Easy St. Patrick's Day Treats - Lucky Charms Pops

Want a fun and easy treat for St. Patty’s Day? Look no further! With just a few supplies you can make these pops in less than 20 minutes. By using these molds found on Amazon, I was able to easily craft the cutest holiday treats in minutes flat. The molds worked incredibly well and the chocolate came right out, easily.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Marshmallows separated from Lucky Charms

  • White chocolate bark or Ghirardelli White Chocolate

  • Sprinkles

  • Pop Mold with Sticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Insert pop sticks into molds (find molds here which came with the sticks). Tape the sticks into the molds, like shown below. Separate marshmallows from Lucky Charm’s Cereal and set aside. I needed 2 marshmallows per pop. Set pop molds onto baking sheet so you can move it around easily.

  2. Melt white chocolate bark until smooth. Spoon into each circle cavity in the mold and fill just covering the sticks. Tap mold on counter lightly until chocolate smooths out and no air bubbles remain. The sticks should be covered.

  3. Add 2 marshmallows to each pop then add a few sprinkles to each one.

  4. Let cool on countertop or in fridge for 20 minutes and then remove tap from molds and remove pops from molds carefully. These ones were so nice to work with, and very good quality.

  5. Individually wrap each pop in a cute treat bag or store in the fridge in an air-tight container. Enjoy!

These were so easy to complete and I definitely plan on making more cereal themed pops soon! Stay tuned for more ideas along the way!

Micro Ingredients - Top Healthy Recipes For Winter

This winter, I am trying to incorporate as many smoothies and healthier recipes as I can into my daily routine. Here are a few amazing smoothie, drink, and recipe ideas from my friends at Micro Ingredients!

Below, you will find some of the season’s top healthiest (and EASIEST) recipes, to keep you feeling great throughout these winter months.

Spirulina Smoothie Recipe (Above)

Recipe:

Organic Spirulina powder, Milk, Fruit and Nuts(optional).

Instructions:

  1.  Add ice to blender

  2.  Add 1 scoop of Spirulina powder

  3.  Add milk and blend!

  4.  Pour in the smoothie to a cup

  5.  Top off with your favorite fruit and enjoy!😍


Awesome Organic Beet Root Powder is a stunning pink color and can be used in smoothies and other recipes as a natural food coloring. Get yours here!

Tropical Fruit Punch Sparkling Drink (Above)

Recipe:

Organic Mango Juice Powder, Organic Lemon Juice powder, Organic Pineapple Powder, Hot water, Ice, Sparkling Water.

Instructions:

  1. Add 1 scoop of Mango juice powder

  2. Add 1 scoop of Pineapple powder

  3. Add 1 scoop of Lemon juice powder

  4. Add 1/4 of water

  5. Mix until dissolved

  6. Add Ice into the cup

  7. Add sparkling water

  8. Enjoy!


Also, this Chaga Mushroom Extract Powder, below, can be added to hot or cold drinks and compliments hot cocoa and coffee very well.

Avocado MCT Smoothie Recipe (Above)

Recipe:

Organic MCT Oil powder, Organic Stevia Powder, Ice, Milk, Avocado.

Instructions:

  1. Add half Avocado into blender

  2. Add 1 scoop of MCT Oil Powder

  3. Add 2 scoop of Stevia Sweetener

  4. Add Ice

  5. Add some Milk or Coconut Milk

  6. Blend

  7. Enjoy!

Psyllium Husk Blended Coffee Drink Recipe (Above)

Recipe:

Organic Psyllium Husk Powder, Organic Stevia Powder, Black coffee, Milk, Ice.

Instructions:

  1. Add 1 scoop Psyllium Husk powder into blender

  2. Add 2 scoops of Stevia Sweetener

  3. Add ice

  4. Add 2/3 of your favorite black coffee

  5. Add milk and blend!

  6. Pour in the drink to a cup

  7. Enjoy!

Matcha Latte Recipe (Above)

Recipe:

Organic Matcha Powder, Organic Stevia Powder, Milk, hot water.

Instructions:

  1. Add 1 scoop Matcha powder into cup

  2. Add ¼ hot water

  3. Mix until dissolved

  4. Add ¾ milk into another cup

  5. Add 2 scoops of Stevia Sweetener

  6. Mix until melted

  7. Pour dissolved Matcha

  8. Mix and Enjoy!

Above, the Organic Freeze-Dried Pomegranate Juice Powder is truly a gem! This is an amazing way to incorporate more antioxidants into your diet! Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous winter, friends!

Squish Honey!

Elevate up your life with Squish CBD-infused, local honey! Our friends at Peace, Love, and Bees offer a beautifully floral clover honey, then Squish botanically infuses it with their organic CBD flower.

This is the MOST unique honey experience I have ever had, and if you’re looking to get some of this honey, it’s one of the newest products on their website, and can be found online, or at their storefront in Marion, IL.

