Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella

meatloaf

 :: Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella ::

Looking for a healthy, easy weeknight meal? Look no further! This has been a family favorite for many years! One of my dear friends gave me this recipe when my oldest son was a toddler. We’ve been eating it ever since! This isn’t your traditional meatloaf. It’s healthier with the use of ground turkey instead of ground beef.  A layer of fresh spinach topped with shredded mozzarella {optional} is rolled up inside, keeping this dish flavorful and moist! This is one of those great meals that you can prepare earlier in the day and throw into the fridge until you are ready to cook. Also… there really is no need to measure. It just takes a pinch of this and a pinch of that to add flavor! [Read more…]

S’mores Ice Cream Cake

 

s'mores ice cream cake

:: S’mores Ice Cream Cake ::

I whole-heartedly have had every intention of posting healthier recipes up on the blog {and I promise… I will!}; however, we did have a special birthday in our family last week. Ryan, my oldest son, turned nine. I’m still sort of in shock at how quickly my time with him has gone. In just nine more years… I’ll be sending this handsome boy off to college {sigh}. I’m literally holding onto him for as long as he lets me…

One of our traditions {dating back to when I was a child} is having the birthday person pick their favorite dinner and dessert. When I was growing up… I always picked savory crepes for dinner and deliciously sweet crepes for dessert. {Not your traditional birthday cake, but still to this day, my absolute favorite!} For Ry… it was his favorite restaurant for Chinese food and homemade S’mores Ice Cream Cake for dessert. In my opinion, there’s just no reason to purchase ice cream cakes. You can so easily make one yourself…. and I guarantee it will be so much more decadent and flavorful!

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{weekend} lovelies

 

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

 

Inspiring Family Documentary // Wildflowers Photography Blog

I can’t say enough about this inspirational family! I am completely reeled into their sweet life on the road!  A couple of weeks ago I shared with you their blog and journey as a family of six {view lovelies here}…. Since then, I’ve kept up with their travels through Joy’s blog and candid Instagram feed. Her photographs take my breath away. They truly tell a story. Here is a short video of their beautiful family and plan for the year ahead….

 

 

Modern Bohemian Loft Design // Home Adore

Hello, Gorgeous!! This is my kind of design! A modern, boho feel! I’m infatuated with the light walls, bright pops of color, and eye-catching art pieces! 

 

 

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Blueberry Banana Coffeecake

 

:: Blueberry Banana Coffeecake ::

You already know that I’m a bit obsessed with warm, wholesome muffins. What you don’t know, is that I have the same obsession over coffeecake! For me… it started many, many years ago. I was fortunate to have a mom who let me explore the kitchen and come up with “concoctions,” as I liked to call them. I spent my Saturday mornings as a young child whipping up what I thought to be delicious creations with whatever I could get my hands on {baking soda, flour, vanilla extract, eggs, green food coloring — you get the idea!}. I would then try to feed my tasty “concoctions” to my family {they must have loved me!}. Luckily for them, by the age of seven, I started making coffeecake from scratch. Warm, comforting, sweet, buttery, cinnamon coffeecakes! Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of variations. Last week, I had bananas that were overly ripe and a carton of fresh blueberries to work with. After a little recipe research, I converted a standard banana bread recipe into this delectable, moist breakfast treat! Yum! [Read more…]

Strawberry Lemon Zest Yogurt Pops

  

 :: Strawberry Lemon Zest Yogurt Pops ::

One of my dear friends gave me these Zoku Mini Pop Molds at the end of the school year for being one of her room parents {Such a great gift idea!}. Since we are nearly settled into our new house, I thought it was about time to pull them out of the box and whip up a delicious summer treat for my littles!

I don’t know about your kids, but mine rarely finish an entire large popsicle. Inevitably, it ends up as one sticky mess {which may be half the fun}! They either grow tired of the flavor, or end up dropping the leftovers on the ground, it seems. These Zoku Mini Pops are honestly the perfect size! While they are much smaller than your average ice pop, I did find that the kids were still able to spend several fun-filled minutes enjoying them! [Read more…]

Decadent Frozen Banana Bites

 

  

:: Decadent {frozen} Banana Bites ::

Naming this post was a bit of an issue for me! You see… these aren’t your average frozen banana bites dipped in rich, creamy chocolate! Oh no! These are WAY more decadent! These little frozen banana bites are wrapped in chocolate chip cookie dough, and dunked in a thick layer of chocolate!

Clearly, I had a moment of weakness in making these! It was a week prior to our big family move and I needed the stress relief of whipping up something tasty! For me, the process of baking has always been a coping mechanism when I need to unwind or take a breather from life. These banana bites were successful in getting my mind off the never ending to-do list that comes with moving a family of six. They also provided the kids and I with a delicious frozen summer treat that brought back some of my favorite childhood memories of going to Balboa Island in Newport Beach and indulging in the famous Frozen Bananas & Balboa Bars!

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