Bubby and Bean ::: Living Creatively

Easter Crispy Rice Treat Nests

2026-03-10T18:27:00.003-05:00

Spring is probably my favorite time of year. It feels fresh and new, and the beginning of long days and warm weather. And it's the perfect time of year to make these fun Easter/spring themed treats!

Easter Crispy Rice Treat Nests

serves 12

INGREDIENTS:
6 tablespoons butter
1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows
4 cups crispy rice cereal
egg candies or jellybeans

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Stir in marshmallows a little at a time until fully melted. Stir in crispy rice cereral. Remove from heat and slowly stir in rice cereal until thoroughly combined. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter and place equal parts of the mixture into each cup, using a spoon to form into “nests.” Cool completely and top with egg candies of your choice.

Enjoy!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Our 2025 Family Holiday Cards

2025-11-06T07:22:00.008-06:00

(Scroll down for a 20% OFF coupon code!)

Listen, this year has tried its best to take me out, but it can't take away the holiday cheer I am determined to create - with a little help from my greeting card besties at Postable. Holiday cards are my seasonal comfort hobby. I’ve sent them every year since I was a teen, and for the past 11 years, I’ve chosen Postable.

If you've been reading here for a while, you know I am Postable's biggest fan, and just like in years part, I want to make sure you know you know that this isn't a paid review. It's a trade. They give me the best cards ever and I share my thoughts about them with all of you - but I would order from them regardless. What really sets Postable apart is that they handle everything - design (so many choices), printing, stuffing, addressing, stamping, mailing - while I just pick something cute and pretend I’m thriving.

And because the people at Postable are genuinely nice humans, they're giving all Bubby & Bean readers 20% OFF your entire order with code BEAN25. So get over to their site right now and take advantage. Whether you’ve had a year like mine or not, the holidays are a LOT. You should not have to fight with stamps or handwriting endless zip codes, friends. Let Postable do the chaos part. You pick the card, they do the rest.

This post is in collaboration with Postable.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Veggie Oven Nachos

2025-09-22T17:48:00.006-05:00

This is a favorite meal for everyone in our house! They're so simple to make, and easy to customize to everyone's taste.

Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS

1/2 bag tortilla chips

1 can black beans

5 cups shredded cheese

3/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups thick salsa

1 fresh jalapeño, sliced

1/2 avocado, cubed

lime

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Rinse and drain black beans. In a bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Add a single layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet, then spread beans evenly on top. Cover with cheese and sprinkle with spice mixture. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, until cheese is melted. Top salsa, avocado, and jalapeño slices for a kick. Squeeze on a little lime and serve.

These are an easy weeknight meal and make a fantastic snack too. Enjoy!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Mini Crunchy Black Bean Tacos

2025-05-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

I love eating outside on my patio when the weather gets nice, and this is one of my absolute favorite meals to eat out there! The mini shells are so fun, and everyone in our (picky) family gets excited about them.

Black Bean Mini Tacos

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 14 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 medium avocado

2 cups cherry tomatoes

Handful of romaine lettuce

1 cup shredded cheese

1/2 lime

1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

Salt to taste
12 mini crunchy taco shells

In a medium saucepan, heat black beans with spices. Slice avocado and cherry tomatoes. Chop lettuce. In each shell, add a layer of black beans, shredded cheese, avocado, and tomatoes. I like to top with a splash or hot sauce.

Happy outdoor dining season!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

My Favorite Supplements for 2025

2025-02-21T10:17:00.000-06:00

I have been taking supplements on and off since childhood, but only recently did I decide to be more consistent with them. I had bloodwork done a couple of months ago and figured out which ones I really needed, then did a clean-out of my medicine cabinet and got rid of all of the expired supplements as well as those I felt I didn't need anymore. Today, I thought I'd share a few of my current favorites with you!

1. Iron Supplements My blood labs have come back as anemic a few different times over the years, so having a good iron supplement on hand is key. I choose Naked Iron supplement because it has 65 mg of iron (361% DV), which helps to enhance energy*, increase immunity*, and reduce fatigue.* (Working mom fatigue, especially in these grey winter months, is no joke.) I love that it is formulated with Ferrous Bisglycinate, which offers superior absorption, is gentle on digestion to help me maintain optimal iron levels.*

2. Biotin Supplements Biotin is known for nourishing skin and hair*, boosting metabolism*, and more. Naked is my favorite Biotin brand because it is high potency, containing 10,000 mcg, and is vegan and gluten free. So many supplements are full of unnecessary extras. Naked brand is called Naked brand for a reason - it's free of extra junk!

