Butternut Squash Spice Smoothie

All things FALL, By Jacquie, Recipe Box

I’ve never been one to hop on the latest trend just because everyone else is doing it and pumpkin spice is no exception. I mean, I like the flavor — but really, how much pumpkin is actually in those lattes…?

Always wanting to be a bit different, I’ve discovered my own “pumpkin spice” drink, and I would dare say it’s more delicious, more flavorful and definitely a whole lot healthier. And it takes no more time than hopping through the drive-thru (okay, maybe a little longer if you need to bake your squash first, but it’s definitely worth it!!).

So next time you’ve got the pumpkin spice itch, try this easy butternut squash smoothie instead!

First Step — Prepare Your Squash

Squash was not a thing at our house growing up, so learning to cook this strange gourd seemed daunting at first. But even if you can’t make cookies, you can bake a squash, it’s so easy!

Preheat your oven to 350F.
Wash your squash and cut them in half and cut off the ends. I like to slice them down the middle horizontally first, then it’s easier to cut lengthwise.
Remove the seeds.

4. Place cut side down in a glass baking dish and add a cup of water so it doesn’t burn.

OR you can use a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Bake for 30-60 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork (it really depends on your oven and how thick the squash are).

7. Peel and chop into cubes.

Tip: If you prepare a lot of squash at once, you can enjoy these smoothies year round with minimal effort!

Every year in the fall, I like to get a trunk load of butternut squash (about 30) from a local farmer and spend a whole weekend baking and freezing them in jars. So all I have to do is pull one out of the freezer the night before and I’m good to go for a whole year! :)

Just make sure to leave a lot of room at the top so the jars don’t crack!

Butternut Squash Spice Smoothie

Ingredients & Directions:

3/4 cup butternut squash
1 banana
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
pinch cloves
1 cup milk (dairy or dairy-free alternative)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Serves 2, but once you try it you might want it all for yourself ;)

So tasty, even the wasps want a drink! ;)

If you want to be adventurous…

Skip the smoothie and make some pudding!

Put the same ingredients in your food processor, except substitute the milk for half a small avocado (or 1/4 of a large), and add an extra dollop of honey or maple syrup.

Mmm, mmm, so good!

If you try either of these, let me know how you like it! What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever made with butternut squash?

Jacquie is a jack of many trades who has a keen interest in nutrition, fitness and simple living. She is also a professional pianist, works as a Virtual Assistant. She enjoys reading real books (not on a screen), cartwheeling around the world and keeping snail mail alive by sending random letters to friends :)

Here are some other delicious fall recipes you might like:

The Best Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake Recipe! Mixes up in 5 min!
Pinterest Recipe Win: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Quick & Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake
Warm Chai Tea Cider Recipe, the perfect fall drink!

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7 Quick & Easy Snacks for Kids: Perfect treats for play dates, parks & potlucks!

Dawn's House, Recipe Box

It’s always fun to find new snack ideas for kids! Our kids have been counting down the days until their outdoor play date. They can’t wait to have other kids over and we love making special treats and snacks when we have visitors.

We love quick and easy snacks for kids that look fun and special. (And keyword: EASY for mom ;) Most of these snack ideas also travel well, so they work great for picnics, parks and pot lucks, too!

7 Quick Snack Ideas & Treats for Kids

We also made a printable with these easy treats for kids so that they’re always handy! You can click HERE to download it.

I’d be curious to know which of these you’ve made before and which ones are new? We’ve made the almond bark popcorn since we were kids, but just found the donut hole skewers– so cute!

Here they are! 7 super easy snacks for your kids:

Veggie Dip Cups

These veggie dip cups are SO easy to put together and really easy for kids to grab. I love that you don’t have to worry about a bunch of little fingers in the veggie tray. And with these, double-dipping is totally encouraged!! ;)

INGREDIENTS:

Cut veggies
Ranch dressing or dip
Plastic punch cups

DIRECTIONS:

Pour ranch into the bottom of cups
Add veggies

Whenever we bring these to a picnic or potluck everyone says how handy they are. For kids and adults alike, these veggie dip cups are a winner.

