They are also super easy to make when you’re going for semi-homemade and want to involve the kids.

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With 4th of July around the corner, I figured we had to try a red, white and blue version of these yummy treats.

How to make kid-decorated Patriotic Brownies:

What you’ll need:

• Brownie mix
• Chocolate candy melts or
• Colored frosting
• White sprinkles (you can get star-shaped sprinkles here)

This recipe is pretty straightforward after you follow the directions on the box. Bake the brownies according to package and simply cool so they’re ready to decorate.

The kids can definitely help crack an egg or two and help mix the batter, but the mess fun will really start once you break out the frosting and sprinkles!I used red and white candy melts for the stripes because that’s what we had handy, but you can also use colored frosting that’s ready to go and much easier (we did this for the blue part). It can be good fun for toddlers who are practicing fine-motor skills too!

Lastly, add some white sprinkles for the “stars” portion of the flag. We didn’t have any actual stars, but these “pearl” sprinkles worked fine. Plus, any kind of sprinkles is always a highlight for toddlers, am I right?

We love how our American flag brownies turned out — they were amazingly satisfying too :)!!!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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We love enjoying all the cute holiday-themed snacks and desserts at all those summer parties. And of course the little ones can’t get enough of those sugary desserts we only let them indulge in once in awhile.  But if you’re a busy mom hosting a party too, you’ll appreciate any quick and easy holiday snack ideas for the kiddos. You know, the ones that are still festive but only take a fraction of the time to put together!

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With the fourth of July and Labor day soon following, I knew a red, white and blue snack for the kids was in order. So because our St. Patty’s Jello treats were super easy and devoured by the kids, we figured it was only right to do another one, but this time with a patriotic spin.

Super Easy Red, White & Blue Snack Idea for Kids

You’ll Need:

• Blue Jell-O mix
• Whipped Cream
• Red, White & Blue Sprinkles
• Clear Plastic Cups

First you’ll need to make the jello according to package instructions. This typically means boiling water, adding the jello mix and adding two more cups of cold water. Then refrigerate 4-6 hours.

We found these cute little party tumblers at the store, which were perfect for little kids.

I recommend you just refrigerate overnight so you can set and forget and not try to cram in everything in one day (although of course it’s possible).

Once it’s ready, simply top with whipped cream. You can get as fancy or as simple as you want. (Note: It’s best to top when guest are actually ready to enjoy, because the whipped cream won’t stay nice and fluffy-looking for long.)

Now here’s the big secret: sprinkles!!! Simply add red, white and blue sprinkles to complete your beautiful patriotic snack. Kids always seem to go gaga over anything topped with sprinkles! It’s as simple as that. (Next time I’ll be sure to use THESE star-shaped sprinkles – so perfect!)

Your super simple jello snack works perfectly for Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th or Labor Day. Take your choice and enjoy the party!

More patriotic stuff for kids:

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Patriotic Red, White & Blue Jello Snack for Kids appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Last year they devoured my Shamrock Pretzel Pops – which were a HUGE hit! So this holiday, I figure I can continue the trend with a super easy green Jell-O treat.

Because I’m a busy mom (and not to mention 8 and half months pregnant) fast and easy snacks are a top choice! I decided I would simply dress up a Jell-O cup with one of their favorite snacks: marshmallows.

What You’ll Need:

• Green Jell-O Cups
• Lucky Charms Marshmallows
• Whipped Cream

As I mentioned this recipe is a no-brainer. You simply open the Jell-O, top it with whipped cream and sprinkle some Lucky Charms marshmallows over it.

Serve.

Kids will be mesmerized by the colorful treat and enjoy every bite…and of course, so will every other person craving a little sugar ;).

Want more St. Patrick’s goodies?

• Shamrock Pretzel Pops
• Rainbow Buttermilk Cupcakes
• Rainbow Necklace Craft for Kids

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Lucky Charms Jell-O Snack: Easy St. Patrick’s Day Treat for Kids appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Oh wait there is ;)! It’s called a delicious Melt Your Heart Valentine’s Popcorn recipe that combines both sweet and salty flavors for a romantically delicious treat you can both enjoy while you snuggle up to view your favorite movie.

Of course kids will LOVE this too! Just be sure they don’t hog the whole bowl :).

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Valentine’s Day Popcorn Recipe

To make this easy snack you’ll need 3 ingredients only:

• Freshly popped popcorn
• Conversation Hearts
• Wilton Candy Melts (I used this cute pastel flavor)

1. First, you’ll want to microwave your favorite popcorn flavor and prepare to your liking. (PopSecret is my go-to choice!)

