Family Tree Food Stories

Why is Mustard So Special? A Pope, a Secret Recipe, and a 5,000-Year Lie!

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The food history nobody taught you: pharaohs buried it, a Pope staffed it, Napoleon obsessed over it, and your squeeze bottle is still lying about it.

A Pope loved mustard so much that he created a Vatican job, “The Great Mustard Maker,” just to make sure he never ran out. Napoleon loved it so much that he built Dijon's identity around it. And that bright yellow color you've trusted your entire life? That's the color that comes from an entirely different plant! Surprise?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely spoon up everything mustard. From ancient Egyptian tombs to French royal courts, your own kitchen refrigerator, and more, there’s history and tradition brewed into that jar or squeeze bottle.

Believe it or not, it was the Romans who accidentally named it. And when one special ingredient creates a chemical reaction, that’s where the bite you know from every cookout and ballpark hot dog happens. Oh, and you think that’s all? Your favorite everyday condiment has been sneaking in health benefits onto your plate without you knowing, one spoonful or squirt at a time.

But this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories gets even more personal. One of Nancy’s friends, Sasha, shared how her grandmother from Odessa made a homemade mustard so incredible that her soldier husband traded jars of it during wartime because his buddies couldn't get enough. That recipe is still deeply guarded by the family today.

Nancy and Sylvia also go head-to-head in a blind mustard tasting and compare family-founded brands like #Plochman's, #Colman's, and Nancy’s personal obsession, #TerrapinRidgeFarms, whose #SmokyMapleBaconMustard is made by a woman-owned company in #Clearwater, #Florida. She’ll fight anyone in the grocery store aisle for the last jar on the shelf. That she’ll swear by!

Whether you're a #French's loyalist, a home cook making #mustard for the first time from scratch, or the keeper of a family recipe carefully under lock and key, you’ll want to grab your seat at the table for this next episode.

Every meal has a story. And every story is a feast. (TM)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. A Pope gave mustard its own Vatican job title: Pope John XXII created the Grand Moutardier du Pape, which was a real position at the Vatican dedicated to making mustard. Your condiment opinions have papal backup.

2. Mustard has zero heat until you add this: The seed is mild. Crushing it and adding liquid triggers a chemical reaction that creates the bite. You've been eating kitchen chemistry your whole life and never knew it.

3. That yellow color is a lie, and it's secretly good for you: Turmeric is added purely for looks. It has nothing to do with the mustard plant. But it's anti-inflammatory, so your squeeze bottle has been sneaking health benefits past you this whole time.

4. A secret family recipe survived a war and is still guarded today: A grandmother from Odessa made a homemade mustard so good her soldier husband traded jars of it during wartime. Three days to make. Sworn to secrecy. Still in the family. Some families pass down jewelry. This one passes down mustard.

What’s your mustard story?

Join our Family Tree Food & Stories Facebook Group, and go to our Family Tree Food & Stories podcast page at: https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/ Hit subscribe, leave us all the stars, and share this with someone who takes their mustard story seriously. You know who that is. Because every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Additional Links ❤️

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About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.

#mustum #LaMaisonMailler #frenchmustard #mustard#unilever #plochmansMustard #chicago #chicaoMustard #chicagoSteak #terrapinridgefarms #sashachalif #familymustardrecipe #mustardrecipe #johnolivercomedian #wedding #hotdogmustard #hotdogandmustard #peckersandsnouts #fooddesert #broccoli #cabbage

@familytreefoodandstories @familytreefoodstories @LaMaisonMailler @Unilever @plochmansMustard @TerrapinRidgeFarms @johnoliver

The Secret History of Mayonnaise: From Military Victory to Your Fridge

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:45:00 -0400

What nobody told you about mayonnaise: the wartime origin, the brand rivalry, and the Hellmann's love story you've held in your hands, and never knew about.

You've probably never thought twice about that jar of mayonnaise in your fridge. You open it, you use it, you put it back. But that jar has a story that you likely don’t know, one that starts with a military victory, and with a love story.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you inside the interesting stories and history of mayonnaise. From the French chef who accidentally created it after a battle, and the fancy European kitchens where it was once considered a “fine-dining must have”, to how it became a key staple in your home today.

Nancy and Sylvia share the ribbon story behind the Hellmann’s brand, which will have you remembering that story the next time you open a jar to make a tuna or chicken salad.

There are also some true confessions in this show, where Nancy gets personal and confesses her lifelong mayo addiction. Think of bread and mayo sandwiches! Or just cheese and mayo. For real! Sylvia believes that mayo has been the unsung hero of every church picnic, potato salad, and deviled egg platter your family has ever made.

Then, there’s the great Mayo brand standoff, which has divided American households for generations. That key question is…. are you a #Duke's or #Hellmann's devotee?

You'll also find out why the French have been eating their fries with mayo instead of ketchup this whole time (and why once you try it, just ask Bob, you're probably not going back). How homemade mayo takes just five minutes and three ingredients, and other intriguing stories that will have you looking at your fridge just a little differently, the next time you open the door.

If you've ever stood in a grocery aisle and questioned your mayo choice, tune in to this episode and listen to why mayo is a brain teaser.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Your mayo has a military origin story you've never been told. The most widely accepted history traces mayonnaise to 1756, after a French military victory at the port of Mahón on the island of Menorca. A chef created the sauce from eggs and oil; it was refined in European courts, eventually brought to the US, and somehow landed in your fridge. Now you’ll know the rest of that story.
The blue ribbon on your Hellmann's jar really is a love story. In the early 1900s, Richard Hellmann sold his wife's homemade mayo at his New York deli with a blue ribbon tied around every jar. Customers couldn't get enough. That ribbon is still on the label today! The next time you pick up a jar of Hellmann’s, take a good look at the label and share the story with someone who’s making a mayo selection and standing next to you.
You're five minutes away from making your own mayo. Egg yolks. Oil. Vinegar, a little mustard, and lemon juice if you want, too. A slow drizzle of oil into a blender. That's it. Try using other oils for a different flavor. Once you've made your own, you'll understand why chefs still treat mayonnaise as a craft… It’s fun. Give it a try. And you'll wonder why you waited so long to try it.
Your mayo brand says more about you than you think. Duke's or Hellmann's isn't a preference; it tells you where you're from, North vs. South. In some families, switching brands could mean expulsion from your next holiday gathering. If you know, you know!

Next Steps:

So here's our question: What’s your brand? Duke's? Hellmann's? Something your grandmother made that no one really knows the true recipe for?

We want to hear it. Drop your story, your recipe, or your hottest mayo take in our Facebook Group: Family Tree Food & Stories. There’s a link in the notes below, too.

And if this episode made you look at that jar a little differently, please do us a favor: hit subscribe and share this with the one person in your life who loves mayo too.

Because every meal has a story, and every story is a feast. (TM)

Additional Links ❤️

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.

@familytreefoodstories, #foodie #dukesmayonnaise #dukesmayo # houseoftwang #mayonanaiserecipes @dukesmayo #dukescountry #southernmayo #dukescountry #hellmannsmayonnaise @hellmanns #welcometohellmanns #hellmannsblueribbon #realmayonnaise #frenchmayonnaise #mayonnaisedressing #deviledeggs #chickensalad #podcastfinds #foodpodcast, #bestpodcast, #cookingculture, #foodstories, #foodhistory #familytraditions #keepfamilyreal

Why NASA Banned Bread (The Secret Life of Flour)

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:30:00 -0400

Flour History, Food Science, Kitchen Myths, Food Culture & The Hidden Story Behind Bread, Pasta, and Everyday Ingredients

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely start with a simple question, “what did you eat today?” Then dive into how little we know about even the simplest and most fundamental things in our pantry, which can turn into a fascinating science experiment as well as a lunch essential. We’re talking about flour!

Did you know that flour isn’t just for baking stuff? It’s good to make muffins, for sure, but it’s also powerful enough to level buildings, important enough to shape entire cultures, can tell me where your great grandparents came from, and risky enough that NASA won’t allow it to go up in space!

With all that, we still take the lowly bag of flour for granted.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy & Sylvia open up and share the stories of what flour really is, where it came from, and why it still matters more than we realize. You might take a second look at all the flour options when you’re walking down the baking aisle in your grocery store this week.

Key Takeaways:

The reason NASA banned bread (and what replaced it).
How flour can be an adhesive that’s stronger than glue.
The role flour played in building civilizations and even ending nomadic life.
Your flour could tell me where your ancestors came from.
What today’s flour labels really tell you, and what they don’t, including labels like organic, non-GMO, ancient grain, and more.

If you’ve ever grabbed a bag of flour without thinking twice. You might want to tune in and pause to take a better look at that bag, or sack, of flour in your pantry. It tells a pretty interesting story.

We promise that you won’t look at a slice of bread the same way again.

Nancy and Sylvia are pretty sure this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories will make you look at your dinner plate differently. That’s a good thing too, because it’s exactly what Family Tree Food & Stories is designed to do.

Here's what to do next:

Subscribe to Family Tree Food & Stories so you never miss an episode. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen directly at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodandStories.com

⭐ Leave us a review: it takes 60 seconds and helps thousands of new listeners find us. (We read every single one, too! Promise)

📣 Share this episode with someone you love, a parent, a daughter, a friend going through a health journey. The food wisdom in this episode could genuinely change how they eat.

📋 Take our listener survey; there's a link in the show notes and at the top of our podcast page at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com. Tell us what you want to learn and hear about next. We make a show just FOR you.

📖 Pick up our book, My Family Tree, Food and Stories, on Amazon. Because: Every meal has a story and every story is a feast.

Please remember, at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for the people you love, and even yourself, isn't a pill or a prescription.

It's a plate of food shared with a good story.

Episodes Mentioned and Shared:

Additional Links ❤️

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.

@familytreefoodstories, #foodie #bonebroth, #sourdough #flour, #NASA #spacelaunch #organicflour #nonGMOfood #roundup #grainmills #homemilling #allpurposeflour #breadflous #podcastfinds #foodpodcast, #bestpodcast, #cookingculture, #foodstories, #foodhistory

The Family Table That Built Strong Bones Using Real Food and Traditions

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Bone Deep: Your Grandmother and Mom Really Did Know How to Use Their Kitchen Like a Pharmacy.

What does a simple pot of beans simmering on the stove have in common with cutting-edge nutritional science? More than you'd ever expect. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share how our moms and grandmas instinctively know how to keep our bodies strong enough to handle a heavy workload.

In this episode, Sylvia opens up about her own very personal bone health journey as she’s been undergoing cancer treatment, and a medication she takes suppresses a hormone critical for keeping bones strong. Her very real concern was the launchpad for this episode’s conversation and dive into the foods, traditions, and ancient wisdom that have helped many generations build strong bodies, long before drugstore supplements were available.

Food Wisdom From Our Parents and Ancestors:

Nancy and Sylvia dig into their shared experiences in their own family kitchens. Nancy with her mom in Central Long Island, and Sylvia’s grandmother, who was an Eastern Kentucky mountain girl.

You might be surprised to learn how much we’ve discovered about how best to manage our own bone health over the years through archaeological dig sites, Parisian bistros, Japanese candy counters, and the calcium aisle at your local friendly pharmacist.

Maybe our great-grandmothers really did know the best recipes for building strong bodies 12 ways. Listen in as we connect the Family Tree Food & Stories dots, and dishes between what we used to eat, what we stopped eating, and why we might want to eat what Mom put on our plates after all.

This is a show for foodies, family storytellers, home cooks, and anyone who's ever stood in a pharmacy staring at a wall of calcium supplements and thought, "Wait, does any of this actually work?"

Key learning points:

Calcium Is Just the Beginning; Your Bones Need More: Most of us grew up hearing "drink your milk." But calcium alone is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
The Peasant Bone Diet: The Science of Simple Food: Anthropologists studying ancient skeletons are repeatedly surprised by how strong people were, and why.
"Pot Liquor" Is Liquid Gold, Don't You Dare Pour It Down the Drain! This is one of the most mind-bending food science moments: nixtamalization
Bone Broth: The Comeback Kid of the Kitchen: And for a good reason!

Here's what to do next:

Subscribe to Family Tree Food & Stories so you never miss an episode. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen directly at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodandStories.com

⭐ Leave us a review: it takes 60 seconds and helps thousands of new listeners find us. (We read every single one, too! Promise)

📣 Share this episode with someone you love, a parent, a daughter, a friend going through a health journey. The food wisdom in this episode could genuinely change how they eat.

📖 Pick up our book, My Family Tree, Food and Stories, on Amazon. Because: Every meal has a story and every story is a feast.

Please remember, at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for the people you love, and even yourself, isn't a pill or a prescription.

It's a plate of food shared with a good story.

Every meal is a story. Every story is a feast.™

Additional Links ❤️

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.

@familytreefoodstories, #foodie, #BoneHealth, #bonehealthawarness, #foodAsMedicine, #GutHealth, #boneBroth #familycooking #healthyeating #BreastCancer #HealthyAging #FoodStories #WomensHealth #goodEats

Why the Best Meals Happen Off the Beaten Path: Roadside Diners, Drive-Ins, and Hidden Treasures

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:30:00 -0400

What if the best meal you’ve ever had… was hiding on the side of the road?

And why do the places with no signs, no marketing, and no polish often serve the most unforgettable food?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore some of the best meals they've found in diners, drive-ins, and roadside food and snack treasures, where food, family traditions, and personal stories intersect in the most unique places. From small-town stands to grungy stops, these out-of-the-way places aren’t just a place to get a quick burger; they’re places that shaped small-town identity, neighborly connection, and stories that you'll never forget.

Because here’s the truth: the best food you'll ever have isn’t always found in a five-star restaurant. It’s more likely found where the gas station guy, local teachers, and little league team show up hungry, and keep coming back week after week. Oh, and they all leave a local story at the counter, along with a tip.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories , Nancy and Sylvia dig into the history behind places like the Kum & Go, Buc-ees, The Sycamore Diner, and Redding, Connecticut Pancake Place. Each, and others shared, and the ones that you likely know and love, reflect something deeper about our own hometown food culture, entrepreneurship, and even our childhood.

And somewhere along those back roads, you start to realize that you’re not just looking for a breakfast or lunch spot. Instead, what you're really hungry for is a place you feel welcome, and that feels like home every time you walk in the door.

So why do people care?

Because these roadside food stops tap into something more universal: a longing for what was, the thrill of surprise, and the connection with friends and family.

The surprising truth is:

That some of the most meaningful foodie experiences don’t come from fancy restaurants, but from place, people, and timing, and even from bathrooms that might not be that clean.

What will you learn?

How roadside food culture shaped American and North American identity, why these hidden spots matter, and how to find and recognize a great place, and create a few new memories that you'll talk about for years.

Key Takeaways

The best meals aren’t planned, they’re discovered. Learn to chill out a bit.
Some of the most memorable food experiences don't require reservations.
Roadside food has as much dirt as local identity.
Some have become beloved regional traditions that turned into local landmark treasures.
Simplicity often beats sophistication.
Food memories are sometimes simply a connection to taste. Think belly clams!
What you remember most isn’t always what you ate, but where you were and who you were with.

What to do next:

Next time you pass a place that doesn’t look like much, but you can smell it from 3 blocks away, slow down and stop. Listen to what's being said at the counter or next booth and enjoy the moment, and the burger too.

Question:

What’s the best unexpected meal you’ve ever had at a local hole-in-the-wall?

Additional Links ❤️

Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
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TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

@familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #podcastdiscovery #podcastrecommendations #listentothispodcast #foodhistory #foodie #foodstories #roadsidedives #travelfood #foodfun #bucees #kum&go #crackerbarrel #bestburger #roadsidebbq

High ranking SEO terms: #RoadsideFood

#roadsideRestaurants #roadside #bestCoffee

Why Corned Beef & Cabbage Isn't Actually Irish; The Truth Behind the World's Favorite St. Paddy's Day Meal"

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:45:00 -0400

Why do we eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, when it isn't even Irish?

And what do Irish soda bread, cozy village pubs, and the potato famine have to do with the foods we celebrate today?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the history of St. Patrick’s Day food traditions from authentic Irish village cooking to the Irish-American dishes created through immigration and rich cultural exchange.

Why do we associate certain foods and stories with Ireland? Think Irish soda bread, cabbage, potatoes, hearty stews, and even corned beef; some have deeper stories of survival, resilience, and community, while others have no real connection at all. But what’s interesting is that true Irish food was never meant to impress anyone.

It has a purpose: to feed families, bring neighbors together, and, just as important, to keep stories alive.

Nancy and Sylvia share the history behind many of the foods we think are “traditional Irish,” but aren’t. Some of the facts might surprise you about Irish food history, St. Patrick’s Day traditions, cultural folklore, immigration stories, and community cooking that have turned into American and St. Pat’s Day traditions here in the States and elsewhere.

Cool Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: (and more)

1. Why Corned Beef and Cabbage Became a St. Patrick’s Day Classic and the food that connected Irish immigrants with their Jewish neighbors.

2. How Irish Soda Bread Became a Symbol of Survival, sparked by government intervention.

3. Why Irish Pubs Became Cultural Story Centers: and more!

Listen now to discover the surprising stories behind the foods we celebrate every March 17th.

And if this episode reminds you of a family recipe, a favorite pub, or a St. Patrick’s Day tradition…please share it with someone who should hear it too.

Additional Links ❤️

Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

@familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #stpatrick'sDay #cornbeefandcabbage #irishsodabread #irishfoodhistory #Irishfoodtradition #foodhistorypodcast #foodculutre #fooddpodcast #podcastrecommendations #bestfoodpodcast #awardwinningpodcast #podcastDiscovery #PodcastofTheDay #listentothispodcast #foodstories #storybehindthefood

Cookbooks That Built America And Why We Still Love Them Today!

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

From Monasteries to The Joy of Cooking and Martha Stewart: Why We’re Obsessed with Collecting and Keeping Them

How many cookbooks do you own?

And here’s the real question… do you actually cook from them?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely trace and share the fascinating history, evolution, and survival of cookbooks in America. You’ll learn why these books have survived wars, depressions, church basements, and even now, the internet.

Cookbooks didn’t begin as cozy kitchen companions. The earliest versions weren’t even written for home cooks — they were records for palace kitchens and monasteries. Instructions were vague. “Cook until done.” You were expected to already know.

Then “mom” entered the picture.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia dig deeper into how Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery helped define a uniquely American food identity using local ingredients like cornmeal. How Fannie Farmer and the Boston Cooking School Cookbook introduced scientific precision and standardized measurements. And how Irma Rombauer self-published The Joy of Cooking during the Great Depression, creating a cookbook to save her own family from starvation, which has become one of the most influential cookbooks of all time.

Key Takeaways:

Wartime rationing cookbooks that reshaped American cooking
Church and Junior League cookbooks, as fundraisers, were among the earliest places where women’s voices appeared in print without a man’s approval.
How celebrity cookbooks from chefs like Jacques Pépin have become storytelling time capsules

Cookbooks are not just instruction manuals; they’ve become:

Cultural records.
Family archives.
Story books.

This episode blends cookbook history, American food culture, women’s publishing history, Depression-era resilience, wartime cooking, and family recipe traditions into one simple idea: Cookbooks create more than meals; they build family, communities, and connection across their pages.

