The Empty Nest Kitchen
Welcome to The Empty Nest Kitchen with Christine Van Bloem, where we're finding fun in the kitchen and navigating life after the kids have flown the coop. Join Christine around her kitchen table as we delve into insightful conversations with fellow empty nest women about navigating careers, side hustles, and the joys of food and cooking.
Whether you're embarking on a new chapter or seeking inspiration for your next culinary adventure, tune in for stories, tips, and laughter from women just like you.
Episodes
54 episodes
Small Bites: Garlic Girl Summer
Join me in the Empty Nest Kitchen as I share expert tips and techniques for cooking with garlic. From selecting the perfect garlic bulbs to using raw and roasted garlic in various dishes, we'll covers it all. Learn how to store garlic properly,...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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11:35
Small Bites: Gettin' Figgy With It
Let's dive into the excitement of fig season with a joyful celebration of fresh figs. From tips on selecting the perfect figs at the store to storing them properly, you'll learn how to make the most of these delicate fruits. Discover a variety ...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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8:54
Small Bites: Summer Sauces, Big Flavors, No Stove Required
Find fun and creative way to enhance summer meals with no-cook sauces in your Empty Nest Kitchen. Christine shares her tips and tricks on making flavorful sauces without turning on the stove, perfect for the hot summer months. You'll learn a si...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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12:36
Small Bites Simply Peachy: The Sweet and The Savory
In this episode of the Empty Nest Kitchen, cooking expert Christine Van Bloem shares her love for peaches and explores various ways to enjoy this summer fruit. From simple sliced peaches to gourmet salads and savory meat pairings, Christine pro...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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13:11
Small Bites: Zucchini Magic
Let's explore fun and creative ways to cook with zucchini, a quintessential summer vegetable. From practical advice on picking the best zucchinis to three delightful (and easy!) recipes, your zucchini wishes are ready to become reality. Tune in...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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15:15
Small Bites: It's Corn! Making the Most of Summer's Best
Let's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for using corn in various dishes like salads and pancakes, and a unique...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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14:34
Small Bites: Summer Tomatoes (How to Choose, Use, and Store)
Let's kick-off the summer cooking series 'Small Bites', focusing on short episodes under 15 minutes. Each week will highlight a different food or technique, starting with summer tomatoes, covering tips on choosing, using, and storing them for o...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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13:24
Mediterranean Moments: Delicious Simplicity in Midlife Cooking
The Mediterranean diet is a great first step toward a healthier lifestyle, but what the heck is it? It's the ease of cooking lighter summer meals, using fresh seasonal produce, and incorporating healthy fats and lean proteins, plus so much more...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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15:27
Empowering Nonprofits: The Marketing Magic of Laura Van Bloem
Remember back in the day when tv shows would declare a "very special episode"? Well this week, I'm declaring it too, as I convince my brilliant sister-in-law, Laura Van Bloem, to join me on the podcast to talk all things non-profit marketing.
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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43:16
Smart Shopping for The Empty Nest Kitchen
Practical money-saving tips for grocery shopping are a must-have in today's world, particularly for empty nesters. In this episode, you'll find helpful tips and tricks for shopping smart for your own Empty Nest Kitchen. You can save money while...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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20:26
Spring Veggie Vibes in The Empty Nest Kitchen
Let's celebrate the arrival of spring by digging into a variety of spring veggies and herbs, including artichokes, asparagus, and fresh chives. You'll hear tips on how to prepare and cook these ingredients, with a bit of practical advice. And b...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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19:42
From Fixer Uppers to New Careers with Natalie Gipson
Looking for inspiration? Meet Natalie Gibson, Home renovator, empty nester, and independent educational consultant. We're discussing Natalie’s journey into buying and renovating a fixer-upper home in downtown Frederick, Maryland, and her profes...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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41:14
Empty Nest Freezer Magic: Tips for Smart Meal Prepping
Learn essential tips and tricks for efficiently freezing meals tailored for empty nesters. You can simplify meal prep and avoid repetitive meals, and still have great food. We'll talk the science of freezing, selecting appropriate containers, p...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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17:22
Championing Local Food and Public Health with Alysia Feuer
Meet Alysia Feuer, who runs a program called Farm to School. Alysia discusses the expanded mission of farm to school initiatives to include broader public health objectives, focusing on local food access and nutritional education. They desc...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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27:54
A Transformative Journey: Sober Coaching with Jennifer Peterson
In this episode, meet Jennifer Peterson from Metamorphosis Life Counseling. Jennifer recounts her transformation from a successful real estate professional to a licensed mental health counselor and sober coach. She shares her personal journey t...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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40:38
The Magnificent Seven: Your Mediterranean Pantry Heroes
In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of creating a Mediterranean-inspired pantry designed for ease and convenience. Say hello to 'The Magnificent Seven', categories of pantry items that can help you easily prepare meals. You'll fin...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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24:15
Cooking for Change: Healthier Eating Habits for Mid-Life
Mid-life is about taking back control and time, and finally taking care of you. The importance of dietary choices becomes even more relevant as we age. This week I'm talking about my love for chicken nuggets and mozzarella sticks, and sharing a...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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11:02
It's Only Money...Right?
A broken furnace during the coldest day of the year? It's time to dig out the blankies and snuggle in for choosing a positive outlook, even when your toes are cold. So much changes when you make the shift from constant complaining to finding gr...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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10:24
Simplifying Life with Daily Money Manager Emily Lutz
Have you ever heard of a Daily Money Manager? Meet Emily Lutz, owner of Liberty Paperwork Solutions! Emily shares her journey of becoming a daily money manager, a profession that involves handling clients' administrative chores like bill paymen...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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33:18
Teaching Your Passion: Five Tips to Start a Successful Side Hustle with Recreational Classes
Have you ever considered teaching recreational classes? Whether is cooking, crafting, or even teaching Excel, you'll learn how to identify your zone of genius, research the competition, plan and structure your class, the importance of hospitali...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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23:37
The No Resolution, Resolution
Let's talk New Year's resolutions and why, just maybe, we're ready to say so long sweetheart! In this bite-sized episode, it's time to embrace who we are...the awesomeness that is us. We're leaning into self-love and authenticity, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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7:08
Butter Makes Everything Better
Let's dive into butter—the best ingredient to elevate your baking game. We'll explore why different types of butter vary in price and quality, talk about making your own butter, including cultured butter, and discuss practical tips for using bu...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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17:33
Thriving as a Hyperlocal Blogger with Pam Stultz
In this episode, I'm talking with Pam Stultz from Housewives of Frederick County. Pam shares her journey from starting a fun blog with her twin sister to becoming a content creator focusing on local events, restaurants, and lifestyle topics in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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29:25
Thanksgiving at the Cottage
Growing up, our Thanksgiving was truly unique, and in this episode, I'm sharing memorable Thanksgiving traditions at "the cottage". Whether cooking for 40-60 people (or really just washing the dishes), and eating in shifts, we'll talk about Klu...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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16:16
Thanksgiving Traditions: Balancing Classics and Creativity
Join me as I share expert tips for hosting a stress-free and enjoyable Thanksgiving. It can be done! With over 25 years of culinary experience, I've got your back when it comes to sticking to traditional dishes while finding ways t...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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21:26