I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for simple recipes to add to our meal rotation. Generally speaking I only cook one meal for everyone, so I'm constantly in search of family friendly and fairly healthy meals we can all enjoy.  The easier the better in this crazy house of five (especially during hockey season), so the crock pot is my friend.  I thought I'd round up some of the crock pot meals that have been a hit in our house these days, and I'm not so secretly hoping you'll leave me your favorite go-to meals in the comments! 

Alright, these are some of our favorites now dish on yours!  I can't wait to give them all a try.  Hopefully we can help each other build our repertoire and add to our meal rotations. Thanks as always for stopping by. 

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of sea salt
1 egg
1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 1/4 cup almond meal
1 cup gluten free oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
3 Tbsp. gluten free brewer’s yeast 
3 Tbsp. flax seed, ground 
1/3 cup or so dark chocolate chips 

Directions:
Combine almond meal, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside.  In a large bowl, cream together butter and honey. Next incorporate egg, vanilla, brewer’s yeast, and flax until smooth.  Gradually beat in flour mixture and then fold in nuts and chocolate chips and oats.
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Place tablespoon sized balls of dough onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Press down each ball lightly with a fork.  Bake 12 minutes at 350F.  Let the cookies cool and enjoy! 

Let me know what you think!  Thanks as always for stopping by!

Ever since my first son was born we've made a tradition of hosting Christmas breakfast for our families.  Because the morning is so busy and exciting, I like to serve a number of dishes that I can prepare ahead of time, like an egg casserole, fruit salad, and a sour cream coffee cake.  Planning ahead definitely makes for a less stressful morning and ensures a table full of delicious food.  

My sour cream coffee cake is a recipe that my grandmother taught me.  It's one of those special recipes that instantly reminds me of the holiday season; it's also incredibly delicious and pretty much fool proof.  Easy to make is a must these days.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

for cake-
1 stick butter (room temperature)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup Oakhurst Sour Cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

for topping-
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon 
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter tube pan (preferably with removable bottom. Mix all the topping ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.  Beat eggs, butter and sugar together very well (for about 5 minutes). Mix dry ingredients together.  Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream into the batter. Add vanilla.  Pour half of the batter into the tube pan and spread until even.  Sprinkle half of your topping mixture over that and cover with remaining batter.  Then sprinkle the remaining topping mixture on top.  Bake for about 45 minutes and let it cool in the pan on a rack for about 30 minutes.  Enjoy! 

What are your favorite things to make or eat over the holidays?

Have a happy holiday season and enjoy all the extra special and yummy food!  Thanks as always for stopping by!