littlewifeinthewoods - Little Wife in the Woods

10 Breastfeeding Essentials You Need for a Successful Experience

March 27, 2025

All the breastfeeding essentials you need for a successful experience from a breastfeeding mom of three under three! Breastfeeding can be such a fun and enjoyable experience when you have the right tools! Get my full list of simple essentials in this post…

breastfeeding essentials for a successful experience.

Why Breastfeed?

Here are a few reasons why I chose to breastfeed. No two experiences are alike and you may find it difficult or that you are just unable to breastfeed. There is no reason to feel ashamed or guilty! As long as your child is healthy and happy that is all that matters!

Here are some reasons I chose to breastfeed my babies…

The health benefits of breastfeeding are significantly higher as opposed to formula alternatives.
It is just more natural! Babies were made to breastfeed and moms were made to meet that need.
It is scientifically proven that the emotional and physical needs of a mother are met in the postpartum period by breastfeeding.
The connection you have with your baby is much stronger due to the amount of time spent together, skin-to-skin contact, and their need for food being physically met by YOU!

Read this post about Why I Chose Natural Birth.

Things You Should Know Before you Choose Breastfeeding

1. Breastfeeding is HARD!

I promise I am not trying to be negative, just honest. Breastfeeding can be a long and difficult process in the beginning. It is more difficult for some than others but it is definitely not easy in most cases. I think if you know this before hand you have a better chance at making it work in the long term.

2. Give it two weeks.

I was told this by my labor and delivery nurse. She said that the first two weeks are so hard but if you can make it past that it does get easier. I would not say that after two weeks it was all sunshine and rainbows but it did start to get better!

3. You do not know what you are doing and that is okay!

If you are a first time mom breastfeeding can be frustrating because you have no idea what you are doing. You can have fears that you are not doing it “right”. Just go with your gut and never be afraid to ask for help!

4. Your baby is learning too.

As much as it is apart of a baby’s natural instinct, breastfeeding is new to them too! They have never done this before. In the womb they never had to work for their food and now they are basically thrown into the real world of having to work to survive. Try not to get frustrated at them as you are both learning.

5. You are going to do great!

Your body was made for this and there are very few problems in breastfeeding that cannot be solved. If you keep a good mindset, are willing to work hard, and have the right tools you can definitely do this! If for whatever reason, mentally or physically, you can not breastfeed you are still a good mom! There is no reason to feel guilty or “less than”.

Ten Breastfeeding Essentials that will Change Your Journey From a Mess to Success!

1. Breastfeeding Mama Bundle from Earthley Wellness

This all-inclusive bundle is PERFECT to have on hand if you plan to breastfeed your baby! It comes with nipple cream, a salve for clogged ducts, and a tincture to help support a healthy milk supply. My favorite thing about these products is that they are 100% natural and safe for baby! I had a very hard time with clogged ducts/mastitis with my second baby and the salve was beyond amazing for quick relief. (I used it one day and within 15 minutes not only unclogged my duct but had me leaking through my pad and clothing!)

This bundle is less than $30 and SO WORTH EVERY PENNY! Get 10% off with my code LITTLEWIFE10 if this is your first Earthley purchase. Click here to shop!

2. Nipple Shield

These are great to have on hand for temporary use in case your nipple becomes too chapped and uncomfortable! They come in multiple sizes for comfort. I think they may cause slight nipple confusion the longer you use but they are definitely worth the buy in case you need them. Check out these ones from Mom Cozy!

3. Hot-Cold Therapy Packs

These are a lifesaver! You can put them in the freezer or heat them up. They encompass the entire breast for extra comfort all the way around and the gel beads feel great! Check out this kit I use from Lansinoh.

4. Manual Breast Pump

These are great for collecting from a full breast while baby is on the other or for providing gentle relief to a clogged duct. For those who do not know, when you are feeding on one side, milk naturally expresses from the other side. It annoyed me when I realized how much milk I was wasting! This manual pump catches the milk while using gentle suction so it is not taking much from baby. You can also use it in the shower when you are more likely to leak.

5. Good Nursing Bras

The type and fit will differ depending on what you find comfortable but it is very important that you have good nursing bras! My favorite are these jelly support bras by Mom Cozy. They provide comfortable support and easy access for a quick feed for baby. Check them out here!

6. Nursing Cover

While it is becoming more socially acceptable to breastfeed anywhere uncovered and unashamed, I prefer to be a bit more discreet but you do you! For those of us who like to be modest even while doing something as natural as breastfeeding this full coverage during poncho that I designed is perfect! Plus it is incredibly comfortable! Go check it out in my Etsy shop (find it here).

Note: These nursing covers are temporarily unavailable but they will be back soon! Click on the link above to follow the shop so you will know as soon as it comes back.

7. Breast Pads

Breast pads are an absolute necessity for most of us. Personally I cannot go without them pretty much the entirety of my breastfeeding journey with each baby. You can find all different types based on what you like best. They even have washable ones!

8. Storage Bags

If you are pumping you are going to need somewhere to store all that milk! They make storage bags specifically for breast milk. These bags also work great for storing and freezing homemade baby food when baby is big enough for that.

9. Water Bottle and Snacks

I highly recommend finding a cute water bottle that is specifically dedicated to your breastfeeding career! Choose something that holds a good amount, can go with you everywhere, and fits your style. I find that using a straw helps me accomplish more of my water intake goals throughout the day. Because breastmilk is mostly water it is important for your health and the maintenance of your supply that you stay hydrated!

High protein, one handed snacks are perfect for the breastfeeding days! There is no hunger like breastfeeding hunger. Having these grab and go snacks is essential!

When it comes to finding quality snacks at affordable prices I use Thrive Market! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Shop thousands of products from hundreds of trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!
Click Here to Shop

10. Breast Pump and/or Wearable Breast Pump

You will definitely want a good breast pump with the correct size flange, even if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding. If you did not know already, most insurances will provide you a free breast pump.

While this may not at all be necessary for you, a wearable breast pump has been so helpful for me! If you need to pump a lot this is well worth the money spent! At a certain point in my breastfeeding journey I needed to pump a LOT to try to boost my supply. I felt like all day long I was either feeding my baby or pumping. I began to feel extremely stuck. Enter the wearable breast pump and I was literally outside doing my chores all while PUMPING MILK!! (Only those who have been there understand my level of excitement.)

Check out this one I love from Mom Cozy!

Thanks for reading! Do you have more? What were things you found essential? I love hearing from you! Comment below to leave some encouragement for all these new breastfeeding mamas. Don’t forget to join our email list so you never miss a post!

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Simple High Protein Meals and Snack Ideas for Moms

March 21, 2025

Simple, high protein meals for busy moms, plus quick and delicious snack ideas! These recipes are easy to make with simple ingredients. Get all these protein packed ideas in this post….

Simple high protein meal ideas for busy moms. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas that are easy to make with simple ingredients.

