Every year I almost wing it on January 1st and every year the meal falls flat. After a decade of trial and error with black eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread, and all the Southern luck traditions, I finally locked in the exact products that make the whole spread come together without spending all day in the kitchen. This is for anyone who wants a legit New Year's Day table but doesn't want to start prepping at 6 AM. Grab what you need before shelves clear out in late December.
I had to go gluten free 2 years ago and it was a boring struggle at first until I started gathering recipes. I have tried out a lot of things some good and some not so much. These are some of my favorites with many options from sweet to savory. Enjoy!
Never get stuck with the dreaded question "where should we eat"? These are the BEST places I've found that just about everything on the menu BUST DOWN. These are the places in my regular rotation and I am always excited to go to no matter the drive (althought this list is somewhat central they have varied neighborhoods). You'll leave full and satisfied and that's a promise.
My husband and I are total foodies and are always looking for somewhere new to try. These are our Tucson favorites, from tried-and-true spots we keep going back to, to hidden gems and new finds that are actually worth the hype.
Every time I put out a cheese board it looked like a sad deli platter from 2009 — same toothpicks, same boring layout, zero personality. Once I swapped in miniature swords, proper serving tools, and a few clever extras, people started actually photographing my spreads. This is everything I use now, and most of it is under fifteen bucks. If you host even twice a year, grab these before your next dinner party so you're not scrambling last minute like I always used to.
An assortment of restaraunts and dive bars you should visit. These are my favorite places to hang in the Valley of the Sun! (Don't sleep on this list!)
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all Sawtelle has to offer, however I have spent a LOT of time around here trying everything I can and have curated opinions on pretty much every single shop and restaurant. It never gets old guiding friends and family through my favorite spots, there is always something new to experience. A new viral dish, a weekend pop-up, even spotting celebrities. If you’re thinking of visiting, or want to explore more, you may find these recommendations helpful. Here lies my honest attempt at encouraging you to explore my favorite part of Los Angeles.
My kids love all of these and best of all they’re nut free so they can be sent to school. Bonus, they’re made with healthy ingredients so you can feel good about giving them to your kids
Half my fridge used to end up in the trash by Friday. Wilted celery, sad carrots, that bag of spinach I swore I'd use. Once I started making Sunday night soup from whatever was about to go bad, my grocery bill dropped and my meals actually got better. If you're tired of throwing away produce you paid good money for, these are the exact tools and ingredients I reach for every single week.
There are a few beaches that I travel to yearly as the weather gets warmer. Here are some of my favorite treats from our Rehobeth beach and Ocean City beach roadtrips.
I had never heard of an ingredient household until recently and as it turns out, I'm definitely an ingredient household. I have learned to love cooking and have always loved baking. On average, we cook two meals a day in our house and it's all from scratch. I do not do giant extravagant meals every time, I have 3 small children, no dishwasher and I like to keep it simple as much as possible. Here I am sharing what I always keep on hand to have quick and easy meals made from scratch!
I am ADDICTED to caffeine, and I'm not lying when I tell y'all that I went out and bought coffee every single day. My dear friends got me a Nespresso for my birthday last year, and I literally stopped buying overpriced drinks because I discovered I could just make them at home for WAY less 😩 and not to toot my own horn but my drinks taste better than cafes now 👀 so here are my favorite products that helped me set up my own aesthetic little café at home and make a killer latte/matcha!!
I need to have a good strong coffee to function! I was going to Starbucks daily until I invested in a machine and I wouldn’t have it any other way now! ☕️
I love cooking and baking, especially since I grew up with my mother and grandmother constantly crafting up food in the kitchen. When I moved out, I wanted to cook and bake as well as they did but I found myself overwhelmed and often confused when I tried. I was also a college student, and had little time to make meals for myself. I turned to these beginner cookbooks to help me and it was the best decision!
