Category:

Food

We made it to PIE SEASON. Do you love pumpkin pie as much as we do?

This recipe makes 2 pies, only has 6 ingredients. I buy all organic, and did I mention it’s the best pumpkin pie that you’ll ever taste?

I chose this recipe because it is so simple. The condensed milk conveniently has both the sugar and milk in it, so it’s a two for one. It doesn’t have any bioengineered ingredients and was so good you could eat it for breakfast.

It only took me 15 min to make, so I’ll have time to create the rest of my Thanksgiving feast!

15 minute pumpkin pie *

1 9 inch pre made pie crust

15 ounce can pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

14 ounce sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon salt

I serve with homemade whip cream and pumpkin pie spice added on top.

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Blind bake the crust for 10-12 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt together.
  • Pour the pumpkin pie mixture into the pie crust and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. Cover edges with a pie shield or foil strips, if desired for even baking.
  • Reduce the oven to 325°F and bake an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the pumpkin pie filling is set. It will have a slight jiggle to the center.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on a baking rack. Chill until ready to serve.

Have you tried it? Tag me! *Adapted from Soulfully Made blog.

If you want more recipe info, type “foodie Friday” into the search bar.

This recipe makes about 40 cookies.

Our family is obsessed with these cookies. I knew about this chewy delicious recipe, but always put it off because vanilla pudding mix is full of junk! I finally found an instant vanilla pudding that had 4 simple ingredients, sugar, cornstarch, natural flavors and sea salt. Win! I make it ahead into balls, freeze it for an hour and put in the oven. It is difficult to get to 7 “WOWS” in my family, but these do the trick. Be prepared for the best cookie you’ve ever tasted.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I use food nanny kamut flour)
  • 1 box (3.7 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix or this one
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I use this one)
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Pre hear over your 350. Mix the wet ingredients and then the dry ingredients. Bake for 13-14 min. 

How was your Memorial Day? We were invited to a BBQ yesterday for Memorial Day and she asked me to bring a side dish.

I love a challenge.

I was craving a greek salad with a twist. I left out any meat since we were attending a bbq with lots of yummy grilled meat. The feta has protein and a delicious kick. Let me know what you think!

GREEK ORZO SUMMER SALAD

1 16 oz package orzo pasta, (I use the one from trader joe’s) cooked and put aside

1 package cherry tomatoes

1 can, black olives

1 package of feta cheese

1 whole bunch of Dill, chopped

1/3 cup red onion, sliced thinly

Drizzle with 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil and 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions: Cut the tomatoes, onions, dill, and feta. Finally, drizzle with oil and salt. Toss and serve.

Our family is just a little bit gummy bear obsessed! We love them and buy them daily, so why not make our own? We have done SO many variations. Wanna know some of our family favorites? Phyto reds blend and lemonade blend. I use stevia drops instead of honey and fresh lemon juice as the juice, but it’s totally up to you. Here’s where you can buy the phyto reds – HERE

If you do use the phyto reds, I use one scoop to one cup of water and double the recipe.

Here is the recipe below. I love that it is only 3 ingredients and no bad ingredients! Enjoy and let me know if you make them.

FRUIT JUICE GUMMY BEARS

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Pour 1/2 cup juice into a sauce pan set on low heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon honey.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of gelatin.
  • Mix until all dissolved and then remove from heat.
  • Using the dropper, add into your mold.
  • Place in fridge for 30 minutes to cool and form or until solidified. 

I shared these cookies on my stories and so many of you wanted the recipe.

I love these! They’re so yummy, I had 3 today!

I attended a women’s bridal shower, and my sister’s friend Brooke brought these cookies. Immediately, I had to ask her for the recipe. They were melt-in-your-mouth delicious and equally soft yet crispy.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

Cowboy cookies

This recipe makes two dozen


1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup shortening (or substitute for 2 sticks of butter)
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Mix dry ingredients
2 cups flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 package of semi sweet chocolate chips

Mix thoroughly, bake at 350 F for approximately 8 minutes.

I discovered this recipe off the King Arthur flour website and fell in love. It reminds me of a melt in your mouth cinnamon and sugar muffin I used to make for brunch about a decade ago in Chicago.

Good memories.

I tried to recreate that very muffin by under cooking it. I came VERY close to recreating them and they may just be better than original inspiration.

What are you waiting for, make these and let me know what you think!

Click here for 3 ingredient dinners, broccoli salad, chickpea dinner (my kids love) and Amy’s pancake we make on weekends.

Buttery Snickerdoodles

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
                3/4 cup granulated sugar
                1 large egg
                1 teaspoon baking powder
                1/2 teaspoon salt
                1 1/3 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour or King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

              2 tablespoons sugar
                1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, to taste

               

                To make the cookies:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.
                Beat together the butter and sugar until smooth.
                Add the egg, beating until smooth.
                Beat in the salt, and baking powder.

  • Add the flour, mixing until totally incorporated.
  • To make the coating: Shake together the sugar and cinnamon in a medium-sized zip-top plastic bag.
  • Drop small (1″-diameter) balls of dough into the bag; a teaspoon cookie scoop works well here. Roll/toss the cookies in the cinnamon sugar until they’re completely coated.
  • Space the cookies at least 1 1/2″ apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a flat-bottom glass to flatten them to about 3/8″ thick; they’ll be about 1 1/2″ in diameter.
  • Bake the cookies for 8 minutes (for soft cookies) to 10 minutes (for crunchier cookies). 

