Welcome to Season 2 of the DishItGirl Podcast! Dina kicks off the new year with a fresh conversation about what it means to live in the in-between — those seasons where we sense God is moving but aren’t quite sure what comes next.

From realistic weekly meal planning (including this week’s featured Sausage & Peppers recipe!) to navigating the pressure and expectations of “new year, new me,” Dina shares why she’s choosing not to rush, hustle, or sprint into burnout. Instead, she’s learning to walk in step with the Lord, even when the path isn’t fully clear.

This episode introduces the theme of liminality — the transitional space between where we’ve been and where God is leading. And this season, Dina will welcome friends and family with powerful stories and wisdom to help us grow while we wait.

If you’re entering the year cautiously or feeling caught between transitions, this season will give you comfort, clarity, and hope.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: Sausage and Peppers

https://www.dishitgirl.com/recipes/sausage-peppers-easy

• Sausage & Peppers
• BBQ Chicken Salad
• Pesto Pasta with Red Peppers

Sausage and Peppers

ingredients

• 1lb sweet Italian pork sausage (or spicy if you prefer)
• 1 yellow pepper, cored and sliced
• 1 red pepper. cored and sliced
• 1 green or orange pepper, cored and sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced (thicker slices)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp basil

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. In a medium size bowl add the onions and peppers. Then drizzle the tablespoon of olive oil over the top, along with the onion and garlic powder, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
3. In a large skillet heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sausage to the pan. You can keep it in links, or cut them into about 1 (1 1/2) inch chunks. Give them a quick sauté just to brown the outside, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Once they are browned transfer them to a ceramic baking dish or large sheet pan with sides.
5. Add the peppers and onions to the pan sautéing them for 3 minutes. Then add to the sheet pan as well.
6. Try to re-arrange the sausage pieces to be on top of the vegetables, not hidden underneath. Sprinkle over the balsamic vinegar and some basil. Give the pan a shake!
7. Place in the oven for 40 minutes.

Resources: Dina’s Cookbook

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey Mama—you did it. This Christmas episode is a gentle reminder that every part of the season you carried mattered, even the unseen moments and the things that didn’t get done. Dina encourages listeners to release the pressure of a “perfect” holiday and reflect on the memories God is quietly forming in their hearts.

The featured recipe—a cozy Christmas coffee with candied bacon—is an invitation to pause, rest, and take five minutes for yourself before rushing into what’s next.

As the new year approaches, this episode shifts the focus away from resolutions and toward renewal. God doesn’t need a calendar change to do something new, and His grace extends far beyond January 1st. Instead of striving to become someone new, Dina invites you to walk into the new year continuing what God is already doing—trusting Him for renewed strength, faith, and hope.

Let’s walk into the new year thinking about rest, perseverance, and choosing renewal over resolutions.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: https://www.dishitgirl.com/food

• Christmas Coffee
• Candied Bacon

Christmas Coffee

Ingredients

• 1 cup of your favorite brewed coffee
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp cloves

Instructions

1. In a glass liquid measuring cup add the whipping cream, maple syrup, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Whisk together until uniform. If you have a milk steamer you could use that as well.
2. Add the mixture to hot coffee, serve with cinnamon sprinkled on top if desired.

Candied Bacon

Ingredients:

• 12 slices of bacon, ¼ inch thick
• 1 Tbsp. Finely ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup of light brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you have a cookie cooling rack place that on top of the parchment paper and baking sheet as well.
3. In a bowl toss together the black pepper and brown sugar.
4. Put slices of bacon in the bowl and coat each piece with the brown sugar mixture. Then lay it flat on top of the parchment or cookie rack.
5. Place the tray in the center of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. If it is not golden brown and fairly crispy, resist the temptation to turn up the oven temperature, and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Check it again. Keep in mind that when you remove the tray and transfer the bacon to a serving platter or individual plates, the bacon will "crisp" up a little more.

Dina’s Cookbook- https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In this Advent reflection, we turn to Luke 2 and the quiet strength of Mary, who “kept and pondered” the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in her heart. While we often imagine the nativity scene in vivid detail—the shepherds, the star, the awe-filled visitors—Scripture tells us very little about Mary’s outward response. Instead, we’re given insight into her inner life: a woman who weighed the wonder, the joy, and the gravity of God’s plan with deep intention.

This episode explores Mary not only as an example of obedience, but of self-control, restraint, and spiritual maturity. As others reacted, Mary reflected. She held both the joy of new motherhood and the painful prophecy spoken by Simeon—that her own soul would one day be pierced—trusting God with emotions she did not rush to explain or perform.

We’re invited to consider what it might look like in our own lives to pause before reacting, to sit with our thoughts rather than speak from fear or anxiety, and to allow God to cultivate our inner world through prayer. Especially during the chaos of the Advent season, this episode encourages listeners to create quiet space—even just a few minutes—to ponder, to listen, and to let the Lord bring peace, clarity, and strength.

This week in the kitchen:

Featured Recipe: https://www.dishitgirl.com/recipes/brussels-sprouts-pomegranate-salad

• Spiced Chocolate Mousse
• Eggnog Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Salad

Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Salad with Rotisserie Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb brussels sprouts, finely shredded or sliced
• 1 c pomegranate seeds

Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. In a large bowl whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
2. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet, add the chicken to the skillet and saute for 3-minutes, until warmed through.
3. Add the shredded brussels sprouts to the bowl with the dressing and toss well. Then add the chicken and toss well again.
4. Finally sprinkle the pomegranate seeds in and lightly toss to incorporate.

Dina’s Cookbook- https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

DishItGirl is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org