Toffee Apple Dip

For this month's Secret Recipe Club, I was assigned to Ashley's blog, Rainstorms and Love Notes. Her blog was pretty new to me (though she was assigned to my blog last month and made my Baked "Fried" Pickles!), and I really enjoyed browsing through it.  As usual, my list of recipes to make grew with each page I read through.  I narrowed it down to choosing between Broccoli Cheddar Dip, Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, Pumpkin Roll, and Apple Toffee Dip.  Ultimately I chose to make the apple dip, but I'll definitely be making the others too!

Ever since my friend brought apples with caramel dip to a get together, I've been obsessed, and that's been my nightly snack.  However, since making this Toffee Apple Dip, caramel has been kicked to the curb.  I shared it with some friends the other night, and they all loved it and requested the recipe.  They even agreed that it's better than the caramel dip, and even though we were all stuffed from dinner, we couldn't stop eating this!

This dip was so simple to put together, and it tastes absolutely amazing.  Even Summer ate it, along with apples, and she normally doesn't like apples, so you know it was good!  The only thing I changed was cutting the amount of sugar in half.  Partially due to laziness on my part--I didn't want to go downstairs and bring up a 25 pound bag of sugar just for 1/2 cup--but mostly because after trying the dip with just brown sugar, I decided it was sweet enough for me.  Give it a try with some fresh apples, or even bananas, you won't regret it!

Toffee Apple Dip

Ingredients:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup toffee bits

Combine ingredients until smooth.  Serve with fresh fruit.

Source: Rainstorms and Love Notes

An InLinkz Link-up

Peach Crisp

This easy and delicious dessert is bursting with flavors of fresh peaches, topped with a sweet and crunchy crumb topping.  It's sure to please!

One of my favorite things about late summer and early fall is the variety of fruits available.  Two weeks ago, Mike, Summer, and I went to a farm market and petting zoo.  We spent the morning petting and feeding all kinds of animals, watching Summer jump in the bounce house, going on a wagon ride, and enjoying each other's company.  We left with a peck of fresh peaches, and a dozen apple cinnamon donuts ;) Then yesterday, we headed to a local apple orchard to continue our fall tradition with friends and pick apples.  We left with 42 pounds of apples and a half dozen apple cider donuts ;)  (Notice a trend?)  And yes, those 42 pounds of apples will go to good use since I eat at least one a day!

As I looked through my assigned blog for this month's Secret Recipe Club, I kept in mind my abundance of peaches, as well as a few zucchinis I still had hanging around.  Thankfully, Kristen who blogs at Troyer's Loving Life, made it easy for me to find a great recipe.  Kristen is a busy wife and mom to 2 teenage girls.  Her family is busy working on their house, but she still finds time to cook and fill her blog with delicious recipes!

Ultimately, I chose to make Kristen's recipe for Peach Crisp (which she got from the Pioneer Woman's cookbook).  It sounded delicious, and with my abundance of peaches, and peach crisp being my favorite dessert, I knew I'd found a winner.  This recipe certainly didn't disappoint!  The thinner layer of crisp topping really allowed the natural flavors of the peaches to shine though.  I didn't have maple syrup, so I opted to sprinkle my peaches with a little bit of sugar instead, and I skipped the sauce.  Mike thought this dessert would be delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Peach Crisp

Makes 1 9x9" pan, about 9 servings

Ingredients:
5 ripe peaches
1 Tablespoon sugar, optional
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces (1 stick) butter, cold

1.  Peel and slice peaches and place them in the bottom of an 9x9" pan. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired.

2.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

3.  Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the dry ingredients.  Use a pastry blender or knife to cut the butter into the flour.  Continue until the mixture resembles moist coarse meal.

4.  Sprinkle the flour mixture over the peaches.

5.  Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is crisp and done.

Serve warm, with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

Source: Troyer's Loving Life

This will be my last month participating in the Secret Recipe Club.  I've been a member since 2011, however with all our life changes I don't feel like I have the necessary time to spend on my blog.  Instead, I'm focusing on raising a toddler, growing a baby, and expanding my personal training and coaching business.  I've really enjoyed participating over the past few years and meeting new friends.  I hope you'll continue to stop by and see what we're up to!

