mealandgrace on LTK

This is the Dump-and-Bake Hidden Protein Pasta from Don’t Think About Dinner and it might be one of my favorite kinds of weeknight dinners. Everything goes into one dish. The oven does the work. I cleaned up the kitchen while it baked and dinner was waiting for me instead of the other way around. The cookbook releases today and I was grateful to receive an advance copy. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to review it early. The sauce is creamy, comforting, and you’d never guess cottage cheese is doing the heavy lifting here. Simple, nourishing, and very much real-life friendly. Full cookbook review is up on Substack, link in profile @mealngrace and if you’re not already following @jenneatsgoood she’s worth a follow for practical, healthy recipes that actually work on busy nights. What’s for dinner tonight? Gracefully yours, 🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo ⸻ DontThinkAboutDinner NetGalley WeeknightDinner easydinnerideas cookbookreview LTKHome LTKfoodie LTKFindsUnder50

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January always asks me to move more gently. After the rush of December, the noise falls away and what’s left is the kitchen, the table, and the small decisions about what to make next. I’ve been sick these last few days with the bug that’s been going around, so this feels like the right moment to catch up on January and what we’ve actually been eating.

The first weekend of the year began the way it always has for me. A nod to New Year traditions and the hope of luck, health, and enough good things to carry us forward. Fried Chicken with Sticky Poppy Seed Jam from Magnolia Table Volume 1, Overnight Black Eyed Peas from Magnolia Table Volume 2, and Dutch Oven Cabbage & Bacon from Magnolia Table Volume 1 all found their way to our table. It felt grounding to start the year with meals that carry meaning, even as the calendar insists everything is new.
As the days unfolded, meals showed up more quietly. Bacon Cheddar Cups from Magnolia Table Volume 2 for easy mornings. Baked Egg Bread Pudding with Spinach, Boursin & Bacon from Magnolia Table Volume 1 that felt like brunch dressed as dinner.
There were brighter moments too. Kick Start Juice from Magnolia Table Volume 3 when I wanted to feel refreshed. Apple Fritters from Magnolia Table Volume 3, eaten warm and mostly standing, because some foods are best enjoyed before you overthink them. And Romaine Salad with Skillet Croutons from Magnolia Table Volume 1.

I’m cooking my way through Magnolia Table Volumes 1, 2, and 3 and calling it the Jeanie Jo & Joanna Project. January hasn’t been about big goals or reinvention. It’s been about nourishment and starting the year with food that holds tradition, memory, and just enough hope. Sometimes that feels like the truest kind of beginning.

Gracefully yours,
Jeanie Jo

#jeaniejoandjoannaproject #magnoliatable #cookbookchallenge #joannagaines #foodblogger

#LTKfoodie

Sing me Soft Kitty …

Under the weather and craving comfort, so I made an at-home version of the Starbucks Medicine Ball. No drive-thru. Just the kettle and a little quiet time in the kitchen.

To make, you will need:
lemonade mix
mint tea bag
peach tea bag
honey
fresh mint leaves
lemon slices
hot water

What you will need to do:
In a large mug I added 2 tsp lemonade mix, a mint and peach tea bag, 2 tsp honey, a handful of mint leaves, a couple lemon slices, and topped it with hot water. Stir and sip slowly.

Save this for the next time you need someone to sing Soft Kitty to you.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#sickday #cozydrinks #copycatrecipe #kitchenstories #foodwriter

#LTKSeasonal #LTKselfcare #LTKfoodie

Sunday dinner, just before we sat down.

Pot Roast from Magnolia Table Volume 2, cooked low and slow and falling apart the way you hope it will. Truffle Butter Rolls from Magnolia Table Volume 3, still warm, rich and buttery with that earthy truffle flavor that shows up just enough to feel special without taking over. Candles lit, the kitchen softer, slower, like it was telling us to sit down already. And a Coconut Cream Cake from Magnolia Table Volume 3 sitting off to the side, quietly waiting its turn.

