DIY Happy Meals {no need for fast food}

I have been meaning to share this little tip for quite some time now. If any of you moms are like me, then you may have kids who thinks that a happy meal or any kids meal at a fast food restaurant is super exciting. The problem on our end is that we do not eat that much fast food that would include cute boxes and trade marked toys. So, to make a long story short, I decided to make my own happy meal for the little one not too long ago. I fixed him chicken nuggets and fries and packaged it up in a brown paper bag that I glued coloring sheet and activity cut-outs to (the front is a free Phineas & Pherb coloring sheet that I trimmed, and the back is a cut-out of a free activity worksheet). He LOVED it! You can find all sorts of activity sheets for free on the web. Simply scale them down a bit to fit your bag or box. I also included a few of his crayons so that he can "play" as he ate. I also used some card stock paper and made a little box to put the chicken nuggets in and made a pouch for the fries and lined the box with tin foil.

I plan to make more of these for him with different foods and I will gather up some inexpensive toys to include in them. I loved this idea because for all of you who prefer not to give your kids fast food, who are vegans and vegetarians, or if your child has to follow a special diet, then this is a fun way to make their meal happy without the side effects of processed food from the local fast food joint! So, when you have a moment, definitely give this idea a try, your kids are sure to love it!

14 Day Menu 1/16 - 1/29 2010

Hello lovely ladies...yes, I am still here! I have not forgotten about you, yet I am going on 6 months preggo(round two in two years..lol) and things can get a bit hectic. Nevertheless I wanted to share our current 14 day menu plan with you all! Hopefully it will spark some ideas for your own kitchen and if you get the chance, you simply must try the Haitian Tea Cake that we enjoyed for dessert this past Sunday. It's enhanced with warm chai spices! Enjoy!

Saturday: Free Day

Sunday: Haitian Inspired Dinner: Riz Djon Djon(spiced rice with dried mushrooms & lima beans), Cabbage, Poule En Sauce(stewed chicken in a tomato sauce seasoned with peppers and herbs), Banane Pesee(lightly fried plantains).

Monday: Turkey Dogs & French Fries

Tuesday: Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs

Wednesday: Seafood Gumbo with Sweet Pepper Hush Puppies

Thursday: Free Day

Friday: Fried Chicken Salad w/Honey Mustard Dressing & Homemade Yeast Rolls

Saturday: Sun-dried Tomato & Mozzarella Paninis & Chips.

Sunday: Field Peas, Collards & a Whole Roasted Rosemary Chicken

Monday: Jamaican Jerk Patties & Minestrone Soup

Tuesday: Chicken Breast stuffed with Scalloped Potatoes, Cheese & Spinach, with cream of broccoli

Wednesday: Turkey Subs & Chips

Thursday: Free Day

Friday: Homemade Sun-dried Tomato, Feta, and Artichoke Pizza & Salad

Desserts: Haitian Tea Cake, homemade donuts & Fruit & Granola Parfaits!