the weather is finally FINALLY starting to cool down here- we barely hit 70 over the weekend and even though it was a bit gloomy it was a welcome relief from the 90s and 100s we’ve been hitting for the last 6 months or so.  it was also perfect weather for soup!  thats right, more […]

slow cooker meals are my love language. soup is also my love language. white chicken chili fills all my buckets. two things.  one. life is so busy.  like WAY busy. and number two: I need easy. very very easy. the slow cooker does both of these things for me. this time of year my slow cooker […]

meal planning.   something I used to be SO good at.  I used to meal plan every single week. I also used to make a hot meal every night and attempted to continue that trend when the twins were born.. and sort of fizzled out after Baker arrived.  pregnancy keeps me tired and not hungry […]

I couple weeks ago I asked for Q’s regarding breastfeeding on my stories and you all delivered! which in turn I have written the longest post EVER.. so stick with me..and if you make it to the end, well then you’re a rockstar:) I’ve breast fed four different babies in the last four years and […]

we had a special and rather delicious delivery hit our doorstep last week.  while you might be thinking I’m talking about Baker’s cheeks.. I am actually talking about a giant box filled with a week’s worth of ingredients from hello fresh.  I found myself back in the kitchen this last week, excited to make and […]

one. kitchen sink stuffed peppers I made these stuffed peppers last week and they were SO stinkin’ easy.. I made another version again using sausage + quinoa instead of ground beef and rice as listed in the recipe below.  basically, anything you have in your fridge or pantry that needs to be used or tossed is […]

now that I’m in my second trimester Ive started to really get my appetite back.  food isn’t such a struggle, which I am thankful for, and I am enjoying food again. while I wasn’t terribly nauseous or feeling like I was going to throw up all the time, food just really wasn’t interesting to me […]

I’ve gotten plenty of questions about staying fit during this pregnancy and to be honest it was something I was most excited about when I started my pregnancy journey.. before I was even pregnant.  I have never been super active during any of the pregnancies (nothing more than just walking and low impact stuff) and […]

there is nothing more that I love about fall than warm soup on a cool evening.  well, this weekend we had a taste of cool weather (82 degrees!!!) and I was excited to whip out my favorite crockpot chili recipe – beer chili. all I had to do was dump all the ingredients in the […]

lately we have been going with the same staple items every week- meal rotations that I know are easy to please the family, but also ones that are E A S Y in general.  I try to add in some fun recipes here and there, but when I find one that was quick to whip together in […]

though some women look at working out as a chore on the “to-do list” and something that wears them out, working out actually can give you more energy throughout the day to chase kids, grocery shop, clean, work or whatever your day consists of.  waking up at 5am to get in my workout is what […]

its the time of year again for all things food and nutrition in my world.  I mean, it usually works out to be about 65% of my day between work and home when I feed my family- but when the Texas Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo rolls around I’ll fully submerged in it.  just what my nutrition slash foodie […]

I did one of these ‘food journals’ a year ago, give or take a couple days. I was 6 months pregnant with Baker Bree and feeling the need to switch up my day to day because I was eating the same food stuffs over and over.   right now, in this new stage of life […]

feeding your infant table food can be one of those really fun things and really stressful things simultaneously happening at the same time.  I mentioned a little about out mealtime routine in Baker’s 9 month update.   she is such a hot mess. as much that gets to her mouth goes into her hair, too. […]

playing catch up over here.  this week has been hectic and full and just plain exhausting.   finally I am seeing the light at the end of all this sickness. I think. I might have just jinxed it.  lets pray not. anyway.. finding motivation to cook has bee sparse- we’ve been eating a lot of […]

this weekend was fast and furious, but thats how we like it. its been super warm here- like 80 degrees, warm.  so I knew it was going to be about getting outside for most of the weekend without a doubt.  so how about a recap:   we (they) turned my house upside-down and covered in […]

this is our first official valentine’s day swap.. but we are big fans of this LOVE-ly holiday. remember this? omg its still among my favorite photos ever. more of this sprinkled with love style shoot with the talents of auntie (here) the preschool doesn’t make a huge to-do about valentines day, but they do exchange […]

there has been lots of talk in the foodie world about one of the greatest food holidays quickly approaching.   I know you have heard of it. the.super.bowl.  I do love football- a lot.  more than my husband, probably..maybe.  part of me doesn’t even care who makes it to the big game.. okay, nearly all […]

second week in a row for pasta.  we haven’t eaten this much pasta since before I got pregnant with Baker baby.  a few weeks back the bestie sent me a link for a delicious one-pot pasta meal she made in a snap.  in a snap??  um, yes.  I legit had one pan to clean at the […]