Additional Links ❤️

Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here

SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For You
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

And share this one with someone you love to share your table with.

Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

@familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #cookbooks #bestcookbooks #juliachild #jacquespepin #smashburger #artoffrenccooking #joyofcooking #cookingathome #learntocook #lovetocook #cookbookwriters

Is Your Nona's Italian American Sauce "REAL" Italian? Maybe Not!

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:43:00 -0400

Italian Food in America: The Truth About Authenticity, Nonas, and Sunday Sauce.

When you're planning which restaurant to go to, you typically don't ask, “Do you want American food?” No, you ask... "How about Italian?”

But here’s the twist… much of what we call authentic Italian food isn’t actually from Italy. It's kind of a made-up Italian, American style!

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely unpack the real story behind Italian-American cuisine, how it's more of a blending of what we had here, and how adaptation shaped everything from lasagna and chicken parm to pasta and even the right San Marzano tomatoes. If you’ve ever debated your Mom's marinara vs. Nona's Sunday sauce—or wondered why meatballs are bigger here than in Italy, you'll want to tune in to learn more.

Interestingly enough, Italy wasn’t even a unified nation until the 1800s. Its food traditions were regional, hyper-local, shaped by geography, and published cookbooks. Families in the mountain villages cooked differently than those in small coastal towns. Meat was scarce. Recipes were instinctual. Nonas didn’t measure. They remembered and passed on the feeling of what to do to their daughters and sons.

But then immigration changed when families went to find a new homeland.

In America, meat became affordable. Flour was abundant. Tomatoes were more often than not canned. Portions grew - Maria said, "What's the matter, you don't like my food," when you couldn't finish your dinner.

Layers stacked. And what emerged wasn’t a copy of what we thought was Italian. It was really instead, something new: Italian-American food, a cuisine built on resilience, memory, and opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

How immigration transformed Italian food in America
The difference between tomato sauce, marinara, and real Sunday gravy
Why semolina flour and wheat quality matter in your pasta
And why Italian food feels like family, even if your grandmother wasn’t a Nona

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories blends food history, real storytelling, and a little kitchen humor, because Italian food isn’t just about pasta, it's about using all your senses and a little dash of garlic and memory. It also helps to pour a lot of wine into that sauce (and the glass), and a chance to stay at the table long after the plates are cleared.

Additional Links ❤️

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The Nona's Movie on Netflix
The Restaurant: Nona's Enoteca Maria and the Nonnas Of The World Community NFP
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
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👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
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🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

And share this one with someone you love to share your table with.

Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories @AzurRestaurantandPatio #italianfood #nonas #sundaysauce #bestfoodpodcast #foodiepodcast #foodblooger #spaghetti #realposta #italianamerican #pizza #pasta #sauce

Aprons: The Most Powerful Object in the Kitchen You’ve Never Been Taught to Understand. Here's Why.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

How a Simple Apron Quietly Shaped Food, Family Power, and Why They Matter More Than Your Grandma's Cookbook.

Most people think an apron is just something you tie on before cooking.

They’re wrong.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the why of the apron, which may be the most powerful and misunderstood object in the kitchen—and why its disappearance signals the loss of something far more important than chintz fabric.

Long before it became a Halloween costume or a fashion statement in WWD, the apron was a tool of survival. It protected bodies from fire and labor. It carried food, tools, and children. They were worn by women and men alike. And the apron quietly set the stage for "who's in charge" by signaling authority, responsibility, and identity within the home—especially in the kitchen.

But here's the problem: almost no one was taught to see or respect the apron this way.

As kitchens modernized, aprons were dismissed as old-fashioned. What disappeared with them were unrecorded family stories, food traditions, and the invisible labor that shaped generations. That history didn’t make it into recipe cards or photo albums—and once the apron is gone, that story is usually gone for good.

But today, the apron is making a tiny comeback as a status symbol and fashion statement. Even on the haute couture runways of New York's Fashion Week.

Key Takeaways:

Why aprons mattered more than cookbooks
How they've helped preserve family memories and power plays in the kitchen
Why do so many people regret throwing their mom's away?
And what one “orphan apron” reveals about what we’ve lost

This is not an episode about fashion.

It’s about food history, family legacy, kitchen culture, even high fashion, and the everyday object that holds more meaning than you might realize—until it's too late.

If food has ever connected you to someone you loved…

If a kitchen table ever felt like home…

We hope this episode changes how you look at your next meal, or memories of those past with friends, family, and those you love and care about.

Additional Links ❤️

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Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
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Thank you to Catch 22 Music for this episode's introduction and outgoing music.

🎧If you enjoy stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then YES, this is your show!

Follow Us at: Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

And share this one with someone who still thinks ketchup is, well, “just ketchup.”

Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

Yes? Good. Pull up a chair, and enjoy the show!

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodpodcast #podcast #ApplePodcast #PodcastDiscovery #ListenNow #NewPodcastEpisode #TopPodcasts #awardwinningpodcast, #foodstories, #FoodAnthroplogy #FoodStoriesPodcast #psychologyofeverydaylife #persuasionpsychology #behaviorialscience #humanbehavior #trustandauthority #kitchenauthority #foodculture #kitchenstories #foodandmemory #culturehistory #storytellingfood #heritage #traditoinmatters #careandconnection

Valentine's Dinners That Change Everything: Romance and Seduction on Your Plate!

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 04:45:00 -0400

Romance, aphrodisiac foods, and love stories from the kitchen

What if the most romantic Valentine’s Day you’ve ever had didn’t happen in a restaurant—but at your own table?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dive, fork first, into the sensual, unforgettable Valentine’s foods that create connection, intimacy, and lasting memories—without stress, fancy techniques, or expensive ingredients.

It’s about using food as a language of intention, attraction, and Valentine seduction.

Whether you’re eating out at your favorite romantic restaurant or cooking for your husband, partner, or someone you want to impress, the hints, tips, and stories shared in this Family Tree Food Stories Valentine’s Day episode are a must-listen to, especially if you think food should do more than fill your plate—and that it should say and mean something about who you are.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a meal feel meaningful…
If you want Valentine’s Day to linger long after the dishes are cleared…or the check has been paid.
This episode of romantic food is for you.

Oh, there’s a special gift for you at the end of the episode!

Key Takeaways

Why romantic meals work best at home—and why restaurants often get it wrong
The psychology behind classic “romantic foods” and how they affect mood and connection
How to create a sensual, elegant Valentine’s dinner without culinary stress
The one mistake that kills intimacy—and how to avoid it
How food can become part of your shared love story, not just the evening

GIFT: Nancy & Sylvia’s romantic meal menu that you can make at home.

Strong Call to Action (Apple-First Conversion Style)

🎧 Listen now, then download the Valentine’s menu inspired by this episode and make it part of your story.

💬 Loved it? Share this episode with someone who believes food should mean something.

⭐ Follow Family Tree Food & Stories on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode that turns everyday meals into lasting memories.

Additional Links ❤️

Episode: Eating Bugs Episode
GIFT: A Romantic Valentine's Day Menu You Can Make at Home
Episode: Dad's Clam Chowder - The Dish That Defined a Life Episode
Mexican hot chocolate bar
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Follow Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodpodcast #award-winningpodcast, #foodstories, #valentine'sday #romanticfood #romanticmeals #FoodAnthroplogy #whyWeEatWhatWeEat #FoodStoriesPodcast #cultureAndFood #storytellingPodcst #documentarypodcast #SocietyAndCulturePodcast #BehavioralPsycholotyPodcast #EverydayRituals #chocolatecoveredstrawberries #marrymechicken #seductivefoods #romanticrestaurants #KitchenTableTalk #TasteHistory #FoodHistory

Chinese New Year 2026: Year of the Horse Food Traditions, Meanings, and Cultural Symbols

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Chinese New Year 2026 offers something rare: a second chance to begin again!

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore the Year of the Horse and the powerful role food plays in balance, momentum, and renewal in our lives during this Chinese Lunar New Year.

Instead of focusing on recipes alone, this episode uncovers the meaning behind Chinese New Year food traditions—why noodles are left unbroken, why dumplings require time and teamwork, why leftovers matter, and why food rituals are designed to guide behavior, not just celebration.

You'll also learn some foods play an important part of the horse spirit and reflect endurance, restraint, prosperity, and community, and how these traditions translate easily into modern kitchens. From whole fish and dumplings to long noodles, grounding root vegetables, and shared meals, food becomes a language of hope, intention, and togetherness.

This episode and others in the Family Tree Food & Stories lineup remind us that the most meaningful fresh starts don’t begin with discipline—instead, they more often begin at the table.

Key Takeaways:

Food tools to help you manage risk and balance: the year of the horse is about managing momentum.
How your kitchen (or mom’s) helps you build more independence and confidence: Hint - it’s about cooking together rather than being perfect.
Why leaving food behind (but not wasting it) is considered good fortune.
Importance of unbroken noodles in the New Year of the Horse.

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories isn’t about Chinese New Year foods — it’s about using food as a language, and a tool for hope, structure, and community.

🎧 Listen now if you’re craving food that has meaning. Share it with friends, family, or neighbors—and start a new tradition together that will create a lasting and shareable story for years to come.

The Year of the Horse moves faster, as we will, together with you, our listener, too!

Because Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast!

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

🎧If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories

What Ketchup Teaches Us About Patience, Power, and Taste

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:45:00 -0400

The Hidden History, Psychology, Power Struggle, and Cultural Story Behind America’s Most Ubiquitous Condiment.

What if the most powerful lesson about patience, power, trust, and human behavior was sitting on your table your entire life?

Would you want to know more? Well, you’ve probably stared at it in mild frustration. But no one ever told you why you felt that way!

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely crack the cap on the real story behind ketchup—not as a condiment, but as a cultural force that quietly trained generations of Americans how to wait, what to trust, and what “normal” tastes like.

🔴 This isn’t about trite food trivia!

It’s behavioral psychology.
It’s marketing genius at its best.
It’s memory, habit, and family tradition—hidden in plain sight.

If you’ve ever wondered how ketchup came about, why bottles behave the way they do… why that familiar taste feels comforting… or why one brand became untouchable while others disappeared—this episode is the answer to your YES!

And once you hear it, you’ll never look at that bottle of ketchup in your pantry the same way again.

⭐ Key Takeaways (That Make You Want the Full Story)

1. Ketchup Was Designed to Make You Wait—On Purpose: The slow pour isn’t accidental. It conditions anticipation, desire, and control. There's an entire psychological reason behind getting it out of the bottle

2. Ketchup Didn’t Start as a Tomato Sauce: Its real origins will surprise you—and it might even make you think again about how your own family food traditions are created and replayed time and time again.

3. The “57” Isn’t What You Think: It’s not a recipe. It’s not a fact. It’s a persuasive ploy printed on the bottle on purpose. And it worked better than anyone ever could have imagined. To the tune of $8 billion per year!

4. Why Ketchup Triggers Memory Like Few Other Foods: From your childhood dinners to family rituals, ketchup acts as a shortcut straight to your emotions and true sense of comfort and belonging.

Additional Links ❤️

Episode: Food as Medicine - The Healing Power of the Kitchen
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Thank you to Catch 22 Music for this episode's introduction and outgoing music.

🎧If you enjoy stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then YES, this is your show!

Follow Family Tree Food & Stories.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

And share this one with someone who still thinks ketchup is, well, “just ketchup.”

Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently.

Yes? Good. Pull up a chair, and enjoy the show!

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodpodcast #award-winningpodcast, #foodstories, #ketchup, #ketchuphistory #FoodPsychology #AmericanFoodCulture #FoodAnthroplogy #whyWeEatWhatWeEat #FoodStoriesPodcast #cultureAndFood #storytellingPodcst #documentarypodcast #SocietyAndCulturePodcast #BehavioralPsycholotyPodcast #EverydayRituals #MarketingPsychology #KitchenTableTalk #TasteHistory #FoodHistory

Iconic Food Brands: How Betty Crocker, Sara Lee, and Duncan Hines Built Trust in American Homes

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:45:00 -0400

What makes a food brand iconic—and why do we trust it like family?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull back the curtain on the legendary food brands and characters that quietly shaped American kitchens, childhoods, and consumer trust for generations.

From Betty Crocker, a fictional woman who became one of the most trusted voices in American homes, to Little Debbie, whose real face turned five-cent cakes into a Depression-era survival story, and more, you’ll learn how powerhouse food icons weren’t built in boardrooms—they were born in kitchens, war years, roadside bakeries, and moments of need.

You’ll also learn about the origin stories of Famous Amos, Chef Boyardee, Sara Lee, and Duncan Hines, and how immigration, World War rationing, celebrity culture, and early influencer marketing turned simple everyday food into icons of the day and symbols of comfort and credibility.

In a world of influencers and AI, what makes us trust a brand today?

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories is a recipe of food history, cultural insight, and personal memory—showing why so many childhood brands endured, why authenticity eventually replaced polish, and how the stories behind our food still shape what we buy, cook, and our beliefs even today as adults

Key takeaways:

We buy trust – not just food: Iconic food brands didn’t win because of better recipes alone. They won because they created a human connection: familiar faces, reassuring stories, and consistency during uncertain times. Trust, once earned at the kitchen table, lasts for generations
The strongest brands are built on real human stories, not AI perfection. From products with simple starts to those that were created out of a need for survival, the ones in this episode weren’t fancy or polished - they were relatable. Authenticity, struggle, and storytelling mattered more than slick marketing, and well before the word “branding” became a big deal.
Food icons were the original influencers—and they still influence what and how we make food choices today: Long before social media, characters like Betty Crocker and brands like Duncan Hines influenced how Americans cooked, celebrated, and felt confident in the kitchen. The episode reveals why those early influencer strategies still work—and what modern creators can learn from them.

Additional Links ❤️

University of Michigan Study on how Peanut Butter can add to your life.
Lavender Tallow hand and body moisturizer by our friends at Sincore Homestead.
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

🎧If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodpodcast #award-winningpodcast, #foodstories, #iconicfoodbrands #littledebbie #bettycrocker #duncanhines #dollyparton #foodbrandhistory #americanfood #brandtrust #marketingpsychology #storybehindthebrand #boxcakemix #foodmommade #bakingbrands #famousamos #saralee

Food as Medicine: Old Wives’ Tales, Family Remedies, and the Healing Power of the Kitchen

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Natural Remedies, Healing Foods, and the Traditions Families Trust.

As cold and flu season always seems to creep up on us soon after the New Year. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, the question we ask is: Can food be medicine?

Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as they merge family remedies with old and new science and unpack how everyday foods make us feel better. Learn how chicken soup, honey, ginger, garlic, cabbage, peanut butter, and whiskey have been standby home remedies used by many of our parents and grandparents. These comfort foods have been used through the generations to help heal and restore everything from a sore throat to an upset stomach and aching body and spirit.

This episode does not offer medical advice (please consult your physician if you’re ill), it investigates some of the whys behind food remedies: how taste, smell, ritual, and care influence well-being, especially during illness, grief, aging, and emotional stress.

🌿 Key Takeaways

How some foods can heal more than the body: Taste, smell, and ritual can lift spirits, restore appetite, and create emotional comfort during illness, grief, and stress.
Old wives’ tales that offer wisdom: Remedies involving ginger, garlic, honey, bone broth, cabbage, and fermented foods reflect generations of observation and are now being used and tested in current research.
Food's role in aging care health, too: Enhancing flavor and texture can help older adults and chemotherapy patients maintain nutrition, dignity, and enjoyment of eating.
Cooking and baking for mental health: Baking, soup-making, and bread-making calm the mind, foster purpose, and allow people to care for others while healing themselves.

🎧 Listen now and rediscover the foods, stories, and traditions that made you feel cared for and loved just a bit more. Then share this episode with someone who might need a bowl of homemade chicken soup to make them feel better, or with someone who might just need an extra hug.

💬 We’d love to hear from you: send us a note here.

What food always made you feel better in your family—and why?

Additional Links ❤️

University of Michigan Study on how Peanut Butter can add to your life.
Lavender Tallow hand and body moisturizer by our friends at Sincore Homestead.
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

🎧If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen now to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other licensed medical provider regarding any medical condition, treatment, or personal health decisions.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodasmedicine, #healingfoods, #naturalremedies, #comfortfood, #wellnessthroughfood, #FamilyFoodTraditions, #FoodForHealing, #HolisticWellness, #FoodStories, #PodcastRecommendations #FoodPodcasts #foodstories, #familywellness

Untold Pizza History Stories: How Your Favorite Became an American Obsession.

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Pizza wasn’t always welcome at the table—

And it certainly wasn’t always American. So how did a seemingly simple immigrant street food become the most shared, argued-over, and emotionally loaded meal in the country? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely uncover some surprising facts about the history of pizza in America, tracing its journey from Italian and ancient Mediterranean roots to our neighborhood pizza parlors, family tables, and regional loyalties that still divide and challenge us today.

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories shares how pizza (the “slice”) became portable fuel for working families, how New York, Chicago, Detroit, and New Haven shaped distinct styles (and the pizza wars), and why pizza shows up at our most personal moments—birthdays, late nights, celebrations, and comfort meals. It’s not about toppings. It’s about memory, migration, and why pizza became one of America’s favorite tabletop foods.

🍕 Key Takeaways

How pizza evolved into an American food staple: from early immigrants to all-out national pizza wars and modern rivals today.
Weird and delicious regional differences: from New England to Chicago and elsewhere, the differences are often stark, very personal.
Pizza parlors shaped many early communities: they were family-owned establishments that brought back memories from when we were kids.
American reinvented pizza before it was exported worldwide: global pizza as we know it today might exist because of its American evolution. What do you think?

🎧 Listen now and rediscover how pizza memories you didn’t realize shaped your own childhood and life today.

Then share this episode with someone who still argues about what city or restaurant has the best slice—or remembers when pizza wasn’t “real food” in their house.

Leave a review, follow the show, and tell us:

What did pizza mean at your table?

Because every meal has a story—and this one built America.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #pizzaHistory #pizzainAmerica #foodhistory #pizzawars #bestpizza #foodculture #podcastfood #foodpodcast #pizzaparlor #aliice #forgetaboutit #foodstories #podcastrecommendations #californiapizza #italianfood #sourdoughpizza

How to Turn Leftovers into Fancy New Year’s Meals 2026

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0400

New Year’s Leftovers: What to Toss, What to Transform, and Why It Matters

What stays, what goes, and what gets reinvented with style and taste? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, your award-winning hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take on the post-holiday refrigerator—one container at a time, with how-to ideas and a recipe that will turn your holiday leftovers into a fancy homespun “gotta have.”

This episode isn’t just about food—it’s a look at what leftovers say about the way we live, how they reflect culture (in the US and elsewhere), resourcefulness, and a way to embrace tradition and move forward. From stuffing and cranberry sauce to black-eyed peas, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and bacon gravy, and even what to do with leftover champagne, Nancy and Sylvia share old and new strategies for recreating new foods from “old”after the holiday glitter is packed up and put away.

In this episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, you’ll also get practical ideas for how to save food, stretch your grocery budget, and reuse ingredients in ways that still taste good on day five. Providing they’re not fuzzy.

If you're aiming to start the new year with less waste, smarter meals, and better habits in the kitchen, then dig in and enjoy the show!

