Italian Sausage Soup

Jun 24 2019

Italian Sausage Soup with collard greens, white beans and diced tomatoes. Your entire family is going to love this easy to make hearty soup, and even better it’s only 180 calories a serving! This creamy soup is dairy free, keto and low carb.

Italian Sausage Soup

This Italian Sausage Soup is one of my family’s favorites! It’s become a staple on our dinner table, no matter what the season. In the Summer it’s perfect because you can use garden vegetables and really taste the freshness. In the Winter, it’s the perfect bowl of comforting soup on a chilly night!

You’re going to love how flavorful and zesty this Italian Soup is. It’s like you’ve gone on a Mediterranean vacation in your own kitchen!

Jun 19 2019

Easy to make homemade chocolate chip granola bars recipe! They taste just like Quaker Granola bars but are made with simple, healthy ingredients! No bake recipe, only chilling required. Kid, toddler snack approved!

Copycat Quaker Granola Bars

We love Quaker Granola bars in this house! Our favorite are the chocolate chip bars, which are great for a quick snack. I can’t tell you the amount of boxes that we have bought in the past years. One thing though I’ve never liked, the price. A box of granola bars usually ranges in the $4-$5 range which is pretty expensive considering it’s made with pretty basic ingredients.

So before I would go to the store and buy more, I decided to try to make my own. I’m so glad I did because not only are they (much) cheaper, but I find them more filling. Plus it’s a great feeling knowing every single ingredient (and being able to pronounce them) that’s going into them.

Jun 12 2019

Easy One Pot Broccoli Pasta recipe that the entire family is going to love! It’s quick to make, you only need 15 minutes! This is a healthy simple dish made with olive oil and Parmesan cheese, only 248 calories a serving.

Quick Broccoli Pasta

This is a one pot meal that takes 15 minutes TOTAL to make. That means that it’s a favorite of my family to eat on those busy weeknights where it feels like noone has enough time to make a healthy meal.

The only cooking you’ll be doing is boiling the pasta. Everything else is added into the pot at the very end. In just 15 minutes, you’ll be serving a beautiful spaghetti meal to your family that looks like it took much longer!

High 5!

Jun 08 2019

Bread Machine Italian Bread recipe. These easy step by step instructions show how to make crusty Italian bread in your machine. I make this homemade bread weekly for family!

Italian Bread Recipe For Bread Machine

One of the main reasons why I got a bread machine was because I found myself stopping at the local general store twice a week to pick up a Italian loaf. One of my first recipe goals was to make a Italian Bread that my family would love served with dinner. This bread is now made weekly in my kitchen!

We love this bread served alongside lasagna, Creamy Tomato Soup, and Slow Cooker Casseroles!

Jun 05 2019

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The BEST Black Bean Brownies recipe – healthy, vegan, gluten free and really easy to make! These moist brownies are made with canned black beans and peanut butter making them extra fudgy. I love how simple they are to make and how much kids and adults both love them!

Black Bean Brownie Recipe

You know I only share the best with you guys, right? So you totally have to believe me that this Black Bean Brownies Recipe is what brownie dreams are made out of!

We finished these brownies in 2 days. I went into the brownie box (what, you don’t have a brownie box?) for one and there was no more left. My hands started to shake, “Matthew, did you eat the last brownie?!” I shouted. He said yes. My night was destroyed. The next day I made another batch. These brownies are THAT GOOD.

Jun 03 2019

25 Cheap Meals for Large Families! All meals feed 6 or more people for less than $10. Recipes include Instant Pot, Crockpot, Soup, Meat and Pasta meals. Bookmark this page for family meals!

Cheap Meals for Large Families

Feeding your large family doesn’t need to be expensive, in fact you can feed your family of 6+ for less than $10 a night. All the recipes below do that, and many of them are actually 8-12 servings!

That means that not only does $10 run enough for dinner, but you also get a few leftover meals for lunch in there too! That means double savings!

May 30 2019

Here’s the 4 ways I give my cat a pill all by myself – without bleeding or crying! There’s a different way for every personality, even difficult cats!

You’re standing at the vet and they tell you that your cats need to go on medicine. Ok, no big deal, I’ll just mix it in their food. Then they tell you the medicine only comes in pill form. UGH, you start falling to the floor, sobbing and crying “I’m going to die!”. For anyone who’s ever had to pill a cat, this is probably a situation you can relate to. It’s very rare that a cat will take a pill willingly with a purr, so sometimes you have to figure out Plan B… and then Plan C, Plan D, Plan E when everything else fails.

Take a Deep Breath

First, take a deep breath. It’s totally going to be ok. I know at first it might not be a fun experience and you might get defeated, but you’ll figure it out. Even when your cat scratches you, bites you, makes a meow like it is dying (its not) just know you have to work hard to get that pill into your cat, it’s important, so don’t give up. Once you figure out what technique works for your cat then you’ll be smooth sailing (ok, maybe not smooth, but you’ll be calmer.. and your cat too).

