2019-11-21 02:09
Perusing my blog and social spaces will reveal a love of all things gardening, and I am not afraid to show off that love in mugs, shirts, books, and prints. My shop is a wonderful space for… Read More
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The Urban Domestic Diva Blog
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Chicago working mom shares everything from cooking, gardening, craft ideas, parenting, hearth and home tips with occasional music and book reviews.
2019-07-17 14:44
It's been on my mind for YEARS. When I decided to start this blog, it was to learn social media on behalf of my clients and ad agency I was working for. Blogger was the easiest way to just g… Read More
2019-06-21 04:07
It's strawberry season at the farmstands. In the midwest, the cold spring made it late, but it's here now in all it's berry-tart glory! Check out our recent loot:Strawberries don't last… Read More
2019-06-17 02:05
I saw a recipe called Umami Noodles in the NY Times, and my eyes perked up. One because I created some snazzy products at the shop honoring food and cooking-and some feature the words "umami… Read More
2019-05-30 21:01
Hello Blog Family!I am returning to you after a small hiatus, but the longest one I have ever had since I started this blog over 10 years ago. The past 14 months have been full of transition… Read More
2019-04-18 22:59
So, we called this devil cake. I gave it to my neighbors as a treat, and they texted me the next day, saying they could not stop eating the "devil" cake. Because, it's the devil. You can't s… Read More
2019-04-14 19:03
I guess I could not have timed this video and post any better, as we are sitting today in a Chicago snow blizzard a week before Easter in the middle of April. As I write this, I am look… Read More
2019-04-13 15:13
We have been trying to entice hummingbirds to our property for years, and it has only been recently since I have been putting more native flowers in the garden, that I have been seeing them… Read More
2019-03-23 18:14
You may have seen this garden project all over the interwebs. I have always wanted to try it myself, and as the weather is warming up, my attention has turned to garden projects. This o… Read More
2019-03-19 23:22
Street food is so much fun, whether you frequent food trucks or aimlessly walk around markets state-side or overseas, these dishes are simple, small in size yet packed with flavor. Making a… Read More
2019-03-16 13:46
Today is all about mash-ups. Is it beef jerky or pork bacon? BOTH!Is it pasta primavera or pasta carbonara?BOTH!You don't need to decide on one or the other when you can have both!… Read More
2019-03-02 14:50
There is nothing quite like holding a steamy bowl of miso soup, cupped in your hands while breathing in that soupy-salty-goodness with a hint of briny seaweed scent. It is almost a form… Read More
2019-02-27 17:55
I hate being wasteful. I hate throwing out food that's soured in the fridge, especially dinner leftovers that we slaved over making a few nights prior. Throwing away fruits and vegetables ma… Read More
2019-02-24 15:02
If you are in a state that experiences the 4 seasons, I know you are tired of the color gray. We were in MI for a weekend getaway a couple weeks ago, and as we drove through the countryside… Read More
2019-02-23 03:14
Once you become a parent, you are in the car a lot more. After you have your baby, the hospital should make sure your driver's license is all up to date for your "road ahead".And if you are… Read More
2019-02-16 22:40
I love brunch. I love eating it. I love serving it. I love choosing it as an entertaining option when you have a busy group to plan around. Everyone can make brunch time work. It c… Read More
2019-02-05 17:56
So we had a month of clean healthy eating, and though I have not fallen off the resolution wagon (yet), I felt the need to reward the family for putting up with my clean eating month. So I w… Read More
2019-01-30 16:24
So we are hunkered down in layers of flannel, bundled in blankets and running a humidifier on both levels of the house to help the furnace keep up with the polar vortex today and tomorr… Read More
2019-01-26 20:12
Grain bowls are all the rage and for good reason! They are healthy, easy and customizable per family member. Also, they are really thrifty. They are a great way to clean out your crisper dra… Read More
