Vittles and Bits

Cookies & Cream Marshmallow Crispy Treats

2013-05-19T11:14:00.000-04:00

A while back I made a comment that no idea I ever have seems to be original. (Maybe with the exception of Coconut Kona Ice Cream... there are still barely any recipes for coconut coffee ice cream on the internet, and mine predates the ones that exist. So HA!) That being said - I'm sure someone has already thought of mixing Oreos into Rice Krispie treats. But... I refuse to 'Google' it and

Coconut Patty Brownies

2013-04-27T22:24:00.003-04:00

I feel like there are not many people out there who like coconut as much as I do, but Mr. Vittles is an exception. As I told you last year, he loves coconut patties in particular. I was reminded of this at Easter last month when his mom gave him one of his childhood favorites, a giant coconut egg, and he refused to share with me. He claimed that she gave it to HIM not "us." While I highly

Carrot Cake Cookies

2013-04-11T17:35:00.002-04:00

I wanted to make something festive for Easter, and now (almost 2 weeks later!) I am finally getting around to posting it. Luckily it's not something in the shape of bunnies - these are good anytime. Mr. Vittles thought these should have some cream cheese frosting to make them more like carrot cake - actually, the original recipe was for a frosted cookie, but I was looking for a plain one.

White Chipotle Chicken Chili

2013-03-21T11:54:00.002-04:00

Did everyone enjoy their St. Patrick's Day? Last year, Mr. Vittles and I took the train into New York City for a party, and even though we left NJ early in the morning, the train was already filled with crazy drunks. This year.... was a little more low-key for us. The highlight was probably dressing up Mini Smalls in her St. Patty's Day outfit from my dad & stepmom, which later included

Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream

2013-03-01T20:28:00.001-05:00

So as I recently said on Facebook... time flies when you're having fun. (And sometimes even when you're not?) Four months ago Monday, I was a pregnosaurus, scrubbing our shower and wondering why on earth my stomach hurt so badly. Fast forward to today, and I have the cutest, wiggliest little munchkin on the planet (though I may be just a tad biased ;)). I had all intentions of posting

Baked Chocolate Coconut Coffee Donuts

2013-02-11T18:14:00.000-05:00

In case anyone was wondering how my 30th birthday shaped up to be (I'm sure you were on the edge of your seat) -- it was great! It was a little more low-key than going on vacation (as we had planned pre-Mini Smalls) but it was still perfect! Last weekend I celebrated with all my fellow February B-Day people in Mr. Vittles' family, at his parents' house. Then on Sunday my dad & stepmom came

Molasses Cake

2013-01-24T05:50:00.000-05:00

So in less than two weeks I'm turning the big 3-0. If you're rolling your eyes & saying "Seriously? 30 is not old," relax. I'm not about to tell you that I'm upset I'm turning 30, because I'm not. However, when I hit certain 'milestone' ages, it does make me think back to my younger self imagining this age. For example, I remember when I turned 21 and how different it was from what I

Smoky Black Bean & Bacon Chicken Chili

2013-01-12T14:17:00.001-05:00

So I'm not gonna lie to you guys- this mom stuff is tough! Especially when your little monkey is having digestion issues like ours. We ended up having to take Mini Smalls to a pediatric gastroenterologist when we found out that in addition to her milk protein intolerance, she has a bad case of reflux. The poor little muffin has not been able to get through a meal without stopping

Goodbye, 2012...

2013-01-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I don't know about you guys, but for the Vittles Family 2012 was quite a year! We endured Hurricane Sandy. We bought our first house. We had our first baby. We got through January, February, and March without any snow. (Ok, maybe not that eventful to you, but very much so to me.) And along the way, I made some awesome recipes (if I do say so myself). Some were

Cranberry Spice Infused Vodka

2012-12-20T16:27:00.002-05:00

Ok so how is it nearly Christmas already? I know I always say how time is flying, but seriously... nothing makes the time go faster than taking care of a baby! Which is kind of funny considering every day is like Groundhog Day. Basically they sleep, eat, poop, repeat... and inevitably your day is centered around that. Nothing new to the moms out there, but to anyone who doesn't have kids

Chocolate Peanut Butter Breakfast 'Cheesecake'

2012-12-10T08:22:00.005-05:00

At my shower, my mother-in-law gave me the fabulous gift of a newborn photo session for the baby. The original photographer's studio was unfortunately ruined during Sandy, so she had to schedule with a new one & we had the shoot at my in-laws house yesterday. (BTW- considering the fact that Mara is no longer a sleepy, pliable newborn it went surprisingly well. I am SO excited to see

Red & Green Striped Sugar Cookies (and a Giveaway!)

2012-12-03T18:01:00.001-05:00

Is it seriously December already? Time is flying, I can't believe my little munchkin is almost 6 weeks old & I feel like she has already changed so much! Living up to her nickname of Mini Smalls, so far she takes after her mommy in a few regards. For one, she likes her sleep. (Sadly, she enjoys sleeping in the day a little more than the night, but hey it's a work in progress).

