My incredibly fun day at Storm King Park, and the below giveaway and blog post, are sponsored by up4® Superfoods.  Being a Louisiana-born summer baby, it’s no surprise that I love warm weather! But—I can’t help but feel a pang of melancholy when I think of the end of ski season. It’s because I love being active, and skiing allows me to do just that. But thankfully, there are so many more ways to stay active once the snow has melted, and I’m loving exploring nearby places by bicycling and hiking.  I recently visited Storm King Park in upstate New York. Storm King is a sprawling outdo ..read more

I first had Sticky Toffee Pudding when I was living in England to film the Great American Baking Show. I quickly learned that “pudding” did not mean our idea of pudding—it meant what we refer to as “Cake.” But sticky toffee pudding was altogether unfamiliar. It was warm, cozy, and had a unique sweetness from the dates that lended a very homey flavor to this uber delicious dessert! But even better than the date-sweetened cake was the sticky toffee topping. It’s so gooey throughout the cake. And it’s more than a topping—I prefer to absolutely drench each slice in the topping. The vanilla ice cr ..read more

This Pumpkin Pie has all of the creamy goodness you love, but the flavor is intensified by swapping out sugar for Pure Maple Syrup from Canada--a natural sweetener that’s derived from the maple tree’s sap.  The maple syrup adds a depth of flavor that accentuates the pumpkin and autumnal spices, making this pie a treat that is special enough for any holiday table! Plus, this entire dessert is free from refined sugars. And to double the maple flavor in this pie, the crust is sweetened with maple syrup too. But of course, there’s no shame in purchasing a pre-made crust from the store ;)&nbs ..read more

This blog post has been sponsored by California Prunes. One thing I can eat all year long (even if the outside temps fall below freezing) is ice cream! There is something so nostalgic and comforting about a mug full of creamy, delicious, ice cream. Sure, store-bought is an easy go-to, but making your own brings about a special kind of accomplished feeling that can’t be matched – and (bonus!) you get to customize as much as you like!  One of my favorite new ingredients to use in my ice cream making is California prunes! I know it may seem surprising, but the prunes add a complex flavor t ..read more

The beginning of any year is always a time of reflection for me. I’m trying to keep my goals really simple (and attainable!) this year. I’ve concluded that my singular “resolution” is more good, less bad. I want more of the good stuff–be it nourishing, delicious food or just good vibes and good energy.  One thing I’m bringing back to my daily routine are smoothies, and I’ve recently added an ingredient that packs in some serious nutrients and flavor–California prunes! By blending them into my smoothie, I’m getting all of that fiber goodness that aids in digestion and supports bone healt ..read more

This blog post was made possible thanks to Filippo Berio. ‘Tis the season for baking cookies, giving gifts, and spending time with loved ones—but what I love *most* about holidays just might be entertaining! Whenever I’m hosting, I want things to be just right: from the decor to the food. These super simple (but tasty and versatile) pasta chips would make the perfect addition to your holiday spread!  This recipe I’m sharing for Air Fryer pasta chips with spicy pesto is the perfect “chips and dip” combo—whether you’re cooking for a crowd or a quiet night at home. To make the pasta chip ..read more

This blog post was made possible thanks to Bob’s Red Mill.  If you’re like me, you’ve been watching the leaves change colors with eagerness and slowly adjusting to the dropping temperatures! But if there’s one part of November that I welcome with open arms, it’s the baked goods! There’s always an excuse to bake during the holidays, to the extent that we sometimes allow ourselves to get carried away with all the cooking and baking there is to do. As much as we love food and cooking for our loved ones, it can get overwhelming trying to plan out all the ingredients and time you need to make it ..read more

This blog post was made possible thanks to Filippo Berio. It’s that time of the year again—the leaves are changing, and I’m feeling festive as ever! I just returned from a much-needed escape to Paris, where I essentially lived off of wine and croissants for a week! I think my return to New York could not have come at a better time—yellow leaves are just beginning to fall in Central Park, and the markets are stocked with freshly picked apples and pumpkins. I simply can’t wait for the myriad of pies and Halloween treats to pile up.  This fall, my goal is to remain conscious about the envir ..read more

This blog post was made possible thanks to Filippo Berio I am struggling to accept that summer is ending soon. I have had the best time soaking up the sunshine both here in New York City and on vacation—namely in Greece and in Virginia at Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Family Reunion! In light of my sadness over the end of the summer, I am left with brilliant memories from both of these eye-opening adventures! And for me, memories come in the form of something tasty!   There is one ingredient that I find myself reaching for time and time again when cooking. Whether it’s to brighten up a salad or ..read more

This recipe and blog post was made possible thanks to Lillet. There are very few desserts I love as much as I love strawberry shortcake, so I decided to play with its flavors and textures to develop a more brunch-friendly treat. These Strawberry “Short”-Scones are basically my excuse to eat strawberry shortcake at all hours of the day, but they’re also the perfect thing to make your friends for a classy brunch party. Studded with vibrant strawberries and baked until golden brown, they’re seriously photogenic. And if you’re really trying to impress your friends, I’d suggest pairing the scones ..read more