Author:

Heather Zachariah

Former Art Director for Home Magazine, Heather Leahy Zachariah, left her career in publishing after baby number number one. She now works from home as a freelance graphic designer and a chauffeur to her 3 busy kids. "Working on TipsFromTown has been a wonderful outlet for me. It renewed my love of publishing where I can design colorful, enticing pages online and allows me to share the things I love about being a mom." Heather grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a place that still is near and dear to her. " After living in Brooklyn for 18 years and studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, she now lives in the Jersey burbs. "I love living so close to NYC, but in my heart, I'm an Ohio girl."

Posts By This Author

Wild Rice With Cremini Mushrooms

Here’s an easy side from the NYTimes Food section. Ingredients 8 ounces long-grain wild rice 8 tablespoons butter 1 pound cremini or button mushrooms, sliced ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste  Black pepper, to taste ⅓ cup dry sherry, such as Dry Sack (do not use cream sherry) Bring 5 cups water to a boil. Stir in rice, then cover and […]

(Gluten-Free) Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions

See All 50+ Thanksgiving Recipes So much of Thanksgiving is about traditions: eating the same food cooked the same way year after year. I know that the 1970’s green bean casserole with Campbell’s mushroom soup isn’t exactly gourmet, but I love it anyway! But with a husband that is gluten-intolerant, it’s hasn’t been an option the […]

Cold Turkey: When to Thaw the Bird!

Also read: 50+ Thanksgiving Recipes I will never forget the first Thanksgiving dinner that my husband decided to take over turkey duty; he wanted to give deep frying a shot. So, I left him to it only to realize on Thanksgiving morning that he had not thawed the turkey yet! Our local grocery store was open–one more thing to be thankful for […]

How to Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey

See All of Our Staff’s Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes. It’s become our family tradition that my husband fries our turkey every Thanksgiving. While I’m inside cooking the side dishes, he’s outside with his cocktail and whatever men-folk he can lure away from football. I’m telling you, this is the best turkey you will ever have. We do […]

Annual Poinsettia and Amaryllis Sale

Also check out: RHS Holiday Candle Sale! Support Ridgewood High School Bands and fill your home with color by purchasing a holiday poinsettias or amaryllis plant. Large Red Poinsettia (10-inch pot) $25 Large White Poinsettia (10-inch pot) $25 Small Red Poinsettia (6-inch pot) $10 Small White Poinsettia (6-inch pot) $10 Apple Blossom Amaryllis $15 Sale ends Nov 20. Order […]

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here’s something sweet that you can feel good about eating from Dr. Reshma Shah, author of “Making Family Dinner Happen,” a guidebook on the importance of family dinners. Chickpeas are a great source of fiber and high in protein. Ingredients 1 15 ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup peanut butter (feel free […]

5-Ingredient, 3-Step Green Bean Casserole

Try This Gluten-Free Version of the Green Bean Salad With everything else you have to get done on Thanksgiving, it’s nice to have a six ingredient side that you can put together in 10 minutes. And it always reminds me of Thanksgivings when I was a kid! Ingredients 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s condensed cream of […]

Summit’s Santa Claus Shop Needs Your Help!

Summit’s Santa Claus Shop Prepares To Help Deliver A Joyous Holiday To Locals In Need  The Summit Santa Claus Shop needs your help! It will open its doors once again to area families, providing its 54th consecutive year of complimentary holiday shopping. The shop serves more than 400 low-income families and senior citizens from Summit and other local […]

Westfield Ranks High in the 2021 Best School Districts in Union County!

Westfield Public Schools was recently ranked number two in the 2021 Best School Districts in Union County by Niche. Congratulations to our Board of Education, administrators, staff, and students! According to Niche, “The 2021 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of […]

The #1 Ranked School District in Union County!

Summit Public Schools was recently ranked number one in the 2021 Best School Districts in Union County by Niche. Congratulations to our Board of Education, administrators, staff, and students! According to Niche, “The 2021 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using […]