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The Perfect Baked Beans For Your Summer Get-Togethers

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Canned beans, a few simple ingredients, plus an hour in the oven equals the perfect baked beans for your summer get-togethers.

Hello hello! My name is Kelsey and I blog over at Simple Life by Kels, where I share how to get healthy from the inside out with real food, tips on juicing, and all about natural yeast baking. I have been called a hippie plenty of times and I don’t mind one bit. Today I am thrilled to share a great summer staple with you.

This recipe for Baked Beans graced every summer picnic, party, and barbecue that I can remember growing up. My mom was always asked to bring the beans! These beans can be prepared either for the oven or a slow cooker, which makes them easy to transport.

Whether as a side for a BBQ, a topping for baked potatoes — trust me on this — or on their own, these beans are a crowd pleaser that even the kids will love. I feel that there will always be the smell of meat on the grill, delicious salads, lots of laughter, and a watermelon lying nearby whenever baked beans show up! I love how food can connect us and create such wonderful memories. One of my favorite things to do is to take my childhood favorite recipes and “healthify” them for my own kids!

Quick note — I use coconut sugar as an alternative to brown sugar in all of my cooking/baking, but feel free to use whatever you have in your pantry. I use coconut sugar because it has a low glycemic index, so it doesn’t spike your blood sugar, and contains many vitamins and minerals the body needs. I can’t write a post without adding in a little “real food tip”. 😉

Baked Beans

Ingredients

8 cans original pork and beans (I like Bush’s brand because the ingredients are all pronounceable)
1 lb bacon, cut into 1/2” pieces, cooked, and drained
1 c coconut sugar
1/4 c molasses
1 large handful dehydrated onion flakes
2 T yellow mustard
2 T finely chopped green pepper
1 tsp tabasco sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a 6 qt pot or slow cooker and stir to combine.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for one hour, or 2 hrs on low in the crock pot.

That’s all there is to it! I love baked beans with my Simple Teriyaki Burgers or Steak Kabobs; add some fresh fruit and veggies and you have the perfect summer meal! If you give these a try, I would love to hear about it in the comments. Come see what else I am up to on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Thanks for letting me chime in, Rebecca!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:8]

Sunday Morning Traditions: Dads Pancakes

Sunday, May 22, 2016

A simple pancake recipe that the kids and dad can make all on their own. Light, fluffy, and even a make ahead pancake recipe.

For the last year or so, my husband and the kids have taken over Sunday breakfast. The kids and dad get into the kitchen and make pancakes together. It’s become a weekend tradition that I love (not just because they make me breakfast, either.) It’s nice to see them in the kitchen, and working together to make a meal for everyone. I like lazy Sunday mornings and look forward to our late brunch every weekend.

We moved into a new house this week and making pancakes this weekend made it feel like home. Our home. We are still trying to figure out where everything is and how the kitchen works, but hey, you have to start somewhere, right?

Truth be told, when they started doing this, none of them knew how to make pancakes. Or much of anything for that matter. They used a mix and usually it worked out. As they have gotten the hang of flipping pancakes, they’ve tried out quite a few recipes. And have all gotten much better navigating the kitchen. This one is the winner. I think that if asked the kids would say that their dad makes better pancakes than I do now. I’m okay with relinquishing my title.

I love to make myself a coffee and stand back and watch them. (It’s hard sometimes to not take over, but I’m getting better.) Will is in charge of the bacon. He hasn’t committed to a method, but I’m steering him towards baking it in the oven. (He figured out quickly that microwaving bacon for 5 people might not be the best way to do it.)

Dad and Ava make the pancakes. This recipe is a little different than most, you actually use a mixer to get the wet ingredients really light and foamy before you add the dry ingredients. This recipe is great because you can also make the batter the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight.

And dad is becoming a master pancake flipper.

As you can tell, they take their bacon-making very seriously.

High five, they figured out how to use the new microwave.

What I love the most is having everyone around the table sharing a meal. It is a nice way to end a weekend and start a new week.

Even the pups think so. (And perhaps are waiting patiently for a piece of bacon.)

