recipe:
1 Trader Joes Chocolate Cake Mix (contains no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup)
1 15oz can of pumpkin puree, minus 1/2 cup
2 tbsp melted butter
3 eggs
1 cup (approximately) water
1/4 cup milk with 1/2 scoop of pure protein powder blended in (optional)
1 tbsp flax oil (optional)


Beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer as directed on the box.
Bake as directed on the box.


Adding the pumpkin puree adds a great source of Vitamin A and other nutrients and takes the place of some of the oil/butter needed in the cake. Flax oil is a good source of Omega 3's

This cake should turn out very moist.