No Bake(Or Bake) Anytime Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

July 31, 2013 Arielle

No Bake (Or Bake) Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from thediva-dish.com

Let's count the number of times a day my daughter asks me for a cookie...

While we are at it, let's also count the number of times a day that I WANT to be eating a cookie.

If you guessed the number 56, you are right. I'm assuming this is perfectly normal right?

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I mentioned putting together an Ecookbook of Kids Breakfast Foods. I've been working on recipes left and right, and yesterday I started working on breakfast cookies. I made three different kinds of cookies, and I ate about 2...plus 4.

I love anything quick that you can grab when you are running to the park, to the store, going on a road trip, etc. A sweet treat that's filling and full of wholesome ingredients. It's also the perfect treat for when you are watching grown men cry on the Bachelorette. That part has been tried and tested.

These started out as a No Bake treat, but I wanted to try it as a baked cookie as well. I'm going to state the obvi here and say that it's not your traditional crunchy super sweet cookie like you might be used to. It's thicker, full of oats, and sweetened with bananas and a touch of honey. You are more than welcome to add a little more sweetener too! :)

It's completely optional if you dip it in a jar of drippy creamy peanut butter...Actually that's not an option. It's a requirement. But watching a group of men and 1 woman experience an amazing roller coaster of emotions all for love IS an option...Shhhh...We all know that that's a necessity as well.

Printable PDF Here: No Bake (Or Bake) Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's now 7 in the morning, so I think it's safe to say...

Time for a cookie!!

Sunday Dinner-Tandoori Chicken with Cilantro, Curry, and Honey Yogurt Sauce

July 29, 2013 Arielle

I had a really clever story to go along with this post... It was all about how much I love Indian Food and could live off warm naan bread for every meal. Clever huh?

Tandoori Chicken w/ Cilantro, Cumin & Honey Yogurt Sauce from The Diva Dish

But my fingers are having trouble typing what my brain is thinking. Right now there's a princess movie playing in the background that we've now seen 37 times in the past 4 days..yes that's possible.

My baby, Sweet Pea, has had a fever and no sleep the past 3 nights.

Oh, and now the girls are fighting over a sippy cup of water. End.Of.The.World.

We've also had crazy monsoons and rainstorms followed by 105 degree sunshine. Pretty sure that's annoying.

But despite a few bumps in the road, I'm happy to say that Sunday is usually my favorite day of the week. We are all together at home, and I love that. Yesterday was even more comforting with the rain and a supper cuddly baby. I can't complain.

So here's to bumpy weeks and relaxing Sunday's...

Cilantro, Curry, & Honey Yogurt Sauce from The Diva Dish

All you need is some good comfort food and your family sitting around the table to make it your favorite day of the week!

Tandoori Chicken

Cilantro, Curry, & Honey Yogurt Dipping Sauce

These are the spices I used for the recipes, but they are completely adaptable if you don't have these at home.

Tandoori Masala seasoning can easily be made at home by using THIS RECIPE.

Madras Curry Powder to me is similar to yellow curry powder, so if you have that use it. But taste test as you add a little in here and there.

But I will say that I LOVE these spices and I use them regularly! So if you want you can purchase them here:

Madras Curry Powder:

Tandoori Masala Seasoning:

I served this with coconut rice, steamed broccoli, and naan bread!

Unless of coarse your two year old throws a tantrum because you gave her the green spoon instead of the pink spoon, and decides to punish you by throwing her food all over the floor.

Then it really is the best day of the week. Hands Down.

To My 3 Year Old Princess

July 24, 2013 Arielle

Follow my blog with Bloglovin(Boo will be turning 3 in just a few short weeks and I can't believe it! I thought I would write a little letter to her, and let her know how much I love her!)

To my 3 year old Princess...

Sometimes I feel like there isn't enough time in the day to tell you how much that I love you.

To tell you how grateful I am for you sass and your drama.

To say thank you for making me laugh and smile on a constant basis.

I love to hear you tell me stories, take care of your baby sister, and watch you play with your princess toys.

I could sit and watch you all day as you dance and sing at the top of your lungs. Sometimes I think you are imagining yourself on stage in front of millions, performing and entertaining.