I simply spread goat cheese onto some crackers, placed them onto an adorable platter, then worked the magic. A honey dabber was the perfect tool to apply honey to each cracker! This honey contains 10mg CBD per 1 tsp, and I didn’t have to use very much to make the perfect snack for Valentine’s Day!

“The taste of honey…much sweeter…than wine…” as sung by The Beatles has been in my head since yesterday! What a fun way to share the love.

Squish Global grows organic hemp flower in Marion, IL. Southern Illinois soil to oil!

Learn more about Squish on their Website!

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Reese's Cookies

Looking for a recipe to make you smile? Everyone who has tried these has fallen in love with them. They’re delicious eaten around a camp fire, or make a few for a friend who needs some cheering up. These may be hard to share once you try them, just warning you!

Oatmeal Cookies

RECIPE (ORIGINALLY FOUND HERE):

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 1/2 cups quick oats

  • 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1 cup REESE’S Pieces or M&M candies

Oatmeal Cookies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

  3. In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and quick oats; whisk to combine. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and REESE’S Pieces candies by hand.

  4. Measure out ¼ cup balls of dough and place them on the baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes, until the edges are just starting to brown and the top still looks slightly undercooked. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Before these have cooled completely, they will be crumbly. I suggest letting them cool completely before tasting.

  5. Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. Enjoy!

Roots Run Deep Street Food

We are so happy for our friends, they recently set out to live their dream of offering some of the most delicious and local street food to folks in southern Illinois! We were so happy they invited us to photograph their first ever event at a local country club and this week, they begin Food Truck Fridays in Marion, IL!

Learn more about Roots Run Deep Street Food on Facebook here!

Roots Run Deep Street Food
Roots Run Deep
Food Truck Fridays in Marion, IL! Learn more on their Facebook Event Page.

Food Truck Fridays in Marion, IL! Learn more on their Facebook Event Page.

Roots Run Deep Street Food
Roots Run Deep Street Food
Roots Run Deep Street Food
Roots Run Deep Street Food
Roots Run Deep Street Food

Peanut Bar Recipe

These peanut bars are by far everyone’s favorite treat I have ever created.

With such simple ingredients and work involved in these, they are even great if you’re looking for a quick and easy treat. I made these to help spread the word when the Dumbo movie premiered. Such an honor!

INGREDIENTS

  • cooking spray

  • 1 (16 ounce) jar dry-roasted peanuts, divided

  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 1 (12 ounce) package peanut butter chips

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 3 cups miniature marshmallows

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Spray the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Spread 1/2 of the peanuts into the prepared baking dish.

  3. Cook and stir sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter chips, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted, about 5 minutes. Add marshmallows and stir until smooth. Pour mixture over peanuts and top with remaining peanuts.

  4. Refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours. Cut into bars. Enjoy!

Clay Lick Creek Pottery - Handmade In Southern Illinois

We were so fortunate to meet Karen Fiorino, the creative artist behind Clay Lick Creek Pottery. Her ceramics studio is nestled in a cabin-like building on her property, nestled among the tress and gorgeous surroundings of the Shawnee National Forest. She creates every single piece by hand - no molds are used here, then each piece is also hand painted. Some items are made in smaller series, and some of her creations are available year-round. She uses her natural surrounds to inspire her art, and I am very excited to share them with you today.

More About Karen

I’ve been creating functional pottery for about 20 years, starting with a few classes in ceramics on the advice of a good friend who informed me, “To take real classes in pottery and use the opportunity of subsidized courses working at the University gave me”. Thus started my journey in clay. I fell in love with the process, bought a wheel, paid off the truck and quit my job to pursue a life of art. I sell my pottery at various local and regional art fairs to sell my work, and am well received in these markets. — January 2010 marked my beginning opening my shop on Etsy and having the whole world have a peek of my work.

I named my clay studio, Clay Lick Creek Pottery after the name of the creek that flows across the land where I live. and specialize in functional pottery making serving bowls, mugs and other fun pieces featuring a majolica glaze decorated in brilliant colors over a red earthenware body. Each item is hand formed or hand thrown on a potter’s wheel, trimmed, and allowed to dry for approximately 1 week depending on size, density and air humidity before it is bisque fired. This stage of firing takes 16-18 hours and is then followed by a 24 hour cooling period. The white background is applied using an opaque, lead free Majolica glaze, and then hand painted using a mason stain/ frit combination. The pottery pieces are then fired again for approximately 8 hours, and after another cooling for another 24 hours, the charming wares are ready for the world and all that they may be used for. All of the pieces are food safe, and the smaller bowls and mugs may be used in the microwave for heating times of less than three minutes. To clean, they may be hand washed or placed on the top rack of a dishwasher.

“I believe people should have beautiful objects in their homes and use these beautiful objects in their everyday life. Nature inspires me, from the smallest to the largest of creatures-from the colors of geological formations to the colors of the sunrise and sunset. Ideas come to me from my zoological background (did I mention my education experience? I have a B.S. and M.A. in Zoology, specializing in Ichthyology (fish) and I draw a lot of my inspiration from this), a little dream work and images which many may not come to think. Add to that a little bit of humor and what appears is a palette of vibrant, joyful and whimsical designs that come to life on my pottery.

