The Blog

It’s back to school time here in Northeast Tennessee and that means it’s time to start packing those lunches. And it’s not just lunch time you have to plan for, but rushed breakfasts and kids with the after-school munchies. Here’s a few quick and easy ideas to keep those tummies full without giving you a headache. A ‘Note’ of Encouragement: …

Summer gardens are hitting their stride and what to do with all their bounty? Even if you don’t have your own garden, farmer’s markets and grocery produce counters are bursting with delicious flavors. Here are some simple ideas of how to enjoy the abundance and make sure these seasonal favorites don’t go to waste. But before I do, let me …

Happy Birthday, America! You can add some ‘bang’ to your celebration with these easy, festive ideas! Layered Drinks These family-friendly drinks are simple to do and add a wow factor to your party. The first example is to simply freeze colorful fruit with water in ice trays to use with cold water or a clear beverage of your choice. The …

The kids are on their summer break at last! Now that those little hungry mouths are home all day long, here’s some yummy and (mostly) healthy snack options that kids and moms will both love. Eat the Rainbow While it seems many kids’ two favorite food groups are sugar and salt, we know that making better food choices will benefit …

Strawberry season is in full swing here in the Mountain South and I’m celebrating by sharing two tasty shortcuts that go perfect with any seasonal fruit: Shortcut Shortcakes and Crème Anglaise, made in the microwave! Because these recipes are so versatile, I’m also going to show you a few ways to use them year around.   Shortcut Shortcakes This is …

This super delicious Mother’s Day brunch is the perfect way to start off your favorite mom’s special day. And it’s so simple to make, even a dad can do it! (And the kids can help!) I’ve put together two easy recipes that use a minimum of ingredients and prep time, so even reluctant cooks can have success. Because your family …

I love experiencing the foods of other cultures! Recently, I was thrilled to do just that, when visiting dear friends and fellow competitors from Next Great Baker, David and Elaine Duran. David’s parents are from the Dominican Republic, while Elaine’s are from Puerto Rico. Elaine is known in the Orlando, Florida area as a successful cake artist and owner of Enticing …

I love cooking dishes for my family that are simple, delicious, versatile, and save me money. Roasted Chicken hits all those points and it’s a recipe I’ve used for years. And once you’ve made it, you’ve also created the base for several other tasty dishes as well. Some cooks today have become accustomed to using only boneless and skinless cuts …

Here’s some fun and simple ideas to make Easter a special day for the kids in your life! Colorful Sugar Cookies Dye isn’t just for eggs! Using your favorite sugar cookie dough, you can create bright and colorful Easter cookies that are already decorated when they came out of the oven! For all of these techniques, cold dough works better, …

Daffodils are popping up, the grass is slowly greening, and the days are getting longer. Spring is just around the corner! Here’s some ideas to get some spring in your step by putting some spring flavors on your plate, all with peas! Whether fresh sugar snaps or frozen peas, this lovely vegetable is versatile, tasty, and good for you! Visualize …