Ten years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child, I basically went crazy and chased the rabbit down the information hole of healthy food and nutrition. My poor baby didn't have a grain of sugar until after his 1-year birthday party when I was mercilessly mocked by my entire family for making the world's worst cake. It was an apple-sauce sweetened cake with sugarless sour-cream icing that was just awful. Like, really really bad. My poor son wouldn't even touch it- no cute smash-cake pictures for me! It makes me laugh at my crazy-self to this day at how extreme I'd gotten.

Since that day, it been my mission to create kid-friendly recipes that are healthy/nutritious... yet wickedly delicious. This is a collection of my best recipes using whole-grains, organic ingredients and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup... oh and some that are so decadent that they just get a pass. 

chocolate chip cookie recipe

Enjoy Nestle Toll House's original chocolate chip cookie recipe. In the era of pre-made cookie dough, these homemade classics stand out in authenticity and taste. 

SIMPLE BUTTERMILK 

Buttermilk's pretty pricey and I never seem to have it on hand when I need it. So I just make it! It's so simple.

almond milk 

 I starting making plain almond milk with almonds and water only... but I've got two young kids and they were not having it. So I added some dates and vanilla and voila - they love it! This is so easy and cost effective. ​

MINI-PIZZAS IN CUPCAKE TIN

This is a family-favorite dish that the kids love to help with. I usually buy pizza dough from Trader Joe's and make this an easy dinner night.

dOUBLE CHOCOLATE
​BROWNIE RECIPE

Welcome to the world's best brownie recipe. I've probably made this brownie recipe a 100 times and it's a huge hit every single time. 

horseradish butter sauce

My favorite butter herb sauce to pair with any red meat dish. It's a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is the easiest thing to make in the world using a trusty Instant Pot (pressure cooker). It's literally 3 ingredients. Make your own today!

hummus to beat all

Pair Hummus with a platter of veggies or bread and you're kids will make them disappear. Blend chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic! 

Broccoli Quiche

This quiche recipe was a childhood staple in my house. I  add bacon when I'm making it for the kids. 

coconut basil steamed mussels

These mussels are so delicious. You've got to pair this with some white wine and crusty bread. You'll be sopping up every last drop of the broth mixture with your bread.

fruit leather

Fruit leather is a combination of fruits blended together, poured on a non-stick sheet, and slowly dried out at 135 degrees over ~10-12 hours time. So basically fruit roll ups, but without the additives, chemicals, and "delicious" scientifically manufactured plastic taste.​

grandma griff's
​fish n' chips

My husband's grandmother is British and moved here to the US in the 1970's. It goes without saying, this lady knows her fish n'chips. So I'm passing along this family recipe, courtesy of Grandma Griff

lamb shepherd's pie

This recipe is a little more intense than most that I make. But it's because it's worth it. This is a decadent, delicious, amazing meal. An impressive and sure crowd favorite. 

sweet summer corn salad

This is a staple side dish at our house. Anytime we're grilling or having people over I whip this up. It's perfect summer picnic fare!

whoopie pies

My Grammy's Whoopie Pies!!!
Now, you might not know what whoopie pies are if you're not from Maine. They're our official state treat.. and that's an understatement. They're at the register of every gas station, five and dime, or grocery store in the whole darn state. Enjoy! 

dutch baby

This is my kid's favorite breakfast. It's really easy and something different from the same ole' pancakes or waffles I'd typically make. 

Lemony garlic cod

This baked cod recipe is simple, incredibly healthy, and even more delicious. The creamy flavor of cod is perfectly partnered with the garlic, lemon, and parsley. 

chicken and dumplings soup

A recipe the entire family devours. This recipe gets top reviews- it's so comforting. As soon as it turns cold I bust this out and the crowds cheer.

CHICKEN BONE BROTH

Slow-cook your own homemade organic chicken stock; it's rich in amino acids, collagen and minerals. Besides being insanely delicious, it's a fantastic cost-cutting kitchen hack.

glazed apple muffins

Run to your nearest apple orchard (or grocery store I guess) and stock up- once you make these muffins you'll never make another recipe again. Don't skip the glaze, it's what make these extra.

chicken & grapes in mustard cream

This recipe is pretty decadent but it's worth a little evening walk or extra work out to make up for the deliciousness that is this comfort food. 

chicken avocado & mango salad

This is one of my favorite picnic lunches. Pair this with some white wine and fruit- YUM! I usually buy a rotisserie chicken (or make my own when I'm feeling motivated).

