Under A Writing Spell

Brenda Johnson
Brenda Johnson
@brendathegagurl@underawritingspell.com
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  • Dinner in the Heat of Summer

    This summer has been hot. I mean really hot. Not just “it’s summer in the South” hot, but the air feels heavy the moment you step outside. The humidity has been relentless, and the air conditioner at home has struggled to keep our house comfortable. The people in the living room can feel the temperature…

  • Learning The Story Behind a Dish

    All it took was one bite of a Jamaican meat pie for my husband and me. We were out one afternoon running errands when we got hungry. We don’t eat fast food, so we usually stop at a grocery store for a quick snack. That day, we decided to stop at a restaurant we drive…

  • I Tried A Chocolate Sourdough Starter

    I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw something I had never considered before: a chocolate sourdough starter. Not chocolate bread… a chocolate starter.  The video showed a jar of deep brown starter bubbling and rising, and it looked incredible. The post came from Bri Bakes – Sourdough, and the idea immediately caught my attention.…

  • The Culture of Our Kitchen

    I grocery shop for five people every week. On Fridays and Saturdays, I make a loop through five or six grocery stores across our side of the city. I do it to get the foods we prefer and that fit within our budget. One of those stores, I visit for only three items, but they’re…

  • While He Cooked

    Tonight, I sat on a stool and watched my husband make dinner. Flank steak. Rice. Steamed broccoli. Nothing complicated. He marinated the meat and let it rest on the counter. Rice went into a pot of boiling water.. The broccoli waited in a metal steamer basket, bright and green. Most nights, dinner is mine to…

  • The Story Behind The Meal

    Monday through Thursday nights are busy. My younger kids have taekwondo at the end of the day, and sometimes we don’t get home from those classes until 7 pm. Then I head back out with either my oldest or my husband for kickboxing or taekwondo. These active evenings make for some late nights. Before our…

  • Managing Social Situations Without Stress

    Going dairy-free at home is one thing, but navigating the outside world is another. That’s where things get tricky. Holidays, potlucks, school parties, family gatherings, church events, neighborhood cookouts… they all tend to revolve around food. And not just any food, cheesy casseroles, creamy dips, buttery rolls, and desserts galore. The social side of dairy-free…

  • Nutrition & Living Dairy-Free

    Living dairy-free isn’t just about swapping ingredients; it’s also about understanding how to nourish your body well without relying on foods many people take for granted. The good news? Meeting your nutrient needs without dairy is absolutely possible, and for many people, it’s easier than they expect once they get the basics down. This isn’t…

  • Grocery Store Strategies

    Grocery shopping for a dairy-free lifestyle can be manageable and affordable with a strategic approach. Familiarize yourself with store strengths, track sales cycles, and opt for budget-friendly swaps. Buying pantry staples in bulk and focusing on bulk prep simplifies cooking. Small changes in habits yield significant savings and ease.

  • Building a Weekly Meal Plan (That Actually Works Dairy-Free)

    Meal planning simplifies everyday life, especially for those on a dairy-free diet. It reduces stress, saves money, and prevents food waste by utilizing current kitchen inventory. The focus should be on creating a adaptable framework tailored to family schedules, utilizing dairy-free substitutes, and streamlining grocery lists to enhance efficiency without overwhelming.