Posts by Maureen

About Maureen


Work It

  At least four mornings a week, I wake up early and head to the gym for a one hour semi-personal training session at a boutique gym in my neighborhood.  The high-intensity class involves 30 minutes of treadmill work and 30 minutes of strength-training on the floor.  I’ve done this for the past year and […]


I’m A Published Recipe Writer! + GIVEAWAY!!!

Several years ago my husband had some significant health issues.  He was in constant pain, and after a litany of tests the doctors diagnosed him with a chronic condition that would require a lifetime of daily prescription medication.  We left the hospital feeling totally defeated.  As a Captain in the Army and avid Cross-Fitter, Chris […]


Clementine Olive Oil Cake

Lately, 3 year old Mack says he wants to be a chef when he grows up.  I can’t say I’m surprised.  He really does enjoy helping out in the kitchen, especially in the afternoons when Vivian naps and Evie is at school. He and I will do most (if not all!) of the prep work […]


No More iPad!

About six weeks ago, one night when I as at my wit’s end after a day with whiny kids, Chris and I had a big discussion about how we can better support our kids’ development and growth during these trying times.  It seemed like they were often frustrated, and Mack was especially aggressive with his […]


Easy Caesar Dressing

I made a quick butternut squash soup for dinner tonight.  Served along with a loaf of homemade bread and a big salad, it was a delightful little supper. I’ve been craving Caesar salad lately, so I whipped up a simple Caesar dressing tonight. My recipe doesn’t call for raw egg (can’t eat it because I’m […]


Naptime in Jamaica

During our recent trip to Jamaica, we had one very rainy day.  The big kids were thrilled to sneak in an afternoon movie while the rain poured, but little Vivian was tired. She hadn’t taken a decent nap since we arrived; it can be hard for toddlers to get comfortable in an unfamiliar bed, especially […]


Happy Tot Morning Pouches for Kids On the Go!

During our recent trip to Jamaica,we enjoyed some really lovely tropical food.  Sweet pineapple, fresh fish, plenty of vegetables, orange juice squeezed daily.  I was in heaven!  The kids loved the guava jelly on their PBJ sandwiches so much that I bought some at a local grocery store to bring home to Chicago.  The healthy […]


The Best Souveniers

We recently returned from a week-long trip to Jamaica.  While it was hard to pull the kids out of school for a few days, Chicago’s bitter cold has been painfully brutal this winter.  And, with little #4 due just a couple weeks before Spring Break, we knew that January was the best time for us […]


Bacony Spinach Salad with Dijon-Balsamic Vinaigrette

I happen to think that one of the great, simple joys in life is a hot homemade lunch. There is something so calming about taking a few extra minutes to prepare a special midday meal.  When food is enjoyed properly – at a table, in real dishes rather than in front of a laptop or […]


Big Berkey Water Filter in the House!

Water is pretty much the only thing we drink in our household.  I love the taste of the Lake Michigan water that comes out of our faucet. It is crisp and clean tasting, and before we leave the house we always fill up a jumbo Klean Kanteen to keep us hydrated.  Not only is water […]