sourdough bread

The perfect loaf of sourdough bread only needs healthy "well-fed and ripe" starter + water, salt, and flour. ​

homemade vanilla

Organic homemade vanilla is as simple as two ingredients--vanilla beans and vodka. Soak for a few months and that's it! #MindBlown #PerfectGift

cornbread stuffing

I'm a big corn bread fan and this makes the best Thanksgiving dressing ever. Don't leave out the water chestnuts, they add a crunchy texture that makes this recipe.

meaty chocolately chili

I always pair this ahhmazing chili recipe with my jalapeno cornbread muffins. I'm always happy when the weather turns cold as an excuse to make this recipe.

green bean casserole

This is my father-in-law's favorite green bean casserole dish that he asks me to bring every Thanksgiving. It's a bit of work, so I always make it the day before Thanksgiving and it's so good, it's totally worth it.

beef adobo tacos

This is my family's favorite beef taco recipe. Make an taco bar and have family/friends build their own tacos. 

Healthy Banana Bread

Anytime bananas on the counter are starting to age, I cook this up. It's not chalk-full of sugar, so be prepared for a more naturally sweet flavor:
​

cream of mushroom soup

I love making a big batch of homemade cream of mushroom soup and freezing it in ~10 ounch portions for future casseroles. Pair this with rice and chicken... dinner is served!

Lasagna from scratch

Make the pasta, make the sauce, make the ricotta cheese, go all in on this one and be proud for the rest of your life. #LifeGoals

how to mill flour

When you take a bite of your freshly baked bread that you made from grain - you'll basically die and go to heaven. Read all about it!

Halloween Sugar cookies

Sugar cookie decorating is always a fun family activity. I make these cookies using organic/whole grain version recipes that make these slightly nutritious at least. The kids had a fantastic time!

POP-OVERs or 
​YORKSHIRE PUDDING

Popovers are  my favorite "bread" side dish at meals. They totally up my game so guests think I'm fancy. They'd never guess how easy they are to make!

the real alfredo's

You've got two heavenly versions to choose from, depending on how you're feelin'. Make either one and you'll never go back to jarred alfredo sauce again.

strawberry cream dip

This dip is too good. it's only two ingredients, insanely delicious and completely binge-worthy. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Homemade Pasta

Did you know that making pasta is actually really easy? It's four ingredients: eggs, flour, water, and salt. It takes about 25 minutes to make a batch of delicious fresh linguine!

MARINARA SAUCE FOR SPAGHETTI, PIZZA, etc.

I make a big batch of marinara sauce and can use it in 1-3 recipes that week (lasagna, spaghetti, pizza, etc)

Split Pea Soup

Simple, healthy, and heart warming. Add some crusty bread or side salad and you've got an amazing meal.

no bake cookies

I've made these cookies for as long as I can remember. They're still a favorite desert of mine and one that I make for my own family now. It's just so simple and quick. 

jalapeno corn muffins

This is my favorite fresh cornbread recipe. I've made it for years now and is makes every other cornbread I've had since pale in comparison. 

brown rice risotto

Brown rice risotto is easier than you'd think. It does take a bit of time, but it's a fantastic side dish. Add some extras and make it the main dish!

HOMEMADE ITALIAN SAUSAGE RECIPE

Making your own sausage is actually a pretty easy to do. Get yourself the meat grinder attachment for your KitchenAid Mixer. If you don't have a KitchenAid Mixer... go out and get that too! You deserve it

new england boiled dinner

I'm originally from Maine, and this meal with a staple at our dinners. I LOVE love this must-have meal.

Chicken enchiladas

This is another go-to recipe that we make fairly often. I usually pair this with some homemade guacamole and tortilla chips. They're easy and delish

roasted brussels sprouts

This was the first brussels sprouts recipe that I ever made and it was such a hit that I've kept it in my recipe box for years. It's a sure crowd please and complements any holiday table or dinner anytime really.

biscuits and gravy

I'm a Yankee living in the South and I've fallen in love with their biscuits and gravy!!! Where have you been all my life?  I make this on the regular. Try it once and I guarantee you will too.

raw milk

Raw milk has all the enzymes and nutrients still intact that support digestion and absorption.  ​What you want to do is buy organic raw milk or organic low-temp pasteurized milk. 

lemony sweet lemon cupcakes

Sweet sweet treats- make this recipe and enjoy the taste of joy.