These Toddler Gift Ideas make perfect birthday presents, Christmas gifts or everyday surprises. Grab one for your son or daughter or one of their friends! *Originally published 11/2017. Updated 11/2023* Hi Friends! Need some toddler gift ideas? I’ve got you covered! I first wrote this post when my oldest turned 3. Since then I’ve had 2 more kids and all 3 of them are out of the toddler years so we’ve had some experience with toddler toys This is a round-up of some of our favorite toys for the toddler years. You can also check out my Kid Gift Ideas {Ages 4-7} and  Best Toys For Mul ..read more

This easy 5 ingredient Christmas crack is so easy to make and it’s the perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray! Hi friends! This Easy 5 Ingredient Christmas Crack is an absolute must-try this holiday season. This is always a throwback to Christmas growing up for me because my mom made something similar when I was growing up. She topped hers with slivered almonds but I prefer mine with chopped pecans and something to make it a little more festive, like holiday sprinkles or red and green m&ms. This recipe is similar to another favorite of mine: Graham Cracker Toffee Bars. In that recipe ..read more

A non-traditional sweet cornbread that the whole family will love! Makes enough to feed a crowd and pairs well with everything from Thanksgiving turkey to chili! Hi friends! Today I’m sharing another family holiday recipe. This Bisquick Cornbread is known as Mimi’s cornbread around our house and it was a staple at our Thanksgiving dinners while I was growing up. I’ve also shared a few other family holiday recipes including Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Sausage & Wild Rice Stuffing and Strawberry Jello Salad so be sure to check those out as well! What is Bisquick Cornbread? As the name implies ..read more

These Gingerbread Protein Balls are simple and nutritious and are perfect for a quick snack, workout fuel, or dessert! *Originally posted 5/2014. Updated 10/2023* Hi Friends! These Gingerbread Protein Balls are set to become your new favorite winter snack. There’s something so cozy about gingerbread and these snack balls will remind you of the best gingerbread cookie dough! This recipe was originally shared on my blog several years ago by my friend Deryn from Running on Real Food and it’s one that I find myself coming back to every year or two in the winter months. Healthy Gingerbread Energy ..read more

This Strawberry Jello Salad with Cool Whip is the perfect kid-friendly side dish for your next holiday gathering or weeknight dinner! Hi friends! Allow me to introduce my Grandma’s jello. Growing up, my grandma and grandpa always came to our house for Thanksgiving, and my Grandma always made this jello. It was quite literally the only thing I ate for Thanksgiving dinner, besides dinner rolls with butter, for the first 20+ years of my life. I’ve never met a kid who didn’t like it…and all you need are three ingredients! Why Jello and Cool Whip? I can’t explain exactly what makes this better th ..read more

These Homemade Soft Pretzels can be made into the traditional shape or cut into bites for a perfect game day or party appetizer! *Originally published in 2013. Updated 2023* Hi Friends! This recipe for homemade soft pretzels has been a favorite of ours since way back in 2013. I tend to make them a few times a year and now I’ve taught my kids how to make them as well. They’re perfect for tailgating, parties, etc! They’re also mildly addicting so be prepared. When I make them, I use either all-purpose flour, or half bread flour/half all-purpose flour. I’ve tried using some white whole wheat fl ..read more

This Fresh Cranberry Sauce is simple to make, ready in 15 minutes and tastes great on everything from turkey to oatmeal! Make a batch and enjoy on your favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner and holiday recipes! *Originally published 12/2013. Updated Oct 2023* Hi Friends! It has officially been almost 10 years since I first shared my family’s homemade fresh cranberry sauce recipe on the blog. It seems there are two camps of people when it comes to cranberry sauce – canned or fresh. If you like the combination of tart and sweet, you’ll definitely want to try this version. What Do I Need To Make Cr ..read more

This Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing is hearty enough for a meal but also makes a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. **Originally published 10/2014. Updated 10/2023** Hi Friends- Would you believe me if I told you that this sausage stuffing recipe used to be my least favorite part of Thanksgiving? I avoided it for years for no good reason other than I wasn’t a very adventurous eater and it wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered how delicious my mom’s Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing actually is. Sausage Stuffing Recipe In the photos for this post and when I make this reci ..read more

Here are some ideas for high protein kids lunch ideas with 25+ grams of protein! Plus a breakdown of the protein in each item from a Registered Dietitian. Hi friends! This week we’ve been chatting a lot about lunch ideas because we’ve hit the point in the school year when the novelty of packing wears off and you might find yourself in a little bit of a packing rut! I already have several great resources for you if you need new ideas. Be sure to check out: This post: Sandwich Ideas For Lunch Boxes – where I share some fun sandwich and sandwich alternatives! This post: Easy Lunch Ideas For Ki ..read more

If you’re looking for some new sandwich ideas for lunch boxes, here are 10 ideas for you! These sandwiches and sandwich alternatives are fun for kids and easy to make! Hi friends! Now that school is back in session, I promised to share some more lunch ideas with you! I pack lunches for my first and third grader every day and love sharing! If you’re in a lunch packing rut and looking for new ideas, be sure to check out: This post: Easy Lunch Ideas For Kids – a roundup of some real-life lunches I packed my son in 1st grade This post: Cold Lunch Ideas – a roundup of lunches I packed my 1st and ..read more