Make homemade vanilla extract without added sugar or preservatives. You only need 2 ingredients and a bit of patience for a delicious baking staple to put in the pantry or give as a gift! I’ve always been a huge fan of vanilla, using it in Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, White Bean Blondies, and Homemade Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer. And it’s not just for cakes or cookies, I even use vanilla extract in ... Continue Reading
The Top Ingredients to Avoid in Food
What are food additives, and how do you know which ingredients to avoid in food? Work your way through this list of the top 10 ingredients to avoid, with real food alternatives. I love lists. I love making them, I love looking at them and I love working with them. I ESPECIALLY love crossing things off of them. Confession: I've totally added something to my to-do list AFTER I had already done it, ... Continue Reading
Best Flour For Cookies
What's the best flour for cookies? From wheat flour to cake flour, there are so many different options to choose from. So, let's dive in so you can sink your teeth into the most delicious cookies ever! There's not much I wouldn't do for a freshly baked cookie right out of the oven. Those crisp, golden brown edges with chewy, gooey insides that melt in your mouth with each bite are pure bliss. Now that I've ... Continue Reading
How to Make Buttermilk
If you’ve ever wondered how to make buttermilk, here’s your guide! From authentic homemade versions to quick and easy buttermilk substitutes, add fluff and tang to your favorite recipes. When I think of "buttermilk," I think of big, fluffy, buttery biscuits next to a big plate of fried chicken. What comes to mind for you? Pancakes? Ranch Dressing? Moist quick breads? Maybe a piping hot ... Continue Reading
15 Minute Italian Meatballs
It’s not spaghetti night without meatballs! Use this simple meatball recipe for quick and easy meatballs to go with your favorite pasta or packed in school lunches. Make double and freeze for next time too! I don’t know about your kids, but whenever we have spaghetti night, my kids always request that we have meatballs to go with it. Same with Homemade Spaghetti-O’s, Butter Parmesan Zoodles, or even as ... Continue Reading
Homemade Toothpaste (that’s just like Earthpaste!)
This homemade toothpaste recipe is natural, frugal, and easy to make! Why buy clay toothpaste when you can make some at home in 5 minutes?! For a different flavor, try my Cinnamon Flavored Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe. Confession: I make homemade toothpaste because I’m a toothpaste snob. I fell in love with Earthpaste after using it only once, and the whole family has been happily brushing their teeth ... Continue Reading
Instant Pot Spanish Rice
This delicious Spanish rice, AKA Mexican rice, is packed with authentic flavor. Quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot, you can serve this perfectly cooked side with all your favorite Mexican dishes for a better-than-a-restaurant experience! I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love taco night, and I’ve met a lot of people. My family loves it, our friends love it, and I’ll just bet that taco night is a ... Continue Reading
Carrot Zucchini Muffins with Apples
These healthy zucchini muffins contain no refined sugar and are packed with whole grains and vegetables. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack, and freezer-friendly so you can make a delicious kid-approved meal for now and later! We’ve all been there. A giant bag of zucchini arrives on your doorstep, thanks to your sweet neighbor, or you realize all 40 zucchinis in your garden are ready for picking in a ... Continue Reading
How to Make Hemp Milk
Need a dairy-free milk alternative that doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients? Try this homemade hemp milk! This homemade milk is made with only two ingredients, is filled with essential nutrients, and contains none of the bad stuff! Whether on a vegan diet or need to be dairy-free, hemp milk is a great way to enjoy “milk” on a plant-based diet. Hemp has many benefits including protein and minerals that ... Continue Reading
Homemade All Purpose Cleaner Recipe
This simple 3-ingredient homemade all purpose cleaner is great at cleaning grease, yet gentle on surfaces! Use this no-vinegar recipe in any room of the house. Have you ever been so stubborn, that you’ve refused to buy something out of principle? A few years ago, just after we moved to Georgia, I refused to buy something that most people wouldn’t even think twice about buying. Vinegar. It sounds ... Continue Reading