Cinnamon Blueberry Bran Muffins

Cooler mornings in the Ritter house means muffin making.  I rarely make the same muffin recipe twice.  But every now and then I find one that worth repeating.  Especially when the kids are begging for them and they are relatively healthy for you.

Being the nut milk fan that I am, I was drawn to this recipe because it soaks it's bran in almond milk.  I subbed coconut milk.  Can't go wrong with that, right?  Love at first bite.  Thank you garlicandzest.com for your inspiration.

No Bake Peanut Butter Squares

If you are a Reese's lover, you must try these.  Four ingredients.  Hardly any "cooking" involved.  And they are so so yummy.  Your guests won't know what hit 'em!

Friends, I have made promises like this before, but I thought this would be an appropriate time to remind you: I WILL ONLY POST FOOD THAT IS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL on this blog.  Just because it's vegan, dairy free, gluten free and has no refined sugar does not mean you should swipe right.  In fact, you should be ridiculously excited because that's healthier ingredients in your belly and tastier dishes on your table.

Chimichurri Dressing on Grilled Vegetable Salad

So thankful for these two.

Hey y'all!  Just wanting to share this INCREDIBLE salad with you.

I've been doing a LOT of cooking lately and have been having fun with several new recipes and combos.  MJ is eating food now, which is so fun!  I forgot how time consuming and messy it is when they are learning.  I'm also temporarily dairy and egg free while we experiment with my diet and her skin issues.  Oh the sacrifices we make, but if it makes the baby more comfortable, it's worth the temporary change.  Salads for breakfast it is!  Okay, just kidding... not really.  But, I'm surprised how well I'm taking the adjustment.  But with salads like this, what's not to love!

I told Chris I wanted to cook my own mother's day feast, and since then, I've made this dressing almost weekly.  The grilled vegetables really make the salad, so don't skip that step!

Easy Morning Egg Muffins

Oh life.  Life has been busy lately!  So I feel this post is appropriate.

This is one of my "clear out the fridge" recipes.  One of those "hurry and throw it in before it goes to waste" meals.  You know, the "leftovers from my kid's plates plus eggs" kind of dish?  You get the idea...

Mornings are not easy.  And, I'm a morning person!  But with a baby and a 4 year old, sometimes I feel like Father Von Trap with my whistle, shouting commands, following a schedule and checking the clock every 15 minutes to make sure we are going to make the most of our day.  We're just not the laze around type.

And we LOVE breakfast.  But sometimes, you're on the run and you want some quick protein.  These muffins bring it.  And they freeze well!  You can add any veggie, cheese, green or grain.  I love quinoa in these because it really fills you with some great nutrients and creates a nice little base for the muffin.

Vanilla Coconut Chia Pudding

What is gluten free, diary free, ridiculously healthy and addicting?  THIS PUDDING!  This is not even considered cooking!  It's embarrassingly simple.

Let's call it STRENGTH pudding!  Chia is the Mayan word for Strength.  This seed is packed with nutrition and some might say is one of the healthiest foods on the planet!  Protein, fiber, omega-3s, TONS of vitamins and minerals... the list goes on.  If you google their benefits, you will get lost in all the goodness.  I dare you.  Then make some for dessert and give yourself a high five!

Black Bean Tacos with Radish Salsa and Feta

Let me tell you about my sister-in-law.  Tay.  She's so good for our family.  She will break into song at any moment, and always knows all the words.  She's the kind of gal everyone wants to be friends with, but I get to call her family.  She's ridiculously fun but can go super serious in a heart beat.  She loves LA, loves the kitchen and eats mostly vegetarian.

Taylor shared this recipe with me when I came down to her home for wedding.  I was kidless, husbandless and just soaking in some quality time with my sister-friend.  We strolled the streets of Pasadena and then came home to make her "go-to tacos."  Guys, they were as good as she claimed.  Maybe better.  How could such simple ingredients come together in such a new for me?  I guess that is the amazing thing about food!  It just keeps surprising you!

(Kid Approved) Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I'm not going to let Jan 10th, 2017 happen without blogging!  

How has it been 362 days since I've blogged a recipe?

I'll tell you how... I got pregnant and gave birth to this little sweet thing:  Mackenzie Jane Ritter.  Born Oct 18, 2016 weighing just over 8 pounds and is so delicious I have to restrain myself from nibbling her sweet toes. 💜

Oh sweet Jesus, thank you for this little love muffin.

Speaking of sweet things... I thought I'd talk about my sweet potato fries... But first, my confession...

On New Years Eve, I mumbled to Chris, "What if I decided to start food blogging again?  Say at least once a month?  Am I crazy?  With two kids?"

It's already crazy, and I'm still cooking up a storm, so why not?  Colton is still helping in the kitchen quite a bit.  Maybe this year I'll teach him to take my food photos too?

Someone thought it was funny to poke an ingredient out of the line.