2. Next, gather about 1 cup of chocolate candy melts and microwave for about 1 minute – stopping 30 seconds into the clock to give a good stir and break up the candy.

3. Lay out your popcorn in a pan to give an even coat of chocolate. Then you can combine the popcorn mixture into a large bowl and use a spoon to further distribute the chocolate.

4. Top with your favorite sweets – I love conversation hearts but you can add sprinkles if you enjoy those too!

The result is a delicious sweet and salty popcorn mixture. So easy and so yummy!

You can even pass the bowl and share with the kids if you’re feeling extra generous ;).  

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post Valentine’s Popcorn: Melt Your Heart Sweet & Salty Snack Recipe appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Last weekend while visiting friends and family, I had the opportunity to host a fun little playdate over breakfast. The kids (and adults alike) were hungry and eager to play after a long night — baby sleepovers can definitely get a little crazy!

I knew things were bound to get messy after bagels with cream cheese, blueberry muffins, cookies and a little bit of candy for the well-behaved.

Luckily, I had the necessary supply of WaterWipes handy to introduce to both mommies and babies.

I’ve been loving these chemical-free baby wipes since I first started using them. Made from 99.9% water and .1% grape fruit extract, WaterWipes offer a natural and safe alternative to care for your little one’s sensitive skin.

And with so many harmful chemicals being used under different labels these days, it’s a topic bound to come up at a mom group. A couple of moms, were even surprised that WaterWipes could clean with only those two ingredients. But they do! The main ingredient, water, is nature’s natural cleanser and moisturizer; Grapefruit seed extract is a antimicrobial agent that fights bacteria and helps maintain good skin condition.

I was eager to chat about the wipes after letting the little ones snack away on everything that was laid out before them — they were being so patient!

After the kids had their fill of goodies, I handed out some WaterWipes samples to help the group wipe down those sticky fingers and faces. Everyone from itsy-bitsy babies to preschoolers tried the wipes – with great results: clean happy faces without the redness or harsh reactions that some everyday wipes can cause.

I had the moms jot down some of the initial thoughts that came to mind after testing the wipes. Words like: natural, gentle, pure, odor-less and delicate were written.

I also asked if WaterWipes was a familiar brand.  No one had heard of it previously. Of course, that’s not too surprising considering WaterWipes is a European brand new to the US.

After loading up on food, there were a few diaper changes to tackle. WaterWipes were abound and especially appreciated. They are ideal for use on a newborn baby’s thin delicate skin during those messy changes — and won’t irritate or exacerbate rashes like other chemical-heavy products.

Thank you to WaterWipes for allowing me to share my experience with a few friends and family – our breakfast playdate was a success :)!!

Learn more about the benefits of WaterWipes HERE!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Breakfast Playdate Party Featuring WaterWipes appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

This weekend, I picked up a box of the Crunchy Taco meal at Wal-Mart and decided to make a yummy taco nacho dip combined with my favorite flavors: guacamole, salsa and shredded cheese!

To make the taco nacho dip, I first followed the directions on the back of the Hamburger Helper® box to flavor the meat portion.

Brown the beef in a medium skillet; Add 2 1/4 cups of hot water, sauce mix and uncooked rice.

Boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of milk and topping mix. Set aside and gathering additional toppings to create nacho dip.

This is where the fun comes in and where you can add your own unique twist like I did.

I added some spicy guacamole I had previously picked up, mild salsa and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. All the right flavors that would blend nicely together for a sweet and savory taste.

Then simply add the crunchy chips included in the Hamburger Helper® package or if you have your own, add those too.

The result is a delicious taco nacho dip perfect for a summer appetizer or easy dinner option!

If you want to replicate this recipe, be sure to pick up a box of Hamburger Helper® to make meal prepping easier than ever. You can grab a coupon here to save and find inspiration on what to cook for your family too!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hamburger Helper® . The opinions and text are all mine.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Easy Taco Nacho Dip: A Deliciously Spicy Recipe #SaveonHelper appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

But with summer around the corner, that means more activities and outings planned…making even less time to spend in the kitchen. So I am always looking for easy dinner recipes that work well when I only have so much time for meal planning and cooking.

I love that Hamburger Helper® makes my time preparing dinner so much easier. You literally just add a couple ingredients to the package and you’re good to go! Betty Crocker has a whole section devoted to easy recipes you can make in just a few minutes, so there’s no need to worry if you aren’t feeling overly creative.

