Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

Recipes, Travels, and Stories

recent posts

about

Author: traci

  • Mom, What’s for dinner? – Week of December 30

    It’s the last week of December/the first week of January.  Crazy 2013 is almost done.  This year has been full of highs and lows.  The high was our vacation to Virginia, South Carolina, Atlanta, and Alabama.  The low was the loss of my father-in-law.  We knew my father-in-law was not in the best of health,…

  • Best Desserts of 2013

    Here are the best desserts of 2013: 5.  Biscoff Mug Cake 4.  Skinnier Shamrock Shake 3.  Cream Soda Ice Cream 2.  Boo Snack Mix   1.  Homemade Shamrock Shake Best Desserts of 2012

  • Best Snacks and Appetizers of 2013

    Here are the best snacks and appetizers of 2013: 5.  French Onion Dip Mix   4.  Kale Chips 3.  Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad 2.  Restaurant Style Salsa 1.  Buffalo Wing Hummus   Best Snacks of 2012

  • Best Main Dishes of 2013

    Here are the top 5 Main Dishes of 2013: 5.  Healthier Mac and Cheese   4.  Chicken Scampi   3.  Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice   2.  Breaded Pork Chops   1.  Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast Best Main Dishes of 2012

  • Best Soup and Salad of 2013

    I didn’t have enough soup and bread recipes, so I chose soup and salad instead because I had a lot of different salad recipes.   Soup: Ham and Black Bean Soup Salads: Mason Jar Salads Stone Fruit Salad   Spinach and Pear Salad   Buffalo Wing Chicken Salad   Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad Last years’…

  • Best Breakfasts of 2013

    Here are the full breakfasts for 2013: 5.  Apple Jack Smoothie 4.  Tastes of Thanksgiving Green Smoothie 3.  6 Easy Breakfasts   2.  Key Lime Smoothie and the top breakfast was 1.  Almond Butter Protein Pancakes Last year’s Best Breakfasts This post is linked to Finding Joy in my Kitchen’s Countdown to 2014.

  • Hot Chocolate Mix

    Here’s another easy gift idea.  Who doesn’t like a nice cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows?  Okay, maybe someone who doesn’t like chocolate.  Since it’s winter, this is a nice gift to help the recipient of the gift warm up on those cold days. Hot Chocolate Mix Stars of the recipe: Steps: If you want…

  • French Onion Dip Mix

    Are you looking for an easy gift to give for Christmas or the holidays?  This is an easy mix to whip up.  Place in a fancy holiday bag with instructions and give to a friend or relative.  (Or be like me and put it in a snack-sized bag with the instructions.  I have an overabundance…

  • Gingerbread Granola

    Gingerbread Granola

    As I stated in the blog entry about the ginger snaps, I’ve really been loving the flavors of gingerbread this holiday season.  So when I decided to make some granola to give to friends and family members, I decided a gingerbread-flavored granola sounded yummy! While the granola base was baking in the oven, I was…

  • The Importance of taking pictures

    Today’s challenge for Elf 4 Health is to share our expertise.  I wracked my brain and could not come up with anything.  I mean, I take pictures, but I’m not an expert.  I know about aperture and shutter speed.  I’ve manually set the camera, but I am not an expert. I teach all day long,…