Paleo and Nut-Free Strawberry Coffee Cake Recipe PLUS Mediterranean Paleo Cookbook Review & Giveaway – The Kitchen Rag

This weekend my housemates and I shared a big breakfast. As I walked into the kitchen the smell of vanilla, baked butter, and warm brown sugar kissed my nostrils and I sighed heavily… coffeecake was being baked in the  oven. Unfortunately, I could only smell it. When I first graduated college, I took on the chef position … Read more

Grieving for A Loved One – The Kitchen Rag

About a month ago one of my dearest uncles passed away. I was not home. I was at work when I got the call.  For the first five minutes my feet and hands felt numb and I had a hard time breathing. As my mama explained more and talked to me I was able to … Read more

Roasted Chicken Liver For Breakfast – The Kitchen Rag

This morning I woke up with quite an appetite. I think subconsciously I have communicated to my body that I will be switching to a sugar free diet for the week. What could be more nutritious than: farm fresh eggs, raw butter, sour dough spelt bread, and …organic roasted chicken liver for breakfast! Don’t let me scare you … Read more

The Privilege of Driving – The Kitchen Rag

“Hey Sir, can we get a ride to Mereseni? The man looks inquisitively at me and my best friend and then opens his back door for us. “We are in luck today.”, Dana whispers in my ear. We jump in the back seat, throwing our backpacks at our feet. I know what you are thinking. … Read more

Homemade Probiotic Borscht Recipe – The Kitchen Rag

One of the foods I miss the most from back home is homemade, sour borscht – a dietary staple unique to Eastern Europe, in particular to Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and parts of Russia. The essence of “borscht” in these countries is not beets, as it is commonly associated with, but rather the “sour” we add to the bone … Read more

Homemade Shepherd's Pie Recipe – The Kitchen Rag

Working full time and being a student and a wife keeps me pretty busy. So when it comes to making dinner, I try to choose easy and nutritious, but inexpensive meals that both my husband and I can have for lunch the next day. Shepherd’s Pie sometimes gets a bad rap, but we have found … Read more

To Juice Or Not To Juice? – The Kitchen Rag

For the last year or so I have been reading quite a bit of confusing information about juicing. Some experts claim that it is extremely beneficial while others argue it is detrimental  for the human body. I must admit both parties have some very compelling arguments. Sally Fallon explains that “excessive consumption of fruit juice can … Read more

Healthy Backpacking Food: A Photo Essay – The Kitchen Rag

Every day thousands of avid backpackers hike into the woods seeking the opportunity relieve some of the stress of the fast-paced and complex technical civilization, discipline their bodies while reducing their luxuries, and be nurtured by the beauty and wisdom of the natural world. But unfortunately many of these same people, seeking to increase efficiency by cutting weight, prep time, complexity, and spoilage, end up polluting … Read more