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Strawberry Freezer Jam-3 Ways
Growing up, my parents were big into canning, and my sister caught the bug. Me though, I don’t can. I purchase cans, and I gladly take jars of canned goods offered from my parents, but canning…NOPE. Freezer jam, on the other hand, is well…my jam. I love freezer jam, strawberry my being my favorite, just triple berry is great as well. This recipe will work for both. In the past, I made freezer jam with sugar, but I wanted to figure out how to make it healthier. In my attempts, I was able to create 3 variations, one with honey, one with agave nectar, and one with Swerve sweetener. Each…
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Sweet Chipotle Adobo Pork Tacos
Tacos are one of my most favorite foods, so I am constantly attempting new ways to reinvent the taco…and I am definitely not an inventor. Let’s be honest, none of my taco recipes are world-changing, but they are extremely tasty! Individuals who create fusion foods such as the ramen burger, or the sushi burrito have changed the food world. I’m just on the hunt for food that makes my taste buds sing and keeps my kiddos from complaining. AND…my boys did not complain about these tacos. In fact, even though I made enough for 12 people, the leftovers did not last long at all. The flavors are impactful being sweet…
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Mango Salsa
With the weather warming up and seasons growing close to change; it is fun to pull out old recipes that excite my tastebuds. While I usually do not discriminate against any type of salsa; sweet/spicy salsas tend to be my favorite. It gives Mexican foods a nice contrast to the usually salty flavors. Pineapple salsa and mango salsa are some of my most favorites. I’ve also made kiwi salsa, which is a fun variation to the typical yellow tropical fruit salsas. Another reason I like this salsa recipe is there are no added oils. Other than a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and granulated sugar, there are no added condiments to…
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Meatless Tex-Mex Bowls
While I am a carnivore at heart, I do love a good meatless meal. The American Heart Association’s recommendations with meat, poultry, and, eggs are 8-9 servings a week. If you are eating 3 square meals daily, then you have to go without meat or animal proteins for more than half of your meals to have a well-balanced diet. If you consume a breakfast burrito one morning that has both eggs and sausage, that is 2 servings of animal protein and you’ve already eaten 1/4 of your weekly recommended animal protein intake. The science behind this is that animal proteins tend to be higher in saturated fats, which is one…
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Conversation Hearts
At one point, when I was VERY young, conversation hearts were the best thing in the world…next to candy necklaces. Come to think of it, both conversation hearts and candy necklaces are very similar in taste and texture. Conversation hearts got their start way back in the mid-1800s with a pharmacist named Oliver Chase. He invented the machine that rolled the candy type dough and cut it into pieces. At the time these candy pieces were actually throat lozenges. After a while though, Oliver abandoned his pharmacy and opened a candy company that later supplied the world with those NECCO wafers. Eventually, the NECCO wafers dough was made into tiny…
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Pad Thai Chicken and Noodles
To my family’s chagrin, I absolutely love to attempt creating ethnic foods, even if I have no idea what I’m doing. Thai food has been my go-to lately. When I read Sara’s take on Pad Thai, I had to recreate it. The best part was that she did it in the Instapot, which is my most used tool in my kitchen. Sara’s recipe called for carrots and green onions. I did not have enough green onions and was too lazy to run to the store…but I did have a red bell pepper I needed to use, so that is what went in the Instapot. I also used brown rice noodles…
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Easy Homemade Smoothie Bowls
A recent food trend has been acai bowls or smoothie bowls. They are super yummy and filling. Most often they are also packed with vitamins and minerals and very heart-healthy. The place that is close to my house is one of my most favorite places to treat myself to…but, one bowl is $9 and for that much, I can make my whole family their own smoothie bowls at home. While it is super convenient to have someone else make one for you, I do enjoy creating them at home where I can control the ingredients. The key to smoothie bowls is to make sure the thickness of the puree is…
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Chorizo 3 Bean Chili
The weather has turned cooler here in Las Vegas, which means I can now comfortably consume chili and soup. I absolutely love chili and soup, but I just can’t bring myself to eat either when the temperature is high. This time of year just makes me want to hibernate (which is why I’ve been so lazy and neglectful on social media) and consume all sorts of comfort foods. I have several chili recipes that are family favorites, but this one is definitely towards the top of the list. Each part of the country has their own way to correctly make chili, Texans think it’s an abomination to put beans in…
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Quick Dinners & Pantry Staples
Now that school is in full swing, extracurriculars are consuming our lives, and germs are being passed around…quick dinners have become the norm around here. I definitely love pouring my heart into preparing meals for friends and family, but most often I just don’t have the time or energy during the week to be very elaborate. Healthy, yummy meals are still my top priority…but there are plenty of meals that can be prepared quickly and are still healthy. Quinoa, Jasmine rice, and various types of pasta are always in my pantry. Quinoa bowls are a weekly occurrence in my house. It is easy to cook and easy to flavor. Some of my…
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Quinoa & Arugula Chicken Salad
This week has been the week of chicken salads. It is easy to create and easy to make a lot of for food prep. I really wanted to figure out a way to incorporate arugula into a recipe, especially a recipe the amigos would hopefully eat. Arugula is super yummy, it is a leaf that has a peppery taste. It is also packed with nitrate which has been proven to help lower blood pressure. It is the same nitrate family as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kale…and I don’t know about you, but I would MUCH rather consume broccoli and arugula than kale or brussels sprouts. Other fun facts about arugula……
