Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie

 

As a busy mom of four, I gave up breakfasts that are time consuming long ago!  Although cereal, frozen waffles, granola bars & healthy homemade muffins are a staple in my home for the kids… I make myself a protein shake or smoothie almost every morning.  I love to experiment by adding greek yogurt to different types of fresh fruit & even veggies {such as spinach or kale}.  I typically sweeten {when needed} by adding honey, but you can always adjust that in the recipe to use your favorite sweetener.

This Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie recipe is packed full of high quality protein from the Fage Greek Yogurt I used {18 grams to be exact!}.  It’s also loaded with healthful antioxidants from the fresh, organic raspberries {to read more about the health benefits of raspberries click here}.  I made this recipe for my husby and I one morning.  My kids had a taste and LOVED it!  I ended up having to whip up more for my sweet little ones!  [Read more…]

Butter Cream Frosting Recipe

 

 

:: Butter Cream Frosting ::

 

Cupcakes have to be one of my favorite items to bake! I love them because I don’t feel as guilty eating one, as I do making a cake. Cupcakes always seem to put a smile on my family’s face.  Though I love the actual cake portion of the cupcake, I adore the frosting the most!  It is something I have enjoyed since a child.  My favorite is a light whipped cream frosting, but a good butter cream frosting {that is not too rich}, is a wonderful topping on any cupcake!  My favorite butter cream frosting is by Magnolia Bakery.  I have made it a million times, and have added a few items and recreated it into other butter cream flavors.  Yes I know… very vanilla, but sometimes simple is best!   [Read more…]

Panzanella Salad

 

:: Panzanella Salad ::

It just doesn’t get much easier {or tastier}, than this healthy summer salad! Panzanella Salad is my absolute FAVORITE dish to serve to friends… whether I’m taking it to their house, or hosting a summer playdate in my own home. It’s also the perfect meal to bring for a picnic lunch or concert in the park! 

There is some chopping of fresh veggies involved, the making of a simple homemade vinaigrette dressing, and a little toasting of french bread in a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil… but the steps are super basic {you could even get the kids to help you toss it all together}! In under thirty minutes… you will have a scrumptious, fresh, tangy, and crisp bread salad to enjoy!

This recipe has always gotten rave reviews… but the best part is that you can easily customize it to your own taste! For example… love a greek salad? Just add in some chopped olives and feta cheese! For my husby, I omitted the red onion and added avocado slices. Any way that you do it… it comes out perfectly fresh and delectable! The combination of flavors is seriously… mouthwatering! [Read more…]

4th of July Spritzer

 

** 4th of July Spritzer **

 

Summer is here and it’s time to “Cheers” to sunny beach days and barbeques. One of my favorite parts of summer is entertaining outdoors. Whether it’s a neighborhood gathering or friends over for a summer soiree… {okay so maybe the summer soiree really isn’t happening with kids running around, but I would like to imagine it is}. 

What we do have in our community are concerts in the park and a big 4th of July celebration! It’s during these summertime occasions that a celebratory drink recipe is needed to cheers the events at hand. A few years ago, I found a tasty fruitful libation while watching Martha Stewart.  The recipe that can be found {here}, has a few steps in arranging the beautiful patriotic cocktail. It is a yummy drink that I love and it’s made with Champagne, but it’s one that I have to have the time to make. I came up with this super easy red, white, and blue themed drink. It’s simple, yet refreshing and can be made with or without alcohol.

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Baked Oatmeal

:: Baked Oatmeal ::

In California we are synonymous for “May gray” and “June gloom.”  Since it has been a few mornings of gloom in this lovely month of June, I decided to make some Baked Oatmeal.  It is one of my favorite breakfast recipes.  It is homey and filling and reminds me of the Fall.  I know, I know, its not fall, but sometimes I like to pretend it is.The aroma of cinnamon and applesauce will make your house smell like heaven. Though it sounds rich, it definitely is a light recipe.  What I love about this wonderful Baked Oatmeal is that it can be made the night before.  You can prepare all of the ingredients and then just pop into the oven.  Simple as that, and it makes wonderful left overs.

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Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

  

:: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars ::

When it comes to baking, you just can’t go wrong with a recipe that calls for a crumbly mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oatmeal {am I right?}! Combine those ingredients with your favorite flavor of jam {yum!} and you are left with a rich and chewy bar that you can enjoy as a snack or even served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! These delicious bars also pack perfectly in kids lunches and would make a nice treat for a friend!

We were fortunate to have a  jar of super sweet homemade strawberry jam that a friend had made for us in our fridge. I used it in this recipe… and I am sure it enhanced the pure tastiness! Although I used strawberry, you can use any flavor of jam of your liking. Peach… raspberry…. blackberry…. whatever you fancy or have readily available! The buttery, brown sugar oatmeal mixture is used for the base of the bar…. and the crumbly topping! It is super easy to make with only one-bowl needed!

The original recipe was taken from one of our favorites {the Pioneer Woman}. Nicole and I love all of her recipes… but as usual, we tend to make a few adaptations based on the ingredients we have on hand. Since my jam was very sweet… I cut back on the brown sugar. I also used half whole wheat flour and half white all-purpose to make it a tad bit healthier {hmm… not sure if that’s possible with all of that butter}!! Any way that you choose to do it… they are sure to come out delicious! Enjoy!  

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