The Importance of a High Protein Diet for Moms

Eating a high protein diet has significant benefits for most adults, but especially mothers! The research on this is astounding. Benefits include mood improvement, hormone balance, increased energy, and many more. This is especially true for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Adding a bit of extra protein to your diet can be a complete game changer!

During my first trimester, I found it overwhelming to try and get all of the suggested nutrients into my diet. So all I focused on was good quality protein. I understand this isn’t ideal, but for me, it was a strategy that worked and made me feel better, too.
-Anna

The average American eats well below the recommended amount of 60 grams of protein per day. Research shows that women striving for around 80-100 grams per day see the best results in their daily health and mental wellness. This minimum of 80 grams per day during pregnancy can help ward off nausea, keep energy levels up, and keep nutrition at its peak!

You can read more about this in our post Why You Need More Protein as a Mom and How to Get It.

High Protein Breakfast Ideas

Getting a good, high protein meal first thing during the day is essential for moms (especially during pregnancy and while nursing). Whether this is in the form of a full meal, a protein drink, or both. We realize the key to achieving this as a busy moms of littles is convenience!

Quick, simple meals first thing in the morning may sound like a daunting task but it is totally achievable! If you are in the breastfeeding season, a one handed, no mess breakfast is a game changer. Many breakfast bars market to these moms looking for high protein options with the convenience factor. However, we would caution you to read labels.

When it comes to finding quality protein sources I can trust- Thrive Market is my one stop grocery store for all the things! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Check out their selection of hundreds of protein bars, powders, and meat snacks from trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!
Click Here to Learn More!

If you are eating a high protein diet with junk ingredients like artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, etc. then you will greatly impact the full benefits of a high protein diet. Homemade is always best! If you do buy convenience, pre-packaged protein options look out for sweeteners, dyes, syrups, and other sketchy ingredients.

From Scratch Breakfast Ideas

1. Eggs + Cheese + Bread

This is my daily go to as a pregnant mom of two toddlers. If nothing else I can always whip up some form of eggs, cheese, and bread- whatever I have on hand! This may sound over simplified but I often wake up needing to eat something ASAP and this simple from scratch breakfast just keeps my day flowing. Pair it with some avocado or other on hand veggies/fruit and you have a perfectly well balanced, nutritious meal to start your day.

Let’s break it down: There are about 6 grams of protein in one egg and around 7 in one slice of cheese. My extra protein tip is to make the eggs scrambled and add whole milk (has about 7g protein per cup) or drink a glass of whole milk with your meal. Say I eat about 3 scrambled eggs, and one slice of cheese on a piece of sourdough toast– estimated protein amount for this very simple meal equals about 30 grams (not including a glass of milk or milk in the eggs)!

2. Egg Bake

This is another version of my egg + cheese + bread hack. Simply gather any meat like bacon, sausage, etc. As well as whatever cheese you have on hand and about a dozen eggs (perfect summer time breakfast if you have your own chickens- iykyk!). Cook your meat. Pour the eggs (well beaten) into a casserole dish. Then add veggies and top with cheese. Bake for about 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Don’t forget your sourdough toast!

Tip: if you are breastfeeding make this recipe then eat it in a tortilla wrap so you can eat one handed, mess free!

3. Yogurt + Granola + Fruit

This is another quick and simple favorite! Use any form of high protein (lower sugar) yogurt, granola (extra points if it has extra protein!), and fruit you have on hand. While it is not very breastfeeding friendly, it is a great way to get that extra protein first thing.

4. Breakfast Burritos

My favorite go-to for breastfeeding breakfast! Stuff eggs, meat, cheese, veggies- whatever you have accessible, into a burrito wrap, or two! and eat one handed, mess free while you feed your baby.

5. Oatmeal Bake with High Protein Oats

Oatmeal bakes are another versatile way to get that protein first thing! Regular oats only have about 6 grams of protein per cup. However, you can purchase high quality extra protein oats that will give you anywhere from 10-15 grams per serving. Combine that with other ingredients like eggs, milk, nuts, etc. and you have a delicious, protein packed breakfast. Try making our baked oatmeal recipe here!

Easy High Protein Meals for Lunch and Dinner

There are plenty of ways to get that extra protein in your lunches and dinners. Here are a few of my favorite meals to eat throughout the week…

1. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Make this simple chicken salad sandwich for a midday protein boost. It’s easy to prep ahead and have ready in the fridge on the go!

2. Deli Meat and Cheese

Another protein filled hack that sounds too simple to be true! Three slices of turkey equals about 14g protein. Add a slice of cheese for around 7g and eat it on sourdough bread. This meal would equal about 25g of protein. Boost it up by eating a high protein snack on the side!

3. High Protein Salad

Getting those extra veggies in doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the protein! Add in some high protein cheeses like parmesan or ricotta served with a half or whole grilled chicken breast. Don’t forget the bacon!

4. Taco Bowls

These taco bowls are a delicious way to get extra protein! Again, it sounds too simple but if you make meat the star of your bowl you can really pack in some protein. Mix in some veggies. Top it with cheese and you have an easy high protein lunch or dinner!

5. Grilled Chicken Breast or Steak served with a Baked Potato

This simple, meat and taters kind of meal also packs in the protein! Making the meat the main star of the meal with extra added protein in your loaded baked potato.

6. Soups- Cooked in Bone Broth

Did you know that homemade bone broth can have between 10-20 grams of protein per cup? Pair this with added meat in your soup, cheeses, milk, etc. and you can turn any soup into a simple, high protein meal! Learn all about how to make your own homemade bone broth in this post here.

Protein Packed Snacks

1. Sausage Balls

Get the recipe for protein packed cream cheese sausage balls here! These never dry sausage balls are the perfect make ahead recipe for a week of quick, on the go snack or even breakfast.

high protein sausage ball snack made with cream cheese

2. Homemade Protein Bars

Homemade protein bars are the way to go! The most trusted ingredients are the ones you add yourself. Learn all about how to make them over on this post!

3. Greek Yogurt Bowls

An easy, no fuss favorite for quick protein! All you need is some greek yogurt, granola, chocolate chips, or whatever other toppings sound good.

4. Protein Bites

This quick, make ahead snack is perfect for breastfeeding mamas. Zero mess, one handed perfection! You can find all sorts of recipes by searching “protein bites” on Pinterest. Most recipes are a simple oatmeal and peanut butter (or other nut butter) base with added seeds, chocolate, etc.

5. Perfect Bars
Don’t have time or energy to make your own protein bars? These make a great snack with around 15g of protein per bar, and they have ingredients that I can trust. Click here to check them out! Another bonus is that they’re “perfect” (pun intended) for on the go and very filling. Before pregnancy, I paired them with a grass fed beef stick for a huge protein boost in the middle of the afternoon. While struggling with morning (or all day) sickness, I find meat sticks to be a struggle, so I don’t include those during that time.

