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Summertime Rainbow Garden Veggie Pizza

July 27, 2020 by Rachel 25 Comments

This was our first year trying to grow our own vegetables in our backyard garden. We have quite a bit of space, but decided to start small with just two raised garden beds. I went a bit crazy with seeds, thinking very few would take. But I was really wrong and now we have an abundance of veggies! What’s a mom to do with all the veggies?! Make the perfect Summertime Rainbow Garden Veggie Pizza, of course!

rainbow veggie pizza

This is one of those recipes that the kids can be really involved in. In fact, my kids have been super involved in the whole gardening process! They helped me plant the seeds and starters and they help me water every day. You should have seen the reactions they all gave to our first teeny veggie!

I figured that this would be our summer “lesson” in unschooling. And thus far, it has worked! My oldest (almost 8), has had so many questions about how and why plants grow. I do my best to communicate the science behind it, but truthfully, YouTube has been much better at it!

rainbow garden veggie pizza

Rainbow Garden Veggie Pizza

This pizza is as easy as it gets. Instead of traditional pizza dough, I opted for something easier — and perhaps even tastier — pita bread! Another great alternatives to traditional pizza crust would be naan.

As far as veggies are concerned, we used most of the items we could find in our garden. Yellow and red bell peppers, cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, and tomatoes! As far as veggies are concerned, the possibilities are endless!

rainbow garden veggie pizza

The pita bread (or naan) is just the perfect size for kids. They can put on whichever veggies they want, and leave off what they don’t! My middle daughter, for one, wanted her rainbow veggie pizza to consist of nothing but cucumbers and broccoli! No arguments from me, that’s for sure.

RAINBOW GARDEN VEGGIE PIZZA

Getting the kids involved in the process just increases the odds of them actually eating it. So my advice to you would be this: clean and cut the veggies and place them in separate containers. Ahead of time, mix the cream cheese mixture together. Set out the pita or naan on individual plates. And let them go for it! The worst thing that could happen is that they eat even more veggies!

Rainbow Veggie Pizza

Rainbow Veggie Pizza

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1/2 cup cauliflower
  • 1/2 cup broccoli
  • 1/4 cup sliced rainbow carrots
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1/2 cup of red / yellow bell peppers (cut into chunks)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 4 pieces of pita bread (or naan)

Instructions

    1. Wash and cut vegetables
    2. Using a 9x13 pan, add pita bread to cover the bottom of the pan.
    3. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and
      salt and pepper together well.
    4. Spread mixture onto pita bread
    5. Evenly spread vegetables and cheese atop pita
    6. Enjoy!
© Rachel

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Filed Under: children, cooking, easy recipes, parenthood, recipe, recipes, summer, Summer Bucket List Tagged With: children, cooking, easy recipes, parenthood, recipes, summer, Summer Bucket List

How to Host a Social Distancing End of Summer Cookout

July 26, 2020 by Rachel 32 Comments

Summer will be over before you know it, and what used to be a fun season of cookouts and fun summer hangouts has turned to waving to your neighbor from across the lawn. If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate the end of summer, you can still have a fun end of summer cookout, safely. Here are some tips to help host a social distancing end of summer cookout.

girl with american flag

Keep things clean and sanitized

If you are going to have a cookout where you will be sharing items and touching surfaces, you want to make sure that you are keeping things clean! The main reason for social distancing is to reduce the number of germs being passed around, so ensure that you are keeping your areas clean and sanitized often. Have sanitizing wipes readily accessible, and don’t forget to wash your hands often.

purple and blue wine

Seat in sections and grab food in rotations

If you are serving food, make sure that you spread out seating and implement food rotation areas. This should help prevent contact between others and still allow you to talk to one another without shouting! Try to avoid sitting too close to each other and take advantage of your full yard or block if you live on a less busy street. It may not be the best option for every situation, but you can still have a decent celebration this way!

man cooking on grill

Bring your own food and supplies

If you want to avoid cross-contamination, bring your own supplies. This includes food, drinks, and whatever else you will need. While it’s not as fun to have everyone bring their own supplies, this can keep people from getting sick from contacting another person’s stuff. Having everyone bring their own things could end up being the best option if you’re feeding a lot of people. Just make sure that you still keep your distance from each other, even if everyone brings their food and supplies.

flowers with pie

Get single-serve materials for serving, drinking, and more!