3. Vitamin D Supplements I don't have a specific brand of Vitamin D I prefer, and tend to switch it up. But I was vitamin D deficient, and my doctor told me it's important that I take this everyday, especially in the winter.

4. Collagen Peptides Yes, another Naked brand supplement. But for good reason! I consider Naked Collagen to be the absolute best (you've probably heard me talk about it before), and I put it in my coffee every single day. It's sourced from pasture-raised cows, is free of additives and artificial sweeteners, is odorless and tasteless, and is highly soluble. The best!

5. Probiotics Gut health is important to me, and I can feel it when I stop taking probiotics. So this year, I'm making an effort to be sure to take them daily.

If you take supplements, I'd love to hear about your current favorites as well!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This post is in partnership with Naked Nutrition.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

St. Patrick’s Day Cheese Quesadillas ☘️

2025-02-20T21:28:00.004-06:00

These green quesadillas are delicious, but they're especially fun to make around St. Patrick’s Day. They’re incredibly simple too!

St. Paddy's Day Cheese Quesadillas ☘️

Serves 1-2

Ingredients
Large spinach tortilla

1 cup grated grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup baby spinach
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (butter works too)
1/2 cup green salsa
1/2 avocado, cubed
Small handful of cilantro (optional)
1/2 lime

Melt oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the tortilla in the pan and flip to warm both sides. Sprinkle cheese over half of the tortilla, then cover with baby spinach leaves. Fold uncovered side over the top of the covered side to fold in half. Reduce heat and cover the pan for about a minute. Uncover, flip, and cover again for a minute. Repeat this until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from pan and slice into wedges. Top with salsa verde, cubed avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Enjoy! And happy (early) St. Patrick's Day!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

Love Day Berry Smoothie

2025-01-27T12:11:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day isn't for everyone, and I completely get that. For me, the day is about celebrating love and kindness over romantic relationships. I love giving out Valentines, making crafts with my kids, and enjoying allllll the Valentine treats.

And while I will never turn down a good Valentine chocolate, it's easy to celebrate with healthy choices too. In fact, one of our favorite Love Day treats is a fresh berry and collagen smoothie that just happens to be the perfect shade of Valentine pink. It's easy to make and oh-so-delicious to drink.

Love Day Berry Smoothie (with Marine Collagen!)

Makes 2

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

3/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
2 scoops Naked Marine Collagen Peptides Protein Powder
1/2 cup almond milk, coconut milk, or whole milk

fresh strawberries for garnish

Combine all ingredients except strawberry garnish in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into two glasses. Cut hearts from fresh strawberries and add as garnish.

The berries give this smoothie it's perfect Love Day color, but the star of the drink is Naked Marine Collegen Peptides Protein Powder, which contains just one ingredient: Premium marine collagen peptides sourced from wild-caught cod. This highly bioavailable marine collagen is easily absorbed by the body, which means more radiant skin, shiny hair, and strong nails, as well as joint strength and overall vitality. Yes please! It is odorless and tasteless, and dissolves easily in your favorite hot or cold beverages. Naked Marine Collegen Peptides Protein Powder elevates this berry smoothie to the next level.

Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not, I highly recommend giving this delicious smoothie a try!

This post is is partnership with Naked Nutrition

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Elevated Peppermint Mocha (with Collagen + MCT!)

2024-12-09T13:03:00.000-06:00

What's better than coffee? Holiday coffee drinks! What's better than holiday coffee drinks? Holiday coffee drinks with added benefits (like collagen + MCT). And this recipe has all of these things!

Holiday Peppermint Mocha (with Collagen + MCT!)

