Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Sorted by date Results 1 - 11 of 11
As we step into the first few weeks of 2025, I'm reflecting on the major change that I have experienced this past year, my journey into plant-based living. January 15 marks one year since I made a lifestyle leap, inspired by the Blue Zones, the regions where people live long, vibrant lives fueled by simple, plant-focused eating. Incorporating more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds has transformed the way I cook, eat and live. Our plates have been filled with colorful veggi...
Last week, I had the chance to reconnect with my friend Kimberly Karver, and it was magical. We first met on MasterChef Generations, both earning our white MasterChef aprons and representing Team Gen X. Fun fact: we were two of the shortest competitors in the kitchen, standing side-by-side, two GenX "BFFs" with our own unique stories. Over the course of the competition, and even more so over the past year, we have discovered how much we share in common during our exchange of letters and video...
Gibanica (pronounced Ghee-bah-nee-tsah) isn't just a dish, it is a connection to my childhood, filled with family, tradition and love. Growing up, it was always present at every holiday gathering, making it impossible to imagine any celebration without it. My grandmother, Baba, would layer phyllo dough with the creamy and cheesy filling then drizzle each sheet with melted butter. I'd watch as she carefully placed her cherished enamel baking dish in the oven with her delicate hands. That same...
As Thanksgiving approaches, preparations are in full swing! The menus are planned, shopping lists are scribbled on little pieces of paper and invitations have been sent to gather family and friends for a day of cooking, feasting and gratitude. The classics will, of course, make their annual appearance: the turkey as the centerpiece, green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pies, and, let's not forget...the cranberry sauce! Ah, cranberry sauce! My relationship with this holiday staple...
This Veterans Day, I will be celebrating my favorite veteran, my fiancé Rick, with a recipe that brings back fond memories of his childhood. While blueberry pancakes are usually our go-to for special mornings, this year I decided to change it up with cinnamon streusel blueberry muffins. These muffins bring together the warmth of fresh blueberries and the comforting crumble of cinnamon streusel, and they are a perfect way to honor Rick's service and transport him back to a cherished childhood...
Every year on Nov. 1 and 2, Mexicans around the world honor their dearly departed during Día de los Muertos, a beautiful Mexican tradition. It is a time to remember family members who have passed, to celebrate their lives and to keep their memories alive. In our home, we prepare an ofrenda (offering), adorned with their favorite foods and drinks, inviting their memory and their many stories to be with us once again. My son Ricky has grown up celebrating this day, hearing stories about his...
Every Halloween, I have a go-to dish: chili! As a busy mom, I would prep all the chopped vegetables the night before and sautee them in a pot, adding the rest of the ingredients, letting it simmer away while I juggled pumpkin carving and costuming. By the time the sun started to set, and my son was ready for trick-or-treating, dinner was ready to be enjoyed. This year, I no longer have to prepare for trick-or-treaters, or finish touching up Halloween make-up, so I changed things up a bit with...
Fall is a special time of year for my fiancée Rick and I. As the air cools and the leaves turn golden, we try to take every chance we can to take small hikes. Along with our love for hiking, we've made homemade granola bars a staple in our routine, providing the perfect snack for our mini-outdoor adventures. Granola bars have been a favorite for hikers, and they have an interesting history. In the late 1800s, Dr. James Caleb Jackson created a version of granola by baking graham flour into...
As the summer heat fades and the crisp winds of fall start to blow through Tehachapi, it tells us that apple season is here! Since 1999, I've loved this season, pulling out my favorite hoodies, making hot soups and stews and, of course, enjoying fresh apples grown in our beautiful mountain community. When my son was younger, our fall tradition was visiting Pulford Appletree Orchard to pick apples. One of his favorite treats from those visits was the apple butter I'd make at home, filling our...
As the summer winds down, the bounty of fresh herbs in our garden begins to dwindle, but there's still time to make the most of your remaining basil with a delightful non-dairy pesto that's both versatile and delicious. This recipe swaps out the traditional pine nuts for pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, giving the pesto a unique and slightly nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the vibrant notes of basil. Pesto has its origins in Genoa, a city in northern Italy. The classic version,...
At 53, Daniela Peregrina is an example that it's never too late to pursue your dreams and start a new chapter in life. Her story in our town began in 1995 when she first visited Tehachapi and fell in love with its charm. By 1999, she had made it her home, a decision that marked the beginning of a deep connection to the community. Born in California, Daniela's childhood took a different path when her family moved to Mexico when she was just seven. This move exposed her to a blend of Serbian and...
