Raines Realm

Do you get anxiety every December? Do you find yourself in debt when January rolls around? Do you dread all the chaotic shopping of the holidays? There really is a better way. I used to freak out every year around this time. I obsessed over trying to show my love for others by the price tag on their gift. It took all of the joy out of giving, stressed me to the max, and left me worrying about January's bills. This season is not a competition for who can spend the most money. Its also not about matching the cost of gifts that are given to you. Its about the love and care that goes into choosing a gift for someone else. In our home, we make pretty much everyone's gifts during the holidays now. This ensures that everyone gets personalized gifts that suit them and a lot of thought goes in to each and every one! We also don't go into massive debt. I prepare by purchasing the materials throughout the year, so I don't have to worry about getting everything in Decemb...

With the weather cooling down, these are a perfect treat for the whole family! You can customize them in so many ways and they are kid-approved, healthy deliciousness.   You will need a dehydrator for this recipe or a warmer drawer on your oven. A high-powered food processor really helps when making the sauce, but its not absolutely crucial for this recipe. Raw Vegan Cinnamon Rolls 5 Bananas 1 cup medjool dates (soaked for 30 min and then pitted) 2 tbsp softened coconut oil 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of sea salt 1/2 c water 1. Slice bananas lengthwise into thirds and dehydrate until soft and pliable. 2. While bananas are dehydrating blend remaining ingredients until smooth. 3. Spread filling on banana slices and roll onto themselves until you have two banana slices rolled together into cinnamon bun shape. 4. Dehydrate rolls until the consistency you prefer. 5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped walnuts. You can also sprinkle with nutmeg, add shredded coconut...

The holidays bring lots of delicious treats and and decadent dishes filled with nostalgia. And, we want to enjoy everything which generally means we sacrifice a few pounds on the scale to be able to have a little bit of everything. And that's okay, but now we want the weight gone! Here's the best habit to help you bounce back and maintain your weight. Stop snacking. I know, I know, even when it's not a holiday, we are bombarded with snack foods. Chips and dip, snack bars, candies, cookies, cakes, hand-held foods in every shape, size, and color. No food is off-limits, but you need not eat them in between meals to enjoy them. When you snack throughout the day, you're not allowing your body to truly be hungry at meal times. You're also adding in a lot of extra calories that your body really does not need. In a society surrounded by snack foods and the fourth meal drive thru option, we have become scared of hunger. Hunger is good. Not starving, but being hungry f...

When you first wake up and you're resembling something more out of a Romero movie than your normal self, blindly staggering towards the coffee, do you ever wish for an effortless breakfast that doesn't consist of packaged convenience food? This recipe is your wish granted! This casserole is so easy because you mix it the night before. So, in the morning, all you have to do is put it in the oven and, bam, home-cooked breakfast without the work first thing in the morning. This was perfect for our Christmas morning and will probably be a weekend favorite as well. The only thing that actually has to be cooked the night before is the ground sausage. You could even take that a step further though. During your meal prep daus, you could scramble sausage to freeze as well, making this recipe that much easier. This recipe is great for building onto as well. You could add onions, peppers, ham, bacon, tomatoes, anything that you would like in an omelet would probably work i...

These chocolate spoons are so festive for this time of the year. They would make great last minute stocking stuffers...or you could keep them all to yourself! I still haven't quite decided what I'm going to do. These are perfect for anyone who loves taking their coffee or hot cocoa to a whole new level. For these, I use the plastic spoons that mimic actual flatware. I normally buy them from Sam's Club, but you can get them from most large stores. I think they really dress them up and  give them an elegant look. And, we all know that I like pretty things! If you're giving these as a gift, I suggest using cellophane bags to wrap them. You should probably add a tag that says what they are and what's in them depending on the toppings and add-ons that you use. I, personally, really like dipping them in crushed candy canes after the Chocolate. I just run them through the food processor for a few seconds. Its so easy and adds a festive touch! Chocolate-...

Christmas is almost here! Presents wrapped and under the tree, check. Goodies baked, check. Hot chocolate stockpiled, check! So, now that everything is ready, what are some fun things to do with your kids while you wait for Christmas day? Here's six fun crafts to occupy the rest of the week. 1. Painting mugs - this craft is so simple! All you need is some dishwasher-safe acrylic paints (less than $1 each at craft stores and Wal-Mart), painting supplies, and mugs (only $1 each at Dollar Tree), and painter's tape. Put down a drop cloth and have fun! After everyone finishes painting, let sit for one hour, then bake per directions on paint bottle. Fun works of art for the whole family! 2. Painting ornaments - such a fun craft to do with children of all ages! These are great for adding to your tree or for giving to family and friends as stocking stuffers. You can find the complete recipe with directions here . 3. Bird Feeder - if you like birds, why not make birdseed ...

Sometimes it's the simple things that can make all of the difference. The holidays are busy enough that I'm sure all of us could benefit from these simple kitchen hacks. I personally utilize all of these tricks and they have really made my life easier. If you want to watch me go into a little more detail about these ideas, you can check out my video  here . 1. Baking Kits If you're going to be doing a lot of baking this season, making lots will save you a lot of time and headaches along the way. Pre-measure your dry ingredients for the recipes on your baking list and bags them separately in sandwich bags. Then combine them into a gallon storage bag and label it. This way, when you're ready to bake, all you have to do is grab your bag and then measure your wet ingredients. This is such a time saver! 2. Add baking soda when boiling eggs Add a tbsp of baking soda to the water when boiling eggs. This makes them so easy to peel which saves time and eliminates frus...

Ahhh, the time of year when planning family trips, preparing for Thanksgiving di,ner, and shopping for presents make your already busy life almost unbearable. Well, the good news is that with these simple tricks, you can make meals a snap and eliminate some of the stress. 1. Plan your meals With so many things competing for your time these days, the grocery store should not be one of them. Plan your meals a week in advance so that you go to the store armed with a complete list. Try opting for simple breakfasts, such as fruit and yogurt or smoothies. Here's a quick and easy smoothie recipe: https://youtu.be/neil5RiwnRQ  Leftover dinners can make great lunches and cut your prep time in half. Think casseroles, chilis, and other one pot dishes. 2. Utilize Meal Prep Using a portion of your morning or afternoon on a day off to prepare meals ahead of time is an excellent time-saver. Make several meals in advance and freeze or refrigerate for the rest of the week. You can h...