My oldest daughter, Ella is eight years old and has been on a kick of wanting to cook healthy things “all on her own.” She has been even more inspired while we have been reading our new favorite book series Disney Star Darlings. Because one of the characters in the book series is Tessa, she loves to cook and create new recipes. When my daughter read about her in the she said that she wanted to make a dinner all her own. Since she has conquered French Toast, a smoothie and can make a mean peanut butter sandwich for her lunch, naturally dinner was next. Both of her Aunts were in town this past week so we decided to make a fun “Night of Celebration” like they do in the Star Darlings books. Complete with Tie-Dyed Cupcake Jars and Colorful Healthy Lettuce Wraps.
First we started with dessert of course, the Tie-Dyed Cupcake Jars to get them baking in the oven. We just divided up the batter and added a little food coloring to each bowl.
We cooked them in a glass jar so you could see all the bright colors.
We used an ice-cream scoop to scoop a layer of batter on top of each other.
This is the finished product! We loved how it turned out and would make a darling gift as well.
Here is the recipe-
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups water
4 egg whites
3 Tbs. Oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5 Tbs. flour
1 cup milk
Cook in a sauce pain over med heat until consistency of frosting
Set aside and let cool
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
Mix together until well blended
Add 1 tsp. vanilla to flour mixture when cool and to the butter mixture and beat until a soft fluffy frosting is formed (approx 4 min)
Next up we made Colorful Healthy Lettuce Wraps and Fruit Kabobs. These were inspired by each of the characters in the book series. There are twelve tween girls who each have their favorite colors and unique personalities. I have discussed this many times with my daughter, about the importance of individuality. I know we all want to fit in and share similar interests, but it should not be at the expense of your own belief system, core values and unique strengths. I found my daughter afraid to share some personal things about herself and she was trying to dress like other girls in her class, not like her normal spunky self. In Disney Star Darlings, they all have their own interests, hobbies and talents. Such a great thing to teach girls, to not try to compare yourself to others and to be the best version of yourself. I loved that this book series created great way to start a discussion with my daughters.
Now this is the best dinner for an eight year old to make, Colorful Healthy Lettuce Wraps. They are such an easy dinner, no cooking involved and they are so quick to make.
Ella actually cut everything by herself, with her Aunt standing close by making sure she was cutting correctly and safely. The best thing to use for the carrots is THIS veggie shredder, it slices carrots thinly and really easily.
Colorful Healthy Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Shredded Chicken (we used a Rotisserie Chicken and shredded it)
- Shredded Carrots
- Bite Size pieces of Red and Yellow Peppers
- Raw Broccoli Slaw
- Cooked Pasta (this is really great for kids to feel like they aren’t just eating veggies)
- Butter Leaf Lettuce (to use as your wrap)
The key ingredient is the sauce. You can buy an already made peanut sauce, but why do that when you can easily make your own!
Lettuce Wrap Sauce Recipe
- ½ cup canned full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup smooth almond butter or peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or sriracha)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 minced garlic clove
- pinch of salt
Cook all of the above ingredients in a medium sauce pan. The original recipe says to blend it in the blender after, I didn’t do that and it turned out great. Adapted from THIS recipe.
The best part is kids can assemble them all on their own, with some coaching to make sure to get some veggies in the wrap.
We also had the fruit Kabob station. With strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and grapes.
We are always on the look out for fun new books to read. I wanted to share a little more about Disney Star Darlings. The series is about a group of tweens trying to answer the question of where wishes come from, and features a diverse array of girls who encourage and help others to fulfill their heartfelt wishes.
Just like real girls, each Star Darling has her own wish that she pursues with full force and determination—and the help of her friends. These shared journeys and experiences provide exceptionally positive examples to inspire tweens to follow their dreams, and are experienced through books, dolls, music and apparel, along with a mobile app and animated shorts (that my girls loved watching). Disney “Star Darlings” offers an innovative and unparalleled lifestyle experience that encourages tweens to harness the power of their individuality, highlights the power of making positive choices, and shows that they can make anything possible. What a great series.
*ENTER TO WIN CLOSED* Congrats to Jamie for winning the prize pack! You can ENTER TO WIN this prize pack from Disney Star Darlings a $250 value!
