Cameron Thomas

My Latest Work

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When Closure Finally Comes: Choosing Peace Over Familiar Pain

There are relationships we hold onto far longer than we should — not because they’re good for us, but because they’re familiar. Sometimes we confuse history with loyalty, and we convince ourselves that being a “good friend” means enduring behavior that chips away at our peace. I did that for a long time. I gave grace, patience, space, understanding, and compassion to someone who had no real intention of growing. Someone who hid behind loneliness and used it as a reason to drag others down with h...
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The Chicken Seasoning That Changed My Kitchen Forever

I’ll be honest with you — for years I thought I needed some fancy bottled spice blend to make my chicken taste good. Every trip to the grocery store I’d grab one of those brightly colored containers, thinking it held the secret to juicy, flavorful chicken. Truth is, most of them sat in the back of the cabinet half-empty, loaded with extra salt and ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce.One night, halfway through cooking dinner, I realized I was out of my “go-to” bottle. Panic mode set in — until...
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The Chicken Seasoning That Changed My Kitchen Forever

I’ll be honest with you — for years I thought I needed some fancy bottled spice blend to make my chicken taste good. Every trip to the grocery store I’d grab one of those brightly colored containers, thinking it held the secret to juicy, flavorful chicken. Truth is, most of them sat in the back of the cabinet half-empty, loaded with extra salt and ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce.One night, halfway through cooking dinner, I realized I was out of my “go-to” bottle. Panic mode set in — until...
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The Wiggly Memory: What Jello Taught Me About Nostalgia, Flavor, and Surprising Health Benefits

I used to love Jello. For many of us, it wasn’t just a dessert — it was color bursting in a bowl, summer afternoons, laughter, sticky fingers, that bounce when you tapped the side. My mom would scoop out the wiggly red or green stuff onto plates, and I’d eat it until my tongue tingled from the artificial coloring or sugar. It was simple, fun, and comforting.As I’ve grown older, I began wondering: beyond the bright flavors and textures, what was I eating? And were there any health upsides hiding...
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Dutch Oven Pork Carnitas: Deep Flavor, Simple Joy

There’s something almost therapeutic about pulling out a heavy Dutch oven, setting it on the stove, and knowing you’re about to create something worth gathering around. This weekend, I made pork carnitas in mine, and it reminded me why I love cooking so much — it’s slow, intentional, and rewards you with food that feeds both the belly and the soul.The Dutch oven is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen. It’s heavy, it holds heat like a champ, and it allows for that magical combination o...
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Naan Margherita Pizza: A Weeknight Italian Hug

Some of the best meals aren’t complicated — they’re simply made with fresh ingredients and a little love. That’s exactly what happened the night I decided to turn naan bread into the base for a quick, homemade Margherita pizza. It was one of those dinners that felt special without being fussy, a reminder that cooking can be joyful, creative, and still fit into a busy weeknight.Homemade pizza can be intimidating if you’re starting from scratch with dough — waiting for it to rise, stretching it ju...
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Cooking Is Love: The Flavor of Gathering Together

Cooking has always been more than chopping vegetables, following recipes, or measuring spices. It’s one of the oldest love languages we know, a way of telling someone, “You matter to me.” From the crackle of oil in a skillet to the slow release of steam rising from a pot, every step in the kitchen speaks volumes. It’s not about perfection, or even about presentation — it’s about the intention behind the act. Cooking is an everyday reminder that love often shows up on a plate.Think about the mome...
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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas: A Comfort Food Favorite

Sometimes the best meals aren’t found in a restaurant but right at home, simmering away in your kitchen. That’s exactly what happened when I decided to take a pork butt and turn it into a big pot of tender, flavorful carnitas. Using my slow cooker, I let time and spice do the heavy lifting, and by the end of the day, the house was filled with a mouthwatering aroma that no one could resist.Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork — juicy, savory, with a touch of crispiness when finished of...
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Easy Mexican Rice: The Mariachi Band for Your Kitchen

Every great meal deserves a sidekick that steals the show, and Mexican rice is exactly that. Fluffy, flavorful, and full of character, it’s the kind of dish that turns an ordinary taco night into a fiesta. Think of it as the mariachi band in your kitchen — lively, colorful, and impossible not to enjoy.Mexican rice (sometimes called Spanish rice) is the ultimate comfort food side. With its bright tomato base, aromatic garlic and onion, and a little kick of spice, it dances right alongside enchila...

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