Lemon and blueberries make a beautiful pair and with both fruits in abundance this season, I want to share my mouthwatering lemon and blueberry poppy seed bread with a simple lemon glaze. There is no shortage of lemon recipes out there, but when you add in the sweet and sour pop of fresh blueberries, you are on to something really special. It is both sweet and lemon tart and it's perfect for summer breakfast on the porch or a light dessert after an evening barbecue.The origins of this ... READ MORE
Watermelon Stars
Do you need a healthy, quick and easy snack or centerpiece for your patriotic cookout this weekend? I've got one for you that will be a big hit with the kids - and the adults too!Every Memorial day we travel to a nearby small town to attend their parade. But most importantly, they have the most beautiful ceremony following the parade at their cemetery. The kids lay flowers on the graves and many of the area children sing patriotic songs before taps is played and a moment of silence is ... READ MORE
Orzo Summer Salad Recipe
I am so excited to share with you one of my all time favorite recipes. This summer orzo summer salad recipe just screams summer. I first had it when we lived in Virginia Beach. My cousin fixed something like this and it was a recipe I just could not get off my mind. It's got a sweet flavor that's unique and refreshing. Making it this past weekend brought me back to nights we would spend playing Settlers of Catan when my now six year old was only a newborn. We would put him to sleep and ... READ MORE
Simple Blueberry Muffin Recipe
There are certain times in life when a good and simple blueberry muffin recipe is on the radar. Muffins = quick snack, breakfast food or healthy dessert. They are extremely versatile and can be made with most any fruit you find on sale. Even certain types of vegetables can inspire a muffin recipe. What I enjoy most about muffins is that they travel well and are easy for little hands to hold. All you need is a container for transport and you can virtually throw them to the back of the car while ... READ MORE
Crockpot Beans and Rice Recipe
Okay, what do you think of when you think of crockpot beans and rice? Cheap? Easy? No flavor? Well, the first two are right and the last one I aim to show you is completely wrong with this recipe! And while some may say that beans and rice is not their favorite, this recipe packs tons of flavor and is so delicious! Seriously, I can't wait to make it again.I think beans and rice has a stigma that you have to go to it only when you're on a bare bones budget. And while that's a great way ... READ MORE
Simple Mango Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
When I was a poor graduate student, the concept of a stir fry involved opening a bag of frozen vegetables into a pan, followed by the enclosed packet of gooey brown syrup that was poured on top. Heat through and serve over instant rice. Hmmm... I’ll admit that meal got me through another day, but it was certainly lacking! If I would have known how easy it is to make a delicious simple chicken stir fry recipe using both fresh vegetables and seasoning from scratch, you could have knocked me over ... READ MORE
Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe
There is no question that all humans younger than 10 years old seem to love chicken nuggets, French fries, macaroni & cheese and hot dogs. How does that happen? Even if you don’t venture out to fast food restaurants, chances are your kids are going to taste one of those four things at a picnic, reunion or friend’s house. Then they are hooked. By why the despair? Making the homemade version of these foods is both easy AND affordable. Today, I’m going to show you a quick and simple recipe for ... READ MORE
Canning Homemade Applesauce
I can actually say that canning has been a part of my family for years. When we were married in 2007, our first home was a tiny rental with carpet on every square inch. One might say that canning in such a context was far from ideal, but oh contraire! Our little home was also next to a giant garden.We were determined to save money by canning homegrown produce even with a small, carpeted kitchen. Word got out that we were interested in food preservation and suddenly help arrived from all ... READ MORE
Homemade Brownies Recipe: Sweet Potato Brownies
Sweet Potato Brownies Recipe When my husband and I started our family, we made a commitment to creating healthier options from the kitchen: homemade foods made with wholesome ingredients and lots of nutrition. However, we also didn’t want to deprive our children of delicious sweets and lots of flavors. That’s when I began to learn the art of adapting food. The key to adapting is not to have an “all or nothing” attitude. In other words, you don’t have to substitute an entire ingredient in order ... READ MORE
Black Bean Burger Recipe – Deliciously Homemade
My Black Bean Burger Recipe There is nothing quite like a fresh cooked beef patty on a soft bun with all the fixin’s, right?...except... what?! That's a black bean burger!? Yep, a black bean burger recipe is truly a phenomenon. They look and feel just like a beef burger and can be topped exactly the same way. The taste, you ask? Delicious. No, they don’t taste exactly like beef, but they carry a fresh and wonderful flavor of their own. My father-in-law is as “meat and potatoes” as you can get. ... READ MORE