“Oftentimes, I have no idea what my work will look like until I am done, the designs simply develop while I am working on them. My goal for each piece is that when people come in contact with my work, they will experience joy and positive energy. One of my favorite things to hear from people who have my work, is how much they enjoy my pottery, how it makes them happy. If one of my purposes in life is to spread happiness, I believe I am succeeding one person at a time”—Karen
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These ceramics are such show pieces! Serve your favorite veggies or appetizers in them for a beautifully colorful presentation!

Follow Clay Lick Creek Pottery on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClayLickCreekPottery


Check out her web site at: www.claylickcreekpottery.com

Follow her on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/claylickcreek/


She also has a listed schedule of events of art shows she’s showing her work at and various other tidbits.

If you would like a gift message enclosed with your order, just let her know. She is happy to help!

She will GLADLY ship anywhere - if it's not listed in my shipping, contact her for a quote. Plus, if you are interested in multiples, she will adjust any overcharge on the total shipping rates.

Mandala Bowls - Hand Painted Ceramics by Clay Lick Creek Pottery

Breakfast Idea:

Serve guests vanilla yogurt and beautiful bowls of fresh fruits and granola to make their own parfaits.

Enjoy the beauty of southern Illinois with Clay Lick Creek Pottery

Vegan Game Day Appetizers with Gardein

Super excited for #FootballSeason with @gardein! Here is a delicious #vegetarian #football #party #appetizer that will please fans. These #plantbased Gardein Meatless Meatballs are great baked in the oven, then finished off in your favorite sauce in a skillet in the oven. They also have a range of other products like chicken fingers and chicken strips which we have thoroughly enjoyed all season long.

The brand was so kind to send me an assortment of their meatless appetizers

#GardeinGameDay #IC #appetizer #meatlessmonday #footballparty #recipe #heresmyfood #meatless

3-Ingredient Meal- Unique End of Summer Recipe With Hatfield

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FALLInLoveWithHatfield, #MakeEasyMoreInteresting #simplyhatfield #CollectiveBias

We recently headed to Schnuck’s Market here in Carbondale to shop for our Hatfield® Dry Rubbed Marinated Tenderloin, as well as the grocery items on the list. Luckily, this meal only took 3 main ingredients, so shopping was fast and easy.

Hatfield has amazing products, ranging from dry rub seasoned tenderloins to slow-cooker-ready pork roasts.

TIME SAVING TIP

Since the pork tenderloin is already marinated, your prep and cooking time is reduced by HOURS! Oh my goodness, the aroma of the Tuscan Herb seasonings made the house smell incredible…our mouths were watering after just a few minutes :)

MORE TO LOVE ABOUT HATFIELD

Cook and serve

Simple

Full of Flavor

Makes dinner less about the hard work of cooking, and more about time spent with family.

#1 Marinated Tenderloin in the Northeast is the Hatfield Tuscan Herb Tenderloin

Hatfield offers a HUGE variety of products and selections in their Marinated line. From Tuscan Herb to Texas Smokehouse, so many flavor profiles are covered, that most anyone would find one they loved.

  • Hatfield® Marinated Pork Tenderloin

  • Hatfield® Marinated Pork Loin Filets

  • Hatfield® Marinated Pork Roasts

  • Hatfield® Marinated Pork Chops

  • Hatfield® Marinated Pork Ribs

HOW TO MAKE THIS 3-INGREDIENT MEAL

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 Package (18.4 oz.) - Hatfield® Dry Rubbed Marinated Tenderloin

  • 1 medium-sized summer squash

  • 1-2 packages asparagus

OTHER ITEMS NEEDED:

  • Olive Oil

  • 3 skillets (at least 1 needs to have a lid for the pork tenderloin)

  • seasoning (I used Italian seasoning)

  • Salt

  • Any other seasonings you like, such as garlic

  • Cooking utensils

  • Tongs for cooking tenderloin, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Tenderloin

1.) Remove packaging, and heat skillet to medium heat, with 2TBSP or so of olive oil.

2.) Once the skillet is hot, use optional tongs to place tenderloin onto heated skillet. This will begin to help you build a nice sear on the outsides while cooking the insides as well. Place lid onto pan/skillet, check after 2-3 minutes to ensure no sticking). No need to season the tenderloin, since Hatfield has already done the hard job of marinating the pork for you. This saves hours, luckily.

3.) After 3-4 minutes of cooking, carefully use an oven mitt and pair of tongs and flip the tenderloin to the other side. Replace lid and cook for 4-5 more minutes, moving tenderloin around in skillet if needed, to avoid burning or sticking to the skillet too much.

