Like so many, I always tend to start the new year with a health kick—a new gym, yoga, immunity shots and essential oils. I’ve tried it all. This...
Dining
Don’t Be a Chicken About Roasting Chicken
Kowalski’s has received Best Rotisserie Chicken awards multiple times, including as recently as last October. It’s so convenient. It’s a wonder...
Snowflake Cocktail
Entertaining this winter but not sure what to serve as a signature cocktail? I’ve whipped up this wintry sip to much acclaim and highly recommend...
Wine of the Times
Sommelier wine buying strategies and cold-climate wine education. Wine can be appreciated all year, but it’s especially apropos during the holiday...
Shaking Things Up
Create personal cocktails using this simple trick. If I have a party trick, it’s the ability to whip up personalized cocktails on the fly. But it’s...
Grain Elevators
Add a touch of history and new flavor profiles to your menu. Why does pasta get so much of the culinary glory? Granted, it transforms dishes, comes...
Spice Up the Season
Behind the scenes at Stillwater’s Pinch ‘n Rub Spice & Tea Hub. Nancy Figueroa has always enjoyed cooking and baking. Throughout her life,...
Turkey Trivia
Test your knowledge around the Thanksgiving table. Americans consume approximately 46 million turkeys around Thanksgiving and consumed around five...
Celebrity Service
Always saying “yes” leads to local bakery’s success. St. Croix Baking Company owner, chef Charles Froke, was busy in the kitchen when I visited his...
The Most Important Oatmeal of the Day
Back to school means back to a good, healthy breakfast. For many of us, some form of cereal is a staple in the morning meal rotation. Boxed cold...
Valley Vineyards
A sampling of places to sip this summer. Chateau St. Croix Winery Be transported to Europe at this French Chateau located in the St. Croix River...
Ice Cream Bingo
Pin the cherry on the sundae. Summer is just around the corner and now is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the St. Croix Valley with everyone’s...
Kids in the Kitchen
Teaching kids to cook can be an enjoyable, educational and tasty way to spend time together. Start teaching your kids to cook early and slow with...
Cool Beans
Area veteran launches a local coffee roasting business. Walter Reynolds is known in the local coffee roasting world as Roaster Walt or Wally. But he...
Garden Goodness
Seeding better nutrition. With a mere 150 square feet, I only grow what I know I’ll eat, and only the easy stuff— tomatoes, peas, zucchini, herbs...
Easy Green Chili Chicken Soup
Amanda Paa's recipes are great for beginners. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 lb. chicken thighs 3/4 tsp. Watkins Fine Himalayan Pink Salt...
Food for the Soul
Hudson transplant goes from big pharma to food blogging. From breakfast and sourdough to dinners and desserts, food and lifestyle blogger Amanda Paa...
Forge and Foundry Distillery Embodies the Spirit of Stillwater
Forge and Foundry Distillery finds a home on Stillwater's Main Street. It seems to be a common theme that people who grew up here and move away are...
The Board Loon: How a Bored Minnesotan Became a Wisconsin Charcuterie Expert
A knack for making charcuterie has birthed a burgeoning business for Hudson's Kelsey Heimerl. Kelsey Heimerl of Hudson, Wis. was once a leasing...
Afton’s Yellow House Vineyard Branches into Winemaking
Cody Kaye launched Yellow House Vineyard in 2014. After years of growing and harvesting grapes, the vineyard is starting to make its own wine. Cody...