Single-serve options are not usually an excellent idea for the environment. In this case, they could be lifesaving! Encourage people to use canned sodas instead of a 2 liter and avoid contact hot spots. Encourage the use of disposable products and single-serve items that don’t require you to wash afterward.

Move to the front yard

Normally cookouts take place in the backyard huddled by the grill, but instead, bring your cookout to the front yard! Have all your neighbors sit in their yards and enjoy cookouts together! Each person can make their own dish, and you can still be near each other even if you can’t sit right next to them. You can also play fun games that don’t require you to be near each other or play contact games. 

While nothing can replace the fun of standing next to your neighbors and friends to celebrate the end of summer, hopefully, this will help ease the pain of not being able to hug your loved ones from afar!

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Filed Under: health, live happy, summer, tips + tricks Tagged With: health, summer, Summer Bucket List, tips + tricks

Perfect Peach Recipes for Peach Season

July 24, 2020 by Rachel 21 Comments

As a foodie, fewer things are more exciting than peach season. My husband has always had a knack for picking out the ripest and most beautiful peaches from our farmers market. Of course, this year the markets are looking a tad bit different. So I decided to finally try ordering from The Peach Truck, which has left me with plenty of peach recipes for peach season!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season

What you need to know.

You can’t walk up and order from The Peach Truck. They take orders online for several months prior to the dates in your area. Packages start at 25-pound bundles to peaches, pecans, and cookbooks.

Before you pick up your peaches from TPT (The Peach Truck), you’ll receive a barcode. You arrive during your allotted pickup time, stand in the line, and scan the code when it’s your turn. The line is honestly a bit daunting, but they are super efficient. I was in and out of line within 3 minutes!

I have my peaches, now what?

Your peaches will be fresh. Like, picked within the last 48-hours kind of fresh! So they won’t be quite ripe enough to eat yet. You’ll want to spread the peaches out on your kitchen counter (if it’s large enough!) or the kitchen table to ripen.

Ripening the peaches will take only a couple of days. You’re going to want to have a plan on how much you can eat and/or bake in a relatively short period of time.

Separate and set aside.

So twenty-five pounds of peaches is a lot. Like, a whole lot! Since you’ve taken the time to get a plan of action in place for your peaches, you can now separate them into what you will use now, and what you will store for later. Instructions for freezing your peaches can be found on TPT’s website.

For those peaches you don’t freeze, I have several peach recipes to help you out!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season.

Sure, you can just eat peaches. But what about grilling them? Or baking them? Or making a delicious adult beverage with them?! We tried the grilling method. Oh my stars, were they delicious! But after some time on the charcoal grill, they were not at all pretty.

Peach Mojito

peach recipes peach mojito

We also tried making them into delicious and perfect peach mojitos. Y’all! If you love mojitos (and who doesn’t), you will absolutely die for these. They are perfect for a backyard cookout or, heck!, pre-make them for a camping trip!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season
Yield: 1 drink

Peach Mojito

peach recipes peach mojito
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 slices of fresh peach
  • 2 slices lime  
  • 1 sprig of mint
  • ice
  • 2 ounces of rum
  • 1/2 ounce of simple syrup
  • 3 ounces of soda water

Instructions

    1. In a glass of choice muddle the mint and lime then add slices of peach.
    2. Add ice.
    3. Then add rum, simple syrup, and top it off with soda water. 
    4. Stir and enjoy.
© Rachel

With just the perfect amount of mint and peaches, this drink is incredibly refreshing!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season

Peach Angel Food Cupcakes

Summertime is not the time for ‘heavy’ desserts, am I right? It turns out that peaches and angel food cake, which is light and airy, are the perfect combination! For these peach angel food cupcakes, I used boxed angel food cake mix, because it was the quickest! But they’re delicious!

Peach Recipes for Peach Season

If you’re looking to step these up a bit, top them with frozen cool whip and fresh peaches!

Peach Angel Food Cupcakes

Peach Angel Food Cupcakes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 can of halved peaches (or one pound of fresh peaches)
  • 1 box of angel food cake mix
  • 1 teaspoon of almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut peaches into small chunks.
  3. Follow box instructions for angel food cake. Then fold in peaches and almond extract.
  4. Pour into muffin tin.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes (until golden).
  6. Let cool. Enjoy!

