Star Wars Mickey Mouse Cookies

Who isn’t excited for the new Star Wars movie opening on December 18th? That’s my birthday, so we’ve already decided that we will make it a Star Wars celebration!
What’s a celebration without treats right? I love these super cute and tasty Star Wars Mickey cookies! They are easy to make, and the kids are going to love helping decorate!

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Cookie Recipe:

Cookie Ingredients:

5 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 C soft unsalted butter
2 C granulated sugar
4 eggs

Royal Icing Recipe:

Anakin & Princess Liela  Icing Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 C powder sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Black, white, grey, brown & blue gel food coloring

Royal Icing Recipe:

Chewbacca & R2D2 Icing Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 C powder sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Beown, grey, black, blue & red gel food coloring

Cookie cutters:

Mickey Mouse

Cookie Directions:

– Cream the soft butter with the sugar until the combination is smooth not grainy to the touch in a mixing bowl.
-Add all 4 eggs at one time. Continue to mix.
-Add the vanilla.  Continue mixing.
-Sift the four, baking powder, and salt together.
-Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
-Continue mixing to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
-Make the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling wrap completely covering the entire dough ball.
-Put in the refrigerator for about 6 hours or overnight. Check to see if the dough is firm.
-Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
-Pull the cookie dough out of the refrigerator and sit it out to soften up a bit.
– Put flour out on the wood cutting board, rub flour on the rolling pin, and work some flour into
the batter. (if needed)
-Roll the dough out on the cutting board and using the plaque cookie cutter begin to make your cookies.
-Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.
-Using a metal spatula move the cut cookies to the parchment lined cookie sheet.
-Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes.  Check to see if the cookies are thoroughly baked.
-Take the  cookies off of the cookie sheet and put on a wire rack to cool completely.
(About 10 minutes).

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Anakin & Princess Lela Icing Directions:

-Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring)
-If icing is  not stiff enough add 1/4 C powder sugar.
-Take out 2 TBSP of icing add several drops of blue gel food coloring. Stir to mix.
–  Take out 3 TBSP of icing add several drops of brown gel food coloring. Stir to mix.
– Take out 3 TBSP of icing add several drops of grey gel food coloring. Stir to mix.
-Divide the remaining icing into two bowls.
– The first bowl add several drops of black gel food coloring.  Stir to blend.
-In the second bowl, keep this bowl of icing white.
-Spoon each color of icing into individual  frosting bags with a #5 tips. Twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

Star Wars Mickey good 1-5 (1)

Icing  Directions:

 Anakin Mickey


-Using the Anakin in the picture as the outline.
-Outline each of the Anakin  cookies in white except for the ears and the top of the V-neck.  Allow to dry for about 30 seconds before filling in the cookie. Fill in  where the cookie has been outlined in white with the white thinner  icing.*    Allow to dry for about 30 seconds.
– *Squeeze  the half of the white of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies.
-Referring  the Anakin /Mickey’s picture as an outline, draw a brown belt in the middle of the cookie . Outline the belt in brown then fill it in. Use the thicker icing.
-Outline the buckle on the belt and the detail on the shirt in grey icing and fill the buckle in with thicker grey icing. Allow for it to dry for 30 seconds.
-Add a lite sabre in the blue, outlining and filling in with the thicker icing across the middle of Anakin’s body. Add a small square at the bottom of the lite sabre in grey, outline then fill it in with the same icing.
– Outline  Mickey’s/Anakin’s ears & collar in black then after 30 seconds for drying fill in the ears and collar in the thinner black icing. – *Squeeze  the half of the white of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
Allow these cookies to dry from 5-10 hours

Princess Lela Minnie:

