substitutions

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!  I spent most of it up in the mountains, unplugged, with no cell service or Facebook (or blogging!).  It was refreshing for sure! I feel more alive there: surrounded by pine trees and wildlife, breathing in the fresh mountain air, exploring with Dear Hubby and Babycakes. But I'm back, and this is the day you've all been waiting for: THE recipe for healthy Pumpkin Muffins (or bread) is in this post! ... Read more » about {Healthy Pumpkin Muffins} + Bob's Red Mill Giveaway!

Can you even BELIEVE it's going to be September soon?!?! Though the weather sure doesn't feel like fall is coming... 97 degrees today in Colorado...OUCH!  I did, however, spend the weekend dreaming of fall: cooking end-of-summer baked beans and perfecting my pumpkin bread recipe.  It took 3 times, but I mastered it. Beautifully. ... Read more » about #TTL3 - Making Hummus

I have been planning this recipe and post for literally weeks... ever since one of my readers requested a low (or no) sugar baked beans recipe in time for the Labor Day weekend festivities.  Your wish is my command.  Coinciding with this request was a new blog challenge created by my friend Heather where we cook through the alphabet: A to Z.  She picks the ingredients, we all create recipes/posts on Meatless Mondays with that same ingredient.  ... Read more » about #MMAZ Dates + {No Sugar Baked Beans}

Starting today, I'm going with "Less is More" as the new mantra for this blog.  It came to my attention (from another blogger) that all the time and energy spent on writing daily posts (or 5x a week) might be falling on deaf ears.  Readers (like you!) are in blog-post overload. Recipe overload. Pinterest overload. You need some time to digest (and cook) all the wonderful recipes I'm publishing/creating for you. And you like the posts you do read to be meaty, well thought-out, and informative. ... Read more » about Less is More + {Orange Glazed Carrots}

I have been on an almond kick lately. Why? Besides their obvious nutritional awesomeness (healthy fat, high protein), the main reason is because I bought the most gargantuan bag of Blue Diamond Natural almonds at Walmart last week! It is literally 2 pounds of oven-roasted sea salt almonds. ... Read more » about {Greek Yogurt Pineapple Nut Smoothie} - HLTT4

In case you missed Friday's blog post or recent Facebook discussions/pictures, you should know, this past weekend was Babycakes' 2nd birthday!  I'm in full party recovery mode, which means ignoring all dishes, feet up on the coffee table, and refusing to do most of anything. ... Read more » about Party Recovery + {Summer Tabbouleh}

I'm lightening things up a bit from yesterday's more serious "Our Words Matter" post. I learned something new this week: how to activate yeast.  While I was on vacation in Arizona, my dad made his weekly homemade pizza dough.  Not only did he show me how it's done, he equipped me with the recipe.  And I, like any loving daughter, decided to go out on my own and not follow his instructions.  The recipe called for 1 Tbsp of sugar.  Me? I don't need sugar in my pizza dough! ... Read more » about Activating Yeast + {Caramelized Onion & Peach Pizza}

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE watching the Olympics.  Every night I find myself promising I'm going to go to bed early earlier, to no avail. I just have to keep watching! It's intriguing. It's inspiring. And I love seeing the smiles on the faces of the champions.  They have trained so hard for that moment, sacrificed so much, and just want to be the best...in the world.  You've probably seen the commercials, but Chobani is sponsoring this year's Olympics!  Talk about big time :)  The forward momentum they have is amazing ... Read more » about Olympics + {CHOcolate Chip Banana Bread}

I'm not sure what was the biggest highlight of Sunday night: a) actually going on a date night and using our Bonefish giftcard that we'd gotten a YEAR earlier, b) fitting into a dress I haven't worn in literally years, c) eating an entire meal at a restaurant without having to "manage" a toddler or dig into my purse 35 times to find something to occupy/distract said toddler, or d) actually talking to Dear Hubby for 2 hours straight with zero distractions. I think I pick e) all of the above! ... Read more » about Date Night + {Reese's Spinach Smoothie}

You probably don't know this about me, but I grew up in the South, Georgia to be exact.  I am a Southern Belle and a connoisseur of Coke.  When dining out at a restaurant they'd ask what you want to drink, and you'd say a Coke; then they'd ask you what kind.  Sprite, please.  Yes all soda was lovingly referred to as Coke. That's what happens when you grow up in a suburb of Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola.  Pepsi would never cross these lips!!  And the word "pop" was only for what happens to a balloon when it's pricked with a needle. ... Read more » about Soda, Pop, or Coke? + {Cascal Giveaway}