Jump to Recipe is saying farewell, but this is not the end of Christine's delicious culinary interviews. Listen to find out more. 

To subscribe to the new format, go to CooktheStory/ROTD.

Have a great day! 

Christine xo

This week I talk with hostess extraordinaire Renee Rhinehart from Party Host Helpers, a company connecting party hosts with event staff. We chat about simple ideas to make your Christmas extra-special and your holiday parties more sparkly.

Have a great weekend!
Christine xo

Links:
Party Host Helpers or call 1-844-30 PARTY
Discount Code: use RENEE22 when booking on the website or give it to the person you are talking to to get $30 off your first party
COOKtheSTORY.com/ROTD
Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Charcuterie Boards
Butter Boards
Mulled Wine
Funnel

This week I'm talking with a woman of many talents, Nikki Miller-Ka. She's not only a classically trained chef and freelance food and travel writer with her own blog, Nik Snacks, but also tour guide for Taste Carolina in North Carolina. Nikki tells us about the tastiest, off-the-beaten path places to visit in North Carolina, as well of some of her favorite food cities in the US. 

The meal plan in this episode is full of easy one-pan and one-pot dinners. 15-Minute Chili is a fall weeknight favorite, and everyone loves  No-Boil Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the grocery list worksheet that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #109.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Website: niksnacksonline.com
IG: @niksnacks
Twitter: @NikSnacks
Recipe of the Day Podcast

If you're like me, it's easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to meal-planning. Today I talk about some fun ways to get new inspiration for your dinners, and we go beyond just doing a google search, for sure!

Our community guest this week is Danielle Green, a busy food blogger and mom of toddler twins. Danielle uses meal kits to help her get inspiration and hard-to-come by ingredients in her remote town. She also has tried a whole bunch of different meal kit services and has done reviews of them on her site. She is truly the meal kit expert and she answers all our questions about the pros and cons of meal kits and which ones are best for which situations.

The meal plan this week features recipes from around the world that are easy to make and that will give your meal plan a little boost. They're delicious and innovative recipes that your whole family will love. Subscribe at COOKtheSTORY to get our meal plans, recipe links, and printable grocery lists sent your way. 

Have a great day! xo

If you're like me, it's easy to let yourself take longer than intended to make dinner. One way to stop this is to choose recipes that don't have a lot of hands-on time so that you don't have as much flexibility in going over time. In this episode we talk about the kinds of recipes to look for if you want to limit the time you spend in the kitchen.

Our community guest this week is Belinda Gonzalez, a busy mom who works full time and who uses meal kits to save her time, and to help get her daughter trying new and exciting foods. This is our second episode in our Meal Kits Series and we talk with Belinda about the benefits and drawbacks to using meal kits.

The meal plan this week features recipes with short prep times to help you stay on track. They're delicious and innovative recipes that your whole family will love. Subscribe at COOKtheSTORY to get our meal plans, recipe links, and printable grocery lists sent your way. Have a great day! xo

One of the most difficult parts of meal-planning is coming up with ideas and making decisions about what to have. In this episode we share a bunch of ideas and resources for helping you to limit the decision-making process when meal-planning.

One of the resources we talk about is meal kits, where a company delivers all the ingredients and recipes to your door. This is our first in a series of three podcasts that feature meal kits like this as a strategy to help out with meal-planning.

The community interview is with Anna-Marie Walsh from Beauty and the Beets. She's a recipe developer and food blogger who also turns to meal kits to help her out with her meal-planning and cooking. 

The Meal Plan: This week the meal plan is inspired by meal kits and includes new ideas to inspire you and help with your decision-making and meal-planning. It's a simple and tasty meal plan that the whole family will love. To get our meal plans with links to the recipes and printable grocery lists to go with them, subscribe at https://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. 

Have a great day! xo

If you're like me, you find it a struggle to get your kids or members of your household to enjoy the meals that you cook. Some dinners are hits, others are not. How can we make more hits than nots? 

