Helping Hands

 My little helper

My 5 year old daughter, Bella, recently has started trying to "help-out" around the house. Her favorite things to do involve the babies. She told me that "she could be a mommy too" and that she knew how to change diapers and clothes, so she would be the one to get the babies ready for bed every night. I thought it would be fun to let her have a shot at it. Here is how it went down:

• Babies got in the bath tub and Bella washed them with the wash clothes and made extra sure to get behind their ears.
• I got the babies out of the tub. She was upset about this because she was SURE that she could carry them, but I told her wet babies are really REALLY slippery so she let me do that part. 
• I laid the babies down on the bed and she picked out their PJs.
• She picked out her favorite colored diapers and went to work.
• To my shock and amazement, both babies had perfectly secured diapers and I didn't even have to adjust them once! 
• She got their PJs on them after a little fussing and kicking and then looked at me and said "Being a mommy is hard work".

I am so proud of her, because now EVERY night she asks to help get the babies ready for bed. She honestly needs very little help and I can tell she feels like a really big helper when she is finished. She told me I would NEVER have to worry about getting babies ready for bed again. We shall see how long it lasts ;)

What ways do your preschoolers like to help out?

Gluten-Free Snacking- Pretzel Style!

Snyder's of Hanover and Social Moms have teamed up in hopes of finding the most amazing and inspiring pretzel-inspired HEALTHY snacks. We are all guilty of snacking and sometimes you honestly just need a little pick-me-up in the form of a tasty treat. Fortunately, this is where Snyder's of Hanover can sweep in for the rescue.

Snyder's of Hanover has a full-line of amazing pretzel products. From mini pretzels to buttermilk ranch pretzel pieces, they really do offer any variety of pretzel you can imagine. There really is a pretzel to curb any craving you may have. Chocolate covered pretzels anyone? Snyder's of Hanover also has three varieties that are certified organic!

We were given the task to offer up a tasty treat that incorporates pretzels. Since I know many of you out there are struggling with Celiac disease or are embarking on a gluten-free diet, I thought I would share with you this recipe from Breaking Bread for a Gluten-Free Sweet and Salty Pretzel Cake .The key to keeping this recipe gluten-free is to use a gluten-free pretzel like Snyder's of Hanover gluten-free pretzel sticks. I suggest crumbling the sticks to make a nice crumble topping.

Gluten-Free Sweet and Salty Pretzel Cake

Adapted from Sweet and Salty Cake Recipe - MarthaStewart.com

• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup sour cream 
• 1 cup coconut or peanut flour
• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose gluten free flour mix with xanthan gum
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or browned butter, cooled
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla 
• 1/2 cup chopped pretzels
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line each pan with a parchment paper round, butter parchment paper and flour; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, 1 1/4 cups hot water, and sour cream; set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
3. In another large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and shortening together until smooth and it appears to create strings inside the bowl, about 7 minutes. Add both sugars and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until well incorporated. Add vanilla, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, and mix again for 30 seconds. Add flour mixture alternating with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
5. Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake until cake is just firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 18 to 24 minutes. Let cool completely.
6. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate. Using about 1/4 cup of the caramel, spread a thin layer on the cake, allowing some of the caramel to soak into the cake. Sprinkle on 1/2 of the pretzels and pecans, followed by a layer of about 1 cup of the ganache icing. Place the second layer on top and repeat process with another layer of caramel followed by a layer of ganache icing. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer bottom side up. Spread entire cake with remaining ganache icing. Sprinkle with fleur de sel.

Salted caramel

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon fleur de sel
• 1/4 cup sour cream   

1. Combine 1/4 cup water, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the mixture reaches 350 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in another small saucepan, mix together cream and salt. Bring cream to a boil and cook until salt has dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. When the caramel mixture has reached 350 degrees, remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 minute. Carefully add the hot cream to the caramel; stir to combine. Whisk in sour cream. Cool, and store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

Caramel Chocolate Whipped Frosting

• 1 pound dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 pound (4 sticks) butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces, softened but still cool

1. Combine 1/4 cup water, sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the mixture reaches 350 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.
2. In another small saucepan add cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. When the caramel mixture has reached 350 degrees, remove from heat and allow to rest for 1 minute. Add the hot cream to the caramel; stir to combine. Let cool 5 minutes. Place chocolate in the bowl of an electric mixer and pour caramel sauce over chocolate. Let sit 1 minute before stirring from the center until chocolate is melted.
4. Attach bowl to electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low until the bowl feels cool to the touch. Add butter and increase speed to medium-high until mixture is well combined, thickened, and slightly whipped, about 2 minutes.

Photos and recipe from Breaking Bread.

Now if that isn't a tasty pretzel treat, I don't know what is!!!

Now that I have indulged your taste buds I will offer up a few healthy snacking tips.

1. Moderation- the key to healthy snacking is ensuring you are eating in moderation. You would be surprised how little food it takes to fulfill a craving. Slow down and enjoy!
2. Cut the refined sugar- I know, easier said than done. Having simple snacks handy like fresh fruit or baggies of Snyder's of Hanover pretzels on hand can really help.
3. Stock your cupboards- be sure to stock your cupboards with healthy snacking options. Skip the sugary, pre-packaged foods and go for snacks that have high nutrient content.
4. Go organic- when possible, choose a certified-organic product. This ensures there are no nasty GMOs, pesticides, or "unknowns" hanging out in your food.

What healthy snack tips do you have??


*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.