Pumpkin Whoopie Pies I was going back through some old recipes and the photos from these kept catching my eye. I remember spending tons of time to get the light just right and I really like how these photos turned out. I don't think they were approved by the food blog photo sites, but that's...
About a week ago I heard about the Whole 30 program--basically a super strict version of the Paleo lifestyle to really break you of sugar cravings and food associated mood swings. I decided to do it. June 1st was my first day of my self proclaimed, " 30 days of boring" yet I am learning...
This recipe for chess squares is super easy Southern dessert that everyone loves. The ingredients are common and the prep is simple. Make these to impress your friends and family. Years ago, I made these Chess Squares on my old site (FortyCakes.com) after finding the recipe on Kevin and Amanda.com. The original recipe may come from...
Today Yesterday started my second adventure with the Whole 30. Since my first Whole 30, way back in 2014, I learned a few things that are essential to my success on any kind of eating plan. The most essential is planning. Without planning, you are setting yourself up for failure. Without planning, you will succumb to the...
Since I have started doing CrossFit again (reminder...write a new post about CrossFit), I have been trying to follow a sort of Paleo way of eating. The only problem is when I go to Trader Joes, I want things like kim chee fried rice, green chile and cheese tamales, and BBQ chicken frozen pizzas. We...
I challenged myself to the Whole 30 program way back in July 2014 and felt great through the whole program (read a bit about that history here). I am kicking off a new one tomorrow and wanted to pull this post to the forefront of the website. I got so much out of it and...
My History with the Whole 30 Over a year ago, I was getting ready for a trip to Hawaii and the Azores, and I was feeling bad. I didn’t want to be the biggest girl on the paddleboard trip on Kauai and I didn’t want to show up in the Azores looking slovenly. This was going...
We have a grapefruit tree in our backyard and each year it gives us more and more perfect fruits. The first year we lived here, we got one grapefruit. The next year, three. This year we have had about 15! I made grapefruit curd for Christmas gifts (win!) and attempted to make chocolate covered...
We don't do much to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries around here. Every year, I make a vow to change that because I really do think it is a good habit to celebrate special days--it is just not one that we have gotten into. This year for our 12th anniversary, I made Aaron homemade cheese...
I did one of those body fat tests the other day. There is a local company that comes by Crossfit box every few months and I just happened to be there when they were there. I was proud of myself for deciding to get tested. It can be intimidating! The process was kind of...
It is beginning to feel like spring which to me, means lots of fresh strawberries. I seem to eat them daily during this time of year. One of my favorite more treats is a berry kale smoothie. It is just as easy to jump out of bed blend together a smoothie as it is to brew...
Happy Pi Day! Enough of these healthy recipes and the boring cleanse talk! I want some dessert! I want chocolate haupia pie! Since I lived in Hawaii for such a long time and Aaron is from Hawaii, we make this staple Hawaiian pie all the time. It is so easy and so good. It impresses...
A go to chocolate ice cream for the most devoted chocolate fanatics......the chocoholics dream ice cream.
A pound cake with a tangy, spring-like flavor...thanks to fresh grapefruit from my tree!
I must make this simple guacamole recipe at least twice a week. We love guacamole for its healthy fats, flavor and it goes great on everything. Besides tortilla chips, we use it to top salads, rice bowls, toast!, roasted potatoes and even grilled steak or chicken. This recipe is so simple. I was inspired by...
It must be avocado season because I am always finding them on sale and always buying them. I have my basic go to recipes for avocados, including my super easy, best ever guacamole, my rice bowls and just the basic staple of avocado on toast (which I truly believe I invented way back in 2005)....
I have had this on our family menu for the past two weeks and it just kept getting put off. The first week, I didn’t have any chicken broth and didn’t want to go to the store. The next week, we decided to just eat out instead after a beach evening (Surf Shack on Lido Key...
This recipe for chia is a great option for gluten free, Whole30 diet or Paleo diet and is a creamy treat that is high in protein. A perfect breakfast or post-workout snack. Our business takes us (mostly my husband) on stand up paddleboard adventure trips around the world and sometimes the stars align and I am lucky enough to go along. This summer I...
Years ago, while I was pregnant with my daughter, I decided to buy a copy of Gourmet magazine (Dec 2004) during the holidays. Something about the cookies and treats on the cover inspired me to not only purchase the magazine, but to bake every cookie recipe in it. I have pictures of me baking, about...
What to do with a surplus of plums? Make plum cake! I had a lot of plums from a recent impulse buy at the local farm stand and no one really wanted to eat them. They had been picked just before peak ripeness and really didn't have that great, straight from the tree, plum taste....
