I know many of you on the East coast are still without power after Hurricane Isaias blew through.  I hope all will be back to normal soon.  I know times are tough right now, but this situation is temporary.  Things that I have been doing to keep my mood up are eating well (good food can boost your mood and toxic food can worsen your mood), getting sunlight every day, getting adequate sleep, having a gratitude practice daily (we do have much to be grateful for despite everything), not starting my day or ending my day watching the news, and staying connected with friends (even if it’s a phone call or via zoom.). I try to do some meditation as well when I remember.  😉

Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

Just hanging out here in California, friends.  Just doing my best to stay healthy and sane.  That’s about all I’ve got.  If you take my monthly online cooking classes, I am doing another FB live with you Saturday (August 1) at 10:00 am PT!  I am looking forward to our socially distant time together.  One thing I want to emphasize to everyone is that there is no better time to take a hard look at our diet and lifestyle.  There is no better time to ask ourselves what changes we can make to up our nutrition and lessen inflammatory influences in our lives.  I am doing that very thing and having this conversation with my family.  I’m sure it’s no secret to anyone reading my blog that it starts with food!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

I know it’s hot everywhere in the country except where I live and I am wearing a sweatshirt to go on my walks in the morning and my down vest to take the dog out at night.  We never use our air conditioning but we do light the fireplace if we sit outside after the sun goes down.  I have to remind myself that when I plan the week’s dinner planner, that most of you are struggling with heat!  When in doubt, put raw veggies, a dip, cheese, tomatoes and bread on a board and call it dinner.  Add olive oil and flaky salt if you have friends over.   Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

So, what’s new?  Absolutely nothing, right?  Same here.  What are you up to this weekend?  Yep, me too.  If you take my monthly online classes, I am doing a Facebook Live tomorrow morning (Saturday 7/18) at 9:30 am PT.  Let’s chat about nothing or food or whatever you want.  Can’t wait!!!  In the meantime, here’s your dinner planner for the week (from now until September all dinner planners will be heavy on the tomatoes):Continue reading

I took a little vacation at home this week!  The first three days of the week I didn’t do any work-work, just chipped away at some of the disorganization in my house that happened over quarantine.  Yikes, I have a lot more to do!  Wednesday it was my daughter Anna’s birthday and we had an all-day celebration.  It was the first time that I haven’t had a class to teach online or a deadline, so I decided to do house stuff and finish “American Dirt,” which I LOVED.  Hubs and I also started binge-watching “Zero Zero Zero” – also so good!  I have been enjoying very delicious produce lately – corn, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, melons, basil YUM!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

When you live in a beach town, and they close the beach for the holiday weekend, it’s a bit of a bummer.  Sigh.  We received a last-minute invite to stay with some friends in the desert this weekend, and although it is 104 degrees, it’s nice to have a change of air after being in the same surroundings for the past 100+ days!  I brought American Dirt with me, which I am sure most of you have read.  But I am always far behind when it comes to fiction.  I am going to unplug for the rest of the weekend and I hope you can do the same!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading

While I was watching the news this week about cases spiking across the country, specifically in California, make that Los Angeles County, I heard one pundit say that the combination of gatherings for Memorial Day weekend, graduations, and protests have led us to this place.  Darn.  So no big plans for us on July 4th weekend.  We’ll probably bring a picnic lunch to the beach and call it a day.  I am happy being with my family and hope for a sunny beach day and that’s all!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading

If you don’t know what you’re making for Father’s Day, check out last week’s dinner planner for some inspo and get on it!  My older daughter is coming home on Sunday for 10 days and I can’t wait.  We will all be together again even if it’s for a short bit.

This is an amazing time of year for produce.  I’ve had success with early heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, and zucchini.  If you have great ingredients, you can keep it really simple!  Here’s your dinner planner for the week:Continue reading