In this episode of The SavvyCast, Jordan Jones and Zane Tarence share what it is like being an Enneagram type 3. ...
Let’s Talk Better Sex (in Marriage) and a Few Fave Things
Sharing two podcasts on marriage (including making good sex great sex) along with a few favorite things for the week. Family Savvy has always been about more than food. Recipes are a main component, of course, but my heart's desire is to also share resources to help marriages and families. This week, I posted two podcasts on marriage. I highly recommend both; descriptions are below. ...
How to Know What Number You are on the Enneagram
The following test, tools and questions will help you know what number (and wing) you are on the enneagram. Do you know your enneagram number? ...
How to Make Bobby’s Boston Butt on the Big Green Egg
In the video above, Bobby Hewitt tells us exactly how he makes his famous Boston Butts on the Big Green Egg! Bobby Hewitt's Boston Butt ...
Here are a Few of My Favorite Things From August
My August faves include a FAB BBQ roast (video below), a cute comfy pair of rain boots, and the best (IMO) slow cooker you can buy. Here are some of my faves for August. Some old, some new, but all made me happy this month:-) BBQ Pot Roast. ...
What is My Secure Family (and Why Should You Care)?
My Secure Family helps parents build strong relationships with kids~early~that will make children less likely to succumb to online or other sexual dangers. Parenting Is Hard Work ...
How to Affair Proof Your Marriage
Transcript: Download File
How to Affair Proof Your Marriage Affairs are a leading cause of divorce. The effects can destroy marriages, families and individuals. Thankfully, for those of us who want to affair proof our marriages, there are steps that we can take. ...
My Best Advice to Mothers of the Bride (to Be)
My practical tips and advice to mothers of the bride~from makeup, hair, MOB dress and beyond. Less than a week ago, I was a mother of the bride for the first time. My oldest twin got married, and it was one of the most special weekends we've ever experienced as a family. But being a MOB has its challenges, so I want to share some of my best advice on several aspects of this unique role. Choose a Special Venue ...
Let’s Talk The Enneagram Type Eight
What an Enneagram Type 8 Looks Like ...
How the Enneagram Can Make Your Life (and Relationships) Better
I want to share from my experience how understanding the Enneagram can make your life and your relationships better. If you want to understand the "why" behind how you (and others) perceive and relate to the world, the Enneagram is one of the best tools available. Several years ago, everyone in my family read The Road Back to You , and then discovered our types. When I say it has been life changing, I am not exaggerating. ...
Favorite Chicken Tetrazzini for a Crowd
This crowd favorite chicken tetrazzini makes a double portion of this Southern comfort dish that is easy, make ahead and freezer friendly. Chicken Tetrazzini is the Ultimate Southern Comfort Dish Chicken tetrazzini is a casserole with cooked spaghetti pasta, white meat chicken, buttery mushrooms, and cheddar & parmesan cheeses baked into the ultimate Southern comfort food. If you grew up in the South, you've surely had a version of this dish. Some folks refer to it as chicken ...
How to Make Chipotle’s Beef Barbacoa {Slow Cooker~Copycat Recipe}
This Chipotle's beef barbacoa copycat recipe is a spicy Mexican shredded beef that is made in the slow cooker and can be used for spicy tacos, burritos, or burrito bowls. In the video above, I show how I make Beef Barbacoa (and share some helpful tips along the way). ...
How To Make Skillet Fried Salmon Patties {with Canned Salmon}
I grew up eating (and loving) these skillet fish cakes made from canned salmon, which are super easy and inexpensive to make and a treat to eat. Canned Salmon Makes Delicious Fish Cakes ...
How to Make the Queen’s Chessmen Banana Pudding {Recipe + Video)
Paula Deen (aka The Queen) created a Chessmen Banana Pudding Dessert that is a delightful twist on traditional banana pudding. Always a hit, Chessmen Banana Pudding Dessert is a twist on traditional banana pudding. ...
How to Make the Best Baked Ziti for a Crowd
Folks will RAVE over this easy, cheesy and delicious baked ziti that will feed up to 20 people and is make ahead AND freezer friendly. This Best Baked Ziti for a crowd truly is a winner. It won first place in a "Chopped Competition" that Zane and I entered with some friends. It is always a HUGE hit when we serve this to guests. It is one of our "go to" dishes to serve at a small group gathering or party. What kind of bake ware do you use for baked ziti? ...
Here’s What I Bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019
Here is what I bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019, and how I will decide what to keep and what to return. The Biggest Nordstrom Sale of the Year The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is the store's biggest sale of the year and the most hyped up and anticipated. I did my shopping this weekend and am waiting on items to arrive at my doorstep. Then the process of deciding what to keep begins. We don't have a Nordstrom in Birmingham, but we do have a Nordstrom Rack which accepts any ...
How to Make Amazing Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
These succulent, tender, sweet & spicy glazed Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs will convert even die-hard "white meat only" folks. Why make BBQ chicken in an Instant Pot? Of all the chicken recipes I've made lately, these Instant Pot BBQ chicken thighs are a current favorite. They are crazy easy to make, and they are so much more tender and moist than the typical oven baked chicken. BBQ thighs in the Instant Pot are perfect because the meat cooks to a fall-apart-tenderness that is out of ...
How to Make the Best Southern Style Fresh Peach Cobbler
You can make this fabulous fresh peach cobbler up to a day ahead and bake/serve the next day for a perfectly Southern & scrumptious summer dessert! Having grown up in the South, I've enjoyed many versions of peach cobbler. This is my absolute favorite and the one I always make when fresh peaches are in season. ...