And even though it's hard, I admire your determination and stubborn-ness. At times those tears of yours can have a whole entire store watching your broadway performance...

But you know what, I love it. You are a strong and sensitive young woman and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I hope you know that I'll always love you Boo. That I'll be there for you whenever you need me. Even when your 16 and that stupid boy breaks your heart. I'll kill him for you without question... :)

Promise me that you will do your best to remain pure and wholesome in world surrounded with pain, suffering, selfishness, and unkind things. I have no doubt that you will be the diamond in rough.

Also, promise me you won't hate me when you turn 12. I know that you are probably going to want to wear short shorts, say things like WTF, and want to kiss all the boys...But stick with barbies and princesses for well...a long time. I'll do my best not to embarrass you on a daily basis, and I'll even try to wear regular pants instead of yoga pants when I pick you up from school!

Thank you for being the best 3 year old in my life my little princess! I wouldn't have you any other way!

Love,

Mommy!

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

July 19, 2013 Arielle

Fudge Brownies (Healthy, All Natural Sugars, Whole Grain) From Ari @ The Diva Dish

I wish I could apologize for now posting within days of each other two rich chocolate desserts involving practically the same ingredients...But I just can't.

Truth is we've had visitors come and go in and out of our house for the past 3 weeks, and we are about to have more this coming week. I would say that the visitors love when my house is full of vegetables, healthy snacks, and water...But 1 day into my grandmother visiting and she went straight to Costco and loaded up on muffins and a large chocolate cake.

So I got the hint grandma. Way to be subtle.

I decided I probably should make some sweet treats to avoid my 3 year old asking for Costco Cake each meal of the day, and watching her great grandmother happily and secretly slice her one.

That made for a fun few days following great-grandma's visit...

Similar to the Chocolate Banana Bread these brownies are incredibly rich and dense. Nothing light and fluffy here.

To me, they are the perfect dessert to show off to guest. Or to give to your toddler as a 'prize' becuase she has done so well in not asking for cake for each meal.

Wait? Pretty sure I screwed up that parenting opportunity.

Printable Version:Chocolate Fudge Brownies

(Adapted from the amazing HowSweetItIs Avocado Brownies)

At least this one can't tell the difference between Costco Cake and healthier brownies...Yet.

Honey Sweetened Limeade & Raspberry Limeade

July 16, 2013 Arielle

Recently I've started planning the girls 1st & 3rd Birthday party, and if you know me and parties, than you know I tend to go overboard. Not overboard as in, I'm renting a zoo and a circus, but enough to make me question whether or not I'm actually planning a wedding...or a birthday party...for a baby.

(See 1st Birthday & 2nd Birthday for examples.)

I really do love throwing the birthday parties because honestly I don't get out much. I'm a stay at home mom who cleans 24/7, despite how my house may look, I live vicariously through trash tv, and I'm surrounded by pink princess toys and sassy attitudes on a daily basis. I am head over heals in love with my life and my family.

But I also love to be creative and work on projects, so it's only fair that I drive my family crazy for a good 2 months as I gather and create projects until my fingers bleed and I'm crying.

(Please ignore the intense dramatic explanation...)

So if you are wondering what this year's birthday theme is going to be, I urge you to look through the past year of posts and pay attention to my almost 3 year olds outfit of choice on a daily basis.

Pink

Princess.

Luckily the majority of the things we own in this household are pink, including our vaccuum, so the decorations itself pretty much taken care of. BUT the food has become a challenge for me.

It is all going to be Pink...ish.

This doesn't mean I'm going to be dyeing foods left and right with pink food coloring, but I'm going to be making a lot of food with naturally colored pink ingredients.

Naturally the first thing that came to my mind was Pink Lemonade. But since we've already been there with this Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade, I thought we could explore a different path.

Printable Recipe for: Limeade

Printable Recipe for: Raspberry Limeade

Next year I think I'm going to call my friend Chuckie Cheese for some party planning help... :)

My Husband's Favorite Salad-Mexican Grilled Chicken Quinoa Salad

July 11, 2013 Arielle

Don't let that incredibly bright and charming sexy smile fool you...

