Found my new favorite spot in Oakbrook Terrace 🙌 Terrace Cantina brought the flavor AND the atmosphere! From the music and lights to the food and cocktails, I was living my best cantina life! If you like authentic Mexican food, you will ❤️ Terrace Cantina! They believe in fresh ingredients and cooking from scratch, and trust me, you can taste the difference. We heard great things about the Birria Egg Rolls 🍖 ($14.95), so being a birria lover, I had to try them. Oh. My. Gosh. I will forever compare all birria to this. Let me tell you, I could TASTE how slow cooked the meat was. It was tender and practically melted in my mouth (and I'm almost drooling as I remember, lol). The egg roll casing was crispy and held up beautifully, even when dipped in the beef consomme. I'm going to be dreaming of these for months! 🤤 Terrace Cantina has a fantastic cocktail menu and an impressive selection of addetive-free tequila. We tried the Berries and Basil Margarita 🍹($13.95) and the Cantina Old Fashioned 🥃 ($14.95). The margarita was HUGE, and gave springtime vibes with the muddled berries and basil. I found it refreshing and delicious. The old-fashioned was made with mezcal, giving it a smoky, satisfying flavor. We decided on the Salmon al Mojo de Ajo 🦈 ($23.95), flaky salmon in a citrus garlic sauce, and the Carne a la Tampiquena 🥩 ($32.95), char-grilled marinated skirt steak and a green chili cheese enchilada. Both were generous portions, prepared beautifully, with layers of delicious flavor! Whatever you do, don't miss out on the Horchata Espresso Tini 🍸 ($14.95). It is a creamy, cinnamon delight that's created with their housemade horchata, and it is a truly memorable way to close an AMAZING meal! If you're looking for a lively fun spot for drinks and dinner, I cannot recommend Terrace Cantina enough. ❤️ I know I'm already looking forward to my next visit! . . . @terracecantina @mustard.love #terracecantina #oakbrookterrace #authenticmexicanfood #cswdumplings #bestrestaurants

It's cold and snowy outside, but I've got hot, tasty ramen at home, with a boost of extra protein! I was invited to try @immieats ramen and share my thoughts about these #gifted noodles. I was so excited to get extra protein from ramen! The noodles alone, without any add-ons, contain 28 grams of protein 😯 ! This little 4-minute bowl of deliciousness is also 🌱 plant-based AND has less carbs and sodium than most other instant ramen brands. Plus Immi ramen give you more fiber in every bowl, too! The Tom Yum flavor was my favorite, but I also enjoyed the zesty Spicy "Beef" flavor and the Black Garlic "Chicken," too! If you're looking for a yummy, plant-based ramen that gives you a little protein boost, be sure to give @immieats a try! You can order and find out more about them at https://shop.immieats.com or by clicking the link in my TapBio! . . . #immi #ramennoodles #protein #cswdumplings

I needed a little warm-me-up kind of lunch, so I made a Buffalo Chicken wrap in about 2 minutes with a pouch of StarKist Buffalo chicken. 😋🤗 Have you seen these little StarKist pouches? They're single serve and ready-to-eat, and they only cost about a buck. I'm OBSESSED. I've seen them with chicken, salmon, and of course tuna in a ton of different flavors. I use them on salads sometimes or with crackers or pita chips for a snack. But my current fave is using them in wraps because they are super fast to make, but taste bougie! 😄 I used a flour tortilla, then added shredded lettuce, a whole pouch of Buffalo chicken, bleu cheese crumbles, and some ranch. Fold it up and DONEZA! Time to eat! My little wraps are my new way to #FuelGoodFeelGood this year. What do you think? Should I share more wraps using different flavors of #StarKist pouches? . . . @StarKistCharlie @ApexDropOfficial #ad #cswdumplings #lightlunchideas Should I share more wraps using different flavors of StarKist pouches?

