A Review of How to Make Homemade Olive Garden House Dressing and Salad

Olive Garden is one of my husband's favorite restaurants.  He especially loves the salad that comes with the meals.  He always raves about the salad dressing.  Italian is his favorite, but he claims that the Olive Garden salad dressing is especially good, so I made a copy cat recipe so he could enjoy delicious salads at home.  He says he cannot tell the difference......much!  Here's how I make it:

How to Make the Green Salad:

• 2 Romaine lettuce hearts, chopped how you prefer your salads
• 1/4 cup of red onion, sliced fairly thin, keep individual pieces 1 to 2 inches long
• 2 medium tomatoes chopped
• 4 pepperoncini, the pickled type
• 6 to 8 pitted black olives 

and just before serving add:

• large croutons
• shredded Parmesan cheese 

• How to Make Olive Garden Dressing and Salad

Don't cut the lettuce until close to the time you plan to serve it, it is more crispy.  I usually serve the dressing on the side, so people can put the amount they want.  

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of light olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of grated Romano cheese (can substitute Parmesan)
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 
  

I think this dressing tastes almost identical to what they serve at Olive Garden.  If you want to tweak the flavor, try adjusting the amount of sugar or the amount of lemon juice, I think these have the biggest impact on the taste.  Put your dressing in a pretty glass carafe and don't forget to shake well before serving.

How To Store Your Homemade Dressing

Because it is made from scratch, with no preservatives, this dressing will not keep nearly as long as what you buy in the store.  However, it will be fine in your refrigerator, in an air tight container, for a week or a bit more.  The flavors blend together and it is even more delicious after a day or two, so if you can, make it at least a day before you plan to use it.

Other Uses For Your Homemade Dressing

• Dressing macaroni salad
• Marinating chicken for broiling or baking
• Brushing on steaks or chops while grilling
• Vegetable dip - you may want to add a bit more mayo to thicken it
• Stir it into plain cooked pasta and vegetables to make it a tasty side dish

I hope you enjoy this salad dressing as much as I do, I use it a lot. The ingredients are usually always around and it is easy to make, though sometimes if I am out of Romano, I substitute Parmesan cheese in the dressing.  Below you will find my favorite shaker carafe that I use to store my dressing.  I love that it has a pour spout and a top.

Enjoy!

My favorite shaker carafe:

Kitchentoolz Salad Dressing Shaker Bottle

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Moist and Delicious Carrot Cake Recipe Review

Not all carrot cakes are created equal!

Many times I have heard people say they did not like carrot cake.  They tried a layered carrot cake from a grocery store or in a coffee shop that, while beautifully decorated, tasted dry and yucky.  Let me encourage all of you to try again, but make the cake yourself.  This recipe will change your opinion of carrot cake and totally rock your world of desserts.  You will never think of carrot cake the same way again.  

For many years, I have been making this carrot cake recipe.  Everyone loves it.  Even I, who normally hate nuts in anything, love this cake and the nuts don't bother me one bit.  Of course, I chop them up very fine with my nut chopper.  Therefore, we get the nut flavor without having to contend with chomping or choking on larger nuts. 

As for the "dry cake" issue, this single layer carrot cake is quite moist and delicious.  Plus, it has a glaze icing that soaks into the cake, as well as a cream cheese frosting.  We like to heat each individual slice in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving so the cream cheese icing melts slightly.  If it has been refrigerated for more than a day, the microwave heating takes about 5 seconds longer.  

 

Moist Carrot Cake Recipe 

This cake recipe takes longer to make than most cake recipes that I bake, but it is worth it!  The cake is baked, of course, but the glaze icing is cooked on the stove top.  The cream cheese frosting is spread on top of the cake after it is refrigerated for 2 hours or more.  So, it isn't quick, but as I said, it is well worth the extra time and attention.

