Charleston's Caviar and Bananas

This past summer my family and I traveled to Charleston, SC, to spend the remainder of my maternity leave with my mother. We adore Charleston and the nearby town of Mt. Pleasant, which is where my husband and I were married. Charleston is a beautiful, historic city with boutique shops, local restaurants and beaches 20 minutes away. 

Copyright Caviar & Bananas 2013

During our time in Charleston, we had lunch at Caviar & Bananas (C&B), a gourmet café that also serves as a mini-market and bakery all rolled into one. The location we visited is off of George Street in the historic downtown area, nearly on the campus of College of Charleston. Purchase ready-made food, bakery items, locally made ice cream, popsicles and made-to-order sandwiches/wraps ... and here's where the story really begins ...

Food Network's Giada DeLaurentiis' Greek Pizza and Sweet and Spicy Greek Meatballs

Today, I watched 2 episodes of Giada at Home on the Food Network, and while doing so, took notes via Evernote like a mad woman! Each recipe looked scrumptious. I couldn't wait to try them out for dinner... Fast forward 6 hours later...Dinner is almost over and the family is happy and full. I was so pleased that I couldn't wait. I had to get my thoughts out ASAP, including a quick Tweet to Mrs. Giada herself.

Attempted 2 new recipes 2night from @GDeLaurentiis Greek Pizza & Sweet & Spicy Greek Meatballs. Had to veganize both! Details on that later!
— Rani Craft Robinson (@RaniR) August 28, 2013

Pasta with Zucchini and Lemon Caper Sauce, and The Pioneer Woman

It looks like I'm back. This is my second posting this week and it feels good. :-) I've also had the time! I'm currently on maternity leave until mid-September, so I have the time to do more... Yes. You heard right. I'm the PROUD AND HAPPY mother of a little boy, born on ... JULY 4! Ha! A little (actually big) independence baby. :-) We're incredibly happy.

But in the other news ... I can't tell you, WHAT I wouldn't give to be on the set of a taping of The Pioneer Woman. Ya'll know her: Ree Drummond, the amazing, sweet and adorable red head out in Oklahoma who makes wonderfully sweet, savory and decadent dishes. She is a city girl turned country woman, after meeting and marrying her real life cowboy. I receive her weekly blog post via email and today she posted about the Food Network coming to tape new segments for her show. It just looks like they're having an amazing time on set. But I digress ...

Falling in Love With Food ... All Over Again | Recipe, Vegan, Cooking

I'm ashamed to see how long it's been since I last posted on Good Food. And I'd rather not admit how much I'd "fallen off the wagon," in terms of cooking at home. But it seems that I'm back!
Back from where, you might be asking? Well, a little bit before my husband and I got married, he turned into a vegan. Yes! A full fledged vegan. That means no meat and no dairy. He will eat fish - wild caught only! But no dairy!

This was EXTREMELY difficult for me. I was a HUGE fan of fried chicken, mac 'n cheese, any kind of casserole imaginable, etc. I went from having a pocket full of recipes to prepare for lunches and dinners, to having absolutely NO IDEA what I was cooking from one day to the next. Honestly, I was fighting the entire vegan lifestyle. I refused to bend. If my husband wanted to eat, he was going to have to cook for himself.

Gluten-Free Goddess® Recipes: How To Make Vegan Pesto

Gluten-Free Goddess® Recipes: How To Make Vegan Pesto: Vegan pesto is all about the herbs and nuts. You won't miss the cheese. The thing is, making pesto is not an exact science....