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Most families throw out 30–40% of holiday food: learn what to do with leftovers that make them taste even better than the first time around.
What’s in your fridge can help with New Year's financial management: Did you know that the price of groceries has increased nearly 28% over the last five years? This episode shares tips and ideas that even your mom would be proud to serve.
Leftovers have global traditions too: From Kentucky Bergue to Italian Arancini Balls and even French Toast, every culture has creative and delicious tips and tricks for making your holiday leftovers extra special and even more delicious.

Additional Links ❤️

Recipe for How to Make Champagne Vinaigrette made with leftover Champagne
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Listen now to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #newyear's2026 #champaigne #leftovers #fancymeals #leftoverturkey #January2026 #newyear'straditions #newyear'sfood #newyear'sdiet #savingfood #foodbudgeting #costofbeef #costofgroceries #managingfoodcosts

Why We Leave Cookies for Santa: and Other Christmas Food Traditions

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Why do families leave cookies for Santa?

What do people in other countries leave for Santa on Christmas Eve, and why have those foods become part of the holiday?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph step in for Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely to examine the origins of Christmas treats and food traditions around the world. How have history, economics, and cultural storytelling shaped what we now consider “traditional” holiday foods? Mrs. Claus and Rudolph share their stories and examples of such treats as milk and cookies in the United States, fried chicken and strawberry cake in Japan, buñuelos in Mexico, rice cakes in the Philippines, and oat-based Haggis cookies in Scotland.

Rather than just recipes, you'll learn at the forces behind some of the best Christmas traditions—wartime scarcity, post-war rebuilding, marketing influence, and the role of myth in preserving rituals across generations. These two also share how meals and simple food customs help families mark time, reinforce memory, and maintain continuity during the holidays across the generations.

This episode offers historical context, global perspective, and practical insight into why food traditions persist—and how understanding their origins changes the way we experience them today.

Join us:

If this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories made you think differently about the food on your holiday table, share it with someone who values tradition, history, or a good story.

Subscribe to Family Tree Food & Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform, and leave a review—it helps these stories reach new listeners.

And if you want a place to record the meals and memories that matter in your own family, explore My Family Tree Food & Stories, available on Amazon.

Because food isn’t just what we eat—it’s how we remember.

Additional Links ❤️

Recipe for Santa's Secret Flying Sauce (and story)
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

#christmascookies #santa'scookies #whatdoreindeer eat #christmasmorningfood #sleighride #santalocator #santa'ssleigh #rudolph #christmasleftovers #christmaseve #christmaspast #christmaspodcast

The Best Christmas Food Gifts Ever — Funny, Nostalgic, Unforgettable

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Best Christmas food gifts, explained and shared.

What makes a Christmas food gift unforgettable? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia explore the best Christmas food gifts, sharing true stories behind fruitcake traditions, Hickory Farms boxes, homemade holiday drinks, and regional favorites that turn simple food into lasting memories.

What regional holiday traditions, family favorites, and even strange corporate food gifts have become long-running stories? Have you ever heard of Traveling Jack? Or received a food gift so simple—like a can of soup or an orange in a stocking—that you never forgot it (nor did anyone else)? These are often the gifts that become legends and stay with us year after year.

This episode also explains why food gifts matter more than other presents. They are personal and often connected to family history or a story. Whether it’s a homemade holiday drink, a box of sausage and cheese that arrives every year, or a shared dessert at the table, food gifts connect us to culture, memory, and each other.

If you’re looking for Christmas food gift ideas, want to understand holiday traditions, or enjoy stories about food and family, this episode shows why the best gifts are thoughtful, simple, and meant to be shared.

⭐ 5 Key Takeaways from the Episode

Food Gifts Always Tell a Story: Whether it’s fruitcake, soup, wine, a cheese box, or homemade cookies, they often last longer than that sweater you got and will only wear once.
Traditions Are Hidden in Holiday Food Treats: From the Feast of the Seven Fishes to Southern Hoppin’ John and German stollen, where you’re from often what foods you gift—and why.
Funny Food Gifts Become Great Stories: Giant chocolate boxes, traveling wine containers, and accidental potatoes prove to be the stories you'll likely never forget.
Homemade Gifts Feel (And Taste) Extra Special: Recipes like homemade holiday drinks or baked goods add a personal touch that store-bought gifts just can't replicate.
Simple Can Be Powerful: Did you ever get an orange in a stocking or a loaf of bread? It reminds us that thoughtful food gifts don’t need to be fancy to be special.

🎧 Sharing and Caring:

If you’re searching for Christmas food gift ideas, love holiday traditions, or love sharing stories that mix humor with heart, listen in and share Family Tree Food & Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Facebook, or wherever you get your podcasts—and don't forget to share it with someone with your friends and family.

Because every meal has a story… and every story deserves a feast. (TM)

Additional Links ❤️

Recipe for Santa's Secret Flying Sauce (and story)
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

#christmasgifts #foodgifts #christmasleftovers #oranges #christmaseve #feastofthesevenfishes #sevenfishes #chocolatecandies #boxofchocolates #holidaytraditions #foodblog #familyfun #holidaynostalga #nostalgicchristmasfood

Blended Holidays: When Jewish and Christian Traditions Come Together Through Food and Family.

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Bringing the holidays together: stories, shared recipes, and easy ideas for mixing Hanukkah, Christmas, and even Scandinavian Yuletide flavors at your family table.

What happens when Jewish and Christian traditions come together in one kitchen? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May talks with Magdalena Dryberg, a Swedish-born Jewish mom who blends Hanukkah, Christmas, and Scandinavian winter traditions into one fun and meaningful holiday season.

Magdalena shares easy ideas for blending faith, food, and family memories, and how anyone can create celebrations that feel special for everyone at the table. You’ll hear about tasty holiday foods like latkes, jelly-filled sufganiyot, Swedish ginger snaps, blue cheese, cured salmon, and warm mulled wine (glögg)—and learn how her family uses these dishes to celebrate the light of the season across different cultures and countries.

Through simple stories, family recipes, and a lot of laughter, this episode shows that it doesn’t matter if you’re lighting a menorah or decorating a tree. What matters most is the stories you share, the food you enjoy, and the people you love.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1. How Your Blended Family Can Create Powerful New Holiday Traditions

Hanukkah, Christmas, and Scandinavian Yule can coexist beautifully. Magdalena shows how families can merge Jewish rituals, Christian symbolism, and Nordic winter customs into a meaningful, modern, multicultural celebration.

2. Food Preserves Culture—and Even Helps It Evolve

Traditional foods—latkes, jelly donuts (sufganiyot), Swedish ginger snaps, gravlax, Jansson’s Temptation, glögg—carry the history of each culture. Cooking them keeps heritage alive even as new family traditions grow.

3. How Your Kitchen Can Hold Generational Memories

From Swedish copper pots to handwritten recipe cards and menorahs, Magdalena’s kitchen reflects the layered histories of her mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Listeners learn how objects and ingredients preserve identity.

4. Blended Holiday Foods Strengthen Connection

Unexpected pairings—ginger snaps with blue cheese, cured salmon with wasabi, Swedish molasses desserts—show how multicultural kitchens create new flavors, new rituals, and new memories without losing their roots.

🎧 What You Can Do Next:

If this episode made you rethink even one habit, hit follow, share it with a friend, and send us your funniest or most unforgettable etiquette story. Join us, Nancy and Sylvia, in future stories at Family Tree Food & Stories, where we explore the traditions, quirks, and conversations that shape how we eat, gather, and connect — because. . .

Every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Additional Links ❤️

Lawry's Lemon Pepper Spice
Recipes shared in this episode: shared by our guest, Magdalena Jengroth-Dyberg
IKEA Glogg AKA Vintersaga
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

Rules: Table Manners 201 - Traditions, Origins, and OMG I Didn't Know That!

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Why do some manners survive for centuries while others disappear overnight? And which one still matters today?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely uncover the surprising truths behind the rules we follow, the ones we break, and the embarrassing moments we all secretly Google.

From medieval knife etiquette and Victorian orange-cutting rules to restaurant dilemmas, awkward check battles, and the lesser-known rules of modern hosting, this episode reveals how manners have evolved — and why they’re more important today than ever.

A mix of cultural style, history, and real-life stories, Nancy and Sylvia share how etiquette shapes our relationships, our confidence, our friendships, and even tells others who we are at the table. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”, this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories has answers to the questions you might be too embarrassed to ask out loud — but still should know.

This is not your grandmother’s etiquette talk, but instead something you can put to use tomorrow..

🔑 Key Takeaways:

The Easy Bread Plate Hack Everyone Should Know About: The “B” and “D” hand trick doesn’t just save embarrassment — it’s one of the most-searched etiquette questions worth learning.
History Behind the Rules We Follow Without Thinking, And Why: Did you know that Medieval danger signals, Victorian pamphlets, and ancient dining rituals still influence how we sit, eat, serve, and host today?
The Check-Dance Ritual, And Who Pays? From the guy with “alligator arms” and the host rule to power plays disguised as politeness, the debate over who pays is one of the most revealing etiquette moments in our professional and personal lives, and it's worth learning how to do it right.
Toasting: Trust, Poison, and a Loud Clink: Did you know that the glass clink isn’t just for celebration—historically, it was a way to prove you weren’t poisoning your neighbor. (And yes, how high your glass, or goblet, was filled mattered!)

🎧 What You Can Do Next:

If this episode made you rethink even one habit, hit follow, share it with a friend, and send us your funniest or most unforgettable etiquette story. Join us, Nancy and Sylvia, in future stories at Family Tree Food & Stories, where we explore the traditions, quirks, and conversations that shape how we eat, gather, and connect — because. . .

Every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories, #tablemanners101, #manners #holidaygifts, #everydaymanners #dinningetiquette #holidayhostingtips #tablemanners #mannermatter #goodmanner #breadandbutterdish #whichsideismydrink on #familytraditions #holidaypodcast #familypotcast #learningmanners #etiquettepodcast #toprankingpodcast

Decorating With Food: Renewed Tradition and Fun

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Home for the Holidays: The Lost Art of Decorating with Food

What if your next holiday centerpiece wasn’t from a store—but from your pantry? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely help you rediscover the forgotten art and easy ways to decorate with food. It’s been a long-standing, even ancient tradition that’s fun and everyone can join in and help.

From hanging this year’s turkey wishbone and saving it for next year’s wish-making activities, to crafting apple-head dolls, hanging cookie tree ornaments, and stringing cranberry and popcorn garlands, there’s an interesting story with each of these holiday decorations.

There’s some pretty interesting history to many other food decorating traditions. Nancy and Sylvia dig into the Greek legend of the cornucopia and the history of how the pineapple became a symbol of welcome in many New England towns.

You’ll also learn the story of how Otto, the cookie-loving poodle, managed to sneak his share of holiday food decorations, unbeknownst to his owners. Then, give some of the other traditional edible craft decorations a try with your own family and friends, like orange-and-clove pomanders and more.

This holiday season, try bringing a little nostalgia back into your home, things that your grandmother might have done, and get an early jump on decorating for the holidays, with food!

Nancy shares… “Food is art, food is memory—and decorating with always makes you happy.”

Whether you’re a crafter, foodie, or simply someone craving a warmer, more memorable type of holiday season in 2025, this episode will help you remember that every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Key Takeaways:

The history of edible decorations: from cornucopias to cookies and eggs
Holiday decorating ideas: garlands, pomander oranges, bread babies, and more
Regional food decorating stories from New England to Ecuador
Why food and decoration: memory-making magic for holidays, heritage, and home

📣 Want more?

Tune in to Family Tree Food & Stories at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com or wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe so you never miss an episode release.

Learn why oatmeal is more than breakfast—it’s a bridge between past and present, comfort and culture, nourishment and nostalgia.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories, #christmas cookies #fooddecorations

Thanksgiving Traditions: The Hidden Stories Behind Your Feast!

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Thanksgiving Traditions & The Stories That Feed Us

What makes Thanksgiving more than a meal? There’s a lot more of the old and new traditions that, when combined, can make this celebration one you’ll remember for years to come.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore how food, family, and traditions shape our sense of gratitude and belonging across the generations, tables, and even time zones from how to make that traditional turkey better than ever, to the most bizarre dishes of the past decades. This episode takes you behind the scenes of how some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods reveal where we came from (in past generations), where we’ve been (think wartime rationing), and those things that have become mainstay traditions, perhaps taught to you by an in-law.

Key Take Aways:

1. Gratitude: How The Legacy of Food and Friendship Lives On: Through stories of Gloria Hardy Rice and Denny Hamilton—two unforgettable women remembered through their cooking and hospitality—you’ll see how recipes and rituals can preserve memories far beyond the kitchen.

2. Strange but True: Mid-Century “Weird Dishes” Still Make it to The Table: Ever heard of bologna cake or ham and banana casserole? Nancy and Sylvia uncover these real mid-century recipes and explore what they reveal about America’s shift from fresh to processed foods—and why some trends are making a comeback.

3. Sweet Potatoes vs. Yams: The Real Difference: You’ll finally learn what separates these two Thanksgiving staples—and discover that the sweet potato actually comes from the morning glory family, not from traditional tuber potatoes.

4. Modern Twists on Classic Thanksgiving Traditions: From Friendsgiving gatherings to global recipe swaps and even new drinks and how to brine with apple cider, and even frog eye salad, this episode offers simple ways to freshen up your Thanksgiving platters.

5. The Sensory Secrets of Gratitude: You’re encouraged to notice the details—the scent of rosemary, the crisp sound of turkey skin, the warmth of laughter. It’s the simple things that make a Thanksgiving meal and day that much more memorable.

🎧 Join Us:

This Thanksgiving, we hope you’ll grab a seat at the Family Tree Food & Stories table. Listen to a few extra shows at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com to rediscover the flavor, humor, and your own family history that makes Every Meal a Story, and Every Story a Feast!

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite listening platform or visit us at: https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

#familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #familytree #familytreefood #kitchenwisdom #familyfoodtraditions #foodtraditions #budgetfriendlyfood #sustainableeating #heritagerecipes #nostalgicfood #homecookingtips #homemademeals #familymeals #potluck #casserole #friendsgiving #thanksgivingturkeyrecipes #butterballturkey #baccon #sweetpotatopie #mashedpotatoes #turkeygravey #turkeybrine #howtobrineaturkey #thanksgivingpodcast #heritagepodcast #applecider #midcenturyrecipes #grandmasrecipes

The Courage to Cook: Learning new skills and Loving it!

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How Cooking Mistakes, Burned Meals, and Starting Over Can Teach You More Than Any Recipe Book

Why are so many people afraid to cook? It’s easier and more fun, even than you might think. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the big reasons and excuses behind avoiding cooking. Learn how even the most devout non-cook recently turned her “I don’t cook” mantra into a way to learn about her family history and a new level of confidence.

From burnt pots and melted pie crusts to Engagement Chicken and freezer chili hacks, Nancy and Sylvia share practical tips and tactics to cut through your own fear of learning—or relearning—how to cook at home. They also share how it might not just be you, but entire generations, who are challenged by cooking. Shifting lifestyles, rising food prices, social media pressures, and even Food Network shows have distorted the reality and perception of what it takes to stay healthy, enjoy cooking, and put even a simple hot meal on a plate.

Whether you’re an empty nester, have a large family, or are inviting friends in for a bit or a snack, there’s an idea for everyone in this next episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, because You Can Cook!

🔍 Key Episode Topics & Takeaways :

Common cooking fears—why they exist and how to overcome them without expensive tools or culinary school
Cost myths—why cooking at home is almost always cheaper than fast food or restaurant delivery
Cooking for one or two—realistic tips for empty nesters, those newly divorced, or anyone living alone
Why men are cooking more—and what that means for modern households, dating, and engagement chicken
Cultural shifts—how working parents, youth sports, and Uber Eats rewired how we eat (and why that’s changing again)
Mistakes that teach—what happens when you confuse baking soda with baking powder or overload your pasta pot
Creative ways to start small—using canned soup, leftovers, and community cooking clubs as a jumping-off point
Recipe preservation—how misreading grandma’s handwriting turned into seven cups of sugar instead of one—and why that memory matters

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite listening platform or visit us at: https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

A Twist on Oatmeal: Recipes, Tradition, And History

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Oatmeal: The Comfort Food That Connects Generations & More!

Oatmeal: it's a simple bowl with a story that spans continents, centuries, and countless family tables. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share the interesting history, folklore, forgotten traditions, and a few recipe ideas behind one of the world’s most comforting foods.

From ancient Scottish porridge (yes hidden their Sporrans)to more traditional breakfasts, and eve oat milk and skincare, you'll learn how this simple grain has fed and even healed so many across the generations.

You might even rethink your own breakfast routine as Nancy and Sylvia share how oatmeal has fueled farmers, inspired folklore, and even found its way into beauty products like Aveeno.

As always you'll hear personal stories and ideas about how oats and oatmeal has played a role in their lives and others they know, including Nancy’s 99-year-old father’s famous oatmeal routine—and a recipe shared by Sylvia's son Ross - who has eight, yes, EIGHT children!

Key Takeaways:

The Interesting History and Origins of Oatmeal: how it began in the fields of Scotland and Ireland, where it was both a staple food and then became a symbol of resilience, also called Avena Sativa, oats have helped many farming communities survive over the centuries.
It Was A Superfood Before Its Time: Modern science confirms what farmers always knew: oats are rich in fiber, heart-healthy nutrients, and anti-inflammatory properties. Yes, research has noted that a daily bowl can lower cholesterol, balance blood sugar, and boost long-term wellness.
From Comfort Food to Folklore: In Scotland, oats weren’t just food—they were protection. Folklore held that sprinkling oatmeal in your pocket could ward off fairies and bad luck. These myths reveal how deeply food and superstition intertwined across generations. Even the French used it to welcome or dissuade a daughter's suitors.
From Breakfast to Beauty: Oatmeal has many healing properties that are even incorporated in your "average" beauty products.
Recipes that Carry A Family of Eight Far: You can get a copy of Ross Lovely’s Minnesota Baked Oatmeal in this episode as well.

📣 Want more?

Tune in to Family Tree Food & Stories at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com or wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe so you never miss an episode release.

Learn why oatmeal is more than breakfast—it’s a bridge between past and present, comfort and culture, nourishment and nostalgia.

Additional Links ❤️

Ross Lovely's Minnesota Baked Oatmeal Recipe
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories, #hotbreakfast, #oatmeal, #oatmealrecipes, #hotoatmeal, #winterbreakfast, #coldmorningbreakfast, #oatbread, #maplesyrup, #bakedoatmeal, #oatmildvsalmondmilk, #oatmealtraditons, #comfortfoodpodcast, #foodstories, #foodandfolklore, #healthyfoods, #lowercholesterolfoods,

Witches, Pumpkins & Stingy Jack: The Real Stories Behind Halloween Food Traditions

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Ever wonder what bone cookies, charcoal embers in a turnup, and candy corn have common?

In this ghostly episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely stir up the history, humor, and hidden meaning behind Halloween’s more interesting and fun traditions. From ancient Celtic rituals to good luck brew, and a lover’s prediction, this episode shares how food, folklore, and superstition have come together over centuries to create the Halloween we know today.

👻 Did you know Halloween started not with candy—but instead with cakes for the dead?

