Anyone feeling a little post-Thanksgiving plump? Today's edition reflects that after-holiday reality with some healthy (dare I say detox?) ideas for the next few days. But then, who else is ready to jump into ... or ease into ... December? So many December (not necessarily "Christmas") ideas here ...

Cooked on the Stove or in a Slow Cooker or "Slow Cooked in the Oven" Have you ever looked and looked (and looked?!) for the perfect way to make a certain something? At Last! Black Bean Soup became my "only" black bean soup recipe, gracious! more than 30 years ago now and today is one of my "signature" recipes. It's super simple to make, just dried black beans, tomato, corn, potatoes and/or sweet potato and a touch of jalapeño. Some times I add ham hocks, other times I skip the meat for a vegan black bean soup that really lets the beans themselves stand out. Budget-Friendly. Fresh & Seasonal, Perfect for Cold-Weather Meals. Easily not just vegan, Vegan Done Real . Very Weight Watchers Friendly. Naturally Gluten Free. High Protein. Great for Meal Prep. Freezes Well. Rave Reviews.

A veritable Thanksgiving buffet for a small, re-invented holiday: ideas for a make-ahead Thanksgiving morning; ideas for a Thanksgiving weekend; even ideas for those of us who don't quite know what to do with ourselves when Thanksgiving is smaller and simpler.

Ah, 2020. You so do challenge us to re-think and outright re-invent our long-held holiday traditions. Inside you'll find 11 different strategies for creating big memories this year plus a collection of recipes especially suited for Thanksgiving for Two and other small tables. And K-I-L-L-E-R desserts! Because if we've earned anything in this mixed-up, frightening year (we're 38 weeks in by my count) ... it's memorable desserts.

Hey, Y'all. We've got a hella week ahead ... how about we just give it up now and lean into stress cooking and stress eating?

Wherein a northerner shares two southern secrets for the quickest, easiest and tastiest way to cook grits. I'm willing to bet: you already own this "secret tool" and your fridge is already home to the "secret ingredient". Just check, am I right?! Try these secrets on your own favorite grits recipe. Or try my latest, a southwest-style pot of grits with a touch of green chili and a touch of cheese, low in calories but full of flavor. Real Food, Fast & Flexible. Weeknight Easy, Weekend Special. Great for Meal Prep. Budget Friendly. Vegetarian. Low Cal. Low Carb. Weight Watchers Friendly. Naturally Gluten Free.

Happy Halloween circa 2020, all! To celebrate, I've pulled together an entire patch of pumpkin recipes. (Can one ever have too many?) Here's the chance to turn your own kitchen into pumpkin heaven ...

Another time-tested recipe from Kitchen Parade, one of my very oldest recipes, a favorite of my mom's dating way back to my childhood! Years later, Baked Apples remain a fall tradition in my own kitchen. I just love how small apples soak up the luscious, rich apple-flavored brown-sugar sauce. Utterly addictive! Real Food, Fresh & Seasonal. A Fall Classic. Budget Friendly. Weeknight Easy, Weekend Special. Naturally Gluten Free.

There is a season ... the slow cooking season, that is. I've collected some of my favorite slow-cook recipes, some using an actual slow cooker, others using the oven for slow-cooking.