Under A Writing Spell

  • I Tried A Chocolate Sourdough Starter

    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

    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

    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

    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…