Inside the Brimly Test Kitchen—March Highlights from the Test Kitchen

“Pull up a chair.”

BY Steph @the Brimly Test Kitchen

April 2, 2026

Image Source/Joanna Kosinska

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Welcome to our March roundup. March felt like a month of taking the pressure off, at least a little. Behind the scenes, I was working on recipes for April, and the theme is fruit. So throughout March, I was busy developing recipes that would carry that theme across, making sure everything felt cohesive, enjoyable, and still very much Brimly. It was a month of preparation, but also a month of learning how to move through everything with a bit more grace. One of the biggest changes I made this month was allowing myself to ease up on the pressure. I still showed up, I still worked, but I didn’t push myself to produce at the same pace when I knew there were other priorities that needed my attention. Having a structured schedule really helped me through this. It guided my decisions and kept me grounded in what actually needed to get done each day. On the flip side, I learned that making rushed decisions did not serve me well. There were moments where I placed orders too quickly and had to go back, cancel, or return things simply because I didn’t take enough time to think them through. And one real behind-the-scenes truth from March is that there has been a lot of restructuring, especially with the podcast. It has required time, effort, and focus, but it’s something I’m working hard on to make better for you. So with all that said… pull up a chair, let’s compare notes.

Test Kitchen Updates:

For this month’s test kitchen update, the recipe I really want to highlight is the chocolate coconut chia pudding. This one is coming out in April, and I’m genuinely excited for you to try it. It’s one of those recipes I didn’t think too deeply about at first, but by the time I finished developing it, I was honestly so impressed. The flavor, the texture, the overall experience of eating it, it just came together beautifully. It’s made with chia seeds, which naturally create that pudding-like texture, and it’s such a simple, nourishing recipe. You can easily make it vegan by swapping the milk for a plant based option. What I loved most is how satisfying it was without being overly sweet. It’s low in sugar and still feels like a decadent treat.

I had leftovers, kept them in the refrigerator, and came back to it later as a snack, and it held up perfectly. It’s a simple recipe you can make in about 10 minutes and enjoy as breakfast or a quick dessert. When I took the first bite, I didn’t think I was going to finish much of it, but I just kept going back for another bite, and before I knew it, my bowl was empty. So delish! It also photographed really well, which always matters to me, but more importantly, it tasted just as good as it looked. This one is simple, comforting, and honestly, I can’t wait to hear what you think when you try it.

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Tools We’re Loving:

Ninja Blend Boss Tumbler

Bottom line: this travel-ready blender delivers smooth results, handles frozen ingredients with ease, and makes quick, everyday blending simple, convenient, and effortless with minimal cleanup and strong performance.

The first tool I’ve been loving this month is the Ninja Blend Boss. This is such a fun and practical device. It’s not just a blender, it’s also a travel tumbler, which makes it incredibly convenient. You can blend directly in the cup, flip it back, put the lid on, and take it with you. That alone makes it a standout for me.
I’ve been using it a lot recently, especially while working on the chia pudding, and it handled everything smoothly. It’s powerful, it crushes frozen fruit well, and it gives a really smooth consistency, which is something I always look for. It also has different settings like smoothie and ice crush, so it’s not just a basic blender, it actually adapts to what you’re making.
What I love most is how easy it is to live with. It fits into a cup holder, it doesn’t take up much space, and the cleanup is minimal. Just water, a drop of soap, run it, and it’s clean. I have it in lavender, and my husband has it in blue, and we both use it regularly. It’s one of those tools that feels like it belongs in your everyday routine.

SHOP AT AMAZON

KitchenAid 7-cup food processor

Bottom line: this reliable food processor simplifies chopping, slicing, and grating with consistent results, strong blades, and easy cleanup, making everyday kitchen prep faster, more efficient, and much less hands-on.

