Harry Potter Week Giveaway!

Harry Potter's birthday is a next Sunday!  Me being the big Harry Potter nerd that I am I like to celebrate the last week of July with some Harry Potter inspired recipes. This year, I thought I'd up the celebration fun with a giveaway.

This year you could win a Harry Potter and an Albus Dumbledore Pop Funko... Aren't they awesome?!  I think Pop Funko characters are so fun, and Harry Potter Week is all about fun.

You can win these awesome HP Pop Funkos 3 different ways.  You can answer the questions at the bottom of this post, follow me on Instagram and enter there, and/or follow me on Facebook and enter there. 

Before, I give you the giveaway question I thought I'd share some of the previous years Harry Potter recipe fun.  

We'll start where it all started. 

Harry Potter's Chocolate Birthday Cake

Then we'll head to his next stop, Diagon Alley. 

Diagon Alley's Classic Shortbread Cookies

This next recipe is a Harry Potter staple. 

Pumpkin Juice

There was a lot of great food once Harry got to Hogwarts. 

Hogwart's Shepherd's Pie

Visits to Honeydukes for sweets and goodies is always fun. 

Good vs. Evil Cookies and Cream Fudge

When Harry rode the Knight Bus he had Hot Chocolate.  This skinny summer version is so much better right now in the heat of Arizona. 

Knight Bus Skinny Frozen Hot Chocolate

In the 4th Harry Potter book, Goblet of Fire, Harry and his friends had this delicious treat.  

Goblet of Fire Triple Chocolate Gateau Topped with Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Ganache

You don't have to be a Harry Potter geek like me to have fun with these recipes.  Let me just say these recipes are delicious; you should definitely check them out... and stay tuned this week for some more delicious recipes.  

Now, to get back to the reason for this post, the Giveaway.  

You can get 2 entries if you answer these 2 questions in 2 separate comments. 

1. Which is your favorite Harry Potter book?  I love them all, but #4 is my favorite!
2. Which one of the recipes above would you like to make first? 

Happy Harry Potter Week celebrating! 

Brie, Bacon, Garlic, and Sun Dried Tomatoes Cheese Dip {Easy} {Quick 30 Minute} and Super Bowl 50 Party Dip Menu

I have no problem serving a dip as dinner.  Yes, I am that kind of a mother and wife, and it isn't just the result of feeling slightly stressed from working part-time and having 3 children.  I've been having dip for dinner since my college days.  

Sure, my Mom may be disappointed in my proper dinner/mothering skills, but... dip is oh so delicious.

We've had this oh so Easy Brie Cheese Dip with Bacon, Garlic and Sun Dried Tomatoes a couple time this past week.  It's delicious and I had to "master the recipe." :) 

Luckily, my husband is just as supportive of testing recipes as well as eating an appetizer for dinner.  We really are a match made in heaven.

Grab some Brie at Costco (a great price) or anywhere else and quick and easy whip up this fancy and elegant sounding appetizer in a flash.  You'll be able to get this dip on the table in 30 minutes.  Go ahead and enjoy it's deliciousness with a sliced baguette, chips, crackers, or toasted cubed french bread.  

Brie, Bacon, Garlic and Sun Dried Tomatoes Dip 
{Quick and Easy}
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 20-30 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:
1 (8oz) brie, cubed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. sun dried tomatoes, drained and diced
1/3 c. bacon, chopped or bits
Serve with: french bread cubed and toasted, crackers, chips, or baguette slices

Directions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and spray or grease a small oven safe bowl. If you want to toast your bread for the dip, throw your bread on a pan and stick it in the oven while it is preheating.  You can easily spray or brush on some olive oil to get a good toastiness.
2. Cube your brie on a cutting board. You can barely cut off the rind (the harder crust like part) if you don't like it.  Some people think the rind is bitter, but I honestly can't tasted much of a difference. Cube the brie.
3. In a small bowl mix the garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and bacon together. 
4. In the greased bowl layer half of the garlic sun dried tomatoes mixture on the bottom.  Pour all of the cubed brie on top, and then the other half of the garlic tomatoes mixture.  
5. Place the bowl in the oven and bake the dip at 325 for 20-25 minutes until it is completely melted.  After 10 minutes stir the cheese dip and return it to the oven for the remaining time.
6. Serve the brie dip hot with crackers, chips or bread. 
7. Enjoy! 
8. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a sealed container.  I prefer to reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave, but either works.  To be honest, I'll be surprised if you have any leftover. 

Happy Delicious Brie Bacon Garlic and Sun Dried Tomatoes Dip eating! 

Happy Game Day, Super Bowl 50 Watching!  

Go Broncos! :)

Some of my other favorite Game Day Dips are... 

Simply Guacamole- I eat this guacamole at least once a week, if not 3 or 4 times. It is Simply Delicious! 

Restaurant Style White Queso Dip- So Yum!

Colorado Caviar- Bean Salad and Dip- Maybe I should call it Bronco Caviar- Healthy, Gluten Free, and Delicious! 

Skinny Roasted Red Pepper and Black Bean Dip- Healthy dip with some amazing flavors! Love dips that are diet friendly!