That one friend who always knows the best spot to eat, or the aspiring home cook locked into the Food Network, these gifts will delight any hungry foodie on a birthday or holiday
My favorite Costco buys (food + drink focused) that typically make it into my cart at least once a month. These are the items that make eating healthy and still enjoying what I put into my body easier. Treats are included, because life isn't as bright without a little joy.
Sharing my favorites with you :) My #1 highest top rated high protein, low calorie snacks! I eat every one of these, and continue to add more when I find new top contenders. Food that fuels the body is my number one goal. 
If you've ever tried to slice a tomato for burgers and ended up with a pile of mush, or your knife just slides across the skin while the insides squirt everywhere, this list is for you. I spent way too long fighting with dull knives and wobbly cutting boards before I finally figured out the right combo of tools. Whether you're meal prepping salads or just want sandwich tomatoes that don't look like they lost a fight, grab these before your next cookout.
because mexican food can be elevated, and it can also be street food. it has so many faces and flavors that not only one version of your abuelitas cocina is true, from north to south, there is so much richness and variety that is hard for one single mexican to even know the complexity and the full variety of it. Every corner of mexico is capable of its own version of mole, barbacoa, or tacos and its so beautiful to experience all of it without judgement and with openness to appreciate. this post is to showcase some of the modern mexican concept restaurants that I am so happy to see thrive in a place like Denver. That for sooo many years you could not find a vast or true representation of all that is Mexican cuisine can be. I am also a fan of the aesthetics and the experience bc I am also *just a girl* so these are honestly a fave for date nights, girls night, or a celebratory dinner spot.
Everyone loves hot chocolate! Here are items to make a great cocoa bar. I did this cocoa bar twice, my friends and family loved it!! The kids asked for it even in summer!!
When people think of New York they imagine the big lights in New York City. But don't forget about upstate New York and the capital city of Albany! It is smaller, not as busy, and there are some amazing restaurants in and around Albany. If you're ever in the area here are some of my favorite restaurants to add to your must try list.
Every Saturday was the same — I'd fire up the grill, slap on whatever store-bought sauce was in the fridge, and wonder why nothing tasted like actual barbecue. Spent two years hunting down small batch sauces from real pitmasters and craft makers, and now my neighbors literally show up uninvited when they smell the smoke. If you're tired of that generic ketchup-with-liquid-smoke flavor, this lineup took me dozens of orders to narrow down so you don't have to.
Ever wonder what's hiding in someone else's fridge or pantry? Come take a peek inside ours! From our favorite sodas and coffee to nuts, everyday snacks, supplements, and kitchen staples like butter, this is a collection of things we actually enjoy and keep on hand. You'll find a mix of practical favorites, better-for-you options, and a few treats we enjoy in moderation. I'm always curious about what others stock in theirs, so here's a little look at what you'll find in ours!
These are the family go tos for our snack/drink cravings. Hopefully you find something you’ll love ❤️. I have shared healthy, not so healthy, and drinks
We go through a lot of coffee in my house. A lot of coffee, a lot of syrups and a lot of cups. This list is everything coffee related that we've used over the years. We have beans we like, syrup brands we're loyal to and gadgets that elevate our coffee game.
A lot of restaurants around brooklyn and new york, many around prospect park and crown heights. Some of the best food in the world is in New York and I gladly fasts for days at a time in order to afford to eat at some of these places, but many of the places you will find on the list are incredibly affordable hole in the wall spots that will ingrain you with locals and the high class traditional new yorkers who know food. You will also find many plant based options highlighted since my partner is prodominatly vegan.
If you think instant noodles are boring—think again. Indomie is on a whole other level. As a lifelong mie lover, I’ve tasted tons of their wild and wonderful flavors, and here are 15 of my all-time faves. From spicy sambal explosions to creamy comfort bowls, these are the ones that truly stand out. Get your fork ready!
