Quick baking tip-soften butter straight from the fridge for a few seconds in the microwave to get softened butter quickly without melting the butter. There is this spot on my counter where I leave my butter to warm when I have it intended for a baking project. But sometimes (many times) I will have an itch to bake something without … Read More
Ice Climbing 2014
Last weekend, in a planned attempt to escape the monotony of the winter here in northern Illinois, a group of us drove the 8 hours up to Munising, MI for a little ice climbing. So we rented boots, some crampons, a guide and an awkward cabin with no bedroom doors and set out for a weekend adventure. The ice features … Read More
What Are The Different Types of Food Coloring?
When I was growing up, my mom always had Wilton gel food coloring that you had to dig out with a toothpick. I hated it. I found it messy and annoying and the red was never red (come to find out, I was actually using pink!). Anyway, time went on and I became and adult and I bought myself food … Read More
Alternative Sweeteners to Refined Sugar
Ok, so January, we’re supposed to be cleaning up our eating right? Well, for me, that has meant that I am trying more and more to cut out processed foods. I can’t say exactly when I started, but over the course of the last few years I have been phasing out and reducing my intake of processed and pre-packaged foods. … Read More
Ringing in 2014
Honey and Maple Syrup Sweetened Homemade Granola January is a time for renewal and growth. A time to detox from all of the Christmas/holiday craziness and refocus on simplifying, learning new things and cleaning up your body. This year, no long list of resolutions that I will struggle to keep. Just a couple guidelines to try and create a happier, … Read More
Peppermint Bark
Ok, here’s another easy one, because I am all about simplifying this Christmas. Peppermint bark. The hardest thing you have to do is melt chocolate. But we already learned how to do that. Oh, and you get to smash things with your rolling pin, which in my book is always top notch. What you need: 1- 12 ounce bag chocolate … Read More
Magic Cookie Bars
These magic cookie bars are an easy, crowd pleasing bar cookie made with layers of graham cracker crumbs, decadent chocolate chips, crunchy walnuts, and sweet coconut. These magic cookie bars are one of the easiest and most loved cookie recipes I have. Pretty much if you can melt butter and have a can opener you can make these cookies. Lets … Read More