Kick Off Summer Reading With Edible ‘Bookworms!’
May 22, 2013
Earlier this month, I agreed to make a special reading-themed snack for Punky's class on the day they took the reading portion of their standardized tests. At a complete loss, I turned to Pinterest-- and found these adorable bookworms. They took some time to put them together, but the end result was fabulous-- --and they'd make a great summer activity to do with your kids, particularly if you're signing them...

This is the Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipe in the World
May 14, 2013
Seriously. It is. This recipe is based on Martha Stewart's very popular recipe for mac and cheese, which you can find all over the Internet- HOWEVER, if you're familiar with Martha Stewart's recipes, you know that they often contain ingredients that are difficult to find and steps that are tough to follow. So I did it my way-- I added a few things, took out a few things, and I think the results are even better. AND you can find...

Easy and Delicious Chocolate Muffins
April 12, 2013
I made these muffins for my daughter's birthday sleepover last weekend and they were a perfect breakfast treat. Not too sweet, not too rich, moist, and delicious right out of the oven. The ingredients and prep are simple, too, which is important when you're not a morning person! Ahem! One note- Be very careful if you want to reheat them for breakfast a day or two later. Although they're moist, they dry out quickly in the microwave.   INGREDIENTS 2...

Best French Fries EVER!
March 15, 2013
I tried these HEALTHY, oven-baked french fries last weekend and OMG, y'all. I am spoiled for life. I'd put these fries up against the ones from Five Guys any day. BRING IT. And yet, they're so much better for you than anything you'd get in a restaurant. But don't take my word for it. Try them yourself this weekend. Then come back and tell me what you think. INGREDIENTS 3 large Russet potatoes with skin (although...

Healthy, Scrumptious Crispy Fish with Lemon-Dill Dip
March 5, 2013
About a year and a half ago, Dennis and I began making a concerted effort to eat healthier, and since we both love good food, I set out on an epic journey to find healthy recipes that tasted every bit as delicious as the high-fat, high-carb stuff I had been making for years. It has been a long, hard road, but over time I've found some true winners- "diet" recipes that are good enough to be served in a restaurant, and keep...

Carb-Free Cloud Bread
February 22, 2013
One of the fastest ways I've found to lose weight (and feel better) is to reduce the number of carbs in my diet. But bunless burgers get old FAST. That's why I'm crazy about this recipe for completely carb-less buns that will satisfy your bread craving AND give you something to put around your burger. As an added bonus, you probably already have the ingredients for cloud bread in your kitchen. Even if you're not going...

Delicious Spinach Ravioli
February 7, 2013
I've made this spinach ravioli many times, for many different people. It is quick, easy, delicious, and perfect for any occasion, whether you need a fast weeknight dinner or a showstopping company dish. What's not to love?   Ingredients 2 packages refrigerated cheese ravioli 1/2 cup (1/2 8 ounce tub) cream cheese with chive and onions 1 cup milk 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, divided 4...

Broccoli and Cauliflower, Done Right
February 1, 2013
Growing up, I hated vegetables. They were always steamed, tasteless and bland. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized vegetables could actually be awesome. And now that my husband and I have made healthy eating a permanent part of our lifestyle (THANKS middle-aged metabolism), finding ways to make vegetables taste delicious has become a priority. At first, I thought seasoning my veggies and roasting them was the perfect...

Ridiculously Delicious Beef Stroganoff
January 25, 2013
Food confession: I may have become a little bit obsessed with Beef Stroganoff. Seeing recipes for it over the years, it seemed like it SHOULD be delicious. Thin strips of beef. Egg noodles. A sour cream-based sauce. Mmmmm. I tried several different recipes for it, though, and it was never all that special. Undaunted, I kept at it-- and now, after nearly a dozen different attempts, I've got a truly awesome Beef Stroganoff...

World’s Best Banana Bread
January 8, 2013
You can tell from the recipes section of this blog that I am a huge fan of fruit breads. From Peach Carrot Bread to Applesauce Nut Bread, I try to bake one at least every other week for my family. My kids love them, they're far better for them than cookies or chips, and they're great for breakfast, school lunches, and after-school snacks. But our absolute favorite is BANANA BREAD. I've tried many recipes over the years...