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Spiced Lamb Burgers with Herbed Yogurt

August 5, 2015 • 4 Comments

I know it’s already Aug. 5 but I don’t think it’s too late to say, Happy August!

The hubby and I finally crossed something off our 2015 Summer Bucket List. Kind of sad being that it’s already August and all, but hey! It’s never too late. We still have time before the abominable snowman hits Minnesota.

The first item we checked off our bucket list? A 7-mile canoe trip on the St. Croix River.

Our adventure was the definition of a perfect summer day: pure blue skies, butterflies and bald eagles swirling in the sky, time outdoors with my love. It was a day for the memory books, that’s for sure.

If you haven’t been on a canoe trip, I would highly recommend trying it out! At first I was a little skeptical, but I ending up having a wonderful time, even with a bum arm from a fibromyalgia flare up.Read More

Naked Chocolate Banana Cake

July 27, 2015 • 5 Comments

My husband and I didn’t have a traditional cake at our wedding.

We actually didn’t have a cake at all. Instead of feeding each other cake, we fed each other Dairy Queen Blizzards. This was commemorative of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other, over a Butterfinger and Hawaiian Blizzard as the third wheels of a couple we both knew.

The magic that is Alex and I all started with a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. But if it hadn’t, you can bet your boots I would’ve had a naked cake at our wedding.

Naked cakes are so unassuming. They aren’t showy and they don’t have to get all dressed up — they are simply beautiful in their natural state. When I think about the beginning of Alex and my relationship, or the beginning of many great love stories for that matter, I think about how similar they are to a naked cake. It’s all kinds of happiness and sweetness wrapped up in an adoration for someone for simply being who they are.

At the end of the day the deepest kind of love isn’t based on someone’s outward appearance, it’s based on recognizing and being captivated by someone’s beautiful soul. Peter confirms this in 1 Peter 3:4. He writes, “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”Read More

Refried Bean Tostadas with Shrimp + Avocado

July 23, 2015 • 15 Comments

In the summertime, I’ll admit I like to spend more time outside and less time in the kitchen.

When you live in Minnesota you have to make the most of warm weather. Like a beautiful wedding day it’s here and gone before you know it. That’s one of the many reasons why during the summer months, my husband and I go for nightly walks or bike rides. In the winter we settle for walking around malls, but in the summer you’ll find us basking in the sun and breathing in the fresh air.

To me, being outside is more refreshing than a sweet iced tea or scoop of ice cream. So who can blame a girl for wanting to cook quicker meals in order to spend time outdoors?

I’ve said it before and I will say it again: A quick recipe can taste just as good, if not better, than a time-intensive recipe. Er, unless you’re going through the fast food drive-thru. In that case, I’d say you’d definitely be better off spending an extra 10 minutes cooking something yourself!

There is nothing wrong with easy and simple. I’m always amazed when I ask friends what they are making for dinner and they reply sheepishly … oh, you know, just something easy and simple. Nothing special. Dear friends, I want you to know that easy and simple can be special. You don’t have to spend one hour on something for it to be made with love. Anything can be made with love.Read More

Spinach Artichoke Bagel Melts

July 20, 2015 • 3 Comments

We all long for moments of comfort.

Something to make us feel better when everything around us feels like it’s crumbling apart or wasting away. Comfort can take on many forms, both unhealthy and healthy. For me the only real solace comes from running into the arms of my heavenly Father, “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

I’m amazed by how God keeps His promises to us. Even in my most desperate times of need I know He is there because I have seen Him at work so many times before. In the silence, in the waiting, in the affliction He is there and gives me comfort.

On the other hand, the occasional bagel, ice cream cone or slice of cake can’t hurt either. Think about it: when was the last time you prayed for comfort or ate a bagel sandwich and didn’t feel better? That’s right — never.

This weekend was supposed to be full of adventure and activity, but a stomach bug left me feeling sick like a sailor at sea. When Sunday night rolled around, I was craving something both comforting and satisfying. That’s when I remembered I had some Canyon Bakehouse Everything Bagels in the pantry. Praise. The. Lord. I thought to myself. Now I can make bagel melts.Read More

Grilled Peach, Corn + Bacon Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette

July 13, 2015 • 9 Comments

When was the last time you laughed?

Today? Yesterday? A week ago? A month ago?

What makes you laugh? Can you picture it in your mind? Is it a moment, a memory, a person, a movie, a thing?

I believe laughter is a very important element of life. And yet even though we know it can improve our quality of life, I have come to realize that it is often forgotten or left out of our daily routines. That’s why I am intentional about making laughter a part of everyday life.

When I am having a bad day I often ask myself: Have I laughed today? Usually the answer is no and if that is the case, I look for ways to change that. Whether it’s laughing at myself or watching a quick funny YouTube video, I know making time for laughter enhances my life. But like most things (food included) laughter is better when it’s shared together.Read More

Salted Caramel Brownie Mini Trifles

July 6, 2015 • 1 Comment

Do you ever wish you could just repeat a series of events over and over again?

That’s how this Fourth of July weekend was for me. Never have I realized just how blessed I am to be a part of two incredible families. Seriously, who gets lucky enough to not only have a great immediate family but marry into an awesome family as well?

My hand is up. Way up in the sky. Because after a U2 concert in Chicago, pool party with the hubby’s fam and a day at the lake with my fam, I could never feel more grateful for the moments I get to experience because of the lovely people that are in my life.

My mother-in-law even let me, miss crazy food blogger, take over her kitchen so I could make these knock-your-tastebuds-off, delicious mini trifles to share with you guys.

These babies — along with the crab leg we enjoyed to celebrate the fourth — were the cherry on top of our visit to Indiana. In this recipe, three decadent layers come together to form the ultimate dessert. The trifle layers are as follows: Canyon Bakehouse Brownie Bites, coconut whipped cream and salted caramel sauce. Combined, they make a dessert that is difficult to resist.Read More