Strawberry + Yogurt Breakfast Muffins

January 19, 2017January 19, 2017 - Mama Leave a comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpoonfulsOfGoodness #CerealAnytime #CollectiveBias

Mornings can be hard, especially at the fast pace we're expected to live them in. But that doesn't mean you can't get a great breakfast-- these Strawberry Yogurt Muffins are a perfect breakfast on-the-go, giving new meaning to cereal and milk. #SpoonfulsOfGoodness #CerealAnytime [ad]

I was watching a lecture the other day about how getting older changes your perception on the length of a year. When you turn two, one year is literally half of your life, so it seems like it took a long time. At age 5, a year is 1/5th of your life, but when you’re in your late 20s like I am, one year is just 1/28th of your life, and it seems to really fly by. So when we set resolutions for the year, one of two things usually happens: we’re too busy to take them seriously and ditch them by March, or we realize the year flew by and we forgot to really give it a proper go. It got me thinking about the importance of setting smaller goals, perhaps even daily goals. Maybe this year, instead of saying “This year, I’ll accomplish something big,” I’ll start my day off saying “Today, I’m accomplishing this.” That isn’t to say I don’t have long term goals, but sometimes having a good year is as simple as saying “today, I’m going to start my day off right with breakfast before I dive into my extensive to-do list.”

Double-Dipped French Toast (IHOP Copycat!)

January 16, 2017January 16, 2017 - Mama Leave a comment

If you LOVE double dipped french toast from IHOP, you'll love this IHOP copycat recipe you can make at home! Their double dipped french toast is seasonal, but you can enjoy this all year round! Just coat your favorite bread in an extra crunchy topping, fry, and serve! Easy-peasy. | IHOP copycat | Breakfast Recipe |

It’s no secret that IHOP is one of our favorite restaurants. The kiddo and I usually end up stopping there after his Autism therapy, or going for a late breakfast once in awhile as a fun treat. We’re such big fans, we even asked for IHOP gift cards for Christmas to fuel our little IHOP addiction. It’s also no secret that I am a huuuuge fan of their double-dipped French toast! I love the extra crunch that it has, the taste that takes it one step higher than regular French toast for me. The only downside? Double Dipped French Toast is seasonal on their menu, and I’ve found myself craving it like nobody’s business. I’ve been determined to make it at home so I can eat it whenever I want, and I think I’ve finally got the recipe down, so I’m going to show you how to make it a big platter (and then tell you how to scale down the recipe if it’s only you eating breakfast).

Simple Homemade Caramels (And the cleanup hack that helps you finish the dishes before it’s even time to cut the caramels)

December 9, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama 24 Comments

Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish ClothsThis shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubSeason #CollectiveBias

Car-mels? Care-a-mels? It’s been a pretty consistent argument in this household since we first started making the sweet treats… you’ll hear someone sneak into the fridge and grab a homemade caramel, only to hear “You know they’re called care-a-mels, right?!” Our family has a history of bickering over the pronunciation of words that can be pronounced either way, usually for the sole purpose of annoying each other to bits. But either way you pronounce it, these homemade caramels are simple to make, and the cleanup? It’s just as easy.

Turkey Vegetable Soup (Made with Thanksgiving Leftovers!)

November 21, 2016January 12, 2017 - Mama 2 Comments

If you have a fridge full of Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, this soup is a perfectly delicious, convenient option for using them up. Turkey Vegetable Soup is hearty and easily made with whatever vegetables and meat you have on hand, making it versatile and a perfect dinner option.

Thanksgiving this year is going to be a little bit weird for us. Usually, we go out of town to visit my grandmother, and it’s always an amazing time. But to be honest, things with Ketchup have been a little iffy around here– with new therapies starting and old ones ending, he’s in such a great period of transition that we don’t really want to rock the boat. It’s going to be our first Thanksgiving in years being home for the holiday instead of visiting family, and honestly? We’re going out to eat. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t buy one of those delicious turkeys on sale… a good Thanksgiving-in-January preparation, if you will. But one thing I really love about Thanksgiving, regardless of where I spend it, is the leftovers. Then again, after a day or two, you really get tired of Turkey Sandwiches… that’s where this yummy soup comes in. It’s easy to make, it’s delicious, and it uses stuff you probably have on hand after Thanksgiving dinner– you can swap out any vegetables or meat you’d like, meaning this turkey vegetable soup could just as easily become a ham and potato soup, or a vegetarian hearty vegetable soup… the possibilities are endless, so let’s get cooking.

Chocolate Cranberry Braid (and the Science of Cranberry Sauce!)

November 17, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

Cranberry braids are really easy to make, and so delicious when you make homemade cranberry sauce, too! Plus, learn the science behind cranberry sauce and how to make it at home! It's part science experiment for kids and part delicious thanksgiving recipe!