An InLinkz Link-up

Blueberry Buckle

This Blueberry Buckle is chock full of sweet and delicious blueberries. Eat it for breakfast, dessert, or anything in between.  It's mostly fruit so it's healthy, right? ;)

Sometimes things don't go as planned.  Potty training, for example.  I read waaayyy too many success stories from the 3 Day Potty Training Method that I became convinced that it would work for Summer.  However, I have a very stubborn strong-willed child and it became clear rather quickly that forcing her to constantly sit on the potty was not going to work.  We're currently on day 3 (day 1 with no accidents!) but I wouldn't consider us anywhere close to being fully potty trained.  Any success stories to share with me?  

Another thing that doesn't go as planned is pretty much any time I try to bake in my oven.  Sometimes what I'm making comes out just perfectly.  Other times, like with this Blueberry Buckle, it turns out disastrously (luckily, I was able to save this delicious buckle!)  I followed the directions for this cake, baked it at the right temperature for the correct amount of time.  Pulled it out, checked it with a knife in the center which came out clean, so I set it on the rack to cool.  A few hours later I took the cake outside to photograph and cut into it, only to discover the entire center of the cake was still batter!  Oh no!  I put it back in the over, but it took nearly an hour longer before the cake was completely cooked.  Thankfully the top and sides didn't burn and the cake still turned out delicious.  My love-hate relationship with my oven is very much on the hate side right now. :( 

I found this delicious recipe on Sarah's blog, The Pajama Chef. As soon as I read Sarah's introduction where she says "I'm all about healthy delicious recipes with a side of indulgence", I knew that I would have no trouble finding a recipe to make for this month's Secret Recipe Club.  I found a variety of delicious recipes that I wanted to make, like Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake and Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake.  But I had just gone blueberry picking and so I was specifically on the hunt for a delicious blueberry recipe.  I saw her recipe for Blueberry Buckle and I knew I'd found my recipe.

This recipe calls for 5 (yes, 5) CUPS of blueberries.  Yes, that's a lot of blueberries. But I think that's what makes this cake so amazing.  Every single bit is full of blueberries, not just a few here and there throughout the cake.  There's not much cake compared to blueberries, so it's actually a pretty light breakfast or dessert.  It's super easy to make, and as long as your oven works properly, it bakes up in about an hour.  You'll want to make this again and again...I promise you won't be disappointed!

Blueberry Buckle

Ingredients:

for the cake:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
5 cups fresh blueberries

for the crumb topping:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons butter, softened

1.  In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.  Beat in the egg and vanilla.

2.  Combine the flour and baking powder.  Add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

3.  Gently stir in the blueberries.  Pour into a well-greased 10" springform pan.

4.  Prepare the crumb topping by combining the flour, brown sugar,and cinnamon in a bowl.  Cut the butter and vanilla with a pastry blender or two knives.

5.  Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cake batter.

6.  Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes, until the crumb topping is brown, and a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before removing the sides and allow to cool another 15 minutes before slicing.

Source: The Pajama Chef

An InLinkz Link-up

Apple Pie Shakeology {Win a Wave Action Blender!}

It's been a while since I've done a real post on here! Sorry about that...life has been crazy these past few months.

Here's a quick update since I last posted:
I'm now a certified personal trainer!  (read more about my journey here.)
Summer is going to be a big sister!  (see the annoucement post here.)
Mike and I took a trip to Nashville for the Beachbody coach Summit, followed by a week of camping with our family.  (check out updates on my Facebook page.)

So yes, there's been a lot going on.  Tell me about your summer!

Speaking of summer--who doesn't love an ice cold drink?  Especially a shake or smoothie!  To be honest, I drink a shake for breakfast every morning, regardless of the season. I love my Shakeology!

The best way to make a shake is lots of ice, so it's super thick and creamy.  Of course, to do so, you need to have a strong blender.  The kind folks at Hamilton Beach recently asked me to test out their Wave Action Blender. I jumped at the opportunity since I use my blender daily.

