10 Minute Hot Crab Dip + Grab Your $1 Off Cole’s MIDDLES™ Printable Coupon {Available NOW At Walmart!}

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cole’s MIDDLES™. All opinions are 100% mine.

This 10 minute Hot Crab Dip is AMAZING, and it pairs perfectly with Cole's MIDDES™  Bread Five Cheese bites. So delicious, and simple! This Hot Crab Dip and Cole's MIDDLES, make a great fuss-free appetizer to serve to guests during the holiday season. It's also a great make-and-take recipe, for toting to all of your upcoming holiday gatherings.

Friends, not even gonna' lie. The past few days have been a bit crazy around here. The holiday whirl has definitely begun! As a busy mom (4 kids keep me super occupied, for sure!) I don't have a ton of excess time on my hands, and the busyness of the holiday season only tends to add to our already hectic schedule. In all of the busyness though, I want to pause and soak in some of the holiday magic with the kids this Christmas. So, in an effort to free up some time,  I grabbed my recipe book and earmarked a few of my favorite fast and delicious holiday recipes, to ensure that I don't spend the entire month sequestered in the kitchen! One of my top 5 favorite family recipes, is this 10 minute hot crab dip. My mom used to make this when I was young; totally timeless and always a crowd pleaser!

Looking to grab a few extra special moments with your family this holiday season, too? Grab my easy recipe for 10 Minute Hot Crab Dip and print your $1 off Cole's MIDDLES coupon, below.

2 Ingredient Taste-Safe Yogurt Play Dough Recipe + Super Fun DIY Kitchen Experiment For Toddlers!

My toddler absolutely loves play dough! It's a fun medium to play and create with, and it's even more fun when we make our own. This 2-ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough is silky and soft, and it smells absolutely scrumptious! If you're looking for a fun science experiment to do in the kitchen with little ones, that also results in endless hours of creative play and fun, this yogurt play dough is definitely worth trying.

All you'll need is two simple ingredients (that you most likely already have on hand), a mixing bowl, and a spoon. I love simple recipes like this. My toddler can help stir and knead the ingredients, and then he gets to enjoy the fruits of his efforts, by playing with his homemade yogurt play dough! You can even divide the yogurt play dough up and use a few drops of food coloring to make a rainbow of colors.

Grab the simple supply list and instructions below, to make your own 2 ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough.

Jell-O Slime! An Edible Taste-Safe Recipe

Jello Slime! Looking for a fun edible taste-safe slime recipe? This easy Jell-O Slime recipe, is it! No borax, no glue, or any other crazy ingredients required. You'll just need a few simple ingredients (that you may already have on-hand in your kitchen.) This Jell-O Slime is perfect for younger kids, and toddlers. It also makes a great little kitchen experiment / STEM activity, for children.

Hi friends, how is your summer going? We've been filling most of our days at the pool and the water park.  In our "downtime," we've been enjoying fun and simple activities, like this one, at home. The slime craze is still going strong around here, so this DIY Jell-O Slime was a BIG hit with all of our kids. Because this Jell-O Slime recipe only requires simple ingredients that you can find in your kitchen, it was safe for all of the kids to play with {and taste-test!} even the toddlers.

Grab the simple list of ingredients and instructions to make your own Jell-O slime, below.

Irish Potato Candy

Have you ever tried Irish Potato Candy? It's SO good! It's also super simple to make, so it's the perfect St. Patrick's Day recipe to make with the kids. As an added bonus, Irish Potato Candy is also gluten-free. 

Did you know that Irish Potato candy is a bit of an Irish- American tradition? These small no-bake hand-rolled sweet candies are made to resemble potatoes and are comprised of a simple list of ingredients [not including actual potatoes!] After you mix your ingredients together, you simple roll them, dip them in cinnamon mixture, refrigerate and serve! Like I said, super simple!  

Grab the simple ingredient list and recipe for the BEST Irish Potato Candy recipe, below.

