Many of my clients come to me looking for help with consistently getting quality dinners on the table. The other main reason clients seek me out is that have discovered that themselves, a family member or child has a reaction when eating certain foods. Food allergies and sensitivities are on the rise. It seems everyone knows at least someone with one, if not several diet restrictions. Some are looking for easy ways how to introduce allergens.
Back to school time is here. That means the need for healthy on the go snacks is a must. I am always on the lookout for high quality easy to use products. Today I share a recent favorite the new Once Again Amore Almond Spread. It is healthy chocolate goodness. To be honest I could just eat it with a spoon but I did create a new family favorite healthy snack with it too. Truly the entire line of Once Again nut butter products is delicious and is worth trying out.
Well, we survived our first family trip. Two adults, a 3-year-old and a baby all boarded a plane with 8 bags, a car seat and a stroller. On the way home my husband leaned over and said, “see hunnie, I told you there was nothing to worry about”. I gave him a look that could kill, now granted it all did go rather well our kids were great little travelers. When I ask my 3-year-old if he was ok with his bags he said, “yes mom, I have super muscles” he carried his own things the whole way even lifted his bag over the landing to get on the plane. I was rather impressed. Baby took a nap most the way. It all went surprisingly well but nothing was done just by chance. I worked for 4 days to get us ready for our 5-day trip and every inch of our allotted space was used wisely. Continue Reading “How expecting the worst can bring out the best”
Snow is on the ground and lights are on the trees. I just love this time of year especially now that I share it with two little ones at home. I love to invite kids in the kitchen to cook. Baking is one of the easiest ways to get them involved as they are usually excited to be the official taste testers of your finished products.
With it being holiday season and the over abundance of sweet treats I am always on the lookout for healthier options. This is a cookie I created 2 years ago in need of a cookie that my son could eat with everyone else and not have to have a “special cookie”. This healthier holiday cookie is a true winner being gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free. It is a treat that tastes amazing and everyone can enjoy it together. I am honored to have one of my favorite healthier holiday cookie recipes recently featured in Kiwi Magazine .
The best part about this recipe is you can make many flavors from the one base recipe. I personally love the Almond, Cherry Chocolate (pictured at the top of the photo), Orange Chocolate Almond Apricot (pictured in the middle, add a little orange zest to make this flavor pop) and Cinnamon Pecan Raisin on the bottom of the photo. Feel free to make your own family favorite flavor.
Cooking with kids can be great but also a little messy. Get success secrets on how to make cooking with kids easy here.
What are some of your favorite holiday treats and family traditions?
Read the whole Winter Kiwi Issue here!
As we get ready for the biggest food holiday of the year I have to admit there are times I cheat. I am busy and sometimes store bought is just plain easier. With the invention of pre-made pie dough you can simply roll into the pan minutes after you get home from the store my pies and quiches have been so easy to make throughout the year.
Now as we get ready for Thanksgiving and I snuggle my baby. I am nostalgic for for my Great Grandmothers pie dough. I dug up the recipe this week and was reminded how simple homemade can be. Grandma knew a thing about taste and simplicity back in her day too. Yes, my kitchen got a little dirty as I had to take the extra step to roll these crusts out myself but in the end it was worth it. In less than 15 minutes I had 3 pie crusts ready to go make with real ingredients, no junk or preservatives. I like recipes that only have 5 ingredients of less. They taste so much better than store bought and I have sweet memories to pass on to my children about my great grandmother.
This time of year it is not about getting food on the table perfectly and fast but bringing people together and making memories. There are many ways to host a beautiful feast without driving yourself crazy. If you need to cheat, do it, no one will ever know. If you want to make one thing extra special try out homemade pie crust. This year enjoy the holidays and if you need a little help or guidance just let me know. Here is one way to start now.
Easy Homemade Pie Crust
Make three 9 inch pie crusts (extras if you have them can be frozen)
3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup lard (or shortening if you prefer) cut into small cubes and chilled
7-9 tablespoons cold water
In a food processor combine all ingredients except water. Pulse the mixture until it resembles a course meal.
Slowly add the cold water a few tablespoons at a time, mixing until the dough holds together.
Remove from the bowl and knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough comes together and is smooth.
Divide dough into 3 equal sections.
You can freeze the dough in disks or roll out on a floured surface to fit into pie pans.
Chef’s Tip:
You can make these now and freeze them as disks to roll out later or put them in the pans and freeze already rolled out. I made mine this week so all I need to do next week is add my simple pie fillings and bake. My apple pie filling is already done and in the freezer as well. So hot homemade pie for the holidays could not be any easier.
Need more inspiration try out my family’s favorite it is a classic!