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Plant-Based Meats - Disgusting or Delicious?
Plant-based “meats” are all the rage right now as many of us work to embrace healthier lifestyles and diets. But what are these odd...

MarkG
Sep 1, 20234 min read


An Unforgettable Summer Caprese Salad
Nothing screams summer more than a caprese salad with ripe juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and homemade basil pesto! Here are...

MarkG
Aug 25, 20235 min read


The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Willamette Valley
United Airlines’ in-flight magazine always had a monthly feature that I loved called “Three Perfect Days in (insert city here)” where...

MarkG
Aug 11, 20234 min read


The Absolute Best of the Willamette Valley
Our two weeks in Oregon’s Willamette Valley were filled with wine tastings, great meals, hiking, and lots of relaxing. If you’ve never...

MarkG
Jul 28, 20236 min read


The Ultimate Burger on the Grill
What do you think of when someone mentions they are making “burgers on the grill”? For me, it brings back memories of my childhood...

MarkG
Jul 21, 20235 min read


The Beauty and Bounty of the Willamette Valley
13 days. 12 nights. 12 restaurants. 7 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). 21 wineries and tasting rooms. 142 wines. Our long-delayed...

MarkG
Jul 14, 20235 min read


Pearls of Wisdom from Two Years of Retirement
I actually can’t believe I’ve been retired for two years now! Time has flown by, and Laurie and I have enjoyed every minute of our new...

MarkG
Jul 7, 20235 min read


Grilled Chicken Panzanella Salad
Soggy bread has always been one of my least favorite things to eat – the texture is unpleasant and unappetizing to me. That’s why I’m...

MarkG
May 19, 20234 min read


Florida Weird - But in a Good Way!
I knew Florida was a bit weird and unconventional before we moved down here, but man, … there are some seriously weird things that go on...

MarkG
May 5, 20234 min read


Ancho Chili-Lime Marinated Steak Fajitas
With spring and daylight savings time finally here, I figured it was time to pull the cover off the grill and get some outdoor cooking...

MarkG
Apr 28, 20234 min read


The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Awhile back I mentioned a TV show on the Cooking Channel called “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” that showcases famous chefs talking about the...

MarkG
Apr 21, 20234 min read


The Ultimate Loaded Baked Potato
Baked potatoes are almost always boring and bland. On the rare occasion I order them in restaurants, I usually get a huge potato, with a...

MarkG
Apr 7, 20233 min read


For the Love of Kimchi!
When was the last time you ate kimchi? That’s what I thought – likely never! Well, that’s a mistake and I’m here to show you the error...

MarkG
Mar 10, 20234 min read


The Best Sarasota Restaurants for Dining - Part 2
Last week I started my countdown of the top 10 absolute best fine-dining restaurants in Sarasota, FL. This week, I finish the countdown...

MarkG
Feb 24, 20235 min read


The Best Sarasota Restaurants for Fine Dining - Part 1
Our hometown since retirement, Sarasota FL, has one of the most exciting dining scenes in America right now! You can find fantastic fare...

MarkG
Feb 17, 20235 min read


Make Leftovers Great Again!
I hate leftovers. Well, more specifically, I hate most leftovers. When you ask the question, “what’s for dinner tonight?” and the answer...

MarkG
Jan 27, 20235 min read


Citrus-Herb Roasted Chicken to Die For!
Is there anything better than the smell of a chicken roasting in the oven on a Sunday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter)? Add...

MarkG
Jan 20, 20235 min read


My Epic Kitchen Mishaps
Anybody who cooks a lot is lying if they say they have never had a kitchen cooking disaster – it happens to everyone, whether you are a...

MarkG
Jan 13, 20234 min read


An Epicurean Holiday Extravaganza!
Happy New Year to everyone! If 2023 turns out to be as fun and festive as the past few weeks have been, we are guaranteed to have a...

MarkG
Jan 6, 20234 min read


An Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dinner - Part 2
In last week’s blog, I introduced Laurie’s and my “Make Ahead” Thanksgiving dinner that guarantees an easy, stress-free Thanksgiving for...

MarkG
Nov 11, 20225 min read
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