I was browsing through the $5 Dinner Mom’s website when I came across her ingenious idea to mix up a big batch of seasonings at one time for an easy homemade Ranch dressing. Once your spice mixture has been made it’s a very simple process to add your perishable ingredient whenever you’re in the mood …
Filled Pancakes (a.k.a. Whole-Wheat Ebelskivers)
I recently saw a recipe for Ebelskivers in Parade Magazine that called for an unbelievable amount of sugar followed by even more sugar to be sprinkled on top of the finished product. Sure, these donut-like, filled Danish fritters might remind you of dessert, but they by no means need all that sugar (and white flour) …
Video: How To Read Ingredient Labels
I am super excited to share this video with you today. Reading ingredient labels is one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to cutting out highly processed foods. And that's because reading the ingredients is the number one way to know what's in your food. Honestly, food marketers make it no easy task though. They distract us with misleading…
The Best Oven Baked Chicken Wings!
So, I was working on a recipe for chicken wings when not long after I started, my husband basically took over. Just for the record my husband CAN cook, and I love it when he does - it just doesn't happen all that often anymore!
Easy Whole-Grain Corn Tortillas
Making corn tortillas from scratch is an incredibly simple process with the help of a tortilla press. And I promise it is worth the effort because freshly made corn tortillas absolutely blow away the store-bought bagged version. All you have to do is take a warm homemade tortilla out of the hot pan, sprinkle a …
Video: 7 “Healthy” Foods – That Really Aren’t
Surely we all know by now that the Food Industry has only one thing top of mind - and that's to make money. So they do a great job of making factory-made items appear that they're good for us when in fact they're highly processed. Here are just a few items that are touted as "healthy foods" that, when you take a look at…
Weeknight Beef Bourguignon
I'm so excited to share one of my family's favorite recipes today - Beef Bourguignon! I took a recipe and combined and cut out a few steps (my favorite thing to do with recipes!) to make it an easy weeknight meal that is now a go-to for my family.
Video: Candy-Free Easter Ideas (that are still fun!)
Yes, I know.... Easter is only one day a year so "let kids be kids!" Well, guess what? I think kids can still be kids with sidewalk chalk and new games and bubbles and water balloons and craft supplies and even their very own gardening tools! There are way too many holidays and "special" occasions centered around junk food these days (which, frankly, isn't…
Lemon Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower
This is another dish that's easy enough to throw together for a busy weeknight meal, yet pretty enough to make for dinner guests as well! I recently made this recipe when my parents were in town (with a big salad on the side), and the serving platter was completely empty by the end of dinner. I absolutely love meals that are so much easier…
The Only Halloween Candy I’ll Buy (Plus Other Alternatives)
I am actually not even handing out candy this year, but if I were going to there's only one type of candy I'd be spending my money on. Check out my recent Charlotte Today Show clip to see... The "cleanest" Halloween candy on the market. What I am going to hand out this year. Other fun alternatives to candy. What my daughters would choose…
Quiche with a Super Easy Whole-Wheat Crust (+ a Video!)
My girls love to help me make this recipe. My 5-yr-old can practically mix and pat out the crust all by herself (if she can do it so can you!) while my 2-yr-old happily stirs the egg mixture. We decided to make our quiche half ham and cheese and half goat cheese and tomato the …
How to Make an Apple Sandwich
In case you’ve seen these apple sandwiches around, but have no idea how to make them…this is for you! First, you’ll need… Required Supplies: An apple (of course!) Some nut or seed butter like peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter Large knife, small table knife, and cutting board Small round cookie cutter (I got …
Video: How I Set Up for School Lunch (and Breakfast)!
I am excited to share with you our very first professionally made video, or "vlog" as some call it! There was just no better way to show you how we do set up for school lunch around here to ensure school mornings go as smoothly as possible. So enjoy (and be sure to check out the video notes just below). P.S. You'll get a…
Video: How to Make Homemade Gravy in 3 Easy Steps!
Whether it's for the upcoming holidays or just Sunday dinner...it's SO super easy to make your own homemade gravy from scratch.
Video: How to Make a Perfect Grilled Cheese!
I bet you didn't know you've been making grilled cheese wrong all this time. There are two tricks - First, is a key ingredient that I bet you aren't using nearly enough of and the second is a secret ingredient that takes this classic sandwich from good to amazing!
Let’s Commit to a Device-Free Dinner!
It's no secret that smart phones, tablets and the like have taken over our lives. It's my hope though that we can all agree to keep one sacred place device-free, and that's the dinner table!
Video: Don’t Fall For These Deceiving Packaged Foods!
I got to do one of my favorite things on the Charlotte Today show this morning...debunk deceiving food labels! We went through 6 different examples of packaged foods, and I shared better (and realistic) alternatives for each. I used to buy every single one of these processed items before my real food wake up call back in 2010. Which ones have you fallen for?
Video: A Tour of my Real Food Pantry
I am excited to share another new video with you today. I recently posted a "How to Read Ingredient Labels" video where I walked through 8 packaged food examples and how to pick out the "bad" stuff. Some of the commenters asked if I could show the "good" stuff they should be buying instead, and thankfully I had this pantry tour video ready to…
4-Ingredient Molten Lava Cakes
Even us die-hard real foodies love a “cheat” treat every now and then. And if it’s homemade from scratch (and includes chocolate!!) I am game. These molten lava cakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any other time of year you’re simply having a craving. Their naturally small size helps keep serving sizes in check, …
No-Cook Veggie Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
I've got a fun summer kitchen project for you that might just get your kids to try some new veggies! Not only are these Veggie Spring Rolls fun to make, but you'll end up eating the entire rainbow in one meal.
Doctors TV Appearance: 5 Tips For Your Picky Eater!
I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to share my back story and picky eater tips on The Doctors TV show today! A big welcome to anyone joining us for the first time after seeing the segment, which can be watched here: **** Mobile users may need to click this link to view. …
Video: What Real Food to Make vs Buy (Part 2)
I had the opportunity to share some more of my "Make vs Buy" real food tips on the Charlotte Today Show yesterday. Here's a copy of the video clip for you and also a summary of the products I discussed on the segment just below.
Kraft Acknowledged Petition But Didn’t Address Concerns
For the first time in the more than 2 weeks since we launched our petition asking Kraft to remove artificial dyes from their line of macaroni and cheese, Kraft has finally acknowledged our petition and the more than 270,000 consumers who have signed it. (Transcript of video below) Our Video Response To Kraft's Latest Letter Kraft's Letter Posted on their Website (This was not…
A Whole Foods Meal Plan (+ budget tips!)
I created a downloadable, printable 5-day Whole Foods meal plan utilizing recipes that are doable for busy families + 6 ways to save at WFM.