dairy Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Hot Milk Cake

April 24, 2015 by Nikki Cole

Hey it is Nikki again, with an amazing and fun kind of recipe for anyone looking for an easy dessert that is amazing. My husband introduced me to this recipe when we first got married and I thought he was crazy! There was no way Hot Milk Cake could be good, especially without frosting – but after we made this I have been hooked and we devour it every time we make it! This cake is a spongy and moist cake that doesn’t need frosting or even a fork! It is very simple to make and not messy – so a bonus for those of you with kids! With this cake you can also add toppings (to dress it up if you like), like cool whip, berries, strawberry glaze or whatever glaze you like – but it is delicious just plain and simple to make.

Ingredients

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
2 ¼ tsp baking powder
1 ¼ cup milk
10 tablespoons butter

Directions

Beat the eggs on high for about 5 minutes or until they are thick and lemon colored. Gradually add the sugar 2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla. In a separate bowl combine flour and baking powder, add to batter beat on low until smooth.
Take the butter and milk and place in a small saucepan on medium heat until melted (do not boil). Add to batter, mix just until combined, careful with this step so as not to splash the hot milk on you.
Pour into greased and floured 13 x 9 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until edges start to pull away from the sides.

Have a ‘Me Moment’ with Ice Cream Flavored Yogurt

January 9, 2015 by Danielle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MullerMoment #CollectiveBias

As busy moms, wives & women, we spend a lot of our energy and focus on others. It’s our nature, I think, to put others first. This is definitely a wonderful thing, but not when we never give OURSELVES some attention. I’m guilty of this plenty, so one of my goals this year is to make sure to Have a ‘Me Moment’ regularly, and give myself a little extra love every now and then!

I sure seem to have made a lot of goals for myself for 2015! The good part is that they’re major ones that I’m taking baby steps towards, not a giant leap at all once! Like this goal of focusing on myself a bit more…right now I’m just taking a few minutes every here and there each day. My favorite time to do this? When I’ve earned (or really, really want!) a little treat without having to share. Let’s be honest, it’s pretty rare we get to enjoy our own little indulgence without sharing at least some with our kids, right?!

I found this NEW product at Walmart, and was super excited to try it out because it sounded AMAZING! Right there in the fridge section along the wall, with all the other yogurts, is a new one: Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt.

I. Love. Ice cream! Seriously, it’s just so good, with all the different flavors, and you can mix all these different things with it….super creamy and flavorful and delish…..ya. I really enjoy ice cream! So of course I HAD to give these a try, and grabbed all three flavors my store had: Vanilla Bean, Mint Chocolate Chip and Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Drooling yet?

What’s great is that there’s a Müller® coupon promotion: Take $1 off 5 Müller® Yogurts (offer valid from January 4 – February 15, 2015) in the Jan. 4th Sunday paper! This is a killer deal, so be sure to check that out!

So this week it’s been my little secret ‘Me Moment’ for myself. I literally HIDE from my kids in my closet…..don’t panic, it’s only a few minutes and I make sure they’re perfectly fine playing first…and sit there enjoying one of these ridiculous delicious yogurts. Here’s my special ‘Me Moment’ place….

Nothing exceptional about it, other than it’s quiet, open, and I get some time for just ME. Anywho, I sit there right beside my shoe organizer and enjoy Every. Single. Bite. So far my favorite (although they’re all fabulous) is the Vanilla Bean made into this creamy parfait.

Ingredients

Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt – Vanilla Bean Flavor
1/2 – 1 cup Raspberries, just slightly frozen
1/4 cup Chocolate Chips

Directions

You can layer it for appeal, such as a thin layer of the Vanilla Bean Yogurt, half the raspberries, then the rest of the yogurt, remaining berries and sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
Or just mix them all together, if that’s more your style!

The important thing here isn’t to get the perfect recipe…it’s that us women tend to do a LOT for others, and that’s great. But we definitely need and deserve some time to refresh, unwind and not feel like we must focus on a dozen others at that moment.

Because that moment, is a ‘Me Moment’!

I spilled the ‘beans’ on my special ‘Me Moment’ place…what’s yours?

Help this Holiday with The Great American Milk Drive

December 10, 2014 by Danielle

Even though we should be helping others all year long, there’s something even more special about service during the holidays. It’s easy to get caught up with the presents and great food. The holidays come once a year, but for 1 in 5 children hunger comes every single day. Let’s make an extra effort to Help this Holiday with The Great American Milk Drive!

