Sage on Stage! 5 fun ways to use Fall's Favorite Herb

It's that time of year when sage has it's moment on stage.

It seems to be forgotten most of the year but I think sage is all the rage

and I've got 5 unique ways to use it...

 1. Floral Arrangements

I think sage is one of the prettiest herbs.

It's lush green leaves and a slightly fuzzy texture 

add a lovely, whimsical touch to holiday centerpieces. 

 I love pairing it with chamomile flowers for some casual, rustic charm...

and it is a great hostess gift.

2. Soup Topper

Fried sage makes an amazing soup topper.  

Place leaves in a small skillet with hot olive oil, flip after a few seconds then remove, 

place on paper towel and sprinkle with course salt....

The floating foliage if flavorful and fun...

3. Beautiful Biscuits

Give your biscuits a vibrant accessory for the season.

A touch of sage might upstage the rest of the meal...

Before baking store bought biscuits, 

top with butter...

place a leaf on top...

and just out of the oven, they are a work of art!

4. Garlic Sage Buttered Popcorn

Holiday movie night will never be the same after you serve this savory snack.

Melt a stick of butter over medium heat, 

add a grated clove of garlic and 1/4 cup of finely chopped sage leaves.  

Stir to combine and cook about 30 seconds.

Pour over a big bowl of popped corn, toss to coat and enjoy the show...

5. Turkey Feathers

It's no coincidence that sage leaves also make the best turkey feathers...

Instantly turn sausage and waffles into the ultimate Thanksgiving breakfast sensation...

Turkey and Waffles.

Don't be afraid to engage with sage!

Back to School Blues Breakfast

It is hard to see Summer come to an end...

I've got a few fun ways 

to battle the

Back to School Blues 

and make getting into the routine a little more bearable.

I say if you can't beat the blues, 

join them.

A quick, healthy yet decadent Blueberry smoothie,

 topped with a pencil straw is the perfect way to start the day.

It has only 4 main ingredients, 

and that simple math is about all I can take in the morning.

Even my son agreed, the #2 pencil straw is #1 for smoothie sipping...

Are you ready for an even faster breakfast that everyone will "love"?

Try a container of my favorite Clover Sonoma Cream at the Top Organic Maple Yogurt , 

topped with a mini heart shaped toaster waffle. 

It is such a delicious and happy way to start the day.

The yogurt is creamy, rich and tastes like a combination of the best maple syrup 

with a touch of butterscotch. 

It is perfect paired with a crisp, savory waffle.

And I dare you to find a cuter "on the go" breakfast!

So get excited, with a fun healthy breakfast, 

school will be smoooooth sailing!

Back to School Blues Blueberry Smoothies
makes three 8oz servings

In a blender combine the following until smooth:
1 6 oz. container of vanilla or blueberry yogurt (Clover Sonoma Cream on the Top is by far my favorite, it has elevated our smoothies to a whole new level!)
1 1/2 cups blueberries (we usually use frozen)
1 banana chopped
1 cup of milk (you can use any type of milk you like)
1 cup ice
1/4 cup water

To make the Pencil Straws, 

I used gold paper straws and topped with pink and silver washi tape, 

 to resemble the eraser and metal portion.

Happy Sipping!

Thank you to Clover Sonoma for not only making amazing, locally sourced, non GMO, organic products but supplying me with their yogurts for this post. And I always Shop Back to School at Target.com

Chocolate Waffles 3 ways

The days are getting longer and it seems to be getting

harder and harder to get my kids out of bed in the morning!

Today I will be tempting them with quick, easy 

and amazingly delicious chocolate waffles to start their day...

Warm waffles are smothered with our favorite Soom Chocolate Sesame Spread.

It is so rich and creamy with a touch of sesame nuttiness that pairs well with everything.

These are topped with roasted peanuts, tangy kiwi and sweet coconut...

I wonder who will get out of bed first?

The spread has half the sugar of most chocolate spreads, 

it's high in protein, low in carbs and rich in Omega 3 &6's.

The company is women owned too...

Good morning indeed!

I received the Soom Chocolate Sesame Spread as part of the Mary's Secret Ingredients Spring Seasonal Box subscription. Four times a year they personally curate an innovative gluten free, vegan, non gmo, and health conscious box full of unique brands. 

It is such a fun way to try new products, many of which are from small businesses.

Additionally they have partnered with Feed The Children to donate a portion of their profits. 

They believe no one should go hungry.

You can try Mary's Secret Ingredients Boxes and get 20% off with the discount code TRYMSI at maryssecretingredients.com or use SoomMSI10 at Soomfoods.com for 20% off there.

Thank you to Mary's Secret Ingredients for sending me your Spring Box!

Turkey and Waffles - Thanksgiving Breakfast

Do you want a fun, easy Thanksgiving morning breakfast
they will gobble up?
Serve up a platter of Turkey and Waffles!

Get ready to be thankful for these fluffy waffles, topped with turkey sausage, 

fresh sage feathers, orange peel beak on a bed of fruit.

Because really, why should chicken get to have all the fun with waffles?

More Thanksgiving Breakfast ideas:

Turkey Cinnamon Rolls 

Fruit filled cornucopias

Friends and Waffles... Wise words from Leslie Knope

Yesterday was Nation Waffle Day, 

and it got me thinking why I like waffles so much more than pancakes.

Maybe because one of my favorite characters from Parks and Rec was obsessed with them, 

maybe because they are sweet and comforting, 

or maybe because they are syrup traps...

Regardless, the gift of waffle mix and a fun bottle of syrup is always a treat.

My friend Maureen, makes the best waffles around, 

so I love to package the dry ingredients and then enclose the recipe so they can add the rest.

4 Cups All Purpose Flour (sifted)

1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder

1 Tbs. Sugar

1/2 Tsp. Salt

1 Qt. Buttermilk

4 Tbs. melted Butter

4 Eggs

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Separate the eggs and beat the whites to soft peaks in separate bowl.  Add the egg yolks and buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix well with a hand beater.  Add the butter and fold in the egg whites.  If thew mixture is too thick you can thin it with a little milk or water.

Print Leslie Knope tag here and Syrup Trap tag here

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Chicken and Waffles Breakfast

Want a cheery breakfast that will make you rise and smile?

Start your morning with Chicken and Waffles!

As cluck would have it, 

these are so quick and easy it won't ruffle your feathers at all...

A sunnyside up, chicken shaped egg, 

laid atop a golden brown, buttery waffle 

will get everyone dashing out of the coop and to the breakfast table...

All you need to hatch your own chicks is a small frying pan,

(mine is 5" in diameter)

a chicken shaped cookie cutter,

(mine is from here)

and jumbo size eggs.

Heat your pan, coated with olive oil or butter, on medium heat.

Place cookie cutter in pan, the carefully crack your egg into the cutter.  

If you are a perfectionist like me, while egg sets, you can move the pan slightly,

 so the yoke is near the center of the chicken 

and the whites are evenly distributed for the body and head of the bird.

Cook until the whites are set and the yolk is cooked to your liking.  

Press down on the cutter once it has cooled to get a good cut, then with a spatula, 

remove from pan and top your waffle.

Break out of your breakfast shell... 

Chicken and Waffles is an egg-cellent way to start the day.

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