One big tip I like to share, when using a hand mixer, I set my mixing bowl in my kitchen sink to eliminate the splatter across my counter tops.  It definitely makes for a faster clean-up.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups & 4 Tablespoons Swans Down Cake Flour (or all purpose flour: 2 cups)
• 1 Tablespoon baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup canola oil (plus more for pan)
• ¾ cup buttermilk 
• 3 large eggs  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained  
• 1 cup shredded coconut (I use Angel Flake shredded coconut)
• 1 cup finely chopped pecan pieces
• 2 cups grated carrots (4-6 carrots needed)
_____
• Ingredients for the Cake syrup (made separately - see recipe below)
  ½ cup buttermilk
  1½ sticks Unsalted butter  (6 ounces)
  1 cup sugar
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ingredients for the Cream cheese frosting (made separately - see recipe below)
  8 oz cream cheese
  1½ sticks Unsalted butter 
  2 cups confectioners sugar

 

Directions

 

1. Set out 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter to heat to room temperature even though it won't be needed until you make the syrup recipe
 
2.  Generously grease a 9x13-inch cake pan 
3.  Preheat oven to 325°  (Convection Bake 300°) 
4.  Grate Carrots & Chop pecans
5.  Combine cake flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl & stir together 
6.  In a separate bowl & using a mixer, mix canola oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, chopped pecans and grated carrots
7.  Combine the wet ingredients with the flour mixture, mixing well 
8.  Pour batter into oiled pan 
9.  Bake approximately 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean  

_________ 

Start the syrup recipe (see below) 10 minutes BEFORE cake is out of oven so it will be ready when the cake is removed from the oven

 

Cake Syrup Recipe

• 1 cup sugar 
• ½ cup buttermilk 
• 1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Using a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. – Takes about 5 min. in my *Magnalite pan

1. While the cake is still hot, poke holes all over the top with a large fork
2. Pour the cake syrup over the top, allowing cake to soak up the syrup.  Use a spoon if needed to redistribute the syrup that gathers at the sides 
3. Refrigerate cake until completely cool (minimum of 2 hrs)
4. Set out 1½  sticks unsalted butter & Cream Cheese to heat to room temperature for frosting recipe below  

 

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

• 1½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 
• 2 cups confectioners sugar 

Combine ingredients - Using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix until smooth and free of lumps.  

Then frost the cooled cake

 

In the directions above, I mentioned using my *Magnalite pan to cook the syrup.  Wagnerware Sidney Magnalite (produced in the 1930's and only available through secondary markets like eBay or antique stores) is my preferred pan for cooking candy & glazes.  It is heavy and has superior heat conductivity.  Current day Magnalite is not the same as the Wagnerware Magnalite of the past that was made in Sidney, Ohio.  While I highly recommend Wagnerware Magnalite, any heavy stainless steel saucepan should work fine to make this simple glaze.  

 

 

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Carrot Cake Recipe Written by:

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How Not to Age Cookbook Review

I have been working on improving my diet over time, and have become more plant based as a result.

My latest endeavor, or wakeup call came from watching YouTube videos by Dr. Michael Greger. Greger not only has recommendations on the better choice of what to eat, he knows the science that backs it up.

I was so impressed with his knowledge, that I bought his latest book, The How Not to Age Cookbook.

It was in this cookbook that I saw a recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Tahini Lemon Sauce. Below is my photo of my results.

I usually sauté asparagus, steam it once in a while, or cook it in soup. My husband and I were both pleasantly surprised with the flavor of it being roasted. I also liked the sauce, my husband wasn't so impressed with the sauce, he didn't even taste it. The sauce by itself was a bit strong to me, but paired with the asparagus and also on the pasta, I thought it was pretty good. Overall I was pleased with this recipe and liked the lightness of their not being any oil in it.

In the Introduction part of the book, I learned that berries appear to reduce mortality risk as much as green leafy veggies. Did you know that? I have heard a lot about getting your greens, but I hadn't heard about the praise of berries. Berries may benefit the eyes in a variety of ways and can also suppress inflammation in the gut. Pulling out information from three studies on eating berries, overall, those with a higher berry consumption tended to live significantly longer than those with a low berry intake.

