It’s summer in Chicago–and that means plenty of outdoor cooking. Hamburgers, brats, Italian sausage, Polish sausage…but what about hot dogs? Yes! Go ahead, if you like: plop them on grill, hold them on a stick over a campfire. But...
What to Do While We Wait to Travel: 21 Awesome Ideas
It’s been a year since Covid-19 went from a scary-but-remote sickness to a full-blown shutdown around the world. Even then, I was deliberately stubborn/naive about the possible effect on travel. Now, we still wonder what to do while we...
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza: The Truth, The History & The Recipe
Anthony Bourdain struggled to call Chicago Deep Dish a “pizza.” For good reason, maybe. The late chef and culinary guru loved many things about Chicago: “…tall towers, hard corners, and sharp elbows. And, of course, food.” But that deep...
How About an English Afternoon Tea? Pip-pip! Cheerio!
English Afternoon Tea is something of a contradiction. On one hand, it’s elegant and refined. It comes with complicated etiquette, from start to finish. On the other hand, you eat with your fingers. Never mind the bountiful utensils surrounding...
TravelSmart Woman’s Best Posts of 2019: Your Favorites!
Here we are, at the end of the year…and about to start a new decade. Before we leap into 2020, I’d like to pause and thank you for your support. There are thousands of you now who take time...
5 Teas to Bring on Your Next Trip
Updated August 10, 2020. “A cup of tea would restore my normality,” wrote Douglas Adams in A HItchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. You don’t have to be British to enjoy a “cuppa,” although Turkey actually tops the list of...
Greek Vegetables: Forget That Green Bean Casserole!
Once you’ve had Greek vegetables, you realize how important they are to a meal. Not a side dish or a last-minute addition to a menu. No, they steal the show. Once you taste them, you’ll want to know how...
Cheap Eats in Seattle: A TravelSmart Woman Food Tour
Finding cheap eats in Seattle is easier than you might think. And surprisingly delicious. You just have to know where to look–and even that’s not hard. Seattle has always been pricey; it’s been at the top of “too-expensive-to-visit” list...
Blueberries: From North America to the World–and a Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe!
Summer means blueberries. Yes, we’re fortunate that we can get them all year round, but there’s an undeniable thrill when they appear at the local farmers’ markets or grocery stores in mid- to late-summer. Maybe you have a place...
Greek Salad: Fresh & Easy!
Whenever you are lucky enough to find excellent tomatoes, immediately change the day’s menu to include a Greek salad. Yes, you’ll have to pay for a few other ingredients, but it would be crazy to pass up the opportunity...