My baby sister lives about three hours away now, which feels nearly next door after years of being separated by nine-hour drives. Every so often the Godfather, A, and I make the trip to Charlottesville to visit her and her husband, share a meal, and enjoy fall activities. On one recent weekend we went apple … Read more

Decadent whoopie pies get a healthier makeover with whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree, and significantly less added sugar. Below is an improved version of classic whoopie pies that keeps the rich, creamy flavor while swapping some ingredients for better-for-you options. They’re fun to make and especially appealing to kids. Not to date myself, but it … Read more

For the past few weeks sorrel has entirely taken over our vegetable patch. The warm days and nightly showers have encouraged vigorous growth, so no matter how much I harvest it seems to return overnight. As a sorrel enthusiast, I couldn’t be happier — I find myself adding it to nearly every meal of the … Read more

Aren’t these gingerbread men the cutest? I love food that’s both charming and delicious. The warming trio of ginger, cinnamon and molasses is a holiday favorite — comforting to the belly and filling the house with a festive scent. But what if you could sip your favorite holiday cookie? This Clean Eating Gingerbread Smoothie captures … Read more

On my Salt Lake City breakfast tour I’m focusing mainly on newer spots, but there are a few familiar favorites I wanted to include. Beaumont fits that category: it’s become a staple worth revisiting. Today I picked up a breakfast burrito and knew it deserved a place on this list. What I appreciate most about … Read more

Homemade pepper jelly blends sweetness and heat and is simple to make—ideal as an appetizer for guests or as a glaze for roasted meats. This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to learn more about how affiliate links are used on this site. If you’ve never tried pepper jelly, it may sound odd at … Read more

Printable shopping list This week’s meal plan focuses on easy, flavorful dinners the whole family will enjoy. Each recipe is comforting, simple to prepare, and most make great leftovers for lunches or another quick meal later in the week. What’s on the Menu? The goal this week is simple, satisfying, stress-free dinners. Most recipes yield … Read more

Koolaid Popcorn is a sweet and salty treat made using your favorite Kool-Aid drink mix. Bright, colorful, and delicious, this popcorn is an easy, crowd-pleasing snack for parties, movie nights, or any gathering. This recipe coats popped popcorn with a sweet Kool-Aid syrup, bakes it until crisp, and leaves you with a colorful, crunchy snack. … Read more

There are several excellent non-toxic, direct-to-consumer mascara brands you can order online, but sometimes you need something at the drugstore or grocery. Many conventional and widely available cosmetics still contain ingredients linked to health concerns, so when you’re standing in front of walls of Maybelline, Revlon, and CoverGirl, you might ask: are any of these … Read more

Chocolate banana swirl muffins are moist, flavorful, and pleasantly sweet without being overpowering. The marriage of ripe banana and cocoa creates a tender, aromatic muffin with a beautiful marbled appearance and a soft crumb. WHY YOU’LL LOVE THEM Easy to make. These muffins come together quickly and require only simple mixing by hand. Chocolate and … Read more