Sunday Morning Traditions: Dads Pancakes

A simple Pancake recipe that results in light and fluffy pancakes that your family will love. You can also make this batter the night before, cover and keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Serves: 16 pancakes

Ingredients

2 eggs
1¼ cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 Tablespoons melted butter
1½ cups flour
¾ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla until light and foamy on high speed in an electric mixer. It takes about 3 minutes. Add butter.
Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl to incorporate. Add to the wet ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Let the batter stand for 10 minutes.
Preheat a griddle pan. Add a pat of butter or spray with cooking spray. Add ¼ cup of batter and cook until bubbles form and break. Flip and cook the other side. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.

Notes

Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour.

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats – It doesn’t get better than a quick, easy, healthy way to enjoy cheesecake in your breakfast oatmeal!

Hello! It’s Tiffany from Feel Great in 8 and I am so excited to be back sharing another simple healthy recipe. I am especially excited because these Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats are the new favorite breakfast at my house and I know you’re going to love them too.

First of all, if you’ve never tried overnight oats before, you definitely need to give them a try. They are such a fun and incredibly easy way to mix-up your healthy breakfast routine. I spend a few minutes on Sunday night mixing up jars and then they are ready for a super quick and delicious breakfast in a hurry. They are perfect for my husband to grab on the way out the door to work and the kids have even taken them to school for lunch.

And, once you’ve mastered the recipe for the base ingredients – rolled oats, chia seeds, greek yogurt and milk, it is so easy to add your favorite mix-ins to create different flavors like Strawberry Banana, Black Forest Cherry, and of course my new favorite Strawberry Cheesecake!

If you’re a cheesecake fan I’d definitely start with this recipe. It doesn’t get better than a healthy breakfast that makes you feel like you are eating dessert. 😉

5.0 from 1 reviews

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats - It doesn't get better than a quick, easy, healthy way to enjoy cheesecake in your breakfast oatmeal!

Serves: 2-3 servings

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries, diced
¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ounce plain cream cheese
1 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon chia seeds
pinch of salt
graham crackers, crushed
addition chopped strawberries (optional)

Instructions

Put strawberries, almond milk, greek yogurt, cream cheese, honey and vanilla into a food processor or blender and process until the strawberries are pureed.
Transfer to a large bowl and add oats, chia seeds and salt. Mix with a spoon until combined.
Put mixture into 2-3 small mason jars or just cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
Before serving top with crushed graham crackers and additional chopped strawberries if desired.

Feel free to double this recipe and stock your refrigerator with this simple and delicious breakfast. The oats should stay good, if refrigerated, for up to a week. You can also substitute regular milk and strawberry greek yogurt if you want to.

I hope this one becomes a new favorite at your house too! And, when you’ve fallen in love with this one, make sure you come back and try some different flavors!

Strawberry Banana Overnight Oatmeal

Black Forest Overnight Oats

An Amazing Camera Backpack for Moms | Adventures in Banff National Park

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

As a photographer, blogger, and parent, I’m always on the lookout for amazing camera backpacks for moms. The Manfrotto Off Road Backpack came on all of our adventures in Banff National Park last summer, and as we prepare for another summer of outdoor family adventures, I wanted to tell you about my experience.

Last summer our family had the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of Banff National Park together. We love spending time outdoors with our children because it allows them to build a connection with nature while also strengthening our connections with each other.

With a summer full of outdoor experiences before us, I knew I’d need a camera backpack that could not only safely carry my photography gear, but also support my desire to engage with my family and the world around us.

Any mom knows: we need a lot from our bags! We need to be able to access wipes, a hat or a snack as quickly as we do our cameras. As a mom, photographer and outdoor enthusiast, I will tell you that the Manfrotto Off Road Backpack met my needs and then some!

Manfrotto is a brand I’ve used and trusted for years, and last summer, my Off Road Backpack barely left my side as we adventured throughout Banff National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and the Grand Canyon as a family.

An Amazing Camera Backpack for Moms

Features that Made This Bag the Right Fit for Me:

Lightweight and comfortable – When it comes to camera gear, I’m a bit of a minimalist. On our outdoor adventures, the images I take, while incredibly important, are secondary to creating lasting memories as a family. I like to pack light, often just bringing along my Canon 5D Mark II and 24-70mm lens. I loved how light and comfortable the Offroad Backpack was. Taking photos and assisting young hikers at the same time can be a hard job, and it was essential to me that I be able to carry this bag with ease. Compared to other bags I’ve carried while hiking, the 3L Offroad distributed weight perfectly, with the bulk landing on my hips, and I was thrilled that I didn’t experience the sore shoulders I often get when packing my gear.

