How to build your own charcuterie board

Nothing says festive holiday gathering like a table full of meats and cheeses. I have always been a snacker so the fact that this meal is built on snacks is a game-changer for me - now I have an excuse to stand by the food table all night...

Chocolate Marzipan Marshmallows

There are certain food items that are so mysterious, you never think to yourself, yeah, I could make that. I think marshmallows are those such things. Even their name is a mystery. I found out that the OG marshmallow is derived from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in, you guessed it, marshes. So they really should have been called mallowmarshes but I digress...

Cranberry Yuletide w/ Rosemary Simple Syrup

It's like a mule but it's festive - get it? :D I'm hosting a little holiday shindig at my place this weekend, so I thought it best to dust off the cocktail recipes and I'm always in the mood for a mule (or anything in a copper cup for that matter)...

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Have you started your holiday shopping? I used to brave the Black Friday madness years ago, but now you're much more likely to find me lounging on the couch in my stretchy-pants with a hot cup of coffee loading up my online shopping cart. The older I get, the more I find myself avoiding the mall. Every once in a while it's nice to actually try something on, or see the decorations and appreciate the hustle and bustle of it all, but lately I much prefer taking my time and picking out items from the comfort of home. Here are some on my favorite finds from around the web, most of them are from smaller, independent businesses which I feel makes each gift more unique. 

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4th of July

Man, I can't believe it's already July! I must admit I am relieved that summer is trucking along, fall/winter can come at anytime now! 4th of July sort of snuck up on me this year, since we're away from family and friends we will probably just be spending this holiday around town eating delicious food and exploring some new places, possibly checking out the downtown firework show if the weather allows. I decided to do a red, white, and blue round up for your 4th festivities most of which are on the healthy side with a few indulgences (because after all, it is a holiday).

Blueberry Lemonade
Festive Fruit Trifle
Dark Sweet Cherry Mini Pies
Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Sugar Topping
Heirloom Tomato Tart
Chocolate Creme Brulee with Raspberry Sugar
Blueberry Cobbler Bars
Flag Cake
Watermelon Mojitos
Balsamic Strawberry Dressing
Berry Skillet with Oat Topping

Hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend!

Easter Recipe Ideas

Easter has always been a pretty cool holiday in my family, my mom always did the traditional Easter basket and hid some eggs around the house. I remember THE BEST Easter was when I got a gameboy game in my basket (man, I feel old). After that we would attend the sunrise service at our church which was always held outside in a field and we would watch the sun come up over the tree tops. Afterwards we would usually head over to my grandparents house and partake in the traditional hard boiled eggs and kielbasa (from my grandmother Polish side of the family).

Not all Easter Recipes have to be obnoxiously themed (even though I'm kind of a sucker for themes) I always try to base a menu around what is currently in season so I also included some easy to prepare springtime goodies that would impress any crowd.

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Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Asparagus & Parmesan Crustless Quiche
Summer Berry Skillet With Toasted Oat Topping
Speckled Egg Italian Cream Cake
Coconut Lime Pops
Chocolate Carrot Garden Cupcakes

Red, White, & Blue Recipes for the 4th

We all have our own holiday traditions. This year we're trying something new and going away for the 4th but you can be sure no matter where we are there will be delicious food a' plenty! These recipes vary from festive drinks to desserts and dressings. Whatever you are doing I hope everyone has an awesome holiday weekend!

From top left to right:

Blueberry lemonade with stevia leaves
Vanilla flag cake
Cranberry lemon tart
Banana berry green tea smoothie
Watermelon sorbet
Mini cheesecakes topped with creme chantilly and fresh fruit
Festive fruit trifle
Black sweet cherry mini pies
Roasted balsamic strawberry vinaigrette
Blueberry cobbler bars
Berry tart with vanilla bean pastry cream
Cherry limeades

10 Unique Thanksgiving Ideas for Sides and Sweets!

From top (left to right)
Roasted Root Vegetables
Twice Baked Butternut Squash Topped with Parmesan Breadcrumbs
German Style Potato Salad
Healthy & Hearty Pumpkin Bread Topped with Toasted Pepitas
Cranberry & Lemon Tart
Cinnamon Sugar Coated Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins
Balsamic Roasted Apples and Brussel Sprouts
Mini Pumpkin Pies with Homemade Crust
Sweet Rosemary Cornbread
Savory Sweet Potato Souffle

Often times, the entire focus of Thanksgiving is the prized turkey, after all, it isn't nicknamed "Turkey Day" for nothing. MY favorite thing about this food obsessed holiday has always been the sides and the desserts, even before I was a vegetarian. I remember my grandma's mashed potatoes and fresh green beans, succulent stuffings and THE BEST EVER mushroom gravy. But the best feeling of the entire year was gazing upon the fabled pie table, yes, pie TABLE as in an entire buffet table dedicated to made from scratch pies as far as the eye can see. Pumpkin, blueberry. black cherry, apple walnut, the list goes on and on. When you stop and think about it, Thanksgiving is the only time where the sides outshine the main dish, it is the sides that provide all those comforting savory-sweet compliments that make the meal complete.