The Looneyspoons Collection Cookbook Review & Giveaway! Plus a Sizzlin’ Salsa Recipe!

The Looneyspoons Collection Cookbook Giveaway

I am always on the lookout for new, delicious and healthy recipes to try. What mom isn't? When I was asked to review The Looneyspoons Collection cookbook by Janet and Greta Podleski, I couldn't wait to see what kind of recipe ideas they offered! The Looneyspoons Collection cookbook is filled with all of your favorite snacks, appetizers, side dishes, meals and desserts--with a healthy twist! The recipes truly contain a lot of healthy ingredients and nutrition--and yet they are very kid-friendly and tasty. The large cookbook contains … [Read more...]

Savory, Melt-In-Your-Mouth, Marinated Steak Tenderloin

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Yep it's as good as it sounds! Serve with a side of cheddar mashed potatoes (or baked potatoes), seasoned green beans or brocolli, and hot yeast rolls with butter. It's delicious and so easy to make!   You Will Need: 4 thick slices beef tenderloin 1/2 stick butter 16 oz. Dale's Steak Seasoning 1 dash coarse ground black pepper   Instructions: Marinate the beef tenderloin in the full bottle of Dale's Steak Seasoning overnight (very important), adding water if needed to fully cover the steaks. The next day at … [Read more...]

Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies

When I was growing up, we made frosted sugar cookies almost every Christmas. I haven't made them in a while but decided to bake some this year. I searched for a recipe similar to what we used to make, and found this Soft Christmas Cookies recipe by Georgie Bowers posted at All Recipes. Some of the All Recipes reviewers made a few suggested adaptations to the recipe, so I followed them and added some extra changes of my own, and the cookies turned out wonderful. Below is the modified recipe (go here for the original) for your … [Read more...]

Homemade Peppered Chicken & Herb Vegetable Soup

Homemade Peppered Chicken & Herb Vegetable Soup

This is a delicious recipe I like to make for the whole family. It's warm, tasty, and goes with so many side dishes. The chicken is baked beforehand so it is moist and tender, adding a lot to this flavorful soup. Serve it with salad or a baked potato for a healthy lunch, or with warm bread and butter for dinner. It's great with my cornbread recipe, and you can also serve it on top of rice. Add noodles and you've got an instant chicken noodle soup for a natural cold remedy. Jar it up and tie a ribbon around it for a wonderful gift. It's a … [Read more...]

Secret Ingredient Baked Shells & Cheddar

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This is my special baked macaroni and cheese recipe. It is absolutely divine. Super cheesy, ooey gooey, perfectly indulgent snack or side dish. I like to make a huge pan of it and freeze it in portions to reheat later. The whole family loves it! I use shell-shaped noodles, but you could use elbows, spirals, etc. Whichever is your preference. If this recipe makes too much, simply cut the measurements in half, use a smaller baking dish, and reduce baking time by 5-10 minutes.   You will need: 2 lbs Shell Noodles 1 stick … [Read more...]

Making & Freezing Fresh Veggies for Babies & Toddlers

Making & Freezing Fresh Veggies for Babies & Toddlers

I like Baby M to have vegetables at just about every meal (except breakfast), but I don't always have time to prepare them on the spot. Canned vegetables lose a lot of nutrients, and most store-bought frozen vegetable melodies I have tried simply do not taste very good (the green beans are chewy, the carrots are rubbery, and nothing has much flavor). So, I like to make Baby M a fresh vegetable melody to freeze and have on hand for quick healthy meals. I usually make enough for about 3 weeks at a time. So easy, so tasty, and so much better … [Read more...]

Avocado Banana Pudding for Babies & Toddlers

Avocado Banana Pudding Recipe for Baby / Toddler

My son absolutely loves this quick, healthy snack. In fact he has enjoyed it since he was about 5 months old (he's 13 months now). It is light, silky smooth and sweet, and a perfect little snack for your little one whether they are just beginning solids or are eating like a champ. I have a Tribest Single Serving Personal Blender that I use to puree this recipe. It works WONDERFULLY, blends everything silky smooth, and is SO easy and quick to clean (much easier than a regular blender or food processor--just two small pieces total that … [Read more...]

Homemade Rice Cereal for Babies & Toddlers

Homemade Rice Cereal for Infants, Babies & Toddlers

Fresher, healthier, cheaper, and much tastier than prepackaged rice cereal mixes! To top it off, homemade rice cereal is super easy to make! Baby M started early on solids at 4 months old and this was one of his very first foods. I didn't like the idea of feeding his tiny, newborn digestive system packaged foods with preservatives or jarred baby foods that lacked the nutrients that fresh foods have, so I made my own rice cereal and baby food for him. Now he is 13 months old, and he still enjoys this rice cereal every night before bed. … [Read more...]

Lasagna with Italian Sausage & Herbs

Lasagna with Italian Sausage & Herbs

Do you love lasagna? My family (DH, Baby M and me) looooves lasagna. It's one of our favorite meals. I've put together my own recipe through the years and I have to say it's delish! I like to make a big pan of it for dinner and freeze the leftovers in meal-size portions. Usually I freeze the portions in these Pyrex glass containers. Take 'em out of the freezer, pop them into the microwave or oven, and there you have it -- absolutely delicious homemade lasagna, 1000x better tasting than Stouffer’s, and better for you too! Look at this … [Read more...]