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Let's dive into the excitement of fig season with a joyful celebration of fresh figs. From tips on selecting the perfect figs at the store to storing them properly, you'll learn how to make the most of these delicate fruits. Discover a variety of delicious ways to enjoy figs, including making fig jam, pairing them with cheese, creating a fig salad, and even making a fig pizza or flatbread. This episode is packed with creative ideas and culinary tips. Join the fig appreciation and share your culinary creations using fresh figs!

00:00 Introduction to Fig Season

00:30 Personal Fig Tree Journey

01:29 Selecting and Storing Fresh Figs

03:02 Delicious Fig Recipes and Pairings

04:34 Creative Fig Dishes

07:14 Final Thoughts and Fig Ventures

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Find fun and creative way to enhance summer meals with no-cook sauces in your Empty Nest Kitchen. Christine shares her tips and tricks on making flavorful sauces without turning on the stove, perfect for the hot summer months. You'll learn a simple framework using fats, acids, and flavor enhancers like fresh herbs. Christine also introduces her new mini-course, 'Just Add Sauce,' which provides detailed guidance on creating and remixing various no-cook sauces, emphasizing ease and adaptability for small-scale cooking.

00:00 Introduction to No-Cook Sauces

00:46 Why No-Cook Sauces?

03:16 The Basics of Sauce Making

05:01 Creative Sauce Ideas

08:24 Practical Tips and Tools

09:04 Challenge and Conclusion

10:49 Special Offer: Mini Course

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In this episode of the Empty Nest Kitchen, cooking expert Christine Van Bloem shares her love for peaches and explores various ways to enjoy this summer fruit. From simple sliced peaches to gourmet salads and savory meat pairings, Christine provides detailed recipes and tips that highlight the natural sweetness and versatility of peaches. Learn about the importance of keeping it simple to let the flavors shine and tips for complementary ingredients to create balanced dishes. 

00:00 Introduction to Peaches

00:38 The Perfect Peach

03:04 Peach Salad Ideas

06:04 Cooking with Peaches and Meat

10:41 Grilled Peaches for Dessert

12:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Let's explore fun and creative ways to cook with zucchini, a quintessential summer vegetable. From practical advice on picking the best zucchinis to three delightful (and easy!) recipes, your zucchini wishes are ready to become reality. Tune in to learn these simple yet delicious methods to make zucchini a hit in your kitchen.

00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
00:27 Zucchini: The Ultimate Summer Vegetable
02:19 Choosing the Perfect Zucchini
03:44 Delicious Zucchini Recipes
08:39 Zucchini Boats: A Fun Twist
10:18 Protein-Packed Zucchini Egg Bites
14:49 Wrapping Up: Zucchini Tips and Tricks

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Let's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for using corn in various dishes like salads and pancakes, and a unique microwave method for cooking, you'll find a delightful and informative guide to making the most out of fresh corn.

00:00 Introduction to Corn Talk

01:00 Corn at the Farmer's Market

03:25 Choosing and Storing Corn

06:52 Microwave Corn Cooking Hack

08:06 Creative Corn Recipes

09:21 Corn Salad and Vinaigrette

13:24 Corn Pancakes and Conclusion

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Let's kick-off the summer cooking series 'Small Bites', focusing on short episodes under 15 minutes. Each week will highlight a different food or technique, starting with summer tomatoes, covering tips on choosing, using, and storing them for optimum flavor. 

00:00 Introduction to Summer Cooking Series

00:57 Choosing the Perfect Summer Tomatoes

03:09 Storing Your Tomatoes Correctly

04:00 Simple and Delicious Tomato Recipes

06:28 Making the Perfect Panzanella

11:47 Roasting Tomatoes for Extra Flavor

12:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

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The Mediterranean diet is a great first step toward a healthier lifestyle, but what the heck is it? It's the ease of cooking lighter summer meals, using fresh seasonal produce, and incorporating healthy fats and lean proteins, plus so much more. 

We're making food an event by inviting friends and savoring meals, the benefits of including physical activity, and promoting joy in the kitchen. 

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Mediterranean Diet
00:39 Seasonal Cooking and Farmer's Markets
01:53 Mediterranean Diet Principles
05:03 Healthy Fats and Lean Proteins
07:53 Herbs, Spices, and Social Eating
11:16 Exercise and Lifestyle Balance
12:39 Realistic Approach to Healthy Eating
13:59 Invitation to Mediterranean Magic Course

Find more information on Mediterranean Magic for Midlife, Fall Back in Love with Cooking here.

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Remember back in the day when tv shows would declare a "very special episode"? Well this week, I'm declaring it too, as I convince my brilliant sister-in-law, Laura Van Bloem, to join me on the podcast to talk all things non-profit marketing.

Laura shares her insights on the importance of storytelling and impact communication for successful nonprofit fundraising. We get into hybrid work culture, fractional employment, and the transitions women experience as our children leave home. You'll find practical advice for nonprofits and service businesses on effective marketing strategies, and a great conversation about being a mid-life woman in today's world.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:04 Gym Stories and Hydrotherapy Chair
03:42 Nonprofit Marketing Insights
07:17 Career Journey in Nonprofit Sector
09:45 Challenges and Strategies in Fundraising
13:36 Transition to Consulting
20:37 Work-Life Balance and Career Reflections
22:44 Reflecting on Gen X Responsibilities
24:15 Changing Career Dynamics
25:51 The Rise of Fractional Employment
30:09 Hybrid Work Culture Challenges
32:01 Navigating Empty Nest Syndrome
36:01 Future Plans and Retirement Thoughts
40:27 Favorite Meals and Final Thoughts

Find Laura at VB Communications or on Linked In.

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Practical money-saving tips for grocery shopping are a must-have in today's world, particularly for empty nesters. In this episode, you'll find helpful tips and tricks for shopping smart for your own Empty Nest Kitchen. You can save money while still enjoying good food and reducing waste.

00:00 Introduction and Current Market Overview

01:35 Smart Shopping Tips for Spices

05:39 Buying Meat for the empty nester

08:26 Bread and Stock Tips

14:33 Meal Planning and Final Tips

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Let's celebrate the arrival of spring by digging into a variety of spring veggies and herbs, including artichokes, asparagus, and fresh chives. You'll hear tips on how to prepare and cook these ingredients, with a bit of practical advice. And be sure to register for my free cooking class sponsored by AARP Maryland on April 5, where you'll learn to cook eggs with ricotta and fresh chives, cappuccino chip muffins, and super crispy oven potatoes. 

00:00 Introduction and Springtime Joy
00:57 Spring Veggies Overview
01:33 Artichoke Adventures
08:15 Asparagus: The Spring Kahuna
12:40 Herbs: Fresh and Flavorful
18:11 Upcoming Cooking Class
19:19 Conclusion and Farewell

Register for the April 5 AARP Maryland cooking class HERE.

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