Dinner was good. Filling. Familiar. But the cake is what stuck with me. It was nice the first night. Soft, creamy, sweet in a gentle way. And then the next day it surprised me. Chilled from the fridge, the layers settled, the coconut flavor deeper. One bite and I was right back in childhood, eating those frozen coconut layer cakes from the store.

I’m cooking my way through Magnolia Table Volumes 1, 2, and 3 and calling it the Jeanie Jo & Joanna Project. Pot roast, rolls, and cake were recipes 219-221 of 457.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#sundaydinner #homecooked #foodwriter #kitchenstories #magnoliatable

#LTKfoodie #LTKHome

Today moved a little slower. Errands, a chocolate croissant, and Wicked as the only plan, watched start to finish without distractions.
Magnolia Table Oatmeal Cream Pies — Volume Two, made as part of the Jeanie Jo & Joanna Project. Ending the day in the kitchen felt like exactly the right place to land.

What helps you slow all the way down when you need it?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#kitchenstory
#homebaking
#foodwriterlife
#slowliving
#everydaycooking

#LTKvlog #LTKfoodie

January cooking leans on the pantry, and that feels right.

Cans, jars, dried things waiting their turn. Meals built, not planned. One can of beans, one onion, one good idea.

Kitchen tip: Warm canned beans gently with olive oil and garlic. They stop being an ingredient and become the meal.

Winter asks us to trust what we already have.

#LTKfoodie

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens in someone’s kitchen after the holidays, this is it.

Today was about easing back in. Brie and prosciutto bruschetta on French bread, recipe 217 in my Jeanie Jo & Joanna Project and the kind of brunch that reminds you why simple food still matters. Dinner stayed slow and comforting with raspberry chipotle meatballs and white cheddar mac and cheese simmering their way through the evening.

This is how I cook. Real days. Real meals. Recipes I’m testing, tweaking, and living with. If you like seeing how food actually fits into everyday life, you’re in the right place.

The recipes for the meatballs and mac and cheese are linked in my bio and will be shared in tonight’s stories.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#kitchenstory
#homecooking
#comfortfood
#foodwriter
#everydaymeals

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKfoodie #LTKvlog

Thank you to LTK for the lovely package. Grateful for this partnership and the community around it.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKU

Pierogies for Christmas Eve. Fried onions, potatoes mashed with sour cream, Gruyere, and chives. A familiar meal with a small twist, made the same way my family has made Christmas dinner for years.

Christmas Eve service, then home for presents. The house quieter than usual, the kind of quiet that settles in once the season finally exhales.

I’m taking the twelve days of Christmas to be home and present. I’ll see you again in the new year.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#kitchenstories#holidaytable#familytraditions slowliving#foodwriter

#LTKHoliday #LTKfoodie #LTKdayinmylife

Yesterday was Christmas shopping and a full day out, but what stayed with me came later. Back home in the kitchen. Baking with Lily. Silo cookies and Jo’s peanut butter balls from Magnolia Table, Volume Two. Flour on the counter, the oven on, and the house finally quiet.

Some days don’t need to be big to be meaningful. They just need a place to land.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#foodwriter #kitchendiaries #homebaking
#holidaykitchen #slowliving

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKmomlife #LTKfoodie

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if progress sometimes shows up quietly, the way fruit softens over time, not all at once, but steadily?

Today’s flavor is rhubarb and strawberry. Tart and sweet, familiar and bright. The kind of spread that feels right on warm toast or spooned over yogurt, reminding you that balance matters.

This jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
In one South Asian city, trafficking of minors has decreased by seventy-six percent through joint efforts between International Justice Mission and local government.

Change happens when systems show up, stay engaged, and protect what matters most.

Small acts. Big hope. Donate.
Link in my bio @mealngrace

#Dressember #DressemberDay2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #adventcalendar

#LTKootd #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

The Foodhism December Winter Issue is officially out. You can find the link in @foodhism’s bio.

