Cystic fibrosis survivor, lung & kidney transplant recipient, LOVER of life and FOOD! I’m Jen and I live in Carlsbad, California (north San Diego), with my husband, Patrick, and my furry, four legged daughter, Kiwi, and together we WELCOME YOU to Carlsbad Cravings!!! Here you will find only my tried and true daringly delicious recipes with big, BOLD flavors – or what I like to describe as extraordinary flavors out of everyday ingredients.
Click HERE to read my interview and watch my VIDEO with Color Me Meg
Candid “Behind the scenes” my husband captured on his phone
Some people escape in dreams of sandy beaches and sunny skies, I escape in dreams of mangoes, chipotle peppers and bacon. My creativity as a former interior designer flourishes in the kitchen as I find something so satisfying in creating delicious, flavorful (spices are my forte!), fresh food…and then eating it. As Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. …” or something delicious!
1 of 2 of my pre-“CarlsbadCravings” recipe binders that only my favorite recipes qualify for – that’s a lot of deliciousness to share 🙂
I have been cooking and creating new recipes almost every day of the week for years (and honestly, cooking has gotten me though some tough times), so after being blessed with new-found energy from my kidney transplant in October 2013, I decided I should share my favorite creations with the rest of the world so Carlsbad Cravings was born February 2014. As I thought about sharing recipes, I decided I also wanted to share more of the blessings and miracles that continue to be part of my life as well – and being both a lung and kidney transplant recipient (due to cystic fibrosis) – there are many!
Patrick, Kiwi and I paddleboarding on the Carlsbad lagoon
Even though my life is an open book, literally (“My Heroes Ask Wallflowers To Dance published December 2012), it is time to write the next chapters…and enjoy some delicious food along the way! Never miss a recipe and join me (pinterest, instagram, facebook, G+ , twitter) as I follow my cravings in creating mostly healthy, some indulgent, but always delicious food.
If you ares still reading and want to know a little more about me and my journey with cystic fibrosis, you can read this article published in the Ensign magazine and/or this Talk that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about me, or watch this video which shows part of my interview with Boomer Esiason (former NFL quarterback) (excuse the eye puffiness as I was waiting for my kidney transplant and had extra water everywhere!). If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, I am at minutes 1:40 and again at 8:45 (most of their narration is correct except for my current work and mixing Kiwi up with my last dog).
Thanks for stopping by, Happy Cooking!
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Linda Burton Morgan says
Jen! I am inspired by your joie de vivre. Your energy amazes me. I stumbled across your chicken enchilada recipe when I was looking for something creamy and delicious that didn’t involve canned soup. Your recipe is perfect. I prepared it accordingly and my family loved it. These enchiladas will be on the menu at my next dinner party for my sailing club. Stay strong. Stay well.
Linda in Texas
Jen says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and well wishes Linda! I’m so happy you stumbled upon my blog and loved the enchiladas so much they will be at your next dinner party! I hope you find many new recipes to love here! Wishing you all the best in 2019!
Sarah Ninan says
Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story as well as your recipes. I have just printed out wayyyy to many and cant wait to try them.
Jen says
You’re so welcome Sarah, thanks for taking the time to read my story! I am excited your excited to try my recipes! I hope you find many new favorites!
Janet says
I was meant to find your strawberry syrup recipe today. It is high strawberry season in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada!
I received my kidney transplant from my sister in November, 2007. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Jen says
That’s amazing you’re going on 12 years Janet, congratulations! What a blessing transplants – and sisters are! I’m praying for your continued health! xo
Cynthia A Sirk says
Hello Jen. I am using your Chicken Divan recipe for an elegant Valentine’s dinner party for 25 guests. I can’t wait to wow them with your “from scratch” recipe. I, too, have made this dish with canned ingredients in the past but much prefer a recipe with a real sauce. Thank you for posting this recipe. I signed up for your newsletter and can’t wait to try more recipes.
Jen says
Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It sounds like you are in for a wonderful Valentines, dinner, what a fun night! I hope you and all your guts love this recipe as much as us! Thanks for signing up for my newsletter – I hope you discover many new favorite recipes here!
Kathleen says
Jen!
I loved reading your story! The Lord has provided in mighty ways for you. Your culinary creations are amazing and our family has enjoyed every mouth watering bite:). Last night the Roasted Cauliflower Soup was enjoyed by all.
Your desire to turn obstacles into opportunities is inspiring!
Thank you for sharing your love of food with The Pinterest family:)
Kathleen
Jen says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Kathleen! I do feel so blessed the Lord has kept me around and continues to shower me with his tender mercies. I love sharing my recipes with all of your – I’m so pleased you are enjoying them! May God bless you and yours!
