Mexican food has been my go-to cuisine for special occasions and important moments for decades. I’ve celebrated many of my birthdays at a Mexican restaurant and my husband has taken me several times to a restaurant specializing in this type of cuisine to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I also got into the habit of ordering Mexican take out after the successful completion of important work meetings. While I enjoy cooking, I’m happy we’ve located multiple places in the city of Chicago and in the surrounding suburbs to which we can drive whenever I’m craving this delicious cuisine and don’t feel like cooking. (Feel free to comment below if you’d like…
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20-Minute Ethiopian Doro Wat
I take for granted that my hometown of Chicago is thought of as a world-renown food capital. That is, I do until I visit another state and the fact that I’m from Chicago comes up in conversation with someone I meet. More often than not, they comment on how great the food was when they visited–or lived in–the Windy City. And then they proceed to tell me how lucky I am to have so many great dining options near me. My husband, girls and I have found some wonderful restaurants during the trips we’ve taken to various cities around the country. But, I must admit that I do understand why…
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20-Minute Fish Provencal Soup
If you’ve read any of the travel posts that I wrote about my family’s time in Greece, you already know I’m a fan of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that have cultural or historical significance. Visiting them provides a snapshot into the lives, culture and contributions of former–and sometimes even the current–residents of a given area. This is one of reasons I want to visit France so much. This popular country is home to a few dozen of these sites! My hubby took a two-week trip with his college to France back in the 80s. But, our girls and I have never been there. So, we periodically make our pitch to…
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20-Minute Chilean Carbonada Soup
Chile is a popular South American vacation destination for families and solo travelers alike for a number of reasons. For starters, the country boasts beautiful landscapes and seascapes and is home to relaxing hot springs. It also offers opportunities for travelers of all ages to participate in outdoor activities and tour multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. And, travelers who like to shop while on vacation can even find duty-free shopping malls and exclusive shopping boutiques in different areas. However, if I ever have a chance to visit Chile, I don’t think I’d put any of those activities at the top of my vacation itinerary. That spot would likely go to…
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15-Minute Mauritian Fried Noodles
I have been a fan of palm trees ever since seeing them in person during my first trip to Southern California in November of 1988. It’s hard to put into words exactly how wonderful I felt whenever I saw them. But it’s safe to say that gazing upon them made me feel happy and relaxed. So, it makes sense that, my favorite places to visit to date–in the United States and abroad–are those that have allowed me to see palm trees at some point during my time there. Speaking of my list of places I’d like to visit, it gets longer every year. The more you go, the more you…
