In the spirit of recipe development, Santa’s plate is loaded this year.  I have always loved Russian Tea Cookies.  Oh, how the buttery pecan balls imploding a burst of powdered sugar in my mouth pleases me so!  Our Cardamom Almond Snow Balls are a variation of this Holiday favorite.  Ground almond flour replaces the traditional pecans and the goodness of Olivio Buttery Spread sneaks in the healthy benefits of Olive Oil while still giving you the rich buttery flavor.  A pinch

Candy Apples are a favorite treat for us this time time of year.  While these Candy Apple “Nachos” are still finger lickin’ good, we have taken some of the commitment out of biting into a whole apple by serving these as wedges with all of you favorite fixings.  We made Olivio’s Salted Caramel for a healthy twist on this typically indulgent sweet treat and the kids had fun sprinkling healthy toppings like toasted coconut, roasted pecans, oats, flax seeds and raisins on top.  T

Tonight is a big night!  Join me and UPPAbaby on Twitter tonight 9/25 at 9pm EST (6pm PST) for the Car Seat Safety 101 Chat #UPPAchat!  Child Passenger Safety is a topic that AJ and I are passionate about and are thrilled that UPPAbaby is facilitating this important conversation.  A lot of you have asked how to join the chat.  It’s easy!  *Don’t be afraid if you are new to Twitter, either.  This is a great reason to finally join:) HOW TO PARTICIPATE 1. Sign up with Twitter if

PSA: New and Expecting Parents ~ mark your calendar! For more information on Car Seat and Child Passenger Safety, join UPPAbaby’s Child Passenger Safety Advocate, Daniella Brown @UPPAcpsa and me @MC3Anna next Wednesday September 25th 9pm EST/ 6pm PST on Twitter #UPPAchat!  Bring your questions and join the Twitter Q&A.  The chat will be a great opportunity for parents and expectant parents to learn from Daniella and each other how to keep our little ones safe!  Hope to see yo

The Chocolate Chip Cookie certainly must be the most time honored and celebrated American Sweet Treat of our time.  And while there is an abundance of fantastic, indulgent, ultimate recipes out there, this one is mine. In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, I want to thank my Mom for baking me THOUSANDS of Mammy Two-Foot’s Chocolate Chip Cookies while I was growing up.  I can’t think of a day that I came home from school and there wasn’t a batch waiting for me and my friends o

With snow in the forecast and a long week under our belts, I thought I would try a lean take on a classic comfort food dish- the Sloppy Joe!  This recipe is inspired by Cooking Light but I made a few changes.  I added extra veggies (which are coming out of my ears thanks to a robust farm share).  I used fresh pressed garlic and half of a fresh chili instead of their powdered form.  I also wanted a little smokey flavor- something that I love about BBQ sauce.  As I didn’t have

Brave goes Barefoot and celebrates Fall with Ina Garten’s  Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting and Toffee Crunch! Yields 10 Cupcakes Pumpkin Cupcakes 1 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp kosher salt 2 tsp Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg) 2 extra large eggs at room temperature 1 cup canned pumpkin puree 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil Maple Frosting (r