Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

62 degrees and sunny…Chicagoans have their fingers and toes crossed that spring is here to stay!  After a long walk this morning (who am I kidding…probably another one this afternoon because it's so nice) I got an itch to make something I have been waiting for warmer weather to make…for some reason blueberries aren’t very ‘wintery’ to me. This is super easy to whip up…a GREAT idea for an Easter brunch or baby/bridal shower! 

Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Two years, sixty three recipes, ~12,000 page views from 10 different countries and 46 of the 50 states…not too shabby!  I hope you all are enjoying the recipes as much as I am.  This blog is something I look forward to writing (and eating) the recipes that inspire me.  Feel free to send me ideas or family recipes…I am always looking for something new. 

With this marking my two year anniversary (well two years and six days), I thought I would come full circle and post another fall/Halloween inspired dish…pumpkin donut muffins.  Seeing that I work in marketing research I read a lot about consumer trends, specifically related to food. I came across an article that said pumpkin spiced/flavored foods have increased 234% since 2008…a huge increase!  Here is one more to add to the list…enjoy!

Oatmeal Chia Bites

I love when recipes are shared with me (so send me your fav’s!).  About a week ago I was chatting with a research vendor about a project I am thinking about working with them on and she passed along a fun recipe that includes Quaker Oats!  Now, this definitely isn’t low in sugar, but it does have pretty natural and basic ingredients…you can even rationalize popping one since it has flax and chia seeds (I promise you, you can’t taste them).   These are super quick!  I forgot to pick up vanilla at the grocery store, so mine was missing that, but it still tasted great!   

Chocolate Dipped Madeleine's

YOLO!! The Year Of Lindsay Ohyeah, is off to a great start!  Now, I know claiming an entire year for myself probably sounds a little (okay maybe a lot) narcissistic, but I swear it’s not all about me and everyone can share in the fun.  Going into 2014, I knew this was going to be the last 6 months of my 20’s and the first 6 months of my 30’s and I wanted shake things up and give myself an excuse of live life to the fullest and celebrate where I have been, what I have learned and the exciting surprises yet to come – something everyone should allow themselves to do.  As most of my close friends know, I tend to throw a lot of myself into work, and this is a great way to give myself a break and ensure I find that work/life balance. 

Grandma Cole's Fudge Nut Bars

Christmas is in the air and there is no better place than Chicago during the holidays!  The lights are hung around town, there is a smell of Christmas trees when I walk down the street, and of course, fun holiday parties make it a magical time of year.  It also brings on some reflection of the year that has passed.  With this I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you who read my blog.  In just a little over a year, there have been ~4,700 pageviews!!  Not too shabby for a hobby of mine. 

Southern Peach Cobbler

Okay, so I have been on a peach-kick lately, but can you blame me?  A few weeks ago I was thinking through what types of recipes I would want to try and share and it got me thinking…I am someone who loves to cook, I am from the south, and even more specifically the Peach State.  To me, 1 + 1 + 1 = Southern Peach Cobbler.  I figured a cook with southern roots should know how to make a damn good peach cobbler.  So I set out to find a recipe. After reading a lot online and watching videos on how to make a perfect fluffy yet golden crisp batter I found a recipe that sounded like a winner….and it was!  The only improvement recommendation  I have is that I think you should make a little more of the batter than it has below (it tastes so good you will want a little more!).  

Roasted Banana Pudding

Ahhhhh, Chicago in the summer…you really can’t beat it, especially when you have some special visitors.  Last weekend was perfect…well maybe about 5 degrees a little too cool for a true summer day, but that was probably a little better for my Grandma and Aunt who were visiting.  After three years of trying to explain where we live, they finally got to see it and explore the city. 

Buckeye Balls

Oh man, it has been a few weeks since posting.  Time can fly sometimes.  Over the past month there have been some fun events happening…the search and purchase of the bridesmaid dresses and my mom’s retirement from teaching (go mom!). 

Searching for a bridesmaid dress is an interesting and overwhelming experience…so many colors, styles, and fabrics to choose from.  Ann, being the great sister she is, pretty much gave me full reign to pick whatever I wanted. 

Oreo Truffles

Two weekends ago I was combing through my favorite food magazines and websites trying to find something I could enter into the Quaker Holiday Bite-Sized Bake-Off and was coming up empty.  You have to strike a fine balance between something mainstream that everyone will like, but not too mainstream that it’s just blends in with the other entries.  I had a few options but not one that I thought could have a real chance at winning, when out of the blue my inbox pinged.  My best friend Tamara tried a fun treat a co-worker brought into work and thought it would be a great one to add to the blog.  Little did she know I was looking for a bite-sized holiday treat for the contest.  I saw it as a sign!!  I am proud to say that I won Best Overall in the contest…THANKS Tam…and thought I would share this awesome and easy recipe.  There is no baking involved, so if you are not a cook, this recipe is for you (fast direction: smash, mix, ball, freeze, dip, freeze).

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mousse Pie

Tis the season of holiday gatherings filled with reminiscing of the past year, well wishing for the year to come, good food, and of course a little drinking.  Last night the city of Chicago was buzzing with holiday cheer which made navigating out of the city a little challenging as we made our way to Naperville to our previous fearless leader’s house for our holiday party “Quaker Shopper Team Style.”  We all brought some appetizers and desserts to share which turned into a little bit of a contest – each person slyly pushing there dish (my favorite one, outside of my own, were Mary’s pumpkin and cream cheese frosting whoopie pies).  I joined in the fun and decided to make this peanut butter & chocolate mousse pie.  It is a recipe I stumbled across a few years back when I lived in Cincinnati.  Nielsen was having a pie contest, so I searched through pie recipes looking for something that plays to the taste buds of the masses…who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate together?!?!  I ended up winning the Nielsen pie contest and have been making this recipe ever since.  I thought it would be a great recipe to share as it is a great option to make for a holiday party.

Halloween Cupcakes

Calling all procrastinators!  Did you forget you are supposed to bring Halloween cupcakes in for your kid’s class today?  Are you headed to a Halloween gathering this evening and want to bring a little something special?  Well, forget those store bought Halloween cupcakes.  By now they are probably picked over and only the smushed frosting ones remain.  Here are a few spooktacular cupcake ideas!

Mini Spiced Pumpkins

Halloween is just around the corner and it starts bringing back fun childhood memories racing around the neighborhood with our pillowcases full of candy saying “trick or treat”.  The first stop we always made was right next door at the Northey’s house because they always had regular or king size candy, so you had to get there early!