What’s for dinner?

Chicken Pear Protein Salad
The latest healthy meal in my recent kick was inspired by, well, the ingredients in the fridge that needed to be used up. When you … [Read More]
What’s for dessert?

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Almond Buttercream Frosting
All year long, I look forward to pumpkin. It's such a seasonal flavor that only seems fit for the fall season. I wait until … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Kitchen

Breakfast of Champions: Pancakes, Sausage & Poached Eggs
A hearty Breakfast of Champions if ever there was one: Silver Dollar Pancakes Poached Eggs Grilled Sausage Links Blackberries Not just once, but two days in a row. How do you follow up a breakfast like this? The rest of the day's meals have a tough act to follow. … [Read More]

Asian Fruity Fish Salad
We start with two salmon fillets on a foil-lined pan, topped with a few shakes of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and fish oil, with ground garlic, ground ginger, and a fresh grind of black pepper and sea salt. These bake at 350 while we get the rest of the salad ready. Next, we saute a handful of raw peeled … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Garden

3 Flowerbeds + 10 Dirty Fingernails Later…
Today launched our post-Memorial summer hours at work, when we're released at 3:30. And I made the most of my extra hours. First, … [Read More]

Health Dept. Raids Farm, Destroys Harvest
Here’s the scene: You’re invited to a “Farm to Fork” picnic at a sustainable, organic community supported agriculture (CSA) farm, … [Read More]
Around Town + Beyond

Sunday Eve Picnic: Mini Wine & Cheese Party
Today became "Use Up All the Gift Cards Weighing Down Your Wallet" Day. Fueled by a scrambled egg/bacon/English muffin breakfast from The Shore Restaurant followed by a couple of West End Tavern Bloody Marys, we headed to Great Northern Mall. First stop: DSW, where I stretched a $25 gift card (and then some) into … [Read More...]

How I Got the Grocery Store to Pay Me for Shopping
Yes, you read that right: I got the grocery store to pay me for buying name-brand toothpaste. And believe me, I don't work for Giant Eagle. I'm just a savvy bargain shopper. First, a disclaimer: I don't usually buy groceries at Giant Eagle, because I know that you can get better deals on better quality perishables … [Read More...]




