Appetizers/Snacks Archives - Life of a Ginger

School Lunches Made Easy

The one thing I dread every school year, aside from the early mornings, is back-to-school lunch battles. Don’t laugh, the struggle is REAL!! My kids refused to eat school lunches (unless it was pizza day). So every day I would pack five lunches. Trying to remember which kid liked peanut butter and jelly this week, or which kid would only eat veggies if they were drenched in balsamic vinegar. Food Advertising by After having one too many uneaten lunches return home, I announced to my kids that I was DONE. If they didn’t want hot lunch, they were responsible for making their own lunches from now on. This system has been working out for the past two years, and now the only complaints I get is when we run out of …

Tasty Tuesday – Simple Guacamole & Baked Tortilla Chips

Chips and guacamole. It’s the one snack that ALL my girls love to eat. One of my favorite guacamole recipes is from Alton Brown, but I don’t always have the extra time to make it, so I discovered an easy and delicious way to make guacamole in a very short amount of time. It’s so easy, in fact, that my kids can make it on their own! It takes less than 5 minutes to make and it’s just as tasty as the “real” stuff. Super Simple Guacamole Food Advertising by Super Simple Guacamole Tasty Tuesday – Baked Tortilla Chips print shopping list Preparation 5 min Cook Time 15 min Total Time 0:20 Serves 6 adjust servings Ingredients 2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded and cubed Lime Juice, enough to coat …

March Mania – Pick your Fav Dip and Win!

Disclosure: I am part of the BJ’s Wholesale Club Blogger Ambassador program. March Mania – Pick your Fav Dip and Win! is a sponsored post. Although I was supplied products and/or compensated for writing this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only recommend products or services I believe in, and use myself. I have a confession. I hate basketball. Well, hate is a strong word. I went to a couple of Knicks Games when I lived in the Northeast and enjoyed the live action, but I’d rather read tax code than watch the Final whatever of basketball. But I do love to entertain and if everyone else wants to gather here to watch the big game, who am I to interfere?!? I have a few go to munchies that I love to serve, …

DIY California and Vegetable Rolls

My kids and I love (cooked) sushi. Although my 14 YO will eat pretty much any kind of sushi, even the raw stuff, I just can’t get over the raw fish factor so I stick to “safe” things like California Rolls, Caterpillar rolls (my favorite), vegetable rolls and anything with tempura. NEWS FLASH…. I like seared tuna! Had the opportunity to taste some at Bonefish Grill and my friends FORCED me to try it. I’m so glad I did! Now back to your regularly scheduled recipe. With a family of seven, we just can’t afford to go out and get sushi as often as we would like. It’s too expensive! A friend suggested since I love to cook, I should start making my own. Truthfully, it never even crossed my mind! So …

Back to School with BJ’s Wholesale Club

Skip To Recipe Disclosure: I am part of the BJ’s Wholesale Club Blogger Ambassador program. The following is a sponsored post. Although I was supplied products and/or compensated for writing this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only recommend products or services I believe in, and use myself. BJ’s carries everything you need for back to school at affordable prices… and if you are sending your teen off to college, it’s a one-stop-shop. You will find computers, bedding, furniture, appliances, toiletries, food… everything your college-bound teen could possibly need! Food Advertising by Last week I had the pleasure of attending a back to school event at my local BJ’s Wholesale Club. We toured through the store discussing all the new items BJ’s has stocked to help you prepare for the new school year. Backpacks, …

Tasty Tuesday – Copycat Nan and Byron’s Train Wreck Fries

On Friday, I attended my monthly Moms’ Night Out Charlotte blogger meet and greet. This time it was at the ah-maz-ing Nan and Byron’s restaurant in Charlotte. I had such a wonderful evening visiting with friends, sampling the menu, and savoring a couple of their specialty libations. The Cadillac Jalapeno Margarita (Patron, Citrus Juices, muddled fresh jalapeno, topped with Grand Marnier-flavored Cadillac Foam and cayenne pepper) and the Farmhouse Lemonade (Bacardi Limon, Strawberry Vodka, Limoncello, citrus juices, muddled fresh strawberries and lemon) were two favorites. I REALLY wanted to try the G’Night Moon (Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon Moonshine, soda water, Sprite, muddled mint and lime with a house made simple syrup) but I had to drive home later that night and knew if I had one more drink I’d be pushing …