Energy balls are one staple snack food I have in my fridge almost all of the time. I shared a recipe for our favorite energy balls within another post a couple years ago, but as I am cleaning up my archives, I wanted to give the recipe it's very own post. It is worthy. … [Read more...]
Easy Roasted Vegetables
I've been slightly obsessed with roasting vegetables lately. And since my promise to you has always been to share what our family is actually eating, I figured I ought to share. We've been eating roasted veggies along with all kinds of things: With fish, steak, garden … [Read more...]
Grandma’s Quick and Easy “Pantry Soup.”
As I mentioned in last week's post, my son Josiah and I took off last week for a quick visit with my family in Gig Harbor, Washington. We made the visit to attend my Uncle’s funeral, so we knew the visit would be a combination of happy and sad. The weather was supposed to be … [Read more...]
3 Burrito Bowls Your Family Will Love
When you serve a meal that makes your kids say (and I quote) "I could eat this every single night!" you know you did something right. But when that meal happens to be filled with: healthy protein, a rainbow variety of veggies, wholesome (gluten-free) grains, and it is … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
How to make every day the perfect day for Barbecue
If you know me at all, you know that I love nothing more than enjoying great meals with family and friends. It's kind of in my blood. My Grandpa was a butcher and a grocery store owner, (not to mention a farmer on the side) and I grew up in a family where the day kind of centered … [Read more...]
Tropical Mango Salsa.
Isn't this such a great time of year? The sun has been popping out all over the place, (I mean, besides just in Hawaii) and everyone seems to be a little extra happy. Plus, Mother's Day is just around the corner, and despite the fact that my five-year old accused me of making … [Read more...]
The Best Gluten Free Muffins: Banana, Berry, or Your Choice Add-ins
So, it seems that I'm surrounded by Gluten free folks these days. My poor bread-loving father was diagnosed with Celiac disease five years ago. My dear friend Jules, who I spend a lot of time with, is also gluten-free. And we've recently brought into our crazy family … [Read more...]
Tropical Smoothie Bowls: Make your own Acai, and Super Green Bowls
So, let's start this one with YUM!.... If you're not hooked on tropical smoothies and smoothie bowls yet, then let's just get this party started, shall we? Smoothies and smoothie bowls have been popular in Hawaii for years, and if they haven't hit your neighborhood yet, … [Read more...]
White Bean Chicken Chili. For Cowboys and the rest of us.
I started playing with a recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili last fall. I love all of the spices and flavors in chili, and wanted to master my own chicken-version. With just enough spice, diced green chilis, and corn. Then last December Bryan Jennings was on island filming … [Read more...]
Easy Crockpot Burrito Bar
I used to try to think of creative, lovely, or unique recipes to make and share here on the blog. Like this dinner and this dessert...(and those are both really great recipes.) But somewhere along the way, I decided that maybe you'd benefit more from my showing what we really … [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...]
Healthy Butternut Squash Mexican Casserole
It's Thanksgiving week. And here I am posting a Mexican casserole. What IS wrong with me? I'm really not trying to throw the Universe out of order, but I figure that there's a few more days left before Thanksgiving. And you might just want this for a warm, sweet and … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato Soup, w/ Okinawa Sweet Potatoes: {Gluten Free, and Vegan Version}
It's November. You know what that means, right? SOUP! I am a big fan of soup: Veggie soups, creamy soups, bean soups, chowders, and especially... But before we talk about this soup: I need to take a poll: Here in Hawaii, we have the most wonderful purple "Okinawa … [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...]
Barbecue Chicken Salad
This salad is so much a staple in our diet, I've never even thought to post it. It's my go-to, family-favorite, crowd-pleasing dinner. I mean, I'm pretty sure I've made it more than any other meal in our family's history (unless you count PBJ's, obviously.) But when I … [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...]
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...]
Family Favorite Fish Tacos
Does your family have some favorite meal or food traditions? Like pizza on Fridays, pancakes on Sundays, or maybe something like breakfast in bed on birthdays?... Well, somewhere along the way, Taco Tuesdays started happening in our family. And that is kind of a big deal, … [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...]
Quinoa, Chickpea, Avocado Salad…
I've confessed before that I am not a good lunch mom. Lunches stump me. Bore me. I have very little interest or enthusiasm for most lunch options, at least as far as eating in my own home goes. (Take me out to lunch and I'll love you forever. But then again take me out … [Read more...]
Easy Coconut Rice with Papaya and Pistachios
I have a theory about people... Most people fall into one of two categories: They are either of the PASTA-persuasion, or more RICE-oriented. Which one are you? I like both, but I'm definitely more of a rice girl. I LOVE rice! I prefer it mixed up with flavors and … [Read more...]
Simple, Quick-Rise Cinnamon Rolls {Gluten-free or Regular}
The holidays may be over…But long live the Cinnamon Roll! Amen? I know I know, I should be sharing some healthy recipe for all of you New-Years Resolution types who are trying to behave well for AT LEAST the month of January…But since I made my fourth batch of these this … [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...]
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...]
Coconut Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi {Gluten Free or regular}
From the ocean…to our table….Now THAT'S what we're talking about. Remember THIS 40 pound Mahi Mahi catch? Well, besides being the highlight of my boys' summer---That catch turned into approximately 32 fabulous meals! {Four meals, each serving eight people (my family … [Read more...]
