It’s that time of the year. To get in the mood, you can see I turned my kitchen bar into a pumpkin patch, complete with pictures of my grandkids taken in pumpkin patches over the years.

Here are two easy Halloween treats guaranteed to please all the little gooblins in your life. That is, if you can keep the big ones from eating them first. Just click on each one for the full recipe.

Caramel Popcorn

Roll-Out Cookies

Trisha

If you haven’t read about the recently discovered health benefits of tomatoes, see John’s blog on www.TheBestofOurLives.com . It turns out, in order to get all the antioxidants from the tomatoes, you must first cook them. Here is a simple recipe for a great fresh Marinara Sauce. Simply click here for the recipe.

Fresh Tomato Marinara Sauce

Going back in time, both my husband John and I began to eat fewer meat dishes. Given that both set of parents had mid-western roots, this was quite a departure from the meals we were used to eating. We had not sworn off red meat, it just turns out we both like chicken and fish more than we do beef.

In this blog I’m sharing two of my current favorite fish recipes. The first is a dish I’ve been making for a few years. It’s ”Barbecue Shrimp” that is extra spicy and a real taste treat. I love food that wakes up the senses.

The second dish, ”Spicy Sole,” is one I just made recently and was a big hit with everyone. As the name implies, it is spicy and delicious. I think you and your family and guests will love it.

Just click on the links for the complete recipes.

 Barbecue Shrimp

                                   Spicy Sole

About Trisha Parker:

Trisha is the mother of three sons and has five grandchildren. She began as a finalist in the Miss Teen USA competition, worked as a model in television and print, became a New York based flight attendant, and then launched her long and successful career as a corporate executive. Recently retired, she has co-authored a book with her husband, The Best of Our Lives: Sharing the Secrets of a Healthy and Happy Retired Life, and lives every day to its fullest. She has been featured on both radio and television programs and is a frequent guest speaker. In addition to working for her favorite charities, Trisha is an accomplished chef, seamstress, fitness enthusiast, bargain hunter and travel adventurer. 

For a copy of her book, go to www.TheBestofOurLives.com

                                                                                               www.TheBestofOurLives.com

Hi Everyone

With summer upon us, I’ve decided to share some of my simple summer breakfast recipes. I think you and your family will really enjoy waking up to this tasty oatmeal dish and these fantastic breads.

Baked Oatmeal

 Breakfast Breads

Banana Nut    

Date Nut

Pumpkin

Trisha

Hi Everybody

I know I haven’t posted any recipes recently, but I’ve been traveling. Had a wonderful trip that included the Caribbean, Central and South America, through the Panama Canal, Mexico and on to San Francisco. As soon as we returned, our youngest granddaughter was having her second birthday party. Everyone insisted I bake their favorite cookie, Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip,  from our old family recipe.  Although we ate some of the dough and a few hot ones, four dozen survived for the party. They were gone in a flash, and given the compliments, I thought I would pass this “can’t fail” desert along for you and your families.

June Special

If anyone has a friend or family member on their gift list who is retiring, our publisher has agreed to a special offer for the month of June. Our book, The Best of Our Lives: Sharing the Secrets of a Healthy and Happy Retired Life, can be purchased for $14.00 on our website.

www.TheBestofOurLives.com

During June, just type in the promo code:  14bucks

I normally don’t pitch the book on my blog, but since the publisher was making this offer, I thought I would pass it along. While on the subject, I also wanted to thank all of the people who have written comments thanking me for my recipes and/or commented on our book. It’s nice to hear from you and is very much appreciated.

O.K., now for the Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe.

Oatmeal-Pecan-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Trisha

I hope you are all getting ready for a festive Cinco de Mayo celebration. I’ve decided to share a couple of my favorite and very easy-to-prepare dishes for your fiesta. Hope you enjoy them.

For the complete recipes simply click on the links:

Easy Spanish Rice

Enchilada Lasagna

Easy Spanish Rice and Enchilada Lasagna

Adios!

Love ya,

Trisha

Happy Easter everybody! 

I’m sure many of you are thinking about preparations for your family’s Easter meal. With that thought in mind, I want to share some delicious recipes I know will be ideal for your holiday table. Here is a super salad and three wonderful side dishes that will compliment any main entree. When planning a holiday meal, I not only want to prepare delicious food, I select dishes that are colorful and fit the occasion. These dishes will be perfect for your Easter table. For the complete recipe, simply click below. Enjoy.  

     Walnut Mandarin Salad 

      Teriyaki Broccoli Slaw

Brussels Sprouts with Water Chestnuts

      Carrot & Apple  Casserole

Trisha

www.TheBestofOurLives

Hi Everybody,

I’ve got three great recipes for you this week. The first one I call “Meatloaf With a Kick.” Of all my recipes, this is the one people ask for the most. I’ve even received emails from people I didn’t know who said they heard about my meatloaf and wanted the recipe. One time I took this meatloaf to a potluck dinner and a woman I didn’t know launched a search for the person who brought the meatloaf. Months later I got an email which began, “I was at a potluck dinner several months ago and had the best meatloaf I’ve ever tasted.” I was very flattered and sent her the recipe. It’s spicy but delicious.

The second recipe goes great with meatloaf, it’s my “Maple-Baked Beans.” The fact is, these beans will be a big hit with your family or guests no matter what else you serve.

Finally, I’ve shared my recipe for the best “Broccoli Cheese Soup” you will ever taste. My aunt Mary Jane  gave me this recipe years ago and I’ve never tasted any better. Its easy to make and I guarantee you will love it. Even President George Bush, who didn’t like broccoli, would like this soup.

Simply click on the links below for the recipes:

MeatloafwithaKick

Maple-BakedBeans

BroccoliCheeseSoup

Thanks for stopping by.

      Trisha  

I’m going to make this short and sweet. Very sweet. I’ve got five wonderful confection treat recipes for the ones you love. Here they are:

Simply click on the link for each recipe and share the love.

ChocolateTuxedoStrawberries

CandyCoatedCakeBalls

 PecanCaramelCandies

CandyCoatedChocolateTruffles

MarshmallowMarvels

Happy Valentine’s Day

XOXO     Trisha

Early in our marriage, my husband and I lived in Italy for two years. It was fantastic and I learned to love Italian food. The wonderful fresh ingredients, fragrant spices, and variety make Italian dishes pleasing for almost everyone.

Here are three of my favorite “Easy Italian” recipes. They are ideal whether preparing dinner for a few or the whole family. Better yet, besides being easy to prepare, they freeze nicely and taste just as good heated up right out of the freezer. (Simply click on the link for each recipe)   

ChickenParmesan

Lasagna

LasagnaRolls

Timely Tips

Cooking Tomato-based Sauces

I like to use a wooden spoon when cooking tomato-based sauces. Certain metals can react to the acidity and plastic spoons will become stained.

A good way to cut down on the acidity of you sauce is to use a little sugar, especially if any of your diners has digestion issues. I typically add a small amount of sugar, approximately 1/2 teaspoon or one small sugar packet at the end of the cooking time.

Easy Italian Early Preparation Baking Directions

If you prepare in advance, you can refrigerate for up to 48 hours prior to baking. Cover dish in plastic wrap and cover everything in foil. To bake, remove wrap, replace foil, and bake for 15 minutes more than stated in recipe.

If you prepare and freeze, or want to freeze leftovers, cover in plastic and then foil. Freeze for up to two months. If you go directly from freezer to oven, bake for 1 hour more than stated in recipe. If you thaw the dish, bake for 15 minutes more than stated in recipe.

Let me know what you think of these tasty dishes.

XOXO  Trisha