Staring at a bubbling vat of something unidentifiable on a Jaipur sidewalk, every instinct said walk away — but my Indian friend shoved a plate in my hands and honestly, nothing in my life has tasted the same since. Built this list for anyone planning their first trip to India who wants to eat like a local without spending three days Googling what's safe. Took me four trips and one regrettable bathroom incident to narrow this down so you don't have to.
Calling all foodies! From quick stop cafes to sit-down restaurants, here is a local's guide to some of my favorite places in Southern California that are worth the try!
Rolling sushi at home should be relaxing, not a fight with a stinky plastic mat that somehow holds onto last week's fish smell no matter how many times you scrub it. This is for the home sushi maker who got tired of wrapping everything in cling film just to keep the mat from getting gross. Took me a full year of trial and error to land on gear that actually works, so save yourself the headache.
As a Mexican food lover, I definitely had to test multiple restaurants and afterwards do a list of my favorites. These restaurants are manly located in Tulum and Valladolid.
As a South Florida native, I know some of the best places to visit when looking for a bite to eat. Whether it’s coffee, fine dining, desserts and grill, here’s my recs:
Eating gluten free has saved my stomach and mind. I am constantly finding more and more great gluten free foods. These are my must grabs when I am looking for a snack at Target!
The Riiche Holy Grail Groceries are here! Get out your shopping list and pack your pantry with these staples. We all need quick and easy meals, so try these items and make something special.
Coffee 🤝🏽 Me. Listen, I have a coffee maker at home but I don’t care! I love visiting different coffee spots in the city to work, read, meet up or just chill. Coffee girlies unite!
I'm a bit of a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur. It's gotta be soft and chewy on the inside with a crisp exterior. These are some of my favorites in the Boston area:
I lived on Staten Island for over 3 decades and still work there. These are my recommendations for places to eat in the forgotten borough. Most of these recs are for sit down restaurant or catering type experiences.
Let me know if you think I put each of these restaurants on its proper shore: north/south/midisland
One of my favorite jobs I've ever had was working at Nespresso in the Prudential Center in Boston during my college years - I mean, I was basically getting paid to fan girl over my favorite coffee!😍 I know every flavor like the back of my hand and can even recognize capsules by the flavor. Here are all my recs as a fan and ex-employee!🤓
Alexa Young | Mum, Pilates Teacher, Home Cook, Renovator
I love cooking for our family if 5, but if can easily get overwhelming. With instant access to google, the options can feel way too numerous. Instead I try to cook from the cookbooks I know and love. I’ll google a recipe when I need it, but I love cooking the same meal again and again to practice and refine it.
I live in Vegas. And I'm so tired of my friends visiting and spending all their vacation money on food cuz it's on Las Vegas Boulevard. SHARE THIS LIST with people visiting vegas! Grab an Uber and discover what's REALLY good to eat here 🎯💯
Starbucks perfection! If you're a Starbucks fan or wanting to do a Starbucks theme party, then this list is for you. I turned my daughter so birthday into a Starbucks-themed extravaganza! From custom treats to DIY crafts, every detail was tailored perfectly. I highly recommend all of these items. These personalized items made the day absolutely perfect and can be used for any custom themed party.
December in our house means cookie baking marathons, sprinkles on every surface, and tins of treats for neighbors and teachers. After years of trial and error, I have found the sheet pans, mixers, and decorating tools that make holiday baking fun instead of stressful. These are my go-to picks from mixing bowl to gift tin. Share your family's favorite Christmas cookie in the comments!
(This list contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
I'm a foodie and have lived in Lancaster PA for pretty much all my life, so here is my list of the best restaurants around including both casual and nicer spots.
As a self proclaimed martini expert, I take martini recommendations very seriously. Here’s my list of the best in Boston, organized by the coldest, the best presentation, and the classics.
Poached eggs shouldn't require a culinary degree, a vinegar bottle, and a prayer. If you've ever watched your egg whites dissolve into sad wispy clouds in a pot of swirling water, this list is for you. I spent way too long ruining breakfasts before landing on the gear that actually works. Whether you're meal prepping or just want a decent eggs Benedict on a Sunday without the drama, grab these before your next brunch attempt.
