Recipe: 10 minute Italian breakfast scramble

Ok, so just over, but pretty good for a healthy, delicious breakfast. 

Saute 1/2C chopped white onion in a splash of olive oil, then add four thinly sliced crimini mushrooms (roughly 1/2C) and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Add four chopped sun dried tomatoes (I prefer those in oil), a pinch of salt and cook another minute, stirring to incorporate all ingredients. 

Add egg whites (quantity is up to you, I add as much as is needed to touch the edges of the pan I'm using) and scramble. When eggs are cooked add fresh, sliced mozzarella (roughly 1/4C). Stir to incorporate and serve with fresh basil. A light, refreshing, and satisfying way to start your day

Recipe: Adapted Rao's Lemon Chicken & Peas with Prosuitto

Rao's is a classic Italian Manhattan restaurant made famous by their 70+ year old family recipes. You know that they have something good going when the wait for a reservation is over a year!

Assuming you enjoy a bit more spontaneous travel, make this easy recipe at home! The Food Network's Barefoot Contessa recently paid a visit to Rao's, making the recipe for their famous Lemon Chicken with a side of Peas with Proscuitto available to the masses. I adapted this a bit based on my tastes and what I had on hand, including halving the chicken's sauce and using chicken breasts versus a whole chicken. 

First, add a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of sea salt to both breasts before broiling on high for 20 minutes, rotating once.

Set chicken aside while leaving your broiler on and whisk sauce of 1C fresh lemon juice, 1tsp chopped garlic, 1tsp dry oregano, 1/2C olive oil, 1tsp red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. 

Cut cooked chicken into bite sized chunks and pour sauce over top, tossing to make sure everything is well coated. Broil for three more minutes turning each piece once.

Remove the chicken and pour your sauce into a saucepan on medium high heat. Add 1/4C fresh, finely chopped parsley and serve over plated chicken.


Make sure to give your guests crusty bread to soak up all that lemony goodness! I use my broiler for toasting as well to achieve the all-over golden color I love.

I cooked the peas simultaneously, starting with 1/2C chopped white onion cooked to translucency in olive oil. Then added 1/2C chopped prosciutto (The deli cut I have is fine, but the thicker, dryer type would be ideal).

Once crisped, add 2C peas (of course fresh, beautiful English peas would be best, but frozen or even canned will do), 1C chicken broth, and season to taste.


Cook about five minutes, until the peas are tender and all the ingredients are fully incorporated. Then drain liquid and serve.

I rounded out dinner with a easy Caprese taking advantage of my garden's fresh tomatoes and basil.


Pair with a bright, crisl Sauvignon Blanc. Perfect dinner on a summer evening for two!

Traveller's Tip: Dress Comfortably!

When I'm traveling, I pride myself in being ALL business regardless of the trip being for business or pleasure. That doesn't mean that you'll catch me looking like the picture of perfection boarding a 6AM flight.

Dressing comfortably, with shoes that I can easily slide on and off (I've forced these running shoes into submission so that I can get them on without untying the laces), allows me to get through the airport quickly and hassle free.
I also arrive a lot better rested so, all I have to do is a quick presto-changeo and I'm ready for a meeting on the other end!

Style: The difference a blowout makes!

Ladies, whether you do it at home or take advantage of one of the chains of blowout "bars" popping up everywhere (i.e. The Dry Bar, Halo Blowdry Bar), a blowout is the accessory that no one should skimp on. Ranging from $20-$60, a blowout takes you from frazzled to chic in 15-20 mins, allows for a little zen time (while you're getting that fabulous scalp massage), and can last for up to three days depending on your hair type and willingness to "organize" your hair while sleeping.

& pre-blow out

& Ahhh! Much better! Ok, ok, so I got my highlights touched up too, but it's clear to see what a huge difference the blow out makes.