I have realized that my girls will eat pretty much anything if it is presented in a "fancy" way. Like these Valentine Berry Swirl Muffins - I found some cute Valentine muffin cups and toppers and my girls now want to make muffins (or pancakes!) every week. Madilyn already has muffin plans for St. Patrick's Day and Easter! For me, muffins are a great way to have an easy, healthy, and tasty Read the full post >>>
Why I am not sending Christmas cards
I am not the Grinch, I promise - but I have to tell you why I am not sending Christmas cards. I am trying to keep things in perspective this holiday season and remember what is truly important. For years, Brian and I have sent out Christmas cards to 100+ of our closest and dearest friends and family. This holiday season we are really trying to start our own traditions, reduce the Read the full post >>>
Top 7 tips for a less stressful holiday season
Here are my top 7 tips for a less stressful holiday season. I told my mom, "Wow, the holidays are a lot of work as a grown-up!" Yes, yes they are - if you make it that way. The holidays bring on a ton of demands - cookie making, present buying and wrapping, budgets, debt, family get togethers, family drama, cleaning, parties - yes, a ton of demands. Sure, these things are fun but when all Read the full post >>>
Because you need a gift from a boutique!
I am so excited about this giveaway because you need a gift from a boutique! Us women tend to worry about everything when it comes to the holidays - planning meals, buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house - we forget about us! You deserve something special this holiday season from The Picket Fence. The Picket Fence is this adorable little boutique in Shadyside. They carry the best Read the full post >>>
Post 3 of 3: Christmas Time Stories and Sweets. Plus, a giveaway!
Welcome back for the third and final post of the Christmas Time Stories and Sweets series I am writing with Jess from The Owl's Skull. Last week, I talked about my Spiced Molasses Sunflower Seed Cookies and the week before it was my Banana Chia Chip Cookie Dough/Cookie recipe. Jess has been chatting about her favorite holiday books. Don't forget to enter to win some awesome giveaways. Enter to win Read the full post >>>
An easy Christmas craft that will keep their attention for more than 5 minutes.
I am not that type of mom that has an official craft ready to go every day. Far from it. I am a big fan of kids getting creative with some construction paper, kid scissors, a few markers and a glue stick. I like to let them take the lead. Maybe that is laziness on my part. Hmmm, maybe. The other night, Brian and I were in the city on a date night and there was this adorable outside market Read the full post >>>
Post 2 of 3: Christmas Time Stories and Sweets. Plus, a giveaway!
Welcome back for post 2 of the Christmas Time Stories and Sweets series I am writing with Jess from The Owl's Skull. Last week, I talked about my Banana Chia Chip Cookie Dough/Cookie recipe that can either be eaten raw or baked. I mean, how easy is that? This might not be the super sweet holiday cookie you are used to but that is OK. These are so healthy they can be eaten for breakfast. Yes, Read the full post >>>
Post 1 of 3: Christmas Time Stories and Sweets. Plus, a giveaway!
Of course, I have already started thinking about the Christmas cookies I am making this year. This is an added bonus being a blogger and health coach - trying new recipes early on in the holiday season. I love to bake cookies - anytime of the year. Seriously, I don't need a reason. However, baking during the holiday season has a special magic about it. What I love to do this time of year Read the full post >>>
Top 10 things I am grateful for right now. Plus, two easy, real food Thanksgiving dinner recipes.
Thankful is defined as "feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative." We live in a busy and chaotic world where it can be difficult to notice how good we have it. The news is constantly filled with negativity. It is easy to dwell on all the things that are driving us crazy. As I sip on my glass of wine after a busy, chaotic day with my kiddos, I am realizing that I have so much to be thankful Read the full post >>>
6 ways to start your own family traditions plus a holiday apron and tea towel giveaway!
Before having our girls, Brian and I had a pretty good system of honoring both of our family traditions during the holidays. We did a pretty good job spending time with both families. It was easy to visit both families on the same day (our parents live about 40 minutes away from each other). I remember wondering why my friends with kids seemed so stressed after they traveled all day doing their Read the full post >>>