Apple Oatmeal Cream Pie

Hey there, fellow foodies and health-conscious pals! Are you ready to embark on a flavor-packed journey that’s as guilt-free as it is delicious? Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you a recipe that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more: Apple Oatmeal Cream Pie!

But wait, it gets even better—these mouthwatering treats are not only bursting with apple-y goodness but also sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Yep, you heard that right—indulgence without the guilt! So, grab your apron and get ready to whip up a batch of these heavenly pies that prove you can have your cake (or pie!) and eat it too, even on a health-conscious journey. Let’s dive into the recipe and treat ourselves to some wholesome, guilt-free indulgence! read more

Clothes Pin Caterpillar Craft

Hey crafty moms and creative kiddos! Are you ready to dive into a fun and adorable crafting adventure? Today, we’re buzzing with excitement to share a delightful project that’s perfect for a cozy afternoon at home – clothespin caterpillar craft! Get ready to unleash your imagination and transform simple clothespins into cute and colorful critters that will crawl their way into your hearts. So gather your crafting supplies, round up your little ones, and let’s get ready to embark on a journey of creativity and fun! read more

Peanut Butter Crunch Chocolate Mug Cake

 

gluten free, grain free, one serving chocolate cake, healthy snacks, healthy chocolate cake, sugar free snack cake

Peanut Butter Crunch Chocolate Mug Cake

What could be better than peanut butter and chocolate in a single serving cake?

I love this peanut butter crunch chocolate mug cake for a dessert recipe because it is sugar free, grain free, and gluten free. 

I’m loving single serving cakes because you can enjoy them fresh out of the oven or microwave – which is always when they taste the best. I also love topping this with Peanut flavored Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is so versatile. I love how it can be a sub for sour cream or be sweetened to act like an icing.  read more

Frozen Snowman Craft

frozen craft

Frozen Snowman Craft

Do you want to build a snowman?

Our family fell in love with recent Disney’s movie Frozen. We have had a week long of snow on the ground here in Richmond, so making a snowman outside doesn’t sound as fun anymore. Making a snowman craft inside where it is warm sounded like the prefect option. 

This snowman craft is made of foam squares that I bought off of Amazon (because I seriously buy everything off there). 

 

These are the googly eyes I bought from Amazon:

I used some colored buttons and some brown pipe cleaners to finish our snowman off perfectly.

snowman art foam craft

Supplies:

3 pieces of white foam

1 piece of orange

2 googly eyes

2 brown pipe cleaners

3-4 buttons (Aidalyn wanted 4)

scissors  

and a glue gun

Directions:

Remember to always use safety precautions when using a hot glue gun with kids. Make sure they know that the gun is hot and doesn’t need to be touched. 

First cut your 3 white pieces of foam into your body pieces for the snow man. You will want 3 different sizes. 

Hot glue the three pieces together, with the largest on the bottom working up to the smallest. 

Next, hot glue your eyes and buttons in place. 

Next cut our your carrot shaped nose and hot glue in place. 

To make the arms, cut about 3 inches off the top of both of your pipe cleaners. Wrap one piece about 2 inches down from the top of one of the longer pipe cleaners. This will in effect give you 3 fingers and an arm. Do this with both of your pipe cleaners. 

Then, hot glue the pipe cleaners in place for the arms. 

foam snowman craft, do you want to build a snowman

 

I hope your kids have as much fun building a Frozen Snowman craft as we did. 

Do you want to build a snowman?

Iced One Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie

minute cookie, one serving cookie, microwave cookie

Iced Chocolate Chip Cookie in 2 Minutes

Grain free – Sugar Free – Gluten Free

Iced One Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie {In 2 Minutes}… Miracles do happen.

I’m so glad I discovered this recipe. I really am in love with coconut flour. It is the perfect flour for making a grain free cookie. I also just started using cocoa nibs in baking. They are a wonderful substitute for filling my desire for chocolate chips. If you like dark chocolate, I think you will love these.

Who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies? I think everyone gets that craving at night… but you don’t want to make a whole batch of cookies (and be tempted to eat them all – because none of us have ever done that *cough*). read more

Low Fat, Low Sugar Oatmeal Apple Cookies

sugar free snacks, sugar free cookie recipes, sugar free oatmeal cookies, breakfast cookies,

Low Fat Low Sugar Oatmeal Apple Cookies

I am really loving having a toddler who loves to cook. We have really enjoyed getting in the kitchen together and experimenting with fun recipes. When she helps cook something, she is also more motivated to try it.

I found this recipe for Apple Breakfast Cookies from Melomeals and they seemed like the perfect afternoon snack for Aidalyn and me to make together. These are full of nutrients and low on sugar, so they are the perfect snack. I also loved that these contain a good amount of fiber. Sometimes toddlers are prone to constipation and this would be an easy treat to give them when they need help getting things moving along. read more

Homemade Dark Chocolate

I love dark chocolate!

I’m talking about that love that you just can’t go a week without… or a day even!

When that craving hits, you don’t want to be reaching for a candy bar.

Commercial chocolate is full of ingredients that are not healthy for you, even though chocolate itself is actually pretty healthy.

