It’s no secret that I love to cook. But my heart is really attached to all things baking related.
It’s why I started this blog back in *gasp* 2009.
The first name of this blog way back in once upon a time-time was “Stretch: Stretch your Budget, not your waistline”. It was a way for me to share the healthy sweet recipes I was creating, and to document my journey as I attempted to start exercising and train for 5k races to lose weight. Continue reading
Started my 38th trip around the sun volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House with this group of amazing people! 
These people are the real deal. Kind, smart, funny, and most of all, selfless. When I started talking about getting a group together to volunteer our time at the Ronald McDonald House here in Tampa as a way to celebrate my birthday, they all said “yes!” without a second thought. And yes… we made cupcakes… and YES I had one, of course. It was my birthday after all! 😉 Continue reading
2191 days since we met, and every day is better than the last…
One of our first dates in 2011
Happy first date anniversary, husband! This life together is just everything. Continue reading
I can’t recall the first time I had ribs.
But I remember NOT liking them.
I’m not much of a “eating meat off the bone” kind of lady, so gnawing on chicken wings, T-bone steaks, and ribs just isn’t my thing.
But then, I decided to play around with making a version at home and that’s when these delicious, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs came into my life.
And I was forever changed. 
Continue reading
Out of all the searches that drive readers to my blog, the top search phrase has always been “healthy cooking for beginners” (click here for my healthy cooking 101 post!).
I get a LOT of questions about how to meal plan, how to shop and how to cook. I’ve had people tell me that their eating habits are horrible because they “can’t cook”, and resort to pre-packaged foods, fast food and dining out. I’ve heard this on the blog, social media and even in person.
Well, I’m here to tell you that healthy cooking is EASY. No seriously, I promise! It all comes down to confidence, planning, effort, and resilience! Continue reading
I first saw pancakes made with oat flour (ground up oatmeal!) a few years ago. I remember trying them and being floored at just how delicious they were! I made them so much that I kinda grew tired of pancakes! (I know what you’re thinking- how? HOW?!).
Until today. 
These fluffy flapjacks are gluten free, refined sugar free and full of flavor! Here’s the recipe: Continue reading
Happy Memorial Day!
I hope you are having a restful long weekend celebrating with family and friends, and remembering those who lost their lives for the freedom to do so. <3
Whether you are looking for something to whip up this afternoon to go alongside your grilled burgers or steaks, or if you would like to bookmark this recipe for the future, these sweet potato fries are going to be a HIT whenever you make them!
They are spicy and flavorful and are a perfect, PERFECT match to my cool chimichurri aioli dipping sauce.
Not a fan of spice? Feel free to half the amount of chipotle or cayenne pepper in the coating. They will still be delicious!
Continue reading
When we first began planning our wedding, I was on the fence about going on a honeymoon.
I was just about to begin a travel-heavy new career, and the thought of taking off right after the wedding (and right before a super busy travel month in May) wasn’t appealing.
But the more we thought about it, and the more we talked about it, we realized that going on a honeymoon meant something to us.
Your honeymoon tells the world, and maybe you, who you are. -Ginger Strand
We had a beautiful 5 years of dating, 
Continue reading
Click on the letters HD at the bottom left of the video and click 1080 before you press play for best viewing!
Click on the arrows next to HD to watch in full screen! Enjoy! <3
FieldsForever42217 from Steph Fields on Vimeo.
If you asked me about how life would be on the afternoon of April 11, 2012, you would hear words like “hopeless”, “unsure”, “sorrowful” and “anxious” fall lifelessly out of my mouth. I had just said goodbye to my mom after a year long battle with breast cancer, and it truly felt as though my world, and my future, were collapsing around me.
5 years ago it was difficult to look into the future and envision a normal life. I was 31 going on 32, and could not believe that my time with my mom was over; just like that. Continue reading
