Happy Friday, everyone! As the week draws to a close, I’m thrilled to share another edition of my Weekly Mix, packed with recent adventures, delectable recipes, and a sprinkle of inspiration for your weekend. This particular weekend is extra special as my parents are visiting from out of town, making for a wonderfully busy and joyful time. While I’m looking forward to every moment with them, I must confess, I’m still gently recovering from a truly epic culinary journey through Columbus, Ohio, last week. The food scene there absolutely captivated me, leaving me thoroughly impressed and craving more. It’s a city bubbling with incredible flavors and innovative dining experiences! Are any of you familiar with Columbus?

Culinary Journeys: From Columbus Delights to Kitchen Creations

My exploration of Columbus was nothing short of an intense gastronomic adventure. We ate our way through so many incredible spots, experiencing a diverse array of cuisines and culinary craftsmanship. I was seriously blown away by the vibrancy and quality of the food. It was so intense, in fact, that by the time I returned home on Thursday, my fridge felt like a beacon of much-needed vegetable goodness, and I instantly raided it for anything green and fresh to balance things out!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be diving deeper into my Columbus experience, sharing a detailed recap along with a mini food city guide so you can discover some of these gems for yourselves. Get ready for some serious food envy!

Beyond my travels, this past week has also been bustling in my own kitchen. In case you missed them, I had the pleasure of sharing two fantastic new recipes that I’m particularly proud of. First up was this dreamy Chorizo Hash Eggs Benedict. Trust me, the cilantro hollandaise alone is a game-changer – it adds such a vibrant, fresh twist to a classic brunch favorite. It’s perfect for elevating any weekend breakfast into a special occasion.

Secondly, I shared a comforting and incredibly easy riff on my mom’s beloved Tuna Pasta, complete with the latest recipe video. This recipe is pure nostalgia for me, a simple yet satisfying meal that comes together quickly and is always a family favorite. The video makes it even easier to follow along and whip up a batch for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy lunch. I truly hope you’ll get a chance to check both of these recipes out and add them to your rotation.

As we transition into cooler weather, my mind is already drifting towards comforting, autumnal flavors. I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas, so if you have any fall recipe requests or creative ideas you’d love to see me explore, please send them my way! Whether it’s hearty stews, warming desserts, or cozy vegetarian options, I’m eager to hear what you’re craving this season.

Weekly Finds: Food, Lifestyle, and Digital Wellness

Beyond the kitchen, here are a few things that have captured my attention and brought me joy this week:

• Starting a Dinner Club: I found myself incredibly inspired by this insightful article on how and why to start a dinner club. It’s a wonderful concept for fostering community, sharing culinary passions, and creating lasting memories with friends. The idea of rotating hosts and themes sounds like such a fun and enriching way to connect, and it’s definitely something I’m considering for the future.
• Delectable Eggplant Meatballs: These eggplant meatballs truly have my name written all over them! As someone who loves finding delicious vegetarian alternatives, the combination of tender eggplant and savory pesto sounds utterly divine. They seem like the perfect comforting dish, whether served with pasta or in a hearty sub.
• Phenomenal Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies: If you’re searching for a rewarding weekend baking project, look no further than these tahini chocolate chip cookies. The addition of tahini promises a unique depth of flavor, adding a nutty, slightly savory counterpoint to the classic sweet and chocolatey goodness. They look absolutely phenomenal and are sure to impress any cookie lover.
• Embracing or Resisting Pumpkin Season: Pumpkin. How are you feeling about it this year? It feels like the internet transitions to pumpkin spice everything almost overnight, but for me, it’s always a gentle ease into the season. I might just have to cave soon and bake up a batch of my famous pumpkin espresso chocolate chunk muffins. My family goes absolutely crazy over these, and the combination of warm pumpkin, rich espresso, and melty chocolate chunks is simply irresistible. They perfectly capture the cozy essence of autumn.
• Savoring Late Summer Tomatoes: However, if the idea of anything pumpkin still feels premature to you, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Just ignore the early fall rush online and instead, make any of these incredible late summer tomato recipes. There’s nothing quite like the vibrant sweetness of perfectly ripe tomatoes, and these recipes celebrate their peak flavor. They’re a fantastic way to hold onto the last rays of summer sunshine on your plate.
• The Science Behind Onion Tears: Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? This fascinating article delves into the chemistry behind those inevitable tears, explaining the compounds released when you slice into an onion. It’s a fun bit of kitchen science that might make your next chopping session a little more bearable (or at least more understandable!).
• Desire for the New Apple Watch: Okay, admit it. Who else is eyeing the new cellular Apple Watch? The thought of having that much connectivity and convenience right on my wrist is incredibly appealing. I can imagine all the ways it could streamline my day, from fitness tracking to staying connected without always having my phone in hand. It’s definitely on my wish list! ⌚️
• Inspired by a Plant-Filled Balcony: I’m feeling incredibly inspired by Michael’s absolutely beautiful plant-filled balcony. The way he has transformed a small outdoor space into such a lush, inviting oasis is truly remarkable. It’s definitely giving me major goals for next summer, envisioning my own little green sanctuary.
• Tasty Mocktails for the Weekend: For those looking for refreshing alternatives to alcoholic beverages, these brilliant non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails) are a fantastic find. They prove that you don’t need alcohol to create sophisticated, delicious, and celebratory drinks. Perfect for weekend entertaining or simply enjoying a flavorful, guilt-free treat.
• Digital Detox and Better Sleep: On a more personal note, my partner and I have been making a conscious effort to keep our phones out of the bedroom at night, and I have to say, it has been absolutely transformative for our quality of sleep and overall bedtime routine. The peace and quiet, free from the temptation of endless scrolling, have been invaluable. This sound machine has become my new favorite thing, creating a wonderfully calming environment. I know this isn’t my usual writing subject, but the benefits have been so significant that I’m definitely going to share a dedicated post on this soon! It’s a simple change that yields profound results for digital wellness.
• Cozy Slow Cooker Greek Chicken: As the days get shorter and a hint of crispness enters the air, my slow cooker starts to beckon. I’m planning on busting it out this week for this incredibly flavorful Greek chicken recipe. Slow cooking means minimal effort for maximum flavor, resulting in tender, succulent chicken bathed in aromatic Mediterranean spices. It’s the perfect fuss-free meal for a busy weeknight.

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