Welcome to Not-So-Ultimate Mommy—a real-life parenting blog for the perfectly imperfect. From fun kids’ activities to honest takes on motherhood, this space is all about finding joy, creativity, and sanity in the chaos. Whether you're crafting with toddlers or navigating parenting curveballs, you’re not alone—and you’re doing great (even when it doesn’t feel like it).
Who didn't grow up on oatmeal? When I was a child, oat were a staple in our house. They could be prepared, becoming oatmeal, but we also sometimes ate them dry (do not ask me why; maybe we were horses in our past lives). They were delicious, but they were more than that. Oatmeal is also a superfood, though I wouldn't realize this until I became a fully fledged adult.
With high levels of beta-glucan soluble fiber, oat flakes help lower cholesterol (the bad kind) and protect kids' hearts. But oats will also help stabilize blood sugar level, helping to keep highs and lows at bay. For our family, the best thing about oatmeal is that it's a complex carbohydrate. This means kids will burn up the calories they gain from oats slowly, resulting in them being more alert and better behaved at school or at home. This, combined with how easy this simple recipe is to prepare, make this the perfect breakfast food.
So before reaching for the cereal every morning, consider throwing this sweet and savory oatmeal together.
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 cup oats
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ cup fresh blueberries (or any berry you enjoy)
¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
maple syrup
Method
Put the water and the oats into a medium-sized pot, add the salt, and bring to a boil. As soon as boiling occurs reduce heat to low. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring well. Simmer this mixture, leaving it uncovered, until the oatmeal is soft. Stir occasionally so the oats don't all stick together.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Mix in the walnuts. You can really use any nut you like, substitute with a seed of your choice, or even skip this step altogether. You might also choose to use granola instead.
Divide the oatmeal into serving dishes. Top with blueberries (or another fruit; I like blueberries and raspberries) and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve immediately.
Oatmeal is incredibly versatile, so get creative. You might want to add cold milk, leave out the berries, use a different syrup, or use honey or brown sugar instead. The options are limited only by your imagination and personal tastes.
Broccoli is a wonderfully healthy food. It's full of vitamin A and calcium, making it essential for building strong bones, but it does so much more. It helps eyes due to the zeaxanthin and lutein buried in the stalks and it boosts the immune system by means of beta carotene, zinc, vitamin C, and selenium.
The healthiest way to eat broccoli is either raw or steamed, but getting kids to eat it can prove a problem. When in doubt, try these tried and true favorites every parent should know about.
Broccoli Stir-fry
Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and saute chopped onions and firm tofu (you can use diced chicken or turkey if you like). Add chopped broccoli and cooked rice. Brown is best, but any rice your kids like will do. Combine until warmed through. Remove from heat and add soy, tamari, or teriyaki sauce.
Broccoli and Cheese
This one is so easy it almost makes itself. Chop your broccoli into bite-sized pieces and steam. Place in a serving bowl and top with melted cheese. Cheez Whiz is probably the most common cheese to use, but you can use any cheese your kids enjoy. Mine like mozzarella, so experiment and find what works for you and your family.
Broccoli Frittata
This one is great if you have any leftover broccoli that you're trying to use up. Take four to six eggs and beat them before pouring into an oiled frying pan. Heat over low heat and top with chopped broccoli and grated cheese (any kind is fine). Keep this over the heat until the eggs are just set. Place under a broiler for two minutes to give the frittata a golden-brown top and serve immediately.
Broccoli Salad
This is my personal favorite and a great way to enjoy raw broccoli. Take your favorite lettuce (mine happens to be romaine) and toss with chopped broccoli, diced cucumbers, chopped red onions, and tomatoes. Drizzle with your favorite dressing and a little feta cheese. Both my boys will happily eat any salad with a little broccoli and some cheese, so they get their vegetables for the day, which can only be a good thing.
Get creative with broccoli and you'll find a delicious and nutritious snack or even a meal for your children and yourself. There are many ways to use this versatile vegetable. You're only limited by your imagination.
Can't get your kids to eat broccoli? Try this classic video and see if a Muppet can't convince them.
Salmon is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These help nourish growing brains and are important for proper brain development, especially at a young age. It can also protect the heart and its high in protein and iron. Add the fact that it's delicious, and you have the perfect food for children. And if you choose wild salmon, you'll avoid most of the contaminants associated with farmed salmon.
Ingredients
1 lbs salmon fillets, boneless
3 green onions, chopped
¼ cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp white wine
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp sugar
Method
Find your largest frying pan (large enough to hold all the salmon at once) and fill it with ¾-inch of water. Add the wine and the ginger . Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to a low simmer.
Put the fish in the pan and cover with a loose-fitting lid. Poach until the fish flakes and is no longer opaque, about 15 minutes. This will vary according to the thickness of the fillets.
When the fish is fully cooked, remove from the pan carefully. Use a spatula to avoid damaging the fillets. Place on a serving dish and remove some of the liquid from the pan. No more than ¼ cup of liquid should be used, but half that is usually enough. Reserve this liquid in a bowl and discard the rest.
To the liquid add soy sauce, oil, and sugar. Whisk together until smooth, making a sauce.
Drizzle this sauce over the fish. Garnish with onion and serve immediately.
This dish is excellent served alongside a hearty salad or over pasta. Don't like salmon? Try some of your other favorite fish. This dish is simple enough that it will compliment many different flavors.
It's a sad fact that almost 60% of children ages 5 to 17 are affected by tooth decay. This makes it the most common chronic disease of this age group. Why is this the case? Because many of the foods children consume have added sugars. When children chew these high sugar foods, bacteria in the mouth interacts with the sugar to produce an acid that breaks down tooth enamel. And when tooth enamel breaks down, you have tooth decay.
Foods That Help Prevent Tooth Decay
One of the best ways to fight tooth decay is to have your kids consume less sugar and more of those foods that actually help strengthen tooth enamel. Start with calcium-rich foods such as milk products, leafy green vegetables, and calcium-enriched orange juice. Make sure you get enough vitamin D, since vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Cheese is a good choice, since it produces saliva that kills off bacteria.
Crunchy vegetables such as raw carrots and celery help to produce saliva that can actually neutralize the bacteria in your child's mouth. In addition, chewing these foods massages the gums and fruits high in vitamin C (such as kiwis and most citrus fruit) help to keep gums healthy. If opt for fruits that are low in sugar (including apples and pears), you'll be helping keep your child's teeth healthy. Avoid dried fruit as it can stick to the teeth and encourage tooth decay.
And don't forget to have your child drink lots of water. Water helps keep gums hydrated and doesn't introduce excess sugar into your child's mouth.
Tips for Avoiding Tooth Decay
If you want to keep your child's teeth healthy, limit those high sugar snacks. Candy and cookies are obvious sources, but also take a look at those sweetened drinks (such as pop and juice) that can be loaded with sugar. Allow your children to have these things in moderation only. Check labels to find hidden sugars, and avoid anything that has a lot of added sugar.
Starch, which breaks down into simple sugars in the mouth, is also a leading cause of tooth decay. Unfortunately, starch is hard to avoid. Combat this problem by teaching your kids good oral hygiene. Encourage them to brush and floss daily, and make regular trips to the dentist. You might also consider a fluoride rinse that will help rid the mouth of bacteria. Listerine Smart Rinse, but there are other options.
Whatever you do, don't take oral health for granted. Your kids need their teeth, and oral hygiene has to start young for full effect.
