The ultimate power bowl - this grain salad is packed with proteins to keep you energized throughout the day. And plus, it's delicious! While it may look like it has a long ingredient list, most of these are spices that are completely optional. Unlike some of the other recipes I post, this one is not based on specific measurements, but rather the classic taste-test. As you create it, mix in more of what you like and less of what you don't. It's so versatile, it could easily be prepared as a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free dish as well! 

I am a proud Saint Louisan, and I love the fresh food of St. Louis Bread Co., better known nationally as Panera Bread. Now that I'm living abroad, I unfortunately can't drive around the corner to pick up lunch when I get a craving for their flawless broccoli cheddar soup. So when the mood struck this weekend, I decided to try my hand at a simple, low-effort recipe. To the surprise of both myself and my boyfriend, I managed to create creamy broccoli perfection. 

So heat up your slow cooker and prepare to impress yourself. The recipe below is definitely one worth saving, and really tastes like the real deal. The only thing missing is the bread bowl! 

Color me strange, but oatmeal raisin has always been my favorite cookie. And as an added bonus, when everyone else is chasing the chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles of the world, there's no one to compete with for this cinnamon-packed, oatmeal chewy goodness. And so, my oatmeal raisin passion grew stronger. Strong enough, in fact, that I thought it necessary to start finding a healthier version of the treat I loved so much. After all, I didn't want to risk having too much​ of a good thing. The most obvious issue with any cookie recipe is the large amounts of sugar and butter. In this recipe, I've made modifications to remove the unhealthy bits, maintain the flavor, and keep that gooey texture we all crave. You'll be in love! 

With the warmer weather comes relaxing afternoons on the patio with margaritas and fresh guacamole. Make the guac even more fresh by making your own! This tasty snack is remarkably easy to prepare, and universally loved by all your friends. (and for any stragglers who don't love it, that just means there's more for you!)

As a beginning myself, this was my first time making guacamole. And, with this recipe I must share a confession and fun/vital fact: a "clove" of garlic is not actually the entire garlic head. Go figure! It's actually just one removable segment of the garlic. If you already knew that, well then you're already ahead of me! This little mishap ruined my first batch, as I'm sure you can imagine (there wasn't enough mouthwash in the world to help!!) But never fear - the next batch came out crisp, creamy and perfectly balanced with avocado & spice. 

My sister and I just took our first trip abroad, to Cancun, Mexico. It was a little bit nerve wracking, not only to be out of the country, but to be out of the country alone. In preparation for our vacation, we received a variety of tips from friends, family and our travel agent. After collecting all of this advice, I've also added my own recommendations from our experience. For anyone planning to take an international trip soon, particularly to Mexico, here are some pieces of advice you should consider: