Our boys are currently going through a stage called eating everything all of the time. I'm not sure what's going on, but it's testing both my creative cooking abilities and our budget. So it may not surprise you that I'm a sight to behold at Costco. You can't miss … [Read more...]
DESSERT RECIPES
A selection of some of our family's favorite dessert recipes...Many are inspired by the tropical fruit that we grow. I try to modify our desserts to make them a bit healthier, but I'm also raising four boys and a therefore, a little sugar and butter will surely find its way here.
Tropical fruit Parfaits {lightened up}
We came back from our summer travels to find Dave had harvested a truckload of tropical fruit: coconuts, bananas, mangoes and papaya. (just to name a few.) Welcome to summertime in Hawaii. Please send help. I unpacked my bags, then got busy dehydrating bananas, … [Read more...]
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal {The Perfect Fall Breakfast}
Anyone need some fresh breakfast inspiration? Maybe with a hint of fall in there? Well I have something just for you... With four growing boys, I'm constantly trying to start their day with something other than cold cereal (which they would gladly have every day if I let … [Read more...]
The Best Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting
My husband Dave is the quiet type. He works hard and never ever looks for recognition or attention of any kind. (Internet included especially.) But today babe, you're 45...and I'm just gonna say big and bold and loud and clear and in front of the whole big wide world... (or … [Read more...]
Baked Gingerbread Oatmeal, Two ways. {Gluten-free}
I'm trying to figure out if it is normal develop brand new tastes or cravings in the middle of your life. (?) I've never really thought about it before, but I guess I assumed that by now my taste buds have probably made up their mind about most things. But I must be wrong, … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
Please don't tell me you're already over all of the pumpkin everything. I know, I know, people get really into pumpkin this time of year, and some find it a bit overkill. But not me. I love pumpkin. As far as I'm concerned, pumpkin could just set up camp and move in for … [Read more...]
Papaya Bars {Gluten Free & Honey Sweetened.}
I get really happy when I get to create something delicious with the fruits we grow on our property. Even on the most stressful day, cooking relaxes me. And it's a good thing, because with four growing boys and a hard working man around, I do a LOT of cooking. The beauty of … [Read more...]
Quinoa, Peanut Butter, and Oat Cookies.
I confess: When it comes to cookies--I get in a rut. I've been making my low fat banana oatmeal chocolate chips cookies, A LOT, for a couple of years now, and they really are so good. But I wanted to put some healthy ingredients together to come up with a new go-to cookie … [Read more...]
(easy) Summer Berry Trifle
Have I mentioned--It's really good to be back. One of the first things I was dying to do on my return was to get back in my own kitchen. I wanted to cook: Bake, grill, sauté, steam, simmer, boil, burn, blend...you name it. (Except burn, I don't try to do that.) Can you … [Read more...]
4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
PEANUT BUTTER BALLS: Four ingredients. Easy to make. Super satisfying. Welcome to one of my happiest happy places. These little guys have been a favorite in my house since...Well, since I was in my own mom's house. Maybe you grew up with them too? (I've been … [Read more...]
Hugs and Kisses. A 3-Ingredient Mother’s Day Treat.
It's beyond a busy week here. To make up for our craziness, I decided to make a treat that is SO SIMPLE, it even fit easily in the middle of our chaos. Fifteen minutes and done. Not lying. And I thought THIS would be a super fun Mother-son, or Mother-daughter, or … [Read more...]
Salted, Caramelized Banana Ice Cream
I think I'll need to start a new recipe category here just for bananas. Because man--do we ever grow bananas! We must be at the perfect altitude for bananas. Or is it longitude? Latitude? Maybe its more about annual rainfall. Or how Saturn lines up with Jupiter. Or maybe I … [Read more...]
Simple Lemon Raspberry Bars
Have I mentioned that our LEMON tree has been rather...fruitful lately? Seriously friends. I think it might be time to set up camp at the Farmer's Market. Meanwhile, I'll just keep baking. These lemon raspberry bars turned out so good. I thought you might want to make them … [Read more...]
Strawberry Yogurt Donuts! I love you.
Happy Valentine's Day! I probably don't say it enough, so this seems like the perfect time to remind you that... ...I love you! And I really wish I could give each of you one of these to prove it. Really, one day, when I'm an old lady, sitting on the porch in my rocking … [Read more...]
Eggnog Cheesecake Bars: Regular or Gluten Free.
I may not have my act totally together for Christmas yet, but at least I know what I'll be serving for Christmas dessert. GLUTEN-FREE EGGNOG CHEESECAKE BARS! **The Captain Surfs giveaway winner, announced at the bottom of this post! By the way, have I ever mentioned my strange … [Read more...]
Frozen Chocolate Bananas with Sea Salt
You'd be happy to know that we've unloaded every box of holiday decorations, and it looks like the North Pole here in our North Shore home. (Or maybe like someone threw-up Christmas in our living room.) My boys won't settle for "some" decorations, we-must-have-ALL. And … [Read more...]
Homemade Magic Shell
I'm not claiming originality here. However, where I lack in originality, I make up for in enthusiasm. Some of you have seen homemade magic shell on Pinterest, Facebook and all over the place, and you'll find this post to be old news. In fact, some of you have probably been … [Read more...]
Fresh Papaya Pie
Aloha. Let's talk about PIE! :) Because we have an abundance of PAPAYAS growing on our property right about now, I decided to have some fun with a Papaya Pie. It came out DE-Licious, and (almost as important,) it was super easy to make. I could make this thing on … [Read more...]
Easy Pumpkin Pudding Parfaits
Are you looking to whip up something FANCY this weekend?…in under FIVE minutes? Well then, you've come to the right place. By the way--Have I ever mentioned my love for the word FANCY!? There is just something about it… By the way--You're not sick of pumpkin yet are you? No … [Read more...]
Little Bitty S’mores Cups
Aloha friends! I thought I would share sweet little treat with you! I made these mini s'more cups for my boys, and (naturally,) instagrammed them. A few folks requested the recipe, so I thought I would go ahead and share it now! It's SO simple, I feel like I'm cheating…But … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Autumn in Hawaii… This is the time of year that we usually take a trip to see family in the Pacific Northwest. I love to get my fall fix, and the last few years have exceeded my expectations. Each vacation has been filled with crisp, sunny days, and spectacular views of … [Read more...]
Icelandic Pancakes
Did you grow up with a "second mom?" Maybe it was a friend's mom, or a relative that you related to more like another mom? Recently, when one of Josiah's friends referred to me as his "second mom" I felt so happy. A second mom is a good thing. I always say It takes a … [Read more...]
Papaya-Berry Tropical Crisp {Gluten-free}
Happy Berry Week everyone! If you've been following along, you know that there are some incredible berry recipes flying through the inter webs this week…Links to all of the berry blogging beauties are at the bottom of this post. I'm excited to share a recipe with you that … [Read more...]
Lowfat Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've got another banana recipe. Maybe the best one yet. Have I mentioned that we grow lots and lots of bananas around here? I have? Ok. Just check'n. This is actually a recipe that I shared way back. But since I just made these again….and fell in love with them … [Read more...]
