Published on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
This is part of a supported campaign with Chef Merito. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
One of the threads that binds my husband and I together is our love for good food. More than just sustenance, food is an experience. While I have a handful of "go-to" recipes that I'll prepare during a busy week, I prefer to experiment with flavors to broaden and... Read More »
Published on Friday, May 10, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
In my never-ending effort to take an off-the-beaten-path approach to food, I decided to attempt a Strawberry Gazpacho earlier this week. Our family adores strawberries, and now that they can be found in abundance, we stocked up by purchasing FIVE pounds to cook and bake with. The price of strawberries varies throughout the year, but May is National Strawberry Mont... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
A few weeks ago, Jason and I were discussing what our lives were like before we had kids. What did we do? Did we stay up late watching reality TV? Did we jet off for weekend getaways? Parenthood has a funny way of creating windows of amnesia, yet I fully remember sleeping in Saturday mornings and taking turns making each other breakfast (although sadly, never ... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
Have you ever refrained from doing something because it just seemed to difficult? That is how I've always felt about jams, jellies, and preserves. I'm a huge proponent of eating healthy foods made from all-natural ingredients, and very often, store-bought varieties contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors. Traditionally, we've picked up our... Read More »
Published on Saturday, April 6, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
One of my favorite breakfast treats growing up was Kellogg's Pop-Tarts. The combination of a crisp flaky crust with a warm, fruit filling was absolutely divine. While I think my parents would have preferred that I eat the plain, unfrosted varieties, I used these opportunities to indulge. I've tried a few of the unfrosted varieties with my own kids, and their fav... Read More »
Published on Friday, April 5, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
I've done a lot of crunchy things in my life...but my husband can attest to the fact that making almond milk from scratch has taken green living to a whole new level. Last month, I had an opportunity to meet with Veronica Bosgraaf, founder of Pure Bar (Organic, Gluten-Free Vegan Snack Bars). Her story is quite interesting...at the age of six, her daughter made the d... Read More »
Published on Friday, March 22, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
After learning about the incredible benefits of the Açaí berry last month with Sambazon, I've been attempting to incorporate more of this superfruit into our meals, specifically by making Acai Bowls. Native to Central and South America (and specifically, the Amazon jungle), the Açaí berry contains antioxidants that are similar to those found in red wine, healt... Read More »
Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
Easter Brunch has become a favorite tradition in our household. After we've spent the morning at church, we reflect on the true meaning of the holiday as a family over a meal before participating in those kid-friendly activities that characterize Easter. Before we had kids, we didn't think twice about spending what seems like double the amount of money on Easter Brunc... Read More »
Published on Monday, March 4, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
Over the Christmas holiday, we had the privilege of spending some time with Stephanie and her beautiful family. I met Stephanie online several years ago when I happened upon her website. We connected over our views on parenting and love for travel. She continually inspires me, particularly when it comes to food. The day we walked into her home, the delightful smel... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 11, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
One of my biggest challenges each week is planning the meals for our family. My passion for healthy eating, our limited consumption of meat, and a child with food allergies means that very often, we'll eat the same few meals over and over again. I've attempted various forms of meal planning, which are successful, as long as I actually continue to follow through with t... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 8, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
I don't need many excuses to bake, and given that we're just one week away from Valentine's Day, I decided that we were in need of a serious chocolate fix! Cookie and cupcakes seem to be the tradition during this time of year, but I wanted to do something different...something unique...something that incorporated a variety of the traditional sweets and treats you se... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 1, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
In just a few short weeks, we'll be celebrating those we love, so last week I started thinking about ways to make the day special for my kids. I've always associated Valentine's Day with small character cards and Brach's Conversation Hearts, so when I saw that Brach's just introduced their new Create Your Own Conversation Hearts, I had to try them out.
While I'm... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 31, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
It's like dessert for breakfast...but healthier!
I love breakfast...from simple whole grain cereals to elaborate frittatas and fruit crepes. But most mornings, I simply don't have time to be creative. By the time I've helped my kids get dressed and fed, the breakfast window is over, so very often I'll have a simple bowl of cereal or oatmeal.
Because oatmeal is a... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 31, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
One year ago, I would have considered making a chicken or pasta dish a glorious culinary success. Before we had children, my cooking skills were mediocre, at best. And because my husband and I had very busy jobs where we often did not have dinner at a normal time, eating out was always our regular backup plan.
But there is something about having children that c... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
There aren't many things that cannot be made better by chocolate. It's my dessert of choice...my go-to for indulgent sweet fixes. So whenever I'm dreaming up a recipe, it typically includes chocolate.
This weekend, families across the country will gather to watch and celebrate the best in football. Super Bowl weekend is quickly approaching and while we are not p... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
Having a child with food allergies means that I have had to get creative. My son remembers what it was like to eat homemade macaroni and cheese and whole milk ice cream, and very often, the allergen-friendly alternatives just don't taste as good. Because ice cream is a big deal in our house, we've made it a point to have a constant supply of varying sorbet flavors s... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
My love for seafood can directly be attributed to my father's influence. By the time I was 2, I had already developed a liking for shrimp, a regular weekend treat we'd enjoy at home or at one of the many well-known seafood restaurants along the shores of Southern California. As I grew older, he continued to introduce me to various types of fish and shellfish, but sa... Read More »
Published on Friday, January 11, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
In nearly every instance, I prefer the fresh, home-cooked version of foods as opposed to those obtained in restaurants, grocery stores, or packages/cans. Most soups I've tasted are overly salty and fatty, devoid of flavor or nutrition. But homemade soups are an entirely different culinary experience. I absolutely love a freshly made tomato, carrot, or butternut sq... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 10, 2013 by Caryn Bailey
We packed away our faux Christmas tree over the weekend, one of the last few reminders of the holiday season, now officially over. I always start out the new year with specific resolutions, mostly surrounding health and wellness, and this year is no different. I plan to continue to attempt a regular fitness routine and a healthy diet, in hopes of losing some of th... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 27, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Amanda S. Congrats!
The new year is just around the corner, and as I reflect back on 2012, I realize that I've been relatively consistent in sticking with my resolution to spend more time preparing healthy meals at home for our family. I am enjoying my time in the kitchen beyond simple baking and h... Read More »