Let me tell you, this blender did not disappoint!  Since I use a lot of ice, I often end up with a couple piece of unblended ice in the bottom of my cup.  With the Wave Action Blender, there were no chunks!  The blender is specifically designed to force the contents into the blades to ensure that everything is blended evenly.  If there's a stubborn piece, there is a handy spoon that you can insert in the top of the blender to assist.  This blender worked perfectly for my morning shake, and it can also be used to make soups or salsa.  (Guess what I'll be doing with all the tomatoes from my garden?!)

I made my favorite Shakeology recipe--Apple Pie.  Yes, I drink that flavor even in the middle of the summer ;) And, I'll even share it with you at the bottom of this post.

Apple Pie Shakeology
Serves 1

Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider
1/2 frozen banana
4 ice cubes
dash of cinnamon
1 scoop vanilla Shakeology 

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.  Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

(If you're curious about Shakeology and why I drink it every day, please leave me a comment on this post!)

Okay, now it's your turn!  If you would like a chance to win your own Wave Action Blender, you can use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a Hamilton Beach Wave Action Blender for the purpose of this review.  I was not otherwise compensated.  All views and opinions are mine.

Even Summer loves her shakes! :)  

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #62}

Hello!  Welcome to week #62 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 259 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #61}

Hello!  Welcome to week #61 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Sorry for being MIA last week!  We were camping and I didn't have internet access (though I thought I would!)  How is your summer going?  Any vacations planned?

Last week's party had 209 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #58}

Hello!  Welcome to week #58 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Do you have any plans for the 4th of July?  I'm looking forward to having Mike home for a 3-day weekend, and enjoying time with our family. We plan to go to the local parade, but that's it for plans!

Last week's party had 434 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #57}

Hello!  Welcome to week #57 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

We took an unplanned break from the party last week--summertime has a way of making everyone busy, doesn't it!?  But we're back to partying this week :)

Last week's party had 295 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

BLT Sandwiches with Burger and Fry Sauce

This isn't your typical BLT sandwich.  This has your typical bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, but also the addition of cheese and fry sauce.  The result?  A delicious and unforgettable sandwich!

I'm not typically a sandwich eater, but I simply can't resist a BLT!  Especially one that's homemade and packed with bacon in every bite ;)  

As I was looking through Sashi's blog, Get Off The Couch and Cook (awesome name, by the way!), I made quite a list of recipes that I wanted to make for this month's Secret Recipe Club. I love Sashi's stance on eating: avoiding prepacked foods while still enjoying the foods you love, made with real ingredients.  She's a woman after my own heart!  Some of the recipes that caught my eye were Gyro Pizza with Homemade Tzatziki and Greek Seasoning, Apple Pie French Toast, and Chicken Nachos.  Ultimately though, I had to make her BLT because I just couldn't resist it!  

The thing that caught my eye about this sandwich was the addition of Burger and Fry Sauce.  It reminded me of when my dad would mix mayo, ketchup, and mustard on his plate and dip his fries in it--but much better!  I opted to omit the chicken from this sandwich in the interest of time, and wanting a lighter meal, but I'll definitely be making these sandwiches with chicken too in the future.

You'll definitely want to make the Burger and Fry Sauce and keep it in a container in your fridge.  It's amazing on burgers too (of course!).  Sashi also recommended coating each side of the bread in a thin layer of mayonnaise before toasting it in the oven.  Don't skip that step--I'll never make BLTs another way!  All in all, this is one delicious sandwich!

BLT Sandwich

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

8 slices thick cut bacon
8 slices whole wheat bread
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 slices cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Burger and Fry Sauce (recipe below)
lettuce
sliced tomatoes

1.  Cook bacon until crisp.  I bake mine: place bacon in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until crisp.  Drain on a plate lined with paper towel.

2.  Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on both sides of each piece of bread.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees until bread is toasted, flipping to toast both sides.

3.  Assemble sandwiches by putting fry sauce on one slice of bread, top with tomato, lettuce, bacon, cheese, and a second slice of bread.  Serve warm.

Source: Get Off The Couch And Cook

Burger and Fry Sauce

Makes approximately 1 cup of sauce

Ingredients:

2/3 cup real mayonnaise
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup relish
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Source: Get Off The Couch And Cook

An InLinkz Link-up

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #56}

Hello!  Welcome to week #56 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 295 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #55}

Hello!  Welcome to week #55 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 185 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #54}

Hello!  Welcome to week #54 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

How was your Memorial Day?  Did you grill anything?