Pizza Dip- Pizza is good, but Pizza Dip is fun for a party and gluten free. 

Vegetarian Fajita Dip- Fajitas are good, but Fajita Dip is more fun for a party. :) 

Quick and Healthy Spinach Bean Dip- This dip is popular for a reason.  So easy to make and so very delicious! 

Whether you are throwing a Super Bowl Party or just a party with the family at home, at least one of the above dips should make your party that much better.  

Who are you cheering for Sunday?

4th of July Menu {Healthy}

If you are looking for a healthy fourth of July barbecue/BBQ check out these recipes.  I guarantee they are all delicious, and your family, friends, kids, and adults will enjoy them all.

All of these recipes are relatively easy and can be prepped and mostly made ahead of time so you can enjoy all of the fun. 

Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Black Bean Burgers

Absolutely delicious!

 Grilled Asparagus

The absolute best way to cook and enjoy your vegetables.  Kids LOVE these!

Strawberry Apple Chicken Salad

Yummy!

Cold Summer Bean Salad with a touch of a spicy kick

Sweet and Simple Strawberry Pie

Add some blueberries and you have a simple, delicious, and unique Red, White, and Blue dessert!

Who doesn't like Fudgesicles?  

They should make an appearance at every Fourth party. 

These cold popsicle treats made from scratch with a few ingredients is a classic summer treat!

I hope your party food is as delicious and healthy as these quick and easy menu items!

Happy Fourth of July party fun and eating!  

Be safe. 

Simple, Healthy, and Easy to Make Cinco de Mayo

Today I wanted to give you something delicious you could make for your Cinco de Mayo fun.  I honestly couldn't decide which recipe to give you so I decided to give you my favorite recipes that fit this fun holiday. 

All of these recipes are Simple and Easy to Make, Healthy, and Quick to Put Together.  Many recipes are gluten free, easy to make in the crock-pot, vegetarian, and more. 

I gave you an appetizer, soup, casseroles, easy tacos, and even the most popular dessert at my husband's work.  These recipes are some of my favorites!

Cinco de Mayo Dinner Menu

This Skinny Bean Dip is so very delicious, addicting, and a crowd pleaser. 

Quick and Easy Black Bean Soup is full of vegetables, and ridiculous quick and easy to make. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are some of my very favorite tacos ever.  I also love using this chicken for salads and nachos as well as tacos.  

These Bean Tacos are so very good.  Who doesn't love a good bean taco? 

Steak and Mango Salsa Tacos are a perfect light meal you can whip up on the grill. These lettuce tacos are some of my favorite. 

I think I have almost decided that I am making this Chicken and Quinoa Enchilada Bake today. I can throw it in the crock-pot, and I've been craving some quinoa healthy goodness as of late.

Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas are perfectly sweet and spicy, and enchiladas are always perfect for this fun Cinco de Mayo day.  It's a small enchilada casserole, so it is perfect for a small family.  Plus, who doesn't like the delicious flavor in chipotle? 

Chipotle Tamale Pie was a casserole recipe I came across in a diabetic cookbook.  I have loved its hearty goodness for years.  It's pretty much the best, and it has the best cornbread recipe on top.   

These Simple Sopapilla Bars are ridiculous easy to make and the absolute most requested recipe from my husband's co-workers. These buttery sugary cinnamon bars are a must for every menu. 

Now these are just a handful of some of my favorite recipes that would be perfect for this fun holiday, but if you are looking for some other (and there are plenty to choose from) just scroll through this list. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo, and happy delicious and healthy eating on this fun holiday!

An Epic Pi Day 3.141592653 aka 3/14/15 Menu

I'm a total nerd.  I'm a librarian, and I love math.  I was a math minor in college, and absolutely love math.  The combination of librarian and math geek may possibly be the worst combination for "being cool."  

Such it is.  I've come to embrace my nerdiness.  

With that nerdiness comes a baker and food lover that is uber excited for tomorrow.

Today is Pi Day! It is actually an Epic Pi Day.  It not only is your normal 3-14 Pi Day fun, but it is 3-14-15, and at 9:26:53 in both the AM and the PM you can have quite the Epic Pi Day extravaganza. 

I plan to start this epic day with a delicious, nutritious, and healthy 5 minute Breakfast Pizza Pie.

Lunch and/or dinner can consist of an Actually Thin Crust Homemade Pizza. I LOVE this thin crust and pizza sauce recipe.  

Butternut Squash, Bacon, and Spinach Pizza on a thin crust, b/c that is the best (and a bit healthier), is amazing and will make a perfect dinner, snack, or lunch.  Plus Pizza is also known as "Pie" so it is perfect for this Epic Pi Day!

 I'm of the belief that dessert can and should be enjoyed several times throughout the day.  Therefore, Pie, and especially "fruit pie" is pretty close to being good for you since it has fruit in it.  Don't bother to think of all the sugar. ;)

This Sweet and Simple Strawberry Pie with the uber easy homemade Pie Crust is perfect for this epic Pi Day!

Lemon Pie aka Sunshine Pie is always delicious, creamy, and perfectly sweet and tart. 

I love Pi Day! I love that math nerds unite and truly embrace their nerdiness.  I love that you have good reason to eat delicious pies, including pizza pies, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.  

Happy Epic Pi Day celebrating and eating!

Our Thanksgiving Menu

We're having Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow.  Though, it's just a small group (4 adults, 2 kids, and 1 newborn) so it's not a big deal.  

However, Thanksgiving is such a fabulous day, and I can't wait for the fun we'll have.  We plan to run a Turkey Trot (just a 5k this year since I just had a babe... tho my hubs is grateful it isn't the 10k), watch football, eat lots of food, play games (Hand and Foot is in the plans for tomorrow), and spend time with the people we love.  Sounds awesome, huh?!  

My Father In-Law, okay and my MIL as well as husband, LOVES this Spinach Black Bean Dip.  It's been requested for our appetizer.  Instead of cheese and crackers we're going healthy, delicious, and addicting dip.  Have you had it yet?  

For the official Thanksgiving Dinner we are somewhat traditional and nothing too crazy.  However, we do have a healthier twist.  As much as I love mashed potatoes and homemade rolls my In-Laws are trying to steer clear of the extra carbs/starches so no potatoes or rolls this year for us.  

Though, there will of course be having vegetables.  I know everyone loves their Green Bean Casseroles, but I'm opting for a bit healthier aka more simple vegetables.  We're having Roasted Butternut Squash, b/c I do love me some squash, as well as steamed broccoli.  

We of course will be having some homemade cranberry sauce.  My Mother In-Law makes some absolutely delicious cranberry sauce.  One of these days I'll get the recipe, make it, and share it with you.  However, for now I just let her make it. :)  

Homemade Stuffing/Dressing, even with the carbs, is necessary for Thanksgiving, or at least it is necessary for leftovers.  We'll be making some of this basic stuffing just minutes before we put everything on the table.  

This year I wanted to try something new in the Turkey department.  We decided a Turkey Breast is plenty big for us (8lbs was the smallest I could get at the store so we'll have TONS of leftovers).  We, aka mostly me, decided it would be fun to attempt the Crock-Pot Turkey Breast this year.  The link provides a basic recipe that I'm going to try, though I will be seasoning it a bit different. 

I personally think it's hard to fail when cooking with a crock-pot.  Therefore, my only fear is the turkey breast not fitting in our crock-pot.  It may be close.  

Above when I said we were trying to watch our carbs I really meant we wanted to have plenty of carb wiggle room for dessert.  Dessert is a serious manner in my house.  I love baking desserts so I sometimes go a bit overboard.  

I want to have all of these desserts, but I guess we'll see how much my husband lets me bake.  To clarify, it's not that he is opposed to me baking, but he knows he has to eat the majority of them (I only like a slice).  Therefore, he usually tries to limit me for his health.  

Pumpkin Crunch is way too delicious not to have.  Pumpkin goodness with a a cobbler/pecan pie topping. Yum!  

Pumpkin Cheesecake is also way too good to pass up.  It's a light cheesecake with the perfect amount of pumpkin to make it perfectly festive and appropriate.  

And of course PIE.  Pie is a must for thanksgiving, and this Easy Homemade Pie Crust is awesome and everyone should have this recipe for Pie Crust.  A perfectly flaky crust for every pie.

As far as kinds of pie goes, I'm thinking pecan pie or a chocolate pecan pie.  However, my MIL may be making a buttermilk, cherry, or peach pie as well.  

Do you think we'll have enough desserts? :)

There it is.  That's our Thanksgiving Menu.  It's sounding pretty fabulous to me.  I can't wait!  

What are you having?  How are you cooking your turkey?  

Healthy, Easy, and Quick Halloween Menu

Halloween is usually a day of lots of sweets and being busy.  However, it doesn't have to be an unhealthy sugar overload kind of day.  

You can start the day off right and still be festive with a... 

Monster Green Smoothie

I guarantee this smoothie will make you feel refreshed and satisfied, and ready to conquer the day.  Plus, you are getting loads of vegetables and fruit in your diet on a day that you may have just ate junk. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

If you are super mom or just all an amazing dad you can cut the pancakes into jack-o-lanterns in case pumpkin pancakes isn't enough festivity for you.  

Dinner on Halloween is easy to be quick and unhealthy, but you can most definitely do quick and still healthy.  

You can also still be festive at dinner with these delicious soups.  

Orange Carrot Soup

This crock-pot soup is easy to throw in during the day, cook in the crock-pot b/c crock-pots are your friend on a busy day, and serve a creamy delicious soup your kids will love.  Plus, it's orange and Halloween is all about orange. 

Black Bean Soup

This quick and healthy black bean soup is so quick to throw in the pot, has the most amazing flavor, gluten free, healthy, diet friendly, filling, and BLACK for those Halloween black fans.  What more could you want?

I didn't feel you needed a dessert b/c let's be honest you'll be munching on candy from your kids bags or the candy bowl. :)  

Happy Halloween Eating in a festive and healthy way!