I was first introduced to gumbo from some neighbors across the street from us when I was a kid. They were from Louisiana and I remember the mom making gumbo one day for dinner when I was going to be coming over to play. More accurately, I remember my mom being like, “Man, that’s gonna be a good dinner. You’re so lucky.” I don’t remember actually eating it or enjoying it, just that there seemed to be a sense of specialness or magic about it....

Now, in that post we talked a little about the expectations women everywhere face because of the internet. On that note, has Pinterest pressured anyone out there to compulsively purchase a ridiculously large container of coconut oil? Admit it, and least 4,972 of you did. We know because at least half of you have emailed us to ask what the heck you should do with it now. Here’s an answer!...

What kind of green salsa should I use in Creamy Green Chili Chicken Bake? This is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make! The main flavor component here is green salsa. It’s a great shortcut ingredient because it has things like tomatillo, lime, cilantro, onion and garlic already in the jar. However, not all green salsas are NOT created equal. One of the biggest factors is the heat level....

We are entering the summer season (yes, I’m a little early, but can you forgive my eagerness?) and that means we need some summer salads! My mom’s classic spaghetti salad, my summer corn salad, creamy BLT pasta salad and healthy broccoli apple salad are just a few of our favorites. And today I’m bringing you a classic Southern side dish, creamy pea salad with bacon. It’s a staple at potlucks and picnics and church gatherings, as well as BBQ parties all summer long....

4.04 39 Published Sep 16, 2021, Updated Sep 27, 2023 Overall, I really like the texture of these steel cut oats (they’re chewier than rolled oats) and I adore the fact that they are so creamy without any added milk! Before I share the recipe, let’s address the elephant in the room – how are steel cut oats different than regular rolled oats? Different Types of Oats Explained If you’ve ever walked into a grocery store and wondered why there were a million different oat choices and wondered which to choose, you’re not alone....

4.96 25 Published Aug 20, 2023, Updated Feb 12, 2024 The base of this bark is medjool dates which are topped with a layer of peanut butter, chopped peanuts and melted chocolate. It legit tastes like a Snickers bar and is seriously SO addicting. I can’t wait for you to try it! Why You’ll Love This Recipe Tastes like a Snickers candy bar, but is made with wholesome, real food ingredients....

5 3 Published Oct 06, 2023, Updated Oct 18, 2023 This recipe is seriously so easy to make! All you need are 5 simple ingredients and a little patience while the date bars chill (that’s the hardest part, IMO!) and you’ll have a delicious bite-size treat that tastes just like the real deal minus the refined sugars or artificial ingredients. Why You’ll Love This Recipe It’s the perfect alternative to make for Halloween when you’re craving something sweet, but are trying to avoid store-bought candy....

Don’t eat the peep Click HERE for a high-resolution printable! So this is a silly little game that kids LOVE (even older kids, if you play your cards right). You can play it a couple of ways–if you want to play in small groups, click HERE for 8.5″x11″ pages that go on tables or the floor. If you want larger Peeps that you can tape on a wall or blackboard/whiteboard, click HERE (you’ll have to cut each page in half and then arrange them on the board in alternating colors; for longevity, you could laminate those pages....

With fresh ingredients, you can create a delicious, healthy, and refreshing drink that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or just need a cool drink to relax with, this lemon iced tea recipe is sure to become a favorite. Enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own refreshing iced tea with lemon at home, and don’t forget to experiment with different flavors to find your perfect blend....

Hello from the beach! I hope you guys are having as great a week as we are! We’ve been headed to the beach in the morning - building sand castles, zooming trucks around, splashing in the water - and then hitting up the pool in the afternoons. The kids are practicing their swimming, jumping in from the sides and just living it up. It’s been so great to have a week off (mostly) with these crazy kiddos....

