Your favorite flavors of fall blended with steel cut oats, cooked to perfection in this Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe! Around our house, we made a.l.o.t. of oatmeal in the Instant Pot. It's our preferred "breakfast" cooked in the Instant Pot, except it's not usually eaten for breakfast. It's usually the "2nd dinner" option for the boys. You see, I can start the Instant Pot … [Read more...]
Tortellini Pasta Salad
These addictive little tortellinis...in chilled pasta salad form! What exactly is it about tortellinis that make them so irresistible?! It's probably as simple as - it's cheese plus pasta. But I think it's because they're so cute. And they cook so easily and quickly. And they make for a lovely Tortiellini Pasta Salad - perfect for a summer lunch … [Read more...]
7 Money Saving Tips for Packing Lunches
Summer has come, and is going great, but is quickly passing by! The ominous school supply ads and backpacks to fill reminders are everywhere as the back to school transition looms. In addition to the new school outfits, school supply checklists, there's also the school lunchboxes and busy weeknight dinners to think about. Sigh. BIG SIGH. We see these amazing lunchbox … [Read more...]
30+ Soft or Crunchy Lunchbox Ideas for Your Sensory or Anxious Child
If you have an anxious child or a "sensory kid" and are struggling with lunchbox ideas, you have landed in the right place. My name is Erin Chase and I am a mom of four boys. Two of them are "sensory kids" and one is an anxious kid. They are different and similar in so many ones, but one of them landed himself in feeding therapy as a young toddler. I learned so … [Read more...]
Watermelon-Mint Popsicles
Homemade popsicles just got a little easier to make! No freezing, no mixing, no blending, no waiting. Well, maybe a little waiting...but not much! There isn't anything more refreshing in the summer than popsicles, especially homemade ones with fresh fruit. This busy mom is short on time and these watermelon-mint pops are a great way to enjoy homemade popsicles in a … [Read more...]
Rhubarb Crumb Pie
Just before Easter, I asked my mom what I could bring. Pie, she said. Ok...I can work with that. But there are still so many options. Oh wait, mom's favorite pie is Rhubarb... You see, her favorite is a tart, not-too-sweet rhubarb pie. Has been since she was a kid. So I set out to make the perfect Rhubarb pie that was tart, with a touch of sweet...and … [Read more...]
How to Cook Brown Rice in the Instant Pot
Learn to Cook PERFECT Brown Rice in the Instant Pot Brown rice can be a bear to cook on the stovetop. It doesn't always cook evenly, it takes a full hour, and it sometimes leaves a "crusted" layer on the bottom of the pot. Well - you don't have to worry about any of those things anymore. Enter "Instant Pot Brown Rice." It cooks and fluffs perfectly - in a fraction of the … [Read more...]
10 Make-Ahead Holiday Side Dish Recipes
I think as a busy mom with 4 active and busy boys, I have the choice to live in a state of constantly "feeling and being behind  - forgetting this thing or forgetting about that event" or always staying "one step ahead." I work hard to stay "ahead." Not only when it comes to feeding my family, but with our schedule, and with my team and in our business. I just like to be … [Read more...]
Hot Cocoa Mug Gifts
You wanna know why I adore this gift. 4 reasons. It's oh so easy to make - no crafting skills required! *high five from a non-crafty gal!* The jar doubles as a mug. I love drinking from mason jars and mugs! It's perfect for making several batches so that you can gift to friends, neighbors, and teachers! 'Tis the season for all the hot cocoa and is great to have … [Read more...]
Best Cookie Exchange Recipes
Headed to a Cookie Swap/Cookie Exchange this holiday season? I've got oddles of ideas for you - from brownies to fudge to cookies and more! Choose from our selection of cookies that will keep well and are sure to delight all the lucky recipients at your holiday cookie-swap party. Cookie exchanges are one of my favorite parts about the holidays. I'm not sure if it's … [Read more...]