🕯️Ever heard of “dumb suppers” where guests purposely invite their ancestral spirits to dinner?

🎃 Or that carving pumpkins first started with a carved turnup – and a spooky Irish legend about a drunk trickster named Stingy Jack?

This episode isn’t about horror— It’s about how old food-related superstitions turned into new stories and became tradition, and how something as small as a cinnamon stick or a fire ember can help us recreate traditions and stories from the past.

We’re talking witches, Wiccans, candy corn, garlic, good fortune potions, caldrons, and why some of us still can’t pass a graveyard without holding our breath.

Whether you’re a Halloween traditionalist or a foodie this episode will might have you turning your lobster pot into a homemade cauldron of flavor, and fun.

✨ Key Takeaways:

How Halloween Turned into a Modern Day Celebration: The Celtic roots of Samhain marked the shift from harvest to darkness—and gave rise to many of the traditions we still celebrate today.
Magic in the Kitchen: Secrets Behind Everyday Kitchen Herbs: Rosemary, sage, garlic, and other herbs have long been symbols of protection and good luck—proof that cooking can carry a little mystery of its own.
Old Rituals to Find Your Lover and New Meanings: From cakes for the dead to bobbing for apples, what once honored ancestors has evolved into modern ideas you can use today.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Episode Links:

The One Way Ticket Show: with our friend Steven Shalowitz

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #halloween #jackolantern #carvingpumpkins #carvedpumpkins #bonecookies #dayofthedead #witchesbrew #halloweenwitch #halloweentreats #halloweenpodcast #foodpodcast #foodie #halloweenfood #trickortreatpodcast #halloweenpodcastepisode #dumbsuppers #halloweencostumes

Chocolate Factories, French Food and Friends: You Can Go Home!

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Hidden Power of Everyday Food Rituals to Connect Family, Friends, and Colleagues

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Sylvia Lovely turns interviewer and invites Nancy May to reflect on and share her experiences in going home to New York and Connecticut. The interview turns into a food story about going home and finding new friends, while creating new memories and connections

Through treats (think chocolate) and meals shared with colleagues, long-time friends, and family, the conversation explores how shared meals create continuity between past and present—bridging professional spaces, personal history, and the comfort in knowing "you can go home" after all.

From a meeting in a New York chocolate factory with new collaborators, to a French dinner with a childhood friend, and tea with a mentor celebrating her 90th birthday, each experience and story illustrates how food serves as both anchor and bridge. Whether through the aroma of smoked mushroom risotto, the aroma of handmade chocolate, or the simplicity of a perfectly seasoned burger, each moments shared is is done so to help remind you that food and stories can awaken our senses and enrich every moment of your day.

Throughout the episode, Nancy and Sylvia share how awareness enhances connection—how important it is to slow down to notice the sounds, really taste the flavors (even of the day) and truly listen to the rhythm of conversation. Chance encounters can also transform the simplest moment of shopping into a new friendship and lasting memory.

As Nancy revisits the familiar towns of Connecticut, some she shares with her host, who had never experienced the region of New Preston, CT, from her new home base in Florida, she shares how the food shared throughout her trip enhanced every food becomes a way to re-engage with both past identity and present relationships.

This discussion underscores a central idea: food stories are professional, personal, and historical connectors. They link the boardroom (from her speaking event) to the kitchen table, the old neighborhood to new beginnings, and the act of eating to the art of listening.

Key takeaways:

Food can strengthen even professional relationships: business and professional relationships are strengthened with a surprise introduction to the Moderne Chocolate factory and an introduction the founder, Joan Coukous and her husband, in New York City.
Pay attention to the sensory details with each experience. From the smell of chocolate (in this episode example) to the rich taste of smoked mushroom risotto, at La Rivage, and a reconnection with a childhood friend. The episode highlights how sensory awareness transforms food from the action of eating into an act of mindfulness
Food stories preserve legacy and strengthen belonging: Through recipes like syrup cake or transparent pie, hear how personal family food stories reinforce our understanding of family and friends.

🎧 Listen now at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com — and in the kitchen with family and friends again - and, remember that every meal tells a story, and every story is a feast!.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Episode Links:

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories @thorncrestmilkhousechocolate @modernechocolate @newprestonct #connecticutfoodies #connecticutwinetrail #foodies #familyfood #dinnerwithfriends #chocolate #chocolatefactory #newyorkcity #newyorkfoodie #bancockthai #thaifood #bestburger #simplefood #goodfood #friends #childhoodfriends #networking #networkwise #foodpodcast #podcastingfriends

World Food Day: Rediscovering Kitchen Wisdom That Fed Generations Your Family

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How family traditions, food memories, and simple kitchen smarts can help us eat well, waste less, and reconnect around the table.

In this Family Tree Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely celebrate World Food Day by diving into how food traditions, family stories, and old-fashioned kitchen wisdom can help us better manage our family’s budget today. From McDonald’s Happy Meals and Burger King crowns to World War II ration cookbooks, casseroles, and potluck suppers, they explore how generations before us managed to feed their families with creativity, care, and a sense of community spirit.

This episode digs into stories and tips of stretching meals when prices rise, making do with what’s on hand, and why simple, hearty dishes—like soups, beans, pickled vegetables, and even Hamburger Helper—are finding their way back into modern kitchens. You’ll also hear about how Sylvia’s granddaughter surprised her with a simple yet delicious treat, reminding us that food—no matter how humble—has the power to comfort, heal, and bring us together, regardless of the time of day.

This episode explores how the lessons of our mothers and grandmothers continue to guide us: waste less, cook smart, and share what you have with friends and neighbors.

This episode explores how the lessons of our mothers and grandmothers continue to guide us: waste less, cook smart, and share what you have with friends and neighbors.

🍲 Key Takeaways:

Old Tricks Still Work – Learn how classic budget-stretchers like soups, stews, casseroles, and potlucks are making a comeback for today’s families.
Ration-Era Wisdom from WWII for Modern Times – Discover how vintage cookbooks and wartime recipes offer practical lessons for eating well on less.
Easy Sustainability Tips at Home – From small gardens to creative leftovers, see how past generations practiced “farm-to-table” long before it was trendy, and how you can do this too

🎧 Listen now at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com — and in the kitchen with family and friends again - and, remember that every meal tells a story, and every story is a feast!.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

#familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #familytree #familytreefood #worldfoodday #sustainability #kitchenwisdom #familyfoodtraditions #foodtraditions #budgetfriendlyfood #sustainableeating #heritagerecipes #nostalgicfood #homecookingtips #homemademeals #familymeals #potluck #casserold #dinnerparties #eatingwithfriends.

Native American Foods the Hidden Roots to What We Eat Today: Secrets Revealed!

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

🌽 Did you know that Native American Foods Sill Influence What You Eat Today?

How many of the foods you eat every day have roots in Native American foods and traditions? A lot more than you might realize, so start counting and testing your family and kids now!

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share a list of indigenous foods, along with their history, traditions, and, yes, even spiritual connections, that influence your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and holiday celebrations today.

A few key things you’ll learn in this episode include:

The secret of the Three Sisters – corn, beans, and squash weren’t just crops; together they created a complete protein system that nourished communities long before “vegetarian nutrition” was ever studied in labs.
Forgotten Native recipes – from Cherokee venison meatloaf (poya) to early cornbread and Johnny Cakes, discover dishes you may not know had indigenous roots.
Spiritual traditions of food – ghost suppers, spirit plates, and powwows reveal how meals were seen not just as nourishment, but as sacred connections to ancestors and community.
Modern revivals of indigenous cuisine – from Minnesota’s Owamni restaurant to fry bread recipes passed down through families, Native foodways are making a powerful comeback today.

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories you can test your own knowledge of how much Native American food history, indigenous cooking traditions, and stories of resilience offers up some wisdom from the past.

👉 What’s NEXT? How you can help us and others.

Feeling hungry for more than just food? Go make your favorite fall recipe—or better yet, call someone and ask about their comfort food memories. And don’t forget to share this episode with friends and family. Because as Nancy and Sylvia always say… every dish has a story—and every story is a feast.. and it’s all better when shared! 🍽️💬

🎧Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #foodie #familytime #fallfoods #comfortfoods #fallfoods #nativefood #cornbread #nativamerican #nativeamericanfood #cornbread #rice #beans #squash #thethreesisters #nativefoods #indigeniousfood #indianfood #americanfood #thanksgiving #riceburger #rice #traditions #foodorigins #higgenroots #maplesyrup #secretfoodhistoy #Frybread

Comfort Food Secrets: Why Fall Recipes Feel and Taste Extra Good

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Learn why your body—and heart—craves stew, pasta, and pancakes in the fall.

Ever wonder why mac and cheese, beef stew, lasagna, or even a slice of fruitcake creates cravings in the fall? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely dive into the cozy world of comfort foods—and trust us, there’s a lot more to it than just wanting that warm brownie or an extra spoonful of mashed potatoes on your plate!

Nancy and Sylvia aren’t just talking about our favorite go-to comfort recipes. They’re sharing some of the reasons why certain foods bring back some of your best memories, and why our bodies actually need comfort food when it gets cold. In this episode, you learn about ghost recipes – don’t worry, they’re not creepy or scary memories and stories of traditional Sunday sauces, and apple dumplings made with Mountain Dew (yes, really!). You’ll also go back in time to those old-fashioned church cookbook finds that have become dinner-party showstoppers— we promise you’re in for a treat with this episode.

🍂Key Lessons & Takeaways:

🔍Comfort food activates that involve all five senses. Sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste all come alive when you’re cooking and eating fall favorites like stew, chili, and roasted pumpkin.

🔍The science behind your cravings. Cold weather and less daylight lower your serotonin and body temperature—so hearty meals help warm you up and boost your mood.

🔍How Ghost Recipes connect us to the past. Old family dishes, even if half-remembered, tell stories of loved ones and keep traditions alive in powerful ways.

🔍Comfort food looks different for everyone. From Yorkshire pudding and burnt marshmallows (for an 8-year-old Girl Scout), to chili or a lasagna made by a well-known pasta machine inventor, each dish has personal meaning.

🔍Fall cooking is about slowing down. Scratch recipes, simmering pots, and food memories all invite us to be present, take the edge off our hectic schedules and lives, and teach us how to be present with ourselves and those we love and care about. We suggest you give it a try one weekend to rediscover just how relaxing it can be in your own kitchen.

🎧 What’s NEXT? How you can help us and others.

Feeling hungry for more than just food? Go make your favorite fall recipe—or better yet, call someone and ask about their comfort food memories. And don’t forget to share this episode with friends and family. Because as Nancy and Sylvia always say… every dish has a story—and every story is a feast.. and it’s all better when shared! 🍽️💬

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #foodie #familytime #fallfoods #comfortfoods #fallfoods #chilli #beefstew #soupseason #heirloomrecipes #ghostrecipes #cozyfoods #fallrecipes #fallcomfortfood #fromscratch #churchcookbooks #momsrecipes #grandmasrecipes #graces #sharedfoods #potluck

Fall Mushroom Show: Shiitake, Truffle Hustles, the People's Mushroom and more

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Let’s talk Mushrooms: from Shitake stories, and magic mushrooms, to the People’s “shrooms” and more.

This week, we’re talking about foods you probably wouldn’t expect to get too excited about: mushrooms. However, those funky spongy fungi have stories, secrets, and flavors that will give you something different to talk about at your next dinner table conversation.

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely become the Fungi Gals (ha, ha, seriously!) and share fall comfort foods, mushroom myths, and a few “did-they-really-just-say-that?” moments.

👍Here are a few extra hints of what you'll learn in this episode:

The true story of the mushroom that sold for over $300,000
Why Nancy’s new puppy, BB, could turn into the best hunting nose in FL for these dinner treats.
How a mushroom helped a widower through his grief.
Why pigs got fired as truffle hunters.
How a mushroom turned into a serious multi-million dollar side hustle

If you love a good fall recipe, a weird-but-true food story, or want to feel a little more grounded this season (pun intended here), this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories is for you.

And hey, don’t be surprised if you start eyeing your backyard for mushrooms and thinking, how much can I sell this one for?

👉 Listen, share, and discuss this episode with family and friends. Together, let’s keep alive the promise to “Never Forget”—and to remember that every meal tells a story, and every story is a way to heal.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook.
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #foodie #mushrooms #mushroomrecipes #fallfoods #harvest #truffels #whitetruffels #blacktruffels #shataki #grief #foodstories #societyandculture #spiritualfood #fallfoodrecipe #fallfoods #falltime #familytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Family Tree Food Stories Book

From Shrubs to Smokehouses: Old-School Preservation Hacks You’ll Actually Want to Try

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 05:14:00 -0400

Fermented Nuts, Pickled Eggs & Appalachian Moonshine: How We Preserve More Than Just Food, and Why it's Important.

Fall is more than a season—it's a reminder to preserve what matters, from seasonal foods to family recipes passed down through generations. In this richly layered episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share forgotten preservation techniques, Appalachian food lore, and hands-on kitchen wisdom from past generations.

You'll also hear about Sylvia's learned to revive a drunken raccoon, the FDA's ban on sassafras, and some inspiration for pickling and canning.

From colonial fruit-flavored shrubs and handcrafted root beer to salt-cured smokehouse hams, brined turkeys, and green beans also known as leather britches— we hope this episode will give you some new ideas, recipes, and tools for your own fall season harvest.

You’ll also hear and learn about:

Shrubs and Colonial Drinks – What They Are and how to make these trending drinks for yourself.
Traditional Appalachian Smokehouses and Backyard Smokehouse Pits: Learn how to create a makeshift smokehouse and enjoy a smoked Thanksgiving turkey sooner, without waiting.
Brining & Pickling: What’s hot and trending, and what not to do.
Simple Dehydration Techniques: in your own oven and kitchen.

Even if you only have a high-rise windowsill herb garden, this episode will give you tools, resources, and ideas on how preservation is about more than just food.

👉 Listen, share, and discuss this episode with family and friends. Together, let’s keep alive the promise to “Never Forget”—and to remember that every meal tells a story, and every story is a way to heal.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstorie #applepicking #fallfoods #harvestfoods #harvesttime #fallfestivals #apples #pumpkinpicking #stews #comfortfoods #woolybears #farmersalmanac #foodblog #kitchenconversations #foodpreservation #harvestfoods #homecanning #canningseason #howtocan #pickeling #farmtotable #smokingmeats #rootbeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Family Tree Food Stories Book

September 11 Stories: Food, Memories, and Healing After 9/11, Patriot Day

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?

How did America come together in the days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks? And why did food—from cornbread to clam chowder—become a powerful symbol of comfort, resilience, and remembrance?

In this special Family Tree Food & Stories episode, we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and the extraordinary ways people found healing through food. From community kitchens in New York serving first responders, to small-town stories of family meals and final requests, this show explores how 9/11 changed America forever—and how sharing food helped us grieve, unite, and honor those lost, yet never forgotten.

✨ Key Takeaways from This Episode

How Chefs brought communities together after 9/11
How Cornbread Has Become a symbol of resilience
Patriot Day and Ways You Can Help Others
Communities give thanks
Things you can do in remembrance and service

On this September 11 Patriot Day, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely ask you to take a moment to reflect and ask:

What food brings you comfort when the world feels uncertain?
How can you honor 9/11 with an act of kindness, service, or remembrance?

👉 Listen, share, and discuss this episode with family and friends. Together, let’s keep alive the promise to “Never Forget”—and to remember that every meal tells a story, and every story is a way to heal.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories @911 #americaremembers #cornbread #familytime #foodstories #foodsupport #foodascomfort #patriotsday #patriotday #911 #september11th #americanspirit #heritage #worldtrade #USAstrong

Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food Stories available on Amazon today

True Crime in the Kitchen: True stories from the kitchen to the table!

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

🍴 Mystery, Murder & Meals: When Food Turns Deadly

Could the food on your plate become a deadly weapon? In this week’s episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia stir up the darker, and questionably juicy side of food culture, history, and culinary revenge—where poisoned banquets, chef scandals, and real-life true-crime stories collide. If you’ve ever wondered about the powerful, sinister-looking side just placed on your plate, this episode is a feast you won’t want to miss.

From poisoned pies to power plays in the kitchen, this episode blends food history, true crime, and mystery storytelling into a conversation that’s as chilling as it is entertaining.

Key Lessons Learned: 👇

Food plots revealed from ancient Roman kitchens
What if the first “witch trials” weren’t about magic at all—but about dinner gone deadly wrong?.
What might happen when you send your meal back to the kitchen? Yikes!
The dark side of the kitchen and # MeToo scandals
Agatha Christie's recipe for a perfect mystery and why we still "eat it up" today.
What arsenic has to do with bread and WWII prisoners.
and much more!

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia

👇Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories

!: Leave us a voicemail You can send us a DM on Facebook?

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories @atinyhomestead @jenhardy #foodstories #truecrime #truecrimemystery #kitchencrime #truecrimekitchen #foodmystery #truecrimepodcast #chefscandals #agathachristiemystery #agathachristie #culinarytruecrime #everymealhasastory.

Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food Stories available on Amazon today

Food writers Who Changed the Way We Eat: Pepin, Reich, Garten, Clayborn and More!

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

✍️ Ink, Ingredients & the Power of Food Writers

Who do you think shapes the way we eat, cook, and talk about food today? Well, you'll find some of the answers in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, as co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely reveal the history of food writers and critics—from the Mesopotamian food writers who carved their stories on clay tablets to the story behind how Michelin stars come about and are funded and can make or break a restaurant.

Nancy and Sylvia also put the spotlight on legends like Jacques Pépin, who turned down JFK’s kitchen to revolutionize American cooking, and Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, whose Hamptons shop grew into one of the most beloved food brands in the world. You’ll also hear how Ruth Reichl, editor of Gourmet and former New York Times critic, transformed food reviews into unforgettable personal stories.

Food writing isn’t just about recipes—it’s about preserving traditions, capturing culture, and connecting us to family and history through ink and ingredients. Whether you’re a cookbook lover, foodie traveler, a faithful listener of the show, or a wannabe food blogger and critic yourself, this episode will be one to learn from and savor. We promise.

🍴 Key Things You'll Enjoy Learning About in This Episode

The origins of food writing 🍴 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The origins of food writing — from 1750 BC recipes to witty ancient Greek food stories.
The rise of iconic food critics like Craig Claiborne, Ruth Reichl, and how their reviews changed dining forever.
Why Jacques Pépin’s career choice (HoJo’s over JFK!) shaped American home cooking.
The story behind Michelin stars — and how they became a global badge of food tourism and prestige, and how they're funded - it's not what you think.

Nancy and Sylvia hope that you enjoy this episode of Family Tree Food and Stories. If you do, please subscribe today so you don't miss the release of all future shows. And don't forget to share the show with your friends and family because "Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast."

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

"Every Meal Has a Story and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts.

@familytreefoodstories #foodwriters #cookbooks #foodctitic #foodstories #recipewriters #foodjournalists #foodjournalism #gourmetmagazine #jacquespepin #juliachild #juliachilds #rachelray #lostkitchen #ruthreichl #foodbloggers #whatisafoodwriter #popularfoodblogger #famousfoodcritic #dofoodwritersgetpaid #michelinerestaurants #howtogetamichelinstar #howtobecomeafoodwriter #foodwriters #delicious #foodwriterstalk #contemporarywritersonfood

Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food Stories available on Amazon today

Fascinating History of Bars and Pubs: From Ancient Taverns to Modern Social Hangouts

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

From our family's original alehouses (think medieval times) to modern gastropubs, hear how your favorite watering hole and social hangout has shaped society, from birth to passing. and why.