Classic Irish Soda Bread - Simple Recipe Perfect For St. Patrick's Day

This classic Irish Soda Bread recipe is super simple to make, and perfect for serving on St. Patrick's day {or any day really.} It pairs well with homemade soups and stews, or even served simply - with with a few pads of butter and your favorite hot beverage. We made our Classic Irish Soda Bread, gluten-free however, you can easily use the substitution below, if you don't have a gluten allergy in your home.

Hi friends, how have you been? It seems like I've been spending a ton of time in the kitchen lately. Our twelve year old son is definitely growing, and he's eating everything in sight these days! Because we have a variety of allergies to cater to in our home, I try to make most of our food from scratch - including the majority of our breads/baked goods. This Classic Irish Soda Bread recipe is a current favorite in our home, so I've been making it at least two times a week lately; it's not just a St. Patrick's Day tradition around here!

Grab my recipe for classic Irish Soda Bread, below.

Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bark Tutorial - Great DIY Treat For Valentine's Day!

This DIY Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bark is the perfect gluten-free sweet treat for Valentine's Day! We made our chocolate covered pretzel bark with gluten free pretzel sticks and and gluten free pretzel twists, however you could easily swap out with regular pretzels if you'd like! When you fill in the mini-pretzel twists with pink chocolate (or white or even red) - they look just like chocolate hearts. So cute!

Friends, I wasn't originally planning on posting this. But when I started making it for the kids, I realized how fun it would be to share here for a little Valentine's  day DIY gift / treat inspiration. So please forgive the imagery, as it was totally impromptu! 

Grab the simple supply list and instructions on how to make our Gluten-Free Chocolate Covered Pretzel Bark, below. It's the perfect sweet treat for sharing and enjoying with the one's you love, this Valentine's Day!

The Best One Pot Italian Meals - In 30 Minutes OR LESS!

Hi friends, how have you been?

This week was especially busy in our home.  Honestly, I think that "busy" will be the running theme around here, from here on out. Four kids keep you busy - but in the happiest of ways! While the days are certainly filled to the brim with work, school, activities, and other random responsibilities - there's one thing that remains steadfast in our home; family dinners.

Family dinner is something that my husband and I have always prioritized. It's the simplest way to come together each day - especially when we're feeling like the busyness of life is pulling everyone in opposite directions. No matter what's going on in our lives individually, we can always find our way back to each other, around the dinner table. In my book, there's nothing better than great food + the company of the ones you love most.

Creating great food for your family, even when you're strapped for time, can be easier than you think. Check out my new fave one pot Italian meal recipes below  + the secret ingredient that makes these meals come together { and taste amazing } in 30 minutes OR LESS.

The Perfect Gluten Free Quiche Lorraine Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the happy egg co.. All opinions are 100% mine.

At the start of this new year, I found myself in a place of reflection. In the busyness of my daily life, I don't often make time to do that. Like most, I tend to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily responsibilities and I forget to pause and think. Friends, it's good to do that from time to time. To truly stop, and  reflect on everything that's happened (be it good, bad, or indifferent), and plot your course accordingly. 

This past year was a year of big changes for our family. The biggest of these changes came in August, when we joyfully welcomed our fourth child. This past year also presented it's fair share of challenges. That's OK though, I'm always up for a good challenge! Challenges bring along with them some great opportunities for growth and learning, and what would this life be if we didn't continue to grow and learn, right?  I can find gratitude for what we've learned in our home as a result of some of this past years challenges, too.

This year, I don't have any grand plans or resolutions, just one ongoing quest moving forward really; to remember to pause and find happiness in the little things. Honestly, my most favorite memories aren't really glamorous at all. They didn't include a ton of planning or decorating, and they didn't cost a ton of money. My most cherished memories, hands-down, have occurred around our kitchen table, over a great meal shared with my family.  Sunday breakfasts in particular, seem to bring about the most memory-making magic around here. My families current menu favorite for Sunday breakfast?  My recipe for gluten-free Quiche Lorraine. After a ton of tweaking (nailing down the recipe for gluten free pie crust wasn't easy, folks) we think it's pretty perfect. Definitely great for sharing with your favorite people around the breakfast table on a lazy Sunday morning, or any day of the week, really.

