Since I was up at 4am, I can cut myself some slack on the ‘Bucks. Not to mention, I have not had Starbucks in over 2 years! Don’t think it’s because I was trying to give up coffee or was trying to make a lofty global statement and not purchase from Starbucks. Real reasons are that I brew my own coffee at home because it’s cheaper and it’s available anytime, and generally the Coffee Experience of going to get a nice, relaxing, heart-warming cup of coffee doesn’t happen with a small child....

Actually, I realized I love them. I can eat an 8-ounce container of raw, unseasoned mushrooms without batting an eye. I love the meaty texture and the snappiness. But you don’t have to twist my arm to eat them stuffed with three kinds of cheese. It’s a fast and easy recipe and makes for a fuss-free appetizer that any mushroom fan will adore. Double or triple the recipe as needed for parties....

Here’s a few goodies in the mail I received. First, I got my iHerb.com order in the mail. I posted about it here And here’s my Cocaine Addiction 5 Pounds of White Stevia Powder To I also ordered more of the Probiotics I have been loyal to for many years From Yesterday… I’m glad you could appreciate my homemade kombucha distillery that I’ve got going! And I loved hearing the stories about breaking up with service providers and cheating on your hair stylist!...

Food Blogger Pro will be closing registration on November 19th. As a little background for those of you who are all WHAAAS GOING ON 😮, here’s the short story. Food Blogger Pro is a learning community that Bjork and I created two and half years ago as a way to provide valuable teaching and networking opportunities to individuals in the food blogging community. Today our FBP tribe (FBP meaning Food Blogger Pro – I’m going to go acronym-heavy on you from here on out) is made up of more than 1,000 food blogging members and it’s powered by a small team shout out to Beth, Raquel, and Jasmine who help make the resource magic happen....

Do you love pizza? Try Stromboli, Calzones, Detroit Style Pizza, or Pizza Casserole! Why I love wheat pizza dough: Healthy – The crust uses half whole wheat and half white flour for a healthier crust that is still soft, chewy, and light. Flavorful – No bland crusts here; it has a touch of honey and seasonings that will pair perfectly with your favorite toppings. Pantry Ingredients – Everything can be found in a basic pantry, no last minute trips to the store....

comment icon 110 more comments It’s very, very, very much winter. Like, I’m sitting here looking outside at the snow-covered ground and feeling okay about it because it’s actually a “really nice day” here in Minnesota – we might even get up to 25 degrees. I KNOW, RIGHT? We’re that far gone. Winter has messed with our reasoning abilities. But good news – the cure is coming at you today in the form of a big bowl of spa salad loaded with chickpeas, spinach, pomegranates, Cara Cara oranges (and specifically those if you can find them because they are ON POINT), avocado, thinly sliced shallots, a fistful of herbs, a drizzle of light creamy dressing, and grilled lemon chicken....

Angel biscuits are some of the lightest, fluffiest, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits that you’ll ever have the privilege of tasting! Flakey, buttery goodness coming at you in full force. Thanks to a trio of leavening ingredients including two tablespoons of yeast, plus baking powder and baking soda, these biscuits are light as an angel flying about. If that wasn’t enough, this angel biscuit recipe calls for mixing lemon juice into regular milk which creates homemade buttermilk....

comment icon 102 more comments I told myself I wouldn’t do any regular posting during my 21-day eCookbook challenge to keep myself on task and increase my odds of finishing on time (which I still am, and I’d love it if you signed up to get an email notification and discount when the eCookbook is done!) but let’s tell the truth here. There is a definite limit to the amount of thought that should be given to creamy cauliflower sauce in three short weeks....

So many recipes I want to make this time of year, so little time. Or remedy for the sugar coma I could knock myself into. In case you need any holiday baking inspiration in bar form, here are some of my favorites. Cookies are great, bars are easier. Butterscotch Rice Krispie Treats with Vegan Chocolate Frosting (GF, No Bake) Caramel Apple Bars (GF with Vegan adaptations). Apple may sound ‘boring’ but these are not at all boring, I promise....

So, question: are you a bake by yourself or bake with friends kind of holiday baker? Maybe a little of both? If you opt for the “I like to throw a party and bake with all my friends” kinda person, we highly recommend you check out this little post from years past to throw the ultimate holiday baking party with these recipes and more. 👯‍♀️ Whether you’re a solo baker or throw a party, here are some of our favorite cookies we’re making this season!...