One recipe I found particularly tasty was the Four Cheese Lasagna recipe. Since my boys are big cheese-lovers like their mommy and daddy, I thought this was a great choice.

The Four Cheese recipe takes only 20 minutes to cook and makes a great entree to include with your meal.

Here are the simple cooking directions based off the package:

1. In a non-stick skillet, brown beef over medium-high heat; drain.
2. Stir in hot water, milk, sauce mix and uncooked pasta. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Remove from heat; uncover.

It’s literally that easy. Works perfectly if I’m short on time and, yet leaves plenty of room to get creative if I’m looking to add my own flavors and flare!

To make the meal even more nutritious, you can add some veggies like carrots or spinach for a nutritious twist. If you have a picky-eater like I do, you can just puree the veggies so your kids won’t even notice them :).

My boys enjoyed every bite, making no fuss — always a nice surprise these days :)!

Stop by Walmart to pick up your favorite flavor of Hamburger Helper® to make meal time a breeze this summer. You can get a coupon here to save even more!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hamburger Helper® . The opinions and text are all mine.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Easy Four Cheese Lasagna Recipe to Satisfy the Whole Family appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Like many parents with toddler-aged children, I’ve struggled to get my son to eat his veggies for some time now. It’s a daily battle we face, constantly coercing our picky-eater to finish all his greens. We offer yummy dessert rewards, threaten turning off the TV and even offer fun activity incentives. But 9 out of 10 times it’s all to no avail.

He spits out the broccoli. Pushes his plate of peas aside. And even manages to feed the dog some brussel sprouts…go figure!

It makes life a little stressful when you have cooked up several options to help make sure your child is consuming a nutritious meal, instead of just the milk and cereal or crackers he prefers.

So when all else fails, I think long and hard of all those foods my son already LOVES to eat…you know, the ones that don’t require any bribing! That means besides a healthy pizza recipe or smoothie treat, french fries ALWAYS come to mind!!

We’ve found sweet potato fries to be a great side dish option when our toddler refuses everything else. But we also recently had the opportunity to try the broccoli-flavored french fries from Veggie Fries! I didn’t even know any other veggie fries were available in the frozen section, so this was HUGE!!!

I wasn’t completely out of the loop, seeing as Veggie Fries is actually the first brand to market vegetable-based french fries! The founders of these fries were inspired to create a homemade, healthier option by their family love of french fries. The fries are crafted with a sophisticated blend of select farm-grown vegetables, legumes, herbs and spices and real potatoes sourced within the U.S.

I was so eager to go to the store and grab a bag for my son, especially to make the hectic week days cooking up meals a bit smoother. There’s always something going on and with the kids running around playing outside more, their appetite tends to follow. But I want to be sure they aren’t grabbing any old snack from the pantry when dinner time nears.

Broccoli is probably the least favorite veggie in our house, so I knew I had to give that one a try immediately.

The fries were super simple to include in our meal plan. I placed them in the oven for a few minutes, let them cool off and served alongside some meatballs my son enjoys.

Naturally he went for the fries first.

I told them they were “veggie” fries and couldn’t wait to see his reaction…

And I’m glad to report he LOVED them. I had to try them myself after I saw him clear his plate and was pleasantly surprised how tasty they were! I mean DELICIOUS!!!! Just the perfect blend of crispy, crunchy fries with a delicious broccoli flavor…I really can’t wait to go try the other flavors!

And if you’re questioning how healthy french fries are, know that all Veggie Fries products are made with all natural, non-GMO ingredients and are gluten-free. They are also vegan and free of soy, dairy, tree nuts, peanuts and eggs. Need further convincing? Veggie Fries are a good source of fiber, Vitamin A or C, and are very low in sodium, with 3+ grams of protein per serving!

You can try a variety of flavors from broccoli, carrot, chickpea/red pepper or tuscan bean and herb.

From May 15^th through June 11^th Stop & Shop is hosting a promotion for Veggie Fries where shoppers will receive $0.50 off their Veggie Fries purchases.

Be sure to visit Veggie Fries for more info.

Connect with Veggie Fries: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post A Veggie Dish Every Picky Eater Will Love #VeggieFries appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

These days with two little ones more active than ever, fighting and making messes all over the house, it’s tough not to feel defeated. There is always a bit of tantrums, crying and yelling to add to the chaotic days. I find myself saying, “NO!” more often than yes.