Donut Hole Skewers

It’s pretty much just a given now that we make these donut hole & fruit skewers every time the kids have friends over. They are incredibly easy to make (in fact the kids prefer to assemble them by themselves) and loved by all.

INGREDIENTS:

Donut Holes (sprinkled ones are extra special!)
Strawberries
Grapes
Grilling Skewers

DIRECTIONS:

Create a pattern and place ingredients on skewers
Enjoy!!

I love it when the simplest ideas are the best! And while we usually make them when kids are coming over to play, we’ve found that adults find them fun, too!

Sweet & Salty Almond Bark Popcorn

Seriously, talk about easy!! Just two ingredients and 3 minutes to a snack you can mix up ANY time! We make this weekly for just ourselves and then add sprinkles when we’re hosting ;)

INGREDIENTS:

one block white almond bark (chocolate works, too!)
one bag microwave popcorn

DIRECTIONS:

Microwave popcorn
Microwave almond bark in a glass bowl for one minute at regular power
Dump popcorn into a large bowl
Drizzle almond bark over popcorn and gently mix

…and that’s it! Tip: Wait to put the popcorn into the bowl until the almond bark is done melting. This keeps the popcorn warm so it blends even easier with the almond bark.

I also like to divide this into plastic punch cups for kids so that its easy to grab!

3 Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

I especially like finding treats for the kids that are healthy-ish. Whether you make this up for an after school snack or playdate, I’m guessing they’ll quickly become a favorite at your house.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
2 1/2 cups oats

DIRECTIONS:

In a saucepan, heat peanut butter and maple syrup on low until just starting to bubble
Turn off heat & stir in oats, mix until combined
Press into a greased 8″x8″ pan
Let cool, cut and serve

You can also put these into the freezer to cool faster! Tip: We like Old Fashioned Oats. They create a nice texture and store longer than quick oats. But if you’re planning to eat them right away (in the next day or two), quick oats will definitely work, too!

DIY Dirt Cups for Kids

What kid doesn’t love dirt cups for a snack or treat? These make a really fun play date snack because the kids can make their own!

INGREDIENTS:

Chocolate pudding cups
6-8 crushed Oreos (we used Walmart chocolate sandwich cookies!)
Gummy worms

DIRECTIONS:

Crush Oreos and set out in a bowl
Remove lids of pudding and let kids add their own toppings!

Note: these are a little messy! It might be best to have your guests eat them outside. But if you’re taking them to a park or pot luck, you should be just fine!!

The EASIEST Fruit Dip EVER

This two-ingredient cream cheese and marshmallow creme fruit dip is SO easy and tastes SO good!

INGREDIENTS:

1 – 8oz. package plain cream cheese
1 – 7oz. container marshmallow creme

DIRECTIONS:

Let cream cheese sit out for a couple of hours to soften
Mix two-ingredient by hand or with mixer until well combined
Serve with fruit and/or pretzels

FUN ADDITIONS:

Add crushed Oreos
Add 1/2c. to 1 c. creamy peanut butter
Substitute strawberry cream cheese for plain cream cheese

This fruit dip is so easy, but everyone loves it. It is easy to keep all of the ingredients on hand so you can throw it together at a moment’s notice. We like to dip apple slices, musk melon, honeydew ,and pretzels in it.

Lazy Chocolate Chip Cooke Bars

If you’ve spent any amount of time with us, you’ve seen these lazy chocolate chip cookie bars. Just 4 ingredients, no measuring and you only dirty one bowl…it seriously doesn’t get any easier!!

INGREDIENTS:

One yellow cake mix
One bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
One stick butter

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl until melted
Whisk in eggs
Mix in yellow cake mix
Mix in the bag of chocolate chips
Press into greased 9×11 pan
Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, these chocolate chip cookie bars are so EASY. They’re a fun snack or treat for any get-together. And every time we bring them, we get asked for the recipe– they are a crowd pleaser!

Plus, they travel well. From play dates at a park to a family pot luck, so easy to make and take!!

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Copy Cat Nothing Bundt Cakes Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe

You literally just dump the ingredients into the mixer, pour into your bundt pan, and remove the most beautiful, moist, flavorful cake you have ever tasted! Guaranteed to make you look like a baking show host! (Seriously!!!)

