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"Pantry to the Rescue" Minestrone Chicken Noodle Soup

January 23, 2019 By Chelsia Rief 2 Comments

Let your pantry come to your rescue with this easy minestrone chicken noodle soup - this "hybrid" recipe is warm, hearty, and on the table in 30 minutes!

I love soup! I don't particularly want to eat it in the summer, but the rest of the year, especially in rainy, cold Oregon - I'm all about it! Josh, on the other hand, is not the biggest fan of soups. I have brought him a long ways from where he was - he whole-heartedly approves of every single soup recipe on this blog. Since we work on this together, I wouldn't push publish on these posts if he didn't, but I've really had to figure out what kind of soups he likes over the years. For the record my butternut & sweet potato soup is his favorite. In short, he's not into brothy soups. A thicker soup is his jam!

I was nervous to work on a "chicken noodle soup." It's not my favorite either, actually, but it does have its place in the world, especially during cold and flu season! [Read more...]

Sweet Cream Pancakes

January 22, 2019 By Joshua Rief 12 Comments

Fluffy & light, with a touch of sugar, vanilla, & creaminess in each bite, these sweet cream pancakes are a level up from traditional buttermilk flapjacks.

There's a very simple explanation for why we sought out, tested, fell in love with, and finally shared this recipe. It has a lot to do with Black Bear Diner. See, historically, we would go out to Black Bear when visiting relatives in California, whether that was Chels' folks in the Redding area, or mine down in LA. They've got great food, great service, and a fun, homey atmosphere that reminds you of a classic diner (minus some of the grease and health code concerns...). I should probably make it clear at this point - this post isn't sponsored by or affiliated with anyone, including Black Bear Diner - we're just fans!

We all looked forward to our occasional visits to the California Black Bear locations, and lo and behold, a couple of years ago, we got the welcome news that they were expanding to the Pacific Northwest, including a location about half an hour from our humble abode here in the Willamette Valley! (Apparently they're as far east as Missouri now.) Naturally, we've been going more often since then, and we've discovered something in the process...we love sweet cream pancakes.

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Weekly Menu for the Week of Jan 21

January 20, 2019 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

Happy holiday weekend everyone! Our Monday feels a bit crammed with three different appointments, but I guess if you've got a lot of appointments, better to do it on a holiday when it doesn't interfere with your work schedule, right?

Last week, I was getting over this stupid chest cold. I've got a dry cough that won't go away and then Thursday night, Josh started coming down with it, poor guy. But we persevered and celebrated his birthday a week late with Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Beef Tacos and Tres Leches Cake for dessert!

Speaking of tacos - just a heads up, we've got an Aaamazing taco recipe coming soon for you. When I say it is amazing, I mean it! I was wholly surprised that our kids ate it because it is rather unconventional. But, you'll see what I mean when I share it in a few weeks... [Read more...]

"Pantry to the Rescue" One Pot Country Lentil Soup

January 14, 2019 By Chelsia Rief 6 Comments

Your pantry can come to your rescue again with this easy, hearty, super tasty, and crazy healthy one pot country lentil soup!

I've made this soup several times now, and each time, it's been a really big hit. Even Ruby likes it and eats it for leftovers - WIN! I was a bit skeptical at first because I know that Josh isn't the biggest lentil fan, but really, when has that ever stopped me from trying out new things?

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we? He didn't love Brussels sprouts until I made these. He was not a fan of meatloaf until I made this. I'm on a roll and I'm not stopping until he likes all the foods! Just kidding. Kind of. Not really.

I grew up eating lentils, so I don't really have a problem with them. I think they can be a lot like tofu or even mushrooms. Tofu alone is kind of, well, gross. But, combined with the right flavors and ingredients, you don't even realize you're eating...tofu. Mushrooms offer a meatiness that you can usually only get from meat. Lentils are like tofu and mushrooms. You can get a lot of flavor and a lot of meatiness out of this little legume. [Read more...]

Weekly Menu for the Week of Jan 14

January 12, 2019 By Chelsia Rief 2 Comments

I'm currently writing this from a cozy little room in Sunriver, Oregon. Even though we were just here two weeks ago, we're here again because the kids wanted to play in the snow (we haven't gotten any yet this year), and we thought a quick little family weekend away with the white stuff close at hand would be a lot of fun for everyone! (Sounds like some of you on the East Coast and through the Midwest are getting more winter weather than you might like! Stay safe and warm!)

Also, don't forget to enter our giveaway for a new Calphalon Ceramic Non-Stick Fry Pan before it ends Monday night! [Read more...]

