Those ten pounds after forty (damn them!)

I’m not sure it’s set in stone, but it seems likely that every blog written by a woman will, at some point, explore issues regarding body image.  If the writer is a woman older than forty or forty-five, it might devolve into a rant about the sheer impossibility of losing weight in any manner that seems sensible.  I mean seriously people, how many f***ing miles do I have to run to take off one single, solitary, f***ing pound?! Breathe. There was a twelve-pound weight loss last year but that was … [Read more...]

A Friday recipe: slow cooker country-style maple ribs

When the husband and I put our girls in sports, we didn’t think it through.  For those first six or seven years, having had the three of them within three and half years of each other, I was flying by the seat of my pants.  Piano?  I thought, “Oh yeah, they should learn to play.  It’ll make ‘em smart!”  Getting them to practice on a daily basis, however, proved more than my psyche could handle and I feared for the well-being of my family every afternoon when the two older ones would moan, groan, … [Read more...]

Thursdays in the kitchen with Jo: Shepherd’s Pie for St. Patrick’s Day

I’m proud to be Irish but I’ve never really embraced the cuisine like I do Italy’s or Mexico’s.  There are specific items in Ireland’s culinary cupboard that I love – potatoes, for one – but not a lot of dishes that I regularly put together.  Despite a growing number of well-known Irish chefs – Rachel Allen among them – few of us ever say “Let’s go out for Irish tonight.”  On St. Patrick’s Day, however, it’s worth giving the Emerald Isle her due when it comes to answering the question, “What’s … [Read more...]

Thursdays in the kitchen with Jo: magic cookies

There are few things more perfect in life than a Magic Cookie, except maybe a Magic Cookie with a cup of coffee.  I’ve been making these since I was a kid. Let me first apologize.  Last week was a simple cookie recipe and here I am giving you another one.  See, I didn’t have time to whip up something original to share with y’all in the entrée department (we’re having a Costco roast chicken for dinner) but I was making these for a friend because they’re the best cookies in the world and why … [Read more...]

Thursdays in the kitchen with Jo: simple sugar cookies

A few weeks ago, I shared with you a recipe for Sloppy Joes.  I heard from several people who made them shortly after I posted because they had most, if not all, of the ingredients already in their kitchen.  That’s a fantasy of mine – to always have what I need on hand so I can whip up a meal on the spot when friends come over unexpectedly.  That’s never happened – not the fully stocked kitchen nor the spontaneous guests – but a girl can dream. My simple offering for you today is your basic … [Read more...]

Thursdays in the kitchen with Jo: Sloppy Joes (make these)

The hours after I pick up the girls from school have gotten busier, which means it’s important for me to think ahead about dinner and find easy meals to make in order to feed my family before 8pm.  Sometime last year I received a Trader Joe’s cookbook.  Inside, the recipes consisted of all items available for purchase at TJ’s, with varying levels of cooking difficulty and taste preferences. Here’s my question: when’s the last time you had Sloppy Joes? My mom used to make these squishy … [Read more...]