I don't know about the rest of you, but in the heat of summer, cooking is just not high on my priority list. Who wants to think about a hot stove when you feel like you live in a hot stove? We've been eating a lot of quinoa salads, yummy burrito bowls, and anything that can go on the grill. Oh, and ice cream. Obviously. But kids still need snacks, right? So I've been trying out some new recipes for snacks that: A) kids like, and B) have some nutritional value. :) You might remember that I
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.
Mile High Black and White Freezer Fudge, (Inspired by Oh She Glows Everyday)
Sharing my love of the Mile High Black and White Freezer Fudge from Oh She Glows Every Day Cookbook. True story: When it comes to sweets, fudge is my favorite. I'd trade most cookies, cakes, or pies for a simple pan piece of chocolate fudge. I could eat it every day. But I don't. Of course. I might make fudge once or twice a year, and that is usually during the holidays. Because, there is pretty much nothing at all healthy about fudge, and like it or not, adulting means making grown-up
The Best Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Moist and Delicious Brownies
Healthy, gluten-free, sugar-free brownies that are super moist and taste amazing! Two weeks into my sugar-fast month and things are going well! Since I don't typically eat a ton of sugary foods, it hasn't been too torturous. However, I also don't normally restrict myself from any-thing, so I have caught myself more than once reaching for something sweet, only to stop short (and cry a small, silent tear.) So though I haven't suffered too much, I have craved something sweet after a meal. I
4 Layer Pumpkin Dessert
I can't even begin to explain how it could possibly be the middle of November...and even more how it could be Thanksgiving in just over a week!?? But what I can tell you, is about a recipe that might just make your November -- possibly even your Thanksgiving...a very welcome sight. 4 layers of fluffy, pumpkin, macadamia-nut goodness. Because as much as we all love pumpkin pie...Sometimes you gotta switch things up a bit. (amirght?) Also, maybe it's just me, but ever since Costco started
Sweet Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfaits
healthy cinnamon apple yogurt parfaits, great for breakfast, snack, or dessert So it's September. And though some of us are still sweating in summer-weather, September puts me in the mood for all kinds of fall flavors. Beginning with apples. Growing up in Washington state, our family had a few apples trees, and every year my mom and grandma would spend a couple of days making all things apple: apple pies, apple sauce, and just slicing and freezing apples for year-long snacking. (So
4 Ingredient, 5 Minute (no bake) Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
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 me: I'm the one with groceries piled high and spilling over the edges of my wagon. (I know most of America calls them "shopping carts" but here in Hawaii they are "wagons.") I've never been gifted with organizational skills, so that
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, slurping down fresh mango (hello Heaven,) and gulping copious amounts of coconut water. (Has it always been so humid around here?) Then I thought we might as well get some dessert out of the deal. Because after a week and a half with
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 them.) The problem is, my mornings are busy too, so I only have time to make a hot breakfast a couple times a week. Other than that, everyone is usually on their own. That is one of the reasons I love oatmeal. I can cook a
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 whoever might stumble upon this looking for banana cake.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you. I love you so much I made your favorite cake. And, just like the birthday boy...this cake is unassuming and sweet. Nothing
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, because out of nowhere I have recently developed a brand new obsession: GINGER! It all started a few weeks ago with the first head cold I've had in a long time...and a stop at our local Coffee Gallery. Now normally I'm a
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 good. It's such a mild, sweet, comforting flavor...Who says it should only be welcome from September through November? I might just have to start a petition. But I will say...After baking a few loaves of traditional pumpkin
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 our tropical climate is that most of the fruit on our property grows year-round. But right now, it seems like everything is abundant: Bananas, avocados, pomelo, and papaya...Lots of papaya. Well, for a long time now, my
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 for our family. It's time for a new cookie-rut. I have zeroed in on making a cookie from quinoa, because we use so much of it, (like in This Salad, and in These meatballs,) and it seems like there is always just a couple of
(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 imagine--I went an entire month without cooking!? Seriously, when's the last time I've done that? I helped with a few meals when we were at friends' homes, but mostly I just ate. Lots of restaurants too. I ate in all kinds
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 surprised by how many of my friends never heard of them, that's why I'm here now.) They were a childhood favorite of mine, and somewhere in the old-photo-files there is even a photo of a stack of them with a candle on top, next to a
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 Mother-anyone thing to do this week, because it is all about HUGS and KISSES. And chocolate. And we all know that those are three of the most cherished things in a mother's life. (just don't make us tell you in what order,
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 don't know much at all, and I shouldn't blog late at night after a long and draining day. But one thing I do know: We've got a LOT of bananas around here. We don't grow quite enough bananas to set up shop at the
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 this weekend! Yes? Good! I found the basic recipe for these (except using blueberries,) at TwoPeasandtheirpod, where I knew I could find something yummy. Since I had just stocked up on raspberries, I thought I could
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 chair, and my grandkids come by my side to ask me all those questions about what it was like when I was a mom with four rambunctious boys running in circles around me, (assuming that I'll have any memory left in me--) I promise
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 habit of experimenting with new recipes when we have company? You could call that unwise, or even foolish. I prefer "gutsy." Ha. I guess it happens because I get excited when we are having people over, so I want to
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 everywhere. More on that later this weekend. Right now, I'm here to finish what I started this week in my excitement over homemade magic shell. And sure enough--We're on our fourth batch of the stuff in just over a week.
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 bottling this stuff up for years, and just forgot to tell me. Others of you (LIKE ME) might just live under a rock and somehow missed the magic shell memo. And (like me) you might have assumed that the magic shell that
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 the fly if I had to whip something up for company. And trust me--I'll be doing that. The main requirement is plenty of papaya, which here in Hawaii is never a problem, but for those who don't live in a tropical
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 no no, you are not. Because just a few more weeks of pumpkin, and then it will be all of those fabulous Christmas flavors…Chocolate, peppermint, sugar, egg nog…and more sugar and more sugar (there is no happier word in
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 look--aren't they adorable? (And trust me--they taste as good as they look!) I don't make a whole lot of pure sugary treats for my boys, because--well, I try to find creative, healthier options…But every once in a
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 autumn leaves in all of their splendor. This year, for some reason, we didn't plan a trip. And when I call home to talk to family, all I hear is "rain rain rain rain" and "yuck yuck yuck." So, although I hate to take too
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 Village--and that includes second moms. My BFF from the age of three was Tina, and her Mom was without a doubt my "second mom." Tina's mom had moved to America from Iceland when she was in her early twenties. Her full name
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 combines all of the comfort food of an old-fashioned berry crisp, with a little lightened-up tropical goodness. Oh, and it's gluten-free too! Now how can you argue with that!? That's right: You cannot. Served
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 again….I thought they were worthy of a fresh post. These low fat oatmeal banana cookies are brilliant on many levels: Whole wheat flour, check. Oatmeal, check. Bananas, YES please--the more the merrier. Agave nectar, such a great
