Summer called and apparently it wanted tropical mango shrimp street tacos, so here we are! 😂 I grabbed a Fresh Express Tropical Mango Crunch Chopped Salad Kit because those flavors were giving me all kinds of ideas, and twenty minutes later this is what happened. I made a quick mango salsa first with chopped mango, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, then cooked the shrimp, and started building. Street taco sized flour tortillaswent first, with the salad greens as the base, shrimp piled on top, then that fresh mango salsa, some crumbled goat cheese, a drizzle of the mango vinaigrette from the kit, and the included tropical crunch toppings to finish it all off. I served these cold, which honestly was perfect for hot day we were having. My family demolished these and I was back on the couch in under half an hour. That's the kind of cooking I can get behind! How do you Express Yourself with Fresh Express? . . . @yourfreshexpresssalad #YourFreshExpressSalad #FreshExpress #ExpressYourself #cswdumplings #dinnerinunder30

There are restaurants, and then there are places that just feel good the moment you walk in. Blue Door Farm Stand is the latter. From the hanging ferns and warm faux candlelight to the marble tables and vintage chairs, the space wraps around you like a long exhale. It's the kind of place you want to linger. And the food gives you every reason to do exactly that. We started with the spinach artichoke dip, creamy, cheesy, and topped with a generous shower of parmesan, served alongside the most perfectly crisped tortilla chips. It disappeared faster than I'd like to admit. Then came the BKT wrap, packed with scrambled eggs, kale, and caramelized onion in a golden, toasted wrap. The cross-section alone was enough to stop the table's conversation. And the chilaquiles, a crispy tortilla base layered with red sauce, avocado, red onion, and cilantro, crowned with a sunny-side-up egg whose yolk broke at just the right moment! It was nothing short of spectacular. Oh, and the espresso martini? Absolutely non-negotiable. Rich, frothy, and deeply satisfying, it was the perfect way to ease into a leisurely morning. Blue Door Farm Stand, you had me at hello. @bluedoorlp #chicagobrunch #lincolnparkrestaurants #cswdumplings #bestchicagofood

Just discovered these new noodle kits and I just can't get enough! I tried the Hong Kong noodles from Food Earth's new Gourmet Noodle Kits and they're making it onto my monthly meal rotation! Everything you need comes in the box. Just sauté your veggies and protein, toss with the noodles and sauce, plate with the included condiments, and done. These noodles were comforting and elegant, but still on the table in 20 minutes. There are four Indo-Chinese flavors to choose from: 🍜 Hong Kong Noodle 🍜 Chow Mein Noodle 🍜 Gochujang Noodle 🍜 Thai Chili Noodle Each is plant-based, shelf-stable, and sooo good! Takeout alternative? Yes, please. I guarantee you won't be able to get enough of these! @FoodEarthOfficial #FoodEarth #ReadyToEatMeals #PlantBasedMeals #PantryFavorites

Sweet. Savory. A little "wait, what?" Johnsonville's new Dr Pepper Inspired Smoked Sausage is the collab nobody saw coming and everyone needs to try. We put it to the test with three mashups and rated them so you don't have to. 🌭🥤 ⭐⭐⭐ Mashup 1: Sour cherry jam, chopped red onion, bacon, and roasted jalapeños. Tasty, but a little on the sweet side. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mashup 2: Melted cheese curds, spicy Takis, and a drizzle of Sriracha mayo. Spicy, bold, and better than the first, but still searching for its missing piece. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mashup 3: The winner. Bacon, honey barbecue sauce, and Funyuns for that smoky, savory balance that finally tames the sweetness. We would 100% do this one again. What crazy, mashup toppings are you trying? Drop 'em in the comments! . . . @Johnsonville @apexdropofficial #Johnsonville #fizzyglizzy #cswdumplings #gifted

Fresh, fast, and so good! 🥗🍊 Say hello to the new Fresh Express Orange Sesame Chopped Salad Kit, and say goodbye to boring lunches! This instant lunch comes together in just 5 minutes, making it the ultimate quick and healthy meal for your busiest days. All I did was divide the salad greens into two bowls, top them with precooked grilled chicken strips, mandarin oranges, and diced water chestnuts. Then I added the crunchy toppings from the kit and finished with a drizzle of that gorgeous orange sesame dressing. Done! With bright citrus flavors and a satisfying crunch, this kit was basically made for springtime. Whether you're eating at your desk or out on the patio, lunch doesn't get easier than this! Have you tried this new variety yet? Drop a comment below! #ad @yourfreshexpresssalad @apexdropofficial #yourfreshexpresssalad #freshonthego #5minutelunch #cswdumplings

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