One thing I miss from summer is eating outside, especially breakfast or lunch when you can absorb so much vitamin D. Today I wanted throw a winter spin on the idea of eating outside. The scene is a park bench where one is enjoying an afternoon snack of these perfect crunchy outside, chewy inside gluten free raw honey oatmeal cookies, a cup of steaming green tea, and the latest news. I challenge you to change up your winter routine this week. I cannot wait to get on the mountain soon. I'm dying for some outdoor exercise!

Thanksgiving, a time of year that brings so much warmth into household as the fire in our soul becomes nostalgic towards our endearing friends and family & our simplest of treasures. The year begins to fade from view, but we grasp onto the timeline of the good and the bad, of how we have grown and gone back to our past, and of how lovely life can truly be. Being thankful shouldn't be a yearly tradition, it should be constant. The problem with the current time is the threat of a rude awakening of war. War is something I am not thankful for and in the tide of hate spreading around the world, I know that this Thanksgiving will be another blessing that will not be taken for granted with all that surrounds. Sitting around the bulky dining room table that is dressed in a diy color table cloth and laughter among the abundant lunch will be cherished forever.

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. Its when the sky dims a bit darker to let all of the children be frightened by make believe ghouls and monsters. Its when candy tastes a little more sweeter and guilt free. Its when people get to dress in whatever they want to party and laugh. Its when adults feel like they can be kids again for one night. This year I get to go trick or treating with my cutest niece and nephew for the first time and I can't tell you how excited I am to be back in the Halloween atmosphere!

This year I wanted to do something special for the lovely people who have been so supportive of me over the last couple of months. Chocolate covered popcorn is one of my favorite holiday, but really all year around, treats! It is so delicious and can be made with kiddos. You can get as creative as you want with this one, but I have provided you with two different directions of flavor, whimsical and sophisticated! 

These muffins are the sweet symphony of autumn. If you are having one of those dreadful, substandard days, take an hour to bake these delicacies. I have never made a muffin before that made me feel comforted. These muffins are extra light, creamy, and seasoned to supremacy. These muffins will melt in your mouth as soon as you take a bite & the flavor is a galaxy of pumpkin pie and spicy ginger crashing together.These muffins are going to rake in all of those autumn feelings you have been searching for.

Bonjour! Ah the classic French Bread; airy, crispy golden crust, chewy middle with the slightest hint of sweetness. French bread was the first bread I ever made in my first year of technical training. Prior to then, I thought bread was the hardest thing to bake. It is such a sought after part of our diet and symbolizes an amazing comfort food, which is why I knew I had to include this simple recipe on the blog.

Ricotta pancakes and I have a long past. I'd like to think of them as the boy that I could never quite get to settle down with me. Ever since the ricotta pancake trend has announced itself I have been aiming to nail my own version. 

Mediterranean food holds a romantic spot in my heart, especially as autumn crawls back into my life. Every year for the last fifteen years of my life, September has sparked a near beginning in the fire of my life, heart, and head. It's astonishing to realize that this is my first September when I don't have to get up at 6am to rush to the bus and see if the bus driver may or may not drive by me on a frigid morning or casually stroll in five minutes late to my horrible college math class spilling coffee every second down the stairs. 

We all know there is nothing better than chocolate cake. Chocolate cake can help a hurting soul and replace a present at a party, but we all have had that horrible chocolate cake from a box. That is why I chose this killer chocolate cake to represent me as my first recipe on Haas of Rachel, to save anyone in need of some chocolate love.