Honest and Truly

Hey Reader, Do you celebrate any of the "food holidays?" I always love them as an excuse to indulge in some of my favorites, and April 26 just happens to be National Pretzel Day. Making pretzels at home is totally doable - and it's one of our favorite treats. These four recipes are ones my family loves, and I'm sure you will, too. And nope, not all of them require you to bake pretzels from scratch. Some of them "just" use pretzels you buy from the store to make it even easier. What's not to...

Hey Reader, I'm hoping your tax bill was far smaller than mine was this year because - ouch! Tomorrow is the official day to get taxes filed and paid, and if you’re anything like me, your wallet’s a little more empty than you’d like it to be. I'm getting creative because there's no way I'm resorting to bland meals or spending money on takeout right now. These are some of my favorite cheap eats that’ll fill you up without draining your bank account. Cheap Eats for Tax Day Relief Who doesn’t...

Hey Reader, You know how you have some recipes that everyone in your family loves? The recipes that you make week in and week out? These are our faves, and I bet you'll love them, too. They aren't ones you might have in your repertoire quite yet, but I know you'll want to add them to your menu. My family faves: Shredded BBQ chicken is so incredibly easy to make, and it tastes so good, too. Whether you put it on a sandwich, enjoy it in a salad (my fave) or even for a fun twist on nachos or...

Hey Reader, While the weather is vacillating all over the place in Chicago while spring tries to (yes, pun intended) spring, plenty of other places are finally enjoying warmer weather. That doesn't mean it's time to put your crock pot away for the season, however. You can make delicious meals all year long in your slow cooker, ones that are lighter and delicious without the heavy, creamy comforts we crave in the colder months. The time savings alone from the crock pot is worth it for me....

Hey Reader, This Friday is Pi Day - which I keep wanting to type as Pie Day, partly because it's both! When you think of pie, you usually think of the sweet dessert, but it's more than that. There are pot pies and other forms of savory pie, and I'm all about celebrating both kinds. These are some of my family's favorite recipes that we make to celebrate every year, and I know you'll love them, too. Sweet or savory, which is your favorite kind of pie? I love fruit pies, and with spring right...

Hey Reader, Today is Fat Tuesday, which means I'm enjoying all the paczki I can before Ash Wednesday tomorrow. But with the start of Lent, it's time - for me at least - to think about what I'll be eating on my no-meat Fridays. Whether you follow the traditions of Lent or just enjoy eating meat-free meals sometimes, these are some of my faves. It doesn't all have to be Fish Fry Friday either because that's just not my thing. Sometimes, simple is best, and Cacio e Pepe is one of my favorites....

Hey Reader, I feel like there's finally some hope that winter will end. The sun is shining, and it feels warmer. I'll take whatever I can get. But somehow, I'm busier than eve, and I need meals I can get on the table fast - and I know I'm not alone. These are all easy recipes you can make and eat within 30 minutes. They consistently get fab feedback from everyone who makes them. I bet you'll love them! This simple Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup uses leftover or rotisserie chicken and...

Hey Reader, I just came inside from my third round of shoveling snow in the past four days. Snow is pretty, but I'm kinda over winter. Unfortunately, it's only February, so I have a lot of cold weather yet to come. I'm finding the silver linings where I can, and today, I'm all about the recipes that make me happy in winter. And if it just snowed by you, too, you don't want to miss these. The best part of a fresh snowfall is watching it come down while snuggled up inside. The second best part...

Hey Reader, Happy Valentine's Day, no matter how you celebrate it (or don't)! It doesn't matter if you're doing a big Galentine's party or celebrating a romantic night with your love or making a fun dinner with your whole family, these desserts are the perfect way to celebrate. Orrrrr if you've had a tough day/week/month, enjoy these yourself and wallow in the comfort of sugar before you move on. There are so many reasons to make these desserts, and every one of them is valid. Just find an...

Hey Reader, Welcome to the Year of the Snake. The start of Lunar New Year was this past Wednesday, but it goes for two weeks, and this is the perfect time to celebrate it! Making Asian dishes at home (because while we may have grown up knowing it at Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated across multiple Asian countries and cultures) is easy and so tasty. And way cheaper than ordering takeout - sometimes even faster, too! Cooking Asian food is easier than you think! Cashew Chicken...