I'm not even half way through the Introduction part, and there are a lot of terms that I am not familiar with; I won't even try to explain those. But for those that want the scientific background on the best foods to eat, and then have recipes that incorporate those findings, this book is for you. Or if you just want to eat more plant based, this cookbook is a great option.

I do like carrot cake, but am not a fan of cream cheese frosting, and I don't care for most things that are overly sweet. So I was also pleasantly surprised when I tried the Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal. There is no frosting, a plus right from the start. However, it didn't have any raisins. I reduced the shredded carrots by around 1/4th of what was called for and replaced that with two small boxes of organic raisins. That added just a bit of sweetness to the recipe, and made it a hit with me. This recipe called for date syrup. (Dr. Greger has a recipe in the front of the book if you want to make your own.) The date syrup that I had on hand seemed to thick to me, so I reduced that by half and replaced the other half with water. That may have watered the recipe down more than it should have been, but the cake did come out very moist, so I added some extra baking time to it. That worked pretty good.

There are more recipes that I'm looking forward to trying. Most of the ingredients, from what I looked at so far, are every day ingredients. Two things that I noticed that weren't part of my normal ingredient selection, were white miso paste and tahini. Besides that, you might want to have ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, nutritional yeast, and soymilk on hand for your repertoire of plant based ingredients.

Another great thing that I like about this cookbook, is that it has a chart of Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen. It is a list of the various types of food one should eat in a day for maximum health. This has really helped me to see where I might have been lacking and what I should make more of an effort to incorporate into my day. I don't always get all 12 categories checked in one day, but I can see where I'm short and what I can add in the next day or so. If you are interested in checking out Dr. Greger's chart, you can check out the sample pages for the book, on Amazon. Greger also has a free app for those that are interested in keeping track on their cell phone.

The How Not to Age Cookbook. Check price and or sample pages on Amazon.

Cheryl Paton

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National Toast Day Review

Toast Day is held each year on the 4th Thursday of February. It was begun in 2014 by The Tiptree World Bread Awards to celebrate toast and all the breads we make it with. (Tiptree is a brand of fruit preserves, conserves, and marmalade made in England by Wilkin & Sons Limited, so it makes sense they have an interest in toast.)

The organization is in the UK, but the popularity of this day has found a following in the United States.  

The Shades of Toast

Some people like their toast barely toasted (my mother, for one. I used to tell her that her version of toast was more like ‘warm bread’, LOL). 

Others like their toast almost burnt, which is a way I learned to eat it as a small child from my great-grandmother, Banny. At the time, the only toaster she had was a non-popup toaster used in the 1920s to 1930s. You lowered each side, inserted the bread, closed the doors and ‘watched’ it closely. Only one side was toasted at a time. One had to lower the doors, and flip the bread to toast the other side. And, yes, I do remember that toaster - it looked like the one pictured here. Banny, my GG, would wait until the smoke was coming out of the toaster (burnt), then toast the other side. Then she would lightly scrape the burnt part off.

It may sound weird to you today, but as a tiny child who adored her ‘Banny’, I thought it was great, and I loved the burnt flavor. The rest of the way we ate that toast was dipped in coffee (Banny) and cocoa (me). To this day, cocoa and toast is a favorite of mine. Although, I no longer eat my toast burnt! Most people prefer their toast toasted somewhere in between barely and burnt. 

Toast Toppings

Now, the toppings for toast are endless, and depend on your preference. Butter is a standard topping, but favorites run anywhere from jam/jellies to peanut butter to avocados. Then there are standards like poached eggs on toast and toasted sandwiches. 

Summary

So, if you like toast (and most of us do), mark the 4th Thursday of February on your calendar in order to celebrate this ‘toasty’ day! 

