Easy Gazpacho

Take full advantage of the seasons bounty by making this delicious and healthy Gazpacho soup. It's the simplest 

recipe you'll ever make. Packed with flavor and full of vitamins and nutrients, it's like summer in a bowl.

Strolling through my local farmers market there are so many gorgeous fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from this time of year. Sometimes I just find myself standing there in awe, staring at the colorful array of produce just begging for me to bring it home. Anyone else feel that way this time of year? This is just one reason why I love summer so much.

After a recent trip to the market, and going a little bit crazy with my purchases, I found myself with an abundance of veggies. I tossed around several ideas of what to make, and came to the conclusion that Gazpacho soup was what I needed. It is full of flavor, so light and refreshing, and packed with vitamins and nutrients. Bathing suit friendly? YES!

White Bean and Tuna Salad

This White Bean and Tuna Salad comes together quickly since there is no cooking involved! 
It makes a great lunch but is hearty enough for a weeknight dinner. 

Genova provided me with product for the purpose of this post, as well as compensation for my time. As always, all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

I love a fresh, delicious salad just about any day of the week. My family actually eats a lot of tossed salads with our dinner each day, but I enjoy mixing things up and trying new things. I also really like to make main dish salads, especially during the spring and summer. There is just something so very refreshing about having a bright green salad filled with tons of veggies and a drizzle of dressing when the weather is warm.

Simple Egg and Guacamole Toast

This Simple Egg and Guacamole Toast is sure to become your new favorite breakfast! 

Quick to make and full of flavor, it's a hearty and satisfying way to start your day.

I'm always up for a quick, delicious and hearty breakfast during the week. Even though I'm usually pressed for time, it IS the most important meal of the day so I try to eat at least a little something. I've been a huge fan of avocado toast for a long time, and my newest guacamole toast creation has become my go-to breakfast on busy weekdays. 

Caramel Coffee Milkshakes

Creamy, cool, and delicious, these Caramel Coffee Milkshakes are perfect on a hot summer day! 

Whether you enjoy it for dessert or just as an afternoon treat, this is one shake you don't want to miss!

Hey friends, how's your summer going so far? Not that I'm complaining, but it's been really hot and humid in Michigan lately. From what I've heard, this is going to be our hottest summer in years! It's been close to 90 degrees several days, and we don't typically get that type of weather until late July or August. Since it's been so warm I've been making lots of treats to cool us down. These Caramel Coffee Milkshakes just happen to be one of them, and is definitely one I'll be making all summer.

Dark Chocolate Waffles with Cherry Syrup #SundaySupper

Rise and shine with these decadent Dark Chocolate Waffles with Cherry Syrup! It feels like you're eating dessert 

for breakfast, which is perfectly fine in my book. It's an indulgent way to start your day!

We all know how much I love breakfast, so I'm not going to bore you with my thesis on weekend breakfast making. It's not like you haven't heard it before. What I will say is this - I love having sweets for breakfast. Whether it's pancakes or French toast or waffles, I typically make sweet dishes over savory. But that's the sweet tooth in me taking over. She really likes sweet treats.

These Dark Chocolate Waffles with Cherry Syrup are hands down my favorite waffles at the moment. I mean, who wouldn't love chocolate for breakfast? It's like you're eating dessert for breakfast, and that is perfectly acceptable to me. Don't you agree?

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas

These simple and tasty BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas come together in no time at all. 

Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack, they're a treat the whole family will love! 

Let's celebrate, it's officially summer! No more school for the kids! We can stay up late and sleep in! {Well the kids can, not me} No more packing lunches every day! You know what though? Even though there aren't any more lunch boxes to be packed, lunch still needs to be made. What a bummer, huh? I was hoping to let that one slide, but the kids didn't really agree. Haha! 

I like to serve different things for lunch, not the same ole', same ole'. That can get pretty boring and eventually the kids get a little antsy for something new. These BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas are our new favorite. They are simple to make and super delicious, which makes them the perfect summertime meal.

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Frosting

These Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Frosting are the perfect summer treat! 

Light and airy cupcakes loaded with fresh strawberries, then topped with a chocolate hazelnut frosting that's 

whipped to perfection. What could be better?

I'm a huge peanut butter lover and Peanut Butter & Co. is my absolute favorite brand. With varieties like White Chocolate Wonderful, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, and Mighty Maple, I'm sure you understand why.  You can only imagine my excitement when I heard about their new product, Chocmeister, a delicious chocolaty hazelnut spread. Chocmeister is made with 25% less sugar and more protein than the leading brand of chocolate hazelnut spreads. I recently got my hands on a jar of the Chocmeister Milk Chocolatey Hazelnut Spread and haven't looked back!

This spread is fabulous on toast, spooned over ice cream, and on fruit. Lately I've been adding a little dollop to my strawberries for an afternoon snack! As a member of the Peanut Butter & Co. Yum Squad, I was tasked with creating a fun recipe to share with you all. Since I'm a passionate baker, I knew I wanted to make a delicious dessert, which is exactly what I did. 

Ham & Cheddar Cheese Ball

A perfect snack to serve at any party or family gathering, this Ham & Cheddar Cheese Ball 

is a crowd-pleaser. Bonus, it's super simple to make!

Let's be honest here, who doesn't love a good cheese ball? Truthfully, it's been years since I made a cheese ball myself. Now that I have, I'm questioning my life choices and wondering why I didn't do it sooner! It's really the perfect appetizer for any occasion, and I think it fits in nicely at family gatherings and summer BBQ's. Plus, it's super simple to make!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile then you know I've been a partner of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan for a few years now. I absolutely love the organization and what they represent, and I love my partnership with them. Plus, my family consumes a lot of dairy. Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, we love it all! In honor of June Dairy Month, I was partnered with a Michigan dairy farmer to interview, and then create a recipe inspired by her. I was really excited to be partnered with Cathy McCune of the McCune Centennial Farm as I've actually had the opportunity to meet Cathy in person! I really enjoyed getting to know more about her, her family, and her farm. Plus, this delicious Ham & Cheddar Cheese Ball was inspired by her!