My husband is one of the pickiest eaters I know. But in HIS defense, he is picky in my standards and probably not real life standards. I will say that he's really easy to please when it comes to what he likes to eat. The problem is his wife who likes to make it all that more difficult for him.

You know...Just fulfilling my wifely duties of making easy things hard.

He's like, "Wife, just make me frozen tacquitos for dinner topped with melted cheese."

And I'm like, "Are your frackin crazy?! I will definitely not make that! I'm just going to make tacquitos from scratch, but a vegan version, and we will top it with salsa...k?"

My Husbands Favorite Salad-Mexican Grilled Chicken Quinoa Salad from The Diva Dish

Don't even get me started on picking a place to go out to eat.

Hubs is like, "Babe. Taco Tuesday at Del Taco. Right now. Sounds amazing!"

Wifey is like, " Ha in your dreams lover boy, I don't do drive throughs! Let's go to that sit down place that serves expensive organic food and bring our two screaming children...k?"

We were definitely meant to be.

So besides being partially the worst wife ever, I do try and please my husband occasionally and feed him the food he loves. BUT in MY defense, he eats out for lunch every day. So you have to understand he gets his taco tuesday, hamburger wednesday, and chicken wings thursday...

So I don't feel so bad when it's, "Welcome home lover buns! Hope you like vegetables!!"

Printable Recipe for Chicken:Seasoned Grilled Chicken

Printable Recipe for Pico De Gallo:Pico De Gallo

Printable Recipe for Salad:Mexican Grilled Chicken Quinoa Salad

Also, Check out our favorite salad dressing topping : Copycat Chili's Salsa. Recipe from Chef in Training! Bonus, this is my hubs favorite restaurant. Bonus #2: He likes to mix a little with ranch for his salad dressing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that in marriage...the main thing is to be selfless. And don't you think it would be selfish of me if I didn't share with my husband all my favorite foods?!

Good. I'm glad we are on the same page.

Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w/ Diced Strawberries...(A.K.A. Feelings Bread)

July 8, 2013 Arielle

Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w/ Diced Strawberries from Ari @ The Diva Dish

There was this one time in college where I ate my feelings...

It was Valentines Day 2007. I was living in the middle of no where Idaho and it was negative 20 outside, I lived in the dorms, and I was single. Boo.

I'm sure that being single had nothing to do with the fact that the freezing weather had me eating on a every 20 minute basis in order to add some fat to my body to keep me warm...Or maybe it was because my roommates and I spent our weekends playing dress up and taking 'we think we are so sexy' pictures.

More like 'never ever take pictures like that again in your life' pictures.

So on that cold day in February, I had this bright Idea to make a chocolate cake. I'm pretty sure I made it straight from a box along with chocolate store bought frosting. What I remember the most though was buying a cake decorating gel tube that you could write on the cake with. After the cake was cooked and frosted, I took that pink died gel goop and wrote across the whole cake, "FEELINGS."

It was a clever way of saying, "Tonight Ladies, we will eat out FEELINGS!"

Skip to almost 6 plus years later, and I still refer to rich chocolate comfort food as Feelings Food. Because sometimes, when the day is hard and trash TV and a run on the treadmill aren't doing it for you...

Sometimes 'eating your Feelings' is the only solution.

Printable Version Here: Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w: Diced Strawberries

Side note:

This Rich Chocolate Feelings Bread goes great with a Nicolas Sparks movie...

Cinnamon Sugar Cups-For Ice Cream, Fruit, Etc.

July 3, 2013 Arielle

I'm going to tell you exactly how this recipe came about, and then afterwards you will basically understand why I'm not at all but kind of completely awesome.

Let's pretend for a second that I'm a totally-on-top-of-it blogger. I've got a book full of future ideas and recipes, and i've planned out how and when I will post them. I also post frequently and on a regular basis...

We can now stop that journey of pretending and enter the reality of my blogging lifestyle in which I admit that only a tiny bit of the above statement applies to me. I can honestly say that I've got that idea book. Yes, there are a few items scratched off that list of future posts/ideas, but the majority have yet to be accomplished.

One of those items written down months ago was planning a fourth of july menu. Oddly that item got scratched off the list due to the 4th being oh...i dunno...tomorrow.