INGREDIENTS
½ cup strong coffee
2 scoops Naked Collagen Creamer in Chocolate
3/4 cup almond milk, coconut milk, or whole milk, steamed
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Crushed peppermint for rim

Optional: candy cane, whipped cream

Wet glass mug rim with water and dip into crushed peppermint. Pour coffee into mug. Stir in Naked Collagen Creamer in Chocolate, steamed milk, and peppermint extract. Enjoy

The key ingredient in this delicious holiday mocha is the (dairy-free!) Naked Collagen Creamer, which contains 9g of premium collagen from European pasture-raised cows (which provides support for radiant skin, strong hair and nails, and healthy joints!). It also contains quick-absorbing MCT oil, which helps to give a steady flow of energy all day long. It also contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. It's tasty too!

Happy holidays!

This post is in partnership with Naked Nutrition.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Holiday Family Traditions (+ a Special Kalahari Giveaway & Deal!)

2024-11-27T06:30:00.004-06:00

During the holiday season, I think a lot about traditions from my childhood - especially ones I've carried over to enjoy with my kids. One of my absolute favorites is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every year. We wake up, eat turkey shaped pancakes, snuggle up, and all watch it together. This year, we're especially excited to see Kalahari's float, the Colossal Wave of Wonder, which features a fun water scene with a family of elephants and their friends!

To get pumped up, we got to open up this special box of goodies from our friends at Kalahari. We're loving the snuggling under the soft blanket with the sweet elephant plush and sipping hot chocolate out of the mugs. I just think it's so cool how both the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Kalahari Resorts are always working to create a bigger and more magical experience for their guests. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions are home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark Resorts and have everything from gorgeous rooms, suites and villas, to fun family entertainment centers and delicious food, to full service spas, shopping and more. They truly make for the perfect family getaway, with something for everyone!

I hope you all enjoy watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as much as we will this year. When it's over and time to think about holiday shopping, be sure grab some Kalahari Gift Cards for your family and friends. I can't think of a more special gift than a memorable, exciting adventure in the form of an epic trip to Kalahari!

And guess what? You can also win a FREE stay at Kalahari Resorts! Just enter their giveaway for a chance to choose your perfect getaway!*

You can also save up to 30% on your next Kalahari stay by using promo code BLACKFRIDAY from Black Friday (11/28) through Cyber Monday (12/02). Click here for more details.*

May your holiday season be filled with Kalahari-level adventures, fun family traditions, happiness, peace, and joy.

*Blackout dates and exclusions apply. Subject to availability and management discretion. Valid for one night in a double standard queen room for up to 6 guests at any Kalahari Resorts & Conventions location. See Kalahari’s Instagram post for more details.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

Our 2024 Family Holiday Cards

2024-11-07T13:44:00.000-06:00

Three things about me and holiday cards:

1. I have never gotten rid of a holiday card sent to me. I keep telling myself one day I’ll make something cool out of them. (We all know that’s never gonna happen.)

2. I have sent holiday cards every single year since I was a teen.

3. For the past *decade* (yep, 10 full years), I have chosen company Postable for my holiday cards! (Pssst… Discount code below!)

You've heard me go on about Postable before (I mean like I said, it’s been a decade long relationship at this point), and just like in years part, I want to make sure you know you know that this isn't a paid review. It's a trade. The give me the best cards ever and I share my thoughts about them with all of you. The truth is that I would 100% order from them regardless. They had an incredible selection of stylish, cool, fun, top quality cards that are easy to customize. They’re 100% post-consumer recycled and/or tree-free 100%. But the thing that really sets them apart is the fact that they do all the work for you: they print your cards, they stuff the envelopes, they address them, they stamp them, and they mail them all for you. They are simply the best!

I’ll close this post by adding that the people at Postable are genuinely nice humans, and I very much enjoy supporting them. They’re so nice, in fact, that they're giving you 20% off your entire order with code BEAN24. So get over to their site right now and take advantage! You’ll be glad you did - this holiday card lover promises.

This post is in collaboration with Postable.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

50 Easy Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

2024-10-29T14:13:00.007-05:00

I have been last minute about everything this Halloween, which is honestly stressing me out a little. If you're in the same boat, then hopefully our list of fifty last minute (easy and classic) Halloween costume ideas will help!