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake

January 9, 2019 By Joshua Rief 2 Comments

Craving a chocolate shake, but want to avoid the calories? We've got you covered with this healthy chocolate peanut butter shake. Try adding protein, too!

I debated about whether to call this a healthy chocolate peanut butter shake, a healthy chocolate peanut butter protein shake, or even a chocolate peanut butter smoothie. It was a tough decision. The reality is that it is all of those things, depending on how you make it. It's flexible that way...which is one of the reasons I love it.

I started making this shake for two very simple reasons: I love chocolate malts, and chocolate malts are outrageously unhealthy. It's all terribly unfair, but it's also reality. As with so many other totally delectable treats, one must partake only occasionally. When I was 16 or 17, of course, I could drink a chocolate malt whenever I wanted and never gain a pound. But as time passed...it simply wasn't so.

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"Pantry to the Rescue" One Pan Honey Apricot Pork Chops

January 8, 2019 By Chelsia Rief 150 Comments

This easy recipe for one pan honey apricot pork chops is not only tasty and healthy, it's a winner all year long, with fresh fruit or canned!

Happy 2019 everyone!

I know it's a pretty popular idea to make resolutions each year or even choose a word or phrase of the year. I never do this. I don't really know why - it's just never been a thing I do. There are so many things I would like to work on, and choosing too many things can be overwhelming. I don't think I can do all things well...but how do I choose just one thing?

Hmm, maybe I'll think on this and get back to you.

I do know that the beginning of a new year is a popular time for a lot of people to work on the healthiness of their lifestyle. I can't do much about the fitness part here on this food blog (though I do have a post coming about what my fitness routine looks like, since I don't go to the gym). Only you can get you to work out! I can, however, attempt to help inspire you to cook and eat better! (A side benefit is that it helps and inspires me!) [Read more...]

Weekly Menu for the Week of Jan 7

January 5, 2019 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

First post of the new year and might I just add Happy 2019 to YOU! I so appreciate the time we've taken off over the holiday weeks to spend with family, soaking in their laughs, playing games, eating way too many cookies (was I the only one?) and less time on my phone and computer.

Josh and I were even able to get away for a couple of nights to celebrate our birthdays together (by ourselves!) which was wonderful - we even had snow where we were staying!

But, I'm back at it for you guys and one of the changes Josh and I want to make for the blog this year is sending out the Weekly Menu earlier. The reason is two-fold. One, we aren't giving ourselves a lot of time to get the email out or get the post written. This is one of our most read emails and so we would be rushing every Sunday evening or Monday morning trying to get it out...and often being late about it. That doesn't work out well for anyone. Two, this also gives you more time to get your shopping in order if you choose to cook from any of the recipes we share that week. I realize everyone grocery shops on a different day (generally, we pick up ours on Friday) and that would not only give us time to get the post written and shared on Saturday, but hopefully also time for you to make any lists or meal plans that you need. [Read more...]

The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Ever

December 20, 2018 By Grace Rief 2 Comments

Our whole family has declared this recipe the best snickerdoodle cookies ever...or, at least, the best ones to ever enter our humble abode!

I'm really excited to be sharing another recipe with you! I am realizing, though, how much of a balancing act a "side gig" like this can be when you have a big paper or essay to write for school. We consider this part of my schooling (writing, computers, home ec, etc), too, though, and I guess it's probably a good life skill to learn to juggle multiple projects!

Ever since I was seven years old, I've watched my parents cook in the kitchen, whether it was my mom baking or both of them making dinner together. I always enjoyed talking about my day, their day, or just asking questions about what they were doing. Most of my knowledge in the kitchen came from watching them for all those years, and eventually participating more and more. I still occasionally sit at the counter and talk to my mom while she makes dinner. Sometimes I help, sometimes not...all depends on what she's doing. [Read more...]

Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

December 19, 2018 By Chelsia Rief 2 Comments

Whether you need cookies for a holiday party or just because, make this easy, "improved" recipe for peanut butter chip cookies together with your kids!

Peanut butter has got to be one of the most beloved ingredients in our house. I suspect a lot of people can probably say that. I've pretty much stopped buying jarred peanut butter from the store, though, and have been buying the freshly ground peanut butter from the health food section instead. For the most part, the kids have made peace with this choice. I mean, there was some pushback in the beginning, but now, when they get Jif or Skippy it feels more like a (admittedly sugary) treat. And you tell me which brand is better...I usually just grab whatever is on sale, haha!

For any recipe I bake that involves peanut butter, I do use jarred peanut butter. I use natural, freshly ground peanut butter if it is for a specific recipe, like this sweet potato and peanut soup - I use natural peanut butter in that recipe because there is no need for the added sugar. [Read more...]