The Magic of July 4th, Fireworks and Food

July 1, 2026.Reading time 12 minutes.

A group of friends at a backyard barbecue standing with their backs to the camera, watching vibrant fireworks explode over a calm lake at twilight.

Looking for 4th of July cookout ideas? Elevate your Independence Day menu with a gourmet hotdog and burger bar, unique summer sides, and classic patriotic desserts.

An Easy Italian Seafood Salad: A One-Pot Delight

June 26, 2026.Reading time 13 minutes.

Warm Italian seafood and potato salad featuring plump mussels in shells, sweet shrimp, and sea scallops served over a bed of fresh green arugula, sliced fennel, and bright cherry tomatoes and grilled bread on a large white plate

Skip the mayo! This easy Italian seafood and potato salad features plump mussels, shrimp, and scallops tossed in a zesty, lemon-olive oil dressing.

From Maps to Apps: How Travel Has Changed Completely

June 20, 2026.Reading time 10 minutes.

Three tourists with suitcases looking at a map near a canal with gondolas and Rialto Bridge in Venice

Imagine arriving in Venice today without a hotel room. Travel has changed completely since the ’80s—here is how technology redefined spontaneous travel.

3 Easy Tuscan Olive Recipes Inspired by an Italian Estate

June 13, 2026.Reading time 7 minutes.

dining outdoors at a rustic wooden table with pasta, vegetables, olives, bread, and wine overlooking the sea.

Bring the flavor of a Tuscan estate to your kitchen with these 3 easy Mediterranean olive recipes, including warm infused olives, spaghetti alla puttanesca and grilled chicken with olive and preserved lemon tapenade

The Salad That Changed My Husband’s Mind

June 6, 2026.Reading time 7 minutes.

A colorful chopped chickpea and asparagus salad mixed with bright yellow sweet corn, halved red cherry tomatoes, diced green avocado, and chunks of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with a clear lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Bring a salad skeptic to the table with this vibrant chopped chickpea and asparagus salad, tossed in a bright honey-lemon vinaigrette and Gorgonzol

An Easy Fish Taco Recipe with a Savory Twist

May 30, 2026.Reading time 7 minutes.

Fourteen years ago, I took on a challenge to recreate fish tacos I had while traveling. The recipe became an instant hit. Today, I’m bringing this tried-and-true favorite out of the vault for a whole new crowd. It’s easily the best fish taco you’ll ever make. The tacos are filled with flaky white fish seasoned with […]

Easy Italian-American Chicken Cutlet and Broccoli Rabe Sandwich

May 16, 2026.Reading time 10 minutes.

A close up shot of a Chicken Cutlet and Broccoli Rabe Sandwich on a toasted ciabatta roll showing crispy fried chicken, vibrant green sautéed rabe and melted mozzarella cheese

The crispy, garlicky Italian classic you can make at home—even if you’re new to cooking! The best Italian-American food is rarely found on standard restaurant or pizza shop menus. To get a great Chicken Cutlet and Broccoli Rabe Sandwich, you must hunt down an old-school East Coast deli—or make it yourself. Luckily, this recipe pairs […]

15 Years of Exploring Life’s Back Roads: A Retrospective

May 12, 2026.Reading time 11 minutes.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been sharing “little treasures discovered while exploring the back roads of life” for 15 years. If you’ve been following Back Road Journal for any length of time, you know this space is more than just a blog—it’s a lifestyle collection filled with good food, travel adventures, gardening tips, and so […]

FASTER THAN DELIVERY: 20-Minute Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles

May 3, 2026.Reading time 9 minutes.

A-bowl-of-20-minute-sweet-and-spicy-pork-noodles-featuring-caramelized-ground-pork-and-green-onion

If you’re craving Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles but don’t want to wait for delivery, this recipe is for you. With quick-cooking Asian noodles, a few pantry staples, and savory ground pork, you can have a dinner that’s faster—and significantly better—than takeout. This dish is about to become your new weeknight obsession If you like Dan Dan noodles, […]

Nothing I Can’t Do: Living with Parkinson’s, One Step at a Time

April 21, 2026.Reading time 5 minutes.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity for me to raise awareness about the fastest-growing neurological disease on the planet, which affects 10 million people. It is the time of year when those of us living with the condition share our stories. By doing so, we build a community where no one has to feel alone […]