5 6 Published Jun 16, 2023, Updated May 18, 2024 This banana smoothie has a super creamy texture and plenty of natural sweetness thanks to the frozen bananas and some added protein thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt. The week I tested this recipe I made it every day for a mid-afternoon snack. It’s seriously so delicious, refreshing and easy to make! Why You’ll Love This Smoothie Simple ingredients: You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this smoothie!...

I haven’t done a personal update in a blog post in a few weeks and thought I’d give you a short snapshot of what we’ve been up to: We had a really amazing, long, relaxing holiday season. There were lots of movie nights, walk and bike rides, family visits, games, reading and relaxing. And we somehow didn’t get completely sick of each other! We had a low key New Year’s with an early party for the kids at a neighbor’s house – complete with a milk and cookies toast and a balloon drop at 8:00 p....

Simple ingredients. Perfect texture and flavor. The best vanilla pudding ever! With flour at a premium these days with lockdowns, I’ve had to look at other ways to satisfy our occasional dessert craving. One of the easiest desserts that we turn to often is this classic and super easy homemade vanilla pudding. You can just as easily make creamy chocolate pudding if you prefer too. There’s nothing complicated about this recipe....

Ingredient Notes Flank Steak – Flank steak is a long, flat cut of meat, so it is sold with the ends tucked under in a sort of roll. Some stores sell it vacuum sealed on the top shelf. Ask someone in the meat department if you have trouble finding it! Marinade Pineapple Juice (from a can) Fresh Rosemary Vegetable Oil Soy Sauce Dijon Mustard Fresh Garlic Salt and Pepper How to Make Pineapple Rosemary Flank Steak

When I was a kid, our culinary adventures were not particularly, well, adventurous. We ate a lot of pot roasts and broccoli cheese soup and spaghetti. Don’t get me wrong–it was good, and seriously, now that I’m a mom, I have nothing but crazy admiration for the fact that my mom had tasty, well-balanced meals on the table every night and still managed to juggle her 5 kids’ (the oldest of whom was 16 years older than the youngest) extracurricular and social activities without causing us (or herself) physical or emotional harm....

Ingredients and Equipment List Butter – I recommend real (salted) butter. If you have dairy intolerances, can try out a plant based butter, but I’ve never tried it. Sugar – use standard granulated sugar in your cookie crust Egg – Make sure to use a large or extra large egg in this cookie recipe Almond and Orange Extracts – I use almond extract in my cookie and some orange extract in the toppling for a great flavor combination....

Today’s recipe comes from my husband’s grandmother and is a treasured family recipe she made for years and years. (Warning: Personal story coming. I also have helpful notes and hints about this recipe from the many, many times I’ve made it. But feel free to scroll right on down to the recipe card if that sorta thing makes you crazy.) Grandma had made it for my husband when we were going to be in Florida visiting, knowing that it was one of his favorites....

It’s a lightened up version of fried rice using one of my favorite fit-food ingredients: cauliflower. Let me tell you one thing from the get-go: I can’t swallow a piece of plain, raw cauliflower if my life depended on it. In fact, I never really ate it at all until I was an adult and the secret for me was trying roasted cauliflower. Holy smokes I can literally eat an entire pan of that stuff....

4.69 20 Published Nov 01, 2019, Updated Aug 13, 2024 Where My Love For Chick-Fil-A Sauce Began I was also hooked on fast food and my favorite restaurant was Chick-Fil-A. My go-to order was a large pack of chicken nuggets, waffle fries and of course, the Chick-Fil-A sauce. As an adult, I’ve added the kale crunch salad to my Chick-Fil-A order. I loved the sweet and savory flavor and would basically drown my whole meal in the sauce....

4.38 31 Published Feb 20, 2019, Updated Oct 31, 2023 Why I Love This Sheet Pan Meal I personally LOVE sheet pan dinners because you can throw everything onto one pan, bake it and voila! A delicious, healthy dinner is ready to go. PLUS you only have to wash one pan (and a cutting board). Score! This particular sheet pan dinner doesn’t get much simpler. We’re using pre-cooked organic chicken sausage links....