This post is sponsored by Premier Protein. It is my theory that the 4th of July is a blueberry’s favorite holiday. Why? Because on that day the red/white/blue color combo is just everything — and, really, what other food can you use to play that up? I personally love blueberries, not only for their antioxidant qualities, but because they are a …

Saturdays are cooking days in my house. That’s when most of the week’s blog posts (if I have any) get cooked. I also like to make a nice breakfast or brunch. Today I was in a bit of a bind though. The girls leave for Texas for the summer next week (they live with their dad during the summer) and …

They call this weekend the “unofficial” start of summer. Damn that. I’m calling it. It’s summer! I mean after the winter we had? We deserve it. (Unless of course you don’t like summer in which case…sorry…I love it so forgive my obnoxiousness over the next few months.) Raise your hand if the highlight of your summer day as a kid …

Long-time readers…I know what you’re going to say, ok? I KNOW. Yes this is the gamillionty-seventh cheesecake-inspired recipe on this blog. But Google Analytics says 90+% of you reading this have never been to this blog before so…hi. I’m Nikki. And I like cheesecake! But as we all know cheesecake can be fatty and sugary and all sorts of things …

 “This looks fancy…” That was my youngest daughter’s reaction when she looked at the contents of the slightly modified bowl I presented her this past weekend. (I’ll tell you why the modification in a sec.) Now to her, “fancy” is a good adjective. With the elder girl, not so much. I was quite pleased how this recipe turned out, mostly …

It’s May! We made it! I’m reasonably sure that for most of us, there is no snow in the immediate forecast. I think that’s cause to celebrate. Tomorrow, as you know, is Cinco de Mayo. (Tell the truth: do you know what’s celebrated on this day? I’ll ‘fess up and say I was not terribly aware, so I looked it …

  You know what’s hard? Living in a house with non-ops who have no qualms about eating stuff that would kill me. Now granted, I love to bake so occasionally I’ll bake them a cake or make some biscuits for breakfast but it’s rare (a fact that is much complained about in my house…but when I say moderation, I mean …

You know what’s really empowering, Foodies? Making something the way you like it, just because that’s how you  like it. Not the way the kids like it or your spouse likes it, but just the way you want it. I had an epiphany recently. I’ve spent a lot of my post-op career catering to everyone’s preferences in my crusade to …

Yesterday I posted the above picture on Facebook of my beautiful little lunch: about 2.5 oz. grilled salmon, along with a spear of brocolli (both leftover from a trip to TGI Friday’s) along with a side of cheesy mashed cauliflower I made that morning. Since I only wanted it that day, I made a single serving. I know some of …

Here’s another idea to throw onto the heap. I love cooking with ramekins. It’s so fun! You can make a perfect portion (by purchasing the ramekin size that suits you), it’s easy to ditch starches (like pie crust in this instance) and they are just darn cute, don’t you agree? I love Shepherd’s Pie. And I even love it without …