Pumpkin Tiramisu

2012-11-13T10:38:00.002-05:00

Today I am excited to introduce to you a good friend of mine, Pauline. Pauline is married to one of Mr. Vittles childhood friends, Bryan, and over the years she and I have found we have a lot in common - particularly a love of cooking & baking! She is a middle school English teacher, so she also happens to be a great writer. She has always been a wonderful supporter of V&B and I am honored

Apple Crumb Pie

2012-11-07T20:16:00.003-05:00

***If you can find it in your hearts, please help the victims of Hurricane Sandy by making a donation to the Red Cross... every little bit helps!*** So if there's one thing I've learned recently, it's that your world can be turned upside down in a matter of weeks. Just for kicks, let's look at a little timeline, shall we? Monday, October 22, 2012: First day of Maternity Leave (23

She's Here!

2012-10-29T20:29:00.002-04:00

This past Thursday, Mr. Vittles and I got a little surprise... 'Mini Smalls' came 3 weeks early! I would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family- Mara Melissa. She was born at 2:44PM on October 25, 2012, 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 inches. To sum it up- I'm hopelessly in love. She is pretty much the sweetest thing I have ever laid eyes on. So... despite the fact that

Countdown to Mini Smalls

2012-10-19T19:02:00.000-04:00

Today was my last day of work before maternity leave. It's so weird to think I won't be going back there for months. It's also weird to think of all the changes that will take place in our lives during that time. Mini Smalls is due November 14, and time has been flying. She will be here before we know it! I think the nesting phase has

Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bread

2012-10-14T20:28:00.001-04:00

So I've been all about the easy stuff lately, at least when it comes to the kitchen. At the grocery store, I recently found this refrigerated, roll-out pizza crust with whole grains- which I am super excited about! It's by Pillsbury, called Artisan Pizza Crust. Ok ok, I know it's still not as good (or good for you) as homemade, but at least it's a slightly healthier, convenient option.

Coconut Blondies

2012-10-04T19:04:00.001-04:00

I'm beginning to think there needs to be at least 4 more hours in the day. I am still working full-time, and at 34 weeks pregnant I feel like have so many things I want to do to prepare for the baby. Plus, be social with friends & family. Maybe relax & watch a TV show. Blog. Bake some coconut blondies. Hmm what else... oh yeah, SLEEP. That is, if I could get comfortable, which is

Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars

2012-09-24T19:45:00.002-04:00

This past week has been amazing and crazy and wonderful. Between a visit from my best friend Lauren & her family, and my baby shower on Sunday, I got to see (almost) all of my favorite people in the world. (I don't have any pics from the baby shower yet though, so that is To Be Continued!) Lauren and her husband are both managers at her mother's restaurant (Fire Island Grille) in Myrtle

Pumpkin Pie Frappe... In The Raw

2012-09-10T07:20:00.001-04:00

Is it just me, or is anyone else done with summer? Maybe it's because I'm currently lugging around a 2 1/2-pound watermelon in my stomach, but I am totally over this season. It doesn't help that Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, and I probably got a taste of it too early going up to Canada a few weeks ago. I want it to be here NOW! I want cool, crisp air. I want

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies

2012-08-22T22:18:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we celebrated Mr. Vittles' cousin Devon's birthday. Devon is awesome. She's incredibly smart (a nurse practitioner), funny, charmingly OCD, and she has the nicest handwriting I've ever seen. I wish I had a sample to show you. Then again, maybe that's for the better, because you'd just be super jealous. (Trust me.) For such a tiny thing though, she loooves food...

Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling

2012-08-12T20:12:00.002-04:00

Sometimes... things just don't work out the way you want them to in the kitchen. Especially when you're 26 weeks pregnant, and preggo brain is in full effect. So this past Friday morning, my stepdad Chris married his beautiful girlfriend of 2 years, Janice. (This may sound strange to anyone reading for the first time- so just to explain, a) my mom passed away a few years ago and b) I lived

Gooey S'mores Bars

2012-08-02T21:50:00.000-04:00

Sooo... I know I've been MIA again lately and I'm sorry. Mr. Vittles and I have been super busy. I just feel like there are not enough hours in the day! Bad news out of the way first - my grandmother has unfortunately been ill this week, so I've spent a most of my evenings with her and my aunt at the hospital. Unfortunately they don't know what is causing her issues yet, but she's

Citrus Sherbert

2012-07-16T22:16:00.004-04:00

So I've been wanting to share with you all some very special news... Mr. & Mrs. Vittles have a proverbial bun in the oven! I'm about to be 23 weeks, and we just found out this past week that it's a baby GIRL! She was a little shy at my 20-week ultrasound, so we had to go back two weeks later. (Being difficult already!) But we are super excited to be having a baby, and are

Slow-Cooker Pulled Chicken

2012-07-08T20:53:00.000-04:00

So... originally this post was supposed to be Homemade Ginger Ale. And then when that tasted like crap, it was supposed to be something else (which I won't tell you, because there's hope for that yet). However, I will tell you it involved an ice cream maker - which originally I couldn't use because I forgot to put the canister in the freezer. So I put it in overnight... and then our power