Homemade Summer Popsicles

Getting my 2 yr old to eat healthy foods is definitely a struggle. I am always looking for ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into his diet and unfortunately I have failed on one to many occasions. 

The other day, I was feeling a bit remorseful as I let my little man devour a giant highly sugary popsicle. Then suddenly it dawned on me...I could be making my own healthy homemade version with real fresh fruits...and I bet he would love them just as much!

So, I purchased these lovely little Ikea Popsicle Molds and yesterday we threw together a scrumptious popsicle recipe that he thoroughly enjoyed (he ended up eating at least 3)!

I can't remember the recipe exactly because I just started throwing things into my blender (which is the best way to go!) but I mainly used frozen strawberries, blue berries, & mango...plus a little bit of agave and coconut milk for sweetness...and a few tablespoons of vanilla Greek yogurt to give the popsicles a creamy texture.  

It makes me so happy to see my little guy enjoy his food (especially when I know it's secretly healthy!)

Here are a few other recipes I hope to test out soon...

1 - Martha Stewart, Striped Ice Pops

2 - La Tartine Gourmande, Raspberry & Peach Popsicles

3 - dandysugar, Fresh Fruit Popsicles 

Do you have a favorite homemade Popsicle recipe? 

A Healthy(er) Appetite

Since posting about my post pregnancy weight loss woes, I have been inspired (thanks to many of my readers :)  To make a conscious effort to start eating better. After talking to my husband (it's important that you don't go it alone...it's much too hard to make separate meals), we have decided to change a few of our current eating habits...

*We have been getting rid of our less healthy snacks, like crackers and chips, and we are replacing them with things like dried fruit, cut veggies, and nuts.

*We are lowering the amount of meat based meals we consume and have decided to eat healthy meatless dinners at least 3-4 days a week. (we typically always have some sort of meat at dinner so this is a big improvement).

*We are attempting to only eat dessert every other day (this is the hardest one, because we have gotten into the habit of eating something sweet after dinner EVERYDAY!)

I have been browsing Pintrest and a few other great food based blogs for new healthy recipes and I have slowly been adding them to my permanent recipe collection.

Although I know healthy eating is a major key in living a happy long life, if it doesn't taste good I just can't make it a habit (sad but true). So, if you are anything like me, you will be happy to hear about my plan to start posting reviews about healthy recipes I have found online! I will let you know if I truly liked the dish and if it is something I would be willing to make again.

Up first we have these Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tacos from Style & Grace.

Honestly... I loved them! I always seem to forget how much I like sweet potatoes, they really do make this meal very tasty. Also, parring them with black beans and cilantro flavoring created a perfect combination of flavors. Definitely adding this to my recipe box!

Have you seen any great healthy recipes lately?

*Ps. I have made a goal to loose 5lbs by my birthday, which is exactly 1 month from today...I figured if I blogged about it I would be more inclined to stick to it. Wish me luck!


photo credit: top, bottom

Wake-Up Casserole

Wake-Up Casserole is a great recipe for breakfast or brunch and would be perfect to make this Easter Sunday!

It's easy to make, pairs well with any other breakfast foods, and feeds large groups.

It's also one that little hands can help with because it only requires a few basic ingredients...

View the recipe and tutorial below!

What are some of your favorite Easter brunch foods? 

Bran Muffins

I realize that the name "Bran Muffin" doesn't give off quite as much excitement as "Lemon Poppy Seed" or "Apple Streusel" but trust me when I say these really are delicious! 

These little muffins are something I like to make in large quantities because they are perfect for bagging up and placing in the freezer for numerous occasions. Like when you need a quick yet nutritious breakfast, road trip snack, or if your just looking for a way to get a little more whole grains into your diet.

My super picky 2-yr old LOVES them...and that makes me more then happy to whip up a batch or two when we are running low!

Click below to get the recipe and details...

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm pretty sure everyone has their own favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, but it's always fun to try something new!

This is the recipe my mom has been making FOREVER! I mean seriously look how old the Betty Crocker Cookbook is, it's pretty much about to fall apart.

Plus, you know a recipe is good when your book automatically opens to the overly used page upon opening...and it looks like you've spilled one to many ingredients on it over the years.

Do you have a favorite Chocolate chip cookie recipe?

Click below to get the recipe!

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter balls are one of my favorite Christmas treats! I love the slightly crisp chocolate outside mixed with the creamy peanut butter filling...Yum!

Apparently I'm not the only one with a love for peanut butter and chocolate...I made these the other night for a holiday dinner and they were gone before I could even finish my main course (luckily I saved a few and left them at home, just in case :)

These little treats are really quite simple to make, they just take a little extra time to roll out and dip. Get the recipe and tutorial by clicking below...

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are fun to make for so many different occasions! Traditionally, my family will make and frost them for Halloween, Valentines Day, and Christmas. Every time I make them, they are gone before I know it, so watch out they may be a little addicting!

Click below to view the recipe

Robin's Refrigerator Rolls

Can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow? It seems like the month of November has flown by!

We aren't able to travel home for thanksgiving this year but luckily we have some great friends that invited us over for dinner! I was asked to bring the rolls, (ok more like I offered) but only because I have a great recipe that has been passed down to me by my mother and it's always a hit!

These are a perfect side dish for any special occasion meal and the fact that they are refrigerated, means you can make the dough the night before and then bake them fresh the next morning!