Last week's party had 259 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #53}

Hello!  Welcome to week #53 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 259 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Steak and Egg Sandwich

These hearty Steak and Egg Sandwiches are a filling and delicious way to start your day (or end it!)

Breakfast...honestly it's probably the most versatile meal of the day, in my opinion.  You can have breakfast foods any time of the day, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Lunch and dinner foods don't work so well for breakfast though, a burger at 7 am?  No, thank you!

If you haven't guessed from previous posts, my family often has breakfast foods for dinner.  Often it's pancakes or an omelet, but last week we tried something completely new, different, and completely delicious!  We had Steak and Egg Sandwiches.

The concept of adding steak to a breakfast sandwich was completely new to me.  We're no stranger to breakfast sandwiches, but they typically consist of an egg with cheese, between two slices of English muffin.  This breakfast sandwich turns it up a notch!  Mike and I both loved them, and they are a filling dinner, especially when paired with a side of fruit.  We ended up with enough for leftovers too, and they were just as good the next day.

I found this recipe on Nicole's blog, PicNic.  As I was searching for the perfect recipe for this month's Secret Recipe Club, I came across a variety of delicious recipes like Pizza Pinwheels, Caramel, Apple, and Almond Pancakes, Apple Caramel Scrolls, and Chili Chicken Pita Bread Pizzas (notice a breakfast and pizza trend?).  Nicole's blog is relatively new to me.  I "met" her a few months ago when she made my pizza casserole for her secret recipe.  I loved browsing through her recipes, and reading her stories.  There are quite a few recipes I'll be going back to again!

Steak and Egg Sandwiches

Serves 4

Ingredients:
4 ciabatta rolls
8 slices bacon
2 thin sliced steaks (mine were labeled for carne asada)
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1.  Cook bacon until crispy, then set aside.

2.  Place steaks in a hot skillet and season with steak seasoning or salt and pepper.  Cook until done to your liking, mine took about 3 minutes per side.  Then set aside.

3.  Beat the eggs and milk.  Then cook like an omelet in a skillet.  (Don't fold the eggs over though.)  Sprinkle the cheese over the eggs and let the cheese melt.

4.  To assemble the sandwiches, cut the egg into 4 equal pieces, cut the steaks in half.  Place the egg slice, steak, and 2 slices of bacon (broken in half, if desired), on a toasted ciabatta roll.

Source: PicNic

An InLinkz Link-up

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #52}

Hello!  Welcome to week #52 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

While you're here, don't forget to enter to win a Hamilton Beach 2 Way Flex Brew Coffee Maker. You have until Friday to enter, so don't delay! ;)

Last week's party had 362 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Coffee--Your Way! {Hamilton Beach Giveaway!}

How do you take your coffee?  Black?  Cream? Sugar?  In a pot?  Or just one cup?  Now you can choose any way you want it!

I have to admit, I am not a coffee drinker, but that doesn't keep me from being excited about the new Hamilton Beach 2 Way Flex Brew Coffee Maker.  I have family members who love their coffee, namely my Dad, and since he watches Summer two days a week, I always make sure to have coffee in the house for him.  He was excited when I showed him my new coffee maker for him to test out.

Here are some things we loved about the Hamilton Beach 2 Way Flex Brew Coffee Maker:

*It's flexible!  If you want just one cup of coffee (or hot chocolate, in my case!), you just pop a K-cup into the machine or fill the provided filter.  If you need to make a pot of coffee, you can do that too!

*No need for 2 separate coffee makers taking up valuable real estate on your kitchen counter!

*The single serve side has an adjustable cup rest so you can use a regular coffee mug, or fill a travel mug!

*The coffee pot side is programmable, so your coffee could be waiting for you when you get up in the morning! #genius

*You can PAUSE the coffee pot, grab your cup of coffee, and then start it again to finish brewing the pot!

*If you have friends over, and only one person wants coffee, you can make just one cup!  Or, if everyone wants some, you can make a whole pot!

I love this coffee machine, the convenience it provides, and how compact it is on my counter.

