platemehappy, Author at Plate Me Happy

Still Keeping Your New Year Resolutions? If Not, This Is Your Sign to Keep Going

We’re already in the second month of 2026, and if you’re being honest with yourself, you might be wondering where your New Year motivation went. January starts with so much energy. Fresh planners, big goals, healthy intentions, and promises to ourselves that this is the year we’ll finally do things differently. But then real life […]

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balanced lifestyle, family wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, mindful eating, mom life, New Year resolutions, Plate Me Happy, realistic health goals, self improvement

Charming stone art with heart symbol on pink background, symbolizing love and connection.

Valentine’s Day as a Mom: How to Make It Special Without the Stress

Before kids, Valentine’s Day looked very different. Fancy dinners, last-minute reservations, getting dressed up, and staying out late. After becoming a mom, Valentine’s Day became… louder, earlier, and a lot more unpredictable. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. January always sneaks up on me. The holidays are barely packed away, routines are settling

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family celebrations, family life, family traditions, mom life, motherhood, parenting tips, simple living, stress-free holidays, valentine’s day with kids

Festive holiday fruit mocktail in a clear glass pitcher and glasses, vibrant red and orange tones, visible floating cranberries, citrus slices, and pomegranate seeds, sparkling bubbles, light condensation on glass, cozy holiday kitchen setting, soft natural light, subtle winter cloth in background, no utensils, home-style and slightly imperfect, realistic, not overly styled, refreshing and inviting, shallow depth of field, Pinterest-friendly composition,

The Best Festive Holiday Fruit Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic, Family-Friendly & Party-Ready)

During the holidays, our home is always filled with laughter, background music, and people drifting in and out of the kitchen. While adults often reach for wine or cocktails, I’ve always felt that everyone deserves something special in their glass, including kids, teens, and anyone who simply doesn’t want alcohol. That’s how this festive fruity

The Best Festive Holiday Fruit Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic, Family-Friendly & Party-Ready) Read Post »

family friendly recipes, festive drinks, holiday entertaining, holiday mocktail, non alcoholic drinks, party drinks, winter beverages

A fresh carrot ribbon salad served in a simple white ceramic bowl, very thin, narrow carrot ribbons cut into short lengths, thin cucumber ribbons shaved with a peeler, also short and realistic, naturally curled and layered together, lightly coated in a glossy lemon-ginger olive oil dressing with visible sheen, finely chopped parsley and dill scattered throughout, vibrant but natural orange and green tones, minimal ingredients, not overcrowded, imperfect home-style plating, ribbons look hand-shaved, not wide, not endless, dish-forward composition filling most of the frame, a soft summer kitchen towel in muted linen tones placed loosely in the background for subtle color, neutral surface, soft natural daylight, gentle shadows, modern cozy aesthetic, realistic editorial food photography, no utensils, no hands, no steam, no text, no props besides the towel, no people, shallow depth of field,

Retinol Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lemon-Ginger Dressing (Fresh, Crunchy & Nourishing)

I recently saw Jessica Alba post an Instagram video about her newest obsession: a “retinol carrot salad.” I smiled and immediately turned to my husband and said, “Hey… that’s basically my famous carrot ribbon salad!” Carrot salads have always been one of those simple dishes I come back to again and again. They’re fresh, crunchy,

Retinol Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lemon-Ginger Dressing (Fresh, Crunchy & Nourishing) Read Post »

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How to Lose Weight in the New Year Without Giving Up the Foods You Love

Every year feels the same. Halloween kicks things off with buckets of candy collected by hardworking little trick-or-treaters who proudly bring their treasures home. Then comes Thanksgiving, where food is love and second helpings are encouraged. Christmas follows with baking, parties, gatherings, and desserts that seem to appear everywhere you turn. Before we know it,

How to Lose Weight in the New Year Without Giving Up the Foods You Love Read Post »

#platemehappy, familyhealth, habits, health, healthyhabits, healthylifestyle, intermittentfasting, lifestyle, mindfuleating, momlife, newyearreset, nutrition, portioncontrol, realisticweightloss, weightloss, wellness

A colorful assortment of fresh vegetables including carrots, leeks, and radishes displayed on a wooden table.

How to Save Money on Groceries Without Cutting Coupons or Compromising Your Lifestyle

How Families Can Save Money on Groceries Without Extreme Budgeting Over the last few years, I’ve noticed my grocery bill creeping up and not just by a little. Some weeks it feels like it has doubled compared to what I used to spend. Sure, having two growing kids who eat like bottomless pits doesn’t help,

How to Save Money on Groceries Without Cutting Coupons or Compromising Your Lifestyle Read Post »

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The Best Foolproof Shortbread Cookies: Simple, Classic and Always Delicious

Shortbread cookies have always held a special place in my heart. When I was little, my parents baked shortbread regularly, not just during Christmas or the holidays, but all year long. They were the easiest, most flavorful cookies, and that’s still true today. You don’t need fancy techniques, special skills, or hours in the kitchen.

The Best Foolproof Shortbread Cookies: Simple, Classic and Always Delicious Read Post »

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A collection of baking essentials including flour, eggs, and nuts, perfect for homemade recipes.

Baking Without the Worry: How to Choose Non-Toxic Bakeware for a Healthy Kitchen

When we bake, cookies, muffins, casseroles, bread, we want to nourish our family. As a mom focused on health, I believe safe bakeware matters just as much as healthy ingredients. Many conventional bakeware items carry toxins that can leach into food, especially under heat. But with the right choices, you can bake safely, protect your

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Eco-Friendly Kitchen Tools to Replace Plastic and Save Money

As a mom, nothing matters more to me than my kids’ health and the wellbeing of my family. Over the years, I’ve become more aware of the things we bring into our home, especially the products we use every single day in the kitchen. That’s where my journey toward removing plastic really began. At first,

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Tools to Replace Plastic and Save Money Read Post »

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pinterest 2:3 vertical image, bright overhead flat-lay in a rustic modern kitchen, light wooden countertop, soft natural daylight, a single rectangular titanium cutting board with a long oval handle placed directly on the wood surface, smooth cool titanium texture, a few simple vegetables arranged nearby such as cherry tomatoes, a cucumber, and a carrot, clean and minimal layout, a neatly folded kitchen towel beside the board, bright airy lighting with soft shadows, fresh cozy atmosphere, no people, no knives, no utensils, no additional cutting boards,

Titanium Cutting Board: Durable, Hygienic, and Eco-Friendly Kitchen Tool

As someone who’s trying to reduce the amount of plastic in our household, I’m always on the lookout for sustainable and long-lasting kitchen tools. For years, I relied on wooden and bamboo cutting boards. They are eco-friendly and look beautiful, but they come with challenges. They’re porous, which means germs can hide after cutting raw

Titanium Cutting Board: Durable, Hygienic, and Eco-Friendly Kitchen Tool Read Post »

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