LaLa Lunchbox Promo Codes!

We love you.  

And that's why we're happy to make your lives a little easier with these promo codes for a free download  of LaLa Lunchbox! When your little ones are involved in planning their meals, they'll be more enthusiastic (sayonara, picky eaters!) and you'll be more relaxed in the morning, having saved yourself time, drama and money (say goodbye to uneaten, smelly lunches!) 

There are TEN promo codes here... please be kind. Leave a comment to let others know which one you have claimed so that others don't try in vain! And remember to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest and like us on Facebook for lots of exciting updates and other promotions!

Enjoy - and please leave a review on iTunes!  

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What's in my 3 year old's lunch?

Lunch just took on a whole new level of importance for my 3 year old. His preschool has something called the "School Lunch Bunch" and children stay to dine with their pals two days per week. So he is officially using his lunchbox now and officially planning his lunches with LaLa Lunchbox. He's taking it _really_ seriously, too (naturally, this pleases me). 

Today after pickup, he insisted that we review his choices for tomorrow and when we got home, he was excited to make it together immediately. Yipee! Now I can cross this off my list for later. 

Tuesday's lunch

I'm thrilled about his choices because there's basically nothing for me to do but place the foods into containers. Yay! Last night I steamed an entire head of broccoli and we'll use it in various capacities for the next few days. Other than that, there's nothing cooked in this lunch and it's healthy, colorful and balanced. We cut the banana and apple into chunks and made them into kebabs for a little fun. My son revealed his plan to dip the banana apple kebabs into his yogurt (on the bottom of the container) and then danced around the apartment with joy thinking about it. 

People sometimes ask me how I keep lunch fun and fresh... the truth is, I just keep it simple. My kids have a voice in their lunch and they're excited about that. Having lunch away from home is a new experience for my little guy, and I'm happy to provide him with the opportunity to feel in control over some aspect of it, to help him acclimate.

LaLa Breakfast Promo Codes!

Raise your hand if you want to make mornings easier in your house?  

Here's how: use one of these promo codes for a free  download of LaLa Breakfast and see for yourself how much easier life can be without the daily AM drama of "what's for breakfast?" 

There are TEN promo codes here... please be kind. Leave a comment to let others know which one you have claimed so that others don't try in vain! And remember to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest and like us on Facebook for lots of exciting updates and other promotions!

Enjoy - and please leave a review on iTunes!  

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Pear Brown Betty

Oh apple picking. I love you so.  

We made our annual orchard visit last weekend and despite a tiny mishap with a hungry yellow jacket (luckily, my daughter isn't allergic!) it was a fantastic day! Liberty Macs, Bosc pears, Rhode Island Greenings. Yum.  

The best part about apple picking is that it's an adventure that keeps on giving... first there's the day itself – and ours was spent with fun friends and blue skies. Then there's the baking and experimenting, with and without the kiddos. Meanwhile there's the amazing aroma that fills the house while all of this is happening. And finally, there is the overflowing basket of fruit that makes me incredibly happy. It's a win every way you look at it.  

This morning I made a classic: Brown Betty but used the Bosc pears instead of apples. This is a no-fail recipe from my mom that I loved as a child, love as an adult and am thrilled to pass on to my brood. My son didn't make a sound for minutes... until every last speck had disappeared from his plate. This can be made with apples or pears or a combination of both and it is the best air freshener that you can ask for. 

Pear Brown Betty

6 Bosc pears, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks
Juice of one lemon
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
healthy pinch of salt (a little less than 1/2 teaspoon)
4 cups of bread, cut into cubes (I used brioche)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Put the pear chunks into a bowl and squeeze the lemon juice on top. Put aside.
Preheat the oven to 375. Meanwhile melt the butter in a sauce pan. Place brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and bread into another bowl and pour butter on top. Mix until well combined. 

Place the pear chunks in a ceramic baking dish. Top with the bread mixture and bake for approximately 40 minutes. Enjoy!  

First Birthday Cupcake! (dairy free)

One year ago today!

My littlest is one year old today!  

Most parents I know experience some big emotions on a child's first birthday. I'm no different - it's all the usual stuff: the year has flown. My petite pink newborn is now a big, jolly, almost walking girl. I want photos to document everything, lest these precious moments slip out of my head in the hustle and bustle of daily life. I want the photos to capture the depth of the dimple on her right cheek and how her whole face seems to smile when she smiles. I want them to help me remember how she races after her big brother's trucks and pulls herself up to stand to discover small-ish figurines on her big sister's shelves. I want to document all of the important people in our world who have celebrated with us.

I thought I wanted photos to capture that big messy moment when a baby first tastes a cupcake. But the truth is, that was low on my list. My baby eats with gusto and as a mom of three, cleaning up goopy smears is time consuming and can get tiring.  The cupcakes I made for her birthday were dairy free and had an oatmeal crumb top, not icing. They made for an easier cleanup and tasted absolutely delicious. 

If you're looking for a great alternative to the traditional flour-sugar-butter-egg-icing cupcake to celebrate a first birthday (or any birthday, really) give these a try. They were a big hit with my now one year old and everyone who came to celebrate the big milestone with us yesterday. 

Applesauce Cupcakes with Oatmeal Crumb Top

Crumb Top
1 cup rolled oats
6 tablespoons flour
6 tablespoons brown sugar
6 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Add the oats to flour and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix well, making sure to get out any brown sugar clumps. Add the coconut oil and salt and make sure everything is well combined. Set aside. 

Cupcakes
1.5 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 /3 cup sugar
4 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup of applesauce
1 cup coconut milk
2 eggs

Preheat the oven to 375. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and sugar. Add the coconut oil, applesauce and coconut milk and mix until combined. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add to batter. Pour into cupcake pan and spoon the crumb mix on top of each cupcake. Bake for approximately 22 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  

Enjoy! 

Happy Birthday, Little Lady!