“Real men don’t eat quiche”… Every time I bring up this dish, one of my parents spouts off this statement with a chuckle.  I’d had no clue where the phrase came from, but apparently it was a book published in 1982 that satirized “stereotypes of masculinity”. Well, I’m going to have to officially go on [...]

I’m not sure what it is with me and anything in burger form lately… but it just sounds good.  So, to make it healthier and get some more veggies in my diet, I tried these portabella mushroom burgers.  The secret is in the marinade.  I “grilled” mine on my indoor grill pan (I have the [...]

When I first got married and was working in the city, I became a huge Rachael Ray fan.  I even took a half day from work once and my friend and I drove out to the suburbs for a cooking demonstration and book signing in order to meet the 30 minute queen herself. I admit, [...]

Sunday always seems like a good day for a big, home-cooked meal.  So, this past Sunday I included this recipe in my grocery list for the week, and tried to invoke my inner Julia Child and whip this one up.  I read that while Meryl Streep was making the movie Julie and Julia, this was [...]

What a tiring weekend, and it’s all self-induced.  I’m not sure if 14 weeks of a pregnancy brings about the urge to “nest”, but I can’t stop taking on random chores throughout the house.  What I find to be difficult is the house keeps getting dirty around me as this occurs, so I have to [...]

Christine C!  Congratulations!!!!!!  I’ve sent you an email requesting your info! So, the story is that I got home, put all of the posts (that I printed out) in my son’s summer hat, and he picked one out!  Now, he’s filling the hat with all sorts of things, running around, making you pick out things [...]

Tonight I made the Southwest Chicken Smoked Sausage Skillet again.  Once again, it was so good and so easy.  So, just a reminder to try that one out!  It’s great for a weeknight when you’re in a hurry after work, but still want a well-rounded meal. Also, there’s only a bit of time left to [...]

At the end of every cooking magazine I read, I see an add for Gel Pro Kitchen Floor Mats.   These things look amazing.   They describe their product as the  ”World’s original gel-filled anti-fatigue floor mat [that] reduces discomfort caused from standing on hard flooring”.   I know that chefs use them… like, real chefs.  But last [...]

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and also a part of Italy.  All in all, sounds like a pretty amazing place to visit.  My friend at work has an even better story… she lived there. Yep, lived in the land of pizza, pasta, and amazing wine.  Not a bad deal, if you [...]

It seems like every year I google recipes for the same events… kids’ birthdays, holidays, and FOOTBALL!  My husband and I went to Purdue… that’s actually where we met (at a keg party… ah yes, those were the days!).  Since we live near Northwestern University now, we decided to get tickets to the Purdue/NW football [...]