4.) Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes (or even a bit longer), rotating and flipping the tenderloin every couple of minutes. Make sure meat has cooked to an internal temperature of about 180 degrees F. The meat was extremely tender and cooked SO WELL!

Squash

1.) Heat second skillet and add 1-2 TBSP olive oil.

2.) Carefully slice squash and once skillet is hot, add squash to skillet. Sautee about 3 minutes on one side, use tong to flip slices, and cook on other side for 2-3 more minutes, until tender.

Asparagus

1.) Cut bottom 2-3 inches off asparagus stalks.

2.) Cook in hot skillet with olive oil, salt, and garlic, enjoy.

I would definitely recommend keeping a few of these Hatfield Marinated products on hand. Cook one for dinner, have it as leftovers the next few days, and keep 2-3 other Hatfield products in the freezer. They only take a half a day to thaw, so they would be amazing when you need a fulfilling dinner without any fuss.

The other protein that I was considering featuring was the Hatfield® Marinated Pork Roast. It looks incredible, but the preferred cooking method was a crock pot. I would definitely like to keep one on hand for another time.

MEAL PREPPING IDEA

This dish would be super easy to make ahead for lunch or dinner the next day. Simply use clear containers to store the meal, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

I also really love what Hatfield is doing across their social media channels. In fact, they featured my kebabs recipe recently, it was such a nice surprise! Get the full recipe here.

CHECK OUT HATFIELD ON INSTAGRAM HERE!

Flyway Family Mushroom Farm - Makanda, IL

I met Mike and Jess at the Carbondale Farmer’s Market years ago, and they are some of my favorite people to this day. They sell their incredible, gourmet mushrooms at the market every Saturday throughout the entire season from April - November. You can also find their mushrooms at various local restaurants, grocery stores like The Neighborhood Co-Op, and at the Urbana, IL Market.

Connect With Flyway Family Farm on Facebook and Instagram!

I recently had the honor of capturing some of their current offerings. They have a Chef’s Mix, which contained some of each. These pink oyster mushrooms were so incredible in a mixed veggie skillet we made recently while camping.

Last year, we also created a really incredible post for Martha Stewart, featuring several of the Flyway Family Farm mushrooms, which I also found at the Farmer’s Market.

Looking for a delicious marinated mushroom recipe? They can be made ahead of time, and enjoyed for up to five days.

TRY THESE RECIPES

Simple and Delicious Make Ahead Meal Idea with Laura’s Lean


I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

This simple and delicious meal idea is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Since all of the ingredients are creatively displayed on the plate, each person can create their very own version of their meal. This is food that actually makes you feel great after eating it, exactly what food should be!

I think this would also be fun to serve to guests, for the very same reason, everyone has such different tastes and preferences.

I have been a fan of Laura’s Lean for a couple of years now. Since I shop at Kroger, and I am always drawn to higher-quality, learner ground beef, Laura’s Lean has been a go-to of mine ever since I first tried it. Our local Kroger was remodeled recently, and I tend to prefer their selection and prices way better than anywhere else in town. I always recommend upgrading your beef selection when possible – you definitely deserve the best. When you chose Laura’s Lean, you’re choosing the balance of taste and nutrition for you and your family.

Learn Where To Buy Laura’s Lean Near You!

Keep reading to get the full details on this lean recipe and learn how easy it is to make this yummy meal.

This dish would be so great as a make-ahead option too, since most of the ingredients can be stored overnight and bought to work or school the next day. I stored each of the leftover ingredients in individual containers, and created a whole extra meal the next day. 

PERFECT FOR …

 WORK LUNCHES

BACK TO SCHOOL

 BUSY FAMILIES

 …and anyone who loves an easy, simple, delicious meal that takes under 30 minutes to prepare and enjoy!

Find Laura’s Lean Ground Beef or Ground Beef Patties at Kroger nationwide.

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 3-4):

1 (16 oz.) package of Laura’s Lean Beef

1/2 – 1 cup chopped onion

2-3 cloves garlic – chopped or minced

2-3 TBSP olive oil

3-4 TBSP Taco Seasoning (or more if you prefer)

2 cups shredded cheddar

Lettuce - chopped, tomatoes - diced, sour cream, and any other toppings you prefer.

Tortillas – optional – omit if low carb is preferred.

Salt

1-2 limes

We really loved being able to use home grown tomatoes, right from our garden!

Laura’s Lean is so great – it’s so lean and has a taste that’s better than anything else on the market.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Chop onions and garlic into tiny pieces, set aside. In a medium to large skillet, add 1-2 TBSP olive oil, and turn heat to medium. Add chopped onions and garlic, and season with a small sprinkle of the taco seasoning. Cook until tender.

2.) Once veggies are sautéed, add Laura’s Lean Ground Beef, and begin to cook. Season with 3-4 tsp salt + 2-3 more TBSP of the taco seasoning, and more if you prefer. Cook until brown. Season with fresh lime juice if you would like.

3.) If you do see any excess grease after your beef has cooked, feel free to strain it in a colander in the sink. Once drained, add beef back to skillet and get ready to prepare your plates.