I’m on page 9, sharing one of my favorite winter desserts: Clementine Bundt Cake with Cranberry Sauce

It’s bright, simple, and meant to be served with powdered sugar and a spoonful of chilled cranberry sauce on the side. The kind of cake that feels cozy without trying too hard, perfect for the quieter moments of the season.

I’m so grateful to be part of this beautiful winter issue. If you flip through, let me know what catches your eye.

What’s your go-to winter dessert?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#Foodhism #WinterBaking #BundtCake #SeasonalDesserts #foodstories

#LTKHoliday #LTKfoodie #LTKSeasonal

Yesterday would have been my dad’s birthday and this year it landed heavier than expected. Losing my mom earlier this year seems to have shifted how the grief shows up. Quieter. Deeper. Less dramatic and more lingering.

So I did what felt possible. I slept. I got a video up for my P.F. Chang’s collaboration and would love if you gave it a little love. I read. I accidentally fell into a chocolate cake debate on Threads. I took a bubble bath. I let myself remember the way we marked my dad’s birthdays growing up, often more enthusiastically than he preferred. A VCR one year. His favorite movie wrapped separately. A shirt on his birthday and pants at Christmas because the dates were so close together. Practical. Thoughtful. Very him.

Dinner stayed simple. A brick panini cooked right in the cast iron, crisp and comforting in a way I needed.

Today feels forward-facing. The day before our Christmas. Chad works on Christmas Day, so tomorrow will be pierogies, dinner, Christmas Eve service, and presents. Which means today holds cookies and chocolate candy, a church cookie potluck, a little last-minute shopping, and planning the big day.

Some days are for remembering. Some are for preparing.
Both deserve a place at the table.

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

I couldn’t help but notice how food keeps marking time for us lately.

Yesterday started simply with bagels and coffee before church. The kind of morning that feels steady before the day takes off. Dessert at the mall somehow became part of Christmas shopping, which felt exactly right. Shopping wrapped up, almost everything crossed off the list, and yes, I waited too long for matching Christmas pajamas. Next year. Always next year.

Dinner was an experience. Brazilian sides, garlic mashed potatoes, and endless cuts of meat carved tableside. I tried lamb for the first time and honestly, I am not sure about it now.

Today slowed down. Lighter food, quieter moments, and time to play with our food in the best way. Gingerbread houses; sticky fingers, & laughter will matter more than how straight the walls will be.

Some days are indulgent. Some are gentle. Some are both. And all of them seem to find their way back to the table.

What did your weekend taste like?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#foodwriterlife
#todaystable
#kitchendiaries
#holidayeats
#slowfoodstories

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if real change often begins long before we ever see the results?

Today’s flavor is strawberry passion fruit, bright and lively with a little tropical warmth. Sweet, tangy, and cheerful, it’s the kind of spread that feels right on toast, folded into yogurt, or spooned onto something simple.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
43,590 local officials and community members have been trained to better protect their communities and care for survivors. Training matters. When people are equipped with knowledge, compassion, and tools, prevention becomes possible and survivors are met with dignity and care.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio @mealngrace

#Dressember #Dressember2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #MealAndGrace

#LTKootd #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

Before holiday shopping, I start with dessert.

The butter cake at @pfchangs is served warm with a soft, tender center and a rich flavor that feels indulgent without being heavy. Balanced, comforting, and absolutely worth ordering before a long day of errands.

Dessert first. Shopping later.

#holidaymenu #pfchangs #holidays

#LTKSeasonal #LTKHoliday #LTKfoodie

I couldn’t help but notice how Sundays like this feel equal parts ordinary and indulgent.

Bagels and coffee before church. Butter cake at P.F. Chang’s while Christmas shopping, because traditions come in all forms and some involve forks. And tonight, dinner for two. The kind where you sit back, say yes to everything, and let the evening unfold slowly.

