Recipes & Mealtime

DELICIOUS & Simple Recipe for New Year's Blackeyed Peas

I don't care for the taste of blackeyed peas, but I make them on New Year's Day out of tradition. Eating them is supposed to bring prosperity in the new year, and who couldn't use some of that?! I encourage my kids to all take at least one bite, and though we're really not superstitious at all, it's a fun custom.

A few years ago, I happened upon a new recipe for making these good luck beans, and I've been pleased with the results. My family gives the dish 2 thumbs up (well, everyone except the 9-year-old). I think the secret to this simple crockpot recipe is the whole jalapenos. Make no mistake - the results are not spicy, but the subtle flavor of the jalapenos does a number on your taste buds! This recipe yields 8 servings. Enjoy!

5 Ways to save on Groceries, plus a Yummy Monkey Bread Recipe

monkey bread
The grocery bills are adding up, and now here comes the holidays! Buying food at the supermarket is an inevitable expense for everyone, but there are tried-and-true ways to limit your spending and put money back in your pocket.

It all starts by considering the number of meals you need to make each week and creating a flexible menu. Ask family members to help brainstorm recipe ideas for the week, then take inventory of ingredients you already have on hand. When it’s time to head to the store, consider these financially savvy tips to avoid overspending.

Challah bread and other treats from the Disney Princess Cookbook

woodlandsmommy disney cookbook 4
Ready for some kitchen magic with fun recipes? Let me start by admitting that the appearance of our challah bread was not perfect. We don't have a bread machine, and the hand-kneading part was a bit tiresome, so we probably didn't knead the dough the full recommended amount of time. But in the end, I LOVED the way the bread tasted, and preparing and braiding the dough was a fun experience for me and my 9-year-old.

Mediterranean Lovers - Make this Tunisian Pasta Salad for Saturday brunch!

One of the most memorable gifts I've received as a mom was a SALAD! When I gave birth to my third daughter, my friends put together a meal train for me, and one of the ladies brought over this beautiful pasta salad with bread. At first glance, it certainly wasn't as impressive as some of the other meals I'd received that week, and there was no meat to be found. But who was I to complain?

Best Breakfasts in The Woodlands

best breakfasts press
It's the most important meal of the day, and it's by far the easiest one for me to prepare at home! But some mornings, I just don't want to mess up my own kitchen. Whenever that's the case, I head out of the house to enjoy a locally-prepared chef's favorite! (pictured above: Press Waffle Co)

I love that I don’t have to travel beyond The Woodlands area to find some of the best restaurants around, serving everything from house-made biscuits to huevos rancheros.

Hurray for bright, beautiful, healthy cantaloupe bowls!

breakfast bowl
Leave the fruity pebbles in the pantry for a change, and make these beautiful fruit bowls that are easy to create and healthy to eat. The main ingredients are cantaloupe (or substitute honeydew melon) and yogurt, and from there, you can add whatever your heart desires.

We like adding fresh berries, grapes, and granola. Top with a sprig of mint from your garden, if you’re feeling fancy!