I’ve mentioned a couple times before, but this time of year really brings back special memories for us. Just a couple years ago we were struggling pretty badly, hardly able to make ends meet for our little family as we did our best to work, finish our schooling and be there for our kids. I even remember clearly a year when I had to carry my kids from the car inside because I couldn’t afford to get them sneakers, or thick coats. We lived in Northern Utah, so with feet of snow on the ground, that wasn’t wise.

Every year, though, we received SO MUCH love, support and help during the holidays. Even writing this blog post, tears come to my eyes as I remember the joy we felt. An entire turkey dinner left in a huge box on our door. Gift cards for groceries and clothes, so we were able to get those shoes and coats. A hand-sewn dress for little Wonder Woman, plus other toys and gifts so we had something under our tree for the kids. We received envelopes of money from anonymous families. Yup, I’m bawling now! I’ve never felt so much love and care from complete strangers (or friends, not sure who) as I did those years of struggling. They taught me about service, the joy of giving, and I knew that we wanted to instill that love of giving to others into our children.

After college, Hubby was able to get a really great job, and while we’re not ‘well off’ by any means, we’re no longer struggling. We can even afford some luxuries like birthday parties, occasional vacations, and our kids are appropriately clothed. We don’t have to worry about how we’re going to afford groceries each week, and if an extra pack of cookies ends up in our cart, it’s not the end of the world. I’m so grateful for those years of struggling, because I know now how blessed we are. I can truly appreciate all we have, and can feel what others who ARE struggling are going through. I’m so glad to be in a position where WE can help others, and can set that amazing example for our kids.

Since Santa gets PLENTY of milk at Christmas, The Great American Milk Drive is asking that we donate his milk to help those in need. Did you know that families that depend on Feeding America food banks receive less than one gallon of milk per person, per year? Our family of 7 now goes through about 1 per person each WEEK! I’m sure the Jolly Ol’ Elf will be more than happy to do with one less gallon or two this season in an effort to make the holidays more memorable for others.

For every share of this video, a gallon of milk will be donated to a local food bank.

I think this is such a fun way to get our kids involved! We did a fun idea where instead of putting milk in our ‘Santa’ glass, we stuck in some money. Then we can donate that money to The Great American Milk Drive to go to those who really need it! You can even show your kids their website, and put in the state where you live….it shows you exactly how many gallons have been delivered in your state, and how many people are served by the food banks. Here’s a screen shot of how much they’ve helped in our state of Texas!

Want to help? Here’s how!

Make a donation online. Starting Giving Tuesday (December 2) through December 31, America’s dairy farmers and milk companies will match all donations made at www.MilkLife.com/give making milk gallons multiply at your local food bank this holiday season. By entering your zip code, you can ensure that milk is delivered to a local food bank to help nourish children in your own community.
Spread the word. For every share of this Great American Milk Drive video, a one-gallon donation will be made to one of the more than 200 food banks served by Feeding America.

So this year, give Santa a break and donate your milk to someone who REALLY needs it! Trust me, those you help will be forever grateful!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Ultimate Smoothie Recipe Round Up

May 27, 2014 by Danielle

As the weather gets warmer, Hubby and I move towards smoothies for breakfast. A LOT! But I can’t have the same thing over and over again, so I went on the hunt for enough smoothie recipes to really give us a variety. For all YOU smoothie lovers out there, here’s my Ultimate Smoothie Recipe Round Up!

One thing I love about smoothies is that they keep me fuller longer, which ~~prevents~~ helps me to not snack as often. I even enjoy them as an afternoon pick-me-up, when I get that after lunchtime drag. (please tell me I’m not the only one who feels zombie-ish in the early afternoons!) Since Hubby and I are attempting to improve our diet (drastically), I’m sure many of these smoothies will make an appearance in our home for more than just breakfast! Now on to The Ultimate Smoothie Recipe Round Up!

Now THIS looks like a perfect breakfast! Check out these Blueberry ‘Cream’ Oatmeal Smoothies from Healthy Smoothie Recipe.

Oh, for the love of peanut butter, you’ve got to try this Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie from Mindfully Frugal Mom!

I’m all for planning ahead, especially for breakfasts (I’m so not a morning person!) so I’m definitely giving these Frozen Smoothie Packs from All Things Katie Marie a try ASAP!

Just look at that photo….I’m already drooling for 15 of the Best Smoothie Recipes from Passion for Savings!

One of Hubby’s FAVORITE smoothies, this Pumpkin Breakfast Smoothie uses real pumkin and banana.