Related Holidays:

• National Cheese Toast Day - September 15
• National Bread Day - November 17

For more Holiday Reviews, Click 
on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*A review of National Toast Day was written by Wednesday Elf

*Images: 

• Vintage Toaster image from Rare Historical Photos/Vintage Toasters toasters/
• Toast/toaster images from Pixabay

 

Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Long Slot 4 Slice Toaster, Reheat, 6 Toast Settings, Defrost, Cancel Functions, Built-in Warming Rack, Extra Wide Slots for Bagels & Waffles, Stainless Steel & Black

Oregon Growers, Marionberry Jam, Strawberry Jam, & Red Raspberry Jam Variety Pack - Marionberry Preserves, Strawberry Preserves, Red Raspberry Preserves, Organic Jelly - 12 Oz Each (Pack of 3)

Nature's Own Butterbread, Sliced White Bread, 20 oz Loaf

Thomas’ Plain Bagels, 6 Pre Sliced Bagels with No High Fructose Corn Syrup, 20 Oz Bag

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Reviewing Del Destino Golden Pineapple Spears with Coconut Water

During the holidays, a friend was in charge of whipping up most of the meals. Lucky me, he enjoys grilling and prefers fresh, flavorful food. One of those meals included the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water that he was given as a gift.  We both took a bite of the pineapple to try at the same time and we were at a loss for words. The pineapples with just a hint of coconut were such a succulent, flavorful treat!

"Del Destino is Atalanta's line of Premium Quality Mediterranean products" - Atalanta Corp

Grilled steak, buttered and toasted everything bagels, and Del Destino Golden Pineapple spears were served for the holiday brunch. The combination of the perfectly grilled, warm savory steaks and cold, sweet pineapple spears was perfect. 

We immediately began imagining what else these melt-in-your-mouth pineapples could be used for. Within seconds we listed:

• decadent fruit smoothies
• baked in muffins or cakes (imagine upside-down pineapple cake!)
• side dishes or snacks
• fresh fruit salad or ambrosia salad
• served with cottage cheese
• pineapple whip
• grilled
• Pina coladas and/or infused in alcohol 

Grilling. There are a variety of recipes for grilled pineapple, adding cinnamon, brown sugar or other ingredients. However, these Del Destino pineapple spears are so delicious that I don't believe I'd add any additional ingredients for the first time. I'm not sure the flavor needs any additions at all.

Pineapple Whip. There are a variety of recipes for pineapple whip but they all generally included pineapple, some sort of milk product, orange juice, and some small amount of sweetener (such as maple syrup) - blended then briefly placed in the freezer to firm it up.

Fruit Salad.  I had lived my entire life believe that my family's marshmallow fruit salad (also known as Ambrosia salad to some) was the very best. I would have never imagined an improvement. Until now. Using the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water would make a perfect Ambrosia even better. I'm sure of it. 

We both enjoy pineapple. Sadly, we have become accustomed to the sometimes fibrous and under-ripe pineapples (in prepared fruit plates as well as when purchasing whole pineapples) or the overly-syrupy sweet of canned pineapples. The Del Destino pineapple spears were shockingly good. 

As we were so glad to learn, a jar of Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water makes a perfect gift! 

The Del Destino brand seems to be available at both Costco and Aldi and is highly recommended. 

If you prefer to shop Amazon, there are brands of Pineapple in coconut water available on Amazon that are highly rated. Orchard Natural Pineapple in light syrup and coconut water is an example and at the time of this writing is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 1,000 reviews.

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

 If there is one dish that is always a crowd pleaser with kids and adults alike, it has to be Mac and Cheese. And thanks to the Instant Pot, this classic comfort food is fast and easy to make. Did I mention creamy and delicious?

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese - Reviewed

From start to finish, Instant Pot Mac and Cheese takes about 15 minutes. Everyone in our family just loves how delicious, rich, and creamy this dish is.

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 4 cups water (or use half water, half chicken broth for extra flavor).
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons butter

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream (we use the heavy cream)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

1. Add the pasta, water, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and butter into the Instant Pot.
2. Set to manual or pressure cook for 4 minutes. When done, quick release the pressure.
3. Open the lid and stir the pasta; do not drain any remaining liquid.
4. Set the Instant Pot to Saute' (Low)
5. Slowly stir in the milk and cheeses, then continue stirring until everything melts into a smooth, velvety sauce.
6. If it's too thick, add a little more milk, and if it's too thin, stir a little longer.

