Category: Cooking

If you have kids that are in a picky eater phase, know that you are not alone in your struggle to get your kids the nutrients they need.

Don’t worry too much, because you can figure out what kind of picky eater your kid is. From there, you can determine what needs to happen for them to eat, and even enjoy, their food.

Plus, as your child grows from a baby into a toddler, they may not be as hungry as their rapid growth slows down.

If your toddler won’t eat and you’re worried it could be indicative of a bigger problem, check out these tips first. These are a few ways you can be patient with your kid as they test their boundaries with food and listen to their changing hunger levels.

Start Small

You want to avoid as much food waste as possible, but it’s difficult to do when you give your child a plate full of food and they only munch on two bites.

As your toddler grows and develops, their hunger and nutrient needs may also change. Instead of presenting them with a heaping plate of food, start by giving them smaller portions.

If they finish their serving and want more, that’s great. But if they only eat some of their food and decide that’s enough, then you won’t have to throw out as much.

Trying New Foods

Introducing new foods for your kids to try can add a lot of pressure to the dinner table. If they don’t like it and that’s the main focus of the meal, then you might be out of luck.

To make introducing new food easier, consider trying it at snack time. Then, if your picky toddler doesn’t like or refuses to try it, you can more easily switch to something else.

Playing With Food

While you may not enjoy the mess or the distraction that kids playing with their food causes, it can actually be good for them.

Playing with food helps kids explore and experiment with what they’re eating. They become more familiar with the feel and look of a piece of food, and it becomes less of a mystery. Then, they’ll feel more comfortable trying to consume it.

Snacks and Drinks

For a growing toddler, eating snacks and drinking juice or milk may fill them up so much that they’re not hungry at mealtimes.

If you’re concerned about your child getting more nutrient-rich foods at significant mealtimes like dinner, consider pulling back on how much they’re eating and drinking for snacks.

However, some young toddlers may still receive the majority of their nutrients from drinking milk. Before a child starts eating solid foods regularly, drinking their milk is an important factor in their growth and development.

If your toddler won’t drink milk and you don’t know why, here’s what you can do.

When Your Toddler Won’t Eat

It’s crucial to remember that toddlers will not eat the same amount or in the same way we do.

Let them get acquainted with their food. Most of all, be patient with them as they learn about the foods they do and don’t like. In all likelihood, the fact that your toddler won’t eat is a phase that will pass.

For more incredible parenting tips and some great hacks for your hectic life, check out our website.

Too many times you’ve skipped out of breakfast because you didn’t have enough time. Maybe you didn’t have enough money or you didn’t know what you wanted to eat.

Breakfast is such an important meal that you should try your best to eat every day. Whatever your situation is, we’re here to help you out. Here are five cheap and quick breakfasts to start your day with.

1. Pancakes and Waffles

Everybody loves a classic and pancakes and waffles are no different. The wonderful smell of the batter cooking will fill your nose with euphoria. And after your nose has been treated, you’ll get to devour fluffy, golden-brown goodness.

Now, pancakes and waffles aren’t exactly what one thinks of when thinking of cheap and quick breakfasts. This is often because setting up the griddle and then preparing the batter all while getting ready for your day can be a lot to handle. All of this can change with a simple waffle and pancake maker.

Using one will require much less maintenance and save you a little bit more time. So if you’re always in the mood for pancakes or waffles, but you never have time, don’t you worry.

2. Smoothies

Because smoothies are technically a drink, you may not seem them as a full breakfast. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Smoothies are a chilled blend of your favorite fruits, dairies if you want, and even vegetables. All you need to do is throw them in a blender with some water and you’ve basically got your breakfast. Because all of the ingredients are liquified when blended, the nutrients are able to become digested a lot quicker.

This makes smoothies a really healthy and quick alternative to a traditional breakfast. They don’t take too long to prepare and you can drink them on the go, saving you the time of eating at home before you start your day.

3. Breakfast Parfaits

Parfaits are traditionally a layered dessert of ice cream and fruits. The name literally translates to ‘perfect’. Breakfast parfaits are just that.

Instead of using ice cream, which is quite unfortunate, yogurt would be your base, which is so healthy for you because of the probiotics in it. You can use whatever flavor or type of yogurt you want and then you can load it up with fruits, nuts, granola, pretty much whatever you want. Then you can mix it up and eat it with a spoon.

The dish is very easy to prepare and can be quickly consumed. All of the ingredients are pretty cheap too and you can even buy them in bulk if you want. Just be sure not to let the yogurt go bad.

4. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another classic. It’s easy to prepare and is always really cheap. You can wake up, pop it in the microwave, and then go and get ready. When you come back down, your oatmeal will have cooled off to the point where it’s ready to be eaten.

If you don’t want bland oatmeal, you can make it more tasteful by mixing in some fruits like peaches or bananas. You can also add cinnamon to it fo a great taste.

5. Granola

Granola is such a versatile breakfast item that is often overlooked and unappreciated. You can eat granola on its own, throw it some yogurt, eat it with milk like you would cereal. The possibilities are endless.

If you’re hesitant to go and buy loads of granola, we understand. Especially if you haven’t really had it before. So here are some granola recipes that can help you appreciate the food.

