Month: January 2025

Posted in #Recipes

85 Quick Lunch Ideas To Turn Your Work Day Around

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Lunch is a time to decompress, take a walk outside, laugh with your coworkers… and wait in a loooong takeout line? We don’t think so. But let’s not beat around the bush here; Packed lunches, though we love them, really gotta be just as or more exciting than your local delivery spot or cafeteria, or else your eyes will surely stray. So if you think the only alternative is packing leftovers or a sad sandwich, think again. We’re here to tell you that you CAN pack a lunch for work without killing yourself to cook it the night before (or even in the morning). From bowls to wraps, salads to soups, we’ve got something in here for everyone. These 85 work lunches are so quick, easy, and tasty, you might never order lunch in again!

Continue reading “85 Quick Lunch Ideas To Turn Your Work Day Around” →
Posted in #Recipes

Healthy Chicken Salad

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This healthy chicken salad recipe is made with a mixture of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese instead of regular mayonnaise, resulting in a healthier version that’s still creamy and delicious but higher in protein. Apples and dried cranberries add a sweet-tart flavor, while chopped pecans provide textural interest in every bite. Serve it on crackers, on a croissant, in a pita, or grab a fork and just dig in!

This healthy chicken salad starts with a surprising ingredient: fat-free Greek yogurt! The lighter take on a classic potluck dish will become a staple in your recipe box.

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

15 Recipes To Perfect While You’re Hibernating At Home This January

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

January, being Peak Hibernation Season and all, is one of my favorite times to dust off the ol’ stand-mixer and really get into some cooking and baking “projects.” Especially after the wilderness that is the holiday season, I’ve found it’s the best time to spend the better part of a day hands deep in flour, trying to tackle new-to-me recipes (or perfect old reliables). Chances are, you’ve also been meaning to brush up on your French omelet-making skills or want to actually make your own fresh pasta on the regular. Well, I’m here to tell you you don’t even need to have a culinary degree (far from it) to master any of these recipes, all you need to do is clear your schedule (or bust these out on your next snow day)!

Continue reading “15 Recipes To Perfect While You’re Hibernating At Home This January” →

Grandma’s Favorite Comfort Food Recipes

Grandma loves you, it’s true. And she’s already proud of you, we realize. But why push your luck? Master these classic comfort food recipes, and you’re golden in Grandma’s eyes…forever! These comfort food ideas include top-rated recipes for pot roast, meatloaf, lasagna, chicken noodle soup, apple pie, and so many other old-school favorites. Each comforting recipe rocks that homemade flavor you love from Grandma’s kitchen.

Allrecipes

Posted in Kitchen Tips

The 6 Most Dangerous Expired Condiments in Your Kitchen, According to Experts

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s no place in your fridge that holds more promise than the condiment shelf. Whether you eat them straight from the bottle or jar or zhuzh them up with pantry staples, condiments have the power to transform ingredients into palatable snacks and meals. That being said, condiments used past their expiration dates can downgrade your food by tasting flat or off—or even making you sick. Here’s what to know about the most dangerous condiments in your kitchen, including how long they’ll last once opened and the signs they’ve gone bad. 

Use these guidelines as a general rule-of-thumb for store-bought, shelf-stable condiments, which contain preservatives like salt. Homemade condiments or leftover house-made condiments from a restaurant have a much shorter timeline. So if you add a life-changing remoulade to your to-go box, make sure to eat it within a few days.

Allrecipes

42 Delicious Green Bean Recipes to Cook Up Today

Step aside, green bean casserole! We’ve got a bunch more ways to love these bright, snappy veggies. Find your new favorite green bean recipe right here.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

5 Ingredients Instant Pot Recipes Cookbook for Beginners

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen, only to end up with meals that feel repetitive, uninspired, and far from the healthy lifestyle you desire? Do you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or stuck when it comes to meal planning and cooking, especially with your busy schedule?

You’re not alone. Many of us struggle to juggle life’s demands while maintaining a nutritious and budget-friendly diet. The constant battle to make something quick, tasty, and healthy often leaves us turning to takeout or processed foods—leading to mounting guilt, bloated budgets, and a lifestyle that feels anything but balanced.

But what if there were a way to turn your kitchen into a haven of ease, joy, and nourishment?

Continue reading “5 Ingredients Instant Pot Recipes Cookbook for Beginners” →

47 Healthy Chicken Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

From better-for-you takes on lasagna and chicken Parmesan to healthier spins on chicken fingers and pizza, these are meals you’ll want to make again and again.

Healthy Chicken Ideas You’ll Love

When you need a family-friendly meal idea, chicken is always a winner. It’s incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with just about any seasoning or spice blend. Plus, you can prep it advance and use it in a variety of ways: salads, grain bowls, tacos and more. Is there anything chicken can’t do? It should come as no surprise then, that chicken is a great choice when you want to put a healthy meal on the table, too. There are lots of ways to use this powerhouse protein but we can’t get enough of these homemade chicken fingers. The store-bought version is often loaded with all kinds of can’t-pronounce ingredients. This better-for-you take relies on simple ingredients—and is still freezer-friendly, making healthy eating that much easier.

Allrecipes

Chicken Pot Pie by Wolfgang Puck

This is one of the many recipes we are seeing on our Echo Show. This one can be found on the “Tasty” app. I’ve tried this several times and definitely recommend it to everyone!

Here’s just a few of the ingredients before I send you to the website.

  • Cooked chicken, shredded
  • Carrots, diced
  • Red-skinned potatoes
  • Frozen green peas
  • Puff pastry

Tasty

92 Slow-Cooker Recipes to Warm Your Winter

Come in from the cold and sit down to slow-simmered pot roast, loaded chili and breakfast-for-dinner, too. Even on the snowiest day, these winter slow-cooker recipes warm you from your toes to your nose.

Taste of Home