Making a pumpkin pie from scratch is not as difficult as it may sound (and I’m no expert pie-maker here!).  True, making a pie from scratch means forgoing the seemingly convenient canned pumpkin; but, I promise the homemade alternative is worth the extra 10 or 15 minutes of effort.  Your pie will be brighter in color, richer in texture, and more delicious in taste. Now, how can you pass that up?! Plus, you never know when a flood will wash over our nation’s pumpkin fields (like it did 3 years ago) and if you have frozen homemade pureé on hand then there’s no need to be distressed!  Oh and when you make that homemade pumpkin pie, be sure to save a few wedges for the next morning…chilled pumpkin pie makes for the best breakfast!

Here’s how you to make your own pumpkin puree:
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Posted in How To, Steph B | 1 Comment »

My daughter is a snacker. She asks for a snack in the morning instead of breakfast. She asks for a snack after she eats her dinner. If it was up to her, life would consist of snacks, not actual meals.

I have been trying to get a hold of this snacking “problem”. She only gets 2 snacks a day, and I have been looking high and low for healthier things to feed her, and to also feed myself. I tend to grab whatever is convenient for myself to snack on, so having healthy foods available is beneficial not only for my daughter, but for me as well.

Continue reading “how to: healthy snacks” »

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Once you realize how easy it is to make your own breadcrumbs and how incredible they taste, you’ll never go back to the storebought version.  The trick is to purchase good quality bread; in fact, save yourself a few dollars and purchase a “day-old” version at your local quality bakery.  In Utah, there are two great sources for artisan bread…Harmons, which makes their own artisan bread on-site and Crumb Brothers, which can be found at Whole Foods and Liberty Heights Fresh.

Continue reading “How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs” »

Posted in How To, Steph B | No Comments »

A few weeks ago a friend and I combined forces on dinner and one of my contributions was this tray of roasted vegetables (image shows veggies pre-roasting).  She mentioned that sometimes her roasted vegetables don’t turn out quite right and since it’s taken me awhile to perfect the process myself, I thought I’d share with you what I’ve learned thus far. Roasted Vegetables are the perfect healthy sidekick to just about any dinner and can be prepared year round…just change out your vegetables seasonally!

Here are some tips for better roasted vegetables:

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Posted in How To, Steph B | 5 Comments »

Sprouting grains, seeds, and groats is easy, although it does require a little bit of know-how and patience as you wait for the seeds to grow. I have loved eating sprouts in sandwiches and salads, and the health benefits are undeniable. They’re superfoods, packed with nutrition and energy. I love to eat sprouts, but I’m not continually growing them, and I don’t own a fancy sprouter. I do, however, have a glass jar and some fabric that work just fine for when I do have the desire to sprout every now and then.

Here’s how I sprout buckwheat. Continue reading “how to sprout buckwheat groats” »

Posted in How To, Jen | No Comments »

I was first introduced to pairing fruits with meats when I was a little girl by my French grandfather.  He would always eat turkey with fresh applesauce.   So, as long as I can remember, our family has had fresh applesauce along with our Thanksgiving turkey.

I love to pair meat with fruit!  It really helps to bring out the flavor of the meat, and it really tastes nice together.

If you are new to the idea, here are a few combinations to get you started…

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Posted in Caroline, How To, Recipes | 1 Comment »

I made a lot of freezer jam this summer and since it was my first time (can you believe I waited so long?!), I did a lot of research beforehand and learned some valuable information from seasoned jammers.  Here is what I learned:

Continue reading “Berry Freezer Jam Tips” »

Posted in FYI, How To, Steph B | 1 Comment »

Who says that patriotic parties are only for the 4th of July??

Did you know that in 2008, over 1 million people became US citizens?

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Posted in Celebrate, Deborah, How To | 1 Comment »

The is going to be a lot barbecuing this holiday weekend for many of us.  If you are still deciding what to serve your friends and families, and are sick of the go-to hamburger and hot dog option, you may want to give pork ribs a try.

Ribs are a great option for serving at your next barbecue, and they are actually quite easy to prepare.

Continue reading “how to: barbecue ribs” »

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Popsicles are a staple in the summer in my household.  But, as with many pre-made foods, store bought popsicles are usually full of a lot of sugars and dyes.  But, it is really simple to make popsicle’s at home! My kids love them, and I feel good about giving them a healthier summer treat that is full of real fruit!

Read more for the recipe and tips..

Continue reading “how to: make all natural homemade popsicles” »

Posted in Caroline, How To, Recipes | 1 Comment »