Ad: Skillet Chicken Parmesan

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

All opinions are mine alone. #ThinSlicedChicken #CollectiveBias

Everyone loves the classic Chicken Parmesan. My version is a bit different as it's not breaded and fried, but it IS smothered in marinara and covered in cheese! And the best part? It can be on your dinner table in 30 minutes!

Everyone should know by now that I am the queen of quick weeknight meals. With everything that we all have going on, I need to get something on the table fast, but I also want it to be delicious and good for us. Lately my slow cooker has been my best friend, but I also really love skillet meals. One dish, less mess, everything cooks in one pan. Skillet meals are also great this time of year because I hate turning on my oven when it's hot out!

So I recently discovered the new Tyson® Individually Frozen Thin Sliced Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts at Walmart. There are so many things that I like about them, but for starters I love the fact that you can take out whatever you need and just toss the rest back in the freezer. Plus, they don't need to be thawed! You can throw them on the grill or in your skillet in their frozen state and they cook up beautifully. They also boast 21 grams of protein and are all natural.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie #SundaySupper

 This classic Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is the perfect summer dessert for any picnic or gathering. 

The combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb just can't be beat!

My Dad's favorite dessert has been Strawberry Rhubarb Pie for as long as I can remember. My grandma grew rhubarb in her backyard and honestly I never liked it as a kid. It looked different and when she had me taste it a few times, I thought it was very sour. As with many foods that I disliked as a child, little did I know that one day I would end up falling in love with rhubarb!

Since Father's Day is right around the corner, I decided to surprise my dad with a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. I actually had to look up how to buy and clean rhubarb since I'd never worked with it before! Surprisingly enough it was quite easy, and my pie turned out perfectly.

Dad's Favorite Recipe #SundaySupper Preview

This week #SundaySupper is celebrating the Dads in our lives!

In honor of Father's Day, which is right around the corner, our #SundaySupper Tastemakers are sharing Dad's Favorite Recipes.

My dad's favorite dessert is Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. My grandma used to make it all the time using fresh rhubarb from her garden. I had never made it before, but decided to give it a try a few weeks ago and surprise my daddy. 

Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl with Toasted Coconut Chips and Almonds

This super simple Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl is packed with tons of fresh berries and creamy Greek yogurt. 

Topped with Toasted Coconut Chips and Almonds for crunch, it's a healthy way to start your day!

The summer of 2016 is going to be all about satisfying my cravings. My cravings for food, for life, and for my wardrobe! Living in Michigan I'm just about 90 minutes or so from the beach. The beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan that is! Last year I told my kids we were going to take road trips every few weeks and enjoy the beach, and you know what? We never did it. Not once! Between work and summer sports for my son, the summer flew by and we hand't visited Lake Michigan one. single. time. This year I won't let that happen! I've already marked off some dates on the calendar and we are for sure making day trips to play on the beach and enjoy everything that Michigan has to offer.

As far as my wardrobe cravings, that has needed a bit of help as well! I will admit that I've gained a few pounds this year {and am currently trying to take them off!}, so I wanted a few new pieces that I could feel comfortable in until the weight goes back down. I picked up a few new tops and capri pants, but I also had the opportunity to try something new from prAna. I chose the lightweight, soft and ultra comfy Quinn Dress in the Indigo Lace pattern. It's made from recycled materials and is very stretchy, making it the best little sundress for the summer.

Fruit Swirled Yogurt Pops

Cool off this summer with these healthy and delicious Fruit Swirled Yogurt Pops! 

Made with fresh strawberries and cherries, they're bursting with flavor and so simple to make!

One of my favorite things about the warm weather is getting to eat lots of frozen treats. I pretty much eat ice cream all year round, but during the warmer months I love to make my own homemade ice cream and other goodies. These Fruit Swirled Yogurt Pops are one of newest creations! Made with just four ingredients, these yogurt pops are beautiful, delicious, AND healthy!

I created this yummy recipe in partnership with Produce for Kids for their 2016 Spring Campaign. I participated last year and really enjoyed promoting such a great cause. Produce for Kids teamed up with Meijer to bring Jump with Jill, a rock & roll nutrition show, to local schools. The campaign launched May 29 and runs through June 26. It will raise funds for Jump with Jill and offer Meijer shoppers healthy meal solutions, recipes and tips. Since 2013, Produce for Kids has donated $342,823 to Jump with Jill, and about 75 schools have been supported through the campaign since fall 2014! 

Chocolate Raspberry Protein Smoothies

Start your day the right way with a delicious and nutritious Chocolate Raspberry Protein Smoothie! Made with Greek yogurt, fresh raspberries, and chocolate protein powder, it will give you the energy you need to rock your morning!

We've discussed this before, but I really suck at weekday breakfast. I love, love, love making huge weekend breakfasts for my family, but during the week it seems I'm always in a rush and often skip the most important meal of the day. And you know what? That's bad for me. So, so bad! When I'm sitting at my computer at 11am and I start to yawn and doze off, I know the reason why. My body needs fuel to start my day off right!

I've been making a conscious effort to eat breakfast lately, and smoothies are one of my favorite go-to's. Easy to make, and easy to take on the go, they are light and refreshing and give me just the boost I need. I've been on a binge with these Chocolate Raspberry Protein Smoothies the past couple of weeks. They are super smooth and creamy and very flavorful, and filled with the nutrition that my body needs.