a lifestyle blog
As a California girl, my version of wine country chicken salad utilizes red grapes and walnuts instead of dried cranberries and pecans. And although I typically prefer savory dishes, the subtle pops of sweetness in this recipe definitely make this west coast chicken salad come to life.
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I’m a little obsessed with the frozen items from Trader Joe’s and could have easily turned this into a top forty list but showed some restraint and stopped at twenty. Whether they’re needed as an ingredient for a composed meal, a tasty snack, a full on dinner, or a sweet treat at the end of the night – I have always loved the convenience and diversity of frozen foods, & the selection at Trader Joe’s is without a doubt my favorite. Keep reading to find out which frozen food staples, I simply can’t do without!
Continue reading “The Top 20 Frozen Foods I Consistently Buy From Trader Joe’s”
I, personally, love nothing more than a recipe that requires minimal cooking and comes together in a pinch. If you feel the same, then my smoked ahi rice bowls may be the dish for you since they’re the perfect meal after a long day, on a hot day, and every day in between. To top it off, these rice bowls are incredibly tasty and work for both lunch and dinner!
Continue reading “Quick & Easy, Smoked Ahi Tuna Rice Bowls”
Whether these products are needed as a must-have condiment, a quick tasty snack, or an ingredient for a composed meal – it’s always wise to keep a variety of glassed goodies in your pantry. Olives, mustards, oils, pickles, and hot sauce make up the majority of the jarred and bottled items in my kitchen.
Continue reading “The Top 15 Jarred & Glass Bottled Items I Consistently Buy From Trader Joe’s”
As a fan of all things seafood including smoked fish, I almost always order a trout dip whenever I come across it on a restaurant menu. For some reason, however, I never made this savory dip at home until about a year ago despite always having smoked trout filets in my pantry.
This fish dip is incredibly simple to prepare, packed full of protein, teeming with Omega-3s, and bursting with flavor. It not only makes for the perfect appetizer on a warm, sunny day but also a great weekly staple when a healthy lunch or quick snack is in order.
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Whether they are needed as an ingredient for a composed meal, an item for a quick snack, or for emergency preparedness – it’s always wise to keep a variety of canned food in your pantry. Beans, peeled tomatoes, and tinned fish make up the majority of canned items in my kitchen. However, there are a few other staples from Trader Joe’s that I just can’t live without.
Continue reading “The Top 10 Canned Items I Consistently Buy From Trader Joe’s”
Thanksgiving & Christmas may be long gone, but cranberry season is still in full effect around my household. So if you too are a fan of this seasonal berry and happen to be hosting a New Year’s Eve party this Tuesday, I’ve got a great two-ingredient, appetizer perfect for ringing in 2025!
Continue reading “Cranberry, Goat Cheese Pastries – The Perfect Holiday Appetizer”
As a San Gabriel Valley native, Trader Joe’s has literally been my neighborhood grocery store since youth and continues to be my grocery store of choice as an adult. Considering how much time and money I spend at Trader Joe’s each month, I figured it apropos to finally dedicate a section of my blog to this hallowed place.
Continue reading “Trader Joe’s – My Childhood Grocery Store Turned Grown-Up Sanctuary”
During a recent trip to Europe, I was able to spend three full days in Portugal’s capital city. Although my time in Lisbon was quite short, I was lucky enough to stumble upon some truly delicious eats and equally tasty beverages during this quick visit.
Continue reading “The Best Things I Ate & Drank In Lisbon”
Every year as a child, my mother made corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day, a uniquely Irish-American pairing. And yes, you heard correctly; this famous holiday duo is not a traditional Irish dish for those who were wondering. But as you all know, it remains a signature meal for festive Americans of both Irish and non-Irish descent every seventeenth day of March here in the States. For all those celebrating today, keep reading for my simple yet delicious 3-part recipe.
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The air is crisp, and the leaves are falling which means that soup season is officially upon us! I had a beautiful butternut squash sitting in my kitchen and decided to whip up a quick soup last night using a few seasonal spices and some fresh rosemary that was growing in my garden. The end product was so delicious that I knew I had to publish the recipe just in case any of you were interested in making a soup course for your Thanksgiving dinner this year!
