Puppy Chow Pretzels

Salty pretzels coated in a sweet chocolatey coating with peanut butter - life really doesn't get any better.

* This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

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Who loves chocolate? How about peanut butter? Now who likes chocolate with peanut butter? I know I raised my hand to all three!

I'm excited to share with you a snack that I have been eating nonstop for the last three weeks - puppy chow pretzels. Puppy chow is traditionally crispy rice cereal squares mixed with creamy peanut butter and melted chocolate all tossed in powdered sugar. Swap out the crispy rice cereal squares with salty pretzels and you've got yourself a sweet and salty snack.

Click to tweet: Chocolate and peanut butter and pretzels covered in powdered sugar - YES, please!

You can thank me later!

When you read through the recipe, I tried my best to include specific amounts. But I mostly eyeball the ingredients especially the powdered sugar. Have fun with the recipe and play around with all types of pretzels - square, twist, sticks, circles, etc.

Puppy Chow Pretzels [Gluten Free]

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Ingredients

• 4.5 cups Salted Pretzels (my favorite is the squares)
• 1/4 cup Natural Peanut Butter (this is my favorite)
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Morsels
• 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 1+ cup Powdered Sugar

Cooking Directions

1. Melt peanut butter, dark chocolate morsels, and coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl for 60 seconds
2. Stir mixture. If the mixture is not melted completely, microwave for 15 seconds until melted
3. Gently fold in the pretzels into the chocolate peanut butter mixture
4. Fold in all of the powdered sugar, adding more if pretzels still appear wet.
5. Enjoy!

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Have you ever had puppy chow?

Check out my other gluten-free puppy chow recipe made with Cheerios.

PIN for later.

Triple Berry Skillet Crumble [gluten free option]

Triple berry skillet crumble can be enjoyed all year round but is a favorite during the fall. 
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*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Berries and I are best friends. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries... it doesn't matter because I love them all. Now while everyone is on a pumpkin high, I wanted to throw in another favorite fall dish of mine - crumble.

Crumbles were something I looked forward to every fall, specifically apple crumble. I mean, I grew up in Michigan and Michigan is known to have some pretty delicious apples. However, I do not like baking apple crumbles. I feel like there is a fine science to getting the right tartness and bite in a good apple crumble and I just don't know where to begin when looking at dozens of apples in the grocery store.

Click to tweet: Triple berry skillet crumble can be enjoyed all year round but is a favorite during the fall.

So I like to stick to some more 'simple' ingredients, like frozen berries. They come in one package, they always taste great, and you can buy them year round. I don't need to drag on about how great this crumble is. Just make it for yourself and dive right in!

Triple Berry Skillet Crumble [gluten free option]

Recipe by a traveling Wife
Total time: 2 hours
Yield: 6 servings
Nutrition per serving: 261 calories | 41 g Carbs | 8 g Fat | 5 g Protein | 17 g Sugar

Ingredients

• 3 cups Frozen Berries (I use the blackberry, raspberry, strawberry medley)
• 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Coconut Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Orange Juice
• 1 cup Oats [gluten free optional]
• 1/4 cup Coconut Sugar
• 1/4 cup Almond Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Butter, cold and cubed

Cooking Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine frozen berries, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, and orange juice. *If using the triple berry medley, you might want to slice the whole strawberries into more manageable pieces.
2. Allow berry mixture to thaw for about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. Pour thawed berry mixture into a skillet (I use this one).
5. In a separate mixing bowl, combine oats, 1/4 cup coconut sugar, almond flour, and salt. Cut in cubed butter with a fork or pastry cutter.
6. Pour oat mixture on top the berries that are in the skillet.
7. Bake for 40 minutes.
8. Serve warm with ice cream, frozen yogurt, whipped cream, and/or fresh fruit.
9. Enjoy!

Click to tweet: Gluten Free Triple Berry Skillet Cobbler - YUM!

What's your favorite food during fall?

When's the last time you enjoyed a crumble?

PIN for later. 

Three-Ingredient Grape Popper Dessert [gluten free and vegan options]

Enjoy dessert each night by swapping out high calories options for something a little healthier. These three-ingredient grape poppers can be made with gluten free and/or vegan options allowing for everyone to enjoy.
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I've always been a big fan of dessert and I'll find any excuse for something sweet after dinner. I believe that regardless of your dietary needs or restrictions, you should be able to enjoy dessert every singe night. I'm not talking about 300 plus calories chocolate cake or scoops of ice cream, but even healthy dessert can be fun and enjoyable.

