Tag Archives: Christian wife

Aldi Grocery Haul

12 Apr

 

I thought I would share something a little different.  I am always a little curious and a bit fascinated about how life is for others.  I think we learn new things and become inspired when other’s welcome us into snippets of their life. 

So today I am going to share with you our Aldi’s grocery haul.  This will feed our family of 5 for about 7-10 days. I love that I can feed my family fairly healthy and still stay in budget! 

If you’re interested in watching click Aldi Grocery Haul

If you shop at Aldi what are your favorite things to purchase from there?

Thanks for watching!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Photo credit: Aldi and Google pictures

 

 

 

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Lemon Pudding Cake

17 Mar

Just like a song, a certain food can transport you to a certain moment.  This cake makes me think of Easter of 2009…..my son was one and already a master climber (ask me about the loft incident sometime).  I had just cut the cake and placed it in the center of the table so I could serve my family. Fast forward about eight seconds later and here is my pantless, diapered bottom, sweet son, attacking the cake.  As any good mother would do, I first grabbed my camera before removing him from the cake.

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Oh, Jacob!

This cake looks like you spent hours in the kitchen but really this semi homemade cake is a cinch to make and people will love you forever if you make this for them…true story!

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This is all you need. Bake cake according to package directions.

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Grease cake pans.

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Evenly distribute batter between both pans ( a little over two cups per pan).

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Once cakes are completely cool ( 2-4 hours) mix pudding mix with 1 1/2 milk for about one minute or until thickened.

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Frost each layer with half of pudding mixture and stack.

 

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Frost with whipped topping and refrigerate at least four hours before serving.

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Moist, dense, decadence!

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Middle of the night refrigerator view….the struggle is real friends!

 

Click here for the printable recipe

 

I hope you enjoy the cake as much as we do. Thanks for visiting!
 
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

 

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Nutella Banana Muffins

29 Feb

There are three things in life I adore…Jesus, my family, and Nutella…….clearly I am a girl who has her priorities in order 😉

One of my most requested recipes is this one. Somehow, something magical happens when you bring Nutella and Bananas together……the clouds part, the sun shines, and for a brief moment siblings get along.

So if you know what is good for you, you’ll keep reading for the recipe.

muffin2

The makings of happiness

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Take a minute to mash your bananas well.

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Sift your dry ingredients together.

 

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Add the sugar, oil, vanilla, and egg to the bananas.

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Don’t be shy with the Nutella!

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Bake until they are golden on the outside……..

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…and moist and decadent on the inside. Trust me they are worth the calories!

Nutella Bomb Banana Muffins

by Rebecca Vahdat

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 14-17 minutes

Keywords: bake Nutella Muffins

 

Ingredients (12 muffins)

  • 1 1/2 C. flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 3/4 C. sugar
  • 1/3 C. oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2-1 TBSP Nutella per muffin

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 375. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

In a separate bowl add bananas and mash well. Stir in sugar, egg, oil, and vanilla and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and mix until just combined.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and top each unbaked muffin with 1/2-1 TBSP of Nutella and with a knife or toothpick and lightly swirl the Nutella and batter together.

Bake 14-17 minutes.

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I hope you love them as much as we do!  If you make them, stop by and share what you think!  Thanks for visiting.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

A New Year Prayer

31 Dec

I hope you are all having a wonderful celebration with those you love! My prayer for you is that in this new year you will grow deeper in your faith, that your marriages will be stronger and more passionate, that you will find great purpose in being a great parent, to be more intentional with your friendships, and mostly, to find ways to be a blessing to others. May God guide your paths, comfort you, and give you peace as you embark on a shiny New Year

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 Image courtesy of [ noppasinw] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Joy in Thanksgiving

26 Nov

For me, true joy is found in contentment in where you are, growth from where you have been, expectation of what is to come and gratitude to God for his indescribable gift that daily leads us to a victorious life. When we are in Christ we can find peace in all circumstances. Where there is joy there is thanksgiving.

Today I pray for healed hearts, second chances, grace, happy memories, thoughtful reflections, full bellies, genuine laughter, patience, tenderheartedness, and love.

Happy Thanksgiving! May God Bless you and your families.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

                   You can also find me on pinterest

Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

 

Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

24 Nov

 

Since I have been on a Thanksgiving recipe roll, I figured I have time to share one more simple, decadent, delicious, recipe.

So if you are interested in being the veggie hero once again…keep on reading for the recipe.

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Seven ingredients is all you need.

