These low calorie brownies have no oil but still pack a powerful flavor. The secret is using diet soda for this slimmed down dessert. Making these diet Dr. Pepper brownies is easy and they have a much lower calorie count than normal brownies, so they are easy on your waist line. The brownies are lighter …
Carol Speake
If you garden a lot, you will likely have a run-in with poison ivy at some point. These natural ways to treat poison ivy will help you beat the itch. Leaves of three, leave them be. That is the old saying for dealing with poison ivy. If you garden a lot, you will most likely, …
These frugal seed starting pots and containers make use of household items and do the job of starting seeds for annuals and perennials just fine! Some plants need a long time to mature. Others, like bell peppers, need extra time to turn red. Starting seeds ahead of planting time helps! I love this time of …
These DIY newspaper seed pots cost almost nothing and make perfect containers for your seeds. They are a fun budget garden project that the kids will love. Starting seeds indoors in the late winter and early spring really increases the time that you can enjoy your vegetable garden in the growing season. Some plants need …
This Mediterranean Bean & Chickpea Salad is my latest recreation of some of the dishes that I have been sampling when we eat out at Mediterranean restaurants. For another healthy and filling salad, check out my antipasto salad with home made red wine vinaigrette. It is full of bold flavors. My husband has long been …
This Roasted Yam Salad with seasoned chicken has the most amazing flavors. It’s simple to make and just full of hearty goodness and flavor. Salads don’t have to be boring and this is one proves it in spades. This vegetable salad is the perfect way for me to incorporate a wonderful blend of superfoods into …
These chocolate chip oatmeal muffins have a few tweaks to them that make them lower in calories, but still loaded with flavor. They make a great breakfast on the go. There are some mornings when I go all out and have a cooked breakfast, and then other mornings when I am looking for something quick, …
This one pot creamy spinach sausage fettuccine recipe is one that I get asked to make again and again. It is that tasty! I love fettuccine, my whole family loves sausages, and I love meals that come together easily. Pasta and sausages go together in my house like a hand and glove. My husband loves …
Making lunch time healthy is easy if you follow these tips. With a bit of thought and a little planning ahead, you can make sure that your lunch time is healthy by choice. If you are like me, you may find that preparing a healthy meal at lunch can be a bit of a challenge. …
I have to admit it. I love a girls’ night in. It gives me a chance to have a few of my gal friends over, watch some chick flicks without the guys complaining about it, and enjoy some of our favorite foods. It is a no stress night that is filled with laughter and fun, …
These early spring garden projects will get a jump start on your garden and will get you outside too! From lawn care ideas to tips for growing perennials in the spring, i’ve got you covered. I know that in most parts of the country, the ground is still covered with snow, but as any good …
Today’s recipe for yellow fin tuna with pineapple salsa is easy to make and the pineapple adds a great freshness to this fish recipe. I love yellow fin tuna. It is also known as Ahi Tuna and can be prepared in so many ways. Keep reading to find out how to make this dish. Add …
These eco-friendly cardboard tube seed starting pots began their life in a gift wrapping roll. Did you know that the tubes which are on the inside of a roll of wrapping paper can do double duty in your garden when the paper is gone? These little pots are one of my favorite DIY garden ideas …
These Skinny Ground Turkey Enchiladas are my latest attempt at lightening up a normal Mexican food recipe and my whole family loved them. It’s pretty much guaranteed, in our house, when I ask the question of my husband “where would you like to eat out tonight?” that he will pick one of his favorite Mexican …
I like to be ready to hit the ground running in the spring, so I thought it would be a good time to start thinking ahead with these lawn care tips. Even though there is snow on the ground in many parts of the country, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead to spring. …
This recipe for albacore tuna rice paper spring rolls rivals the ones my husband and I get at our favorite Thai restaurant. I love Asian inspired recipes. They are clean and full of healthy ingredients and so flavorful. They are light, crunchy and go perfectly with the sweet and spicy home made dipping sauce. These …
Everything for this one pan roasted chicken dinner is placed on a baking sheet and it is ready to eat before you know it. One pan, easy clean up, fast. Oh my goodness, my mind is going into overtime dinner love for this one! I make roast chicken all the time, but normally I do the …
This easy Parmesan chicken recipe is perfect for those nights when time is at a premium and everyone is telling me that they are hungry. Getting something on the table in a hurry for a hectic weeknight can sometimes be a challenge. I normally like to cook everything from scratch but there are times when I …
This crock pot jambalaya is a nice addition to my long list of my favorite crock pot recipes. I love the way it turned out! I have eaten jambalaya many times when dining out but this is one of those recipes that I have not made at home. That is, until today. Crock pot meals …
Are you thinking of getting healthy in the New Year? Practice these 5 tips. New Year, New Thoughts….time to take stock, think back on last year, and make plans for the coming year. For many of us, that means focusing on getting healthy or losing weight, in the New Year. Is that one of your …
My latest excursion into waffle kingdom is these wonderful peanut butter banana Belgian waffles with dark chocolate and whipped cream. HEAVEN for breakfast! I have discovered a love of all things waffles lately. There is nothing quite like the taste of these delicious, toasty treats with wells that just scream out for something to fill …
Now that the temperatures have dropped and the holidays have gone, I decided that a winter door swag makeover was in order. I have a wreath, or door swag on my front door year-round. The door has an oval glass panel in it and putting a swag there gives me a bit of extra privacy …
My North Carolina winter garden is a sight to behold right now. Winter storm Jonas has been all in the news this week. It left a blanket of snow and ice from the South in the US right up the corridor to New England. Winter storm Jonas may break some records on the east coast! …
Those of you who have a space problem will enjoy my favorite organization tips for small kitchens. There may be some ideas you have not considered doing. New Year – New Order. That is my motto every January – especially on January 14, which is Organize Your Home Day. I live in a small house …
For the last few years, my thinking has shifted from one that involves thoughts of deprivation to one that focuses on the words “moderation and smart choices.” Each January, I take stock of the past year and focus on how I would like my coming year to be. For me, this often means a reset …
Nutella has both dairy and sugar and both of these are not allowed on a Paleo diet. These Paleo Nutella Cranberry Baked Apples are a tasty way to celebrate Nutella day guilt free. I love Nutella. I love baked Apples and I love fun celebration days. February 5 is Nutella day and what a tasty day …