As I killed sugar from my diet in August, and continue to keep it at a minimum, I found myself missing out on my occasional latte and Chai tea. These are splurges for me, but even still...I was missing them. Since getting them without sugar at Starbucks wouldn't be an option, I'd just have to make my own. Better and cheaper! I've shared my favorite version of the Pumpkin … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
Oh my heavens - divine, divine, divine. This Pumpkin Pie French Toast recipe is a MUST TRY in the fall and winter months! I so wish I'd doubled this recipe for Pumpkin Pie French Toast while I was first making it. Tripled, or quadrupled even! These are so scrumptious...perfect for the fall season. It's really simple...you just add some pumpkin puree and spices to … [Read more...]
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
As promised, my homemade pumpkin pie spice mix recipe. You'll notice that it's very similar to the apple pie spice...just adds ginger and a bit more cinnamon. And just like I said the other day, "why buy a jar of spice that you only need 1-2 teaspoons of when you can mix up your own with what you've got already?!" Over time, you accumulate all the spices you need to … [Read more...]
Mexican Rice
I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore the lovely rice you get on the side at a Mexican restaurant. Tex Mex is the name of the game. After much trial and error I think I've finally recreated a recipe that's really close to what you'll find in a local restaurant. This rice pairs perfectly with any sort of Mexican dish and is super simple and cheap to put together. It's … [Read more...]
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
As we head into pie season, you might take a peek in your spice rack and see if you have the spices needed to make homemade apple pie spice recipe. (Here's my homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe!) There is no need to spend $5-$6 on a apple pie spice jar from the spice aisle, when you already have the ingredients you need to mix up your own. And you can mix up … [Read more...]
Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
I learned something new about chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago. And I decided to put the theory to the test. I made these double peanut butter chocolate chip cookies...then took them to a church picnic...and they got RAVE reviews. I recently stumbled upon a New York Times article about the science and history of how chocolate chip cookies became so popular and … [Read more...]
Mexican Breakfast Scramble with Peppers and Black Beans
So I had every intention of making omelets with all the fixings you see here last night. Then I remembered that we had a makeup soccer game. So I scratched the omelet idea (because they take longer to make!) and went with a scramble instead. All the same ingredients...just as delicious outcome! Perfect way to use some peppers from the garden or farmer's market. I only used … [Read more...]
Raspberry Almond Quinoa
I recently decided to cut out all forms of white and brown sugar from my diet to find out if this elimination would help steady my energy level throughout the day. I'm proud to report that I went without sugar for the entire month of August and plan to continue down this path! I discovered a noticeable difference in my energy level, productivity, consistency and clarity in my … [Read more...]
Baked Apples with Maple and Granola
Scoop, crunch. Scoop, crunch. I want to recommend...no highly recommend...that you make baked apples at some point during this fall. Apple prices are as low as they get...there are so many different varieties available in stores. These baked apples do best when made with a sweeter variety like gala or golden delicious. They take minutes to get into the oven...just get … [Read more...]
Roasted Broccoli with Golden Raisins and Peanuts
Broccoli Raisin Salad. Quite possibly my favorite "cold vegetable" salad. When thinking about trying a new way to fix broccoli, I kept going back to my favorite cold version of broccoli raisin salad. But it didn't sound right as I thought about it. Maybe it's the chili weather, or mourning the loss of summer (yes, I am in mourning. Not a winter person here.), or all the … [Read more...]