From My Kitchen to Yours: The Bleep My Family Eats

I would love you to pop over on my blog. Your directions are fantastic- and you dont gloss over ignore tricky parts of a recipe…You prepare us for the inevitable…. After years of cooking and trying new recipes, I have found that- yours are the most reliable. Thank you so much for taking the time to say this, Teresa! Makes all the work for that pie series worth it. It is because of your generousity in sharing out your french bread roll recipe a success on my very first attempt in bread making that I started to venture out in home-made bread.

I love baking bread for own family consumption so much that I went to sign up for a bread course. Please do continue blogging. I am so grateful for all that you do!! I was referred to your site about 6 weeks ago and have been so inspired to be making new meals for my family. We were in such a food rut because it bothers me to serve something new only to have the kids not eat. It makes me so happy to have these semi-picky people all like the. Thank you for the food and also for the gift lists. Wow, some very cool ideas from you and so many commenters!!

Mel, we are eating your Creamy Gnocchi soup as I write this and I still had your site up from referencing the recipe and I came across this post. I have never commented even though I am on your site very frequently for amazing recipes. My family has had so many amazing meals thanks to you. Your blog has been my go-to recipe site for the last 5 years.

So many of your recipes are in my weekly rotation. I am way behind reading this post, somehow I must have missed it even tough I go to melskitchen all the time. More often than not if I make anything good in the kitchen, I have to give your blog the credit. I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for blogging the way you do. I always know what when you post a recipe that its going to be amazing. So for what its worth from a loyal reader.

My husband just had a knee replacement. Before it was done, my daughter, Liz, suggested I make some meals ahead and freeze them. I did what she said and made 3 from you Take In Group. They were really handy and very good. Liz also shared your 1st day school thoughts and hers. Anyway, Thank You for some easy, good recipes. Your ranch dressing is wonderful!

This is a wonderful quick recipe for Lemon Drop Cookies. I was skeptical at first about trying it since it starts with a lemon cake mix and I usually bake from scratch, but this was a big hit with everyone who has tried them. Preheat oven to degrees. In medium mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients and chill for 1 hr. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball in powdered sugar.

Bake for minutes at on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Cool for 2 min. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes, expertise, adventures and knowledge with us, Mel. I get so excited when you have a new posting and know that the recipe is going to be fantastic and something I need to make for my family. What a lucky day it was for me when I found your blog when doing a recipe search! Blessings to you and your family!

Aww Mel, you are the best! Dearest Mel I hate to be the one to break it to you but…….. Your a wonderful Mom and Wife. I have no idea how you get this blog done at all with your brood…. And for heaven sake take sometime for you!! You deserve time to. I sure had to scroll down forever to leave a comment! I love your recipes and I love your sense of humor! Thank you for blogging! Your recipes actually work! Before I search the internet for recipes, I search your blog! You make feeding a family well sound fun and doable.

Reading advertisements is a waste of my time, so I quit following. I am pretty sure I read this post right after you wrote it. And now, this morning I just read it again. I hope you read it over every now and then. And, I also hope you give in and publish a cookbook someday soon.: I guess I already treat your blog like my own personal virtual cookbook. Thanks so much for sharing your talent for writing and cooking!!

Mel, I just came over your blog at the beginning of the year and am so so pleased I have. I have been wondering how you manage to post all these tips and recipes nearly every day…I really seriously admire you and want to thank you for all you do! Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!

You seem to be doing a great job sticking to your core values—your family, and good food to feed them. Thanks for the many tried and true recipes and your easy-going, candid way of sharing them. I think you are truly inspirational. To manage five kids and a home, and still find time to do something for the good of others. We keep returning to your blog, not only for the recipes. But for your honesty and your realness, your practicality, your planning, your tips. Thank you so much for blogging. Since I started following your blog, I have grown to love cooking and seriously do feel like a rock star in the kitchen!

Looks like mine is the th comment! I have about recipes of yours on my kitchen tablet that I use oh-so-frequently. Your creamy white chili is an all-time fav at our house, and guests are always wonderfully mystified at how good it tastes. I found a crust recipe on your blog and used it for her party—without even testing it out first! I trust your recipes that much! There are a lot more recipes I could talk about, but you get the idea. Thank you for sharing with us all your treasure trove of deliciousness in a fun and down-to-earth way. Also, I love your prose. I usually skip the long explanations that precede recipes from other cooking blogs, but never yours.