Notes

Add fresh whipped cream to make it extra delicious!

© Rachel

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Filed Under: easy recipes, recipe, recipes, summer Tagged With: alcoholic beverages, drinks, easy recipes, recipes

Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad

July 19, 2020 by Rachel 19 Comments

Listen, y’all. I’ll admit Summer is not my favorite season. Not by any stretch. It’s hot and I just don’t like the overwhelming humidity. But ya know what I do like? Easy Summertime meals like this yummy + easy Summertime Frito Salad.

What makes this salad special?

First off, it’s easy. Second, it’s a total guilty pleasure. Third, even my kids will eat it! So I suppose technically it’s only a salad in terms of ‘a bunch of items mixed together.’ You know, in the same way that tuna salad is a ‘salad’.

Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad

Honest to goodness, I personally love any salad that is not based in lettuce. It’s true! I just don’t love lettuce! Fruit salad? Yes. Pasta salad? Yep. Ham salad? Sure do love it! Rockne’s Firestone Salad (an Akron classic, if you ask me)? THE absolute best.

But I DO love a good delicious and simple Summertime salad! And, like I have said, this one meets all of the criteria for amazing. It’s fresh, tasty, and you won’t be able to stop yourself from going back for seconds!

Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad

Warning: It’s addictive, but not at all healthy!

If you are looking for something to bring to your potluck or end of Summer celebration, look no further than here. But if you are looking for something healthy, please don’t look at this! haha! I mean, seriously, this is NOT one of “those” meals! But it is delicious and it does switch up the normal potluck and mealtime routine.

Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad

This yummy + easy Summertime Frito salad will satisfy every craving!

Frito Salad

Frito Salad

Ingredients

  • Fritos 9oz package
  • 2/3 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 Green pepper, diced
  • 1 can of corn, drained (substitute fresh corn for a different take!)
  • Cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tbs chili powder 
  • 1 tbs onion powder 
  • 1 tsp ground cumin 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder 
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper 

Instructions

    1. Dice the green pepper and combine in a large bowl with the drained corn.
    2. Combine the seasonings and the sour cream until well mixed.
    3. Add sour cream mixture to the green peppers and corn.
       
    4. Just before serving, add in the Fritos and fold to combine. Top with chopped cilantro for an extra special touch!
      Yummy + Easy Summertime Frito Salad
    5. ENJOY!

Notes

For an extra kick, mix in:

  • Chopped green or black olives
  • Minced jalapeno
  • Sriracha
  • Diced red onion
  • Diced tomato

© Rachel

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Filed Under: brews + food, easy recipes, recipes, summer Tagged With: brews + food, easy recipes, recipes, summer

Summer Lovin’ // our summer in photos

July 12, 2019 by Rachel 16 Comments

Oh, HI! I didn’t mean to take a 10-ish day break from writing, but I have THE BEST excuse…

… we’ve been doing ALL THINGS SUMMER!

Oh — and we got a puppy. Because obviously, I make the best decisions. Ha! Her name is Lady and she’s a 12-week old terrier mix we adopted from a local shelter. The kids adore her and I am desperately trying to break her of her nipping habit.

But in addition to the puppy, we’ve been keeping busy with all things fun. From going to the library, to hitting up the splash pad, and everything in between.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not trying to keep my kids “busy” all Summer long. We have LOTS of downtime, too. We have quiet time at least once a day (whether it be in the form of naps or iPad or books).

But those spaces in between? That’s where the memories are made. They might not remember the details, but they’ll remember the fun. They’ll remember the fun of their first trip to Waterworks; they’ll remember the milkshakes and the popcorn; they’ll remember they caught goldfish (and named them Goldie + Jonathan).

And I’ll remember their smiles and contagious laughter. And it will be enough to get us through until the next Summer. ♥ ♥

What are you doing

 

to make the most

 

of your Summer?

Filed Under: #MomLife, Akron, busy mom, children, cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, explore locally, Explore Ohio, family, live happy, mommyhood, NEO, Ohio, parenthood, pictures, summer, Summer Bucket List Tagged With: #MomLife, akron, being a mom, busy mom, children, cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, explore locally, explore Ohio, Live Happy, mommyhood, motherhood, NEO, ohio, parenthood, pictures, summer, Summer Bucket List

Family & Budget Friendly Ways to Have Fun this Summer!

