Apple Pie Surprise Smoothie

What if I told you that you could have apple pie for breakfast?  And not feel guilty about it?  Or for lunch or a midafternoon snack?   Well, you can, sort of.  See, this smoothie tastes like apple pie.  But it is simply fruit and surprisingly….a vegetable.  No added sugar, no dairy products.  No guilt smoothie.  At least for me.   If you read my Savory Butternut Squash Soup post, you...

Learning To Bake Allergen Free by Colette Martin and Mashed Potato Biscuit Recipe

In April 2012 I attended the Nourished Food Bloggers Conference in Chicago.  I did not have a food blog at the time, but I was eager to get one going.  This was just the event to get me started.  It was a wonderful experience and I met many wonderful food bloggers and heard informational and exciting sessions. One woman I ate lunch with was Colette Martin.  She was fun and such an engaging...

Garlic and Sage White Beans And Three Ways To Serve Them

I may have a vegan in the making on my hands.  Beans, a/k/a legumes, are a favorite source of protein much more than meat for someone in my house.  Good thing I cook both legumes and meat to hit all the preferences of my family. This recipe for garlic and sage white beans is super easy and very satisfying.  I found three ways to serve it.  One way is to put the beans on French bread for...

Banana Granola

I have a thing for homemade granola.  And it’s catching on.  I used to be the only family member to eat it, but now it has become a favorite of everybody.  It is so simple and easy.  Check out this post for 10 reasons to make your own granola.  This is a slightly different version of my previous recipe.  But it is still oh so good!  Eat it with cereal, alone, over ice cream, in...

Daiya Cheddar Style Wedge-Product Review

While I am a huge fan of the Daiya Style Shreds, I have not tried their wedge cheeses.  I think because I did not want to fork over a lot of money for something that wasn’t a sure thing. But one day, I went into a grocery store that I never go to (I needed bananas) and walked around and saw that they had the Daiya Cheddar Style Wedges on a crazy sale.  For that price I had to try it for...

Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

Avocados.  Nature’s creamy fruit.  Have you heard that?  I never had an avocado until I gave up milk.  And boy was I missing something!  Everyone should be enjoying this fruit.  I started out eating it as guacamole and loved it so much I made it nearly weekly at first. But I have since tapered off.  I guess there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. But here is a super cool way...

Chili Mac Bake-For Meatlovers or Vegans, Allergy Free Or Not

Can you say “YUM?”  Yep, this is super yummy.  You can make this Chili Mac Bake meat lovers way or vegan style.  I have made it both ways and both ways were super good.  In fact it can also be made allergy free or not.  This recipe fits anyone’s diet or preferences. Here is a picture of the vegan version of Chili Mac Bake.   Besides being delish and comfort food this is easy to put...

Sweet Potato Fries

Do you have some uncooked sweet potatoes left over from Christmas?  Not sure what to do with them?  Make them into fries!  This is so simple and easy, I am embarrassed to say I have never made this until a few years ago when a friend introduced this to me. You can cut them long.    Or you can cut them short. But, either way, you have a fast and easy side dish.  Most kids like sweet potatoes...

Berry Cherry Slush

Here is a festive beverage for the holiday season.  Actually this would work for any occasion, any season.  But given its red color, it seems to be suited for Christmas.   This beverage is easy to put together and can be made in advance freeing up the days closer to your celebration for the other foods on your to make list.  An added bonus is that it uses no added sugar with the exception of...

How To Cut A Pineapple-Photo Tutorial

Pineapples have been on sale lately.  I never used to buy them whole because cutting one up seemed daunting.  But I have been buying fresh pineapples (only when on sale)  for about two years now.  Here are some pictures on how to cut a pineapple. It's that simple.  Buy fresh pineapple and you will never go back to canned!