In this episode about “Bars and Pubs,” your Family Tree Food & Stories Podcast hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, raise a frosty pint and share some of the most timeless traditions, history, colorful characters, and personal stories that make bars, pubs, and taverns the cornerstones of many small towns and community family life so rich.

From famous corner bars like Cheers in Boston and the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, to local favorites with a rich heritage, this episode blends history, humor, and personal stories and reflections on lives well lived. Listeners will hear about Prohibition-era origins, the role of German immigrant beer culture, and how pubs often doubled as family gathering spaces. The conversation also touches on homebrewing adventures, quirky bar names, and the enduring appeal of pub comfort food.

In addition, Nancy and Sylvia share personal conversations with bartenders who remember every order, travelers who created instant friendships and the new tastes moving towards non-alcoholic beer and mocktail culture—a trend led by Gen Z. You’ll also learn about the agricultural roots of beer, from hop farming in New York and Washington State to the backstory behind IPA bitterness and Belgian monk brews.

Whether it’s a dark and warm Irish tavern, a cozy New England pub, or a quirky roadside dive bar, “Bars and Pubs” shows how these places have become a part of lives, legacies, and legends, and the archive of tradition, storytelling, and warm human connection.

5 Key Learning Points:

The Importance of Key Historic Bars & Taverns – Discover the stories of iconic spots like the Cheers bar in Boston and the 10th-oldest tavern in the world, the White Horse Tavern.
Their Cultural Impact and Significance – Learn how pubs, especially in German-American and Irish traditions, have long been community hubs for celebration and connection.
Emerging Drink Trends – Explore the rise of non-alcoholic beer, mocktails, and premium brews as tastes shift across generations.
History of Agriculture & Brewing – Understand the role of hop farming in the U.S., from New York’s past dominance to Washington State’s modern leadership.
Importance of Social Storytelling – See how conversations over a pint can spark lifelong friendships, creative breakthroughs, and the preservation of local history.

Pull up a barstool and join the conversation! 🍺

Listen to “Bars and Pubs” on the Family Tree Food & Stories Podcast and discover the traditions, flavors, and friendships that make pubs more than just a place to drink. Subscribe now, share with friends, and tell us—what’s your most memorable bar or pub story?

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food Stories available on Amazon today

Get your book today

Here's a quick and easy way to get your own copy of My Family Tree Food & Stories book for yourself, a friend, or a family member. It's a gift that shows how much you care about the people you love and the stories and food memories you have shared, wanting to preserve them.

Eating Bugs: The Surprising History, Health Benefits, and Global Food Trends

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

New ideas for creating a family food tradition that’s right in your back, or front yard.

The Growing Craze for Edible Insects: From Crickets to Tarantulas and the health, wellness, and eco-friendly benefits that could help you, your family, neighbors, and the planet.

Family Tree Food & Stories, Ep. #46

Tune in as this episode of the Family Tree Food & Stories podcast crawls straight into the fascinating (and sometimes squirm-worthy) world of edible insects. In “Foods That Bug Us,” your co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore cultural traditions, health benefits, and some less familiar history behind eating bugs.

From deep-fried tarantulas and crispy roasted crickets to John the Baptist’s locust-and-honey diet and the surprising insect life cycle hidden inside figs, this episode gives you a list of ideas and ways to create your own buged-out buffet along with some facts that will have you asking for seconds – well, maybe. In addition, learn about how the FDA has approved bug parts in food, why 2 billion people worldwide already enjoy insects as part of their diet, and how bugs are a good protein substitute with a much smaller environmental footprint than livestock. Yes, the pun (bug footprint, is intended!) 😉

Alongside historical tidbits and personal stories (like how one of our friends swears green stink bugs taste like apple Jolly Ranchers), Nancy and Sylvia share the health benefits—from high-density protein and B12 to chitin. This crunchy exoskeleton compound has been studied and shown to help improve gut health and even has anti-inflammatory properties.

With humor, storytelling, and a healthy dose of “yuck and yum,” this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories will challenge the way you think about what’s on our plate and proves that every meal has a story—and even sometimes comes with wings.

5 Key Learning Points:

There really is a global appetite for bugs – Over 2 billion people consume 2,000 species of edible insects worldwide.
Bugs Are a Nutritional Powerhouse – Crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms offer more protein per gram than beef, plus B12, iron, zinc, and healthy fats.
Eat Chitin for Better Gut Health – The exoskeleton of insects contains chitin, a prebiotic linked to improved digestion and reduced inflammation.
FDA Approved Bug Parts – The FDA regulates allowable bug parts in food; even chocolate and coffee naturally contain them.
Bug Eating Cultural & Historical Roots – From John the Baptist’s locust diet to modern Michelin-starred dishes with ants, bugs have deep historical and culinary significance.

Ready to rethink your dinner party meal plan 🍽️

Listen and share “Foods That Bug Us” on the Family Tree Food & Stories Podcast and join the conversation about food traditions that surprise, delight, and may even make you squirm a bit.

Subscribe, share it with a friend, and tell us—would YOU try a cricket-crusted fried chicken or glow-in-the-dark M&Ms made from bugshells?

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram Story updates 📸
FaceBook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍
TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

edible insects, eating bugs, insect protein, sustainable food trends, entomophagy health benefits, cricket flour, deep-fried tarantulas, John the Baptist's diet, FDA bug parts in food, environmental benefits of eating bugs, unusual food traditions #bugs #protein #edibles #familygreefoodstories @familytreefoodstories #foodie #ants #roastedbugs

Mentioned in this episode:

Get your book today

Ice Cream: What You Don't Know Will Surprise You!

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

From presidential obsessions to dog treats, how ide cream has made the dog days cool.

What do Thomas Jefferson's 18-step ice cream recipe, Fidel Castro's 18-scoop binges, and a failed assassination attempt have in common? They're all part of ice cream's surprisingly scandalous past that Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share in this week’s episode of Family Tree Food & Stories.

This week, we share how ice cream has evolved from when the Egyptian pharaohs made it, to what snow cream is, to how it became so much fun that it was banned on Sundays (yes,

really!).

Did George Washington really blow a fortune on ice cream in 1790? Perhaps.
What did Nancy Johnson do to transform dessert-making for busy moms everywhere?
And, what’s the real truth behind the Dairy Queen rumor?

Ice cream plays a big part in so many birthday traditions, including dog birthdays too. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a Good Humor truck driving entrepreneur, well, Nancy fills you in there, on her own experience.

But there’s so much more to ice cream, including political activism, fancy molds, the birth of the real sundae, and more.

This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories will have you looking for more ways to enjoy the dog days of summer with a cold cone and a newfound appreciation of ice cream stories worth sharing.

Three more things you’ll learn about in this episode:

Who were the women pioneers of ice cream?
Who brought it to the US?
Who used Ice Cream to try to assassinate a world leader?

Warning: This episode may cause sudden cravings for Carvel's chocolate bonnet cones, or have you making a fast sprint to catch the neighborhood ice cream truck, and create an irresistible urge to make snow cream when the snow falls again.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

@familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #foodstories #familytreefoodstories #icecream #dogdays #icecreamcone @carvel #chocolateicecream #vanillaicecream #icecreamsundae #sundae #sunday #goodhumor #handcrankedicecream #icecreamshop

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

Sourdough: Living Truths, History, Stories - Sweet & Sour

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Art, Science, History, and Stories of Sourdough: From the Start to Now

In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, we’re rising to a new level with sourdough.

What began as an accidental blend of flour and water over 4,500 years ago, sourdough has evolved into a global obsession—and in this episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely delve into the rich story of how it all started and its subsequent expansion. From ancient Egyptian brewing methods to quirky pandemic starter names like “Twinkle,” which have been shared around the world, this discussion dishes up wild history, a little kitchen chemistry, and some family stories and traditions. You’ve likely got a few of your own to share, too.

Nancy & Sylvia share how this wild yeast has different flavors, and why every kitchen’s sourdough has its unique sourdough profile. Then Nancy shares her own experience with the living creature dough and more.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just curious, you’ll want to listen in and learn more about the ever-popular sourdough.

Key Learning Points:

The Ancient history of sourdough: How it’s been recreated from a 4,500-year-old yeast find.
WildYeast Flavors: from sweet to sour
Starter Stories: One group of men even slept with their starter. Learn why!
Cultural Revival: What’s making it so popular today
Art and Science: behind sourdough today

Do you have a sourdough story of your own? We want to hear it! Share your starter’s name, your best (or worst) loaf, when your starter was first "born," and more. Go to Podcast.familytreefoodstories.com. Don’t forget to subscribe,

leave us a review, and spread the love—because every story is a feast, and every loaf tells a tale.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
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You can send us a DM on Facebook?
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@familytreefoodstories #sourdoughbread #sourdoughdiscardrecipes #sourdoughstarter #howtomakesourdoughbread #sourdough #bread #howtomakebread #sourdoughdiscard #sourdoughdiscardrecipes #originalsourdough #sourdoughhistory

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

What To Do With Zucchini: From Door Drop to Crime Scene Investigation

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How to Manage an Onslaught of Zucchini and Still Enjoy It!

In this episode, we take you into the garden of the mighty Zucchini. From its origins – it’s more interesting than you might think, why they were vital during WWII, to creating a mock apple pie with, yes, zucchini!

There’s so much of it in the garden during the summer growing months that knowing what to do with Zucchini might include abandoning it on a neighbor’s porch – there’s a specific day for that, too.

Oh, and don’t forget to listen to the end when you’ll hear how a zucchini helped put a criminal behind bars! For real.

This isn’t your average food podcast. It’s a blend of historical trivia – great fodder for picnic conversation starters - personal zucchini tales, and yes, a few culinary.

Unlike most food shows that serve up recipes, Family Tree, Food & Stories celebrates the history, stories, and what and how of the weird and wild origins and history of the foods we share with family and friends.

Nancy & Sylvia guarantee that this show will help you solve that pervasive

What you’ll learn:

Zucchini’s Fascinating Past: The fancy ones we know today didn’t originate in the US.
Is it a fruit or a vegetable? The answer and why behind it
Creative ways to use zucchini: and what to do with your surplus zucchini
How to get rid of the critters eating your zucchini: Dad style!

P.S. Follow and share this episode and others at Family Tree Food & Story on your favorite podcast listing app, like Apple, Spotify, Chrome, or others. Thanks! We'll keep you posted on weekly updates when you follow us.

Additional Links ❤️

Mock Zucchini Apple Pie (Zapple Pie) and Potato Chip Crust recipes
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

@familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodstories #familyfoodstories #whattodowithzucchini #howtocookzucchini #bestzucchnirecipes #zucchninoodles #zoodles #whatdoIdowithallmyzucchini #zucchinicarbcount #zucchniifries #healthyzucchinirecipes #dropazucchinionyourneighborsdoorstepday #august8th #stuffedzucchini #zucchinistories #grilledzucchini #zucchinipie #zucchiniapplepie #zucchinipestcontrol

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

How Potato Chips Were "Born" Out of Spite, and Other Hidden Snack Treats

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How one insult created an entire snack industry, and weird recipes, history, and stories about the $32.2 billion American-born potato chip market. It's delicious!

In this episode (#42) of Family Tree, Food & Stories, we’re biting into the crunchy taste of summer picnics and potato chips! Join us, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as we dip into some of the more interesting history, stories, and a few good recipes about one of our favorite snack foods – the actual American potato chip.

Did you know that the first potato was the result of a snarky restaurant customer named Rockefeller? It includes how Chef George Crum, in Saratoga, New York, devised a way to get even with his overly demanding patron, and the result… well, it has made history. Today it's a $32 billion industry!

You might be surprised to know that an iron and an ironing board also played a big role in the commercial packaging of the chip. Now they dominate the snack aisle of every grocery store! Then, have you ever wondered how some of the chips' wilder flavors came about?

We also have a few interesting and "Wise" ways to taste, dip, cook, and bake your favorite chips into a new-fangled treat.

Things you’ll learn:

How the potato chips began with an unsatisfied Rockefeller.
How a wax paper revolutionized snack recipes.
Unique flavors and how they came about.
How to make a potato chip pie crust… for real! And other snack stories and ideas.

Potato chips have a way of bringing us all together. They’re more fun to eat with friends and family, or even during sneaky midnight snack moments.

So, grab a bag and join us on the couch and listen in as we share some stories about your favorite chips that you might not have ever heard of before. You’ll have some great conversation points for your next party or picnic for sure!

P.S. Follow and share this episode and others at Family Tree Food & Story on your favorite podcast listing app, like Apple, Spotify, Chrome, or others. Thanks! We'll keep you posted on weekly updates when you follow us.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

@familytreefoodstories

#potatochips #foodhistory #familystories #snackrecipes #potatochiprecipes #pierecipes #piecrust #snackfood #potatochips #foodideas #easymeals #potatochiphistory #podcast #foodpodcast #foodblogger #foodblogs @WisePotatoChips @UtzRetailStore @pepsico @fritolay @capecodchips @kettlechips @campbellsfood @campbells

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

Have Fork will Travel: Vacation Food Finds, Delicious Detours and Tips.

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

When Food Makes the Trip Worth It:

Eat Well and Wander, or Travel Often

Have you ever been on a family road trip, staring out the car window, just waiting to see that giant Big Boy sign? You knew it meant one thing—burgers were coming, and they were going to be good.

That’s what we, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, are talking about in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories. We’re going back to the days when food made vacations even more fun, from roadside diners and belly clams to those special fancy restaurants you had to dress just right for. However, today, many of us take vacations to search out that perfect meal and to eat—seriously! Culinary travel is now a huge thing, and you can learn everything from how to butcher a pig to make pasta from scratch (if you’ve never tried doing so yourself before).

Hang tight because we’re talking about some of the special meals we’ve planned whole trips around—like shrimp and grits in Charleston or fresh ceviche in Peru. And we’ve got tips about how to eat safely when you're far from home (trust us, you DON’T want to spend your vacation in the bathroom… just ask Nancy).

You’ll also hear:

Why food festivals are the new summer vacation.
How to find the best local bites, even if you don’t know much about the place you’re visiting
What Europeans might be doing right when it comes to food and family.

Bottom line: Great meals make great memories. Whether you're at a food truck or a fancy place, what matters most is who’s at the table.

🍴Listen now if you love:

Family road trips and old-school diners, and yes, Blue Plate Specials
Food that tells a story
Learning how to plan your travels around must-eat places and foods

Come and join us — press play and get hungry with us. You might just want to start planning your next food vacation or weekend trip before this episode’s even done.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

@familytreefoodstories #travel #vacation #roadtrip #lobster #mainelobster #foodnearme #restaurantsnearme #statefair #foodtour #howtonotgetsickwhiletraveling #Americanfood #howtonotgetsickonvacation #foodtours #pastatours #bestfoodtours #eatingamerica #seafood

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

July 4th: How Food Sparked More Than One Revolution and Independence

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 05:05:00 -0400

What Do Hot Dogs, Rum, molasses, and a 250-year-old piece of meat have to do with Independence Day?

This isn’t your grade school history lesson. This is the Family Tree Food & Stories Independence Day (or July 4th) holiday episode. In this show, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take a big bite into the real reasons we celebrate with pie-eating contests, backyard grilling, hot dogs, and enough fireworks that, yes, have their own food origins. In this show, you’ll also learn how food has sparked more than one revolution, and how our early colonial forefathers might have died eating off their dinner dishes.

Other takeaways:

🥧 Why Apple Pie Isn’t as American as You Might Think.

🧨 How Fireworks Started as a Food Science Project.

🍖 You'll Learn About How Revolutionary Soldiers Ate “Fire Cakes”

🌭 And, How Hot Dogs Were Named By a Cartoonist.

If you love July 4th, parades, marching bands, food history, or just good conversation with friends who know how to mix facts with fun, this episode is for you.

🎧 Hit play while you're flipping burgers or dodging firecrackers.

⭐ And hey—if this episode made you smile, or gave you something to talk about at your next gathering, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share the show Family Tree, Food & Stories with a friend! There are more cool facts, and delicious stories are just around the corner. 📣

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail
You can send us a DM on Facebook?
🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

@familytreefoodstories #BBQ #hotdogs #july #4thofJuly #independenceDay #holiday #beer #summer #grilling #american #food #dinner #hamburger #burger #chicken

Summer Camp Food Stories: From Camp Corn to Cooking on a Stick, S'mores, and more!

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 05:05:00 -0400

What Kids Really Eat at Camp (And Why They, and We Adults, Love It Too!). A Dive into REAL Summer Camp Cuisine.

Have you ever eaten eggs on a stick? Or discovered that the Tootsie Rolls from your camp care package mysteriously disappeared (spoiler: it probably wasn’t a raccoon)? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dive headfirst into the weird, and often funny, stories of summer camp and food, both for kids and adults.

They’re talking about buffalo balls (can you guess what they are. . . really?), bug juice, Tang, and the evolution from “open a can and heat it” to how kids are learning to chop, cook, and eat things they thought were gross, and actually come to like vegetables.

Nancy and Sylvia hear from one of their friends, Dave Jackson, about his memory of "camp corn" (also known as a type of corn that Mom never made at home), care packages that somehow included caviar and pickled corn (for real). Sylia shares some hysterical camper pranks. Nancy sings an old-time camp song – for real! While Sylvia also digs into the history of how kids' camps all started, and some new, surprising trends about more current camp trends and how kids are given real knives (OMG... we did that too), and learn real skills, and why that matters.

📣Key Takeaways:

How the entire "camp thing" for kids started and why (it's pretty interesting)
There is such a thing as "ice pit" refrigeration - and it was used at camp.
You can cook eggs on a stick and over a campfire.
Knife skills are still a real thing.
Some counselor pranks still prevail, even today! What did your counselors do at camp that you had some suspicion about?

📣 What's Next?

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories with family and friends. Whether you're honoring a Veteran family member or friend or firing up the grill, take a moment to reflect, remember, and pass these powerful stories forward.

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

@familytreefoodstories #camper #summercamp #kidscamp #camp #counselor #summerbreak

Dog Food Secrets: A $5K Collar, Razor Blade, Underwear, and Other Edible Temptations

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Man's Best Friend: Crazy Dog Stories You've Got to Love~

Hold onto your leashes— because this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories is going to the dogs in the best (and most hilarious) way possible. Join Nancy May, Sylvia Lovely, and The Mighty Quinn as they all dig into the meaty, messy, and downright outrageous history of what our four-legged friends, our dogs, eat, need to eat to stay healthy, and have eaten—from prehistoric wolf scraps to gourmet meal kits and, yes... even cotton balls soaked in olive oil.

Nancy and Sylvia bring on a very special guest, The Mighty Quinn, Nancy's lovable and roguish standard poodle, to take the mic in this show. Here he confesses his sins to Sylvia, spilling the beans on what's tasty, including Underwear, credit cards, technical pens, and a $5,000 flea collar that nearly ended in heartbreak—but instead brought a super Dad to the rescue.

