Welcome!
I’m Eva Marie, a cook, traveler, and an integrative nutrition and brain health coach. This is my little nook where I share my recipes, travel experiences, and stories. I’m so glad you stopped by to have a look around.
Latest Blog Posts
Eggplant Romesco
As I walk through the farmers’ market, still a little foggy and not quite awake, the beauty of the flowers, fruits and vegetables, the crisp fresh air and the smell of the food trucks preparing an array of dishes, rouses my senses. I find the displays of vivid colors...
Rustic Vegetable Pie
We sat outside overlooking the tall pine trees as the sun was setting and the temperature dropping. A couple of candle-lit lanterns gave us just enough of a glow to see the cheese and crackers we were munching on and the red wine we were sipping. Four people, two dogs...
Climbing Mountains and Slaying Dragons
One foot in front of the other we trekked our way up the narrow path where the Aspen trees rustled in the breeze creating a sound somewhere between water running down a stream and that of a joyful musical instrument. We hiked under this canopy of whispering leaves...
Salsa Verde – Tomatillo, Green Chili and Apple Salsa
I went on a little garden raid this past week. Friends were away traveling and leaving over-flowing apple trees and vegetable gardens behind. I picked a huge basket of apples at a friend's home, making sure there were plenty left for the local bears to munch on in...
In Defense of Aging
I’m fifty-five years old, and I have nothing injected in my face or elsewhere at this time. There was indeed a time in my life when I did get Botox around my eyes, but I thought it made me look strange. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not judging. People should do what works for them concerning cosmetic surgery and procedures. I’m not at all against having work done if it’s something they’d like to do. I know many women who get Botox and fillers who look amazing and are thrilled with the results. I don’t want society dictating how I should look one way or another, and any sort of looks/age/weight shaming, or any shaming for that matter, is just wrong.
Potato Asparagus Salad
A delicious and healthy potato and asparagus salad with a great mix of veggies, fresh herbs and a savory vinaigrette spiked with some lemon zest to give it a little pop of unexpected citrus.
Healthy Choices
Winter Soups + Stews
Holiday Bakery + Sweets
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Birth, life, and death are everyday occurrences, yet they are mysterious and miraculous. I was born in the first week of November. Twenty-three years later, my son was born on my birthday. And this year, on that same day, my first grandchild—a baby girl—was born.
The day of her birth, I was on pins and needles—an emotional wreck, really. I worried about my daughter-in-law and the baby, hoping for their safety. I thought about the soon-to-be parents who would begin their next adventure in life with all the joy and challenges that come with it.
This holiday season has indeed been ushered in with the gift of life.
🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Many years ago, my mother-in-law, Anna, taught me how to make apple pie, and it quickly became my son’s favorite dessert.
We will spend Thanksgiving with the new family of three, and I plan to make this for our celebration. Over the years, I’ve made little changes to the recipe, creating a lighter and brighter version that suits my taste, but Anna’s inspiration is still at the heart of the recipe.
🍎🍎🍎
Recipe in bio
🍎🍎🍎
#family #birth #givingthanks #thanksgiving #thankgivingrecipes #applepie #applepierecipe #holidaydesserts #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingdesserts
Birth, life, and death are everyday occurrences, yet they are mysterious and miraculous. I was born in the first week of November. Twenty-three years later, my son was born on my birthday. And this year, on that same day, my first grandchild—a baby girl—was born.
The day of her birth, I was on pins and needles—an emotional wreck, really. I worried about my daughter-in-law and the baby, hoping for their safety. I thought about the soon-to-be parents who would begin their next adventure in life with all the joy and challenges that come with it.
This holiday season has indeed been ushered in with the gift of life.
🍎🍎🍎 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Many years ago, my mother-in-law, Anna, taught me how to make apple pie, and it quickly became my son’s favorite dessert.
We will spend Thanksgiving with the new family of three, and I plan to make this for our celebration. Over the years, I’ve made little changes to the recipe, creating a lighter and brighter version that suits my taste, but Anna’s inspiration is still at the heart of the recipe.
🍎🍎🍎
Recipe in bio
🍎🍎🍎
#family #birth #givingthanks #thanksgiving #thankgivingrecipes #applepie #applepierecipe #holidaydesserts #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingdesserts
This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve around the holidays. It’s easy to make, pretty and so delicious.
Need to make it in a hurry? Use a store bought puff pastry or ready made pie crust.
🍎🍎🍎
Recipe link in profile.
🍎🍎🍎
#applefenneltart #appletart #appetizerrecipes #applerecipes #fallrecipes #holidayrecipes #fennel #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes
This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve around the holidays. It’s easy to make, pretty and so delicious.
Need to make it in a hurry? Use a store bought puff pastry or ready made pie crust.
🍎🍎🍎
Recipe link in profile.
🍎🍎🍎
#applefenneltart #appletart #appetizerrecipes #applerecipes #fallrecipes #holidayrecipes #fennel #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes
Who else is excited for autumn flavors? Cinnamon, nutmeg, warming spices and chilies…I’m so ready for it.
Guitar and hand model @ricsguitar
🍁🍃🍂
#fallrecipes #fallfood #fall #autumn #cinnamon #nutmeg #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes #lisbon #lisboa #cascais #easyrecipes #estoril #seasonalbaking #farmtotable #plantbased
Who else is excited for autumn flavors? Cinnamon, nutmeg, warming spices and chilies…I’m so ready for it.