4.) On each plate, add Laura’s Lean ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, cheese, and any other toppings you like! Serve with warmed tortillas, and enjoy.

Hatfield® Marinated Summer Grilling ~ Fresh Local Veggie Kabob Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerItUpWithHatfield #GrillingWithHatfield #CollectiveBias

You know those memorable summer meals that make the summer all that much better? Those meals the you and your friends and family talk about all year? Well I believe this is going to be one of those. I was floored with the flavors that the dry rub marinade on the Hatfield® Marinated Pork contained and I am already looking forward to leftovers. I was also able to source peppers from my local farmer’s market!!

Basically, I used the flavors in the Hatfield dry rub marinade to inspire the flavors throughout the entire meal!

Since this pork tenderloin was already marinated, I hardly had to do any prep work. Generally I like to let any of my ingredients marinate for at least several hours, and the pre-seasoned tenderloin made this meal so easy to prep and create. From their dry rub seasoned tenderloins to their slow-cooker-ready pork roasts, delicious fresh pork makes dinner less about the cooking and more about the family and friends around you. Send them home with leftovers - they’ll thank you!

WHERE TO FIND…

I found my products at my local Schnucks (and at the farmer’s market) and in other parts of the country, you can find them at these retailers: ACME, ShopRite, Giant Carlisle, Stop N Shop, Giant Landover, Supervalu, and Giant Eagle.

VARIETIES INCLUDE:

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Loin Filets

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Roasts

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Chops

Hatfield® Marinated Pork Ribs


INGREDIENTS:

1 Hatfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin

4 Bell Peppers - Cut into 1.5” squares

1 Container Of Pearl Onions - Skins removed

1/4 lb. Mini Potatoes

1/3 c. Italian dressing

Skewer Sticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Cut peppers into 1.5” squares, and arrange them onto skewer sticks. Set aside on a sheet pan, drizzle lightly with Italian dressing.

2.) Add mini pearl onions to skewer sticks, and set on same sheet pan.

3.) Add mini potatoes to skewers. If some are too large, simply cut them smaller.

4.) Lastly - to make the pork skewers, remove Hatfield® Marinated Pork onto a cutting board and discard wrapper. Next, cut lengthwise down the entire tenderloin, then cut one more time lengthwise on each side. Next, cut cube shaped pieces and add 5-6 pieces per skewer. Set these pork skewers aside onto a different pan from the veggies.

5.) Time to grill. Spray grill with non-stick spray. Add skewers to grill. Flip skewers with tongs after 4-5 minutes. Always cook pork thoroughly. Enjoy!

FULL OF FLAVOR - JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER!

CONNECT WITH HATFIELD ON SOCIAL:

TAG THE BRAND WITH: #SummerItUpWithHatfield #SimplyHatfield #GrillingWithHatfield 

Consider incorporating Hatfield marinated ingredients into your summer recipes and taste the delicious and simple difference that makes Hatfield AMAZINGLY great!

Loaded Sweet Potatoes - an easy dinner idea!

These sweet potatoes are perfect for warmer weather. Everything can be prepped ahead and the toppings can be completely prepped ahead of time, and these would be exceptional to bring for lunch! I just love how many amazing nutrients come from sweet potatoes too. Hope you enjoy!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Rinse sweet potatoes with water and pat dry. Use a fork to make pricks in the outsides of the potatoes, and bake wrapped in foil for 30-40 minutes. Once soft enough to make a soft impression with your fingers, CAREFULLY unwrap from foil and place on a heat proof cutting surface. Cut in half lengthwise, and arrange on a plate.

2.) Top with items like sour cream, leftover crock pot pork, shredded cheese, cilantro, onions, and black olives, and you have one of THE most delicious entrees you have had in a long time. Enjoy!

Simple and Indulgent Moments with Oikos Oh! Double Cream Yogurt

This post is sponsored by Oikos but all opinions are my own. #OhMGMoments

Time to de-stress and indulge in the simple pleasures of the NEW Oikos Oh! Double Cream Yogurts. There are four indulgent flavors to choose from, can you imagine how good the Salt Dusted Caramel Crème tasted?! This new yogurt is unlike any yogurt you’ve ever had. Made with double the cream versus Oikos whole milk yogurt, to create a one of a kind thick and luscious texture that you won’t be able to get enough of.

Delight your mouth with a spoonful of yogurt, no toppings are needed, That’s because The Salt-Dusted Double Creme Yogurt was such a treat! Enjoy this as a simple treat after a long day, during a movie or TV show, or even as dessert after a yummy home cooked meal.

The anticipation of that next bite is an indulgence in and of itself. As someone who works from home, I am always on the move. I find it hard sometimes to simply let myself relax and enjoy the simple pleasures in life because I know that something or other can be checked off the to-do list.

But, rewarding myself with a tasty snack like this one really helps me stay grounded and enjoy something to myself, time to take a deep breath, and time to indulge.

