I swear the computer is going to be the death of me.  I get emailed links, and find things on pinterest that I have no business having.  I think I can feel my behind growing every time I find some new yummy concoction!

It is every woman’s god given right to be a chocoholic, and my daughter wants to be a chocoholic so badly!  Her dairy allergy has made it pretty much impossible to enjoy this simple stress relieving pleasure.  The only dairy free mainstream chocolate we have found at this point is Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate chips …which make one killer cookie I might add.

When I found this recipe for these homemade chocolate bars the other day that contained no dairy I was all over it.  I was concerned that they may not be that great, so a taste test was involved.  Plus, like many of you I don’t want to spent 2 hours in the kitchen making a huge mess and then having it not turn out.

So I got busy and melted and stirred.  I poured this chocolaty goodness into a pan and waited.  I didn’t have to wait too long, cause I put it in the freezer.  After the longest 10 minutes in the world I pulled out this huge brick of chocolate, and I think I heard the angels sing.  This chocolate not only has an exquisite taste, it melts on the tip of your tongue.

My mind has not stopped swirling about all the things I can do with this chocolate.  So far, in the last 2 days, I have made a chocolate ganache for her cupcakes, dipped strawberries in it, and made these wonderful homemade chocolate bars.  You can mix in anything your heart desires for you or your valentine.  I made these with almonds and valentine sprinkles on the top.

Gather all of your ingredients. I found the agave nectar at walmart, but many stores carry it now as a sugar alternative.

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and stir in agave.  I am sure you could use light corn syrup instead, you would have to experiment with the amount.  I would start low and add more after a necessary taste test.

Stir in the cocoa powder.

Pour the chocolate into your mold or container and add your mix ins.  I added almonds.  Then I sprinkled some valentine sprinkles on top. (They sunk in…but shh…we aren’t telling.)

The final deliciousness.

I was blown away by the response after I posted the Italian Dressing Mix Recipe last week.  You guys loved it and I had a ton of requests for a Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe.   I just so happen to have one for you guys that I use all of the time!

I love this because it is truly versatile!  Not only can you make your own ranch, you can make your own dip with it.  This is made in huge batches in a jar in my kitchen, because my daughter is allergic to milk and I refuse to pay $4-$5 for a bottle of dairy free ranch dressing.  This makes the best tasting dairy free ranch dressing and dip.  This is also great for those of you that are Vegan, and can’t have dairy for that reason.

This is what the dry mix looks like after you have it all mixed up.

This is a picture of the Dairy Free sour Cream.  You can special request your store to carry it.

And of course, I had to add this picture of my dip thief into the mix.

I linked up at…

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Appetizers and snacks are a big part of our diet this time of year.  My girls birthdays are quickly approaching.  In fact, I will have a 4 year old on my hands tomorrow.  We have family and friends over for dinner to celebrate.  Then Super Bowl time and all the indulgences that come with that.

After all that hustle and bustle comes valentine’s day and if you are planning a romantic night in, this is a fantastic recipe for a special appetizer treat.  If you are watching your waist band, you can replace the pork sausage with turkey sausage to cut the fat and calories. You can even make the filling ahead and keep in in the freezer.  Just pull out and thaw, stuff the mushrooms, and pop them in the oven. Makes the whole process much faster!

These tasty little morsels, are surprising low in calories and full of healthy ingredients.  I don’t feel the least bit guilty for eating a couple of them when they popped out of the oven.  I mean look at them, you try to resist stealing one!

Gather your ingredients, and preheat oven to 350.

Brown the sausage in the skillet.

Mix the sausage, spinach, bread crumbs, cheese, seasonings, and olive oil in bowl.

Fill the cleaned mushroom caps and place in baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and top with more shredded cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Serve immediately!

Yep, it is that time of year for healthy recipes.  We have all over indulged during the holidays and now it is time to get those waistlines back under control.  Just because we are watching what we are eating doesn’t mean it can’t taste good.

This Chicken and White Bean Salad is full of flavor, color, and texture.  While the kids may not jump up and down asking for this salad, it is sure to be a hit with the adults.

Don’t miss these other great appetizer recipes and side dish recipes!

New Years will be here this weekend, and if you are looking for a way to get those Black Eyed Peas in here is a great recipe. Here is a fun fact about why Black Eyed Peas are so important on New Years.

Why Black Eyed Peas?

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman’s troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.

Today, the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme .

Christmas is less than a week away and I am looking for something new to put on the table.  So I decided to try my hand at Yorkshire Pudding.  Which is kinda funny because it isn’t pudding at all.  It is a popover.  Well, why didn’t they just say so.  My hubby is always looking for some new and exciting excuse for me to make gravy. The Popovers are really easy to make, the worst part is being patient and waiting for them while they bake.

Don’t forget to check out these other great side dish recipes too!

This is an appetizer to wow a crowd!  These are so simple yet sophisticated.  The ingredients in this appetizer really tickle your taste-buds and will leave your guests wanting more.

I love that these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are so easy to throw together and have ready to go for your get togethers. You will have more time to spend visiting and spreading Christmas cheer and less time in the kitchen.

Don’t miss these great other Appetizer Recipes!

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As promised, and a little late.  Here is another great holiday appetizer!  My husband loves those BBQ Meatballs in the crockpot with Grape Jelly.  Me….not so much.   This is a holiday twist on those cocktail meatballs, that in my opinion, taste much better!

My favorite part is that these can be made in the crockpot, that way they are warm and ready to go when your company arrives.  Try these super easy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs this holiday season!

As promised the Holiday Appetizers continue.  I know the need to have quick easy snacks ready to go for Holiday company.  I love serving just a variety of appetizers even for meals.  Makes it kinda fun.

My husband is all about bacon…well, we all are really.  My kids can eat their weight in bacon.  I have to limit them to a slice or 2.  My littlest came running when she smelled the bacon cooking today.  “Mama…is that for me? I’m hungry! “ She just makes me grin.  So I reserved a piece for her to snack on while I finished.

Try these next time you are expecting company.

Don’t forget to try these other great Appetizers!

I am always looking for a way to use the ingredients I can buy on a budget, and right now my fridge is full of eggs and Philadelphia Cooking Crème.  I like to stock up on pantry and freezer items when they are at their lowest price, but sometimes I end up with perishables too.  Which is just fine, I just make meals around them.

I found this recipe for Denver Style Morning Burritos on Krafts website and it sounded like it would use up just the right ingredients out of my fridge.  My hubby loves breakfast burritos so this immediately got 2 thumbs up from him. Check out how easy this delicious breakfast option is!

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Oh it is cold outside and I love the smell of crusty hot fresh bread.  Especially when it is coming out of my oven.   This french bread recipe is one of my favorites, not only is it easy, it is so delicious. People will wonder which bakery you bought it from.

I love turning it into garlic bread, croutons, and just eating it with a little bit of butter.  This Tomato & Basil Bruschetta is a great way to finish up the end of the season garden goodies.  Top it with a little bit of fresh mozzarella and I am in heaven.

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My poor hubby has been neglected lately.  He gets up and heads to work in the morning without breakfast most of the time.   I was looking through my cookbooks for something hearty, quick, and easy that I can make him for breakfast.  This not only looked easy enough, the sound so good!

These would make a fabulous addition to a brunch buffet.  You could serve them with some scrambled eggs for a complete breakfast. They could even be turned into an appetizer.

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Football is on at my house all weekend long.  And on Mondays….and sometimes Thursday nights.  Then, Sportscenter plays the other days in between.  ~chuckles~ It’s ok.  I have come to terms with my football addict husband.  It has been something I have known for quite sometime.  He did not surprise me with this fact.  I knew he loved it when I met him.

Now my kids are on the bandwagon.  Cheering for teams, first downs, and touchdowns.  It really is pretty cute! So, on football days we are all about the snack foods, and appetizers.  This is one from the back of the ole’ recipe box.  Forgotten, but still loved! It is making it’s way back into rotation.  You should try it!

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The typical starchy side dishes in my house are rice, mashed potatoes, french fries, baked potatoes, and pasta.   Not the most creative list in the world, but one of those things goes with almost every meal and is kid friendly.

You can dress them up or just have them plain Jane.  I love that the simplicity of potatoes allows them to be dressed in almost anything; Ketchup, cheese, sour cream & chives.  These is a twist on classic mashed potatoes.  I love doing this with my left overs.  I tend to mash enough potatoes for an army! Then they stretch over 2 dinners!

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Yes, I am on a breakfast kick.  It is the most important meal of the day after all.   My kids love granola; Bars, cereal, on yogurt, on ice cream, and just by itself.  I like to make my own because I can tweak it to everyone’s individual tastes, and I know what is in it.  No preservatives, chemicals, just whole foods.

Here is the recipe that works for us.  Feel free to play with it, and your families favorites and make a treat that your family will love!