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 Almost every time I make a new recipe for the kiddos I always get the same comments over and over again.  They go something like this: "That looks gross" or "I don't like [insert whatever I happen to be making]" or "I'm sure I'm not going to like that" and the list goes on. Most of the time I try to have something nice to say to them about it or just ignore it but sometimes that is the frosting on the cake and mom goes over the edge. Several weeks ago we had a particularly bad week with it. I finally told them, "do you really think I try to make things you don't like?" And to give them credit almost every single time they try something new they actually like it . Heck I have several kids that realized they like asparagus and cauliflower and bacon all because they tried something new. So to get over our bad week I decided to make something "new" that I knew that all of them would love.  They loved this pasta. It was simp...

Spring is in full swing at this house. Hence (why I forgot to post last Friday--sorry peeps but sometimes this momma has got to go play!) We have been busy planting our garden, pulling weeds, fertilizing the bushes, taking walks, watching three versions of "Willy Wonka" all in one week, and just playing. It's been wonderful. And we have loved every minute of it. One day though the kids were craving some cookies so we decided to make some together. And since peanut butter and chocolate are always the best thing in this house (and this girl has been dying to make these beauties) we made amazing cookies. Wow! These are probably one of my favorite cookies yet. The combination of the two frostings on top were TO.DIE.FOR. No one could stay out of them and needless to say, they soon got carted off for other people to enjoy because this house had already eaten half the batch.  You should totally make them today!  Frosted Peanut Butter Cookies ( click here for printable version ) ...

My oldest loves banana muffins. We have a tried and true recipe that we all love but frankly, it's not that healthy so I wanted to branch out and try some something new. Something at least that sounded healthier. I loved bran muffins growing up. I can't really remember why but they have always reminded me of home and being delicious. And I confess, I have never made them as an adult. So I decided to rectify the situation and see if these would pass my oldest son's scrutiny and my memory of those amazing things from my youth. We all really loved these muffins. Especially warm out of the oven with butter. The texture was great and they were moist with a wonderful banana flavor. Plus now we have a new banana muffin on our repertoire. Sweet! Healthy Banana Bran Muffins ( click here for printable version ) 2 tbsp butter, softened 1/3 cup applesauce 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp bakin...

Did you get an email to see if you were the winner? Check it out and see!  The other day on Facebook I ask what kind of Oreo I should use in the new recipe I was making. The top votes were for mint and peanut butter. Mmmm so delicious!! I love both of them but as I was browsing through the store I decided on the peanut butter Oreos especially after I "found" the peanut butter M&Ms.  Maybe I should say they "found" me. Seriously, I "heart" those little things so much.   Well this was a hit. Everyone at this house was in love. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is the ultimate for me so adding even more chocolate and even more peanut butter seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Heaven. Heaven. Heaven. Peanut Butter Oreo Muddy Buddies ( click here for printable version ) 9 cups Chex cereal (rice, corn or chocolate) 1 cup peanut butter M&Ms, chopped coarsely 1/4 cup butter 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup creamy peanut but...

You have a couple more days to enter the giveaway !! Sometimes I try to get my kids to change their preference choices when it comes to pizza. Every single time it's cheese or if they are adventurous, cheese with pineapple.  I know, I know...they really live life on the edge. The hubs and I are a completely different story. I L.O.V.E. my cauliflower pizza crust especially with the veggies piled high (red peppers are my favorite on there). But if I am feeling super industrious I will make 3 pizzas. One for the kids, a cauliflower one for me and Sam, and then a new one for everyone to try. This beauty was a a yummy find. Bacon on pretty much anything makes it to die for but add spinach and chicken with a homemade flatbread dough and it's over the top. Plus I am so set on my usual homemade dough that this was fun to try something new.  Flatbread Spinach Bacon Chicken Pizza ( click here for printable version ) *Note: this dough takes a while to rise so plan ahead. If you don't ...

Did you enter the GIVEAWAY already? Don't forget!!  My oldest child, Seth, has quite the sense of humor. It's just like his fathers' and I haven't decided if that's a good or bad thing. It all depends on the day! Seth has a really good friend that comes over quite often. And we love having him over mostly because he tames Seth down and gets his quirky sense of humor (and that means Seth isn't trying it out on us for several hours--hahaha...). This boy also makes dinner and breakfast for his family quite often. Now I have this thing about my kitchen. If anyone is making a recipe in there it takes all my willpower, not kidding, to leave them alone. The hubs doesn't really appreciate me telling him all sorts of ways to do things better, so it's just best for me to stay out of there. Anyway, this boy convinces Seth that he should make dinner for us.  Now I have been wanting to try this recipe (because my girls L.O.V.E. spaghetti and would have it every nigh...