DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice & 12 Yummy Ways to Use it

What do you think of when you smell and taste gingerbread spices? For me, it conjures up memories of Christmas, winter holidays, giddy anticipation, spicy-sweet comfort and heading through the woods and over the hills to grandmother’s house.

DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice

Gingerbread spices, typically cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves and a pinch of pepper, aren’t reserved just for gingerbread men, gingerbread houses and the soft gingerbread cakes my relatives loved to make during the holidays.  My DIY Homemade Gingerbread Spice recipe is simple to make, keeps all year to spice up all sorts of your favorite and even unexpected foods. Read on to get the Homemade Gingerbread Spice recipe and all the yummy ideas:  Continue reading

Deviled Egg Owls – a HOOT for Halloween & Thanksgiving!

If you’re looking for the CUTEST fall appetizer EVER, then look no further than these Deviled Egg Owls! They are surprisingly easy to make (and I’m no Martha), healthy, delicious . . . .and a HOOT! Deviled Egg Owls are decorated with edible toppings and make a fun addition to your Halloween party, Thanksgiving dinner, autumn picnic, or other fall gathering.

Read on to get the recipe and some fun owl facts to further delight your guests: Continue reading

Camp Watermelon – Ideas for Fun, Games & Sweet Family Memories!

This post is sponsored by The National Watermelon Promotion Board, but all content, comments, suggestions and enthusiasm remain my own!

This past week, I hung out at the lake with a couple dozen of my nearest and dearest family members for an extended long weekend. It was our annual family reunion but I aptly renamed it “Camp Watermelon 2019” because reflecting over the years, I’ve noticed that there is probably not a single, significant summer memory in my life that has gone by without sharing a watermelon with loved ones.Family watermelon fun at the lake this summer

Yup, watermelon creates more than happy bellies and sticky, sweet chins . . . watermelon is woven, sometimes subtly and sometimes boldly, right into the fabric of my very being and perhaps yours, too. This summer, I decided to kick up the watermelon fun at our reunion for guaranteed memories (and laughs) . . . read on to discover what we did at Camp Watermelon and get some fun watermelon ideas for yourself! Continue reading

Pomegranate Herb Guacamole Wreath

Everyone needs a Christmas KISS . . . and by KISS, I mean “Keep It Simple Stupid” idea for holiday entertaining. When I have guests drop in unexpectedly or forgot to make something fabulous for a “bring a dish” event, I rely on guacamole. Everyone loves it and it is idiot proof. My Pomegranate Herb Guacamole Wreath is no harder than making a regular avocado mash-up (soooo simple a toddler could do it) and yet so fun and festive your guests will assume you’ve gone all Martha on them. Pomegranate Herb GuaPomegranate Herb Guacamole Wreath

Grab yourself a bag of chips or veggie sticks and read on how to make this 10-minute (max) dip recipe. Continue reading

Sugarless, Sugar-Free and Low Sugar Treats for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers

My family’s gifts for a fit Christmas are already wrapped up and under the tree, and I (errr, I mean Santa) have been busy rounding up healthy stocking stuffers. Chocolate, candy canes and sugar plums (what ARE those anyway) don’t really make sustaining fuel for our active lifestyle which collectively includes running, obstacle course racing, hiking, gym workouts, yoga and assorted team sports. So, instead, I’ve rounded up a bunch of Sugarless, Sugar-Free and Low Sugar Treats for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers – check them out for your own family’s festivities.

Sugar Free Treats Snacks and Drinks for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Read on to find healthier snacks and drinks suitable for Christmas stockings, some are homemade and others conveniently packaged and ready to go! Continue reading