Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Pass the Pork Tour in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

About six weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity from the National Pork Board to go on the Pass the Pork tour in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Over the years I have visited a few dairy farms, a chicken farm, and strawberry fields. So, I was excited to add pig farm to that list. I love that my job as a food blogger gives me opportunities to see more about the food we eat.

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*The National Pork Board sponsored this trip. I am working with them to provide you this post.

Our first night there we walked along the famous Sioux falls to visit the Stockyards Ag Experience. Here we enjoyed some pork appetizers and had an opportunity to see pictures and displays showing the heritage of agriculture in the area. Then we headed to dinner where we met some of the people who have developed the Pipestone System for pig farmers.

As I listened to the different farmers, veterinarians, managers, and pork specialists on this trip, I heard the same love, care, and concern that I have heard before for the animals they take care of. Farmers across the board really do love the animals or plants that they provide for us to consume as food. They know that healthy animals provide healthy sustainable food for the world. [Read more...]

Apple Turkeys

Cookies and sprinkles make these chocolate covered Apple Turkeys a fun Thanksgiving craft. Perfect no bake treat to keep the kids busy before dinner.

Chocolate Covered Apple Ring Turkeys - cookies and sprinkles turn these apples into the cutest turkey treat. Easy no bake recipe for kids to create on Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving Turkey Craft

Do you ever have those moments where you wake up from a dream and remember it vividly? Usually, it's because of something scary happening, right? Well, about a month ago, I was halfway awake in the morning, but I decided to lie down for a few more minutes before working out.

The next thing I know, I sat up with a start. In my dream, I was photographing the cutest little turkeys made out of apples. It was such a random and funny thing to be dreaming about.

My guess is that even after spending an entire week making these puff pastry apple tarts, this caramel apple upside down cake, and these Halloween apple slices, I needed more apple fun in my life.

[Read more...]

How to Make Easy Cauliflower Rice

This Easy Cauliflower Rice is the perfect healthy substitute. It's so easy to make and tastes just like regular rice, but without all the carbs. You can use cauliflower rice as a side dish or even as an ingredient in your favorite recipes.

A red bowl on a wooden cutting board filled with homemade cauliflower rice.

This easy cauliflower rice recipe is the perfect low carb alternative to your favorite carb-heavy foods. It's easy to make and tastes delicious too.

You can use it as a base for fried rice, in place of potatoes, or even as a side dish with dinner. You won't believe how much this simple recipe will change the way you look at cauliflower.

Why Make Low Carb Rice

Whether you want to replace carbs with cauliflower rice or simply want to eat more vegetables, this cauliflower rice recipe will help you do it easily.

Once I learned just how easy it was to make homemade cauliflower rice, we started incorporating it in our lean and green meals. And in quite a few dishes, you can't even tell the difference.

I made this healthy stuffed peppers recipe a few weeks ago, and our kids didn't even know that I substituted a batch of this easy cauliflower rice in place of the instant rice. I call that a dinner win.

Plus, cauliflower has lots of health benefits that will help you feel great while eating healthy delicious food.

[Read more...]

Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars

Four layers of creamy goodness make these Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars a pretty and delicious dessert that everyone will love.

Well, I finally got to experience fall weather here in Florida. Yesterday it dropped to a chilly 65 degrees. It was definitely time to bust out the jeans and sweatshirts from the storage boxes! The cooler weather was a very welcome change from the hot humidity.

I grew up in Pennsylvania, so I love fall weather the most. There's something about a slight chill in the air, changing leaves, the smell of a bonfire, and getting to wear layers that makes me smile. I'm happy that we got to have two out of four on that list yesterday.

Today is bright and sunny, but the chilly weather persists. Yay for flannel pants, sweatshirts, and a Salted Caramel Mocha Latte for another day.

When it gets cooler, I find myself heading to the kitchen more often to bake cookies or brownies. Lately, though, I have been finding myself wanting to bake all things cheesecake. I think it's because my cookbook Cheesecake Love finally came out after 2 years of work, and now I can share about it. [Read more...]

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake

You are going to love all the layers in this decadent Chips Ahoy Cheesecake. Chunks of cookies and chocolate chips in every bite make this a must-make dessert.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mousse Cheesecake - layers of creamy cheesecake, chocolate chip cookie mousse, and chocolate chips makes this a must make cheesecake recipe. Perfect dessert to end any meal!

You guys! I haven't even begun to put a dent in all the cheesecake ideas that I have swirling in my head. And that's after writing Cheesecake Love. There are 75 cheesecake ideas in the cookbook, and I probably have another 75 ideas still waiting to be made.

