As you might’ve noticed over the past year, I’ve been keeping things simple in the kitchen. There are many reasons for this. The first reason is time. I don’t have the luxury of dilly-dallying like I used to. Now when I’m in the kitchen, so is Darlington, and that means I’m on constant high-alert. My curious baby likes to chase the dogs with pots and pans, press the start button on the empty microwave, pinch her fingers between the cabinets, and then yell as if I’m responsible. These days, simplicity is key, and that’s one reason why my juices aren’t as dressed up as they used to be.

But the other reason I’m striving for simplicity in the kitchen is because I’m looking for transitional meals, something we can all enjoy one day, and then the next day the leftovers can be turned into something else. Now that Darlington has taken the full leap into solids, she’s eating nonstop. That’s three meals a day and snacks. One of my go-to transitional items is our daily juice. She’ll usually eat a small breakfast and have a sippy-cup of juice. Then, an hour or two later, I take leftover juice and add some Greek yogurt, bananas, fresh fruit, nuts, and ice, and make her a smoothie for the road. This is the perfect little snack for her while we’re running some quick errands. If there’s enough smoothie, and there always is, I pour the excess into Popsicle molds and stick them in the freezer. And let me tell you, these little treats work like a charm for teething babies.

You don’t have to be a mom to appreciate simplicity in the kitchen, though. I’ve got a few of my girlfriends on the same routine. This is the perfect way to eat healthy and have some light, on-the-go snacks. If you’re looking for a sweet drink that everybody is going to love, try my Carrot Mango Madness. And don’t forget to turn your leftovers into something fun for the entire family!