Durable – I’m not kidding when I say this backpack has been with us all summer long. It’s been from the tops of the Canadian Rockies to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and it has held up beautifully. I’ve been able to trust that this bag would hold up in rain and extreme heat, and however rough the terrain we encountered I knew my gear was safe.

Roomy – From extra clothing layers to first aid supplies, being able to accommodate travel supplies was essential to me. I was happy with the balance between space for extras and a dedicated padded section for my equipment. You can also remove the camera-specific padding and use this bag solely as an outdoor backpack, which makes it very versatile!

Easily Accessed – I appreciated the fact that my hands were free to assist my kids when they needed me, to hold their hands and bandage up scraped knees. One thing I found really handy was the mesh pocket in the waist strap. It was the perfect place to keep my phone so that I could grab it quickly for some candid shots.

Shooting Sticks and Tripod

With quick-moving kids, I take a lot of my photos during unplanned, candid moments, but I knew before we left that I’d want a lightweight, out-of-the-way tripod for times when I wanted our whole family in the shot or when the scenery was so beautiful that I really wanted to do it justice.

I loved how perfectly the Off Road Collection Tripod fit in the backpack and how ultra-lightweight it is. In fact, I almost forgot I was carrying it until I needed to use it! I also appreciated that the setup was quick and hassle-free.

The walking sticks, which are also a part of the collection, were created in conjunction with well-known company Fizan and weigh less than a pound. They are easy to collapse and attach to the backpack, and when I managed to steal one away from my kids, I enjoyed having something to steady me on rocky terrain.

I was impressed with the performance of the Off Road products we tried and was happy to have them along on our family’s adventures. They helped facilitate the creation of some lasting family memories in the outdoors—a chance to disconnect from technology and other distractions in order to connect as a family in nature.

For more Outdoor Family Adventure Fun Check out these Posts

Tips for Photographing your Family in the Great Outdoors

5 National Parks to Visit as a Family

What Families Gain from Time Spent Outdoors

7 Ways to Encourage Family Connection on the Road

Pork Chops with Peach Salsa

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Pork Chops with Peach Salsa – Learn the secret to tender, delicious pork chops in this fresh recipe that the whole family will love.

Hi, Simple As That readers! This is Rachel from Simple Seasonal with another fresh and healthy idea for what’s for dinner. Today’s recipe is Tender Pork Chops with Peach Salsa. My entire family loves the fresh flavors in this recipe, and I think yours will too. As a Mom and the primary cook in my home, I love how easily this recipe comes together and how well it fits into my weekly grocery budget. Not to mention, my kiddo was actually willing to give this one a try with the the promise of the fruity, sweet flavor of peaches.

Going back to how well this recipe fits into my weekly grocery budget… Pork chops have become a staple in my home primarily because they are one of the more economic cuts of meat. Each chop is the perfect portion size, which makes me less likely to over-buy. And at around $1 a chop they really don’t break the bank compared to a beef or chicken dish.

The only problem with pork chops is that they are famous for being dry and tough. I dare say, however, that my household hasn’t know a dry or a tough chop in years. The secret lies in brining, or placing them in a salty marinade before cooking. In this recipe, I mix together reserved peach syrup from my jar of peaches that I use to make the salsa with salt and a little chili powder. Then, I let the chops marinate or “brine” for an hour or two before cooking. Voila! Amazing chops as simple as that! Once you’ve mastered this technique you’ll be able to work chop miracles in your kitchen too.

Now onto the peach salsa… I always prefer a homemade salsa with raw peppers and herbs over the canned variety. The crunch and the pop of different flavors tastes so fresh and summer-like. In this recipe I used one jalapeño to give it a little kick, but feel free to add another to turn up the heat, or replace with a little bit of green pepper to make the salsa mild. Generously top some couscous and your succulent pork chops with the salsa and you’ve got a zesty and fun summer meal!

Pork Chops with Peach Salsa

Learn the secret to tender, delicious pork chops in this fresh recipe that the whole family will love.