Learn more about Oikos Oh! Flavors Here!

Double Cream Yogurt Honey Drizzled Blueberry, Magnificent Mixed Berry Rhubarb, Lemon Sweet Cream Delight, and my favorite, Salt-Dusted Caramel  Crème. So many incredible flavors to choose from! I would recommend trying one of each to see what you like best.

What flavor would you choose? What are some of your favorite indulgences?

Lemon Bar Recipe (With Shortbread Crust)

Hello! Thanks for stopping by to check out my latest recipe. I love lemon bars, and feel like they’re always WAY overpriced at bakeries, and sometimes aren’t tart enough (sometimes they’re way too sweet).

Also, this recipe actually came from a moment where I was baking cutout sugar cookies, but they wound up spreading too much to use. After one sheet pan full of super conjoined cookies, but still a delicious taste, I decided that perhaps, I could use the cookie dough for a crust of sorts. Well, I found a delicious lemon filling to accompany this delicious sugar cookie crust, and WOW, these were amazing!

I even cut them up into small 2” squares and they were a HIT! So fun to keep a little container of these in the fridge for a homemade treat or for an awesome gift, too. Hope you enjoy!

Crust Ingredients (Originally found here)

1 1/2 cups butter salted, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed

1 tbsp lemon zest

3 cups all-purpose flour


Filling Ingredients:

1.5 C. sugar

1/4 C. flour

4 eggs

2 lemons, juiced (feel free to use limes)

Parchment paper

Flour for dusting pan


Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 F degrees (feel free to bake at 350 if your oven doesn’t run super hot). Prepare 8x8” or 9x9” baking dish with non stick spray. Prepare baking pan by spraying non-stick spray, adding a strip of parchment paper that will help you remove the bars from the pan. Then, feel free to add more non stick spray to the paper, then a light dusting of flour.

  2. Add the butter to the bowl of your mixer and blend until smooth on medium speed. Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest to the mixer bowl and continue mixing on low until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour and mix until well blended. Feel free to gather dough into a ball or round shape to discourage air bubbles while baking.

  3. Press dough into baking pan and smooth out to remove any air bubbles.

  4. Bake crust for 12-15, just until crust is slightly done towards the center.

5. Remove crust from oven, let cool for 5-10 minutes, then pour lemon filing over crust, evening out with a large spoon or spatula. Bake 18-20 minutes longer, until edges begin to get brown. Feel free to cover with foil for last 5-10 minutes of baking time.

6. Let cool completely, then use the overhanging parchment paper to carefully remove the entire baked bar and place it onto a cutting board.

7. Use a knife with a sharp, straight edge to cut the bars in half each way, then two more times on each side (3 cuts per side, 6 cuts total). Feel free to add sifted powdered sugar over the top as well, before cutting.

8. Serve and enjoy!

Easy Recipes for Big Game Day Snacking with popchips

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of popchips.

The Big Game is all about what food you put on the party spread so I have teamed up with popchips to share some cute and easy decor ideas, as well as hassle free food ideas for homegating and viewing parties THIS SUNDAY!!! Who are YOU rooting for?

Try all three flavors of the popchips ridges BOLD & CRUNCHY - buffalo ranch, tangy bbq (my fave), and also cheddar and sour cream. I thought it would be amazing to offer guests three different dips to try with their popchips PLUS a fun dessert treat that only took three ingredients. Keep reading to get all of the details!

The best part about all of the treats and snacks I featured in this post, is that all of it was super fun and easy to create myself, with minimal ingredients, and none of this had to be baked! I was even able to make the three dips ahead of time as well as the desserts. Get the recipes below!

GAME DAY DIP RECIPES

Buffalo Dip - 1 cup sour cream + 1/3 cup (or more) buffalo sauce

The Best Dill Dip Ever - 1 cup sour cream + 2 tsp salt + 2-3 Tbsp dried dill

Mediterranean Dip - 1 cup Greek yogurt + 2-3 tsp turmeric + 1 tsp salt + 2-3 tsp Greek seasoning mix

CUTE + EASY FOOTBALL DESSERT IDEA:

Ingredients:

1 squeeze tube of green frosting (pre-made or homemade)

football decorations - I found these at a party store in the baking section

peanut butter cups - I unwrapped these ones myself!

Set out an assortment of popchips ridges chips, all three dips, carrots, celery, mini tomatoes, and any of your other favorite foods. Enjoy your game day celebration!!!

Go Organic This Super Bowl With Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold + A Cast Iron Skillet Nachos Recipe

This post is sponsored by Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Learn how to make this year’s Super Bowl LIII the most delicious one yet.

#LiveULTRA #PureGold #Organic #SuperBowl

Pair Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Organic Light Lager with these exceptional Organic Vegetarian Skillet Nachos for a game day snack that will be a huge hit. Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold is made from organic grains inspired by nature and it’s free from artificial colors and flavors. When I learned Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold was not only organic and delicious, but also lower in carbs and calories than a glass of wine, I was sold! You can bet this Super Bowl I’m pairing my favorite organic recipes with Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold.