April 30, 2018 by Rachel 14 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiantEagleSlashedPrices #CollectiveBias

It’s no secret that our lives will be turned upside this Summer. Between welcoming baby number 3 in June, and prepping Ari for kindergarten this Fall, I’m trying to keep our lives as sane as possible. Oh, and did I mention that I’ll be taking unpaid leave from my job, too? Yeah, so sanity-, and budget-friendly activities are a must for this family of (almost) five!

Here’s how we plan to stay on budget and STILL make the most of our Summer!

1. Find community sponsored events for kids.

I did a simple google search of events going on in our area this Summer and the results were amazing. Not only does the city of Cuyahoga Falls offer Tot Time in the Park every day of the week (hellooooo, free arts, crafts, and playtime!); but there’s also a free Touch a Truck event in July that my kids will simply EAT UP.

We’ll also be taking full advantage of the Regal Cinemas Dollar Movies all Summer long (more here). Because the best way to try and see if a kid is ready to sit through a movie is to only spend a single dollar on that movie! 😛

2. Research free admission days.

Our local art museum, the Akron Art Museum, does free admission on every single Thursday — which is an awesome way to introduce children to art! There are always some hands-on exhibits, which the kids obviously love; but I’m forever amazed at how much they actually like to walk through the galleries!

Other museums, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, are always free of admission! How cool is that!? I love knowing that any day of the week I can just load the kids up and head to see world renowned art — at zero cost!

Additionally, the Akron Zoo offers several free admission days throughout the Summer. The first of which is on June 17th! In honor of Father’s Day, all dads and grandpas will receive free admission!

Many of the big-box hardware and craft stores also do free build and crafting events on the weekends, so be sure to check those out (and sign up!), too! We’re already on the schedule for a build workshop and a LEGO workshop in the month of May!

3. Keeping our groceries on-budget with Giant Eagle’s slashed prices.

We have been keeping our family grocery budget in check with the competitive NON-sale, slashed pricing, at Giant Eagle! For us, this means we can still get all of the good stuff — the fruits, the veggies, and the meat — without breaking the bank. Even frozen goods and dairy have seen slashed pricing!

Giant Eagle stores across Akron, Canton, and the Cleveland area have slashed prices on over 5,000 items. Considering how frequently we grocery shop at Giant Eagle (I’m notorious for poorly meal-planning so we shop about 2-3 times a week), I’m happy to know that these items are not on sale and are permanent price reductions.

I’m able to fill up my cart without breaking the bank — and get more of the cereal and snacks my children always beg for! Also, the convenience of having frozen and dairy items along with cuts to produce means that I can spend less time cutting coupons for items and spend even more time with my family this Summer!*

4. Expect the unexpected. 

I had visions of how life would be as a mom. I thought “Oh, for sure if I plan this extravagant party my son will adore me forever.” Friends I’m here to tell you that this is not the case. Often times it seems that the more time and energy that goes into something, the more lackluster the response I will get from my children (insert eyeroll).

So instead of thinking of ‘amazing,’ pinterest-worthy ways I will keep my children occupied this Summer, I’m going the realistic route.

I’m keeping a heaping amount of chalk and bubbles in our shed. That’s right. When in doubt, chalk and bubbles come out. Why are these two simple items both the bane of my existence and the highlight of my childrens lives? One may never know. But I keep them in excess for when I’m mommy’d out. And they don’t even seem to notice that it’s me taking the easy way out because, guess what!?, they are enjoying every second of it.

So do yourself a favor this Summer — keep it simple. Keep the planning simple; Keep the playing simple; and keep your grocery budget simple with slashed prices at Giant Eagle.

 

What’s your favorite budget-friendly activity for Summer??
And how are you taking advantage of price cuts at Giant Eagle?!

*Price cuts available at select locations. Check with your local Giant Eagle for more details!

Filed Under: #MomLife, Akron, busy mom, children, cleveland, cooking, family, food, maternity leave, mommyhood, money, money saving tips, NEO, Ohio, parenthood, review, summer, tips + tricks Tagged With: #MomLife, akron, being a mom, busy mom, children, cleveland, cooking, family, food, maternity leave, mommyhood, money saving tips, motherhood, NEO, ohio, parenthood, review, sponsor, tips + tricks

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