Fire-roasted cuts, carved tableside. Simply seasoned, cooked over open flame, and served without rush. A meal built on tradition, skill, and the joy of lingering a little longer than planned.

Some days are about planning.
Some are about savoring.

What’s on your menu today?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#foodblogger
#lifeandfood
#sundayvibes
#whatimcooking
#foodstories

#LTKfoodie #LTKdayinmylife

Kitchen glow-up, but make it cozy.
Soft light strands tucked along the ceiling, simple wreaths on the cabinets, and a leafy garland that makes the whole kitchen feel warm before the oven even turns on. This is one of those small decor moments that changes how the room feels, especially in the evenings when dinner is simmering and the day finally slows down.

The lights, wreaths, and garland are easy to layer, renter-friendly, and simple to take down. Cozy does not have to mean complicated.

#LTKfoodie #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKHome

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if the hardest truths are the ones that don’t look the way we expect them to?

Today’s flavor is mandarin, bright and gently sweet, with that clean citrus note that feels like a pause button in the middle of a busy season. It’s lovely on toast, spooned into yogurt, or paired with something simple.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
Only 0.2% of trafficking victims are kidnapped. That is about 1 in every 500 people. Almost all exploitation happens at the hands of someone the victim knows and trusts.

Awareness matters because it reshapes how we protect, believe, and respond.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio @mealngrace

#Dressember #dressember2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #adventcalendar

#LTKHoliday #LTKfoodie #LTKootd

I couldn’t help but notice how much I rely on rhythms until they disappear.

This week has been off. Later nights, slower mornings, school schedules shifting, my girl home, the holidays hovering close enough to feel but not quite touch. I love the extra time and the softer pace, but I also feel it. When the routine slips, I wobble a little.

Still, the kitchen has a way of catching me.

Ricotta and cream cheese pancakes were thick, tender, and deeply comforting. I made them big. One perfect pancake, one burnt because I got cocky, and one that redeemed the whole situation. Honestly, that feels like a metaphor I didn’t ask for but probably needed.

I’m still writing and creating, just a little quieter right now. Dressember has my focus, and I’m sketching ideas for what comes next. Recipes are coming. Stories are too. After my twelve days of Christmas pause, I’ll share it all.

Today will be gentle. Bagel and coffee to ease into the morning/afternoon, mini chicken and waffles later because comfort food always knows what it’s doing, and spreading jam and awareness woven in between. Nothing fancy. Just familiar flavors, small plans, and finding my footing again one meal at a time.

What’s anchoring you today?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#foodblogger
#homecooking
#slowliving
#foodstories
#everydaylife

#LTKfoodie #LTKSeasonal #LTKdayinmylife

I couldn’t help but wonder… what happens when survivors are not only supported, but trusted to lead the way forward?

Today’s flavor is cherry and pink peppercorn. It’s the kind of spread that feels at home on buttery toast or a warm croissant, spooned over plain yogurt, or paired with something simple like shortbread or a soft cheese.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
Dressember advocates support 34 Global Survivor Network chapters around the world.

The Global Survivor Network was launched in 2019 to equip survivors of slavery, abuse of power, and gender-based violence to become agents of change. Today, more than 4,000 survivors across ten countries are using their lived experience to shape laws, reform justice systems, and protect others from violence.

Survivors leading. Communities learning. Justice moving forward.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio at @mealngrace

#LTKootd #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

I couldn’t help but wonder… how can a day feel completely full and still leave room for softness?

Yesterday was one of those in-and-out-of-the-kitchen days. Dinner surprised me in the best way. The pork tenderloin came together beautifully with a few small changes, glossy and savory, and that corn was the real showoff. Sweet, a little charred, absolutely fabulous.

