Kelly’s Monthly Edit: January 2026

Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!
Join me every month as I round up the little joys that sparked inspiration, from must-make recipes and Mom-approved grocery finds to favorite products in kitchenware, skincare, fashion and beyond. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite of life at Just a Taste—no gatekeeping, just good taste.

January has been the ultimate month of “balancing acts,” and my camera roll has the receipts to prove it. On one hand, there was the rare (and very celebrated) moment of trading the apron for a crisp pair of black pants and a chic blazer for a night on the town! And on the other hand, the reality of “mom mode” was in full swing, complete with overstuffed backpacks and leaking water bottles … and pants without buttons. I love that my oldest son captured me in my prime here, mid-sentence of my most-uttered phrase, “Do you have your sweatshirts?” (The answer is no. It’s always no.)

Whether I was dressed up or just trying to survive the school run, this month was all about embracing the beautiful chaos that happens both in and out of the kitchen.

Summer In January

And speaking of chaos… can we talk about this San Diego “winter?” I apologize to everyone in the current polar freeze across the country, but we have had a rare January heat wave in southern California, which means weekends have been spent at the beach. That definitely wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card, but the kids have been soaking up the sun and loving their bonus time in the ocean.

With long days at the beach, my crew has been extra-exhausted… as has the captain of our ship. (It’s me. Hi. I’m the captain.) When my energy is lacking, I turn to autopilot (or autocaptain?) and make the recipes I can practically cook with my eyes closed…

Weekday Dinners on Repeat

These aren’t just meals; they are the reliable, zero-stress staples. We’re talking my signature Teriyaki Steak Bowl, with the #1 most-cooked side dish in our house (Creamy Coconut Rice) and a side of canned chickpeas tossed in peanut sauce.

And then there’s the ever-popular breakfast for dinner. This one’s a weekly occurrence around here, featuring Greek Yogurt Pancakes and my favorite method for scrambling eggs. This meal is fast, flavorful and gets the job done.

Who could resist dynamic duo of Chicken Parm (recipe coming your way tomorrow!) with Cacio e Pepe? A bit more laborious, but is it ever worth it. My two oldest request this meal every. single. week.

I have been rounding out the recipes-on-repeat with my personal favorite dish at the moment: teriyaki pork bowls. You’ll notice the Creamy Coconut Rice making another appearance (it’s dished out three times a week on average) and my Chinese Garlic Green Beans. Most of the January meals were enjoyed with a football game on in the background because we all know how much I love a good gameday feast.

Snacks have been the usual suspects, all recipes that I have memorized at this point, including:

• Mini Greek Yogurt Banana Muffins
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls
• Healthy Breakfast Cookies

If January’s meals have had one theme, it’s “EASY!”

Sweets for Your Sweet

The JAT team and I had so much fun working on this year’s Christmas cookie box that we decided we couldn’t let another holiday pass without another box-o-sweets. Enter: The Valentine’s Day Dessert Box!

This year’s box features eight of my absolute favorite dessert recipes, including old staples and new favorites alike. There’s a little something for every dessert-lover and every level of baker.

This one was extra-fun to assemble. I will never forget the kids’ faces when they got home from school and discovered a bakery’s worth of treats lined up on the dining room table. Among the chosen confections are:

• Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
• Saltine Cracker Toffee
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• Homemade Soft Caramels
• Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bites
• Chocolate Chipless Cookies
• Peanut Butter Heart Cookies
• Chocolate Sugar Cookies

As we close out the first chapter of 2026, I’m feeling incredibly fueled up and ready for everything on the horizon. January served as the perfect “slow burn” start, but February is where we really turn up the heat! Whether we’re huddling up for an epic Super Bowl spread or leaning into all things chocolate and cozy for the season of love, there is so much goodness headed your way. I can’t wait to keep sharing these kitchen wins (and the occasional “mom mode” fails) with all of you.

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