Cook It Real Good (Cassie Heilbron)

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On today's episode I speak with Beth Moncel from Budget Bytes about all things cooking on a budget!   Whether you're actively trying to cut down your weekly food budget or just be more mindful of what you're purchasing, you're going to get so much out of this. 

For the past ten years, Beth Moncel has been dishing out healthy, inexpensive recipes and teaching kitchen basics through her popular blog, Budget Bytes, the corresponding cookbook, Budget Bytes – Over 100 Easy Delicious Recipes to Slash Your Grocery Bill in Half, and the Budget Bytes Mobile App. She loves getting creative in the kitchen and hopes to show others just how fun and rewarding cooking can be.

Beth and I chat about smart ways to save money on your weekly shop, how to meal plan to make the most of your food budget and how to freeze foods to save money and reduce waste.  

 Grab the full show notes at www.cookitrealgood.com/1.

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On today's episode I speak with Sarah Von Bargen from the popular blog Yes and Yes.  Sarah is a writer, educator, and speaker who helps people spend their time, money, and energy on purpose. 

Sarah and I chat about her no grocery challenge and how we can run our own.  I have become acutely aware of the issue of food waste since becoming a food blogger, and I have made it my mission in recent years to try and minimise my own household food waste. 

This is where Sarah's no grocery challenge comes in.  It's about taking a good look at what we actually have and thinking outside the box as to what we can prepare for our three meals every day. 

A no grocery challenge can also save you time and money.  Ever found yourself popping to the grocery store during the week for just one more thing and leaving with $40 less in your pocket?  Well avoiding the grocery store altogether is one way to cut that down.  

Sarah's easy and achievable approach to cutting down on our grocery trips and making the most of what we have will leave you feeling inspired to start your own no grocery challenge.

Visit the show notes for more details - cookitrealgood.com/3.

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Today’s episode is all about making sauces from scratch!

I interview Cheryl Mailk from the immensely popular food blog 40Aprons, where Cheryl shares healthy and super flavorful recipes. She believes that eating healthy can be simple and that it should always be delicious.

Good sauces can transform a dish and boost flavour.  When I first started cooking I didn’t even realise making my own sauces was a thing.  I always assumed it would be very difficult and I’d need a bunch of ingredients I didn’t have. 

The truth is, making your own sauces is very straight forward.  Not only that, homemade sauces taste better and are better for you.

Cheryl shares her tips and tricks for easily making a whole host of sauces at home.

Visit our show notes page for more information - cookitrealgood.com/4.

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Today we’re talking all things breakfast!  Breakfast foods are my favourite foods.  I wholeheartedly believe no day should ever start without a delicious breakfast and I’ve even been known to indulge in a brinner or two. 

On today’s episode I chat to Erin from the food blog, The Almond Eater, who is a fellow breakfast enthusiast and shares her tips for making breakfast time easier. 

Erin shares healthy recipes that are both quick and delicious on her blog. She started the Almond Eater back in 2015 and has since developed an even stronger love for both food and food photography. When she’s not in the kitchen, you can find her walking her dog, drinking an iced latte and/or a margarita, or watching the most recent binge-worthy show on Netflix.

I’ve been following Erin for years now and I knew she was just the right person to call on to share her tips for making breakfast time smoother.  You’ll love her tips in this episode. 

Check out the full show notes at cookitrealgood.com/5. 

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Today’s episode is about how to cook without making a mess.  Genius, right?  I chat to Rani Hansen – the woman behind the food blog You Totally Got This. 

Nobody has time to spend all night in the kitchen. And nobody knows that better than Rani. She’s a full-time lawyer, and the only food blogger in the world who would prefer to be watching Netflix than cooking dinner after a long day at work. 

Her blog has loads of quick and healthy weeknight recipes that are super easy to cook and fun (think tacos, pizza and souvlaki). No crazy ingredients and no dinner recipe over 30 minutes – ever! 

Whether you’re short on time, hate cooking or just can’t be bothered, she will have you cooking awesome healthy meals in minutes.

Whenever I ask my readers about what they struggle with in the kitchen, I get at least 5 people write back saying making a mess.  I get it – my kitchen looks like a bomb site after every meal.

But when Rani mentioned to me that she has 5 easy things you can do to get dinner on the table without making a huge mess in the kitchen I knew I had to have her on.

We get straight down to business and chat about these tips.

Get the full show notes at cookitrealgood.com/6.  

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Today's episode is all about the joys of Cooking for One.

We all know the story.  You get home from work late, you're alone and you have zero desire to pull out pots and pans to make dinner for yourself.  Maybe you reach for a bowl of cereal or perhaps you grab your phone to order takeout. 

But it doesn't have to be this way.  Sure, there are night's when both of those options are just what the doctor ordered, but they aren't a solution every night!  And cooking for one doesn't have to be exhausting and time consuming. 