I love to write and read good writing, and your writing makes the former English major in me sing. Keep up the great work blogging… And keep being a great mom to those cute kiddos! In fact, when I want to try a new dish, I come here first. I read the whole post because I wanted to, not because I had to. I love you and your blog Mel. Thank you for all your hard work. My family has benefited for years because of your amazingness!! Your recipes really are tried and true and delicious! And just so you know…your site is the only website pinned to the home screen on my iPhone so that I can get to it as quickly as I possibly can.

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I do read other food blogs too, but only yours has made it to my home screen! I am so grateful you post your recipes. They have inspired my cooking many, many times. We know your recipes are no-fail. We can try something totally new and get amazing results. It helps us full-time working moms in so many ways. Thank you for everything! Thanks for sharing this. I agree with many others who have commented that I love the authentic, non-commercial feel of your website. And, of course, your recipes are amazing.

Your name has pretty much become a synonym for delicious around here. You, my dear, are exactly what I aspire to be every day as a blogger. The one thing I have always felt is missing from my blog — that you score a perfect 10 in — is have that loyal, personal following. You are one of only maybe 2 or 3 blogs that I will recommend to my family and friends as a blog where every. So thank you for always being you and for blogging the way you do.

Hi Mel, Thanks so much for your awesome blog! I live far away from my own mother, so reading your blog feels like constant guidance. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I have just discovered your blog and I am so glad I did! I am a new ish wife and soon to be new mom so I am attempting to try and learn a thing or two about the kitchen. Thanks for dedicating your time, energies, and talents to this blog! You are the sole reason I even know how to cook, I would be lost without your blog! I started following 6 years ago, which was a few months after I got married.

I was completely clueless when it came to cooking, we were literally eating StoveTop for dinner. I was always so intimidated by the kitchen until I found your blog and you are just so genuine, and nice, and hilarious, that I figured I had to give cooking and your recipes a shot. You have been an inspiration and a life saver to me. I can only imagine the amount of time and effort it takes to keep this rolling, and it is so appreciated by SO MANY people.

You really are the original rockstar in the kitchen! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I love your guts!! I follow a LOT of food blogs—and yours is the best—I totally trust your recipes. Thanks for all you do!!! I have to echo what everyone else is saying. Your blog is amazing. My sister and I are die hard fans.

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We both know that any time we try a recipe from your site it will be amazing. Last Thanksgiving, I think almost every dish was from your site. Mel, I just read this post and wanted to add something. A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law brought a fabulous salad cous cous summer salad, to be precise to a family gathering.

I love making your food, I enjoy your comments, I will be forever in your debt for finally giving me a good pizza crust recipe, and even when I just stick to throwing frozen food in the microwave instead of cooking that night, I have happy feelings seeing the yummy photos that appear on my computer screen. Late to this post…. I am not an every day reader, but your blog was one of the first food blogs I ever came across 4 years ago.

I love the down to earth realness of your blog. It is the reason I come here first for a recipe, or to spend some time staring at pictures of food. I deeply respect you staying true to the reason why you blog. I wish more bloggers had the nerves to do that. I am a mother of 9, grandmother of 20, still cooking infrequently. We have a sweets gene inherited by all of us! Keep up the good work.

A big shout out to Susan R. So many wonderful people in this world! I just love you and your recipes. You are my go-to place for recipes and you taught me how to make bread! I tell everyone about your site. Tried and true baby. Your wittiness and sarcasm helps quite a bit too! Thanks for doing what you do. Mel, I love your blog. Many of your recipes are family faves now. And I know I can always peruse your site for inspiration when I need it. Thanks for doing what you do! With your help, my family meals and the resulting community are that much better.

Hi Mel, just checking in. I am glad you are you, I am glad we are friends.

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I am looking for a recipe to make for dinner tonight and I know you always have just what I want. Thanks for being the best. I heart MelsKitchenCafe that should be a bumper sticker. Loved this post and all that you share and do! I do recognize your old banners and remember your old site. And thank you for freely sharing such wonderful recipes, gift ideas, etc…. I first discovered your blog in January while browsing the web for a good black bean recipe. I instantly felt at home. Your recipes are simple, delicious, family friendly and solid.

I have never been confident in dinner cookies and muffins were my forte , but you have changed that. Thank you for sharing your time and great recipes. I also greatly appreciate your desire to stay true to your reasons for blogging. Your blog is refreshing for those exact reasons. Thank you, thank you. Just wanted to add one more thank you for your website! You have one of the most genuine voices in blogging and it is clear that you put a lot of love into your site.