-Outline each of the Minnie/Princess Lela cookies (the top half) in black . Allow to dry for about 30 seconds.  Fill in the top half of the cookies in with the black thinner  icing.*
– *Squeeze  the half of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies.
-Outline  the brown hair on Princess Lela, allow the 30 seconds to dry. Fill in the hair with the thinner brown icing. – *Squeeze  the half of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Follow the Minnie’s/ Princess Lela picture as an outline.
-Outline the bottom half of Minnie in white  allow to dry to a few seconds before filling it in white thinner icing.  Allow 30 seconds for this part to dry before moving on.
-Outline  the top of Princess Lela’s dress in grey, (the shape of a V) allow the 30 seconds to dry. Fill in the “V” with the thinner grey icing. – *Squeeze  the half of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Allow these cookies to dry from 5-10 hours

Chewbacca & R2D2 Icing Directions: 

-Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring)
-If icing is  not stiff enough add 1/4 C powder sugar.
-Take out 1 TBSP of icing add several drops of red gel food coloring. Stir to mix.
–  Take out 3 TBSP of icing, add several drops of blue gel food coloring. Stir to mix.
-Divide the rest of the icing into three  parts. In the first bowl add several drops of brown gel food coloring, stir to blend.
-Divide the remaining 2/3 s icing into three equal parts.
-In the first bowl add several drops of grey gel food coloring, stirring to mix well.
-In the second bowl add several drops of black gel food coloring, stirring to mix well.
-In the third bowl keep this white.
-S
poon each color of icing into individual  frosting bags with a #5 tips. Twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

Star Wars Mickey good 1-4

Mickey as Chewbacca

-Using the picture of the Mickey as Chewbacca as an outline.
-Outline each of the Mickey  cookies in brown.  Allow to dry for about 30 seconds. Fill in the cookies in with the brown thinner  icing.*    Allow to dry for about 30 seconds.
– *Squeeze  the half of the brown icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies.
-Further following  Chewbacca’s picture as an outline, draw the shoulder belt in two separate lines in the white royal icing.
– Allow for the white belt  to dry for 30 seconds.
-Add the brown belt loops to the white belt in the brown icing.
-Allow these cookies to dry from 5-10 hours

Mickey  as  R2D2

Using the picture of the Mickey as R2D2 as an outline.
-Outline each of the R3D2 ears on the cookies in black.  Allow to dry for about 30 seconds. Fill in the ears on the cookies with the black thinner  icing.*
– *Squeeze  the half of the black of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies. Allow to dry for about 30 seconds.
-Follow the picture  of R2D2as an outline.
-Outline the top half of  R2D2  in grey icing. Allow several seconds for the outlining to dry.
– *Squeeze  the half of the grey of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies.
-Fill in the top half of R2D2 with the thinner  grey icing.
-Outline the bottom half of R2D2 in white icing. Allow 30 seconds to dry.
– *Squeeze  the half of the white of the icing into a bowl then add  1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
-Leave the rest of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies,
-On the top half of the cookie near the top of the head add a small square in blue icing. Allow to dry for 30 seconds then add a small black dot.
-Just above the half way line between the grey and white halves add three small squares in blue icing. Allow 30 seconds for these to dry,  One the third small blue square add a small red dot. Next to the small square with the red dot add a small grey dot. Allow it 30 seconds to dry before you add the smaller  black dot.  On the end of the head add a small square in the blue icing.
-Draw a  line in the blue icing  dividing the white bottom and grey top.  In the white bottom half add three more lines in blue icing.
-Outline R2D2  the black icing.
-Allow these cookies to dry from 5-10 hours

 

 

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Healthy Mouths Equal Healthy Kids

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Orajel™ Kids
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Did you know taking care of your teeth and gums does more than just give you a pretty white smile? A healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand in hand. So teaching your kids healthy habits in childhood can pay off in adulthood.

Taking care of your mouth may help lower the risk of heart disease, preserve your memory, reduce risks of infection and inflammation in your body, help keep your blood sugar stable, and many other health options.

That’s why I love brands like Orajel; from teething relief to learning to brush Orajel has your little ones covered.

