Browsing Tag:

recipes

  • Healthy Home

    Delicious Pumpkin Spinach Rigatoni!

    pumpkin recipe

    Pasta is my guilty pleasure. Ever since I was a kid, I always loved topping my farfalle with loads and loads of parmesan cheese (I know, I know…not healthy!). While I still have a love for parm, I’ve expanded my palette a bit and now enjoy trying pasta with more unique sauces like the pumpkin recipe below. Try it out and let me know what you think! To my total surprise, both my daughter AND husband both loved it!

    * I used all organic ingredients in this recipe and linked them below!

    INGREDIENTS:

    INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water. Be sure to save 1 – 1 1/2 cups of pasta water for your sauce before draining.

    2. In a large skillet, add the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper (optional), stirring frequently. After a minute or two, add the spinach until it wilts (I chopped my spinach a bit, but that is optional).

    3. Add pumpkin puree, parmesan cheese, sage and salt & pepper. Add 1/2 cup of pasta water (or milk if you prefer) at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency. You may

    4. Pour pumpkin sauce onto rigatoni and top with parmesan cheese!

    Enjoy! XO

    Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” Regardless, we only recommend products or services that have extensively researched; and products that we use personally, have used and would use in the future. We pride ourselves on honesty and integrity to our readers.

    Full Disclaimer and Disclosure here.

  • DIY & Recipes, Healthy Home

    Homemade Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting!

    As the cooler weather approaches and we are spending a bit more time inside, my little one and I are always looking for new, fun recipes to try! These “healthy-ish” Banana Muffins were delicious and easy to make! Plus, we had all of the ingredients at home so it was a no brainer for us.

    INGREDIENTS:

    Banana Muffin* Ingredients

    Cream Cheese Frosting* Ingredients

    *All natural, organic ingredients were used in our recipe. All of the specific brands we used are linked!

    BAKING INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Prepare the cupcake mix. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line your stainless steel muffin tray with muffin liners. We use these parchment paper liners – non-stick without any chemicals!
    2. In a large bowl, mush a banana. Then, add two eggs, coconut oil (1/4 cup), maple syrup (1/3 cup), and vanilla (1 tsp).
    3. Now add the flour (2 1/2 cups), baking soda (1/2 tsp), cinnamon (1 tsp), and salt (1/4 tsp). Mix well.
    4. Fill each muffin liner approximately two-thirds of the way full. Bake for 20 minutes or so at 350°F, until golden.
    5. Prepare the cream cheese frosting while the cupcakes are baking. Using a hand mixer, blend together cream cheese, powdered sugar (1 cup), butter (2 tbsp), vanilla (1 tsp), cinnamon (1/4 tsp), and salt (1/4 tsp). Chill for approximately 30 minutes.
    6. Frost the cupcakes once they have cooled and enjoy!
    Our delicious homemade cream cheese frosting!

    Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” Regardless, we only recommend products or services that have extensively researched; and products that we use personally, have used and would use in the future. We pride ourselves on honesty and integrity to our readers.

    Full Disclaimer and Disclosure here.

  • Babies & Kids, DIY & Recipes

    Quick Healthy Snack Ideas For The Whole Family

    In today’s world, so much of our food is processed, so when my little one started to eat solids, I was looking for healthy alternatives without the preservatives and additives. The recipes below are not only super simple to make, but as my 2 year old would say, are “delicious and nutritious”! Enjoy.

    Frozen Bananas Slices

    1. Slice bananas.
    2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and cocoa powder.
    3. Place on a glass plate. Freeze (30 minutes or more) and enjoy!

    Easy Banana Oat Bites (Egg-free!)

    1. Add 1 Banana, 1/4 Cup Quick Oats, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
    2. Sprinkle in cinnamon, cocoa powder, & raisins – depending on preference. Mix.
    3. Pour mixture into 6 muffin liners and press flat. Bake at 350 Degrees F for 6-10 minutes depending on your texture preference (softer vs. firmer).
    4. Let cool and enjoy! We usually double this recipe to make the bites a bit thicker.

    Nutrient-Packed Popsicles & Smoothies

    1. Blend water or coconut water, bananas, mango, berries, carrots, celery, spinach, kale or any fruit/veggie combo together.
    2. Optional Nutrition: Add Vitamin C Powder, Beet Powder, Magnesium, Chia or Flax Seed for an extra boost!
    3. Then, to make the smoothie Popsicles… Pour into a popsicle mold, like the one we have, and enjoy!

    Our favorite blend: Banana, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, carrots and chia seeds! If you’ve never had carrots in a smoothie before, start by adding just a few. Blend well.

    Kale Chips

    1. 1 Bunch of Fresh Kale – thoroughly wash and dry the kale. Then, cut off stems and tear into bite sized pieces.
    2. Toss with olive oil and salt.
    3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place kale on sheet.
    4. Bake at 350 F, turning half way, for approximately 15 minutes or until edges begin to brown – not burn!

    Yogurt Bark

    1. Cut fresh strawberries into tiny pieces.
    2. Mix in a bowl with yogurt.
    3. Pour mixture onto a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper) an freeze for at least 2 hours.
    4. Break apart into smaller pieces and enjoy!

    MORE HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS WE LOVE…

    • Ants on a Log (celery, peanut butter or almond butter, and unsweetened raisins)
    • Carrots Sticks & Almond Butter
    • Apple Slices with Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
    • Bell Peppers & Hummus
    • Cucumbers & Hummus
    • Pumpkin Seeds
    • Toast with Avocado and Tomato
    • Unsweetened Applesauce & Cinnamon
    • Nuts & Unsweetened Raisins
    • Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • Caprese Skewers
    • Kefir or yogurt
    • Almond Butter and Jelly Tortilla Roll-Ups
    • Hummus, cucumber, cracker sandwiches
    • Almond Butter & Banana Sandwiches (just those two ingredients!)
    • Oatmeal
    • Avocado Slices
    • Healthy Blueberry Muffins
    • Oat Energy Balls

    Looking for non-toxic kitchen items? Cups, plates, utensils, mixers, and more? Check out my personal recommendations of products I use in my home! Free of BPA, lead, cadmium, heavy metals and many other toxic chemicals.

    Full disclosure and disclaimer here.