And thanks for lots of great recipes to try! The ham and quinoa bites are a super favorite in our house. The other two percent are sucky and I should never make them again. I love your blog, Mel. I feel like we have super similar tastes and styles obviously, since I come to your website nearly every day , but you are definitely way cooler! Just wanted to throw that out there. Thanks for all you do! I, for one, am so grateful for your blog and all the work you put into it.

Thanks for brightening up the Internet with your recipes, your upbeat writing style, and your goodness. You are amazing, and your blog is my all time favorite. Thank you for always staying true to yourself and taking the time to share with us the most amazing recipes I sense the huge sacrifice it is. I have been a follower of yours for so many years and made so many of your recipes and every single one was delicious and worth my time.

I love, love, love reading your blog and trying your awesome recipes!!! Thank you for sharing with us your love of food and for changing the way we cook one recipe at a time. Believe it or not, I am a rock star in my kitchen because of you. May God continue to richly bless you! I loved this post. I first discovered your blog in with the Red Berry Risotto Oatmeal recipe.

I have been a loyal follower ever since.

I appreciate your genuine voice and writing style. I admire that you stick to what you love. I applaud your success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving many a dinnertime in my household!! Aww Mel — I agree with the comments above. I have hardly ever commented in the four years I have been reading your blog. Your love of food and family comes through with each post. That is one reason that I love reading your posts and trying your recipes — your genuine spirit comes through. You never have to apologize for that — it is enough that you share a part of you with us along with good food.

Was looking for info on chilling cookie dough and came across your website. Great writing — very funny and honest — I appreciate that. And the recipes look pretty fab too. Your blog is the one and only source I go to for a recipe every single day!! And I tell all my friends about it! I would be lost in the kitchen without you! You are a genius! And my husband and family is grateful you taught me to cook!

So thank you for doing it even with your busy family! I absolutely LOVE your blog. Thank you for doing it. And thank you for your post. This is why I continue to follow your blog when I have given up on others. I love that it is about you and your family and FOOD. Another food blog that shall remain nameless started doing constant product promotion over the past year and I have completely stopped following it. Keep doing what you love. Thank you also for not posting ridiculous pictures of every. Thank you so much for all the time, energy, and effort you put into making this blog so great.

Yours is the only food blog I read, and your recipes are many of our family favorites. Thanks for sharing your recipes with the world and keeping it real with your fun personality. Are there other cooking blogs besides yours? I love your blog! I just keep following it after several years because I know your recipes will ALWAYS be wholesome, genuine, delicious, approachable, not expensive or impossible, and healthy and yummy for families.

Thanks for being so professional and yet so real and approachable. Keep it up for all of our sakes!! My sister introduced me to your website. I have tried so many of your recipes. They are well written and delicious. When I look for a recipe for something I always go to your site first. Thank your for your work. You make fancy food accessible to those who are learning on their own. I heard about your blog from my sister who frequently used your recipes in her day-to-day cooking. I love your sense of humor that is weaved throughout your blog too. You really have a way with words. Thank you for all you do and for opening up your life and recipes to the rest of us!

Your blog is one of my few favorites. I know I can trust your recipes and that means a lot. I did not know how much time it took though so now I appreciate it even more! And this is why you are my 1 Go-To site for recipes and for most of my extended family, ha ha. Not only do you come across as a truly wonderful person, but you really showcase some of the best of what the culinary world has to offer. I have 4 soon to be 5 kids myself….. I get all my ideas from your blog.

Seriously use it every day to plan dinner and when we need a dessert I come here too. Everything is good and the recipes are easy and so family friendly. Thank you for taking the stress out of meal planning and dinner. I love the way you blog and I tell everyone about my favorite food blogger who just ran a half marathon and maybe I could do that too. Anyway… I can name three people Christina, Linda, and KC who I randomly brought up your blog too and they know and love it too!

So yeah, I think your blog creates a community. Cooking at home and eating as a family is a huge factor in health. My bachelors degree is in nutritional science and I really feel like cooking makes a huge difference for health. The way you blog shows real food that real people can make and love. Thank you so much for what you do! I feel like you are an old friend as our kids are similar ages and some of our life experiences and places we have moved I moved to Idaho last summer also. So dear friend, thank YOU for your time and effort to creating a place I know I can always go to find something good!

That was such a great blog post, Mel! Your recipes are you, your writing is you, and I appreciate that so much. Now, off to stuff another strawberry shortcake bar in my mouth. It will give me energy when I run tomorrow, right??!! I check you first, rely on you unwaveringly. I love your recipes so much and I enjoy the occasional glimpse into your real life and your family.

