This past week has been so strange in Northern California. We've had a huge cold front that has included snow in areas that normally do not snow! It's been gloomy and wet, which honestly is the best reason for some warm chili. This chili recipe is another one I've been perfecting over the past year or so. For a long time I made chili in my slow cooker and let it cook all day. I'd use dry beans and it would smell amazing and make quite a bit of food for my crew. However, now that the older ... continue reading...
Blog
Instant Pot Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
When I tell you that these Instant Pot Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders saved me during the holiday season last year, I really do mean it! Last year, on December 17th 2017, I lost my very dear Mother. She was only 10 days into her 61st year on this earth before she was called home. Life just hasn't been the same since losing my mom, and it all happened so suddenly and so unexpectedly. The loss of my mom shook me to my core, and honestly it has been difficult to get through. I've actually ... continue reading...
Instant Pot Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops with Veggies
This recipe for Instant Pot Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops with Veggies is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Safeway. The opinions and text are all mine. #OpenNature #ad Weekday afternoons are always a stressful time for me. Between homework, football practice and dinner - well sometimes it's all a big blur. I've really grown to love my Instant Pot for the efficient ways I can get dinner on the table for my hungry family in a quickness. Meals that are ready in less than thirty ... continue reading...
Mountain House Inaugural Global Food Fair
This is a sponsored conversation, in collaboration with Mountain House Developers. All opinions are my own. In the beginning of October I attended a delicious food filled day at the Inaugural Global Food Fair in Mountain House, California. Mountain House is located in Northern California, just outside of the Bay Area - just east of Livermore. Mountain House is small close-knit community that's split up by "villages", with each village having it's own school with beautifully landscaped parks and ... continue reading...
Peach Pico de Gallo
Last month I shared these delicious Chili Rubbed Ribeye Tacos, and they were topped with refreshingly delicious peach pico de gallo that is so perfect for the summer months. I received so many questions about the peach pico de gallo, so I'm sharing the recipe with you now. I hope you love it as much as we did! This time of year there's so much fresh fruit and produce available, I love to make a variety of dishes with as much freshness as I can. Pico de Gallo, a traditional Mexican fresh salsa, ... continue reading...
Chili Rubbed Ribeye Tacos with Esquites (Elote Salad)
I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #SaveMartSummer campaign, sponsored by Save Mart. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own. I hope you enjoy this recipe for chili rubbed ribeye tacos with esquites. Summer is officially here, which means grilling season is underway! One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies that are in season that compliment all of those tasty grilled meats so perfectly. Every time I go shopping I am always ... continue reading...
Lemon Pepper Tuna Pasta with White Wine Sauce, Capers and Dill
This recipe for Lemon pepper Tuna Pasta with White Wine Sauce, Capers and Dill is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of StarKist Tuna Creations®. The opinions and text are all mine. #TearEatGo One of the things I miss the most about working outside of the home is going out for lunch. I enjoyed trying new restaurants and diners away from the routine ones near my home, new places that I otherwise may not have tried. It was always like a new adventure or discovery. I often came back from my ... continue reading...
Behind the Scenes at Sprouts Farmers Market
This post, as well as the travel involved, were sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. As always, all opinions are my own. #HelloSprouts If you love Sprouts Farmer's Market, then you'll really enjoy the inside scoop and behind the scenes action that I have for you today! For the past year I've been partnering with Sprouts Farmers Market creating delicious recipes using their signature line of products and I've absolutely fallen in love with their stores and so many of their products. You can ... continue reading...
20 Minute Caprese Chicken PLUS a Circulon GIVEAWAY!
Special thanks to Circulon® for sponsoring this recipe for 20 Minute Caprese Chicken and the opportunity for one lucky winner to receive a Circulon® Momentum™ Cookware Set! #CirclesForLife #SimpleGourmet I know, I know. It's already October. I still find it hard to believe! Where I live school starts right in the middle of the official "Summer" months, so I get thrown off with my seasons those first few months. It also doesn't help that September had a majority of triple digit weather days, ... continue reading...
Mushroom Lovers’ Roasted Pork Loin and Green Beans
This Mushroom Lovers' Roasted Pork Loin and Green Beans recipe is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine. #RealFlavorRealFast It's the time of year where people are scouring the internet for the perfect quick dinners. Fall has arrived, school is in session, and everyone is busy! Before you decide on ordering takeout for the third time this week, for real flavor, real fast try this recipe perfect for mushroom lovers! This ... continue reading...
Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Mango
Special thanks to National Mango Board for sponsoring this Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Mango recipe as a part of the #MeetYourMango campaign. As always, all opinions are my own. Now that my kids are getting older, I've been thinking a lot about family traditions. When my children have their own families, I'd like them to look back at their childhood memories with love. I'd like them to be able to recall specific traditions from their memories and build their own with their families. ... continue reading...
Naan Panini with Berry Smoothie and Crinkle Cut Sweet Potato Fries
Special thanks to Sprouts Farmers Market for sponsoring this quick weeknight recipe for a Naan Panini and Berry Smoothie served with Crinkle Cut Sweet Potato Fries, it's great for busy weeknights using items found in the freezer section! It's hard to believe that we're already well into August and school is starting again for many kids if it hasn't already. Not only that, but in our household this time of year also means football practice FIVE nights a week! I've been sharing recipes in this ... continue reading...
Fresh Lentil Bean Salad
I was asked to participate in the #LoveALentil #LetsLentil campaign, sponsored by Lentils.org. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own. It's salad season! At least that's what I consider summertime to be, don't you? My method of salad building is literally throwing together whatever veggies (and sometimes fruit) that I have on hand until what I've come up with seems sufficient. In case you're wondering, I have the same method for smoothies too, haha! There's really so many ... continue reading...
Easy Pork Loin Lettuce Wraps
Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine. This summer I am all about the quick and easy meals for my family, like these Easy Pork Loin Lettuce Wraps. I’m loving colorful warmer weather recipes with a punch of flavor, but aren’t heavy or too time consuming. In the past week we’ve seen temperatures in the triple digits so it’s looking to be a HOT summer, and I surely don’t want to be cooking for hours in that kind of weather! ... continue reading...
Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad
Summertime is around the corner, which means it's time for fresh and easy sides to go with all that deliciousness coming off the grill. Why not add some veggies and fruit to the grill too? This Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad is the perfect summertime dish for the season. Served atop watercress and frisee with a simple lemon-white wine vinaigrette, topped with avocado and grilled asparagus, red onion and zucchini along with grilled pineapple, then topped with a sprinkle of goat cheese. It's ... continue reading...
Beef Fajita Brown Rice Bowls
Special thanks to Sprouts Farmers Market for sponsoring this delicious recipe for Beef Fajita Brown Rice Bowls, it's absolutely perfect for the warmer weather months! The weather is getting warmer y'all, and that's the time of year that being tied to a stove or oven is probably the last thing you want to do. Of course, you and/or your family still need to eat, so simple meals are a must! I know my family really enjoys bowls year round, but especially in the summer. A few leftovers thrown ... continue reading...
Grilled Blackened Salmon with Creamy Cucumber Dill Sauce
Special thanks to Hamilton Beach for sponsoring this recipe for Grilled Blackened Salmon with Creamy Cucumber Dill Sauce and the opportunity for one lucky winner to receive a Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill! One of my favorite things about living in California is the weather. In other parts of the country grilling season is only during a few short months in the summer, but here it's practically year round. Sure it might rain a little, but that's nothing compared to the frigid snowy weather ... continue reading...
Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread with French Vanilla Glaze
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SplashofDelight #CollectiveBias Every year this season is a busy one, this year has been no exception. Spring is always my favorite season, with more sunshine and pretty flowers, less wind and rain. It's also when we celebrate often, between two of our kids' birthdays, my birthday and Mr. Harris' birthday, Easter, Mother's Day - it's a busy time for us! It's also a time when we're looking ... continue reading...
Refrigerator Organization and Meal Planning Tips (FREE Printable!)
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OrganizeWithBrilliance #CollectiveBias When is comes to meal planning, I have to admit that it's been a struggle to stay consistent. Having a big family means there are sometimes last minute projects, or a mystery illness, or different moods or likes/dislikes when it comes to food. Meal planning or not, it can be a struggle to consistently make dinner for a family of seven. When ... continue reading...
Red Beans and Rice
I love when I can cook a meal solely with food and items that are typically in my refrigerator and pantry. Even better when the meal is using affordable items, has tons of flavor, and serves a small army. This recipe for red beans and rice is everything I've mentioned and then some. My older kids and husband love rice, we literally have to buy it by the pound in order to keep up. So to have a recipe on hand that will use up any rice that utilizes leftover cooked rice is ideal, and I adore ... continue reading...