Oftentimes after dinner I will enjoy yogurt topped with fruit, fruit on it's own, or nuts as a healthier option. You can always find loads of healthy, vegan, and/or paleo dessert recipes all over the web so your options are essentially endless.

But today you don't have to search any further for a healthier dessert option that only requires three ingredients and there is no baking involved. Yep, no baking and minimal ingredients wins every time in my book.

Click to tweet: I want to try these three-ingredient grape poppers tonight!

Now I do not eat a gluten free or vegan diet but that doesn't mean this recipe isn't gluten free and vegan friendly. Just take a look at the ingredient list and find your favorite, dietary-friendly white chocolate bark or baking chips and you too can enjoy these little grape poppers.

Grape Poppers

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Ingredients

• Roasted Peanuts, chopped
• Green Grapes
• White Chocolate Bark or Baking Chips [gluten free and/or vegan optional]
• *Coconut Oil, if needed to thin out melted chocolate

Cooking Directions

1. Chop up your roasted peanuts and set aside on a dish or in a bowl.
2. Wipe clean your grapes by using a damp paper towel. (if you rinse them under running water, the white chocolate will not stick to the grapes and they will become soggy)
3. In a microwave safe bowl, melt your baking chocolate in 15 second intervals. If your melted chocolate is too thick, stir in coconut oil until desired thickness is achieved.
4. Dip grapes in melted chocolate then roll in chopped nuts. Set aside on a parchment lined tray and allow to set in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Store for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge.
6. Enjoy!

You might notice that I omitted measurements from the recipe. That is because I don't measure for this recipe. It just depends on if I want 10 grape poppers or if I am making for a crowd. Just use your best judgement. And heck, if you are left with extra melted chocolate, pour into a muffin tin and place in the freezer overnight. Then you can store your re-hardened baking chocolate in a baggy in your pantry. 

Are you a fan of dessert?

What's your favorite dessert?

Have you ever had a grape dipped in chocolate?

PIN for later. 

Gluten Free Almond Shortbread Cookies

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Snapple. The opinions and text are all mine. #TrueTeaTaste

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There is something about the change of a season. Whether that be a change in the weather season or a change in a season of your life. It brings a sense of adventure and curiosity, a feeling of renewal and optimism.

Summer is officially here even though it's been feeling like summer for several weeks with the temperature. And now that I am entering another season of my life by moving yet again (6th move in 6 years), there are few things that I am enjoying to just take a breather and enjoy this season of life.

Being able to sit out in the sunshine with a refreshing drink and tasty treat is what I live for these days. A and I haven't even searched for a new home in Missouri so I don't know what to look forward to. But I can say that I will miss our screened deck in Maryland and listening to all the birds chirping from our cypress trees. This is generally where I go to relax and enjoy my summer treats.

So what is it that I've been quenching my thirst with this summer? Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea! It's been my go-to beverage because it's refreshing, cold, and made with all natural ingredients with nothing artificial.

When I saw that Snapple® had two new varieties of teas (Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea and Rooibos), I snatched them up from Giant Food and knew that a shortbread cookie with pair perfectly with them. But not just any shortbread cookie, Gluten Free Almond Shortbread Cookie would do the trick.

Gluten Free Almond Shortbread Cookies

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Yield: 9 cookies

Nutrition per cookie: 106 Calories | 5 g Carb | 9 g Fat | 3 g Protein | 3 g Sugar

Ingredients

• 1 cup Almond Meal
• 3 tablespoons Butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
• pinch Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix together with hand mixer or stand mixer.
3. Use your hands to mix the remaining cookie dough until it forms a ball.
4. Roll dough into 9 balls, about 1 tablespoon each.
5. Place cookie balls onto prepared cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray or use a silpat.
6. Flatten each cookie ball using three fingers until they are about 3/4 inch high.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for at least 15 minutes.
9. Enjoy!

Pin for later:

What Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea would you love to try (Unsweetened, Sorta Sweet, Sweet, Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea, or Rooibos)?

What's your favorite thing about summer?

Are you currently experiencing any season changes in your life?

Baked Green Bean Fries

Crispy, crunchy baked green bean fries are a perfect appetizer or snack. Dunk them in your favorite dipping sauce or eat them on their own. 
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Today's recipe doesn't need much introduction and I'm not going to make you read a list of adjectives that explain all the goodness that is within. Instead, let's talk about idioms.

Click to tweet: Crispy, crunchy baked green bean fries are a perfect appetizer or snack. 

I've never been one to completely understand idioms. Not that I don't like a good joke or enjoy sarcastic people, they just don't always make sense to me. This isn't the case for every idiom. Some idioms I misstate and create a whole new meaning.