In the community interview this week I talk to Dr. Charles Spence, a Psychologist from Oxford University, about what is involved beyond taste in our enjoyment of food. It turns out that things like what we name our meals, and how much our forks weigh, matters more than we could ever realize. Have a listen to our conversation to find out how this can help you get more of those hits in your own daily cooking.

The Meal Plan: This week the meal plan is inspired by Dr. Spence's work and includes delicious meals with interesting names. It's a simple and tasty meal plan that the whole family will love. To get our meal plans with links to the recipes and printable grocery lists to go with them, subscribe at https://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Have you started meal-planning recently or are you looking at jumping in? Today we talk about leaving behind perfection in meal-planning, and in life, and embracing mistakes. 

The community interview this week is with Dan Morris, a busy dad with ELEVEN kids in his household. He shares his system for using what they already have in the pantry and freezer to generate their meal plans. 

The Meal Plan: This week the meal plan is inspired by Dan's pantry and so it is all meals that use up a lot of pantry ingredients. It's a delicious and simple meal plan that the whole family will love. To get our meal plans with links to the recipes and printable grocery lists to go with them, subscribe at https://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? Is one of them to meal-plan better or cook healthier? In this episode we talk about removing the pressure to meal-plan or to cook in a particular way and to instead allow ourselves to relax and try new things, without pressure for perfection. We also share great ideas for getting started in an easy way.

The community interview this week is with Kathy Hester, a vegan cookbook author and passionate believer in meeting people where they are at and helping them to learn to cook without expectations or strict rules.

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan this week features healthy meals and themed dinner nights, to get the ball rolling on a meal-planning system.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at http://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Do you find it difficult to come up with dinner ideas? In this episode Christine talks about how focusing on the side dishes, rather than on the main protein, can make meal-planning easier. It can also save you time and be a healthier way to look at dinners.

The community interview this week is with Xylina Jimenez, a busy working mom who doesn't love cooking but finds ways to do it anyways, both for her family and for a homeless shelter too. 

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan this week features meals that focus on the side dishes so you can test out the episode's ideas.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at http://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Do you find yourself saying "I don't have time for this or that" at this time of year? In this episode we talk about what that means. How we spend our time often reflects our priorities. Right now, if we're stressed out and feel like we don't have time, is it ok to just relax a bit and not do as much?

The community interview this week is with Alix Loiselle, a pastry chef who loves baking so much that he's delighted to get out of bed at 1am to do it every day. How does this schedule affect the rest of his life, and how have he and his small business had to adapt during Covid.

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan this week features easy dinners from around the world to get you through the holiday crunch time with time to spare, but not sparing any deliciousness.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, go to https://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Have you noticed how relaxing and enjoyable it is to cook recipes you know well from your childhood? How about recipes that you've made dozens of times before? In this episode we talk about how choosing familiar recipes can help you to enjoy cooking and meal-planning, while you make delicious food for your household.

The community interview this week is with Gabriellla Ahlqvist, who is a busy  mom of four who is homeschooling all of a sudden due to Covid. She's been wrestling with how to feed her family despite not loving cooking as much as she used to. We talk about the challenges she faces and also about delicious Swedish food!

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan this week features all familiar recipes from previous meal plans, so that you can practice making some of the same things. Also, there's an amazing recipe for Easy Baked Swedish Meatballs in the mix!

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, go to https://cookthestory.com/GetMealPlans. Have a great day! xo

Do you want to meal plan but you're not sure how to start? Start here by figuring out why you even want to meal plan in the first place!

What are your intentions behind meal-planning? If you begin by figuring out what your goals are, it will make it easier to find a meal-planning system that works for you.

The community interview this week is with Erica Kiefer, who works at Once a Month Meals, a company that is built around intentional meal-planning through freezer meals. Learn more about freezer cooking and learn how Erica uses it to help with her family's dietary needs, and also how she does it in a transitional kitchen to boot!

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan this week features all one-pan meals that freeze well so that you can double up.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

This week I'm talking with Food Creative Mercedes Golip about her passion for farm-to-table Venezuelan food. We get into how the pandemic led her to pivot from hosting pop-up dinners in NYC to buying a farmhouse in the western Catskills. We talk about the importance of our own food history and how she enjoys the challenge of using locally grown products to re-create the flavors of her childhood. 

 

The meal plan in this episode is inspired by family recipes that I grew up cooking and eating. English Prawn Cocktail makes for a nostalgic British meal and Perfectly Cooked Pork Chops with Creamy Mushroom Gravy is a childhood favorite from my Ukrainian heritage. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the grocery list worksheet that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #108.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Website: iambananista.com
Newsletter on Substack
IG: @iambananista
 

Today is Thanksgiving and it's a great reminder to be grateful for yourself, and to be kinder to yourself too. Christine talks about some ways to do this that center around cooking and meal-planning.

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan this week has delicious meals that are kind to the cook.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Do you have an Instant Pot or an Air Fryer still sitting in its box? Or have you been wanting to get one but aren't sure you would really use it? New gadgets and all kinds of new things make us nervous, even if we know that they'll help us in the long run. Why is that and how do we get over our neophobia (the fear of new things)? Learn about these obstacles and how to get over them in this episode of TMI with Christine.

The community interview this week is with cookbook author Emily Paster, who is currently working on a brand new Mediterranean Instant Pot cookbook. Learn how she manages to feed her family in the evening after spending all day in the kitchen perfecting recipes. It's quite the surprising juggling act!
 

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan has quick and tasty meals that are real family-pleasers!
 

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Do you find meal-planning and grocery shopping stressful? Is it never really done on time or the way you like? What if we told you that having a routine, any routine, would help you do it well every time. It's true and we tell you why, and then we give you a really good and simple example of a routine you can try.
 

The community interview this week is with Emily from Youtube's Emily and Clark's Adventure. This duo lives on a sailboat and have a life that relies on routines to keep their food safe and plentiful. Learn all the things they do to get food on their table.
 

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan has quick and tasty meals that are real family-pleasers!
 

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Thanksgiving is bound to be different this year for everyone due to Covid. If you're missing being in the kitchen with family, listen in while Christine talks to her mom about all of their tips for making the best meal possible. It's heartwarming and sooo #wholesome :-).

Christine's mom, Phyllis Pittman, is a restauranteur and caterer who has cooked well over 300 turkey dinners in her life. She knows everything you need to know to make a delicious meal that isn't super stressful. There are so many tips for make aheads and keeping things warm, timing, and planning. And, it's just plain adorable to listen to them talk to each other from across the continent!
 

The Meal Plan: This week's show doesn't have the usual weeknight meal plan but you will learn a lot about all of Christine and her mom's best Thanksgiving recipes. For the links to the recipes, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Do you ever find yourself doing a task that you don't like simply because doing it gives you an excuse to not be doing a different task that you like even less? How do we stop this "productive procrastination" and make ourselves do the things we need to do? This week Christine gives you some great ideas for kicking your own butt into doing things.
 

The community interview this week is with Angela, a busy restauranteur and mother of two. Her food-life balance between home and work are fascinating and you're definitely going to get some great quick meal ideas!
 

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan has quick and tasty meals that are real family-pleasers!
 

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Have you forgotten who you are and what you like? Do you need a kick in the butt to get yourself enjoying food again? This week Christine helps you come up with ways to bring the adult back into your family cooking.

The community interview this week is with Ryan, a Physics professor at Tulane University who leads a busy life and loves grown up food. His take on eating like an adult while on the go will inspire you so much!

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan takes 5 kid-friendly meals and upgrades them into adult dinners that your whole household will love.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Do you feel guilt about not liking cooking, or about not liking some aspect of cooking for your household? This week Christine helps you to strategize around the things you hate so that you can maybe hate them a bit less, or at least feel less guilt about hating them.