Eat Cheap and Quick Breakfasts

Like all foods, breakfast can get expensive and arduous. With these cheap and quick breakfasts, you can be sure to start your day healthy, full, and on top of things.

If you liked this article, be sure to share it with those who may find it helpful. If you’d like to see more articles like this, check out the rest of our blog.

Does your coffee taste a little bland? 

It might be your beans. If you bought them pre-roasted and ready for brewing, they may have already gone through oxidation. Even with the best packaging, coffee beans can still go stale if they stay on the shelf for weeks. 

The solution is to start roasting your own coffee. 

How does this help? Is it worth the effort and investment? Discover the answers in our guide below:

1. Freshness

Did you know that roasted coffee beans don’t stay fresh long? Once roasted, the oxidation process begins. Even with an air-tight container, coffee beans can become stale after two weeks.

Roasting your own coffee works around this issue. Now you can roast a small amount of coffee, seal it, and consume it before it gets stale. You’ll always be able to brew flavorful coffee from now on. 

2. Affordable

Go ahead and take a moment to check the prices of packaged roasted coffee. They can cost a lot per pound but if you start roasting coffee at home, you’ll be able to cut the cost down by a significant margin.

You could buy affordable green coffee beans wholesale from a supplier like Intercontinental Coffee Trading and it’ll cost less than what you’d spend for a few pounds of roasted coffee.

Most shops sell fresh, unroasted coffee at a fraction of the price they’d sell roasted beans. This is because they won’t have to shoulder the resources to roast, package, and maintain the beans. Those responsibilities now fall on your shoulder and while that can seem intimidating, it offers you full flavor control.

3. Full Flavor Control

Home roasting coffee gives you the opportunity to make coffee exactly the way you prefer. 

Do you want a light cinnamon roast that doesn’t offer strong flavors but packs in a lot of caffeine? Do you want a medium American roast or a dark, flavorful French roast? 

You can achieve these by learning how to roast coffee beans. Roasting relies heavily on proper temperature control and listening for the iconic “cracking” sounds. 

4. Freedom to Experiment

If you want to add different oils to mix in external flavors, say vanilla extract, for example, you can do it when you roast at home. Now you can perfect how you want your coffee to taste, smell, and feel in your mouth.

Don’t feel afraid to experiment! It’s one of the most fun advantages of roasting coffee yourself. Try different flavors, different roast levels, and combinations to get the flavor you want. 

5. Profitability

As mentioned, roasting your own coffee is affordable and it gives you full control over the flavor and texture. If you want to go one step further and make it a business, you can!

With enough marketing, you could quit your job and focus entirely on roasting and selling coffee. If you own a coffee shop, roasting your own coffee is a good way of cutting down business expenses and increases your revenue.

Start Roasting Your Own Coffee Now!

Why settle for pre-roasted coffee beans that might not be fresh or tailor-suited to your preferences? Start roasting your own coffee today! Take advantage of the benefits we’ve listed above.

Of course, roasting coffee isn’t as simple as it sounds. There’s a lot to learn to get it right. The good news is we’ve got all the guides you need so don’t hesitate to check out more of our posts right here!

Propane canisters are just for backyard barbeques, right?

Not so fast— propane is one of the best energy sources for so much more, and some of it might surprise you.

Propane, a natural gas byproduct, is clean-burning, making it environmentally friendly, reliable, and affordable, so it’s a great choice for power.

Read on to find some of the best propane uses. Some of them might surprise you!

Top Propane Uses? Grilling

What is propane used for? Quite a few things, but the most common use is grilling. We love propane for powering our BBQs and outdoor grills, providing heat for the summer cookouts we all love so much.

Use propane for your grill to enjoy burgers, veggie skewers, or corn on the cob.

Refill your propane tank at the start of summer to make sure you’re ready for a season of entertaining and family hospitality.

Outdoor Heaters

If you’ve ever enjoyed the warmth of porch heaters, you’ve probably benefited from propane. It’s one of the best sources to power outdoor heaters, including the ones you may cozy up to at your favorite al fresco restaurant.

Outdoor heaters can help you extend your outdoor entertaining patio or backyard into autumn and spring. Or, for an alternative, why not install an outdoor fire pit in the backyard and power it with propane.

Outdoor heaters are safe, provide comfort, and might be just the thing you need to spend more time outdoors, enjoying your home.

If you’re unsure what size propane tank you need for your outdoor heaters, read on here to learn more.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Wait, Thanksgiving dinner? Yes, one of the best ways to shake up your traditional dinner is with a propane turkey fryer or grill.

Grilled or fried turkey is flavorful, tender, and rich, and can free up your oven to cook all of your Thanksgiving side items.

If you’re planning on cooking your turkey on the grill, you might want to consider two small turkeys, rather than one large. This way they’ll cook faster and keep its tasty juices.

Cook to 350-375 degrees, checking with a meat thermometer, and then slice in with a sharp knife and serve.

School Buses

You might power your lawnmower with propane, but did you realize it can be used to fuel other vehicles as well? Increasingly, propane is being used to power our local school buses.

