I have discovered something fantastic. Muesli. Not the stuff in the box that's been coated in corn syrup and malt powder, but fresh muesli you make at home.
It's stupid simple. I found the recipe here at the Family Kitchen.
It's also convenient, wholesome, filling, tasty, easy, and can go directly from the fridge to your tummy with minimum effort. Oh, and it' whips together in seconds (especially if you use the Cuisinart to grate the apple.)
I substituted Greek Yogurt, 'cause that's what we keep on hand. It's easier for Zane to practice his spoon skills on since it's thicker and sticks to the spoon (and his fingers, hair, face, chair, table, you get where this is going) better. I also used quick cooking oatmeal. It was what we had on hand, but it made the muesli pretty mushy. I would bet it's way better with regular oats.
I think I may experiment and try adding stuff like sprouted wheat berries, quinoa, flax seeds... I'm going to stop now before I start to sound even more like a hippie.
Keep in mind it's not a pretty food. I keep chickens, I know exactly what it looks like. This is probably why I can't get Zane to even try it. Yogurt is one of his favoritest foods, along with blueberries, pasta, and cat food. The kid is willing to put ANYTHING in his mouth at least once to see if it's tasty, and he won't try the muesli. Not even a little. Too bad, it just leaves more for Ryan and I.
It's stupid simple. I found the recipe here at the Family Kitchen.
It is awesome for so many reasons. Zane loves to eat apples whole, unfortunately he doesn't have the ability to finish one. Even if we rinse it at the end of lunch and give it to him again at dinner, then at breakfast, then at lunch, and again at dinner; he still can't get through it. I've been cutting the gnawed pieces out, dicing them, and sticking them in the freezer to use in apple muffins, but there are only so many apple muffins one family needs to eat.MuesliStir everything together in a large bowl. Refrigerate it overnight and keep it in the fridge to dip into all week. Serves about 6.
- 1 cup old-fashioned (large flake) oats
- 1 cup yogurt (any kind – I prefer a nice thick plain yogurt)
- A handful of chopped dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, dates, figs, apricots and/or mango)
- A handful of chopped toasted nuts (almonds, pecans and/or hazelnuts)
- 1 apple, coarsely grated (don’t bother peeling it)
- 1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup (according to taste and whether or not you used sweetened yogurt)
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. vanilla (optional)
It's also convenient, wholesome, filling, tasty, easy, and can go directly from the fridge to your tummy with minimum effort. Oh, and it' whips together in seconds (especially if you use the Cuisinart to grate the apple.)
I substituted Greek Yogurt, 'cause that's what we keep on hand. It's easier for Zane to practice his spoon skills on since it's thicker and sticks to the spoon (and his fingers, hair, face, chair, table, you get where this is going) better. I also used quick cooking oatmeal. It was what we had on hand, but it made the muesli pretty mushy. I would bet it's way better with regular oats.
I think I may experiment and try adding stuff like sprouted wheat berries, quinoa, flax seeds... I'm going to stop now before I start to sound even more like a hippie.
Keep in mind it's not a pretty food. I keep chickens, I know exactly what it looks like. This is probably why I can't get Zane to even try it. Yogurt is one of his favoritest foods, along with blueberries, pasta, and cat food. The kid is willing to put ANYTHING in his mouth at least once to see if it's tasty, and he won't try the muesli. Not even a little. Too bad, it just leaves more for Ryan and I.