The second tool is the KitchenAid 7-cup food processor, and this one has been with me for years. I’ve had it for about seven years, and I didn’t really use it much at first, but recently I’ve been reaching for it more often and realizing how helpful it actually is.
It has simplified so many things in the kitchen. Whether I’m chopping vegetables, grating cheese, or crushing nuts like I did for the chia pudding, it gets everything done in seconds. The pulse function is especially useful because it gives you control over the texture, and the blades are still sharp after all these years.
Another thing I really appreciate is that it’s dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup so much easier. I don’t have to worry about smells or extra work after cooking. It’s reliable, durable, and it just works. It’s one of those tools that you don’t realize how much you need until you start using it consistently.

SHOP AT AMAZON

Ingredient Spotlight:

Edison Grainery Chia Seed

This month’s ingredient spotlight goes to these organic gluten-free black chia seeds. I picked these up last year from a company called Edison Grainery, and I’ve only recently started using them more consistently. These are not just any chia seeds, they are verified gluten-free, purity tested, and made on equipment that is free from major allergens.

Chia seeds are such a powerhouse ingredient. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high in fiber, a great source of protein, and packed with nutrients. They’re one of those ingredients that you can add to almost anything, smoothies, puddings, cereals, and they just work.

What I’ve really appreciated is how easy they are to incorporate into both my personal meals and Brimly recipes. They don’t require a lot of effort, but they give you a lot in return. That balance is something I always look for when I’m choosing ingredients.

Using them in the pudding really helped me see how versatile they are. They’re simple, clean, and genuinely beneficial. I’m really glad I started using it more consistently, and I’ll definitely be keeping it in rotation.

Life at Brimly:

There’s been a lot of growth and restructuring at Brimly lately, and I’m really excited for what’s starting to take shape.

There has been a lot happening at Brimly this month. It’s been a mix of structure, chaos, and everything in between, but overall, it’s been a very active and productive time. A big focus has been on the podcast, working through ways to improve it and make it more enjoyable and meaningful for our listeners. There’s been a lot of thinking, planning, and reorganizing behind the scenes. We’ve been working on how to structure things better, how to make episodes flow better, and how to really serve the gluten-free community in a way that feels genuine and helpful. It has taken time, but it’s something I care about deeply.

At the same time, we’ve continued working on recipes for April, which is our fruit-themed month, and that has been really exciting. Even with the time constraints, it’s been easier to come up with ideas and experiment with different fruit-based recipes. We’ve also received some really encouraging feedback from our readers, which we truly appreciate. It means a lot to see that what we’re creating is being enjoyed. Overall, it’s been a season of growth, adjustment, and forward movement, and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead.

Life Optimization Tools

The first app I’ve been using this month is NOOK by Barnes & Noble, and I’ve really been enjoying it. I discovered it again in March, and it has been such a helpful tool for listening to audiobooks.

It’s simple, intuitive, and makes it easy to access and organize your books. I’ve been using it to listen to the audiobook I recently wrote about on the blog, and it’s been a smooth experience from start to finish. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have, but it’s been a great addition to my routine.

The second app is Quizlet, which I actually used years ago but recently rediscovered. I’ve been using it to help improve my French, and it has been incredibly helpful.

It now includes an AI feature that supports pronunciation and helps guide learning, which makes the experience feel more interactive. For a small monthly fee, it’s been worth it for me because it helps me stay consistent and intentional with learning.

Both of these tools have helped me optimize my day in small but meaningful ways, and I’ve really enjoyed having them as part of my routine.

These are not sponsored—just what works for me personally.

Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies

“It’s a large, personal size chocolate chip cookie.”

Visit Recipe

From Me to You:

Check in with yourself.

It’s very easy to get caught up in trying to optimize everything around us. Our work, our income, the lives of the people we care about. And in doing that, we sometimes forget to check in with ourselves. That’s something I’ve been learning lately.

I read a book in the month of March called The Scandinavian Guide to Happiness, and it really shifted how I think about my life. It made me pause and reflect in ways I usually wouldn’t.

Take a moment for yourself. Ask yourself, how am I really doing? Sit with your thoughts. Read something that feeds your mind. Do something that brings you back to yourself.

You matter too. And sometimes, the most important thing we can do is pause and take care of ourselves, so we can keep going and be here longer.