Do you ever find yourself in a salad rut, always reaching for the same greens and the same dressings? I do. Romaine, iceberg, or mixed baby greens often top that list. When I want something fresher and a little different, I make this Little Gem Salad. It begins with tender, crisp Little Gem lettuce—the perfect … Read more

Cinnamon swirl banana bread is a simple, moist quick bread with a cinnamon-sugar swirl through the middle and extra cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Easy: The recipe is straightforward and can be mixed by hand—no special equipment required. Delicious: It delivers a tender, moist crumb with rich … Read more

This Cranberry Relish Recipe offers a bright, zesty take on a classic holiday side. Made with just a few ingredients and no cooking required, it’s quick to prepare, refreshingly tart, and ideal for making ahead. Why this recipe works Versatile: Great with turkey, ham, chicken, or spooned over desserts and cream cheese appetizers. Fresh: Uses … Read more

Epic Christmas Market Trip – Paris, Reims, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague, Heidelberg, Michaelstadt – over 3,000 miles across Europe on a trek for Christmas cheer at European markets! We’re excited to share highlights from one of our favorite Christmas market journeys, taken in 2017. With many markets closed in recent seasons, these photos and memories … Read more

For many Jewish families on Long Island, ordering Chinese on Sunday nights is a tradition. My father often picked up takeout from a memorable restaurant called Sun Ming in Huntington. Though the restaurant is gone now, I still remember their outstanding egg drop and wonton soups. When my dad couldn’t choose, he combined them into … Read more

Summertime is the perfect moment to relax with a cool, refreshing blackberry mojito. Fresh blackberries, lime juice, rum, and just enough mint create a simple, satisfying cocktail that helps beat the heat. At least, it’s a good attempt at cooling off. I live in New England because I’m not a fan of very hot weather, … Read more

Summer break is here, and with six kids at home, meal ideas disappear fast. Franklyn usually does the cooking, but on evenings when he’s late, I take over. Neither of us wants to spend more time in the kitchen than necessary, so when a coworker mentioned chilaquiles with avocados and queso fresco, Franklyn wrote down … Read more

Last Updated on December 2, 2025 – First Published October 9, 2017 Before I get started, I want to let you know that some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means that if you click through and take action, I’ll receive compensation. You can read more about affiliate programs on the … Read more

Hard cider is one of the oldest beverages tied to orchard culture. Early apple varieties often produced sour or tannic fruit that didn’t taste great fresh but fermented into rich, satisfying alcoholic cider. Making hard cider is straightforward—apples carry plenty of fermentable sugars and natural yeasts on their skins, so when you press fresh juice … Read more

This rose bath salt recipe is simple to make with just four natural ingredients. A soak in this blend of pink Himalayan salt, Epsom salt, baking soda and rose essential oil will help relax tired muscles and soothe sore joints. Make an extra jar to give as a thoughtful handmade gift. Finding time for self-care … Read more