A Family + Lifestyle Blog
Growing up, Fall marked the start of all the rustic Italian cooking in our home. Simple ingredients combined with seasonal, local harvest not only meant delicious, hearty dinners, but are characteristics of most Italian cuisine. You already know pizza makes a repeat appearance in our recipe archives, not only because it’s one of our family’s favourite foods, but because of it’s versatility and affordability to
So long Summer means you may have seasonal produce lingering on your countertops. Like a fine vino, tomatoes can get better with age, but the wrinkly skin texture may be off-putting and have you questioning if you should pitch em’…DON’T! In Italian cuisine, tomatoes are “the golden fruit” and there is always a way to #zerowaste these beauties. A simple, quick slow roast will salvage
We can’t believe it’s been over a month since our soul-fueling family getaway to Lambton Shores, Ontario – just 1.5 hours’ drive from Toronto and a fantastic spot to kick-start Summer break. With it’s Blue Flag beaches, world renowned Lake Huron sunsets, vibrant culinary scene, hike n’ bike trails, parks and attractions, a getaway to Lambton Shores is a fun-for-the-whole-family kind of destination and we’re
Freshly picked peaches conjure up nostalgia of a Summer visit to my Grandparents’ place out West as a kid and wandering the peach orchards near their house atop a hill with a view of beautiful Kelowna, BC. Heading to a local farmers market for a basket of freshly picked peaches is one of my favourite simple pleasures of Summer – some of our favourite spots
We’ve got memories of Italia Bella on our mind after the nation’s Euro Cup win this weekend! Before we began our adventures in parenthood, DadChef and I did a whirl around Italy through Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, including a pit stop in Tuscany where we learned to make this rustic Italian salad at a stunning vineyard overlooking the hills of Tuscany –
What foods evoke Summer nostalgia for you? Growing up, a sure sign of summer was Nonna’s fresh plate of Fiori di Zucca Fritti – Fried Zucchini Flowers (aka Squash Blossoms). She had the most beautifully tended vegetable garden and picking fresh harvest with her is a memory I’ll never forget (although I now know zucchini are, botanically speaking, a fruit…allora!). Like most Italian fare, there
When I was 17 years old, I was lucky enough to get to join some girlfriends on my first sans parents trip to Europe – destination the spectacular nation of Spain. The beauty of the experience is hard to sum up in words – the historical landmarks, the lively culture, the endearing people and the incredible food collectively left a forever mark on my heart.
Happy Dad’s Day weekend to all the amazing fathers & father figures, especially our DadChef, my co-captain of our crazy, the meal-making, values-instilling, role-modelling family man our home team loves the guts out of & steps up huge for us every day, in every way. We’ll be skipping the dishes this weekend thanks to a dishwasher gone bust (ugh!), but if the way to
With stay-at-home orders on the cusp of lifting in our province, we asked the kids where we should go once local travel restrictions ease, and it was a resounding “Tobermory” all around! We had an unforgettable mini escape to this wonderful harbour village on the Bruce Peninsula last Summer. Appropriately called “Canada’s Caribbean”, it’s Ontario’s Azure water wonder where you’ll feel like you’ve teleported to
Our local Farmers’ Markets began to reopen last month and getting out of the house with DadChef for a bike ride to the one hosted in our local park has been a bit of simple joy and parenting reprieve we need. Strawberry season is always a sweet sign of Summer’s start, and Ontario strawberries are among the sweetest and most delish. There are lots of