The community interview this week is with Janette, a working single mother of 2 who is also training for a marathon. Her meal prep strategies and her ideas about getting her kids with her in the kitchen, all while doing that whole marathon thing, is going to inspire you so much!

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan leaves behind the cooking stress with fine one pot dinners.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Is it true that past behavior predicts future behavior? We don't know, but what we do know is that we can use the past to help with our future. In this week's episode, Christine gives you ways to look at your past meal-plans and grocery lists to help with your future planning.

The community interview this week is with Amber, a new teacher and a mom who is trying to deal with her demanding job while grabbing food on the go for her family.

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, Christine’s meal plan for this week is stellar and makes use of some of the same ingredients throughout the week so you can buy fewer things and still get through.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

Have you ever wondered why you're never late for a flight, but always late to leave for a road trip? This phenomenon has a name, and Christine knows all about it and how it can help you in the kitchen.

The community interview this week is with Marcy, a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of 3 who tells us about her unique family dynamic and shares some meal-planning strategies that work for her household.  

The Meal Plan: If you’re wondering what to make for dinner this week, Christine’s meal plan is stellar and makes use of leftovers throughout the week so you can do less cooking and more eating. We all like that, right? Haha.

For the links to the recipes in the meal plan and a grocery list to go with it, subscribe to the newsletter at https://cookthestory.com/newsletter. Have a great day! xo

This week I'm talking with meal prep expert Amy Lawrence of Gourmet Done Skinny, about her popular membership program Food Prep for Foodies and her new book The Power of Food Prep (available here for FREE as an e-book). I was seriously wowed by her amazing food prep tips tips that make the whole thing less of a burden. I can’t wait for you to hear them too!

The meal plan in this episode is inspired by some of my fall favorites. 15-Minute Lasagna Soup is both quick AND hearty and Pork Fried Rice makes great use of leftovers from Baked Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Butter. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the grocery list worksheet that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #107.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Cookbook: The Power of Food Prep , or click here for a free e-book.
Membership Program:  Food Prep for Foodies
Website: Gourmet Done Skinny
IG: @gourmetdoneskinny
FB: @gourmetdoneskinny
Twitter: @gourmetdoneskin

This week I'm talking with the editor from The Nosher.com and author of the cookbook Modern Jewish Comfort Food, Shannon Sarna. We talk about Jewish food, the story it tells, and how comfort food connects families and traditions.  

The meal plan in this episode is full of easy comfort food favorites. The Creamiest Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food and Biscuits and Gravy is surprisingly easy to make, given how decadent it tastes. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the grocery list worksheet that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #106.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Cookbook: Modern Jewish Comfort Food
Blog: The Nosher
IG: @shasarna @jewishfood
FB: @thenosher

This week I'm talking with Michael Prince, award-winning BBQ Pit Master, stand-up comedian and Guy's Grocery Games contestant, about how growing up cooking open pit bbq with his grandfather inspired him to go to culinary school and start TuBones BBQ Restaurant & Catering Co. in Frisco, TX. We also talk turkey, and discuss different BBQ-inspired ideas for your holiday table.  

The meal plan in this episode is a nod to Micheal's love of all things BBQ. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is SO easy, and Instant Pot Ribs and The Ultimate Loaded Potato Salad makes a great meal any night of the week. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #105.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Tu Bones X29 BBQ Sauce

Website: tubonesbbq.com
Instagram: @michaelprince31, @tubonesbbq
Facebook: @michael.prince.505, @tubonesbbq
Join Michael's Facebook Live Events to get some of his delicious recipes
Twitter: @tu_bones_bbq

This week I'm talking with Midgi Moore, the owner of Juneau Food Tours in Alaska, and Global Tours Connect. We talk about what makes Juneau such a great food town (by day and night), why food tours are so popular with visitors to Alaska, and what to look for in a food tour wherever you travel.

