By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Every year, we go out to dinner with the same groups of friends on New Year’s Eve eve. Sometimes there are new people, sometimes it’s just the 8 of us. It is one of my favorite traditions because these people truly make me so happy and I know my face will hurt from laughing.… Read More »
Recent excerpts from our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group:
Girl Scout cookie season is upon us. Here are some fun recipes for those parents who get stuck helping their scouts “meet their goals.” 😋 But also maybe a fun way to spend time. Here’s a plug for my scout and feel free to drop yours in the comments.… Read More »
By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
We need to talk about the JeJu Sauna. Years ago, my mother asked if we could go to “this 24-hour Korean spa in Duluth.” Um, no. Hard pass on that. She sent me the website and ALL the reviews, but that was still no. Fast forward to this past November at a business luncheon.… Read More »
By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
I found this butternut squash that we’ve had for an unknown amount of time. I tried to make “noodles” by using a peeler and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I sauteed with some dying asparagus I found in the fridge and chili oil.
Here are some of my favorite Top 9 of 2019 meals in no particular order:
1.… Read More »
Excerpts from our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group:
Brussels SproutsI love Brussels sprouts! So much. These are cooked the regular way, cut in half and seared until tender. THIS time, I mixed up a tablespoon of miso paste, a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of vinegar. Once the sprouts were done, I tossed the mix in the pan to add flavor and more caramelization.… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Foodie Gift Guide Part 2…Adventurous home cooks. I love to cook. It’s hard to believe, but we really don’t go out to eat very often. I really don’t need any new bulky appliances that are going to take up a bunch of room and get dragged out once a decade, (well there is one exception on this list) I want fun things that are fun-ctional or teach me something new, or both.… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Do you have a foodie friend? I’ve found that just because someone likes to eat, doesn’t mean that they like to cook. Technically the term foodie doesn’t refer to someone who likes to cook, only eat, which I enjoy doing both. I’ve put together some gift suggestions for your friends and family that like to eat OR cook.… Read More »
By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Teachers will be the first to tell you that they don’t expect gifts, but I know enough teachers to know they have a lot of tumblers, candles and stationary. Let’s be honest, they are pretty much saints on earth, molding the minds of our children and doing it without day-drinking.… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
When it comes to friends, gift-giving can be tricky and stressful, which is exactly what your friends wouldn’t want. I’m willing to guess that I’m the worst person to shop for and I’m the worst at just buying a gift. My first priority would be to make someone something personal, but that is simply not feasible during the holidays.… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
It should come as no surprise that I have very strong feelings about cranberry sauce. I have to make cranberry sauce and it is not like the stuff that comes in a can. It comes in a can, right? The good things about making your own cranberry sauce is that you don’t have to make too much and you can make it way ahead of time.… Read More »
Coconut Soup: When I meal plan for the week, I like to make sure that ingredients overlap, so I’m not being wasteful. We love coconut soup. I usually use crab or shrimp, but since Lynn is actually home for dinner these days and doesn’t eat seafood, I used chicken and mushrooms. I chopped garlic and ginger and sauteed in fat from cooking the chicken.… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Thanksgiving is my husband’s FAVORITE holiday; Comfort food and football. It is a common misconception that we must have some kind of fancy Thanksgiving because we were both chefs, but we like everything traditional. Years ago, when we were just getting to know our, now best friends, the Burdas, they asked if we’d like to come over for Thanksgiving since we didn’t have family here.… Read More »
By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
I worked for Whole Foods when we learned that Trader Joe’s was making it’s way to Atlanta. It took me roughly 13 years to get on board. I’m pretty stubborn but now I’m a fully converted advocate. To be clear, I don’t do my primary grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s.… Read More »
By Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
YAY! 400 group members! Let’s celebrate! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Win either lunch with me somewhere on Buford Highway, my treat or, since I’m kind of a weirdo, you can choose a $25 Trader Joe’s gift card with some suggestions.
You must be a member of this group.
You must be an Aha subscriber (http://bit.ly/ahasubscribers… Read More »
by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
I imagine that few people spend as much time thinking about food and wine as I do. When I ran into Matt Scott, owner of Press Blend Squeeze, at the Dunwoody Community Tailgate, we had a chat about the 3 day juice cleanse. I have friends who have done it and I see the Instagram posts but both the idea of not eating and the price, have kept me at bay for a year or so.… Read More »