In today's episode I chat to Rebecca, host of the podcast Table for One, who shares all her tips for making cooking for one easier and more enjoyable. 

Rebecca is a Salt Lake City based registered dietitian who creates quick and delicious recipes for people who are cooking for one. She is a recipe developer, food photographer & videographer, and runs the food blog, Nourish Nutrition Blog that's full of recipes and tips for people cooking for one. She loves cooking, gardening, and hiking. 

You'll love Rebecca's laid back and doable approach to tackling solo cooking!

Get all the show notes for today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/7.

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Today's episode is all about air fryers!

The air fryer has fast become one of the most popular kitchen appliances around the world.  I was curious to find out more about what it does and what we can do with it, so I got Brandi Crawford, author of the Super Easy Air Fryer Cookbook, on to share her wisdom on Air Frying for beginners. 

Brandi Crawford is a blogger and the creator of Stay Snatched, a blog that focuses on quick and easy, healthy recipes. Stay Snatched has been featured in Women’s Heath Magazine, Country Living, Shape, Essence, Southern Living, Delish, among other media outlets. Brandi’s goal is to share recipes that support a consistently healthy lifestyle.

Whether you have an air fryer sitting in the cupboard not being used, or you've been debating whether to buy one, you'll get so much out of this episode. 

Check out the full show notes at cookitrealgood.com/8.

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Today's episode is all about how to use up those produce odds and ends that are wilting away in the bottom of your crisper.

I speak to Jade Jones, the creator of the food blog, Jonesin' For Taste.  On her blog, Jade shares recipes inspired by the places her family has lived during her husband's time in the military, as well as from her diverse heritage which includes Hispanic and Hawaiian. 

Jade is passionate about helping introduce new foods and flavors to families with easy recipes and providing helpful tips to get kids started cooking in the kitchen. 

As a busy mother of 4, Jade understands the importance of creating family meals that make the most of the ingredients she has on hand. 

Jade shares lots of great ideas on how to repurpose produce odds and ends to get the most out of the weekly food budget and reduce food waste.

Get the full show notes at cookitrealgood.com/9.

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Today's episode is all about the Instant Pot!  

I chat with Barbara Hobart.  Barbara loves to create things: from television series to product lines.  She is a television writer/producer, manufacturer, and inadvertent food blogger at Instant PotLuck where she learned to love to cook again -- because of the Instant Pot.

Barbara shares how the Instant Pot transformed her cooking, and shares her tips for getting your Instant Pot out of the box and making it a much loved appliance in the home. 

I will point out for those listeners who might not be aware - Instant Pot is a specific brand of electric pressure cookers that are very popular in America.  However, if you have an electric pressure cooker, or have been thinking about getting one, you'll still get a lot out of today's episode. 

Get all the show notes at cookitrealgood.com/10.

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Today I talk to one of my most favourite people in the whole entire world - Sarah Cook from Sustainable Cooks. 

Sarah's my go-to expert for a lot of things - canning, freezing produce and making healthy recipes that taste like the real deal but without lots of crap.  Oh and she convinced me to finally try cooking with cast iron. 

But when we were talking about her coming on the podcast she mentioned one of her most popular posts was about roasting frozen vegetables.  My response - wait, what? That's a thing? 

Yes ladies and gentleman, you can roast frozen vegetables and Sarah is about to tell us all how. 

Sarah is the founder of Sustainablecooks.com where she advocates for sustainable food and balanced living.

Find out more about Sarah in this episode or visit the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/11. 

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Today's episode is all about PASTA! My favourite.

I chat to Kate from Cooking and Carafes who has all the tips and trips for making perfect pasta every time.

Kate loves all things Italian from the food to the wine to the people! She shares recipes, reviews, and more on her blog, and loves cooking from scratch. Kate is a believer in using good quality produce, and where possible supporting local suppliers and producers. She also runs Pasta Making Workshops and Supper Clubs in the UK, where guests get to learn to make pasta from scratch, a simple sauce and then sit back and enjoy their hard work with a glass of wine. If you’re looking for simple recipes you can cook at home and are perfect for mid week meals or entertaining guests then head to her blog. 

If you're a pasta lover like me, then you are going to get so much out of today's episode!

Visit the show notes at cookitrealgood.com/12. 

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This week's episode is all about how to make meal prep easier with the Instant Pot! 

I chat with Megan, a blogger, recipe developer and photographer with a passion for creating delicious, easy-to-follow recipes and capturing mouth-watering photos.  She began her food blog, Pip and Ebby, nearly nine years ago and has created around 1000 recipes to share with her readers.  

Recently Megan has found a passion for cooking with the magical Instant Pot and has created a variety of recipes with it, ranging from desserts to side dishes to soups and main dishes.  She uses her pressure cooker frequently for prepping meals and sides throughout the week.

If you have an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, or have been wondering whether this appliance is right for you, you'll get so much out of today's chat!

Grab all the links discussed in the show notes at cookitrealgood.com/13. 

