Every year, as Summer ends, I sit down and start creating soup ideas for Fall. Is there anything easier and more comforting that a meal in one bowl. Throw all of your ingredients in a big pot, simmer and enjoy. I took a couple steps for this baby, but it was so worth it! Full of flavor and crazy healthy ingredients like ginger and bone broth and for a extra treat I added candied pumpkin seeds for a little sweetness and crunch.
Read MoreI just needed something simple to make for dinner and the normal chicken and beef just wasn't what I was in the mood for. My kids are used to Sunday sauce, so I wasn't sure they were going to go for Turkey meatballs, but these turned out so tender and flavorful, that everyone was happy. These really take minutes to throw together and only need to simmer for about 30 minutes, so it is quick too.
Read MoreWhen I think of dessert, I always think chocolate. Chocolate is my heaven, but then I made these! These Key Lime Tarts are filled with so much tangy, sweetness, that they more than make up for just not being chocolate. They are refreshing and rich at the same time, perfect for a Summer dessert, to wow anyone that takes a bite.
I have been wanting to try a skillet cookie for so long, and I finally took the leap. I feared disaster, how does the cookie come out of the pan? How could this possibly turn out good? Well fear not it was delcious and so much easier than taking the time to make traditional cookies.
Read MoreI love salads, and making my own salad dressing is a must when eating real food. Think about it, it takes minutes to make, you can pick all of your own ingredients and you get to bypass horrible oils like soybean and vegetable, along with all of those crazy items no one can say, but certainaly should not eat (can you say xantham gum, gar gum or carrageenan).
Read MoreI know its that time of year when grilling is at the top of the list, but nothing gets old about roasting meats until they burst with flavor and juiciness. I have cooked my fair share of chicken lately, and my son asked me to make him turkey. TURKEY? who makes turkey in the Summer?
Read MoreI've never really thought of pancakes this way, but they are similar to smoothies. You have the base and can add all of your healthy favorites to basically pump them up and take it over the top. These are Paleo, which makes them even better for me. Gluten, grain and dairy free and not missing a bit of deliciousness.
Read MoreFresh garden greens at the height of ripeness have the most beautiful flavor. This summer salad is is the perfect example of eating real food, in an incredible healthy way, while being simple and full of flavor. All of the ingredients in this recipe are some of my favorites and at any given time in the fridge.
Read MoreSo funny during the 4th of July holiday, all food needs to be red, white and blue! Jumping on the bandwagon, I had to create a patriotic popsicle and you know I had to make it healthy. To make things less complicated, you can buy all of the ingredients and recreate these frozen beauties in minutes. If you can wait for them to freeze, I know the flavors will make your tastebuds happy. My friends at Liveglean.com sent me a bag of beet powder and I thought, what an incredible way to sneak some veggies into a sweet treat.
Read MoreMother's Day is right around the corner and most times, Moms end up cooking for Moms and no one really has the day off! You could go out for brunch, but I like to take it easy and do nothing.
Read MoreYep, this is a homemade ice cream cake, with real ingredients and absolutely no guilt! Well, maybe that's a little white lie, but the key here is choosing good, quality ingredients, that come with less guilt than eating something filled with preservatives, gums and chemicals. I made a few things in this delicious cake from scratch, then chose others that I felt good about eating.
Read MoreUsing different cuts of meat is a great decision when you are trying to go the economical route. Sure, I would always prefer a beautiful Strip Steak or Filet Mignon, but when you are feeding a family of five, that is saved for special occasions or just once in awhile. The beauty of choosing a Flank steak is, if you find a larger sized piece, you can get two dinners out of it.
Read MoreGrilling season has officially arrived and throwing Kabobs together is a simple way to create a easy dinner and one that can be changed to suit anyone's tastes. I choose chicken and zucchini with onions for more flavor. Any veggie is perfect and will work depending on the flavor profile you are trying to accomplish. I marinated in our favorite homemade Italian Dressing, but anything goes with this approach.
Read MoreI have been on this crazy kick, making all things salad dressings, marinades and spice rubs. I am just amazed at the elevated flavors when you take the time to make them homemade. Italian dressing is one of my favorites because it not only makes a great addition to most any salad creation that I make, but also is a great simple marinade for steaks, veggies or chicken.
Read MoreAt the end of every school year, I have this feeling of excitement that Summer is arriving, but also this sadness that life is moving too fast. I don't often write about my three reasons for living my best life, but I have been doing so much work on myself, on my healing that it is hard not to think about the humans that wake you up every morning. I want it all to slow down, time moves at such a rapid pace, that you don't realize that your children are actual people and your job of changing diapers, giving nightly bubbles and singing lullabies has vanished.
I have been so intrigued lately, with creating my own seasoning blends and dressings. I just find that when you can choose your own ingredients, it is not only a healthier option, but you can choose the flavors you like. Yes, it is probably more convenient to buy it already made in a bottle, but sometimes they throw in preservatives, caking agents and terrible oils, ohhh and sometimes gluten, who knew?
Read MoreThe idea of a breakfast cookie blows my mind. First, who doesn't want a cookie for breakfast?; second, there are so many nutrient dense ingredients to use; and third, I can eat a complete meal without any work! Can you see me running out the door with two of these in hand? Can you say satisfied and happy?
Read MoreEasy gluten free dinners that take minutes to pull together, are so important when life is busy and you want to sit down with your family for a nutritious meal. This Chicken and Rice compilation, is a Mediterranean bowl of sorts, that uses basic ingredients as the starting point, but can take many additions like spinach and mushrooms to make it even better. It doesn't even have to be served piping hot, which makes it an even bigger winner for a make ahead dinner.
Read MoreWhen you are eating gluten and grain free, it can be difficult to find sweet treats that please everyone in the crowd. This Vanilla Bundt Cake is just that, a crowd pleaser, that is simple, not too sweet and is the perfect dessert for a special brunch.
Read MoreMother's Day is just around the corner and I have put a new spin on an old classic. Bloody Mary's are the perfect compliment to Sunday Brunch and what a better way to celebrate Mom or any special woman with this delicious, healthy drink over ice.
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