Fall is finally here, and that means the end of bathing suit season! What better way is there to celebrate than with chocolate? And caramel? And peanuts? And popcorn? Exactly–there isn’t.

So light some pumpkin scented candles, throw open your windows and kick off fall with some delicious, sinful goo-goo clusters, and smile smugly about the fact that you can guiltlessly eat three (or four) without worrying about string bikini jiggle. Read More »

It’s Fall, and few things make me drool harder than homemade applesauce (in case you were wondering what else could possibly trump applesauce on the list see: the cast of Ocean’s 11, dental work, and a good nap).

I digress. Homemade applesauce is surprisingly easy to make and cooks up really fast. It’s a great way to use apples that are starting to get mushy, or a fun way to make use of your haul after a visit to the orchard. Plus, it’s a lot less work than making a pie.

For your consideration, here’s my really simple recipe.

3 Pounds of apples – That’s 6-8 apples for those you without food scales. (Any variety will do but Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Macintosh and Honeycrisp work really well.)
¾ - 1 Cup of Sugar
½ Cup of Water
2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon (more to taste if that’s what you’re into)
The juice of half a lemon Read More »

Mmmmm, potato soup. When it’s cold outside and you just want something nice and warm and hearty to get you through the night, there’s absolutely nothing better.

So make this easy, delicious (vegetarian) recipe and cuddle up on your couch for a cozy evening in. Stay warm! Happy Autumn!

You’ll’s Be Needing:

6 cups of potaters (diced)
3 cans of vegetable broth
4 cups of whole milk
1/2 tsp of black pepper (ground)
1 cup of onion (chopped)
6 tbsp of butter (melted)
3 stalks of celery (diced)
4 cubes of vegetable bouillon Read More »

Okay, chicken wings are pretty fantastic, right? What on this good earth could possibly–possibly–even dare to challenge the deliciousness of chicken wings?

I’ll tell you: honey garlic chicken wings.

Did you just fall off your seat? Drool all over your chin? Drool on your seat and fall off your chin?

Anyway, they’re delish. So make ‘em and throw a party. Here’s how:

You Vill Need:
(For 4 servings)

2 lbs of chicken wings
1 1/2 cups of honey
2 cloves of minced garlic
6 tbsp of soy sauce

You Vill Do:

(1) Heat the garlic and honey and soy sauce in a saucepan. When it’s boiling, go to step 2. Read More »

It’s officially fall. The air is feeling crisper, the leaves are changing and girls are dusting off their Uggs.

Which means it’s time to bust out those fall recipes and all things pumpkin.

I’m a huge fan of pumpkin bread; it just tastes like fall. This recipe is my absolute favorite - it’s always moist, it’s the perfect combination of spices, and it’s easy enough that I can do it. So get the oven ready, bask in the scent of it, and then dig in.

INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid pumpkin Read More »

People seem to always associate sweets with being unhealthy. Of course sweets aren’t GOOD for you, per se, but they can be done better and healthier than you might think. If you eat sweets in moderation and cook them the right way, you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it, too. (No pun intended. Ok. I take it back. The pun was completely intended.)

The next time you want to make something sweet and do it with a relatively healthy twist, consider this recipe for Organic Chocolate Macadamia Bars. Read More »

After one too many plastic cups of Pabst Blue Ribbon, I’ve moved on to wine as my new drink of choice. But, like beer, there are many kinds of bad wine that are too easy to accidentally drink. So what makes a good wine? And what’s the difference between a chardonnay and a Cabernet?

Here’s the rundown on the mot popular kinds of wine and what to drink them with.

Reds

Cabernet Sauvignon is produced mainly in France and California. This red is what’s called “full bodied,” meaning it’s got a rich, strong flavor of dark fruits like black current. The best Cabernets taste a bit earthy and dry and they tend to get better with age, so pick-up a bottle with the earliest date (as in, 2003 rather than 2008).
Pair with red meat, grilled vegetables, or pasta with red sauce.

Merlot is arguably the most popular red wine. Merlot can range from medium to full-bodied and is high in alcohol and low in acidity. Flavors include plum and chocolate (yum!). Grown all over the world, this wine is easy to enjoy.
Pair with pasta with red sauce, beef, or grilled or smoky meats.

Pinot Noir is made from a velvety grape that is one of the hardest to grow, which makes a good pinot great and a bad pinot terrible. A good pinot will be complex, with flavors ranging from black cherries to earthy spices. Pinot Noir grapes traditionally come from Burgundy, France, but are now being perfected in Oregon and California.
Pair with salmon, pasta, or pork. Read More »

Feel that chill in the air? It’s (finally) Fall, and that means we can all put away the iced lattes and curl up in front of an imaginary fireplace with a good book and a hot beverage.

My personal favorite is mulled cider, which is super easy to make and, when you need that extra kick, goes very nicely with a little bit of rum.

Here’s what you need to get started:

A small saucepan
Apple Cider (the dark brown cloudy kind, don’t use apple juice!)
Brown sugar
Allspice
Cloves
Cinnamon sticks
An orange
Cheescloth
Rum (optional)

You can find Allspice, cloves and cinnamon in the spice section of any grocery store—make sure to buy them whole, not ground or powder! Cheesecloth is a bit harder to find—if you’re stuck, just get yourself a small strainer that has very fine holes. Read More »