chunky monkey muffins {gf}

gluten free baking successess are amazing- especially for someone who doesn't bake gluten free often.

i love getting to the point where i am comfortable enough to explore and develop recipes on a whim. there was a time when a recipe was my life line - i would follow it to a T for fear of turning out an inedible meal or muffin. then gradually, after much practice i became more confident in the kitchen, using recipes only as a guideline, often times venturing off from the written recipe and creating something a little different. then a few years later i began creating original recipes - some wildly successful others major fails. this one my friends was one of the successes - a gluten free success which was even more exciting and pretty tasty too.

for anyone still hesitant to stray away from the original recipe - don't be! jump right in and experiment, that's really the best way to grow in the kitchen. keep trying until it turns out just right and before you know it you will be able to create recipes without even giving it a second thought, it will eventually become second nature to you.

maple cider glazed brussels + delicata {gf}

i have a hard time understanding why so many people have an aversion to brussel sprouts - they are super adorable and easy to prepare.  personally, i like my brussels roasted. i am also a fan of hiding "undesirable" veggies in quinoa patties or rissoles. this recipe is a loosely deconstructed version of my delicata rissole - which is still one of my favorite recipes to date.

 i do know one thing for sure, this recipe will definitely be making an appearance on thanksgiving.

creamy potato carrot leek soup {gf}

 the thing i love most about soup is that the simplest of ingredients can be turned into an amazing, soul hugging, nourishing soup. this soup is extremely easy- combining a few very inexpensive ingredients with minimal time and you will find that you have created a healthy and comforting meal.

who says eating healthy has to be difficult & expensive?

this soup definitely proves it doesn't have to be.

classic vanilla cake

i had the pleasure of babysitting my two nephews a few weekends ago.

it was so much fun! they are brothers and 7 years a part, it is funny to see how they interact - Aiden the youngest, he's 3 emulates everything his big brother Xavier does.

we went on a nice long hike, every rock Xavier climb, every down tree he jumped his little brother was right behind him making his way over and onto the trees and rocks....with a little help from his auntie of course.

so as a treat i decided to bake them a cake - a simple classic vanilla cake frosted blue with lots of fun sprinkles...not only did we enjoy cake but we also made popcorn on the stove and Xavier made his first, completely from scratch pizza - dough and all! i couldn't be more proud.