..and its ON.  We’ve hit the 6 months milestone and its time to start introducing solid food to this little miss of ours. While we introduced cereal to Parker and Jolie at 4 months old, I really wasn’t ready to rush Baker into solid foods just yet.  She was gaining weight, staying healthy, and although […]

Its been a while.  A while since we sat down as a family to eat a home cooked meal.  Since Baker was born its hit or miss, and if we do sit down together as a family we are rushing through because up next is baths for everyone, chocolate milk + Peppa the Pig and […]

We ate a lot of delicious food in 2015. and then I got pregnant and we ate a lot of cereal.  theres nothing like homemade.  delicious. fit for a dinner table full of young babes.  oh- and the most important part: e.a.s.y.  Looking back over this last year of meals passed around at our dinner […]

Her first bites.   We are SO close to getting Baker’s first taste of this messy and delicious milestone.  At Baker’s four month check up, her pediatrician mention starting cereal, but I hadn’t noticed her increased interest in food when we would eat around her- besides.. I just wasn’t ready yet.  The twins started eating […]

Hey girls!  What’s your favorite food?? Jolie: salaaaad, gock-leee (broccoli), kayeeets (carrots)… Parker: FRENCH FRIEEEES!! Jolie: ..be-mannas (bananas), be-matooes (tomatoes).. Parker: CHIPS!!!   Story of my life. In a perfect world, Parker and Jolie would gobble up every single thing I put in front of them without a fight.  Grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta and […]

I’m so excited to share this recipe with you guys.  After posting a snap of my yummy dinner last week, I was funny to me how many became interested in one of the most simple meals I have ever made.    After getting several texts and emails asking for the recipe- the verdicts came rolling […]

Its football season and there is nothing I would rather be doing on the weekend than to be huddled up on the patio with sangria and a snack in my lap.. preferably a chip dipped in something involving cheese and jalapeños. For some fans, football is all about the tailgate, pick’em leagues, and Sundays spent […]

Cooler weather is approaching- I can feel it..even though it is still forecasting to be in the 90’s, but it will be here soon..right? I am so excited about the thought of fall and winter because with that comes all the comfort foods of the season.  Root veggies are among my favorite foods to prepare […]

The best part about having a baby is the food.  Okay.. actually bringing home a newborn is pretty awesome and life changing but when your friends and family are super helpful and make you a yummy meal because your life at the moment has been consumed by diaper changes and newborn baby head smells comes […]

This meal made me proud.  Proud that I am finally getting back into the kitchen on a regular basis..but I might be a little embarrassed to admit how easy it was to throw together.  Dinner is dinner, yes?  The oohs and ahhs at the dinner table would have had you thinking that I put in the hard work to make this […]

Life since adding in a third babe to the mix has been busy.  Even when we don’t leave the house for the day’s entirety I still feel like I’ve been run ragged by 5pm.. and I still have 3 hours before bedtime. I use that word (bedtime) loosely as it seems to be later and later every […]

Really, this is for my eating.  While meal planning for this week, and browsing through the most recent issue of Cooking Light, I all but doggy-eared the entire magazine.  I have been looking for quick and healthy things I can make a big batch of and graze on all week – and this seemed to do […]

With summer upon us, we’ve been grilling a TON.  We’ve been sticking to the typical, veggies and protein. chicken.veggies.steak. Lots of steak actually.. I have been craving steak during this 3rd and final trimester and have been making every excuse to get it on our kitchen table. Often times we forget the versatility of the […]

We are at the very end of May (how this Spring season has flown by so quickly is still a question to me), and with that comes the heat of the summer.  I am guilty of seeking my slow cooker out for just those cool-weather comfort meals, but really, the crock can be used year-round. […]

Grocery shopping can be one of the most stressful times of the week (month?) for some people.  Growing up my mom probably went to the grocery store 3-5 times every week for whatever she needed – food, toiletries, or random household items.   My mom with 4 busy kids somehow found the time to make it […]

banner / little dovie  long sleeve tee // gap maternity navy maxi skirt (non-maternity) // (old) groopdealz How far along? 30 weeks + 2 days Total weight gain: 16 pounds.  Fundal height actually hasn’t changed from a 33 week measurement in two weeks – which means my fluid levels are normalizing and most likely the continual increase of amniotic fluid […]

How many times have I thought about the easy way out for dinner?  More than I can count on my hands (and toes for that matter..) – especially when I am exhausted out of my mind after work + a full afternoon of toddler games.  Add an active fetus that feels every need to kick […]

I have spent the last week with about a thousand Texas dietitians for the 2015 Texas Academy Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo.  I am thankful and lucky to be part of such a profession that I am truly passionate about – and that there is so much to learn.  The continuing education piece to my yearly […]