ORGANIC VEGETARIAN CAST IRON SKILLET NACHOS RECIPE (Serves 4)

I was inspired to create this recipe because of the organic ingredients in the beer, plus my love for always eating organic every chance possible. I always aim to use as many organic, vegetarian ingredients in my recipes! Thiese skillet nachos could be made vegan by simply excluding or subbing out the cheese and sour cream - everything else is vegan!

Some of Tastemade’s other organic recipes include these homemade Nachos, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Chicken Wings.

Ingredients (Use organic when possible):

1 bag of blue corn tortilla chips or any chips you like

1 small can green chilis

1 cup diced, roasted sweet potatoes

1 cup finely chopped red and yellow peppers

thinly sliced jalapeños

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 - 1 cup sour cream (transfer into plastic squeeze bottle for easy use and application)

1/2 - 1 cup lettuce (not shown)

1/2 cup black olives (not shown)

Cast Iron Skillet - at least 12” across

Instructions (See video below for more details):

1.) Spray skillet with non-stick spray. Place a layer of tortilla chips to cover the bottom of the skillet.

2.) Add your prepared toppings such as: diced chilis, shallots, onions, roasted sweet potato, seasonings, peppers, black beans and anything else that can be baked in the oven. Also, top with jalapeños and 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.

3.) Bake nachos at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese has melted. ***BE CAREFUL when removing the cast iron skillet from the oven because the handle is deceptively BOILING HOT. Please always use an oven mitt when handling the nachos and the skillet.

4.) Top with sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, and any other ingredients you like. Enjoy with Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Organic Light Lager this Super Bowl.

These skillet nachos are also fun because they are more of an interactive dish, where people can mingle around the meal and grab small bites as they wish. Keep beer on ice or in the fridge for easy pairing!

About Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Organic Light Lager:

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE MICHELOB ULTRA’S SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL ON YOUTUBE ON 1/30!

With the USDA Organic certification on each and every package, that means they provide organic beer that proves quality, organic ingredients make for better taste. Let’s go organic this Super Bowl!

Michelob believe in thriving on a steady diet of friends, fitness, and occasionally laughing a little too hard. We believe you can work out and still go out, that you can stay fit and stay fun. We believe that getting more out of life requires putting more into life. 

Live Fit. Live Fun. Live ULTRA

Watch the Michelob ULTRA Super Bowl Commercial here, or watch below!

As one of the largest beer brands in the U.S, Michelob ULTRA represents not only a premium light and refreshing beer, but a brand that embodies wellness and active lifestyles. The brand is uniquely positioned at the intersection of health and happiness. We believe in a life of balance where you don’t have to sacrifice beer in order to maintain your active lifestyle.

Michelob ULTRA wants you to be proud of who you are, your hard work, and what makes you truly unique. We want to celebrate together and be a part of that journey with you – whether it is about living fit or living fun. Michelob ULTRA plays a part in living a full life. One that’s filled with friends, fitness and of course—fun. 

Michelob ULTRA’s new packaging is light and refreshing boasting the USDA Organic seal, just like the light, golden hue of the lager itself. With a light taste like that, it’s very easily drinking, and pairs well with food AND football!
Live life to its fullest with other foodie and football fans alike this Sunday, 2/3/2019!

WATCH THESE THREE VIDEOS FOR MORE RECIPE IDEAS!!!

The Best Meals Bring Us Together ~ Easy Party Recipes with Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups

One of my favorite things about cooler weather is that it’s great excuse to get everyone together for a warm, potato soup! Gather your friends and family, and try new Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups. They will warm you right up. This could also be an amazing Game Day party menu too! Find out how I made a low cost meal for a crowd, and learn a little bit about how Idahoan® soups and other great foods bring us all together!

Thank you Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups for sponsoring this post. Enjoy the flavorful, slow-cooked taste of restaurant-quality soup at home, in minutes.

I have actually been a fan of the Idahoan® brand for over 15 years! I remember always having it in the cabinet at home, and once I began to make more meals for myself and for my friends around age 18, and as I moved out of my parents’ houses, and began doing grocery shopping of my own, I literally ALWAYS made sure to have several packets of the Idahoan® instant mashed potatoes. I still always have a packet or two on hand, and love always having something yummy pairing it with dinner, usually chicken breasts, green beans, and mashed potatoes. That sounds SO good right now!!

These packets of potatoes literally shaped the way I prepared meals from the very beginning. That’s why I was really honored to be able to create a meal for friends, inspired by Idahoan®, one of the very foods I used to feed some of my first groups of friends once I moved to my own place. To see how their foods are still bringing the most important people in my life together is really heart warming. Making meals for friends is always fun, and it’s a really great way to get people together when we are all so busy.

Idahoan Steakhouse® Soups are available in a variety of delicious flavors, including: Loaded Potato, Creamy Potato, Cheddar Broccoli, and Cheddar Potato.

