(Vegan) Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Soup with Paprika Chickpeas

It's that time of the year again, pumpkin everything!
Of course, everyone hears about pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies, pumpkin muffins, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
But what about a delicious pumpkin soup so that you can put to good use all that extra pumpkin you have?

Holiday Marble Bundt Cake

Happy New Year y’all!
What a rough year 2020 has been, I’m pretty sure we all agree that it’s the kind of year that belongs in the rearview mirror and we’re all glad to put it behind us.
But before we dive into the new year plans, goals, and resolutions I think it's important to look back and to highlight to yourself the good things that have also happened throughout the year.
I for one originally set my reading challenge to 30 books but with the lockdowns I’ve been reading far more than anticipated and I ended up finishing 54 books (with a good mix of fiction and non-fiction books.) It's a small feat that probably means nothing to anybody, but I am very happy with it.
I took up rope jumping as an alternative to running outdoors and I soon learned it’s a great cardio workout, and I was able to nail the double under after a little over a month of practice.
I've also cleared out my closet and house of a ton of stuff that was crowding out my life, which was good.
Last, but not certainly least, I’ve cooked/baked a ton of good stuff.

Mushroom Ragout

Staying home for the holidays amid pandemic restrictions made me realize that for the first time in years (read this as ever) I will be home to water a fresh-cut tree and not let it die.
Since almost all the holiday festivities have been canceled (or restricted) having the smell of a real tree in the house might be a way to keep some of the holiday spirit going and help me get through with what I’ve heard has been called the “Covid blues.”
After all the holidays haven’t been cancelled this year, we have to celebrate in a meaningful, albeit different, way.

Zucchini Olive Oil Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze

The holiday season is in full swing. Some people love it; some people want to hide under the couch until January 2nd. Whichever group you fall into, we can all agree that this is the best time of the year to fire up the oven and start baking, sharing, and of course, eating.

(Vegan) Easy 3-Minute Brownie In A Mug

I’m gonna start this post by admitting that I already have a recipe for a chocolate brownie in a mug on this blog .
Which begs the question: do we need another one?
The answer is: yes, we do.
Let me tell you why.
First off, there’s no such thing as too many brownies— we can all agree on this one, am I right?
Secondly, this recipe is drastically different from the other one: it’s eggless, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan and not really paleo. But it’s still so very delicious, simple, quick, and easy to make.
So why not?

Mom’s Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies

This week has gotten away from me a little. I haven’t had many home cooked meals and I’ve put my recipe testing on hold for a few days.
I’ve been finishing up my holiday to do list — okay, I started and have almost finished up my holiday to do list. Luckily, I’m taking Friday off and plan to wrap things up, because on Saturday and Sunday I’ll be cooking for the family for Christmas.

(Gluten-Free) Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles, why are they called snickerdoodles?
No one knows where the name comes from. According to Wikipedia these cookies are probably German in origin, and the name is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudel.
I’m not fond of the name, to tell you the truth. I almost wish they had another name.
I do love the cookie though.
Mouth watering and blasting with cinnamon flavor, hard on the outside and chewy on the inside, and once you bite into the crisp you can’t get the cinnamon out of your tongue. Awesome.

(Gluten-Free) Almond Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Since it’s the holidays, I’m all about cookies. And today I’m going to share one of my very favorite cookie recipe: Almond Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.
Insanely delicious, super easy to make, and great for holiday parties and cookie exchanges (if you’re into that). And you know what? They are also gluten-free and can be made vegan and/or paleo if you want.
Awesome, right?

(Paleo & Vegan) Chocolate Pistachio Mousse

All I wanted to give you for Christmas was some chocolate mousse.
My logic was simple: Christmas means decadent meals and rich desserts. But in reality, more often than not, after a feasting on baked ham, roasted turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy I find myself too full even for a cup of ginger tea, quite tired and, while we are being honest, like I need some Pepto and at least a solid 10k run.

(Gluten-Free) Almond Pecan Bars

 If you’re anything like me, then you don’t eat purely for sustenance.
Delicious food makes me happy and sometimes even changes my perspective on life.
Then there’s the social aspect of food: a rally point for being together, either in preparing and cooking, or in enjoying the meal.
Nothing brings family and friends together like great food, especially during the holidays.
It’s hard to remember a holiday that didn’t involve gathering around a table.
Holidays are about spending time with family, embracing a new year, exchanging thanks and gifts, but more importantly, it’s the time for yummy food.
That’s right you guys, if there’s any time to indulge, this is it.
Everyone’s baking and holiday sweets are practically thrown in your face.
So why fight it, when you can enjoy it.