2019-01-24 16:12
Well, first off, nothing heals January blues quicker than a hot, comfort-food dinner and these sliders fit the bill. The chicken could not be easier to prepare, and the punchy blue chee… Read More
2019-01-12 23:47
Happy New Year!I know I have been remiss in posting since the holidays. The holidays sucked the life out of me, especially with our new shop and holiday sales (see above link and also on Ets… Read More
2018-12-26 23:47
Happy Holidays everybody! If you are like my family, you are recovering from a food coma and digging your way out of a pile of leftovers. One of the holiday staples that I feel you never kno… Read More
2018-12-15 15:05
I finally closed out my holiday baking, and tins and boxes are slowly making their ways to clients, colleagues and loved ones. This part is the best part of baking showering people I care ab… Read More
2018-12-14 02:55
What goes better than chocolate and peppermint for the holidays? Nothing!This cookie is like my favorite Starbucks holiday drink in cookie form, minus the coffee. (Although you cou… Read More
2018-12-09 00:17
I've been trying to purge and simplify our lives, little by little. I am tackling a closet a week, and a room a month. I try to clean out, give away, sell and reorganize each pile of flotsam… Read More
2018-12-06 17:51
Who doesn't love a whole chicken for dinner? I love the way it smells as it roasts, and I love the amount of food it makes, giving us some great chicken leftovers to use in another reci… Read More
2018-12-03 01:29
The mission to use up extra buttermilk continues. You may notice a plethora of buttermilk recipes on this blog. That is because, for whatever reason, the buttermilk bottles in our store… Read More
2018-11-24 02:35
I made this soup for my family for Thanksgiving as a light starter to the feast. I always liked pistou. It is such a fresh and light French soup-and really features farm fresh summer vegetab… Read More
2018-11-16 20:45
You know when you get to a recipe and the blogger writes a NOVEL before getting you to the meat of why you were there in the first place? Yeah. A little personal story. OK. A long novel. No… Read More
2018-11-13 00:00
This is my husband's favorite thing I make, and he always asks for it when I make him his birthday brunch. You can pretty much pick and choose your favorite fruit. I change the fruit dependi… Read More
2018-11-09 19:55
TGIF!SO guess what I woke up to this morning? Snow. Yep. Snow.Looks like winter is going to come early this year in the Midwest, and all I can say about it is to get your baking game on. Chi… Read More
2018-11-06 22:00
It's pie season, and that means hosting big dinners where you need to show off your cooking diva-ness, and one way to do that is to create a show-stopping pie. Through years of trial and err… Read More
2018-11-03 01:43
Thanksgiving is around the corner and I am sure many of you are roughing out menu plans, as I was doing last night! My favorite course is dessert. I love pies, and they are often a foca… Read More
2018-10-31 02:48
Lemons are well loved at our house. The great thing about lemons is that you can get them any time of year, and lemons always taste great no matter what time of year you are in. They bring a… Read More
2018-10-26 18:47
SO it's fall. And I love fall. I love the sweaters, the fireplace, the pumpkin spice everything. But before we settle in with our warm drinks and close out the garden season, we have to get… Read More
2018-10-24 17:21
Some of you may have bad memories of tequila, from days of your misspent youth?I do. My experience sort of ruined margaritas for me. So I have figured out a way to enjoy a margarit… Read More
2018-10-20 00:54
Years ago I had the idea to try and make a pie that mimicked the crazy chocolate caramel covered apples that are popular at this time of year. I mean obviously chocolate and apple is a thing… Read More
2018-10-09 16:31
So as September drew to a close, we were (and are) still harvesting our late season tomatoes. One thing that happened this year, is that some of my Roma tomatoes were mislabeled as cher… Read More
2018-10-05 14:08
First of all, my apologies. I haven't been this MIA on the blog since I started it in 2008. To all of my followers out there, thank you for your unwavering support, and sorry the conten… Read More
2018-09-16 20:42
