Gardening Bug Bit!

This is what our first day of Spring looks like! We picked out seeds and got started on growing some vegetables indoors. 

I have never started my seeds indoors, but I thought it was time to try! I am not buying expensive lights or equipment, but just trying to sprout a few seeds in my south facing kitchen windows. Today I am planting beefsteak tomatoes and some sweet bell peppers. Both seed packets say to start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting into the garden, so I'd say I'm on target to plant sometime around the middle of May (after the last frost).

I am keeping it simple and hoping to sprout and transplant from the same containers. Greenhouses often start tons of seeds in flats and then transplant to larger pots, but I am thinking these medium size containers will work well. I also like that they are the kind that can just be planted into the ground and will biodegrade.

I found a tray from another planter and will use it underneath as a reservoir for watering.

I filled the containers with an organic potting mix (made specifically for seedlings, so it's nice and fluffy) and watered everything well to get the soil and pots saturated. 

Then I used a pencil to make small divots in which to plant the tiny seeds. I put two seeds in each cell in case one does not come up well. In the case that both do well, I will just thin them and keep the strongest seedling. Now I will just give them plenty of sunlight, keep them damp, and watch! Wish me luck!

Just on que, my first daffodil is blooming. Happy Spring!

Healthy Eats

In my quest to eat healthy, whole foods, I am often trying new recipes to satisfy our cravings with foods that taste good while they are good for us! I thought I would share a few favorites of late.

Healthy Dark Chocolate! Yes, these words can really co-exist! Where has this been all my life?

1/4 cup coconut oil
2/3 cup cocoa
4 Tbsp honey or agave


Melt oil in a saucepan. Mix in other ingredients. Pour into a small baking pan (I used a glass bread pan) and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Cut into small pieces.


This satisfied my sweet tooth like nothing healthy has before. My kids loved it too and ask me to make it often!

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins. I got this recipe from melskitchencafe (here). I love that they are dense and moist, but made with healthy ingredients like applesauce, carrots, whole wheat flour, and honey!

Grilled Honey Kebabs. This one is from Mel too (recipe here). We just got a new grill and are loving all the possibilities! These were heaven on a stick.

Greek yogurt with honey is a staple around here for lunches and snacks. Any kind of fruit kicks it up a notch!


Are you sensing a theme here? HONEY! We love honey as a natural sweetener and use it in oatmeal, granola, baking, salad dressings, and sometimes even off a spoon. :) I have been buying organic honey in bulk at Costco, but I am currently researching suppliers of raw honey to gain the amazing benefits! Raw means it is unpasteurized and all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants are still intact. To read more about the incredible health benefits of honey, go here.