Healthy, sweet, carrot salad recipe. Perfect for spring, (Easter!) or anytime.Happy Easter Week! I hope you are well, and that your week is both fun and meaningful. Our week has been packed with Jonah's Hawaii Regional Debate tournament (he and his partner took 2nd in the final!) as well as church gatherings, and (more) guests in town. :) It's all kinds of exhausting fun. I'll be hosting for Easter dinner, and as I pondered the menu, I knew salad would be a
Recipes
The Very Best 5-Minute Gluten Free Bread
A recipe for delicious Gluten-Free bread. I think we can all agree: There's nothing like a loaf of home-baked bread, fresh out of the oven. The smell that fills a home with comfort and happiness...The feel of a slice - familiar and warm in your hand (especially if there's a bit of butter melting into it.) The taste -- which somehow can transport you back to Grandma's house, or a bakery tucked away in your memory (I'm personally transported back to the incredible
Kale Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Candied Walnuts
Happy Thanksgiving week! I'm excited to share a recipe for one of my personal favorite ways to eat kale -- tossed with roasted sweet potatoes, candied walnuts, and a light vinaigrette. Seriously this is SO good! Though this salad is great all year long, I am pretty sure it could solve once and for all that question that comes up every year in homes all over the country (or is just ours?): "Do we need both mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving?"I say: Yes! And this is a
Favorite Pumpkin Granola
Sharing our favorite pumpkin granola recipe below. But first:You guys. I have a son in college. Does anyone else feel weird about that?No, this has nothing to do with my Pumpkin Granola recipe (except that maybe I should be sending some to him in a care package?) I guess I just needed to get it off my chest. Truth is, I just sat down at a coffee shop to put this post together, and got side tracked on Instagram (it happens.) When I saw that my college son, who has not posted any
Kale, Pear, Gorgonzola Salad: Fall is in the Air.
Well Hello, and Happy September! September is so great because it is the lead-in to autumn. Fall! And fall...whether real, or (in my case) only imaginary, is the best!! If you've been around a while you know that I am a big fan of fall. I always have been. In my dream life I spend every September through November somewhere with crisp autumn air and falling leaves... (it's only fair that the tables are turned and I get to be jealous of some of you for a few months a year, right?...)
Cookie Dough Balls {inspired by Oh She Glows Everyday.}
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
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
Poisson Cru: The National Dish of Tahiti
Though the friendly people were the highlight of my recent trip to Tahiti, in close 2nd was my new love for the dish that seemed to pop up almost everywhere we went: Poisson Cru. Don't let the name fool you (Poisson looks awfully similar to a word you don't want in a recipe.) This dish is not only delicious, but also HEALTHY, and...as it turns out-- very easy to make! Poisson Cru (pronounced Poi-sahn-crew) is similar in many ways to a Hawaiian Poke (pronounced Poh-kay). (By the way,
Champion (Vegetable) Chili
I'm sharing a delicious recipe for Champion Chili (Vegetarian) from the How Not to Die Cookbook. Thank you guys so much for all of the great comments over at my last post. It's so interesting to read about all of the food journeys in this community--A lot of you have either been vegetarian in the past, or are moving that direction now. I loved hearing that the post was timely for many of you! (I recently read somewhere that there are 60% more vegetarians in America now than just a few years
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
14 Snack Ideas your kids will love (and you’ll feel good about.)
Sharing after school snacks for your kids on those days when you just. can't. think. of. anything. else. I love to hear from blog readers, and especially enjoy emails from new subscribers after I send them a welcome email. They respond to my questions, sharing a little about themselves, then telling me what kind of posts they are most interested in. Some topics come up a lot: communicating with your teenager, boy-related posts, and recently, a lot of requests for the Life in our 40's
I may not have Fall, but I have Avocados. {the best Avocado Toast Recipes}
Before I dive into a brief bragging session, let me remind you that my favorite season is fall. And I'm aware that many of you are currently looking at multi-colored leaves, feeling a crisp chill in the air, and wearing things like: boots and sweaters. And indeed: I am envious. If I could transport myself to some fall wonderland every September-through-November, I would do it in a heartbeat. So count your blessings.With all of that said: I live on a tropical island in the middle of the
Sweet Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfaits
healthy cinnamon apple yogurt parfaits, great for breakfast, snack, or dessertSo 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
Family Favorite Energy Balls.
