Sunday is Mother’s Day…the one day a year we don’t have to lift a finger and our day is like something out of a Better Homes and Garden Magazine. We are waited on hand and foot with only the sound of cooing doves in the background. Psych – You’re a mom. I’m guessing your day will still be full of messy handprint hugs and sounds of child chaos. Yet sometimes those are the best gifts of all.
My gift to you (all of the AMAZING moms who read this blog, yes you are AMAZING!) is recipes just for you! As moms it’s easy to forget about ourselves as we are swept up in the whirlwind that is caring for other peoples needs and wants. How many of you have had a day where it’s 11am and realize all you had for breakfast was crumbs off your child’s plate? Mamas need to eat too! Take time to make some things just for you…you deserve it!
Salad in a JAR
This is one of the most perfect and easy ways to make sure mama gets some lunch. Whether you are packing lunch for the office or wanting healthy (fast) options on hand at home, salad in a jar is perfect. Fill a mason far with your favorite salad. The trick is to put the dressing at the bottom with a nice veggie and/ or nut barrier to the lettuce. I find nuts and berries or grape tomatoes work awesome. They keep in the fridge for 3-4 days so making a few at once is a good idea. When you are ready to eat one just shake it up, pop the top and enjoy!
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Mama Mocha Smoothie
Here is one of my favorite smoothies I originally shared last year on Yummy Sprout, just for mamas!
Ingredients:
1 Frozen Banana (a little mood booster)
6 – 8 oz cold Coffee (for a little kick and so you don’t have to share with your kids)
1/4 cup Spinach (just enough so you can call it healthy)
1 tbsp Nut or Seed Butter (a little healthy protein to get you going and fill you up)
1/4 cup Chocolate Chips (mmm chocolate)
Almond or Coconut Milk for thinning, if needed.
Add all of the ingredients to a blender and whizz until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass or coffee mug (I find this lessens the attempted mooching). Makes one big smoothie. Enjoy!
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Raw Coffee Cake
Here is a recipe that’s gooey goodness will satisfy any sweet tooth. The perfect (secretly healthy) recipe just for mom, okay you can share if you want…but you don’t have to.
Ingredients:
1 cup Almonds
1 cup pitted Dates
pinch + 1/8 tsp Cinnamon (or pie spice blend)
1 tsp Coconut Oil
1 large apple, cored (skins on)
1 cup Cashews
2 cups unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 tbsp Honey (plus extra for drizzling on top)
2 tbsp brewed Coffee (room temp or cold)
1/4 cup chopped Pecans
Pulse almonds, dates, pinch cinnamon and coconut oil together in a food processor until crumbly (this may take a few minutes). The “dough” should stick together she you press it between your fingers. Press it firmly into the bottom of a glass cake or bar pan. Add 1/8 tsp cinnamon, apple, cashews, coconut, honey and coffee to the food processor and blend till a creamy thick consistency is reached (about 2-3 minutes). Spread the “frosting” over the date and almond mixture. Sprinkle pecans on top and drizzle with honey. Put into the freezer for about 10 minutes to set. Enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer (in an airtight container marked “mixed veggies” so you can have it all to yourself).
