I don’t feel like I’m 45.  So much so that recently, I have caught myself saying the wrong age–like 44, or 25. They always said that would happen. I’m not going to complain about being 45.  Age is all relative, and truthfully I only feel old sometimes. Typically, it’s a few days after doing something […]

I’ve recently become obsessed with hummingbird cake.  First, I love the name: it sounds pretty.  Second, it’s almost a cross between four of my favorite sweets: coconut cake, frosted banana cake, carrot cake, and banana bread.  It’s sweet, but not overly so.  It has texture but is super moist.  It’s rustic, yet elegant.  Best of […]

Holistic Health Coach Jennifer Joffe is my featured Changemaker this month.  I lived near Jennifer for almost 3 years, but we did not get introduced until she had moved to Portland, been certified as a Holistic Health Coach, and launched Project Healthy Body. “Health Coach” is a term that has been popping up a lot lately. […]

Challah is a special bread in Jewish cuisine that is braided and typically eaten on Sabbath, as well as several Jewish holidays–excluding Passover. The name “challah” refers to the act of separating a small portion of the dough, which is then set aside as a “tithe” for what is known as the “Kohen”.  The act […]

Sometimes a smoothie just doesn’t cut it. So I’m mixing it up a bit with this raspberry-pineapple protein slushy and it’s perfect for the Spring and Summer months. I thought a bright, fruity, protein slushy might be just what I needed to kick-start my Spring and give me a non-caffeinated energy boost. Personally, with all […]

Egg-in-a-hole is what I call it.  But there are many other names for this delightfully simple recipe:  “bird in a nest,” “egg-in-a-hat,” “toad-in-a-hole,” “one-eyed-monster,” “tigers-eye,” “bullseye,” “private eyes,” and even “barn-yard,”  If you are interested in learning about the backstory of this simple dish, I recommend you check out the article “The Ambiguous History of […]

My older son believes that he could live on mozzarella sticks—they are his guilty pleasure.  When I was his age, I loved them as well.  For lunch, my friends and I would often head to Mama’s Pizza on Broadway on the Upper West Side, right around the corner from our school.  We would munch on […]

Chef Charlie Ayers is my featured Changemaker this month.  Ayers is often known as the “Google Chef”.  Yes, he was the mastermind behind the incredible, innovative, earth-friendly food originally served on Google’s Mountain View campus (which everyone in NorCal who does not work for Google has heard about for years). Google’s food offerings became the standard […]

I don’t make bread pudding often, but it used to be part of my daily routine. When I worked as a chef, bread pudding was a very popular item on the menu, and I was tasked with preparing it.  There are endless variations of this classic dessert, and I have had some great ones over […]

I read about this drink a while ago and it left a lasting impression.  I used to be scared of tequila. Chalk it up to a bad experience at a young age. Older, I now find tequila fascinating. Its versatility amazes me. And if you haven’t had the good stuff yet, try it, it’s life-changing. […]

My family loves Japanese food. Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup based on a stock called dashi. It is believed miso was first introduced to Japan in the 7th century by Buddhist monks.  According to Japanese mythology, miso is a gift to mankind from the gods to assure health, longevity, and happiness. In Japan, […]

I think my little one is addicted to Nutella. Seriously, he would eat it every day if I allowed it. For the record, I don’t, it’s a treat.  I can’t blame him.  Who does not love this chocolatey hazelnut spread inside a warm crepe?  It’s my fault, I introduced him to this dessert spread years […]

If you liked my cucumber-tequila cooler, you may enjoy this refreshing spring cleanse cocktail. Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets. Spring is the season of rejuvenation and renewal. Plants, vegetables, and flowers begin to grow.  Spring comes around just as we are all reaching our wits’ end.  When we can’t take the long, cold days […]

Spaghetti with meatballs and marinara sauce, is considered an American family favorite.  Many think this well-known favorite is Italian, but it isn’t. Italy has its version of meatballs, but they are called “polpettes” but they are not served with pasta.  Unlike most American meatballs, polpettes are typically made from turkey or fish and are much […]

Rich brown butter bourbon blondies, seriously need I say more?!?!? I do a lot of things for my kids, probably too much, but I’m still in denial about that. If you have kids, you may agree, you do the same.  Parenting, as wonderful as it is, is also utterly exhausting.  Almost 15 years in, it has […]