Lisa Jeffries Nobling – Raleigh, NC

Category: Food

  • 💣 Bomb Smoothies & Bigger Life Updates: From Behind the Scenes to All-In

    💣 Bomb Smoothies & Bigger Life Updates: From Behind the Scenes to All-In

    Hey y’all—Lisa here! It’s been a minute since I checked in on the blog, but I’m back with a little life update, a lot of excitement, and some smoothie-powered goodness to share.

    💼 From Event Partner to Investor & Ambassador

    You might know me as the founder of Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group, where my team and I have helped launch, grow, and celebrate dozens of incredible brands and businesses across the Triangle. One of our favorite recent projects? Producing the grand opening event for The Bomb Co.’s first brick-and-mortar store, The Bomb Bar, here in Raleigh!

    You can get a peek behind the curtain here:
    👉 Planning a BOMB Grand Opening Event (With a Bang)

    But that event ended up being more than just a gig—it was the beginning of a deeper connection with a brand I truly believe in. After seeing how their team operates and diving into the product myself, I became not just a customer, but a small investor in their most recent fundraising round… and I’ve officially joined the affiliate ambassador program!

    🫐 Why I’m All In on Blender Bombs

    Let me be real: I’m not a lifelong smoothie stan. In fact, for most of my life, I found smoothies to be either too chalky, too sugary, or just not filling enough to be worth the effort.

    But The Bomb Co. totally changed that for me.

    What drew me in—and keeps me hooked—is how their products are made from real food. There’s no health-washed nonsense here. No unpronounceable ingredients. No powders promising magical results. Just whole-food-based Blender Bombs and plant protein, created to fuel your day without the sugar crashes or supplement fog.

    As a business owner, foodie, and someone who gets tired of the same ol’ routine, I’ve found that using these bombs in my smoothies adds just the right amount of nutrition and variety to my mornings. It’s been a super easy lifestyle upgrade that doesn’t require a ton of brainpower during busy weeks (yes, please 🙌).

    💣 Want to Try? Here’s 20% Off

    If you’ve been curious about trying The Bomb Co. products, now’s the time! When you shop through my affiliate link, you’ll get 20% off your entire order:

    👉 thebombco.com/LISA10977
    Or just enter code LISA10977 at checkout.

    📍 Local to Raleigh? You’re in Luck.

    If you’re in the Raleigh area, head to Gateway Plaza (right off Capital Blvd!) to visit The Bomb Co.’s Bomb Bar. It’s a gorgeous space with major good vibes—and here’s the best part:

    Every time you buy Blender Bombs or plant protein in-store, you get a FREE smoothie.

    Yes, seriously. Buy the good stuff, and they’ll whip up a smoothie for you on the spot. What a damn deal, y’all.

    🗺️ Learn more about Gateway Plaza →

    🍓 Smoothie Recipes You’ll Actually Look Forward To

    Blender Bomb Smoothies

    While I’d love to take credit for these recipes, they come straight from the brilliant team at The Bomb Co.—and they’re truly next-level. I’ve curated and shared some of my favorites on my new Pinterest board:

    👉 Blender Bombs Away

    Whether you’re into energizing coffee blends, antioxidant-rich berry bowls, or festive fall flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread, there’s something here to fit your mood, your cravings, and your calendar.

    Every recipe includes a full ingredients list and links to grab what you need, including your 20% discount.

    💌 So What’s Next?

    Honestly, I’m just excited to be back to sharing things I love—from local business wins to personal wellness tools that actually make life smoother (again, pun intended). Thanks for sticking with me and cheering me on through every phase of this wild entrepreneurial adventure.

    Whether you’re a smoothie skeptic or a superfood junkie, I hope you’ll check out The Bomb Co., give a recipe a try, and let me know what you think.

    Now go forth, blend boldly, and don’t forget to drop a bomb in your blender. 💣
    — LJN

  • The “Soon-to-be-Famous” Cinnamon Bun at The Banks Grill Deserves All the Fame

    The Banks Grill in Morehead City, NC, is a hidden breakfast and lunch gem that we stumbled upon thanks to Yelp.

    It’s “Soon-to-be-Famous” Jumbo Cinnamon Roll, covered in ooey, gooey pecan praline sauce is a generous sweet starter that is easily shared by two or more diners and priced less than $4.00.

