Recipes

Big welcome to Rochelle! She is another new contributor of ours, a mom of three sharing her love of parenting and life in the Valley of the Sun.  I incorporated Meatless Mondays into our dinner routine almost a year ago...

March 14 is National Pi Day. If it's been a few years since you've heard about pi, it's the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. While this mathematical concept is very important, the concept is lost on...

Hectic work schedules. Hectic holiday shopping. Hectic school programs to attend. Where is the time these days to sit down, enjoy family time, and consume a hearty meal? It is possible. All you need is a little meal planning with a...

Food allergies can make navigating through the holiday season very difficult. I know this first hand because my 5 year old little boy has an allergy to dairy. The smallest amount of dairy can cause anaphylaxis shock. It's scary to say the least. Last year, I wrote...

We are on the homestretch moms and starting to prepare our kids to GO BACK TO SCHOOL! It is always something fun to look forward to but also a little stressful to get back into the mind set in...

  Over the years, I have gotten used to being “the new girl.” When I was younger, my family moved quite a few times. Now that I am older, due to my husband’s job, we have a few cities under...

Seriously the worst part about Summer with the kids is three meals a day, every.single.day. Why do they have to eat so many times a day!?! We are joking, but there are great things about summer cooking too, for...

I love my husband.  I love our life together. And I do not see why I have to buy into the Hallmark holiday of Valentine's Day in order to celebrate those things. Especially when we have to pay double for...

I LOVE sharing new finds, especially new things that make cooking and everything I do in the kitchen easier. Here are three of my new favorite kitchen hacks: OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Containers. These things are amazing! I am THE WORST at buying too many...

I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who didn’t like macarons, those delicious French, meringue-based cookie sandwiches. I also don’t think I’ve ever met someone who says they make them at home all the time. Because they have the...

I love making an indulgent, yummy breakfast for Christmas morning. Christmas music is playing, the kids open all of their presents by 6am and are busy with their new toys. We have nothing to do but relax and spend time...

Growing up in the midwest, everyone knew that when winter rolled around it’s time to bring out your crockpots! I remember as a kid, my mom would make my favorite vegetable soup in a slow cooker and the delicious...

Is there any snack that’s better than popcorn? I think not. Popcorn is a whole grain that provides about three grams of fiber per cup. Since we usually eat more than one cup per sitting, that’s a good start toward...

  One of my favorite toddler snacks is homemade mini muffins.  Small enough to fit into tiny hands, "toddler muffins” make great finger foods for little ones. They’re portable- toss a couple in a baggie and you’ve got a snack for the...

I know what you’re thinking.  “Soup in the summer? Jennie, you're crazy!"  I know, I know.  But trust me that this creamy broccoli avocado soup is so light and fresh that it’s actually perfect for summer.  Bonus points are...

I call this green chicken chili recipe "weeknight" chili, because it's one of my simplest go-to recipes for busy days! With just 5 basic ingredients and almost no prep-work, you don't need to be a master chef to nail...

Happy New Year! I'm back with some recipe ideas for Meatless Mondays for winter. That's right, it's actually cold in Scottsdale and I'm thrilled because I love warm and cozy meals made in slow cookers, baked in casserole dishes...

We know kids can be very picky when choosing what they want and don’t want to eat. That’s why I’ve compiled a few ideas that are perfect for Valentine’s Day snacks, and beyond. These treats will be sure to...

The season of holiday parties - so fun, and yet so busy because 9 times out of 10 you will be asked to bring an appetizer. Below are links for fabulous party appetizers that will leave your hostess begging...

It’s January. The holidays are behind us and our resolutions are set. For many of us, that means trying to be more mindful about what we eat. We’re doing great and then along comes the football game to knock...

If it seems like there are a million germs floating around out there this winter, you are not wrong. Between the nasty old flu, RSV, and Covid variants that just keep on evolving, everyone is simply trying to stay upright...

As a personal chef, I spend a lot of time preparing and serving healthy and delicious gourmet food to my clients. Since time is money, I have become extremely adept at preparing food in the most efficient manner possible...

I love family dinnertime. It is so important to the rhythm of our family.  It is my time to sit back and really watch the dynamics of our family. It is my moment when I want to jump up and...

Not sure if you guys have noticed, but we live in something of a digital age. I, more than most, retain an affinity for the old fashioned... I make pen-to-paper to-do lists and include items already completed just to give them a...

Easter is almost here and a great activity to do with your kiddos is making dye using everyday ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Last year I tried to dye our Easter eggs using natural everyday ingredients and they...

April is the birthday month for both me and my husband. In fact, our birthdays are only two days apart. Well, two days and five years, which I often remind him of, as he is SOOOO much older than...

Last week, we had a RIDICULOUS set of recipes from the executive chef over at Sanctuary - recipes that would make for a high-class, luxury Super Bowl party. They looked so delicious that I've already earmarked them for our...

Do you love your Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but hate the price that it comes with? By price, I mean the monetary cost, the extra calories & sugar, and the suspicious artificial  ingredients that just cannot be good for us....

The new year is here and with that our fitness goals have arrived, too. I have three healthy and easy treats that are perfect for snacking or dessert. These are are all great for batch making with the kids...

It may still be 100 degrees outside, but by every Halloween I am ready for cooler temps. I know it is getting cooler outside, but it doesn't really feel Fall-like when the kids can't wear elaborate, fuzzy, well-layered Halloween costumes without...