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
Picante Pinto Bean Soup: Nutritious Vegetarian Fare
A quick and easy Picante Pinto Bean Soup. It’s healthy and hearty, and can be served vegan, with cheese and sour cream, or over rice.
Chai Pancakes
There’s nothing like starting the day with a plate of warm, spiced Chai Pancakes. These pancakes are not only delicious but also bring a comforting aroma that fills the kitchen. They are perfect for a cozy breakfast, especially with the sweet sounds of a guitar playing in the background.
Lemon and Caper Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower is a little like tofu, it's a convincing imitator that can be prepared in ways that are usually saved for proteins, like fish or meat. Since the flavor is mild and it has so much texture, you can easily swap it out for animal proteins and have a healthy...
Cinnamon Apple Crisp
Sitting on our deck, Iβm watching a gaggle of wild turkeys in front of me scratching the dirt and pecking at dried-out grass fronds. They are a nervous bunch. Four of the twenty birds are caught in our fenced yard, and in a panic. Ric goes to open the gate and shoo...
Smoky Cream of Tomato Soup
As the light changes and fall arrives, so does my craving for a little comfort food. Something to eat while we watch a movie with the fireplace warming us. I love these cozy nights when a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese taste so yummy. Β Smoky Cream of Tomato...
Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon
I would toil away late into the evening in the back of my little store, in the kitchen with an apartment electric oven and limited supplies. After my long day, and after all of my customers had left, I would clean up, sweep the floors and then begin preparations for...
Healthy Choices

Spring Recipes
Summer Salads

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While watching White Lotus last night, I had one of those βHey, Iβve been there!β moments as the yacht cruised through Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Thailand.
That trip all started with an unexpected wedding invitation. My husband and I looked at each other and asked, βIs there any reason we couldnβt go?β When neither of us could think of a single legitimate excuse, we just said, Letβs go!
That was the beginning of our βsay-yesβ phase. We embarked on a spectacular journey through Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Phuketβeach destination leaving its mark on us. We were captivated by the warmth of the people we met and their vibrant cultures, and the food at every stop was nothing short of extraordinary.
But it was that White Lotus momentβfeet dangling off the bow of the boat, Ric sitting behind me, and a lively, joyous crowd gathered on deck from all corners of the world to celebrateβwhen I leaned in and whispered, I canβt believe Iβm here.
Surrounded by such ethereal beauty, so far from home, it felt like a dream.
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#WhiteLotusVibes #TravelMemories #Wanderlust #TravelDiaries #ThailandTravel #PhuketAdventures #AoPhangNga #TravelInStyle #TravelGram #TravelAddict #seetheworldπβοΈβ€οΈοΈ

While watching White Lotus last night, I had one of those βHey, Iβve been there!β moments as the yacht cruised through Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Thailand.
That trip all started with an unexpected wedding invitation. My husband and I looked at each other and asked, βIs there any reason we couldnβt go?β When neither of us could think of a single legitimate excuse, we just said, Letβs go!
That was the beginning of our βsay-yesβ phase. We embarked on a spectacular journey through Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Phuketβeach destination leaving its mark on us. We were captivated by the warmth of the people we met and their vibrant cultures, and the food at every stop was nothing short of extraordinary.
But it was that White Lotus momentβfeet dangling off the bow of the boat, Ric sitting behind me, and a lively, joyous crowd gathered on deck from all corners of the world to celebrateβwhen I leaned in and whispered, I canβt believe Iβm here.
Surrounded by such ethereal beauty, so far from home, it felt like a dream.
π΄π
#WhiteLotusVibes #TravelMemories #Wanderlust #TravelDiaries #ThailandTravel #PhuketAdventures #AoPhangNga #TravelInStyle #TravelGram #TravelAddict #seetheworldπβοΈβ€οΈοΈ
Here is a recipe my family has enjoyed for years. Weβve had a couple of bake-offs between nieces, with my grand-nieces adding their special touch, and they are a treat I love to bake around the holidays. The bonus is as they bake, they will fill your house with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and sugar!
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Recipe in profile
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#cinnamonbuns #cinnamonrolls #homebaked #homebaker #breakfastbuns #breakfastrecipes