What is an idiom? It is a word or phrase that doesn't have a literal meaning. So what are some popular idioms?

A bitter pill.

A dime a dozen.

I'm all ears.

Let's call it a day.

Bull in a china shop. 

The last one I never understood for years. In fact, I used to think it was actually said as "a BOWL in a china shop". Well that only makes sense if we are literally talking about a BOWL in a china shop.

Now we can see the difference if I use those two phrases separately.

The dog is like a bowl in a china shop.

The dog is like a bull in a china shop.

Clearly those two have completely different meanings. And all those years that I used the phrase "a bowl in a china shop", I really meant the opposite of what I was trying to say. Thanks to A for pointing out my error a few months ago. Without him, I would be lost!

Moving on to today's recipe - baked green bean fries.

I love fries, all types of fries - french fries, sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, and green bean fries. Regardless, anything crispy that can be dunked in some dipping sauce has my name written all over it.

Baked Green Bean Fries

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Yield: 2-4 servings

Ingredients

• handful Fresh Green Beans (about 30-40)
• 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour (*gluten-free flour)
• 1/2 cup Italian Bread Crumbs (*1 cup almond meal)
• 1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs (*omit)
• 1 large Egg, beaten lightly (*almond milk)
• salt and pepper to taste
• *Substitutions for vegan & gluten-free option

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a baking pan with foil and non-stick cooking spray.
2. Rinse green beans and cut ends off.
3. Mix italian and panko bread crumbs together in a shallow bowl then season with salt and pepper.
4. Line up two more shallow bowls, one with the AP flour and the other with the beaten egg.
5. Dip green beans in the flour, egg, then bread crumb mixture. Place onto baking pan.
6. Once all green beans have been battered, place in oven on bottom shelf for 20-30 minutes, rotating half way through.
7. Allow green beans to cool for 5-10 minutes.
8. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce!

Click to tweet: YUM - can't wait to try these baked green bean fries!

Have you ever had green bean fries?

What are some of your favorite idioms?

Love this recipe? Pin for later. 

S'more Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich [Gluten Free]

S'more Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches are bite size and a delicious twist from a traditional campfire s'more. These little cookies are gluten free and filled with good, clean ingredients.
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Whenever A travels for work, there is one go-to meal that is always on the menu while he is away. It's not healthy, it's not nutritious, and it's not wholesome. But, it is tasty and comforting!


The house feels empty and quiet when he is gone. Being that I work from home, my 'work' day ends when he walks through the front door. So if he doesn't come home, my day doesn't really ever end. Then I lay down in an empty bed and life just feels so incomplete.

My go-to meal when he travels could be anything, because really, I make all the decisions for what I want to eat. I could eat anything that he doesn't like, I could eat breakfast for all three meals, or I could even just eat dessert. There is no one here to judge me - besides Roxi. Regardless of all the options, I choose Kraft Mac & Cheese. You know, the blue box?! Yep, that's what I choose!

Judge me all you want.

Click to tweet: S'more PB Cookie Sandwiches are bite size & delicious twist from traditional campfire s'more.

And because I mentioned the option of eating dessert for a meal, these S'more Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches would definitely be a good option. The peanut butter cookies are filled with good, clean ingredients and the entire thing is gluten free. But I choose to keep dessert just for dessert - something I can savor.

S'more Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich [Gluten Free]

Recipe by adapted from Veggie Balance

Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 10 cookie sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (check ingredient list and be sure it only include peanuts, or make your own)
• 1/3 cup Almond Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
• Pinch Salt
• 3 teaspoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 Egg
• 5 Jumbo Marshmallows, halved
• 4 ounces Dark Chocolate Morsels

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, or 325 degrees if using a dark cookie sheet.
2. Mix peanut butter, almond flour, baking soda, salt, honey, vanilla, and egg together until well combined.
3. Roll out the cookie mixture into 1/2 tablespoon balls. Then flatten out by making a cross with a fork.
4. Bake for 5 minutes then remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. Flip over half the cookies and place 1/2 marshmallow on top of flipped cookies.
5. Bake for another 3 minutes then allow to cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes.
6. Slowly melt dark chocolate morsels in a double boiler of in the microwave at 30 second intervals.
7. Dip the bottom half of the unflipped peanut butter cookies into the melted chocolate then immediately place on top of melted marshmallow.
8. Allow chocolate to harden at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
9. Enjoy!

Click to tweet: These peanut butter cookies are filled with good clean ingredients & the entire thing is gluten free.