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If you enjoy fluffy banana bread that isn’t too sweet, check out my recipe below. It’s incredibly easy to make and quite tasty if I say so myself!
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After a few summers of actively grilling chicken and using different marinades, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer dry rubs when grilling over an open flame. I, for one, think it yields a crispier skin and less unwanted char compared to a wet marinade. And the best thing about a dry rub is that you can always brush on your favorite barbecue sauce or hot sauce over the grilled chicken during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking or when the poultry is off the heat and resting.
So if you feel like grilling up some chicken this 4th of July alongside your burgers and hot dogs, keep on reading for my super simple recipe!
Continue reading “Delicious Grilled Chicken Legs – A Perfect Addition To Any Summer Barbecue”
I made this dish on a whim one night when I was home alone and hungry for dinner. I hadn’t thought about what I was going to prepare that day so I just opened the fridge, glanced in the pantry, pulled some ingredients that sounded good, and got to cooking! After taking my first bite, I can honestly say that this simple dish hit the mark in every way for me. It was warm, cozy, and packed with Mediterranean flavors. So if you also enjoy easy-to-prepare, tasty dinners – keep on reading to discover how to make this quick, 20-minute meal.
Continue reading “A 20-Minute Chicken & Chickpea Dinner with Herbed Feta & Fried Onions”
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Are you planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina & looking for some good restaurant recommendations? If so, I’ve created this handy guide highlighting some of the best places to dine and drink in and around the Holy City.
Continue reading “The Best Places To Eat & Drink In Charleston”
I make this colorful salad quite often because it literally takes just 5-minutes to prepare, always tastes amazing, and adds a nice pop of acid and much needed crunch to any hearty meat dish. And now that it’s grilling season – I figured I would share this quick, hassle-free recipe since coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any spring or summer barbecue! I personally have always preferred a bright, crisp coleslaw made with large strips of cabbage to the finely grated, mayonnaise drenched, sweeter alternative. So if you, too, appreciate the flavors of fresh cruciferous veggies and a light, tangy dressing, you’ll surely enjoy this easy recipe.
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I make this hearty, meat sauce at least three times a month and typically serve it with pappardelle or gnocchi. I almost always use grass-fed ground beef but have also prepared this exact recipe with ground turkey, chicken, and pork on various occasions. It’s a favorite in my household and a hit amongst dinner guests which is why I figured it was about time that I share my easy Ragù alla Bolognese recipe for all to enjoy.
Continue reading “A Simply Irresistible Ragù alla Bolognese”
Everyone can name the groceries that they absolutely love and simply cannot live without. Keep reading for an in depth list of the ingredients that I purchase regularly and always try to keep in my personal kitchen no matter the season. Each of these pantry staples truly holds a special place in my heart because they allow me to create tasty meals day after day.
Continue reading “Pantry Staples: My Personal List Of Must-Have, Everyday Ingredients”
As a child, my parents often hosted a large Christmas Eve party for family & friends. The dinner that my mom cooked was of a different cuisine every year, but the appetizers were pretty much always the same. Some of those traditional starters included meatballs, spicy oyster shooters, and of course, potato balls from Porto’s. In addition to these items, my mom always baked up a slew of savory, puff pasty hors d’oeuvres! One batch would be filled with seasoned ground beef, and the other batch would be filled with roasted red bell peppers and spinach. The best part was that my brother, grandma, dad, and I were always allowed to have a warm pastry straight out of the oven before guests arrived! The flaky pockets were, of course, delicious and a special treat that I looked forward to my mom making every holiday season! The following recipe is inspired by my mother’s joy of cooking, old family traditions, and my obsession with all things puff pastry.
Continue reading “Flaky & Delicious Mushroom & Havarti Puffs”
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I visited Charleston for the first time this past August and was really excited to indulge in some good ol’ southern style biscuits while there. Since I love researching eateries before vacationing in a new city, I quickly discovered that Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit was a beloved staple and immediately made plans to visit one of their cafes before leaving South Carolina.
Continue reading “Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits: A Make-At-Home Treat”