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. ;) Energy balls are perfect for breakfast, a snack, on-the-go, or late night...Kids love them, and they are packed with great ingredients. They take a little time, but the end product is so worth it. The awesome thing about
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 burgers, or just on their own as leftovers for lunch. (Mmmmm)Roasted veggies are so easy, and so, so good.I think most kids appreciate roasted veggies, especially if you nail the whole slightly-crispy, plenty-of- salt
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 cold and rainy, but we were pleasantly surprised by quite a bit of sun. If you've been to Gig Harbor then you know that it's hard to beat the beauty there on a clear day. Here's the view from my parents' front porch:
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 served in one simple bowl (hello easy cleanup) then you're basically high-fiving your own bad self. So let's talk burrito bowls.Rice bowls?I don't know, call them what you like, but they are our family's latest
Three favorite protein smoothies (without fruits or vegetables.)
You might have noticed, we drink a lot of smoothies around here. If you happen to follow my #healthyhappyandfree Instagram account, you probably have picked up on that. Smoothies really are an easy way to pack in nutrition. They're also great when you're on the go. (Or just too lazy to use a plate and a fork. hehe.) You've probably heard me mention that Green smoothies are my most common go-to. And it's true. But here's a little insider-info about me...(shh, I don't always confess this
(Easy) homemade ranch dressing. {Getting kids to eat their veggies}
Somehow we raised three (out of four) little boys who ate their vegetables willingly. I mean, they ate their vegetables gladly. Like: no battles. Sure, they avoided a few specific varieties: mushrooms and beets I believe, but from asparagus, to steamed broccoli, to spinach and kale salads, they were all in. In fact, raw onions were a favorite to those first three. Of course those first three were born during my husband's medical school and residency years, when Dave was especially aware of
Monica’s Mini Meatball Minestrone
Monica's mini meatball minestrone. Go ahead, I know you want to: Say it five times fast. Well done. But really, this is serious business: You see, if you haven't decided what to make for Christmas Eve dinner yet, then I'm pretty sure this post was written especially for you. Like really. You see, I started obsessing about this soup weeks ago. I pondered the hearty minestrone base (minestrone is like one of my favorite things in the world). Then I couldn't quit thinking about
Easy (and healthy) Baked French Toast with Bananas
Tis the season to...BAKE! :) I have these really fond memories of my mom's baked french toast. She used to make it for brunch on holidays, and what I really remember was that it was super sweet and a complete indulgence. I mean: cream cheese and butter and sugar and every sinful ingredient possible in it. And I loved it. So a few weeks ago on a Tuesday (or maybe it was Wednesday, but it was just a normal day) I started craving Mom's baked french toast. I wanted to make it and I told my boys
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
Overnight Oatmeal Jars
Overnight Oatmeal Jars!Have you tried them yet? I thought I might be the last one...So I finally started experimenting with them, and now I wonder what took me so long. These are brilliant!And since we now have our favorite flavor combos, I thought I might as well share them here... You know, in case any of you could use some fresh morning INSPO... Because it's officially back to school time, and if there is one thing I will never forget about the few years I sent my boys off to (real)
Family Favorite Egg and Potato Bake
Wanna know what makes me feel like a really good mom? When I make a healthy, hot breakfast for my family. It's kind of silly, because -- really: what about all of those dinners I make every single some nights of the week? Don't they count? Sure they do, but when I nail a healthy, hot breakfast, I just feel like the mom I always thought I would be -- back when I was young and naive and didn't know about things like: how hard mornings can be. I mean, there's a lot to do in the morning,
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
Grilling Fish with Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce
Spring and summer are upon us, and there is nothing better than barbecuing with family and friends this time of the year. Fish is one of our favorite things to cook on the barbecue. I think grilling fish is the easiest, tastiest, and best way to cook fish without smelling it in the house for the next two days. ;) A lot of people say they are intimidated by cooking fish, but I have found a way to make it quite simple. Whether you’re preparing it with a
Hawaiian Loco Moco Breakfast: The legend, the love…and a lighter version.