I make guacamole every other day during avocado season. And, in my guacamole making life I have tried many different recipes. This one is the best guacamole. It is simple. It is tasty and it is vegan. I was inspired by a restaurant in Washington DC where they make it at your table. I need...
Looking for something quick and easy when you the kids are craving pizza? Since we avoid prepackaged foods, I will NOT buy those little hot pizza bites. I know that they are tasty but they are full of so many ingredients that I want to avoid for myself and the family. Instead, I can throw...
I LOVE chocolate peppermint pretzels! I don't normally see them at the grocery store until the holidays and I remember last year, they seemed to sell out of them quickly. I am not the only one that likes these things. I decided to make my own! They were delicious but since I eat them at...
I told you I have been experimenting with eating as a vegan a few weeks ago. Well, so far so good. I have lost a few pounds, feel great and am loving all of the food experimentation. Unfortunately, I have not been as avid with my camera these days...something is wrong with the focus...
I was so excited to make a cookie for my Food Bloggers Cookie Swap buddies. I considered so many different cookies but finally settled on these. My family always loves the chocolate crinkle cookies that seem to pop up during the holidays and these are the same...with a little surprise in the middle. The surprise...
Earlier in the summer, I was experimenting with juicing. I tried all the basic fruits: apples, grapefruits; some veggies: carrots and kale for a Clean Juice. While cutting up a watermelon for the kids, I wondered if it was possible to juice watermelon and more specifically, the rind. I knew that pickled rind exists and...
Yet another refreshing way to enjoy watermelon! I got the recipe from Ree and like usual, she didn't disappoint. Super, super easy. Just cut up a bunch of watermelon, add a few ingredients, and freeze. Serve in fancy glasses if you want to feel extra fancy. [gmc_recipe 5524] Enjoy the rest of summer!
Even though the kids are back in school, I am not ready to give up on the idea of summer and summer vacation. So, I decided to post some recipes and thoughts on my most favorite summer fruit--WATERMELON! I know, I know my editorial calender must be way off. Watermelon posts should have happened last...
I had a request from the Bean for homemade Nutter Butters and did my best to try to make them for him. Unfortunately, every time I baked the cookies in the peanut shape they would expand and grown and turn into giant misshapen beans. I finally gave up and made traditional round peanut butter...
My sister is the weirdest cook ever. She digs through cupboards and drawers and pulls out the most random seeming things. She combines whatever she finds and always end up making something that may not look beautiful but is always tasty. While I was at work the other day, she found some old apples, a...
I think that chocolate chip cookies may be my all time favorite dessert. On this blog, I have posted three different versions of them including a vegan recipe, the famous Momofuku and the NY Times best cookie ever. If you look through some of my breads and muffins, I am always adding chocolate chips. Who...
I have had this recipe ready for awhile now but I wasn't very happy with the photos that I took of my creation. The plan was to make another carrot cake, take more photos and then post it to the blog. But, other things got in the way and I just haven't had a chance...
Sometimes raw vegan cheesecake just needs to be made. Especially when your gluten free, vegan nephew comes to say for the weekend. Can't let him suffer in silence while the rest of the family eats treats. Do you have a food restricted eater coming to town and want to wow him/her? Make this! All of...
I learned a few things while doing my cleanse. Specifically, a) YAY! I can go without coffee for 21 days and won't turn into a monster b) I feel really good when I eat a most of my daily calories from veggies, and c) although taking a photo of them is difficult-- making homemade LARABARS...
Ahh....chocolate chip cookies--one of my most favorite things. I made vegan chocolate chip cookie bars for my students this week. We are talking about food diversity and the fact that a vegan diet is considered one of the best things a person can do for the health of the planet as well as their own...
My friend gave me a gift the other day. A bunch of lemons from her tree. AND....she decided to take my kids to the movies on a weekend day, which meant free time for me. I had no plans--and all of the sudden--I had no kids either. What to do with my day? While most...
Most people love the chocolate peanut butter combination. I don’t. I don’t love cheesecake either. Nor will I eat pasta very often. Especially if it is coated with Alfredo sauce. For a long time, I thought ice cream was horrible. I am over my ice cream hatred. Sometimes I try to watch what I eat....
There is the little ice cream shop here, in the Amish part of town called, Big Olaf's. Big Olaf's has very good strawberry cheesecake ice cream, according to Aaron. A couple of months ago, Aaron stopped by there with Nova to get a scoop of ice cream each but unfortunately, Big Olaf's only takes cash. ...
I cannot believe I am even writing a post about this. But, I am. I feel that I must tell you about the most amazing combination I have recently discovered. Popcorn. Just plain ol' popped in a pan with some oil. Popcorn. I was making caramel corn (which I didn't love so won't be sharing...
Need something for a potluck or a party, these super quick truffles are sure to please! Make a triple batch!