I am officially at the start of preparing and planning for the holiday season. I have begun to dream of Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts. Thanksgiving is a food blogger’s favorite holiday! It is all about feasting on a spread of delicious food. Oh, yeah, guess there is that whole giving thanks thing, and of course the spending-time-with-your family ordeal. I kid, I kid! However, everyone does gather around the table for lively conversation, catching up, and the scrumptious … [Read more...]
Two-Ingredient Homemade Almond Butter
The first time I experienced store-bought almond butter it was very gritty. It was then and there that I decided I would stick to my smooth and creamy peanut butter. That was until I discovered that almond butter is super easy to make yourself! All you need is a little patience. Okay maybe a lot of patience. That patience is well worth it. The result is an ultra smooth and creamy, luscious butter that is bursting with sweet and nutty almond flavor. The first time I made almond butter It … [Read more...]
3-Seed Gluten Free Crackers
Don’t we all enjoy a crispy, salty, buttery cracker with a piece of cheese or a dip? Usually those crackers aren’t very nutritious or filling, leaving you unsatisfied. Plus most of them are laced with a ton of salt, preservatives, unnecessary fats, and contain a ton of other crazy ingredients you can’t pronounce. Seriously, read the label; do you know what half of that stuff is? And they are heavy on the gluten and carbs. Moral of the story: store-bought crackers really are not a healthy … [Read more...]
Dark Chocolate Cherry Raw Energy Bars
I love chocolate. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t, right? Sugar, especially refined sugar, does not agree well with my body. So, any time I can make something to satisfy my chocolate tooth without using refined sugar, I will. Raw Energy Balls or Bars are an example, they are sweetened with dates and dried cherries. Plus they are healthy, high in Omega 3s, protein, fiber, good fats and antioxidants. In June I made some pretty tasty Almond Joy Raw Energy Balls for our move-in-day to … [Read more...]
Roasted Red Pepper White Bean Hummus
I am in love with hummus. Hummus is a staple in our household. I make some kind of hummus at least once a week, maybe twice, or three times. What is not to love? It is smooth, creamy, and robust. You can eat it with a variety of veggies, pita chips, pita bread, tortilla chips, crackers, or smear it onto a sandwich. Did I mention that hummus is good for you? It contains fiber and protein from the beans. The olive oil and tahini paste add healthy fats. Plus the garlic; did you know that … [Read more...]
Salsa Verde
Recently Paul and I found a delicious Mexican restaurant. After just one meal there it will be our go-to Mexican restaurant. I ordered a pork quesadilla that had a tomatillo salsa generously served on top. The salsa was incredibly good. So, I set out to make my own version at home. This salsa verde is reminiscent of tangy green apples with a juicy spice and hint of cilantro. Most of the time jarred salsa verde is cooked. If I had to guess the salsa verde at the Mexican restaurant was raw … [Read more...]
Creamy Carrot Dip
If you love to eat something creamy, something that you can dip a crunchy cracker, chip, or veggie into repeatedly, raise your hand! If you didn’t raise your hand, are you even human? I love, love dips. There is something comforting about the smooth creamy texture of a dip being transported into your mouth by a crunchy, edible spoon. This is probably the reason that I enjoy eating both guacamole and hummus so much. This creamy carrot dip is incredibly addicting. It is smooth and creamy, … [Read more...]
Pesto and Mozzarella-Stuffed Potato Skins
After making my Taco-stuffed potato skins, I realized that potato skins are a blank canvas for any combination of flavors. I needed more of these crunchy little dudes in my life. This time, we are keeping it light. Homemade pesto, homemade roasted red pepper, and fresh mozzarella slices that are melted to perfection. That’s it. Simple, yet bursting with flavor and a hint of sophistication. The pesto is nutty, salty, and herby. The roasted red pepper adds a roasted sweetness, and the … [Read more...]
Mixed Nuts with Thyme and Rosemary
This July I am going on two separate week-long trips that are back-to-back. I am super excited! First is a trip to Canada with Paul’s family and the second trip is my annual family vacation in South Carolina. Two very different trips with a tight schedule. I am only back in the Midwest for one day and I am not even coming home to Iowa. I am transferring cars at a rendezvous point in Illinois and going to my parent’s house in Wisconsin to fly out with them for our family vacation. I will need to … [Read more...]
Orange and Jicama Guacamole
I am a huge fan of my basic guacamole. It is a dish that I am constantly making during the summer. It’s such a cinch to whip up and it is always tasty. It doesn’t last very long around here. Sometimes we need to mix it up. Sometimes we need to experiment. I mean no disrespect to my trusty basic guacamole but once in a while we need to leave the tomatoes behind. So, I came up a guacamole that is a little unexpected, and maybe a little crazy. I promise that it is scrumptious, and that’s all … [Read more...]