I love cranberries. Something about that fall flavor just tastes awesome. That said, they can be pretty stinkin’ tart when you just taste one. The kiddo found out the hard way because when we cook together, he insists on tasting every single ingredient. It got me thinking about the science behind cranberries and a way we could learn by experimenting while we cook!

Harvest Succotash

November 7, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

This harvest succotash is easy to make and contains all of your fall favorites-- okra, corn, zucchini, squash, and chicken-- in one delicious skillet! Trust me, you'll love using your fall produce to make this easy recipe!

Growing up, fall trips to Silver Dollar City were kind of a big deal. I mean, the Ozarks are just stunning in the autumn as it is– beautiful orange and red leaves, rolling hills, and just the smells of fall. One of those scents that I’ve tucked away in my memory is the wafting fragrance of the giant cast iron skillets of succotash… delicious squash, corn, chicken, and okra, all sauteed in the skillet with plenty of butter and served in bowls. It’s just one of those fall must-haves, and I was dying to replicate it at home when this year didn’t have a trip to Silver Dollar City in the cards.

Surprisingly Easy Salted Caramel Cocoa

November 4, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

Love salted caramel mochas and salted caramel cocoa? It's incredibly easy to make at home! Check out this easy DIY Salted Caramel Cocoa recipe so you can have a coffeeshop favorite at home with sea salt, homemade caramel, and delicious chocolate. #CupForCrushingIt #ad

Fall temperatures are finally starting to get colder. I mean, seriously, we’ve spent most of the autumn in the 70s and 80s, so it hasn’t ever really felt like fall. The one saving grace is that the leaves are starting to turn red and orange, and I’ve been able to enjoy some fall drinks like Pumpkin Spice Cocoa and this Salted Caramel Cocoa… eventually, you may even decide to skip your favorite coffeehouse stop altogether, because trust me, this is SO, so easy to make.

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples (In the Slow Cooker!)

November 2, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

In the fall, nothing beats fried apples like the ones you get from Cracker Barrel. Luckily, they're incredibly easy to make in your slow cooker! These slow cooker fried apples are perfect for serving at a fall party or enjoying with a warm winter's meal. Perfect side dish for comfort food! | crock pot | baked apples | cinnamon apple | slow cooker side |

There’s just something special about going to Cracker Barrel for lunch. No, it’s not the checkers outside or the store in the front of the restaurant. It has to be the epic side dishes you can get with your meal. It never fails… my order is the same every time I go there. Chicken and dumplings with fried apples, mac and cheese, and the hashbrown casserole. For the longest time, Cracker Barrel was my choice because I couldn’t get those darn apples anywhere else. Want to know a secret, though? I learned how to make a spot-on copycat so I don’t have to drive quite as far for that heavenly cinnamon apple goodness… without further ado, here’s how to make Cracker Barrel Style Fried Apples (in your slow cooker!)

Pizza Style Zucchini Roll Ups

October 31, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PickedAtPeak #CollectiveBias

Skip the pizza... these delicious zucchini roll ups are topped with all of your favorite pizza toppings, then bake and serve over your favorite pasta, or skip the pasta and go low-carb! If you like zucchini, you'll love this family-friendly meal with Prego Farmer's Market sauce and fresh produce from Walmart. #PickedAtPeak [ad]

I don’t know who started the whole swap-zucchini-for-pasta trend, but I kind of want to hug them. See, in the fall, I love to add squash to my favorite recipes, and making this yummy zucchini roll up is a perfect way to swap out lasagna noodles for squash in one of my favorite family recipes. There’s just something about a hearty meal that the whole family will love (probably because it tastes just like pizza) that’s still a little bit friendlier at working in fresh produce. Making the most of seasonal produce is a pretty important thing– why not use produce that’s at its peak? That’s why when I saw Prego Farmers’ Market® on the shelves at my local Walmart store, I knew exactly what recipe I wanted to make using the fresh produce and that sauce.

Cheese-Stuffed Barbecue Meat Bombs

October 19, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AD #Tailgreatness #CollectiveBias

It's tailgating season! Whatever team you're cheering on, you have to try these delicious cheese-stuffed meat bombs. Part sausage, part beef, part gooey melty cheese, all amazing. They're coated in barbecue sauce and cooked in the slow cooker, so they're sure to be a hit for your next tailgating party! Pick up ingredients (and Nexium to prevent heartburn!) at @Walmart. #Tailgreatness [ad]

Tailgating season is now in full swing, and I have to admit, I’m really excited. You see, here in Kansas City tailgating generally means barbecue, and y’all know how much I love barbecue. But one recipe that’s been a recent favorite when I tailgate is this: sausage and beef, blended together and stuffed with cheese, coated in barbecue sauce, and cooked in the slow cooker until they’re ready to enjoy. I can’t imagine a tailgate without them. Made with spicy sausage, they’re even worth the heartburn (which, luckily, I have a solution for).

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