I love the taste of cardamom for sweet treats and savory dishes. Most of the cardamom bought here in the states is green cardamom. It has a strong, sweet, pungent flavor and aroma, with hints of lemon and mint. But there’s also black cardamom with a smoky note and hint of menthol. Green cardamom pairs nicely with sweet treats (think Scandinavian baked goods), fruit, and savory dishes like curries and kababs. Yes. It is that dynamic.

Today we’ll create some simple Cardamom Bliss Balls for a super simple tasty treat. They’re a perfect match for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

This year our Crab Apple trees are fruiting to the point of limbs nearly touching the ground.

Now, if you are in upstate New York and have an apple tree in your yard, then you know that all apples are about to start abandoning their post. You may have already experienced these tiny tarts dive-bombing your car and your head. You might even be enjoying the sweet stench of those that are composting themselves right there on your lawn.

When a branch finally made contact with my thick head the other day, I realized that I needed to do something about it. Really?! Why on earth was I letting these wonderfully organic and insanely accessible food bits go to rot? And why-oh-why wasn't I enjoying the reaching up, squatting down, and all the wonderful movements associated with gathering my harvest. So I grabbed two of my largest bowls (one for each tree) and started collecting my bounty.

You can’t beat a warm and gooey baked banana. This super simple recipe is a perfect dessert for quenching your sweet-tooth without the guilt. Plus, these delicious morsels will make your house smell divine!

Baking bananas bring out the fruit's natural sweetness and turn them golden with a soft, gooey texture. They taste amazing all on their own, or you can dress them up with a range of toppings. I like mine with toasted pecans, walnuts, or coconut.

I recently had a run-in with a tick that landed me on antibiotics. It’s one of the joys in living in a region with an AMAZING AUTUMN but a high incidence of both Lyme and Anaplasmosis. Now, to be fair, this is only the 4th time that I’ve taken antibiotics in over 30-years. I’m feeling confident in my body’s ability to both utilize these meds and heal from it all.

That said, I needed something handy to eat with my antibiotics to keep my tummy in check. Plus, who doesn’t need a quick treat that nourishes the brainy bits? Enter the Brainy Bliss Balls.

This Flourless Orange Cake recipe hails from my days of living in San Diego, CA. There were times when we had more oranges than we could possibly eat or juice. It’s simple to make and scented with whole sweet oranges, vanilla, and almonds.

The first thing you’ll notice, and love, about this cake is the floral and citrus aroma. As you take your first bite, the crunch of the almonds and then the super moist decadence cake will delight your oral senses. The flavors are dynamic and not overpowered by sweetness.

When life is full, it’s also busy. And my life is gloriously full these days. I’m betting your life can be hectic too. So if you’re like me, then you are always on the lookout for super simple recipes of grab-and-go goodness. Well, these nourishing Lemon & Cashew Energy Bites (a.k.a. Bliss Balls) fit the bill! They’re nutrient and calorie-dense to keep you fueled throughout the day.