Gettin' Fresh with The Fresh 20

Thank you to The Fresh 20 for sponsoring this post .

One of my biggest challenges in life is that mysterious question, "What's For Dinner?" Here's the thing: I like to prepare simple recipes that don't involve dumping Cream of Chemical soup, or a plastic tray in the microwave. I want healthy, unique recipes that my whole family will eat, and that don't require hours to prepare. Does this even exist?

Yes. Yes, it does. The Fresh 20 provides simple meal plans that will put an end to "What For Dinner?" There are a number of different plans you can choose from, which cater to your individual needs. I've been using the Classic plan for a while, and I love it. Recipes are included for five weeknight dinners, using 20 fresh ingredients per week. Clear, simple directions for grocery shopping, prep work and making the actual recipes are included.

I love the recipes! They are exactly what I was looking for, and some of my all time favorite meals have come from this program. I also love the fact that they also include sides, because that's something that I usually forget. Check out the meal plans to learn more and to see pictures of a typical week of meals. They've seriously thought of everything!

The Fresh 20 is running a photo contest! TODAY is the last day to enter. Submit a photo or video of how your kid(s) get fresh with fresh ingredients in their lunches or snacks. Then add a 50 word narrative to the photo/video and you’re entered. The amazing prizes include $250 cash, a food processor, Fresh 20 subscriptions, and more!

Have you ever tried The Fresh 20? How do you incorporate fresh ingredients at mealtime?

Taste of Mama Sparkles - When Life Gives You Lemons...

*Click the Columns tab to see an explanation of Taste of Mama Sparkles.

Make lemonade! Our new house has a giant lemon tree.

This fruit is actually a cross between an orange and a lemon, which I found out is called a meyer lemon. We also have a smaller tree of regular lemons. So on a warm summer night, Bean requested that we make lemonade and so that's exactly what we did:

Our recipe was pretty simple - 1 cup sugar, 1 1/2 - 2 cups lemon juice and water. It came out quite tasty. I would love to know your favorite lemonade recipes...and also what to do with all these lemons! Leave me your best recipes in the comments!

Three Things That Make Me Think of Easter

Happy Easter! Today I was pondering the holiday and how it seems to be surrounded by bunnies, fluffy chickens and eggs. While those are great things, I began thinking of things that remind me of Easter that are not so obvious. Here is what I came up with:

1. The first thing I thought of was my son. His due date was Easter, so when I look at him that's what I think of.

2. Last night I listened to the beautiful Cantata No. 140 by J.S. Bach. It sounded so peaceful and serene, yet had so much power that it made me remember the importance of the holiday.

3. Finally, my recipe for "Chicken Puffies" makes me think of Easter. I think it's because it is one of the few things I can make without consulting a recipe book and they are always a big hit with everyone. In other words, they bring joy, satisfaction and comfort. Here is the recipe for all of you to enjoy:

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts
3/4 of an 8 ounce package of cream cheese
2 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls
1-2 tablespoons melted butter
Small bowl of bread crumbs
Parsley

Place block of cream cheese in mixing bowl to soften. Boil the chicken until it is no longer pink. Drain and run under cold water to cool it off. Shred the chicken with your fingers into the mixing bowl, on top of the cream cheese. Mix it all together and stir in some parsley. Unroll the crescent rolls and spoon about a tablespoon of mixture on the fat end. Roll up, dip it in the butter and then dip it in the bread crumbs. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat until they have all been rolled. Bake in the oven at 375 degress for 11 to 13 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool and enjoy! Serves 16

Deviled Eggs=Yummy

I've always thought that deviled eggs were pretty tasty. Whenever I see them served at a party I'll usually eat a couple, but I never thought they were anything spectacular...until I tried my friend's recipe that is. My friend recently served her deviled eggs at a baby shower and they were the most amazing eggs I had ever had. I think what makes them so good might be the curry powder and the bacon bits. In any case, everyone was raving about them and I'm sure that they will be a favorite request for future baby showers. Since it's party week in the blogosphere, I got the recipe from her so that I could "serve" them for you.

Ingredients:
6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut lengthwise
1/4 cup Light Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pickle relish
bacon bits
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Curry Powder for garnish

Pop out (remove) the egg yolks to a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, bacon bits and pepper and mix thoroughly. Fill the empty egg white shells with the mixture and sprinkle lightly with curry powder. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving.

What's your favorite party recipe? Please share it with us!