Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start #SimpleStart

It all starts with a plan. And attainable goals. What might seem like small little changes will eventually start to turn into a large lifestyle change. That’s what Weight Watchers Simple Start has provided for me.

Now I’ve been on Weight Watchers before. Before having my son, and then again after the birth of my son and my daughter. However keeping track of points, logging in, and staying on track proved to get away from me when I started showing signs of success, usually around the 25 pound loss mark.

So with a new year comes a new goal… to not hop off the wagon! To stay OP (on plan) and to try new things. That’s why I love that Weight Watchers has this new Simple Start app that can help me follow the simply filling plan easier for two weeks to reset my eating habits and get me on the right track. Without counting points. [Read more…]

Absolutely Scrumptious Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Come Christmas morning the last thing I want to do is bake. So over the past few years I’ve simply planned ahead and made a casserole to serve for breakfast on Christmas morning. These Christmas breakfast casserole recipes are the perfect solution for a delicious meal on Christmas morning without having to futz in the kitchen for too long.

Plus, just about all of the recipes can easily be tweaked to your liking to create a dish that’s perfect for your family (and any dietary restrictions you may have)! From egg dishes, to bread dishes, to vegetarian and meat lovers, each of these casseroles are delicious in their own way. [Read more…]

Hawaiian Host Milk Chocolate AlohaMac Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Hawaiian Host, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HawaiianHoliday http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

AlohaMac Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

Ever since I had my kids Christmas morning has been a time I dedicate to spending with them. No more driving from one relatives home to another. Instead we give an open invitation to any family members wanting to come over in the morning and then host Christmas dinner.

Since a few family members show up outside of our immediate family I love trying new brunch recipes and ideas. And since my dad and step-mom just got back from Hawaii over Thanksgiving I thought it might be nice to treat them to a little taste of the islands with this Hawaiian Host AlohaMac Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce for Christmastime. [Read more…]

How to Create the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Food Spread

super bowl party food spread

While I might not know much about the NFL teams most likely to make it to the super bowl, I can tell you what super bowl party food I’ll be serving at our house on Super Bowl Sunday.

I find that there are 5 elements to a great Super Bowl: the teams, the commercials, the food, the halftime show, and the actual game. Now most of us like a few aspects while others prefer the whole package.

Me? I’m more interested in the food and the commercials! So I put together some suggestions for creating the ultimate super bowl party food spread.

Super Bowl Party Food chili bar

How to Create the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Food Spread

1. Make-Your-Own Food Bar

One thing that is always super popular at our get togethers are the make-your-own food bars we create. From chili bars (seen above made with Wolf chili), to mashed potatoes, to make your own pizzas, letting your guests choose what toppings and add ins they put on their food is very appealing.

Plus it’s easier to set up and make! Simply choose a base and then add the toppings or add ins on the side in small dishes. This also works very well for desserts too! Make your own ice cream sundaes or floats like we did here at my root beer float party.

Super Bowl Party Food bacon cheeseburgers and hot dogs

2. Classic Football Barbecue

Stick with classics like hamburgers and Hebrew National hot dogs. You can spruce them up by adding some bacon or including them in the chili bar so guests can load their choice up with chili and toppings.

This will take up less time for you because the burgers and dogs can be made ahead and guests can assemble their own.

If you are looking for a more challenging main course for your party, consider going all out with these delicious baby back ribs with homemade barbecue sauce.

super bowl party food spinach artichoke dip3. Appetizers

Ahh… appetizers. My absolute favorite part of any party. Now appetizers can be your main focus, or you can simply add a few easy platters to your spread.

I’ve used a delicious artichoke and spinach dip for my appetizer here. Hot dips are always a huge hit and this one is a crowd pleaser. You can also try this delicious hot white pepperoni dip at your party.

If you’re trying to keep things easy consider picking up a few easy fixes like Alexia waffle fries or H.K. Anderson™ pretzels. And a veggie tray is always a nice addition even though my husband thinks otherwise.

super bowl party food football brownies

4. Desserts

Desserts can be fun for events like these. I made these cute football brownies from a favorite recipe of mine but you can easily get away with a boxed package! And I let the kids help add the football strings to the tops with icing.

Other great ideas for desserts are Snack Pack pudding treats or an ice cream sundae bar. You could also consider making football shaped cereal treat bars out of your favorite chocolate cereal.

super bowl party food shock top belgian white

5. Drinks

The one thing I make sure to have plenty of come game day are beverages. From my favorite varieties of Shock Top (love their Honeycrisp Apple Wheat!) to the classic Coca-Cola, it’s always fun to drink from bottles at the game.