Now that you know how much I love it, would you like to win one of your own?  Use the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win!  (If you don't win this time, you can purchase one for yourself at Walmart!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided a Hamilton Beach 2 Way Flex Brew Coffee Maker for the purposes of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #51}

Hello!  Welcome to week #51 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so happy you're joining us today!

How is your week going?  Did you do anything to celebrate Cinco de Mayo yesterday?

Last week's party had 287 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Homemade Pita Chips {Juggling Act Mama}

You know me--always looking for a healthy snack and trying to come up with something new.  My current favorite snack is Homemade Pita Chips with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese.  I love them dipped in garlic hummus  (are you noticing the trend here?)  And, Summer loves them too!

Check out the recipe at Juggling Act Mama!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #50}

Hello!  Welcome to week #50 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

How are you doing today?  Spring has finally arrived in West Michigan, and I think it's actually here to stay this time!  The sun is shining brightly and that makes a huge difference in my mood! :)

Last week's party had 372 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #49}

Hello!  Welcome to week #49 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 372 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Don't forget to check out last week's Must Makes and vote for next week's Marvelous Must Make!

Now, onto the party!

3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese

Just three ingredients and 20 minutes, and this delicious Macaroni and Cheese is ready to be served!

If you have a toddler, or have ever had one, then you probably know what a challenge it can be to please them at meal time.  One day they love something and the next day they won't even look at it.  Summer is no different!  She's not exactly a picky eater, but she doesn't eat a variety of foods.  She has her foods that she loves and she eats them well.  But she'll let you know if she doesn't like something.  Usually by throwing it on the floor.  Thankfully we have a dog! ;)

One thing Summer is guaranteed to always like is macaroni and cheese! It's a great go-to for when we are out for dinner because she loves it!  In fact, when we went to the grocery store to get the elbow macaroni noodles, I told Summer we were getting macaroni, and she proceeded to chant "roni, roni, roni!" as we walked down the aisles.

For this month's Secret Recipe Club, I was assigned to Margaret's blog, Tea and Scones. I spent a lot of time looking through her recipes and trying to find the perfect one to make.  There were so many to choose from and so many scone recipes that looked amazing (and I will be making!)  But when I saw this 3 Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese, I knew I had found the recipe to make!

I decided to double the recipe so it would use a whole box of noodles, a block of cheese, and a pint of half and half.  I also was planning to bring this dish to a potluck so I wanted to have enough (and actually had leftovers, so Summer was thrilled!)  I loved how easily this dish came together.  No need to make a roux or anything!  Just one pan to make the pasta in.  (I used a separate pan for pictures and transportation, but that would typically be unnecessary).

We all loved this macaroni!  It's perfectly cheesy and absolutely delicious.  It will be my go-to meal for a quick dish that makes everyone happy.  And I'll probably try experimenting with different cheeses for new flavors too :)

3 Ingredient Mac and Cheese

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 16 ounce box elbow macaroni noodles (about 4 cups dry pasta)
1 pint half and half (2 cups)
1 8 ounce block cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups of shredded cheese)

1.  Cook macaroni noodles according to package directions, until al dente.  Drain.

2.  Add the half and half and shredded cheese to the hot pasta.  Stir until the cheese is completely melted.

Serve hot.

Source: Tea and Scones

An InLinkz Link-up

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #48}

Hello!  Welcome to week #48 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 405 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

In case you haven't heard yet...

We're making some exciting changes to how our party is run!  Starting today, each of the hostesses will be picking their favorite link from the previous week, and that will be featured as the "Must Makes" for this week. You'll have a chance to vote for your favorite links each week, and the post with the most votes will be featured as the "Marvelous Must Make".  I think it will be a fun way to showcase various links from the party each week!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #47}

Hello!  Welcome to week #47 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

How was your Easter?  Did you have a nice time celebrating with your friends and family?  We took Summer to an egg hunt on Saturday, then on Sunday we went to church and then had a family dinner with both sides of our family ;)

Last week's party had 397 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

In case you haven't heard yet...

