A cherished, delicious, soul-food recipe, passed down from my grandmother to my mother to me, vegetable beef stew, is ALWAYS a hit!  It doesn't have to be snowy or gloomy outside to appreciate this warm bowl of loveliness. Healthy, inexpensive, delicious! Serve with cornbread and you have a complete, balanced, healthy meal that your whole family will kiss you for.  Promise!  That's why I … [Read more...]

When my husband and I first got married, and I made spaghetti, I made what my mother always made:  Kraft Tangy Italian in the green box.  I don't know why she liked it so much, but she did, and we loved it. But my husband was like, "what is THIS?"  Again, not to knock my mama....she could cook her way around a kitchen, especially this mean dish called Lemon Chicken....but that's for another … [Read more...]

Need a quick, filling, inexpensive  dinner for your growing tribe?  It doesn't get much easier than this.  For this Mexican food made-at-home dish, you'll need your favorite instant rice, a can of refried beans, a LOT of jack and/or cheddar cheese, a quick batch of homemade enchilada sauce and corn tortillas. Serve with hot refried beans and *rice. * Reserve a big spoonful of … [Read more...]

My kids are carnivores.  I didn't do it.  I could survive on fruits and vegetables alone, but  my husband, well...you could say he's a meat and potatoes kind of man.  Our kids really will eat mostly anything, with the exception of a picky eater or two here and there.  But meat, they eat. Hayden has recently been requesting such dishes as spaghetti with meatballs and meatloaf, so to honor … [Read more...]