![Hello, fall... this pumpkin spice mix is amazing in hot cocoa and coffee, and it's super simple to make. Whip up a batch and keep it in the fridge for days you don't have time to make it to the coffeeshop, and use a Dixie To Go cup from @DixieProducts to be sure you can take it with you. #CupForCrushingIt [ad] | pumpkin spice latte | pumpkin spice cocoa | pumpkin spice coffee |](http://i.imgur.com/f4QJ5OT.jpg)
I pride myself on always being on time. Even if it means leaving my house incredibly early and sitting outside a place for half an hour because I arrived too soon, I pride myself on being on time. It’s just something that was instilled in me from a young age, and it’s important to me. But sometimes things don’t go as planned… and that’s when it’s time to just totally forget everything else that’s bringing me down and Crush It.
There are a few things that just say fall to me… barbecue for tailgating, regardless of which sport you support, corn mazes, and of course, apple cider donuts. A hot apple cider donut, freshly fried, with a warm cup of apple cider, is just something that screams autumn to me. I couldn’t resist making them at home.
Growing up, there was only one option when you wanted Chinese food… the menu may have had a ton of great choices, but if it wasn’t Springfield Cashew Chicken, was it even really worth ordering Chinese food? You see, traditional Cashew Chicken is a Chinese-American dish that’s stir fried in a wok, but Springfield-style Cashew Chicken combined classic American food– fried chicken– with this popular dish, and allowed a totally new recipe to take shape… and trust me, you must try it.
One of my favorite things about summer in college was driving down south to visit my gram. While spending time with her is a treat in itself, I have fond memories of dinner and talks on the back patio with sweet sun tea. It’s simple to make– there’s only two ingredients!– and absolutely delicious.
Start with a large pitcher that will hold at least a gallon. A glass pitcher works best, but if you don’t have one on hand (I didn’t!), you can use your favorite covered pitcher.
Place 5 bags of black tea in your pitcher. I use a little piece of tape to secure the bags so they don’t just go nuts in the container. Then, pour in 2 cups of sugar.
Fill the pitcher with a gallon of water.
Then, place the pitcher outside in a sunny spot and let it steep for a few hours– I like to leave mine for 6 or so hours just to be sure it’s nice and steeped for some nice, rich flavor. The sunlight will help the sugar truly dissolve– it’ll heat up the water a bit and really help push it towards being nice and sweet without any gritty flavor you’d usually get from an iced sweet tea that didn’t get a chance to sit in the sun a bit.
Once you’ve got a nice, rich amber color, it’s time to pop your pitcher of sun sweet tea into the fridge until it’s chilled– I like to make mine the day before I’d like to serve it, but really, if you’re serving over ice it doesn’t matter too much! For me, it wasn’t a summer holiday without a little bit of sweet sun tea, and even now, I’ll enjoy some on the regular. It’s just simply so perfect– that little touch of summer charm that every family gathering needs.
Cheers and have a great 4th of July, everyone! What’s your go-to summer drink? Let me know in the comments below!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SnackPackNaturals #CollectiveBias
![I'm all about snacks that are a total throwback to my childhood, like pudding, but I like providing my son with a more natural option and better choices. These banana s'mores pudding cups are the perfect choice, and when topped with homemade marshmallows made with agave nectar, they're sure to please while still being a smarter choice for snacktime. #SnackPackNaturals [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/m3nHl7l.jpg)
Summertime as a child meant a few things… plenty of time to play outside and roll in the mud, summer rainstorms, the choice to stay up later than usual, and of course… delicious snacks! One of my favorite choices as a child was a delicious chocolate pudding cup, and the best part of pudding cups was finding all kinds of things to mix in! That’s why when summer rolls around now, I make sure to have pudding cups on hand for my son to enjoy… and the mix-ins he needs to enjoy it! But as my family works to take a more naturally-based approach, it’s important for me to make smarter choices, which is why I’ve made the switch to natural pudding and tried my hand at making my own homemade marshmallows– both of which have NO corn syrup at all!
I love tacos. Tacos are pretty much amazing every day of the week, not just Taco Tuesdays. I haven’t met a taco that I don’t like– beef tacos, chicken tacos, Asian fusion tacos, soft shelled or hard shelled tacos, any kinds of tacos… they’re all delicious. But I’ve discovered a super easy way to make tacos that are ready when you get home. Crock Pot Street Tacos! These are super easy and so delicious that the whole family will love them!
This post is not sponsored by or endorsed by Truvia. All opinions are my own.
I love a good cornbread recipe with my chili. Especially if it’s a cornbread that the entire family can enjoy, including my dad, who has to watch his sugar intake. Unfortunately, sweet cornbread without the sweet is just kind of… well, blah. It doesn’t suit the chili right, which is why I set out on a mission to make an awesome reduced-sugar sweet cornbread, which would work really well in moderation to allow us all to enjoy that cornbread flavor we know and love.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SweetNewYear #CollectiveBias
![Hoping to have a #SweetNewYear? You'll love this hearty bacon chili and cornbread that are packed with protein, plus have less sugar, so you're able to meet your goals while still feeling full. Plus, it takes minutes to make, making this the perfect weeknight meal for your family. #Truvia [ad]](http://i.imgur.com/Utzy5lN.jpg)
January is such a confusing time of year. On the one hand, you really, really want to reach those New Year’s Resolutions you set and were determined to stick to, and on the other hand, it’s snowy and it’s cold and you just want a warm cup of something nice and hearty. Luckily, it isn’t either/or– I’ve got the perfect, protein-packed chili recipe that’s packed with flavor while still being a great balance of food groups. The best part? This hearty bacon chili is really simple to make, making it the perfect thing to throw together before practice on a chilly winter weeknight.
I love when a recipe truly lives up to it’s name. Divine…. that’s a lot to live up to, a name like “Chicken Divine.” But I have to tell you, between the melty cheese sauce, the tender chicken, and the perfect pieces of broccoli, this is truly a divine dish. I also love when I can try out a recipe that’s been in the family for awhile. Now, this recipe didn’t originate with our family… my grandfather was given the recipe by a client (he was a hairdresser), who passed it along to him after she’d tried the recipe with much success in her own home. It wasn’t unusual for clients to pass along recipes they’d loved to my grandparents. That made this the first time I’d ever tried making this truly divine chicken for myself, but certainly not the last.
I love easy weeknight meals. I also love comfort food that just takes you back in time and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And these “Tastee” loose meat sandwiches are the perfect solution for a chilly weekday. In just a few minutes, using some condiments and spices you probably already have in your fridge and pantry, you’ll love this delicious recipe and how quickly it goes together.