    When it arrived at our table I imagined it being too rich for the two of us to finish, taking half home or later, but it was so light that we devoured it in mere minutes.

    Tucked away in the Lowes Foods shopping center on Highway 70 coming into MHC, stop in for breakfast and be sure to order this tasty treat that deserves every bit of fame it’s destined for… Be prepared to wait a few minutes on weekend mornings, though. There’s ample outside seating to enjoy the wait! ?

    Opening times vary between 7-7:30 a.m., closing at 2 p.m., Wendesday through Monday. Closed Tuesdays.

    The Banks Grill

    252-499-9044

    2900 Arendell Street

    Morehead Coty, NC 28557

  • Kitchen Hacks: Crock-Pot Sweet Potatoes, InstaPot, and More

    Happy day-after-Christmas, everyone – I hope you all enjoyed a very merry long weekend of downtime with loved ones!

    Yes, Delta's toboggan reads "CHILL". Also, check her legwarmers! ;-)
    Yes, Delta’s toboggan reads “CHILL”. Also, check her legwarmers! 😉

    At the Jeffries Casa de Chaos, we had a very foodie round of gift giving and receiving. Manfriend and my parents both gifted me new attachments for our KitchenAid Stand Mixer… I’m one of those people who actually use it a few times each month, if not weekly. Manfriend selected the Vegetable Sheet Slicer:

    I’m pretty excited about all the vegetable lasagnas in our future, but also the breakfast casserole options using thin sheets of vegetables!

    Mom and Dad sent me home with the Spiralizer attachment:

    You may remember I already told you about my smaller spiralizer and how much I love using it, this is only going to ante up my spiralizing game. I’m also gearing up to use some apple recipes with this guy! I’ll share our best successes here in future updates.

    Last, Little Sister (who is currently living overseas serving in the US Army… thank you, Mandy!) shipped an InstantPot Ultra for my enjoyment in 2018. I have already been diligently googling “Vegetarian Instant Pot” recipes this morning and can’t wait to get more experienced this this handy kitchen device. I’ve never used a pressure cooker before, so I have a mild case of anxiety about totally destroying my kitchen, but I have a feeling I’ll be able to watch YouTube videos to fill in any questions I have that the user manual skips over.

    And no matter the distance, nothing could keep me and Mandy from sharing Christmas mimosas with each other. Thank you, technology!

    Last, if you’re like me and working this week and won’t have a ton of downtime for healthy cooking to head into the new year, please try this foolproof recipe for baking sweet potatoes in the Crock-Pot: http://paleomg.com/stupid-easy-perfectly-cooked-sweet-potatoes/!

    I *love* filling up the Crock-Pot when I pop home for lunch and have dinner ready to go when I walk in the house… because I rarely make it home “on time”. I experimented with this sweet potato option just before the holidays and it was amazingly simple and way better than running the oven for-ev-er just to bake a single sweet potato or two. I sauteed a few pieces of vegetarian sausage and served them with the baked sweet potato for a perfectly satisfying quick dinner.

    PS: The above are Amazon.com affiliate links – many of which showing some deep after-Christmas discounts on some of these items. I appreciate you using these links if you’re considering purchasing as I’ll receive a small credit or commission based on any purchases you make.

  • 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

    ‘Tis the season for gifting and more often than not, many of us could use a little help in the inspiration department. Here are some of my absolute favorite gifts I’ve received and even a few items I’ve wish-listed for myself this year!

    Spiralizer


    Hamilton Beach Spiralizer, 2 Speed Motorized Vegetable Slicer (59998) – $32.99
    I received this one last year from my family for Christmas and I’m absolutely obsessed with it. This is a great gift for the at-home gourmet on your list or the person who’s aiming to eat healthier in the new year. I have used this almost exclusively for making faux pasta noodles from veggies and the dishes have been out-of-this world good. (The “Avocado-Basil Zucchini Noodles with Chile-Lime Shrimp & Corn” dish I found on Pinterest is hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life.)

    Candle Warmer

    Have someone on your list who loves candles? Help them savor the last bit of their favorite scents once the wick won’t stay lit any longer with a candle warmer.

