I don't know how many of you saw Janet's (daily digi) post a few months back about Muffin Tin Monday, but I was thrilled to find it! You see, I actually used to do muffin tin meals for my kids when they were really young. I didn't know that they were called that and I certainly never imagined that someday I would be taking photos of such meals.
I used to serve meals in muffin tins just to get my son to eat. His autism gave him some real textural issues and he was very nervous about trying new foods. His occupational therapist suggested that we use a muffin tin and fill each cup with something different. Then he would get a little reward (like a sticker or a chart move) if he tried something from each section. I have to say that this was a great plan that really helped.
He still has some textural issues that no sticker or chart could ever help him with. He hates milk, ice cream, or anything creamy in general. But he does use some sauces now and he is probably one of the better eaters I know. He really likes healthy foods. The muffin tin meal is brilliant for young kids and picky eaters.
And now that I've rediscovered them, they are a lot of fun for me! I'm not sure who gets more excited about Muffin Tin Monday now - me, or my kids? I love it because it makes meal preparation more like a game and gets me out of a cooking rut. Also, I LOVE the photo opportunity each week! Surely, this does not surprise anyone?
Here are some of our Muffin Tin Meals from the past few weeks:
Theme - Ocean
butter toffee cashews (rocks on beach), swedish fish, cinnamon life (beach), blue m&ms (ocean), teddy grahams in life saver gummy preservers, pretzel fish. We even put in a little umbrella!
No Specific Theme so we decided on an Italian night.
Cheese ravioli, rigatoni, homemade breadsticks, grilled chicken, pepperoni. Served with various dipping sauces.
My daughter made the flag.
Theme - Children's Literature. We chose Mother Goose Rhymes.
Humpty Dumpty cracked egg, Little Jack Horner's pie (Hostess), 5 little speckled frogs (gummy frogs and pretzel rods), Hot Cross Buns, Peter Piper's peppers, and Little Bo Peep's lost sheep (marshmallow, gumdrop, and pretzels)
Clever, no?
Theme: Build Your Own Theme so we chose Scooby Doo.
We made mini sandwiches that looked like giant scooby and shaggy sandwiches. We used a baguette and several lunch meats and cheeses. We also had Scooby Snack cookies and potato chips. We decided to add some grapes in the mix also. I think Scooby would be cool with that.
Visit the Muffin Tin Monday blog home or Muffin Tin Meals flickr group for more inspiration
Of course I couldn't wait to make a layout all about our Muffin Tin madness!
Ali Edwards template no. 3 from Designer Digitals
Spring kit by Kaye Winiecki from The Lily Pad
House by Audrey Neal from We Are Storytellers
Font is CK classical
My Memory Monday Challenge:
What clever methods have you used to serve meals? Do you have any fun meal memories?
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