Chocolate Chip Cherry Bites

My kids are totally into making all kinds of snack bites like these lately. They’re such a yummy treat, are great for lunchbox packing, and best of all…the kids can literally make these from start to finish all by themselves….Just look at Jude’s work of art…I can’t handle how cute and homemade looking they are! Continue reading

Cranberry Almond Muffins


I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving! And now we enter the holidays…bring on the warm, cozy food! It’s a great time of year to utilize all of the gorgeous fresh cranberries around and this recipe celebrates them in the most wonderful way.

It took me a couple try’s to get this recipe right….and now, I feel pretty darn good sharing it with you because man, oh man, are they a treat! Continue reading

Slow-Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Enchilada Cups

SONY DSCHow much do you love appetizers?  Give them to me for every meal, friends.  There’s really nothing like trying a bunch of different small bites.  And with the Super Bowl coming up I think these little Enchilada Cups are going to come in pretty darn handy.

We made these just last night for dinner.  I wanted to come up with an appetizer recipe to share with you guys that would be just perfect for you to share with friends for Sunday’s big game.  I’m pretty sure I accomplished my goal…but turns out they make a pretty stellar dinner, too.  My kids devoured them and requested they be added to the “make-often-because-these-are-our-favorite” list, which is pretty much music to my ears.  And I would feel safe assuming Nick and I could win awards for our ability to consume large amounts of these as well; so stinking yummy! Continue reading

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

SONY DSCFriends, it’s all beginning!  Snow.  Elastic pants.  Food overload.  Family time.  The holidays….yay!

Are you all set for Thanksgiving?  Turkeys brining?  Recipes ready to rock and roll?  We will be hosting my in laws again this year so it will be cozy and quiet…looking forward to a wonderful day with lots of food.  When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner I’m a bit of a traditionalist….aside from throwing in a fun, new salad here and there I like to stick to the basics.  Classic roasted turkey.  Mashed potatoes and gravy.  Stuffing. Those are the basics….delicious, dependable, crowd pleasing basics.  And then…in my house, there is no such thing as a Thanksgiving meal without Ina’s Spinach Gratin-I die.  And a good old fashioned cranberry sauce-can never ever ever get enough.   Continue reading

Chocolate Banana Muffins

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How often do you have over-ripe bananas sitting on your counter?  Is it just me?  I swear it happens weekly, yet I continue to buy the same bunch that tends to go partially uneaten every time I do my shopping.  Maybe it’s because I love a good challenge?  Because Lord knows you can only make so much banana bread and so many peanut butter banana smoothies…it forces me to switch things up and get creative with those leftover sweeties.

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No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites

SONY DSCYou aren’t going to believe these.  Truly.

Let’s just start with the fact that they involve only 6 simple ingredients.

And then lets discuss the fact that there is no cooking involved.  Or blending.  Or pureeing.  Or effort.  None.

SONY DSCAnd then let’s talk about how much more healthful they are than your typical store-bought white sugar packed peanut butter chocolate granola bars.

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Gooey Chocolate Zucchini Bread

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Guys, I write to you with reservation.  This is not how this was supposed to go.  We weren’t supposed to end our zucchini week this way.  I had big dreams.  High hopes.  Goodbyes are difficult…zucchini goodbyes, well, they deserve more than a confidence-lacking post.

You see, I was kind of saving the best for last here with this bread.  I made it last week…it was incredible…but I didn’t take photos.  Figured I’d make it again this week because my kids acted like famished wolves when I made the last batch…it would be a perfect opportunity for me to get some photos for you. How special to be able to share them on this last day we have together with zucchini.  I hate goodbyes.   Continue reading