{constant hunger stage & recipe challenge}

Since Kaden is my first little one, every stage he goes through is something new for me. For the past few weeks, he has been in the "constantly hungry" stage. I will have JUST fed him breakfast and he will ask for something else to eat...and after that, something else, etc. etc. etc. It's only 9:30 and already he's had some cereal, a fruit bar, 2 pickles and a string cheese. And now he's already asking for lunch!! Is that normal?? Is he just growing? I've had to come up with a million healthy snacks just to keep him fed all day. He has already gone through 2 packages of string cheese and 2 containers of grape tomatoes just since the weekend....he LOVES tomatoes. I just bought the pickles yesterday and they are half gone. HOLY COW!!!!! Is this just a sign of what I am in for having a son? Do they ALWAYS eat this much? Or just during growth spurts? Just curious. Would love to hear what the other mamas out there think!!

And now to Sophia's friend Amy's challenge for today...to post your never-fail-simple-most-popular dinner recipe on your blog today. Here are mine (I'm posting 2):

Heather’s Lemon Chicken

12 chicken tenders

margarine

2 T. lemon juice

1 C. heavy cream (NOT Half & Half)

2 T. white cooking wine or white grape juice concentrate

2 tsp. grated lemon peel

6 thin pats margarine

parmesan cheese

salt & pepper

Cook chicken tenders in a buttered saucepan, until browned and cooked through.  Place chicken in a glass casserole dish.  In the same saucepan, add lemon juice, lemon peel and white cooking wine or white grape juice concentrate.  Keep on low heat and add Heavy Cream.  Salt & pepper the sauce.  When heated through, pour over chicken tenders.  Put pats of margarine over chicken and shake parmesan cheese (generously) on top.  Place under a broiler for 7-12 minutes.  Serve over potatoes or rice.

Mom’s Divine Chicken Divan

1 pkg. frozen broccoli pieces

3-4 chicken breasts (boiled for 15 min. & shredded)

1 cream of chicken soup

1/2 C. mayonnaise

1-2 T. lemon juice

1 1/2 C. bread crumbs (yummy with Italian flavored)

3 T. butter

1 1/2 C. grated mild cheddar cheese

Layer broccoli in a casserole dish and semi cook in the microwave.  Layer cooked & shredded chicken on top of broccoli.  Mix soup, mayo & lemon juice and spread over chicken.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Melt butter and mix with breadcrumbs.  Spread over all.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

I have never made either of these recipes when I didn't receive RAVE reviews afterwards!!! I have some great SIDES to go with the lemon chicken.....e-mail me if you're interested! ENJOY!!! (Sorry about the funky formatting of the recipes. Gotta love Typepad.)

Comments

[Mere]

Heather!!! Kaden is totally normal. Don't be surprised in a few days if he eats NOTHING for a while. Kids are just like that. The other day Travis ate, 3 pieces of pizza, 2 waffles, a gogurt and a cookie for dinner!!! I couldn't believe it!!! You are doing a good job of offering him some healthy snacks though!!!

I love the recipe challenge idea and I have made your broccoli divan and it is AWESOME!!! Guess I'll have to try the Lemon Chicken. I'm sure it's wonderful, everything I make of yours is the best!!!

Have a great day!!
Meredith

[Amy]

i'd love the recipies for the sides!! ;)

[Catherine]

It is totally normal. I would say he's in a major growing spurt. My Ped said let them eat as much or as little as they want. They know how much is right for them at the time. When they are teens though they will eat that way 24/7

[Amy Sorensen]

Mmmmm....those recipes sound delish! Thanks for sharing them!

Just wait until your little Kaden is about seven. The devouring of food gets much worse!

[Teresa Wilkins]

Kaden is soooo normal. I (along with my darling husband) successfully raised three boys (now 19, 21 & 26) and their hunger "moods" were outrageous at times. Plan ahead for those teenage years when all his friends will be at YOUR house all the time. I am very proud that my boys always wanted to bring their friends to our house. I like to think that it is because I always had good snacks around! Oh, and plenty of coke and Dr. Pepper!
Teresa

[Deanna]

Heather- my son Blake is 2.5 and he goes through the same thing. And then other weeks he eats like a bird. But my MIL warned me... they used to go through many gallons of milk a week with 2 boys. There were all girls in my fam. so it's all new to me.... lol. : )Awesome receipes! TFS!

[lynda (simplescrapper)]

hi heather, it soo normal of kaden to be doing this,,,has he had the growing pains yet? yeah, i remember my lil noah,,,freaked me out, he still gets them and he's 9.... and his sister too, but i think it's for the sympathy...
well just keep feeding him healthy, that's a really good habit....
toodles

[heidi larsen]

those recipes sound so yummy! i will have to try them out. i have had the chicken divan but not the lemon one. i was going to see if my grandma would give me her divan recipe but now i don't need it! i think that you posted the same one she has always used. good talking to you yesterday! thanks for the recipes!

[paula]

Heather,
you wrote that you have some great side dishes for the Lemon Chicken. What are your ideas on the side dishes?
Thanks for the recipes. I'm excited to try them!