Whip up dinner in 10 minutes or less

Where is last week’s article? It never happened. I didn’t write one. Burning Man consumed my every moment.  A hiatus was a must to ensure that this year’s burn was epic…and it certainly was. We danced, we cried, we ran, we tripped (vicariously through a volunteer position with the Zendo).

Then, we came back home and got back in the kitchen. I figured it was time for a freestyle video. Totally unfiltered. This is how we walk, talk, move and groove in the kitchen, and we even had the boy come in (watch to find out who he is). There so much work to be done before, after and during Burning Man, so we were into a quick-yet super nourishing dinner.…

30 second dinner

There’s no good reason to spend hours in the kitchen every day. I highly recommend an hour or two-maybe once a week? Otherwise,

[Tweet “I’m all about fast, efficient and nourishing. “]

My husband Joe and I were traveling this summer and we wanted all the time we could get on the beach in Miami (we dream about that bathwater frequently). In other words, we wanted to spend as little time inside as possible. However, south Florida is nothing like the San Francisco Bay area. The sensual food scene is sparse. We opted for preparing our own at home. We rent through airbnb when we travel and always look for a decent kitchen. This spot couldn’t be beaten.

We’re home reminiscing already.…

Do you have kitchen trauma?

What was dinner like for you as a child? Did your mother or father, grandmother or caregiver figure in your life cook for you? Was there love in your kitchen?

This summer, while my husband Joe and I were in Miami, we met up with a good friend of ours who I learned something new about. She was raving about decorating her new apartment and how getting placemats for the kitchen table was a big feat for her. I listened intently and felt happy for her, but had to cock my head a bit and think about the placemat comment. It was a “feat?” Why were placemats such a big deal. I asked and she went on to explain that the kitchen wasn’t her strong point.…

Recipe for Savory, Nutty Italian-inspired Crackers

Crackers can be addicting finger foods. Anything in bite-sized form with a delectable crunch always gets me excited. I love crunchy and savory. These crackers are made with fresh basil, so they’re even more delicious. I believe that my serious cracker snacking days were when I was young. I’d sit with a box of Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies and go to town (I’m sounding super Wisconsin right now aren’t I)? For me, there’s this childhood nostalgia associated with crackers.

I have to be honest, there are a few strings attached here. This recipe includes almond meal. Yes, you

can purchase almond meal at the grocery store, however!  My boatload of almond meal, chillin’ in the freezer is from the gallons upon gallons of almond milk I’ve made.…

Leave the dirt outside

Do you take your shoes off before you walk into your house? My mother and grandmother always did so I think I just picked up the habit. The habit became a must after my first international travel experience in Thailand, almost a decade ago. Even before walking into retail stores, I had to remove my shoes. Almost always, the floor was so clean, I was elated to step in with my bare soles.

This is the same feeling I like to have when I walk into my kitchen at home. It’s like my sacred temple. I want to walk into my kitchen and get that squeaky clean, shiny feeling. For some reason french fries, oreos and things like slim-jims just don’t get me in that space.…

Freaky Friday the 13th Arctic Apple®

Are you superstitious? Does Friday the 13th make you wake up with your tail between your legs? I’ve always loved it because I was born on the 13th. It’s a great number, and who doesn’t love Friday? Don’t worry I know that it’s not Friday the 13th today, but the last was only a few months ago.

The first Friday the 13th for 2015 was in March, and it was freaky, no doubt. It was the day the GMO apple was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

gmo apple

Why is the GMO apple freaky? It has nothing to do with Friday the 13th of course, despite the fitting approval date. GMO foods are freaky for many reasons.  There are thousands of studies to read as to why.…

7 reasons the sugar ring pop sucks

Have you seen the trailer for the animated film Inside Out? I thought it was hilarious. I have referred to the “voices in my head” countless times. Haven’t you? I saw the trailer for this film just one day before boarding a flight to Philadelphia from San Francisco. My husband, Joe and son Joey and I are visiting New Jersey together for the first time in four years. I miss our life in New Jersey and reminisce frequently, and I figured it was about time to remind myself why we moved to the other side of the country. My first reminder came on the flight over.

My internal dialogue or voices in my head can be very loud and intense sometimes.…

Marijuana juice for a happy marriage

I don’t smoke pot, and I really wanted to write about the amazing the couple’s Sensual Food event that my husband Joe and I hosted last week. But all I can think about is pot, so that’s what I’m ready to divulge.  As for smoking, I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m actually all about it. I am just not a happy person when I’m high. Do I think you should smoke pot (weed, refer, ganja, mary jane, marijuana)? Sure, but why not juice it?! Okay, so this may not be for everyone, but I have to share what I’m excited about, and I listened to a podcast today with Dr. William Courtney. This amazing man has been researching cannabis for decade, and is focused on the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant (in other words the part that doesn’t get you high).…

Relationship advice from Grandma

What did your grandma tell you about the opposite sex? What about relationships and marriage? My grandma taught me a lot of things that I need to unlearn to be quite honest. Yet, there’s so many things that my parents, and grandparents taught me that I believe was so important. There’s always a deeper meaning if you care to dive deeper into their words. As humans, we continue to evolve, grow and expand, but I know one thing for sure made sense; and my husband’s grandmother told him on the phone when he spoke to her on this past mother’s day.

[Tweet “Grandma said: healthy relationships are built around the kitchen”]

For me, this has held true. Maybe it’s my connection to the Italian traditions and the emphasis on family.…

Werewolves and Chocolate Sauce

When was the last time you were invited over to a friend’s place for dinner? Did they cook?

For a few years, I was really missing breaking bread with friends. Yes, Joe and I are invited to friend’s home a few times each month for dinner. I’m not complaining (and thank you to the friends who are reading this now). We truly love it so much, we decided we want ALL of our friends to join us. Of course we couldn’t host-everyone, but just the right number happened to accept the invite. It was perfect. I was in awe of how much good energy was flowing in our little humble abode-and the incredible dynamic between all of us.  

werewolves party

For such a long time-4 years to be exact-I’ve had total kitchen shame.…