Over the course of 2019, I spent approximately 800 hours in the kitchen and about the same amount of time eating. That being said, a good portion of my life (about 18%) revolves around food, and that’s not even counting the time I spend thinking…
2019 was quite an incredible year full of many firsts and tons of adventures. From flipping in the O’Dome to jumping out of a plane, I honestly can’t believe how much happened during 2019! Looking back, I’ve compiled a list of the best, most memorable,…
If you are interested in viewing any of my professional portfolio work, please check out my personal website: Here is a sneak peak of my portfolio page…
My family used Hello Fresh for about a year, and this Mediterranean couscous recipe was a unanimous favorite. That’s saying quite a bit, because we all have extremely different tastes! Now, it’s made it’s way into my regular dinner schedule. Although it’s not a completely…
I just finished all my final exams, and it’s time to celebrate – with these cookies to be exact! Snickerdoodles and gingerbread cookies collide in this delightful holiday recipe! These scrumptious treats have the best of both worlds… they are perfectly spiced and delightfully soft…
Satisfy your chocolate craving with these rich, soft in the middle, and wonderfully indulgent cookies. They make for the perfect little gift for friends, teammates, or co-workers during the holiday season, as they look quite fancy but are actually super easy to make! Simply dipping…
For every lazy day, busy day, chilly day, and any day in between, this chili is perfect. My (mostly plant-based) family even made it for Thanksgiving! Nutritious and flavorful, it’s easier than easy to make. Simply let it simmer while the veggies get tender and…
Thinking of hot cocoa brings back such fond memories. My sister and I had quite a tradition of running inside to make hot chocolate once our fingers nearly turned to icicles and we were finally finished playing outside in the snow. We would recklessly stomp…
Brownies… they’re here! I’ve had a few people request this recipe, so I finally took photos of them before they got gobbled up, and now I’m ready to share them! Before I get into the rich, indulgent nature of these gluten free treats, I wanted…
This healthier side holiday treat will surely waft a wonderful aroma through your home. With citrus and plenty of spice, the flavor combination delightfully complements the winter season! Its naturally sweetened with maple syrup and honey, and has plenty of oats and nuts… not to…
In this grain bowl, a tasty and exotic blend of fruits and vegetables is served over a nutritious base of farro, sweet potatoes, and kale. The flavor complexity and multitude of texture bring a wow factor to the dish. It’s filled with healthy carbohydrates to…
I was enjoying my last piece of pumpkin banana bread the other day, and let me tell you – I was savoring that slice! I just kept thinking, “wow, I need to bake more of this!” Of course, going a day without pumpkin spice in October…
Mornings are so much better when you have a cute and delicious parfait to enjoy – starting your day fresh with a vibrant and healthy jar of goodness just feels so good. With plenty of textures to enjoy, this berry pomegranate chia parfait is so…
On top of the regulating health benefits of SWEET CHI by aha Pure Foods, this curry is a balanced meal in itself! It has plenty of whole grains, healthy carbohydrates, fiber, and plant-based protein to make for a satisfying and nutritious meal. The chickpeas and…
Apple pie a la mode is such a classic dessert, and it has always been one of my favorites. Although it takes quite a bit more time to make from scratch, it is 100% worth the work! This recipe features a crust that is nothing…
Whenever I fail to plan dinner, or I am a bit short on time, I find myself cooking up a good old grain bowl. To be honest, I probably have a mixture of grains, veggies, and beans all mixed together with some sort of yummy…
I’ve been working on a little project lately… creating digital artwork! Making designs is such a calming pastime for me, and I have really enjoyed pulling out my artsy skills recently. So far, I’ve made several colorful mandala designs and flowers – perfect for vinyl…
Who doesn’t love a slice of sweet, flavorful, and moist zucchini bread? I have had several versions of (very good) zucchini bread, but this one surely tops them all. I just can’t resist grinning and letting out a huge mmm hmm when I take the first…
This toast is totally loaded and absolutely delicious. The recipe starts with a simple piece of bread, but you’ll end up with a peachy, nutty, cinnamon-y, and naturally sweet breakfast feast. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Chia seeds, granola, and berries make…
These black bean burgers are healthy, delicious, and a tad bit spicy. They are great with the simple sauce included in the recipe, but are delicious (and vegan) on their own as well. I love making a big batch and freezing them for later use. …
Red bell peppers create a vibrant base, the quinoa adds a hearty fluffiness to the dish, and the chickpeas provide a great source of plant-based protein. Meanwhile, scallions, dried apricots, and a Middle Eastern inspired spice blend add an incredible depth of flavor to this…
Cherry season is coming up, and that means it’s time for some cherry creations! I was inspired by my love of chocolate covered cherries and my regular parfait regimen to create something like this: a parfait complete with loads of cocoa, chia seeds, yogurt, and…
Yes, I’m the type of person who eats oatmeal most mornings, and I love it for several reasons. Its cozy, it’s satisfying, and it’s delicious. However, eating the same old bowl of oats everyday can get pretty boring and redundant, but creating variety through toppings…
Yes, I’m the type of person who always likes to finish off a meal with a bit of dessert. Whether it’s a square of dark chocolate or a spoonful of ice cream, I always like to leave my taste buds with something sweet. More often…
It’s been just over one year since I moved into my first dorm room at University of Florida. I spent hours gathering inspiration, making artwork to display, and planning the perfect haven for my freshman year. I’m pretty proud of how I transformed the tiny,…
Sydney Offering coffee and a variety of food options, Basket Brothers seems like any other Sydney café at first glance. However, the freshness and quality of the food, as well as the friendly service, set it apart from the rest. The coffeehouse, bar, and…