50 Easy Classic Halloween Costume Ideas

1920s themed
1950s themed
1960s themed
1970s themed
Alien
Angel
Ballerina
Bat
Baseball/Football/Basketball Player
Bear
Black Cat
Bumblebee
Butterfly
Cheerleader
Circus themed
Classic Disney Characters
Classic 'Scary' Film/TV Characters (Addams Family, The Muensters, etc.)
Classic Star Wars Characters
Clown
Devil
Dinosaur
Doctor or Nurse
Dog
Dracula
Dragon
Fairy
Frankenstein
Genie
Ghost
Gypsy
Hippie
Ladybug
Lion
Mermaid
Mime
Monkey
Monster
Mouse
Mummy
Pirate
Princess or Prince
Pumpkin
Robber/Jailbird
Robot
Shark
Scarecrow
Skeleton
Superhero
Vampire
Western themed
Witch
Wizard of Oz themed
Woodland Animal themed

Happy Halloween!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST // BLOGLOVIN'

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake

2024-10-17T08:12:00.002-05:00

One thing about me: I will never turn down pumpkin pie. I don't care how full I am. I don't care what time of year (or day) it is. I will eat it. I've also been trying to increase my daily protein intake, so when I decided to try to create an easy, quick protein shake that tasted like pumpkin pie, and it actually worked, I was beyond excited.

This pumpkin pie shake not only tastes delicious, it contains 20g of protein! If you leave off the whipped cream, it is also completely vegan/plant-based. Did I mention it takes 2-3 minutes to make? Scroll down for recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 scoops Pumpkin Spice Naked Shake vegan protein powder

1 cup almond or oat milk

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 tablespoon maple syrup

6-8 ice cubes

whipped cream (optional)

cinnamon (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. I like to drink it as it in the morning, but if you're looking for more of a dessert type beverage, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

I use Pumpkin Spice Naked Shake vegan protein powder for this recipe because it's both delicious and full of protein - 20g of pea protein to be exact. It also contains MCT oil, cinnamon, fermented cane sugar, and natural plant-based flavors, with only 3g of sugar. It's a seasonal flavor, so make sure to grab some before it's sold out!

This post is in partnership with Naked Nutrition.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

DIY Halloween Mini Pizzas

2024-09-13T14:35:00.003-05:00

Halloween is over a month away, but it seems like these days it starts in August. I'm more of a summer girl, so I don't get in the Halloween spirit until October 1st, but I'm also a planner. And since I forsee making these adorable halloween mini pizzas with my kids several times this Halloween season, I thought I'd go ahead and share them now.

Halloween DIY Mini Pizzas

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS
6 english muffins, halved
3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and mozzarella)

1 slice provolone or mozzarella
1 cup pizza sauce (the plain old jar kind works just fine)
black olives
green olives
green pepper

pepperoni or veggie pepperoni pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Placed halved english muffins cut side up on a baking sheet. Cover with pizza sauce. On 5 muffins, top with shredded cheese. On the remaining muffin, top with strips of the cheese slice, to look like a mummy. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted. Use olives, green pepper slices, and pepperoni pieces to create jack-o-lanterns, spiders, mummies, and monsters!

Have fun!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Vanilla + Maple Collagen Iced Coffee

2024-08-22T13:51:00.001-05:00

Iced coffees are my best friend this time of year. I love going to get them as a treat, but I'm also a big fan of making them at home because I can make healthier (and frankly, much less expensive) versions that are just as delicious. My go-to lately has been this vanilla + maple collagen-boosted variety. It's simple, tasty, and includes collagen with all of its benefits!

Vanilla + Maple Collagen Iced Coffee

INGREDIENTS

8 oz brewed coffee

1 scoop Naked Collagen

2 oz almond milk, oat milk, or raw milk

2 TB maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

ice

Mix all ingredients except ice together with a hand frother (or in a shaker). Add ice to a glass, and pour prepared coffee over ice.

I've been adding collagen to my coffee for a while now due to its many benefits (you can read more about what collagen does for skin, hair, nails, and joints here), and Naked Collagen is my favorite for many reasons. It's source from pasture-raised cows, is free of additives and artificial sweeteners, is odorless and tasteless, and is highly soluble. It's great in hot coffee too!

If you try this iced coffee recipe, let me know what you think!

This post in partnership with Naked Nutrition.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

Savory + Sweet Trail Mix

2024-07-22T06:20:00.001-05:00

This is one of our favorite snacks for summertime hikes and outdoor activities. It’s both sweet and savory, and full of protein. And it’s so easy to make that I can’t even really call it a recipe!