Protein Drinks

Find a high-quality protein powder that you can make a filling protein shake with. Make them plain as directed or find some recipes that can pack in extra nutrients with seeds and other nutrient dense options.

You’ll want to be careful of added and fake sugars in your protein powders, so be sure to read your labels.

I found in my first trimester that if I could have a protein shake first thing in the morning, it helped me not be as sick throughout the day usually.

Have you heard of my friends over at Earthley Wellness? They are dedicated to providing 100% natural products for the whole family! They have everything you need from hormone support, vitamins and mineral supplements, herbal remedies for colds, fevers, headaches, and so much more. I have been using their products in our home for nearly a year now and we love them! Go check them out and save 10% when you use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout!
Click Here to Shop and Save!

We hope these high protein meal ideas help as you try to up your protein intake! Let us know in the comments your favorite ways to get extra protein. Make sure you join our email list for more motherhood, natural wellness, and from scratch recipes!

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How to Make Homemade Granola and My Favorite Granola Recipe

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Simple Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors for the Beginner Gardener

March 14, 2025

Simple tips for starting seeds indoors as a beginner gardener! Learn how to start your own seeds indoors instead of buying expensive plants for your garden. Whether you are new to gardening or starting your own seeds at home you can gather all the info you need in this post…

starting seeds indoors with simple instructions for the beginner gardener

What You Need for Starting Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors is a fun, affordable, and productive way to grow your own garden- big or small! The process is simple and you only need a few things to get started…

Seed starter trays. Seed starting trays come in all shapes and sizes. My favorite are these reusable silicone trays from Amazon. They hold up well and the investment is well worth it. They are also easy to store when not in use. Click here to check them out!
Seed Markers. Seed markers will help you keep track of what you planted where. As the young plants grow many can look identical and the structure of a seed starter tray can make it tricky to know what’s what! The seed starter trays I linked above come with their own seed markers.
Seed Starting Soil.
Spray bottle. A spray bottle is best for keeping your soil watered but not over-saturated while growing them indoors.
Heating pad or seed warmer. This step is completely optional based on where you live and when you start seeds. Personally I live in a very mild climate (growing zone 7) so I have never had any need for warming my seeds. If you live in a colder climate, do your research to see if this is something you may need to add to your list.
Seeds! You will want to make sure you have your seeds ordered and on hand. I get most of my seeds from a great company called True Leaf Market. They provide a vast variety of seeds and their website makes the process of selecting your seeds simple!

Is it cheaper to start your own seeds?

When it comes to starting your own seeds and the extra time and attention it takes it is very important to me that I am getting the best return on my investment. Sure, you can easily go and get plants from a nursery to grow in your garden. Some plants are definitely worth considering this option! Let me break it down for you…

The cost breakdown for starting your own seeds at home, with the reusable seed trays, is around $34-40 (this does not include seed cost). The average cost in 2024 was around $4-$6 per plant. So depending on what you are planting, and how much you want to plant, starting your own seeds is definitely the cheaper option.

However, some seeds can be harder to grow to maturity from seed versus buying from a nursery. In my opinion, these plants would include certain varieties of tomatoes and peppers. I have learned how to cultivate these on my own with great results but the time and attention the plants need may deem them better suited to purchase vs growing from seed. Most other seeds I have had no problem growing from seed, transplanting, and getting great yield!

When to Start Your Seeds

The “when” completely depends on a few variables such as growing zone and what you are planting.

Growing Zone. The USDA has broken down the United States into growing zones based on climate. This website can tell you exactly what growing zone you live in based on your U.S. zip code. I would assume other countries may have a similar system. Each growing zone also has an average last frost date. Count backwards from this date to estimate when you need to plant seeds.

What you are planting. Each plant will be different but most packages/websites will give clear instructions on how many weeks before the last first date. Most seed packets will recommend you start the seeds indoors around eight weeks before the last frost date. Count backwards for each plant and that is roughly when you will want to start your seeds.

Want more spring content? Go check out this post with all my Spring Cleaning Tips!

How to Start Seeds Indoors

Starting your own seeds indoors is truly a simple thing to do. You just need to have all of your seeds and essentials ready to go! Here’s a step by step mini guide for getting your seeds started….

1. Get everything gathered.

Gather up all the seeds you are wanting to start, your soil, and seed starter tray(s). You will want everything on hand as well as information about how deep to plant, lighting, etc. This is all found on the back of the seed packet or the website you bought your seeds from.

2. Read your seed info.

Again, this info is found on the back of the seed packet (in most cases) or online from the company you purchased from. You will need information like how deep to plant, when to start indoors, when the transplant, etc.

3. Fill your trays and plant!

Using the information on the packet you will fill your trays and plant seeds accordingly.

4. Label.

Labeling is important because it is easy to mistake young plants when you begin transferring them to your garden.

5. Lightly water and keep the soil moist.

Using your spray bottle, lightly mist the soil after planting your seeds. You will want to keep the soil damp, not overly saturated, throughout the indoor growing process. Depending on what you planted you will start to see growth within 5-10 days of starting most seeds. Keeping the soul hydrated from that point on will greatly effect your success. Make sure they have enough water that the root is getting watered as well.

Transferring Your Starter Plants to the Outdoors

As the plants mature, around 4-8 weeks after sprouting, you will want to slowly incorporate time outdoors. On warm days take your starts outdoors for natural sunlight, (be sure to water them so they do not dry out in the sun!). You will want to keep the time short at first and slowly increase it over time.

Never leave baby plants outdoors throughout the night for the first several weeks of transferring them. Do not take them out in bad weather or low temperatures. If you live in a very warm climate be sure not to leave them out in the scorching sun. You might find that taking your plants out early in morning or before sunset in the evening is a better solution.

Thrive Market helps me achieve my goals of providing my family with quality, from scratch meals! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Shop thousands of products from hundreds of trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!
Click Here to Shop!

The goal is to ease your starts into life outdoors, carefully watching how they adapt and pulling back when it seems to be too much.

It sounds much harder than it is!

After the plants have successfully been hardened to outdoor life (refer to the seed packet info) you can plant them outdoors and expect great results.

Extra Tips for Starting Seeds on Your Own

Plant more than you need. There are many different ways to calculate how many plants you need to start for your garden. Always plant more than that! If you need 5 tomato plants, go ahead and start 8-10. You have to margin for error when starting your own seeds. Things happen and it is always better to be over prepared.

If you still end up with more than you need you can sell your extras to recoup some expenses or gift them to friends!

Keep a list of what you planted. This is very important, especially for new gardeners. Not all varieties of plants are created equal and what works best in your garden will be different than mine. That is why it is best to document what you plant each year. You want information like what variety it was, yield, diseases, where you planted, etc.

This seems like a lot of extra brain calories but it only takes a few minutes. It will exponentially help your future gardens and lead you to exactly what should be planted in yours!

