veggie garden sensory bin

This veggie garden sensory bin comes together so easily to give little ones a chance to play and get excited about their vegetables while working on fine motor skills.

We have a weekly routine in the summer; every Tuesday and Saturday we head to the farmers market. We buy all of the fresh food we will eat that week, plus a little extra to freeze. I love how the offerings change throughout the season. The kids love the sights, the smells and the baked goods. While they might spend most of their visit to the market pleading for cookies, they always jump in the line for our favorite farmer. Who gets to hold the basket and who gets to pick the produce? We always work it out.

Last week while we were in line for our peppers, onions and radishes, the kids were bickering about the basket and the picking job and inspiration hit. I knew right away that I was going to recreate a garden scene for their enjoyment. If they argued about who got to play first, I will never tell.

Supplies:

• Plastic box with clip lid
• One pound of dried black beans
• ½ cup of whole coffee beans
• Leaves from artificial flowers
• Assorted play food; tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, strawberries etc
• Plastic serving tongs
• Sandbox tools

Directions:

Layer the dry black beans in the box.

Add coffee beans to the mix for a fragrant experience.

Nestle the leaves into the beans (I simply removed the leaves from a few stems of
artificial flowers).

Place the fruits and vegetables in the beans and on the leaves.

Add plastic serving tongs and plastic shovels.

Invite your child to harvest the veggies, to explore the beans and to work on fine motor skills
by picking the veggies and beans up with the tools.

This was so much fun for the kids. Even too cool, 9 year old Rolf got involved and explored this veggie garden sensory bin.

This was fun to smell and touch and it gave Harp a chance to work on her fine motor skills.

When you are all finished playing, you can snap the lid on the bin and store it for playtime in the future.

You can find all of my sensory content here.
Birthday Cake Sensory Bin

The Perfect Dish for Summer Sauteed Corn and Squash

Sauteed corn and squash makes for the perfect addition to any summer meal. It is delicious enough to make a meal on its own! Made with fresh and simple ingredients, this dish comes together in a matter of moments and is going to get rave reviews from anyone that samples it!

Summer is here you guys! I have never been so happy to hit the farmers market! After a long winter with access to a sad selection of fresh veggies, to see food grown with care and pride inspired my stomach and my menu planning.

I made the easiest dish for dinner last Sunday. It was a lazy summer day. The kids had been playing outside most of the day and I turned to my farmers market finds to create dinner. This recipe is so easy you guys it makes only 3 ingredients and the prep time is minimal, so you can spend more time making summer memories.

Chefs notes:

Use real butter. Butter is something that should not be sacrificed in any kitchen. I firmly believe that using butter to cook is healthier than turning to some scientifically created food like substance. Butter- just do it guys. 

At the last moment, I tossed roughly chopped fresh parsley into the veggie mix to add a splash of green and a little extra flavor. This is optional

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Ingredients

1 yellow squash

2 ears of corn on the cob

2 tablespoons of real butter

parsley to taste (optional)

Directions

Shuck your ears of corn 

Cut the corn from the cob

Chop the squash into chunks

Heat a skillet at a a medium heat setting

Add butter

Add corn and squash

Add parsley if desired

Sautee for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. When your squash is tender you can remove from the heat and serve.

I served this along with garlic roasted asparagus for a delicious dinner that was extremely delicious and healthy. It offered a colorful plate packed with summer veggies! This is one of the many ways we love to enjoy summer squash.

 I would love to hear how you enjoy summer squash!

This dinner was so economical. It is one of the many examples of the reality that you can eat wholesome and healthy foods even on the tightest of budgets.  I always hear people claim that it costs too much to eat healthy. Recipes like this dispel that myth. While I didn't add meat to the meal- you could easily do so if you desired.

You might also like this Easy Berry Parfait Recipe for a quick and scrumptious dessert!

How to Dye Oatmeal without Water for Sensory Play

Dyed oats are perfect for sensory bins! You won't believe how easy it is to dye them without any water!

I have made a ton of sensory bins for my kids over the years. We have explored rice, beans, sand and even straws as fillers. I knew I wanted to try something different, and inspiration was as close as my pantry. I pulled out some oatmeal and got busy experimenting.

First, I tried soaking the oats in dyed water. That was a fail. They clumped together and formed a soggy mess. I couldn't dry them out. 

Next, I thought about how we dyed rice, and decided to try that method on oats. The results were perfect. The oats didn't clump together and they are so soft!