Aldi is my favorite store these days and my newest obsession. They have crazy prices, and some really nice gluten-free products, and organic products. I decided to try the Live G F… Read More
2018-09-03 17:22
Years ago, after discovering I had a digestive disease, I was told by a wellness center to go gluten-free. This was back when you could only find GF products in weird health food s… Read More
2018-08-31 03:08
When we were in Italy a couple of years ago we took our daughter, so she could experience another country and especially experience it with her native Grandparents. Out of the many thin… Read More
2018-08-24 23:04
You may be seeing a theme this month on the blog? Like, Peaches? Yuppers! Peaches are what is in season, and before it's apple this and pumpkin spice that, let's squeeze every… Read More
2018-08-22 02:03
Peaches, Peaches Peaches.If you have visited a recent farmers' market, you probably noticed baskets and baskets of peaches. It is peach season (and corn season, and tomato season...pretty mu… Read More
2018-08-05 20:14
If you have visited my YouTube Channel, you will find a popular video on making ravioli by hand. Being first generation Italian has its blessings, and one is an amazing mother who continues… Read More
2018-08-04 01:39
Mosaics are a big thing around here. If I suddenly get inspired and can glue ceramic pieces to a surface, watch out, it's getting some mosaics. When Fathers day rolled around, I finally deci… Read More
2018-07-25 01:02
This dish is fantastic. That is all. Savory Shrimp over Rice Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of butter 6 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 pound of shrimp, deveined and shelled … Read More
2018-07-22 01:46
Scones are usually a guilty pleasure when you are eating healthy-but guess what? You can eat these with less guilt! Oat and whole wheat flour give you a lot of fiber, brown sugar brings the… Read More
2018-07-17 02:04
I know this is odd to see, right? Soup in the summer? Well, we at our house are very strict with doing a soup and salad night once a week, all year. It's usually Mondays, which my daughter h… Read More
2018-07-13 01:19
Pork shoulders and crock pots are a marriage made in heaven. The gentle heat of the crock pot going for 8 hours breaks down this inexpensive cut of pork into shredded, tender deliciousness w… Read More
2018-07-08 01:48
I grew up with Minestrone soup, pretty much at least twice a month, if not more. It made me sort of hate minestrone soup as an adult. This saddens my husband, who really likes Minestrone… Read More
2018-07-07 02:13
We are obsessed with mushrooms at our house. We love them. And when we are trying to cut back on meat, the meat lovers in my family find hearty mushrooms to be a perfect meat replacement.Thi… Read More
2018-07-01 13:57
With 4th of July next week, you are probably knee deep in menu planning for the festivities. And if you are like me, you may be looking at the typical fare served on our nation's birthday an… Read More
2018-06-21 14:20
It's strawberry season! And that means a flurry of strawberry baking and canning at our house. My father never eats strawberries from the store, but the minute its strawberry season at the U… Read More
2018-06-20 01:28
Buddha Bowls are a new favorite dinner option at our house. Bowl of rice, a healthy protein, and topped with various veggies and VOILA! A healthy dinner.This is made with a blackening spice… Read More
2018-06-14 14:25
Being 1st generation Italian, I have many family and friends still in Italy, and they love to share Italian recipes-REAL Italian recipes, in Italian, online. I have to say, their tasty… Read More
2018-06-12 16:09
My Italian mother reuses everything, especially ricotta tubs and deli plastic containers. And when I was growing up, my mother bought giant tubs of ricotta to keep up with the massive amount… Read More
2018-06-05 21:24
You seriously will not believe that this is a low-fat dinner once you dig in. The trick is the fat-free half and half combined with seasonings galore and a hearty shrimp broth. My… Read More
2018-06-03 14:13
So, to be on the record. I am not a fan of beets. I know they are really good for you, so I try and try. My sister adores them and always makes them for family meals, and my husband LOV… Read More
2018-06-01 00:58
