It’s that time of year again, friends. No, not the official start of fall. No, not football season. ‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice everything! And, yes, I know that the whole pumpkin spice thing has gotten out of control (I recently came across pumpkin spice cake mix … for dogs). But it’s silly and fun little things like this…
Every summer, I plant tomatoes and the sequence typically goes something like this: Early June: Plant two to three tomato plants. June – July: Worry tomatoes aren’t getting enough water and/or that they’ll get ruined in a storm (I currently have them in freestanding planters). Late July: Get excited about the very first tomato! Late August: Get sick of tomatoes…
“It’s a lot to text … give me a call when you have the thyme (see what I did there?)” Reading this text from my sister-in-law, Natasha, reaffirmed that A) we share a shameless love of bad puns, and B) she was the perfect person to contact to learn more about what to do with the herbs I planted earlier…
Here in Wisconsin, summer is coming in hot … literally. Toasty temps usually reserved for August have taken over much of the state. When the temperature keeps climbing and the humidity feels like it’s wrapping you in a wet blanket, the last thing you want to do is fire up the oven. Well, maybe I should say the last thing…
When avocados start to ripen, you have more than one move (sorry, guacamole). Make your very own avocado ranch yogurt dressing, developed by author and TOPS friend Jeanette Hurt. It’s made from ingredients you may already have on hand, it’s gluten-free, and it’s perfect for salads, fish or drizzled over a veggie burger. Plus, while some bottled dressings can have…
Sometimes, you just want to keep things simple. That’s part of why I’m a fan of homemade smoothies. They’re a blissfully simple and unfussy way to get loads of nutrients. After receiving a new blender as a gift (Best. Gift. Ever.), I’ve been creating all kinds of concoctions, usually with some sort of frozen fruit, oat or almond milk and…
All calories come from four places in our diets: carbohydrates, fat, protein and alcohol. In the 1990s, low-fat diets and foods were everywhere you turned and, more recently, carbs have come under fire. Protein never seems to get much negative attention and is often proudly boasted on many food labels. Some coffee and smoothie shops even offer the option of…
As promised in the last Wellness Wednesday, this week’s blog features a tasty and simple recipe you can try this month. My motivation to cook has dipped a bit lately, and simplicity is the name of the game. These roasted carrots with rosemary “fries” pair perfectly with grilled chicken, steak, or chopped and topped on your favorite garden salad. What’s…
I love to cook. I love trying new recipes and making old favorites. I love the way my dog Nellie curls up in a ball and quietly watches me each time I’m in the kitchen. I especially love that cooking is one of the few times when my brain settles down a bit and stops overthinking. I’m grateful to have…