Your blog is my number one food blog, you never let me down. You blog is one of the very, very, very few that I read every single last word you write. I am drawn to your blog exactly because of the reasons you blog, and it definitely shows through. I am so thankful for all the work you do! Such a great benefit for me and for my family. You do much good in the world by sharing your fantastic recipes.

Most of the recipes I make now are from you and you inspire me everyday! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your recipes and your real self with all of us! Please keep blogging, I like you and your blog just the way it is!!!! I am a 68 year old granny of 22, mom of 7, stage 3 breast cancer survivor of 12 years.

I have over cookbooks. Sometimes I read them. I take dinner to a young friend with a terminally ill son. She has two other little ones. Since last July I have taken her a large dinner for three meals once a week. It takes a certain kind of recipe to transport well. I look at your blog every day and have used many of your recipes for my friend and also for my own family. Thank you so much for doing this. You have many more readers than you know. Bless you for this good work you do. Good food is something, one of the few things, that unites us all.

God bless you and your precious family. These are the best years of your life. I LOVE that you have a normal food blog. I used to look at many, and while I still occasionally go check them out, I am so sick of the ads for their products and cookbooks. I love that I can come here and just get recipes. I love your blog for so many reasons. Your recipes are wonderful, I love your writing style and honestly you feel like a family friend. I have read all of your notes multiple times and you have really brightened my spirits in immeasurable ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I made them probably 18 months ago and the pictures have been sitting on my computer getting lonely.

It looks like you may have crumbled graham crackers on the cupcakes before frosting them? I know anything I make from your blog will taste amazing. I love food so much!! I use to visit ourbestbites, but they have changed alot. I feel their stuff is more becoming a brand and selling products than about good food. Thank you for taking the time to blog!

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I read a few different food blogs, and yours is my absolute favorite. I always start here in looking for a recipe. Yours is the blog I recommend to people. Growing up my family was the open a can and heat it up kind of cooks. Thank you for all you do. For the time and passion and the delicious food my family eats because of you.

Two years ago my New Years resolution was to get out of my cooking rut. My poor family had been eating the same 10 recipes for who knows how long. Thankfully I found your website. You have absolutely changed the way I cook. Every one of your recipes we have tried have been hits. I think my daughter would eat chicken pillows everyday for the rest of her life! Family fondue nights are a new tradition too. Thank you for sharing food that is tasty and easy to prepare even after a busy day at work! Your oatmeal choco chip recipe was the first recipe I tried the first time I baked. You are truly an inspiration to many of us.

I adore you and your blog! Mel, I have followed your blog for the past 6 years and am so grateful I found it when I did! I found it just as I was getting married and it has saved so many dinners, lunches, desserts especially in a crunch for time , and parties! And I love that! I tell everyone I know about you anytime they want to know what to have for dinner. Your blog is my number one go-to. You have inspired me in the kitchen and I always look on your blog for recipes, tips, and tricks before I look anywhere else.

And I wish I could tell you in person and give you a big hug. Thank you for your dedication to your family and to your blog. I have told Heavenly Father thank you many times for you. Please never stop blogging! I am so so so glad you are still blogging or I could not be still cooking. We cook and bake exclusively only anything you have endorsed and every one of our family and friends make fun of us.

Oh Mel, this is so you! But I miss interacting with persons like you!. Have a great week my friend! And that cute little girl is getting cuter by the nanosecond! All I can say is thank you for your devotion to sharing your recipes. My world is better because of you. It has changed the way my family eats and how I cook. I tell everyone that asks me about what I cook where I get my recipes and any time the topic of cooking or food comes up I tell them to go to your blog. Thank you for not giving up on your blog and for sharing your delicious and amazing recipes with us!

I second the above comments. I had always kept them in binders but after reading your way of organizing the binders it took them to another level and they look so much nicer. Thank you for taking the time and love it takes to write your blog. Hey Mel- I so appreciate your wit, fun loving, seriously delicious recipes, etc. I could go on and on. You are my go to blog for recipes that I know will turn out delicious every time! I have been following you for about 7 years now. I have loved everything and I am not one to comment very often so I just wanted to tell you Thank you for being you and all you do for us!

Thanks Mel, this is why I love your blog, it has not morphed into a business where you are promoting a bunch of stuff you get a cut on! Cue where I quit following there blog, they forget to share great food. Love your recipes, pics and inspiration! Love all of this! I found your blog years ago and I love your recipes. Not a crumb left. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into all of this. For me, it all boils down to the kids. I love them, I love teaching them and providing them new opportunities for growth and learning.

• Crawfish Cornbread.
• Handbook of Strategic e-Business Management (Progress in IS);
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• Kitchen Nightmares (uncensored).
• Mil the Shih Tzu and friends.

