Summer is an ideal time to get kids into the kitchen, especially teens and tweens. Learning to prepare food is an essential life skill and an excellent way to keep active minds busy while school is out. Research points to what we know intuitively as caregivers, that involving kids in meal preparation increases their enthusiasm […]
Ashley Meyer
Ashley Meyer has been cooking as long as she has been walking. The daughter of beloved former Illinois Times food columnist, Julianne Glatz, Ashley offers a fresh, inspired take on her mother’s culinary legacy. Ashley studied winemaking at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand and recently achieved the Level III award from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust. Ashley founded and successfully operated RealCuisine Catering for five years, then turned her focus to motherhood and homesteading. These days, when she’s not cooking, gardening, parenting or writing, you can find Ashley at It’s All About Wine, offering insightful recommendations and mouthwatering pours.
Posted inFood & Drink
Celebrate early spring produce
Erbazzone is essentially a rustic tart filled with savory greens and cheese, with variations found throughout the gastronomically rich region of Emilio-Romagna in northern Italy. A celebration of early spring produce, similar dishes such as Greece’s famous spanakopita can be found throughout Italy and the Mediterranean with varying types of vegetables and herbs, cheese and […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
DIY products for spring cleaning
It doesn’t take a bevy of bought cleaners to get your home sparkling clean. In fact, you probably already have the ingredients on hand in your pantry to make a myriad of effective cleaners. Whether you’re looking to save money or reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals, these easy-to-prepare solutions will have you wondering why […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Catch the snacklebox trend
For better or worse, travel and snacking seem inextricably linked, at least in my family. The selection and preparation of munchies for the road is its own sort of fun. Normal dietary standards are effectively abandoned in favor of everyone’s favorite “sometimes foods” such as sugary cereals and spicy chips. In the past these have […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Tinned fish making waves
To most Midwesterners, the idea of canned fish doesn’t exactly give off a luxe, cosmopolitan vibe. Beyond tuna salad and salmon cakes, the segment doesn’t get much attention. That’s beginning to change, however, as more folks discover the Iberian delicacy known as conservas. This category of tinned or canned seafood is wildly popular throughout Spain […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spring into brunch
For those looking to get the most out of their weekend, brunch is undoubtedly the best place to start. Whether you’re looking for a casual bite before heading off to the farmers market or a full-on mimosa soiree, Springfield has a variety of brunch options from which to choose. Here are a few of our […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Don’t scorn those frozen veggies
The seeds I planted in salvaged takeout containers back in mid-February are about a half an inch tall now. Lined up along the south-facing wall of my garage, the verdant little lettuce and cabbage seedlings serve as a harbinger of good meals to come. Yet even with such a head start on nature, it will […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Chicken and smoked sausage gumbo
There are certain embarrassing memories from childhood that are hard to shake. Like the time my family was on vacation in Jamaica when I was 5 and the kids club at our resort hosted a fashion show. I was thrilled to wear my favorite twirly dress for the show – the kind where the skirt […]
Posted inFood & Drink
No eggs, no problem
Waking up to realize you forgot to close up the chicken coop is rough. I got distracted on my way out to the coop one night back in early November and inadvertently left the door open to a gang of marauding raccoons. We lost about a quarter of our flock in a flurry of feathers […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Wedding cake trends
Planning a wedding is all about details. From choosing the perfect dress to deciding on a venue, dialing in details both large and small is key to creating the day of your dreams. The cake itself serves a dual function both as a visually stunning focal point of the reception and as a sweet finish […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Backyard birdwatching
“We need the tonic of wilderness…we can never have enough of nature.” – Henry David Thoreau Recognizing that much of the world was becoming increasingly industrialized, American naturalist and essayist Henry Thoreau was already urging folks to reconnect with nature back in the mid-19th century. If only he could see us now, with screens and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Dinner on a dime
Ask any nutritionist and they’ll tell you that cooking at home is one of the best ways to improve your diet, but the benefits can extend to your pocketbook as well. According to researchers from the University of Washington School of Public Health, folks who regularly ate meals cooked from scratch at home not only […]