I know you don't believe me, that this dish can feed your mac and cheese craving while keeping things lower in fat. But this is it! I adapted it from the weight watcher cookbook. My angsty 1… Read More
2018-05-22 23:06
It's garden time! I have spent any warm dry day I can in the garden beds this month. It has been a late spring, so we have to pack in a lot of chores in a very truncated time frame. It's bee… Read More
2018-05-19 15:22
Shhh. Do not tell my Italian mom or aunts I used the word taco and lasagna together in a post, or in a recipe, or in my kitchen, or that it was hearty and delicious.This will be our little s… Read More
2018-05-17 17:06
Warmer days means our farmers' markets are starting, and we will soon be knee deep in fresh fruits and produce. This time of year, my husband gets really excited about the prospect of a pie… Read More
2018-05-14 20:32
Mondays are soup and salad nights at our house. My daughter HATES it, and I remember in third grade loudly asked why we made Monday's even worse by serving soup and salad for dinner. Sh… Read More
2018-05-08 15:31
Braising a chicken on a slow Sunday is kind of a secret weapon to a perfect weekend. Because a Dutch oven allows you to do everything in one pot, it keeps the dirty dishes down to a minimum… Read More
2018-05-07 00:10
These days, it's quinoa all the things, all the time. This mighty grain is packed with protein, and when you soak the grain for 30 minutes before cooking it, you can get the bitterness… Read More
2018-05-04 18:31
Hubby and I have been getting our vegetable plots ready for gardening, and we've begun the fighting debating discussion around what to plant. Usually, we are in agreement on what we want to… Read More
2018-04-30 18:24
SCREEEEEECH! (in glee)It's 70 degrees today in Chicago! 70!I have my seedlings out hardening, I took my power walk this morning w/o a winter coat, my hubby was prepping our veggie… Read More
2018-04-29 01:37
When we escape to our Michigan cottage, we move to a slower pace. It's a time to relax and enjoy nature, read books and take walks-not spend hours in the kitchen. I was thrilled when my sist… Read More
2018-04-18 02:54
SO who says cheesecake is off limits for healthy eaters?Thanks to Jello's magic flavor elves, you can make a low fat, easy cheesecake for when you have that sweet tooth. Jello sugar-fr… Read More
2018-04-14 18:46
I saw this video on my Facebook feed and saved it to try for Easter. My sister is 'clean eating' more and gluten-free, and I thought this recipe would be a welcome addition to the… Read More
2018-04-11 18:41
This dish is really (ridiculously stupid easy) simple to make, and much of it can be prepared ahead of time. The shrimp and gremolata can marinate overnight. Couscous is the friend &hell…Read More
2018-04-10 02:48
These muffins are packed with healthy stuff. Seriously, they are like a mini carrot cake meets zucchini bread meets healthy muffins. You can pump up the sugar if you want, but I was try… Read More
2018-04-01 13:53
Since I am in between jobs right now (I resigned from a 12-year post this past summer) I have been sharing a lot more of the meal planning and cooking responsibilities, while taking time to… Read More
2018-03-17 16:58
I was getting bored with my healthy egg muffins for breakfast the other day. I wanted something a little more fun and exciting and saw this egg cup bake in a used weight watcher co… Read More
2018-03-15 14:23
I’ve lived in the city of Chicago for years, and I am not ashamed to say I am a dumpster diver. I am very selective of what will pull me out of my car in an alley to pull some treasure… Read More
2018-03-13 21:01
Spring is sooooooo close, I can feel it. Can you feel it? When spring comes, I want to eat lighter with cool salads and grilled meals, but we are just not there yet. We are in the wild… Read More
2018-03-07 16:00
Chicken Bistro CakesIngredients:Patties3 tablespoons of butter 2 cloves of garlic, crushed1/4 cup of red onion, diced1/2 cup of celery, diced2 cups of cooked chicken, chopped (store-bou… Read More
2018-02-25 17:48
Years ago, I discovered a coffee rub for steak, and I have always wanted to recreate it. The coffee brought out the sweet and smokiness of the grilled steak. It was quite surprising. This ru… Read More
2018-02-21 02:12
This versatile yogurt dip was adapted from the Food Lover's Cleanse cookbook, which is a great cookbook to keep on hand, especially for January. It also, without meaning to, is really… Read More
