Mamahood – Marparmelee

Protein Packed Mini Pancake Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup flour (I used organic AP, but you can definitely substitute whole wheat or another flour)
2 TBS vanilla protein powder
1 TBS baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk or milk alternative (I used oatmilk)
1 large banana, diced or smashed
2 TBS melted vegan butter

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
Spray muffin tins. This is important so you can get them out with breaking them.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Check them by poking the center with a toothpick. Mine baked for 20 minutes total.
Pop out and enjoy! I like to store them in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.

Allergy-Friendly Toddler Trail Mix

Ingredients:

8 cups Dry cereal, such as Cheerios (regular Cheerios are nut free), chex, etc.
1 cup Rolled Oats
1/4 cup Honey
2 TBS Coconut Oil
2 TBS Coconut Sugar
Other mix-in’s (add after baking) Feel free to add any of these or come up with your own ideas!
- Dried cranberries, blueberries, raisins, other fruit
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts (if your kiddo is okay with them, also big enough and able to eat them)
- Pepitas, sunflower seeds, etc.
- Yogurt or chocolate covered raisins

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients, except the ones that might melt in the oven.
Bake mixture in low-temp oven, such as 200 degrees F, for about 15 minutes. Check to ensure it’s drying out and not “baking,” stirring occasionally.
Bake until it’s reached your desired “doneness” – mine baked for about 20 minutes total. Let cool totally and mix in other goodies!
Enjoy!

Coconut Oil Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Coconut oil

2 TBS plant butter (I like the Country Crock made with Avocado Oil)

8 cups Rice Krispie cereal

Large bag of Mini Marshmallows

1. In extra-large saucepan melt plant butter over low heat. Add coconut oil. Add marshmallows. Stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until totally coated.

3. Press mixture into a pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into squares or bars. Enjoy!

Clean Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies

As close to the real thing as you can get! Much better for you and much “cleaner!”

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour (AP or whole wheat)

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

3 packets stevia

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream together your coconut oil, butter, honey, stevia, and egg.

Add protein powder, flour, baking soda, salt, mixing until combined. Add chocolate chips. Don’t over mix!

Scoop onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I use a small dough scoop for the perfect size. These cookies probably won’t hold together if they’re too large.

Bake for 9-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Bomb Bean-less Chili

Beans are great. They’re high in protein and fiber, they take on pretty much any savory flavor, they offer lots of vitamins, and they taste pretty good by themselves. But please, don’t put beans in my chili.

Don’t get me wrong. There is a time and place for chili with beans. I wasn’t raised in a bean-less chili home. I sometimes just want a bowl of my mom’s chili and cornbread. It’s nothing personal, I’m just not always up for the extra gas, okay? So when this mama is cooking, you better not expect beans.

Okay, anyway, here’s my recipe for CHILI WITH NO BEANS. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Make this recipe your own with toppings! Our favorites are shredded cheese, cilantro, lime, sour cream, and avocado. If you’re a major garlic fan, throw a teaspoon of chopped garlic on top.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (I use 90/10)
1 can stewed tomatoes, Italian style
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 container beef broth
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a large pot, add both cans of tomatoes (not drained) and beef broth. Cook over low-med heat, stir occasionally for 10-20 minutes.
Saute ground beef in a pan, just until it starts to brown. Add to tomato mixture.
Add vinegar and brown sugar.
Make a slurry with the cornstarch and a few tablespoons of the chili mixture. Add to pot of chili.
Turn heat down to low and cook for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Cook longer for even more flavor.
Serve over/with cornbread or by itself. Don’t forget the toppings!

DIY Holiday Series: Orange+Clove Bath Bombs!

You can view the tutorial here: https://youtu.be/I8JGeNzA-aA

Who doesn’t love a bath bomb? If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out! They are so fun and relaxing, but they can get expensive if you buy them retail. Why not try making your own in bulk and have enough to gift around the holidays? BONUS: Orange and clove are great for our bodies. Orange essential oil boosts immunity and helps to alleviate anxiety. Clove gives a natural relief from inflammation and pain.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup epsom salts
1 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup oil, such as coconut or olive
8-10 drops essential oil, or to your liking
2 Tbs cloves, ground
food coloring (optional)
molds
To package them for gifts, you will need: some type of container, such as clear bags, ribbon, and labels or tags

Instructions:

Combine epsom salts and food coloring in bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch. Mix well.
Add a little of the epsom salts mixture to this main bath bomb mixture. Mix well.
In the main mixture, add ground cloves, essential oils, and oil of choice.
Add a little of the epsom salts mixture in the bottom of each mold.
Press mixture into molds or ice cube tray, pressing very firmly and packing into the mold.
Wait for bath bombs to dry. It may take up to 48 hours. They will become very dry and hard, but be gentle with them.
Package however you like! Enjoy 🙂

TOTALLY Random Haul! | Possible Holiday Gift + Outfit Ideas

Hey y’all! Here’s a quick collection of some SUPER random things I have found on shopping adventures recently – wanted to share some possible holiday wardrobe + gift ideas! Does your family take pictures every year for the holidays? What kind of outfits do you guys wear?

Breastfeeding Tips from an (almost) Failed Breastfeeder

In the end, however you choose to feed your baby is right. It’s your decision. Don’t be bullied into thinking that breastfeeding is the only way or the wrong way, and same for formula feeding. Ya never know, this might be your first lesson in parenting: rolling with the punches, like it was for me.

Have you ever wanted something so much and thought about it endlessly, that when it finally is time for that thing to take place, and it doesn’t happen like you imagined or dreamed, you just feel like curling up and going back to sleep?

I’ve talked previously about the attempt to nurse my first and only, Josie, from day one. To recap, or if you haven’t read my previous blog (read it here) about why I care about helping moms – she just wouldn’t latch. Not kind of, not at all. My overwhelming love for her made her mad or something, I don’t know, and the doctors/nurses didn’t know either. We eventually got the hang of it with one another and I have breastfed her through 15 months old, so dreams do come true y’all. Keep on Reading!

Rev Up Your Everyday Routine: Beauty Recommendations from a Mama with No Time for the Bad!

If you’re a lady in a time crunch or you’re rockin’ it on a budget, I’ve rounded up a few ingredients to add to your quick beauty routine! Check out these skin, makeup, and hair products that I’ve made part of my everyday get-ready. Keep on Reading!

Resort Traveling Tips with a 1 Year Old

The most common reaction I was getting from people when I told them about our trip to Mexico: “wait, you’re taking Josie?” Lil Bit goes wherever we take her. Have babe, will travel. Keep on Reading!