Happy New Year! I've been taking a bit of a writer's holiday, but I'm back and delivering your weekly dose of Weekend Warrior picks for this weekend! I'm already getting asked about my "favorites" of 2015 as we enter the new year. Here's a few... Continue

This is the book. It changed my life, it will change the lives of home cooks and wanna-be chefs young and old in your life. Start with volume one, then next year, volume two. It's written to be accessible to anyone of any cooking level... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60624" align="aligncenter" width="420"] This slow cooker is so awesome it can cook a whole chicken! Yes, a chicken! (Photo: Crock-Pot)[/caption] All hail the slow cooker. It has served me well since my early 20s and is a gift I advise for anyone shopping for... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60646" align="aligncenter" width="420"] A must have for any kitchen: a lemon/lime squeezer (Photo: 6peas)[/caption] One of the best kitchen tools ever: a lemon and lime squeezer. A great stocking stuffer, within seconds you have pulp free, seedless juice for water, cocktails, salad dressings and... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60631" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Seed swaps are one of the fun ways to explore heirloom and open pollinated gardening through Seed Savers (Photo: Seed Savers)[/caption] A mission-driven gift to preserve America's food heritage: a membership to Seed Savers Exchange. A membership to Seed Savers benefits... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60671" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Mia's Kitchen Sriracha Pasta Sauce (Photo: Mia's Kitchen)[/caption] Not all of us are kitchen savvy enough to make our own tomato sauce (or...perhaps just lazy, right?). That is when we thank our lucky eating stars for pre-made sauce. We two fabulous... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60677" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Yes, chicken tikka masala can be delivered to anyone's door in Sonoma with the Sonoma Food Taxi (Photo: Julia Frost, CC BY NC 2.0)[/caption] Looking for the perfect gift for a friend who hates to cook, a family member who can't... Continue

[caption id="attachment_60654" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Join the club at Figone's Olive OIl Co.[/caption] Figone's Olive Oil Company is an innovator in the olive oil world, and their local's club is no exception. Their olive oil club is perfect for the chef in your life. With over... Continue

Sonoma County's annual Dining Out for Life takes place Thursday, December 3. Simply eat out at one of these local restaurants and between 25% to 50% of your bill will be donated to Food for Thought. Founded in 1988, the Forestville-based Food for Thought provides... Continue