Mom tip- involve the littles in the process. If you are a toddler mom and this all sounds a bit impossible let me encourage you to try! Get the kids involved and let them “help” you by planting their own little garden with some cheap seeds in a pile of dirt. Get creative!

Set timers. When you start to transfer plants outdoors the biggest problem is forgetfulness! Simply forgetting your plants are outside overnight, forgetting they’ve not been watered, or that they have been in the hot sun for hours. These things can all be fixed with timers on your phone and a good routine. Take them out at the same time every day, water, set your timer!

I hope these tips help! If you want more beginner friendly gardening and homemaking, as well as simple from scratch recipes be sure to join our email list so you never miss a post. Happy gardening!

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Recipes

How to Make Homemade Granola and My Favorite Granola Recipe

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Easy Cinnamon Roll Bunnies for a Delicious Spring Time Dessert

March 11, 2025

These adorable cinnamon roll bunnies are the cutest spring dessert! Soft, fluffy sourdough rolls filled with brown sugar and cinnamon then topped with frosting. Decorate them with flowers, berries, icing, or sprinkles! Learn all about how to make them in this post!

Cinnamon roll bunnies recipe for spring! Fun Easter recipe using sourdough, yeast, or pre-made cinnamon roll dough.

Sourdough vs Yeast or Pre-made Cinnamon Roll Dough

Let’s just say you definitely have options with this recipe! The goal is a cute bunny shaped cinnamon roll and you can achieve this with a variety of different dough options. If you hang out here often you know I am team sourdough all the way!

The flavor and texture of a homemade sourdough cinnamon roll is just unbeatable! If you do not do sourdough but you want to make these rolls you can go check out our dehydrated sourdough kits over in the shop. Re-hydrate your starter and activate it in just four to five days. You can start making these rolls, sourdough bread, and so much more in less than a week!

We have recipes for homemade sourdough and yeast rolls here on the blog! You can also use pre-made dough and follow the shaping instructions below.

Decorating Your Cinnamon Roll Bunnies

There are TONS of super cute ways to decorate these cinnamon roll bunnies! Keep it super simple by adding icing or cutesie it up by adding flowers, candy flowers, berries, icing bunny tails or even faces.

I loved the look of the candy flowers used as decoration but I have young children so I am not a fan of the dyes as well as the choking factor. You could probably find some that use natural dye. However, since I’m feeling extra “springy” I decided to involve my toddlers in hunting for real flowers outside to decorate our bunnies.

We removed the flowers before eating but it was a very fun way to get the toddlers involved!

Decorated cinnamon roll bunnies with fresh flowers and fruit.

We also did fruit which was a super fun and edible way to decorate them. I simply cut off the tips of some strawberries and blackberries then added them to one side of the bunny ears. The kids loved eating them this way!

Ingredients for Homemade Cinnamon Roll Bunnies

The ingredients need to make these bunnies homemade are simple and the instructions are easy to follow! You need…

½ cup sourdough starter or 2 tsp active dry yeast
½ cup warm milk or water
¼ cup butter (½ stick)
¼ cup honey or cane sugar
1 egg
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2-2½ cups all-purpose flour

For the filling…

1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter (½ stick)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp all-purpose flour

When it comes to making these sourdough bunnies with quality ingredients I can afford there is only one place to go! Thrive Market helps me achieve my goals of providing my family with quality, from scratch meals! Thrive offers affordable pricing on natural ingredient pantry staples, snacks, cleaning products, and so much more. Shop thousands of products from hundreds of trusted, clean label brands that ship right to your door! Use my link below and get a free $60 gift when you sign up!
Click Here to Save!

Substitutions for Cinnamon Roll Bunnies

Sugar. You can make these with natural sugar using the same amounts honey or maple syrup.

Brown Sugar. Make them with natural sugar using equal amounts brown coconut sugar.

Milk. Adding milk to starter or yeast makes these rolls extra fluffy. However, you can use equal amounts of warm water instead with very similar and delicious results.

Want more fun, from scratch recipes this spring? Make sure to sign up for our email list below so you never miss a post!

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Cinnamon Roll Bunnies

Adorable and fluffy sourdough cinnamon roll bunnies! The perfect recipe to add to your list of spring to-dos. Make these cute bunnies with homemade sourdough, yeast, or pre-made cinnamon roll dough!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Course bread, Breakfast, Dessert, sweet bread, sweet breakfast

Servings 8 Bunnies

Ingredients

Cinnamon Roll Dough

½ cup sourdough starter or 2 tsp active dry yeast
½ cup warm milk or water
¼ cup butter ½ stick
¼ cup honey or cane sugar
1 egg
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2-2½ cups all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Roll Filling

1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter melted
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

Make the roll dough by combining sourdough starter or yeast and warm milk in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to dissolve then add melted butter, sugar, and one egg. Mix well.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt then add 1 cup of the mixture to the roll dough. Add ½ cup of flour at a time until the dough is firm and slightly sticky. Cover the dough with a damp tea or kitchen towel and allow to ferment in the refrigerator for about 8 hours (or overnight) if using sourdough starter. If you are using yeast allow the dough to rise until doubled in size.
Make filling by combining softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a mixing bowl.
After the dough has fermented or risen (if using yeast), roll out on a well floured surface in the shape of a rectangle with dough at about ¼ inch thickness.
Rub filling all over the surface of the dough using hands to make sure it covers the surface completely.
Cut the dough into about eight 1 inch strips using a pizza cutter.
Roll using a flat, metal spatula or bench scraper then flip onto the spatula to move easily. Unroll about 5-6 inches of the dough and turn them into bunny ears by shaping them into and "M" at the top of the roll.
Bake at 350℉ for about 12-15 minutes.
Allow to cool completely then decorate your bunnies! (See post section above with tips for how to decorate.)

Keyword cinnamon roll bunnies, cinnamon rolls, Easter bunny cinnamon rolls, Easter recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, fun Easter recipes, kid friendly recipes, sourdough, spring dessert

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Seasons of Bare Minimum in Motherhood

March 8, 2025

Motherhood is made up of seasons- from pregnancy to sending adult children off to college and all the seasons in between. There are seasons when we just cannot do all the things. When we are not at our best we can always do at least a handful of things well! These are seasons of bare minimum. Learn how to thrive through them in this post!

Seasons of bare minimum in motherhood- focusing on doing a few things well when life throws us into overwhelming seasons.

What is a Season of Bare Minimum?

This looks different for everyone at different times of life. In simple terms, “bare minimum” (in motherhood) is doing only the essential things to keep your home, your family, and yourself thriving (or maybe just surviving for a season!). It is cutting out all the unnecessary and focusing on what has to be done- not what we feel like needs done.

It is choosing to do a few things well instead of half-heartedly doing all the things for a season.

