I've been trying to up my breakfast game lately. Cereal's a decent way to start the day, but even healthier cereals tend to be artificially sweetened, highly processed, and expensive. Deep down, I knew my family and I would be better off eating minimally-processed food that comes from a kitchen, not a factory. The trouble was that my ideals kept colliding head on with my reality. When I get up in the morning, I just want to grab something fast and filling, then get on with my day. Even ... continue reading...
Hearty Beef Barley Soup
I kind of want to rename this "Vindication Soup." The other day I was serving Hearty Beef Barley Soup for dinner, and my oldest daughter asked if I was going to put that recipe on my blog. Me: Probably. Oldest Daughter: You should. It's really good. Me: I'm glad you like it. You used to hate soup. Oldest Daughter (thoughtfully): Yeah. I guess since you made it over and over, I learned to like it. And that, my friends, is the power of maternal ... continue reading...
10 Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters (and Their Parents)
Are your kids tired of eating PBJ for lunch? Are YOU tired of eating PBJ for lunch??? Maybe it's time to switch things up. Here are 10 fast, easy lunch ideas for picky eaters that I always know will be a hit at my house. I hope your family enjoys them too! 1) Black Bean Quesadillas + Carrots (I make my quesadillas with one white tortilla and one whole wheat tortilla to add more nutrients without changing the flavor much) 2) Oatmeal (regular or Overnight Steel Cut Oats) + Sliced ... continue reading...
Pillowy Soft Sugar Cookies
Happy Valentine's Day! Or Singles Awareness Day, as I used to call it in college. :) I tried to think of a healthyish Valentine recipe to share with you this week. I really did. As I looked through my favorite recipes, though, this wonderfully soft sugar cookie recipe was the one that really spoke to me. And you know, sometimes we all need a little something sweet in our lives. I discovered this recipe a few years ago, when I was on a quest for the perfect sugar cookie recipe. I found ... continue reading...
Tortilla Soup with Hominy
This Tortilla Soup recipe was inspired by a soup I found over at Budget Bytes last year. It was delicious, but it had my biggest soup pet peeve: way too much broth, not enough hearty good stuff. I suppose I could have just cut back on the broth, but I felt more like adding some variety to the soup without changing the flavor profile much. Black beans were an obvious choice, and they made a nice addition, but it seemed like the recipe needed one more thing. Something from the grain ... continue reading...
Oatmeal Protein Balls
If there's oatmeal in Heaven, it probably tastes like these Oatmeal Protein Balls. They taste like oatmeal cookie dough with a hint of maple flavor, yet they're packed with protein, fiber, and iron. I love starting my day with a couple of these protein balls. It's so nice to know I can just fall out of bed, grab something quick and delicious from the fridge, then have the energy I need to do a quick workout or help my kiddos start their day. The oats keep me feeling full and satisfied ... continue reading...
Crockpot Wassail
Merry Christmas, virtual foodie friends! This Christmas has been memorable for us in an unusual way. My husband got a great job offer, so we're leaving our beloved Maryland for Massachusetts. So many people have assured us that they love Massachusetts, and we're hopeful that we'll love it too. Still, it's hard to leave a place you love for a place you don't know yet. This month has been a whirlwind of moving prep, but I still wanted it to feel at least a little bit like Christmas, even ... continue reading...
Healthy Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins (with 6 Variations!)
In case you haven't noticed, I love muffins. I love that they are so simple and quick to make. I also love that they are a sweet treat that can still be pretty healthy. This muffin recipe, which I originally found over at Mel's Kitchen Cafe, is one of my favorites because: it's quick and easy to prepare (you don't even have to wait for the butter to soften) it calls for ingredients I always have on hand (No blueberries, zucchini, or seriously overripe bananas? No problem!) it's ... continue reading...