New Year, New Goals! In 2026, I want to be more careful about what I put into my body. So when Sante Barley invited me to be part of a 30 day movement in living a balanced, healthy lifestyle, I eagerly stepped up to the challenge! I've been starting my mornings with a cup of @santebarley.usa Fusion coffee, a mixture of coffee beans and organic young barley grass. It's a great way to jump into the day, alert and with the benefits of certified organic barley. In the afternoons I mix 1/2 teaspoon Sante Barley powder with cold water, juice, or a smoothie. I have a canister of powder for at home, but I have some single serving packets for when I travel, too. And since it's cold and flu season, I take one Daily-C supplement to strengthen my immunities. While I expected some improvements in digestion, I was surprised to find that I'm not as hungry throughout the day. I also feel more energetic, so I've been getting a workout in each evening. I can't wait to see where this new lifestyle leads me as I continue my 30 days. Want to join me? Save 10% by using my link: https://santeusastore.myshopify.com/CHICKENSOUPWITHDUMPLINGS . Or, hit the link in my TapBio for the same savings! . . . @santebarley.usa @apexdropofficial #affiliate #LiveForMore #SanteBarley #cswdumplings #HealthyLiving

🏈🏈 GO BEARS!!! 🏈🏈 It's so exciting to see the Chicago Bears in the playoffs! Let me tell you, it's going to be a hot time in the old town this weekend when the Bears play the Green Bay Packers! And even though Wisconsin is home to the Packers, we can show some grace because the best cheese 🧀 in America also comes from Wisconsin. I'm a big fan of cheese curds, those squeaky little nuggets of dairy heaven, but I never tried making fried cheese curds at home. Turns out they're super easy to make in the air fryer! 🥳 I started with cheese curds from @ellsworthcreamery because I love ❤️ how many flavors they come in, from hot and spicy buffalo to soothing, cool ranch. I used natural for my first batch, but I am going to make hickory bacon and Cajun for the game. I preheated my air fryer to 350 and got busy. I dredged the curds in flour, dipped them in whisked egg, then rolled them in Italian breadcrumbs. I laid them on a parchment paper-lined tray, spritzed them with cooking spray, then air fried them for about 3 minutes. I flipped 'em and air fried them again for another 3 minutes. I set them out with ranch and Sriracha for dipping and they were GONE in minutes! I was lucky to snag one--you wouldn't believe the loooooonnnggg cheese pull that we got with these! 😄 SWIPE TO THE END TO SEE THAT PULL! 😄 You can always find Ellsworth Cheese Curds online at www.ellsworthcreamery.com or at your local grocery store. Or hit my Tapbio to go straight to their site! . . . @ellsworthcreamery @apexdropofficial #ellsworthcheesecurds #ellsworthcreamery #cheesethatsqueaks #airfriedcheesecurds #cswdumplings

Release the dragon and ignite your senses! This post intended for ages 21+. Please drink responsibly. It was so much fun to try every flavor of our beautiful #gifted Dragon Fire Wine! Have you ever seen such a magical bottle? Each 750 mL bottle is equipped with a light-up base that creates such a mesmerizing display! The light captures the swirling shimmer of edible glitter in every brilliantly colored bottle. Bring on the sparkle with your choice of SEVEN playful @dragonfirewinesofficial flavors! All of them are vegan and glutenfree. 🍓 Strawberry 🥭 Mango 🍑 Peach 🍏 Green Apple 🫐 Blueberry 🍇 Crushed Grape 🍋 Pink Lemonade Make your holidays a little brighter! Shop Dragon Fire Wines at www.dragonfirewinesofficial.com or click the post in my TapBio. . . . @dragonfirewinesofficial #dragonfirewine #unleashthedragon #drinkresponsibly #cswdumplings

