I’ve been performing a lot of kitchen experiments recently. It’s partially because I’m enjoying the access to a variety of ingredients that comes with moving back to the States, but mostly because I love the whole process of mixing and testing and eating. It’s like alchemy – part art, part science, and part wishful thinking.…
Read MoreHow to feed a niche
I have a not-so-secret love for products with only one, very specific use. It takes a fantastic amount of chutzpah to get someone to spend money on something like a piece of plastic to fold shirts just a little bit more neatly. The gold standard of tunnel vision innovation is, without question, Williams-Sonoma. They have…
Read MoreThat’s my jam
When I hear the word “chia” I have a very instant reaction. I’m sure you have the exact same reaction as well. It turns out in addition to making a great gift when spread onto a terra cotta animal, chia seeds are totally edible and apparently quite good for your health. They’re chock full of fiber,…
Read MoreMaking mustard with a Ninja
This brilliant idea began where many brilliant ideas begin – the liquor store. Unlike some of those other ideas, this one was actually brilliant. We were on a family beer shopping trip (that’s totally a thing), and I was helping my mom browse the rather expansive selection in the cooler. Going over the types of beer…
Read MoreThere’s no taste like home
I’ve been a little lax in posting since returning to America, but I have a very good excuse – I’ve been busy eating. Although I treated myself at the deli to some corned beef and the biggest matzo ball in town, I’ve tried to cook dinner at home most nights. It’s good for me to have…
Read MoreWhen Beijing hands you lemons
By now it’s basically made the news everywhere that Beijing is in the midst of an “airpocalypse” of epic proportions. This past Saturday night the US Embassy air quality monitoring station spat out a terrifying AQI reading of 755. Considering the “acceptable” level is less than 100, and the advisory scale maxes out its severest…
Read MoreThe Art of Brownieception
My Nana used to make the most amazing dinner concoction: stuffed meatloaf. When I was a kid I saw this as the culinary version of a ship in a bottle. I just couldn’t figure out how she got the stuffing into the meatloaf. Magic! Even though I now understand the mystery of the meatloaf, there’s still…
Read MoreMuffins and Cookies and Cakes (Oh My!)
As many of you already know, my sister’s bridal shower was last weekend. In preparation for the party, I spent all day last Friday pretty much chained to my oven making various sweets. Well, almost all day. I spent some time in the morning at the gym creating a negative calorie bank for me to…
Read MoreThe Diet Diaries: #4 (Strawberry Pretzel Pie)
If you haven’t noticed already, my main diet obsession has become finding ways to eat dessert without feeling guilty. I don’t eat it all that often, but when I meet up with Ryan and Laura for Survivor night we have a cooking system. Laura makes a fabulous dinner and I make a fabulous dessert. It’s…
Read MoreThe Diet Diaries: #2 (Having My Cake)
Since we’re all friends here, I have a bit of a confession to make: I am a banana bread-aholic. It has come to the point where I often buy bananas with the hope that no one in the house will eat them. I place them carefully behind the knife block or next to more appealing…
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Positively Natalie 