This is a must-try recipe resulting in maximum flavor with minimal effort. It's perfect for busy weeknights or anyone craving comfort food. Try this Instant Pot Mac and cheese, and you may never go back to stovetop or boxed mac and cheese again.

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You will find a large selection of Instant Pots on Amazon

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 QuartBuy Now

 

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Jalapeno Popper Dip That ISN'T Hot! A Recipe Review

 

If you really love jalapeno dip, but find that it is just too hot and spicy or it does bad things to your tummy, you definitely need to try this recipe!  It is not hot, but it still has a full, delicious flavor and is always a hit at any party.  

Ingredients:

8 slices of bacon, crumbled

2  packages of cream cheese, softened

1 cup of mayonnaise

1 green pepper (if you like spicier but not hot) or 1 red pepper (if you prefer a more sweet taste) remove the stem, seeds and membranes.

1/4 cup sweet onion, diced

1 cup of mozzarella cheese, finely shredded

3/4  cup of cheddar cheese, finely shredded

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dried basil 

Topping: (optional)

1 cup of crushed potato chips

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Lightly spray an oven safe dish with cooking spray.  I use a pie plate but you could also use an 6 x 6 square glass baking dish.

Mix the cream cheese, mayo, basil, garlic powder and bacon until smooth. I use an electric mixer, on an ultra slow speed, but you can mix by hand as well.  I like a mixer because it makes the dip fluffier, but it is a matter of personal preference.

Add the rest of the ingredients one at a time, always stirring, save the pepper for last.

When the mixture is totally smooth place the dip in the sprayed baking dish.

If you are using topping, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and sprinkle over the top

Bake the dip for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dip is browned and bubbling.

Serve hot.

One of the best things about this dip is that it is still wonderful, even when it cools to room temperature.  I usually serve it with tortilla chips, but if you don't want to go in a Mexican direction, you can serve it with pita chips,  crackers or Fritos.

If you are not a fan of green peppers, you can also use sweet banana peppers instead or just about any pepper that you like the taste of.  If you would like a bit of zip, but you don't want the full heat of jalapenos, you can toss in one hot banana pepper and that will give it some zest.  Just don't forget to remove the seeds and membranes as that is where much of the heat is in peppers. 

If you like dips that are not hot, but still full of delicious flavor this is the dip for you!  There are lots of variations on this recipe, I have seen it with crab, pulled pork or shredded chicken.  I prefer bacon, because, well, EVERYONE loves bacon!!

I have served this dip at many parties and it never fails to impress.  Make sure to put a folded card next to the dish on the table that says 

Pepper Popper Dip - NOT HOT!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Reviewing Simone Stier's Cafe Cozy Mystery Series

 Simone Stier's Cafe Cozy Mystery Series starts with A Shot of Scandal where we first meet Parker Hayes, former true-crime podcaster who has decided she wants to try small town life and is reinventing her life as a cafe owner. When a murder and theft occurs at a high society gala in Magnolia Grove (said small town), Parker's plans for a peaceful life start to dissipate as her investigative senses start to itch.

If you love cozy mysteries then this is a great series to look into, it includes all the classic cozy tropes of small town, found family & quirky cast. The setting is the southern town of Magnolia Grove and the books really do make it feel like a warm, tight-knit community.

The characters are great, Simone Stier has done a great job in making the town's residents feel real. Parker's friendships and conflicts with other locals are often a highlight in the books. Although each book can be read as a standalone, if you read them in order you see Parker's growth as she lets people in and develops friendships.

I love the name of her cafe - Catch You Latte which is a very subtle nod to her history as a very successful true-crime podcaster. We learn more about why she stepped away from her podcast as we work our way through the early books. There are often references to episodes of her podcast and it's her experience as a former private investigator and podcaster that give her a unique view point on these situations.

I will say that for a small town there's a high body count and somehow Parker seems to keep stumbling into these murder cases at community events, galas, even haunted mansions.

