Named as one of the newest superfoods, chia seeds have so many amazing benefits that you just might not even know! I'm sharing them all, plus ways to eat them everyday and in the most delicious pumpkin chia seed pudding recipe you'll ever see! This post is in partnership with NOW® Foods. All opinions are my own. If you're not eating chia seeds every day, you're doing life wrong. And let me tell you just how I know... because I've only been eating them for a few months now and I now want to know "Where have you been all my life, my beloved chia seeds?!" A little dramatic, but true, these little seeds have quickly become one of my favorite food accessories. I love to add them to just about any breakfast food and am constantly finding new ways to sneak them into everything. But the great news is, I don't necessarily have to sneak … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Hosting a Spectacular [and Easy] 4th of July Party
This post is sponsored by Sam's Club, but all opinions are my own. One of my favorite things to do is host parties and July 4th is no exception. It's a day known for get togethers, grilling, and all things Americana. Today I'm sharing 5 tips for hosting a spectacular [and easy] July 4th Party! Make a plan and be prepared. Being prepared with a plan is truly the success of any party. I start planning a month ahead of time - from guest list to the menu. And believe it or not, but those two go hand in hand. When I send out invites, I also ask guests to bring something. I have a friend that makes the most delicious vegetable dip so I always ask her to bring it. If you have a friend who isn't quite the best cook, enlist their help with bringing drinks or condiments for the party. While it may be a little more work in the planning … [Read more...]
5 Easy Swaps to Eat Healthier with Natural Food Options from NOW Foods
NOW Foods offers so many products, but their natural food options are a great place to start when it comes to buying health food online. Have a look at these 5 easy swaps you can make to eat healthier now. This post is in partnership with NOW® Foods. All opinions are my own. It's early Spring which means you know what's right around the corner... bathing suit season. If you're dreading it as much as me, then it's time for us to make some healthy swaps in our diet! Here's the thing - I've never been one to go on a diet. I've actually never uttered those words because I know me... as soon as I say "Ok, I'm not eating chocolate." I'll be eating the largest chocolate bar I can find in less than 10 minutes after uttering the words. Instead, I try to make healthier choices and these 5 swaps I'm sharing with you today couldn't be any … [Read more...]
How to Make PERFECT Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
If you have an Instant Pot, you know just how you can use it for almost everything in the kitchen and that includes eggs! Here's how to make the most PERFECTLY cooked Instant Pot hard boiled eggs! Do you use your Instant Pot for everything? I admit, mine sat in the box for months. I kept relating it to the old type of pressure cookers and was terrified that it would blow up if I tried to use it. I kept seeing all these amazing Instant Pot recipes on Pinterest and even starting pinning them thinking "one day..." Well, I finally conquered my fear of my Instant Pot and I'm so glad I did because I now use it a few times a week. Actually, I'd probably use it even more if I would do better at meal planning. One way that I've been using my Instant Pot even more lately is just maintenance type cooking. I make Instant Pot Broccoli … [Read more...]
Carrot Patch Cookie Cups with Nutella – Inspired by Peter Rabbit
Kids love edible dirt cups and these are even more fun when made with Nutella and homemade cookie cups! Add in the cute candy carrots and you have adorable Peter Rabbit-inspired carrot patch cookie cups! Have you seen the new Peter Rabbit movie? It's getting rave reviews and I've heard great things from both kids and adults who have seen it! It's a lovely remake of a classic tale from Beatrix Potter that my family has always loved and today I'm sharing a fun new recipe inspired by Peter Rabbit! The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Beatrix PotterTY Peter Rabbit Plush - PETER RABBITThe Tale of Peter Rabbit Story Board BookMeri Meri Peter Rabbit Party Bags If your kids love dirt cups, they'll love these. The "dirt" in our carrot patch cookie cups is actually made of Nutella and Oreos which is delicious enough it's own but when it's the filling in … [Read more...]
Frozen Yogurt Popsicles with Granola for Easter
These frozen yogurt popsicles come with an extra crunch, thanks to granola on the back. Plus they're in adorable bunny shapes which makes them perfect for Easter and Spring mornings and afternoon snacks! "Who wants a popsicle for breakfast?!" It's my girls' dream question in the morning and believe it or not, I actually do give them popsicles for breakfast sometimes! Of course, they're not just any popsicles, but ones that I make at home and you can too. There are a ton of different variations and recipes for frozen yogurt popsicles. Tailor your flavors to what your kids like, obviously, but these are also a great way to have them try new foods. You can add in real fruit, chia seeds, and our favorite - granola. I am obsessed with these myself because I love the added crunch of the granola on the back! Now are you ready to see … [Read more...]
