Sticky post
One of my favorite summertime treats are S’mores, but unfortunately with kids they can be a mess, and fire isn’t always the best thing to manage them around. When I worked at Sandy Hill Camp during college, we used to do bulk Smore’s in the oven, which is a GENIUS idea, and one that I do with my kids year round as a fun surprise. … Continue reading Easy Indoor S’more Recipe
Sticky post
My first job after graduating from college was to be an Assistant Manager at Potbelly in downtown DC. The best part…..unlimited food for free as long as it was rung up ( who does that). As a 22 year old, that looked a lot like 1 sandwich, 10 Diet Cokes and 5 dream bars during my 12 hour shifts. To this day, anytime I am … Continue reading Dream Bar Recipe
Sticky post
When I am stuck inside I am constantly looking for crafts an fun things to do with my kids, but unfortunately most end up costing a ton once I gather everything, or it takes forever to get set up. I have a 2 ( yes TWO ) item craft that you can get both items at the Dollar Tree and spend less than $2 for … Continue reading Moon Dough
Sticky post
A great list of virtual tours and online ideas to keep the kids happy and occupied when stuck at home. This is good for when they are home sick, we are quarantined or even if you just don’t have the funds to travel. Continue reading Indoor Sanity with Kids
Sticky post
Perfect for the lent season or any time you want fish that is more flavorful that just regular breaded fish. The flavor in this is almost refreshing and although you can panfry it and then bake it, I prefer to just bake it and it still gets a nice crust but it just a little healthier. Check it out and let me know what you … Continue reading Almond Encrusted Tilapia
Sticky post
Some things to know about my kids: They love to get involved and feel like they made their dinner. They hate leftovers They can easily be tricked into eating leftovers if I am crafty enough Sound like anyone else out there? I like to go to my tried and true Quiche crust and egg base to help give everyone what they want for dinner while … Continue reading Mini Quiche Recipe
Sticky post
Winter is no fun and I am ready for Spring! In talking with my neighbors ( via text/internet since, you know, we aren’t going outside), they all feel the same way too. Spring can’t get here soon enough so I created my own March into Spring Challenge for the first 2 weeks of March. It is not to lose weight or build a business, grow … Continue reading March Into Spring Challenge
Sticky post
I love a good crab cake…. like love one. Is this a recipe for crab cakes? No, no it is not. It is not because 1. I have yet to find solid crab for sale in Indiana and 2. Even if I did, it is not the most cost effective protein to use for an entire family meal. I like to go shopping in my … Continue reading Tuna Cakes
Sticky post
Noodles in any form with a red sauce and meat is my kids jam. I am guessing that it is most kids jam along with pizza and mac n cheese….that is why it is on every kids meal out there. I am so over it though, as simple as it is to make. So, I have played around with a few different ways to stuff … Continue reading Lasagna Roll Ups
Sticky post
Growing up in PA, pretzels were kind of a big deal. Benzel’s pretzels were made the next town over and Philly with their hot pretzels were king. Going to Pittsburgh Pirate games and other sporting events it was always a given that I would get a hot pretzel with cheese on the side. Well, I still love it 🙂 When I worked at Sheetz and … Continue reading Homemade Hot Pretzel Recipe
Sticky post
“Dear Birth Mom, I love you. We didn’t meet for long and we don’t have deep in depth conversations, but I care for you so deeply on a level that most don’t understand. You are strong, you are beautiful, and above all, you are brave. You are unselfish and sweet and I could go on and on. See, no matter what has happened in your … Continue reading Dear Birth Mom
Sticky post
Cheesecake. It’s something we would love to eat everyday, right? Unfortunately the regular kind comes full of fat and sugar and well, you can’t make just 1 slice so why not make and eat the whole thing?! I gotcha covered!! A single serve faux cheesecake dip that is healthy and high in protein – for realsies!! The base of this is cottage cheese. You know, … Continue reading “Cheesecake” Dip
Sticky post
Did you now that there are a ton of ways to get free admission to National Parks or at least very discounted? We are lucky to live somewhere that there are so many great places to visit! Continue reading Free National Park Admission
Sticky post
I’ve created my own monsters and I am well aware of it. My kids ask to bake things on the regular, which I love, but I don’t always love the cleaning up. I’ve also had a few friends that say they love looking at the recipes on the blog, but don’t have the time or energy to make them. I have come to answer your … Continue reading 2 Minute Dessert Recipes
Sticky post
In honor of National Cheddar Cheese Day, what better way to celebrate than easy Cheddar Cheese Crisp Recipe! Continue reading Cheese Crisp Recipe
Sticky post
I am not going to lie here, the chocolate pasta was supposed to be the star of the show for this one because it is almost Valentine’s Day and that is perfect! Chocolate pasta can be served savory or sweet and is just a neat thing to look at ( plus easy to make!) That being said… my peanut butter sauce ended up being one … Continue reading Chocolate Pasta w/ Peanut Butter Sauce
