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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Helen Carter says
I like your story and I respect every article you post.
Jen says
That is so kind of you, thank you so much!
Rachel (Packard) Florence says
Hey Jen,
I already feel like we are fast friends with a few great things in common. #1 I grew up in Carlsbad, California, so when I was looking for a recipe for flavorful slow cooker chicken and saw “CarlsbadCravings” I had to look. #2 You quoted President (well now Elder) Uchdorf…I’m assuming you are LDS. I am too!!! I sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (so obviously I now live in Utah-Ogden.) My heart will always be in Carlsbad. Thank you for sharing your creativity in this fabulous way. I honor that you have been through a life of health trials…obviously you have survived and flourished…BRAVO!!! I have 3 brothers that still live in Carlsbad…last name Packard (one is a dentist at Packard Dental-go say hi from me.) Let me know if you are ever in my neck of the woods and want tickets to Conference or the MoTab Christmas concert.
Jen says
Hi Rachel, I can’t believe all we have in common! That is amazing you sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – the singing talent is one thing we don’t have in common :). Is your sister-in-law Erin? We used to be in the same ward and were even neighbors – I love her so much! I am also good friends with Kristi Packard Rondo – such a small world! Thank you so much for reading my story and for your kind words. I with you and your family nothing but the best!
Hannah Mulder says
I absolutely love all your recipes!! I have tried 15+ of your recipes and I have yet to find one I do not like! I enjoy all of the recipes because they are different and the number of spices that you use can make anyone’s mouth water. My family enjoys every time I bring a new recipe home from college because they know I have gotten the recipe from your website. Keep posting new recipes so I can try them, but better yet make a cookbook so I can buy it! Thank you for bringing my family together over our love for food.
Jen says
Hi Hannah, thank you so much for your kind comment! That is awesome you have made so many of my recipes and I am thrilled you have loved them all! I have been approached with several cookbook offers but I don’t know if its for me. I am honored thought that you would buy it! If anything changes my readers will be thee first to know!
Gayla Barger says
Hi Jen!
I stumbled onto your website while looking for a crockpot Peanut Cluster recipe like my aunt made at Christmas. My son requested more so I will try your recipe to include in his college care package, with plenty for him to share!
You are truly an inspiration! I am preparing for a trip to Dallas to see my surgeons again for hopefully my last cancer surgery. I am Stage 4 so I would much rather live my life than spend it in the hospital! I am hoping your book is available in the Kindle edition. I look forward to reading your story during my own journey.
I look forward to recovering so I can explore your website and try many of these delicious recipes. Creating in the kitchen is a wonderful form of therapy. Thank you for giving me inspiration and hope.
Warmest regards,
Gayla
Jen says
Hi Gayla, thank you so so much for your comment! YOU are an inspiration! It sounds like you have been through so so much – I hope your last surgery was a huge success and you are back in the kitchen! I agree, cooking is so therapeutic and definitely something I miss when I can’t do it. My book isn’t available in kindle yet (I have to convert it first) but just on Amazon – you will learn more about me than you ever wanted to know 🙂 I will be praying for you!!! xoxox
Jessica Stevens says
Hello Jen, My heart is with you. I had two daughters and a son born with cystic fibrosis. My son Tony went to Heaven at age 22 in 1974. Charli, my daughter went to be with him at age 24 in 1978. Danielle, my youngest daughter went to be with her brother and sister at age 45, in 2014, She was not allowed to go on the transplant list because she had taken some marajuanna to ease her symptoms. It was horrible to see her suffer so much because of a doctors opinion. She was forced to go into a six month severe exercise program, even though she couldn’t breath, and at the end of it she died, leaving three children and her husband. NOW IT IS LEGAL EVERYWHERE.
Blessingd to you Jen, and your family.
Jen says
Oh my goodness Jessica, I can’t adequately respond to your comment – my heart absolutely breaks for the loss of your children – absolutely incomprehensible loss. Cystic Fibrosis is a devastating disease that takes far too many people from this earth. I am devastated your daughter was not allowed the chance at a transplant and was forced into a rigorous program – everything you described sounds horrific and so so wrong. I just want to give you a HUGE HUG! I know you are a very special person to be the mother of three CF children. It takes more courage and determination than others will ever understand. I am sure you were their angel here on earth and now they are your angels in heaven. What a sweet sweet reunion it will be some day. Until then, God bless you!!! xoxoxox
Andrea says
A friend just shared this page with me. I am glad to find it. I am excited to read all of the recipes and find new things to make. It is nice to see something from home and familiar – I grew up in Carlsbad, CA and had a kidney transplant in 2010. Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
Hi Andrea, welcome to my site! What a small world – love Carlsbad and love my new kidney! I hope you find many new favorite recipes!
Jan Beckwith says
Hi Jen, I just happened onto your site today as I’m always looking for a great recipe and did I strike paydirt with you! I remember the days I was a student nurse in the late ’80’s and patients with CF almost always had a death sentence. I am so thrilled to know that that isn’t the case now! Unfortunately, I incurred a severe back injury (in the NICU of all places) after only ten years of nursing, went through a prescribed narcotic addiction that I conquered by quiting cold turkey and now even though I continue to have chronic pain daily, I am happily awaiting my husband’s retirement in Oct of 2019. After that time, we will see this beautiful country with a travel trailer for weeks at a time. I said all that to say this, you give me hope that this will come to pass! I would LOVE to have one of those bumper stickers saying, “Don’t Postpone Joy!” That fits our lives beautifully as my husband has survived four massive heart attacks, the last one, in October of 2016, when his heart stopped completely for seven minutes. The doctors weren’t sure how “intact” he would be when they woke his from his medically indeced coma for three days! After many prayers, he awoke and wrote on a clipboard, “Where am I?” I can only say a heartfelt, “Thank you Lord for answered prayers!” I didn’t mean to be so wordy, but I wanted you to know, He spreads His healing around to many! I cannot wait to read your book and follow you daily, now! Thank you for some really amazing recipes, too! I’m waiting for your cookbook now!