One winner will receive-
· Star Darlings Collection of 9 books in the entire series
· Star Darlings Wish Board
· Plus a set of five Star Darlings 10.5” dolls
Enter to Win by leaving a comment telling me YOUR favorite book or your child’s. Enter to win ends May 31st at 10:00 PM EST.
Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney Press. I partnered with Disney Star Darlings on this post, opinions are all my own.
A current favorite of my grandchildren is The Napping House by Don Wood, I’m excited to hear about this new series for my two oldest grand daughters who are just learning to read.
My 8 year old is an avid reader, her favorite book is a picture book called The Rainbow Fish.
This is adorable! And yummy 🙂 my favorite as a girl was the secret garden ?
She is loving Sarah Plain and Tall. Those cupcakes look like a fun project we might have to try!
How fun! My seven ( almost 8 she says) year olds favorite book is The Tail of Emily Windsnap. And my 5 year olds is anything Fancy Nancy!
Definitely anything by Enid Button! I would save my pocket money all week to be able to go get a book
Little house on the prairie was my favorite!
My 7 year old daughter’s favorites right now are the Magic Treehouse books. My younger girls love the Fancy Nancy series!
Brooke, you are an amazing Mom and example to all of us. My granddaughter who just turn 8, did a report with a chart in school about eating 5 colors of fruit and vegetables daily. Grandpa and Grandma got a full blown tutorial on eating more vegetables & fruit. I will be going to the book store and pick up these books. She will love them. Thanks for sharing!!
That is so awesome! I love that. YOU are the sweetest. I miss you and Jeff. I want to visit you when we come in the summer. She will enjoy the books and show her online the videos about the series, those are fun to watch!
My daughter loves the Just Grace book series! Thanks for sharing
Your whole post is so cute and creative. Actually, all your posts are cute and creative. ?
My daughter loves the Amelia Bedilia Chapter books.
She also really loves the Princess Posey chapter books. They are so cute and fun to read.
hey girl great post! Such a cute series of book!
My 7 & 4 year old girls LOVE Pete the Cat books, and so do I! Thanks for sharing a little bit about your girls. I love the idea behind the Star Darlings. Like your daughter, my 7 year old is changing her style and likes based around others.. Seems too soon for that. Definitely going to check those books out! Thanks!
CONGRATS Jamie! You are the winner! I will have someone contact you to send you the prize package!
Thanks so much!!! My girls will be thrilled! 🙂 🙂
Congrats!!
Loved this! Recipes are so great for her age and I simply loved the encouragement for girls! Precious and priceless.
I personally loved the Junie B Jones books but my daughter has long outgrown them now! She just turned 11 and loves reading mysteries.
One of my favorite books would be Harry Potter and the goblet of fire
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
What a great giveaway package! I have a little girl who I’d love to gift this too! I’m currently reading The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews. I’ve read so many of her books and have loved all the ones I have read. With summer on our heels, her books are perfect beach/backyard reads. If you are looking for fun easy going reads, then she’s the author for you!
I love reading Nancy Drew books and I hope when my daughter is old enough that she will love them too.
My daughter’s favorite were the Amelia Bedilia chapter books.
My 8 year old granddaughter read and loved Disney’s Never Girls Series. She is anxiously awaiting the release of the 13th book in that series. Until then, she is immersing herself in The Boxcar Children. I’m thrilled to go broke supporting her love of reading!
Right now my daughter and I are reading The Phantom Tollbooth together. It’s the first time for both of us but we are loving it. It’s weird and quirky but a great read for both kids and parents.
Our family loves The little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Great book!
The current favorite in our house is The Berenstain Bears Living Lights series. Not only are my girls enthralled with the characters, but each story is so perfect for any family to read and learn from.
Lila has enjoyed reading the Ivy and Bean books. 🙂
Love this post! My daughter is reading Pollyanna and we just read The Secret Unicorn together. 🙂
I withhold love to read these with my 8 year old daughter this summer! Her current favorite books are the “Whatever After” series.
My favorite books are Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” My daughter’s favorite book is also “Where the Sidewalk Ends.” We spend many nights laughing ourselves silly reading it before bed.
My kids always liked The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle