News from my hometown of Cincinnati: A Rumpke Waste & Recycling driver is a hero after saving a puppy Wednesday morning in Colerain Township just outside Cincinnati. Rumpke Driver Aaron Kinsel was servicing customers when he noticed a discarded backpack along the roadway. After additional observation, he noticed the bag was moving, so he got … Continue reading Abandoned Puppy Found by Rumpke Driver
9 Cute Mugs Under $10
Peanut Butter and Jelly Valentine’s Day Cookies
We make these cookies every year for Valentine’s Day, but my 7 year old daughter told me it was absolutely imperative we make them earlier this year, so here we are. They might look familiar to some of you because I have shared this recipe here in the past, but making tweaks and reposting recipes here is sort of my thing. Plus, they are so good, they’re worth a reshare every couple of years.
Peanut Butter (or Sunbutter) and Jelly Valentine’s Day Cookies
Makes about 24 cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 cup peanut butter or SunButter (for allergy-free recipe!)
1-1/4 cups all-purpose (or gluten free) flour
1-1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter (softened)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extra
1/2 cup jelly, jam, or preserves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, use a mixer to beat together the peanut butter or SunButter, butter, and egg. Beat in the sugars and vanilla until thoroughly combined, then beat in the flour mixture on low until well mixed. Roll tablespoon size balls on dough and place on cookie sheets about 2 inches apart, the slightly press each cookie into a round shape. (Tip: dip the bottom of a metal measuring cup in sugar and then press onto each cookie ball).) Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately use the bottom of a wooden spoon handle to make heart shapes in the center of each cookie while still hot. Fill each indentation with jelly, and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Happy (way early) Valentine’s Day! I hope you like these as much as we do.
ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST
Almond Butter and Maple Oatmeal
Disclaimer: this isn’t a recipe so much as an epically delicious way to eat a bowl of oatmeal. But it really is too good not to share, especially when it’s the middle of winter and mornings are so cold and dark. This is such a comforting, healthy breakfast, and easy to prepare too.
Almond Butter Maple Oatmeal
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
1 cup quick Irish oatmeal
2 tablespoons real maple syrup
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 banana, sliced
Prepare oatmeal according to instructions on packaging. (We use quick Irish oatmeal.) Once oatmeal is cooked, pour into bowls. Drizzle each bowl with almond butter and maple syrup. Top with banana and strawberry slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I also love to top with raw almonds for a fantastic crunch.
This is such a satisfying breakfast that keeps me full and energized all morning. Enjoy!
ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST
Wholesome Snack Ideas for Every Time of Day
Cranberry Cucumber Vodka Spritzers
This week felt 8746 days long, and I for one am looking forward to some major relaxation this weekend. (I mean, as much as one can relax with a 5 and 7 year old running madly through the house. I love them so much, I swear, but man are those little babes loud.) I plan on kicking my feet up (even if just for a few minutes) and enjoying one of my favorite wintertime cocktails: a cranberry cucumber vodka spritzer. Recipe is below!
Cranberry Cucumber Vodka Spritzer
Servings: 1
1.5 fluid ounces cucumber vodka (I love Prairie Organic brand)
4 fluid ounces organic cranberry juice, chilled
1 ounce simple syrup (equal parts parts sugar and water; instructions below)
Splash of soda/sparkling water, chilled
Ice
Organic cucumber slice (for garnish)
Organic orange slice (for garnish)
Fresh organic mint sprig (for garnish)
Organic cranberries (for garnish)
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a medium sauce pan. (I recommend one cup of each so you have more on hand than enough for just one spritzer). Bring to a boil, stirring consistently until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool.
Combine cucumber vodka, organic cranberry juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Fill a glass half way with ice cubes, and pour cocktail over ice. Top with a splash or two of soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice, an orange slice, a sprig of fresh mint, and few fresh cranberries.
Cheers to a (hopefully) relaxing weekend!
ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST
AKC National Championship to Air on ABC January 17th
The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin® will air on its new network, ABC, as a three-hour special this Sunday January 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The show features thousands of dogs from around the country and the world competing for the coveted title of National Champion. Hosting the 20th Anniversary … Continue reading AKC National Championship to Air on ABC January 17th
A Look Back at 2020 + Plans for 2021
It was the strangest year of my life, and likely most of your lives too. The hardest part of it for me was my stepmom passing away from cancer in July, and how difficult her final days were due to visitor restrictions because of Covid. The rest of it, while very challenging, was not what I consider to be a true struggle. My husband, who has worked in the live music industry his entire career, was furloughed in late March, which has obviously been quite challenging. Our trip to Iceland was canceled, as was our trip to Florida in July and the rest of our travel plans. My kids missed out on activities and school. And the year went out with a bang on Christmas, which was not only the first Christmas in my life I haven’t spent with my sister, but also the night my dad fell down his stairs and was to have emergency surgery on a broken femur. (He spent a week in the hospital and is now in a rehab facility.)
In January, I shared 6 easy ways to refresh school lunches in the New Year.
In February, I shared an updated version on my favorite vegetarian tortellini soup recipe.
I shared my 16 favorites items from Trader Joe’s in March.
Quarantine meant lots of organizing in my kitchen, and in April I shared tips for organizing both your pantry and fridge.
In honor of Earth Day, I shared 10 ways to be eco-conscious in your own home.
I shared my favorite veggie club sandwich recipe in May.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST
GreaterGood.org & Halo Announce A New Dog Resource, FidoFoster.org
GreaterGood.org & Halo Announce A New Dog Resource, FidoFoster.org, & Launch the “Walk and Wag” Photo Contest with Celebrity Judge Olivia Munn to Salute Dog Heroes Halo Pet Food for a Year, 15,000 Halo Meals and $ 10,000 in Grants Courtesy of MyPetCandle to Donate to Animal Shelters, Training with Animal Planet’s Pet Expert Andrea Arden, Wag!
The post GreaterGood.org & Halo Announce A New Dog Resource, FidoFoster.org appeared first on Halo Pets Blog.
How to Calm a Dog During Fireworks
Firework displays may be fun for human participants but the loud noises and flashing lights of holiday fireworks spell absolute terror for many dogs–so much so that many dogs go missing after…
[[ This is a summary only. Click the title for the full post, photos, videos, giveaways, and more! ]]