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Favorite Baby Books at 1 Year

December 17, 2020 by Gina +

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Christmas, it’s right around the corner. If you can even believe that. 2020, the year that threw everything at us, is wrapping up. And I love that we get to end such a wacky, crazy year with the Holidays, because there really is no greater time. Especially in 2020.

This year will be especially special for having a one-year-old. Last year we were still just trying to reach the goal of putting clothes on to make sure our teeth were brushed. Life with a newborn. This year, while he still isn’t fully aware of Santa and all that magic, he is more into his toys, especially books. Which is very helpful for a newish parent. So on his (my) list for baby, lots of books.

So let’s talk about kid books. Like many other parents to be, I was given lots of books at my shower and shortly after. I had no idea by the time he was one he would have such a strong opinion on books. I thought, if I read it, he will love it. Make the sounds, read with enthusiasm, we are all good. But kids are tiny people and they have opinions. And his opinion is: Trucks, cars, and animals. These are the books he gravitates to. We currently read Goodnight Tractor at least 15 times a day.

This leads me to my next point about gifts and books. What I thought he would like, he doesn’t so much. I bought some really cute books with beautiful pictures, books with lots of colors, books with cute storylines. But he mostly wants to know what The Little Blue Truck is doing. Every book he LOVES, the ones we read multiple times a day, were gifted to us. This tells me two things, I wasn’t the best book picker outer. And two, veteran moms gift certain books because they too have children who want to hear that same story over and over. They know what’s up!

So here’s my (short) list of books that now at 15 months I highly recommend to moms. I’ll be adding to the list with other recommendations from moms too. So if you have one to add, please leave a comment on here or Instagram.

The Little Blue Truck. This was his first favorite, and since we have added the Halloween and Christmas versions. The Halloween one was a big hit. The Goodnight edition is under the tree.

Goodnight Tractor is another big hit. My son brings this to me first thing in the morning. We read it a few times, then flip through pages pointing out trucks, tractors, and animals. A close second in how many times we read and flip through is this Truck book. He flips and reads through it so much, the cover is no longer with us.

Non-car or truck related, but still a favorite, You’re My Little Cuddle Bug. This is one of the books I read at night. He likes the cutout shapes and (I think) the rhyming. The book holds his attention and is super sweet. I got the Christmas edition for under the tree. Biscuit’s Pet and Play Christmas was a gift from last year that he’s recently taken to.

My mom friend suggests this book for us. She and her daughter love it, so I added it to the books under the tree.

Let me know what I should add to the list!

You might also like:

My Pregnancy Journey-First Trimester

Filed Under: Mom Life Tagged With: books, kids books, motherhood

High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.
High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels If you’ve be High Protein Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels

If you’ve been looking for an easy homemade bagel recipe, these baked jalapeño cheddar bagels are so good. They have a slightly crisp outside, soft inside, lots of cheesy flavor, and around 14g protein each.

Made with Greek yogurt, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños, this is a simple high protein breakfast, meal prep idea, or snack recipe.

125g all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
180g plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 jalapeños, finely diced and seeds removed
1 egg for egg wash
Extra cheddar + jalapeños for topping

How to:
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in Greek yogurt until a dough forms. Fold in cheddar and jalapeños. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Add more flour slowly if the dough is too sticky. Careful not to add too much. Divide into 4 pieces and shape into bagels. Brush with egg wash and top with extra cheese and jalapeños. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.

Save this easy bagel recipe for later
If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, If you’re looking for an easy breakfast with eggs, this crispy feta fried egg recipe is so good.

I sprinkle feta cheese directly into a hot pan, add a little chili crisp, crack two eggs in the center, then cover until cooked. The feta gets golden and crispy around the edges and the eggs stay soft in the middle.

Simple, flavorful, high in protein, and ready in minutes.

2 ish tbsp feta cheese
2 eggs
Chili crisp
Salt

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. I add a little butter. Then sprinkle feta into the pan in a circle.
Drizzle with a little chili crisp
Crack two eggs into the center.
Cover and cook until eggs are done to your liking.

Perfect with toast,  tortilla or on its own.

Save this easy breakfast recipe and follow for more simple meals.
If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana brea If you’ve got 3 ripe bananas, skip the banana bread and make this instead 🍌

This Banana Snack Cake is soft, moist, loaded with banana flavor, filled with mini chocolate chips, and topped with the most delicious buttery crumble.

Perfect for after-school snacks, coffee, or dessert. 

Save this one for the next time your bananas get too ripe.

Recipe is linked in my profile or comment BANANA and I’ll send you the recipe.
Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍 Recipe Follow along for easy, high-protein meals 🤍
Recipe is below 

This is my current high-protein obsession.

It’s my healthier take on egg salad and I might like it even more than the classic version.

Creamy yolks mashed with cottage cheese, chopped egg whites, lots of salt and pepper, then piled onto toasted sourdough with green onion and dill.

2 hard boiled eggs
4 tbsp cottage cheese, divided
Salt + pepper
Toasted sourdough
Green onion
Fresh dill

Optional 
Pickled jalapeños
Sriracha 
Extra herbs
Everything seasoning

Separate yolks from whites
Mash yolks with 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Chop whites and mix with remaining 2 tbsp cottage cheese
Combine everything and season well
Add to toasted sourdough
Top with green onion, dill, and anything extra you love

And don’t forget to follow for more easy recipes
An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. I’m br An easy pasta dinner in under 30 minutes. 

I’m bringing this one back because it deserves another moment.
This is seriously one of the best pastas I’ve made lately.

The sauce is creamy, garlicky, and is so easy to make at home.

If you’re stuck making the same meals on repeat, make this your next pasta night.

RECIPE is linked in my bio (if you don’t want to comment 🙃) or comment PASTA and I’ll send it to you.
Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easie Turned a bag of frozen fries into one of the easiest high-protein dinners 🍔🍟

Crispy crinkle fries, double lean beef, melty cheddar, all the burger toppings, and a creamy burger sauce.

Save this one for a busy night

🍔 High-Protein Loaded Burger Sheet Pan Fries

1 bag crinkle cut frozen fries 
2 lbs very lean ground beef
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper
2–3 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6–8 slices cheddar cheese

Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Pickles

Burger Sauce
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tsp mustard
1–2 tbsp pickle juice
Pinch garlic powder

Bake fries according to package directions until extra crispy.
Brown ground beef in a skillet. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire. Cook until flavorful and slightly saucy.
Spread fries on a sheet pan and top evenly with beef.
Add cheddar slices over the top.
Return to oven for 3–5 minutes until melted.
Top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Mix burger sauce ingredients and drizzle over everything. Serve immediately. 

* if planning for leftovers don’t add toppings immediately.
** I doubled the ground beef and the seasoning for extra protein. If you only use 1 pound of ground beef cut everything else in half.

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