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Today's episode is for anyone who has ever struggled to cook a meal to suit a bunch of different tastes. 

My guest, Alison Corey, knows this all too well.  She's a plant-based vegan, married to a meat eater, with two picky kids. Talk about a tricky meal time.

I picked Alison's brain about how she simplifies meal times when everyone likes to eat different types of food, and she even shared suggestions for how to handle the holidays with picky eaters.

Alison has a vegan food blog, Keeping the Peas, where she helps families with different eating styles find peace in the kitchen. She's a plant-based vegan, married to a meat eater, with two picky kids. She uses whole food plant-based ingredients to create a delicious compromise in the kitchen. Her goal is to create simple and flavourful main dishes, salads, snacks, and the occasional dessert that she feels good about feeding her family, and they delight in eating.

Whether you're a parent with fussy kids or married to one like me, you'll get so much out of this chat.

Get all the show notes at cookitrealgood.com/14.

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Today's episode is all about how to make holiday cooking easier.

Holidays can be stressful at the best of times but when you are hosting people for a holiday meal stress can get out of hand. 

Today I chat to Lauren, the recipe developer, food stylist and photographer behind the blog Hunger Thirst Play where she shares seasonally inspired recipes with a sprinkle of New England living. 

Lauren lives just outside of Boston with her husband, two daughters and English bull dog.  She has a passion for creating seasonal comfort food that’s a mix of healthy and indulgent and loves to sip on a creative cocktail or well paired glass of wine.

Lauren's years in the restaurant industry have taught her a thing or two about cooking for a crowd, and she shares all her tips for making holiday cooking as stress free as possible. 

Whether this is your first or 30th time hosting the holidays you'll get so much out of today's chat. 

Grab all the links discussed in today's episode from the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/15.  

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Today's episode is all about how to navigate the holidays with food allergies.

You may have started to notice a theme in the last few episode - we're well and truly getting ready for the holidays! Thanksgivings is just a few short weeks away for our American friends, and Christmas is also only 5 weeks away.

Celebrating the holidays with a feast can be a bit of a minefield for allergy sufferers and no one understands this better than Beth from bonaippetit.com.  That's aippetit spelt with an AIP, as in the AIP diet which aids in healing from autoimmune related diseases.

Beth is mama to a beautiful boy, self-taught cook and photographer. Besides the kitchen, her favorite place is her backyard where she chases her kiddo and is attempting to turn her black thumb green. She struggles with chronic health issues and uses the AIP diet and natural remedies to find stability in her health. She finds joy in eating to heal and sharing her recipes and wellness tips with others over at her blog.

I had the opportunity to pick Beth's brain about not only how to deal with holiday events as a food allergy sufferer, but also how hosts can help include food allergy sufferers in the meal with ease.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/16.

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Today’s episode is going to teach you how to decorate cakes like a pro.

I chat with Sam Adler of the blog FrostingandFettuccine.com.  Sam Adler is a professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger.  She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu’s Baking and Pastry Arts program in 2013 and started her baking blog as a place to share recipes, which quickly evolved into a love of food photography and a new career.  Sam and her recipes have been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, and Saveur.com.  Sam lives in Hollywood Florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog.  When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

As you can see, Sam knows a thing or two about making beautiful cakes and her tips and tricks are accessible and achievable no matter what baking skill level you are at.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/17.

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This week's episode is all about how to repurpose those holiday leftovers.

I chat with Mary from GoodieGodmother.com about all the different and creative ways we can use leftover Turkey, Ham and desserts. 

Mary is the Goodie Godmother and started blogging after closing her home bakery to maintain a reason for purchasing lots of cake plates. On her blog you'll find recipes for desserts, some family favorites, and even a few barbecue recipes by her husband, the Godfather. 

One of the biggest things I've focused on in my kitchen this year is food waste and the holidays can be a time when that becomes harder and harder to avoid.  Well, not after listening to this conversation!  I felt so inspired I've even tried a few of these ideas in my kitchen in general.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/18. 

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Today's episode will teach you how to make quick pickles.

I chat to Gloria, the Blogger, Influencer and Photographer behind the site Homemade & Yummy. 

Gloria is a wife, mother and gramma with a passion for creating food everyone loves to eat.  Her aim is to show her audience how easy it is to create tasty dishes at home.

Gloria knows a thing or two about putting together quick pickles.  She grew up watching her mother and grandmother putting them together, and has continued this practice in her own family.

Learn more about this traditional food preservation method, how to reduce food waste and make some cute food gifts along the way.

Find all the links discussed in today's episode in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/19.

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Today's episode is all about how to make edible gifts for the holidays. 

I chat with Amanda Gibson from Lemon Baby who holds a special 12 days of Christmas series on her blog each year, which includes plenty of edible gift inspiration.