    Decorative (Read: More Expensive, But Relatively Budget-Friendly as Far as Home Decor Items Go…) Versions


    Candle Warmers Etc. Carriage Candle Warmer Lantern, Oil Rubbed Bronze – $49.99


    Candle Warmers Etc. Mission Candle Warmer Lantern, Brick – $34.99

    Budget (Read: El Cheapo But Totally Functional) Version


    Darice 1199-15 Candle Warmer, Large – $6.99

    I had one of the cheap, plain ones above in the past and used it for many years. This year, I’m hoping for one of the more decorative options listed above as I will get tons of use out of this gift!

    Note: When you’re searching for candle warmers, you’ll have to look closely. Many are for simply melting fragrant waxes and probably aren’t safe for warming glass jars that may crack or shatter. The items I listed above are specifically for the purpose of warming jars of candles.

    Travel Wallet/Organizer

    Hello Wander Travel Wallet
    There’s nothing worse than fumbling through your giant carry on at the airport with the line queuing up behind you. I have three+ trips requiring air travel on the books already for 2018, so a wallet specifically designed for international travel is high on my list. Opt for a faux leather option and you’ll keep the price <$40! Look for one that allows easy access to a passport and photo ID/credit cards. I don't worry so much about one that can hold boarding passes anymore because ? (cell phone boarding pass = life). I'm also not usually one for bright-colored accessories, but a bold hue could stand out in the bottom of your bulky carry on. Just sayin'... For the item I listed above, the online reviews say it doesn't hold USD dollar bills just right, so you may want to explore Pinterest for others if you're a cash carrier. Me? Notsomuch.

    Belmto Moon Barette

    Belmto Moon Barette
    Maybe I’m obsessed with the cute haircut, maybe I’m just underwhelmed by how much I’ve been living in ponytail world lately. Regardless, this $11.90 gold barette makes for a great girlfriend/co-worker/gift exchange buy.

    Stay Tuned

    There’s more to come as I continue my shopping for the holiday season. I’ll pop in here a few more times with updates of fresh new ideas. Please stop in again soon, y’all!

    Until then, I leave you this video of my girl Reese Witherspoon and her funny take on how “social media is hard” and other tech woes of a southern gal:

    PS: Amazon.com affiliate links are included in some of the items above. I appreciate you using them if you decide to purchase so that I’ll receive a small commission on the sale. Running a self-hosted WordPress blog isn’t free and I appreciate your help in keeping things running smoothly around here! ?

  • Team No Waste

    Today’s breakfast/lunch (truly brunch without the boozy drinks) combo I whipped up in my small but mighty kitchen here in Antibes inspired this post. I used leftover bread from last night’s dinner as the base; layered in leftover sauteed Brussels sprouts, a few slices of mozzarella cheese, and frozen spinach; and topped with four eggs scrambled with about a half cup of water and voila — I have brunchy goodness that’ll be easily re-heated for the next several days and not an ounce of waste in sight.

    That’s got to be one of the best habits I’ve picked up living here in the South of France: just how little food I’m throwing away on a regular basis. Back in the States, it’s pretty normal for us to hit the grocery store about every week to 10 days, spend $100+ with the best of intentions of cooking a ton of meals at home, and then inevitable, every two weeks or so… I’m cleaning out the refrigerator and throwing a solid chunk of that $100 into a trash bag.

    Here in Antibes, the refrigerator in my apartment is the size of most dorm room units, and I’m also only cooking for one. I also have the better part of six+ grocery stores and markets within walking distance and a farmers market two blocks from home that’s open every day from 6:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. So I’m buying fresh items, every two or three days, and making the most of them. I’ve thrown away so little while I’m here and hope this is a habit I can stick with when I return home in May. The only complication is that it might mean more occasional trips to the grocery store, which is not nearly convenient at home as it has been here.

    Speaking of the grocery shopping aspect: I do a pretty solid job of utilizing both Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter’s online ordering services, though… so I think I can easily maximize the return on the $4.99 convenience fee charged AND save the time of having to actually shop in the store, too. I’v also been stalking the inventory of RelayFoods.com and am constantly drooling over their selection, so I see a lot more of that in my future, too. I think the saved cost of not throwing away so much of our inventory week after week will well make up for any additional costs in my convenience shopping ways.

