
Fudgy Nut + Seed Brownies
It’s hard to write about your friend’s work and try to hide the fact that you’re friends. So I’m not going to hide it…Laura Wright is my friend, and she wrote a really special book (The First Mess Cookbook). And I’m about to brag about her and the book because I love it so much. […]

The Things That Freaked My Week Micro Podcast With Guest Laura Wright Of The First Mess
And she’s back! Laura Wright from the The First Mess is here again with her sultry voice and cool cooking ways. If you didn’t hear her the first time she was on the podcast, make sure to check out Episode 27 (we talked long-term relationships and not working for free). On this episode, listen in […]

Episode 27: Long-Term Relationships, Not Working For Free, And Doing What You’re Born To Do With Laura Wright Of The First Mess
This interview was a long time coming. I’ve wanted Laura Wright of The First Mess to be a guest since I started the podcast, but we held out and waited – and now it’s time. And it just happens to coincide with the reveal of a new, special something she’s been working on. Believe me, it’s […]

1 Holiday, 5 Ways: 4th Of July Edition
So, I sort of dropped the ball. I had grand plans to make a sweet-ass July 4th recipe for you. But stuff got crazy last week with finalizing the podcast launch (You’re going to the launch party, right? Make sure to rsvp.) that I didn’t make it to the kitchen. BUT… I think I found […]

1 Bowl, 5 Ways: SOUPer Bowl Edition
This weekend is the Super Bowl. Every year on this big occasion, I make soup. 1. Because it’s generally freezing in Chicago. And 2. Because I like puns. I’m not really a big football fan (basketball is more my thing), but I always like a reason for a party. Even if that party is just […]

One Ingredient, Five Ways: Cauliflower
Like most things I thought I didn’t like, I hated on cauliflower because I’d never had it cooked properly. Before I started roasting it and really fell in love, I had only had it two ways: 1. In raw chunks on a vegetable tray and usually accompanied by a vat of Ranch dressing. 2. Steamed […]

One Ingredient, Five Ways: Chickpeas by Laura of The First Mess
A few months ago, I noticed a lot of traffic coming to my site from The First Mess. I’m the first to admit that I wasn’t (and sometimes still am not) too savvy on all the happening food sites…so it wasn’t a shocker that I hadn’t seen it. But I clicked on over and felt like […]

One Ingredient, Five Ways: Basil
I used to buy my basil in those little plastic sleeves at the store – the ones with 15 or so leaves, just enough for a pasta sauce. I thought this was the only way to buy basil. It was how my parents did it, so I just followed suit. So the first time I […]