It’s getting cooler outside. What a great time to make a big pot of chili. Wait until you taste this one…It’s bursting with flavor and richness.  Chili con carne is Spanish for “chili with meat.” It originated in the state of  Texas.  The Texans consider it a crime to add beans to the mixture. In [...]

Jamba Juice’s seasonal creation blends pureed pumpkin, vanilla frozen yogurt and soy milk.  It’s like drinking pumpkin pie through a straw… This smoothie is very rich tasting with just the right amount of spice added.   The skinny on ours for a 16 ounce serving is 315 calories.  A 16 ounce Jamba has 390 calories.  We’re [...]

What a wonderful, traditional, Mexican-style casserole. Comfort food for sure. I’ve loved this zesty dish for years but this was my first time making it. It was such a hit that my husband and I had it for dinner 3 days in a row. I stored the leftovers in individual plastic containers and put them [...]

This fabulous harvest cake is one of my favorite “no time to bake” cakes.  Most people are proud to bake a cake from scratch. Some even feel using a cake mix is cheating.  So that makes me a cheater.  This cake is super moist due to the canned pumpkin and the variety of fats added.  [...]

Halloween is just around the corner and pumpkin season is in full swing! They fill our supermarkets, local Farmer’s Markets and are abundant at pumpkin patches throughout the country. These magnificent autumn icons are part of the gourd family which also includes cucumbers and melons. Pumpkins range in size from fitting in the palm of [...]

A Sloppy Joe is a popular hearty American dish with a variety of ways to make it.  The most typical being ground beef, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard and various, spices.  Wait until you get a mouthful of this Skinny Sloppy Joe! It’s primarily made with ground turkey, onions, barbecue [...]

One of the fondest memories for many of us growing up is roasting pumpkin seeds. It’s a wonderful tradition after removing them from the pumpkin you’ve just craved. They’re subtly sweet and nutty. Not only are they a tasty snack, pumpkin seeds are one of the most nutritious and flavorful seeds. My favorite way is [...]

I love, love, love these dishes and have used them for years!  All Fiestaware dishes are Microwave Safe, Oven-Proof, Dishwasher Safe, Freezer-Proof, Lead-Free and Made in America.  They’re so durable and you’ll be amazed how hard it is to chip, crack or even break one! That’s why they last for years and years. You’ll probably [...]

This colorful main course salad is elegant enough to serve for company but my husband and I love it so much, we sometimes have it for dinner several times in the same week! Once you try it you’ll know why we’re a little obsessed with this Asian style noodle salad. It’s packed with flavor, chock [...]

This fall, enjoy the bountiful selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Each season offers their own unique and distinct seasonal flavors. Knowing what’s currently being harvested can help you buy more local and fresh items. Be sure to try something new that you’ve never tried before!  Here’s what made the list. FRUITS Apples Cranberries Fennel [...]