The meal plan in this episode is a nod to Alaska featuring an abundance of seafood recipes. Cioppino is a classic seafood soup that is surprisingly easy to make and Fish Cakes with homemade Tartar Sauce come together quickly for a tasty meal. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #104.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:

Website: juneaufoodtours.com, globaltoursconnect.com
Instagram: @juneau_food_tours
Facebook: @juneaufoodtours

This week I'm talking with the founders of Siren Shrub Co., Layne Cozzolino and Mindy McCord. This dynamic duo explains the exciting ingredient that is missing from your bar (and from your pantry!): Shrubs! Learn what shrubs are and how to use them in both drinks and food. Your cocktails and your cooking will never be the same again!

The meal plan this episode is recipes that contain citrus and other sour ingredients. The idea is that you can swap those out for your newfound favorite thing, Shrubs! In Coconut Lime Chicken Breasts you can use Lemongrass Shrub instead of lime juice, and in Lemon Butter Broccoli you can use any shrub instead of lemon and sugar. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #103.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:

Website: sirenshrubs.com
Instagram: @sirenshrubs
Facebook: @sirenshrubs

This week I'm going back to my blogging roots by talking with another food blogger who has been around just as long, Toni Dash! I've always loved Toni's story about challenging herself to be a locavore for a full year in Colorado, and how that passion turned into an incredible career with her original site, Boulder Locavore, and now as a Certified Nutritionist and her newest site Make It Skinny Please. Come get inspired about eating locally, healthily, and about following your food path in this tasty episode.

One of the most popular recipes on my sites for years has been this roast pork. I decided that the meal plan this week should honor my blogging roots as well by using that recipe's spin off, this Instant Pot Roast Pork, as a meal, and then its leftovers to make other recipes throughout the week, including Pork Fried Rice and Cuban Sandwiches. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #102.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Blogs: Boulder Locavore  and Make It Skinny Please
Recipe: Spicy Skinny Pineapple Margarita
FB: @makeitskinnyplease, @boulderlocavore
IG: @makeitskinnyplease, @boulderlocavore
Twitter: @makeitskinnyplz, @boulderlocavore
Pintrest: @makeitskinnyplease, @boulderlocavore

This week I'm talking with food blogger (and Guy's Grocery Games contestant!) Heather Johnson, a. k. a. The Food Hussy, and we geek out over the air fryer as she shares all sorts of useful tips and tricks for using it. We also talk about her love of developing Copycat recipes.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is inspired by my conversation with Heather. From Copycat Ikea Swedish Meatballs to Air Fryer Pickle-Brined Chicken Sandwiches, we have copycat and air fryer favorites covered. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #101.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:

Website: thefoodhussy.com
Instagram: @foodhussy
Facebook: @thefoodhussy
Facebook Group: Easy Air Fryer Recipes from Food Hussy & Friends
Twitter: @foodhussy

This week I'm talking with my good friend, recipe developer, and cookbook author Emily Paster. We talk about teen-friendly food: What it is, how and when to serve it, and how to keep them coming back to YOUR HOUSE for more.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is full of food teenagers will love. Turkey Burgers are always a hit, and Bánh Mi Tacos are a fun take on making food truck meals at home. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #100.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Cookbooks: Instantly Mediterranean and Epic Air Fryer: 100 Inspired Recipes That Take Air-Frying in a Deliciously Exciting New Direction

Website: westoftheloop.com
Instagram: @westoftheloop
Facebook: @westoftheloop
Twitter: @westoftheloop
Recipe Link: Black and White Cookies

This week I talk with food-writer Katie Workman from TheMom100.com about her go-to's for fuss-free entertaining during the holiday season, and all year long. We talk about great ideas for grazing boards and how the simple things are often the best. Be sure to check out Katie's amazing cookbook that is full of recipes that every parent needs to have in their back pocket: The Mom 100 Cookbook.