It was clear to Amanda  at a young age that she cared more about food than most. When she was twelve, her parents once came home to her wrapping shrimp in snow peas–something she saw in Martha Stewart’s Entertaining. A current college instructor, food writer, and former caterer,  Amanda now writes from her home in Mobile, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast, where she lives with her husband, two children (S. and Lemon Baby), and Border collie.

Whether you always make edible gifts or you're dipping your toes in for the first time, Amanda's got you covered with simple gifts, gourmet gifts and much much more.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/20. 

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Today's episode is all about chocolate.

I chat with Mikayla from The Flour Handprint who shares the ins and outs of cooking with chocolate.

Mikayla is a wife, mom to a wild 1 year old, a trained writer and an eating enthusiast. She's dubbed herself a food nerd who enjoys spending her time reading cookbooks and experimenting in the kitchen with new ingredients and cooking techniques. Her blog The Flour Handprint is all about making good food from scratch and designed to help other home cooks get creative and confident by sharing seasonal recipes, year around favorites, and cooking guides. She believes that understanding the why and the how behind every recipe is the secret to unlocking your inner chef, and hopes to share the fun and freedom she feels when cooking along the way.

I had a blast chatting with Mikayla about all things chocolate and this episode sure is choc full of handy tips. 

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Today's episode is all about canning.

And no - it's not just for your great grandmother.

Canning has had a resurgence over the past few years as people have looked for ways to reduce food waste, save money, eat healthier and get back to their roots.

In today's episode I chat to Jenny Gomes from The Domestic Wildflower.  Jenny is from Northern California and is a busy mom of 2 small kids.  She blogs about homemade food and crafts at The Domestic Wildflower and loves sharing how easy canning is with beginners. 

Jenny is passionate about all things canning and her enthusiasm is infectious.  I know you'll get a lot out of today's episode.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/22.

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Today's episode is all about how to make perfect chocolate chip cookies!!

Jessica Holmes from Sweetest Menu shares all her tips and tricks for mastering this classic and well loved recipe. 

Jess is the recipe developer and content creator behind the popular baking blog, Sweetest Menu. Inspired by her travels, Jess loves to create no fuss desserts that are undeniably delicious. Each recipe is carefully crafted to ensure maximum flavour for minimum fuss. Her recipes have been published in top-selling food magazines, and when she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find Jess out and about enjoying the beautiful beaches of Sydney. 

I had such a fun time chatting with Jess, a fellow Aussie and I must say she is my go-to for all things baking.  You'll love Jess's chocolate chip cookie tips!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/23.

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Today's episode is dedicated to helping parents get their kids in the kitchen! 

I chat with Ellen Folkman, from the blog Family Around the Table, who named her blog after the family dinners that have always been an important part of her life.  Making family recipes as well as creating new family favorites is a passion of Ellen's.

When her boys were young, you could find them in the kitchen with her cracking eggs, mixing batter and scooping cookie dough onto baking sheets. All the while spending quality time and learning life skills. Her boys are now teenagers and think nothing of whipping up a batch of snickerdoodle or chocolate chip cookies from scratch on the weekend. In addition to baking, both boys love learning how to make their favorite recipes.

Prior to blogging Ellen wrote two food related columns for the Tampa Bay Times for more than 15 years. She has been married to her husband, Carl, for 26 years. She and her family lives in the Tampa, Florida area. 

Ellen is passionate about getting kids into the kitchen, and there's no better time than Christmas to start!  Holiday baking is something fun the whole family can get involved in, and Ellen shares some tips and recipes along the way.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/24.

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Today's episode is all about food safety.

I chat with Kaleigh, a registered dietitian, food blogger, and creator of the blog Lively Table, where she creates nourishing, delicious recipes made with real ingredients, as well as no-BS nutrition tips, approachable wellness and healthy living tips, and sprinkles of real life as a mom. Kaleigh holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, and a master’s in clinical nutrition, but her real passion is being in the kitchen and helping others discover the joy of cooking and eating. She believes that healthy looks different on everyone, and her goal is to support readers on their journey to eating what makes them feel good with tasty, simple to prepare recipes. Kaleigh currently lives in west Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Kaleigh gave some great advice on how to keep ourselves safe in the kitchen, and I loved her candid and honest attitude when it comes to food safety.  The truth is we all do things that may not be perfect but there's some things to be more worried about than others!

Visit the show notes for all the links discussed in today's episode - cookitrealgood.com/25.

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Today's episode is all about how to master the perfect cocktail. 

Elaine Benoit started her food blog, Dishes Delish, in August of 2015 not only because she wanted to start a business, but she wanted to share her food and cocktail recipes with the world.  Much to her surprise, Elaine’s cocktails recipes have gained such popularity that she tripled her traffic in less than 4 months!  Her cocktails have taken over by being the most popular posts on her blog.  So, with kicking and screaming (at least in her head,) Elaine now has a niche.