The tone of these books is very cozy, there's humor, warmth, friendship and plenty of coffee and pastries. One of the recurring characters is Hazel who is a student that loves baking so works for Parker in her cafe baking the amazing cakes for Parker to serve. She also dyes her hair a different shade for each book, the color to compliment the coffee special that is featured in the book. I love the sound of these coffee creations as much as I enjoy the story.

In later books Parker also hires Renee to bake and let's just say Renee and Hazel are like chalk and cheese,. I'm looking forward to see where their relationship arc is going to lead.

Another notable character in the books is Major - her part time dog, because every small town cafe owner needs a dog in my opinion. Then there's Parker's love interest Walt, the town historian. I won't dwell on the myriad of other characters in these books - they are all just waiting for you to discover them.

The mysteries are well constructed with red herrings, twists and clues. There's also a good balance between investigating crime and her day to day cafe challenges. In book 2 (A Drizzle of Danger) for example her grand opening turns into a major crisis when a body is found near her cafe.

Later books continue to raise stakes and weave more complex plots eg A Measure of Mayhem involves a Polar Plunge at a festival, property disputes and hidden grudges. Just as you're thinking surely there's no more secrets this small town can hold and is there anyone left to kill? We see Parker being asked to help investigate a 15 year old cold case in a neighboring small town of Willow Springs in A Dusting of Doubt. 

These books are great for readers who prefer "cozy" over "dark" crime where the violence is implied rather than graphic. The book's tone stays light even when the stakes are high, making them relaxing reads. If you enjoyed Cleo Coyle's The Coffeehouse Mysteries you will love this series.

The series isn't over yet! There are 14 published books so far with one about to be released on December 1st and when you look at the author's page there are 9 other titles that have been listed as also coming! I am halfway through book 12 at the moment.

I love reading cozy mysteries to relax and unwind when my head is too full to concentrate on my more favorite genres of psychological thrillers or gritty whodunnits. Cozy mysteries tend to be more predictable and everything gets resolved happily which means you don't stay awake afterwards thinking about them and you also don't have to concentrate too hard to figure out what's happening.

I also love that a number of cozy mysteries are more character focused and this series is one where you really feel wrapped up in the community as you read the book - like friends on a page.

With all of that it probably comes as no surprise that I was introduced to this series earlier in the year when I was sick and promptly read the first five books in quick succession. I was introduced to a couple of other cozy mystery series at this time as well, but this is the only one where I have an alert to download the new books every time they are published which should tell you that I definitely give this series a big thumbs up.

If you want to enjoy this series and lots more amazing books then you might want to try out Kindle Unlimited - I love it and would rather give up Netflix than my Kindle Unlimited account!

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Recipes to Share - From the Heart

Over the years I have come up with a variety of recipes, and some of them I have written down.

One of my favorite ones is one I made as I became more health conscious. It is a healthier way to enjoy one of my favorite ice cream flavors, butter pecan. I call my version Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream. It only has five ingredients.

Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream

3-4 bananas, peeled, sliced, and frozen. (Whenever you make plant based ice cream, at least one of your fruits need to be frozen.)
5 oz. of pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 cup of nut milk (I used almond milk in my recipe.)
1 tsp vanilla

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. This will have a soft serve type consistency. For a milkshake consistency, add more nut milk. For a more ice cream consistency, decrease the amount of milk.

For a pretty print out to share, you can order copies printed on postcards.

Cheryl's Butterless Pecan Ice Cream Recipe
by CherylsArt

One of my all time favorites is my Pesto. I especially love this when I have fresh basil to use from the garden. I have tried to go vegan, but I do have dairy based cheese from time to time.

Pesto

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Then stir into one pound of your favorite cooked pasta.

The recipe above is somewhat different than the one printed on the postcard. I have determined over time that I prefer less of the parsley. You too can adjust the amounts to your own taste.

Pesto Recipe Postcards
by CherylsArt

I am also a practitioner of affirmations, and try to add more smiles to my day. One simple way to add smiles is to consciously think about smiling. Here is my recipe for that. It's called Recipe for Joy.