Dairy-Free Raspberry Ice Cream (EASY!!)

Summer would not be complete without sweet frozen treats! And when they’re a little healthy, it’s even better. You’ll quickly perfect this dairy-free ice cream and love making it again and again!

Thanks for stopping by!

I’d love to know what you think! Have you tried anything like this before? We hope you love them as much as we do!

I’ve also recently shared our Minimalist Kitchen and How to Declutter Your Kitchen QUICKLY— it definitely makes it a more enjoyable place to be!

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ABC Salad (Apple Beet Carrot) – Quick & Easy POTLUCK Dish!

By Jacquie, Recipe Box

If you’re anything like me, the mention of potlucks or any event where you’re expected to bring food can strike terror in your heart. It’s not that I don’t like to cook, but it’s always the question what do I make??

It’s important to me to prepare healthy food whenever possible but with all the zillions of things careening though my brain at any given moment, actually deciding what to make is just not something I have the space for these days.

So I keep it simple: I have a handful of recipes that I know really well and people seem to like, and just bring the same thing every time. It might be boring, but already knowing what I’m going to bring makes life just a little easier! (Egg & potato salad and coleslaw can get boring too yet they still seems to show up everywhere!)

This salad has become one of my favorites because:

It’s quick to throw together at the last minute with things I usually have on hand.
It’s easy to remember so I don’t have to pull out the recipe each time.
It’s just something different from the usual things you see at potlucks.
It’s gluten-free and dairy-free (and as some people say who like to mock my health-conscious eating ways: ingredient-free) which all of my fellow sensitive-to-everything people out there will really appreciate!! (The only thing to watch out for is the walnuts, if you’re serving anyone with a nut allergy.)
It’s so colorful, it just makes me happy, and more color means more nutrients!! :)

And another bonus – beets are especially good for your liver and something we just don’t eat enough of.

Ingredients & Directions

Combine the first three ingredients in a bowl:
2 Apples, chopped
3 Beets, grated
4 Carrots, grated

If you have any of these things on hand, add them to the bowl too:
3-4 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup raisins

Dressing
Whisk together in a small bowl or put in a small jar with a lid and shake:
3 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar (or if you don’t have any, try lemon juice… I haven’t actually tried it myself, but I bet it would be good!… if not let me know ;)
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. sea salt

*Note: depending on the size of your veggies, and use of optional ingredients, you may need a bit more or less of the dressing, depending on how you like it!

This salad keeps well in the fridge for several days and goes well with chicken and grilled veggies and is sure to get some rave reviews. I’d love to know how it turns out for you!

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Dairy-Free Raspberry Ice Cream (EASY!!)

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You literally just dump the ingredients into the mixer, pour into your bundt pan, and remove the most beautiful, moist, flavorful cake you’ve ever tasted! Guaranteed to make you look like a baking show host! (Seriously!!!)

Bon appetit!

Save this to Pinterest!

EASY Dairy-Free Raspberry Ice Cream – only 4 ingredients!

By Jacquie, Healthy Bodies, Recipe Box

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dairy-free alternative to ice cream this summer, this is it! Try it with raspberries or substitute with your favorite berry.

When I learned over 20 years ago that I needed to ditch the dairy for my health, ice cream was definitely the hardest thing to give up (and cheese!).

Back in the 90s there weren’t many alternatives in the stores, so over the years I have learned to get creative to make my own and now I would never go back. Homemade frozen desserts are sooo much tastier! Try this one out and let me know what you think!

Directions & Ingredients

In a food processor or blender combine:

2 large frozen bananas (or 3 small)
2 cups frozen raspberries
2 Tbsp. real maple syrup or honey
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Blend until smooth and serve!

I love to make a big batch at once and divide it into small mason jars to freeze for later.

Just make sure you leave about an inch at the top so the jars don’t break and take them out of the freezer about 10-15 minutes before you plan to eat.

You can try this recipe with any of your other favorite berries as well!

Enjoy!

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Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (4 Ingredient Recipe- SO easy, SO good!)