In October of 2017, Elaine launched her second podcast (she sold her first podcast), “Dishing with Delishes” where she dishes with other successful food bloggers to find out their tips and trick to help other food bloggers reach the next level in their businesses.

Elaine has so many great ideas of how to become your own mixologist at home and her tips are perfect for this time of year when you're expecting company!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/26.

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Today's episode is all about how to make healthy eating easier.

I chat to Debra Klein, a health coach, culinary instructor and publisher of the blog DebraKlein.Com.  Debra helps women find their own version of healthy that is sustainable within their busy lives.

I know that as the new year approaches many of us start to think more about healthy eating, especially after an overly indulgent season, and Debra has some great simple ideas to get us back on track.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/27. 

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Today's episode is all about how to set yourself up for success in the kitchen.

I chat with Tara from the popular food blog, Tara Teaspoon. 

Tara has created thousands of original recipes that inspire people to spend more time in the kitchen, and enjoy food with friends and family. She makes delicious things and food styles for magazines, books, television and food brands. Before creating her blog, TaraTeaspoon.com, she was the Food Director of Ladies’ Home Journal magazine, and Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living, Kids and Weddings magazines. Her first cookbook will be published in Fall 2020 and you’d better believe it will include a variation of her favorite food, Chocolate Chip Cookies! Tara believes you can Live Your Life Deliciously! She loves sharing approachable recipes for weeknights and inspirational creations for those slower weekends. 

Tara shares some great advice on how to set ourselves up in the kitchen to be successful with every meal, including tools that are great to have and how to prep for dinner parties.

For all the links discussed in today's episode, head to the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/28. 

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Today's episode is all about batch cooking! 

I chat with my friend Katie Trant from the popular food blog Hey Nutrition Lady.

Katie is a university-trained nutritionist with a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health and Master of Science in Nutrition. She's passionate about fad-free nutrition, real food, a champion of body positivity and intuitive eating, and a meal-planning lunch-packing whiz. 

Hey Nutrition Lady is where Katie leans in on her science background and uses critical thinking to help sift through the enormous amount of misinformation and pseudoscience when it comes to nutrition, to help people make informed decisions about what to eat in order to become your healthiest and happiest selves - all the while providing easy and delicious vegetarian recipes for everyone. 

Katie is a lover of cheese, a hater of mushrooms, and a green smoothie aficionado. A native of Vancouver, Canada, she currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden with her husband and two boys. 

Katie has some awesome practical tips for how we can batch cook to create countless meals throughout the week.  For example brown rice could be the base for some rice bowls, or made into a fried rice, or even a stir fry.  Katie's ideas will make meal times less stressful, and do not require hours and hours in the kitchen, even when you're batch cooking.

 Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/29.

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Today's episode is all about how to get your kids to eat what you prepare!

I chat with Melissa, the woman behind the food blogger MamaGourmand.

Melissa is a Midwestern wife and mother of four who obsesses about food, loves to prepare gourmet-quality recipes, but is always short on time and energy. Daily, you’ll find Melissa working out at the local YMCA, creating a calorie deficit so she can have dessert. Possibly...it might also have something to do with the free childcare.

Her recipes taste time-consuming, but use simple ingredients and directions. They are great for busy home cooks who love to make delicious, whole ingredient dishes, but don't want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. From decadent desserts to classic comfort foods, find a recipe for everyone, many with gluten-free alternatives!

Melissa doesn't have time to be a short order cook for her family so ensuring everyone eats what she prepares is important.  Melissa offers great tips into how to make meal times less stressful for parents and I love her approach.

I'm not a parent myself, but I know that getting kids to eat a well rounded diet is hard, especially when there's things like chicken nuggets and pizza in the world.  Hello, I find it hard to eat a well rounded diet when there's things like chicken nuggets and pizza in the world. 

There's no judgement in this chat, everyone does what they need to to get the job done, but if you're pulling your hair out with "yucks" and "no's" at meal time, Melissa's tips will help!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/30.  

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This week's episode is all about how to tell a good recipe from a bad.

So we've all found a recipe on the internet that we've made that's been a bit meh right?

There's nothing more heart-breaking than buying all these ingredients and spending time to make something that just doesn't turn out right, especially when we've followed all the instructions to a tee.

And that's where today's guest Kate comes in.

Kate is a home cook that's been in the kitchen since she can remember. Like many nine year olds, she read the Joy of Cooking cover to cover multiple times. She’s still trying to find a good occasion to make that recipe for squirrel. Nowadays she remains a voracious cookbook and food blog reader. Her blog habit comes in handy as the co-writer and co-host of the Dinner Sisters Podcast.  When Kate isn’t in the kitchen or recording her podcast, she works in education for the state of Rhode Island and once upon a time was a science teacher. Kate shares her home with her partner, James, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Kate and her sister Betsy have tried countless recipes from food blogs and popular food sites for their Dinner Sisters Podcast, so Kate knows a thing or two about dud recipes.