Recipe for Joy

1. Raise your ears by lifting up the corners of your mouth. (Did you know that smiling raises your ears? - Did you try it? Place your fingers on the tops of your ears, and then smile. Did your ears raise?)
2. Foster the thought, appreciate.
3. Be willing to see with new eyes. (You do not have to have a preconceived idea of something to appreciate. Just do the smile part first, and see what comes when you think the words appreciate. Try it. Did you think of something to appreciate that you may not normally think of?)

Here is a fun postcard to share this recipe for Joy.

Recipe for Joy - colorful word postcards
by CherylsArt

Do you have a recipe to share that you haven't written down yet? Here is a special way that you can share it or them. House of Sylvestermouse on Zazzle has designed recipe cards for you to write down the recipe(s) that you would like to share.

Recipe Cards
by House of Sylvestermouse

And may you have a blessed and wonderful day.

Cheryl Paton

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Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread

 There is something comforting about the aroma of freshly-baked bread in the kitchen. Now imagine the same scent, but with melted cheddar cheese and fresh herbs.

We love freshly-baked bread in the fall, and I like to try different ingredients. I found a recipe for this cheddar cheese bread and decided to make some additions to it with the herbs. 

Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread Reviewed

This Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread is baked to a golden brown, flavorful loaf that's perfect for soups, sandwiches, or just enjoyed with a pat of butter. I love it best lightly toasted with butter.

Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups shredded cheddar 

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or fresh herbs 

1 cup milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, garlic powder, sugar, and Italian seasoning or fresh herbs. 
2. Stir in the shredded cheddar and set aside. 
3. In another bowl, mix together milk, egg, and butter.
4. Combine the liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix. I used my KitchenAid Stand Mixer for this on low speed for about 2 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch x 5-inch greased bread pan.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
7. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

When I make fresh bread, I can't wait to get that first warm slice with butter. So, I only waited about 5 minutes before I sliced into it. 

This cheddar cheese and herb bread is one of those recipes that feels fancy, but this is so easy to make. This makes a perfect homemade gift for friends and family. I will certainly be making this one again.

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My New, Easy Way to Get Soft, Smooth Heels and Feet Overnight

In October 2023 I wrote a post sharing the method I was using to soften dry, callused, cracked heels and feet. Since then, however, I have discovered an even faster, easier, and less messy way, thanks to the Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System. Here is my product review of this fantastic, convenient system that will especially appeal to those of you who don't like to wear socks over foot cream to bed.

A Quick, Easy and Elegant Upgrade to My Foot Care Routine

I’ve always believed that caring for our skin shouldn’t stop at our faces. As we get older, our feet need a little extra TLC, especially if we want to keep them looking soft, smooth, and healthy. When my heels became dry, calloused and cracked, I used to use a diamond foot rasp, then soak them in warm, soapy water for 20 minutes, dry them, apply a healing ointment or foot cream, and cover them with socks just before going to bed. That method is still very effective, but it's time-consuming and messy, and I don't love wearing socks to bed.

Fortunately, I have discovered a new way to smooth and soften my calloused feet and heal my cracked heels that takes just a few minutes and is easy and mess-free: The Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System. It's definitely an upgrade to the method I used to use!

A Review of the Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System

The Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System consists of a diamond foot file and a serum in a green glass bottle with a rollerball applicator. After using it for the past year, I can honestly say this is the easiest, most convenient foot care routine I’ve ever used, and surprisingly effective, considering how fast and simple it is. If you struggle with dry, cracked heels or stubborn calluses, this little duo could become your new best friend.

What’s Included in the System

The Flawless Feet System includes two products that work together beautifully:

Step 1: Serum Doctor Flawless Foot File

This isn’t your average foot file. It’s lightweight but sturdy and designed to be used on dry skin only. I use the file either just before my shower or just before bed to gently smooth away rough spots on my heels, the balls of my feet, and anywhere else that needs a little help.