So hang in there and remember why you started blogging. All that other stuff…well, I continue to try to rise above it. It has turned me into a good cook. Thank you so much for all the recipes. I would be lost in the kitchen without you: Mel — Thank you for sharing! Your blog has been such a huge part of my life in the kitchen for so many years! I have four boys 8 months, 2, 4, and 6 so I love coming here to find recipes they will love as well. And let me tell you… the Southwest Chicken wraps, Freezer burritos, and Banh Mi sandwiches have been life changing for me!!

I ready your blog often and am always happy I did. I love your friendly writing style. Often if I bring make or bring one to a party, friends are asking for the recipe. So I hope you find your balance, and continue to share with the rest of us, who so enjoy your slice of life! Mel, I absolutely love, love, love your blog. Every recipe I have tried has been successful and tastes great. What I love most is that your recipes are simple and made with ingredients that real people keep in their kitchens.

Even my 4 college aged kids are using your recipes and cooking real food. Their roommates and friends love it! I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your time. Aside from the startup cost wheat grinder and bread pans , it has saved us so much money in bread! And I have started helping our neighbors, who have no money and are supporting their expecting daughter and deadbeat husband. I make 5 loaves of bread a week, and take two over to them. We eat about two a week.

Also, I have a reputation of the best cinnamon rolls in the ward, and am called upon frequently to make them I am always sure to tell people where I get the recipe and how awesome you are. So thank you, for taking your time to post these. I could junk all the rest of my cookbooks if you did that…. I absolutely love your blog. And my hubby knows that if a new recipe came from you, that it is going to be good. And it is hard to know when someone really really really likes a product or that they were paid enough to endorse it.

Knowing that this is not why you blog makes it easier to fully trust your recipes and recommendations. And it keeps me coming back. I love that you keep it real. This is the type of blogging that I enjoy and appreciate. I just wanted to say thank you! I love your recipes, your humor, and your honesty.

I love that I can come here for a tried and true recipes, with your positive, fun touch added! I just have to say that I would cry for days if you stopped sharing all your delectable recipes with us! This is the first place I come when I need a recipe for any reason.

Your recipes are the best and never disappoint! Thanks for all your hard work so that I can look like a rock star in the kitchen instead if the average cook I really am! Thank you so much for all the work you put into this blog. If you ever do put out a cookbook, I definitely would buy it! Thanks again for keeping your blog real!

Just have to share…. We were at a church summer BBQ last week and my husband and I were visiting with two other couple friends. One friend mentioned something about your blog to me.. My hubby knows that if its coming from your blog, its gonna be good! Thank you for all your hard work and effort to keep this blog up! Our kids tummies thank you too! I love your blog!! I am so thankful that you take the time to blog! I love everything you post here!

Never had a recipe fail and never eaten better in my whole life! You saved my cooking life and I hope you never stop posting! Your humor, true to life experiences, and amazing food have kept me coming here for years. I seriously owe you for all your time and dedication!

I feel like everything I was going to say has been echoed x over, but I just wanted you to know that I have 6 girls all of whom, love good food and we all think you rock! You are my first stop for weekly menu planning. We all appreciate your hard work, your cooking from scratch and whole wheat flour. And Mel, the 1 reason why I come to your blog is for the food. I love your blog, Mel! I love it for the reasons you listed, mainly your sincerity. Mel, your blog has literally been life-changing for my family. Because of you, I have stopped using canned soups in cooking, made bread more, made cheesecake for the first time, used vanilla beans for the first time, cooked tilapia for the first time, and……I could go on and on.

Our family started reading a Christmas book every night in December after reading your idea. I LOVE your blog and am so glad that you have kept doing it. And not only do you share great ideas and recipes, your writing is fun and entertaining. You make me feel like I can try anything new! So thank you, thank you, thank you for still sharing. Your recipes are a staple here at our house. That being said, I hope that you do keep blogging out of love of food, and not out of pressure! For me, you could stop blogging tomorrow, and there would still be a literal treasure trove of deliciousness that I could keep pulling from for.

Thanks for all the work you put in, and effort both on the blog and behind the scenes. I and all my dinner guests…ever really appreciate it! Hi Mel, Thank you for your tried and true recipes. I love your blog because in this crazy world of overwhelming news and over-the-top personalities, your blog places feeding your family healthy and delicious meals as a priority.

Your blog grounds me and helps me keep my priorities in check. Your blog keeps this very important communication alive. You and your blog are like a very special and trusted friend who we can go to when we need advice, a laugh, or a delicious recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. I loved reading this post! Several years ago, my daughter in law told me about your great recipes.

