Sour Cherry Compote

Sorry for the food drought around here…As you read last week, I had a birthday to celebrate. I don’t normally do much to mark the turning of the calendar, but if the kick-off to my 33rd year is anything to judge by…it’s going to be a spectacular year and I can’t wait to see what [...]

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A Birthday Wish for a World with Less Cancer

Dear readers, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been talking incessantly about running the last few weeks, and even posted a few pictures from my first race experiences.  I’ve decided to share with you today why I’m running the Chicago Rock n Roll Half-Marathon on August 1. I’m privileged to work at the American Cancer Society [...]

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Ready to Run: Poblano & Mojo Pasta

It’s not much to look at, is it? Sometimes, a seemingly beige bowl of pasta spiked with chiles is just the thing to wake you up and get ready for the next challenge. Life continues at breakneck pace for me with work, half-marathon training and too many evening obligations that have been taking me away [...]

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Beautiful Berries

This post doesn’t have a recipe – it has a mandate. Here in the midwest, it is peak strawberry season. And for this midwestern girl, I have a strong attachment to local strawberries. Growing up, strawberries meant the end of the school year and lazy afternoons floating in the pool, and spending early mornings at [...]

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Chard and Tepary Bean Saute with Quinoa Pilaf

Cooking is such a pleasure this time of year. With the farmers markets brimming with beautiful, local produce, the hardest decision of my week seems to be deciding how to spend my farmers market allowance. Strawberries always take up a good chunk of the budget in June (more on that later in the week), and [...]

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Vanilla Cake with Rhubarb Filling

This cake is perfect for a celebration and I wish I had a slice of it right now. You see, yesterday I completed my first-ever running race, the 10K United Run for the Zoo in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. And I ran it without stopping to walk – finishing in 60 minutes for an average 9:49 [...]

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Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad

Ah, June. You seduce me with your warm breezes and sunshine sparkling on the Lake, and then I really fall for you in the bounty at the first few farmer’s markets. Tender asparagus that needs no cooking, tart rhubarb, and perhaps best of all – Michigan strawberries. It’s my favorite month of the year, and [...]

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