this … My journey to living gluten-free started 6 years ago after figuring out it was one of the main contributors to auto-immune responses I was having, showing itself by way of shingles, solar dermatitis, nerve sensitivity, and headaches. What was a bit difficult at first turned out to be the thing that ignited my […]
December 19, 2015
I learned to pick my favorite chocolate out of the iconic Whitman’s sample box at an early age, that mustard yellow with printed cross-stitch pattern etched in my mind forever. Grandma’s candy cabinet was my first stop when I skipped into her house, knowing the next few days would be filled with playing cards, seeing […]

Tags: Almond Flour, Chocolate
December 16, 2015
this … Some people have a knack for giving the best gifts. Full of surprise for the person on the receiving end, a perfect fit for the things they enjoy, or something special they’d never buy for themselves. I on the other hand lack in this department, which is why if you’re getting a package […]

December 10, 2015
As humans, we’re creatures of habit, because sticking with a routine feels good, particularly when we’ve mastered something. I’ve become accustomed to roasting every vegetable I can get my hands on. You’ll see that reflected in some of these delicious side dish recipes. BUT you can also achieve incredible caramelization and flavor on the stovetop! […]

Tags: Carrots
December 4, 2015
There’s dip, and then there’s hot, cheesy dip served in a cast iron skillet. The perfect appetizer that people flock to! Since you loved this Skillet White Chicken Chili Dip, I’ve been working on other combinations that are a cracker’s best friend. This bubbling hot Gruyere Cheese Dip sealed the deal, made from real ingredients like organic […]

Tags: Cheese
December 1, 2015
this … I have big love for pastry magicians and pie queens. Even after lots of practice making gluten-free crusts and baked goods of different kinds, working with a sheet of dough is still intimidating. So mini blueberry galettes to the rescue this Thanksgiving… rustic and juicy, with a flaky crust that doesn’t have to be […]

November 23, 2015
this … At any point this week, you could have found me surrounded by nearly 20 pounds of squash – peeling, chopping, and roasting in anticipation of the Squash-tastic Side Dishes for Thanksgiving class I was teaching. Standing in my kitchen, packing up tools and ingredients, the feelings I wore for many years playing competitive golf came over me again. […]

November 19, 2015
We all know it’s coming……. super dry air, harsh winds, and bone-chilling cold. Living in a northern state, our skin is certainly at a disadvantage. It seems every winter, my bare white legs can’t hold the moisture I give them, and the hot showers that feel so good only make it worse. My face seems […]

November 16, 2015
this … It’s been years since I’ve been sidelined from a bad cold, but a little bug turned into a giant wollop this week. I’m having to miss a special dinner with girlfriends tonight, one last feast with our favorite chef who is on his way out. Grab me a kleenex for those tears, along […]

November 6, 2015
this … Two years ago I stumbled upon Crista’s blog: Peace, Love, Quinoa, then proceeded to chat with her via Twitter about the Minnesota charm she missed, where she lived before moving to Chicago and Denver. She was a hair stylist, I was a marketer, yet we both loved cooking, plants, and fun adventures. When she mentioned […]

Tags: Apples
November 4, 2015
this … Fall always sneaks up on me quite quickly. With the flip of a switch, the days go from stifling hot to dry and cold, howling winds plucking the leaves from trees like thieves. I’ve been thinking a lot about the change of seasons lately, how it impacts our daily activities, the food we put on […]

October 29, 2015
this … Well, my first girls “glamping” weekend is in the books. Fun doesn’t even do justice to how great of a time we had at Camp Wandawega, an old speakeasy & brothel deep in the Wisconsin woods turned camp resort in the 1950’s. I’ll be sharing the whole experience in a separate post, but think […]

October 27, 2015