I’m widowed, and my daughter is grown, but I still love to cook and want my meals to be not only tasty but also aesthetically pleasing. However, after becoming an empty nester, I found it increasingly challenging to prepare appetizing meals in smaller portions. When I searched for ways to prepare meals for myself, I was disappointed to find that many of the recipes on the web were quite tasteless, and inaccurately documented recipes were abundant as well. Determined to create a repertoire of individually portioned meals that were easy to prepare and appetizing, I set out to do so. This list includes recipes that I have tried and found to be delicious, as well as other ideas, tools, and small appliances that contribute to making a table for one easier, tasteful, and more beautiful.
No faces. Just flavor. These are the kitchen workhorses behind the plates on Doggone Good Eats — garlic butter shrimp, peach cobbler, cornbread, smothered plates and all that creamy pasta. Big enough for a real spread, simple enough for a weeknight.
Rice is one of those foods that quietly shows up in almost every kitchen, every culture, and almost every comfort meal, yet the type you choose can completely change the taste, texture, and even the mood of a dish. This list brings together popular and trusted rice varieties that people actually buy online from well-known American stores outside Amazon and Etsy so they’re easy to verify and shop. Whether you cook daily or just want a few reliable staples, this collection helps you explore better grains without overthinking it. Scroll through, pick your favorite, and at the end choose the one you personally love most or share which one you’ve tried and would recommend from your own cooking experience.
Strawberry juice running down your arm, avocado pits flying across the counter, mango slices that look like a crime scene. If your fruit prep takes twice as long as it should and leaves your cutting board looking like a battlefield, this is the lineup that finally made me feel competent. Took me two summers of sticky chaos to figure it out so you don't have to.
Being a crunchy mom is okay when you can say my kids eat clean, healthy, and still have very yummy snacks through the day. Here is a list of snacks that are so clean & are go to when shopping at Costco! Trust me you won’t regret it!!
These MTL restos have never let me down! I've visited every spot in this list at least twice, some, up to a dozen times 😱 This is the list of recommendations I send/take my foodie out-of-town friends to! *all food photos are my own*
I’m a jersey shore born native, this is a list of my personal favorite restaurants on the shore in Monmouth county & some slightly away from the shore. I’ll be adding more as I remember and visit new locations since I have moved back home recently. Try them and enjoy!
This list is for all the moms, grandmas, wives, and whoever else who loves to cook! Fall is such a cozy time and when soups come back into season. This list shares amazing recipes to make at home, some of my favorite kitchen finds, and a planner to help you plan out your family's week with meals!
I am by no means a nutritionist, and this should never replace talking to a trained professional. However, these are some decently healthy(ish) snacks that I, as an athlete, have come to rely on.
Everything I use to make café-style coffee at home. This setup works in a small kitchen, looks aesthetic on the counter, and includes the tools I actually use daily for iced coffee and lattes 💕
I find it hard to juggle being a wife, content creator, dog mom, friend, etc. most days, which makes it absolutely imperative for me to have quick things to grab from the fridge or freezer when I don't have time to cook a full, proper meal, or meal plan at the beginning of the week. Some of these items are more complete meals, but oftentimes, I find myself combining 2-3 of these items that each take very little time to prepare, to make myself a nice #girllunch or #girldinner that satisfies all the major food groups. I'm also throwing in some of my favorite snacks if you need an afternoon pick-me-up!
These are the restaurants I actually go back to—great food, great vibes, and always worth the stop. From casual bites to sit-down favorites, every place on this list has earned a repeat visit.
As a widow and single mama to my kids, suppertime can be the hardest time of day! So here are some recommendations on good products and ideas to make lives easier!!!!
