Use the form below, and/or do the easy entry on on Instagram right here. There are several options for extra entries as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will run through the end of this Friday, January 14, 2022. It is open to Bubby and Bean readers worldwide. All entries from the Rafflecopter form above and Instagram will be combined. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced here by end of day the following Monday.

Thank you to our friends at Gaia Conceptions for giving the Bubby and Bean family another chance to own some of their beautiful sustainable apparel! Happy New Year!

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As far as my behind-the-scenes life, there's really no sugarcoating it for me: 2021 was mostly crap. I’m guilty of putting positive spins on everything (toxic positivity is not healthy but an easy trap to fall into), but there isn't a lot of spinning I can do when it comes to 2021. A lot of good things did, of course, happen, and I don't want to discount them. We all stayed healthy the entire year (which is huge), our kids got to be in person at school and activities, we got to travel again, my job continued to thrive, and we had a wonderful Christmastime.

But 2021 was also maddeningly challenging and emotionally exhausting. The transition of my husband going back on the road with the band he works for after a year of quality family time for the first time ever was extremely difficult on all of us and we are still working through it. My parents also experienced multiple serious injuries. We lost close friends. There’s a lot more too; too much to share.
Tragic things happen every year. I also know people who had it much, much harder than we did. But symbolically, I was more than ready for 2021 to be over.

As for plans for 2022, I plan to do something for which 2020 prepared me well - and that's go with the flow. I used to make massive goals and resolutions for myself that ended up creating so much anxiety that I was completely overwhelmed. Professionally, I really enjoyed some of the more long term partnerships I had with brands in 2021, and hope to continue with that. I'd also like to post more often on the blog (I posted the least I ever have here in 2021), but if that doesn't happen, that's okay too. Creating meaningful content with brands that makes a difference is also something on which I'd like to focus more. (I have a great Instagram campaign coming up with the coolest eco-friendly plastic alternatives brand, for example.) Last year I had a goal of doing more video content on Instagram, and I plan to continue with that. (I actually like reels - who knew?)  And as always, I have little interest in gaining more followers, but I do want to continue to create meaningful engagement with all of you.  

If you're still reading, there are the highlights of the Bubby and Bean blog in 2021! You can click on the links below each image them to see the posts in full. 

 

The first time I had soup in a sourdough bread bowl was many, many years ago in Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. I was hooked. The combination of hot, flavorful soup literally inside of a loaf of crusty bread is the definitive comfort food. Being able to be a satisfying plant-based version at home for my family is the best!

You can grab all four of these tasty, plant-based Gardein Soups in the soup aside at Meijer, and Bread Bowls from The Rustik Oven in the bread aisle. I know you'll love this easy, comforting meal as much as we do!

MAIN INGREDIENTS

1 box Barilla® Chickpea Rotini

1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)

1 cup canned chickpeas

1/2 cup canned black olives (sliced)

1/2 cucumber (sliced)

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Boil Barilla® Chickpea Rotini according to directions on package. While pasta is cooking, cut tomatoes in half, slice black olives, and thinly slice cucumbers. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Combine all dressing ingredients and mix well. Drain and rinse pasta and allow to cool. Pour cooled pasta into a large bowl, add all ingredients, and stir. Add dressing and toss until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 5 days. (Tip: Double the recipe for larger gatherings.)

This pasta salad is so tasty (and full of plant-based protein!) that we sometimes eat it as a meal rather than a side dish. I always keep several boxes of Barilla® Chickpea Rotini on hand, both to make this and to make other recipes - including traditional Italian meals like spaghetti and (veggie!) meatballs. Barilla has been around for more than 140 years, and it was this long-time experience that ultimately led them to make a delicious pasta with just one simple ingredient - chickpea flour (as seen here) or red lentil flour. (So cool, right?) Each of their Legume pasta varieties is full of flavor, cooks perfectly "al dente," and provides lots of plant-based protein (19g of protein per 3.5oz serving) and fiber. Barilla® Legume pasta is also certified gluten free and non-GMO Project Verified, and gives those of us who love food but also want to be health conscious a versatile, nutritious way to create all sorts of yummy meals. You can find it in the pasta aisle at your local Mariano's or other Kroger owned store. 

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I let my kiddos choose their own costumes, and to my classic costume loving heart's dismay, the days of them dressing like pumpkins or black cats or witches are definitely over. These days they want store bought character costumes, the end. This year, my daughter is going to be Mal from Descendants and my son a Minion for their school Halloween parties and other Halloween activities that aren't actually on Halloween. 

But on Halloween day, we're doing a family costume for the second year in a row (this is new for us as my husband is almost always on the road with the band on Halloween), and it's definitely more on the classic costume end of the spectrum, which brings me all sorts of irrational joy. Last year our family was the Wizard of Oz, as seen above. While this is still a character costume theme, it's still a classic. 

Scroll down for my updated list of 50 (!!) timeless costume ideas.

When I was a kid, I thought english muffin pizzas were the bee's knees. Then I decided to try to make them as an adult several years ago, but with a Halloween twist. Success! I've shared these with you guys a few times over the years, but every year I seem to come up with some small improvements and want to share them again. My kids absolutely love decorating and eating this, and they're ready in minutes.