5.2.13

New Blog + Healthy Snack Recipe

Well, I have some exciting news. After much thought about this blog and where I see it going, I just thought the name, Better By The Bite no longer suits what I (now) enjoy blogging about. Yes, I still love to bake and enjoy making DIY crafts but now I have a little girl—Miss Harper, my miniature sidekick—and I want to write not just about her but all that comes along with being a first time mom and a sassy one at that. Just because I’m a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) doesn’t mean I lounge around all day in jammies and a robe (although some days that’s exactly what I’d like to do).

This new blog will be full of fun recipes, crafts, and advice on what’s working for us- getting Harper to sleep through the night, products I couldn’t live without, and some fashion and fitness tips thrown in there. So what is this new blog called, you ask? None other than… “The Sassy Momma”. It’s not up and running just yet but I am planning to have it up within the next couple of months. So, in an effort to make the transition smoother, I have started to put “The Sassy Momma” on all of my photos and will be referring to the new blog from time-to-time. I hope you follow me over there, it’s sure to have some sass and it will be a whole lotta fun!

Ok, I thought I’d share a little recipe I came across from a fellow blogger, Miss Shawna at styleberryblog. These homemade granola bars are absolutely delicious! I’ve tried making homemade granola in the past and they either end up too crunchy (I feel like I may chip a tooth) or too soggy. This recipe hits the nail on the head. It is very easy to make… my husband and I have already made two batches. Can you say yum?

Granola @ The Sassy Momma

Homemade Granola Bars

Adapted from here

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups sliced almonds
  • 1 cup crushed peanuts (or pistachios, walnuts, etc.)
  • 2 cups shredded coconut
  • 1 cup wheat germ
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1-2 cups chopped dried fruit (I use a whole bag of dried apricots and a big scoop of raisins)

Granola @ The Sassy Momma 

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking dishes with parchment paper. (I use a 9×13 cake pan and an 8×8 glass baking dish)
  • Toss the oats, nuts, wheat germ and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Reduce temperature to 300 degrees.
  • Place butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large saucepan and bring to simmer over low-medium heat. Cook and stir for one minute, then pour in the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add dried fruit and stir well.
  • Pour mixture into prepared baking dishes and use spatula to pat mixture down so it’s even.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. If it’s not cooked enough, they will crumble and break. I like to use the spatula once again to pat down mixture and make sure it’s even.
  • Cool for at least 2 hours and then cut into rectangles. 
Filed in: Food Bites | Other Baked Goodies
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4.18.13

“The Gift of an Ordinary Day”

I love my daughter, don’t get me wrong, but all too often I say to my husband, “When will she be a toddler? That’s the stage I love. This newborn stage, not so much.” And then I saw this video (I posted it below and if you have the time, you should definitely watch it!) that’s gone viral on Facebook, called “The Gift of An Ordinary Day” and it literally brought me to tears. Katrina Kenison wrote a book about how the best days with her boys, the ones where she has the most memories, are just those “ordinary days.” The ones where she’s going through the day-to-day motions of being a mother. From snuggling with her babies and smelling the sweet Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo on their heads, to having her kids run into her bedroom in the middle of the night because of a bad dream. It’s these things, she says, that eventually end. They grow up, and kids that once needed you are now adolescents and when you go to cross the street and reach for a hand that was always so willing to clasp yours, you notice you’re grasping at air. Your child is purposefully walking two steps behind you and acting like they don’t know you from Adam.

This definitely made me stop in my tracks and think about how fleeting this time with my baby really is. Already, in just eight weeks, she’s changed so much. That head that used to lull to the side is now so much stronger and can hold its own. Those legs are now moving a mile a minute, especially when she goes down on her play mat. She’s so much more aware and interactive, giving toothless grins and sweet coos. When she falls asleep in my arms I think, “I have to put her down in her crib, otherwise she’ll always want to sleep in my arms.” It’s this video that makes me think that it’s OK if she takes a nap or two nestled in the crook of my arms. After all, she won’t want to do that forever. My baby will always be “my baby” but, before you know it, she’ll be crawling and then walking and if she’s anything like me, talking up a storm.

2 Weeks Old Newborn Photo @ Better By The Bite

Sweet baby Harper

2 Week Old Newborn Photo @ Better By The Bite

My little sister (who’s 21) actually wore this hat when she was a little girl!

2 Week Old Newborn Photo @ Better By The Bite

Love that wrinkly little newborn back!

It’s so easy to get caught up and wanting your kids to move on the “next stage,” I know I am certainly guilty of it. But, I just have to remind myself to stop and breathe it all in. This stage of her life won’t last forever. Days can be rough with the crying and fussiness, and sometimes feeling like I’m doing it all alone while my husband is at work and no family living close by. But I need to embrace it. I am a mommy, after all. Being a stay at home mom—while challenging—is by far the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Sure, there’s no monetary paycheck but my reward is the recognition in my baby’s face when she hears my voice or looks into my eyes. The way she nestles her head into the crook of my neck when she needs a little extra love. It is moments like these that I will treasure forever… and surely want back sooner rather than later.

Filed in: Harper | Mommy Bites
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4.9.13

Almost Amish Cinnamon Bread

This week I’m seven weeks post-partum and I finally feel like I’m getting back into the groove of things. In fact, yesterday, I went to my first post-baby work out class and let me just say that it kicked my butt. But, I made it through the class- jump squats and all. However, I’m still feeling the burn:)

I also started baking again. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I made my first carrot cake over Easter. I only wish I had thought to take pictures because it was hands down the most delicious cake I’ve ever made. Seriously. I could eat a slice every single day.

Let’s now talk about what I did remember to take pictures of. Yesterday, while the baby was sleeping, I came across a yummy looking cinnamon bread recipe that looked like it could be a winner. There was no kneading, no letting the dough rise, and it only called for seven ingredients. I’m no bread maker but I thought it was worth a try.

Verdict- it’s a lightly-sweetened bread that’s great for breakfast and it took less than ten minutes to make (not including bake time). This is a bread that you could definitely dress up with raisins, walnuts, coconut, chocolate chips or the like. We’ll definitely be making this again. And again.

Almost Amish Cinnamon Bread adapted from here

Yield: 1 loaf

Almost Amish Cinnamon Bread @ Better By The Bite

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda

Almost Amish Cinnamon Bread @ Better By The Bite

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

 Almost Amish Cinnamon Bread @ Better By The Bite

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray
  • Cream together butter, sugar, and egg. Add milk, flour and baking soda.
  • Pour into loaf pan and sprinkle cinnamon topping
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick once inserted comes out clean
Filed in: Food Bites | Other Baked Goodies
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April 10, 2013 - 5:55 am

María - I take de recipe because I love it. It’s easy and quick… who can ask for more?

April 10, 2013 - 6:38 am

lindseyvogel - My thoughts exactly! Let me know how your bread turns out :)