Ok Mom. Back away from the blue box. Your kids deserve better than manufactured cheese flavoring that's been dyed orange. Yes, box mac and cheese is easy and always a winner with kids, but we are doing them a disservice. Home made mac and cheese can be almost as easy and its so much better for them. This version is a lightened up version of most home made mac and cheese, and the best part? It's all done over the stove top! No dirty baking dishes to wash, no bread crumb crust to make. Just one pot and done until you've reached cheesy goodness for your kids, or in my case, for myself. 

Ingredients: 

8 ounces whole wheat pasta

6 ounces shredded sharp cheddar 

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup milk 

1 head of broccoli, chopped into bit sized pieces 

1 tsp dijon mustard

salt and pepper 

Directions: Boil your pasta for 8 minutes in salty water. As that boils, use a steamer to steam your brocoli as your noodles boil beneath it. In a small skillet, melt your butter. Whisk in your flour and whisk continuously until no lumps remain. Remove from heat and slowly add your milk, whisking constantly. Add back to heat and continue to whisk until it thickens. Add mustard to sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Add your cheese and stir until combined. Mix your cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and brocoli together, then serve. 

This seriously was super simple, and so much better for you than the genetically enginered and manufactured chemical laden boxed alternative. Take a few minutes and try this recipe. You won't be sorry. And your kids will love you for it. 

Ok, why am I just now finding out about Apt 2B Baking Co? Their blog is fresh, fun, and deliciously inspiring. Today for our weekly lavender recipe inspiration, I wanted to feature their apricot walnut and lavender cake. Not only is this cake beautiful, but they have paired the sweetness with the apricots so beautifully with the floral notes of the lavender. Amazing. 

If like me you weren't familiar with this beautiful blog until now, go check them out. You won't be sorry. Have a great weekend!

Dear fall, thank you for arriving so that I no longer have to feel guilty about craving beef stew. Beef stew is the ultimate cool weather comfort meal. Its hearty, flavorful, and filling. This recipe checks all of the boxes. Cooked low and slow, the meat is fall apart tender. The broth is fill a flask and sneak it into work good. You won't want to share the leftovers. Good luck with that. 

Ingredients: 

2 1/2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes

2 tablespoons butter

2 onions, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

4 cans chicken broth

5 springs parsley

5 springs thyme

2 bay leaves

1 1/2 pound red potatoes, quartered

4 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

lavender salt and pepper to taste

Directions: In a large dutch oven, warm your oil and brown your seasoned meat. Set aside. In the same pot, melt your butter, soften your onion, add your garlic at the end and cook until fragrant, add your tomatoe paste and stir. Add your remaining herbs, broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, and meat to the pot. Bake in over for 2 hours at 325 degrees. Remove from oven, add your vinegar, season with salt and pepper. 

Sit by the fire, dip some crusty bread in this, and have yourself a wonderful afternoon. 

This quick and easy thai noodle dish is so easy to whip up. Its full of sassy spicy thai flavor. Its got a nice crunch from the fresh vegetables, a savory slurp from the salty noodles. Its the perfect ying and yang for your dinner table tonight. 

Ingredients: 
16 ounces thai rice noodles
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil 
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp rice vinegar
1/4 tsp riracha
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tbsp lavender honey
2 cloves garlic
1 green onion
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 cup snow peas
1/2 cup brocoli
1/4 cup water chestnuts

Directions: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles as directed on package. Once noodles are cooked, add remaining ingredients and stir until vegetables soften. 

If you like spice, vegetables, and the full filling that noodles will leave you with, this is the quick dinner for you. Enjoy!