Shelby Vogler says
The Lord led me to your site this morning.Can’t remember now which recipe I was looking at.I saw your personal info and saw “Cystic Fibrosis Survivor”.I’m crying now from happiness for you! You beat it !! Your story touches me personally ,as I lost two beautiful daughters to CF.Ages 15 years and 9 years.At that time ,only five years was life espectancy.We fought hard and worked to raise money for research.I would love to know you better.God bless you sweetheart and enjoy every moment…because I know what you’ve been through!
Jen says
Oh my goodness Shelby, I have chills reading your comment. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of both your daughters. I can only imagine the courageous fight and devastating heartbreak. I know you were their angel here on earth and now they are your angels in heaven cheering you on. I actually wrote a book about my journey which I share only because you said you wanted to know me better, “https://www.amazon.com/My-Heroes-Ask-Wallflowers-Dance/dp/1466319739” It shares more than you will ever want to know! May God bless you! I’m sending you a big hug with all my love! xoxo
Dawn says
Hi Jen! I’ve made your Lasagna Soup several times and it is AMAZING! In fact, I told my daughter (who is a freshman at Baylor) while face-timing just now I was making it tomorrow for a group I’m in and she said….”oh man that soup sounds SOOOO good right now.” Dorm food is getting to her. Anyway…my question is …how could I convert this into a crockpot recipe? I have to be there at 8:45 in the morning to my meeting but we won’t be eating until 11:30. So, just wanted to see if you. had any brilliant ideas! Thanks so much and I am so happy I stumbled onto your recipes. 🙂
Jen says
Hi Dawn, I’m so pleased you are enjoying my recipes! In my experience, pasta can be very temperamental in a crockpot because it really needs to be boiling to cook properly. So instead of cooking the lasagna soup in the crockpot, I would keep it warm in the crockpot and be sure your noodles are al dente to start with. I hope that helps!
Shari says
Just discovered your site and would like to say hi and I’m loving your recipes and reading about your journey. Much love from Brisbane, Australia.
Jen says
Hi Shari, welcome! Thank you for taking the timee to read my story! I hope you find lots of recipes to love here!
Cathy Huesman says
Jen,
I’m a 54 year old CF survivor and double lung recipient from Ohio. I clicked on your link for a roasted cauliflower recipe. I am in love with your site and recipes. Keep up the fight!!!
Jen says
That is amazing, congratulations! Isn’t it miraculous what modern medicine can do?! I hope you love exploring my site and trying new recipes! Send prayers for your continued health and happiness!
David says
Dear Jen,
I have always said that I love food that offers “big and bold flavors,” and, as advertised, your recipes positively deliver. I am a crockpot devotee and have been working through your offerings over the last year. (I started with the BBQ chicken chili and haven’t looked back.)
It wasn’t until today that I realized that you had such a compelling. personal story. As an Infection doctor here in the northeast, I know a little of the challenges you face, so in addition to my thanks, I want to offer you my admiration and prayers for good health.
David
Jen says
Hi David, thank you so much for making my recipes! I love hearing you have been working your way though them – that’s quite a feat! More importantly, thank you so much for your kind words and all you do everyday to improve the lives of others. I have met with many infectious diseases over the years (the last time was when I was hospitalized in December) and I know you deal with some pretty scary situations – so thank you for making them better! I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes!
Roxanne says
Jen- I cannot tell you how much I love your site and especially the Lasagna Soup! I love finding kindered spirits from the medical community.(I am a bone marrow transplant survivor and my son a six organs at the same time transplant survivor) Congratulations on your health and a great blog!
Jen says
Hi Roxanne, I’m so pleased your enjoying my recipes! More importantly, congrats on your bone marrow transplant and your son’s multiple transplants – it sounds like there is a crazy story there! Praying for both of your continued health and happiness! xo
Maggie Williamson says
Wow, Jen, I am in shock what we have in common! I was merely searching for a chicken divan recipe this morning as I haven’t found the one I truly love. Like, you I am an avid cook and people say I should start my own blog, but just haven’t. I looked at the top of the website and saw you were from Carlsbad, and since I lived in CA for a few years, I thought I would check out your about page. I have cf and have had a double lung transplant as well!! I had mine at Stanford 4 years ago. CFers and food unite! I am originally from Chicago, but now live in the UK with my English husband and I am always looking for American recipes to make our home feel a bit more like American cooking. Well, your chicken divan recipe didn’t disappoint, and I even raved about it to my mom. I have always made chicken divan with a Mornay sauce, but yours was truly spectacular. This is the first time I have come across another cfer and a food blog. You may have just inspired me to finally start my own. Sorry, I am beyond excited about this whole coincidence of finding your food blog! I hope you are doing well!!!
