Berry Easy Easter Desserts

Growing up, my grandma always made sure that our family’s Easter buffet included at least two non-chocolate desserts. My mom’s traditional bunny cake didn’t include chocolate, but our Easter baskets featured huge quantities of chocolate treats. To offset a potential chocolate overload, my nutritionally-conscious grandma would show up at our home with the following fruity desserts: SIMPLE STRAWBERRY TRIFLE Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 tablespoons cornstarch 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin 2 cups water 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled, divided 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 1 can (14-ounce) sweetened condensed milk 1 container (12-ounce) Cool Whip, thawed … Continue reading

Simple Spring Desserts

Easter is still three weeks away, but if you are expecting company for the holiday, then you might want to get a jumpstart on your menu planning. Easter traditionally means ham, grandma’s potato salad and great green bean dishes around here. For dessert I like to stick with sweet treats MINUS the chocolate (the Easter Bunny takes care of filling baskets with loads of chocolate and having brownies or other fudgy desserts is a bit too much for one day). The following fruity desserts are extremely popular with my friends and family. They are ideal for a spring or Easter … Continue reading

Layered Strawberry Pecan Crunch Cake

This is a true party cake. A real showstopper that will draw raves from family members and friends… and the best part—it’s not hard to prepare. Don’t let the recipe intimidate you. It does require several ingredients (no box mix here), but they are put together very simply. The end result is a sweet and luscious strawberry cake that features a layer of pecans that gives it a salty crunch. The flavors and textures complement each other so well, and the taste is so divine, that you might consider making this cake for a party of one. LAYERED STRAWBERRY PECAN … Continue reading

Kids in the Kitchen: Sweet and Simple Strawberry Treats

Thank goodness for strawberries. When she was a baby the sweet red fruit was one of the only all-natural snacks my young daughter would willingly devour. Three years later strawberries are still on the top of her “Favorite Foods” list and being able to pick our own at a local farm has become an annual family tradition. We headed out on our latest strawberry picking adventure a couple of weeks ago and per usual it was… well, eventful (as are most outings with a preschooler). This year the crop was plumper and juicer than ever. We picked 10 pounds worth … Continue reading

Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad

You don’t have to host a backyard blowout to show your pride for our wonderful country this Fourth of July. Rather, a simple family picnic can be just as patriotic. Just remember to pack enough mouthwatering creations for the entire clan and then sit back and watch others set off colorful fireworks as you dine on your delectable dishes. Some of my family’s favorites are listed below. The first is my dad’s signature sandwich. It features one of his all-time favorite ingredients—-steak. But not only do the toppings for this kicked up sandwich complement the star ingredient, the type of … Continue reading

10 Foods You Should Add to Your Diet

The following foods are high in nutritional value and low in calories. If you can incorporate them into your diet you should. Almonds These have heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Recent studies have found that one ounce of almonds every day can reduce LDL cholesterol and reduce risk of heart attack. Almonds are also rich in calcium, protein, copper, zinc, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin E. Bell Peppers Bell peppers (red, orange, yellow or green) are loaded with vitamins A and C, vitamin B6 and folate. Red peppers also have lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk … Continue reading

Visiting A Strawberry Farm—What Else You Need To Know

In my previous blog I gave you tips on how to navigate through a strawberry farm with young children. My 3-year-old’s first trip to pick fresh strawberries from a local farm yielded many lessons. It was a great summer adventure and I look forward to putting our tips to the test when we head back next year. However, I realize there are some of you who wouldn’t for an instant entertain the thought of toting tots out in the summer sun to pluck fresh berries inches from the ground. With that in mind I have a number of other non-related … Continue reading