Later, we gathered for a service called The Longest Night. A pause in the middle of the fa la la. Space to breathe, to name the hard things. Losing my mom this year. Children scattered across states and military bases. Holding them all quietly in my heart. Lily sang with the choir and watching her felt like its own kind of grace.

Afterward, peppermint shakes with the girls, twinkly lights hung in the kitchen by Chad, lamb’s ear wreaths glowing softly. Home, but gentler.

Today feels lighter. Lily’s last day of school before resuming in January. A protein shake to start. Day 18 of spreading jam and awareness. And later, pancakes I dreamed up after lasagna. Ricotta and cream cheese, because sometimes inspiration just shows up uninvited.

What’s on your table today?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday #LTKdayinmylife

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if noticing the quiet details is one way we refuse to look away from the harder truths?

Today’s flavor is pear, mandarin, and cinnamon. Soft, gently spiced, and comforting in a way that feels steady rather than loud. The kind of spread that belongs in a slow December morning, when warmth matters.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
More than 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion involving minors were received between October 2021 and March 2023.

Paying attention matters. So does continuing to show up. If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio @mealngrace

#LTKHoliday #LTKfoodie #LTKootd

I couldn’t help but wonder… when did leftovers start feeling like a small personal win?

Yesterday’s lasagna was even better the second time around. A little extra marinara, a shower of fresh Parmesan, and suddenly it felt less like reheating and more like intention. Proof that some meals just need a night to think about who they want to be.

The ramekins were still drying, which meant the banana bread had to improvise. Enter the 5-inch cast iron. Warm, cozy, slightly rustic, and exactly right with a cup of coffee. Sometimes the kitchen doesn’t ask for perfection, it just asks you to pay attention.

Today’s table will stay simple. Leftover banana bread and coffee to start the morning. Dinner will be grilled raspberry chipotle pork tenderloin from Magnolia Table Vol. 1, with cast iron spicy street corn from Magnolia Table Vol. 3. And later, a little holiday bark, because December has opinions and chocolate always agrees.

Nothing fancy. Just a day of small choices, good food, and letting the kitchen lead.

What’s on your table today?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKfoodie #LTKHome #LTKdayinmylife

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if progress is quieter than we expect, but no less powerful?

Today’s flavor is orange, yuzu, and grapefruit, bright and layered, with a citrusy depth that feels both sharp and steady. It’s the kind of spread that wakes up the senses without demanding attention, a reminder that contrast can be refreshing.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
In Pampanga, 86% fewer children are being trafficked for sex thanks to IJM’s partnership with the government.

Change like this happens when justice systems work, communities are supported, and people refuse to give up.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio @mealngrace

#LTKootd #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if paying attention, day after day, is one way we refuse to let hard truths fade into the background?

Today’s flavor is orange, guava, and lime, bright and citrusy with a little tropical lift. It’s fresh and unexpected, the kind of spread that wakes up a quiet morning and reminds you that contrast can be a good thing.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
An estimated 28 million people are currently victims of forced labor worldwide.

Awareness matters. So does choosing to keep showing up.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio @mealngrace

And a heartfelt thank you to @dressember and @poplinen for this dress. I was so grateful to win the gift card for Dressember participants this year, and it feels especially meaningful to wear it while spreading awareness today. 🫶🏻

#Dressember #dressember2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #MealAndGrace #adventcalendar #BonneMaman

#LTKootd #LTKfoodie #LTKHoliday

I couldn’t help but wonder… when did Sunday dinner become my favorite love language?

Last night’s dinner was absolutely exquisite. Italian meatloaf from @unpezzoditalia, tender and savory with herbs and a richness that felt both cozy and elevated, paired with roasted potatoes soaking up every bit of flavor. The kind of meal that quietly insists you slow down between bites.

And then dessert. Magnolia Table Vol. 2 chocolate soufflés, light yet deeply chocolatey, irresistibly smooth and topped with homemade whipped cream. I added a spoonful of raspberry spread because sometimes the heart wants what it wants. Simply scrumptious.

