My cooking has gone through quite the transformation from the early days when my roomates and I each knew how to make about 3 dishes, and we all had spaghetti as one of those three things. Here are the things that really moved the needle to become a much better cook through self study. This post may include affiliate links, if you make a person I may earn a commission. As am Amazon affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. I only share my honest opinions and recommendations.
One thing about me: I always have room for dessert. I'm always looking for fun and delicious spots that will cure my sweet tooth when it hits and, so far, these have been some of my favorites around the DFW area.
I've spent a year living in New York and have visited countless times since. A slice of New York pizza has been my dinner on many a weeknight after work. And of course, I've sampled a few full pies too. Here are the best spots around New York for pizza slices and pizza pies.
I am the primary shopper for our family of 4. As a SAHM, I feel like it’s my duty to keep our groceries within budget so we’re not sacrificing other things. Shopping in bulk is my go to and I have learned where and when to buy most things to ensure I am never paying full price out of desperation. Here is a list of my usual suspects when grocery shopping for my family at Sam’s!!
Here’s the TEA
I’ve fell in love with these flavors
and I know you will too, here’s some of my favorite creamers, coffee pods /grounds and coffee makers you need!
This list is for students, and anyone else, who could use a comforting drink or a sweet treat to get through long, stressful, or emotionally heavy days. Sometimes a warm cup or a little sugar is the study buddy you didn’t know you needed. You’ve got this 🤍
If you are a FOODIE such as me and my hubby are; these snacks are so satifying to munch while bed rotting watching your fav binge-worthy show. These snacks are always are go-to when we have a sweet-tooth or salty craving; and the best part is, that most of these options are not going to break the bank nor completly sabotage your diet. As a Weygovy girlie as myself, I can be very picky when it comes to food (especially when Im feeling nauseated from GLP1 medication).
My husband has a dairy allergy and egg allergy. Has had it for around 5 years now. We have a hard time going out to eat and asking to read labels on things all the time. Some key words to watch for are " lactic acid, sodium lactic " these hidden cheap additives make my husband sick. So here are our household recommendations!
Everything I use to make a classic old fashioned at home—from the right bourbon to glassware, ice molds, and the little extras that make it taste like you ordered it out. Simple, easy, and actually doable.
A moodboard of everything I’m fixated on this month: my emotional support coffee order, local hidden gems, products I swear by, and all the little random things that are making life as a millennial boy mama feel fun (and a little more put together). Consider this the highlight reel of my current obsessions—equal parts comfy, caffeinated, and slightly unhinged.
I aim for 100g of protein a day so I love having lots of options that taste good and are high in protein, low sugar! These are my favorites. If you have any recommendations let me know because I'm always on the look out for more to add!
My favorite bagels all in one place. I really love bagels but there are no good local bagel shops. We discovered New Yorker Bagels and were hooked from the first order. Being from Jersey, I'm a little picky about my bagels 🥯😁.
I love visiting NYC, and one of my favorite parts is trying different coffee shops. After four trips, I have recommendations for where to go and what to order on your next visit to the city!
I love finding gifts that are useful, edible, and align with the recipient's true favorites. Over the years, I’ve narrowed down a short list of items that I’ve personally sent (sometimes multiple times!) because they are functional, high-quality, and always well-received. From the popular collapsible fruit baskets to the little luxuries that make a house feel like a home, these are my go-to's.
My dad is a chef so I grew up my entire life eating, learning about, and basically breathing good quality food. I am very picky about the quality of food that I put in my body and I only keep going back to the same spot if they stay consistent, not only with flavor but again with the quality. Here are some of my favorite spots to go eat, and most of these places I have been going to for years. Hope you guys enjoy (:
My fav coffee spots in Vernon, BC. From cozy cafés to quick drive-thru options, underrated local gems, and coffee spots with great food, this list makes it easy to find the right place for any kind of coffee run.
What I use for my cottage bakery farmers market setup. Anything from decor to signage. These items having been very helpful with catching the eyes of customers and taking the guesswork of what I have to offer.