  • Sunday Funday in Cannes

    A week ago Sunday, Johnnie Bud and I headed to Cannes with GLM classmates Daniel, Sarah, and Stephanie. Taking the SNCF train for $12 round-trip, it was about a 30 minute ride (with stops included) and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

    It was fairly quiet in Cannes on the day we went, missing the film festival the area is known for that takes place in May, but we walked from the busy town streets down to the beautiful waterfront and enjoyed a super fun lunch at restaurant called o’key beach that is literally situated on the sandy beach and mostly porch seating.

    Word to the wise: there’s nothing speedy about dining in France. (Or really anything speedy, except bus and train service, in the south of France.) Luckily, we were day tripping and enjoying good food and drinks with great company – with absolutely no rush needed. Many service staffers speak a good deal of English, so we haven’t had any challenges dining out… but they certainly appreciate and it usually entertains them when you try to speak French and order off the menu as its written. Also to note, tax and gratuity is included in menu prices and when you try to tip your bartender extra for speedy service, they look at you funny.

    I would love to see this place during the film festival, but I’ll be back in Raleigh by then. Put it on my bucket list to return soon, though! 2017, perhaps?

  • I’m Finally Going to Pepper Fest!

    I have wanted to go to this event for years, but something has always come up that’s kept me from snagging tickets ($30 here)… until this year, y’all! Can you imagine how excited I was when my girl Cherith from Clairemont Communications gave me a buzz to ask to me to volunteer as a beer judge? Well dang, Cher… twist my arm, why don’t ya? (PS: Thanks for the invite, giiiiiirl!)

    Billed as, “(The Amazing Pepper Festival is) a celebration of sustainable agriculture, farmers, renewable energy, and the creativity of the Piedmont’s chefs, brewers and artisans. An afternoon of fun, food, children’s educational workshops, breweries, distilleries, music and entertainment!”, I’m pumped to make the 20 minute trek over to Chapel Hill for my first taste of the fest. Be sure to tune in on Instagram and see just how much heat this girl can sample in one afternoon.

    So here’s what you need to know – especially if you might be able to find yourself in Chapel Hill on the afternoon of Sunday, September 27th!

    Tickets get you:

    • The most delicious pepper-themed dishes from some of the Piedmont’s best chefs and food artisans using locally grown and produced food.* (Alcoholic drinks not included – bring some extra $$.)
    • Live music – The Stacks are playing! Tania Elizabeth (of the Avett Brothers) and Andy Stack.
    • Participation in fun activities for kids and adults about local farms, renewable energy, and the abundance of great local food in and around the Triangle!
    In addition to spending the afternoon enjoying flavorful, and occassionally spicy, dishes and drinks, you can feel pretty darn good knowing that all proceeds benefit Abundance NC, 
    Who is Abundance, you might ask? They’re “About Us” page reads: “At Abundance, we aim to be a hub of community resilience in central North Carolina, sourcing out the abundant local opportunities for us all to live and act sustainably, and bringing people together to exchange ideas and build the communities we want to live in.” Quite simply put, the group believes: “We don’t have to rely on goods and services brought in from elsewhere to eat well or to live fulfilling lives. We have everything we need to create a flourishing and interdependent community, right here at home.”
    Local and sustainable. I am definitely down with that. Add peppers and afternoon cocktails? I’m in.
    Hope to see y’all there! 

  • New Favorite: Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery in Cary

    Having grown up just a few miles from the intersection of Tryon Road and Cary Parkway, I’ve seen a solid handful of businesses come and go from the corner free standing building in the Wellington Park shopping center. This is the first that I think has a real shot of lasting!

    Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and I’ve read that they hope to expand into evening hours, too. Visit them at 6490 Tryon Road in Cary.

    I stopped in a few weeks ago to grab a quick lunch to-go when I was on that side of town and totally loved the Apple & Brie Panini (Sliced Apples and Brie Cheese with Dijon Mustard on a French Baguette) – although it was hard to pass up the Grilled Cheese option (Ashe County Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheeses toasted between thick slices of white bread). I’m a sucker for anything with brie, but i’ll probably order the Grilled Cheese next time I find myself over there for lunch – especially with fall approaching and it’s a done deal if I can get tomato soup on the side. Both paninis and sandwiches are served with your choice of potato chips, cole slaw, pasta salad or garden side salad. I chose the potato chips and was pleasantly surprised to find that these are large, house-made chips. #NailedIt

    Check out the full menu that includes breakfast and salads online at http://www.chanticleercafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Chantileer-Cafe-Menu-Web-Format-08-01-2015.pdf. (Their website, http://www.chanticleercafe.com/, also offers separate menus for their coffee selection and bakery items.)

