Food

Photo © Jason Lugo

Soup aka “comfort food” is perfect for our bitter cold Idaho winters. Whether you want healthy and homemade, or quick and simple, nothing compares to homemade soup and it is easier to make than you think. Even if you are strapped for time, you can quickly make a large pot, and freeze the leftovers for [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

My husband and I recently became empty-nesters. Years ago when our eldest daughter left for college it felt as though a hole had ripped through our hearts leaving an ache that may never heal. Likewise, as each of our remaining daughters marched toward the independence and endless possibilities college would offer them, our world closed [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

Christmas is a brief time when childhood wishes become more than just imagination.  I love the rich religious significance of Christmas but I also enjoy the magical childlike fantasy. My adult children are still told, “Those that don’t believe, don’t receive.” Just because they grow up doesn’t mean the magic of Santa has to vanish. [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

Thanksgiving: The holiday where people drive hours in the car to eat dinner with relatives they see maybe once a year. The house smells wonderful and everyone chatters excitedly while catching up on everyone’s lives. Football blares on the television and children sneak olives, putting them on their fingers. By the time dinner is over [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

I must admit I have never understood people who refuse to share their recipes, or the cooks that give you a copy but leave out that one special ingredient that makes their version just a little better. Often I am asked for a recipe, consider it a compliment and gladly give out copies. As each [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

As a child I remember many Saturday mornings filled with cartoons and Swedish pancakes. Mom would cook up those thin, golden goodies and we would dress them up with all kinds of toppings: bananas, syrup, strawberry jam, berries, Nutella – and my personal favorite, powdered sugar. Naturally, once I became a father I carried on [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

While shooting photos at the Bruneau Cowboy Christmas last December, my good friend Kent Kidd and I were offered a free lunch. Who can turn down a free lunch? The menu board offered two choices: beef stew or white chili. I’ve learned from many past travels with Kent that whatever he orders, I order too! [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

Christmas is a time of traditions and every year my family enjoys activities like skiing at Pomerelle, singing karaoke and watching our favorite “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” movie together. The kids are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, which strangely happens to be their new pajamas every time. All while our special [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

After living in Boston for 10 years, I ate my fair share of clam and corn “chowda.” So I wondered, how can I make a healthy chowder that has the same taste and texture of a regular chowder, but without the butter, cream and cholesterol? …Well, here it is! Corn Chowder Ingredients: 1 medium onion [...]

Photo © Jason Lugo

Fall harvest brings the last of the vegetables for the season, but it also brings the chill in the air and always gets me in the mood to cook something warm and delicious. What could be better than homemade tomato basil soup? This recipe can be made with canned or fresh tomatoes. I wanted it [...]