Some nights need good food, a shared table, and a dessert you’re still thinking about the next morning.

Today’s table will look different. A softer start with bagel and coffee, a little shopping and eating out, and later, spreading jam and awareness. Nothing fancy. Just nourishment and intention, one small choice at a time.

What’s on your menu today?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKHome #LTKdayinmylife #LTKfoodie

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if even the smallest daily rituals can help us face the biggest truths?

Today’s flavor is mango ginger, bright and gently warming, with that little hint of spice that wakes everything up.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
In 2025, one new IJM field office opened to combat child sex trafficking.

Change begins with presence, commitment, and the long work of protection.

If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio.@mealngrace

#Dressember #Dressember2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #MealAndGrace #adventcalendar #BonneMaman

#LTKHome #LTKfoodie #LTKootd

Yesterday felt like one of those quiet, full days that sneaks up on you. An afternoon shopping excursion with Lily, followed by what can only be described as a romantic walk up and down the grocery store aisles with Chad. We ran a little behind and started dinner later than usual, so we made the very adult decision to skip dessert after a heavy meal. Which, honestly, just means the chocolate soufflés get their moment tonight.

The Dutch oven lasagna from @joannagaines @magnoliatable finally came together. Oven-ready @barillaus noodles and doubling the cheese made all the difference. Halving the recipe before left the noodles too firm and the cheese a little shy. Lesson learned. With the leftovers, I am adding marinara from the freezer to make it a little juicier. Going forward, I want to try one can of fire-roasted tomatoes and one can of crushed tomatoes because I am always chasing a sauce that truly knows how to sauce.

Dinner took a last-minute turn thanks to a scroll through Instagram reels. Italian meatloaf from @unpezzoditalia joined the table to use up the final batch of sourdough bread. After watching the reel, I could not stop thinking about the flavors. White wine, thyme, and sweet Italian sausage. I will be sharing that one in stories because some inspiration deserves to be passed along.

What are you serving at your table tonight?

Gracefully yours,
🫶🏻 Jeanie Jo

#LTKfoodie #LTKHome #LTKdayinmylife

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if something as simple as opening a tiny jar each day could help keep important truths from being ignored?

Today’s flavor is apricot honey, warm and gentle, with that soft sweetness that feels familiar and steady. The kind of spread that belongs on toast, tucked into a quiet morning, no rush required.

This evening’s jar is part of Spreading Jam and Awareness. Each day, I open a Bonne Maman Advent jar, share a trafficking statistic, and wear a dress to support Dressember and the work of International Justice Mission.

Today’s truth:
Bonded labor in Chennai has decreased by 82% through government efforts supported by IJM.

Change like this happens through persistence, partnership, and showing up day after day. If you would like to join me or donate, the link to my Dressember page is in my bio.

#Dressember #DressemberDay2025 #SpreadingJamAndAwareness #DressUpDoGood #MealAndGrace #adventcalendar #BonneMaman

#LTKSeasonal #LTKfoodie #LTKootd

Today’s menu feels like a choose-your-own adventure where sourdough, lasagna, and chocolate soufflés all insist on a happy ending.

What is on your menu?

#LTKfoodie

I couldn’t help but wonder… what if rest is part of how we stay in this work for the long haul?

Today I’m sitting out the jam jars and letting this pelican float, unbothered and unhurried, reminding me that even in movements rooted in urgency, there is room for stillness. Dressember matters deeply to me, and so does listening to the quiet signals that say pause, breathe, and begin again tomorrow.

Today’s stat:
Eighty percent of forced sexual exploitation cases involve women and girls. Awareness doesn’t stop just because the kitchen does.

So today, I’m resting without guilt, watching the water, and trusting that even a quiet day can hold space for truth.

I’ll be back tomorrow, spreading jam and awareness again.

#Dressember #MealAndGrace #rest #ijm #mentalhealthday