With stories of pet pampering, dog food disasters, and a family dog worth $12 million, this episode will have you serving up your doggie's next meal with a bit more zest, and perhaps an idea to cook up something new for your own Fido.

🐾 If you’ve ever loved a dog—or fed one something you later regretted—this one’s for you.

We hope you'll love, laugh, and share this episode with friends and family too.

📣Key Takeaways:

What weird things do we feed our dogs?
How one dog was valued at $12 million and ended up eating Alpo for dinner.
What's good for us, isn't always good for our dogs.
What will The Mighty Quinn eat next?

📣 What's Next?

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #dogs #familydog #labradoodle #dogfood #dogstories #familydogs #funnydogs #doglife #petlovers #dogtreats #June 2025 #dogdaysofsummer #summerstories #bestdog #cat #doggroomingnearme #dogtraining

Mentioned in this episode:

Book #1 Midroll 6-19-25 update

Father's Day Traditions New and Ancient, Including $100 Ice Cubes for Dad!

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

This one's for you (and yep, your dad too) — it's the Family Tree Food & Stories Father’s Day 2025 special. Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are back, talking all things dad while the grill’s heating up and a cold one is cracking open. They're dishing out a full plate of stories, oddball traditions, and yes — lots of meat talk. Because let’s be real: dads + grills = primal joy.

This episode serves up everything from barbecue stats and big green eggs to a 4,000-year-old Father’s Day message carved into a stone tablet (seriously). There’s also a side of laughter, a splash of scotch, and a bite of debate over that pesky apostrophe in "Father’s Day." Does it matter? Maybe. Are they going to argue about it? Absolutely.

So, whether your dad's a charcoal king, a beer-loving storyteller, or just really into socks, grab your drink, pull up a chair, and join Nancy and Sylvia for a Father’s Day that’s juicy, funny, and just a little bit smoky.

📣Key Takeaways:

Yes, you really can buy a pack of ice cubes for $100!
Can daughters out grill Dad?
The first Father's Day card or tablet is over 4,000 years old. Really!
Some ancient Father's Day BBQ roots might a bit more charbroiled than you realize.

📣 What's Next?

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #father'sday2025 #father'sdaygifts #father'sdaygrillgifts #uniquefather'sdaygifts #$100icecubes #father'sdayforfoodies #diyfather'sdaygifts #father'sdayevents #bestgrills #father'sdaybbqrecipes #father'sdaybrunch #lastminutefater'sdaygifts #father'sdaystorytimeideas #fathersanddaughers #fathersandsons #creativefather'sdaycards #uniquefater'sdayideas #father'sdaygifts

Cool Wedding Trends and Unique Wedding Traditions and Customs: An Insider's Guide

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to feel like you’re scaling Mount Pinterest?

At its heart, weddings are really all about celebrating a love story—yours, or another person you care about. In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia

Lovely pop the champagne and dive into the wild world of weddings with the ever-wise Sara Barton— AKA their Wedding Whisperer and planning guru.

Here you’ll go beyond the bouquet toss and dive into the quirky, forgotten, and freshly minted traditions shaping weddings today. Ever heard of a recipe card shower? Or the Victorian-era cake pull where bridesmaids yank ribbons from inside the cake to reveal their romantic fate? You’ll learn about those —and more.

From pet-inspired cocktails to post-pandemic etiquette, weddings are evolving fast. But why do some old customs (like tucking cake under your pillow to dream of your future spouse) vanish, while others make a grand return?

If you—or someone in your circle of family and friends—is planning a wedding (or just loves a good wedding story), this episode is for you. Pull up a chair, pour some bubbly, and let’s grab a piece of cake and dig in.

P.S. Got a wedding “oops” moment or family tradition worth sharing? Drop us a message. We live for those juicy stories.

📣Key Takeaways:

What are couples ditching to create more personal wedding experiences?
New wedding cake trends that are still pricy.
What's old that's new again with wedding traditions?
Ways to make that special day even more personal.

📣 What's Next?

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Guest: Sarah Burton: Simply Love Studios, Wedding Whisperer Podcast
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #wedding #weddingdresses #weddingrings #weddngvenues #bridesmaides #weddingcake #weddingplanner #bridalshower #weddingtrends #trendingweddings #weddinginvitations #weddingguestdress #weddingfoods #weddingdrink #champaigne #theknot #bride #weddingvenuesnearme #weddinhphotographers #weddingtraditions #refunds

Untold Stories of a Farmers' Market: Secrets, Scandals & Fresh Food

Thu, 29 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Farmer’s Market Hustle: What They Don’t Want You to Know, and Why.

What do Boston’s Little Italy, bourbon-pickled beans, heirloom tomatoes, and escaped snails have in common with today's farmers' markets? Well, you're about to hear the answer and more in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories! Nancy May and Sylvia roll up their sleeves and dig deep into the quirky, gritty, and delicious history and evolution of farmers’ markets. From 1600s bartering stalls to today’s “authentic-ish” local setups, they explore the wild world of what it really means to buy fresh and local. You'll also learn some of the hidden secrets of the markets vs. grocery stores and more.

📣Key Takeaways:

The truth behind “farm to table” and why it's often more slogan than substance
A bizarre story of snail farming gone wrong (yes, snail jail is kind of a thing)
CSA boxes, ugly produce, and why heirloom veggies might just save your taste buds
The social soul of farmers’ markets—where gossip is juicy and tomatoes even juicier
Which ones win out in gas-ripened vs vine-ripened tomatoes?
What Anthony Bourdain and Kentucky bourbon have to do with your local lettuce

📣 What's Next?

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Find your local farmers' market
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Family Tree Food & Stories on Instagram 📸
Family Tree Food & Stories on Facebook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#awardwinningpodcast #localfoodstories #farmersmarket #farmersmarketsnearme #farmtotable #farmersmarketfinds #heirloomvegetable #recipes #foodhistorypodcast #foodiepodcast #seasonalfoods #howtotellifyourfoodislocal #localfarmers #vermontmade #organicvegetables #organicfood #nostalgicflavers #farmtotablemovement #seasonaleating #localhoney #artisanalbread #sourdougbread

Hot Dogs, Heroism, and Burgoo: Memorial Day Foods History and Surprising Stories

Thu, 22 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What does watermelon have to do with Memorial Day? And how many pounds of hot dogs do we consume over Memorial Day weekend?

In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you from old Civil War battlefields to your backyard barbecue.

You’ll discover the surprising origins of the Memorial Day holiday when it was first known as Decoration Day, explore the wartime roots of today’s most iconic summer foods—like hot dogs, cornbread, and SPAM—and even a shared story of how Nancy almost grilled a bunch of baby mice! Yikes.

This episode features a wealth of interesting food stories and history. Additionally, it serves as a tribute to the sacrifices of our veterans and the resilience of American families during times of war. From Victory Gardens and Farmerettes to the origins of Liberty Cabbage and the rise of non-alcoholic beer, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for both your picnic plate and your country.

Whether you're firing up the grill or reflecting at a veteran’s cemetery, this episode blends history, humor, and heart in a way that only this Yank and Souther Bell can share food facts, history, and stories.

🔑Interesting takeaways:

Do you know the original name of Memorial Day, as it is known today?
What are the more traditional foods in different regions for this holiday? Johnny Cakes. Spam and Burgoo Stew.
What are Farmettes? And, what did a fancy women's college have to do with them?
And, how much did the US Army pay to put SPAM on the plates of their soldiers?

📣 What's Next?

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories with family and friends. Whether you're honoring a Veteran family member or friend or firing up the grill, take a moment to reflect, remember, and pass these powerful stories forward.

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #memorialday #memorialdayparade #memorialdayfood #hotdogs #decorationday#whatisburgoo #memorialdayrecipes #spam #veteransday #veterans #WWIIhistory #vistorygardens #bbqideas #memorialdaymeaning #longweekend #memorialday2025

The Bourbon Episode: Buffalo Trails, Wild Whiskey, Moonshine Memories and Family Traditions

Thu, 15 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Aged to Perfection: The Bourbon Episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories!

Ever wondered how bourbon became such a staple in old-fashioned American family gatherings and even recipes? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you on a journey through the rich history and personal family stories of bourbon.

Here they'll take you on a journey of some very interesting "spirited" origins of iconic distilleries like Buffalo Trace, delve into the differences between bourbon and whiskey, and share some personal tales—like that time someone tried to smuggle homemade moonshine through airport security!

And of course, Nancy and Sylvia can't talk about bourbon without mentioning Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve. This ultra-rare bourbon, aged for up to 23 years, has become a collector's dream, with one bottle that's even been sold for $125,000 at auction. Its scarcity and unique flavor profile have secured its status as the ultimate example of good-old American bourbon craftsmanship.

There's a lot of mystique and mystery that comes in a glass of bourbon and stories from birth, weddings, death, and even beyond the grave!

So, pour yourself a glass and join Nancy and Sylvia as they tilt their glasses to the stories that make our family traditions - and bourbon - so special.

Key Takeaways:

The early stories of how bourbon came to be.
The "recipe."
Buffalo really did roam Kentucky, and the importance of this to bourbon and whiskey.
Stories about some of the most expensive bourbon on the market, and why it's so pricy.
Personal inside stories about bourbon, whisky, and even moonshine
How bourbon brings families together, and more.

🎧 Tune In and Share the Love and More in this Mother's Day episode :

Join us as we celebrate Mother's Day by honoring the traditions, recipes, and stories that connect us to our roots. Whether you're looking for ideas to start a new tradition or simply honoring mom with tried-and-true traditions, this episode is a tribute to mothers everywhere.

Remember, every mom, whether human or fur-baby caregiver, deserves a day filled with joy, good food, and endless stories.

Tune in now and make this Mother's Day unforgettable for you and your mom!

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#kentuckybourbon #bourbon #whiskeyhistory #whisky #moonshine #BourbonCulture #BourbonTrail #familystories #dad'sbourbon #maker'smark #pappyvanwinklefamilybourbon #whiskeyvsbourbon @familytreefoodstories #craftbourbon #distilleries #kentuckydistilleries #bourbontrail #buffalotrace #bourbonrecipe #craftdrinks #spirits #familystories #familyhistory

"A Mother's Day to Remember: From Pizza to Martinis and More for Mom.

Thu, 08 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Mother's Day Celebrations, Meals, Traditions, History, and Stories to Last a Lifetime!

Are you looking for some inspiration to make this Mother's Day 2025 a bit more special? In this next episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely delve into the lost stories behind how Mother's Day food and family traditions, some sweet and others wild and wacky.

You’ll learn some lesser-known facts about Mother’s Day, like how the celebration as we know it today originated in a West Virginia church in 1908 and when President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday.

Listen closely as they recount the comically revealing Mother's Day card that Nancy made for my mom, where she innocently drew her relaxing with a martini on the couch —imagine my teacher's reaction! Meanwhile, Sylvia shares stories of the simple family traditions, like eating out on sunny patios and reminiscing beside gravesides, turning even bittersweet visits into more personal experiences.

One listener, Meredith, shares her unconventional but charming Mother's Day ritual—pizza delivery and effortless togetherness. Another contributor, Frida, describes how she honors her vivacious 91-year-old mother, Gloria, with a new hat every year and a festive meal at their favorite Mexican restaurant, Tumbleweed.

There’s a lot more to this show than a virtual greeting card and a brunch reservation.

🌹Key Takeaways:

How to celebrate without stress: It’s not about extravagant gifts but about the warmth of spending time together—even if that means enjoying a simple pizza or donuts.
Interesting International Traditions: One that includes tying mom up to a tree! Imagine doing that!
The Power of Food and Stories: From burgers lovingly prepared by moms to tacky outfits worn by a mom with pride – and maybe a little embarrassment. It's these quirky memories and meals that keep our connections strong.
Honoring Moms Past with Humor and Heart: Moments of loss, laughter, and simple gestures often leave the most lasting impressions —leaving sparkly trinkets at a graveside or hidden notes in crypts—can profoundly celebrate our loved ones.

🎧 Tune In and Share the Love and More in this Mother's Day episode :

Remember, every mom, whether human or fur-baby caregiver, deserves a day filled with joy, good food, and endless stories.

Tune in now and make this Mother's Day unforgettable for you and your mom!

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

#mother'sday #brunch #hallmarkcard #mother'sdayrecipes #mother'sdayhistory #mom'sday #lovemom #mom'sday #mother'sdaybreakfastrecipes #mother'sdaytraditions #mother'sdayflowers #familystories @familytreefoodandstories @familyfoodstories

The Insiders Guide to The Kentucky Derby: Food, Fun, History behind The Run for The Roses

Thu, 01 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The 151st Kentucky Derby: Foods, Traditions, and Stories You Might Not Know About!

Hold onto your hats—or your fascinators—because in this Family Tree Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are taking you to the 151st Kentucky Derby, The Run for the Roses, or Mint Juleps if you prefer!

Picture this: You’ve got your mint julep or bourbon in hand, and you’re surrounded by ladies in big hats, and 150,000 of your closest friends, who are all cheering for their favorite horse to win the race. But, there's more to Derby weekend than just horses and a blanket of roses; it's an exciting celebration, steeped in mouth-watering food traditions, quirky history, and unforgettable stories.

In this episode, we’re heading to the track and diving fork first into Derby culture, sharing details about the event's iconic dishes like Derby Pie (careful, it's trademarked!), savory Hot Browns, and dainty Benedictine sandwiches. You’ll hear the story behind the real history of the mint julep, and a hilarious bit of research that Sylvia’s dug up on her co-host, Nancy – yes, it’s related to The Derby!

Key takeaways:

The top food and drinks at Churchill Downs
What happens when it rains or snows on all those hats?
Interesting facts about the famous race jockeys and the race horse handlers.
What do the horses eat on race day too?

You’ll even hear about Sylvia’s many experiences with the “in crowd” at the track and more.

Whether you’re focused on the big race itself, the food, or the elegant pageantry, this Family Tree Food & Stories episode has something for everyone. So place a bet on your favorite horse and tune into this Kentucky Derby show.

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

#kentuckyDerby #DerbyDay #151stKentuckyDerby #2025KentuckyDerby #derbyPie #mintjuleprecipe #mintjuleps #hotbrowns #derbyhats #RunForTheRoses #kentuckyFood #horseracingculture #jocky #bettingoddsForTheDerby

Show Me the Noodles: The Lasagna Disaster Fix

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Sylvia Lovely learns that after owning a restaurant for 20 years, how to cook a “simple lasagna”. Her experience in the kitchen takes a few unexpected twists and turns, from battling uncooperative pasta to creating a "lasagna disaster piece" that’s now legendary. Her candid, self-deprecating tell-all may be a dose of reality for some of you who’ve tried to make the perfect lasagna and had your disasters along the way.

But all are worth a good laugh or two, for sure. This episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories isn’t just about Sylvia’s kitchen mishaps; it’s more of a celebration of starting over, learning to run with imperfection, and finding joy in the messiness of life, and yes, a few wet noodles too.

Sylvia reflects on how she and her husband,, Bernie,, enjoyed the community they built at Restaurant Azure, which is now being recreated and reinvented and coming back to life in their hometown.

🍴Key Takeaways:

Always be courageous to try something new, even if it means failing spectacularly.
Sometimes the best meals, and memories come out of a "disaster" in the kitchen.
The reminder is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue your passions.

So, what are you waiting for? Hit play, get ready to laugh, and maybe even feel a bit better about your kitchen adventures.

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#EasyLasagnaRecipe #HomeCookingFails #FoodAndFamily #FunnyFoodStories #RestaurantLife #CookingConfessions #ComfortFoodChronicles #LasagnaLove #KitchenDisasters #FoodStoryPodcast #familytreefoodandstories #foodstories #foodie #lasagna

What happens when God helps buy a cow?

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Food, Faith & Acts of Kindness: Father Jim's Spiritual Journey

Have you ever considered how deeply food connects to our spiritual lives? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely sit down with Father Jim Sichko, a priest, who tells an extraordinary story of how food became an important part of his ministry.

Father Jim shares the story of his mother's weekly tradition of cooking meals for garbage collectors, whom she served at the family's formal dining room table. Everyone was welcome as family to their table. On one afternoon, Father Jim unexpectedly visited his mom and took a selfie with her while she was cooking; moments later, she collapsed and died in her kitchen while serving others.

In her will, she left him her secret sauce recipe, which he turned into "Miss Marie's Sauce." His mom’s sauce is now served in Delta Sky Clubs, and the proceeds support hospice care and feeding the poor in Appalachia.

We’re pretty sure that you’ll laugh and cry hearing Father Jim's remarkable stories, including how he accidentally purchased two steers at a livestock auction for $20,000 (thinking he was bidding just $15 total!), and only to have the CEO of Delta Airlines personally cover the cost and distribute the meat to food banks.

If you’ve had any experience with 4-H or know farm auctions firsthand, this story will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Three powerful takeaways from this week's episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories include:

The ministry of presence is more powerful than words. Sometimes, just being there and sharing a meal speaks louder than anything you could say, do, or stir up.
Food creates sacred spaces- Whether at a church altar or family table, gathering around food creates community and connection across all faiths and traditions. Learn from Father Jim’s examples and give them a try yourself.
Kindness costs nothing. As Father Jim says, "It costs nothing to be kind. It costs nothing to invite someone to your table." Sylvia and Nancy endorse this statement with both forks up.

This week, you might think about how you might use food to create more meaningful connections. Could you invite someone unexpected to your table? Share a family recipe with a neighbor? Or perhaps prepare a meal for someone who's struggling?

Sylvia and Nancy hope you'll share this episode with friends and family.

Please subscribe and share through the following link. Family Tree Food & Stories here.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.
Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Father Jim Sichko

#FatherJimSichko #DeltaAirlinesStory #DeltaAirlines #Delta #FamilyTraditions #TexasRodeoStory #TexasCattleAuction #StorytellingPodcast #FoodAndFaith #FamilyTreeFoodandStories #FoodStories #MissMariesSauce #SpiritualityOfFood #TexasFoodStory #CattleStory #CattleRanchers #FatherJim #FoodAndSpirituality #CatholicPodcast #HospiceSupport #InspirationalStories #ComfortFood #CharitableGiving #SundaySauce #FFAStories #FFA

Mentioned in this episode:

My Family Tree Food & Stories Book #1

It's more than a book, it's a personal journal designed so you can share your stories, family journey, and memories through the foods you love and share.

From Lawyer to Culinary Star: Chef Ouita Michael, James Beard Nominee Food Journey

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How food changed the career direction of this law-school-bound college student.

Have you ever wondered how the foods we eat shape who we are? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull their mic up to the table with renowned Kentucky chef Ouita Michel, who takes us on a journey through her culinary heritage – from a community garden to owning eight celebrated restaurants rooted in local tradition.

For those unsure of their career direction, you'll hear how Ouita changed her career path from aspiring lawyer to award-winning chef and how her Holly Hill Inn restaurant has become the cornerstone of a growing culinary empire rooted in local ingredients and deep Kentucky heritage.

The tradition of food and family is personal for everyone, Chef Michel included. She shares how she honors her late mother each Thanksgiving by recreating exact family recipes with the next generation.