I wish I could blame a tropical vacation for my procrastination, but truthfully and honestly I've failed at almost every attempt to make a remarkable July 4th menu.

Every frackin recipe I created and tried didn't turn out. Period.

Did you know you could screw up a salad? Apparently it's possible. Also, don't turn your freezer degrees all the way up to 'speed up the process'. Anyone have an ice scraper I can borrow?

It basically came to the point where I said, 'Holy Heck! I'm just going to buy a box of ice cream cones, a carton of ice cream, and a jar of sprinkles and call it Easiest Dessert Ever!'

But then I started to really think about ice cream, and waffle cones, and chocolate, then sprinkles, and then well...

This...

The Easiest Dessert Ever.

You know what the best part is? After all the filling has gone, it's time to eat the cup!

Happy 4th Everyone!!

Hawaii Part 2

June 25, 2013 Arielle

Oahu Island Matsumoto Shaved Ice

Laie Hawaiin LDS Temple

Polynesian Cultural Center

Dessert Buffet

Ted's Bakery

The Best Shrimp my husband has ever had:

Somewhere along the North Shore.

Kauia Island,

Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa

Dinner Buffet at the Resort

Sweet Pea's First Steps

Resort Pictures

Living Foods Market

Poipu Beach

Na Pali Coast

Sorry for the picture overload my friends, but the beautiful islands and landmarks of Hawaii are just too good not to share! Sadly we are back home now, and I haven't stopped dreaming of fresh pineapple and shaved ice...It's a problem.

Much Love!

Hawaii Part 1

June 17, 2013 Arielle

I've been counting down the days for this Hawaii trip and it has finally arrived! I debated whether or not to share this trip with you guys, but I decided it would be fun to share the places we see, visit, and eat in hopes that it might help you on a future trip! And if you don't have any Hawaii vacations planned in your future, then make yourself a pina colada at home and come on a virtual tour with me :)! Day 1:

LAX-HONOLULU

ARRIVING AT THE RESORT:

Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club

First Family Photo in Hawaii...Fail

Day 2:

Resort Swimming

Resort Beach Exploration

Baby Makapuu Local's Beach (This wasn't my favorite beach, a little too rocky, but it's definitely a place all the locals go to BBQ and hang out. We met some loacl friends there, and had a great time though!)

We will be in Hawaii all week and have lot's planned! The first few days were just getting settled and relaxing from travel since the kids were kind of iffy on the time change. Then on Tuesday we head to Kauai! I promise some foodie pics are soon to come :). Have a great Monday!

Birthday Cake Pancakes-Natural & Healthy!

June 12, 2013 Arielle

Healthy Birthday Cake Pancakes from The Diva Dish

This weekend I advance to big girl status and turn 25 years old...

If you would have told me 10 years ago where I would be at the age of 25 I would have definitely said, shut the front door!..."I have TWO kids?! I live in Las Vegas?? I have a food blog?? Wait I have TWO kids?!"

10 years ago I was still in high school & looking to attend the FIDM fashion college (considering I'm the least fashionable person of all...) I ate corn dogs and chipotle burritos on a weekly basis, and every time I held a baby it started to cry.

You can definitely say my life isn't where I thought it would be, but I love exactly where I am. I'm glad the days of corn dogs and fashion school are long gone. Making pancakes coated in sprinkles with my two darling babies is a lot more fun anyways :). And plus, they don't cry when I hold them either.(Well..most of the time!)

A big special thanks so Kodiak Cakes for sending me some samples of their Flapjack & Waffle mix so we could make some special Birthday Cake Pancakes! Every ingredient is natural, readable, and recognizable! Not to mention you just have to add water and voila, you've got whole wheat pancake goodness.

All Natural-Healthy Birthday Cake Pancakes From The Diva Dish

But since birthdays are special, we dressed up this pancake mix with some fancy add ins to make any birthday morning one to remember!

Birthday Cake Pancakes from The Diva Dish

Printable Recipe Here: Birthday Cake Pancakes

I highly suggest topping with coconut cream and extra sprinkles!

And guess what, because I love you guys and so do the people over at Kodiak Cakes, THREE OF YOU have the chance to get a FREE box of their pancake mix. I may even throw in a surprise myself!