Here I am sharing my favourite food bloggers and their amazing cookbooks if available. Many provide gluten free recipes as I have celiac and have to eat gluten free. Thankfully my family loves my cooking and have now started to eat and enjoy gluten free meals and sweet treats.
My morning coffee, drank slowly, in the quiet hours before everyone else gets up is my favorite part of the day. I love coffee and this list is a few of the things that make my morning coffee perfect!
you might not realize it; but the appliances we cook and prepare and serve food in actually are full of plastics, forever chemicals, and heavy metals- so even if you eat organic and pay attention to ingredients, you still are ingesting harmful things because of the appliances and utensils! This list has some healthy and clean options (made without chemical processing, and without heavy metals) for you to support your health!
Le Creuset makes a wide range of enameled cast iron cookware and bakeware, all in beautiful colors! These are high quality iyems that have a LIFETIME guarantee (and a high price point). If you're going to have one or several pieces of Le Creuset for your life, tou better learn what to use them for (hint...just about anything!) This list pairs up my most used cookware with some favorite recipes. BTW...My BFF works for one of the stores and when Christmas comes, I know I'm getting a new piece in my color shallot, thanks bestie!
If you’re in Chicago and hungry, trust me — you’re in for a treat. I’m talking deep-dish slices with oozing cheesy goodness. Want to get a little fancy? There are spots serving artfully crafted dishes that turn your meal into a masterpiece.And for burger lovers? Juicy, unforgettable perfection is always just a fork’s reach away. Whatever you're craving, Chicago’s got a spot for you. Loosen that belt — it’s time to dig in!
My favorite items for my morning matcha latte! These are my curated ingredients and tools, with the Ube and Spirulina ingredients for if you want to get fancy with your morning drink.Disclaimer: I work for and am invested in Chamberlain Coffee.
Are you often too exhausted to make yourself a proper meal? Here are some of my favorite easy to make safe foods that keep me fed even when im severely fatigued or burnt out.
i love hosting but not the stress that comes with it, these recipes are either super simple, or they can be done ahead of time! save yourself from having to run around the kitchen while entertaining your guests
Discovering local cuisine in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni is a delight, especially for solo travelers. This list covers some of the best local spots and dishes to try when you're exploring on your own. From cozy cafes to local markets, each stop offers a unique flavor of French Guiana hospitality and food culture.
Often times, the best way to get rid of any kind of creative block is by getting out of your home office! These are some of my fave shops in L.A. for finding a relaxing, inspirational space with a great cup of matcha.
There is nothing like a reuben and its uniqueness of a sandwich and I'm on the hunt to find the best restaurants in the Chicago area (or anywhere I've traveled to) that have the best of the best!
I am a 5 ingredient recipe kind of mom. The easier the better! We keep plenty stock of fruits and veggies and my kids naturally gravitate towards those anyways. Snacks and drinks are our weakness but they get plenty of protein and healthy foods in the fridge! I also tend to lean towards store brands if I can but these are things I’m a stickler on for name brand.
A list of my favorite soups I love to make and enjoy as a family, from our traditional Mexican soups, to Italian to our American Favorite soups. Enjoy!
Fresh high-quality fruit is one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. It's elegant and everyone always loves it. Many of these sources offer subscriptions and boxes. My mother sent me and my family a case of oranges and grapefruit from Pittman & Davis every year in December. Delicious!
I love to cook! I love trying new recipes, I love finding inspiring meals, and I love cooking from scratch. Finding ways to nourish my family that are both delicious and cost effective!
This List is full of all things kitchen must haves, cooking tools, favorite food products and more!
I cannot wait to go to sleep so I can wake up and make coffee! We ditched those single serving coffee pods and invested in a nice coffee machine that grinds the beans and we tested so many and this is what we are loving! This makes my mornings! Enjoy!
I was recommended to go GF to reduce inflammation and here’s what I’ve tried and enjoyed eating! Will be adding different things as I also have had experience dealing with anaphylactic allergy to gluten and other allergens
I love being in my kitchen. These are my “kitchen fairies” - the quiet helpers behind the scenes that make everyday cooking, preserving and from-scratch food feel lighter and more joyful.
From a Jersey City native, here are some places that you may or may not know for drinks or dinner.
You’ll thank me later for putting them on your radar.
These places have a bit of everything to satisfy all my taste buds. In my opinion food brings togetherness one plate at a time. I love to eat it brings me comfort and sense of belonging. Im heavy on having favor in my meals.
Tools and gadgets designed to make cooking easier, faster and more fun for neuro-spicy brains. Whether you’re overwhelmed by clutter or want practical helpers in the kitchen, this list highlights my favorites.
If you’re tired of tourist traps and want the real Orlando food experience, this list is for you. These are the spots locals actually eat at — affordable, flavorful, and full of personality. From late-night bites to comfort food favorites, here’s where Orlando locals go every time they’re hungry.
A collection of the trendiest Alani drinks and products everyone’s talking about! From bold flavors to fun packaging, these are the cult favorites that keep popping up everywhere.
Get ready to fall head over heels for the Windy City because this isn't just a list; it's your VIP pass to Chicago's most iconic spots and hidden gems! From sky-high views that will steal your breath away to deep-dish pizza that will steal your heart (and maybe your diet!), we're talking about a city packed with endless fun. So, lace up your walking shoes, charge your camera, and prepare to discover why everyone falls in love with this amazing city! 🍕🏙️
Taco night is one of our favorite meal nights with the kids. Everyone loves their just a little bit different so this list includes the favorites for the various people in our family!
Yummy gluten-free & dairy-free car snacks for traveling. Fresh fruit and veggies are always an option but here are some treats and protein bars to take with you.
To make this you will need all thse ingredients:
- 2 lbs of ground beef
- A pack of chilli seasoning. (I Prefer McCormick)
- oregano leaves
- basil
- cumin
- elbow noodles
- 8ozs of velveeta cheese
- 2 cans of chilli beans
- 2 cans of black beans ( drained)
- 2 cans of rotel tomatoes ( I prefer mild)
- 4 cups of beef broth
- 2 cups of shredded cheese
All you will need to do is brown the ground beef and put it in the crock pot along with the chilli seasoning, rotel tomatoes, chilli beans, black beans, and beef broth. Put on high for about 3 hours and then add the elbow noodles, velveeta, and shredded cheese. Let it cook for about 30 minutes and then serve.
Some people meal prep. I… assemble random items in my pantry and fridge to consume. Whether it’s ‘girl dinner,’ a midnight snack, or a fridge-cleanout charcuterie moment, these are the staples I keep stocked. They’re versatile, snackable, and sometimes questionable — but they always come through when I can’t be bothered to cook (which I already don't enjoy doing lol) 🥖🧀🍫
What is freshly milled flour bread and why is it beneficial? Fresh milled flour bread is taking the wheat berries and grinding them up yourself to make flour! Freshly milled wheat is milled working 24 hours and is the way bread was originally made. After the 24 hour mark the flour is considered “dead”, which is where people can begin to run into digestion issues with eating food with flour. With it being milled so soon and “still alive” it is full of more nutrients, active enzymes. Full of many different vitamins, and the active enzymes contribute to gut health. It is especially beneficial to those who struggle to eat gluten (myself included)
This is a list of kitchen supplies I use the most often and find helpful. I love to cook and bake for my family so I’m always trying to find ways to make it even more enjoyable.
new york city may be known for food in general, but finding reliable gluten free options can be challenging. as someone who grew up in a celiac household and has since developed a wheat allergy, this list has all my faves in the city!
Gift baskets are a creative way to give a gift with fun items that most people don't get to use on a daily basis. I've always gotten a lot of compliments when I've given one and I always love to recieve one as I think they are such unique gifts. Here are some that are available specifically for fall.
Take your cookies to the next level with specialty packaging! Boxes, clear bags, stand up pouches, food safe cookie backers, stretch loops, tags, and so much more. Your cookies deserve awesome packaging!