How to Make Fabulous Coffee in a Moka pot
I share a few tips (along with a video) on how easy it is to make fabulous coffee in a Moka pot (aka Italian coffee maker). I love coffee and consider it one of life's greatest pleasures. If you are like me, you wake up making a beeline to the kitchen (to make coffee, of course). If you start your day with quiet time and reflection, coffee is likely a huge part of that ritual. As one of my fave coffee cups says, "But First, Coffee." Can you relate? ...
How to Make Yummy Baked Rice with Beef Consommé and Mushrooms
This buttery, beefy out of this world yummy baked rice made with beef consommé and mushrooms is known by many in the South as "Church Lady rice!" ...
5 of My Favorite Recipes for a Summer Cookout
Make any (or all) of these 5 favorite recipes of mine for the easiest and best cookout ever. Summer (and July 4th) call for cookouts, and I want to share 5 of my favorite recipes. Most of these recipes can be prepped and made ahead of time. After all, who wants to spend time standing over a grill (or stove) when you can be at lake (or beach) with food mostly done? A Yummy Crowd Pleasing Appetizer It doesn't get any easier or more delicious than this Black Bean, Corn & Feta dip. You can ...
How to Make Fork Tender London Broil Mississippi Roast
London broil CAN be fork tender, succulent, and delicious with the right ingredients and a few simple cooking instructions. Give it a try; it may become your new favorite cut of meat! This London broil Mississippi roast is one of my family's absolute favorite meals. I made this a few days ago and decided to share it on the blog. Even though I've shared how to make Mississippi roast in a slow cooker and Instant Pot here, this London Broil method is done entirely differently. ...
Here Are the Products I Use (and Love) for My Skin Care Routine
Here are the skin care products that I use and love to keep my mature skin looking and feeling as beautiful as possible (without spending a fortune). The Importance of a Good Skin Care Routine ...
This is the Best Home Improvement That I’ve Done In Years
I'm sharing before and after photos of 3 relatively small home improvements that made a HUGE difference in the look and feel of my home. We've been in our home for almost 20 years, so naturally we've made updates along the way. The most recent update is one that really made an impact, so I decided to share in here on the blog. Our home is situated near heavy trees with a backyard view that looks almost like a treehouse. We couldn't enjoy the view, however, because of the bulky ...
How to Make the Best Black Bean, Corn & Feta Dip
This yummy black bean, corn & feta dip is the perfect summer appetizer~fresh, flavorful, and make ahead/refrigerate easy!! With July 4th just around the corner, I thought I would share my favorite summer appetizer~this black bean, corn & feta dip. Even though this dip is delicious year round, it is especially suited to summer for several reasons. First, it is a "no cooking" appetizer that won't heat up the kitchen. Second, it is easy to make at home and transport to the beach, ...
This is How FASTer Way to Fat Loss Has Improved My Health
My lab work and body fat test this week show exactly how Faster Way to Fat Loss has improved my health since almost a year ago. Last Year's Physical Exam My "why" for trying Faster Way to Fat Loss all stemmed from LAST year's physical (I share details in this blog post). Even though I didn't have a weight problem, I had a fat problem (i.e body fat). I decided that day to work to get my body fat within an ideal range. I knew that if I didn't, things would only get worse. ...
How to Make Black Bean Cuban Bowls (Instant Pot optional)
It is easy with an Instant Pot (or not) to make spicy black beans to use for Cuban bowls~fresh, healthy ingredients folks just layer in a bowl and enjoy! Whether feeding your family or a small group, I promise you that this "build your own Cuban bowls" idea is a winner. Everyone loves choosing his or her own ingredients to build a fresh, yummy bowl of healthy deliciousness. ...
Things You Need to Create a Beautiful Girl’s Dorm Room
Here is a list of things you need to create a beautiful "girl" dorm room that is also practical, cozy, and fairly budget friendly. Photo: PB Teen Decorating a girl's dorm room doesn't have to be hard or outrageously expensive. When I decorated my twins' dorm room almost five years ago, I found many of the items on sale or at great prices. Remember, even though it is a "thing" to post instagram photos of the freshman dorm room, stay practical. Don't try to decorate for the instagram ...
Here are Some of The Best EVOO’s You Can Buy
If you need a little help picking out a good extra virgin olive oil, here are some of the best EVOO's you can buy (from supermarket to high-end) according to Cooks Illustrated taste tests. If you are like me, olive oil is a necessary can't-be-without condiment. My cupboard is never without a bottle, and when I run low, I restock so as not to risk running out. ...
How to Make the BEST Cake EVER (From a Cake Mix)
If you follow this foolproof method, you'll be making the BEST cakes EVER from any flavor cake mix~every single time. This savvy cake making method is one that I've used countless times for over a decade. I call it "cake mix magic" because it truly works every time. You don't have to be a cook or a baker to make a fabulous cake (easily) using this method. ...
How to Make Casual Outfits a Little More Chic
Here are a few easy ways I like to make casual outfits a little more chic and sophisticated (for summer). I am by no means a style maven or fashion expert, but I am trying to up my everyday look just a smidge (because I LIVE in athleisure). I put together a few simple, inexpensive outfits and then added a few touches to make them more chic. If you like anything you see, I link to everything at the end of the post. How to Make Shorts a Little More Chic ...
How to Style Colorful Summer Dresses and Tops (with White Jeans)
This summer, consider thinking bright (and maybe even neon) for your dresses and tops. Here are some of my faves..... The dresses that I'm loving right now are colorful, bright and so fun. Since we have a daughter getting married in August, I shopped early for some dresses to pull out for parties. Two of them are featured in the photos below. ...