Recipes

This year marks the first year that all five of my children are in school. (Can you say party?!) Julia, my oldest, is in her first year teaching, and Sebastian, my youngest, started kindergarten! I've been practicing making school...

Looking for an easy and healthy dish to feed the fam?  Look no further.  Zucchini noodles are a great alternative to regular noodles and your picky eaters might not even know they are vegetables!  This recipe keeps things simple with olive oil, parmesan cheese...

I love creating new traditions with my little ones. Cooking and baking is something we all enjoying doing as a family. We especially like to bake for the holidays and share our love for family and friends with sweet...

The mornings are crisp, the sun is setting differently, and fall decorations are popping in store windows! For those Starbucks lovers out there, if the Pumpkin Spiced Lattes have graced us once again ... it  must be FALL!! I...

Breakfast Oats and Breakfast Cookies - Oats are great for nursing mamas and keeping kids full.  PLUS, anytime we tell our kids they're getting cookies for breakfast ... we've won the day! Pumpkin French Toast Bake - This is one of my favorite...

If your kids are similar to mine, their two favorite types of chicken are either the dinosaur chicken nuggets that you buy in the frozen section at your favorite grocery store, or Chick-fil-A nuggets. I have tried offering several...

These are the PERFECT no-bake gift for your loved one or simply for you! You may even have most of the ingredients on hand! I think the best part of these is the incredible perfection of sweetness, crunch and chocolate...

There's no more intimate gesture than inviting someone into your home for a meal. And now that everyone's back from summer vacation and school is starting, you’re probably craving some time to reconnect with the friends you haven’t seen...

  Make sure to make a batch of bath scrub this holiday season! Not just for you but for all your loved ones that deserve some pampering!  A handmade gift lets someone feel extra special because rather than giving a store-bought present,...

Some days it doesn't seem cool enough to be Fall in Phoenix, but that's okay--you can still get your Fall vibes on with this Whipped Pumpkin Fruit Dip! My friend recently made this amazing pumpkin cream cheese dip and it...

Having worked in the hotel industry for 20 years, there are a few things I've learned on how to plan a stress-free Mother's Day Brunch. Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays and a great excuse to host a brunch! When...

Introducing a new regular column on the West Valley Moms Blog! Each month we will take an idea from Pinterest, try it out and let you know if it is worth your time.. or not. Some of the projects...

And just like that, it's fall. And while some are counting down the days until Christmas, I'm over here anxiously awaiting Halloween. I love Halloween. Not so much the blood, guts, and gore, but more the super cute kids...

This amazingly easy pea soup is a crowd pleaser every time. Make sure you get it in your dinner rotation so you can enjoy it all season long!  I'm not big on cooking rules, so I'm just going to give...

      Heather Stevens, mommy of two and co-founder of the glittering Gleamsters, is talking to us today about the benefits of juicing for their family. So I’m sure you’ve seen the juicing and smoothie trend as another here today gone tomorrow fad! I...

My baby just started preschool (insert tearful emoji here).  He is nearly three and we have been fortune enough to be able to have him home with my husband, me, or an entrusted nanny for all of his life....

Ready for the 4th of July? You may want to add one more dish to your 4th of July menu. This year, I attempted to make red, white, and blue pasta, and let me tell you, not only did...

This Late Harvest Bake is perfect for the fall season which is all about gathering and community. This casserole is the perfect tummy-warming dish for you and your friends and family. Filled with butternut squash, earthy mushrooms and kale. Oh,...

I recently went on a girls’ weekend getaway with two of my best friends from college. We are all moms now and were in desperate need of some good gab and chill time together, kid free. The second night of...

Every year I get questions like the following... "You aren't eating turkey?"  "What are you going to eat on Thanksgiving?" "Oh, are you going to have some tofurkey?"  The answers are no, a lot and no! ;)  I was...

When you’re running around all morning, getting the kids ready for school, and trying to get yourself going as well, what’s your morning fuel? Smoothies are a great meal-on-the-go for kids and moms. Today we are sharing two nutritious...

The holidays are right around the corner which means big feasts and food comas will ensue. However, what if there was a way to feed your family nutritious meals that won’t make them feel too full and are packed with...

Happy Spring!!!! I absolutely adore this time of the year! As do my kids. We are slightly obsessed with Easter decorations, daffodils from Trader Joes, and those candy coated chocolate Cadbury Mini Eggs. You know the ones in the...

This summer, like most of the country, my husband and I became obsessed with cold brew coffee.  I am not, however, fond of dropping $4+ every time I want a refreshing and cold caffeine fix. Nor do I have time...

Ready for fall? I sure am! I am eagerly waiting for the temperatures to decrease gradually and the scent of pumpkin spice to fill my home. As we get ready for Fall, I wanted to share one of my...