Florida Visit

Celebrating Chanukah with my younger son, my daughter-in-law and 

my grandkids during their visit to our condo in Florida. 

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Is anyone old enough to remember the early days of television ?

My friend Maxine told me a story about a conversation she had with her 5 year old grandchild that brought back memories of TV shows from when I was a little girl.  

It was a hot summer's day and my friend Maxine was wearing a short sleeve shirt. Her grandson looked at her arms and asked why her skin on her arms was hanging. She replied that it often happens when one gets older. Her grandson continued to look and then replied. I guess that's what happened under your chin too. Kids often say such funny things innocently!

When I was young, Art Linkletter had a TV show called Kids Say the Darndest Things (1952-1969). 

The show was very entertaining and funny. Art Linkletter was the host and he would have a panel of 4 or 5 school age children that he would ask questions about life. If you have never seen or heard of the show, you can watch one of his original shows on YouTube. I've linked one of his shows below. 

After watching some of the original episodes on Netflix, I realized how much things have changed over the years. Simple behaviors that were acceptable in the 1950's and 1960's would never fly today. 

 I noticed that Art Linkletter kept touching the kids on the shoulders, their thighs, etc. Years ago that seemed very normal and harmless, but not now. He would probably be arrested for touching kids to that extent. 

Another questions addressed getting spanked routinely as if it were normal and accepatable. In the video below his question is. Who do you prefer to spank you, your mom or your dad?  Can you imagine that question today!! 

Attitudes, behaviors, and what's acceptable has really changed from the1950's and 1960's until today. 

Another show I loved and always watched was It's Howdy Doody Time which aired in the 1950's.- I'm showing my age- 

The TV screen in those days was often blank until 4:00 pm when Howdy Doodie would suddenly begin.  Have you ever heard the expressions- no comments from the peanut gallery? The peanut gallery was the large group of kids in the audience on The Howdy Doodie Show.

Kids would line up in front of the TV just waiting for a show. Kid shows also played on Saturday mornings. The remainder of the time, there were no shows or just the news. Eventually when advertising was introduced to television, the time and variety of airing began to expand.

Although television was invented in the late 1920's- it wasn't until the late 1940's that a few thousand people finally owned a TV set. We my parents purchased a TV set in 1954, there were very few shows aired- Much of the time the screen was blank. 

Banana Roll Ups for Kids

  

                            

Do you remember eating peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and  banana sandwiches, or even peanut butter with Nutella when you were a kid?  Peanut butter seem to go with everything and we all loved the stuff. 

It was a quick and easy snack/lunch and sometimes that's just what a mother needed- something quick and easy! 

These simple banana roll ups on a corn tortilla or gluten-free wrap are perfect because you don't even need to cut the banana!! You eat it like a hot dog so even kids can make their own and they can have fun making this healthy sandwich. 

They are great for a kids party too! 

 

The delicious combination of bananas and peanut butter is already outrageous. But don't stop there, the possibilities in this tortilla are endless.

If you are looking for ideas for kids check out these ideas. 

Muffin Tin Ideas (link to ideas and how to )

Muffin Tin Ideas ( link to ideas) Having a party. Scoop the ice cream in muffin tins in advance for easy serving. 

Fabulous Find # 3 
This is such a great idea. Keep prepackaged healthy snack trays in the refrigerator for kids. Healthy snacks are all ready for the taking. 
This idea, directions, and  photo are from a blog 
called Real Simple. There are lots of other great ideas on the blog as well.

Banana Roll Ups

Ingredients:
2 gluten free tortillas or brown rice wraps ( I get them at Trader Joe or health store)
4 TBSP of nut butter ( I like organic peanut butter or organic almond butter)
1-2  bananas (depending on the size of your wrap and what it will hold)
4 TBSP whole fruit no sugar preserves ( any supermarket)

Directions
Spread wraps with nut butter and preserves. Place a whole or 1/2 of banana in center of each wrap. Roll up , hold it together with a toothpick and enjoy.

Variation:
Dip bananas in melted chocolate and chill in refrigerator before adding to the wrap ( now we are talking)

Step by Step Pictures
    


Buy a package of gluten free tortillas at your health food store. If you are not gluten free use regular tortillas!

      

Take tortilla from the package and warm it up in the toaster over on 200 till soft

 

             

Spread with nut butter and fruit only jelly or jam

            

                

Add 1/2 a banana to the center depending on the size of your tortilla or wrap



       

Roll up and enjoy!

My Notes: 

This was one of my first blog posts back in 2011. My blog has come a long way baby!!It is now entirely plant-based, oil-free, and of course still gluten-free. Browse around and see what appeals to you. 

I would love to know that you stopped by, so scroll down  at the end of this post, look for the word comments and click. Then leave me a comment. Have a wonderful day.


Like my recipes? I post lots more on my social media ; Follow me on Pinterest Gluten Free A-Z  and Twitter .

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies were one of my favorites when I was growing up.

This healthy recipe is quick and easy to make and uses wholesome ingredients and very allergy friendly with no sugar, flour, eggs or milk.. Everyone will love them because they taste amazing!!

Do you have some ripe bananas that you want to use up?  You will need four bananas for this recipe. 

These cookies are sweetened with fruit, you don't have to feel guilty eating them or giving them to your kids for snacks.  Be sure to buy certified gluten free oats, which are available in most health food stores, Trader Joes , and Whole Foods.

Are you in a hurry? This recipe can be whipped up and baked  in less than 1/2 hour. 

Whenever I make these cookies, everyone, whether gluten free or not, loves them. In addition, the recipe lends itself to many variations, so you can be as creative as you choose. Depending on what you decide to add, you can change the taste of the cookie. If you add chocolate chips it will be sweeter. If you add chopped walnuts, it will be a little chewier. If you add dried cranberries, It will be a perfect cookie for Thanksgiving.



Basic Recipe
2 cups certified gluten free rolled oats ( I get mine at Trader Joe's )
4 ripe bananas, mashed
4 tablespoons of olive oil 

2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 cup add ins of your choice ( raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, walnuts, etc.)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix gluten free rolled oats, mashed banana, oil and cinnamon with a spoon in a large bowl. ( batter will be chunky)
Add raisins (or any add- in of your choice), mix with spoon and allow to sit in refrigerator for at least 10 minutes (or up to 8 hours covered)

Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 or until tops brown a little.

Step by Step

Assemble Ingredients

Add caption

Mix mashed banana, rolled oats, olive oil and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Eat immediately or store in a little baggies to keep them soft and chewy!


How to know if oats are gluten free click to read the article.

Variations: Using the same batter, fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for about 15 minutes. Cool and can be kept in a plastic bag for about 3 days. Since the recipe contains no sugar ( unless you use choc chips or sweetened dried fruit) it makes a great convenient breakfast on the run.


Disclaimer: If you are gluten free, check with your doctor before using gluten free oats. Some people may react to even gluten free oatmeal. Read my July 2010 post on gluten free oats.

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