(Paleo) Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

 If you know anything about me, I guess you know that my love for cinnamon runs deep as my love for soup.
I actually keep two different kinds of cinnamon in my pantry.
Yup, that’s right. I have two kinds of cinnamon — please, don’t act like you’re surprised.
It’s no mystery that I'm a spice freak. I have more than a hundred spices in my pantry and like to grind my own spice mixes using whole spices. I even broke two coffee grinders trying to grind spices in them before buying myself an (almost) professional Electric Spice-and-Nut Grinder, that grounds hard and soft spices and breaks them all down in a few pulses.

(Paleo) Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

You guys, guess what?
As a thank you for being a TIY reader I made you a batch of warm, fresh, Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.
I know, how kind of me.
Did I mention they’re paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free?
Meaning you can definitely eat more than one. Two, three, four, maybe even five.
Yes, plan to eat muffinS, plural.
They’re tiny and oh-so delicious, you won’t be able to stop just at one.
Trust me, they’re that good!

(Paleo) Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

This time of the year, I’m thankful for memories of family and food that I loved as a kid.
For me, Mom’s Caramel Apple Blondies and cookies like these chocolate crinkles are a trip down memory lane.
Chocolate crinkle cookies were, and definitely still are, one of my favorites, especially during this time of the year.
There’s something about the dense, chewy, chocolate loaded goodness that I just can’t resist.
And the powdered sugar on my fingers and face reminds me of good ‘ol times.

(Paleo) Gingersnap Cookie Sandwiches

 As we are already in a festive mood with Thanksgiving approaching fast, it’s time to bake some cookies.
If there was ever a good time of the year to get busy in the kitchen, this is it.
And arguably gingersnaps (or ginger cookies, or ginger crinkles, whatever you want to call them) are the best cookies to make from scratch during the holidays.
They literally scream “HOLIDAYS!”

Mom's Caramel Apple Blondies

Okay, maybe I’m jumping the gun, but the store across the street from where I live has had Christmas decorations in their windows since October 23, so I think it’s perfectly fine to officially declare November the beginning of the holiday season.
I love the fall/winter holidays more than anytime of the year.
I know it’s a busy time of year — between decorating, cooking shopping, and celebrations — and it’s definitely easy to get overwhelmed. But nonetheless it's an awesome time, except of course my birthday.

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas

I can’t quite believe it’s Christmas Eve and I’m here writing my Christmas blog post.
Roaring fires, good food, and the air filled with warmth.
Oh man, I love Christmas.

I love it even if every year at Christmas I'm reminded how bad I am at wrapping gifts.
The presents are usually “wrapped” in some sort of way and then I pile on the tape.
Tape is amazing.
Another option is the Tootsie Roll Twist — doesn’t matter the size or shape of the present.
If all else fails: Gift bag. Gift bags are magic.

Anyways, I’m also busy whipping up a feast for my family.
This year the menu includes a beef roulade stuffed with all sorts of delicious things (I know, awesome), Garlic Thyme Potatoes Anna, Baked Spinach, Maple-Glazed Butternut Squash, Chocolate Avocado Chia Pudding, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
I come from a large family where everyone loves to eat well (and drink good wine).
So yeah, a lot of pressure on Mike...

As I look back at the year gone by, there is one thing that stands out the most: YOU GUYS!
I am so very grateful that you guys read this blog, enjoy it, share it, and engage with me on here, Twitter, Facebook,Instagram, and Pinterest.
I really hope that in some way it enriches your life as much as it enriches mine to write it.
Thank you.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Chewy Gingerbread Cookies (Paleo and Vegan)

For many in America Christmas season begins as soon as the turkey, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie have digested.
Often, the very moment our self-induced food comas begin to subside, we grab our coats to make our way to a few big box stores or to haul the big boxes of Christmas decorations in from the garage.

Merry Christmas To You All!

It’s Christmas Eve you guys!
I can say without hesitation that this is my favourite day of the year.
All that has to be done, has been done and if it hasn't happened there is little you can do about it now.
It's a day of anticipation for the excitement to come.
Roaring fires, good food, and the air filled with warmth. I’m busy whipping up a feast for my family, and will probably be up into the early hours wrapping presents.
I come from a large family, and being together with everyone is just so much fun.

I hope that each and every person has a wonderful holiday filled with all of the people you love, food, and fun.
I also hope that everyone gets a chance to relax and enjoy the people that surround them.
Is anyone having a White Christmas? If so, you’re lucky because there’s nothing better than a White Christmas in my opinion.
It is also a time to reflect about how the past year went, and to be thankful for the friends, family, and my presence here on earth.
I am so very grateful that you guys read this blog, enjoy it and that in some way it enriches your life as it enriches my life to write it. Thank you.

I wish you a Merry Christmas with your all loved ones.