Thank you for being genuine… your openness and honesty are inspiring! And let me tell you thank you for not being like the other cheesy bloggers that write very artificial sounding posts on sponsored products. You have no succumbed! You are my favorite blog in the world. But you must know that I love your blog. My family loves your blog. I have three sisters and we all love your blog. I think we all feel like you are another sister.

We talk about you and your recipes like they are part of the family sorry, that sounds creepy. Your blog is the first one I go to when I want to make something new. I know that when its on your blog, its safe to try. It will be good and it will be a success. I too love food, My sisters and my mom all love food. And we love making good food! Thank you for staying true to your roots and to who you want to be. It is so refreshing! And squeeze in a nap every once in awhile. Sure enough small world it was you. I check your blog every other day and it meant the world to me that you posted one of my pictures of your broccoli recipe.

God bless you Mel! We all use your blog in the extended Montague family and are glad you were roommates with Kate once upon a time. I love you for all the things you have to say about blogging. Blogging is a daily struggle for me. I have to do it. And that is freaking amazing. Anyway, keep being you, Mel. We all love you! Well I have to say that your recipes are fantastic!! You are the best. I love your blog and have told you before. I tell all my friends THIS is the one and only food blog they need in their lives, seriously! I tell everyone to go to this site for recipes and that you will never fail them.

My family and I appreciate you and your blog so much. Thank you for everything you do and I look forward to many more years of Mel recipes! Thanks for inspiring me to get in the kitchen and make something delicious for my family to enjoy together. I was on vacation last week and came back to this wonderful post. You are truly the best out there. While I love all the outstanding recipes, and make many of them, your easy, breezy style and adorable personality are what shine through, too. So happy to have found your fabulous blog and to have gotten to know you as well. You are just the sweetest, and despite all the work it takes, I hope you keep blogging forever!!!

I also love these honest glimpses into your life because otherwise I would be drowning in tears of inadequacy because how do you do it all??? Thanks so much for all you do! And those are the reasons I read your blog! You are real and genuine and your food is awesome. I wonder all the time how you do what you do, so I just wanted to say thanks! Plus, I have lots of recipes I still need to try! I would totally respect and understand that decision. Thanks for all the recipes and great cooking ideas! Mel, I came across your blog about 11 years ago when I was first married.

Thanks for posting the best recipes! I love that I can make something and everyone loves it! I am a new reader of your blog and discovering it gave me new inspiration to cook yummy things for my family! Your detail and enthusiasm are much appreciated. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us out here!

I love your blog and your food. And those experiences turn family time into memories. Thank you for all your effort! Hi Mel, Thank you for posting great recipes. What really sets you apart is your sincerity. You are real and genuine. When you respond to your readers, you do so with kindness and appreciation.

Thank you for all the time you spending bringing us delicious recipes. The work you put into tweaking everything until perfection shows. I love trying new recipes but hate messing with flops so your blog is the best. I have been inspired to let mine help out in the kitchen a bit more. It would be a shame to send them out into the world unprepared, but at least I could count on them coming back if they are hungry, right? I personally hate sponsored posts — but ads are fine. Do whatever works for you. Oh, and I did a m row in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Which is not something I think I was capable of a month ago and at the end of a pretty tough workout. At first…Any work with the bars or using the rings and hanging scared me to death. I can even do jump ropes pretty well. I definitely have a lot of learning to do on my journey. I am learning in every class.

Questions are never discouraged. Everyone cheers everyone on.

I think the environment is just a healthy for me as the workout. I think having goals in the gym have been helpful too. Not just my personal goal of passing this physical test. When I went in for back squats the last time, I was determined to get over 10o pounds. I knew I was good enough on form. I just had to get the strength. But, I was so determined to get over that I went to I can hit my goals. So this mantra of mine… I say it to myself often. I know I invested, time, money, and energy into being my best self. I can have the confidence that I am a truly amazing person.

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to come up with their own little mantra for their goals. What is your goal? What is your short mantra? That one word that could get you back on track. Do feel free to share in the comments! How can you keep steering yourself in the right direction? I thank all of you for being on this journey with me. Know that there is a lot of love and appreciation going out to you. None of this would be possible without the love and understanding of my amazing husband, our parents, and a few good friends.

I look forward to updating you guys after Sunday. I also promise…I will try to get up a recipe by then too! Or you can follow me over on Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, or Twitter links on the About Page and side bar so that you can follow all of the other shenanigans I post. This is a great company… http: You read the title correctly. This gal went to check out my local CrossFit Gym last week!

