Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

 :: Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins ::

Oh, how a long school day can take the fun out of things! Okay I am only kidding, but it does take up the majority of our day, so why not make it a little fun with some Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins as a mid-day snack.  Yes, I know… muffins are just as wonderful paired with a cup of Joe, but these little mid-day treats make the day much more enjoyable!

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Let me count the reasons why I love these muffins:

  1. They are made with ruby red strawberries.  Don’t they remind you of spring?
  2. This is actually a light recipe, so yes Mommy can have one…or two?
  3. Two {hidden} ripe bananas.
  4. Of course the piece of resistance….chocolate chips, yum!

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Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff 2

:: Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff ::

I don’t know about you, but this long weekend allowed for ample time to start thinking away about Thanksgiving and the holidays.  No… it wasn’t just me thinking about them, but my family as well.  “What would you like to bring to Thanksgiving?” Well for starters, my first choice will always lean towards dessert {obviously I have a sweet tooth}. I also like to think of simple recipes that I know will be an easy addition to my traditional dishes {that can be found here and here}.  This Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff is simple, yummy, and can be either an appetizer or a dessert {whew… a two-fer}! It is a great sweet appetizer for family waiting for the turkey to be done, or a wonderful dessert for those who like pumpkin pie, but maybe aren’t fans of the crust.  This dip is similar to pumpkin pie but with the twist of cream cheese and marshmallow fluff.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff [Read more…]

Holiday Yams with Brown Sugar & Pecans

Favorite Holiday Yams {via simply happenstance}

 :: Holiday Yams with Brown Sugar & Pecans ::

It’s that time of year! The time where we all pull out our favorite family recipes for the holidays! This happens to be one of my personal loves that I make every Thanksgiving! It’s the ultimate comfort food… using yams {or sweet potatoes}, milk, butter, vanilla and pecans! It’s baked to perfection and served warm! Most of the ingredients you most likely have in your pantry… which makes this dish even more enticing! 

I know that yams are not always a favorite {especially the candied kind topped with marshmallows that we often find during the holidays}; however, this dish is a great alternative to the typical yams or sweet potatoes served. The rich potato mixture is mildly sweet with a hint of vanilla, and the topping…. perfectly crunchy with the baked pecans, warm brown sugar and melted butter! I promise this will become one of your ‘go-to’ holiday recipes!

I hope that you’ll whip up this tasty dish to serve at one of your holiday get togethers this year!  As Julia Child once said, “Everything in moderation…including moderation.” Enjoy, my friends!

Holiday Yams {recipe on Simply Happenstance}  [Read more…]

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins 1

:: Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins ::

Do you have an upcoming school event that that requires you to bring a healthy home made snack?  These Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins are the perfect fall treat.  Loaded with pumpkin flavor these little muffins make for an easy bite sized snack.  Made without nuts and the additive of applesauce and yogurt with a mixture of canned pumpkin these muffins won’t disappoint your little ones.  I know for myself, I often would love to bring in cupcakes for a birthday celebration or fall party, but these muffins were just as fun with half the sugar.  Easy to make and full of pumpkin spice flavor this is sure to be a new healthy fall treat to add to your list. [Read more…]

Watermelon Lemonade

 

 

:: Watermelon Lemonade ::

Summer is not over on my calendar yet! I still have one more day before the back to school routine starts.  I don’t know about you, but this week has been HOT! That being said, it’s time to cool down with a lovely drink of Watermelon Lemonade.  Mocktail or Cocktail this drink is a must on a warm day.  It’s sweet and tangy and will leave you feeling cool as a cucumber.  I don’t know why I didn’t share it with you earlier in the summer {thanks Erica for the reminder, wink}, but hey… I know you still have time to whip up this easy drink!  The heat doesn’t kick up a notch until September for us here and in Southern California.  With less time for trips to the beach, or a dreamy Hawaiian in the future, this cocktail will make any celebration a reason to say “cheers” to the end of summer! [Read more…]

Strawberry Delight Appetizer

:: Strawberry Delight Appetizer ::

Who doesn’t love an easy summer appetizer, especially one that entails strawberries and cream cheese?  This appetizer as I deem Strawberry Delight, truly is a simple delight.  The ingredients that are combined to make this savory yet sweet appetizer are a great edition to your next party.  This appetizer has been a go to for far too many years to count.  As food generally has a story, this appetizer tells the story of my life with my girlfriends and roommates back during my early twenties.  Such fond and fun memories of 4th of July’s, beach days, roller skates, and boat parades.  What I believe to be most fun is this recipe was passed my way from my dear friend, Stephanie.  I had one of these bite sized Strawberry Delight Appetizer’s at one of her fun family parties.  It was from then on, we made this yummy recipe at every event we hosted or toasted to, not to mention it’s great with a glass of champagne.

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