Garlicy Sour Cream & Onion Dip

Around the holidays one of my favorite appetizers and all day snacks is sour cream dip. I usually make a huge pile of chopped veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber, radishes and cherry tomatoes and even some chips and black olives for dipping. Oftentimes I fill up completely on the veggies before the main meal! Of course I always save room, but if you can't tell, I love this stuff!

Growing up my family used to buy store-made french onion dips, which we loved. But about ten years ago, I took a look at the back label of the carton and wasn't pleased with the ingredients list. Things like MSG (monosodium glutamate), modified food starch and soybean oil DO NOT belong in sour cream dip!

Thanksgiving Round-Up: Real Food Appetizer & Drink Recipes

When it comes to discussing Thanksgiving food and drink, the main course and side dishes usually steal the show. However, most folks celebrate all day long and don't eat their big meal until afternoon or evening. You're certain to run into a few (or more) hungry bellies beforehand, but who wants to worry about snacks and beverages when you're multitasking ten other dishes? 

If you're hosting a Thanksgiving gathering or joining one as a guest, I've compiled a list of delicious real food drink and appetizer recipes you can use to keep everyone happy on Thanksgiving and the days after! (Who can resist leftovers!?) And if you'd like more fall inspired drink recipes, check out my real food drink recipes for autumn round-up. 

Cheers!

-Elaina

Fall & Winter White Wine Sangria

An easy white wine sangria recipe featuring gorgeous fall and winter ingredients like cranberries, apples, and oranges. This drink is refreshing, not too sweet (you can adjust it to your taste), and even slightly healthy with the addition of 100% unsweetened cranberry juice. It's elegant enough to serve at a holiday gathering, yet simple enough for a low-key weeknight dinner. (gluten-free & paleo) 

When the fall and winter holidays roll around, many folks get caught up on what to serve for main dishes, sides, and dessert, leaving drinks as an afterthought. All you need is a bottle or two of wine, right? 

Sure. That works. But if you want a tasty AND festive beverage that pairs well with your meal, look no further than sangria. 

This fruity wine cocktail is highly adaptable and perfect for making a day ahead of time, leaving you with less to stress on the actual holiday. That means more time focusing on food, friends, family, and cheer. Maybe even football if you like that kind of thing. ;)

DIY Orange Harvest Scented Muslin Tea Bag Sachets

Autumn is my favorite season. Cool weather, gray skies, fiery colored trees, crunchy leaves, long sleeves, pumpkins, apples and warm spices are everywhere. 

I look forward to spending time with family and feasting on comfort food every Thanksgiving. And every fall I start crafting away on homemade gift projects like vanilla sugar, vanilla extract and sugar scrubs.

This year I thought I'd switch it up and try my hand at naturally scented sachets. My younger sister and I used to buy them for my aunt every year for Christmas because she loves potpourri, but now that I look back on it, I'm sure they were filled with synthetic fragrances.

Cheddar & Jalapeno Coconut Flour Biscuits

If you’ve ever wanted to try a healthy and equally tasty substitute for a comfort food favorite, now’s your chance. By swapping out regular flour for coconut flour in these cheesy jalapeno biscuits, you’ll up the fiber, protein and healthy fat content without sacrificing flavor. 

Using coconut flour instead of regular wheat flour in the biscuits makes them easily digestible for those with grain or gluten sensitivities and for everyone else—you can’t tell the difference. Well, the texture is slightly different, but it has the same buttery taste. 

Ten Tips for Saving Money On Groceries and Eating Healthier (Part Two)

This is Part Two of a post centered on sharing grocery shopping tips I've picked up on my self-taught cooking journey over the past eight years or so. If you missed the first post, hop over here to read tips #1-5. 

6. Don't Buy All Your Grocery Items at One Location

This is where the grocery stores get you. In an effort to save time and gas money, many folks shop at one location that's close to their work or home. The stores run weekly sales that draw people in, but to compensate, other items are sold at inflated prices. Chances are if you buy everything at one place, you'll pay extra for one thing or another AND your options will be limited to whatever that particular store carries.

Homemade Coconut Oil Chocolate Sauce, Syrup and Shell

I just returned from a week-long visit to Kansas and while I was there hanging with family, we fixed this wonderful chocolate sauce one afternoon. I've been making homemade chocolate for several months now, so I'm long overdue sharing it with you all. 

This particular pot in the cute yellow saucepan ended up all over some walnuts, which we shoved in the freezer to make chocolate covered walnuts. Chocolate and nuts go perfectly together. Unless you have a nut allergy...then I recommend something else that is equally crunchy. Maybe pretzels or chips!

Ditch the Store-Bought Chocolate Syrups, Sauces & Shells

Aside from the sheer deliciousness of this chocolate sauce, the main reason I'm sharing this recipe with you all is because commercial chocolate sauces, syrups and shell products are full of highly processed and artificial ingredients.