Examples of such seasons: pregnancy (first trimester and beyond for some), illness, injury, postpartum, grief, exhaustion, depression….the list could go on.

These seasons can last a few days or even a few months depending on the situation. Only you know what this looks like for you.

The Difference Between a Season and Life-Style Choices

A season is never meant to be forever. If you find yourself constantly in a “season” and blaming your lack of motivation on your circumstances you are going to be miserable. There comes a time when we have to woman up and rise above the hardships of life- even in the rough seasons.

There are times when we must expand (stretch) ourselves through the help of the Holy Spirit to do things we feel are hard or even impossible. We cannot use a season to justify laziness in our work as mothers and homemakers.

So what does justify a season of bare minimum…

-something you know is coming in advance and will pass relatively quickly (first trimester, postpartum)

-something completely unexpected or beyond your control (sudden death, natural disaster, depression, etc.)

-a day (or few days) after an exhausting period of time (busy week, sickness, travel, your period!, etc.)

Thrive Market makes feeding your family quality food through seasons of bare minimum easier than ever! Get thousands of healthier options shipped right to your door. Thrive offers affordable, organic, better for you products such as pantry staples, cleaning supplies, snacks, and so much more! Get a free gift up to $60 when you use my link below…
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Avoiding Comparison Traps

It is so important to avoid comparison traps in motherhood. Realizing that we each have a different capacity in these tough seasons is KEY. You may see another mom who is postpartum with her third or fourth baby. She’s bouncing right back it seems, doing all the things.

However, you’re struggling postpartum with one or two children. The truth is, our capacity is so different from one another. Often this capacity expands over time and with experience.

Do not compare yourself to others if you are finding a “tough” season easy or if you are finding a seemingly easy season to be hard. We all have a different make up, different circumstances, and a vastly diverse capacity to handle situations.

Avoid Comparing Your Children

Avoid comparison traps with your children, too. It isn’t fair to your child to compare them with another, completely different individual. This can make you feel like you’re failing if another child of similar age seems far advanced from yours.

This works the other way as well. It can puff up a sense of pride where it doesn’t belong. Your children also have a capacity, and recognizing it will help you all get through the harder seasons much easier. Children “read the room” better than any adult ever could. They can sense the change in routine and emotions of mom and dad.

Meet them there in their capacity, too sometimes. This isn’t an excuse to allow negative behavior, but a call for connection along with the correction, not just the correction. If you’re having a tough season, chances are so are they because of how our children feed off of our moods and behavior.

What Bare Minimum Looks Like for Us

Again, avoiding comparison traps! I decided to share a list of what my bare minimum looks like. This could be completely different for you! It is not meant to be a list to follow but just an example of what this looks like for me personally….

One load of laundry
One load of dishes
A pre-made (frozen) dinner or eating out more often
Making sure my children are fed, diapered, and snuggled
Making sure animals are fed
Easy/low key chores as needed (sweeping, cleaning up, etc.)

Planning for a Season of Bare Minimum

If we know that a busier or tougher season is coming up, making preparations for it can help us still serve our families well during those times. Planned seasons of bare minimum are seasons like postpartum, a busily scheduled week coming up, upcoming surgery, etc. We typically have adequate time to plan for these seasons.

Making meals ahead and freezing them, buying some disposable dinnerware, and keeping the laundry (this includes ironing) caught up until then. I’ve also found that doing a little extra organizing before those seasons helps them run smoother. When someone is going to be helping care for you or your family, knowing where everything is at greatly helps you and them both.

For us, another season of bare minimum can be a revival or missions conference with all-day services at church. Planning for ways to make things easier for us all so that we don’t end up coming to church frustrated. Give yourself permission to focus on the spiritual health of your family and not all the tasks to be done. Those paper plates are worth not having a mound of dishes at the end of the week because you haven’t been home long enough to keep up.

Bare minimum seasons aren’t just about hard or depressing seasons. It’s giving yourself permission to focus on what really matters. Like that precious new baby, recovery, and your spiritual health. It’s not always about just surviving but helping your family thrive the best ways we can when this season of life looks different than normal.

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Simple Spring Cleaning Tips for Busy Moms of Littles

March 1, 2025

Spring cleaning tips and my strategy as a busy mom of two littles! As a full time homemaker and mama it can be difficult to fully accomplish any tasks, much less spring cleaning. Get my strategy in this post….

spring cleaning tips for busy toddler moms and homemakers with natural cleaning supply recommendations

Adjusting Spring Cleaning Expectations as a Mom of Littles

One specific area I would like to address is adjusting your expectations. I often find as a mom of a two and one year old that my expectations can easily be set too high. What do I mean by this when it comes to deep cleaning?

Sometimes I have set the bar too high, thinking I can achieve massive amounts of tasks in a day. I completely forget to calculate needs, wants, and the “interruption” of my little people. At the end of the day I feel discouraged, left with a long to do list with maybe two things marked off.

The truth is some days are just like this. However, I have learned that if I make my expectations reasonable I am likely to achieve more and avoid discouragement!

Everyone’s expectations of themselves is different because we are all in different seasons of motherhood. Since this is the case, only you know what is reasonable for you right now. I’m not here to tell you that you are doing too much or too little or even what you need to do.

Doing Things As Needed Throughout the Year

This strategy has completely changed how my spring cleaning works with little people under foot! The basic idea- do what needs doing right away.

This means we do not wait until a set “spring cleaning” to scrub walls if they are dirty. We do it right away. If the cabinet needs re-organized we do it asap.

I realize that some tasks cannot be accomplished right away. That is why I like to keep a running list (in my head or on paper) of what I notice and try to get to it sometime throughout the week. This strategy makes the deep cleaning days way easier because all the tasks have not had time to pile up!

Safe Spring Cleaning Products

One of my top favorite cleaning tips for moms of little is to let them help you! This is way easier when you know the cleaning products you are using in your home are completely safe and chemical free. Using toxic cleaners around newborns or allowing toddlers to “help” spray them is dangerous.

Read this post about my favorite safe cleaning supplies and homemade recipes!

It has never been easier, or more affordable to source safe cleaning products! I trust Thrive Market with all my homemade cleaning ingredients as well as quality cleaning products from clean label brands. Our family has been using Thrive to source cleaning supplies, snacks, pantry staples, and so much more for over two years. You can check them out and get up to $60 in FREE groceries!
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Tips for Spring Cleaning with Small Children

1. Set reasonable expectations.

I already discussed this because I think it is so important as a mom of toddlers. Make sure your expectations of what you can get done in a day is actually attainable in your season. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a newborn this is especially for you! Those seasons are hard when it comes to doing all the things. Allow yourself some grace. Know that eventually the season will pass and you can get everything back in shape.

2. Monopolize nap time.

If all or even some of your kids still nap you have a huge advantage! Arrange it so that harder tasks are done when children are sleeping. This could be during a nap or after bedtime. You will be amazed what you can accomplish in a two hour time slot when you set your mind to it!