Peanut Butter Trail Chex Mix

4 cups Peanut Butter Chex
3 cups pretzel twists

1 cup dry roasted or cocktail peanuts
1/2 cup pepitas
1/2 cup sesame sticks

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well, and store in an airtight container.

You could also make this with regular Chex cereal if you wanted something less sweet or wanted to omit peanuts due to allergies. I have to be honest though - I do feel like the PB Chex makes it especially good. Enjoy!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Sustainable Summer Style: Get $250 to Spend at Gaia Conceptions!

2024-07-16T06:20:00.058-05:00

Summer is going by way too quickly, and I want to soak up and celebrate every moment! Who is with me? How about shopping for some new summertime styles with a $250 gift card to shop at Gaia Conceptions? (Scroll down to enter!)

Gaia Conceptions is a long time Bubby and Bean partner who we are always so proud to support. For those not familiar, they are a women owned and operated company that offers stunning, highest quality sustainable clothing that is all designed and made by hand in the USA. They also have a brand new Core Collections full of gorgeous staple garments perfect for capsule wardrobes!

Use the form below, and/or do the easy entry on on Instagram right here. There are several options for extra entries as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run through Friday, July 19th, 2024. It is open to Bubby and Bean readers worldwide. All entries from the Rafflecopter form above and Instagram will be combined. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here by end of day the following Monday.

Thank you to our friends at Gaia Conceptions for brightening these gray winter days and once again giving Bubby and Bean followers a chance to own some of their gorgeous apparel!

UPDATE: Congrats to our randomly chosen winner, Stacey R./@mommyinva on Instagram. Please check your IG DMs!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

5 Healthy + Easy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

2024-06-04T09:25:00.002-05:00

I am not a morning person. I set that alarm for as late as possible and then it's go-go-go as fast as we can until we're out the door for school. Despite all the rushing, it is important that my kids have a healthy breakfast before heading out - but I'm still not going to spend a lot of time preparing it. (We save the elaborate breakfasts for the weekends when my alarm isn't screaming in my ear at 6 AM.) Thankfully, I've gotten pretty good at coming up with breakfasts that don't take long but are still delicious and give my kids the nutrition they need.

5 Healthy + Easy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

1. Overnight Oats

I just throw some oats in a jar, add nut milk or Naked Nutrition Kid’s Daily Essentials Nutrition Shake, and put the jar in the fridge before bed. In the morning I add sliced strawberries and drizzle with almond butter. Healthy, quick, and so good!

2. Naked Nutrition Kid’s Daily Essentials Nutrition Shake Mix

This shake mix is new and already a favorite in our house. (We love Vanilla, but it's available in Chocolate too!) I just mix it with some organic milk and it's ready to go! The shakes are delicious, and they contain 8g of Protein from organic milk, 6 organic vegetable powders, and 25 vitamins and minerals. They also contain no artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives, are certified Gluten-Free, and are Soy and GMO Free! A true breakfast of champions! And if we're really late (which happens more than I'd like to admit), we can take this on the go.

3. Egg Bites

I am admittedly not a meal prep-er, but if I have extra time on a Sunday, I pour scrambled eggs, cheese, and some protein (meat or veggie meat) in muffin tins, bake, and freeze. So easy to heat up, full of protein, and my kids love them.

4. Sliced apples and nut butter (almond, peanut, or sunflower seed)

A go-to from my own childhood. My kids love this because it's fun like a snack. I love it because it's packed with protein and fiber, but only takes a minute or two to prepare.

5. Fun avocado toast

This one admittedly takes a little longer than the others, but I smash up avocado the night before and slice fruit and hard boiled egg, so all I really have to do in the morning is toast the bread. This is always a hit, and it's full of healthy fats.

All of these simple breakfast ideas actually all make pretty great after school snacks too. This is yet another reason I love Naked Nutrition Kid’s Daily Essentials Nutrition Shake Mix - you can as easily whip up a shake for a snack or dessert as you can a breakfast! We also love to add it to smoothies.

I hope these ideas help make your mornings a little easier and fill your kids bellies in a happy, healthy way!