Propane school buses are as safe and efficient as those powered by traditional fuel. Not only that, but they are quiet, better for students and drivers, cleaner, and an environmentally-friendly source of power.

If your school district hasn’t already made the switch, why not become an advocate for the environment and encourage them to do so?

Next time a school bus goes by, think of propane!

Not only school buses, but other vehicles can run on propane as well. This includes lawnmowers, cars, trucks, tractors, and even forklifts.

Camping

If you love camping, propane might become your best friend. Propane can be used for all of your power needs when camping.

Use it for powering a camp stove, making a hot meal after a day of hiking and exploring is much nicer than cold sandwiches! It can also power a portable space heater for your tent, or can even be a power source for your RV if camping in a tent isn’t your thing.

Small propane tanks are portable, so easy to pack into the car for the camping trip, but will still provide enough energy to power your stove and devices for a few days in the wilderness.

Plus, propane is clean and wouldn’t provide smoke or burning embers, which can be both a nuisance and dangerous to the natural environment.

Pool and Spa Heating

If you have a spa or hot tub, you’ve likely noticed an increase in your energy bills from powering your spa with hot water. However, why not use propane? It’s an affordable alternative and is an efficient way to heat up your spa.

Or, do you have a backyard swimming pool? Pools can be a lot of fun, but the water can be too chilly in the shoulder seasons.

Extend the life of your swimming pool with a propane heater, which will work to keep your water a comfortable temperature all year round.

Propane is an affordable heating source for all of your backyard needs, including your spa, pool, outdoor kitchen, and outdoor heaters.

Generators

Do you live in an area prone to storms, power outages, or natural disasters? If so, what will you do in case of an emergency?

If a hurricane comes through and wipes out power for several days, all of the contents of your fridge and freezer, your electricity, aircon, and any medical equipment you may use will be rendered useless.

Protect yourself and your family with a portable generator, the most effective source of power for generators. Because they aren’t connected to the electricity grid, they’re the best source of power in case you lose power.

Fuel For Hot Air Balloons

Up, up, and away! If you’ve ever ridden in a hot air balloon, you’ve probably noticed the huge flame as the pilot rises it up in the sky.

This is powered by propane and has been long used by balloon pilots to enjoy their hobby.

You may not think of propane when you think of hot air balloons, but without it, this popular hobby wouldn’t get off the ground!

Get Started With Propane Today

Have you made the switch to propane? Now that you know some of the propane uses that you may not have considered, why not start using propane to power some of your home?

You’ll save money, enjoy a clean and renewable energy source, and have comfort in case of a power outage. Make the switch today and start enjoying the benefits of propane.

Was this article helpful? If so, please read some of our additional content across our site.

Two-thirds of parents say they don’t do enough to ensure their children eat enough healthy foods.

You know it’s important that your child eats a healthy lunch. And yet, it’s not always easy to come up new ideas for healthy lunches for kids.

Check out our healthy lunch ideas for kids below. Let’s go!

1. Pitta Pockets 

If you want to replace the tired and old slices of bread, pitta pockets are an easy alternative. 

You can stuff them with a mint yogurt dip and a bunch of lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes for a healthy bite. 

2. Pesto Pasta Salad

Pasta has a poor reputation as a nasty carb. And yet, pasta is a healthy and nutritious foundation for your kid’s lunch.

You can also bolster the health marks of your pasta salad by using whole grain pasta which packs plenty of goodness inside.

Store purchased pesto isn’t actually very healthy. But, you can prepare your own green pesto with only a few ingredients: olive oil, basil and pine nuts.

Then, toss in some leafy greens like kale or spinach to make it even healthier. 

3. Turkey Roll-Ups 

Does your kid always complain about having the same sandwiches?

You can give your child a nice surprise for lunch with turkey roll-ups. You can wrap up a wide range of fillings inside.

Spinach, tomatoes, and feta make a Greek-style roll-up. You can also give it a Morrocan twist by adding hummus and olives.

If you don’t have the time to prepare this type of healthy lunch for your kid, check out The Lunch Mob.

4. Snacks for Dunking 

You can give your kid lots of different snacks to dunk into a dip. The dip could be either hummus, guacamole or sour cream. 

Then, you can check off every type of important food group. Boiled eggs for protein, carrots for vegetables, and breadsticks for carbs.

5. Chicken Rice Salad

Rice salads are a healthy and delicious lunch for kids. They are easy to make in bulk so you don’t have to prepare lunches every morning.

Just mix rice with tomatoes, onions, beets, and herbs. Then, simply top with chicken pieces or tuna. This is a slam dunk for tasty lunch.

6. Mexican Taco Lunch

Taco shells can be filled with anything. You should always have plenty of boxes of taco shells in your pantry. 

Chunks of avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a handful of chicken pieces make for a perfect, healthy lunch. You can also add guacamole for a dab of extra flavor. 

Healthy Lunches for Kids

Now you know how to prepare healthy lunches for kids. Your children want adventure and surprise at lunchtime. No one wants a boring lunch! 

But, that doesn’t mean you have to feed them salty snacks and sugary treats. You don’t need to spend a fortune on food either. 

Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our website for more tips like this.