HOW TO MAKE SOUP FOR A LARGE CROWD OR PARTY

(SERVES 8-10+)

For our group, I mixed three different packets of Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups together, then added 12 Cups of water (because each packet requires 4 cups of water to make, and that’s it!).

Ingredients:

3 packages of Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups in any flavor (Learn more about available flavors below)

12 Cups water

2-3 tsp Seasoning Mix of your choice - I used a Greek Seasoning, which added black pepper taste

Optional - 1-2 cups fresh broccoli flowerettes (cut into small, bite-sized pieces

What Toppings To Offer:

(Best displayed in cute bowls with spoons so guests can serve themselves)

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Soup Crackers

Bacon Bits

Sour Cream

Hot Sauce

This was a VERY cost effective way to feed a large group!

We served up soup and SO many other tasty sides. The cookies were a huge hit! Get the recipe below.

FOR THE DECOR:

I set the table with a slivery grey piece of fabric, then placed a black and white buffalo plaid fabric table runner over the top. I thought this really tied the warm, cozy, inviting feel of the soup into the decor as well. Next, I found the cutest white plastic spoons at the party store, plus some periwinkle colored bowls. While I could have also used glass or ceramic bowls, these worked great! Another fun idea would have been to use coffee mugs for people to eat soup from, and it would be even more casual.

I did however provide cloth napkins for guests, and a few other cute paper and bamboo plates for all those yummy side dishes.

The Best Oatmeal Cookie Recipe - Makes 20 Cookies

These cookies were a huge hit, and finished off the meal nicely. After eating our meal, we sat around the table, reminiscing about fun times we all had together over the past year, and eating oatmeal cookies.

This recipe was found on this inspiring blog, The Comfort of Cooking, here.

Note - I would recommend doubling the below recipe for a crowd.

OLD FASHIONED CHEWY OATMEAL COOKIES

YIELD: Makes 20 cookies

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

DIRECTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

2.) In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars until fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla until well blended. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir into butter mixture. Gently stir in oats until well blended.

3.) Shape dough into rounded golfball-sized balls (about 2 Tbsp. each). Place on prepared baking sheet (I fit 9 per sheet). Flatten with the bottom of a measuring cup dipped in sugar.

4.) Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Spinach Artichoke Dip + Pita Bread Slices (Serves 6-8)

I found this recipe on the Spend With Pennies Blog, here.

PREP TIME 10 minutes

COOK TIME 25 minutes

TOTAL TIME 35 minutes

This is my favorite Spinach Artichoke dip recipe!! It’s easy to make and always a huge hit!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 oz cream cheese , softened

  • 2/3 cup sour cream

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise

  • 2 cloves garlic minced

  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese divided

  • 1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese

  • 1/2 cup gruyere cheese

  • 10 oz frozen chopped spinach defrosted and squeezed dry

  • 14 oz marinated artichoke hearts chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut pitas into 6 pieces each, like pizza slices.

2.) In a bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and garlic with a hand mixer until fluffy.

3.) Stir in parmesan cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, gruyere cheese, spinach, and artichokes.

4.) Place into a 9x9 casserole dish (or deep dish pie plate) and top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.

5.) Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is browned. Carefully remove from oven and serve directly from baking dish when safe to serve.

6.) Meanwhile, bake pita triangles for 5-7 minutes, remove from oven before they are too crunchy, and are still a bit soft but warm.

Enjoy!

What soup flavors will you feature at your next gathering? You could also make a batch of each soup and see what your guests lie best! Lay out all the toppings in matching bowls, and offer guests spoons, napkins, plates, bread, and more! Enjoy!

Have a wonderful day!

Light + Crispy Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Recipe

Light, crispy, festive, and delicious cookies you are sure to love! Uncomplicated ingredients and an easy baking process makes these cookies a 10/10 all around! You will love the light, airy crunch that the ingredients offer, and these can be customized to any colors you would like - even holidays or team colors!

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. butter

1 c. vegetable oil

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour (2 cups all purpose flour + 2 self rising flour if you would like)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

ball sprinkles or colorful sanding sugar - almost any sprinkles will do!

baking sheets

parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sugar until combined

2.) Add vegetable oil + powdered sugar

3.) Add egg + vanilla

4.) Add dry ingredients slowly, blend everything together until fully incorporated.

5.) Pour about 1/4 cup sprinkles into a shallow bowl or dish. Roll dough into 1-1.5” balls, and roll in sprinkles. Coat the dough as much as possible with the sprinkles - you may need to use your fingers to help press sprinkles into dough. Place each ball onto parchment lined baking sheets, and use a glass to flatten the balls a little bit.

6.) Bake 6 cookies per baking sheet for 8-10 minutes each, they will spread a little bit, so this insures the cookies do not touch while baking. Transfer onto cooling rack, and enjoy while still a little warm, or after they have cooled - they will get nice and crunchy! Enjoy.