Have a great weekend!
Christine xo

Links:
TheMom100.com
@katieworkman100 on Instagram
@katieworkman100 on Facebook
@katieworkman100 on Twitter
COOKtheSTORY.com/ROTD
Weeknight Dinner Inspiration
How to Stabilize Whipped Cream

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with best-selling fiction author Rachel Linden. We're talking about her new book, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, and how she uses food and cooking to enhance the magical realism in her novels.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is full of lemony flavors in honor of Rachel's Lemon Drop Pie. Greek Lemon Soup comes together quickly and Garlic Bread with Lemon pairs beautifully with this Perfectly Cooked Steak.  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #99.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links:
Website: rachellinden.com
Instagram: @rachellinden_writer
Facebook: @authorRachellinden

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with cookbook author Scotty Scott. His new cookbook, Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food, is one of NPR's top 10 cookbooks for 2022 so far. We talk about the origins of soul food, how it is defined, and how it has evolved.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is a back-to-school meal plan with some soul inspired by my conversation with Scotty. Fried Catfish is served over an easy Oven Polenta, which we use again later in the week as Polenta Cakes with Sautéed Shrimp. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #98.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
Website: cookdrankeat.com
IG: @cookdrankeat
TikTok: @cookdrankeat
Twitter: @CookDrankEat
YouTube: CookDrankEat

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

It's almost time for the kids to go back to school, which means it is about to get BUSY, so I thought I'd revisit my interview with Erica Kiefer, formerly with Once a Month Meals, a company that is built around intentional meal-planning through freezer meals. We talk about how setting aside some time for meal planning, and stocking your freezer so you have an inventory of food to pull from, makes life a lot less stressful when comes to mealtimes during this busy season.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is a simple meal plan with some meals that can do double duty. Baked Pork Tenderloin with Garlic Butter is used for a Pork Fried Rice later in the week. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #97.

Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
Once A Month Meals

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with cookbook author Adriana Martin. Her beautiful new book, Taco Obsession: Essential Recipes to Celebrate the Flavors of Mexico, explores the history of tacos and is filled with delicious recipes. We talk about the types of tacos from the different regions of Mexico, and about what makes tacos so irresistible.
The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is all about shaking up Taco Tuesday. The Easiest Shrimp Tacos and Grilled Fajitas really showcase how versatile tacos can be. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #96.
Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
Adriana's Blog: adrianasbestrecipes.com
Instagram: @adrianasbestrecipes
Facebook: @adrianasbestrecipes

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with writer, certified health and wellness coach, and speaker Stephanie Weaver about cooking for chronic illness. Her two books, The Migraine Relief Plan and The Migraine Relief Plan Cookbook, are designed to help people learn to control their individual lifestyle triggers.
The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is gluten-free. The Best Baked Chicken Breasts and Instant Pot Risotto from Day #2 does double-duty, coming together as Greek Lemon Soup on Day #4. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #95.
Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
migranereliefplan.com
IG: @sweavermph
Twitter: @SWeaverMPH

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

Life seems to be constantly changing these days (online school/in-person school, work from home/back to the office) so I thought it was a good time to revisit my conversation with Amanda Keefer from Healthy Family Project. She's a busy working mom of three who has had to alter her family's diet for health reasons. We talk about the changes that they've had to make and how the transition has been going.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is very vegetable-forward. No-Boil Feta Pasta Bake is a fantastic meat-free meal, and Vegetarian Fajitas are so easy yet full of flavor. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #94.

Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
Healthyfamilyproject.com
FB: @healthyfamilyproject
Private FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/321112258818070
IG:@healthy.family.project
Podcast: Healthy Family Project
IG: @amandamkeefer
Twitter: @amandamkeefer

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with Pastry Consultant Jessica Ellington about her favorite tool in the kitchen, which unexpectedly is the freezer! She shares her best tips for freezing foods to maintain optimum freshness.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is making use of budget-friendly frozen foods. Sausages from Frozen comes together as a hoagie in no time, and Green Pea Soup with Ham makes good use of frozen green peas. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #93.
Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:

Jessica's Website: Sweet Bee Chicago
Jessica's Instagram: @sweetbeechicago
USDA Cooking Advice for Cooking Things From Frozen
Cooking Sausages from Frozen
Cooking Salmon from Frozen
How to Cook Chicken Wings from Frozen
How to Cook Chicken Breasts from Frozen

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking to Rebecca Andexler of the website Homemakers Habitat. Rebecca shares some of her best hacks to make food that appeals to picky eaters and is healthy too. She also dives back into culinary school to give us her most useful chef tips for home cooks.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is all about grilling. The Grilled Shrimp served with a lightened up Caesar Salad is quick and healthy and Grilled Fajitas are soooo delicious. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #92.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:

Blog: Homemaker's Habitat
Instagram: @homemakershabitat
Free Digital Cookbook: Two Weeks of Sheets

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

I'm still on vacation this week so I'm reprising an interview with Dan Morris from the early days of my podcast. Dan is a fellow podcaster and is the father of ELEVEN kids. He has therefore - through necessity - become quite the expert at meal-planning. He shares his system for using what they already have in the pantry and freezer to generate their meal plans.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is full of efficient and simple meals, but still has a lot of variety. For instance, the Salsa Chicken from Day #3 will get repurposed for Chicken Tacos on Day #5. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #91.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:

Podcast: Tracing The Path
Rachel's Facebook page: @findingjoyblog
Rachel's Blog: Finding Joy 

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking to Jordan Hamons, owner of the Cincinnati-based cooking school, Tablespoon Cooking Co. We're talking about how she helps home cooks find more inspiration in the kitchen through her hands on cooking classes. In addition to sharing tips on making cooking more efficient, she also shares tips on choosing the right cooking class for you.
The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode has so many fun meals. You'll love Hot Dog Sliders with Tropical Salsa and an easy-breezy recipe for Air Fryer Pizza. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #90.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
Tablespoon Cooking Co
Instagram: @jordanhamons
Instagram: @tablespooncookingco

NOTE: Jump to Recipe is moving to become part of my other podcast, Recipe of the Day. Make sure you subscribe to Recipe of the Day so that you continue to hear my delicious conversations with guests from the culinary world, airing every Saturday afternoon. Jump to Recipe's last day will be December 31, 2022, so make sure you switch over to Recipe of the Day before then.

This week on ROTD WEEKEND, I talk with cookbook author Faith Kramer about her beautiful cookbook, 52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen. Packed with so much interesting information about the global nature of Jewish cooking, this cookbook not only offers lots of inspiration for sabbath dinners, but also makes for a great read. We talk about Faith's book, about delicious Shabbat recipes that would also be wonderful for Hannukah next week, or for any holiday celebration, and also about putting together special occasion dinners that are as delicious as they are easy on the cook.

Have a great weekend!
Christine xo

Links:
Faithkramer.com
Cooking Columns on jWeekly
52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen
@blogapetit on Instagram
TheCookful Hot Chocolate Series
All Things Holiday on COOKtheSTORY
No-Spread Sugar Cookies
One-Pan Beef Noodle Skillet
Easy Lasagna Casserole
Toufayan Bakeries Store on Amazon - Coupon Code: COOKTHESTORY  - End Date: 12/17/22 @ 11:59 PM PD, Terms: One redemption per customer

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with Nico Vera, freelance writer, photographer, and vegan Peruvian cook about the incredible diversity of Peruvian cuisine. We also talk about his current project of  developing a cookbook, The Vegan Peruvian Kitchen, that is aimed at vegan home cooks and will feature 100 plant-based recipes inspired by Peru’s Indigenous, European, African, Chinese, and Japanese culinary cultures.
The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is partially inspired by my conversation with Nico. We're cooking up flavorful Sopa de Lima as well as an easy No-Boil Feta Pasta Bake.  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #89.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
Website: Pisco Trail
Newsletter: piscotrail.substack.com
Instagram: @Piscotrail

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

We've been talking a lot about the lost love of cooking (I just did a whole workshop about it!) and, while I'm on vacation this month, I revisit my interview with Gabriela Ahlqvist, who is a busy homeschooling mom of four, about how to feed her family despite not loving cooking as much as she used to. We talk about how choosing familiar recipes can help you to enjoy the cooking and meal-planning process. 

