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The Phoenix: Pivoting Pain into Purpose
At 23, I learned life can take everything from me. At 32, I learned it can take everything from me and I can still rebuild. A personal essay and poem on grief, resilience, and rebirth.
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A Bittersweet Slice of Life: Juliette & David’s Cancer Journey
En Media Res: “In the middle of things.” Let me start by saying: for anyone who is battling cancer—or for anyone who loves or has loved someone battling cancer—this is for you. Secondly, as you may have noticed, this blog has taken a new direction. Because sometimes what inspires you to write in life isn’t always the good, the beautiful, the fun, the happy…sometimes it’s the heartbreak, the tragedy, the fear. And most of the time, it’s all that wrapped all into one. In late 2024, my fiancé David Brackett was diagnosed with locally advanced head and neck cancer. At that time, his oncologist assured us (and these words still…
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3-Ingredient No-Bake Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
It was recently Romeo’s birthday, so I decided to whip up an easy (and healthy!) no-bake pumpkin peanut butter dog treat he would absolutely love–the perfect gift for the pup who already has all the toys in the world! With only 3 simple, wholesome ingredients that may already live in your pantry, you can treat your pooch to a delightful dessert in no time. This recipe consists of three dog-friendly ingredients: 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and sugar-free or low-sugar oats. These treats also reap digestive benefits and are safe for pups with sensitive stomachs, just like Romeo, due to the canned pumpkin. The best part of these…
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The 5-Minute Garlic Lemon Tahini Sauce that Brightens Any Dish
This smooth, nutty sauce adds a bright splash of flavor to any dish—seriously, I literally put it on everything! From grain bowls to roasted veggies to thinning it out as a salad dressing, this garlic lemon tahini sauce is a staple in my weekly recipe repertoire. The best part? Aside from avoiding the preservatives found in most store-bought sauces and dressings, you’ll reap some added health benefits from these simple yet nutrient-rich ingredients! What is Tahini? Tahini is the star ingredient in common food products like hummus, but what exactly is it? Traditionally found in Middle Eastern cuisine, tahini is comprised of hulled sesame seeds, oil, and salt that have…
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Top 10 Human Foods to Avoid for Dogs—Some May Surprise You!
Let’s face it, when our lovable pooches flash us those beggar eyes, it’s more than tempting to feed them a seemingly harmless bite off our plates, but what “human” foods are actually toxic for dogs? Most of us know to avoid biggies like chocolate, but many people are unaware of unsuspecting dangers like xylitol, which is often buried among common household ingredients. What Foods are Toxic for Dogs? 1. Chocolate Chocolate contains the chemicals theobromine and methylxanthine, which are toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause poisoning, and in rare cases, seizures and death. Dark chocolate contains the highest concentration of these harmful substances, while white chocolate has…
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The Best Chewy, Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
As someone who’s been baking since I owned an Easy Bake Oven, I’ve scoured through my fair share of chocolate chip cookie recipes on the hunt for the perfect one. After dozens of experiments, I’ve finally compiled a tried-and-true recipe for the best, GOOEY chocolate chip cookies! If you’re looking for a crisp, crunchy cookie, this is not for you! I’m a lover of chewy, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth kind of texture, so here are a few tips and tricks for achieving that perfect bite. Why Do Some Ingredients Need to Be Room Temperature? When it boils down to it, baking is a science. When creaming together butter and sugars, it makes…
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The Creamy, Vegan Avocado Cilantro Dressing You’ll Make on Repeat
I love experimenting with sauces that can double as salad dressings, and one of my favorite staples in my recipe wardrobe is this hassle-free, delectably creamy avocado cilantro dressing. All you need to do is throw a handful of simple, nutritious ingredients into the blender, and in under ten minutes you’ll have a sauce you’ll want to pair with everything! Why are Avocados Good for You? Avocados are an extremely nutrient-rich addition to your meal, high in Vitamins C, B6, E, K and other essentials like Niacin, Folate, Potassium, and Magnesium. Each medium-sized avocado contains a great balance of healthy fats and a substantial 14 grams of fiber, promoting healthy…
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How to Cook Perfect, Chef-Quality Salmon Every Time—in Only 5 Steps!
Salmon is one of my favorite healthy proteins, but it took me forever to discover that the best technique for cooking it was actually one of the simplest! I was overcooking and undercooking salmon dozens of hopeless attempts after another, hunting for the best method to achieve that restaurant-quality golden-brown crust with a flaky, irresistibly juicy center. The winner? Ditch your oven mitts and forget about baking (unless you’re planning to incorporate a marinade). The cast iron skillet method beat them all—and the best part? You can master it in only five simple steps. What are the Health Benefits of Salmon? As a natural-born hater of most fish or anything…
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What to Feed Your Dog to Ease an Upset Stomach, According to Science
We’ve all been there—the dog gets into God-knows-what, and the next thing you know, you’re finding unpleasant surprises on the floor, and your poor pooch is moping around with its tail down. This exact scenario just happened to Romeo the other day. He has an extremely sensitive stomach, but like most helplessly naughty dogs, he tends to sneak crumbs or foods off the ground that upset his fragile digestive system. The poor guy couldn’t hold himself overnight, and I woke up to a mixture of vomit, diarrhea, and Romeo’s ashamed little face and rumbling tummy. Luckily, I had one of his tried and tested solutions on-hand: canned pumpkin. Why…
