DIY Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub

I once received a jar of homemade sugar scrub, as a party favor for a baby shower. Besides being absolutely adorable, it kept my feet noticeably softer and smoother. Eventually I ran out, so I decided to make my own; to which I turned to Pinterest and found a ton of recipes. I was impressed and opted for something brown sugar and vanilla scented, that only required a few ingredients that I already had.

I recently started using a coconut oil moisturizer on my skin, but I think it made my scrub too creamy. Next time I will stick to the pure coconut oil, usually found in the baking aisle. I noticed a few other recipes that called for coarse sugar, which is apparently just cane sugar with a different texture. Unfortunately I was unable to find it at any of my local grocery stores, but I am still on the hunt!

I enjoy using this scrub on my feet, hands, and legs; especially after shaving. I also use it as a message aid on my neck and shoulders, while in the shower. It makes an awesome party favor or thank you gift. I would share this recipe with anyone who loves to pamper themselves!

Strawberry Filled Crescent Rolls

My youngest daughter Shayla and I decided to try a new recipe from the trendy Facebook page “Tasty”. As soon as I saw their version of a strawberry cheesecake crescent roll, I knew it would be the perfect weekend dessert for my kiddos to try. My older daughter Sierra usually does most of the baking, so I figured this would be a great way to give Shayla a chance to show off her skills in the kitchen. Requiring only six basic ingredients and a 30 minute combined prep and bake time, this sweet snack is ideal for beginner bakers of any age.

Full Recipe

For starters I didn’t have any parchment paper, but instead of rushing out to the store I opted to use an alternative approach. After a little research I learned that lining the baking sheet with aluminium foil then spraying it with a cooking spray, such as Pam, works just fine. The old fashion method of greasing the pan with butter and flour is also another option. With my baking sheet prepped and my oven preheated, it was time for the real fun to begin!

               

I was a little nervous to let Shayla, who is only 6 years old, slice up the strawberries, but towards the end I let her give it a try and she really surprised me!

 

Admittedly this was my first time using crescent rolls, however, I eventually got the hang of  it. The more I cook the more I try to stay away from processed foods. The girls and I decided we will use homemade dough (1 stick of butter and 2 cups of flour), the next time we try this recipe.

 

In the comment section of Tasty’s post  most people mentioned they would eliminate the strawberry topping. For a little variety the girls and I drizzled half of our rolls with the topping and sprinkled the other half with plain powdered sugar. Another notable opinion was to add a little lemon zest to the filling to bring out the cream cheese flavor. This sugary sweet sure was delicious and so easy to make, definitely one we will repeat in the near future.

Simple Cooking

Cooking for a family, or just for yourself, can become a tedious and stressful task. While the popularity of eating out rises, it seems the value of home cooked meals has become obsolete. Going from cooking six nights a week to once or twice a month, I found myself caught up in the fast food hype as well. Returning to the old-fashioned approach of keeping my family fed, mainly for financial and health reasons, I was prompted to also start a new blogging category.

As a self taught cook, thanks to The Food Network, I require detailed instructions for most meals I make. While browsing for an easy pasta recipe, I stumbled on the website myrecipes.com and was quite impressed with their meal planning method. Users can add recipes to a calendar, create shopping lists, and share dinner ideas with family members. They even have an app that allows significant others to offer input and suggestions. This seems like a great way for couples and parents to share and encourage the responsibility of preparing homemade meals.

Mimicking Rachel Ray, my favorite Food Network star, 30 Minute Meals, 5 Ingredient Recipes and Dinners for $20 or Less will be the core of my new Simple Cooking Category. Be on the lookout for new posts and feel free to share your own recipes and meal planning suggestions!