Here's the 4 ways I give my cat a pill all by myself - without bleeding or crying! There's a different way for every personality, even difficult cats!

Xanadu, Goblin, Brother, Me.

May 28 2019

BAKED Cheddar Cheese Cauliflower Casserole recipe! This Loaded Cauliflower Cheese Bake is vegetarian and easy to make. This low carb, keto casserole can be either a side dish or a main dish!

Cauliflower Casserole

I love Spring because it’s the start of cauliflower season in the garden. Do you love cauliflower? What’s your favorite way to eat it? I love it raw as a snack, roasted as a side dish, and covered in cheese like it is in this Cheddar Cheese Cauliflower Casserole!

Let’s talk Cauliflower Nutrition

Cauliflower is a great vegetable to add to your menu. Not only is it only 29 calories per 1 cup, but it’s packed with vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E and B complex vitamins!

It’s low in carbs, is a great source of protein and provides calcium, potassium and iron to your daily diet!

What’s not to love about cauliflower?

Now ok, I get it, we’re taking healthy cauliflower and we’re adding cheese on top. And you’re absolutely right we are because it’s delicious! This casserole makes both a great side dish, as well as a main course.

We often have this for dinner with nothing else because it’s so filling (did I mention that it’s really good too?)!

May 22 2019

Life changing Peanut Butter Burger recipe! This healthy burger recipe is easy to make with ground turkey, bacon, cheese and creamy peanut butter. Give it a try!

Peanut Butter Burger

If I ask what my husband he wants for dinner, more than likely he will say “burgers.” What can I say, the man loves his burgers! This recipe is a twist on a basic burger recipe and packs a big taste punch with the creamy peanut butter and Worcestershire sauce.

These burgers are made with ground turkey and then topped with bacon, cheese and your favorite toppings! My favorite toppings are dill pickles and tomatoes! What’s yours?

May 21 2019

You only need one bowl for this Easy Scones Recipe! The secret to this homemade recipe is sour cream which makes light scones! Serve these crumbly English soft scones with clotted cream, jam and tea! You can add blueberry or raspberry to them to make them berry flavored!

Easy Scones Recipe

I’m all about recipes that are easy and delicious, and that’s why I wanted to share this easy scones recipe with you! From start to end (including baking time) you can have scones ready to eat in 30 minutes! Now that is easy!

May 17 2019

How to make BBQ Sausage Kabobs in the oven! This easy healthy recipe makes Sausage Shish Kabobs with mushrooms and peppers in the oven, no grill is needed!

How to Make Kabobs In The Oven

Hi everyone! It’s so easy to make Shish Kabobs in the Oven! You don’t need a grill for BBQ kabobs anymore! Let me show you how!

Can you believe it’s almost the end of May? Pretty soon it’ll be Summer and weekends will be filled with barbecues and picnics! I love a good barbecue but sometimes it’s hard living in the city. You either need to live in a building that allows grilling or you need to get to the park early to use one of the grills there.

May 16 2019

Baked Broccoli and Cheese Sticks recipe is easy to make and only uses 5 ingredients. This delicious snack food is perfect to serve as a party appetizer or snack! Your kids are going to love these easy cheesy broccoli bites!

Baked Broccoli Cheese Recipe

Do you love broccoli? Me too! These Baked Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Sticks are a great snack for broccoli lovers, perfect to serve as a appetizer for a party or as a afternoon snack. With our broccoli almost ready to be picked in the garden, I predict there’s going to be many Baked Broccoli and Cheese Sticks in my near future!

You only need a few ingredients for this recipe, the sticks are super cheesy, they’re packed with 3 cups of fresh broccoli – what’s more to say? They’re perfect!

What else is perfect? The combo of broccoli and cheddar cheese! I love these 2 ingredients for dinner! So it’s no surprise that when you mix broccoli and cheese together they make delicious cheesy snack sticks!

May 15 2019

Tips on how to treat a yeast diaper rash when Nystatin doesn’t work. You’ll see incredible results in 24 hours and it will be completely gone in 3 days. You’ll need Monistat 7, diaper rash cream, water wipes and a towel.

How to Get Rid of Yeast Diaper Rash

Since she was a baby my daughter has been prone to diaper rash. Even though we change her often, her sensitive skin sometimes can’t handle the littlest bit of moisture, and we end up with diaper rash. We’ve been working on combating diaper rash for a while now, but then there was a new enemy in town – Yeast Diaper Rash!

We treated our daughter’s yeast diaper rash with Monistat cream. We saw amazing results in 24 hours and it was completely gone in 3 days. I’m sharing this with you because I know how hard it can be to get rid of!

May 13 2019

Roasted Eggplant Soup recipe made with eggplant, carrots and garlic. This creamy healthy soup is easy to make and only 222 calories a serving. It’s one of my family’s favorite suppers! Recipe is vegetarian and can easily be made vegan.

