recipes

There's some people who just like things the way they like them: Traditional. Simple. Predictable.  I'd venture to say Dear Hubby is like this...in most areas.  But me, not so much.  I like flair. I like creativity. I like trying new things. I like making grilled cheese with blackberries & basil. I like creating and being messy in the kitchen.  Which brings us to last night's dinner.  I had a pound of lean ground beef in the fridge that I knew I had to use.  Traditional would say: make hamburgers. ... Read more » about {Pineapple Teriyaki Meatloaf} made with Greek Yogurt

Time to fess up: How often/long do you look at Pinterest?  I'm probably a 15 minute a day kind of girl. I was perusing the other day, scrolling through the hundreds of pins and images when I was immediately stopped in my tracks.  I saw the most beautiful sandwich my eyes have ever seen.  I even commented on it, which I never do: "WOW. I am salivating! That looks so yummy - and the best part is... ... Read more » about Smashed Blackberry & Basil Grilled Cheese

As you probably know, I've made it a priority to get healthy this year: going from the Obese BMI range down to the Healthy BMI range, which I celebrated with a photoshoot!  This all stemmed from my strong desire to teach Babycakes what it looks like to life a happy healthy life.  How could I teach her, if I wasn't living it out myself?  It has been a wild ride, with challenges along the way, but I am loving every minute!!  One of the most exciting things we've gotten into this summer is gardening.  I ... Read more » about Broccoli + {Go-To Meal: Lemon Ginger Sesame Chicken}

Now I'm no Pioneer Woman, who got 48,000 comments on ONE BLOG POST (I left a comment myself to try to win an awesome turquoise pot...ha! No such luck.)  But, as I posted on Facebook yesterday, I have been overwhelmed with the number of visits/views/pins of my Strawberry Banana Greek Yogurt Bread and its Blueberry version...over 30,000 just this month!  I hope many of you have actually gotten the chance to make them and taste them for yourselves.  This excitement and pinning action piqued my interest. 

I got this idea from one of my new Blends (Blogger + Friend), Lindsay.  She blogs over at The Lean Green Bean.  She talks about in this post, how we all have "go-to" meals...you know, the ones that are quick and easy and delicious and that we can pretty much make in our sleep.  I loved her series idea so much that I want to do it on my blog as well.  These go-to meals are often simple and maybe don't seem worth blogging about (or photographing) at first glance, but I'm a firm believer that w ... Read more » about Go-To Meal: Taco Salad

Growing up, I never liked cherries.  No actual cherries, no cherry pie, no cherry flavored drinks.  ICKOLA.  I think because it always seemed to remind me of nasty cough syrup that my parents made me down (in the most loving way of course).  But Dear Hubby loves them, so I've slowly but surely opened myself up to try them again.  It's that whole compromise thing.  I told you I was a PRO at marriage! ... Read more » about {CHOcolate Cherry Greek Frozen Yogurt}

If you missed yesterday's guest post by the lovely Corrie Anne, please go back and check it out.  She beautifully illustrated her 5 essentials for a happy healthy life, and did it all with alliteration :)  I don't know about you, but this has been the longest 4 day week in history...ha!  The memories of Memorial Day weekend: a bbq with the extended family, ladderball in the backyard, and beers on the patio seem soooooooooo far away.  But before we get on to our next weekend, I want to share with you a scrumptious grilling recip ... Read more » about {Mango Cured Bacon Goat Cheese Burgers}

Last night everything was screaming "NO RUN"...legs were sore, Babycakes wouldn't go to sleep, stomach hurt, and even dear hubby was whispering: "You could just skip it tonight." But my heart wanted it.  I had commited to YOU on Facebook that I would run 2 miles after work, and I just wanted to do something GOOD for my body.  So, I tied those purple laces and headed out the door while dear hubby played with Babycakes.  I ran 2.16 miles, shaved a full minute per mile off my time, and made it ho ... Read more » about Determination + {Strawberries & Cream Pancakes}

Today we are celebrating something special - this is my 100th blog post!  Thank you again for joining me in this journey! I am excited to share a fabulous pizza recipe, originally inspired by my lovely mom.  Hers was covered in carmelized onions, which I'm sure would be good.  But dear hubby HATES onions.  Really, hate is a nice term for his overwhelming loathing of the sometimes smelly vegetable.  Dear hubby and I have been married for almost 8 years, but each time we're at my parents' house I have to remind them of his dislike hate of onions. 

To say I am overwhelmed with the positive responses and comments from yesterday's reward photoshoot post, would be an understatement.  Please accept my sincerest thanks for all of your kind words.  A whole extra level of joy was added to the celebration, being able to share in it with you!  How can I not get all warm and fuzzy when I read comments like this one?! : "If I could just choose one blog to follow and to be inspired by, it would definitely be yours. ... Read more » about Sincere Thanks + {Greek Yogurt Blueberry Muffins}