As Elia is getting older and is starting to enjoy more outside activities, we've been trying to come up with things to do as a family as often as we can. With fall in full swing (and her love of apples), apple picking seemed perfect! It was a lovely day spent together and not only did she have a blast, but we picked an abundance of apples. Right when we got home I couldn't wait to get in the kitchen and whip up my favorite apple crisp recipe. It's so simple and I promise you'll be craving it ... [ Read More ]
10 Tips to Flying with a Toddler
With a two year old that’s logged more miles than I ever did in my entire childhood, I feel like I’m officially ready to share my tips and tricks to help YOU travel with a toddler. We live in Chicago, so between visiting the grandparents (my parents live in Florida and my in-laws are in Boston) and work obligations, my little nugget has had a lot of experience over the last year! And boy have I learned a lot. We’ve had many tantrums and multiple successes, so I thought it would be helpful to ... [ Read More ]
Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Hot Pockets (with 2 Ingredient Dough!)
There's nothing I love more that hanging with my hubby on Sundays, watching the football games and eating lots of yummy game-day eats! Ok, well...the second half of that statement is true. Truthfully, I'm not a huge football fan, but the best part of the season for me is getting creative in the kitchen and slimming down typical "Football Sunday" foods and tricking my husband into thinking he's eating the real thing! My latest creation are these Ham & Cheese Hot Pockets that I made ... [ Read More ]
Air Fryer Pop-Tarts (with 2 ingredient dough!)
All things air-fryer have been a weekly if not daily part of my recipe creating. I can't help it, when I find a hack I loved I can't not roll with it. I grew up loving poptarts. I loved any and all flavors, now though, I can't bring myself to buy them. With the high calories, and extra additives they're just not worth it even when I find myself craving one. That's why this air-fryer recipe might be one of my most fun to hack yet! These guilt- free poptarts won't have you throwing away your ... [ Read More ]
Peanut Butter and Jelly Stuffed French Toast
Elia's eating habits have been inspiring a lot of the recipes that I've been creating for our family. Her newfound love of PB & J sandwiches is to blame for this sweet and savory Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast. I must admit, I even impressed myself with this one, especially considering it took me less than 20 minutes from start to finish. A total mom win! This beauty isn' just for kids either. You can make this an elevated brunch dish and easily mix and match different types of nut ... [ Read More ]
Pumpkin Spice Cheerios Cereal Bars
We're almost to the middle of September which means I'm officially ready for fall. Sweaters, fuzzy socks, and all things pumpkin are at the top of my "must have" list so, when Cheerios sent me a box of their Pumpkin Spice cereal along with a recipe for gooey cereal bars, I knew I had to break out my fall platter and make these ASAP. The recipe was insanely easy and they turned out absolutely delicious. Full disclosure, I had to stop myself from nearly finishing the batch. ... [ Read More ]
Interview: Graham Elliot at the Capital One® Kick-Off Tastemaker Chicago Event
This post is sponsored by Capital One®. Hi guys, Dan here of @dansdadlife on Instagram (yes I will shamelessly plug myself in the first sentence)! Being Erica’s husband has automatically given me a lifetime full of love and happiness (aww, I know, I’m so sweet). BUT, ever since she’s grown her blog into a full-fledged business, I’ve gotten to experience some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and learn about some amazing brands. Last week, Capital One reached out to tell her all about ... [ Read More ]
GUILT-FREE Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
As you may have noticed, my air-fryer has been my favorite kitchen tool lately and I've been coming up lots of fun recipes so I can use it more (including these incredible Mini Pizza Pop-Tarts!) Egg rolls are one of the easiest and most delicious things I've made in the air fryer! Since I love all things buffalo chicken, I thought combining them would be a great call. And it was. </br> Everyone knows you can't have buffalo chicken without a little blue cheese dressing on ... [ Read More ]
Maple Tahini Vegetable Buddha Bowl
I've LOVED getting back to sharing more recipes with all of you and when this one turned out the way it did, I knew I had to share it. This Tahini Maple Vegetable Buddha Bowl was so filling and full of flavor, I couldn't believe how healthy the ingredients really were. Eating colorful foods is always something I strive to do and this dish nailed that. You can totally follow my recipe exactly or tweak it and make it your own with whatever vegetables you love! Let me know how it ... [ Read More ]
Exploring the Benihana Kabuki Kids Menu
When Benihana opened a location on Michigan Avenue last year, I was thrilled. I grew up going there with my family and I had missed having one downtown. When they opened, I got to be one of the first to experience the new location (and got a chance to actually be the chef)! It was so much fun and I knew it was a place I wanted to take my daughter when she was old enough to eat table food. Well the time has come (Elia loves all things rice and shrimp) and Benihana did not disappoint! My ... [ Read More ]
