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!
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!