Three things you'll learn, include:

Food preserves memories: The dishes we prepare can keep loved ones' memories strong in our hearts long after they're gone. Ouita makes her mother's eggplant caviar and remembers how her mother made this for her own birthday celebrations over the years.
Local traditions matter: Before "farm-to-table" was trendy, communities naturally ate what grew nearby. Kentucky's "cuisine of corn," is rooted in the community's history and how the native American Indian traditions continue through recipes she uses today.
Gardens build community: Some of Ouita's best memories come from a university garden plot where family and friends shared growing food representing their neighborhood's international community. Food often helps us understand how different we are from other cultures through the plants and recipes shared.

What food traditions connect you to your own heritage? This week, try cooking a family recipe passed down through generations, or if those traditions have been lost, start a new one. The meals we share today become the memories that nourish tomorrow.

Sylvia and Nancy hope you'll share this episode and others with friends and family members. Please subscribe and share through the following link.

Subscribe and share Family Tree Food & Stories here.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.
Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Ouita Michael bio, James Beard semifinalist
Holly HIll Restaurant

#KentuckyFoodways #FarmToTable #SouthernCooking #AppalachianCuisine #FamilyRecipes #HollyHillInn #jamesbeard #gardentocooking #communitygarden #localingredients #foodmemories

And Enchanted and "Eggstra" Special Easter Story

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

A Story for Tracie, and What to do With Leftover Easter Egg Shells.

What do a five-year-old’s Easter tale, a magical sugar egg, and a kitchen full of hard-boiled chaos have in common? They’re all part of one rather unforgettable spring food-related memory — a story of how love, loss, and a little imagination helped one family hold on to hope.

In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-host Nancy May shares a personal story from her childhood, when she was trying to make sense of her younger sister Tracie’s illness. You’ll hear the original Easter story that she wrote for her — complete with some bunny magic — listen in and learn how food and storytelling can become powerful tools for healing, even in the smallest hands.

You'll also get some ideas of what to do with dozens of hard-boiled eggs - after their colored and collected, and the story of how to make sugar pictogram eggs. You'll have fun with this episode. We promise.

✨ 3 Takeaways We Think You'll Love:

Hear about the Easter story written at age five to comfort a sister during her hospital stay — and how it still heals a heart today.
Discover a creative, family-friendly way to repurpose colored eggshells after the Easter festivities (spoiler: it involves glue, giggles, and a little extra flair).
Learn how storytelling and simple traditions can become the threads that bring us closer together, even through grief and growing up.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.
Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Tracie's Easter Bunny Story - typed by mom
How to make dioramic sugar Easter eggs

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#familytreefoodstories #foodmedia #foodstories #foodstories #familymeals #familymealtime #foodie #stories #familyhistory #tradition #family #easterbunny #eastereggs #hardboiledeggs #Easter

Camping, Cooking & Unexpected Traditions From Candy Sticks to Fire Smoked Biscuits and more

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Learn to discover traditions you might not even know you've got!

In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May, co-host, helps her guests Heather Dyer and Erin Walker of the Three Kitchen's Podcast discover that they have been unwittingly nurturing new family food traditions. Throughout the episode, they uncover in subtle yet significant ways that their treasured memories—like old-fashioned savory, sweet, sticky candy sticks at roadside gift shops or planning comforting meals around a campfire—have seamlessly woven into the fabric of their lives.

By retracing their steps through family camping experiences, Erin and Heather's experiences have deepened their appreciation for the simple joys and the connections they've created with their own kids and family members through food created and shared while camping.

They share how they've learned to bake biscuits and cake in a campfire Dutch oven and the thrill of preparing steak over open flames. They've also shared how they pushed their family's comfort levels to become even more adventurous with food experiences.

🎧 Listen If You Want To Learn:

How food-related traditions often hide in plain sight
What it takes to cook biscuits and cake in a campfire
The unique bond formed through shared cooking in the wild

🔑 Three Additional Takeaways Include:

Traditions aren't always formal; sometimes, they're straightforward and hiding under your nose.
How to plan for campfire cooking
How to create new bonds with your children.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.
Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Three Kitchen's Podcast: with Erin Walker & Heather Dyer

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#familytreefoodstories #foodmedia #foodstories #foodstories #familymeals #familymealtime #foodie #stories #familyhistory #tradition #family #camping #dutchoven #familycamping #RVcamping #campfire #campfirecooking #tentcamping #familyfoods #threekitchenspodcast #erinwalker #heatherdyer @threekitchenspodcast

Vernal Equinox Foods: The Jelly Bean Diet, Muskrat, and Beer Are on This Menu

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Spring Food Traditions You'll Want to Eat

In this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore rather different and interesting springtime traditions, sharing some foods that you might never have heard about before.

Have you ever wondered if jelly beans could be part of a balanced diet?
Or are you curious about the story behind white asparagus that led to a carpool mishap?
And what on earth do muskrats, alligators, and beer have to do with Lent?

Nancy and Sylvia delve into the world of spring foods, from dandelion wine and rhubarb pie to why how maple syrup marks the onset of spring. They will also introduce you to lesser-known delights like kumquats and loquats in the South, as well as ramps and poke sallets in Appalachia. Sylvia even shares her quirky method for enjoying jelly beans without going overboard – well, sort of!

You’ll also learn about the secret marketing tactic that drew more customers to a food chain during spring and uncover age-old traditions that make this season even more special.

Additional Key Points:

How to savor jelly beans smartly with Sylvia's unique tips.
How NOT to get fired from the carpool
Weird Lent foods that will make question Nancy and Sylvia's sanity
What to drink for 40 days and 40 nights and still be "blessed."

Tune in to this week's Family Tree, Food & Stories episode to learn and laugh with Nancy and Sylvia. They're guaranteed to inspire you to be a bit more creative with family mealtime.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Polk Salad Annie (it's really spelled sallet) and the song Polk Salad Annie

#familytreefoodstories #foodmedia #foodstories #beer #lent #muskrat #foodstories #familymeals #familymealtime #foodie #stories #familyhistory #tradition #anthropology #family #asparagus #springtime #springrenewal #renewal #whatsnew

St. Patrick's Day Traditions: Drowning Shamrocks, Smart Salmon, and TikTok Trends.

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Ultimate Guide to Irish Traditions Worth Knowing This

St. Patrick's Day

Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely for a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day special on Family Tree, Food & Stories! This episode takes you beyond the green beer and shamrock decorations to explore different traditions that make Irish culture and St. Patrick’s Day unique.

☘️Ever heard of "drowning the shamrock"? You’ll learn about this quirky tradition: place a shamrock in the bottom of your beer mug, drink it down, and then toss this good lucky charm over your shoulder. Just try not to swallow it—unless you’re ready for another round! 🍻

You'll also hear about the Salmon of Knowledge, an ancient Irish tale where a simple thumb-lick after cooking a fish gave Fionn MacCumhall all the wisdom in the world. Yes, there can be a wealth of knowledge in our family food stories. 🌈

📱 Nancy and Sylvia then dig into a surprising TikTok trend where people explore different cultures through local grocery stores. Even stores in the same chain can uncover fascinating cultural differences depending on where you live and what neighborhoods you investigate. You'll never look at your local supermarket the same way again! 🛒

This episode is a fun blend of education, entertainment, and good old-fashioned Irish charm – yes, Sylvia is part Irish, but Nancy’s not. You'll laugh and learn something new, and we hope to develop a newfound appreciation for Irish traditions and your local grocery store.

So, grab your headphones, pour yourself a drink (shamrock optional but recommended), and join us for this delightful St. Patrick's Day celebration. If you enjoyed the show, please follow, share with friends, and subscribe at podcast.familytreefoodstories.com.☘️☘️☘️☘️

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍻

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and SylviaLovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#stpatrick'sday #stpatrick #irishtraditions #drowningtheshamrock #beer #salmonofknowledge #Irishfolklore #superstitions #stpatrick'sdayfood #irishcelebrations #tiktokculturealtrends #irishrecipes #irishcream #irishbutter #celebratingirishidentity #family #traditions #cornbeefandcabbage #irishsodabread

Reefers, Frozen Peas, and TV dinners: Chilly Stories & Innovations

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

This is a Chilling Episode about Food, Family and Refrigeration:

Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as they take you on a cool adventure through the history of refrigeration in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories about the "Refrigeration Revolution: From Ice Blocks and Straw to TV Dinners."

As with each episode, there's always a wild food and family story, but in this show, you'll also learn some really cool things,s including how refrigeration changed food storage, from ice blocks and caves to quick freezing and frozen foods. Nancy and Sylvia also share some interesting background about the people and famous brands like Clarence Birdseye, Swanson, and the Jolly Green Giant, who changed mealtime for generations to come.

Want to hear how a dozen TV dinners once tricked a family foodie into thinking the meal was homemade? Then tune in now.

Nancy and Sylvia also share their stories and unique tips for using frozen foods that you might not know about.

This episode mixes fun memories with useful advice, even if you're not a big foodie or cook.

Key Takeaways:👍

What a reefer really is and how it changed our daily lives
Interesting facts about the
nutritional values of some frozen foods
History of Swanson's TV Dinners
Yes, you can roast frozen veggies: learn how
What to do with a frozen cucumber other than toss it in the garbage
The history of the Jolly Green Giant and how Birdseye got started.
and more.

Want to hear more:

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#frigidaire #refrigeration, #ice #Frozenfoodhacks # airfryingtips #healthyeating #conveniencecooking #TVDinners #foodinnovation #homecooking #friedchicken #frozengrapes #foodcommercials #familyfood #familymeals #familyfun #familytime #dinnertable

A Fabulous Feast of Fs! Family, Friends, Fondue and Fire.

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

This episode is dedicated to February and all things F in the kitchen and around the table.

What happens when food, family, and February collide? In this Family Tree Food & Stories episode, Nancy stirs up a pot F-related and a few unexpected fiascos. 🧀

This episode explores family, food, and traditions starting with the letter F. From fondue nights to adventures with friends, and a fiery mishap, each story shared shows you how food brings us together, can spark a new tradition, and create memories that will have you smiling, and laughing for years to come.

The episode starts with how Fondue became a family tradition in Nancy’s family. You’ll also hear how the tradition has continued and one hilarious tale, including a covert operation to sneak homemade wine into a disappointing fondue restaurant. And an unplanned fondue flambé at Aunt Pat's party.

Fondue isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Whether dipping bread into bubbling cheese, shrimp into savory oil, or fruit into decadent chocolate, fondue brings people together and sparks unforgettable moments.

Food, especially dishes as interactive as fondue, can create connections, deepen friendships, and keep family traditions alive. That’s part of what Family Tree, Food & Stories is all about.

Tune in and hear how these unexpected twists turned into unforgettable memories!

Here's How to Help Us Create More Episodes:

If you’re inspired to create your own fondue tradition or new food memories, let this be the year you try it! Follow, share, and rate the Family Tree Food & Stories podcast. Doing so will help us cook up even more delicious episodes.

And don’t forget to grab your copy of My Family Tree Food & Stories—the perfect place to collect your family’s recipes, stories, and cherished memories while creating new traditions of your own. Let’s keep the stories flowing and the cheese bubbling! 🧀❤️

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links

FONDUE RECIPE
Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

Recipes to Remember: The Best Wedding Gift Ever

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

"I'm not a bad cook—I just don't cook!"

Can a Self-Proclaimed Non-Cook Create Meaningful Mealtime Traditions?

What does a wedding gift of handwritten recipes, family memories, and a self-proclaimed non-cook have in common? In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share these details and more with Meredith Plant.

This episode shares how our recollections of the past can help us find new strength and joy. Yes, you can even meditate on a recipe you want to add to our personal collection.

Meredith shares how her interests led her to put her touch on her own My Family Tree, Food & Stories book. From her British grandmother’s authentic scones to the handwritten recipes she treasures from her mom and mother-in-law, Meredith shared her deep emotional connection between food memories and family history. She also recounts humorous moments, like her go-to potluck dishes, her holiday-hosting adventures, and her knack for signing up for paper products instead of cooking.

This episode celebrates the sentimental power of handwritten recipes that help us preserve stories, connect across generations, and find peace in reflection. Whether you’re a gourmet chef, a casual cook, or someone who loves a good story, Meredith’s journey will inspire you to think differently about the meals and memories that shape your life.

Tune in for:

❤️ The value of handwritten recipes and food memories

❤️ Reflections on British traditions (including real scones!)

❤️ Meredith’s humorous take on navigating the kitchen

❤️ Why preserving family stories matters more than perfect cooking

Grab your favorite snack and listen in as we prove that every meal truly has a story!

Yes, even if you’re a non-cook, you can create a new and lasting memory in the kitchen, by a campfire, or at the table. Listen now, and share your story of how food brings your family together—no cooking skills are required!

Please also leave us a review with your thoughts and ideas for new stories and episodes.

Want to hear more:

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #handwrittennotes #coligraphy #chocolate #oysters #lovers #lovepartners #valentinesdaygifts #foodstories #strawberries #chocolatestrawberries

Love, Lust, and Food Stories: Unveiling Valentine's Day Secrets

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Dive into a decadent world of desire as Family Tree, Food & Stories hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely unwrap the mysteries behind Valentine's Day's most seductive treats. Join chocolate expert Norma Taylor as she reveals how to get thousands of chocolate-covered strawberries out to lusting customers.

Nancy and Sylvia dive under the covers to reveal some interesting and lesser-known history and traditions of how those silk heart-shaped chocolate boxes even include a little black lace. Remember those innocent candy conversation hearts? Perhaps they were the precursor to modern-day text messaging. What do you think?

This episode is packed with a lot of fun, interesting stories, and a few tantalized revelations about legendary aphrodisiacs, including:

❤️ The truth behind chocolate's reputation as a love potion

❤️ Which legendary lover consumed 80 oysters daily for more passionate nights

❤️ The surprising connection between bananas and bees

❤️ Why strawberries became Venus's chosen fruit

❤️ The hidden meaning of avocados in ancient culture

❤️ Which romantic edible now commands a shocking $100 per dozen

❤️ The sweet secrets of honey's role in matters of the heart

This episode serves more than just chocolate and champagne — it's a feast of fascinating food history, romantic traditions, and delicious discoveries that will forever change how you think about Valentine's treats.

Ready to spice up your Valentine's Day knowledge? Listen now, and don't forget to follow us for more fun, interesting, historic, and delicious stories about food, family, and tradition. Share your food romance tales with us—we'd love to feature them in future episodes. Or reach out to us at: https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/contact/

Want to hear more:

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #valentinesday #valentine #chocolate #oysters #lovers #lovepartners #valentinesdaygifts #foodstories #strawberries #chocolatestrawberries

Red Jelly Apocalypse: Radio Debut Disaster

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

One Waitress, One Microphone, a Whole Lot of Regret, and a Story That Became a Family Legend.

This true Family Tree, Food Story begins with a simple radio interview that soon spirals into a chaotic comedy of errors. Here, your Co-Host Sylvia Lovely recounts a college indiscretion that involved a local Moorhead restaurant and a disastrous on-air performance that threatened a financial loss and derailment of her boyfriend's career (and possibly their relationship forever!).

What started as a seemingly harmless attempt to help her then-boyfriend, Bernie, a struggling radio host, takes an unexpected turn, leaving Sylvia facing a crisis of disastrous proportions.

Hear the story of a fateful day, a disgusting apron stain, and how events unfold, and that will leave you wondering: Will Sylvia save the day, or will this be a story she'll forever regret?

Tune in to uncover the truth, how we can all relate to college blunders, and the lasting power of a good food, friend, and even financial story.

💫Tell Us Your Story! Do you have a story to share about your own mishaps? We'd love to hear from you. It's easy, just send us a note at https://podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/contact/

You can also leave us a Voice Message, just click the link and start talking.

Want to hear more:

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #mysterypodcast #grapejelly #foodstories #relatable #suspense #collegelife #datingstories #minnesotapodcast #podcastrecommendations #kentucky #mooreheadstate

A 36 Year Hunt For the Perfect Cake: Can you help us solve this mystery?

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 04:30:00 -0400

How Our Hunt For The BEST Cake Keeps Us on The Road!

🥕 What if a single bite could change your life? In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, you’re invited to join Nancy and Bob on a 36-year quest to rediscover the flavor that made their wedding day even more sweet. A delicious and magical carrot cake from a special bakery in Fairfield, Connecticut, their quest to recreate that perfect bite has taken them from New York to Florida, California to Canada, and beyond. Their quest has done more than taking these two on shunpike road trips. It’s introduced them to new friends, bakeries, and countless delicious moments.

Will you be the one to help them find the perfect carrot cake? Grab a fork and dive in because sometimes, the journey really is as good as the destination. 🥕

Share carrot cake finds with us at podcast.familytreefoodstories.com/voicemail or on Facebook.

Share your story with Nancy & Sylvia:

Do you have a story to share on the Family Tree, Food & Stories show? Send us your story to review, and you can win a chance to have your family story on the show! Here's the link to share your story with us now.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#carrotcake #weddingday #weddingcake #roadtrip #newlyweds #foodquest #story @familytreefoodstories

Drunk In Duluth Minnesota - And The Rest of That Story

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How a Glass of Wine and a Cold Night in a Bar Became One of This Mom’s Favorite Story.

This Family Tree Food & Stories episode is a delightful blend of humor and fun reflection as Sylvia recounts an unforgettable night in Duluth, Minnesota. What starts as a simple mother-son bonding watching the “big game” at a local bar turns into an unexpected tale of personal embarrassment and triumph.

With a mix of wit and warmth, Sylvia shares how even the most humiliating moments can become one of those stories you will want to tell over and over again — and why she (and you should) refuse to let guilt hold you back from sharing your wildest stories.

Sometimes, the most awkward moments make for the best-shared laughs around the table.

What You'll Learn and Enjoy:

How Humor Helps Everyone: Sylvia’s blend of self-deprecating humor and sharp wit makes this story an instant classic.
Lessons in Mother-Son Dynamics: How a mom can still publicly embarrass her adult son and learn to laugh about it for years thereafter.
The Power of Embarrassment: How the most awkward moments can turn into treasured tales worth sharing.
A Dash of Culinary Nostalgia: A nod to the meals and snacks that shaped our childhoods and their lasting impact on family traditions.

📌 Who Should Tune In?

This episode is perfect for listeners who love a good laugh, enjoy heartfelt family stories, and appreciate how food and memories intertwine to create lasting bonds. Whether you’re a parent, a foodie, or someone who’s ever been “too sleepy for your own good,” you’ll find something to love in this episode.

✨ Catch the latest episode of Family Tree Food & Stories! Every recipe has a story, and every story is a feast.

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

@familytreefoodstories

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #Parentingstories #parenting, #familytreepodcast #familystories #motherson #mothersandsons #foodstories #wine #drunk #sportsbars

Inaugural Balls: From Washington to Trump, Turtle Soup to Sliders and more!

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What Might be Cooking at President Trump's Inaugural Ball? Lessons from presidential plates past and present.

🎙️In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dish up a banquet of stories and foods that have graced inaugural balls throughout U.S. history. From George Washington’s solitary dining to Lincoln's midnight chaos, this episode reveals how these menus reflect presidential personalities, American culture, and even our own family mealtime tastes. You'll learn about the quirks of Chester Arthur’s Rhode Island eel, Dolly Madison’s introduction of fancy ice cream, and even how turtle steaks were served up.

