Leftover Turkey Chowder (with hidden veggies)
If your fridge looks anything like mine the day after Thanksgiving, it’s a very crowded place—half a turkey here, rogue containers of sides there, and a whole lot of “What on earth am I supposed to do with all of this?” energy. This year, instead of letting all that beautiful leftover turkey stare at me in guilt every time I opened the fridge, I turned it into something comforting, nourishing, and possibly better than the original meal. This chowder is everything I want the weekend after Thanksgiving—warm, cozy, and packed full of vegetables… without actually looking packed full of vegetables. That’s right. All the veggies are blended right into the broth, giving it that classic thick, creamy chowder vibe without any flour or heavy ingredients weighing you down. It’s secretly wholesome but tastes totally indulgent. (more…)
Surviving the Holidays on a Gluten-Free Diet
The holidays are filled with family, friends, and—let’s be honest—food everywhere. But when you’re gluten-free, navigating the season can feel like walking through a gingerbread house full of traps. From stuffing to sugar cookies, gluten seems to sneak into every corner of the holiday table. Don’t worry—you don’t have to feel left out. With a little planning, creativity, and confidence, you can enjoy the season just as much as anyone else.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep up your sleeve during the holidays: (more…)
Gluten-Free Stuffing
I didn’t really get stuffing until I started adulting. As a kid, it was that mysterious bready side people raved about while I was laser-focused on mashed potatoes and mac ‘n cheese. Then I went gluten-free, started baking my own sourdough (because I’m nuts), and suddenly stuffing wasn’t just “the thing next to turkey”—it was the main character. I wanted that herby, crispy-on-top, custardy-in-the-middle situation without the gluten hangover, so I built a GF sourdough version that tastes like nostalgia… even if you didn’t grow up with it. (more…)
Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Every year, I try to bring something a little fun and different to Thanksgiving, and this year I’m rolling in with a Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake—yes, cake. It’s rich, cozy, a little dramatic, and honestly, one of my favorite fall desserts I’ve made in a long time. And since my Thanksgiving responsibilities this year include baked mac ’n cheese, broccoli casserole, this cake, and a variety of cookies (because apparently I’m always assigned to the carbs-and-desserts department), I wanted something that looked impressive but didn’t make me lose my mind the day before Thanksgiving. (more…)
Bulletproof Snickerdoodle Latte
Mornings can be chaotic, especially if you’re not a big breakfast person or you’re rushing out the door with half a shoe on. But skipping breakfast entirely can leave you running on fumes and craving sugar by 10 AM. That’s where this Bulletproof Snickerdoodle Latte comes in.
This warm, cinnamon-spiced latte is more than just delicious. It’s designed to keep your blood sugar stable and your hunger in check until you’re ready for a real meal. Blended with healthy fats like butter or coconut oil, a touch of stevia, cinnamon, and a scoop of collagen peptides, this latte is smooth, satisfying, and comforting — like a snickerdoodle cookie in a mug (minus the crash afterwards). (more…)
Healthy Living On A Budget: Where To Start
Let’s be honest — being healthy can feel expensive. Organic produce, fancy supplements, gym memberships, and trendy meal kits… it adds up fast. But here’s the truth: healthy living doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of the most effective changes cost little to nothing at all.
If you’re looking to eat well, move more, and feel better without draining your wallet, here’s where to start: (more…)
Sleep Schedule Reset: Why Adults Need A Bedtime, Too
When back-to-school season hits, we parents shift into high gear: shopping for supplies, adjusting bedtime routines for the kids, packing lunches, and juggling calendars full of practices, orientations, and work deadlines. We make sure everyone else gets enough rest so they can function, but often forget one crucial piece: our own sleep.
Let’s be real — adulting is hard enough. Doing it on too little sleep? That’s next-level chaos. (more…)
Meal PlanningTips for Families Getting Back Into the School Routine
Back-to-school season can throw even the most organized households into chaos. Between school schedules, after-school activities, and trying to remember who needs a lunchbox and who’s buying from the cafeteria, figuring out what’s for dinner can feel like just another stressor.
But here’s the good news: meal prep doesn’t have to mean spending your entire Sunday in the kitchen or cooking every meal from scratch. With a few simple strategies, you can feed your family well and still have time (and energy) left over for yourself. (more…)
Gluten-Free Sourdough Sandwich Bread
I used to happily outsource my sourdough cravings to local bakers because, let’s be real, making sourdough from scratch felt like adopting a high-maintenance houseplant that lived on your counter. One baker used organic flour, the other imported hers from Italy, and I genuinely felt better eating their beautiful, soft loaves compared to the sad stuff on grocery store shelves. But even with all that charm, my stomach still wasn’t thrilled. Eventually, I realized I felt amazing when I went completely gluten-free with breads; like, clear-headed, zero-bloat, forgot-I-had-a-stomach kind of amazing. So, against my better judgment (and with only mild flour-based fear), I decided to dive into making my own gluten-free sourdough at home. I wanted the tang and the chew, just without the gluten backlash. And you know what? I quickly learned that with the right starter and a bit of patience, gluten-free sourdough is absolutely doable — and totally worth it. (more…)
Back-To-School Stress? 5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health This Fall
As much as I love the fresh-start energy of fall, let’s be honest — back-to-school season is also a lot. Between earlier mornings, endless forms to fill out, changing schedules, and trying to remember which kid needs what on which day… it’s easy to feel like your brain is in a blender.
And while we’re busy making sure the kids have everything they need, like backpacks, lunches, routines — our own mental health often takes a backseat. (more…)
Gluten-Free Sourdough Starter
Sourdough isn’t just for wheat lovers anymore. With a little patience and the right ingredients, you can create a tangy, bubbly gluten-free sourdough starter that’s perfect for breads, muffins, pancakes, and more. Whether you’re gluten-sensitive, celiac, or just experimenting with new baking methods, making your own gluten-free starter is simpler than you think.
In this post, I’ll show you how to build a gluten-free sourdough starter from scratch using King Arthur’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour — one of my favorite blends for reliability and performance. (more…)
Healthy Lunchbox Ideas That Kids Might Actually Eat
Packing lunchboxes every day can feel like Groundhog Day; the same sandwich, the same snacks, the same uneaten apple that comes home bruised and rejected. If you’re tired of the lunch-packing struggle, you’re not alone. The goal is simple: find food that’s nutritious, kid-approved, and easy enough to prep in real life.
Here are some healthy, realistic lunchbox ideas (no Pinterest perfection required) that are simple options that fuel your kids…and maybe even you, too. (more…)