If you've spent some time in Hawaii, you have probably experienced (or at least wondered about) the Loco Moco plate found on local menus.Loco Moco is a traditional Hawaiian meal consisting of a pile of sticky white rice, topped with a thick hamburger patty, a fried egg, and gravy all over the top. Here's a look at one from this Huffington Post Taste article.I know, I know...It's tasty. It's filling. And...it's loaded with some of the things we're not supposed to eat very
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 up the holiday ("Mother's Day isn't a real holiday MOM!") indeed it is a real holiday and it's an important one, and I'm not gonna let any smarty-pants five year old take that away from me. (amen?) Well, spring and
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup with Kale
I love soup. Maybe you get tired of me saying that, but it's true. I have some funny dreams for my life, and one of them is to write an entire recipe book full of soup recipes. Of course people would be like "Soup? Who eats SOUP in Hawaii?" and I'd just shrug my shoulders because I can't explain everything. Soup is just great. And split pea soup has always been a family favorite. My boys love it when Grandma makes it old-fashioned style-- ham-bone and all. I like to make it vegetarian
Thai Peanut Chicken Coconut Soup
You guys know by now that I love soup. Like, I could eat it every day. Even here in Hawaii, and even all year-long. No shame. All kinds of soup. love love love. Well, now I have a confession: I have been making this delicious coconuty, peanut-buttery, hint-of-ginger-and-lime, chicken and vegetable-packed soup for a long time now. And somehow it just occurred to me that I've never stopped to get photos and share it with you here. Shame on me. I feel like I've been keeping something from
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 life a part-time helper ("family assistant" though her title is still up in the air) named Morgan who is also hashtag-gluten-free. (and yes, you'll hear more about Morgan here in the days to come, and yes, you'll adore her.)
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, then just give it some time and...they likely will. But no need to wait, you can start making your own smoothie bowls right at home! A smoothie bowl is basically all of the goodness of a fruit smoothie, with a little more
(Uncle) Dr. Ted’s Nut Bars
I have a treat for you this week. Something delicious to add to your healthy cooking list in this New Year... This year we had Dave's parents, and his sister's family in town for the holidays. We had a great time catching up, eating holiday meals, hanging at the beach, eating fudge, playing games, eating pie, and...well...You know how it goes with family and holidays: Lots of fun. And lots of eating. A special part of their visit was that Uncle Ted...Dave's sister Cami's husband, brought
15 Favorite Holiday Breakfast Recipes
I love making breakfast for the family during the holidays. There is something about starting the day with a hot breakfast that fulfills my inner longing to be...my own mom.It gives me all of the holidays feels.I want to freeze those early morning moments, sipping my coffee while I stir something sweet and cinnamony on the stove. Looking up to see our tree all lit and lovely, I just enjoy a moment in the still, quiet house. Then the kids begin filing into the kitchen, sleepily landing
Five Festive Holiday Drinks (Family-Friendly)
Hey Friends! As I publish this I should be en route to crisp and cool Seattle for the first leg of our holiday journey. I don't know how the airplane will even contain the excitement built up in my four boys, but we'll see how we do... So I recently came across this holiday beverage post which was somewhat hidden in my archives from two years ago, and thought I would repost it today. I love finding new festive drinks so I thought a few of you might too. And interestingly, as I pack up for
Carrot Ginger Coconut Soup
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Soup is my love language. Soup makes me happy and comfy, and just the thought of it gives me all of the feels. I could eat soup every day for the rest of my life. Yep, even here in tropical Hawaii. So you know how loved I felt on my birthday when, after an early-morning beach walk with my good friend Jules, she sent me home with a care package of food for both breakfast and lunch. In the package was gluten-free blueberry muffins, Thai Veggie
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
Tortellini Salad with Grilled Chicken and Veggies.
Have I ever mentioned that we don't have a dining room table in our house? Well, there's your little bit of Swanson-trivia for the day. No dining room. No dining tables inside the house. (We do have a large kitchen counter with seven stools, but that's it for indoor seating.) Fortunately, we have a plenty of places to eat under covered lanais on both the front and the back of the house, which we use year-round. We most often have dinner on our front lanai, where we can look out at the sunset
Quinoa Fiesta Salad with Black Beans, Kale, and Corn
Summer, and salad. They're just a match made in hot, lazy, summertime heaven. amiright? Well, we're back from California, and one thing is for sure: After five weeks of traveling, I am so ready to dive back in the kitchen and create some great meals for our family!! Except... Except yes--it's hot. And a bit sticky--at least here on the island. And let's face it, no one feels like standing over a steamy stove when it's hot and sticky. No, when it's hot and sticky you just want to jump in the
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 the latest Walking on Water movie called "Surfers and Cowboys," and Dave and I invited the whole crew to our place for dinner. The whole crew, including the surfers, and the cowboys. And when I say cowboys I mean the PBR
Basil Almond Pesto.
I love pesto. I have always loved pesto, but somehow the idea of making my own has always intimidated me. Is that weird? I figure we all have those things that we just assume are too hard, or too fancy, or like somehow we'd just never get them right. That's me with pie crust. Double boilers. Shell fish. And pesto. Until recently. The basil in my Tower Garden really began to take off, and I just had to do something. And suddenly I felt like this might be my time. Time to face some fears, and
Weeknight Ricotta Pasta Bake
There is one little thing about kids and food that I am 99% sure of. But first, I should ask your opinion. WHAT IS THE ONE DINNER FOOD THAT ALL KIDS LOVE? Did you say spaghetti? Yes! I knew it! If you said hot dogs or hamburgers you might be right too, but I think spaghetti is the true Universal food of kids. And love. And all of the warm and cozy feelings. (amiright?) But this isn't a post about spaghetti, so what am I even talking about? One day I will post a spaghetti recipe, but first
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 eat. Like: All of the time. So, I decided that I would go ahead and share anything that we eat a lot around here... Even if it isn't the healthiest in the world. Or the most unique. Or the prettiest... Because let's
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
Family Favorite Coconut Curry
If you were to come to my house for dinner this week, there's a good chance this is what I'd be serving. We would gather around the big round table on the front deck, and watch the sunset while we dunked crusty bread into the sweet and spicy curry in our bowls... The boys would slurp down their food with some delighted groans, and then ask to be excused so that they could skate the new bowl in front while there was still a bit of light. Nights on the porch with warm food and friends? One of my
The Three Best Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Smoothies are pretty much an every day thing in our house. And not to be braggy, but...we kind of consider ourselves experts on the subject. I had a few smoothie recipes up on my blog back when it was still thegrommom.com, but since my re-launch last summer, I haven't gotten around to posting more. I think the reason why is because there are about a gazillion smoothie recipes available on line (hello Pinterest,) and I figured who really needs more smoothie recipes? But then I thought: Maybe
Winter Juicing. Hot Ginger Tonic {and more.}
Over this past year, I have become a big fan of juicing. I used to be a pure smoothie person, knowing that using a blender (or my favorite--the vita-mixer) was the best way to keep the fiber and avoid the sugar spike that pure juices can give you. I might have been a bit of a smoothie-snob. But with all of the tropical fruit that we grow, I was striking out on blending some things...and I finally realized that some things are just better juiced! So I've finally found a happy place for both
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
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 savory weeknight meal. And if nothing else, you can always just Pin it for later! The truth is, I've been wanting to share this recipe for two weeks, and it keeps getting pushed aside. And after my last post, which was a little
One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta w/ Grilled Chicken