Minimal prep times and brief baking times, and desserts that are satisfying, taste wonderful, and everyone will think you slaved over them. Sometimes the quick and easy recipes trump the far more time-consuming and complicated ones, and that’s what these recipe are about. None of the following recipes use a mixer – everything is mixed by hand, usually in own bowl. And everything is ready in a half hour or less:...

Easy Chicken and Poblano Pepper Soup I am a huge fan of chicken tortilla soup. And so are all of you! My chicken tortilla soup recipe has been a fan favorite for nearly a decade. Because I can never just leave anything alone, I created a new version of chicken tortilla soup with amped up flavor thanks to roasted poblano peppers and tomatillos. The two ingredients add richness of flavor and a smoky depth that makes the soup feel hearty and cozy....

Making fried rice at home that tastes just as good or even better-than-takeout is fast, easy, and comes together in minutes. I have many other fried rice recipes on my website including Chicken, Shrimp, a Sheet Pan version, and even Fried Cauliflower Rice. They’re some of the most popular recipes on my site and have been for years! This version has what I like to think of as a Hawaiian twist because of the shrimp and pineapple....

It was either a new toy, or lots of this. Kidding! Rain rain, go away, please! Thanks for everyone’s feedback and comments on my post earlier today about being Sugared Out. I am glad you enjoyed my take on moderation, sugar, desserts, and food and exercise choices, in general. Sounds like some of you are sugared out, but many more of you said, not yet. Really? Ok then…This one has sugar, chocolate, and peanut butter all in one....

Although both the crumb and the sweater might be a little generous in terms of describing this Christmas, considering my food intake was Gatorade, ginger ale, and saltines compliments of my special holiday virus, and my new used-to-be-white sweater became a bold denim blue after a careless Emergency Wash to prepare it for Christmas morning. But who needs white sweaters and delicious food when you have THIS FACE to wake up to on December 25th?...

Super satisfyingly crunchy cabbage/slaw/lettuce/shredded Brussels (if you fancy), bright crisp carrots and almonds, and the impeccable savory crunch of chow mein noodles. All the best chomping! comment icon 61 more comments And then there’s the juicy marinated chicken infused with ginger, garlic, garam masala, and soy sauce. Drizzle your favorite Asain-inspired dressing of choice and you’re in business. (We love Panera’s, don’t be mad!). SO. MUCH. FLAVOR. And while not a traditional salad of any actual Asian origin but rather most likely born somewhere in the 50s/60s in California (according to Wiki), it does use lots of flavors and ingredients inspired by pan-Asian cuisine....

comment icon 4 more comments Besides discovering that warm avocados are delicious, especially when complemented with bacon in this Avocado Bacon Orzo, today I learned another important lesson: do not buy or eat canned salmon. It all started when I set out to make a springy-looking orzo recipe that included canned salmon. I do like salmon, and I rarely turn my nose up at any food, canned or otherwise, so I decided to give it a go....

San Diego is known for some world-renowned fish tacos but you don’t have to come here to enjoy these mouth-watering beer battered shrimp tacos. Between the juicy shrimp, crunchy red cabbage, creamy avocado, cheese, cilantro, and a zesty lime crema for drizzling, they taste like restaurant-quality tacos that’ll impress everyone. They’re ready in 25 minutes and easy which makes them a great weeknight dinner option when you have to get dinner on the table, pronto....

Best Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe I am no stranger to banana recipes. If there is one thing I’ve been making consistently since 2009 when I started my blog, it’s banana breads, banana bars, banana cakes, banana smoothies, and so much more! However, it’s been a while since I posted a new banana recipe. Rather than making another version of banana bread — since I have over 30 different banana bread recipes!...

The Best Ever Chocolate Cake with Ganache This is the easiest, one-bowl, five-minute chocolate cake from scratch you’ll ever make. I originally posted this recipe August 27, 2012 and in that time, there have been thousands of very satisfied readers out there who swear by this cake. If you’re addicted to cake mix, you can break free. I’ve been there. I made this chocolate ganache cake without a mixer and it was ready to go from bowl to oven in less than five minutes with just a couple turns of the whisk....