Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram I’m not usually anxious. I went straight into panic mode because my parents are on vacation overseas right now, and I always worry that something will happen to them. (It’s so weird reaching the level of adulthood where I’m freaked out about my parents’ safety, not the other way around.) It was a very secure stall, with only a couple inches of clearance on the bottom, and it was way too tall to climb over....

Traditionally enjoyed to mark the joyous occasion of a newborn’s arrival or during the Christmas festivities in Lebanon, this aromatic dessert is simple and made with very few ingredients. What is Meghli? Meghli, also known as Karawya, depending on where you’re from, is a traditional Middle Eastern or Lebanese Caraway rice pudding often served to celebrate the birth of a baby. It’s a spiced pudding made with rice flour that makes it smooth, thick, and flavored with ground caraway and other spices like ground cinnamon and anise....

This recipe for Masala Egg Burji (Indian Scrambled Eggs) was created in partnership with Egg Farmers of Canada. All opinions, as always, are my own. I only write about and recommend products I use and love myself. The winter holiday season has always been one of my most favourite times of the year. The fresh snowfall, a burning fireplace, sipping on warm hot chocolate and reading a book all cosied up under a warm blanket – what’s not to love!...

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram Later I was in the grocery store getting stuff to make dinner, when it was already past dinnertime. My kids were definitely letting me know that I had made a bad parenting choice: maniacal laughing, “fall-down hugs,” running up and down the aisles, randomly grabbing merchandise. Crazy hyper children are always preferable to the alternative (crazy tantrum children), but still enough to drive any mom insane....

Kalamata olives add a salty pop, sweet cherry or grape tomatoes burst with freshness, roasted red peppers bring a smoky touch, sun-dried tomatoes lend a concentrated depth, crunchy almonds and fresh basil ties it all together, transforming plain couscous your new favorite spring and summer salad. What is Couscous? Couscous, a versatile pasta made from durum wheat, comes in a few varieties. The most common is Moroccan couscous (pictured above) that are tiny, irregular grains that cook quickly....

This will quickly become a family favorite in your house too! This Mint Oreo Chocolate Bark is always on our list of treats to make around the holiday season. This is a recipe that I dreamt up in the early days of blogging. It was meant to be reminiscent of a shake that Nathan loved from his favorite ice cream place. I must have hit the nail on the heat, because it is favorite treat of all time....

This along with some hot parathas is heaven for me and my brother! We could live on it. Eternally! What is Paneer Capsicum Masala This is a dry paneer recipe made by first making the masala base with onions, tomatoes and then cooking the capsicum al dente before adding the cottage cheese. The main step is the onion- tomato masala, also known as indian bhuna masala.I usually make this in bulk and use it across different curries....

Muddy Buddies are one of my favorites treats to make and eat! I can eat far too many in one sitting, so I have to be careful how often I make it. This is the best puppy chow recipe, and I find it irresistible. Mostly, I love to make them to gift to others. Simple no bake treats, like haystacks and easy fudge, are perfect for giving to others, and this puppy chow is definitely on that list....

Guys I have been upping my work out game. And . . . can I be real with you for a second? It is KILLING ME. I like to think that I’m good at simple things like, say, standing up, or you know? Wakling. But . . . Ummm, after increasing my work outs and adding in ridiculous nonsense like side planks and squat jump things that make want to die, I’m questioning those things....

I’m not really big into fast food. Not that I don’t like it; I’m not one of those condescending foodies who will make you feel like a cow because you not-so-secretly love curly fries to the extent that you can eat your weight in them (I hear you.) I am just way too cheap to be a fast-fooder. I always rationalize that I can make something quick at home, which is true, and explains why I eat a lot of cereal....

I’ve been hanging out with my sisters Nikki and Laura and our families these past couple weeks. Here’s some stuff that went down: We went to the Jelly Belly Factory. At the end of the tour they give you a sample, so of course there is a trail of Jelly Bellys that kids have dropped at the exit of the tour. Truman picks one up and eats it. My brother-in-law Adam says, “Truman, don’t eat Jelly Bellys off the floor....

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a real favorite around our house during Christmas time! I mean, chocolate chip cookies are always a staple in our cookie jar year round, so it’s nice to change things up during the holidays with a twist on our family favorite. Rich peanut butter, mini chocolate morsels and sweet powdered sugar combine pretty much all my favorite foods into one simple to make, delicious cookie that looks so pretty on a holiday goodie plate....

This savory, garlicky pasta might be the perfect dish! I could probably eat this every day. It’s simple and very fast to make – cooking the pasta takes longer than this olive oil pasta sauce does. Pasta with olive oil makes a fabulous side dish for your Italian style entrees or simple grilled meats or fish. I love making this pasta with pan-seared shrimp and steamed veggies. If you love pasta, you will also like my Creamy Chicken Orzo, Creamy Lemon Pasta, Lemon Ricotta Pasta, and Buttered Noodles recipes....

Okay, so here is my typical process for recipe making: I make something. It’s good. I post it. Ooooor . . . I make something. It needs a little tweaking. I tweak. It’s good. I post it. Here was the process for this recipe: I made it. I convinced myself that it needed “tweaking” so that I could shove it in my face a second time. I changed absolutely nothing....

Usually, Matar Paneer made at home for everyday meals, is a no-fuss, pretty simple recipe – like the one I have here. Restaurant-style Matar Paneer, however, is a bit more special. The curry is often richer in texture due to the addition of cream or yogurt. The cubed paneer pieces are also often lightly fried to give it a slight crisp along the edges while still being soft on the inside....

Storing and Reheating Leftovers Store any leftover roasted acorn squash in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave (if it has been scooped out of the shell). Always use discretion with your leftovers. I love acorn squash. I think it was made just to be the perfect individual sized squash. Just look at my Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash. It is like a nature made bowl of nutrition and fiber....

Carrots are synonymous with springtime. My favorite way to enjoy them is simply roasted with oil, salt and pepper. A little drizzle of this pesto though does gild the lily and take them to the next level. Green Garlic can be used the same way as traditional garlic that we are used to. It is one of the first spring veggies the show up at the very beginning of the season....

Finished off with a creamy Sante Fe sauce dressing, this hearty and filling salad is also easy to make! Chili’s makes some of the best salads, and their Santa Fe Chicken Salad is definitely my favorite. There’s so much flavor and so many amazing textures going on at the same time – it’s like a Tex-Mex party in your mouth! You might also like my Tex-Mex Salad with shredded chicken, fresh corn, black beans, and taco ranch dressing....

Canned sardines are a staple in our house. My Mom served them for a quick meal with some toasted bread on busy days when I was a child, and the tradition stayed with me. I buy canned sardines in tomato and chili, or just the plain oil-packed type. Sardines work so well not just for appetizers, but also make a great lunch or dinner when paired with creamy mashed potatoes, toasted bread, or a simple salad....

Why We Love this Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner This sheet pan meal requires only 10 minutes of hands-on time. With beans, lean chicken sausages, and vegetables this is a healthy sheet pan dinner you can feel great about! The delicious marinade is made with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. Our sausage and veggies only take about 20 minutes to roast, making this a delicious 30 minute meal....