Here is a recipe my family has enjoyed for years. Weβve had a couple of bake-offs between nieces, with my grand-nieces adding their special touch, and they are a treat I love to bake around the holidays. The bonus is as they bake, they will fill your house with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and sugar!
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Recipe in profile
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#cinnamonbuns #cinnamonrolls #homebaked #homebaker #breakfastbuns #breakfastrecipes
JalapeΓ±o cornbread has been a favorite in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. My love for it began as a child during visits to my Mexican grandmother in San Antonio. Itβs a versatile side dish or yummy eaten as is. Try it with anything BBQ, a bowl of hot soup, beans or spicy chili.
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Recipe in profile
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#easyrecipes #cornbread #jalapenocornbread #honeycornbread #breadmaking #mexicanfood

JalapeΓ±o cornbread has been a favorite in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. My love for it began as a child during visits to my Mexican grandmother in San Antonio. Itβs a versatile side dish or yummy eaten as is. Try it with anything BBQ, a bowl of hot soup, beans or spicy chili.
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Recipe in profile
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#easyrecipes #cornbread #jalapenocornbread #honeycornbread #breadmaking #mexicanfood
My take on the Macho Salad made famous by the Cherry Creek Grill in Denver.
Itβs the perfect dish to add leftover turkey or chicken to for a healthy and delicious meal, and itβs a great way to use up leftover cornbread, too. The cornbread croutons are everything.
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Recipe in profile
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#easyrecipes #healthyrecipes #plantbased #leftovers #leftoverrecipes #sexysalads #saladrecipes #cornbreadcroutons

My take on the Macho Salad made famous by the Cherry Creek Grill in Denver.
Itβs the perfect dish to add leftover turkey or chicken to for a healthy and delicious meal, and itβs a great way to use up leftover cornbread, too. The cornbread croutons are everything.
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Recipe in profile
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#easyrecipes #healthyrecipes #plantbased #leftovers #leftoverrecipes #sexysalads #saladrecipes #cornbreadcroutons
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 grandchildβa baby girlβwas born.
The day of her birth, I was on pins and needlesβan 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.
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Many years ago, my mother-in-law, Anna, taught me how to make apple pie, and it quickly became my sonβs favorite dessert.
We will spend Thanksgiving with the new family of three, and I plan to make this for our celebration. Over the years, Iβve made little changes to the recipe, creating a lighter and brighter version that suits my taste, but Annaβs inspiration is still at the heart of the recipe.
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Recipe in bio
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#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 grandchildβa baby girlβwas born.
The day of her birth, I was on pins and needlesβan 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.
πππ πππππππ
Many years ago, my mother-in-law, Anna, taught me how to make apple pie, and it quickly became my sonβs favorite dessert.
We will spend Thanksgiving with the new family of three, and I plan to make this for our celebration. Over the years, Iβve made little changes to the recipe, creating a lighter and brighter version that suits my taste, but Annaβs inspiration is still at the heart of the recipe.
πππ
Recipe in bio
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#family #birth #givingthanks #thanksgiving #thankgivingrecipes #applepie #applepierecipe #holidaydesserts #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingdesserts
This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve around the holidays. Itβs 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.
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Recipe link in profile.
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#applefenneltart #appletart #appetizerrecipes #applerecipes #fallrecipes #holidayrecipes #fennel #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes

This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve around the holidays. Itβs 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.
πππ
Recipe link in profile.
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#applefenneltart #appletart #appetizerrecipes #applerecipes #fallrecipes #holidayrecipes #fennel #vegetarian #vegetarianrecipes
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.
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Recipe in profile.
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#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.
πππ
Recipe in profile.
π«π«π«
#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 weβre 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. Itβs 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.
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Recipe in profile.
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#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 weβre 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. Itβs 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.
π₯π₯π₯
Recipe in profile.
π½π½π½
#chipotlecoleslaw #coleslawrecipe #bbq #sidedish #plantbased #healthylifestyle #healthymeals #vegetarian #bordeaux #madrid #bilbao