A friend of mine suggested that book number 2 might be necessary, given that I had so many more ideas. Or I could start making a new cheesecake every week and share it right here on the blog. That sounds like a much easier idea.

Since it took about three years from start to finish in the cookbook process, I'm not interested in doing another one, at least not for now. Of course, that could all change if the right offer were to come along.

[Read more...]

Peanut Butter Monsters

Candy eyes and purple sprinkles make these easy Peanut Butter Monsters a fun no bake treat to share at Halloween parties.

We just found out that there is a long, black, creepy, crawly monster living outside our garage door. I may never set foot outside again.

Of course, eventually I'm going to run out of my four main staples. You know, chocolate, coffee, flour, and sugar. Time to set up a delivery plan, or have my hubby do all the grocery shopping from here on out. Wait...that could be bad. You see, he is much better about avoiding extra things at the grocery store. I'm the one who throws things in the cart on a whim and a prayer.

Hey, that's how things like this Salted Caramel Oreo Bark come alive. I had no idea what I was going to do with those cookies when I first bought them. Ok, fine. I have to leave the house eventually. But now that I know a giant man eating snake lives in our bushes, I will be putting my running skills to the test.

[Read more...]

Cauliflower Stuffed Peppers

Make a pan of these Cauliflower Stuffed Peppers to feed your hungry family. Each pepper is loaded with lots of meat and veggies and is a delicious option when you are choosing better food options.

Healthy Stuffed Peppers - this healthy dinner is loaded with meat and veggies. Easy nutritious recipe to make for dinner!

The first thing out of our kids' mouths when they walk in the door is, "What's for dinner?" You would think they hadn't eaten in weeks with their hunger. But I know better because every morning, my hubby or I get up and make sure they have lunch to grab as they walk out the door.

Yes, our kids are teenagers and can make lunches, and some days they do. But I love sending them to school with a lunch hand-packed with love. Hmmmm, I wonder what they would think if I started adding little notes and messages like I used to when they were little.

They might start making their lunches, and I would get a few extra minutes of snoozing. Just kidding. I would do it again if they told me how embarrassed they were because that's our job as a parent, right? Embarrass them with lots of love!

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts

The sweet chocolate glaze and sprinkles gives these easy baked Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts a fun flair. These are the perfect fall breakfast for any day of the week.

I'm slowly winning my family over to the pumpkin side. You see I love pumpkin treats, so every fall I go a little bonkers in the kitchen making pumpkin inspired goodies. Our oldest son loves pumpkin too, so he and I usually devour said goodies.

But now that he is away at college, it's all up to me to continue the pumpkin fest. My plan is to continue making things like pumpkin Oreo cheesecake and cinnamon roll pumpkin cake until I convert another pumpkin lover.

And my diabolical plan is working! Mwhwhahahah! Yes, that was totally an evil laugh right there. You see, I decided that I needed more pumpkin donuts in my life last week. Let's call it a veggie craving...yeah, that's what it was. Wink, wink!

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Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Drizzles of caramel and chocolate add a fun flair to these easy Puff Pastry Apple Tarts. Enjoy plain for breakfast or add a scoop of ice cream for a delicious fall dessert.

The weather here is not cooperating with my desire for fall. It's hard to stay in the fall mood when you are wearing shorts and tank tops because it is 80 million degrees outside with 150% humidity. Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating slightly.

Our fall decorations up on the shelves, and the air conditioner has been set to low. I'm trying to trick myself into believing that fall has come to FL. As long as I never leave the house again, I will never know that it's still summer here. Sounds like a plan to me.

Oh, but then I can't go shopping for more baking supplies. Hhhhmmm, this could pose a problem. Maybe it's time to invest in a grocery delivery service because food and hair spray are necessities here. [Read more...]

BruCrew Top Ten

I just realized that it has been almost an entire year since I have done a random Brucrew Top Ten post. Guys, I am seriously slacking on sharing some of our adventures and fun finds this way. Every month I tell myself that I'm going to write up a post about the past month, and then I never do it.

If you follow us on Instagram, then you have been keeping up with our little tidbits there, so you aren't missing out on anything.

I really do enjoy sharing these little random bits about our life and things that we find while shopping, so hopefully this gets me back into a better routine for sharing. Do you guys like reading about these fun facts? So much has happened in the past few months, so I thought I would share the highlights from the past two months.

1. Two months ago we packed up all our belongings and said goodbye to west Texas. Things didn't work out with my husband's job, so we decided to move on to another adventure.

We are all unpacked and somewhat settled and enjoying the sunny beaches in west Florida. It's been crazy and a little emotional, but I think it was time for a change. [Read more...]

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