2018-02-19 16:32
Old Lamp MakeoverAnybody that has growing children knows that kids grow out of stuff, and not just clothes; but toys, interests, and room decor. When my daughter's age went into the double d… Read More
2018-02-08 16:23
Being on weight watchers this past month, I have to say I've been getting a little tired of eggs. Sometimes you want a baked treat to go with your coffee in the morning. SO I amended an… Read More
2018-02-06 16:58
Quiches are great to make after a dinner party. If you are like me, you usually have a ton of vegetables and cheese from the nosh/appetizer table from your party. You can put a lot of i… Read More
2018-02-02 02:13
These cookies come together quickly and are low fat and healthy. If you can afford a couple extra points, adding some chocolate chips would make these extra yummy! These have been… Read More
2018-01-27 21:42
This dish is super easy to make, and it can be low in calories if you watch your oil. We made this a few times and depending on the vegetables needing to be used up in the crisper drawe… Read More
2018-01-20 21:49
I'm a breakfast person. in fact, if I am at a cafe or restaurant and they offer breakfast for dinner, I order breakfast. I also love revving up my metabolism in the morning with a meal, espe… Read More
2018-01-18 17:26
Weight Watcher Friendly Turkey "Sausage-ish", 0 ptsIngredients:1 pound of lean ground turkey 1 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper fl… Read More
2018-01-13 17:00
Ok guys. This is not on the New Year resolution rotation. It's not low in fat..just say'n. I just want to be transparent here! But for a "splurge" meal on a cold winter night, it works! And… Read More
2018-01-13 01:22
Food 52 is one of my favorite food-zines online. They really have it together. Their recipes never fail me. SO when this "throw everything in a pot and cook it for a perfect bowl of cre… Read More
2018-01-07 22:14
So far, SO good..staying on track and focused on my New Year resolution of healthy eating. As I mentioned in my last post, I'll be sharing some healthy goodies throughout the next couple of… Read More
2018-01-01 20:43
New Year Resolution time!The new year is here, and time for a fresh start food wise. I have my whole week meal plan set up, points tallied (thank you weight watchers) and I am ready to rock!… Read More
2017-12-28 17:18
This recipe I can't take credit for. This is a recipe I found on Epicurious when searching what to do with pork shoulder. I was tired of BBQ/western/taco/Tex-Mex recipes that are c… Read More
2017-12-23 00:02
Happy Holidays Everybody!I have a TON of wrapping and sewing to do to get us to Christmas Eve, and of course, we are all fighting colds to boot. But in between all of it, I was abl… Read More
2017-12-18 18:45
This past summer, I spent a lot of time with my young teen. Se actually suggested that she learn to cook with me, so she was assigned dinner once a week, and she chose the menu and made the… Read More
2017-12-17 14:56
As the holidays close in, the weeknights are about to get busier than usual. And if you are like me, guilt sets in if you start ordering delivery too many nights in a row. But in betwee… Read More
2017-12-13 18:53
This post is late. I meant to share this in the Summer when you are overrun with garden tomatoes. But things have been busy at the homestead, with holidays, school, and job hunting. But I al… Read More
2017-12-09 14:40
Well, it snowed last night. and we have flurries today, so winter is here. Our mild fall has led us down a road of denial, but reality has finally hit. What is better than a warm&n&hell…Read More
2017-11-30 19:10
Get your carbs on people with pasta! And when you make it from scratch, it feels less naughty.Well, that's what I tell myself anyway.My daughter has taken an interest in her Italian heritage… Read More
2017-11-27 19:05
I had some leftover farmstand strawberries that I froze this summer, and I wanted to make a jam with these strawberries for holiday gifts. These strawberries were late season, so their flavo… Read More
2017-11-20 04:06
Semolina is not just for pasta! One of my favorite desserts that my mom handed down to me is a semolina egg cake. Her cake was handed down by her mother, and that recipe used lard. The semol… Read More
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