Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Sustainable Farming

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 24, 2020 · 1 Comment

Sustainable Farming means being a good steward of natural systems and resources, meeting the needs of the present, and not compromising the future. Farmers are always looking for ways to recycle and reuse the land in order to provide for the needs of society.

I am partnering with BestFoodFacts and the United Soybean Board to bring you information about sustainability in farming.

During the many years I have been blogging, I have been privileged to visit many different types of farms. I have been to pig farms in South Dakota, tomato farms in Indiana, chicken farms in Ohio, dairy farms in California, and corn farms in Illinois. Last year I was even able to learn fun facts about soybeans from a farm in Maryland.

Every time I visit a farm, I come away with more information on farming and how the food they produce ends up on my table. The passion and commitment these farmers have for what they do impresses me every single time.

The farmers that I have met and talked to have a strong desire to leave their land better than the way they found it. One of the biggest things they want to do is to recycle and reuse their land in ways that affect future generations in a positive way. ...

Berries and Cream Chocolate Cake Roll

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 20, 2020 · UPDATED March 4, 2021 · Leave a Comment

A Berries and Cream Chocolate Cake Roll is a delicious and beautiful dessert to share with friends and family. This sweet chocolate cake recipe is filled with a strawberry whipped cream and lots of juicy, fresh berries. So easy and simple to put together.

*This content is sponsored by Dixie Crystals Sugar. All opinions and ideas expressed are entirely my own.

A full Berries and Cream Chocolate Cake Roll on a black plate with the end showing the swirl of cake, whipped cream, and berries

I have officially fallen in love with making cake rolls. There is something so satisfying about rolling the cake and filling together and seeing that sweet swirl of goodness in the center.

Of course, adding pretty decorations to the top of the cake is another thing I really enjoy doing. Extra berries and chocolate curls on top made this chocolate cake roll look like it came from a bakery!

The next time you need a fancy dessert that is easy to make, you have to make this cake roll. Trust me, you CAN do this!! Once you master this one, you can make this Peaches and Cream Cake Roll and this S'mores Pumpkin Roll.

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Reese's Fluffernutter Fudge Brownies

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 18, 2020 · 32 Comments

Enjoy a pan of these Reese's Fluffernutter Fudge Brownies and a glass of milk for dessert tonight. This easy homemade brownie recipe topped with Reese's fudge is sure to satisfy every sweet tooth in your family.

Our pantry is stocked with all kinds of Reese's candies, cake mixes, and sprinkles. It's true. I'm quite the hoarder when it comes to candy and baking supplies.

You just never know when there might be a shortage on chocolate or when you may need to make Reese's Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies, Chocolate Reese's Cheesecakes, or Oreo Reese's Brownies. I figure if I keep bags and bags of candy in our pantry, I will be ready for just about anything.

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Strawberry Chia Jam

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 14, 2020 · Leave a Comment

This sweet Strawberry Chia Jam recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to store bought jams and jellies. It is easy to make, tastes great, and only uses a few natural ingredients.

Once we started limiting our sugar intake, we really started noticing just how much refined sugar is in different foods. Take jams and jellies, for instance. Most store-bought ones have a high amount in them.

In the past year or so, I have started to make a few different homemade jams for us to eat instead. Once you start making your own jams and jellies, you will never want to buy the ones in the store again.

So, I said you won't want to, but there are time you will still do it. At the moment there is a jar of grape jelly AND a jar of strawberry preserves in our fridge because I was lazy this week and did not make more sugar-free jelly before school started this week....

Tropical Blonde Brownies

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 11, 2020 · Leave a Comment

These Tropical Blonde Brownies are loaded with white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, and shredded coconut. The texture and flavor of this blonde brownie recipe will transport you to a tropical place after one bite.

A stack of four tropical blonde brownies on a white and yellow plate

When the kids were little we would always go to the beach every summer for our family vacation. Now that we live near the beach, we have changed up how we vacation.

Last month we spent a week on a lake in Tennessee with family. Our kids had so much fun hanging out with their cousins. They pretty much lived in the water and on the boat all week long. All the teenagers had a blast getting thrown around on the tube.

As much as I enjoyed being at the lake, I have to admit that I'm still a beach kind of girl. Give me the sand in my toes, the sound of the ocean waves in my ears, and a pina colada in my hand.

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Gooey S'mores Pull Apart Bread

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 10, 2020 · 6 Comments

Celebrate National S'mores Day with a pan of this Gooey S'mores Pull Apart Bread. Chocolate and marshmallow goodness on canned biscuits make this a fun and easy s'mores recipe that you need in your life ASAP.

A loaf of gooey s'mores pull apart bread drizzled with marshmallow glaze with one slice lying down

I feel like this summer I slacked off on making s'mores desserts. Usually through the summer months, I try to add chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers to everything.

Maybe I should make another batch of these S'mores Cookie Cups will help me get my s'mores mojo back!

I have to admit that I love food related holidays. Any reason to celebrate with food, right?

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Pina Colada Fruit Dip

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 6, 2020 · UPDATED March 3, 2021 · 2 Comments

If you like piña coladas and lying by the pool, you need to try this fluffy fruit dip. This Pina Colada Fruit Dip has the pineapple and coconut flavors of a piña colada drink in a light, fluffy mousse.

It is the perfect sweet dip to enjoy with fruit and cookies.

We are stilling enjoying lots of hot summer days here. There is no end in sight for the heat and humidity...yet. Give it another month or two, and we will see fall start creeping in.

Until then, lots of easy dinners and no bake desserts are all I'm planning on eating. Well, unless the urge to bake hits me. Then we all know that I can't resist a good baking session.

I actually made this easy fruit dip a few months ago and then totally forgot to share it with you. I blame it on the lack of routine that has become the new norm around here.

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Chocolate Cherry Cobbler

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 3, 2020 · UPDATED July 2, 2021 · 10 Comments

Enjoy a big bowl of this Chocolate Cherry Cobbler for dessert tonight. The sweet layer of homemade pie filling under soft, fluffy, chocolate biscuits tastes so good.

Serve this cherry cobbler recipe with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent treat.

A white bowl filled with chocolate cherry cobbler topped with homemade whipped cream and a cherry

Why Make a Cobbler

A few weeks ago I made this Easy Strawberry Cobbler again. That inspired me to make a cherry crisp. As I was eating it I started wondering if I could incorporate chocolate into the topping.

The answer is yes. I added some dark cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips to the dough along with a little bit more heavy cream to get the perfect chocolate biscuit topping.

This sweet chocolate cobbler is a Cracker Barrel copycat recipe that tastes just like the seasonal dessert you can sometimes order in restaurants.

The gooey pie filling AND chocolate biscuits on it will have you fall in love with this sweet summer dessert!!! Chocolate and cherries are such a delicious combo.

Get ready to top this black forest cobbler with ice cream or whipped cream and DIG IN!!!

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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 1, 2020 · UPDATED May 28, 2021 · 11 Comments

This easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded with bacon, spinach, and tomatoes giving it a delicious BLT flavor. This easy pasta salad recipe is a great side dish to share at summer picnics or barbecues.

Summer Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is my go to during the hot summer months. If we get invited to picnics or dinners it is safe to say I will be bringing some type of easy pasta salad recipe.

I also make a pasta salad or this Veggie Salad when I have no idea what else to make for dinner. It's safe to say veggies and pasta are always my go to.

It's ok though, because pasta goes with just about any meal, right? Burgers, pulled pork, chicken tenders...it all goes together....

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