Like some sprinkles...

Or maybe a birthday cake...

Or maybe I'll just jump out of a sprinkle covered birthday cake when you open your door?!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have A Great Week Friends!! XO

60 Second Chocolate Fudge Cake-Single Serving

June 8, 2013 Arielle

Some days things don't go your way and chocolate is the only solution.

Just when you think you are on a roll, strolling along and happy because of your accomplishments...BAM! Life hits you...Or in Sweet Pea's case...Every.Dang.Piece.Of.Furniture.

No matter how much you try, or push, certain things just won't budge and make your life a little bit easier.

In this case, one should probably just resort to chocolate.

Sure you could grab a handful of chocolate chips and then come back 7 times just to make all those problems go away.

And of coarse you could always resort to that jar in the back of your pantry that holds a large chocolate bunny from Easter. I'm almost positive that would make you happy...

But why not whip up something that's quick, easy, and gives you enough sweetness to almost feel like you gave up...But you really didn't.

That way no chocolate bunnies or 12 ounces of chocolate chips will need to be consumed, because honestly, that would cause a lot more problems...

60 Second Chocolate Fudge Cake-Single Serving, Healthy. From The Diva Dish

Printable Recipe Here: 60 Second Chocolate Fudge Cake

Topping with a dollop of chilled coconut cream is definitely an option but in all reality, it's totally a necessity!

And soon enough those mountains (or furniture) that get in our way sometimes don't seem like such a big problem any more...

My Favorite Fresh Green Juice Recipe!

June 5, 2013 Arielle

The Best Fresh Green Juice-From The Diva Dish

There once was a time when I visited a local restaurant 3 times a week.

I was massively pregnant, and practically everyone in the restaurant knew us by name and had our order memorized.

The Yellow Deli was like visiting Disneyland for me. Only I didn't have to save 6 years to visit there, and instead I could buy the most amazing tasting waffle ever for only a few bucks. Everything was fresh, came from their farm, and I swear they put some type of addicting additive in their food...

The bread, the bars, the the salads, sandwiches, my favorite veggie burger...And let's not forget THE MOST delicious tasting Green Juice.

I've tried many fresh squeezed green juices at a lot of different restaurants, but this one actually tasted good. It was sweet, tart, and you really had no idea you were drinking chard, kale, or spinach. I've tried to recreate it multiple times, but I for some reason could never get the ratios right.

Recently I gave it another shot and let my husband take the first sip just in case I failed bad...

"You did it babe!" I jumped up and down and then said, "Yes! Now I just need to recreate everything else on their menu that way we don't have to move back!"

My Favorite Fresh Green Juice Recipe!

Recipe Type

The Best Tasting Fresh Green Juice

Prep time:

5 mins

Cook time:

5 mins

Total time:

10 mins

Serves:

If you are fond of grapefruit, then this juice has your name written all over it! It's the perfect combo of sweet and tart, along with packing in veggies and a lot of energy. Make sure all your ingredients are super cold, and don't forget to have a frozen glass sitting in the freezer ready for you to drink out of :-)!

Ingredients

1/8 c. chilled Yerba Mate Tea sweetened with agave nectar (or your choice)
1 1/4 grapefruit
handful of spinach
handful of kale
1 large swiss chard leaf
lemon slices

Instructions

Add Yerba Mate to a glass. Having is sweetened is important, otherwise the juice will taste a little funky.
Juice all the ingredients into that glass, minus the lemon, until done.
Add fresh juice to frozen glass and serve with a lemon slice.

3.2.1230

If you want a step by step explanation on how to make this juice, I've filmed a little tutorial for you. A few notes before you watch the film:

-Both kid were sleeping so I'm talking super funny because I don't want them to hear me.

-I apologize for acting completely and totally awkward.

Have a great day!

Grain Free Peanut Butter Cookies & Why I LOVE Coconut Flour

June 1, 2013 Arielle

Grain Free Peanut Butter Cookies from The Diva Dish

Sometimes I want a particular thing, and I want it a certain way.

And despite what my husband might say, that doesn't happen on a regular basis. Every other day at the most. And usually always on weekends...