 

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In a skillet melt the cream cheese and butter over low heat. If your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature this will take about 5 minutes. Don’t panic, it will look a little lumpy and bumpy until your whisk in the milk.

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Add the milk and whisk until smooth.

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Add corn and salt and pepper. Go ahead and give it a taste test or three….you know, to make sure it is seasoned properly 🙂

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Add to your greased baking dish and sprinkle with cheese…don’t be shy.

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Bake 20-25 minutes or until hot, bubbly, deliciousness is achieved.

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Resist the urge to cut into it right away. Let this beauty set for at least 5 minutes before serving!

You can watch how I make it here

 

Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

by Rebecca Vahdat

Cook Time: 20-25 Minutes

Keywords: bake side Thanksgiving Christmas winter

 

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. Cream Cheese
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 1/3 Cup milk
  • 4 Cups of corn (18 oz.bag of frozen corn, thawed OR-15 oz. cans, drained).
  • 1 Cup Pepper Jack OR Sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350 and grease an 8×8 inch baking dish and set aside.

In a pot melt together cream cheese and butter over low heat.

Add milk and stir until mixture is smooth.

Add corn and salt and pepper. Mix well.

Add mixture to greased baking dish and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.

Bake uncovered 20-25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Let set 5 minutes before serving.

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See, couldn’t be more simple.  This casserole has earned its rightful place as a star attraction on our Thanksgiving table.

I would love to know what you will be serving this holiday season. Leave a comment, recipe, or a link to your blog. I would LOVE to check it out!

Thanks for visiting and have a Happy and blessed Thankgiving!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

 You can also find me on Pinterest

Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Not Your Mama’s Green Bean Casserole

19 Nov

Don’t get me wrong, I love my mama’s classic back of the can green bean casserole….so much in fact that I probably make once or twice a year beyond Thanksgiving. But….sometimes a girl has gotta have options.  So, if you’re looking to add a little something new and surprising on your holiday table, I promise you will be the Thanksgiving hero with this recipe!

If you’re interested in this recipe keep reading.

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Go ahead and gather up your ingredients.

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Go ahead and cook up your bacon. I like to put my bacon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Place bacon in oven and heat to 400 degrees. Cook until desired doneness. We like ours nice and crispy. Do yourself a favor, go ahead and add an extra slice or two to the pan. It’s inevitable, a piece or two won’t make it into the casserole. Keep that bacon grease, you will need it for later.

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Drain bacon on a paper towel and give it a quick chop.

 

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While the bacon is cooking go ahead and get your green beans cooking. I use frozen, so I cook them in a small amount of salted, boiling water for about 8 minutes.

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I use frozen corn so I add it to the green beans during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.  Drain excess water and set aside.

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In a large bowl mix the rest of the ingredients except for the onions.

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Add the green beans, corn, and bacon to the cream cheese mixture and mix well.

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Grease a 9×13 baking pan and bake to heavenly deliciousness!

Not Your Mama’s Green Bean Casserole

by Rebecca Vahdat

Cook Time: 35-45 minutes

Keywords: bake side Thanksgiving Christmas Easter American

 

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 pound frozen green beans
  • 1 1/2 C. frozen corn
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 C. mayonnaise
  • 2 TBSP butter, softened
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/4 C. French fried onions

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400.

Thoroughly spray a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.

Cook bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and coarsely chop. Reserve some of the bacon drippings.

Bring a small amount of lightly salted water to a boil. Add green beans and bring back up to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for 6-8 minutes. Add the frozen corn to the green beans during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain excess water and set vegetables aside.

In a large bowl combine all the additional ingredients except the French fried onions and mix well. Add the vegetables and bacon to the cream cheese mixture and mix well.

Add green bean mixture to prepared baking dish. Drizzle a Tablespoon or two of the reserved bacon drippings over the casserole.

Add 1/4 C. of the French fried onions to the top of your casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 35-45 minutes. Remove foil and add the additional french fried onions during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.

I hope this simple yet delicious recipe becomes a game changer during your holidays too!

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and Be a Blessing~
Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

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Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

13 Nov

I love this time of year especially for the smells and tastes of fall. One of my most favorite things to do this time of year is spend as much time as possible in the kitchen…cooking and baking and sharing my love of it to those around me.

One of my most requested fall recipes are these cupcakes. I get asked for this recipe all the time. This is usually what I am asked to bring for holiday gatherings.  TO. DIE. FOR.  Seriously!  They are moist, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make.