My Espresso Machine

by Shalice Noel

I literally sit in my bed in the morning dreaming about my cappuccino that I cannot wait to enjoy. Thanks to my Nespresso Creatista machine. It’s durable, makes super hot coffee and espressos, and heats up the milk like a dream. It has an adjustable espresso option, milk temp and froth level. Love the options to have either a cappuccino or flat white. We are careful to keep the milk warmer clean to ensure the best lattes. I use almond milk and Reid uses regular milk and both works well. If $599 is out of the budget, I also show below the smaller options which we also have for our guest room. At $149, it is no frills and a great dependable cup of joe (or espresso).

Under $200 options

Which is your favorite? Do you own an Nespresso machine?

The Texas Sheet Cake we make EVERY birthday is finally on the blog! I originally got this recipe from a guy in my Poetry Class at Wheaton College. No joke! He made it for the last class kick off party and I told him I HAD to have this recipe. He quickly wrote it on a napkin, and from there its history. I’ve since shared it with my family, friends and YOU! Let me know what you think!

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Yields 1 9 x 13 cake

2 cups flour (I use Kamut flour)

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325F, mix in a large bowl.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I substitute for a stick of butter)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
Bring the butter oil, powder and water to a boil in a sauce pan. Slowly add to the flour mix and mix well.

Two eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk*
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

*When I don’t have buttermilk, here’s the substitute: for each cup of buttermilk, I add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir than let stand for about 5 minutes.

Blend till smooth and add to cocoa flour mix. Pour into a 9 x 13 greased and floured pan. Bake till toothpick comes out clean. Let cook at least 5 minutes before icing. Bake at 325 F, for approximately 25 minutes.

CAKE ICING

1/2 cup butter
3 T. cocoa
6 T. Milk
1 t. vanilla (add to cocoa mixture)
1 16 oz box of powdered sugar

Melt butter and cocoa together in a sauce pan- make sure not to burn it. Add milk to butter mixture. Add powdered sugar to cocoa and milk and mix till there are no lumps.

Pour over warm (not hot) cake and spread smooth

Let me know what you think. This is our favorite birthday cake ever!

Enjoy and let me know how you like it in the comments!

I’m obsessed with the salty sweet flavors of Pad Thai. Since we aren’t going out to eat, I found a recipe to make at home. It is a healthier version to try without losing the amazing flavor. The recipe is good for 4 people and only takes 30 minutes. Let me know what you think!

Keto Pad Thai

Sauce

3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp chili paste
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp coconut aminos
2 tbsp lime juice
5 drops stevia

Ingredients

1 16 oz package shirataki noodles
1 lb chicken breast, butterflied and cut into bit sized pieces
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tbsp ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 large scallions, thinly sliced, keep whites and greens separate
1 1/2 cups bean sprouts

Toppings
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
1/3 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • Wash and dry fresh produce. Thinly slice scallions, keeping whites and greens separated. Peel and mince ginger and garlic. Roughly chop cilantro leaves.
  • Butterfly the chicken breast then cut into small bite sized pieces.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until well combined and smooth.
  • Heat a drizzle of oil (I used sesame oil) in a wok or large pan over medium high heat. Add ginger and garlic and stir fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds), stirring frequently. Add scallion whites and  1 tbsp sambal oelek to wok with ginger and garlic and continue stir frying until scallions have softened about 2-3 minutes.
  • Once scallion whites have softened, add chicken to wok with the ginger, garlic, scallions, and chili paste. Stir fry chicken for 5 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.
  • While chicken cooks, beat 2 eggs until well combined. Drain and rinse shirataki noodles thoroughly under hot water for about 2 minutes.
  • Once chicken has finished, remove the chicken stir fry the wok or pan and set aside. Add shiratki noodles to the wok and stir fry noodles until firm, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Once noodles have cooked, add the beaten eggs to the wok with the noodles and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the eggs have cooked. Stir frequently to break up/scramble the eggs.
  • Once eggs have cooked, add the chicken stir fry, pad thai sauce, and bean sprouts to the wok. Continue stir frying for about 2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Top with scallion greens, crushed peanuts, and cilantro to serve. Enjoy!

Photography by Felicia Lasala // Adapted from Joy Filled Eats // Optional: Shiratki noodles can be used OR “Healthy Noodle” made with Konjac.

See what I’m shopping below on my Shop page open 24/7:

Of all the things I make, all my kids request energy balls the most. I thought I’d share the recipe here as I make them daily now on #quarantine. I wanted a recipe with protein (almond butter) and fiber (chia seeds and oatmeal), and energy balls seem to fit the bill.  Did I mention that they’re delicious?


 ENERGY BALLS

1 cup of organic oats (I grind in my Cuisinart)
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
1/3 cup of chia seeds
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup almond butter, crunchy
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon


Mix the above and mold into 1 inch balls. Place on a pan or plate into the freezer for one hour or 10 minutes if you’re like us and can’t wait! Can you tell Levi loves them too?

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