The sun is setting, there’s a freshly-opened bottle of champagne, the musical score is swelling… it’s a picnic scene in a romantic movie! If you’re like me, you’re a sucker for a romantic picnic. And, since as of right now it’s a warm, refreshing summer, there’s no better time to get outdoors and have one! […]
I love stuffing myself full of sweets as much as the next person, but dessert wasn’t always meant to be such a big meal! Originally, a delicious dessert was supposed to be small and light — just a palate-cleansing bow on top at the end of a larger, filling meal. So why not return back […]
Have you heard about the new paleo diet craze? In a world all too full of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, the paleo diet is a good solution. This healthy regimen is an attempt to completely remove sugar, fat, and processed foods from our modern diets. The Paleolithic diet, or the caveman diet, scales back […]
It’s funny, but when you search for “great summer recipes” online, there seem to be two consistent categories of results. One, the recipes that make use of as many fresh, seasonal summer veggies as possible… and two, the recipes designed for stuffing as much barbecue, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers into your mouth as possible! I […]
Have you ever had to host an enormous dinner party? Whether you’ve had to do it in the past or in case you have a big one coming up, it can be intimidating! You want everyone to be full and happy, but you don’t want to lose your mind making it happen. Holidays, special occasions, […]
Ahhh, the humble slushy drink! It’s hard to believe that blended ice and syrup can taste so good, but it’s true. Out of all the childhood snacks that exist, slushy drinks hold the most nostalgia for me personally, from birthday parties to biking to corner stores to first dates. (Tawdry, I know!) And when the […]
Has anyone ever seen the movie Zombieland? In it, Woody Harrelson is a zombie-killing hero with one goal in life: find the last survivng box of Twinkies in the zombie apocalypse! I’ve got to say, sometimes that’s how I feel about my favorite Ho Hos Hostess snacks. Everyone with a soft spot for Hostess — maker of […]
What are your strategies for beating the heat? I’m a fan of creamy ice cream or a good cookout. This year, I kicked off the summer by walking around Chicago. It was about 86 degrees, and there were many signs about the Emergency Heat Warning that was in place. My Floridian self just laughed! I’m […]
Some of my favorite summer memories of all time come from Fourth of July and Memorial Day parties at Lakes Park, a gorgeous little patch of water and Spanish moss and bridges in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Some of my favorite summer BBQ recipes come from those parties as well!) It was HOT! But thanks to […]
Tomato soup is a classic American recipe. Everyone has their favorite, whether it’s from a can like Campbell’s or Progresso, or whether it’s from a restaurant — like the iconic Corner Bakery soup. Turns out, tomato soup recipes are so simple to make, whether on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. So, forget heading […]