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Baby Orajels Natural teething gel uses the soothing power of chamomilla and passion flower to help has relieve babies teething pain discomfort and calm the restlessness that comes from teething so they can get a good nights sleep. I can tell you Orajel has always been my go-to for comfort and relief for all my kids. Not only does it work great, but it’s the only all natural teething relief offered.

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My son loves Orajel toothpaste (and toothbrushes as well of course),and I love that they are fluoride free, helps strengthen and protects teeth, soft bristles  and a fantastic fruity flavor!

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Orajel™ is offering one lucky winner a chance to turn milestones into Smilestones with a $1,000 gift card along with an Orajel™ product prize pack to keep their smile healthy for capturing their next big Smilestone!

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Laughs and Giggles, Hallmark Approved. Sorta.

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of ShoeboxHallmark approved. Sorta.
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Most of you that know me, or have been reading my blog for any amount of time, know that I was born with the gift of sarcasm (thanks Dad!) It overflows into my work, and of course into my personal life. I don’t think I’ve ever not sent a serious non-funny, inappropriate card. It’s just in my nature, and I love to see the smiles and hear the laughs when someone opens a card I chose for them.

shoebox_cardsI know in the world of e-cards and text messages sending snail-mail cards seem to be a lot of work; but it’s a fun surprise to get something in the mail besides bills, right?
Shoebox is my favorite humor brand in the greeting card industry. The fun-loving branch of Hallmark has tons of hilarious, inappropriate and sarcastic cards to chose from for all sorts of occasions.

shoebox_cards2One of my favorite things to do is walk up and down the card isle reading all the Shoebox Cards (and laughing inappropriately in the store isle) picking out cards to send to my friends and family just because. My best friend and I have been doing this for years – in fact, I have a few shoe boxes full of cards we’ve exchanged over the years. Sometimes it’s fun just to sit down and read through them (which you definitely can’t do with e-cards, and text messages).

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If you haven’t checked out Shoebox cards, you need to visit your local Hallmark store and check out all the hilarious, inappropriately funny cards to share with your family & friends!

 

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Shoebox.

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Must-Have Necessities for Traveling with Toddlers


Traveling can be a headache in itself, but traveling with a baby? If you’re not prepared, it can be a nightmare. But there is hope – making sure you are prepared and have all the must-have necessities on hand can make traveling with your little one a piece of cake.

From experience – and a few tips from my other traveling Moms, I have compiled a list of things that will make your travels a little bit more enjoyable.

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Now first and foremost the biggest necessity to traveling with toddlers (or any children really) is a good attitude. If  they sense that you are stressed, irritated or mad, well, they will be the same. This is an adventure! Memories for a lifetime – planning ahead and being prepared along with a good attitude will make everything O.K. I promise.

Have tickets and check-in done ahead of time. Waiting in line is a big pain in the butt – but even worse with a little one. They are going to have to sit still and be quiet long enough on the plane – so make sure that you have your tickets printed, along with any itinerary, and get your  check-in done before you head out to the airport. This can save a ton of time waiting in line, and you get get to your gate and allow your toddler to relax and play before getting on your flight.

Entertainment. I have used the ‘fun bag’ trick for road trips and flights. My kids all get a fun bag that they use as their carry on in the plane. Though I allow them to pick a few things that they’d like to take – the  rest is a surprise! I will fill the bag with things to keep them entertained during the trip such as a new coloring book, a new DVD (for our portable DVD player which is completely a necessity) sticker books, travel games, books, and more. It’s one thing my kids have always looked forward to when we travel, and it definitely helps keep down the fits or the “I’m bored” factor for the older ones. Most of the time I’m able to keep them entertained by pulling out 1 item at a time from their bag as a surprise, and I time it with the flight or trip, so that they don’t run out of new fun stuff to entertain them before we land. If you are on a budget hitting up the dollar store is always a good idea – especially for toddlers!

Snacks and drinks. Kind of a no brainer, but I can’t tell you how many parents I’ve have seen forget to get snacks. Try to stay away from sugar (can we say hyper?!) and staying hydrated during flight is super important for little ones (and for you too!)

