A Side of Sweet

Holiday Gift Guide – Get them What They’ll Love This Year

Get them something they’ll actually love this year! My holiday gift guide has something for everyone on your list and for all budgets.

I’ve been working on this holiday gift guide for months and I’m so proud and excited to share it with you!

Everything on this guide has been personally used and tested by me. You’re getting my honest opinion about the quality and usefulness of every product on my list. Many of the products have a social component, whether it’s supporting breast cancer research, or empowering international victims of sexual exploitation. There’s truly something for everyone here.

Read on for my holiday gift guide and stay tuned for stocking stuffers tomorrow!

North Lake Tahoe Travel Guide & Things to Do

Everything you need to know for visiting North Lake Tahoe – things to do, where to stay, where to eat, best hikes, scenic views and so much more!

North Lake Tahoe is a nature lover’s paradise year-round, with a wealth of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect with nature. It’s also the place to catch fall colors in Northern California. We visited the first week of November and still managed to catch the tail end of the season.

Fall just might be the best season to visit Lake Tahoe. It’s between the busy summer and winter seasons, meaning traffic from San Francisco is almost nonexistent! It took about three hours to get there from the city. Off season also means it’s easy to get a table at some of the most popular restaurants and hotel prices take a dip. There was hardly anyone on the hikes we did and the beaches were nearly empty at sunset. If you’re lucky, you may even catch mild weather – it was in the high 60’s while we were there.

Read on for what to do in North Lake Tahoe…

One Pot Stovetop Vegetarian Taco Soup

Gluten Free Dairy Free Nut Free Egg Free Vegetarian Vegan

Stay warm with this stovetop Vegetarian Taco Soup Recipe that is an easy one pot recipe. It’s also healthy, gluten-free and has a vegan option.

We’re only a week into November and I’ve already started to feel the holiday rush.

You know that feeling that your ‘To Do’ list is growing at an alarming rate and then you realize you haven’t booked flights for your trip home yet? And you still need to get a flu shot? And now thanks to daylight savings it’s suddenly dark at 5pm?

These (literally) dark times call for easy comfort food, like this vegetarian taco soup. This soup is also as easy as can be, with only one pot needed. That means easy clean up and less hassle.

Read on for the vegetarian taco soup recipe!

Wine Tasting in Livermore, California

When you’re visiting California wine country, skip Napa and go wine tasting in Livermore Valley. First on your list should be Wente Vineyards. Here’s why…

Last weekend I finally had a few days off from the hospital, so Pat and I did the short drive from San Francisco to the Livermore Valley wine region. Our only agenda was a relaxing day at Wente Vineyards. Wente is honestly one of the prettiest wineries we’ve ever visited. The white buildings remind me of our trip to South Africa. The temperate fall weather and palm trees really made it feel like we were on vacation…. Read More »

Healthy Greek Salad Flatbread Pizza

Nut Free Egg Free Vegetarian

A Greek Salad Flatbread Pizza recipe? Just trust me! It’s the healthiest pizza ever, but still DELICIOUS. You’ll love the lavash crust and fresh toppings.

I love having recipes on hand that work just as well for a quick snack as they do for an appetizer, or even a meal. These flatbread pizzas are truly so versatile. As if being able to eat them for any occasion isn’t enough, they also take just minutes to put together.

Still not convinced? They are also totally guilt free and made with whole ingredients. No greasy crust or mountains of cheese to be found.

Intrigued? Read on for the flatbread pizza recipe…

Easy Salmon Recipe with Orange & Fennel – Dinner in 15 Minutes

Gluten Free Nut Free Egg Free

Dinner is ready in 10 minutes with this easy salmon recipe with orange and fennel. Poached salmon is moist and flaky, and only one pot means easy clean up!

We enjoyed this meal for dinner last night for the third time in three weeks! It’s seriously so easy to make that it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. There’s nothing like coming home from a long day at the hospital to a gourmet salmon meal. There’s also nothing like a glass of an amazing Pinot Noir at the end of said workday.

Read on for this easy salmon recipe…… Read More »