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Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is easily one of my most favorite ways to prepare meat. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, and if you have the time for it to cook, it is a super easy hands off way to cook a roast or tenderloin. It takes very little prep time. Sometimes I make a big batch of pulled pork and then use it in a variety of ways. Pulled pork tacos are especially a favorite of my kiddos. However, this recipe topped them all in their books. I made sliders out of the pulled pork, but it is just as tasty by itself with some…
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Homemade Pumpkin Puree
I am a lover of all things decorating with pumpkins this time of year. My favorite ones are the ugly ones, the warty, misshapen, weird pumpkins. I just love the perfect imperfectness of them. Each year, I end up purchasing these outcast pumpkins and squash every time I go to the grocery store. In my area, Sprouts has by far the best ugly pumpkin selection. But when Autumn winds down, what do you do with these extra pumpkins and squash? I hate just throwing them away or composting them. I finally decided to try my hand at making pumpkin puree. And guess what? I should’ve done it years ago. It…
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New Project: Grand Opening
It is probably quite obvious that I have been MIA for several…well more than several…months. Unintentional, I assure you. While there are a handful of reasons I took an unscheduled leave, one major one was a new project I’ve been working on. One of my major hobbies behind the scenes is all things planning and journaling. Over the years I have noticed a lack of planner inserts and spreads that include specific nutritional tracking. Most often, I’ve encountered individuals who do track various health things, have to create or draw out their own nutrition inserts for their journals and planners. I decided to jump on this untapped niche. I took…
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Everything Bagel Dip
I’m constantly looking for quick recipes that are easy to share at a party, potluck, or any sort of get together with friends and family. Homemade dip is always a crowd pleasing go-to, whether it is sweet and served with wafers and fruit, or it is savory and served with crackers and vegetables. The everything bagel seasoning is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. I like to especially use it to make my own spread. The everything bagel dip can be used solely for a cracker and vegetable dip, or it can be used as a spread for sandwiches, bagels, or wraps. While the everything…
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Cran-Apple Harvest Salad
Fall season maybe just around the corner, but here in Las Vegas the 100º+ weather doesn’t agree. Finding recipes that fill my need for harvest season foods while not overheating myself spending too much time in front of a hot stove. This quinoa fruit and vegetable filled salad definitely fits that harvest food spot. Add in some grilled chicken and it goes from being a side salad to a main dish. If you aren’t a fan of some of the fruits or vegetables I have added to my salad, then exchange them for some in-season produce that you love. Orange slices, dried apricots, raisins, pears, carrots…all of these would be…
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Meatloaf Zucchini Melts
As much as I love to create healthy, yet tasty foods, zucchini is definitely not one of my favorite vegetables. Just like Brussels sprouts, I have to force myself to create food with zucchini. While I do love the flavor of zucchini, it is the texture I have a hard time with. However I prepare it, it must always have a crisp bite to it. If it is mushy in any way, I cannot eat it. That being said, I have snuck zucchini in many recipes, grated into the ground meat or into the sauce. For this recipe though, I thought it would be fun to add one of my…
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Oven Baked Nachos
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it is so nice to have a handful of recipes that are quick, easy, and a crowd pleaser. I meal plan weekly, but life happens and sometimes the meal I originally planned…just doesn’t happen. BUT…oven baked nachos is a recipe I almost ALWAYS have the ingredients for. I’ve made oven baked nachos with chicken, steak, vegetarian style, and ground beef. The best part of oven baked nachos is you use pretty much whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, cheese, queso, grilled corn, salsa, beans…whatever you love on your nachos will work on these oven baked nachos. This…
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Fresh Balsamic Summer Salad
Sometimes preparing dinner is just plain too much, especially during the hot summer months. Who wants to spend time in front of a stove or heat their thoroughly a/c’ed kitchen with their oven? I most definitely don’t. I am always on the hunt for a delicious dinner that doesn’t require a ton of prep or for me to stand in a stifling kitchen while the temperature outside soars to unbearable numbers. This fresh balsamic summer salad is the ticket! It can easily be eaten alone, or paired with some grilled chicken or steak. I also like to eat the leftovers with rotisserie chicken for lunch. The best part about this…
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Mexican Street Corn Dip
If you’ve never had Mexican street corn, you have not lived! It is SO heavenly, but since corn on the cob can be difficult to find at times, I decided to fill my need for Mexican street corn by creating a dip that is nearly as good. The best part about this dip is that it is extremely easy to double or triple this recipe to make for a crowd. This dip is all of the flavors of Mexican street corn, but totally gringo friendly in the kitchen. I like to make this with frozen corn, but it can easily be made with canned corn as well. Have you ever…
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Healthier No-Bake Cookies
A few months ago, I went to my monthly book club get together and a friend had brought some no-bake cookies. As a general rule, I am not a huge fan of no-bake cookies. If I am going to consume a cookie with chocolate and oatmeal, I want a traditional oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips. BUT…these cookies my friend made changed my mind. Then when she informed me that they were a healthier version I was blown away. Of course, I asked for the recipe…and then I promptly changed it. This recipe is not only healthier, but it is high in protein and good fats. It is keto friendly, heart…