Go ahead and do yourself a favor and whip these puppies up…everyone will love you and you will love how quick and easy it was. Keep reading for the recipe.

What you will need to get started. So far so good.....

What you will need to get started. So far so good…..

Take a minute to add some of your measured flour to the chocolate chips. Keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

Take a minute to add some of your measured flour to the chocolate chips. Keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

Now go ahead and sift the rest of the dry ingredients and set aside. I know what you're thinking "2-3 tsp of pumpkin pie spice? Isn't that crazy talk?" Trust me, it works and it is awesome!

Now go ahead and sift the rest of the dry ingredients and set aside. I know what you’re thinking “2-3 tsp of pumpkin pie spice? Isn’t that crazy talk?” Trust me, it works and it is awesome!

Start by mixing your sugar and oil.

Start by mixing your sugar and oil.

Go ahead and add in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin.

Go ahead and add in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin.

Now here is the part where your house will start to smell heavenly.

Now here is the part where your house will start to smell heavenly.

Baked to moist, golden brown, deliciousness. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down.

Baked to moist, golden brown, deliciousness. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down.

You can certainly enjoy them as is, they make for a crazy good muffin. If you want to do it right, frost them with the worlds bestest cream cheese frosting. It will be the best decision you'll make all day! I'll leave a link for that below.

You can certainly enjoy them as is, they make for a crazy good muffin. If you want to do it right, frost them with the worlds bestest cream cheese frosting. It will be the best decision you’ll make all day! I’ll leave a link for that below.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it makes enough to share! Go ahead and wrap them up cute and share the love.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it makes enough to share! Go ahead and wrap them up cute and share the love.

Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes

by Rebecca Vahdat

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 17-22 minutes

Ingredients (18-24 cupcakes)

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 C. sugar
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 C. vegetable oil
  • 2 C. flour
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 2-3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-15oz. can 100% pumpkin
  • 2 C. chocolate chips

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

Add a heaping Tablespoon of flour to the chocolate chips and mix well (this step keeps the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of the cupcakes). Sift together the additional flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt; set aside.

Combine sugar and oil and mix well. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add vanilla and pumpkin and mix well.

Slowly add in dry ingredients until just combined.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full of batter and bake for *17-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.

Let cool and frost or skip the frosting and enjoy as a muffin.

*Oven temps vary, check muffins a few minutes before to avoid over baking.

*You can find the recipe for the Worlds Bestest Cream Cheese frosting here.*

I hope you enjoy these cupcakes as much as we do!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can find me on Pinterest

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Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

The Bestest Cream Cheese Frosting in the World

13 Nov

Truly, there is no other name worthy of this frosting. Really, it’s more than frosting it’s a way of life. Simple, delicious, maybe even life changing.  So simple, you’ll never buy canned stuff again!  Scroll down for recipe.

Just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes is all it takes!

Just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes is all it takes!

Light and fluffy. It has the potential to bring tears to your eyes...it's that good.

Light and fluffy. It has the potential to bring tears to your eyes…it’s that good.

Bestest Cream Cheese Frosting in the World

by Rebecca Vahdat

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: dessert

Ingredients (2 Cups of frosing)

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 Cup butter, room temperature
  • 4 heaping Cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed.

Reduce speed to medium-low and gradually add in the powdered sugar until combined.

Add the pure vanilla extract.

Increase the speed to medium-high (setting 8 on my stand mixer) and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Simply delicious!

Makes enough frosting for 24 cupcakes or a two layer cake.

Enjoy!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can find me on Pinterest

Copyright © 2015 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Never Forgotten-September 11, 2001

11 Sep

We all have our stories. Stories, that with time, our children will ask about.  Where we were, who we were with, and how we heard about it.  Stories that regardless of how much time passes will remain freshly etched in our minds and freshly felt in our hearts.

We all saw the horrific images and stayed glued to our TV’s for days.  We remember how eerily quiet the skies were and how we let our differences go to become united as a country.  In one day we saw the very worst and the very best of humanity.  We saw what one human being was willing to give up to save another human being, we saw heroism and bravery on a scale we might never actually get to witness again, and we were brought together as a country, even for just a moment, like we may never experience again.
For the brave men and women on the flights, for the first responders, for our firemen, police officers, for those who stayed back to make sure everyone got out, for those who left last, for those who went back in, for those who never came out, for the doctors, nurses, medical professionals, good Samaritans, clergymen, our brave soldiers, and all those who shed tears for the loved ones they lost-WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

God Bless the USA!!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

*Photo credit Google images

Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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