Eliminating Empty Calorie Snacks

My 7 (almost 8) year old daughter is always hungry, even though everytime I turn around she is eating something.  I tracked her eating for 5 days, including school lunches, school snacks, after school time with Nanny and snacks at friends' houses when I am not around to help make the snack choices.  I realized very quickly that she was eating and drinking ALOT of empty calories - meaning sugar. 

She makes great food choices at meal times and eats a great variety of things, we are just working on her snack choices and I am letting her shop and plan for her snacks with me.  She loves apples and peanut butter, carrots and ranch, string cheese and yogurt.  But those can get old very quickly.  I am looking for some baked goods I can make for her that she will enjoy as well.   I already substitute half the flour in my cookie recipes with whole wheat flour, but I was thinking of some kind of bar or healthy mufin recipes. 

So, my question to you is....  what healthy snacks do you give your kids? 

Meal Plan Monday - August 22nd

I think I finally have our new routine down so I can more efficiently meal plan.  Last week got a bit crazy, but this week should go a little smoother, even with 3 Curriculum Nights to attend.

Sunday - Filet, Corn, Roasted Asparagus, Vanilla Ice Cream
Monday - Toasted Sandwiches, Chips and Salsa, Fruit
Tuesday - Elementary Curriculum Night - Leftovers
Wednesday - Crockpot Nachos and Fruit
Thursday - Middle School and High School Curriculum Nights, so Nanny is cooking
Friday - Might be going to the high school football game
Saturday - Honey Asian Sesame Chicken, Cilantro Lime Rice, Steamed Broccoli (I still haven't made this...)

For more great menu plans, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Peppers, Peppers and Peppers

Over the weekend, this

 Became this

7 pints of Jalapeno Pepper Jelly and 9 pints of Banana Pepper Mustard.

I changed the Banana Pepper Mustard a bit first by halving the recipe.  I used 20 banana peppers, 2 green peppers and 4 jalapeno peppers.  I seeded and deveined all the peppers (use gloves!).  This mustard is a huge hit.  Delicious on hot dogs, brats, hamburgers and as a dip for pretzels.  I even used it in my baked beans instead of regular mustard.  It gave the beans a very subtle kick that was delicious.

Linking up to:  Tatertots and Jello

All-American Frittata

What can be better than eggs, bacon and cheese?  Nothing really, but putting them all together in a 75 year old iron skillet makes them fabulous!  This is one of our favorite quick meals.  It takes only minutes to pull together, 10 minutes in the oven and it makes use of those bits and pieces hiding in the refrigerator. 

All-American Frittata

2 c frozen hash browns, thawed

1/2 T vegetable oil

8 eggs, beaten

3/4 c diced ham or cooked, chopped bacon or cooked, crumbled sausage - whatever you've got, or leave out the meat if you want

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 t garlic powder

1/4 t onion powder

1 cup add ins  - scour your refrigerator for those bits of leftover vegetables- see idea list at bottom
1/2 c shredded cheese - your favorite or whatever you've got

In a seasoned iron skillet, heat oil.  Add hash browns and cook until soft. 
Beat eggs, adding salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Top hash browns with bacon and add ins of your choice, pour eggs over . 
Top  with cheese. 
Cook until bottom is set, then bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. 

*** Add ins - spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, squash, zucchini, onions, green or red peppers, peas

Serve with salad and fruit for a great quick meal.

Linked to
Life as Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap
Ingredient Spotlight - Bacon at Eat At Home Cooks

What's For Lunch

Back to schoool means back to packing my lunch.  One of my yearly kitchen goals was to pack my lunch at least 3 times a week.  So far this year I have been successful and I really want to continue through this school year.  So, here we go!  This week's lunches in review.


Monday - Ham and Tomato Sandwich, Pretzels, Peach
Tuesday - Ham and Tomato Sandwich, Pretzels, Banana
Wednesday - Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli, Peach
Thursday - Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli, Peach
Friday - Teriyaki Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Peas

Meal Plan Monday (on Friday) - August 15th

Still trying to get used to our school and sports schedule.  We did manage to eat at home most nights this week, but I already can tell Wednesdays are going to be a challenge.  I'm thinking this will be CrockPot night until November!  No links this week since I am getting it up sooooo late.

Sunday - Grilled Burgers and Brats, Mac and Cheese, Baked Beans, Chelsea Salad, Ice Cream and Pound Cake
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli
Wednesday - later practice than I had anticipated - Wendy's drive thru
Thursday - Teriyaki Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Sliced Pineapple
Friday - Leftovers for kids, BUNCO for me
Saturday - Honey Sesame Chicken, Cilantro Lime Rice, Steamed Broccoli

Meal Plan Monday - August 8th

This is the Official Back to School Edition of Menu Plan Monday here at Love Being in My Southern Kitchen.  I started school Friday and the kids start on Thursday, and we have Middle School and Elementary School Open House on different nights.  Cheerleading and Lacrosse start this week as well, then Girl Scouts, Tennis, Gymnastics and Agility are not far behind.  Time to get my behind in gear  -- Let the games begin!

But first, our favorite new recipe from last week - Rosemary Ranch Chicken.  We loved this, so tender and yummy.  I highly recommend you try this recipe. 

I'm sticking to family favorite this week to make things easier.  Enjoy!

Sunday - Shrimp and Grits, Roasted Asparagus, French Bread
Monday - There is just too much going on this day, so it will probably be something quick between events
Tuesday - Enchilada Pie, Salad and Fruit
Wednesday - Cheesey Chicken Vermicelli, Steamed Broccoli and Fruit Salad
Thursday - Sloppy Joes, Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Chips and Fruit
Friday - Leftovers!
Saturday - Honey Asian Sesame Chicken Kabobs, Cilantro Lime Rice, Steamed Broccoli and Fruit

Lunches -
Monday - Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Sliced Tomatoes and Cucumbers, Fruit Salad and Zucchini Bread
Tuesday - Out with colleagues
Wednesday - Enchilada Pie, Salad
Thursday - Cheesy  Chicken Vermicelli, Fruit or Salad
Friday - Cheese and Veggie Sandwich, Chips, Fruit

For more great meal plan ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie

Meal Plan Mondy - August 1st

I can't believe it is August already.  Where did my summer go?  I start school on Friday, with the kids starting next Thursday.  I still have so much I wanted to get done.  My parents are coming to help paint a few rooms in my house and complete a couple of other projects.  It's going to be a busy week.  Hopefully my meal plan will keep us out of the drive thru.

For lunches while my parents are here working -
Pimento Cheese
Ham, Turkey and Salami for Sandwiches
Chicken Salad
Summer Tortellini Salad


Sunday - Ribeye on the Grill, Scalloped Potatoes, Lima Beans
Monday - Rosemary Ranch Chicken, Zucchini Cakes, Roasted Potatoes, Salad, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Tuesday - Dinner at friends' house
Wednesday - BBQ
Thursday - Leftovers or Chef Salad (if we have lunch meat to finish up)
Friday - First teacher workday and our 16th Wedding Anniversary - we just might order pizza or chinese
Saturday - Grilled Chicken Salad or Make Your Own Pizza, Peach Quesadillas

For more great menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie