Super easy and Super fun! This is a really easy edible art project! Instead of boring plain old syrup on your pancakes, why not paint them! What you’ll need: Food Coloring, Syrup, Unused Paintbrushes, & Pancakes! We used an egg carton to “hold the paint” as it doesn’t tip easily, holds small portions of syrup and, most importantly, is disposable! I love art projects with easy clean-up! Add 3 drops or so to roughly a tablespoon of syrup and have fun painting and …

I got this idea from chatting with Kellie, from Chicks With Kidz, she had a great idea/suggestion to include my kiddos in making our own variations of trail mix.  We eat granola regularly for breakfast, but I have always been the one mixing it up!  With her encouragement my one year old now has a way to “help mommy” cook breakfast!  Thanks Kellie!  We are always looking for ways to include our kids in household chores and activities!
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How to make your own Granola Mix:
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Grab handfuls of any or all of …

Today’s Fantastic Friday shout-outs all have one splendid theme, “dessert”. I have a massive sweet tooth and am seriously itching to try making my very own thin mint cookies (why does Valentines Day mean Girl Scout Cookies in my mind?), these melt-in-your mouth mini-cheesecake cookies, homemade cream soda-pop, and fudgy molten chocolate cake. I am exploding in anticipation! Alas, I’m snowed in… I sense a grocery trip in my future. Till then, check out these “Fantastic Friday” posts… and if you have any sites to share …

This is really good. When I was little, my Mom used to shop at Randalls. They always had this big kettle of clam chowder out in front of the seafood shop with little plastic cups for samples. I loved the fresh clam chowder. But I have never been able to enjoy the canned version, it tastes “tinny” to me. This was awesome, super awesome. I plan to always have some on hand.
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Jenn’s Super Easy New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients

1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/2 …

My kids love granola bars and I love having them eat healthy breakfasts and snacks! These are great for those “on-the-run” mornings!  The oatmeal makes them feel full, the dried fruit makes my fruit-loving little man happy and the flaxseed adds brain-friendly fats.  These granola bars will keep for a week or so, but for longer shelf-life, freeze them!
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Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats (grind 1 c up in the blender or food processor for more consistent texture)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup …

These are so yummy and easy to make! I love, LOVE, chocolate covered espresso beans – but the few times I’ve made them in the past I’ve just made a massive mess.  Lets just say my lumps of beans were not very appetizing.  Thanks to Mandy from The Trenches of Motherhood, I found a really easy way to make chocolate covered coffee beans!
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In Mandy’s own words (reprinted with her permission):

I used to drink coffee in my late teens when it was the “cool” thing to do. But not anymore. …

Today my 11 year old made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It turned out great. However, I would add pumpkin pie spice and maybe a tad more vanilla. But I can’t leave anything alone..I have to tweak it all. Normally she does also but this time she followed the recipe. Let’s call it Home Econ 101! LOL.

My favorite mug and cookies! WOW..I really know how to treat myself!
INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup canned or fresh pumpkin
1 Cup white sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 Cup vegetable oil
1 T vanilla extract
1 egg
2 Cups chocolate …

I’ve had a problem lately cooking proteins in the morning, due to morning sickness, yet,  proteins last longer in my nauseous tummy. She said she would cook her breakfast stuff in the afternoon when she was feeling good, assemble breakfast burritos or english muffin sandwiches and freeze them individually. Then she could just pop them in the microwave and eat them.  I love it!
It also works great for mornings with early appointments or husbands who don’t take time to eat breakfast at home, but can eat on the go–an cheaper …

As it is getting cooler it is getting near the time to cut down the basil bush… yummy, pesto!  I was beyond thrilled to have discovered a pesto recipe, that is really easy.  With permission from Val, I’ve re-printed it here for you.   Hope you will get to enjoy pesto this winter.
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Basic Pesto for Freezing

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
2 – 3 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Put everything in a food processor and pulse …

These chicken bites taste just like buffalo chicken wings, only without the bones and no delivery fee!
Ingredients:
3 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 Tablespoons of flour
3 Tablespoons of chili powder
1 Teaspoon Onion powder
3 Tablespoons of Olive oil (or canola)
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Instructions:
Rinse the chicken and pound it lightly.  Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.  Set aside.
Mix the dry ingredients and coat the chicken.  Fry the chili-dusted chicken in hot oil.  Serve immediately.
For a hotter flavor, increase the ratio of chili powder to flour.  Enjoy!