This post in partnership with Naked Nutrition.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST

Burrito Bowl Casserole

2024-04-10T17:39:00.001-05:00

I love a good comfort food casserole. I also love burritos and burrito bowls. This dish is the perfect combo of both. It can also be made in advance and frozen for meal prep. Win win!

Vegetarian Burrito Casserole

Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS

2 cans black beans, drained

1 can corn

1 can refried beans

1 can pinto beans, drained

1/2 cup sliced pickled jalapeño peppers (optional; we like La Morena)

3 cups cooked brown rice

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar Monterey jack cheese

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/3 teaspoon salt

Garnishes:

Scallions, sliced

Tomato, diced

Avocado, diced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat black beans, corn, and jalapeños (if desired) in a a sauce pan. Add spices and stir well. In another pan, heat pinto and refried beans. Spoon pinto and refried bean mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top with rice rice. Layer on the jalapeño/black bean/corn mixture.

Top with shredded cheese and cook for 20-25 minutes. Top with garnishes and serve. So good!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Springtime Crispy Rice Nests

2024-02-21T06:20:00.002-06:00

Spring is still a month away, but my cabin fever is overpowering to the point that focusing on springtime is basically the only thing getting me through! You might remember when I shared the vegan/plant-based version of these adorable crisped rice springtime bird nests on my Instagram last year. This is the non-vegan version, but you can easily swap out for plant-based butter and marshmallows. They're fun, easy to make, and the perfect way to usher in spring or Easter!

Springtime Crispy Rice Nests

serves 12

INGREDIENTS:
6 tablespoons butter
1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows
4 cups crispy rice cereal
egg candies or jellybeans

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Stir in marshmallows a little at a time until fully melted. Stir in butter. Remove from heat and slowly stir in rice cereal until thoroughly combined. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter and place equal parts of the mixture into each cup, using a spoon to form into “nests.” Cool completely and top with egg candies of your choice.

Happy (almost) spring!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Winter Giveaway: $250 to Gaia Conceptions Clothing!

2024-01-25T05:58:00.031-06:00

January is draaaaagggging on, and I think we need a pick-me-up. How about a $250 gift card to shop at Gaia Conceptions?! A long time partner and friend of Bubby and Bean, Gaia Conceptions offers beautiful, custom, sustainable clothing that is all designed and made by hand in the USA. They are women owned and operated too! Grab a few pretty winter pieces or be like me with you eye on the prize and start stocking up for spring and summer!

Scroll down to enter!

Use the form below, and/or do the easy entry on on Instagram right here. There are several options for extra entries as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run through Monday, January 29, 2024. It is open to Bubby and Bean readers worldwide. All entries from the Rafflecopter form above and Instagram will be combined. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here by end of day the following Monday.

Thank you to our friends at Gaia Conceptions for brightening these gray winter days and once again giving Bubby and Bean followers a chance to own some of their gorgeous apparel!

UPDATE: Congrats to our randomly chosen winner, Jessica Waites! Please check your Instagram DMs.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

3 Vegetarian Soups for Wintertime

2024-01-18T14:32:00.001-06:00

BLACK BEAN AND SALSA SOUP

It is absolutely freezing here, and we've had so many snow days in January that my kids have only been at school for 4 days so far this year. Throw in some seasonal depression, and I basically just want to live in a vat of soup. So much soup. Soup everyday. Here are a few of my favorite vegetarian soups to warm up when the weather is like this.

VEGETARIAN TORTELLINI AND SPINACH SOUP

POTATO LEEK SOUP, 2 WAYS

Stay warm, friends.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Holiday Caramel Wafer Cookie Coffee

2023-12-13T15:26:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season to indulge in all the treats, including extra decadent coffees! This one is simple to make and one of my favorites.

Caramel Wafer Cookie Coffee

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

1 cup coffee

caramel syrup

1/4 cup cream

whip cream

1 wafer cookie

Make coffee in a coffee pot. Pour coffee into a glass coffee mug and add desired amount of caramel syrup. Stir well, then add cream in a glass coffee mug. Top with whip cream, drizzle caramel syrup on top, and add a vanilla wafer coffee. This is an absolutely delicious sweet treat style coffee that I love to enjoy as a holiday dessert. Happy holidays!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

Our 2023 Family Holiday Cards

2023-11-08T06:20:00.047-06:00

Those of you who have been Bubby and Bean blog readers (or Instagram followers) for a while know how much I love sending holiday cards. I am such a holiday card lover that I have kept every single holiday card I've ever received, dating back to age 10. Does that make me a hoarder? Perhaps. But I just can't get rid of them.