By Dawn, Recipe Box

SUPER Easy chocolate chip cookie bars. This super quick dessert recipe has only four ingredients (one being a boxed cake mix)…no need to measure anything- just dump and mix…and tastes great…what more do I need to say? :)

But don’t let this fool you, it is no ordinary pan of bars! These may be simple, but kids and adults alike will love them and ask for more!

I wish I knew who to credit for this quick and EASY recipe…it turns out great every time and you can always have the ingredients on hand. Speaking of which…

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
2 eggs
1 yellow cake mix
1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Melt butter in bowl
2. Whisk together with eggs
3. Stir in cake mix
4. Mix in chocolate chips
5. Press into greased pan
6. Bake at 350– 9×13 for 20 min, smaller pans 25-28 min.

…and that’s it! And they turn out perfectly…every time! And your husband and kids will eat them all in one afternoon! ;)

Seriously, I could make this super quick dessert recipe in my sleep! And now the kids have learned how to make it on their own, which is extra convenient!

Watch Adeline & I make these (& Tom try & steal them!)

You can also find this video on YouTube HERE!

Plus, they are good enough to take to pot lucks and other get together’s. They may be simple, but everyone who tries them LOVES them!

We’ve also had fun mixing in some M&M’s and occasionally put sprinkles on top. In other words, its ok to get creative with your chocolate chip cookie bars, too!

Free Printable Recipe Card

Plus, we made a Free Printable recipe card to go with it! Now you can turn these super quick and easy bars into a fun gift, too!! (The gift that keeps on GIVING once they have this awesome recipe I might add! ;)

Just click here to print the free recipe card!

I’d love to know what you think! Have you tried anything like this before? We hope you love them as much as we do!

I’ve also recently shared our Minimalist Kitchen and How to Declutter Your Kitchen QUICKLY— it definitely makes it a more enjoyable place to be!

Here are some things we LOVE in our kitchen:

Most Popular right now:

>> The Laundry System that changed my life
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We appreciate it when you save or share this recipe, too! You can use this image for Pinterest:

Bundt Cake Gift Basket with Free Printable Recipe Card & Gift Tag!

By Dawn, Christmas, Dawn's House, Recipe Box

Looking for a fun and unique Christmas gift? Want to give something that the recipient will rave about? A gift that will keep on giving??

This Bundt Cake Gift Basket will be a huge hit this holiday season! The recipe is a copy cat from Nothing Bundt Cakes Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake– and it’s PHENOMENAL!! Even if you don’t make this gift basket, you should print and bake this recipe!!

Every time I bring this cake anywhere I am asked for the secret and the recipe! And this will be a fun gift they can make it again and again!!!

Bundt Cake Gift Basket

The other best part? This basket comes together quickly and easily with one trip to Walmart! You can see the steps below!

What You’ll Need:

1) The base of this gift basket is, of course, a Bundt Pan. I found this fun one at Walmart for only $8.98. Here is another favorite of mine from Amazon for around $15.

2) Recipe Ingredients: You can put in as many or few ingredients as you like, but I decided to put in the chocolate components and frosting. I included the cake mix, pudding mix, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup and frosting (cream cheese is the best for this cake!). And because it is for a gift, I splurged on the Godiva pudding mix, it was only about $0.50 more and looks so nice in the basket!!

3) Next is to print the free recipe card & gift tag! I created two different versions, so you can select which one you like the best. One says “Best Ever Triple Chocolate Bund Cake” and the other says “Nothing Bundt Cakes Copy Cat Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe.” If you have Nothing Bundt Cake stores in your area, you might want to select this one, it will give your gift basket clout ;)

You can print Recipe Card 1 HERE

You can print Nothing Bundt Cake Copycat Recipe Card HERE

4) The final step is to wrap up your gift basket! I love these gift basket bags from the Dollar Tree. Their filler and bows work great, too! Snuggle everything into the bundt pan, put it in the bag, add a bow and you’re set!!

This makes a great Christmas gift idea for teachers, coaches, music instructors, church friends, neighbors, friends and family! Who wouldn’t love to make this awesome dessert?