Grab my recipe for the Perfect Gluten Free Quiche Lorraine, below.

Thai Red Curry with Tofu

If you are a Thai food fan, you'll adore this recipe, which is entirely vegan and features nice and crispy tofu with a selection of crunchy veggies.  

Peeps White Chocolate Bunny Bark

Are Peeps your favorite Easter candy? They are definitely a favorite around here, and this Peeps White Chocolate Bunny Bark is such a fun sweet treat for the upcoming Easter holiday! This Peeps Bunny white chocolate bark recipe is perfect for making and sharing with friends and family or for enjoying as an easy dessert.My favorite part? This simple Peeps white chocolate bunny bark recipe is so easy to assemble, the kids can make it (or at least help make it!) 

Ready to make your own Peeps white chocolate bunny bark? Read on for the full supply list and step-by-step instructions, below.

DIY Valentine's Day Wonderul Halos Love Monsters - Perfect Non-Candy Holiday Treat / Snack Idea For Kids! + A Giveaway

This post is in partnership with Wonderful Halos. All opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for non-candy Valentine's Day treat / snack ideas for kids? These DIY Valentine's Day Love Monsters are fashioned out of juicy Wonderful Halos California mandarins, and they make the perfect sweet non-candy treat /snack for kids {and adults alike!} this Valentine's Day! They would also be a great allergy friendly healthy treat to make in bulk as a class snack for the upcoming holiday.  You can easily assemble 25-30 of these Valentine's Day Love Monsters for about $20. Totally budget friendly, super cute, and most importantly, delicious!

Read on for the simple supply list and easy tutorial to make your own DIY Valentine's Day Love Monsters, as the perfect candy-free treat this Valentine's Day + enter to win FIVE (5lb.) bags/ crates of Wonderful Halos California mandarins! 

10 Minute Hot Caprese Dip

Love Caprese salad? This 10 Minute Hot Caprese Dip, combines all of the flavors of Caprese salad into a perfectly lovely hot dip, and it comes together super quick, which is always my kinda' recipe!

Hi friends, how have you been? We're all still reeling from the flu here {I'm officially waving my white flag! It's B.A.D., folks!} BUT, we're still gearing up for the big game, and as always, I plan to bring my A-game with the food and snacks. This Hot Caprese Dip is currently at the top of my snack menu for our Superbowl party. If you're looking for a delicious hot dip to serve up on game-day, this 10 Minute Hot Caprese Dip is always a crowd-pleaser.  Serve it up alongside crackers or pita chips, and you're set!

Read on for my super simple 10 Minute Hot Caprese Dip recipe, below.

One-Dish Mediterranean Chicken + a Giveaway

This post is sponsored by SheSpeaks and Rubbermaid®. All opinions are 100% mine.

With Fall fully upon us now, it's officially time for comfort food! This one-dish Mediterranean chicken recipe (although super healthy) can definitely be classified as comfort food. This dish is packed full of delicious fresh vegetables and flavor, and it comes together easily in one dish for super easy clean-up; always my kind of meal!

Hi friends, how have you been? We are busy, busy, busy around here these days! It seems as though we went from zero to sixty when the school year started, with no chance of hitting the breaks in sight. I suppose it's always like that though, right?  With everyone going in different directions during the week,  dinner is the one steady that grounds us all around here, and brings us back together each night. 

If your weekday schedule is as hectic as ours (fist bump - I totally empathize with you!) give this one-dish Mediterranean chicken a whirl. It's seriously so simple to put together - you may just be able to grab a few extra moments of "me time" (what?!) for a power nap or a manicure. Both sound dreamy to me right about now, friends....and the school year has only just begun. 

Grab my super simple recipe for one-dish Mediterranean Chicken, below. Plus, find out my secret for keeping super fresh veggies always stocked and at-the-ready in our refrigerator, year-round.

One-Pot Dublin Coddle #WhatsCookingWednesday

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Klement’s Sausage. All opinions are 100% mine.

