Lauran Bell

Hi! I'm Lauran Bell. I'm food forward in my heart and soul, but just like others living the family life, it's hard to slow down. I have a daughter who is in middle school, who has special needs, and a husband who is a pilot. My background is in teaching college English, and I worked in Bay Area colleges for over 13 years, after graduating from Stanford University, with a M.A. in English.
We have an ever-changing urban garden that constantly surprises us. It is our daily inspiration for this food blog and helps us slow down, do garden activities together, and make healthier meals. We'd like to share our easy family recipes, and fun garden activities, with you so that you too can make easy, healthier meals, with or without a garden.

The Best Bites of Napa, a.k.a. Foodie Paradise

By: Lauran Bell Published: 08/15/24 Want to go to a foodie paradise? Napa definitely delivers! If you want to make…

3 months ago

How to Make the Most Flavorful Guacamole

By Lauran Bell Making guacamole is easy but making it "just right" is not. Through trial and error, I've saved…

5 months ago

The Tropical Kale Smoothie You Need to Start 2024 Healthy

By: Lauran Bell How do you start your morning? To be honest, my weekday mornings before school drop-off are a…

10 months ago

Tomato Spread with Garlic Butter and Herbs

We have found a way to capture that rich tomato flavor of summer with our Tomato Spread with Garlic Butter…

1 year ago

Zucchini Garden Lunch: Unique and Easy ways to Use Zucchini

  Zucchini Dog with Portobello, Shiitake, & Jalapeno Sauce This vegetarian hot dog surprisingly delivers, even if you're a meat…

1 year ago

The Best Portobello Burgers of the Season

By: Lauran Bell It's grilling season again. To me, grilling offers an escape from all of the distractions of indoors.…

1 year ago

How to Manage June Drop, and Your Kids, One Lemon Recipe at a Time

By: Lauran Bell Change is in the air, and the lemons are on the ground. Not just one or two…

1 year ago

The Healing Power of Food and Family: Hong Kong

By Lauran Bell Dim sum in Hong Kong at Tim Ho Wan I couldn't believe it, my husband, six-year-old daughter…

1 year ago