Category: Radiant Life

8 Little Words That Can Change Your Life

You hear it all the time, but do you know what it means to live below your means? Have you figured out how to do that? To live below your means is to choose a lifestyle you can pay for with the money you have and still have some left over. Living below your means…


One-Pot Comfort, Japanese-Style

Winters in Japan mean congregating around heat. We camp out under kotatsu, Japanese heated tables, and share all kinds of nabemono, hot one-pot dishes such as shabu-shabu, oden, or sukiyaki. Combining a medley of ingredients in a simmering broth, these Japanese hot pots are cooked at the table, to be enjoyed as a communal feast….


Sukiyaki (Japanese Beef Hot Pot)

To make sukiyaki at home, you can buy a special wrought-iron sukiyaki pan, or simply use a large skillet. Sukiyaki is best enjoyed when cooked at the table with a portable stove, but you can certainly prepare it all in the kitchen and bring it out to family or guests. Purchase ingredients such as kombu…


Easy Entertaining: A Light, Bright Wintertime Supper

This year, my friends and I are planning a much-needed trip to sunnier climes. In order to get ready, a few “light” meals are on my horizon—not that I like to restrain myself, but a couple of weeks of lighter fare will help me shed some pesky winter pounds. I’m inviting my traveling companions for…


Orange and Pomegranate Salad

Any kind of citrus fruits, such as navel or blood oranges, tangerines, or even grapefruit, work well in this wintry salad. Crumbles of blue cheese—or goat or feta cheese, if you prefer—add creaminess and some savory funk. Serves 6 2 heads baby romaine lettuce 2 oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds (blood orange and navel)…


Lighter Moussaka

Ground lamb is essential in making this Greek-inspired dish, first browned, then simmered with tomato sauce, rosemary, and warm spices for depth of flavor. The meat sauce is layered with baked eggplant slices and then finished in the oven with a little melted cheese—rather than a full layer of bechamel. I love this lighter take…


Lemon Sorbet

Refreshingly tangy, lemon sorbet is often served in between courses to clean the palate. I love it as an easy-to-make dessert all year round. Sorbet is easy to make, with or without an ice cream maker, but you’ll need to plan ahead to allow fo ample freezing time. I add a splash of vodka to…


5 Ways to Cut Household Costs This Year

2022 is here, guys! There’s no better time than the beginning of a new year (after all that crazy Christmas spending) to get serious about saving money. And one simple way to do that is by looking for ways to save around the house. So, here are five practical ways to cut back on household…


‘Icebox of the Nation’ Warms Up for Frozen Fun

International Falls, Minnesota may be known as “Icebox of the Nation” for its record-breaking cold temperatures, excellent fishing, and beautiful Voyageurs National Park, but when it comes to Icebox Days, which took place this year Jan. 13–16, a little fellowship and friendly competition warms up even the most frigid souls. Coordinated by the city, the…


Budgeting for Car Repair Costs

Dear Dave, I am following your plan, and recently became debt-free, but I have a question. When doing a monthly budget, should I figure in a specific category for car repairs and maintenance, or just use my emergency fund? —Ashleigh Dear Ashleigh, Congratulations on becoming debt-free! You know, new cars, old cars, and in-between cars…