Rib Rub

Here is our dry rub recipe for ribs.  We put it on the night before and then bake the next day slathered with our favorite BBQ sauce.  Simple!

3 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 T. paprika
1 1/2 T. salt
1 1/2 T. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix together and rub over ribs overnight.

Energy Balls

Here is a fun new snack that everyone likes.

No-Bake Energy Bites

2 cups dry old fashioned, oatmeal
1 1/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla.

Combine all ingredients.  Form into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes before eating.

Green Smoothie

We make these ALOT.  I know it sounds a little gross, but I these are delicious and super healthy.


1 scoop protein powder (we like to use the Vanilla flavored powder)
3 cups fresh spinach (sometimes we put a handful of Kale in also)
1/2 frozen banana
2 T. Flax Seed
2 T. Peanut Butter (we like to use Trader's Jo's organic for this)
2/3 cup coconut milk (or you can use almond milk)
2 T. ground flax seed
3 handfuls of ice

Blend and serve.  I promise it is good!

Soft Yummy Caramel Corn

I made this the other night for a Girls Night and it so quick and easy.  There are lots of caramel corn recipes, but this is the soft, gooey, sticky kind that we really like.

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 cup butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together, except for the vanilla.  Cook until soft ball stage or around 220 degrees.  Add vanilla and mix well.  Pour over three bags of popped microwave popcorn.  I always try to go through the popcorn and remove all the seeds that didn't pop because no one likes chomping down on a hard seed.  This recipe really is so easy and I usually have all these ingredients on hand.

I also used this same recipe for Caramel Apples last night, but just cooked the caramel until it was around 245, medium almost hard ball stage, so the caramel was more firm.  Then we rolled the apples in crushed candy bars and drizzled with chocolate (I took the picture before the chocolate drizzles while they were cooling).

Mom's Homemade Granola

Growing up I LOVED the granola my mom used to make, and it still is one of my favorites. This makes a soft, chewy granola.

10 cups oats

1 cup wheat germ

1/2 lb. shredded coconut

1 cups sunflower seeds

1 cups sesame seeds

3 cups almonds, pecans, or whatever nut you like

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup molasses

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

3 tsp. vanilla

Mix last 8 ingredients together and pour over all the dry ingredients mixed together in a large bowl. Bake at 300 degrees for 20-30 minutes (a little more if you like it more crunchy). Store in air tight container.