Author: Rachel Hanawalt

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Tex Mex

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

Peach-Brined Pork Chops

reserved syrup from a jar of peaches
⅛ C olive oil
2 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground chipotle chili pepper or regular chili powder for less heat
4 boneless pork chops (about 1 pound)

Peach Salsa

1 20 oz jar of canned peaches in light syrup (drained) and chopped
½ red bell pepper, small dice
1 seeded jalapeño, small dice (optional)
⅛ C red onion, small dice
¼ C cilantro, chopped small
zest of 1 lime
juice of ½ lime
1-2 tsp honey (optional)
¼ tsp salt

Couscous

1½ C plain dry couscous
2 C water
1 Tbsp olive oil
⅛ tsp salt

Instructions

Strain and reserve the syrup from one 20 oz jar of canned peaches. Whisk the syrup together with olive oil, salt, and chipotle chili pepper. Brine the pork chops in the salty peach mixture for 1-2 hours.
Chop the peaches and the vegetables for the salsa. Fold together with lime zest, lime juice, honey, and salt. Store covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Prepare your grill for cooking on direct high heat. Grill the pork chops over direct high heat for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until they reach an internal temperature of 160º-170º.
Make the couscous while the pork chops are grilling. Bring the water, olive oil, and salt to a boil. Stir in the dry couscous, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
When the pork is done cooking, place on a bed of couscous and serve topped with fresh peach salsa.

Need some more healthy, dinnertime inspiration? Check out the recipes below…

Apple Cider Pork Chops

Tender Pork Loin with Herb Sauce

Lemon Pie Squares

Thursday, May 12, 2016

These easy Lemon Pie Squares offer the delicious taste of Lemon Pie, without the fuss!

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a tiny bit of a lemon obsession! With Spring here and Summer well on it’s way, I’ve had lemon on the brain. I shared this recipe for Lemon Fluff recently and now I have another simple lemon dessert recipe for you!

These lemon pie squares are no-bake and the list of ingredients is short, which makes them the perfect dessert for large group gatherings or when you need something sweet but are short on time to prepare!

Lemon Pie Squares

Prep time

1 min

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

11 mins

Ingredients

2 envelopes cook & serve lemon pie filling
3 cups of graham cracker crumbs
12 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp sugar
Whipped cream to top

Instructions

Prepare pie filling according to directions. Let cool in fridge.
Mix graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter.
Press into greased 9" X 13" inch pan.
Pour filling onto crust.
Top with cool whip or whipping cream and sprinkle with graham crumbs.
Serve chilled.

These easy Lemon Pie Squares offer the delicious taste of Lemon Pie, without the fuss!

More simple and delicious lemon recipes

Lemon Fluff Dessert

No-Bake Lemon Squares

Mini Lemon Tarts

25 Beautiful Floral Crafts

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

25 Beautiful Floral Crafts – Spring is in the air! Here are some floral crafts that will brighten up your home and make you smile!

Crepe Paper Flowers | Simple as That

Easter Floral Arrangement | Casual Craftlete

Floral Letters | Honestly Yum

Coffee Filter Peonies |Snap Creativity

How to Make a Floral Headband | Simple as That

Garden Party | Oh Joy

Felt Rose Mobile | Tiffercolabear

DIY Hanging Flower Ball | Useful DIY

Easy Fresh Flower Arrangements | Baked Bree

Botanical Wood Slices | Tidbits

Burlap Flowers | Messes to Memories

Cupcake Flower Lights | Oh Happy Day

Watercolor Flowers | Split Coast Stampers

Floral Monograms | The Crafting Chicks

Felt Rose Buds | Lia Griffith

Fabric Covered Spring Vase | Love Grows Wild

Paper Dahlia Wreath | Love Pomegranate House

Floral Hot Air Balloon | Petal Talk

Rustic Wood Panel Chargers | Target

Pineapple Floral Arrangement | Be Spoke Bride

Persimmon Paper Roses | Simple Kelly Designs

Zinnia Flower Pinecones | A Fanciful Twist

DIY Floral Letter | The Mrs and Momma Bird

Tissue Paper Poppies | Lia Griffith

Floral Arrangement | Casual Craftlete

Burlap and Flowers | Refresh Restyle

Watercolor Flowers | Love Grows Wild

Hanging Tissue Paper Flowers | Mid South Bride

Lemon Fluff Dessert

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

If you love lemon desserts as much as I do you’re going to love this easy Lemon Fluff recipe! This light and airy, no-bake dessert is one that our family has enjoyed for years!

