How's your quarantine going? If it is anything like mine, you've been cooking A LOT. After all, I've got a lot of time on my hands. Though I am doing my best to eat healthy (I would say I am succeeding for the most part), I need those comforting and indulgent meals, too. AKA not entirely healthy AKA who cares it's quarantine.

     That's not to say this meal is totally bad for you. I mean, sure, there's a whole stick of butter involved, but damn it is good for the soul and your taste buds. Right now "good for the soul" is a definite win.

     I have to admit, this whole quarantine thing is really bringing me to a place mentally that I haven't been to in years on top of giving me totally new anxieties. Every other hour I go from being okay to convinced I have or am going to catch this virus. All this during spring allergy season when my breathing is already sub-par? Ugh. And don't get me started on thinking about my friends and family at this time. It feel like everything is just so out of my control! And in a way, it is.

     There are a few things I find comfort in during this time, however. Knowing I'm not the only one experiencing these overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression. Reintroducing calming self care like yoga and meditation back into my daily routine. Cooking for and therefore caring for my boyfriend and his dad (I LOVE cooking in general, but cooking for the people I love is my absolute favorite). This time has allowed me to get creative with what's on hand knowing that a grocery store run isn't so easy to do. And while we may be stuck inside for who knows how long I refuse to let it stop us from enjoying every meal.

     Can you believe we are already in the homestretch of fall? Feels like I was at the beach soaking up the sun just yesterday! And suddenly Thanksgiving is only a few days away. How?!

     Thanksgiving coming up means I'm going to want to balance out the heaviest meal of the year with plenty of light meals. This fall-themed salad is the perfect meal in the days leading up to the holiday season. Plus it's a great healthy addition to your Thanksgiving spread if you make a large batch of it!

     My friends and I always get very excited this time of year. It's cooling down, so sweaters come out from hibernation, you can cook/bake without feeling like you're in a sauna, and all of our favorite fall ingredients become prominent again.

     Yesterday my friend Clare texted me to ask if I had any recipes for a sourdough starter. She was tending to her brother's starter and had some extra. So I did some digging and discovered a recipe for San Francisco-style sourdough in one of my many cookbooks! After baking, we (along with our friend Dana) knew we had to have a Sunday brunch with it.

     Buffalo chicken and blue cheese is my weakness. The moment I see anything involving the two on a restaurant menu it's all over - no other option stands a chance to be ordered. In fact, I was vegetarian for 7 years (long, long ago) and the thing that made me stop was how badly I was craving buffalo wings! So when I had my most recent craving for the delicious combo I decided I was perfectly capable of satisfying my desires at home instead of going out to eat.