3. Let them help with spring cleaning!

If there is anything toddlers love more than “helping” and being involved please let me know! The best way for me to be productive with kids around is to enlist their help. (This “help” is usually not help by the way!) Let them wipe their toys down with disinfectant wipes or a wet rag. My toddler loves wiping down cabinets and it actually is helpful! Create a little cleaning caddy just for them with a small hand broom, cleaning rags, spray bottles, etc.

4. Spread it out.

Don’t try to do a deep clean in one day. Spread things out over a week, two, or even a month depending on what life is throwing at you right now. I am personally taking about two weeks to accomplish “spring cleaning” tasks. I’m about 30 weeks pregnant, have a one year old and a two year old, and I don’t have the energy to get all these things done in one day or even a week. (This goes back to reasonable expectations!)

5. Activities or special snacks.

Plan activities (that do not involve your participation) or bring out new toys when you need to accomplish a task. Some of my favorites are coloring books, stickers, offer a special snack, etc.

6. Independent play time.

If you have the ability to set up a safe play area for your toddlers to play while you work this helps a lot! I have found with two toddlers they may need separated so I don’t have to break up constant fights. However you have to do it you can likely figure out a solution that involves play time away from you so you can get a couple things done!

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Natural Spring Cleaning Essentials and Products We Love

February 25, 2025

Come get my full list of natural spring cleaning essentials for a toxin free clean you can FEEL! Spring cleaning is one of my favorite ways to reset my home going into the warmer seasons. Get all my favorite products in this post!

blog post about all natural cleaning products we love for spring cleaning and daily use

Why I Think Spring Cleaning is Important

As a busy, pregnant mom of two under two I will say my strategy around spring cleaning has changed a bit over the years. (Stay tuned for a post on this coming soon!) However, I do still find value in setting a specific time aside (particularly in the spring and fall) to fully and deeply reset my home. Here’s why I find this valuable in my life…

It’s mentally refreshing. I’ll be honest, winter is definitely not my favorite. As the world starts to wake up all around me I find it so mentally refreshing to bring that feeling of alive-ness into my home by cleaning and resetting everything. It also just feels good to get things done with that warm sunshine and spring breeze floating in through open windows- clean windows!!
It helps me stay on track. I don’t necessarily go by a certain schedule with home tasks. I find it much less stressful to just do things as I need to. However, this often leads to a few random tasks being forgotten. Having a seasonally clean where I do all the things helps me to know when these forgotten tasks were last done. It helps me stay on track with when certain things will likely need done again.
The timing helps. Having a set time sandwiched between the busy summer season is great! This provides a deep clean after Christmas going into the warmer seasons. As well as a clean coming out of the warm months and into the holiday season.

Homemade Spring Cleaning Products You Can Make in Minutes

Along with trusted non-toxic brands and products that I’ll share in this post I also enjoy making my own homemade products. Cleaning products made from home give you reassurance that only natural ingredients have been added. They are also cheaper!

Homemade Mattress and Carpet Refresher. Cleaning mattresses and carpet are tasks that make it to the spring cleaning list. I like to vacuum out all the mattresses cracks, clean and refresh linens, and give my rugs a bit of TLC. You can learn all about how to make refresher and clean your mattresses in this post!

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner. For a general, all purpose cleaning spray I prefer to just make one homemade. I typically use an equal ratio vinegar/water base then scent it with essential oils.

Citrus Vinegar. Citrus vinegar is another homemade cleaning product I have come to appreciate. You can make it by allowing citrus peels to ferment in white vinegar for several weeks. Strain off the peels and debris. The liquid that’s left over can be used to shine wooden cabinets, utensils, cutting boards, etc. It is also a great, all natural antibacterial spray.

Brands We Love

Here is a list of brands that I love and trust!

Mrs. Meyers
Thrive Market
Seventh Generation
Earthley
Method

My favorite place to source natural cleaning supplies is Thrive Market! They offer hundreds of natural cleaning products from non-toxic clean label brands like Mrs. Meyer, Seventh Generation, and so many more. Purchase natural products and/or ingredients for homemade cleaning supplies at affordable prices. Get cleaning products, pantry staples, and more shipped right to your door! Click my link below to get a special gift of $60 in free groceries!
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All-Natural Cleaning Products I Use in My Home for a Deep Spring Clean

I have been cleaning our home with natural or homemade products for over three years now. I have tried a LOT of products in that time. Because of this I have a list of products we absolutely love!

This may be shocking but you do not need a cabinet under the sink completely full of cleaning products! Cleaning your home can be simple and the amount of products you actually need is minimal.

Here are the products we use on the daily and for a deep spring clean…

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner. A basic all purpose cleaner can be used to clean kitchen, dining, and bathroom surfaces. You do not need a special cleaner for these places. One basic all-purpose is enough. If I am not making this myself, my favorite brand of all-purpose cleaner is Mrs. Meyer or Seventh Generation.

Non-Chlorinated Bleach. It is bleach without the bad! I source mine from Thrive Market and use it for cleaning things like the bathtub, hard water stains, mold, etc.

Window and Glass Cleaner. It took me a while to find a natural glass cleaner that I actually love. Nothing seemed to beat the sparkle that windex gives! I eventually discovered Mrs. Meyers glass cleaner and it works so well! You can also keep it simple and use vinegar to clean your glass.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner. This is definitely not essential, however I appreciate a good toilet bowl cleaner that keeps things cleaner longer. I source this from Thrive Market as well! They have a great natural toilet bowl cleaner that fights stains for days after use and keeps things looking sparkly and bright.

Wood Cleaner/Polish. If you have a lot of natural wood surfaces like us you will want a wood cleaner and polish to brighten up those spaces. I love using citrus vinegar to clean wood surfaces. If you are looking for a natural product for polishing cabinets and other surfaces Murphy’s Oil Soap is excellent.

Tools for Spring Cleaning

Really all you need is some elbow grease and determination if we are being honest! However, I have some favorites for a good deep clean. Here’s my list!

A good bucket
A couple cleaning rags
Electric scrubber for showers, tile, ceilings, and more! (This is a game changer for my pregnant ladies!)
Sponges and wire scrubbers
Microfiber rags for dusting and polishing
Paper towels
Vacuum cleaner
Broom/dustpan
Mop (manual or electric- I love my Bissell Crosswave for daily use in our home. Click here to check it out!)
Toothbrush or small brush for tight space scrubbing

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Why You Need More Protein as a Mom and How to Get It

February 21, 2025

Balanced nutrition, especially in the area of protein, is the most underrated support we can offer our bodies. If you put junk in, you get junk out. Our bodies can only fuel us with as much quality as we fuel our bodies. Today, we’re going to be discussing the specific nutrient of protein and how important it is for everyone, but with a focus on us moms especially.

the importance of protein in motherhood and how to get more protein in your diet

As moms, we’re usually the last to get taken care of. This is a beautiful thing. It is not the detriment that society would like us to believe it is. We get the opportunity to live out a Christ-like love to our children and family each day. That is a privilege. To serve others before ourselves brings unspeakable joy. Sometimes, though, we get so wrapped up in caring for our babies that we forget to give our body what it needs to care for them the best we can.

Sourcing Quality Protein

Protein is just one essential nutrient that our bodies need, but we would argue it’s probably the most important one. What is protein? Protein in its most natural state is found among the food groups provided to us through animals- dairy products like cheese and milk, beef, chicken, seafood. Certain kinds of nuts, lentils, and legumes are also naturally high in protein.

However, not just any protein will do. It greatly matters the sources of your protein. In a perfect world, you want to consume organic, grass fed, grass finished beef, pasture raised pork, and organic free-range chicken. This isn’t always possible, and we understand that. Just read your labels and do the best with the resources you have. Be careful of processed sugars, fillers, and other not ideal ingredients they might try to slap a “high protein” label on as well.

Synthetic or sugar filled protein products are running rampant on the grocery shelves these days. That is why I trust Thrive Market to source natural, plant and animal based protein bars, snacks, and drinks! Thrive offers thousands of non-GMO, organic, natural ingredient products from trusted, clean label brands. They ship right to your door and offer affordable pricing with great deals! Shop natural cleaning supplies, organic pantry staples at half the price, and so much more over on Thrive. Get a FREE GIFT up to $60 when you sign up using my link below!
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Getting Enough Protein in Pregnancy is Essential

What even is “enough” protein? Most healthcare providers, especially in the natural world, would all agree we as Americans do not get enough protein. This includes pregnant and nursing mothers. The daily recommended minimum of protein for a pregnant woman is 60 grams per day. Most providers and those who study nutritional science would say you need 80-100 grams of protein as a pregnant or nursing mother to operate at optimal health.

We are not saying that eating adequate protein is a cure-all or guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. However, I do think we highly undervalue the simplicity of nutritional benefits and the science behind a well-balanced diet during pregnancy.

Benefits of Protein in Pregnancy

one of the best and easiest ways to help the developing baby while also providing nutrients to mom
helps balance fluids and could prevent preeclampsia
healthy blood volume and blood quality
may help nausea and morning sickness related issues
increases energy naturally
may help improve mood and lower risks of depression in pregnancy and postpartum

“Proteins are quite literally the building blocks of human life. Every cell in your body contains protein and you require the amino acids in protein to build new cells. As you can imagine, there are a lot of new cells being created during pregnancy, making protein an absolute necessity to supply your growing baby (and your growing uterus and other tissues) with the raw materials to carry out the job effectively.”
-Lily Nichols “Real Food for Pregnancy”

The Importance of Protein During Postpartum and for Breastfeeding Moms

As stated before, one benefit of eating adequate protein during pregnancy is a healthier postpartum. Science shows that eating enough protein along with a balanced diet may prevent depression and decrease mood swings during the postpartum season. This is because our hormones are best balanced when we are getting what we need nutritionally.

Adequate protein helps your body heal from the inside out. The dinner plate sized wound inside your body from your placenta, blood loss from delivery, if you had any tearing, etc. are all best supported with adequate protein. Getting enough protein also supports a healthy milk supply to help provide your baby with the nutrients they need to grow.

Positive Effects from Personal Experience

Personally I (Tori) have experienced the benefits of added protein to my diet as a pregnant mom of two under two. When I try to keep my protein within that recommended 80-100 grams I find that I just feel better in general. My mood is better and I am less snappy. I can focus best and have steady energy, even when I’m not sleeping the best.

One benefit during pregnancy well worth mentioning is the lack of nausea I experience when my protein count is high for the day versus when I have not had enough. I struggled for the first time with intense morning sickness throughout my whole first trimester with my third pregnancy. However, I did notice a major difference on days when I was intentional about my protein intake. Beginning my day with protein, even if I did not feel like it seemed to help the nausea to be more manageable. This also aided in me getting more protein and nutrients throughout the day. (When you start your day puking or feeling very nauseous it is harder to regain that traction!)

Tips for Getting Enough Protein

During the first few months of pregnancy, when morning (sometimes all day) sickness is at its peak, just the thought of protein can make you want to vomit. I encourage you to find a protein routine that works for you and stick with it. If you can get your protein intake ahead of your sickness, you will feel better.

Find a high-quality protein shake or bar that tastes good to you. Find a high protein snack that you can enjoy. Try and keep trying until you find a protein routine that can get you through that first trimester. For example, here is what worked for me. A spoon full of peanut butter in the morning. Now I know this isn’t exactly the best thing, but I found that if I had the combination of protein and fats first, then had a protein shake a little later, I could keep it down. Middle of the day was another protein drink. I used the Chobani yogurt protein drinks. Mid afternoon was a protein bar from Perfect Bar, and in the evening I tried to eat an actual meal and make it as nutrient dense as possible. A protein and nutrient dense chili, a chicken soup with veggies and bone broth, whatever I thought I could enjoy and keep down. This isn’t a philosophy for your whole pregnancy but it might can help your survive the first trimester.

Meal and snack prep.
Honestly, I’m terrible at this, but if I can keep ready-made protein snacks, I always have a good choice to make and don’t end up eating something that contributes nothing to my body nutritionally.

Resources to Check Out

A resource for the best evidence based science on nutrition, in my opinion, would be the book “Real Food for Pregnancy” by Lily Nichols. It will change the way you view food. It also will take away the fear based recommendations we as pregnant women are often given. If you’re looking to gain knowledge on how to fuel your body in pregnancy and beyond, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thanks for being here! Let us know in the comments how you get your protein in as a busy mom. We love hearing from you! Don’t forget to sign up for our email list for more real food recipes, pregnancy, and mom blogs!

* Cowritten with Anna Bourdess. This post contains affiliate links from brands we love!

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Easy Sourdough Garlic Knots with Garlic and Herb Butter

February 18, 2025

These sourdough garlic knots are so soft and buttery- easy to make with fresh starter or sourdough discard! Make them quick in thirty minutes or long ferment for extra benefits. Learn all about how to make them in this post!

Long Fermentation Benefits vs Quick Knots

The benefits of long fermentation are certainly worth taking a look at. However, if you need these garlic knots in a flash for a quick dinner side kick they taste just as delicious! For those with gluten sensitivity, or dietary restrictions the benefits of long fermenting any sourdough recipe are definitely key.

In short, the process of fermenting the dough before baking (allowing it to sit for several hours) breaks down the gluten so the body does not have to. This process also multiplies the good bacteria already found in a sourdough starter. If you are not using sourdough for dietary reasons the benefit of this recipe is that it can be made quickly!