Like, why does every basketball game on TV HAVE to air the same time Real Housewives/Bachelorette is on? (Not to mention there is like 4 games at the same time...) Or why can't I just walk into a clothing store and find and item of clothing where my bum cheeks aren't hanging out?

Also, why is it bathing suit season? I just need like 1 more year and then I might be ready...

You see, I really wanted to make a peanut butter cookie out of Coconut Flour, just like I made this Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie. I didn't want to add any dry sugar and I wanted it to be super easy. I searched a lot of recipes, and then somehow I eventually ended up looking at these amazingly delicious looking Snicker Cupcakes. I almost said screw it.

I almost made cupcakes.

But then I remembered that if I made cupcakes those super short shorts wouldn't fit, and bathing suit season would need to be put off for at least another 3 years...

And I live in Vegas where it's 102 degrees this week and people live in their bathing suits, so obviously cupcakes weren't an option. (And turning on the oven for cookies really isn't either...) But for the sake of this blog post and those reading it, I made the cookies.

I ate 5 of them.

And I'm wearing my bathing suit. With Booty Shorts. And an oversized robe to cover it all up.

Printable Recipe Here: Grain Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I love these cookies because you can either roll them up or flatten them out a little!

If you are wondering why I was trying so hard to bake with coconut flour, here are just a few of the many reasons why I LOVE it! :-)

See...having things exactly the way you want it is NEVER a bad thing....

:-)

Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce

May 28, 2013 Arielle

Asian Noodles w/ Peanut Sauce from The Diva Dish

Remember that one time we moved far away from all our family and friends?

Sure, we are doing what is best for our family. And of coarse we are loving our new area and all the amazing people we've met. Yet sometimes holidays and weekends make me Mrs.Grumpy Pants, and a lot of times I wish our family was here to enjoy more time together and watch the girls grow. (And also watch the girls early in the morning so I can sleep in...)

This weekend however was a weekend that I never wanted to end. My parents came into town and the second they pulled up to our house, because you know we were all anxiously watching for them out the window, I couldn't help but burst into tears and be incredibly excited for the days to follow!

Sleeping in, a trampoline for a present, watching my parents play, cuddle, and read with my girls for hours was the best feeling. Especially hearing my daughter say, "Welcome Home!", to my parents...She's right. Welcome home! Please never leave...

When it was time to say goodbye I saw Boo's eyes swell up, and at that moment I knew that there is nothing more important than the feeling of home. It's a combination of comfort, love, and peace. Constant smiles, laughter, and always wanting to hold on to those sacred moments forever. I realized I've got to do my best to instill that feeling of 'home' in our own family, especially since our extended loved ones are so far away.

Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce from The Diva Dish

And of coarse my first priority in cheering up my sad babies, including myself who was balling like one, was to make some sort of 'home-like-comfort' type meal. Instead of ordering take out and plopping myself in front of the tube for two hours of Bachelorette, I decided making a meal from home was just the type of comfort that my family needed.

Printable Recipe Here: Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Thanks Mom & Dad for making this an amazing weekend! Please come back next weekend...and the next...and the next.

Sound good?

Watermelon Milkshake-Bathing Suit Approved

May 21, 2013 Arielle

So I had this bright idea to buy a blow up pool.

It was pink and princess themed, and I KNEW that Boo would go crazy once she saw it. I planned the perfect day to set it up, and talked it up to the girls multiple times. We were so ready.

First things first. Don't get the girls in bathing suits and then decide you will blow up the pool. A blow up pool that requires as much air from that of 10 men is quite difficult to blow up.

Next thing. Make sure once the pool is blown up that you have a hose.

Haha isn't life hilarious.

Now, after the pool is blown, hose is purchased, and water is filled it is time to swim! And when that's all said and done, make sure you have enough ingredients for something refreshing and cool like a milkshake!

Because you don't want to send you husband to the store for that stuff too. After all, he blew up the pool, went and got the hose, and cleaned up the water mess.

What a gem!

Printable Recipe Here: Watermelon Milkshake

I was going to ask the husband to build a from scratch tree house that I saw on pinterest, but luckily I remembered we only own a hammer and rench. Oh, and we have no trees. Whew! Close one hubs, let's just stick to the impossible blow up pool for now ;-)!