Guitar and hand model @ricsguitar
🍁🍃🍂
#fallrecipes #fallfood #fall #autumn #cinnamon #nutmeg #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes #lisbon #lisboa #cascais #easyrecipes #estoril #seasonalbaking #farmtotable #plantbased
Another road trip, another recipe. This one is from years ago, but the sentiments are the same, and the Peach and Berry Crisp recipe is a yummy one.
🍑🍑🍑
Recipe in profile.
🫐🫐🫐
#PeachBerryCrisp #SummerDesserts #FruitCrisp #HomemadeDessert #SeasonalBaking #EasyRecipes #BakingFromScratch #FarmToTable #DessertLovers #FreshFruitDessert #cascais #estoril #lisboa #lisbon #expatineurope
Another road trip, another recipe. This one is from years ago, but the sentiments are the same, and the Peach and Berry Crisp recipe is a yummy one.
🍑🍑🍑
Recipe in profile.
🫐🫐🫐
#PeachBerryCrisp #SummerDesserts #FruitCrisp #HomemadeDessert #SeasonalBaking #EasyRecipes #BakingFromScratch #FarmToTable #DessertLovers #FreshFruitDessert #cascais #estoril #lisboa #lisbon #expatineurope
This August, we embraced the European tradition of going on a road trip. Our journey took us up the Portuguese coast to Porto, then to Bilbao, Bordeaux, and finally Madrid before returning to Lisbon.
This weekend we’re enjoying this Cowboy Coleslaw. It is loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients like cabbage, carrots, edamame, black beans, corn, and onions, all tossed in a spicy chipotle dressing. It’s fantastic layered on a sandwich for added flavor and crunch or served as a crisp side dish at barbecues and picnics. I also like it as a light vegetarian lunch.
🥕🥕🥕
Recipe in profile.
🌽🌽🌽
#chipotlecoleslaw #coleslawrecipe #bbq #sidedish #plantbased #healthylifestyle #healthymeals #vegetarian #bordeaux #madrid #bilbao
This August, we embraced the European tradition of going on a road trip. Our journey took us up the Portuguese coast to Porto, then to Bilbao, Bordeaux, and finally Madrid before returning to Lisbon.
This weekend we’re enjoying this Cowboy Coleslaw. It is loaded with nutrient-dense ingredients like cabbage, carrots, edamame, black beans, corn, and onions, all tossed in a spicy chipotle dressing. It’s fantastic layered on a sandwich for added flavor and crunch or served as a crisp side dish at barbecues and picnics. I also like it as a light vegetarian lunch.
🥕🥕🥕
Recipe in profile.
🌽🌽🌽
#chipotlecoleslaw #coleslawrecipe #bbq #sidedish #plantbased #healthylifestyle #healthymeals #vegetarian #bordeaux #madrid #bilbao
Beautiful Bordeaux
🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
#bourdeaux #europeanroadtrip #france
By chance, we ended up in. Bilbao, Spain, during the Aste Nagusia or “The Great Week” (Basque: Bilboko Aste Nagusia, Spanish: Semana Grande de Bilbao). It is the main festival of Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. It is celebrated annually over 9 days beginning on the first Saturday following 15 August, the festivity of the Assumption of Our Lady.
These people know how to celebrate! Parties ended in the wee morning hours, and then they’d do it all the next night. Streets were filled to the brim with dancing, singing, dining and drinking party goers. It was a blast.
🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
#bilao #spain #thegreatestweek #AsteNagusia #SemanaGrande #SemanaGrandedeBilbao
#travel
By chance, we ended up in. Bilbao, Spain, during the Aste Nagusia or “The Great Week” (Basque: Bilboko Aste Nagusia, Spanish: Semana Grande de Bilbao). It is the main festival of Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. It is celebrated annually over 9 days beginning on the first Saturday following 15 August, the festivity of the Assumption of Our Lady.
These people know how to celebrate! Parties ended in the wee morning hours, and then they’d do it all the next night. Streets were filled to the brim with dancing, singing, dining and drinking party goers. It was a blast.
🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
#bilao #spain #thegreatestweek #AsteNagusia #SemanaGrande #SemanaGrandedeBilbao
#travel
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly versatile dish, this Peanut Noodles Primavera is the answer. I like to think of it as a delicious “veggie dump” dish—you can add almost any vegetable you have on hand, and it will work wonderfully. Best of all, this recipe is vegan and can easily be made with gluten-free noodles.
🥕🥕🥕
Recipe link in profile.
🫛🫛🫛
#PeanutNoodles #VeganRecipes #HealthyEating #EasyRecipes #QuickMeals #PlantBased #AsianCuisine #NoodleLovers #MealPrepIdeas
If you’re looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly versatile dish, this Peanut Noodles Primavera is the answer. I like to think of it as a delicious “veggie dump” dish—you can add almost any vegetable you have on hand, and it will work wonderfully. Best of all, this recipe is vegan and can easily be made with gluten-free noodles.
🥕🥕🥕
Recipe link in profile.
🫛🫛🫛
#PeanutNoodles #VeganRecipes #HealthyEating #EasyRecipes #QuickMeals #PlantBased #AsianCuisine #NoodleLovers #MealPrepIdeas