Nancy and Sylvia have had the privilege of attending an Inaugural Ball, and dish out humor, personal stories, and surprising food facts from those tables.

Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or curious listener, or avid politician, this episode offers a delicious dive into presidential traditions and gastronomic adventures.

🍴 Interesting Learning Points Include:

The historical significance of inaugural menus and what they reveal about American culture.
Culinary milestones, the introduction of ice cream, and French cuisine influence.
The evolution of presidential preferences, from turtle soup to sliders.
How inaugural events have mirrored societal and political changes over time.
The personal reflections of the hosts on inaugural experiences and their humorous takes on modern menu choices.

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#Inauguralball #trumpinauguration #presidentialfoods #whitehousechef #icecream #americancuisine #foodie #familytreefoodstories #familyfoodtraditions #presidenttrump'sfamily #meleniatrump #donaldtrumpinauguration #thehill

The Curious Case of the Flying Roast!

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How a pre-colonoscopy walk turned into a wild surprise and a mysterious roast thief!

📌In this next episode of Family Tree Food & Stories - What do you get when you mix a colonoscopy prep, an overexcited Goldendoodle, and a "found"three-pound beef roast in the middle of a walking trail? It's a story that’s almost too wild to believe!

In this episode, Co-Host Sylvia Lovely recounts a chaotic journey to wrestle a juicy roast from her dog’s jaws—all while enduring the delightful side effects of her “prep.” Honestly, this one still offers a good laugh and some peanut butter to the rescue at just the right moment. It's not what you think!

Tune in for the ultimate reminder that sometimes the most mundane food experiences can become unforgettable stories. This is one example of how to turn an experience into something you'll laugh about at the dinner table with family and friends for years. It is undoubtedly worthy of a good roast recipe, too.

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #goldendoodle #hiking #roastbeef #peanutbutter #familytreepodcast #mysterymeat #colonoscopyprep #foodies

New Year's 2025, Good Luck/Bad Luck Foods and Crazy Leftover To-Dos!

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Could There be Gold in that Pork Roast and Doom in the Chicken? New Year's Foods to eat for an extra plateful of good luck.

Welcome to 2025! In this special New Year’s edition of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely kick off the year with some quirky traditions.🎉

Did you know eating chicken 🐔 on New Year’s could potentially give you a bowl of bad luck? Or that a sauerkraut shred might be the key to riches? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, we're spilling the beans (and the sauerkraut) on bizarre New Year’s food superstitions that might get you to reconsider your midnight menu.

But don’t worry—there’s also some good luck on the horizon or in the kitchen! And what's a New Year's celebration without fireworks or a fire? . . seriously! This one includes that old and stale gingerbread house collecting dust on your island countertop.

There's a lot more in store in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, so grab your favorite drink, kick back, and join us for an entertaining end to 2024 and a delicious start, one story, one laugh, and one lucky bite at a time to 2025.

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #NewYear2025 #luckyfoods #newyearssuperstitions #familytraditions #foodiefun #gingerbreadhouses #fermentedfoods #glutenfree #stories @familytreefoodstories

How to Eat Your Leftover Christmas Tree: For Real!

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

How to Eat Your Christmas Tree and Create a Deliciously Unusual Holiday Tradition 🎄

What do you do with a leftover Christmas tree? Toss it? Compost it? Nope—how about eating it? Yes, you heard that right! In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, we’re setting the table with a new way to turn your bedazzled Christmas tree into a gourmet treat.

From sweet pine syrups to pine needle tea, baking with your tree's bark (and a treat you can bite), and even pine-infused ice cream, Nancy May, co-host of Family Tree, Food & Stories explains how to create an unforgettable—and even new eco-friendly—family tradition.

You might think eating your Christmas tree is a bit weird, but your new gastronomic adventure will be the ultimate conversation starter for next year’s Christmas table or even at your New Year's celebration.

Join us for laughter, recipes, and maybe even a new holiday tradition that will keep your family talking for generations. After all, wouldn’t it be fun to say, “Remember when Aunt Nancy made us eat the tree?”

🌟 Tune in, get inspired, and let’s make your Christmas leftovers a story worth sharing!

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #christmasdinner #christmasstories #holidayfoods #holidaytraditions #FamilyTreePodcast #HolidayTraditions #EatYourChristmasTree #EcoFriendlyCooking #FoodieFun #ChristmasRecipes #SustainableLiving #ecofriendly #gourmet #holidaychefs @familytreefoodstories

Holiday Cheer and Weird Food Traditions: From Fruitcake to Santa's Secret Flying Sauce

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

From Stinky Food Stuck in a Tree to Finger Licking Christmas Traditions in Japan: This holiday episode will have you asking for a second helping.

🎄✨What’s the story behind the quirky German Christmas pickle? And why do families in Japan celebrate the holidays by licking their fingers? Join co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Sylvia Lovely as they dive into the heart (and stomach) of Christmas and family food traditions in this holiday episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories.

In this show, they share everything from Martha Stewart-inspired table settings to Southern comfort recipes. Have you ever tried a traditional German Stollen for breakfast? It’s one of Nancy's Christmas morning favorites.

Get ready for some friendly debates—because fruitcake is on the table (literally) as Sylvia shares her love-hate relationship with this infamous holiday staple.

But this episode isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about creating new and delicious memories and traditions for you and your family. What are your family’s food traditions? Are you preserving them for future generations? Nancy and Sylvia will inspire you with tips on capturing your own family’s food stories, plus a special holiday gift idea that foodies and family historians will adore, and a recipe for Santa's Secret Flying Sauce!

Hit play and let us bring a little magic to your holiday season—one recipe and story at a time! 🎄✨

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #christmasdinner #christmasstories #holidayfoods #holidaytraditions #fruitcake #christmaspicklke

Life Lessons over Lunch: A first sit-down restaurant an what happened next!

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 04:45:00 -0400

What happens when a small-town girl becomes a college Freshman with ambitions? This episode is one every parent, and Freshman will learn from!

In this episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, join co-host Sylvia Lovely as she recounts a pivotal moment in her life that intertwines ambition, family expectations, and an unforgettable dining experience. Raised in a humble background where college wasn't even on the radar, Sylvia's sudden declaration to pursue higher education led her to Moorhead State University. However, a seemingly simple luncheon turns into a memorable lesson in social graces when Sylvia encounters a dining dilemma that leaves everyone at the table in silent amusement. Discover how this hilarious and heartwarming story of a girl navigating her way through new experiences highlights the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Listen in to discover how a waitress's mentioned menu option becomes a cherished memory, reflecting the universal power of food to connect us all.

Key Learning Points:

Overcoming familial and societal expectations and pursuit of higher education.
The humorous side of navigating new social situations.
The cultural significance of food in shaping and recalling personal memories.
The power of stepping out of one's comfort zone to grow and learn.
The importance of supportive communities in personal development.

Family Tree Food & Stories 🎙️🍲❤️ is a heartwarming podcast that dives into the profound connections we have with food, family, and those treasured memories. Each episode shares the personal stories of recipes, traditions, and stories created just last week or passed down through generations. You'll laugh 😂, cry 😢, and crave more delicious moments 😋 as your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, celebrate the power of food and moments that shape our identities and strengthen our bonds with family and friends. Join us every week for uplifting tales that will leave you hungry for more of what happens next. Pull up a chair and enjoy the journey! 🍽️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #BookRelease #storytelling #storytellingpodcast #podcast #sharedmeals #foodstories #familytime #foodies #cherishedmemories #collegejourney #familyexpectations #humorousstories #foodmemories #diningdilemmas #highereducation #lifelessons #personalgrowth #overcomingobsticles #inspirationalpodcast #hardships #collegememories #growingupstories #familysupport #podcastsummaries #podcastfamily #podcast

The Luckiest Pig on Ravioli Mountain: The TRUE Story!

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:15:00 -0400

What's the best way to make pasta? It's all in the drying.

🍷🍝What do an old kitchen table, a cozy wood-burning fireplace, and a lucky (and we mean lucky) pig have in common? They’re all part of this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, where Nancy May and show guest Bobby Hedglin-Taylor, a man of many hats, dive into some rich country Italian family-food stories rooted in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Nancy and Bobby share some preview moments from his forthcoming book “Escape to Ravioli Mountain: A Memoir in Food.” Bobby’s experience in the kitchen with his grandmother proves how our culinary experiences shape our identities and connect our past to the future.

🎧 Why You Can't Miss This Episode:

Learn about a surprisingly intelligent pig who changed one family's perspective on their farm animals forever
Sit in the stories of an Italian grandmother's kitchen, where handmade pasta-making secrets were passed down between generations.
Discover the interesting connection between coal miners and pepperoni rolls and how immigrant families adapted their food traditions to survive in America.

Whether you’re a food lover or simply looking for inspiration and a better way to make homemade pasta, this episode will encourage you to sit by a warm fire during a cold winter evening and recount your own collection of delicious food and family stories.

💫Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#familytreefoodstories, #familystories #familymeals #family #memoir #podcast #foodpodcast #ravioli #bobbyhedglin-taylor #culinarystories #pastamaking #pasta-making #limoncello #italian-american #heritage #italiangenealogy #pastasause #sundaysauce

The Radio Waitress and the Almost Academy Award

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 04:45:00 -0400

What happens when a fake waitress, a wannabe on-air actress, tries to save the day? 🤦‍♂️

In this episode, you'll want to join Sylvia Lovely, co-host of Family Tree Food and Stories, for a show filled with unexpected twists and turns. When Sylvia's boyfriend Bernie, a radio host 📻 in Moorhead, Kentucky, finds himself without a guest for his show, Sylvia steps up with a daring plan intertwined with a bit of creative freedom. 💡 What happens next is a rollercoaster of emotions and on-air surprises. This heartwarming and humorous story showcases how quick thinking can turn a potential disaster into a memorable experience. Tune in to hear how Sylvia’s impromptu performance, featuring a delightful food-related twist, created a story for the ages - especially if you've ever been a waitress 🍔 - blending romance, humor, and the charm of small-town life. 👩‍❤️‍👨

Key Lessons Learned:💡

The importance of creativity and quick thinking in unexpected situations.
How a shared challenge can strengthen relationships and create lasting memories.
The significance of humor and adaptability in overcoming obstacles.

12 Surprising Thanksgiving Traditions to Know about, Learn and Try

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:45:00 -0400

Surprising Ways to Give More Thanks and Create a Better Thanksgiving Together.

Join co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, which focuses on Thanksgiving secrets, traditions, history, and more.

Ever wonder why presidents pardon turkeys? Or why cranberry sauce sparks family feuds? This Family Tree Food & Stories episode reveals the quirky history and hidden stories behind America's favorite feast day.

You'll learn the details behind:

The real story behind presidential turkey pardons
Why that cranberry sauce debate matters more than you think
Ancient traditions that shaped modern celebrations
Game-changing hosting tips from disaster-seasoned pros

From kitchen catastrophes turned family legends to clever conversation pivots that save dinner, we're sharing battle-tested strategies for holiday success. Learn how to transform traditional recipes, handle unexpected guests, and turn awkward moments into memorable stories.

Plus, discover:

Ways to give back and give thanks.
How to shed a few pounds before you dig into that meal
Surprising side dish recipe additions
Thanksgiving table talk to ingredient-challenged guests

Skip the usual holiday stress. Join us for laughs, surprising historical tidbits, and practical ideas to revolutionize your Thanksgiving playbook.

Share your story with us:

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#thanksgiving #butterballhotline #turkey #turkeyrecipe #foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #familyfoodstories #cranberrycauce #turkeydisasters #familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodandstories #gratitude #grace

Love for Popcorn: A Heartfelt Tribute to a Beloved Chef

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 03:30:00 -0400

The people who make a restaurant a family. A Chef, a Friend, and a Legacy of Kindness.

This episode is a bit of a departure from our regular show for an excellent reason. Sylvia, Co-Host of Family Tree, Food & Stories, and her husband, Bernie Lovely, the owners of Restaurant Azure and Patio in Lexington, Kentucky, recently woke to a phone call telling them of the sudden and unexpected passing of their Sous Chef, Austin Poplewell "Popcorn."

Known for his gentle spirit and culinary creativity, Popcorn’s presence turned their restaurant into a second family, filling it with warmth and laughter. Always sharing, Popcorn often brought family recipes to the kitchen, including that of his grandmother’s butterscotch pie.

This is more than a tribute; it’s a reminder of how we build a family through food, laughter, shared stories, and, in this case, a celebration of resilience, passion, and love.

Additional Links

Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
My Family Tree, Food & Stories Book/Journal

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#tribute #popcorn #souschef #restaurant #family #food #celebrationoflife #kentuckyfamilies

Strange Connections: Tailgating, Hot Dogs, Adam & Eve, Apple

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

From Adam and Eve's First Bit to Tailgating, Hot Dog Pie, and More: Pull your chair up to the table and listen in to this next episode.

What do hot dogs, tailgating, and a centuries-old food tradition have in common? More than you might think! In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, your co-hosts, take you on an unexpected journey through the quirky, funny, and interesting ways food has brought us together.... even from the day of Adam and Eve! Now, there's a food story!

Tune into this next episode as they dive into the wild history of tailgating through quirky foodie finds, old and new. Pull your chair up to this next episode where "Every Meal has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast!

Additional Links

Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #tailgatingrecipes #hotdogs #pie #recipes #familyfoodstories #familytreefoodandstories #adamandeve #biblestories #foodstories

Dining with Ghosts: Table for two please... you and the Ghost that is.

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Ghosts that belly up to the bar and join you at the table. What might happen next?

Why do so many ghost stories start at the dinner table? In this special Halloween edition, Nancy May, co-host of Family Tree Food & Stories, joins forces with her and Sylvia’s friend and fellow podcaster, Leo York (AKA James), from The 13th Floor, to investigate the haunted pasts of America’s most iconic restaurants. From offering meat pies to appease mischievous spirits to ghostly figures that still roam Boston’s historic Union Oyster House, you’ll learn where some of our favorite ghosts hide and some chilling tales that are more than just eerie.

Food ghost stories might creep into your next family’s dinner discussion, recipe, or tradition. These ghostly foods that Leo and Nancy share real spooky accounts with food-related history in ways you may not expect. Whether you’re fascinated by the paranormal or love a good legend, this episode promises to thrill, chill, and keep you coming back to the table for more. Grab your favorite snack, hit play, and discover what stories might lurk in your next meal.

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Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #ghoststories #paranormal #recipes #mystery #tarantulas #familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodandstories

Wild Food and Backyard Feasts - The Magic of a Small Town

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Recipes From My 90-Year-Old Mom, and so Much More!

With our special guest, Freda Meriwether.

In this episode of the Family Tree, Food & Stories podcast, Co-Host Sylvia Lovely reconnects with her good friend, Freda Meriwether, who shares captivating and colorful food tales of her 90-year-old mother, Gloria Polly Medea Rice. The conversation spans Gloria's rich reputation as a 'character' in her community and her renowned recipes, particularly some that required a mad dash to grab it first in the backyard! Freda recounts their family's traditions, the small-town love and support Gloria receives, and the importance of preserving family stories. This heartwarming discussion highlights the intersection of family, history, and the culinary legacies that define us in ways we often forget until we remember and share them.

00:00 Introduction and Reunion

00:13 Freda's Mother: Gloria's Story

01:39 Life in Lewisburg and Family History

02:33 The Old Cemetery and Community Support

03:35 Gloria's Character and Cooking Secrets

06:29 Traditional Recipes and Cooking Methods

11:38 Reflections on Family and Heritage

13:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Family Tree Food & Stories 🎙️🍲❤️ is a heartwarming podcast that dives into the profound connections we have with food, family, and those treasured memories. Each episode shares personal and shared stories about recipes and traditions created just last week or passed down through generations. You'll laugh 😂, cry 😢, and crave more delicious moments 😋 as your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, celebrate the power of food and moments that shape our identities and strengthen our bonds with family and friends. Join us every week for uplifting tales that will leave you hungry for more of what happens next. Pull up a chair and enjoy the journey! 🍽️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #gransmasrecipes #meriweather #kentucky #daughter #familymeals #storietelling #storytellingpodcast #podcast #cherishedmemories #momsrecipes #family #foodie

Luck, Love, and Food: Bizarre Family Food Superstitions

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 12:30:00 -0400

Are there such things as lucky foods?

Have you ever wondered why your mom always tossed salt over her shoulder, whether it spilled or not? Or why did your grandmother say NEVER to cut spaghetti noodles? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull the kitchen curtain back on some of the weird and most interesting food superstitions that still sneak into our family gatherings today. 🍀🍔

From the mysterious practice of keeping stinky fish scales in your wallet to the ancient art of using pasta-chewing shadows to predict your fate, these stories and traditions connect us through generations in ways we may not even realize.

Whether it’s a quirky habit you’ve kept alive or one you’re curious to know more about, these beliefs remind us that food isn’t just about flavor — it’s about love, luck, and the magic that brings us together with friends and family around the table.

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About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share during your next meal with friends, family, or even a business colleague.

#foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #heritage #recipes #mystery #goodluck #familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodandstories MBAOZtYLln2d2b6wWb1X

The Dish That Defined a Life!

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Favorite Final Food and that Important Story

What unexpected request could transform a bittersweet farewell into a heartwarming celebration of life? Tune in to discover a touching tale that reveals the powerful bond between family, a daughter, a stranger, love, and the foods that bring us back home.

Episode Summary:

In our inaugural episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-host Nancy May recounts a deeply moving experience during her father Stuart's final days. Amidst heartfelt conversations and emotional farewells, an unexpected request from Stuart unveils a touching and unforgettable moment. Join us to discover how a simple question from a stranger led to a surprising revelation that beautifully captures the essence of family, love, and enduring memories.

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Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share during your next meal with friends, family, or even a business colleague.

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #ClamChowder #NewEngland #daughter #Memories #CelebratingLife #BookRelease #celebrationoflife #storietelling #storytellingpodcast #podcast #sharedmeals #foodstories #familytime #fatherdaughter #lastrequests #foodies #cherishedmemories #dads #family #foodie MBAOZtYLln2d2b6wWb1X

What Food Stories are on Your Plate?

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0400

What Do Hot Dogs and Adam & Eve Have in Common? More Than You Think!”

In this debut episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely kick off the show with surprising food traditions and stories that connect us with family and friends. How do hot dogs, candy corn, Adam and Eve, and the Civil War be linked? The answers might surprise you as Nancy and Sylvia reveal the unexpected ties between these foods and our shared family histories, with a blend of humor, nostalgia, and a little bit of history.

Learn how tailgating isn’t just a game-day tradition but a cultural ritual that spans generations. From recounting kitchen mishaps that turn into family legends, they show how our food becomes central to the stories we pass down.

Nancy and Sylvia also dig into their own lives, sharing stories that will make you laugh, nod in recognition, and maybe even spark your recollections. Each Family Tree Food and Stories episode will uncover the stories behind the meals that bring us together.

Tune in, subscribe, and prepare for more new favorite food stories that will spark ways to recreate your own. You won’t want to miss a bite of what’s coming next!

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Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #daughter #storytelling #celebritychef #BookRelease #storytellingpodcast #podcast #foodstories #familytime #fatherdaughter #foodies #family MBAOZtYLln2d2b6wWb1X