Sticky post
Dry January. It was a thing I had heard of people doing before as part of a New Year’s resolution, but I never really had much interest. I don’t do resolutions and prefer smaller goals throughout the year, and well, I didn’t have a drinking problem. This year combined the perfect trifecta of the stress of starting my own businesses, single parenting for the year … Continue reading Dry January Results
Sticky post
It’s the season where mom’s across the US are searching Pinterest for what to do for their kids Valentine’s Day parties, and I am here for it! We have a few mainstays that we do for various holidays that all start with a basic sugar cookie dough recipe. Scroll to the bottom for the recipes for the dough & royal icing and check out one … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Treats
Sticky post
DIY chocolate covered mummy pretzels perfect for a Halloween snack and impressing all of the PTO moms that have it together more than you! Continue reading DIY Mummy Pretzels
Sticky post
Water is a HUGE part of your physical and mental well being. Ensuring you are hydrated to your fullest helps keep your body functioning at it’s peak capability. Not only do we need water for our bodies to function at their highest level, but water is a cheap way to keep you feeling full and you can make it taste great. With the current #last90days … Continue reading Easy Infused Water Recipes
Sticky post
While I don’t like cold weather, I do like that fact that fall gives way to lots of squash available for different recipes. One of my favorite go to’s is my Butternut Squash Soup, but this one is a new favorite as well. I like it because it is can be used as a side for meals ( perfect for Thanksgiving!) or you can add … Continue reading Butternut Squash Tart
Sticky post
Long ago were the days that I would be in homeroom thinking about when my break and next snack time would be. Food has always been a passion of mine, ok, obsession, and I think about my next food while I am eating food. My options used to be simple: granola bar, fruit roll-up or gummies. Kids now have so many options! But alas, then … Continue reading “Cleaning Up” Snacks for Kids
Sticky post
Ever since I was a child, I remember being like Scrooge McDuck and counting my money all the time. I would dump bills and change out of my Easter Tootsie Roll container and out onto the kitchen table, and count it down to the last penny. I would then put a piece of paper in the top so I could remember exactly what I had … Continue reading Teaching Kids About Money
Sticky post
It’s a Friday, which means it is RED Friday. What does that mean? Remember Every Deployed. To the majority of the country, it is just another day of the week in which they will get off work, go home to their family and celebrate the weekend. Then there are those of us who will go home and play single mom/dad and try to just keep … Continue reading Deployment Strong
Sticky post
A gluten free clean and healthy pumpkin chocolate chip cookie dough recipe that you can eat guilt free with a spoon all day long! This is the perfect treat for your kids to have and for you to get your pumpkin spice latter fix for a fraction of the price and all the health benefits! Continue reading Healthy Pumpkin Cookie Dough
Sticky post
After failed attempts at a chore chart that works, here is a chore chart that takes less than 5 minutes to make – and it actually gets used too! Continue reading DIY Chore Chart
Sticky post
I know this seems dumb, but I can’t even begin to tell you how much research I had to do in order to figure this out. I needed to figure out the best way to put a baby gate up in my home with our open concept craftsman style stairs. Initially chairs stacked in front of it worked, but now that my 13 month old … Continue reading Baby Gate help
Sticky post
I am being super intentional in making summer great again. Summer is simply not what it used to be. I remember the days of waking up at 10 AM ( or later ), having my Lucky Charms and lounging by the pool until it was snack time or my mom made me dinner…..and this was when I was 17 lol. I would be outside riding … Continue reading Owning Summer (instead of surviving it)
Sticky post
“Oopsie Baby” Simple words and seems harmless, right? I had someone say that to me last weekend when they asked my kids ages. “9, 7 and 11 months”, I said. “That’s an oopsie baby is what that is”, this person joked to about 10+ people who were around. This was the first time I had met this person and I am going to be around … Continue reading The Mother’s Day Post
Sticky post
They are sweet, salty, crisp but chewy, stand alone, as a topper or dunkable. I mean, onion rings hit pretty much every spot you could want them to, right? Truth be told, I used to hate onion rings as a kid, but that is because I had only tried them from Burger King and well, those were just gross. Since I have become a big … Continue reading The big O – Onion Rings
Sticky post
Poppable and creamy are normally the 2 things I want in a gametime snack or party appetizer. Stuffed mushrooms are one of those things that even people who don’t like mushrooms say ok, it’s stuff with cheese and bacon, I can eat that. They are meaty and filling and great for a crowd that has meat-eaters and vegetarians alike as they work for everyone as … Continue reading Stuffed Mushrooms