Last month we had the great pleasure of enjoying Cooper's Hawk Wine Club Dinner at the Naperville location. We've enjoyed quite a few of these special events, but this menu and wine pairings were a step above the already-high bar! We began with conversation and cocktails, with a maple old-fashioned being the autumn-inspired drink of choice. The first course was a fluffy petit baguette with toasted pumpkin seed butter, alongside shrimp and fennel sausage risotto. These were served with a delightfully clean and fresh Gruner Veltliner white white, created in a collaboration between Cooper's Hawk and Curtis Stone. Our main course was a showstopping duo of bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin medallions, chives potatoes, and roasted green beans. It was paired with the rich GSM red blend (made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes), also created in collaboration with Curtis Stone. As delicious as each savory course was, my favorite of the evening was dessert. A velvety slice of almond praline cheesecake, topped with a praline crisp, was served with Cooper's Hawk Almond Sparkling. Let me tell you, this cheesecake was pure heaven, and it paired perfectly with the almond sparkling. It was a dessert I'm still dreaming of now! The 2025 November Wine Club Dinner was their best one yet. I wish I could experience it over and over again, but since I can't, I'm looking forward to the next! . . . . #chwinery #chwineclubdinner #coopershawk #napervilleeats #foodandwinepairing #cswdumplings #foodsharinggroup #teamhappyfoodies #grateful

It's been snowing all week, the perfect time for my Spicy Cajun Pasta with Andouille Sausage! It's the best way to warm up from the belly out. 🤗 This recipe is super easy and is ready in 30 minutes. Serve with a simple side salad and warm rolls for a dinner that's quick for weeknights, yet fancy enough for weekend guests. Start by cooking a box of pasta. I like penne with this sauce, but you can use whatever you'd like. While the pasta is cooking, slice Andouille sausage. I always use @johnsonville because it's made with premium pork and contains no MSG or artificial colors or flavors. Best of all, Johnsonville Andouille rope sausage is now available at WalMart nationwide! 🥳 Melt 3 T butter in a large skillet and add 1/2 cup white wine. Add sausage slices and brown them, then remove and set aside. In a small bowl,whisk together 2 T flour, 2 t Cajun seasoning, 1 t oregano, 1 t cayenne, 1/2 t smoked paprika, and 2 cups half and half. Add to the skillet and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly to thicken. When the sauce is warm and thickened, add a couple handfuls of spinach and the sausage slices. Stir to combine, then pour over cooked pasta. YUM! Are you going to give my Spicy Cajun Pasta with Andouille a try? Be sure to grab a package of Johnsonville Andouille on your next Wal-mart run! . . . @johnsonville @apexdropofficial #ropesausage #keepitjuicy #cajunpasta #andouillesausage #cswdumplings #thefoodieinitiative #foodsharinggroup #teamhappyfoodies #dinnerin30minutes #weeknightdinner

Authentic Italian food doesn’t just fill the belly; it warms the soul.  Step into the cozy elegance of Osteria by Capri in Downers Grove to dine on traditional Southern Italian cuisine inspired by Chef Joey Capri’s family recipes. Made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients, every dish at Capri satisfies and relaxes, just like a Sunday dinner at Nonna’s. Portions are hearty and generous, so come to the table with an appetite! Take a look at what we enjoyed! 🍸 Old Fashioned Espresso Martini  🍸 Joey’s Fashioned 🍽️ Nonna’s Meatball 🍽️ Calamari Alla Capri 🍽️ Stuffed Gnocchi 🍷 Meiomei Pinot Noir, California (not pictured) 🍷 Il Poggione-Rosso Super Tuscan, Italy 🍽️ Caesar Salad (not pictured) 🍽️ Chicken Vegetable Soup (not pictured) 🍽️ Homemade Rigatoni Vita Mia 🍽️ Pork Chop Alla Capri ☕ Cappucino 🍽️ Tableside Bananas Foster 🍽️ Cannoli Cake (not pictured) The tableside Bananas Foster was a truly unique experience. @Osteria_ByCapri is one of the few restaurants that flambes tableside, so I loved being able to experience it. And those carmelly, warm bananas swirled with the cold ice cream was so rich and decadent, I wanted to lick the bowl! If you’re looking for a warm and inviting restaurant to celebrate with family and friends, you can’t find a better place than Osteria at Capri, 2111 Butterfield Road, inside the Doubletree Suites hotel in Downers Grove. You’ll find out why it was voted the OpenTable Diners’ Choice for three years in a row, and why I can’t wait to visit again! . . . @osteria_bycapri @osteriadownersgrove @mustard.love #OsteriaDG #OsteriaByCapri #bestitalianfood #downersgroverestaurants #cswdumplings #thefoodieinitiative #foodsharinggroup #teamhappyfoodies #chefjoeycapri