There were two good things that came out of a tiring 46 hour travel “day” from Australia: I adjusted very quickly to the Eastern time zone, and I got inspiration for these egg bites. After three flights and 36 hours of being in planes and…
Oftentimes salad gets associated with boring and healthy. However, this recipe is here to change that! Salads are a great way to create a balanced meal. One, they are so easy to prepare and bring with you. Two, you can toss in so many different…
Rustic, aesthetically pleasing, and quite boho, are ways visitors describe The Grounds of Alexandria. With mosaic lanterns gently swaying in the breeze, arches covered in vibrant ferns, a canopy of bulb lights strung between roofs, and overflowing baskets filled with fruit, the sights are spectacular.…
On October 22, 1797 André Jaques Garnerin parachuted 3,000ft out of a hot air balloon for the first time. On June 2, 2019, I jumped out of a plane for the first time. Skydiving’s history dates much further back than the first successful parachuting venture.…
Fiji is home to a wonderfully dirty, cleansing escape. Yes, you read that correctly. Approximately a 30-minute drive from the city of Nadi, there exists two unique mud pools and hot springs. The surprisingly soothing dugouts are located at the foot of a beautiful mountain formation,…
I had the pleasure of experiencing two very different big cities while in Australia – Sydney and Melbourne. We spent the majority of the trip in Sydney, but a few friends and I took a weekend trip south to Melbourne. We had a great time…
Studying abroad in Sydney was absolutely amazing! I loved the city and the surrounding areas… Sydney really has everything, from city sights to beaches and nature escapes. I think I took over 2000 photos there but was able to dwindle it down to about 120…
While studying abroad in Australia, I had the chance to go on a weekend getaway to Fiji! What a tropical paradise! It was a lovely, relaxing time with a bit of adventure. Here are some photos at the resort, the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple, a Nadi…
For tourists and Melbourne residents, the Brighton Bathing Boxes are in a prime location, as the colorful huts on Dendy Street Beach sit less than a 30-minute drive from the central business district. Perhaps take a quick trip to escape the hustle and bustle of…
Cairns, pronounced “cans”, was the last city I visited on my study abroad trip to Australia. It’s a small town on the northern coast and a major gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rain forests. Thus, many people travel to Cairns to experience adventures…
My three favorite grab-and-go breakfasts – chia seed pudding, smoothies, and yogurt parfaits – all rolled into one! Here’s a healthy, balanced meal or snack that could easily be mistaken for dessert any day. With the texture of pudding and a creamy, fruity flavor, this parfait…
Instead of simply raving about the recipe, I thought I would bring in some inspiration. So, I will be introducing a quote and adding my personal insight before discussing how it relates to your life. Ultimately, it all ties back to this delightful strawberry banana bread and…
Another day, another parfait! Seriously though, these things are awesome. Besides being totally balanced with whole grains, protein, fruit, and flavor, parfaits are one of the easiest things to put together. It’s like instant dessert for breakfast (you can even leave it in the fridge…
Spring always calls for fresh greens, and this dish complements the season perfectly! With vibrant berries and a bit of goat cheese, there is a great balance of sweet and tangy. However, the real star is these sweet curry roasted chickpeas! With an Indian inspired…
Roasted chickpeas are one of my favorite snacks because they are just so healthy and delicious! With an abundance of spices to choose from, you can flavor them however you would like. This particular version is inspired by Indian food, but has a cinnamon kick. …
I absolutely love French toast, and I am always searching for new ways to make it! Below you will find four of my favorite preparations. They each came from creative kitchen moments, but have all made their way into my weekend breakfast routine. Each is…
Bananas and chocolate – a classic yet decadent combination, especially for breakfast, and especially in banana bread. However, making a loaf of bread can be a time consuming task because it takes nearly 60 minutes to bake. But what if you are short on time, or you…
Ahhh – the green smoothie. The first time I saw my health focused coach drinking one several years back, I was appalled. Why would someone want to drink something green? I thought green was for vegetables, not a smoothie. When I finally tried one, much…
It was a chilly December day in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Snowflakes were falling, and my stomach was growling. It was the morning after a gymnastics competition, and my family was speed walking through the cold to a local breakfast restaurant. Once we settled inside, pulled…
“A mistake that makes you humble is better than an achievement that makes you arrogant” The first time I made these, I messed up. Yup, it happens to everyone. I wasn’t careful enough when writing out the recipe, and I failed to add enough wet…
I’m not sure I have met a smoothie bowl I don’t like, but this one is definitely my favorite. I eat this after almost every hard workout for recovery, and I never seem to get tired of it. There is something about berries and banana that…
Fair warning, these do not taste like normal pancakes… but they are extremely delightful and perfect for any chai spice and butternut squash lovers. With a great balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, they make for an exciting, unique meal. They’ve got splash of cinnamon,…
A little story about this French toast… I woke up Monday morning feeling revitalized after a rough weekend. I had come down with a bug on Saturday, and it forced me to miss my team’s competition. I watched what turned out to be the last…
I make this salad every time I have any leftover sweet potatoes, without fail! I’ve even roasted some sweet potatoes just to make this salad. It has become one of my favorites, due to its balanced nature and sweet flavor. Overall, this vegan meal is delightful, colorful, and…
