The end of the school year was upon us, and I was about to have my house overrun with kids again for the next few months.

With four children of my own and each of them having friends, it doesn’t take long for the house to fill up. After they have been outside playing hard, they are hungry too, so my cupboards and refrigerator get completely cleaned out all the time. It seems like I have to go to the grocery store just about every single day to keep food in the house.

So, one day, instead of letting them snack all day long, I decided that I was going to make a special treat for them to have. I made these fruity pastries that I found on Facebook, and I couldn’t believe how simple they were.

Of, course I made a double batch, but they were still cooked up in no time. I gave them to the kids outside so they didn’t even have to come in. All my cupboards stayed closed and I didn’t have to go grocery shopping the next day!

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Quick Tip: Use any fresh fruit you like!

We’re all used to the regular form of pizza. Piping hot dough smothered in tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, right? Sort of, but that’s not the type of pizza we are making today. Today, your pizza will be smeared with sweet cream cheese and topped with the fresh fruit of your choice!

Now, if that isn’t enticing enough, the crust of this fruit pizza…are you ready for this? The crust of this pizza is a gigantic SUGAR COOKIE. Talk about a big crunchy bite of YUM. I love making fruit pizza for spring and summer gatherings. Everyone gobbles it up like the world is about to end, but can you blame them? Just look at the gorgeous, colorful presentation. Beautiful.

Recipe courtesy of Woman Freebies.

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Quick Tip: Choose any fresh fruits that you want for this pizza dessert. The sky is the limit!

I know I want to give my family the very best ingredients when it comes to the beverages that they put into their bodies as I’m sure you do as well. That’s why it’s time to ditch the commercially processed soft drinks and juices and replace them with homemade herbal goodness. Herbal kool-aid is a fun alternative to traditional store-bought brands that you can make using a few simple ingredients that might be growing in your backyard.

Grab the kiddos and head on outside to collect your herbal kool-aid ingredients or head to your local bulk herb store for everything you need. You’re going to be amazed at how awesome this herb-infused drink tastes. We promise, your little lambs are going to LOVE it. The hibiscus flowers and rose hips give it an added boost of vitamin C and supply a passionate punch of tangy sweetness. Better make two pitchers because homemade herbal kool-aid never lasts long, especially on a hot summer’s day.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Pistachio Project.

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It may not be the prettiest cake that you’ve ever seen, but this Texas Tornado Cake is loaded with flavor and has a nice mix of textures.

You can have it all done in about an hour, and you can make about 15 servings for roughly $10, making it a family-friendly and budget-friendly option. Plus, it is so delicious your whole family will love it – make sure you have the recipe at hand if you’re serving this to guests. They are going to be begging you for it! I have brought this to several potlucks and I know by now to make a few copies of the recipe, to take with me!

It seems a bit unfair to call this Texas tornado cake a “budget option,” considering the fruit in there (provided via fruit cocktail) and that lovely flavor and texture of coconut, but I guess that goes to show you:  things don’t always have to cost a lot to be really flavorful and satisfying.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Can’t Stay Out of The Kitchen

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Quick tip: Cut this into bite-sized pieces and freeze for a quick treat when you want one!

Looking for a simple but tasty (and unique) snack item to serve at your next gathering?  Or maybe you just want something a little different to munch on while watching your favorite shows at home? Well, give this Labor Day Fruit Salsa a try. It’s loaded with great flavor and is a cinch to put together!

It really is amazing what you can do with a fairly simple fruit and herb mixture, sometimes.  Normally, when I think of salsa, I think of the typical tomato, onion, and bell pepper variety, but let me tell you:  This fruit salsa is really delicious as well, and it certainly stands apart from the more typical snack options. Get ready to receive a massive amount of compliments!

Recipe and photo courtesy of Meal Diva

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Quick tip: Simply remove or add fruits to make this salsa more to your liking.

Why settle for simple brownies, when you can turn them into a delicious Brownie Dessert Pizza with so little effort? This will do nicely for family night or for most any gathering. Everyone will love the sweet, well-balanced flavor! And if you ask me, it’s the same as it is with any pizza – the more, the better!

I hadn’t tried a dessert pizza before, but when I had a go with this one, boy, did I realize that I was missing out!  I’m not sure that I’ll ever look at basic, everyday brownies the same way again after using them to make something like this.  Seriously, is there anything you CAN’T do with cream cheese? I have to give you a heads up, though. If you’re serving this to guests, make sure you have the recipe at hand! Everyone is going to want it!

Recipe and photo courtesy of Deliciously Yum

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Quick tip: You can make this ahead and store it in the fridge or freeze individual portions for a treat later.

Did you ever come upon a Christmas present as a kid, and maybe you should keep it wrapped (or put it back in its hiding spot immediately, if it was one of those “from Santa” gifts), but you knew that you could enjoy it RIGHT NOW and still be happy and “surprised” when you saw it again on Christmas Day?  Well, that is how I felt when I came upon this recipe, and I didn’t have to worry about anyone scolding me for having it right now!

It isn’t every day that you get a chance to make a pork tenderloin not be, well, a bit boring, and such a nice cut of meat deserves not to be boring.  Instead, this juicy choice deserves to be part of something great!  And rest assured, you will wow your guests with this Fruit-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.  It would make for a splendid part of any holiday meal, but its flavor will astound at any time of year.

Recipe and photo courtesy of  Andor Blogs.

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Quick tip: Leftovers make ahh-mazing lunch sandwiches the next day!