Jen says
Hi Maggie, it’s so nice to “meet you!” WOW, we do have a lot in common! Congrats on your lung transplant, that is amazing! Who did you transplant? I have a friend that had her transplant at Stanford and Dr. Starnes who performed mine used to be at Stanford – small world again! That is awesome you live in the UK – I have yet to visit but it is on my to do list! I’m so happy you enjoyed my Chicken Divan and hope you find many more recipes that remind you of home! I will celebrate my 20 year lung transplant anniversary this November and yes, I’m doing well, thank you! I have found my passion with this cooking blog and love getting to share it with the rest of the world. Sending hugs and prayers for your health and happiness!
Patrick says
Your story is very inspirational and your recipes awesome. Funny thing, My name is Patrick and my wife’s name is Jen.
Jen says
Sounds like another match made in heaven! Thanks for your kind words! All the best to you and yours!
Kathryn (Katie) Berg says
I’m so excited to have come across your sight! “Carlsbad” caught my attention….my oldest, who is 24, moved to Carlsbad almost a year ago from Cincinnati, Ohio! He works at TRU Simulation and Training. We miss him like crazy but he is so happy. It’s a beautiful area!
As I read further, I see that you must be such an inspiration to all afflicted with CF. Your energy is amazing and your positivity is contagious. I wish you continued health.
So, as one of my connections to Carlsbad and my son, I thank you for the opportunity to try your recipes!
Jen says
What a small world, we love Carlsbad too! Thank you so much for your kind words. I have found the CF community to be full of incredibly strong, positive people – I am honored to be part of such a special group! I hope you enjoy my recipes and find many new favorites!
Tanya Houston says
I love to cook and I’m not sure how I even came across your sight but I love it. After reading further on I came to love you even more. I am the mother of 3 adult children with Cystic Fibrosis; I cheer you on with all your successes and I can’t wait to read your book. If I read right from the comments above I am beyond joyful to know you are a 20 year survivor of a lung transplant. I am sure that brings hope to all families dealing with CF. I am excited to try your recipes which all look wonderful! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story.
Jen says
Hi Tanya, I’m so happy you stumbled upon my site! I feel like I know so much about you and love you just by knowing you’re a CF mother – and of three -wow! I know you are a courageous, selfless hero and have done so much for your children! This November will be my 20 year lung transplant anniversary, it blows my mind it has been that long and I am SO grateful for this great blessing. I pray for health and happiness for you and your family! xox
Gary says
Hi, I started out by looking in google’s search engine on how to tell when a mango is ripe and the second place I found was your webpage and what a blessing it was. I too am a Christian and I view this as a divine appointment. There are life lessons to be learned from your experiences and great recipes as well. Thank you for sharing your amazing life with us as well as your culinary skills. God bless
Jen says
Thank you so much for your kind words Gary! May God bless you and yours!
Erica says
HI Jen
tonight, after a long day i was tired but i am trying so hard to loose weight. So instead of eating the frozen pizza my husband is eating, I went to my computer to look up a roasted cauliflower recipe. Yours looked good so I clicked to open it and i see that you are an organ recipient.
Made me feel like, ” ok, i think i need to reach out to her”
I work for the OPO in northwest Ohio and I work everyday to save lives of people just like you.
yesterday i went to the funeral of a young girl who had CF and never got her transplant. I felt defeated like I am not working hard enough, or maybe if i taught one more person about the benefit of registering to be an organ donor , she might have lived. etc….why did she have to leave us? Anyway, i was down in the dumps and also tired. When i saw that you are doing great and you had a recipe and cooking site it really raised my spirits! Thank you for that and I am going to give it a try! Thank you!
Jen says
Thanks so much for reaching out Erica and THANK YOU for all you do every single day to touch, change and save lives – I’m sure you have no idea the difference you make whether the patient lives or dies – you make their journey that much better. I’m sure you’ll get to the other side and be welcomed by the throngs of those you have cared for. My God bless you for all you do! xoxoxox
Melanie says
I’m so glad I came across your gorgeous food pics on IG because now I am determined to cook as many of your recipes as possible. Your ingredients and style of cooking are all right up my alley. I live in OC and my parents have had a condo on Agua Hedionda for 20 years!! A very close friend of mine with CF had her double lung transplant at USC performed by the infamous Dr. Starnes in 1999 – what a gift that was for her. There were about 50 of us in the main lobby that entire day waiting for her to come out of surgery. I’m glad to see how well you’re doing, I assume many hiccups along the way, but still living life to the fullest. Cannot wait to try your recipes 🙂
Jen says
Welcome to my site Melanie, I’m so happy you discovered it as well – I hope you find many new favorites here! Wow, it sounds like we have so much in common! Your friend had her transplant the same year as me by the same surgeon – how amazing and how amazing you could be there! Yes, there have been many hiccups, but I am grateful to be alive and blessed to be doing what I love. Thanks for taking time to reach out! xo