"Cooking is love made visible." - Unknown

I love this quote. How very, very true. Cooking is indeed, love made visible.  This one-pot Dublin Coddle is such a simple and delicious meal. It's the perfect recipe to gather everyone together around the table, to show and share some love this season. It's comfort food at it's finest, friends! My mom used to make this every year in the fall; Dublin Coddle was a bit of a tradition in our home.  Though she is no longer with us, her tradition lives on each year, in my own home.

Hi friends, how have you been? I hope you've all fared well through the back-to-school frenzy! This summer was enlightening in many ways.  Lately, I've been mindfully trying to take in the little moments with my family. Being fully present is hard in today's world. With all of the technology and distractions at-the-ready, it's important to put it all in it's place from time to time and focus on what's really important; each other. For us, family dinner time and family gatherings have become a mecca of unplugged togetherness. No phones, no computers, just good conversation over great food. This past weekend, I pulled out my dutch oven, and my electric smoker, and made this one-pot Dublin Coddle for my family (you can easily make it in the oven as well). The recipe is easy to assemble, and only requires a few simple ingredients (Klement's Fully Cooked Smoked Cheddar Bratwurst, bacon, potatoes, onions, butter, apple cider, and some simple seasonings)- definitely my kind of recipe! When this deliciousness was ready, we all headed to the backyard to enjoy a few friendly games of checkers while we chatted and ate. It was the perfect traditional unplugged start to our Fall season.

Read on for my full recipe for one-pot Dublin Coddle, below.

Stuffed Peppers Casserole Recipe

This stuffed peppers casserole recipe was a super happy accident, friends. All of my kids absolutely love green peppers, which is pretty amazing considering how picky they all are with their food choices. They also have an affinity for traditional stuffed peppers. Each time I would make them though, they would complain about how hard they were to eat. Hard to cut, hard to contain once they did managed to cut them etc. So I stopped making them for a while. After a friend gifted us with a ton of green peppers from their garden last week, I decided to try my hand at a fun new twist on stuffed peppers; a casserole that combines all of the ingredients of traditional stuffed peppers in a one-dish meal. The results were a big hit! All of the kids cleared their plates and asked for more, which is a complement in itself, coming from my group picky eaters. Give it a whirl for dinner this week and I'm sure you'll like it just as much as my crew - it's delicious and so SO easy to put together!

Grab my recipe for stuffed peppers casserole, below. 

Throw a BBQ on a Budget - How To Pull Off A Memorable Backyard Bash Without Breaking The Bank!

This post is sponsored by BJ's Wholesale Club. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer has arrived! With the 4th of July just around the corner, it's time to start planning your barbecue menu and nail down on some fun entertainment options for your guests! Are you as excited as I am that summer is finally here? I can hardly contain my glee, folks! If you're ready to throw a BBQ on Budget,  I have some simple tips and tricks today on how to pull off a memorable backyard bash this summer, without breaking the bank!

It's officially summer, friends! I'm so ready for the slower pace of the season. Lazy days spent poolside with the kids, and some good old fashioned backyard fun sounds heavenly to me right about now. We got a jump start on summer last weekend, and hosted our first official backyard barbecue. We had a ton of fun with the kids, and we can't wait for a season packed with much of the same.  We broke out the backyard games, pulled out the big projection screen, and cleaned out the fire pit to prepare for the season ahead. I planned a simple, yet crowd pleasing menu, and we got down to the business of making some new memories. In all, it only cost about $40 in groceries to feed and entertain our crowd, which is a total steal in my opinion! We also had a little DIY fun making our own sidewalk chalk with a variety of juice drink mixes, found in-store.

I wasn't always so efficient at feeding a crowd on a budget, friends. My tricks to pulling off a memorable backyard bash on a budget have literally taken years to hone.

Check out my tips, tricks, and simple recipes for Crab Cake Po' Boys with Old Bay Mayo, Coconut Gelato with Caramelized Pineapple + our easy tutorial on how to make your own DIY Sidewalk Chalk with juice drink mix and other simple supplies, below.

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe - Super Simple, Super Tasty!

