recipes

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

Well, between all the potty/poop talk, a recipe for pork tenderloin, and a comment about church, I've lost quite a few Facebook fans and blog readers this week. Evidently I'm more offensive than originally thought!! #keepinitreal  This is where I'm at in life, and I love sharing it with you...good, bad, and ugly.  For those of you still here: thank you ... Read more » about Feelin' the love + {Italian Artichoke Biscuit Quiches}

I was a little worried about moving to the mountains for Babycakes' sake, because I wasn't sure she'd have very many friends or the same opportunities, or that she'd turn out "weird."  But as I said in the recent Home, Sweet Home post, she LOVES it here.  It is all so HER!  She loves snow. She loves bundling. She loves dirt AND wearing dresses. She loves meeting new people and introducing herself. And most of all, she loves exploring.  Even a trip to the mailbox is an adventure...AND a workout! ... Read more » about Dollhouses, Dump Trucks and {PB&J Muffins}

Someone asked me what I did for fun this past weekend. I answered, "We don't have fun anymore." A bit snarky. A bit true. Unless you call house projects and fixing things fun!  There is still so much to be done to settle in to our new house that the last thing we can think about is fun. On that note, during the "free hours"      I normally would have to work on new recipe development, cooking, photographing beautiful food for the blog, etc... I am instead ... Read more » about Dirt, Muck, and {Blueberry Oatmeal Bake}

It's been another successful week in the #elf4health challenge.  I think the best thing for me is that it's made me be more aware of what I'm eating during this normally busy holiday season, challenging me to get out of my comfort zone...ie. creating a holiday Tabata workout, calculating my fiber intake, eating the rainbow in a day, and as I'll share today - make my first ever homemade salad dressing! ... Read more » about Homemade {Blueberry Balsamic Salad Dressing}

It's been a loooooooooong week my friends. In the moments when we should have been filled with joy and excitement after finally going under contract on a new mountain house (remember what happened to the first one?), we received the news that my father-in-law had a major heart attack and was being rushed to the hospital for immediate surgery.  My FIL, barely 58, had a total blockage of his left anterior artery ... Read more » about A New House, A Heart Attack, & {Rainbow Fish Tacos}

Friday's Elf for Health challenge was to "EAT THE RAINBOW" and see how many colors we could squeeze into one day.  I had so much fun making my meals as colorful as possible (with no dyes of course!).  If only I could would eat this good EVERY day :)  The challenge made me think about getting a variety of colors and nutrients/vitamins, as well as focusing on fruits and vegetables, which tend to be the most colorful foods! I felt like breakfast was the most notable difference: boring monotone toast, oatmeal, cereal etc... ... Read more » about Eat the Rainbow + {Golden Meatloaf}

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! We spent ours up in the mountains at my inlaws' cabin.  A good time was had by all.  It was beautiful, mostly relaxing (because a meal with a two-year-old can NEVER be described as fully relaxing!!), and fun.  The cranberry relish and pie bites were a hit!  My father-in-law mentioned at the table as we were finishing up the lavish meal, just how much love (and effort!) goes into preparing such a feast, and how quickly it is gobbled up and over.  So true! But the good news is, the leftovers last for a few more days :) ... Read more » about Food Photography + {Buffalo Cranberry Grilled Cheese}

This is the last day in the healthier Thanksgiving series that I embarked on this week.  It sure was fun to create all these new healthy dishes for you and your families to enjoy!  Like I said at the beginning, you don't have to use all of them, but just subbing in one of these healthier versions instead of the traditional will help you not to overdo it on Turkey-day :)  I'd love to hear which ones you actually cook, so be sure to email me or leave a comment afterwards!  Before making this dish, I felt as though green bean casserole was only invited to the big meal because of its gr ... Read more » about Thanksgiving Side: {Tangy Green Bean Casserole}

I am LOVING this healthier Thanksgiving series!! It was just what I needed to get back into the swing of things (cooking, photographing, and blogging) after the big move.  And it seems you are loving it too! I received this sweet blog reader comment yesterday: "This Thanksgiving series is as beautiful as it is healthful. Thank you for your creativity and passion for living the healthy way. ... Read more » about Thanksgiving Side: {Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing}