August is tomato season here in my little corner of Northern California. When the tomatoes come on, they do so all at once and it forces me to find different uses and recipes to create so we can enjoy them for the short 6-8 week time they are available. Roasted Cherry Tomato Jam is a family favorite! My Tomato Jam is a wonderful accompaniment for many dishes. My favorite way to enjoy it is over fresh Burrata cheese with crackers as shown in the photo. If you’re not familiar with Burrata cheese, think soft, creamy, stringy cheese curd with a firm mozzarella shell. It’s like a mozzarella water balloon filled…
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Georgia Pom-Pom Cocktail
My husband enjoys creating new cocktails for me to enjoy and he certainly hit the mark on this one! I prefer my cocktails sweet and I do not prefer to taste the alcohol so give me juice and spike it with vodka and I’m good to go! Kevin’s Georgia Pom-Pom Cocktail is the perfect mix of sweet and tart with a kick! What’s In It Pomegranate Juice Here’s the deal, I like to use pomegranate juice in a lot of my recipes, like my Solar Sauce (healthy alternative to 1000 Island) so we usually always have it on hand. Pomegranate juice is a very healthy juice that has more antioxidants…
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Maple Pecan Scones
This post contains affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through my website. This income helps me provide great content so I appreciate your thoughtfulness and purchase. If you don’t know by now, I am all about anything semi-homemade. When I found Sticky Finger’s Bakeries Original Scone Mix, I knew it was heaven sent. Here’s a mix you literally just add water to and get a simple scone, perfect for any occasion. Add any ingredients you like and you’ll have a personal creation that makes you feel like a Master Baker. My Maple Pecan Scones have the warmth of cinnamon, the sweet of maple syrup, and…
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Simple Whole30 Cucumber & Lox Bites
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. You cannot go wrong with these simple Whole30 Cucumber and Lox Bites. The five healthy ingredients are quick and easy to work with, making this recipe an appetizer that hits all the marks. Besides the fresh, creamy, salty, and crunchy bite you get, it’s healthy, does not require much skill, and it sure looks classy when presented to guests. Being dairy & sugar-free is a big bonus. For Whole30 and Paleo diets, I used Kitehill chive flavored almond milk cream cheese. I also found smoked salmon at Trader Joes without sugar in its ingredient list. Not on Whole30 or follow a Paleo…
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Staying Organized When Hosting Thanksgiving
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. The holidays are stressful enough when you consider the social side of family and friends gathering, but throw in being the host and that’s a completely different scenario. Whether hosting or a guest, here are some tips on how to stay organized during the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving day. First let me start by saying, it has taken me YEARS to get this organized. There were many Thanksgivings where I felt like I had epic failures. I’ve botched gravy, burnt dinner rolls, and I even forgot a whole side dish in the extra refrigerator located in the…
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Dear Me: Age 49, A Letter to my Midlife Self
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. September 22, 2019 Dear Me, So today you turn age 49 and start your 50th year of existence. I remember when you thought this age was “old”! This letter covers some questions for you to consider today and throughout your year as you ponder the changes to your midlife self. Now that you’re a “mid-lifer”, do you feel old now? I bet some days you do, given all the hormone imbalances your body is adjusting to. They have brought on weight gain, joint pain, sleepless nights (cue exhaustion), anxiety, foggy brain, dry skin, minor hot flashes, and the ability to…
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Hey There! I’m Stacie…
Thanks for taking the time to visit! I am the wife to Kevin (second marriage) and mom to 3 wonderful young men and a lab named Gracie. Who would I be not to mention I’m a daughter to two loving and supportive parents? As a foodie who loves to cook for my family and friends, I’m a mid life work in progress. Trying my best to create (mostly) healthy habits to live by. Real Estate is my profession but my spare time is spent travelling wherever I can as often as life allows. I am proud to be a born and raised San Francisco Bay Area gal. My focus is…
