Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something that helped burn fat, reduced the risk of developing disease and facilitated graceful, independent living well into old age? “Strength training really is the magic formula,” said Brigitte Cutler, a physical therapist in Springfield. Cutler explained that strength training boosts the health and functionality of mitochondria, the […]
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
Meyer lemon meringue pie
It’s birthday season in our household. Three of us have January birthdays, including my grandmother, who will celebrate her 92nd birthday this year. Our family matriarch loves all things lemon so this year I’m planning to make her favorite, mile-high lemon meringue pie. The recipe for this uniquely American pie was developed in Philadelphia in […]
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Plant-powered weekday meals
In this fast-paced world, one thing is certain: The best diet is whatever works for you. Whether keto, paleo, Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, vegan or just old-school calorie counting, folks trying to improve their wellbeing almost universally need to increase their intake of fresh, nutrient-dense veggies while reducing their consumption of processed foods. However, anyone who’s […]
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Baking with booze
“Why do you always put alcohol in desserts?” asked my 12-year-old in a singularly judgmental tone unique to adolescents. I paused with a bottle of brandy hovering over the edge of my stand mixer as it worked to cream butter and sugar. “Well, it’s cheaper than vanilla,” I responded. Indeed vanilla prices have been spiking […]
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A delicious theme
When planning a holiday soiree you may want to pull out your finest china, splurge on a big roast and treat your guests to fancy hors d’oeuvres. Other occasions, however, call for a more casual, laid back and economical approach. A winter soup and salad party is a delicious theme, made even better thanks to […]
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The elegant, underestimated pear
Although apples and pumpkin spice often dominate autumn’s culinary scene, pears are arguably one of the season’s most elegant yet often underestimated fruits. Perhaps because they’re so willing to ripen on the counter, quickly transforming from crunchy and crisp to meltingly soft. Indeed, pears are the only orchard fruit that is not ripened on the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Music for kids and parents to enjoy together
Put two parents of preschool-age children together in the same room and there’s a good chance they’ll end up having a conversation about “Bluey,” the wildly popular animated Australian TV series that’s captivated both children and parents alike. It’s a kids’ show but it can thoroughly entertain the adults in the room as well, clearly […]
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It’s almost time to get cookin’
However you celebrate the holidays, the lengthening nights that mark the approach of winter solstice call for cozy cooking and spending time with the people you love. Whether you’re prepping for a big family get-together or just want to make the most of baking and soup season, having a clean and organized space will help […]
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Applejack, a drink as old as the country
Brandy is essentially a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice. Grape-based brandy such as Cognac, which hails from a specific area in southwestern France, or Chilean Pisco are the most common. However, specialty varieties made from other fruits such as apples, pears and even raspberries have existed in Europe for centuries. There is […]
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Pumpkin good for more than just pies
If you’ve ever cracked open a can of pumpkin, there’s a good chance it was grown and produced up the road in Morton, just outside of Peoria. According to the University of Illinois Extension, Illinois farmers harvested more than twice as many acres of pumpkins in 2022 as the next five states combined, with production […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Pick the perfect apple
The first flashes of scarlet have emerged on the leaves of the maple tree in my yard, a sure sign that the fall baking season is about to begin. Baskets of brightly colored apples have replaced summer melons at farm stands and markets, beckoning home bakers to stock up on flour and preheat their ovens. […]
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A bounty of peppers
It was a good year to be a vegetable gardener in central Illinois. An early start in the spring rolled right on into a hot but not too dry summer, perfect for growing whopper tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. In my garden, branches on the bell pepper plants are so overloaded I’ve twice had to replace […]