What's your go-to meal when you are home alone?
Are you a s'more fan?
Looking for more gluten free recipes? Check out this Gluten Free Puppy Chow Recipe.

Sweet and Spicy Curry Popcorn

Crunchy, sweet, and spicy perfection can be found in this Sweet and Spicy Curry Popcorn. It is anything but ordinary!

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In case you haven't checked your social media outlets yet, today is National Popcorn Day. Perfect, because I am sharing all things popcorn this week for Five Days of Popcorn. Yesterday we talked about the basics of stovetop popcorn and how to make perfect stovetop popcorn for two. We are going to work off those basics and create a sweet and spicy concoction - perfect for celebrating National Popcorn Day.

I am a huge fan of the flavor of curry. The spices of tumeric, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, garlic, and cumin are just a few of my favorite things. Combine them all together with all the other flavors of curry and you will have a symphony in your mouth.

Click to tweet: This popcorn will create a symphony of flavors in your mouth!

I've been known to add curry powder to macaroni and cheese, traditional Indian dishes, and now popcorn. But get ready, this isn't your regular curry powder. It's spicy curry powder. 

I purchase mine from Penzeys, but you can purchase yours from whereever you'd like. If you are unable to find spicy curry, you can always use regular curry powder then add some red pepper flakes to the desired amount of heat. 

So what are you waiting for? Pop some popcorn and get to celebrating with this Sweet and Spicy Curry Popcorn. 

Sweet and Spicy Curry Popcorn

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 cups

Ingredients

• Make your perfect stovetop popcorn
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Spicy Curry Powder

Cooking Directions

1. Once you've made your perfect stovetop popcorn, set it aside.
2. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add in brown sugar and spicy curry powder. Stir until well incorporated.
4. Drizzle melted butter mixture over salted popcorn and mix well.
5. Enjoy!

Click to tweet: Mouthwatering Sweet and Spicy Curry Popcorn.

Do you add curry powder to any unique recipes?

Are you a fan of curry?

Will you be eating popcorn to celebrate National Popcorn Day?
Want more popcorn recipes? Check out the entire Five Days of Popcorn series. 

Perfect Stovetop Popcorn

Stovetop popcorn can be customized with whatever toppings you would like or just enjoyed plain. Let's get to popping!
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Today I bring you the first day of a five day series. I'm a big fan of popcorn and understand that there are a million and one different flavors and ways of cooking popcorn - buttered, caramel corn, salted, mixed with tons of toppings, cooked in the microwave, etc. So join me this week for Five Days of Popcorn. But first, I have a confession to make.

I'd never made popcorn from scratch until this year. Yes, 2016 was the year I finally bit the bullet! I thought it was extremely time consuming and I was afraid of setting off every fire alarm in my house with burnt popcorn. Guess what? It's not hard at all. In fact, it's beyond simple - requiring only two ingredients to get perfectly popped stovetop popcorn.

Click to tweet: Stovetop popcorn is simple to make.

After a little bit of trial and error, I found that 2:1 is the best ratio of popcorn kernels to oil for creating the best yield of popcorn with a perfect flavor. For a very large two serving bowl of popcorn, I will use 5 tablespoons of popcorn kernels to 2 1/2 tablespoons oil. You can now adjust your servings accordingly without being discouraged by trying to figure out the perfect measurements.

I've also experimented with all types of oils - olive oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil. I've found that olive oil works perfectly if you are creating a savory popcorn and coconut oil is great for sweeter flavors. But feel free to swap one oil for the other because they all work well. Now let's make some salted popcorn!

Perfect Stovetop Salted Popcorn

Recipe by a traveling Wife

Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 cups

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (coconut oil or vegetable oil will work fine too)
• 5 tablespoons Popcorn Kernels
• 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
• *Optional: 1-2 tablespoons Butter, melted

Cooking Directions

1. In a large (3 qt or larger) saucepan, heat oil and 3-4 popcorn kernels over medium high heat and cover with lid.
2. When 1-2 of the popcorn kernels pop, the oil has reached the perfect temperature. Add in remaining popcorn kernels and cover with lid, leaving slightly ajar to allow the steam to escape.
3. Gently shake pan back and forth, heating up all the popcorn kernels.
4. Once there is 3-5 seconds between pops, remove from heat.
5. Pour fresh popcorn into a large bowl and top with sea salt, adding melted butter if desired.
6. Toss and enjoy!

Click to tweet: Perfect stovetop popcorn for two!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for a uniquly flavored popcorn. You won't want to miss it!

Have you tried to make homemade popcorn before?

What is your favorite flavor of popcorn?