Recipes

I love to bake and cook and host and be in the kitchen ... so much so that I've started baking semi-professionally ('cause I don't have enough to do)! My son regularly hangs out in the kitchen with me and asks to help, and for fear of spills or burns or messing something up I rarely have tasks for him other than "watching mommy." But that has never really been good enough of a job for Henry... About a month ago, my tune changed. He really was showing interest in what I was doing and showing some toddler-sized abilities to listen and take direction. So, last night I decided to embark on a baking project with him! We made chocolate...

With Lent upon us, two things are in my foreseeable future. The first, something I will give up for the next 40 days. Something that will be a sacrifice for myself but will likely do me some good (last year was sodas!), and the next thing in line is meatless Fridays.  What exactly does a "meatless Friday" entail? Well, growing up in a Catholic family that owned a fishing camp, that meant fish fry events every. single. Friday during Lent. Thats about NINE freaking meals of fried fish in a little over a month's time?! Craziness. Honestly, I'm not a huge fried food person and Lent can be hard for me. With fried fish specials lurking around every corner in our prominently Catholic...

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years you've heard the term paleo. Recently "Paleo" has become a buzz word across the internet, gyms and health food stores alike. While highly popular among Cross Fit enthusiasts, the Paleo Diet has become more and more popular among moms searching for healthier eating habits and increased energy. The Paleo Diet is short for Paleolithic Diet and is commonly referred to as the caveman diet. This diet, while not totally intended for weight loss is more of a lifestyle change which transitions one to eating mostly vegetables, fruits, roots, nuts and seeds, healthy fats and meats. Like many mainstream diets the Paleo lifestyle encourages decreasing intake of sugar,...

Summer time is here ... HOORAY! Bring on the beach vacations, picnics, trips to the pool and of course camp lunches. If you're like me and tired of serving up the ole carrots and ranch dip, look no further for a few new, exciting and tasty fruits and veggies to add to your lunch box or cooler to keep things on the healthier side this summer. Each variety of produce listed is easy to find at most larger, local grocery stores. Enjoy these colorful and interesting fruits and veggies at the dinner table, poolside or added to your snack repertoire. Sugar Snap Peas - Delicious raw or cooked, the sugar snap pea has a sweet crunchy exterior with peas inside its...

Blueberries are in season and bountiful in south Louisiana! The Baton Rouge area is blessed to have many orchards around that will allow families to pick their own Louisiana blueberries, which makes for a fun and fruitful outing with the kids. Tips From a Seasoned Louisiana Mom on Picking Blueberries Call the farm ahead of time and/or check their website and social media handles. Most farms have set operating hours but will close if the berries are too picked over. I recommend that you wear socks and closed toe shoes. Don't forget bug spray and sunscreen, but be sure to apply both of those items in the parking lot to prevent chemicals from getting on the berries. Bring plenty of water...