Can you ready my level of endorphins? Back in November I had been listening to an Elliott Hulse video. I had heard it times. If you want to lose weight, start out with going for an hour walk every morning. Listen to audio books and educate yourself while you walk. That one day in November I dropped my kids off at school, pulled in the driveway and something was calling to me.

I looked down my little dead end road and took off. I even got a FitBit for Christmas that is very helpful. I often hit 5 miles with regular activity walking. I am feeling great! And actually… If you take a look at this picture… I even look a little different. A couple weeks ago I decided on a really tough goal. Both strength and agility are necessary. Especially considering my fitness level at the moment.

But, I have a a little under month. To reach this goal, I came to the conclusion that I need more help. I knew CrossFit might be the perfect match of what I need for this test. It has a lot of strength and speed. But I was SO nervous! I try to stay pretty grounded about where I am at. I messaged the gym and asked them when a good time would be. I picked up the kids from school and headed that way. I had my workout clothes on just in case. I walked in and met one of the female trainers. She showed me around to the owner.

I was a little intimidated but he kept it really cool and put me at ease within minutes. We warmed up with rowing. My husband was a drummer in high school and he has that inner rhythm that is unmatched. Thankfully, the owner was my coach and he was very patient and great at explaining it in easy and understandable language. It was a really great warm up. Next was wall balls. Fun at first… I loved how the coach gave great tips on form and encouraged me as I was doing the movements. My biggest issue was keeping my heels on the ground.

Next, we did box jumps. It was a great, padded box. Jumping at this weight is pretty scary. I did it several times to learn the movement. We did a 7 minute circuit of 7 wall balls and 7 box jumps or step ups. Let me tell you… I pushed harder than I ever imagined that I could all thanks to the coach. I got 3 in and thought I was going to have to give up.

You can do it! I got those two more in plus 7. He said my score was a I was pretty sore the next day but I ended up going back in for a full wod workout of the day. This was an amazing experience. Sore as could be. I was so proud of myself. Back squatting 75 pounds!? I thought I would have to stop at 55 pounds but my partner bumped it up and I said…What the hell. I even did modified pull ups for the first time in my entire life!

I nearly cried because I was given a modification and I was able to do it. I was on top of the world. Well… Shortly after I started to feel like I fell off it and dropped into rock bottom in some other universe. The soreness was terrible. I did the best I could. Valerian Root at bed time.. I was strongly considering not going the next day. I was really struggling with my count down and not wanting to miss one day.

That test will be here in no time! One of the coaches encouraged me to go ahead and come in. I was screaming every time I had to get on the ground. Burpees were more like hell that I could ever imagine them being. When I was working out…towards the end, I started to feel better. But, seriously… I was in a ton of pain. I told my coach I would probably wait till Monday and skip Sunday yoga simply because I was in pain. I went too far. My quads felt like they had been torn in half.

I kept doing the same things. I felt like I really needed to fully recover. I woke up excited to go. I was so ready to get back in the Crossfit Gym. I was ready to seize the day! I was definitely not disappointed. I thought I might have to drop the weights on the bar… I thought it was interesting that it actually got easier.

I was really trying to keep my corrections in mind. I love that my coaches will give me good advice and will watch me for form. The last thing I want to do is hurt myself because of bad form. I went shopping earlier, no problems. No problems sitting or standing. I am interested to see how everything turns out tomorrow and the chiropractor. Overall, this entire experience has been amazing. I proved to myself that I am strong. I am fulfilling my dreams and my goals. Best of all, I found a supportive environment with amazing people.

I never thought I could do this a year ago, or even six months ago. You may be on the long way round like me, but keep going. Your success story may be beginning now. I love you guys! Thank you for all of your support in all my efforts to share my journey. Know that you are appreciated and I hope to share more and reveal my goal next month. Never forget what Steph Gaudreau says.

And Harder to Kill. We returned last year on our second anniversary and even though it was rainy, it was a beautiful lunch looking out the large windows. The food is amazing. We enjoy it on some cucumbers and the kids have enjoyed it with carrot chips. It may seem cheesy, but this recipe warms my heart because it takes me back to some really great memories with my husband.

Rain or shine, we have each other. I hope you enjoy this recipe! Feel free to add things to this! Do you have a recipe that brings back good memories? Share with us in the comment section below! I want to make sure that I know what I want to say on a subject. But this picture below happened and yeah…The fear was a little more real than contemplating how I would feel IF…. According to my scale, I have lost 5 pounds. I try and go a long time without weighing because I can get obsessively and easily discouraged. I try to wait two weeks between. I weigh in the morning after I go to the bathroom.

