Heather is an essayist, editor, CMO, mommy, and wife seeking stillness while in a state
of nearly constant motion. She lives, walks, and eats in the greatest city in the world: Chicago.
Navigating my family's culinary preferences has always been an adventure, but my youngest son's devotion to the Beige/White Food Group has been a humbling reminder of parenting's unpredictable nature. I'm learning to embrace the journey, hopeful that one day, he might share in the broad, colorful tapestry of flavors we cherish.
Read MoreAs a lifelong cat person mourning the loss of our beloved Matty, I've found unexpected joy in the dogs of our neighborhood, especially during our twice-daily walks. The friendships we've formed with these dogs and their humans have opened my heart to the unconditional love of OPD (Other People’s Dogs), proving that even cat people can't resist a wet puppy nose.
Read MoreHere’s a quick summer tip: Skip Hot Girl Summer and dive into Happy Mom Summer instead. Let's swap perfection for laughter, ice cream dinners, and real joy. This year let's make being present and happy our summer trend.
Read MoreWe held hands across the table, talked about the previous week and plans for the following weekend. The din of the front room seemed muted and far away. It was just us, lit by candlelight, waiting for whatever came next, at dinner and in life.
Read MoreMy dad was a great storyteller. Even though he was a little shy with strangers, he loved to spin a good yarn from time to time with his family. His best tales were stories about Chicago. But my favorite story was how he came into his chili recipe.
Read MoreI noticed that even though my cookbook shelf was full, it was dominated by white authors and western-European cuisine. As someone who embraces new food, new experiences, I was embarrassed by the glaring omissions of the culinary foundations of American cooking on the shelf. Time for more change.
Read MoreA few months BC (Before COVID), I read Year of Yes, by Shauna Rhimes. The premise is deceptively simple: Despite incredible professional success, the Queen of Shaunda Land felt lonely and unfulfilled. On a dare from her sister, Shaunda spent a year saying “Yes” to everything – speaking engagements, parties, working out, salads, events – and she found her new life surprisingly rewarding and exciting in ways she hadn’t imagined it could be.
I was inspired and energized as she told her story, but as I considered my own life, I felt like I was very, very far away from So Much Yes.
I said no. A lot.
Read MoreWhen I did the post-first-date phone debrief with my sister, I confessed: He might be too nice for me. I am not that nice, what if I am terrible and break the heart of this nice man?
She admonished: You will go on at least three dates, and you will have fun. You deserve someone who is nice, who is nice to you.
So I did, and I did, and he was, and he is.
Read MoreSummer as a parent is a season of extremes; both endless and fleeting.
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