Commercial chocolate has processed sugar in it… not good for stable blood sugars or for weight loss.

Dark chocolate is a good source of Magnesium and antioxidants. More on Magnesium here and a magnesium oil recipe.  read more

4 Space Saving Ideas

organization

Space Saving Ideas

Here are some space saving ideas that Adam and I are implementing to help organize our house this year. Along with our health New Years Resolutions, Adam and I made some organization resolutions for our home. We moved to Richmond last year, and then I immediately got pregnant (and pretty sick initially). The house just has never been as organized as we would like.

Adam started reading a book about organizing your life and house room by room. We started last week in my sewing area and play room. This week we moved into the kitchen. So far we have made some good progress and I want to show you some of our space saving ideas.

Our first tip is to add more storage in unused areas. 

Shelf Above the Door

above the door shelvesWe have some extra toilet paper there. The disposable diapers for Annaleigh that we use when we go on vacation (we cloth diaper when we are at home). I have a small step stool that I can use to easily reach these items, but they needed a home. You could have extra soap or towels up there too.

Behind the Closet Door

closet organization

When we moved into our house, we didn’t have a downstairs closet for our pantry or cleaning supplies. We had a coat closet, but we really needed that extra space for a pantry. Adam installed large shelves so I could use the space for my flours, coconut oils, herbal teas, snacks for Aidalyn and cleaning tools and supplies.

We added baskets on the wall and hanging shelves behind the door. All this extra storage was perfect for helping us stay organized and have a home for everything that I needed close by the kitchen.

It still needs work! We are happy to have the extra storage for food items and such instead of a coat closet though.

Behind the Cabinet Door

We bought some organization baskets that attach to the back of cabinets doors for added storage. These are perfect for under the kitchen sick or in a bathroom.

Under the Bed

We store extra blankets, wrapping items, and some books in flat plastic storage boxes that fit nicely under our guest bed. This is likely a place you may overlook for extra storage for your home. You can craft short storage boxes with wheels that will roll out and back easily.

I hope that these tips help you start to organize your home and reach your organization resolutions.

Read more tips about how to be clutter free in 30 days. 

What are your tips for finding unused space and turning it into storage? What are your best organization tips?

Linked up to Motivational Mondays

10 Ways to Use Pipettes for Play

Hey there, creative moms looking to add a little extra fun to playtime! If you’re on the hunt for new ways to spark your child’s imagination and creativity, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of pipettes—a simple yet versatile tool that can unlock endless possibilities for play and exploration. From art projects to sensory play and beyond, pipettes are a fantastic addition to your parenting toolkit. So grab your little ones and let’s discover 10 exciting ways to use pipettes for play that will ignite their curiosity and inspire hours of joyful experimentation! read more

Glucomannan: The New Weight Loss Secret?

glucommanan the new weight loss secret

Glucomannan: The New Weight Loss Secret?

Glucomannan is becoming my favorite new cooking addition

I had never heard of glucomannan before reading Trim Healthy Mama. Since adding it to our pantry, I can’t believe this is such a secret! It has many health benefits too, so if you haven’t tried glucomannan yet – let this be your sign.

What is Glucomannan?

Glucomannan is a supplement that is made from the roots of the konjac plant. It has been used in Japan for centuries and is knows as the “broom of the intestines.” Can you use glucomannan for weight loss?

It is basically a thickener. It absorbs liquids without changing the flavor and without needing to be heated. It is able to turn 1 cup of liquid into a thick pudding with only using a teaspoon. This also fills you up and keeps you full longer, which can benefit people trying to lose weight. Glucomannan is fiber, so it helps keep you regular too!

Glucomannan powder

How do you use Glucomannan?

This supplement allows me to fix creamy milkshakes, delicious hot chocolates, puddings, fuel pull cakes, all while staying low carb and low sugar! You can also use it to thick up gravy (recipe in the Trim Healthy Mama book, affiliate link), soups, and sugar free syrups!

It can be used to replace corn starch, flour rouxs, and xanthan gum in most recipes. It has zero carbs or calories, and add no bad aftertaste or slimy texture.

On the plus side, you don’t even have to heat it up to use it. You can whip it up in your cold smoothies and it immediately goes to work. I used it in these Asian Lettuce Wraps to thicken up the sauce.

glucomannan thickener

Can Glucomannan Help with Weight loss?

In one study, participants lost an average of 5.5 pounds in eight weeks by adding one gram of glucomannan to their diet one hour before meals – with no other changes. Now that is something to get excited about! With any new supplement, you should always ask your health care provider if this is something you should try.

Where do you buy Glucomannan?

I buy my glucomannan from Amazon. You can probably find it in your local health store too. It is gaining more popularity, so it should be fairly easy to find. It also lasts forever, because most recipes don’t use a huge amount.

I don’t think my kitchen will ever be complete without having glucomannan in the cabinets. 

Have you tried Glucomannan yet? What are you favorite ways to use it?

More Glucomannan Posts

4 Tips for Cooking with Glucomannan

Top Glucomannan Recipes read more