To dye oats you will need:

• One cup of oats 
• Food coloring of your choice
• Hand sanitizer
• One Ziploc bag

Directions:

• Pour the oats into the bag.
• Add 7 to 10 drops of food coloring.
• Add a generous dollop of hand sanitizer to the bag.
• Seal the bag and shake until all of the oats are coated.
• Pour the oats on a paper towel or paper plate to dry.

Dyed oats are perfect for sensory play. Stay tuned for bins that use dyed oats.

You can find all of my sensory content here

Flower Garden Sensory Bin

Birthday Cake Sensory Bin

7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes

Summer is near, so the time to stock up on lemonade fixings is now! I have 7 Luscious Lemonade Recipes to inspire your summertime sipping!

Pin this to your drink board for later!

There is nothing like a glass of lemonade on a hot day. I found 7 awesome recipes that I can't wait to try. I think you are going to love these too. From the traditional twist of a strawberry version that promises to be easy to an unforgettable Lavender punch that tickles the taste buds in style.  I can't wait to hear which of these recipes you want to try first!

Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade
Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Sparkling Pineapple Lemonade
Lavender Lemonade Punch
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Blueberry Lemonade Punch

Making homemade lemonade is super easy to do! I have a few tips to help you make the best ever lemonade at home!

1. 5 or 6 lemons will yield 1 cup of juice.
2. Select lemons that are bright yellow and firm.
3. Washing lemons after purchase will keep them fresher longer.
4. Room temperature lemons will yield more juice than a cold lemon.
5. Simple syrup is much easier for making lemonade than dissolving sugar.

Have you ever made a special lemonade recipe? I would love to hear about it to inspire my summer sipping!

We have a cute lemonade craft for kids that goes perfectly with homemade lemonade!

You might want to check out these homemade soda ideas.

 Don't miss these infused water recipes!

5 Tips On How To Buy Your First Car

Buying your first car can be a thoroughly overwhelming experience. And if auto financing is involved
you may as well multiply the anxiety by infinity.

This post has been sponsored.

However, according to a recent study by Autotrader's Car Buyer of the Future, vehicle financing comes
in near the top list of stressors for car buyers. But the good news is first time car buyers who craft an
auto financing strategy beforehand are less stressed than those who wing it.

Here are five tips on buying your first car.

1. Prepare a Budget

You can count on the car dealer trying to convince you to finance something well beyond your budget.
They do this by emphasizing 'low monthly payments' - while minimizing the total sticker price.

Hence, it's crucial to have a clear budget in mind before leaving home. And more important than
having a spending plan is sticking to it!

2. Know Your Auto Financing Options

Consumers that don't do their homework get stressed out at the dealership. Don't let that be you. Check
your credit to determine your credit and vehicle financing options.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with some of the more common credit-related terms,
as well. If your beacon score is 680 or higher, you may want to consider getting pre-approved through a
bank or credit union. If it's mid 600s or below, the dealer's financing may be ideal.

Whatever the case, first-time buyers would do well to avoid auto leasing. Don't let the salesperson talk
you into a lease. While leasing offers lower monthly payments, mileage penalties plus wear and tear
charges can make leasing contracts more costly in the long run.

3. Choose a Short Vehicle Loan Term

Nowadays, car dealers offer several creative financing options. A great example is lowering your
monthly payments by extending the number of car loan payments. So, while in the past borrowers
typically financed their cars for five years, today many consumers are financing vehicles for up to
eight years!  

Unlike real estate, most cars depreciate with time. So, if you get a seven-year loan term, you'll either
sell it for next to nothing or dispose of it before you're done paying for it. That’s why most consumer
finance experts recommend avoiding long car loan terms.

4. Buy Used and Negotiate

Buying a previously owned but well maintained used car can lower the overall cost of ownership by up
to 40%. On the other hand, the moment you drive that new vehicle off the lot, it loses 11% in value.

So why not let the depreciation work in your favor by buying a used vehicle? Most used vehicles
below five years are still in excellent condition and offer nearly the same amenities you'd find in a
brand new car. Plus, you can use even slight vehicle wear to negotiate deeper savings.

5. Find a Co-Signer

Banks like co-signers because they agree to pay the debt if you default on your loan. If you can find
someone willing to co-sign with you, your chances of finding affordable financing goes up
exponentially. Most co-signers have excellent credit and can help you get a low-interest car loan
approved with ease.

A Prepared First Time Car Buyer is a Happy Buyer

Knowing what to expect from the car buying process helps reduce the stress of buying a car.
Likewise, implementing the five tips we’ve just covered positions you to win even more. So, do yourself
a favor and put these car buying strategies to work now - you’ll thank yourself later.