Strawberry + Yogurt Breakfast Muffins

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.” 

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Double-Dipped French Toast (IHOP Copycat!)

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).

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Beefy Macaroni Soup

Cold weather calls for comfort food, and this beefy macaroni soup fits the bill! Beef, hearty macaroni noodles, and cheese make this a delightful soup the whole family will love!

Cold weather calls for comfort food, and this beefy macaroni soup fits the bill! For my family, cold weather is always soup weather, and I love a good soup recipe that basically contains the things I already keep in my pantry or freezer– who wants to get out if they don’t have to? Next weekend, we’re staring down a mini ice storm, and we’re prepared for soup weather. Beef, hearty macaroni noodles, and cheese make this a delightful soup the whole family will love, and it’s SO simple to make– you just need one pot!

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Ball Drop Cookie Pops

These Ball Drop Cookie Pops are perfect for your New Year's Eve celebrations! Just like the sparkling Swarovski of the REAL ball in Times Square, these cake pop-inspired treats are perfect for sharing and serving for the New Year!

I cannot even handle the fact that 2017 is just days away. I’ve already started planning my new year’s resolutions, and I’ve bought a brand new shiny planner, but I’m mostly banking on the idea of going to bed at like… 8pm on New Year’s Eve. Regardless of when I’m going to bed, though, one thing I know for sure is that it’s not the New Year without a ball drop, so I’ve got these Ball Drop Cookie Pops for you! (And they’re done in less time than it even takes to bake a cake for cake pops!)

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Raspberry White Chocolate Cake Balls

Christmas, valentine's day, springtime, any time of year is a great time for these delicious raspberry white chocolate cake balls. They're a great addition to any dessert table, and they're easy to make! Add a stick, and you've got beautiful cake pops anyone will love! Raspberry, white chocolate, a drizzle of caramel... heavenly dessert, in bite-sized portions.

During raspberry season, I can’t seem to keep raspberries in stock in my house… I buy a package, and suddenly they’re gone. I equate it with one of the great mysteries of life… my raspberries keep disappearing, and I don’t know how. Except maybe it has a little to do with the fact that my entire family loves raspberries. The only downside is raspberries have a pretty short season here in Kansas, but luckily, I’ve worked some frozen raspberries into these amazing Raspberry White Chocolate Cake Balls that are a perfect treat in the middle of winter when you just want a little raspberry taste. They’ll be the hit of the Christmas party, New Year party, or Valentine’s party while you wait for raspberries to come back into season next summer.

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Kiss Under the Mistletoe Milkshake Mocktail Shots

Love milkshakes? These adorable Kiss Under the Mistletoe Milkshake Mocktail Shots are adorable mini options when it comes to winter indulgence. And they're delicious! These simple-to-make milkshakes are perfect for winter parties, Christmas parties, and more. They're the perfect party drink at Christmas!

I can’t be the only one who loves bite-sized indulgences at Christmas time. I am one of those people who just can’t make a decision, especially when it comes to the dessert table, so I really love being able to take a bite of this and a bite of that… that’s what makes these Kiss Under the Mistletoe Milkshake Mocktail Shots so perfect– they’re bite-sized (sip-sized?) milkshakes that are PACKED with holiday flavor in a shot-sized serving, so you can indulge, but still have room for pie after.

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Mr. Grinch Mocktail (with Only 3 Ingredients!)

I received the KinderPerfect card game for free to feature in this blog post. All opinions are my own.

Having a Monday that feels like a Thursday? This Mr. Grinch mocktail will keep your crabbiness away during the season of holiday cheer when you're feeling more like a grinch than a cheermeister. And with only 3 ingredients, it'll definitely make your heart grow 3 sizes-- perfect for a last-minute holiday party drink!

Ever have one of those Mondays that feels so stressful, so exhausting, that you feel like it should be placed at the END of the week rather than the beginning? Yeah, me, too. Because it’s the holidays, the days of sugar and excitement and SANTA, my son is currently standing on a couch in his underwear, covering his ears while he screams the lyrics to Jingle Bells. Note to self: Hide the candy canes before we go into sugar overload. Yeah, it’s one of those Mondays. Luckily, I’ve got just the mocktail to help with that whole situation… because sometimes mommy needs a time out. Plus, this Mr. Grinch mocktail only has 3 ingredients, so by the end of the glass, you’ll feel more like a holiday CheerMeister than a Grinch… trust me.

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

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!

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No-Bake Energy Bites

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

Break out of your morning rush with these super simple no-bake chocolate energy bites-- they even taste like cookies! Grab them for breakfast or enjoy them as a snack to keep you going throughout the day. #CarnationBreakfastEssentials #sponsored

I have to admit… I really like any excuse to eat cookies for breakfast. Who doesn’t? When my mom was young, she’d sometimes make a batch of no-bake cookies to enjoy for breakfast, and I have to say, it’s not a bad idea… after all, oatmeal, peanut butter, they’re a decent start to getting what you need out of the morning. With a few tweaks, I think I’ve perfected that idea… and trust me, these are an incredibly delicious Energy Bite option that tastes just like cookies for breakfast. You don’t even need to turn on your stove or oven.

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Homemade Apple Cider Donuts

Craving homemade apple cider donuts? These are just like the ones from the cider mill by my house, but entirely homemade and 100% delicious. If you love donuts or love apple cider, you'll love this apple cider donut recipe for breakfast or a snack! #SoFabSeasons

There are a few things that just say fall to me… barbecue for tailgating, regardless of which sport you support, corn mazes, and of course, apple cider donuts. A hot apple cider donut, freshly fried, with a warm cup of apple cider, is just something that screams autumn to me. I couldn’t resist making them at home.

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