Click below to get the recipe and tutorial!

The Best Cornbread Ever!

I know it's been a while, but i'm excited to say that I am finally ready to start posting recipes again! Up until a couple of weeks ago I was still feeling a little pregnancy nausea. It was a challenge to just get dinner on the table, let alone take pictures of it.

Now, I know what your thinking..." but what ever happened to Something Sweet Wednesday?" Don't worry it's not gone forever, just on a temporary break, due to the fact that I'm just not craving sweets like I use to.

This cornbread recipe pair's perfectly with a hot bowl of chili! It's one that my mom has been making since I was little and every time I have any other cornbread it just doesn't even compare (sorry no offense :). It's super flavorful and incredibly moist at the same time. If there was such a thing as corn bread cake, this would be it!

Click below to get the recipe!

Whole Wheat Bread

Before the hot summer weather hit, I started making my own whole wheat bread. I thought it would be a great way to save a little money, and eat healthier...and it was! Actually, since I started making homemade bread nothing else even compares. I will even say that I like it better then Great Harvest...which is saying a lot!

I have tried a few whole wheat bread recipes and came across one that I really like, and unlike many breads that claim to be "whole wheat" this recipe actually uses 100% whole wheat flour and still comes out fluffy and moist!

I know that making homemade bread can be very intimidating. I will in no way claim that it isn't a little difficult. When I first started, I actually made about 3 batches of bread before I could perfect the recipe and not end up with something that resembled a whole wheat rock. I think all bread recipes can be a little tricky, because depending on your climate, and whether you knead the bread with a machine or by hand, the amount of flour added can really vary.

My mom taught me a few very helpful bread making tips, so if your a beginner listen closely...

1st. Add the flour in small amounts and stop adding when your dough ball still has a little stickiness left to it. If you add too much flour your dough wont rise very well and you will end up with a bread rock.

2nd. Don't overcook the bread

3rd. When dissolving the yeast don't be afraid to use very warm water, just make sure it's not hot!

To view the recipe and tutorial click below!

Easy Peanut Thai

Thai food is one of my favorite meals! I only just discovered Pad Thai and Curry (my favorite Thai dishes), a little before I got married (about 5 years ago). I have made multiple attempts to cook various homemade Thai dishes but they never turn out quite right. Plus, It's a little down-heartening when you get super ambitious about making something only to find that half the ingredients on the list are things you haven't heard of before or don't know where to find them.

So, when tired out this recipe I was so excited to find a Thai dish that was simple to make and delicious! In fact, most of the ingredients are things I normally carry in my kitchen, so I didn't even have to make a trip to the store.

Click below to view the recipe and tutorial!
(Recipe adapted from Sherry Parker in the Sunset Ward Cookbook)

Something Sweet: PB & J Cookies

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich's are one of my favorite go to meals! It's the type of sandwich that never disappoints and is sort of a meal/dessert all in one!

This Wednesday's "Something Sweet" is a different take on your average PB&J...it's a PB&J but in cookie form. The recipe is one that I came by via my wonderful sister-in-law Crystal, so I really can't take any credit for it. These cookies delicious, very simple to make, and only require 5 ingredients. Making them a perfect quick dessert!

Ps. I added a secret ingredient to them to make them even more delicious!

Click below for the recipe and tutorial!

Something Sweet : Meltaways

Have you ever tasted a Meltaway cookie before?

If you haven't you are definitely missing out because they are Good! And by that I mean, melt in your mouth kind of good...literally!

Not only are these charming little cookies tasty, they are also perfect for many occasions! I would love to serve these at a wedding, lunch-in, or birthday party. Also, I think they would be exceptionally fitting for a little girls tea party! You really can coordinate them to fit any occasion by simply changing the color of the frosting dollop to suit your fancy.

For the recipe and full tutorial click below!
*Warning: Meltaway's are dangerously delicious when warm out of the oven!

Fabulous Finds

Back to another fabulous Monday!

We started planting our garden on Saturday. We have never done one before (I think we may have gotten ourselves into a bigger project then we can handle!) Let me know if you have any gardening tips for 1st timers!

Also, my husband and I tried to make our 1st banana cream pie and it unfortunately turned to banana cream soup (not what I had anticipated but it's still tasty!)

I wasn't intentionally trying to, but all of this weeks "Fabulous Finds" are food related. Apparently I think about food a little too much!

1.Matryoshka Measuring Cups - Urban Outfitters, 2.Pros and con-fections Baking Kit - ModCloth, 3.Candy Stripe Straws - Urban Outfitters, 4.The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato and Sorbetto - Amazon, 5.Daisy Shaped Egg Fry Rings - Williams-Sonoma, 6. Set of 4 Ice Cream Spoons - Crate & Barrel

Something Sweet : Brie Cheese Pastry

I'm not really a cheese person. And by that I just mean that I don't typically buy or eat anything besides the ordinary stuff like cheddar or mozzarella.

But recently, I purchased some Brie Cheese for a delicious turkey apple burger recipe (which I will share later). I had a lot leftover and had no idea what to do with it. My wonderful sister in-law recommended I make some puff pastry's out of it...so I did! I have to say it was quite scrumptious, especially fresh out of the oven and topped with a little balsamic strawberry sauce.

This sweet little treat is super easy to make, so if your looking for a quick dessert for the weekend, click below to view the recipe and tutorial!