She shares all her tips on how to avoid dinner disappointment, and her most trusted food sources in today's chat.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/31.

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Do you have a slow cooker sitting in the back of the cupboard not being used? 

Well today's episode is for you!

Erin from Suburban Simplicity shares all her tips for getting the most out of your slow cooker year round. 

Since its founding in 2015, Suburban Simplicity has provided an outlet for like-minded women to connect and share their methods for how to create a home life you love. It has become a trusted resource for advice on simple, modern homemaking, appearing on Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, MSN and Yummly. Erin, the founder, is a crafter, baker, tea drinker, dinner maker, sports-chauffeur, wife and mom. Her goal is developing practical, creative solutions to the overwhelm felt by moms everywhere. Her large family of six has taught her a lot about organization, priorities and balancing the things that matter - and made her an expert in crockpot cooking!

I'll just make a note at the top of the episode that Erin and I will be talking about "crock pots" but for anyone outside of America a crock pot is simply the major brand of slow cookers in the US.  So slow cooker or crock pot is all the same! 

Erin has some awesome practical tips that will help busy families get meals on the table more easily.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/32.  

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Today's episode is going to teach you to get the most out of your fresh produce… and save some money along the way!

I chat to Angi Schneider from the blog SchneiderPeeps. Angi has been growing and preserving food for more than 25 years and lives on a 1.5-acre homestead with her family on the Gulf Coast of Texas. She loves helping others discover the joy of gardening, preserving food, and living a more simple life. She shares her own journey of simple living on her blog, SchneiderPeeps and encourages others to live their own version of the simple life. She is also the author of The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables.

Angi shares so many wonderful tips and tricks in this episode, including what to do with the odds and ends of your vegetables to give them a second life, and how to freeze vegetables properly.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/43.

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Today's episode will teach you how to make your own jam!

I chat with Kathie from the blog Homespun Seasonal Living.

Kathie N. Lapcevic is a blogger and teacher living in northwest Montana. She embraces a simple and seasonal life in which she works and is often found either making a mess in the garden or in the kitchen.

Kathie takes us through what we need to make jam, how to safely store it and some awesome recipe ideas.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/44.

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Today's episode is all about getting kids into the kitchen.

I know many parents are at home with kids right now, trying to keep them entertained and their minds active.  Cooking is definitely an activity that can tick all the boxes, and set them up with life skills that will serve them well into the future. 

I chat with Jessica Braider from the blog The Scramble.  Jessica is a certified health coach and mother of two active and playful boys. As the CEO of The Scramble, she fulfils her passion for food and her love for working with parents and children to build healthy and happy families by helping them to get quick, easy, and delicious meals on the table every night. She believes that food is one of the most powerful tools for building connections and that it should be savored, enjoyed, and shared, rather than restricted, avoided, or argued over. 

Jessica shares her tips for how to get kids involved in the kitchen, age appropriate tasks and how to make the process less stressful. 

 
Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/45.  

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Today's episode is all about gluten free baking.

If you've been a long time listener of this podcast you'll probably remember many of the food bloggers we've had as guests have mentioned they're biggest cooking disasters have been with gluten free baking.  So I thought it would be great to have a special guest on to give us some tips for mastering it.

And that person is Alex from the food blog It's Not Complicated Recipes.  The blog reflects Alex's approach to cooking.  She likes it to be simple, easily prepared and delicious.  She aims to inspire those who love cooking and encourage those who don't. 

Given that one of Alex's most popular recipes is gluten-free almond cookies, and she has countless other gluten free goodies on the blog that are equally as delicious, I knew she was the woman for the job. 

I'm fairly certain we all know someone who can't eat gluten, so understanding the basics behind gluten free baking is a great start.  You'll learn a lot from Alex today.

Grab all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/46.

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Today's episode is all about Indian cooking!

I chat with Meena from Hooked on Heat who shares her tips and tricks for getting started with Indian cooking at home.

Meena is a freelance food writer, recipe developer and cooking instructor based in, Ontario, Canada. She is also the author of two cookbooks, Knack Indian Cooking and 500 Indian Dishes. Not only does she try to simplify traditional cooking methods without compromising on taste, but she also loves to experiment with different ingredients and infuse flavours from the East and West.

The recipes on her food blog, Hooked on Heat, are inspired by classic Indian dishes and dressed up to suit our modern tastes. She enjoys creating recipes to meet with the increasing demands of quick and simple everyday meals.

She started her series ‘Indian Cooking 101’ on her blog many years ago, to bust the myth that Indian cooking is just too hard. Through this series, she shares how to make basic Indian food, beginning with the essentials and slowly moving up to a point where you will be confident enough to throw in a pinch of this and a dash of that.

You'll get so much out of today's episode!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/47.  

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This week is all about getting your kids to eat anything.

I chat with Emily from A Mummy Too who literally wrote the book on this and generously shares her knowledge with us in today's chat.

