Satisfying smoothies can do more than just cool you down on a hot summer day. They can power you up, too.

Easy. Portable. Crowd-pleaser. Potluck recipes for a large gathering need to hit on all marks, but especially the pleasing part. Everyone should have a dish that’s a real winner, one we stake our reputation on, with a recipe everyone begs for.

Summertime and the kids are hanging out - so why not take the opportunity to school them in some kitchen skills?

Can you imagine life without chocolate chips? Neither can I! The inspiration of so many dreamy desserts, these semi-sweet morsels are sweetly commemorated on May 15, Chocolate Chip Day.

As this year’s brides eagerly anticipate upcoming nuptials, ‘tis the season to shower them with festive attention. If it’s your turn to host a bridal shower, make a streamlined plan so you can join in the fun.

As the calendar turns to May, my thoughts turn to warm breezes and reasons to celebrate. From Memorial Day to Father’s Day and beyond, many of us will kick off the summer season with a picnic, barbecue, potluck or other casual gathering.

It’s true — the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

Elvis Presley’s fondness for peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwiches is part of American culinary history. But this high-fat sandwich leaves me crying in the chapel of nutrition.

If you’re like me, you’re ready to shout “welcome, spring!” Anticipation of sunny skies and warm weather invites us to celebrate this year’s March arrival of Easter.

If your child is like mine, the first thing on her mind after school is “snack!”

I’ve often thought that if the Easter bunny hung around to see what’s for dinner, perhaps he wouldn’t high-tail it after hiding his colored eggs!

Give your heart away this Valentine’s Day with an easy home-baked treat that will capture the affections of the whole family.

The next best thing to baking for loved ones? Baking to raise money for a good cause.

Good and good for you? Cross my heart! To celebrate American Heart Month, satisfy your family with a substantial supper soup that’s big on flavor.

It might have been the birdsong I heard early this morning that made my winter-weary taste buds hungry for spring flavors.

I’m ready for the summer celebration season!

No one celebrates family in more style than African-American families, many of whom gather during June — Soul Food Month — to celebrate Juneteenth with a picnic or barbecue.

Hey, moms! Have your kids been getting restless, like mine? I think they’re (secretly) ready to get back to the school routine. But not before we celebrate with one more carefree, alfresco family party.

Getting out of the kitchen for flag waving is on my agenda for the Fourth!

If your kids are like mine, Mother’s Day means breakfast in bed, and Father’s Day means… quite probably another tie, and Dad “gets” to take the family out to dinner.

When summer sizzles, forget about turning on the oven! Yet even with the temperature climbing, my delight in making desserts for family and friends doesn’t wilt.

School bells are ringing! In addition to getting the kids up, fed, dressed and off to school, many parents have to pack a lunch. Brown bags that get eaten and enjoyed may be a challenge, but not an impossibility.

Viva la fiesta! Which in my book means “time to party!”

Calling all creepy costumed creatures and ghoul-friends!

Treat your friends and family to a ghostly good time. Instead of chaperoning your kids door-to-door this Halloween, why not stay inside and throw your own fun fright night?

Autumn’s crisp, juicy apple crop arrives along with that crisp snap in the air, which makes me ready to turn on the oven for autumn baking. Among the tempting array of apple dessert possibilities, my favorite is an apple crisp featuring the perfect flavor pairing of butterscotch and apples.

With a chill in the air, it’s the time of year when hobgoblins haunt the neighborhood, begging for treats!

Nothing inspires me to get back to baking like autumn weather.

Got loved ones scattered across the country or around the world? Share your home-baked goodies with them, regardless of the distance. Bake, pack and let them fly!

I think kids are secretly glad to get back into a school routine after summer’s pursuits. I know I’m glad to return to a regular schedule, which includes dinner together at the end of a busy day. Sharing a hot meal makes me feel we’re connected.

Bake sale season is officially open! Selling treats to raise cash is a breeze, when you know what sells and how to manage the perfect event.

My Thanksgiving memories are made of baking together, gathering loved ones around the table, a moist turkey dinner with all the trimmings. But nothing beats dessert. Specifically pie.

Of all the baking I do all year, none is more special than baking batch after batch of festive holiday cookies.

Cabin fever? Not me! Being housebound in February is just my cup of tea. Winter weather is a great excuse for baking and cooking. And it’s not difficult to coax others into the heart of the home with warmth and tempting aromas.

During the holidays I enjoy preparing elegant-looking desserts for my family and guests because it adds that extra bit of festivity to my table.

Surprise the Easter bunny with sweet treats from your kitchen. If you’re like me, you’ve got more than one bunny to remember with home-baked goodies.

Chocolate. Just the word on a page makes my mouth water! One of life’s blissful pleasures is a mouthful of fragrant, dark and rich, creamy smooth chocolate.

Carefree summer days are perfect for some kitchen fun with the kids. Creative kitchen projects can spark a lifelong love of baking inspired by the memories you’ve created together.

Whether small and spontaneous or large and organized months in advance, family reunions are fun!

‘Tis the season of celebration! Bridal, baby and good-luck showers, graduations and family gatherings demand dishes that delight a crowd.

Wave flags, toot horns and join in the parade! Independence Day calls for a celebration with plenty of fanfare, and I think there’s no better way to celebrate this patriotic holiday than with friends, family and food.

Berry lovers, prepare your palates! Much to our delight, spring berry season is here, followed by the bounty of summer’s berries.

Got a grad in your life? Graduation calls for celebrating sweet success with delicious fanfare.

I’m nuts about nuts, and my favorite is the all-American pecan. So, I’m pleased to celebrate National Pecan Month by using this sweet, buttery nut in many ways.

Mother’s Day with a fun gathering that gets your entire family together —brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews — and honors every mom. Family too far away? Gather your closest friends and their families and toast all moms present. Host a breakfast or brunch that’s easy for the kids to help with in a big way.

The post-holiday season has us putting away our holiday décor and making New Year’s resolutions. One resolution that I intend on keeping is to spend more time doing what I really enjoy… baking. Nothing makes me feel quite as grounded and worthwhile as when I’m creating goodies.