Creamy Avocado Taquitos

May 15, 2013 Arielle

Most nights my husband request mexican for dinner.

How about lasagna?

-Never

Garlic Pasta?

-Gross

Juicy Burgers?

-Had that for lunch

Chocolate Cake?

-Heck No

Something with salsa and cheese?

-Yes, now you're thinking...

On top of that I've now got a 2 year old who learned that she can open the fridge door and pull out anything she would like, and now demands I serve her raspberries and chocolate milk on an hourly basis.

Sometimes I feel like saying, "You know what, if both of you don't knock it off I'm going to bake a chunk of tofu and serve it to you with a side of ketchup!"

But of coarse I am the most patient and loving wife and mother there ever is...

So I make mexican, with a side of raspberries, and glass of cold chocolate milk.

Creamy Avocado Taquitos via The Diva Dish, http://thediva-dish.com

Printable Recipe Here: Creamy Avocado Taquitos

But if you see me posting a recipe in the future for baked tofu & ketchup...you will now know how that came about.

Birthday's & Mother's Day 2013

May 14, 2013 Arielle

Everything about this past weekend makes me happy! First celebrating the hub's birthday with sugar and terrifying jumps off of buildings, followed by cuddles with my two baby girls. I couldn't ask for a greater blessing than to be the mother of my daughters. Sometimes life isn't the way we always expect it, but when I remind myself how truly blessed I am to share my life with my beautiful healthy family I can't help smile and be grateful for what my Heavenly Father has blessed me with!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Guacamole Kale Salad

May 9, 2013 Arielle

87% of people in the world think kale is the most disgusting food there ever was.

(Note: This study is not accurate. I made it up.)

The average person doesn't consume kale even on a weekly basis...or so I'm assuming. And quite honestly, I didn't even know kale existed until I started getting into healthy eating. And when I first learned about kale I thought it was that fake looking lettuce they put on your plate when you ordered stake at a restaurant. Is that kale? I'll never know...

Luckily for you (and me), I was devoted to finding a kale recipe that people could stomach without realizing they were eating...kale. (I'm an excellent writer and convincer aren't I?) Everybody loves guacamole. And for those that don't, you probably should see a therapist. Make that guacamole chunky and full of flavor, and you can find yourself singing, "Ay Ay Ay!" Turn that guacamole into a dressing to disguise an unappealing lettuce and well...

That my friends is how you should consume kale.

And if not...you should probably hang out with that person who hates guacamole. You guys would be perfect together.

Printable Recipe Here: Guacamole Kale Salad

I'm pretty sure after eating this salad, those 87% will change to 10%. (The 10%-ers are the people who hate everything that taste delicious.)

Have a great rest of your week! Be back soon!! :)

Morning Metabolism Booster Drink-Plus Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

May 7, 2013 Arielle

Most of my mornings begin the day before.

Usually around 11:30 p.m. I hear a faint cute little cry coming from Sweet Pea's bedroom.

Just Kidding.

It's the loudest 'I'm totally pissed off mom, you better come and get me right now' kind of scream. It's usually about the time my head hits the pillow and I close my eyes when this comes about.

It's lovely.

Since I'm neither a coffee drinker, soda sipper, or Monster Energy drink consumer, I needed something that would make me feel like a SuperStar! Of coarse a nice tug of my long hair and a drizzle of baby drool on my face at 5:30 a.m. is one way to get me out of bed quickly...But let's not go there shall we?

Consuming 1 Tablespoon a day of Apple Cider Vinegar is a great way to kick start amazing health benefits. If you are like me, you may have noticed the vinegar by itself is well...not very tasty! So here is a great way to get in that ACV, along with a zing from a little bubbly to wake those tired eyes right up!

Morning Metabolism Booster Printable Recipe Here: Morning Metabolism Booster

Oh, and if you don't share with a certain someone you are most likely to hear more loud & angry shrieks followed by the entire house being awake at that awful hour. This makes for a such a pleasant morning...

So whatever you do...Share. :)

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Hey There!

Welcome to The Diva Dish! My name is Ari and I love Kale Salads and Chocolate Cake. I also love to blog about it...