Emily lives in Nottingham with her husband Mark, her son JD (12), her daughter Jay (8) and their guinea pig Barbas (5).  She founded her blog A Mummy Too in 2011, born out of a love of family, food and photography. She released her book Get Your Kids To Eat Anything in 2019.

Now an award-winning blogger and author, Emily is consistently ranked in the top ten most influential food bloggers in the UK. Emily also works as a recipe developer for a number of brands, with clients including Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Heinz and Hello Fresh.

Emily has practical tips for getting your kids to be more interested in food and cooking and how to address fussy eating.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/48. 

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Today's episode is all about how to make better dinners with less fuss!

That's my guest Paula's motto and one that I think we can all get behind. 

Paula Hingley is a former chef turned food blogger and YouTuber. She started How To Make Dinner as a way of helping home cooks streamline their dinner making process by introducing them to the clever tricks and techniques used in professional kitchens. Also, it has been her lifelong dream to have her own cooking show. 

Since finishing culinary school in 2005, Paula has cooked in an eclectic variety of kitchens. From luxury hotels, to high volume catering companies, to tiny cafes, tree planting camps, and even a 92 foot sailboat. 

It’s these quirky experiences that have given Paula a unique perspective on which corners to cut, and when. Paula doesn’t believe in rushed cooking, because that can feel like a chore. But she is 100% about simplicity–and making the most out of whatever you have on hand.

If you're anything like me and a bit over this whole having to make 3 meals a day everyday forever right now you'll love Paula's tips in today's episode.

Get all the links discussed by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/49.  

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Today's episode is all about common baking problems and how to solve them.

I chat with Sylvie from A Baking Journey.  Sylvie was born in Belgium and moved to Melbourne here in Australia in 2014.  She is an architect-turned-baker and owner of the blog A Baking Journey, where she develops and shares delicious sweet and savoury baking recipes with a French twist. Her goal is to make baking accessible to anyone! 

Sylvie is my go-to when I come across baking problems myself, and I've spent hours talking to her about the pitfalls that can happen when we mistakenly use baking soda instead of baking powder, or if our oven isn't calibrated correctly. 

So I thought it might be helpful if we break down the things that can go wrong in baking, and how to fix them to ensure it doesn't happen next time.  Baking is a science, and there are many intricate things at play during the process.  But don't let that put you off baking from scratch.  Using reliable recipes from wonderful bakers like Sylvie, and following the tips in today's episode will have you on your way to delicious baked goods every time.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/50.  

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A little check in to let you know about upcoming episodes for season 2 and to introduce The Cooking Hotline!

If you've ever had a burning question for myself or one of my guests, here's your chance to ask it!

I want to hear all your cooking questions in voice memo form.  

It can be anything! You've got questions, I want to give you answers.  

Share yours by recording a memo and sending it via email to cassie@cookitrealgood.com for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode.  

You can easily record a memo right on your smartphone using the "Voice Memo" app -- no fancy recording equipment needed.  

Give us your name, where you're from and your question.  

I look forward to hearing from you! 

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Today's episode is all about how to keep fresh food fresh for longer. 

I chat with MarisaMoore from MarisaMoore.com.

Marisa is a registered dietitian nutritionist living in Atlanta, GA. She uses her blog to share (mostly) vegetarian recipes and credible nutrition information.

I was lucky enough to meet Marisa on a bus last year at the Everything Food Conference in Utah and I'm so glad I did because I've learnt so much from her already. 

Recently she shared an Instagram video about keeping food fresh and I just knew I had to get her on the podcast to share these tips with you guys. 

The majority of us are still trying to avoid going to the grocery store as much as we used too pre-covid, and I know I'm not the only one who is aiming to reduce food waste as much as possible.  This episode will give you so many great ideas to take away and start applying immediately.

Head to the show notes for all the links discussed - cookitrealgood.com/51.

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Today's episode is all about chicken!

I chat with Natasha Bull from the popular food blog Salt and Lavender. 

If you've searched for a chicken recipe online chances are you've come across one of Natasha's.  Salt & Lavender is all about tasty recipes that are made from scratch and easy to prepare.  Natasha believes that delicious recipes made from good quality ingredients shouldn't have to be complicated or overly time-consuming.  She strives to  make her recipes approachable for the average cook with easy-to-find ingredients and clear instructions.

Natasha's readers love a good chicken recipe and I knew she was the woman I had to speak to to give us the breakdown on cooking with chicken.

I'll be the first to admit I've had quite a journey when it comes to chicken.  I used to notoriously overcook it as I was scared of salmonella and food poisoning but really the only thing I was at risk of was dry bland chicken. 

Natasha and I chat about the pain points people have when it comes to cooking chicken, chicken safety, what cut of chicken is best for what recipe and cooking tips to getting it perfect every time.

Get all the links discussed in today's episode at cookitrealgood.com/52.

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This week's episode is for anyone who's ever found themselves frustrated at having to make dinner night after night… ok yes that's all of us!