You know… All the tricks. LOL Because naturally, my weight does go up slightly after breakfast, working out, and just living the day. Why is there fear instead of excitement? But, these are pictures of me as a younger kid. Thirteen and Fifteen years old. You can see, I was a big kid. I lost weight over the summer! High School was probably my best because I actually lost a good amount of weight. I think my lowest was and I could wear size 13 jeans.

You end up on your own and dirt broke and unable to buy any food let alone healthy food. But, this was before I had kiddos. I was okay with how I looked. I was heavy but it was in all the right places. Then we have some babies. In the picture on the left I was about I actually lost a lot of weight while I was pregnant. But as you can see in the picture on the right.

I gained it all back and then some. The picture on the right was in and I was beginning my blogging journey. But a running theme in my life is… Things happen. December was when I met my husband. We were married, we ended up having a great year of our first marriage. It was like a fairy tale. Then… Are you guys getting this yet? Life turns stressful and stuff happens. Well, a tornado destroying everything we have…happened.

This is when I realized that something was very wrong. Probably for a good 4 months or more I slept most of the days away. I had lots of migraines. I discovered a lot of it was contributed to a severe reaction to caffeine. But… I was also not okay upstairs. I figured I had just been through a lot.. But, when our house was back I had a new resolve to get healthy and figure this out.

I was going to dedicate myself to Paleo. I got through that whole year without a soda. I thought I could conquer the world. Unfortunately, this situation lead me right to the brink of my fears. Fighting, clawing, failing, crying, retrying, fighting some more. Flash forward through all that mess and here I am.

Every day I get a chance. I did all 5 days. I have been working hard and for once in my long time of working at this.. And then this morning… I realized I lost 5 pounds and a twinge of fear hit me. What if I do get down to my goal? I want to lost 80 to pounds. What if I actually pull it off? Hell…What if I just get to my initial short term goal of !?

My biggest issue is that I am a very self-conscious person. I do not like getting the attention of other men. I am not one to feel flattered. Yes men, we notice. Truth be told…I probably have a stronger reaction to these types of things because I have been sexually abused in the past. I wear the baggy clothes. I cover up the tatas. But that fear is there. What if I lose weight and people look at me differently. But, if the employees at Sephora actually would ask me if I need help…..

I am always ignored. I think I would just be so very disappointed. Disappointed with people in general. It takes a lot of self positive talk to get me through a day. You can ask my dear hubsy how many times I rethink an outfit because I want to look presentable. It takes a lot to love myself and be okay with where I am. It seems silly to think that I have a fear of losing weight. But, I think it is a real feeling that many of us could have. Maybe fear keeps us from trying to reach our full potential weight loss.

I think it takes a lot of love and courage to drastically change your appearance and still end up loving yourself at the end of the day no matter what. Really…Maybe that is my point. The fear is there, but we have to love ourselves right through it. We have to choose to put every moment into a positive place.

I have to do this for me. That way I can become the strongest version of myself. So that no matter what may come, I can still keep the journey going. Spread peace and happiness. Do the corny positive self talk. It really does work. Make sure to come back next time too! I have an epic recipe coming up that I hope you will all enjoy. I guess she was talking about me? I really was like….

Who in the world yells insults at random people? I forget sometimes that there are mean people and that some people encounter them more often than I do. But…Someone out there is probably dealing with these mean people. Can you tell if someone who is confident and okay with where they are now is also complacent?

Can you even tell who is complacent or who is working their rear off for years on end to get any progress? I may not go beast mode in the gym yet but it is a goal. Coffee has been out for over a year. I rarely get to eat anything sweet. I rarely ever go off my paleo plan, and usually suffer greatly if I do. I take more supplements than most sick people. I work, read, research, try and try and try again just so I can stay awake during the day. It takes daily self talk, positivity, and help to be able to maintain a positive attitude.

Yoga has been the cornerstone of my positive attitude. Yoga helps me find my center and try to have a better perspective. I also read up on Buddhism because it aligns with how my soul feels how we should be in the world. I think sometimes this is why I forget about those people. I would rather think the best of others. I would rather smile and be that positive influence in the world. I want you to leave my presence a little happier.

I was having a pretty negative conversation about a very negative person the other day. But you know, sometimes you have to have that moment to get those negative thoughts out. There are better ways to deal with your own issues rather than lashing out at others, especially strangers. You have to consider that that mean comment might not go to someone as centered as me.