Looking for the best pasta salad recipes for upcoming summer BBQ's? This BLT Pasta Salad is sure to become a fast favorite! It's loaded with bacon, sweet grape tomatoes and fresh spinach, and  it all comes together perfectly with a light zesty dressing.

Hi friends, how have you been? This past week was a bit of a blur. We were buried in school work with the kids and work, and the weekend seemed like it would never come! Once it did, I made sure to sit and relax for a few hours, because I know we're in for another busy week ahead. I made simple recipes over the weekend, and spent the rest of my time relaxing with the kids and watching a few old favorites on Netflix. It was just what my soul needed to re-energize, so that I can do it all over again this week. 

I put together a very simple lunch over the weekend that included this BLT Pasta Salad, and my crew absolutely loved it! Whether you're serving it on it's own as a light lunch or you're bringing along to a summer cookout - it's sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Wishing everyone a great week!

Grab my simple BLT Pasta Salad Recipe, below.

Simple Sesame Noodles + Easy Homemade Steamed Veggie Dumplings Recipes

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Soy Vay. All opinions are 100% mine.

These Simple Sesame Noodles and Easy Homemade Steamed Veggie Dumplings are indeed super simple to put together. My favorite part? This delicious meal only requires a very simple list of ingredients, with the help of Soy Vay. Because so many of the delicious ingredients are already in the sauce!

Hi friends, how have you been? When my husband and I were younger, before we had children, we would go out to eat almost every Friday. After enjoying a great meal at our favorite Japanese restaurant, we'd head across the street to catch a movie. It was simple enough. Looking back though, I cherish all of that time that we had together, just the two of us.

Now with four beautiful kids in tow, we don't get out on our own nearly as frequently.  So, we tend to grab a few moments of quality time on the weekend, over a special meal at home. My husband's absolute favorites are Sesame Noodles, and Steamed Veggie Dumplings. When I make him this simple and delicious meal, it definitely stirs up some nostalgia - of our Friday night tradition from all those years ago. I just love that we made it to this point, where we can say "all those years ago." 17 years and counting. Friends, I feel so very blessed.

Grab my recipe for Simple Sesame Noodles and Easy Homemade Steamed Veggie Dumplings, below.

Green Eggs { and Ham } Chocolate Pretzel Bites - A Deliciously Silly Snack Recipe For Dr. Seuss Day

Are you celebrating the beloved Dr. Seuss, on Dr. Seuss Day { March 2nd } with your children? We are! Every year, since my oldest children were little, we have had a little celebration - be it with a fun craft or a silly recipe. It's a tradition around here. This year we made these adorable "Green Eggs" chocolate pretzel bites as a nod to one of my toddlers favorite Dr. Seuss books, Green Eggs and Ham. .

"I will not eat them in a house, I will not eat them with a mouse, I will not eat them in a box I will not eat them with a fox, I will not eat them here or there I will not eat them anywhere, I do not like green eggs and ham I do not like them Sam I am."

This is a delicious version of Green Eggs {and Ham} that the kids can enjoy as a fun snack or dessert on Dr. Seuss Day {or any day that you read this fun book with them, really}.

Grab the super simple supply list and instructions on how to make Green Eggs chocolate pretzel bites, below.

Gluten-Free Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites - DIY Sweet Treats For Valentine's

Hi friends, how have you been? Not even going to lie. It's been a rough few weeks around here. It seems like my entire crew has been on a non-stop merry-go-round of sickness for the past two months. Just when we seem to be kicking one cold/flu bug to the curb, we pick up another! I've been on 24/7 germ control, and apparently, I've been failing miserably. Alas, I'm trying friends, so hard.

The last few days haven't been quiet as bad (knock on wood) so I've been doing a little therapeutic baking. Chocolate chip cookies, especially deep dish chocolate chip cookies like these ones (in heart shapes, covered in white chocolate and Valentine's sprinkles) bring on the smiles around here. They were just what the doctor ordered!  They are delicious, and they're so easy to make too. They're the perfect DIY sweet treats to share with loved ones for Valentine's Day, or any day. You can make them gluten-free or regular, your choice. Both are equally delicious!

Grab my recipe for Gluten-Free Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites, below.