I chat with Kendra Adachi, the New York Times Bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and creator of The Lazy Genius Podcast. As a systems expert and professional permission giver, Kendra helps others stop doing it all for the sake of doing what matters. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three kids.

Kendra shares her tips for how to actually enjoy making dinner rather than it being chore.  I know you're going to love this one.

Grab all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/53. 

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Today's episode is all about chef secrets that actually make a difference in your home cooking.

I chat with Nicole Schwegman, host of the podcast BFF with the Chef. 

Nicole is a home chef and food enthusiast who celebrates with her stomach and travels with her taste buds. On BFF with the Chef, she aims to help people benefit from the knowledge she seeks out every day, bringing them the very best inspiration, guidance, and tips from the chefs and culinary professionals she admires.

Nicole shares so many helpful tips that will transform your cooking.  You'll love this one!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode head to cookitrealgood.com/54. 

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This week's episode is all about baking bread!

Bread baking at home has had quite the resurgence over the past few years, but especially during the pandemic.  I chat with Rachel Ballard from Feast and Farm who shares her advice for how to get started and all the essentials that will help you along the way. 

If you've ever thought about making a sourdough starter, or saw people on Instagram baking bread and thought "hey I can do that", the good news is you can and with Rachel's tips you'll be well on your way!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting cookitrealgood.com/55.  

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This week's episode is all about baking!

I chat with Vee from Vee the Baker who shares all her advice for baking beginners.  We discuss what tools every baker should have, the ingredients to have on hand that will get you baking a whole host of things and also some good beginners recipes.  Oh and probably the most fun part - how to rescue baking flops!

Get all the links discussed by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/56.  

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This week's episode is a little bit different!  We're chatting about mindfulness in relation to cooking. 

I chat with Ada, founder of Marmalade + Kindness.  Ada is an accredited mindfulness teacher and shares her advice for incorporating mindful cooking into our daily life, as well as tips for sustainability in the kitchen.  

If you've found yourself feeling stressed out at meal times, or have been trying to add meditation and mindfulness into your day, you'll love this episode.

For all the links discussed in today's episode head to cookitrealgood.com/57.  

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This week's episode is all about shortcuts to getting dinner on the table!

I chat with Lorie from the food blog Lemons + Zest.  Lorie believes that delicious, homemade food does not have to be a chore. Her recipes are simple, and no nonsense—if she can’t make it with a toddler attached to her leg, then it’s not happening.

Lorie spills her secrets for how she feeds her family night after night efficiently and without stress.  You're going to love this episode!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/58. 

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This week's episode is all about Italian cooking!

I chat with Marcella from the food blog Marcellina in Cucina.  Marcella shares her knowledge of Italian cooking and family recipes on her blog, and was so kind to share them with us in today's chat.

Fair warning - this episode is going to make you very very hungry!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/59.

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This week's episode is all about bringing the flavours of the world to your home cooking.  

I chat with Laura and Sarah from the food blog Wandercooks who share tips on how to get a taste for different cuisines when we aren't travelling, where to source unique ingredients and how to create special food experiences at home.  

2020 has been far from the year of travel and I know many of us have itchy feet wondering when we'll be able to jump on a plane to a far off destination next.  But while we wait, eating delicious dishes from around the world at home seems like a great compromise.

Grab all the links discussed in this episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/60. 

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This week's episode is all about Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving is coming up in just a few weeks for all my American friends, so I reached out to Barbara from Barbara Bakes to share her tips about how to prepare for the big day. 

Barbara shares a lot of tips on how to pull the meal together without stress, and she also has some great ideas for those who's celebrations look a bit different this year with a smaller group.

The holidays this year may look a little different this year, but that doesn't mean they can't still be special.  I hope this episode gives you some ideas of how to have a scaled down feast without sacrificing on any of your favourites!

Get all the links discussed in today's episode by visiting the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/61. 

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This week's episode is a rewind episode.  I'm taking us all the way back to episode 15 where I chatted to Lauren from the food blog Hunger Thirst Play about making holiday cooking easier.

Even though the holidays may look a little bit different this year, many of you have told me you're excited to keep traditions alive, even if that means making a large feast and delivering it to the door step of your family members.     

Lauren shares some wonderful tips on how to make holiday cooking as stress free as possible, so if you missed out on this episode originally you won't want to miss out!

All the links discussed are in the show notes - cookitrealgood.com/15.

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This week's episode is all about toffee!

The holidays are coming up and toffee makes a wonderful treat to share or to give us gifts to friends and family.

I chat with Heather from Browned Butter Blondie who shares all her tips and tricks for making toffee successfully.  Heather has a long history with toffee, including owning a toffee business, so she definitely knows her stuff!

We chat ingredients, toppings, common mistakes and how to store toffee to keep it fresh for weeks.

Grab all the links discussed in today's episode from cookitrealgood.com/63. 

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