NO! You can’t push your brother and take all his toys!

NO! You can’t eat dog food!

NO! You can’t eat a donut for breakfast…lunch and dinner!

It’s just the reality of the times, with a cranky baby exploring the world around him and a toddler who is always pushing the limit. So it’s no secret I’m constantly on the look out for those win-win moments.

YES! You can go “dino-hunting” with your brother!

YES! You can scratch Gizmo’s tummy!

YES! Of course, you can have more of that spinach smoothie!

And Gerber® understands these win-win moments that come about when both mom and baby are happy. That’s what the Gerber® Graduates® line is all about: nutritious and yummy foods that we can all appreciate.

My little ones can’t get enough of their wholesome meal options and snacks. One of their favorites are the Puffs cereal and lil’ Crunchies snacks in veggie and ranch flavor. It’s a snack that I’m happy to let them munch on throughout the day.

And now until April 27th, Gerber is happy to spread those win-win moments with the Gerber Graduates Win-Win Moment campaign. A campaign where families get rewarded with a Gerber Graduates gift bundle (consisting of a meal mat and bib valued at $11.98) just for buying foods they already love!

Participating is easy. Simply purchase 10 Gerber Graduates meal items on the same receipt and upload a picture of the receipt to the Gerber website.

So if you are already buying Gerber Graduates food for your little ones (like we are!) why not get some useful feeding products in the process. That’s what I call win-win!

Don’t forget to grab your #GerberWinWinMoment swag and connect with Gerber on Facebook and Twitter.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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The post Finding the Win-Win Moments Amidst the Chaos #GerberWinWinMoments appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

I’m sure you’ve seen them. Those super funny yet relatable SNICKERS® commercials where someone is acting a little unlike themselves when hungry. And boy do I know those moments exist…because um…like my husband likes to remind me, I get rather demanding when I haven’t had anything to eat.  Sometimes I find myself inadvertently throwing childlike tantrums due to hunger.

Yes I admit it. I can become a grumpy pirate set a sail for days in search of a satisfying treasure…ARG!

And it can happen to the best of us. That’s why I love treating myself to a favorite SNICKERS® bar from time to time to put those fits and outbursts to rest. Milk chocolate topped with caramel and peanuts, it’s an easy and delicious way to satisfy my grumbling stomach. Something my husband always appreciates!

There’s so many ways to enjoy your SNICKERS® bar, from SNICKERS® Extreme, Peanut Butter Squares, or Almond…you have your choice!

And I love how easy it is to incorporate my favorite candy bar into a mouth-watering dessert for the whole family.

To get ready for Spring, I decided to treat myself to a little ice cream recipe this weekend…just so I could be ready to enjoy all the SNICKERS® deliciousness when the warm weather decides to finally make an entrance.

Crushed SNICKERS® Over Ice Cream Brownies Recipe

Because hunger can strike at anytime, an easy-to-make recipe is a must in my book!  So to keep it simple, I made sure to gather the essential ingredients for my 3-step recipe which consisted of:

• Vanilla Ice cream
• Mini fudge brownies
• Chocolate syrup
• SNICKERS®

First, you’ll need to crush your favorite SNICKERS® candy bars into tiny pieces. I purchased a variety pack which included mini Peanut Butter Squares and Almonds and then used a knife to grind them all up.

Next, scoop up a small spoonful of vanilla ice cream and place it on top of your mini brownie. (Note: Make sure the ice cream is at the perfect temperature and consistency so it neither melts too quickly nor comes out in frozen chunks!)

Sprinkle the crushed SNICKERS® pieces over the ice cream. Drizzle a bit of your favorite chocolate syrup for even more deliciousness. The syrup tends to gush out so work quickly, making sure to not use too much.

And then you’re done and ready to taste the incredible deliciousness you’ve created…so you can pick up where you left off and simply be YOU again. Because I don’t know about you, but I sure love it when I’m me again, instead of a hungry childish pirate ;)!

Enter the SNICKERS® “Who are you when you’re hungry?” contest by uploading a personal photo or video from your Computer, Facebook, Instagram or use the SNICKERS® Meme Generator to create something new! Voting begins at Noon on 5/11/15 and ends at 11:59:59AM ET on 7/15/15.

See more great SNICKERS® recipes and fun stories on the SNICKERS® social hub.

Now I’m curious, who are YOU when you’re hungry? I’d love to hear in the comments!!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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