My friend over at Creative Green Living posted this Watermelon Coconut Water Refresher Smoothie, and I HAD to try it. DEFINITELY refreshing and delicious!

There’s SO MANY recipes in this round-up from Rachel Cooks that look so delicious, can’t wait to work my way through her 50+ Juice & Smoothie Recipes!

So maybe it’s just me…but those strawberries look SO DANG GOOD! This list of 10 Amazing Smoothie Recipes from My Frugal Adventures has such delicious variety, it’s truly ‘amazing’!

I love the hint of almond in the Tropical Strawberry Smoothie!

Again, my love of peanut butter got the best of me, luckily! Here’s 15 Healthy Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipes from My Natural Family.

I love adding blackberries to smoothies, especially when it comes out so beautifully purple like this Blackberry Banana Bliss Smoothie from Creme De La Crumb.

Sober Julie had me at ‘cheesecake’ with her Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie!

This Clean Eating Mango Chai Smoothie from The Gracious Pantry is now on Hubby’s MUST TRY list…he can’t wait to try it!

Who could resist this Healthy Apple Pie Dessert Smoothie from Green Thickies?! Not me!

Since my kids seem to suck any energy I may have clean out of me, this Energy Boost Fruit Smoothie from Sober Julie may become a regular addition to my meal plan!

Although Hubby isn’t a fan of coconut, I love this fresh Coco-Orange Smoothie to kickstart my day!

I use to hate green smoothies, but have learned to make them the right way so they may look green, but taste amazing…..so I can’t wait to make my way through these 15 Quick & Easy Green Smoothie Recipes from Green Thickies!

Still one of my favorite dessert-type smoothies, is this Copy-Cat Strawberry Julius!

A Night Owl Blog is amazing, and she hit it right on the mark again with her 50 Smoothie Recipes! Drool!

And last, but not least, is this Cherry Berry Smoothie, with a nice mixture of delicious berries!

Ham and Egg Cups

May 8, 2013 by Danielle

Has anyone else had trouble sleeping lately? I have! No matter how tired and exhausted I am, and whatever time I go to bed (usually between 10-11pm), I can’t fall asleep before 2am! It’s crazy, and very frustrating just laying there. Despite the little sleep, I still have to get up to get kids ready for the day, get Wonder Woman to the bus, make breakfast, all of that fun daily stuff. I’m just getting more tired, but still unable to sleep sooner. So if I seem a bit more grammatically incorrect or my spelling is struggling, please just know that I’m running on low (well, lower) energy than normal. Hopefully I’ll get my body back on schedule soon and can catch up on my ZZZZs!

My kids really love eggs, but I seem to run out of ways to serve them that keep their interest. These ham cups are just so fun and cute, they gobbled them up quick! It was interesting to see their differences, though. One would eat the egg first, then the ham. Another would eat all the ham around the edge, then move onto the egg. The silly little things you notice of your kids!

Ingredients – per cup:
1 Slice ham, preferably thick (I used 3 slices thin lunchmeat ham)
1-2 eggs
Sprinkle of diced green onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: diced mushroom, tomato, green peppers

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 F.

In a sprayed cupcake pan, line each slot with the ham.

Mix the other ingredients together in a bowl, then divide among the ham cups.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until edges of ham slices are turning crispy and eggs are the desired done-ness.

Egg Monsters

April 29, 2013 by Danielle

My kids love scrambled eggs, but refuse to eat hard boiled eggs. Why, you may ask? Honestly…I have no idea. Seriously, to me it makes absolutely no sense, but whatever. So I wanted to find a way to get them to enjoy eating hard boiled eggs (other than colored ones at Easter)….these Egg Monsters were just the ticket, and a super fun breakfast idea for Halloween!

I was flipping through a book and saw all these cute food creations, and came across a frankenstein egg. So cute! I decided to make my eggs look like monsters…and the kids LOVED IT!

You can really get creative with this, just using what you have around the pantry and base it on what your kids’ tastes are. You could even color them for some more unique monsters….but I’m not a huge fan of dying eggs.

Here’s what I did for this time:

Hard boil some eggs.
Add eyes: I used cut olives.
Add a mouth: cut a slit in the eggs, possibly adding a tongue such as tiny celery sticks or green peppers. (my boys say monsters have green tongues, not pink like us….okay!)
Is the monster bald or hairy? Ours was hairy, with bacon bits sprinkled up top.

Now you could add tons more, this was just a basic fun thing for us to quickly do for snack. AND THEY ATE IT!!!!