This post falls under the category of: I had no intention of blogging about this but it's too good not to. And you've got to hear the story of how this all came to be, because that falls under the category of: Life changing. You see, though Hurricane Ana (or was it Anna?) just missed us, it did come close enough to give us a Sunday full of heavy rains, wind, and a dark sky-- very atypical of Hawaii in October. Or Hawaii anytime. And you might know me well enough by now to imagine that I was
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
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 serve it to guests, they often ask me for a recipe. And I'm like "A recipe!? There isn't one..." as if everyone out there makes barbecue chicken salads. Off the top of their heads. But maybe not? I do clearly remember the
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
Coconut Peanut Butter Granola, For the Win
I am conducting an unofficial poll today on the hot topic of COLD CEREAL: Does your family eat a lot of cold cereal? I mean, the kind out of a box from the grocery store. If so, like how often? Daily? Multiple times daily? and... If you remove cold cereal from your home, would there be a potential uprising? I need to know these things so I might determine where my family falls on the spectrum of normal. Or more likely abnormal. **Feel free to skip the drama, and find the recipe for this
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, because we haven't had a lot of food traditions in our home up until now. It's not that I don't like the idea--I do. It's more that I'm inconsistent and lack organizational skills, haha. But somehow, most Tuesdays over the
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,
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 anywhere, and....well, you know.) However, *Newsflash*. I have begun to keep a regular supply of cooked, and chilled quinoa in my fridge which, when tossed with all kinds of flavorful and healthy ingredients, make my midday
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
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 textures...Fried rice being an absolute favorite, and coconut rice being one of our family's favorite treats! We always order it at Thai restaurants. I decided it was time to make my own coconut rice, and add some tropical mix-ins
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
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 morning, I felt that the honest thing to do would be to share. And really, they tasted just as good to me this morning as they did on Christmas morning. Maybe even better. Everything in moderation, right? I mean, I only ate
Whole Wheat, No-Sugar Banana Bread. {that tastes really great.}
Right about now, I think I could use one big detox. Anyone else? Since I major in moderation, I won't be going THAT extreme, but a little cutting back on sugar right now sounds super good. And this banana bread recipe is a perfect way to do just that, while staying perfectly in the holiday/baking/sweet smelling state of mind.Not only that, but it's a great way to use up more of these. If you happen to have piles of them like we do…I got this recipe from my Mother-in-Law about
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
Lightened-Up Turkey Veggie Meatballs!
I'm not sure what started it, but lately I've been craving meatballs. Spaghetti and meatballs, Swedish meatballs, you name it… No, I'm not pregnant.Meatballs.I don't remember ever making meatballs before, however my family tells me I did once. (That's always a little scary to me.) Regardless, I set out to use ground turkey, and anything else remotely healthy to LIGHTEN UP SOME MEATBALLS. Because: WHY NOT.It took a few tries. The first batch I tried serving with noodles and a
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
Perfect Pumpkin Scones
Pumpkin pumpkin pumpkin. You're not tired of it yet, are you? I hope not, because I could do pumpkin recipes all year long. But that would be weird, right? So I'll stay within the unspoken September to November allotted pumpkin recipe time frame. I wasn't even planning on blogging about these, I just got in the mood for pumpkin scones, and started experimenting. With about four different recipes in front of me (none were actually pumpkin scones,) I went to work. Flour was flying, and my
Sweet Hot Thai Style Grilled Chicken Thighs {Guest post from Pineapple and Coconut}
Aloha Friends!Today I am super excited to feature my super talented, creative, lovely, and FUNNY friend Shanna, from Pineapple and Coconut blog. Though we've never met in person--I have no doubt we will meet one day. And when we do, I have a good feeling that it will feel like we've known each other forever. And considering the fact that we've discussed moving her family into a yurt on my property--I'm hoping that I like her as much in person as I do on-line! haha.I'll let her tell
Orange Mac-Nut Pumpkin Muffins
