You've heard of milk mustaches, but have you ever heard of juice mustaches?! Get ready for some serious cuteness in this post...but before that, can I just say how silly it was that we had a snow day today? No school. No work (or very little anyway). Ohhhhhhh, and NO SNOW! LOL. This 20+ inch storm came through and gave us about 1/20th of an inch.  But, I'll take it. It just meant more playing with Babycakes, more puzzle-making, more juice creations, more tea parties, more messes, and more fun :) ... Read more » about The Perfect Mustache + {Pink Power Juice}

It all started when my father-in-law innocently said to Babycakes at bedtime: "Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."  WHAT? There's bugs in my bed? How big are they? Will they hurt me? How do we get rid of them?  What color are they?  Which spurred into a discussion about the "olden days" and why that saying came to be...and how in the olden days there were no washing machines, no cars, no TVs, no Dora <she gasped>, no ice, no grocery stores, etc.  Things were simpler. Kids played with dirt and sticks outside. ... Read more » about Simple Pleasures + {Spicy Stuffed Tomatoes}

Similar to my strong dislike of spreadable marshmallow goo, growing up I never liked yogurt either. Ewww. It was always too sweet, too watery, or too fake-tasting for me.  So I didn't eat it for almost 30 years!!  But then I discovered greek yogurt: thick, creamy, less sweet, AND packed with protein. And I was hooked!! Of course I like eating it straight from the container (a la spoon).  But, I also started baking/cooking with it -- and found ... Read more » about 10 Awesome Greek Yogurt Dessert Recipes

OK, first a confession: I HATE MARSHMALLOWS.  Ewww. Ewww. Ewww.  I don't like them in hot chocolate. I don't like them on sweet potatoes.     I don't even like them browned over a campfire.      (I know, I'm weird.) And I especially don't like them in spreadable jar form.  That is just wrong! Well, I recently saw a fruit dip recipe that called for this spreadable marshmallow goo --- and that's where they lost me.  But, I did start thinking about what I WOULD want to dip my fruit in.  ... Read more » about {The Best Fruit Dip Ever}

It has been important to me since day 1 to feed Babycakes a variety of healthy foods, to limit sugar-y desserts and drinks, and to encourage play/movement/exercise.  I wanted to give her the best possibility of a happy healthy life, something I believe is taught and modeled. Because of this, she is really willing to try any new food...which I love. But she still does have her preferences, like any two year old and begs for Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches almost daily. ... Read more » about 10 Healthy Kids' Recipes They'll Gobble Down

We mixed things up a bit this year and decided to go to Easter church on Saturday night, so that we could spend Sunday down in town with my inlaws for egg-hunting and lunch.  Babycakes got dressed up in the cutest little purple dress, sweater, and of course her signature pink cowgirl boots -- and we went to church.  About 15 minutes into the church service, whilst singing some uplifting & celebratory song, I panicked!! ... Read more » about Easter Fail + {Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf}

I was planning on sharing this recipe yesterday, but as I was writing...something didn't feel right about honoring Lorrie and then tacking on "and here's some mac & cheese."  Though I know she would have loved this recipe :) She loved savory meals paired with fresh fruit!  When I created this recipe, I was not really thinking about dieting or weight-loss or calories.  Nope, I was thinking about nourishment.  And I was thinking about Babycakes' lunch and teaching her to love good foods, lik ... Read more » about Nourishment + {Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese}

When I first started blogging, I immediately started reading a handful of weightloss and healthy-living related blogs to find out more about a) how to do it, b) how often makes sense, c) how to have a unique voice, and d) to plug in to this "community" for support and encouragement.  What I found in my search is the most wonderful group of ladies on the planet. Who just get me. Who identify with wanting to photograph our food before digging in, even at a restaurant. Who are creative. Who love life and enjoying it to the fullest. ... Read more » about Gone Too Early: The Lovely Lorrie Fenn

My friend Shannon has been with me on this journey towards the happy, healthy life since before Babycakes was born. She and I met at a prenatal pilates class.  Soon thereafter, we spent many hours swimming at the pool with big bulging bellies, talking about how motherhood would change us.  And as we've gone through each stage - birth, breastfeeding, sleep issues, walking, potty-training, etc. ... Read more » about Organic Egg Dye + {Organic Mountain Berry Muffins}

Most of you have never met my daughter, lovingly referred to as "Babycakes" on this blog. But if you did, you would a) be surprised at how well she can speak -- it is like having a conversation with a little adult, b) be enamoured by her sweetness and genuine concern for others, c) be impressed by the variety of foods she'll put into her mouth and actually swallow (and dare I say, enjoy), d) be shocked at how many times she asks "why?" -- not to be annoying, just because she is genuinely curious and interested in discovering how her environment works and e) wonder where ... Read more » about Little Miss Personality + {Hawaiian BBQ Sliders}