9 Spaghetti Recipes Worth Sharing
It's no surprise that family dinner night inspired by the newly released Lady and the Tramp will always include spaghetti! The movie that made spaghetti a family favorite is now on Blu-ray and I'm sharing 9 Spaghetti Recipes worth sharing! I received a copy of this movie to share a review. All opinions are my own. One of everyone's favorite Disney movies is back and out of the vault just in time for sharing with your family. Every member of the family will treasure this timeless tale—loaded with three versions of the film, classic bonus material and three all-new features—when it heads home on Digital and on Movie Anywhere Feb. 20 and on Blu-ray on Feb. 27. The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition offers three exciting ways to watch “Lady and the Tramp”—the original theatrical version, sing-along mode and Walt's story … [Read more...]
Almond Milk Pudding in an Instant – It IS Possible!
Have you tried to make instant pudding with a dairy alternative only to find yourself with a bowl full of soup? Fret no more, it IS possible to make almond milk pudding and here's how! When Sophia was diagnosed with a milk allergy at the age of 3, I thought the world was ending. I had no clue about any type of food allergies or dairy alternatives. Before we learned that news her favorite foods were cheese quesadillas, cheese puffs, and well, anything with cheese. I just knew it was going to be SO hard to help her go dairy-free. Turns out, it wasn't. Luckily even 4 years ago, there were plenty of dairy alternatives available. The only problem was that we had to travel out of town to get them. Living in a rural area in East Tennessee, our stores just didn't carry allergen-free products like bigger cities. Fast forward … [Read more...]
Easy Last Minute Valentine Treat Idea – Red Velvet Donuts
Do you need a last minute Valentine Treat to take to your child's classroom party? Baked, and not fried, these Red Velvet Donuts are perfect because they're so easy and delish! The kids will love the sprinkles and bright colors! At my girls' school they can only have one party every year so Valentine Treats are a big deal. I was in charge of planning Moreaya's Kindergarten Party this year and couldn't have been happier about it. I just love all the bright reds and pinks and the fact that I get to shower her and her little friends with fun love crafts and Valentine treats! We'll be playing lots of Valentine-themed games, like Tic Tac Toe with these adorable printable cards, and having Conversation Heart stacking contests, but the best part are the treats, right?! Of course all kids love cakes and cupcakes, but I wanted to come up … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Broccoli – Perfect Side Dish for Chinese New Year
This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in my post are my own. If you love a quick side dish, you're going to love this Instant Pot Broccoli. Steam up perfect broccoli florets in under 5 minutes with minimal effort with your Instant Pot! My family loves Asian dishes. I would say it's because of the fact that my husband is Filipino, but I think I love them as much as he does. I often make my own fried rice and various dishes, but I'm always looking for ways to making weeknight dinners more simple to save time. Last November I discovered Ling Ling Fried Rice Entrees and I've been buying them ever since. I love sauteeing a bag for myself for lunch, but lately I've been incorporating them more into our family dinners to give myself a little break on time - and because they're so delicious. The girls and I … [Read more...]
Easy Stuffed French Toast Roll-Ups: Cinnamon French Toast Recipe
If you're looking for a breakfast that the whole family will love, look no further than these easy Stuffed French Toast Roll-Ups. This Cinnamon French Toast recipe comes with a sweet topping and is one that you'll want to make again and again! Just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the baking and cooking has to be. Winter time is one of my favorite times of the year to cook - I guess it's because the cool weather has us inside more and I don't mind heating up the house by cooking in the kitchen like I do in the warmer months. And one of my favorite meals to cook is breakfast. I love to get up before the rest of the house and enjoy a cup of coffee, sometimes while I'm cooking breakfast and sometimes before. It's the one meal of the day that the whole family almost always agrees on - because who doesn't love breakfast … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Smoothie
This Gingerbread Smoothie is the perfect way to celebrate the Holidays - with classic gingerbread taste and a ginger snap cookie crunchy topping! This post was created in partnership with Ninja® Intelli-Sense™ Kitchen System with Auto-Spiralizer™. I received complimentary products and compensation to facilitate my review, but all opinions within are my own. Christmas is in the air... can you feel it?! We went out this weekend and bought a real tree for our family room and have been busy baking Christmas goodies too. I think one of my favorite things about Christmas is definitely the smells of the Holiday. What comes to mind when you think of Christmas scents? I always think of fresh pine, sweet cookies baking, and cinnamon and gingerbread! I recently got a major upgrade in my kitchen to help with preparing all … [Read more...]