baking soda Archives - Simply Happenstance

DIY Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak

March 4, 2015

DIY // Oatmeal and Lavender Bath Soak

Yay… It’s mid-week! All I’m dreaming of is a little rest, relaxation, and a warm bath {alone} tonight! If you’re a mom, you’ll especially appreciate the “alone” part! Am I right? It seems that every time I draw a bath for myself, I have at least a couple of my kids come in, splash their hands in the water, and ask if they can take a bath. It’s far from relaxing! So tonight, my plan is to take a secret bath {when everyone falls asleep}, immersing my body in this simple DIY bath soak!

I love a good bath soak, but they can be expensive to buy… and sometimes there are unwanted added ingredients. I first made this Oatmeal and Lavender mixture for my littlest guy, Finn, over Christmas. He had pneumonia and ended up with an itchy rash all over his body from an allergic reaction to the antibiotics. On Christmas morning, my heart was broken looking at his sweet face and little body. He was literally covered in an uncomfortable rash from head-to-toe. I decided to make my own bath soak to help soothe his skin and lift his spirits. It definitely did help, which is partly why I’m sharing it with you today!

I have since made this recipe a few times. I have used locally grown dried lavender, as well as, {kid-safe} lavender essential oil, from Plant Therapy. The bath soak has turned out great, regardless of which kind of lavender I have used. So my advice to you, is to use whatever you have on hand, or can find easily! [Read more…]

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

March 11, 2014

:: Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins ::

Oh, how a long school day can take the fun out of things! Okay I am only kidding, but it does take up the majority of our day, so why not make it a little fun with some Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins as a mid-day snack. Yes, I know… muffins are just as wonderful paired with a cup of Joe, but these little mid-day treats make the day much more enjoyable!

Let me count the reasons why I love these muffins:

They are made with ruby red strawberries. Don’t they remind you of spring?
This is actually a light recipe, so yes Mommy can have one…or two?
Two {hidden} ripe bananas.
Of course the piece of resistance….chocolate chips, yum!

[Read more…]

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

October 18, 2013

:: Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins ::

Do you have an upcoming school event that that requires you to bring a healthy home made snack? These Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins are the perfect fall treat. Loaded with pumpkin flavor these little muffins make for an easy bite sized snack. Made without nuts and the additive of applesauce and yogurt with a mixture of canned pumpkin these muffins won’t disappoint your little ones. I know for myself, I often would love to bring in cupcakes for a birthday celebration or fall party, but these muffins were just as fun with half the sugar. Easy to make and full of pumpkin spice flavor this is sure to be a new healthy fall treat to add to your list. [Read more…]

M&M Skillet Cookie

October 8, 2013

:: M&M Skillet Cookie ::

It’s fall and I am feeling inspired by all that I see. Target really has a way of taking a hold of oneself with it’s lovely displays of Halloween and all its seasonal M&M’s. I can’t help it….the kids want chocolate chip cookies, and I am thinking we need something new… something that I actually have to think a little bit about and use one of the many gadgets that I like to covet. How many of you have this problem? I love kitchen appliances, cake plates, pans, and coffee mugs….I can go on and on. The problem is I buy them and then I sit and wait. I wait to decide the best possible recipe I will create to use in that special addition to my kitchen. So I am breaking out my Lodge cast iron and I am making it simple. Two dishes to clean and I don’t have to roll out cookies, set them aside to cool, and repeat. One pan and you get to slice your cookie out of it. Genius and easy! This M&M Skillet Cookie is simply inspired by BJ’s Restaurant. When I first arrived at Long Beach State as a Freshman, BJ’s in Belmont Shore was a fun meet-up for food, friends, and family. We would always end our meal with a Pizookie. Since my kids have recently had their first try of one, I am making an at home version… and its not going to be in a small pan. No rush to finish and we did top it with ice cream. Yum! [Read more…]

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

September 26, 2013

:: Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread ::

Bananas are a simple staple in our home. They are used to create smoothies, toppings for cereal, and stand alone snacks. I am a bit weird when it comes to this fruit, I only will eat a whole banana if it is a tad green {I am sure there are some of you that agree to this}. That being the case, I always have enough ripe bananas to create a bread, dessert, or breakfast drink with.

With a slight drop in the temperature and the start of autumn, I decided to turn these little gems into a breakfast dessert paired with a frosting infused with the caramel sauce that I used to create the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe that we posted last week. This Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread is a basic banana bread but kicked up a notch with the added creaminess of Greek yogurt and caramel. I promise this will be become a favorite of yours.