Eggplant Soup

So here’s how this soup happened. I was sent a eggplant in my weekly vegetable subscription box. Some people would be thrilled, but honestly I wasn’t. I’ve never been a big eggplant fan. Maybe I just wasn’t exposed to the right recipes, maybe I never made it the right away, I’m not sure, but I never learned to love it.

May 09 2019

Easy 10 Minute Raspberry Jam recipe! This healthy homemade recipe uses 1 pint of fresh raspberries, honey and lemon juice. NO pectin or sugar required! I always make 2 jars – one to store in the refrigerator and one to store in the freezer!

Easy Raspberry Jam Recipe

I’m all about easy, delicious recipes. I know that you’re probably busy with a million other things to take care of, so that’s why I created this easy raspberry jam recipe. It only takes 10 minutes to make, and uses 1 pint of raspberries. Easy!

When Summer gives you fresh raspberries you stuff them in your mouth. Immediately. When Summer gives you so many fresh raspberries you can’t fit anymore into your mouth then you make this raspberry jam!

May 08 2019

EDIBLE Chocolate Carrot Strawberry garden is the perfect Mother’s day dessert craft from kids! This simple DIY craft uses chocolate cookies for dirt and chocolate covered strawberries for carrots! Great for toddlers, preschoolers and older children to make for Mothers and Grandmas who love to garden!

Mothers day crafts for kids

This edible garden craft is TOO CUTE! I was feeling crafty (and hungry) so I put together this chocolate covered strawberry treat that resembles a carrot vegetable garden – with rabbits and and all! This is such a fun Spring project and would make the best Mother’s Day gift from kids of all ages!

May 07 2019

Easy Vegetarian Collard Greens recipe, these are the best! Collard greens are simmered in a brown sugar vegetable broth making them full of flavor! Only 68 calories a serving making them healthy!

Vegetarian Collard Greens

With lots of greens to pick in the garden we are having a side dish of collard greens weekly at the dinner table. I love these collards so much I’ve been making a big batch to take to work to eat for lunch a few times a week.

May 06 2019

Kale Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and olive oil dressing is a healthy salad recipe! This easy salad includes massaged kale, cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers to make it a gorgeous rainbow salad! This salad is perfect for family dinners and big crowds.

Kale Salad Recipe

Do you ever have a meal that you become obsessed with? All of a sudden you don’t want a different meal every night, you want this one dish every single night until you get sick of it (which doesn’t seem because possible because you love it so much). That’s how I feel about this kale salad recipe! I LOVE IT!

I’ve been living on this salad for lunch and dinner. Even if Matthew talks me into making something else for dinner, I have a big side dish of this salad because I crave it so badly! A few years ago I wasn’t even that into kale, and then we started growing it and my life was changed forever. Move over lettuce and arugula, there’s a new best green for salads in town and it’s name is kale!

May 06 2019

4 HOUR JUICY Slow Cooker Meal for a 6 Pound Whole Chicken! This easy recipe makes the entire meal in the crock pot, including potatoes and other vegetables! You’ll love how simple it is to cook a HEALTHY Rotisserie Chicken meal! This is one of my favorite Crockpot dinners!

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

I’ve been really big on Slow Cooker recipes lately. Just last week I shared with you my Slow Cooker Bread, and this week I’m sharing the main course to go with it – a whole chicken! This chicken is juicy, full of flavor and is so easy to make!

This recipe makes a 5-7 pound whole chicken in the slow cooker in about 4 hours on high. Alternatively you could set it to 7 hours on low.

How to Make a Juicy Chicken

The key to making a juicy chicken in the slow cooker is that you want to give it some liquid to become moist, but you don’t want it to sit in the liquid. The solution is that you cut up a bunch of vegetables so the chicken has a “bed” to be placed on, keeping it above the liquid for the majority of cooking time.

For the liquid I used chicken broth, to keep the flavor in the right pallet. You could however play around with it! Do you want a citrus zest? Add some orange juice. Apple juice will add some sweetness. Just remember your veggies are cooking in it as well.

Apr 30 2019

Step by step guide on how to grow tomatoes from seed. Walks you through the process of growing seeds indoors, hardening off and planting in the garden! Learn how we grow hundreds of pounds of tomatoes every year!

How to Grow Tomatoes From Seed

Growing tomatoes from seed is one of the most rewarding experiences for a gardener. Tomatoes are easy plants to grow and produce bountiful harvests for cooking (hey tomato sauce! hey diced tomatoes! hey stewed tomatoes!), storage and snacking. Gardeners usually plant the same two or three varieties from their local garden store but growing from seed opens your garden up to thousands of new juicy possibilities.

What Do Tomato Seeds Look Like?

There are many varieties of tomatoes but two types – determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomato plants, also known as bush tomatoes, are more compact plants (generally 3-4′ tall) that are good for smaller gardens and that set all their fruit at the same time. After the fruit on the top bud of determinate plants sets the plant stops growing and is finished.