Water and iced tea are also a great go-to. Keep a pitcher out with the drinks and another in the fridge so you can switch them out quickly when one is empty.

super bowl party food

Pinterest Inspiration

What’s your favorite super bowl party food?

Mandarin Orange Cream Pops

This mandarin orange cream pops recipe is brought to you by Halos.

Mandarin Orange Cream Pops

One of my kids favorite snacks are Halo mandarin oranges. There’s something about the small size, how easy they are to peel, and the amazingly sweet taste that those little oranges pack that make my kids go nuts over them. But sometimes I’m a little zealous in purchasing and we can find ourselves with too many. That’s when these delicious mandarin orange cream pops come into play.

As a sweet treat to reward the kids for good behavior after their naps last week, I made these naturally sweet, protein packed mandarin orange cream pops from a few Halos that the kids hadn’t gotten to yet.

I love how easy this treat is to make and how quickly it comes together. And since getting our new Zoku pop maker, making these pops are so much quicker than the alternative (which we also did with the leftover pop mix). [Read more…]

Easy Entertaining: Kid Friendly Holiday Desserts

I created my easy kid friendly holiday desserts spread using Hershey’s™ Spreads as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. #SpreadPossibilities #hersheysheroes

Easy Kid Friendly Holiday Desserts #SpreadPossibilities #hersheysheroes

When we’re enjoying our holiday traditions I love putting out some easy kid friendly holiday desserts for the kids to enjoy. Whether we’re decorating the Christmas tree while drinking hot cocoa or wrapping gifts for oru friends, we love to enjoy some sweet treats together.

Since we’ve already done so much holiday baking already for gifts, friends, and events, keeping things simple means that I get to spend more time with the kids. And who doesn’t love easy entertaining[Read more…]

Hot White Pizza Dip with Pepperonis and Philadelphia cream cheese

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

Hot White Pizza Dip #LoveMyPhilly #shop

I’m all about the appetizers and desserts this time of year. The one thing I always love to make for guests is a hot dip to enjoy and warm up to. And my dips almost always include Philadelphia cream cheese. Because who can say no to that creamy goodness? In an effort to combine a few of our favorite flavors, I made this delicious hot white pizza dip with pepperonis.

We just celebrated my daughter’s 3rd birthday yesterday and boy was it a blast. Good friends, good food, and good fun. While in full party prep mode the day before I made a list of all of the items I still needed to pick up for the party. Including the ingredients for this dip.

I went into the garden to see what kinds of veggies and herbs I had. Luckily I had 6 gorgeous tomatoes, a ton of small red peppers, and some fresh basil, thyme and oregano. So those were definitely going into the dip. Then I headed to Sam’s Club to pick up all of the items we needed for the party. [Read more…]

White Party Cake with Strawberries Recipe + Baking Tips

Tracking Pixel

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.

white party cake with strawberries

My baby is turning 3 tomorrow. 3 years old! How did that happen? In celebration of her birthday we baked together and made her a delicious white party cake with pink strawberry frosting. It’s a trial run for the cake I’m making for her party on Sunday and I think it’s a winner!

Every year I bake my kids a cake or cupcakes for their birthday party. We end up having both cake and cupcakes but I try and make one of them. And without fail I’m baking the night before the party and always have to re-do everything because my cakes stuck to the pan. Well not this year. I busted out my secret weapon: Baking PAM Cooking Spray. Not only is it the perfect non-stick spray, it also has flour in it so my baked goods come out perfectly every time.

The kids are slightly disappointed because they don’t get to eat up all of the cake crumbles from the broken cakes that I’ve just about ruined. But I’m happy because a cake that slides right out of the pan means less work and stress for me!

[Read more…]

Easy Weeknight Dinner: Leftover Pot Roast Pot Pies

I created my Pot Roast Pot Pies using Campbell’s Slow Cooker Sauce as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. #CampbellsSkilledSaucers

Pot Roast Pot Pies #CampbellsSkilledSaucers

I have a love-hate relationship with my slow cooker. Because sometimes I have these amazing, awesome creations that everyone raves about. And other times I’m calling the pizza guy before my husband gets home because what’s in the slow cooker is definitely inedible. Luckily since I’ve found Campbell’s Slow Cooker sauce I can create an easy weeknight dinner AND create a second dinner for another night in the week with the leftovers.