Unlike other files I’ve tried, this one doesn’t feel flimsy or harsh. The grit is just right—it removes dead, dry skin effectively without feeling scratchy or leaving your feet irritated, the way coarser diamond file or "cheese grater"-style foot files can. In fact, even after just one use, my heels immediately looked smoother and felt softer to the touch. I usually use it about once a week to maintain smooth, soft, crack- and callus-free heels.

Step 2: Serum Doctor Flawless Feet Serum

Once your feet are freshly filed and prepped, it’s time for the star of the show, the Flawless Feet Serum. Unlike typical thick, greasy foot creams, this is a lightweight, fast-absorbing roll-on serum that hydrates, softens, and gently exfoliates at the same time. 

Key Ingredients

• Tea Tree Oil: Naturally deodorizes and keeps feet feeling fresh.
• Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid that deeply hydrates and plumps up dry, rough skin.
• Fruit Acid Complex (apple, lemon, orange, sugar cane): Provides gentle, natural exfoliation to smooth and brighten skin texture.

I love the mess-free rollerball applicator! Because it’s in a glass roll-on bottle, it’s easy to apply without getting the foot serum all over your hands or wasting the serum. The formula absorbs very quickly (within a minute), so your feet don’t feel slippery or sticky afterward. That also means you don't have to wear socks over this serum, the way you would with most foot care creams or ointments.

My Experience Using the System

The first time I used the Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System, I noticed an immediate difference in how soft my heels felt. But where this duo really shines is with consistent use. After a couple of weeks, the rough patches and cracks on my heels and the dry skin around my toes were significantly softer and smoother, and my feet looked healthier overall.

I especially appreciate how fast and easy this foot care system is to use:

1. File the bottoms of your dry feet with the Serum Doctor Flawless Foot File. Gently wipe away any residue (I use a paper towel). As I mentioned, you can file your feet either just before a shower or just before bed.
2. Roll on the Serum Doctor Flawless Feet Serum on clean, dry feet and let it absorb (it only takes a minute or so).

I’ve used plenty of foot creams over the years, but they all leave behind a greasy film that makes it impossible to put on socks or slippers right away. This serum is different—it delivers intense hydration without the mess.

Pros and Cons

What I Love

• Simple, quick, and effective two-step system that takes just a few minutes
• Hands-free, mess-free serum in a roll-on applicator bottle
• Deep hydration without greasiness
• No need to cover with socks
• Gentle exfoliation that smooths rough patches over time
• Subtle, fresh, herbal scent, thanks to the tea tree oil
• Works beautifully for maintaining results between pedicures

Considerations

The price is definitely higher than more mainstream foot care products you buy in the drugstore or on Amazon. The complete Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System (diamond file and foot serum), which is sold at stores like Nordstrom and Anthropologie, among others, costs $56 for the set at the time of this post's publication, but you use so little product each time that it lasts for months. The Flawless Feet Serum in the glass rollerball applicator bottle can be repurchased as needed for $42 (as of this post's publication date). The diamond Flawless Foot File has lasted me for more than a year so far and shows no signs of needing to be replaced. However, replacement files are available for $20 (as of this post's publication date).

If you don't mind using greasy foot creams or ointments and wearing socks over them, the products I shared in my post on How to Soften Dry, Callused, Cracked Heels the Easy Way are less expensive. The choice is yours.

Not Just For Women

After watching my husband use a cheese grater-style foot file, I bought a second Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System for him. He loves how fast and easy it is to use, how quickly the serum absorbs, and how smooth the diamond foot file and serum leave his feet. 

Final Thoughts

The Serum Doctor Flawless Feet System has earned a permanent spot in my self-care routine. I love that it combines gentle exfoliation with deep, lasting hydration, all without leaving my feet greasy or slippery or having to wear socks over a cream or ointment.

If you’ve been frustrated by rough, dry heels or just want to keep your feet looking their best year-round, I highly recommend giving this system a try. It’s an easy, at-home solution that actually delivers visible results, especially if you stick with it consistently.

Your feet will thank you!

My New, Easy Way to Get Soft, Smooth Heels and Feet Overnight by Margaret Schindel

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