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Green Bean Pork Stir Fry

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I had put it off all summer. Once school started, I knew it couldn’t be postponed any longer. It was time… you know what I mean, it was time for “the talk” with my 13 year old daughter. Heavy sigh. The best way to begin was to print pictures with diagrams of what I was trying to convey. So I went to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov and the talk began. You were thinking that this was the talk I was talking about, weren’t you?

We talked about how the vegetables took up the largest portion of the plate. We discussed the fact that we don’t need to consume large portions of protein. The talk went really well and my daughter and husband were both on board. Well, sort of.

Ok, now I had to decide what we would have for dinner. Since we had talked veggies, I decided to select my 13 year old’s favorites (green beans and carrots) and incorporate them into dinner. Any dinner with pasta or rice rates #1 in her book so that left nothing else to try but stir fry. I have shared a favorite Garlic Ginger Beef Stir Fry in a previous post. This recipe is a family fav, so I knew there was hope.

I reduced the amount of meat that I would usually use and I increased the vegetables. The result was a dish that received high marks at our dinner table. It tasted as if we had visited our favorite local Chinese restaurant and everyone was happy. Well, almost–my daughter and husband both said they loved the recipe, but requested that next time I prepare this for dinner that I increase the meat in the recipe. And it just wouldn’t be right if I didn’t confess when I cleared the dishes from the table, I noticed one had a neat pile of thin red pepper slices off to the side. Change is hard but baby steps are a great beginning.

It is my hope that you can try this recipe and begin those baby steps with your loved ones. [Read more…]

Frozen Strawberry Margarita Punch Recipe

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The relentless heat this summer made all of us edgy and longing for cooler days ahead. I love my patio and eat outside as often as possible—yet this summer, the table sits unused. Darn that heat. So, to cool off and ease my longing for al fresco dining, I whipped up a frozen drink. This time, it is pure heavenly strawberry refreshment. Oh my gosh, I loved it and I think you will too.

Frozen drinks are just plain fun. No, they will never compete with wine for complementing a meal, but on a hot summer day, they perk up your spirits and bring a smile every time you serve them. And here is a bonus–make summer entertaining easy. Keep a batch in the freezer and when guests arrive, all you need to do is scoop it up and serve it.

So here is a new frozen treat for you (well, at least for the adults) to enjoy. Plus, a few weeks ago I shared my Frozen White Wine Margarita recipe (my all-time most requested recipe) and in case you missed it I posted it again. Cheers! [Read more…]

Chicken and Spinach Quesadilla Recipe

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It is like we have been held hostage in the hottest summer for over 25 years. Too hot to cook took on a new meaning—but suddenly my inspiring business partner, Roxanne, suggested I use that trusty slow cooker! Of course! I should have thought of that. One of my favorite slow cooker recipes is one I shared with you before, but I have a new twist on it.

Now, since my daughters grew up, I can take some of those old, family favorites and tweak them to more adult tastes. Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas with fresh Tomato Pico De Gallo is one of those. I used summer-ripe tomatoes, fresh spinach and kept the kitchen cool. What a winner! Don’t despair, for those that want the classic chicken con queso, you will find in the recipe archive.  But if you want a summer twist on that favorite recipe, read more now and give it a try. [Read more…]

Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

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We are so excited to share a recipe from our newest book, 175 Best Babycakes Cupcake Maker Recipes. The Babycakes Cupcake Maker is so fun to use and this book packs all of that fun and the good taste into 175 bite-size recipes. Who doesn’t love red velvet cupcakes? In celebration of our new blog design and our new cookbook we are serving up these fantastic cupcakes, with a toast of champagne. Let’s celebrate. [Read more…]