    I asked for four sweet bakery items (manager’s choice) to be packed in a to-go box to send home with my client who I was meeting with after lunch. The total bill for my sandwich and side, plus the sweet goodies to go, was less than $20.

    Save Room for the Sweets!
    On a second visit about a week and a half later for brunch/lunch, the Manfriend, my parents, and I all ventured around the menu. Johnnie and my dad both enjoyed breakfast sandwiches served with Ashe County Cheddar, eggs, and bacon on croissants. Mom ordered a salad and it was so large, she took half home for later. I ordered the Caprese panini (Italian Bread brushed with Olive Oil and filled with Basil, Fresh Mozzarella and Sliced Tomatoes) and although it was good and exactly what you’d expect with basil, mozz, and toms, the Apple & Brie still ranks above it for me.


    This time around, we ordered a French Chocolate Silk Tart which was served basically as a mini-pie. Although the crust was a bit too tough to break with a fork easily, it didn’t our four-some from cutting it up into smaller bites and devouring it. The chocolate silk was true to form – super light, yet rich, and a perfect end to the meal – even though we did sneak a few bites early after we sat down and were waiting for our sandwiches and salads. For all four of us, plus the single dessert, the total bill was about $40.

    Each time I’ve been, there have been equal amounts of diners enjoying the outside seating as well as inside. I’ve never had to wait long and on each visit, the service has been friendly.

    According to the N&O’s food writer, Andrea Weigl, the bakery is owned by chef Craig Freeman, a longtime Raleigh caterer and owner of Edible Accolades.

    If you’re local, stop in soon and let me know what you think of this new local spot in the comments below!

  • Recipe: Redneck Caviar

    This is one of Johnnie Bud’s absolute favorite things for us to have in the refrigerator so he can snack on it anytime, add it as a relish to burgers, or enjoy as a side item.

    The best part about this dish is that it’s really easy to modify based on what you’ve got in the freezer/cabinet and based on your personal taste.

    Redneck Caviar
    I large can of black beans, drained
    1 small can of Rotel diced tomatoes and diced green chilies
    I bag of farmer’s market fresh sweet corn
    1 bag of farmer’s market fresh black eyed peas or pink eyed peas
    2 green peppers peppers, chopped
    2 red bell peppers, chopped
    1 jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped
    1/2 purple onion, chopped
    Fresh cilantro, to taste
    Red wine vinaigrette, to taste

    Mix everything and refrigerate overnight to let it marinate well – although you can start eating anytime, the onions are raw though and have a lot of bite until they’ve marinated. Since the corn and pink eyed peas were fresh from the farmer’s market, I boiled them until soft and then cold-rinsed them before mixing everything together. If you buy canned, just drain and mix in.
    Keep an extra bag of tortilla chips handy, this stuff is popular! (And perfect for fall tailgates.)

    PS: We had green peas with dinner tonight and had some leftover, so I threw them into the big bowl of Redneck Caviar for extra color and another tasty flavor.

  • The Cabin for CASA – And a Great Video Showcasing What CASA Does

    A few weeks ago I was invited to the premiere of Blueforest Studio‘s inaugural “Blueforest Gives Back” non-profit video project. It was the first time I’ve heard about the great work CASA is doing in the Triangle, so I’m excited to share today both the video and an upcoming fundraiser event the organization is hosting that looks fun and won’t break the bank for donors!

    Watch the video here:

    (Click here to view if you have trouble with the embedded player above.)

    So, about that fundraiser they’re hosting in September:

    Join us for The Cabin for CASA 2.0, a Lynn Robertson DeMent Memorial Fundraiser! 

    Thursday, September 17, 6:30-9:00 p.m. home of Rusty and Nella DeMent – 717 North First Ave., Knightdale, NC 27545 

    Tickets: $40 each, or $75 for two 

    Music and Libations Dinner by 42nd St. Oyster Bar Raffle and Silent Auction Included 

    All proceeds to benefit CASA’s mission to develop and manage affordable housing, particularly for veterans and people living with disabilities. In 2014, the first annual Cabin for CASA raised over $30,000 to support CASA’s mission. Mark your calendars to join us this year!

    Click here to buy tickets, support the sponsors of this event, and more at CASA’s website.