Does anyone else find it a bit unsettling that America celebrates its Independence Day by overeating and lighting stuff on fire? To be fair, though, I guess we do that to celebrate a lot of things—and we’re not exactly the only country known for its culinary holiday traditions or pyrotechnic displays…

Even though I have tomorrow off, it doesn’t really feel like a holiday to me. The past few years, I’ve gone down to the Jersey Shore, but I had to sit the trip out this year because of my schedule. I don’t even know yet if I have any plans, which is both sad and kind of all right with me. Whether I do something or nothing, it will be a good day. I’m just happy not to have to set an alarm for the morning!

One of these days, I tell myself, I’ll learn how to grill or at least make, like, pulled pork in a slow-cooker, but for now, I’ll leave that to the folks who know what the f*** they’re doing. Ditto desserts. While I may be an RD-in-training, I can still appreciate the intricacies of a cake that looks like a flag. Mad skills. Of course, it’s hard to go wrong with mixed berries and whipped cream to get your red-and-blue fix.

What are you up to this July 4th? Any favorite holiday recipes?