Each time I’ve used these sauces I’m left with an absolutely delicious meal that the whole family loves. Lucky for me I’m stocked up on all of my favorite flavors. I love the Tavern Style Pot Roast: roasted garlic, mushrooms, cooked in it’s own gravy. Delicious. And the leftovers? They make these awesome leftover pot roast pot pies!

Creating a simply amazing weeknight dinner that can be turned into two meals is simple and easy! First you grab one of your favorite Campbell’s Slow Cooker Sauces. Then grab the meat you want to use. Feel free to add veggies as well but I prefer the texture of roasted veggies with my crock pot meals. In as little as 5 minutes your whole dinner will be prepped with the help of Campbell’s Slow Cooker Sauces.

In order to get a great texture on my roasts, if I’m cooking beef or pork I like to sear the sides of the meat first before placing it into the crock pot. 2-3 minutes per side in some olive oil should be more than enough time. But if you don’t have the time, or simply want to keep things as easy as possible, this step is not required.

Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces tavern style pot roast and veggies #CampbellsSkilledSaucers

When my slow cooker meal is about an hour away from being done I prep the sides. Small potatoes, carrots, and parsnips go great with the Tavern Style Pot Roast. I left the potatoes whole and cut the veggies into sticks.

Then coated everything in olive oil and tossed with some salt, pepper, fresh rosemary and roasted garlic. Throw the veggies and potatoes in the oven to roast about 30-40 minutes on 375 degrees or until slightly golden and tender.

Pot Roast Pot Pies ingredients #CampbellsSkilledSaucersIf there are any leftovers from this quick and easy slow cooker recipe (and there were for my small family) save them! Because this is where the magic happens. Two dinners from one slow cooker meal! Pot roast turns into pot roast pot pies for a meal a few nights later.

Pot Roast Pot Pies without Crust #CampbellsSkilledSaucers

The only difficult thing about this second meal is the fact that I made the dough from scratch. But guess what? My food processor did all of the work!

Homemade dough takes less than 5 minutes to put together if you do have a food processor. I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper than store-bought dough too but I won’t judge if you opt to use that! Crescent roll dough would be tasty on these as well.

Grab our delicious savory dough recipe here

Pot Roast Pot Pies baked #CampbellsSkilledSaucers

Leftover Pot Roast Pot Pies

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 servings leftover pot roast
  • 2 servings leftover potatoes & veggies
  • salt & pepper to taste if needed
  • pot pie crust
  1. Heat butter on medium in a small sauce pan until melted. While whisking butter, add flour. Make sure to break up any lumps.
  2. Cook until butter and flour mixture starts to smell nutty and is a golden brown color.
  3. Slowly add stock while whisking continuously until everything is combined. Let cook another 2-3 minutes or until sauce is thickened. A good way to check this is to dip a spoon into the sauce and put a line down the spoon. If the line fills up, it’s not thick enough!
  4. Once sauce is thickened, add diced meat, potatoes, and veggies. Let cook until heated thoroughly. Add salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Grab pie dough from the fridge and roll out to about 1/4″ thick. Trace a circle in the dough with a butter knife using the dishes you’re baking the pot pies in as a guide.
  6. Fill each dish with equal amounts of pot pie filling and cover with pie dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top of pie dough is golden brown.

Pot Roast Pot Pies inside pie #CampbellsSkilledSaucers
There are a total of 5 different Campbell’s Slow Cooker sauces available on store shelves including Tavern Style Pot Roast, Sweet Korean BBQ, Hawaiian Luau, Moroccan Spiced Stew, and Mexican Red Chile Taco.

I’m definitely trying the Sweet Korean BBQ next. How amazing would that taste over rice? And maybe Korean BBQ tacos later on in the week! Yum. What would you try?

What’s your favorite slow cooker meal?

Savory Pie Crust for Pot Pies

Savory Pie Crust for Pot Pies

Pie crust is one of those things I get lazy with. And I so don’t know why. I mean, making a pie crust takes minutes. Sure you have to wait for the dough to chill but really… it isn’t that hard if you have a food processor.

So when I decided to make pot pies from leftovers and found myself without any refrigerated or frozen pie crust (it is the week after Thanksgiving) I decided to just whip up some savory pie crust to use to save time and money.

And don’t worry… I’ll be sharing my pot pie recipe with you tomorrow! [Read more…]



© A Crafty Spoonful - All Rights Reserved
It is OK to use one of my photos provided a link back and/or proper credit is given. It is NOT ok to copy and paste a whole post including instructions. Please do not remove watermarks or alter images in any way. Please contact me with any questions at danielle@acraftyspoonful.com

.