Jen says
Hi Jan, I’m so happy you stumbled upon my blog! First of all thank you for all your service as a nurse – a good nurse can make such a difference! It sounds like you have been through so much both with your husband (7 minutes?! SO SCARY!) and I applaud you for conquering your addiction cold turkey – absolutely amazing! I am so excited for your next exciting chapter of traveling the country! I would also love a bumper sticker of “Don’t Postpone Joy!” – such true words and a fabulous daily reminder to find joy in the journey! Thank you also for reading my book – you are going to find more about me than you ever wanted to know 🙂 Wishing you nothing but h health and JOY! xo
Misty D says
Hi Jen,
I found your blog through another blogger that shared a recipe of yours and it’s in my crock pot now. I can’t wait to try many more…so many good ones to try. We live in Alaska and my 13 yr old daughter also has CF.
Blessings to you,
Misty
Jen says
Hi Misty, I’m so happy you stumbled across my blog – I hope your crockpot recipe was a hit! I know you must be an angel on earth as a mother to a CF individual. Even though she doesn’t realize it now, she will thank you later for ALL you do for her. I am forever indebted to my mother and applaud you for all you do for your daughter! xoxoxo
Monica Francescangeli says
Love your story.. I’m in Canada love cooking and have a daughter with severe special needs I found the healing in food and friends some baking .. but cooking is my thing … loved your beef dip recipe and will follow your site … happiness and healthiness I wish you and yours… xoxo
Jen says
Thank you so much for your kind words Monica! I agree cooking really is therapeutic – and eating too 🙂 I have no doubt you are an amazing other and I applaud you for all the service you give your daughter and family every single day! Much love, health and happiness to you and yours as well!
Denise says
Hi, read your story about CF disease and know what you and your parents went thru, it’s not an easy road. Our youngest son out of 3 was diagnosed with CF at age of 3, we thought something was wrong b4 this time but back in 1977 they didn’t know much about disease. Our other 2 older sons were tested for CF and we’re fine, Brad wasn’t and he was under CF specialists @ St. Christopher’s Children’s Hosp. In Philadelphia all his younger days. He just had a birthday in which he turned 42. His lungs are in bad condition and doctors want him to go on transplant list, which he doesn’t want. He wants some younger person to live a long life as him. His x-wife and. Him had.baby thru sperm donor and my grandson turns 15 in may, that should be reason enough to do transplant program. I’m so glad that your transplants went well and living a good life. Going to try your lasagne recipe and make it when Brad comes over and tell him About your story. God bless, good health.
Jen says
Hi Denise, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I have no doubt you are an earthly angel to be blessed with a CF son and all the work (physically and emotionally) it entails. What a blessing that Brad has lived this long with CF I but hope he will be open to a transplant when the time is right. If he has any questions, he is more than welcome to email me. I know how helpful it can be to talk to someone who has been through it. May God’s blessings attend you and your family! xo
Shelly says
Hi Jen!
I am writing to you because I HAD to tell you that I am somewhat new to Pinterest and while perusing to inspire me in my daily dinner making ritual, almost every single recipe that I saved and had to make came from Carlsbad Cravings! I have told so many friends about you because literally, every. single. recipe. is. yours.!!!! Apparently what you like is what I like and I can’t get enough of your recipes! So thank you, thank you for sharing your cooking expertise and allowing novices like me to create amazing meals because of you!! You are AMAZING!!!
Jen says
That is awesome Shelly! It sounds like we are foodie kindred spirits! I am thrilled you stumbled upon my site and its getting you excited about cooking! I hope you find many new favorites!
Keely says
You are inspirational! You are meant to be here Jen as I for one would never have been so inspired to cook . Carlsbad Cravings has its own title in my Pinterest. Love you and the amazing recipes you produce. Please keep them coming!!
Jen says
Thank you so much Keely for your super kind, humbling comment! I am honored you are loving my recipes so much and I have my own title on Pinterest! 🙂 I will definitely keep them coming – sharing my recipes with you all brings me so much joy!
Nimet J says
WOW Jen!
So impressed with what you have done of your life despite having such a challenging illness. BRAVO. I stumbled on your site looking for a recipe for shrimp tacos for my daughter and ended up reading your story because your recipes jive with the kind of food we like.
Coincidence is that my husband had a lung transplant a few years ago – Thank You God! He is doing great. I had to share this with you.
You are an amazing gal! Keep it up and hope you keep on huffing and puffing and moving along for a very long time!
Thank you for sharing your recipes (and your story!) Very inspiring. Enjoy life every minute of the day.
luv ya
nj
Jen says
Thank you so much Nimet. That is amazing your husband was able to receive a lung transplant – YAY! The are absolutely life changing/saving blessings! I am so happy to hear he is doing well! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes and I pray all the best for your family!