Would this even be a real food blog if we didn't feature pumpkin chocolate chip bread in the fall? Call me a sucker but I love love love when the pumpkin flavored deserts and treats start making their debut after labor day. This treat just sings cozy on up with me in your socks and long johns and enjoy yourself. This bread has a deep rich flavor of chocolate, pumpkin, and spice. You will probably regret not doubling it so you can freeze yourself a second loaf for next week. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

Ingredients: 

2 eggs

3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cups brown sugar

1 can pumpkin puree (about a cup and a half) 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup chocolate chips 

Directions: 

Mix together all of your ingredients in a standard mixer in the order listed above. Pour batter into a greased 9x5 loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 65 minutes. 

This is a wonderful recipe to double or triple. You can make loaves for your neighbors and they will probably be so grateful they will rake your leaves for you. 

Enjoy!

Its finally fall and its finally soup weather. Nothing beats a nice warm soup on a chilly autumn day. This soup is full of flavor, but also full of vegetables. Its good for you and guilt free, and something you will be happy to eat as leftovers the next day. Oh, and if that's not enough to make you want to make this dish, how about the fact that it only takes about 10 minutes? Yes please. If you're a busy mom like me, any dinner that can be cooked in less time than it takes to grab fast food is a heck yes in my book. 

Ingredients: 

1 can diced tomatoes 

1 can navy beans

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

16 ounces dried tortellini 

1 small onion, diced

1 chicken bouillon cube 

3 cups water 

salt and pepper 

1 tsp dried thyme 

1 tsp dried oregano 

1 tsp dried basil 

1/3 cup parmesan cheese 

Directions: Chop your vegetables and rinse your beans and add them into the crock pot. Add water, bouillon, and herbs. Cook on high for 3 hours. Adjust seasoning. Add pasta and cook for another 16 minutes, top with cheese and serve. 

We hope you enjoy this delicious crock pot minestrone soup. Now good cuddle up in a blanket and read a book with all of the spare time you saved by using this recipe.

Today's lavender recipe inspiration comes from an unlikely place. The School of Styling Blog is a self titled "place to be inspired, educated, and equipped to style with intention, build a smart business, and cultivate community." They have a ton of gorgeous photos of this Berry Lavender Cake to inspire all sorts of creativity in the kitchen. 

This blog is full of gorgeous visuals and other interesting blog inspiration. So head on over there and check them out today. 

http://www.theschoolofstyling.com/blog/2015/5/11/berry-lavender-cake-inspiration

Happy weekending! 

I love a good quesadilla. Sharp cheddar, mexican flavored shrimp, and a crispy tortilla. What's not to love about this dish? If it comes together in under 10 minutes, how can that not make you happy? We use the raw tortilla land tortillas that you can buy at Costco. If you've ever had a homemade tortilla, you know the mouth-watering, chewy glimpse of heaven your taste-buds are about to experience. These tortilla's have done most of the work for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen... and more time gobbling up those compliments.

Ingredients: 

1 tortilla 

1 tbsp vegetable oil

12 shrimp

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp fajita seasoning

1/4 cup onion

1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions: 

Warm your oil in a pan. Dice your onion and add it to the oil, cook until translucent. Add your shrimp, cumin, and fajita seasoning. Cook until pink. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside. Place tortilla in remaining oil in pan. When you see bubles begin to form, flip it over. Then add your cheese, shrimp, and cilantro. Cook until cheese is melted. Cut into triangles and serve. 

Hope these simple and slightly elevated weeknight meals can inspire the couch potato chef in all of us. If you have 10 minutes, you can do this. 

Enjoy!