July 9 is Sugar Cookie Day. Are you a cookie baker? It’s easy to resort to slice and bake cookies but it is also super easy to make your own basic sugar cookie dough. It keeps well and can be used to make all sorts of delicious holiday treats. Why Buy Slice and Bake? Make…
This Swiss chard breakfast skillet is crammed full of fresh grown veggies and the salty taste of bacon, all topped with soft cooked eggs and fresh parsley. Breakfast at my house is either a grab and go on the way out the door moment, or an occasion to experiment with flavors and tastes that will…
These peanut butter and chocolate bars have a crunchy base and topping and are just oozing with the flavor of rich, dark chocolate combined with decadent sweetened condensed milk. The gooey bars are my new favorite way to indulge when I get a yen for a Reese’s peanut butter taste combo. Anyone who reads this…
We tend to think of edible gardens as those that grow vegetables but there are also many fruits that can be grown just as easily at home. There are several types of melons that are right at home in a vegetable garden. Growing melons such as cantaloupe and honeydew require a few things: plenty of sunshine and…
I am always looking for ways to make my favorite recipes healthier without sacrificing their flavor. Heart healthy food substitutes are one of the first steps in managing heart disease and improving overall general health. I have put together a list of many replacements that you can incorporate into your daily diet that taste good…
Wheatgrass is also known as winter wheat or wheat berries. Sprouted seeds have many health benefits and can also be use in home decor projects and used as a stimulant for your cat’s digestive system. This tutorial shows everything you need to know about growing wheatgrass at home. Kitty is not the only one who…
Ever since it was established in 1970, people around the world take part in Earth Day Activities as a way to celebrate National Earth Day on April 22. This day is now a worldwide event where more than 1 billion people take part in a day of action. Here are some things that you can…
If you are looking for a tasty breakfast recipe that is full of flavor but low on calories, this egg white quiche is a winner. This crustless quiche is so colorful and hearty and is just brimming over with taste. It’s a great healthy twist on the traditional breakfast option. I’m a quiche lady. I…
An antipasto platter is a delicious combination of cheeses, vegetables and meats, usually served with good wines. It’s a great way to start an evening with friends and is very easy to put together. Antipasto, (the plural is called antipasti) when translated, means “before the meal.” Antipasti platters are meant to stimulate your guest’s appetite before they…
Plants, vegetables and trees can grow into the most amazing shapes. These oddities of nature show that twists, bends and outgrowths can turn an ordinary plant into something that looks totally different. This inspiration for this post came from a morning breakfast jaunt. After breakfast Richard and I were driving around and we came upon…
For many of us, the New Year means making a resolution to lose a few extra pounds that seem to magically appear during the holiday season. But losing some weight does not necessarily mean that you have to just eat lettuce and vegetables. There are many healthy kitchen swaps that you can use all year…
It is getting to that time of the year again. My vegetable gardening projects are slowing down and I have to start thinking about the first frost. It is also the time to start thinking about preserving herbs that seem to be in abundant supply right now. I have a huge group of fresh herbs…
What can you do if you don’t have the time or space for composting in the traditional way? This is where trench composting is your friend. Most organic vegetable gardeners are aware of the benefits of having compost pile. Adding kitchen scraps to a bin or mound of decaying plant matter gives the perfect mix…
Vinegar is a versatile and effective household product that is more useful than just for making salad dressing. There are dozens of vinegar uses in the home. From soaking your sponges to keeping your counters free of ants, this product is a must have. I recently had to deal with ants in my kitchen and tested some…
Critters in the garden range from beneficial to invasive. Some actually are listed by the US Department of Agriculture as invasive pests that need to be controlled. See my tips for dealing with these unwanted bugs. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal…
One of the latest trends in the diet industry is a gluten free diet. And for many of those people a gluten free diet is not necessary at all. The Diet was designed primarily for those who suffer from Celiac Disease. If you are someone who follows this diet, either to lose weight or for…
Are you looking for a tasty breakfast option for those days when you want a little sweeter start to your day? This Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake has loads of flavor and is perfect for brunch on a lazy weekend. It also makes a super dessert! Following a wheat free diet can mean that you have…
Are there times when you are missing just one ingredient and can’t make a recipe? Perhaps you are following a meal plan or trying to lose weight and you can’t have certain foods. If so, you will find these recipe substitutes and replacements a big help in getting your meals on the table in no time at…
This crustless quiche Lorraine is a great alternative to the normal recipe. It has all the flavors of a Julia Child’s traditional quiche Lorraine but has far less fat and calories and no crust. Trust me, you won’t miss those extras at all. It tastes amazing and makes a great addition to your collection of…
When summer arrives, my goal is to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen. Lunch for me means that it is time for salad recipes. But forget boring “lettuce food” style salads. When I say salad I mean a bowl full of heart healthy goodness and an amazing dressing. This Hearty Chicken Sunflower…
With summer comes lots of outdoor living. Sadly, that can mean lots of mosquitoes. I don’t like to use chemical products but, thankfully, Mother Nature has the perfect answer – Mosquito Repelling Plants! We can grow annuals, perennials and herbs that will keep the bugs away naturally. With all the hype about West Nile Virus,…
These Italian sweet potatoes combine with fresh herbs and diced tomatoes for the most amazing full flavored side dish. They are wonderful served with any protein and even taste great as leftovers the next day as part of a cooked breakfast. Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile in recipes. You can substitute them in any recipe…
This Spinach Frittata with mushrooms and leeks is just bursting with flavor and comes together in about 20 minutes. The recipe is dairy free, low carb and Paleo and Whole30 compliant. Are you a breakfast person? We love to really splurge on it in my house. My whole family loves a cooked breakfast. They really…
A big focus of mine, lately, is trying to cut out carbs. (or at least cut them way, way down!) That can make breakfast a bit of a challenge. But not so with these Paleo Sweet Potato Breakfast Stacks. The sweet potato acts like a piece of bread and it gets stacked with the most…
This Mason Jar Easter Bunny project is a great alternative for celebrating the holiday. It comes together in just minutes and would also make a great table centerpiece for your dessert table. I love hiding Easter eggs and making a basket for kids as much as the next person. But it can get pretty expensive…
,My husband loves any type of dessert that is made with fruit. Lemon meringue pies, orange cheesecakes, apple crumble – you name it, if it has fruit in it, he’ll love it. This Orange Bundt Cake with a light orange glaze is my latest attempt at pleasing his sweet tooth. There is something just amazing…
