substitutions

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

It all started with my recent recipe success - making the absolute best (& healthiest) Key Lime Pie, which happens to be Dear Hubby's favorite dessert.  If I could create an almost identical taste and experience to an all-time favorite, but with 70% less sugar using banana and squash puree & greek yogurt, then I could do anything! And, for the first time since I started blogging (over a year ago) Dear Hubby put in a recipe request this past weekend. ... Read more » about A No Sugar {Chocolate Torte} for my love

Ever since Pillsbury posted my Banana Cream Pie Bites to their Facebook page and one of their fans suggested a key lime pie version, I have been a woman on a mission: to make an even more perfect, low sugar, healthier version of this classic dessert recipe.  Perusing the internet only found me "healthy" versions that subbed in low-fat sweetened condensed milk instead of the full-fat version or used jello and cream cheese.   I knew I could do better. First of all... ... Read more » about The Absolute Best (and Healthiest) Key Lime Pie

I don't know about you, but I have historically been terrible with leftovers.  I don't mind eating leftovers for work lunches, but Dear Hubby would rather never have to eat the same thing two days in a row. (I think this is part of the reason he loves eating out!) So, to incorporate leftovers into an entirely new meal or repurpose them beyond recognition... well, that's just genius. And I need to do it more. ... Read more » about Repurposing Leftovers + {Tangy Black Bean Dip}

I posted a question on my blog's Facebook page, asking for recipe requests to see what you wanted to see more of.  The resounding answer was "dessert."  Let me preface this with a couple things -- 1) I was once a dessert lover. I ate candy/sweets (at least one small piece) every single day.    2) I gained 75 pounds after getting married while I loved dessert and ate sweets every day.  3) I'm now different. And lighter. And svelter. And more energetic. ... Read more » about More Dessert + {Soft No Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies}

I have been juicing for almost two years now.  I love what it's done for my body - kickstarting my weightloss, killing my sugar cravings completely, and giving me so much extra energy... But I have a confession: for 2 years, I have always put the pulp straight down the drain. This weekend was different though.  For the first time ever, I actually saved the leftover pulp from my "Good Morning Juice" to make into another recipe.  And it was such a success and ... Read more » about {Carrot Cake Muffins} - no sugar added

Dear Hubby started wooing me our freshman year of college in Pittsburgh, where we both started school at Carnegie Mellon University.  We met when we were 18 in a class appropriately named: "Interpretation and Argument."  Both good things to learn with a future spouse :)  We both transferred away from that cold, bleak place within a year: Dear Hubby to Texas, me Boulder.  The Univ. of Colorado was such a beautiful and fun place to go to school, with Chatauqua park and the Flatirons just steps away, lively characters on Pearl Street, and a plethora of wonderful restaurants.  ... Read more » about Dating + {Sweet Spaghetti Squash Casserole}

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}

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}

Ahhhhhhhh, the holidays. So much fun. So much baking. So many parties. So many cute Pinterest ideas. So much shopping. So much stress.  I guess you could say I have a love/hate relationship with the holiday season. So, I have set out to make your holiday party a little easier, a little healthier, and a lot more fun with these mini pie bites ----->  If you've spent much time on my blog, you know I'm not much of a dessert person. ... Read more » about Holiday Pie Bites: Chocolate Raspberry Pie & Apple Pie