Car Seat Travel Bag. Having a sturdy car seat travel bag to protect your car seat from dirt (and germs of course) when you are traveling is very important. We all know that airports and airplanes are full of germs – that’s why I love the  car seat travel bag by AngelBaby.

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The AngelBaby travel bag has a convenient carrying handle, a drawstring closure and adjustable lock for easy opening and closing which makes travel so much easier. The thing that sets AngelBaby travel bags apart from others is the DURABLE DOUBLE STRENGTH Polyester that it’s made out of, instead of the cheap nylon like so many others.

All in a Days Work readers can save 30% with coupon code: 30TMSN15 when you order through the AngelBaby website.

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Taking the time to make these few steps will make traveling with your toddler so much easier.

What are your toddler traveling tips??

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Five Tricks for a Healthy Halloween

Halloween is such a challenging time for health-conscious parents. Everywhere we turn, people are offering the least nutritious, most sugary food around: candy! From classroom parties to neighborhood and family gatherings—there’s no way to avoid it. But if you are prepared and have some tasty, plant-based recipes in your toolbox, it will be a lot easier to partake in the festivities without overdosing on refined sugar. Plus, there are some easy tips (and tricks!) that can help you have a happier, healthier Halloween.

Always eat a healthy meal first. Whether it’s trick-or-treating or going to a party, make sure your kids go on a full stomach so they’ll be less likely to fill up on sugary snacks. On the day of school parties, make a filling, nutritious breakfast, and send them to school with extra special healthy lunches. Pull out your whole toolbox for this one! We’re talking cookie cutters for fun shapes, carving the fruit—everything. Your kids won’t want to miss out on this lunch, which will help them feel satisfied and loved all afternoon.

Send your own snacks. Whenever possible, send your own snacks. Even if you know that your children are going to be eating candy and cupcakes at their holiday parties, at least you can send them with some more balanced foods and encourage them to get their friends to try.

Enlist the help of some professionals! It never hurts to make sure a trip to the dentist falls before Halloween, and ask their help in making sure to explain to your kids why their dental health is so important, and how candy is bad for their teeth. It doesn’t have to be a big scary lecture, but just a simple reminder that a healthy smile starts with a healthy diet is a nice thing to reinforce.

Plan or attend a party that’s more in line with your lifestyle. Many of us have friends who understand why we’ve shaped our habits and lifestyles for healthy living, and they either do the same or are at least supportive and understanding. You don’t want your kids to feel left out, so if they’re not participating in other events, give them something else that’s fun. You might be able to get some of their close friends and families to join in, too. Not many parents like the idea of their kids getting a heavy dose of sugar either trick-or-treating or going to a party, so I’ve found it’s a welcome invitation when I invite people to celebrate holidays with us and have a nutritious night of festivities!

Finally, just talk about it beforehand. Let your kids know that you want them to have fun, but not eat lots of candy and junk that will make them not feel good. Ask if there is anything they would like to bring as a treat or eat before a party, and see if you can accommodate their requests. It’s so important for children to feel loved and respected as humans who have their own desires and opinions. Asking them to be involved in your holiday planning can go a long way!

For your healthy Halloween toolbox, here is a great recipe that kids love, and would easily fit into any festive party platter spread!

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Gone in a Day Cookies

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 TBS maple syrup (add more for desired taste)

1 cup raisins

Combine peanut butter and coconut. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa, and maple syrup. Combine the two mixtures and add the raisins. Dough will be stiff. Roll into balls. Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

 

By Vanessa Chamberlin, author of The Fire-Driven Life

Vanessa Chamberlin is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Lifestyle Coach and author of The Fire-Driven Life: How to Ignite the Fire of Self-Worth, Health, and Happiness with a Plant-Based Diet. For more information, please visit, www.vanessachamberlin.com and connect with her on Twitter, @vkchamberlin.

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