It is September!! My very favorite time of the year. In my book, September means FALL. Fall Fall Fall. I don't care of it is still 90 degrees, and we just got in from the beach. It. Is. FALL. (Just be glad I'm not pulling out my Christmas lights…) And fall means pumpkin anything and everything. Agree? Pumpkin lattes. Pumpkin pie. And today: Pumpkin muffins. In this case, Pumpkin muffins with orange zest, and toasted macadamia nuts… I even made them in my fall-orange (spider-bottomed)
Baked Quinoa Veggie Bites
Creative use of leftovers #44: Baked quinoa bites make a great lunch, snack, side-dish (or I'd venture to say breakfast.)It's true--Quinoa has become one of the health food fads of the decade. And as much as I like to call myself an independent thinker, I have fully hopped on board the train. Quinoa is great: SO versatile, so healthy, and so EASY…Please do yourself a favor, and try these baked quinoa bites.Here's a printable recipe:If you have cooked veggies leftover, this is a
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
Papaya Coconut Cake
When it comes to growing your own produce, it seems to be all or nothing.I remember growing up with a large garden in the Pacific Northwest, and how if we had two tomatoes, we had two hundred. And zucchini--HELLO! Come zucchini season, the neighbors would dodge us for fear of being handed one more bagful of zucchini.I love that. (Not the neighbors dodging us, but an abundance of produce, obviously.)We have different produce here at our Hawaiian country home, but the same
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 and my parents!)} We loved every one of them, and I plan to share at least one more recipe here, but today--I just have to share this Coconut Macadamia Crusted fish recipe. It is SO good, and soooo Hawaii! If you don't have Mahi
Zucchini Coconut Yogurt Bread
I picked up some zucchini at the market last week, without a plan for how to use it. I happen to LOVE zucchini, but it is one of the few vegetables that my boys do NOT get excited about. In fact, they are pretty outspoken about disliking it, which bums me out. I have such great memories from my childhood of picking fresh zucchini from my mom's garden every summer. With all of that zucchini, I also remember a lot of great zucchini bread. Mmm, I had it good I did.Well, combine those happy
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
Lighter Manicotti–Two Ways
First of all--sorry if you tried to visit this place Sunday and found the blog MIA! I have no idea what happened. I tried not to panic, but it did last most of the day. By the time I checked back, it was all here again (thank God!) but that left me no time to finish the post that I had planned for Monday. So, I am quickly editing the recipe I thought I would share on Tuesday.But now that I think about it--Manicotti Monday? It does have a nice ring to it! :) Since our relatively
The Best Banana Muffins
With over 100 banana trees on our property, I am always looking for new ways to use bananas. The bananas we grow are actually "apple bananas" which have a slightly different flavor and texture than your typical banana. I don't know if I would call the flavor anything close to "apple," but there is a slight tartness to balance the sweet of the banana. It's really nice. Also, they are a firmer texture, and (probably the best feature!) they don't get bruised and soft like a normal banana. (Is
Baked (CRUNCHY!) French Toast.
Was my mom the only one making these in the 70's in the 80's back in the day? (side note: When did MY decades start sounding so LONG AGO!?) I don't think I've heard anyone talk about baked french toast outside of my own family. Which I find strange because it is SO GOOD!Baked French Toast was an absolute family favorite when I was young…and now, my family loves it too. It's really a brilliant idea for a bigger family, for holidays, or for company. The beautiful thing is,
Outside the Box {Homemade Granola Bars.}
My four boys…Eat, a lot. They're growing up quickly, but they're still in that snacky phase. They want to munch pretty much all day long. So, we go through a lot of snacky foods around here--like yogurt, fruit, smoothies, and granola bars.But we've gone through just about every box-variety of granola bars out there, and I think I'm kind of over them all. Too expensive. Too full of non-food. Too small (sometimes it takes three to satisfy my eight year old.) SO…we decided it was time to think
Homemade Yogurt Pops, and Fruity Popsicles
Nothing says SUMMER like ice-cold popsicles...I've been craving fruit of every kind this summer. Of course every year we miss the fresh berries and other yummy summer fruit from the mainland. (We are looking into shipping a few crates of peaches over here right now!) But we do enjoy every piece of tropical fruit we can get our hands on. And there is plenty.This week I've been in the mood to freeze up some fruity deliciousness. So I did, and now I'm hooked…I may never stop...It