A recipe passed down from Grannie

This is a recipe my Grannie and my Mom used to make for family gatherings and the taste and fluffy texture is something that takes me straight back to my childhood.

I’ve made it for a few get togethers and everyone always asks for the recipe so I thought I’d share it with all of you!

No-Bake Lemon Squares Recipe

5.0 from 1 reviews

Lemon Fluff Dessert

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

30 mins

Ingredients

1 large package of lemon Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1½ cups cold water
1 Cook & Serve Lemon Pie Filling Mix (not instant)
1 8 oz. container Cool Whip

Instructions

Prepare lemon Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and 1½ cups cold water. Let partially set. Prepare pie filling according to package directions and let cool. Cover with plastic wrap until cool to avoid "skin" forming on top layer. Whip together Jell-O, pie filling and Cool Whip in large bowl. Let set in the fridge. Top with whipping cream and garnish with fresh lemon slices.

I love making this for dessert for the family or for parties on warm summer days. It’s cool, refreshing and doesn’t involve heating up my kitchen!

If you’re hosting a party, this is a recipe that can be made in advance and chilled in the fridge, no last-minute preparations required. It’s as easy as it gets folks!

If you give this Lemon Fluff recipe a try you’ll have to let me know what you think!

If you liked this post you might also enjoy…

Fruity Owl Pancakes

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Who says breakfast can’t be healthy AND fun!? These fruity owl pancakes are a creative way to start your kiddos day off right, with an extra serving of fresh fruit!

Hey there! It’s Carisa, from Messes to Memories, and I’m back with a delicious food art idea. Every time my kids even see cute owls they get excited so I decided that some owl pancakes were just what we needed!

Pancakes are one of the easiest things to start with if you want to get creative with food. It has taken a while, but I’ve learned some great secrets for making pancake food art! I love making fun pancakes for breakfast – you can see some more fun pancake food art here!

The trick to great pancakes is getting a good batter. You don’t want it too thick or it’s hard to pour, but if it’s too thin it will run all over. Consistency is key!!

If you want to make fun pancakes on a regular basis, I definitely recommend investing in some squeeze bottles! They make pancake art so easy! I promise, it’s a little addicting. I love it when the kids climb up at the table wondering what art I’m making on the skillet!

After making your pancakes, cut up some fruit and let the kids get creative! I usually model a few ideas for them, then let them do their own thing! It’s awesome to see how their creative minds work. They sure get a kick out of it.

Owl Pancake Food Art

A fresh, fun breakfast idea with the cutest owl pancakes and lots of fresh fruit!!

Ingredients

Pancake batter
Bananas
Kiwi
Blueberries
Strawberries
Orange slices
Nutella
Bacon
Whipped Peanut Butter Cream Cheese
4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Bake the bacon in the oven at 400 for 10-15 minutes (cook it until you like it, I like mine crispy).
Prep pancake batter and let sit for a minute while you slice fruit and heat up the skillet.
Make your cute owl pancakes, cook on one side for 1-2 minutes and then flip.
Add all of the Whipped Peanut Butter Cream Cheese ingredients to a food processor and mix well.
Once the pancakes are done top, add a strip of bacon for a branch and top with Nutella, Whipped Peanut Butter Cream Cheese and fruit.

Here’s a short video of us putting together our owl pancakes:

Leftover pancakes are great to pull out for quick snacks, too! Check out more adorable food art in the Fun with Food series!

Dinosaur Food Art

Bunny Food Art

24 Pineapple Recipes and Crafts

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

It’s a pineapple parade…..pineapple recipes, crafts, DIY’s and more! You are going to want a little more pineapple in your life after you see these amazing ideas!

I’ve had pineapple on the brain lately and it seems like this trendy fruit has gone wild all over the internet! Cute pineapple t-shirts, jewelry, DIY decor! Pineapple for dessert, pineapple for dinner!

Pineapples are so fun to use in design and in recipes – they add just the right tropical flair to any project. Below I’ve rounded up some of the best pineapple DIY’s and recipes I could find!

Pineapple Luminaries | A Beautiful Mess