And just like I've stayed loyal to my holiday card collection, I've stayed loyal to my favorite card company, Postable, for the last 9 years since I first discovered them. They have an incredible variety of gorgeous, fun, cool design, but there is something unique about them that really sets them apart. (Pssst. I have a pretty major discount for you, from Postable, at the bottom of this post!)

You've probably heard me gush about Postable before, and just like in years part, I wanted to make sure you know you know that this isn't a paid review. It's a trade. The give me the best cards ever and I share my thoughts about them with all of you, but I would buy and send their cards regardless. Their cards are top quality, they have the best selection, they're fully customizable, and they're 100% post-consumer recycled and/or tree-free 100%. But the thing that really sets them apart is the fact that

in addition to printing your cards, they stuff the envelopes, they address them, they stamp them, and they mail them all for you. They do it all.

Another thing I've told you before that deserves repeating is that the people at Postable are genuinely nice humans too. So nice that they're giving you 20% off your entire order with code BEAN23. Head over to their site right now and take advantage of this goodness. Happy holiday card season!

This post is in collaboration with Postable.

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST

50 Timeless Halloween Costume Ideas

2023-10-11T13:46:00.003-05:00

It's time for our annual "favorite classic Halloween costume" ideas post! As a fan of simple, classic Halloween costumes, I've been sharing this list for years, each time with updates and new additions.

My kids are getting older and the days of them dressing up as pumpkins and black cats and witches are behind us. It's all about the trendy character costumes (sometimes with a gory take) for them these days, but my classic costume loving heart will always appreciate the years when they opted for the simple costumes.

Scroll down for our most recent list of over fifty timeless costume ideas.

Classic Halloween Costume Ideas

1920s themed
1950s themed
1960s themed
1970s themed
Alien
Angel
Ballerina
Bat
Baseball/Football/Basketball Player
Bear
Black Cat
Bumblebee
Butterfly
Cheerleader
Circus themed
Classic Disney Characters
Classic 'Scary' Film/TV Characters (Addams Family, The Muensters, etc.)
Classic Star Wars Characters
Clown
Devil
Dinosaur
Doctor or Nurse
Dog
Dracula
Dragon
Fairy
Frankenstein
Genie
Ghost
Gypsy
Hippie
Ladybug
Lion
Mermaid
Mime
Monkey
Monster
Mouse
Mummy
Pirate
Princess or Prince
Pumpkin
Robber/Jailbird
Robot
Shark
Scarecrow
Skeleton
Superhero
Vampire
Western themed
Witch
Wizard of Oz themed
Woodland Animal themed

Happy spooky season!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST // BLOGLOVIN'

Fall Giveaway: $250 Gift Card to Gaia Conceptions!

2023-09-05T07:00:00.017-05:00

I am not one of those people who starts up with the pumpkin spice in August. In fact, I don’t accept summer's end until the autumn equinox. But I do like thinking about fall fashion, and as I see the stores begin to fill their racks with autumn attire, I feel especially inspired to support small, women owned designers and clothing lines like our long time partner and friend Gaia Conceptions!

This month, I’m excited to be teaming up once again to offer one lucky Bubby and Bean follower a $250 gift card to grab some of Gaia Conceptions’ gorgeous, custom made, sustainable clothing for fall! (Scroll down to enter!)

Gaia Conceptions offers a wide variety of beautiful eco-friendly clothing and accessory items, all designed and made by hand in the USA. Ordering their clothing is a truly customized experience - you choose color, fabric, and size. They're the best!

Use the form below, and/or do the easy entry on on Instagram right here. There are several options for extra entries as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run through the end of this Saturday September 9th, 2023. It is open to Bubby and Bean readers worldwide. All entries from the Rafflecopter form above and Instagram will be combined. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here by end of day the following Monday.

Thank you to our friends at Gaia Conceptions for giving Bubby and Bean followers a chance to own some of their gorgeous apparel!

ALSO FIND US HERE: INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // PINTEREST