Home Cooked Stories

May is a lot. If you know, you know. Between recitals, field trips, end-of-year presentations, teacher appreciation week, and Mother's Day all colliding at once, most of us arrive at summer break already running on empty. And then we're expected to just shift gears. In this episode, I'm getting honest about my feelings around summer break and what it looks like to work full-time wit...

Grandmacore. Nonna-nostalgia. The slow Sunday. Whatever you call it, something is pulling a lot of us (especially those of us in the middle of full lives and busy schedules) toward a slower, more intentional way of moving through our kitchens and our weekends. And it's not hard to see why. There's something magnetic about those viral videos of Italian grandmothers rolling pasta by hand,...

Are family trips worth it — even the chaotic, exhausting, everyone-hit-a-wall-at-6pm ones? After more than a decade of traveling with three kids, a lot of hotel rooms, and more than a few moments of questioning every decision we've ever made — my answer is a hard yes. And in this episode, I'm telling you exactly why. I'm recording this fresh off a long weekend in Atlanta — kids on s...

There's a movement spreading among millennial parents right now — a growing push to give kids a more 1990s childhood. Less screen time, more boredom, and unscheduled summers. And I get it. But this episode isn't about our kids. It's about us. Because we're the generation trying to protect our children from overstimulation while personally scrolling Instagram, prompting ChatGPT,...

It’s March 1st. My husband is out of town for four nights. I am sitting in the sunroom with a pile of my favorite cookbooks, a pen, a sheet of notebook paper, and a very clean intention: I am going to cook dinner every single night he’s gone. The plan did not survive the week. And that, it turns out, is the whole episode. If you’ve been in a winter cooking rut — the kind that sneaks up sometime af...

What does it look like to build a life you actually love — and use your passion to get there? In this episode of Home Cooked Stories , I sit down with Molly Wilkinson, an American pastry chef living in Versailles, France, who turned her love of French pastry into a thriving business and a life entirely on her own terms. Molly didn't follow the traditional path. After training at Le Cordon Ble...

Have you ever stood in your kitchen at the end of a long day, completely exhausted, wondering what to make for dinner when you're too tired to cook...again? This episode is for the nights when meal planning overwhelm takes over, inspiration doesn't strike, the meal plan falls apart, and whatever ends up on the table just needs to work. Even though we all know it's okay to have those...

I can't help but click on a "top 10 list" or watch those viral restaurant recommendations. But, in a world of short attention spans and headlines competing for our attention, how do we slow down and discover the stories behind the food that shapes our experience of a place? In this episode of Home Cooked Stories , I'm talking with Stephanie Burt, acclaimed freelance writer and...

I am not feeling traditional New Year's resolutions this year. Instead, I wanted to take a more mindful approach - one rooted in intention, and joy. In this episode, I'm reflecting on why rigid goal setting didn't resonate with me this year (Spoiler Alert: I think it has to do with getting older). I'm also one who believes that inviting meaningful change into our lives doesn&ap...

The holidays don't need to be elaborate to feel special. In this episode of Home Cooked Stories , I'm sharing five easy, festive things you can make this holiday season with five ingredients or less. Amidst the hustle and bustle this time of year, let this list inspire you to create a little moment for yourself and your family, even when time and energy feel limited.  These are the kinds...

In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how Home Cooked Stories came to be. It's a little peek behind the mic that I've wanted to share since the very beginning. With the year coming to a close, it felt like a good opportunity to slow down, reflect, and talk about the moments (big and small) that inspired this podcast.  I chat about:  Growing up in Belgium and how food first becam...

In this episode, I'm sharing how a once-in-a-lifetime Andrea Bocelli concert inspired me to bring more beauty, presence, and delight into the everyday — even on a chaotic Monday night. Inspired by the Italian idea of La Dolce Vita, we can create small, intentional rituals that elevate the most ordinary moments at home. From turning on music while cooking to lighting a simple candle at dinner,...

Cozy up to fall with me, as the weather gets chilly, and discover how to bring more leafy greens into our everyday meals. From collards and kale to leeks and Swiss chard, notice how nature gives us a bounty of greens right when we’re craving comfort food most. And I'm sharing easy, low-effort ways to fit them naturally into what you’re already cooking. I'll walk you through approachable...

A solo trip to a stunning Asheville flower farm turns into a lesson about creativity and curiosity. In this episode, I'm giving you the scoop on attending a floral design workshop in Asheville - reminding me that trying new things doesn't have to come with pressure or perfection.  Get ready to rediscover your creative side, embrace hobbies as an adult, and find empowerment in solo experi...

Bake along with me this fall as I share three cozy, foolproof breads — a classic white loaf, rustic focaccia, and soft pitas — that anyone can make, no experience needed. If you’ve been wanting to bake bread but didn’t know where to start, this is your invitation to slow down, warm up the kitchen, and enjoy something homemade this season. Recipes From the Episode King Arthur's English Muffin...

Join me and dive into the best parts of traveling with friends - from great food to deep conversation and moments of self-care sprinkled in between. I'm dishing out the details on where we enjoyed morning pastries as well as one-of-a-kind massages. I'm keeping those clothes stretchy to make room for all the good eats and laughter along the way. Let's take a minute to slow down and r...

I'm taking you beyond the food that's on our plate in this two-part mini-series highlighting my recent trip to Chicago. We're going to uncover how food, travel, and friendships intertwine - set against the backdrop of the Windy City. This trip was about more than just eating; it centered around moments of connection, laughter, and rekindling a part of ourselves that may not show up...

Tips to Help Parents Focus Less on Perfect Lunches and More on Happy Kids I don't recall my parents putting a whole lot of thought or effort into making my school lunch each day - a sandwich, chips, maybe a fruit, perhaps a sweet treat, and a Capri Sun (or Sunny D). Yet, I think there's a lot more pressure for today's parents wrapped up in providing school lunch. Is it nutritious? I...

Whether you love the feeling of picking out ripe tomatoes or just want to feel more connected to your food, this episode’s for you! I’m talking with Courtney Spear, market manager for the Davidson Farmers Market in NC and owner of the catering company Courtney Cooks. I loved this conversation with her! Together, we’re uncovering the deep sense of community the farmers market creates.  These delect...

Thinking about a family trip to Maine? For those of you that crave culinary adventures when you travel, but also need to keep it family friendly, I've got you covered! In this episode, I'm sharing the itinerary and highlights of our unforgettable vacation to Portland, Maine. You'll hear tips for traveling with kids, finding family-friendly activities, and discovering the local food...

Summary Have you ever been inspired by a podcast but need an extra nudge to turn inspiration into real life application? That's what this episode is all about - taking the ideas from the first two episodes and showing you how I put them into practice in one week. I'll tell you how I used one homemade salad dressing and a bag of ole reliable oats to make six delicious (and nutritious) mea...

Welcome back to another episode of Home Cooked Stories! Today’s topic hits home for myself and many other women as we navigate middle age. Ready or not, our bodies are changing – impacting our physical composition and cognitive health. I’m so grateful to have Dr. Ariel Haddad as my guest for this discussion. She helps us better understand the intricate relationship between food, health, and hormon...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Home Cooked Stories podcast! Have you ever felt frustrated by family meal planning amidst busy schedules, or generally crave a need for simplicity and convenience when it comes to making meals? On today’s episode, my guest Sheela Prakash and I are exploring the significance of home-cooked meals, the evolution of food media, and practical cooking tips. We’re...