Make no mistake- we love meat in this house.  Okay, really – the hubby loves the meat.  The girls and I could stand to eat ‘vegetarian’ at every meal.. but I do love a great steak every once and awhile.  Bean burgers are probably my most favorite meal to make sans the meat, for a […]

We have approached an age of toddlerdom that is no-longer really one that I can actually ‘control’ what my girls will eat, rather it is mainly about the choices they make on their own. And to two year olds- its all about the choice making ability. ..and if you don’t let them make the choice, […]

Whats your favorite go-to easy meal? I remember asking this question of my social media mamas and the amount of answers were overwhelming, and SO good!  Legit quality meals to serve my family.  I cooked off that list for months:)  For us, it usually consists of something I can make ahead of time (say the […]

I often find inspiration for recipes and meals that I put on my table for my family in a variety of places.  A favorite and most commonly I use Pinterest (duh), but I also absolutely love magazine mail days. Cooking Light is easily my favorite magazine, ever.  I have been reading and cooking out of […]

I just realized that last week’s recipe featured this same grain.  Sorry (not sorry..) It’s high in protein. It’s high in fiber. ..and looks like bird seed. According to the grocery ringer-upper guy, anyway.  After buying a third bag of quinoa in three weeks, he asked me point blank if this was ‘food for humans?’ […]

The crock pot.  I feel like it has a permanent place on my island countertop these days.  We have been living and breathing simplicity since we find out I was pregnant (funny how that whole exhaustion thing works, eh?) and what is more simple than dinner being ready just moments after you arrive home from […]

Casseroles are my jam.  There is really nothing more that I love than a hearty and delicious comfort casserole.  Growing up, my mother was the queen of the casserole kind (along with fried potatoes and eggs..but that’s for another post.). Needless to say, comfort casseroles take me back.  About 20 years, actually. I am traveling […]

Hello, Monday! This weekend was amazing.  I still cannot believe it has come and gone.. ..and in case you didn’t catch all the crazy of the gender reveal party over on Instagram.. We are having a girl! photo : bfaith photography Much much more of that and a full recap on the blog t o […]

Today marks the start of a week of busy.  Busy that puts us having dinner as a family just once (Tuesday).. and therefore my meal plan is rather boring and full of repeat offenders.  Breakfasts mostly consisting of frozen waffles, quick cook oats, cereal with cartoon characters on the box, and yogurt.  Lunch is whatever […]

Cravings.  Lets talk about those for a second.  I’m generally even keeled when it comes to food.  I pretty much love it all.  Peas are probably my least favorite of all vegetables, but I’ll eat them.  Blueberries are probably my least favorite of all fruits (its a texture, not flavor, thing for me), but again, I’ll eat them.  I’m just […]

Mixing it up this week with these meal plans – Hello Monday:)  I have grand plans to succeed in follow through with these meals – breakfast and lunch isn’t the issue, it is always dinner that gets me.  I’m fully prepared to make it, but the energy to do it isn’t always the greatest at […]

When I talk about Asian foods with Jordan, he names Orange Chicken and fried rice.. or Shrimp Pad Thai as his favorites.  I gladly high-five him in agreement.  About 98% of the time he is kidnapped by the Food Court toothpick guy.  You know, the one that hands out the free buffet-style-chinese-chicken-something or other.  Usually, I’m […]

I KNOW I have been slacking on the Meal Plans these last couple weeks.  I have pretty incredible food aversion, and while I’ve attempted to meal plan and have dinner on the table, it is rare that I’m actually eating it. So, meal planning has fallen to the bottom of my list, because, frankly, I […]

Happy Friday!  I must confess to slacking on meal planning.. even making a trip to the grocery store.  Between Thanksgiving, and even the girls’ birthday party  we haven’t done much for dinners over the last two weeks.  We usually keep it simple and fairly similar for breakfast and lunch, so those weren’t an issue.. but […]

Growing up, my mom was crafty, especially around this time of year.  Christmas seemed to be her favorite.  There was always some kind of unique homemade gift for friends, family, teachers, and coaches (my 3 brothers and I were athletes).  I remember one year we collected pine cones (what seemed like a million to my […]

Ever have those kind of days where, after the fact,  you continue to relive it over and over in your brain?  Just thinking over the festivities of that day and every detail that made it special..  The first time I ever did this was for my wedding.  I was awake all night and unable to […]

Risotto has never fallen off the fancy train, so I’d call this meal fit for company AND a weeknight.  Of course it always gets a bad rap.  TAKES FOREVER.  Really.  Really it doesn’t.  This recipe, start to finish, is less than 45 minutes.  That includes all the chopping, roasting, and stirring. Typically I read my […]