It's days like this...

It's days like this that make me realize what a great family I have.  Well technically it was yesterday, today's been a little more difficult :)

If you ever think you have a disobedient child and think there is no hope, take them to an amusement park.  We went to Sea World yesterday and Mason was one of the most polite and well behaved people there, young and old.  He said excuse me to a little boy who was holding up the line in the play area, said thank you to the man that gave us our lunch, and walked around like a big boy with no stroller! 

Every time I go to Sea World I am shocked by the number of odd, obese, or rude people.  I guess it brings out all types and I probably shouldn't judge since I can be odd, I used to be obese, and I can be rude without realizing it, oops!

Well since the dinner challenge is technically over (even though I was pretty much a failure toward the end) I won't be posting as much food but I did want to leave you with a few of the gems that I cooked in the past week.

Homemade Granola Bars

These are delicious and supposed to be for kids, but I ate most of the first batch so I had to make more for Mason!

2 cups oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar (calls for 3/4 cup, but I cut it down)

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup honey (calls for 1/2 cup, but I cut it down again)

1/2 cup applesauce

1 apple, diced small

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 9x13 pan well with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl.  Make a well in the middle and pour in the wet ingredients, including the apple.  Mix with hands until very well combined.  Press into pan.  Bake at 350 for30-35 minutes or until golden brown around edges.

Let cool for about 5 minutes then slice, if you wait too long they will become too hard.

Mushroom "Veggie" Burgers

I cannot believe after 4 1/2 years of marriage I finally convinced my husband to eat these (and he actually liked them)!

4 large portabello mushroom caps, cleaned
1 cup light balsamic vinagrette
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 whole wheat buns (we used the sandwich thins)
Garnishes (grilled red onions, cheese, etc.)

Combine the vinagrette, herbs, and garlic.  Pour over mushroom caps and let marinate for up to 2 hours.  Grill on med-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side.  Put on toasted buns, enjoy!