I was thrilled when Food Network Magazine asked me to be part of their Star Kitchen feature for the May issue of the magazine. I’ve been a big fan of this feature every month and always enjoy getting a peek into other hosts/chefs kitchens. (especially Ree Drummond’s kitchen and Ina Garten’s kitchen!)

A few months ago a crew showed up at my apartment and took a few photos for the magazine. Ollie was my sidekick throughout the shoot and it was tricky playing double duty as mama and cooking show host – I remember feeling so stressed about it! I was trying to time his naps with snapping photos and he was refusing sleep! The very talented Jeanne Lurvey who does the set design on my show  was incredible and helped me pull a few things together to make my kitchen look polished. (Let’s be honest, there’s usually a big stack of mail on the desk that needs to be sorted through and an assortment of dishes and baby bottles hanging out on my countertops.)  She also helped me with the fun apple artwork on the chalkboard, which I love so so much. More than anything, I’m grateful to have captured our home kitchen for the sake of memories down the road.

 

Here’s a story that’s worth sharing – on the day that the magazine came out last week I received a text message from my dad that he had taken my Grandpa Jack to Walmart that morning to pick up a copy and my sweet Grandpa told the clerk that he wanted to buy every copy that they had in the store! He bought every single one and then proceeded to hand them out to friends and family. He was particularly proud of the feature because there’s a note about my Grandma Charlotte’s Dutch oven pot that was handed down to me after she passed a few month ago. It’s a piece of her that I will always have with me and I will always cherish it. To think of my Grandpa beaming with pride while flipping through the magazine makes my day. What a guy.

 

…more behind the scene’s posts coming this week! Today we experienced a fire on a kitchen grill and I helped make a salt and vinegar potato chip ice cream flavor. Things were exciting and interesting to say the least. More great stories and details to come!


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This post is sponsored by HERSHEY’S® Moderation Nation.

 

As much as I love the holidays, it can sometimes be a hectic time of year with houseguests keeping me busy and parties tempting me with lots of rich food, drinks and desserts.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the craziness of the season, I am pledging to live the good life this holiday by doing little things that help me find happiness and balance throughout my life – in what I eat, in what I do, and everything in between.

 

My Good Life Holiday involves spending time with friends and family! To bring everyone together, I always enjoy hosting at least one get together or party for friends and family. One of the easiest and most fun holiday parties I host is a Hot Cocoa Party. I make homemade hot cocoa on the stovetop using the recipe below and ask each guest or couple to bring yummy treats like homemade marshmallows, YORK Peppermint Patties, chocolate dipped pretzels and crushed REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups to top the cups of hot cocoa.

 

My favorite part of the party? Preparations are so easy that I am able to focus on my guests and really celebrate, since I’m not tied up in the kitchen!

 

This holiday season I’m working with HERSHEY’S Moderation Nation, a go-to source for balanced lifestyle tips, as their Cooking GOOD LIFE GURU to help share seasonal recipes that are easy to make and sure to be a hit with the entire family, so that you can celebrate a Good Life Holiday too! You can find my holiday-themed recipes for Turkey Cake Pops, Maple Brownie Cream Shots and Pumpkin Pecan Pie-in-a-Jar at www.TheModerationNation.com.

 

HERSHEY’S Moderation Nation is also spreading the joy this season with a Good Life Holiday Pinterest Contest where participants will have chance to win a relaxing weekend getaway to the Hershey Spa in the New Year!  Share all the ways you’re planning to live a Good Life Holiday by pinning your own “window display” of pictures, recipes and articles. Check out the contest rules on the HERSHEY’S Moderation Nation website.

 

 

What are your favorite perfect portioned holiday recipes to share with family and friends?

 

HERSHEY’S Hot Cocoa Beverage

Recipe courtesy of Hershey Center for Health & Nutrition

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. HERSHEY’S Cocoa
  • Dash salt
  • 1 cup nonfat milk
  • ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
  • Sugar or sugar substitute for desired sweetness
  • Optional Toppings:
    • Crushed YORK Peppermint Patties
    • Marshmallows
    • Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
    • Crushed REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups

 

Directions

  • Mix cocoa and salt in large mug.
  • Heat nonfat milk in microwavable container at HIGH (100%) for 1-1/2 minutes or until hot.
  • Gradually add hot milk to cocoa mixture in mug, stirring until well blended.
  • Stir in vanilla and sugar substitute to taste.

Makes 1 cup (8 oz.)


NUTRITION INFORMATION (per serving using sugar substitute; does not include toppings): Calories 140, Total Fat 1g, Sat Fat 0g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 140mg, Total Carbohydrate 20g, Fiber 2g, Sugars 13g, Protein 11g, Vitamin A 10%DV, Vitamin C 2%DV, Calcium 25%DV, Iron 8%DV.

 

 


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I shot a quick Thanksgiving spot while filming the last season of Kelsey’s Essentials where I offered up some of my best Thanksgiving advice and tips for those tackling turkey day this year. These were the first tips that came to my mind, but I’d love to answer a few more of your questions. Consider this an invitation for a Thanksgiving FAQ! Any question you have whether it has to do with gravy or pie crust, ask away on my Facebook page and I’ll be answering as many questions as I can up until the big day. I’ve also been posting some fun and helpful infographics about what you should be doing in advance to prepare for Thanksgiving on Facebook and Twitter. Planning makes all the difference in the world when pulling off a big meal and these tips should get you started.

 


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When looking for one of my recipes the other day on cookingchanneltv.com, I had to do a double take when I noticed that I have 262 recipes that live on Cooking Channel’s website. Wowzers…that’s a lot. I also noticed that they had compiled my top 25 most popular recipes and had a blast clicking through them and thinking back to where I was when I developed and tested each of them. Some are family recipes, some came together in my home kitchen, and others were created while working in the Food Network/Cooking Channel test kitchen. (one of my favorite places to be!) It’s a great list and visual representation of a lot of work over the years. A few favorites that stood out to me were Lemon Basil Orzotto, my Oven Baked Ribs, Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon, and Carmelitas.

 

Click HERE to see the full list. Have you made any of these recipes? Which ones are your favorite?

 


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Welcome Home Oliver from Kylie Nixon Whiting on Vimeo.

 
 

Ten days ago we had the thrill of our lives as we were finally able to walk out of the hospital with our sweet baby boy. We are on cloud nine over here as we soak up every second with him! Lucky for us, my talented sister took some photos of Oliver the day he came home and put together an incredible video that captured just how special the day was.

 

It would be impossible to thank everyone for all of their support over the past couple of months. We sure have felt loved and feel grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Life these days seems to be about as sweet as it gets. Welcome home Oliver!

 

More Ollie photos on my sister’s website here. Big thanks Aunt Kylie!

 



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