krismulkey.com

by Kris Mulkey I found a new fundraising company and I can't wait to tell you about them.  I remember when I was a kid going door-to-door selling cookies, popcorn, ugly candles, gift wrap, and schlepping around the Current catalog. Do you remember their products? I dreaded asking people to buy something. And I really didn't look forward to going back to everyone to deliver the products they bought. In fact, one year I didn't. I hid the ugly candles in my closet. My mom found them tucked away in my closet hidden under stuffed animals. She was furious with me and had me deliver them immediately. I can imagine all the laughs the women in the neighborhood had getting their ugly Christmas candle at Easter. Not my best moment.  No one really wanted anything. You could see it in their faces as they scanned the product sheet. I could tell they were just looking for the cheapest thing on the list. They wanted to help me out but didn't want to waste mone...

Guest post by Stephanie Bates,  Military Travel Mama . Have an Adventure Just because you're not in college anymore doesn't mean you can't celebrate. Check out these five Spring Break ideas. It’s not too late to plan something for your family this year! 1. Go big and go on an International adventure Have you always wanted to go to the jungle, desert, white sandy beaches, visit an international city, and amazing national parks? Consider splurging this year and go to Australia ! It may be a little hectic traveling so far, but it will be the family vacation you’ll talk about forever. And you will love all their theme parks , too! 2. Shop budget flights to find your next destination Don’t have the budget for a trip to Australia? That’s ok! Check out last minute flights and travel packages from all major airlines. There are always budget flights available for spur-of-the-moment trips. It may not be anywhere you were planning to go, but then again, you mig...

This is me doing a plank challenge. Two and a half years ago I thought a plank was a piece of wood (which it still is.) I had no idea there was another type of plank. And here I am today doing a plank challenge to help strengthen my core. Which is also another term I didn't really think too much about. I would have said "core" is something you find in the center of an apple. I got my exercise outdoors by hiking, biking, and swimming. This year I'm on a mission. I'm on a journey as thousands of other people are to live a healthier and happier lifestyle which means exercising regularly and eating better. I don't want to be a bodybuilder. I just want to be less giggly so my clothes fit better. And I'm not looking for a diet. I'm looking for a lifestyle change. Something that is sustainable. Something I can manage every week and maintain without too much torture. And I like to eat. So I need a nutrition program that is more than eating lettuce and...

by Kris Mulkey (recipe inspired by Ina Garten) I'm always looking for new side dish recipes that are tasty and easy. Who doesn't want that? We all have busy lives and want yummy food on the table fast. After a long day we're tired, hungry and really just want to sit down and relax. Am I right? So last Saturday I was watching the Food Network. Three of my favorite shows were on - the Barefoot Contessa, Trisha Yearwood and the Pioneer Woman. I always get great tips and recipe ideas from these shows so I was excited when Ina said she was making Shaved Brussels Sprouts.  I realize that sounds strange. Who on earth gets excited about Brussels Sprouts? Well, I do! We eat them all the time because they are so easy to make. I usually just roast them in the oven with some EVOO and seasoning and they always come out nice and crispy and super tasty.  Ina's recipe calls for the sprouts to be shredded in the food processor (which I have. yay.)...

We started getting a box of fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to our home about a month ago. It's been great getting the freshest seasonal items delivered right to our door every two weeks. I chose the box that is random items because I think it's fun to try new things. This week we received 4 fresh kiwis. Yum! I thought I would just cut them up and eat them and then I noticed they have a recipe for kiwi mojitos in their newsletter. I love mojitos, so I knew I had to try this recipe. The mojito is delicious! The combination of kiwi, lime, and mint is so refreshing and delicious it may become your new favorite mojito flavor. If you've never had a kiwi you should try one. They have hints of other fruits like strawberries, melons, pineapples, and bananas. They can be eaten in salads, on yogurt, in a fruit salad or fruit tart, or a mojito. Kiwis have more Vitamin C than an orange and are a good source of dietary fiber and Vitamin E. Did you know the fuzzy peel ...

I know what you're thinking? Peanut butter pie? Is it like Reese's peanut butter cup? Or a peanut butter cookie? No, it's not. It's so much more. Think creamy vanilla custard with a buttery crust and creamy peanut butter. It's heaven on a plate. Before Don and I were married we were living in Houston, Texas. We had a few favorite restaurants we would frequent on a regular basis. One of them was called Calypso Caribbean Cuisine. They had really great jerk chicken and pork, and ginger chicken with mango. But our very favorite thing was dessert, specifically, their Peanut Butter Pie. The peanut butter crumble on the crust topped with vanilla custard, homemade whipped cream, and a few more peanut butter crumbles on top made our mouths water. The recipe was handed down to Tim McGann from his mother. A family gem for sure. Lucky for us, the great chefs and caterers in Houston put together a cookbook with some of their favorite recipes. Our favorite Peanut Butt...

I am so excited to share this recipe with you! The egg bites have a creamy, cheesy texture just like the egg bites at Starbucks and they only have three ingredients! You don't need a crazy Sous Vide cooker thing. All you need is a pan and water.  The egg bites are perfect for busy weekday mornings. You can blend everything up, pop them in the oven, go get ready, then have this super yummy low-carb, high-protein breakfast ready to devour. Trust me when I say they are delish. Cheesy Egg Bites serves 2 2 eggs 1/4 cup cottage cheese (I used small curd) 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan (or whatever cheese you have on hand.) Dash of freshly grated nutmeg (optional) Salt and Pepper Cooking Spray 1. Add eggs, cottage cheese and cheddar cheese into a mini-cuisinart (or blender.) 2. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Pulse until mixture is liquified. 4. Spray two 1 cup glass bowls with cooking spray. 5. Divide egg mixture into each...