Posts

Maple Apple Snack Mix

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  Fall is here! I have been craving maple flavor. Which kinda sucks when you are trying to eat healthier. I'm looking at you Maple cookies..... So what is a girl with a sweet tooth to do? Enter Maple Apple Trail Mix. There are quite a few steps here, but luckily lots of shortcuts that you can take too. First I started by drying my apples in the dehydrator. YES, you can absolutely use the store bought, already dried ones, but if you have followed my blog for a bit, you know that I have to be careful with preservatives. And it is really pretty easy. The dehydrator does all the work.  Forgive my lack of pictures for this process, my handsome photographer had boxing class this morning. Start by mixing 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice with 1 cup of water in a bowl. This will keep your apples from oxidizing and turning brown. You can use the fruit fresh stuff from the store as well, but I have never tried it.  Wash, peel and core 3 apples. I did them one at a time then dunked them in the lemon

One-Pot Lasagna: When You Love Lasagna but Hate the Layers and Waiting

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  If you  are anything like me, lasagna is one of those comfort foods that hits the spot every time. But let's be real: layering noodles and waiting for it to bake? Ain't nobody got time for that. Enter: the pressure cooker- my secret weapon for cutting down on kitchen time without sacrificing flavor. This one- pot lasagna recipe is a game changer for when you want all the cozy lasagna vibes, minus the hassle. So how do you do it? First put the pressure cooker on Saute , and set it to Normal . Toss in your ground beef (in my case ground turkey) and sausage, throw in about a tsp of black pepper, a teaspoon of salt, and about a tablespoon of dried minced onion, cook until browned. Once you're done, hit Cancel. You can use any sausage that you like here, I used a mild Italian this time.  *TIP: If your pressure cooker doesn't have a Saute setting, no worries! Just brown your meats in a skillet and transfer them over Stir in your pasta sauce and water. Here I also added som

Creamy Chicken and Rice: A Comfort Food Makeover

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This week I decided to try to lighten up a good Southern Chicken Casserole. Don't run away yet, it is still really satisfying I promise. Not only is it packed with flavor, but it's also loaded with veggies that bring a whole host of healthy benefits to the table. And for the first time on this blog, my pressure cooker gets a starring role, helping to make  this meal both quick and easy. Why You Will Love This Dish: The Possibility of Leftover Magic: That smoked chicken from last week's dinner? It's getting a tasty makeover in this dish. Veggie Power: This recipe isn't just about the chicken and rice; it's packed with carrots, peas, and fresh spinach, each adding their own nutritional boost. Pressure Cooker Perfection: My pressure cooker makes it's debut in this week's blog post. It is a game-changer for busy nights! The Health Benefits of Veggies: Carrots: These vibrant orange beauties are rich in beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A- a

A Feral Fiesta: Corn And Black Bean Salad!

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Hey there, feral friends. This week, I'm bringing a little fiesta to our dinner table with some seriously tasty eats. Jerry worked his magic on the smoker, Turing chicken into something absolutely drool-worthy. And you know me- I had to get a little creative, but healthier with the sides! First, we took that drool-worthy chicken and shredded it up to turn into the ultimate pulled chicken street tacos. Then I made a simple but yummy coleslaw to put on top for the perfect amount of tangy crunch. Of course, no taco night is complete without cilantro lime rice to tie everything together. But the focus of this post is the amazing Corn and Black Bean Salad! So first I roasted some corn. This is the same yummy corn from the freezer section that I used in the Cast Iron Elote, (You can find that recipe HERE ) Drain and rinse your black beans. You can absolutely make them from scratch but I took a shortcut this time. But please rinse your can beans, it helps remove some of the sodium. While

Eclair Cake Magic: Easy, Creamy Delicious

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Welcome back my Feral Friends, Have you ever craved an eclair but thought, "Who has time for all that?" Well, my friends, I've got the perfect solution for you! Imagine all the indulgence of a classic eclair- creamy custard, rich chocolate, and light, fluffy layers- but without any of the fuss. That's right, this Eclair Cake is a no-bake wonder that brings together the best of both worlds: all the decadent flavors you love in a traditional eclair, but in a super easy and quick-to-make cake form. It's the perfect dessert for when you want to impress without breaking a sweat! A No-Bake Delight This delightful dessert is perfect for those hot days when you don't want to turn on the oven. It's cool, creamy and absolutely irresistible. Plus, it's a total crowd-pleaser. Trust me, your family and friends will be coming back for seconds (and thirds). Here is how to do it: I started with 3 1/2 cups of whole milk in a bowl Then added the French Vanilla pudding a