Kristine's Kitchen

Healthy Chocolate Chip Waffles

February 9, 2015 By Kristine 26 Comments

A healthier waffle that the whole family will get excited about. These Healthy Chocolate Chip Waffles are so good on their own, you don't even need maple syrup! (But I won't tell if you drizzle some on anyways.) Some mornings, it's harder to get out of bed than others. For me, and for my kids. But I have a little secret that's guaranteed to help my little ones hop right out of bed and get dressed in a flash: chocolate chip waffles. Once they hear that chocolate chip waffles are on the breakfast menu, their whole attitude changes. You know what? These Healthy Chocolate Chip Waffles totally lure me out of bed too. Do I really feed my kids chocolate for breakfast? Sure do. Just think of ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Healthy Bites for Kids, Pancakes & Waffles, Popular Tagged With: waffles

Skinny Dark Chocolate Chunk Muffins

February 4, 2015 By Kristine 42 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AmericasTea #CollectiveBias A healthy whole-wheat muffin made with flaxseed, these Skinny Dark Chocolate Chunk Muffins are bursting with chocolate chips and topped with crunchy almonds. I have a serious thing for muffins. What's not to love? Muffins work for breakfast, a snack, or even a healthier dessert in the case of these Skinny Dark Chocolate Chunk Muffins. They are incredibly quick and easy to make, often requiring no more than two bowls and a spoon. And they are freezer-friendly, making them a perfect grab-and-go breakfast. One of my favorite things about muffins is ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Muffins, Scones & Pastries, Snacks, Sponsored Tagged With: muffin

Apple-Pear Oatmeal Smoothie (aka the “apple pie” smoothie)

February 2, 2015 By Kristine 24 Comments

Apple-Pear Oatmeal Smoothie. This healthy breakfast smoothie tastes like apple pie!

This Apple-Pear Oatmeal Smoothie is a deliciously healthy way to start your day. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pure vanilla extract bring the flavors of apple pie to this creamy oat smoothie. Have you joined in the oatmeal smoothie craze yet? Ok, maybe it's not so much of a craze, but they are crazy good! Oat smoothies are great for a quick, healthy, and filling breakfast, and they also make a nutritious snack later in the day. My Pumpkin-Apple Breakfast Smoothie is one of my most popular recipes, so I figured you guys might like a new breakfast smoothie to add to your rotation! This Apple-Pear Oatmeal Smoothie is loaded with healthy ingredients, including oats, Greek yogurt, apple, ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Drinks, Healthy Bites for Kids, Snacks Tagged With: smoothie

Our Newest Addition…

January 30, 2015 By Kristine 17 Comments

Our beautiful baby girl, Hannah Grace, was born earlier this week. She is a little love and we are soaking up every second of baby snuggles and every ounce of cuteness. I just cannot get enough of her cuddles. Julia is completely in love with her baby sister. She asks to hold her all the time, and tells me, "I just love her." My heart melts. I'm so happy that these two have each other as sisters, and I hope the bond they share as they grow up will be just as strong as the one I have with my own two sisters. And William. I love the smile he gets on his face when he looks at his little sister. When he held her for the first time, he was so excited that Hannah's hands moved to ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Personal

Chocolate Raspberry Donuts with Raspberry Glaze

January 28, 2015 By Kristine 22 Comments

Baked chocolate raspberry cake donuts with a sweet raspberry glaze. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any day!

Chocolate raspberry cake donuts with a sweet raspberry glaze. These donuts are baked and perfect for Valentine's Day or any day! Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? It's not a holiday that I make a big deal about, but Brad and I will usually cook dinner together for the just two of us, after the kids are in bed. We are homebodies and prefer to relax at home rather than go out and compete with the crowds. It's enough of a celebration to eat a peaceful dinner without getting up time and again for more milk, more applesauce... although this year we will have a newborn so we will see how the quiet dinner at home works out for us. :) This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday so there will ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Muffins, Scones & Pastries Tagged With: Breakfast, Valentine's Day

Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

January 26, 2015 By Kristine 18 Comments

These Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies are filled with whole grains and flaxseed, and naturally sweetened with honey. They keep well in the freezer, for an easy grab and go breakfast or snack. As I type this, I am 38 weeks, two days pregnant and waiting for my baby girl to arrive. It could be any day now, or she could take her sweet time. Either way, I'm praying for a healthy little girl who I just know will complete our family perfectly. In the meantime, I'm enjoying these last few days of pregnancy. (I'm one of those who actually enjoys being pregnant, even despite the normal aches and pains, at least once the first trimester icky feelings go away.) I'm enjoying spending time ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cookies & Bars, Healthy Bites for Kids, Muffins, Scones & Pastries, Popular, Snacks, Top Posts Tagged With: Breakfast, breakfast sweets

3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Chicken

January 21, 2015 By Kristine 34 Comments

Looking for the easiest chicken taco recipe? This easiest ever 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Chicken is it! Three ingredients, your crock pot, and 10 minutes are all you need. Now grab those tortillas and enjoy! Any day now I will be mom to a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a newborn. Which is completely exciting and also somewhat terrifying at the same time. I'm telling myself that planning ahead and simplifying things at home will make all the difference between feeling overwhelmed versus relaxed in parenting my three little ones. I know I'll be anxious to get back into the kitchen soon after baby girl arrives, but I also know that cooking dinner while taking care of two kids and a ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Chicken, Easy Weeknight Meals, Main Dish, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Chicken, taco

Easiest 100% Whole-Wheat Biscuits

January 19, 2015 By Kristine 34 Comments

Who doesn't love a light, tender buttermilk biscuit? These Easiest 100% Whole-Wheat Biscuits have the delicious tang of buttermilk and a mild, nutty whole-wheat flavor without being heavy or dense. They are so easy to make with just six ingredients; you can have them on your table in no time! I'm a carbs and bread kinda girl. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that, either. I can't pass up a good muffin, scone, roll, cookie, or biscuit. A bowl of cereal is one of my favorite snacks. With my pregnancy, I need to watch my carb intake because I'm prone to high blood sugar while pregnant. And even when I'm not expecting, I try to eat a balanced diet including plenty of protein and vegetables. ... [Continue Reading]

Filed Under: Breads Tagged With: whole wheat