We're making some exciting changes to how our party is run!  Starting today, each of the hostesses will be picking their favorite link from the previous week, and that will be featured as the "Must Makes" for this week. You'll have a chance to vote for your favorite links each week, and the post with the most votes will be featured as the "Marvelous Must Make".  I think it will be a fun way to showcase various links from the party each week!

Now, onto the party!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #46}

Hello!  Welcome to week #46 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 397 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

In case you missed out last week...

We're making some exciting changes to how our party is run!  Starting today, each of the hostesses will be picking their favorite link from the previous week, and that will be featured as the "Must Makes" for this week. You'll have a chance to vote for your favorite links each week, and the post with the most votes will be featured as the "Marvelous Must Make".  I think it will be a fun way to showcase various links from the party each week!

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #45}

Hello!  Welcome to week #45 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 393 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

We're making some exciting changes to how our party is run!  Starting today, each of the hostesses will be picking their favorite link from the previous week, and that will be featured as the "Must Makes" for this week. You'll have a chance to vote for your favorite links each week, and the post with the most votes will be featured as the "Marvelous Must Make".  I think it will be a fun way to showcase various links from the party each week!

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #44}

Hello!  Welcome to week #44 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

How was your St. Patrick's Day?  Did you do anything special to celebrate?

Last week's party had 400 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Ginger Pear and Apple Chips

These baked pear and apple chips are a fun, healthy, and delicious snack, perfect for the whole family!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #43}

Hello!  Welcome to week #43 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 475 links!!!  There were some awesome posts linked up.  Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Churro Bites

Do you ever have foods the bring back memories for you?  Churros are one of those for me!  Read more and get the recipe for these Churro Bites at Juggling Act Mama...

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #42}

Hello!  Welcome to week #42 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 299 links. Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #41}

Hello!  Welcome to week #41 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 392 links. Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Manwich Mondays

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Manwich for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've told you before about how much I love making Manwich for a quick and easy dinner for my family.  Manwich Mondays are a great way to start the week with a tasty, easy-to-make meal around the dinner table.  Plus, it helps make my meal planning even easier ;) 
Manwich is a meal my whole family can enjoy.  I love it because it tastes good and is easy to prepare.  Mike and Summer love it because, well, it tastes good!

Summer also loved "helping" me prepare dinner :)

I decided to switch things up a little bit from our usual Manwich--Sloppy Joe style and make something a little unique.  I opted for (not-so) Sloppy Joe Pockets.  I simply rolled out some pizza dough, cut it into rectangles, and placed a scoop of prepared Bold Manwich with ground turkey in the center.  Then I pinched the seams together to form a pocket and baked them.  As expected, these were a hit!  (And will probably become our go-to for Manwich Mondays!)

You can participate in Manwich Mondays too!  Check out this great variety of Manwich Mondays Recipes, or you can make Sloppy Joe Pockets like I did!  You can check out the products Manwich offers (flavors like Original, Bold, and Thick and Chunky) and stay up to date on their current information by subscribing to the ReadySetEat enewsletter.

How will you enjoy Manwich Monday?

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #40}

Hello!  Welcome to week #40 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 183 links. Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Oatmeal Blueberry Pancakes

Packed with wholesome ingredients like blueberries, Greek yogurt, and whole wheat flour, these pancakes are a healthy and filling breakfast.

Clean Eating Chicken Enchiladas

Who says eating healthy has to be boring? Not me! Spice things up with these easy and delicious Clean Eating Chicken Enchiladas.

Cook it! Craft it! Share it! {Link Party #39}

Hello!  Welcome to week #39 of the Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party!  I'm so glad you're joining us today!

Last week's party had 405 links--wow!  Our party is really growing, thanks to your fantastic participation! Thank you to everyone who linked up and shared with us :)

Now, onto the party!

MEET THE HOSTESSES

Welcome to Cook it! Craft it! Share it! Link Party hosted by

KELLEY at MISS INFORMATION, 

DOREE at TOP NOTCH MOM, 

KATIE at VIEW FROM THE FRIDGE, and

ANG at JUGGLING ACT MAMA and,

Melissa from MELISSA'S CUISINE!!!

Avocado Banana Bread

Made with coconut oil, avocado, bananas, and whole wheat flour, this Avocado Banana Bread is packed full of superfoods for a delicious clean eating snack!