Yesterday the temperature hovered somewhere around zero, the roads were coated with ice, and it was clear that I was not going to leave the house. What's a mom to do when she's stuck inside during the winter? Bake cookies! Healthy cookies, of course. With a vague idea of a sort of snack cookie I ...
Recipes
Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oats are the less-processed brother of rolled oats. Because they are less processed, they retain more nutrients than rolled oats, which of course means steel cut are the oats I want to consume. Until recently, I have only consumed them on a rare occasion, though, because they take so. ...
Polenta Pizza
Last week as I was putting together my family's meal plan, an intriguing idea popped into my head: polenta pizza. We all love pizza, I thought, why not mix it up with a change from the same old whole wheat dough I usually make? I thought I was brilliant for a minute, until I googled it and found ...
Three Bean Vegetarian Chili in the Slow Cooker
My kitchen had a very good Christmas. She was a little selfish, but got everything she wanted. She received a fabulous all-purpose cooker that is a rice cooker, slow cooker, and steamer in one. It's hard to believe we've gone this long without a slow cooker. I've had fun experimenting with it, ...
Raw Banana Bread Cookies
The first time I picked up a Larabar at the grocery store, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Meghan became instantly addicted, wanting to eat them for her snack every day. At $1.79 a pop, that just wasn't going to happen. I started experimenting in the kitchen and found out that ...
Yogurt Parfaits
If you want to feel like you are eating breakfast at a fancy hotel, make a yogurt parfait and put it in a martini glass. It's a great way to use those martini glasses you registered for despite the fact you don't drink martinis on a regular basis or ever have eight people over who drink ...
Homemade Herbed Croutons
I rarely buy ready-made croutons from the store. Making them at home is simple, less expensive, and homemade croutons just taste better. Most of the store brands will use cheaper, less healthy oils and many have a host of other unwanted ingredients. Keep it simple. Make these easy, delicious ...
Penne with Red Kale and White Beans
I think I can officially say that I am over my dislike of kale. It started with kale chips. It's easy to like kale cooked into a crunchy chip, though, and I wasn't sure I'd get beyond that. Then I discovered Tahini Lemon Rice and Beans, a dish loaded with kale, and loved it. Now this. I have ...
Italian-Style Lentil Soup
The last few days have been deceivingly sunny. I look outside and there is no snow, the sun is shining, and for a minute I think it could be spring. I run out to the mailbox without my coat. Nope. It's still winter. The weatherman reports the highest temperature we're going to see this week is ...
Vegan Butternut Squash and White Bean Enchiladas
I hate when I'm really excited about a meal, and then I look at the pictures and think, "Oh, no! It doesn't look as good as it tasted!" Clearly, I tried extra hard with this one. See that little piece of parsley I even added to brighten up the photo? Seriously, though, this meal is outstanding ...
Toddler Eats: No Bake Nutty Cups
Everyone over here is all recovered and I was finally able to get back in the kitchen. What came out was pretty darn delicious. I had a hard time coming up for a name for these little guys, but whatever you call them, these Nutty Cups are an amazing snack. A cross between a granola bar and an ...
Toddler Eats: Alphabet Vegetable Soup
With my brother and his (large) family coming to town for the day, I wanted a healthy lunch I could make ahead of time and serve when they arrived. Who doesn't remember eating Campbell's Alphabet Vegetable soup as a kid? I think it's safe to say that it's a standard memory for most people in my ...