Emily

Hi, I’m Emily and I love making things with my hands. I always have a project (or ten) in the works and love to draw, paint, cook, sew, cross stitch, and make soap. This year, I’m focusing on using what we already have and wasting less.

Looking to have more fun with food and encourage kids to try new things?

by

Looking to have more fun with food and encourage your kids to try new things? Yeah, me too. That’s why I created the food+fun challenge. Each week, we plan out a week of fun themes and play with our food. Read on for more information about how we do it and for a list of 35+ ideas to jump start your food+fun journey.

A few weeks ago, after the eleven billionth argument with my eldest around (not) eating the dinner in front of her, I decided it was time to try a different approach to food and eating in our house. 

Because clearly the one where we nag her to eat her fecking dinner or remind her that she needs actual nutrients from the food she’s eating in order to grow and have enough energy to do the things she wants to do, isn’t actually working. We’ve gone so far as to bribe both kids with something special when they do eat their actual food. Something i do not recommend. 

All that did for us was create a lot of tension and arguments in the house.

And it sucked.

For everyone.

So I set out to make food (and dinner time specifically) FUN. I wanted to hear laughter at the kitchen table instead of yelling. And I wanted both of my kids to get excited about food and trying new things. 

Read more

Recipe: Homemade Protein Bars

by

Do you know how easy it is to make homemade protein bars? With less than 5 minutes of effort, you can make (and customize) your very own high-protein treat.

I am always on the hunt for good protein bars when I need a quick something to eat while I am running the girls back and forth between literally everything. Unfortunately, I have a hard time finding any I can enjoy because I am sensitive to dairy, coconut, AND stevia. I did manage to find a few brands that work, but can’t always find them in the store. WHOMP, WHOMP. So I figured it was time to try my hand at making them myself. I also happened to have a bunch of protein powder that was just sitting in the pantry and wanted to use it up.

I took inspiration from a few recipes to create one that worked for me. I have to say, I am really pleased with how they turned out and could even see myself making these into protein ball slash truffles for a small bite versus a bigger bar.

Read more

Finding new ways to use the artwork kids make

by

If there’s one thing we have a lot of in this house, it’s art, so finding new ways to use it is always a priority. These dot note cards are a really fun way to put their artwork to use and create some magical (and practical) creations.

/se

If there’s one thing we have a lot of in this house, it’s art. The kids love to paint and make collages, so we are always swimming in paper. The problem is, not everything is fridge or frame worthy so it just sits in a pile collecting dust. In the past, I have cut their creations into 3×3 squares and mounted them on little wooden canvases to create cool abstract art.

This time, I wanted to try something new.

Several (SEVERAL) years ago, I came across an artisan who had sewn bits of paper onto notecards to create some really beautiful and unique stationary. That idea has lived in a very back corner of my mind without much fanfare. I didn’t really have a sewing machine that I could use and just kind of let it go.

That is, until the very end of last year when I came across a really cool account on Instagram that was making junk journals with a … sewing machine. HELLO GORGEOUS. And also hello idea that’s been tucked away all these years.

I finally had a sewing machine I could use and the courage the give it a try.

Read more

Recipe: Chocolate Avocado Pudding

by

Chocamole, otherwise known as chocolate avocado pudding, is the creamiest, dreamiest, richest, most decadent chocolate pudding there is. And it’s 100% dairy-free. I have a confession to make: I hate avocados. As in, you couldn’t pay me to eat them on toast, mashed up into guacamole, or any other way that people who like avocados … Read more

Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

by

These buffalo turkey meatballs are seriously heaven in meatball form. They are easy to make and insanely flavorful. They also happen to be low-carb and gluten free, so bonus points for that! I’m pretty much a sucker for any and all things buffalo sauce. My all-time favorite sandwich is buffalo chicken. My all time favorite … Read more