Two dudes in my family aren't fans of chocolate chip cookies. CCCs are generally my go-to cookie because I have my favorite recipe memorized and can make them from scratch without too much thought. Since there is usually some grumbling from a portion of the dude crowd whenever chocolate chip cookies are made, I'm trying to mix things up and make more oatmeal raisin type … [Read more...]
Coconut Key Lime Bread
Last week a dream came true for me. This dream has been 2 years in the making. Not long after I found out I was pregnant with Cuatro in the summer of 2012, a terrible longing for the beach came over me. Like, a crazy longing. To be at the beach, by myself...with my girlfriends. (My husband is a mountain guy, so a beach vacation with him might be a bad idea!) When you have … [Read more...]
Berry Cherry Jubilee
This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the duo behind the very popular Simple Green Smoothies. I drool over their Instagram feed every day. And often end up making something similar to what they posted for my morning smoothie. (Or my lunch smoothie, when I have 'those' mornings and I can't get to blending my morning smoothie!) Their hearts are so big and they are … [Read more...]
15+ Nut-Free School Snack Ideas
15+ Nut Free School Snack Ideas that are Convenient and Easy to Handle for Young Children! Well, I'm not sure about you and your kids, but all 3 of my school aged boys get to take snacks this year. (And by get to, I mean 'have to'...because they eat a very early breakfast (6:30 am!) and have a late lunch (11:45 am!)...that's a long time to go without food for little … [Read more...]
Whole Wheat Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ok, friend. You have to make these. They are one of my kids' most popular requests for lunch boxes...and I saved them for the end of our 31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas. I sent them on their first day of school this week. I had stashed a few in the very back of the freezer, so they would actually make it to the first day of school. I dropped 2 into each lunch box and sent them … [Read more...]
Chocolate Raspberry Bites
Because I love chocolate and I love raspberries. And I love them together. mmmmm. mmmm. This is super simple and goes like this... Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or in a double boiler. Follow the directions on the photo above, using a mini muffin tin. Freeze or chill the bites. (I prefer to freeze mine...so I'm less tempted to eat 13 at one time. … [Read more...]
Banana Breakfast Split
Put a new spin on your yogurt, granola and fruit breakfasts...this also makes for a fantastic, filling and uber healthy after school snack. (Ask me how I know!) I saw this on Pinterest and knew it would be an instant hit with this crowd. For my dairy-free little people, I dropped a small scoop of coconut milk ice cream instead of Greek yogurt...so their's was more of a … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Chai Snickerdoodle Cookies
I <3 homemade cookies. And I wish I made them more. I really wish I made these more...all my favorite flavors of fall...in cookie form. While it's still humid and up in the 90s some days, we have had a few "tastes of fall" and cool, crisp mornings. I often make pumpkin muffins or pumpkin oatmeal or pumpkin quinoa (recipe coming Friday!) and find that I have a little … [Read more...]
Quick and Easy ‘Baked’ Apple Recipe
My five kiddos love all types of fresh fruit and that makes me very happy, but sometimes we get a little bored and want to spice it up a little. This method of "baking" apples in the microwave is super fast and easy, it only takes a few ingredients and you can make as much or as little as you like. We also have a favorite restaurant that serves "fried apples" and when the … [Read more...]
Mango Smoothie
It is a chilly 19 degree day here and the whole family is ready for spring! I pulled out my blender to make this tropical mango smoothie to help us beat the winter blues. It may not be a 80 degree day but it helped lift our spirits. Mango Smoothie I pulled out my blender to make this tropical mango smoothie to help us beat the winter blues. 1 1/2 cups … [Read more...]