Sticky post
Unlimited chips and dip with spinach artichoke dip can be very dangerous, so why not make it somewhat guilt free? I mean, it has 2 vegetables in the name so it “should” be healthy for you, right? Unfortunately regular spinach artichoke dip is far from healthy. Lucky for you, I bit the bullet and tried out a bunch of recipes to get the one that … Continue reading Spinach Artichoke Dip
Sticky post
Jalapeno Poppers were one of those things that I loved but figured there was no way under the sun to make that spicy goodness even remotely healthy or even just not horrible for me. Then I went out to eat and saw them on the menu and wanted them, alot. Like so much that i may have bought an order for the table and eaten … Continue reading Jalapeno Poppers
Sticky post
Give me all the avacodos and guacamole you want – I love it! It is one of those easy recipes you can make that everyone loves and wants to know the recipe. Mine is simple and keeps for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge. Guacamole is healthy-er snack for the big game and is full of healthy fats and lots of … Continue reading Guacamole
Sticky post
Wings…. oh how I love me some wings. When I was a vegetarian for 2 very long years it was one of the things that I craved so bad – they are delicious! Of course you can have a few and not overdo it, but normally I go all in and that is no good for anyone. One way to combat my urge to … Continue reading Sriracha Honey Glazed “Wings”
Sticky post
I came from PA where ketchup went on everything ( eggs anyone?). Where I live in Indiana now, however, Ranch is the ketchup of the Midwest. Don’t get me wrong, I love ranch as much as the next person, but my stretchy pants do not so there in lies the problem. The solution? A healthy version of ranch that can be eaten by the cup … Continue reading Healthy Ranch Dip
Sticky post
Who wants to eat healthy during the Super Bowl? Not me! It isn’t as tasty ( normally ) and healthy foods like salads are just cumbersome and a pain in the buttocks to eat while you are hanging out. I came across this idea a few parties ago that are great to make salad a “poppable” and portable snack. You can have a few of … Continue reading Salad on a Stick
When I think of a party or good potluck I always think of the ooey gooey delicious Buffalo chicken dip. I love it so much that I tend to eat more than my fair share and end up eating a block worth of cream cheese without even realizing it. I know they say everything in moderation, but this girl has zero self control when it … Continue reading Buffalo Chicken Dip
Sticky post
Super bowl food can be delicious and healthy at the same time! No reason to compromise on taste with these recipes that start off the 2 week long segment of go to tailgate food! Continue reading Super Bowl Food
Sticky post
Information and my story about how I induced lactation and was able to fully feed my adopted daughter. Continue reading Adoptive Breastfeeding
Sticky post
It’s Fall Y’all!! Ok, I am not southern and I can’t really pull off saying that out loud, but it’s true! Getting comfy and cozy is one of the best parts of fall and it is also the perfect time of year to make big batches of soup for warm comfort food. This will save you time and warm you up all while being … Continue reading Fall in a cup
Sticky post
A collection of my homemade healthy and clean pumpkin recipes. These have all been kid approved and are easy to make – bonus! Continue reading Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
Sticky post
The final installment of our adoption journey. This includes the ups and downs of meeting the birth mom, learning of the health scares and ending in a beautiful party of 5, our new family. Continue reading Adoption – Party of 5
Sticky post
The story continues on our journey to adoption, now 4 + years in and the ups and downs that are involved. Continue reading Adoption – The Chosen Ones
Sticky post
Our journey into international adoption was a long and hard one with lots of ups and downs. Continue reading Adoption Path – Part 1
Sticky post
Easy make ahead detox green smoothie recipe. Continue reading Healthy Green Smoothie
Sticky post
The not so obvious top 10 things that help new moms feel better after having a baby. Continue reading 10 Things to Know After You Have A Baby (other than the obvious)
Sticky post
Protein lactation bites that are easy to make and healthy for the whole family Continue reading Disappearing Bites
Sticky post
While I love carbs of all sorts, my pants have politely been telling me for a few weeks now that they don’t love me so much. In my single days it would have been easy to solve that, just don’t have them in the house. Now that I am a mom and have that whole responsibility thing of feeding my family, I needed another game … Continue reading Cauliflower Rice to the Rescue
Sticky post
There are a few items out there that work great when you are happy as well as when you are sad. These are things like cake and alcohol…. comfort foods. The normal problem, however, is that if you are on a diet or just eating healthier in general, you end up feeling like crap for eating it later. For me, cookie dough is one of … Continue reading Corky Dough
Corky Jane 