What I put in my body is a top priority for me. Lately my goal is to add more greens and fiber to my diet and energy-wise I have absolutely noticed a difference. Below you will see are of my current summer favorites that I am enjoying almost on a weekly basis. Enjoy!
Spent two years thinking my cast iron was only good for searing steaks and making a mess — meanwhile I kept ordering delivery because nothing I cooked tasted like a real meal. These cookbooks and tools finally cracked the code on one-pot dinners that taste like someone who actually knows what they're doing made them. If you stare at your skillet wondering what else it can do, save yourself the trial-and-error phase I went through.
Lately while walking through the grocery store all you see on the ingredients list are bioengineered or a bunch of dyes. Finding something with real ingredients and no artifical coloring can be hard but not if you go to the right places. I have been making a lot of staples from scratch and seriously the are even more delicious than what you buy with fake ingredients. Happy baking!
Homemade pizza night used to mean toppings sliding everywhere, cheese stretching off the slice, and a cutting board that looked like a crime scene. If you cook at home more than twice a week and your current tools fight you instead of helping you, this is the lineup I landed on after way too many frustrating dinners. Took me a solid year of swaps to get here so you can skip the trial and error.
If you've ever stood over the sink mashing passion fruit through a sieve for twenty minutes, getting seeds everywhere and losing half the pulp, this list is for you. I cook with tropical fruits constantly and got tired of the sticky, wasteful mess. Took me a solid year of testing strainers, presses, and gadgets before landing on this lineup. Grab what you need before passion fruit season hits full swing.
If one of your new years goals is to start cooking at home more or upgrade your kitchen, this board is perfect for you. I have so many of these items in my kitchen and they are a staple now. I love to cook at home and meal prep while in school. Lots of these items make all of that possible.
Everything from natural or plant based, to protein packed, some gluten free and shame free foods to keep your temple (body) running as smooth as possible, especially when you’re a gym girly like I am!
This list is filled with drinks, coffee favorites, sauces, and snacks that I personally buy and enjoy at home. Alani Nu is my go-to when I need a little extra energy, while True Lemon Raspberry Lemonade with Skinny Syrup helps me drink more water during my long workdays. I love making iced coffee with Javy Coffee and adding sugar-free caramel or marshmallow sauce for a special treat. I’ve also included favorite snacks like Garden Salsa SunChips and creamy Yasso Sea Salt Caramel bars. These are honest favorites from my kitchen that I’m happy to recommend!
I am a huge iced latte fan so this list has all my recommendations of what i use at home to make delicious coffees that taste similar to what you pay an arm and leg for at the coffee shops!
I love sharing the snacks I like to buy for my kids because I love getting ideas from other people as well. There are so many options out there now, that there are so many things left undiscovered. Hopefully this list helps you find new snack options for your kids that aren’t filled with tons of ingredients we don’t want to see in our kids food.
If you are looking to start baking sourdough bread (using your own starter), this list is for you! I embarked on this journey earlier this year, and with the help of some TikTokers and a lot of research, I ended up being really successful with it. Here's what I recommend!
Flat loaves, torn crusts, and scoring lines that vanished in the oven. If you've been there, you know the frustration of watching your sourdough come out looking like a sad pancake instead of a bakery showpiece. I spent two years testing lames, blades, and techniques before landing on this setup. Sharing it now so you can skip the trial-and-error phase I went through.
Packing school lunches for middle schoolers means upgrading from cute cartoon lunchboxes to more spacious, durable gear that can handle bigger appetites and more variety. These lunch essentials include larger bento boxes, insulated food jars, sturdy water bottles, reusable snack containers, and smart some of our favorite items. This list is perfect for tweens and teens who want their lunch to look good, stay fresh, and survive the bus ride.
Gadgets I didn't know I needed until they lowkey changed the game. From passive-aggressive dishwasher signs to meat-thawing sorcery. These are the weird little tools that just make life smoother. #Kitchen #LifeHacks #Cooking