To long ferment your garlic knots mix the ingredients together as described in the recipe then cover with a wet dish towel and allow the dough to ferment in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours or on the counter for up to 8 hours. No stretch and folds are required for this recipe. If the dough feels too sticky after fermentation it may require a bit of kneading before working with it to shape the knots.

Ingredients for Sourdough Garlic Knots

Sourdough garlic knots are extremely easy to make with simple, hassle free ingredients!

1 cup sourdough starter active or discard
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp honey or sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 cups all-purpose flour

Garlic and Herb Butter Ingredients

2-4 cloves garlic
3 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp fresh or dried parsley
garlic salt, optional
parmesan cheese, optional (to sprinkle on top)

Want quality ingredients at a price you can afford? Thrive Market offers thousands of items from clean label brands! Organic pantry staples, toxic free cleaning supplies, and so much more at highly discounted prices delivered right to your door. Use my link below to check out Thrive Market and get a free gift worth $60! The entire month of August you can get 25% off when you use my link!
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How to Make Sourdough Garlic Knots

Making these delicious sourdough garlic knots is so fun and easy! If you want an even simpler version of this recipe check out our recipe for sourdough discard breadsticks here. Learn all about how to make and shape your knots….

Combine starter, water, honey, baking powder, salt, and 2 cups of flour in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer.
Add in flour 1/4 cup at a time until you have a thick, pliable dough. (Should take no more than 3 cups of flour.)
Roll dough out on a well floured surface and cut into two inch strips.
Knot the dough loosely and secure the loose ends around the edges of the knots, making them a round shape.
Place on a greased pan and bake at 350 F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Brush with garlic and herb butter fresh out of the oven.

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Buttery sourdough brioche bread recipe. super easy sourdough recipe for beginners.

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Sourdough Garlic Knots with Garlic and Herb Butter

Easy, quick, and buttery soft sourdough garlic knots glazed with from scratch garlic butter!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Appetizer, bread, Pizza, Side Dish

Servings 8 knots

Ingredients

1 cup sourdough starter active or discard
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2½-3 cups all-purpose flour

Garlic and Herb Butter

2-4 cloves fresh garlic
3 tbsp butter melted
1 tsp fresh or dried parsley
1 tsp garlic salt optional
1/4 cup parmesan optional

Instructions

Combine starter and water in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer.
Add honey, baking powder, salt, and 2 cups flour. Add flour in ¼ cup at a time until the dough holds shape and is elastic.
For fermentation, cover the bowl with a damp dish towel and store in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours or overnight.
For quick knots (unfermented), roll dough out on a well floured surface in a rectangular shape about ¼ inch thickness.
Cut the dough into 1½-2 inch strips. You should have about 8 strips. Gently knot the dough and secure the loose ends underneath the knot giving you a nice, round knotted shape.
Place on a greased or parchment lined sheet pan. Bake at 350℉ for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through the center and golden brown on top.
Brush with garlic and herb butter fresh out of the oven while the knots are still warm. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese for extra flavor if desired.

Keyword buttery garlic knots, discard recipe, easy sourdough recipe, garlic and herb butter, garlic butter, garlic knots, sourdough discard recipe, sourdough garlic knots

*This post contains affiliate links from brands we love!

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High Protein Sausage Balls Made With Cream Cheese

February 15, 2025

*This post contains affiliate links.

These delicious, never dry sausage balls are packed with flavor and protein for a healthy snack! They are perfect for make ahead protein all week long. Get the recipe here!

high protein sausage balls snack made with cream cheese

Not Your Regular Sausage Balls

I use to hate sausage balls until I discovered this version of the recipe! Sausage balls I remembered were dry- I just remember having to choke down every bite. Some were completely flavorless and I personally would rather choke on something that at least has enjoyable taste! So what makes these different?

Never dry. I have made these sausage balls several times now and one thing I will say is it’s nearly impossible to make a batch that is too dry! The cream cheese helps lock in so much moisture that even if you accidentally add too much flour you ate still in good shape.
Flavor packed! These sausage balls are packed with flavor and if you don’t like my seasoning recommendations it can easily be customized to your own taste!
Protein. Because of the added cream cheese these sausage balls are packed with extra protein for steady energy. We’ll dive more into this…

A Protein Packed Snack

If you are pregnant, nursing, diabetic, or just trying to get extra protein for whatever reason this is the perfect snack for you! Americans in general tend to fall way under the recommended amount of daily protein needed in a healthy diet. This number fluctuates depending on who you ask so I will not go into how much everyone should be getting. That number will look different for different individuals.

I will say, as a pregnant mom of little people I strive to get 80-100g of protein per day. There are several reasons for this including- helps morning sickness, steady energy, improves mood, as well as many more. For that reason I am always looking for easy ways to get that required amount I need for my body.

These sausage balls have been a game changer because they are easy to make, I can eat them quickly, and make them ahead for a week of easy snacking!

Ingredients for Sausage Balls

The ingredients for this recipe are super simple (as always!)….

When it comes to sourcing quality ingredients I trust Thrive Market! They have thousands of products from clean label, natural ingredient brands for things like pantry staples, snacks, supplements, cleaning supplies, and so much more. The best part- they are super affordable and ship right to your door! Get a free gift up to $60 when you sign up using my link below!
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1lb of hot or mild breakfast pork sausage (depending on preference)
8oz cream cheese
12-16 oz cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne (optional; for extra heat)

Sausage Balls Ingredient Substitutions

Pork Sausage. I personally like the flavor of pork sausage best however you can make these with equal amounts turkey or chicken sausage if you prefer.

Cheddar cheese. These sausage balls can be made with any kind of cheese. Cheddar gives you the classic flavor but some variations you might try are pepper jack, Mexican blend, mozzarella, etc. I personally use whatever I have on hand.

Seasoning. You can definitely customize the seasoning of this recipe for whatever suits you best!

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How to Make Sausage Balls

Making this recipe is so easy and requires very little time, making it a busy mom favorite!!

Combine softened cream cheese, sausage, flour, baking powder, and seasonings by hand or with a stand mixer.
Add in shredded cheese. Stir.
Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and roll into individual balls using your hands.
Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes or until the center has fully cooked.

Storage

As we have already discussed, these sausage balls are a great make ahead option for a quick snack or even on-the-go breakfast throughout the week! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days (use within five days for best freshness).

You can also freeze these sausage balls and store in the freezer for up to six months. To defrost simply remove from the refrigerator and allow to thaw completely before eating.

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High Protein Sausage Balls

Never dry, high protein sausage balls made with cream cheese!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Servings 3 dozen

Ingredients

1 lb mild or hot pork sausage
8 oz cream cheese softened
16 oz cheddar cheese
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt

Instructions

Combine sausage, softened cream cheese, flour, salt, and baking powder by hand in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl.
Add shredded cheese.
Roll into balls using a heaping tablespoon of the sausage ball dough. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350℉ for 12-15 minutes or until the balls are completely cooked in the center.

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