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is based on recipes that go really well together. We're cooking up one of my favorites, Brown Sugar Chicken, which you can then use for Burrito Bowls later in the week. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #88.
Have a great week!
Christine xo

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with plant-based food blogger and certified vegan nutrition coach, Amy Katz of Veggies Save the Day, about how to make plant-based food more flavorful and delicious. Amy shares her Four-Part Flavor Formula for putting together tasty vegan meals. 

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is, not surprisingly, vegetarian. There are a few optional vegan recipes too! We're cooking up flavorful and nutritious Sweet Potato Quesadillas and easy Vegan Rice Bowls. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #87.
Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
Coconut Aminos
Website: Veggies Save the Day
Facebook: @veggiessavetheday 
Instagram: @veggiessaetheday
Twitter: @VeggiesSave

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with Beth Lee, author of The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook and blogger from OMG! Yummy, about how writing a cookbook helped her overcome her fear of baking. We also talk about how daunting it can be to cook recipes from another culture and she shares some suggestions to make it more approachable and fun.
The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features light and summery food. 15-Minute Gazpacho is a quick and refreshing summer soup, and BBQ Salmon and Zucchini Skewers cook up on the grill in no time. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #86.
Have a great week!
Christine xo
Links from this episode:
Workshop: COOKtheSTORY.com/joy
Cookbook: The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook
Blog: OMG! Yummy
Facebook Group: Tasting Jerusalem
Facebook: @omgyummy
Instagram: @omgyummy

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I'm talking with Cheryl Knecht Muñoz, one of the inspiring founders of the Sugar Beet Food Co-Op, River Forest Kitchen (an incubator space) and School House Kitchen + Studio (family cooking school). We talk about what food co-ops and incubator spaces are, and about the benefits of getting involved in your local food community. 

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features delicious and easy recipes that kids can help with. We're cooking up yummy One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs and quick and simple Shrimp Fried Rice. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #85.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
Workshop: COOKtheSTORY.com/joy
Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio
Sugar Beet Food Co-Op
River Forest Kitchen

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is the show for busy people who love to cook!

This week I talk with to Dawn Mancuso, the head recipe developer and photographer for my own websites. Among her many accolades, Dawn has won the Crisco National Pie Contest in the Apple Pie Category. We sat down to chat about the kind of recipe-testing that goes into winning that level of championship. Dawn also shares with us what it's like to compete on a Food Network contest show, or two, and to win them!

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features recipes mostly created by Dawn herself. We are cooking a simple and hearty Burrito Soup and some easy Air Fryer Stuffed Pork Chops. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #84.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
COOKtheSTORY.com/joy

This podcast used to be called Time Management Insider. It is now Jump to Recipe. Jump is show for busy people who love to cook!

This week on Jump to Recipe I'm talking to cookbook author Paula Shoyer about what kosher cooking and baking is and how to make your life easier when cooking this way. We talk about how the Instant Pot, despite our mutual apprehension, has been an amazing way to simplify life in the kitchen for both of us.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features kosher-inspired recipes. We are cooking Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma, which Paula and I both agreed cooks up beautifully in the Instant Pot, and Italian Cauliflower and Quinoa Bake.  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #83.

Have a great week!
Christine xo

Links from this episode:
Website: thekosherbaker.com
Facebook: @thekosherbaker
Instagram: @kosherbaker
Tik Tok: @chefpaulashoyer
Cookbooks:
The Instant Pot Kosher Cookbook
The Healthy Jewish Kitchen
The New Passover Menu
The Holiday Kosher Baker
The Kosher Baker