Thank you Pinterest!

After a week's vacation spent eating Cheetos for breakfast, I needed a clean break.  The first step has been preparing healthy lunches to bring to work, followed closely by eating less meat.  With better organization ahead of time, I've found that I have been able to make 'cleaner' lunches without too much effort.

When I was trying to figure out some easy recipes for lunches, I started looking around the internet.  Most of the recipes that I found looked amazing, but involved a lot of work and time.  I never have much energy in the evenings, and certainly not first thing in the morning.  But then I remembered the receptcal of all things homey/inspiring/cheesy/useful/cutesie/annoying....Pinterest.  What a brainwave!  Between pins showing beautiful country kitchens and 25 easy workouts, I also found a bunch of easy, healthy recipes.  My favorites this week have been for quinoa bowls. 

Quinoa, a grain crop, is high in protein and fiber and can be mixed with almost anything to taste great.  It is super easy to make - approximately one cup of quinoa added to two cups of boiling water until the water is soaked in and then let it rest for about five minutes before fluffing with a fork.  Something even better - add a vegetable stock cube to the boiling water to flavour the quinoa.  Once the quinoa is ready, it serves as a base to everything else. 

Image from Closet Cooking.

 

One delicious "bowl" (or really, plate), this week was quinoa topped with corn, black beans, diced fresh cilantro, green onions and a fried egg (not completely healthy).  Yum!  I got the basic recipe from the website associated with one of the 'Pins' that I found - Closet Cooking -  and adapted to what I had in the house.
 
I have also started roasting sweet potatoes and other vegetables and using them as toppings.  The easiest has been to cut up a sweet potato in small pieces, lightly toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 350 for 20 minutes or so.  So good!!  Very similar to sweet potato fries, only hopefully healthier.

Image from Glow Kitchen.

Homemade Pizza

Last night, we made homemade pizzas for the first time.  They turned out incredibly well and I can't wait to do it again.  We used this recipe.

We weren't very adventurous and only made pepperoni.  But due to the success of our first venture, we easily came up with a list of future toppings and flavors.  We bought prepared dough from our local grocer, which made the whole project simpler.  The other ingredients were tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, sliced pepperoni, fresh tomato and spices (pepper, Italian seasoning and Oregano.  It was a fun and easy dinner!

Recent Guilty Pleasures

I have discovered a couple of guilty little pleasures over the last several weeks that have brought a smile to my face.


(1)  This impulse 'toss in the cart' amazing dark chocolate and almond snacking chocolate is divine.  It tempts me to take a little piece every time that I open the fridge...

(2)  American Greetings' Instant Laughs birthday cards.  I stocked up on cards for all the approaching Fall birthdays and discovered this card company also has a blog.  Awesome.  Stationary is my biggest weakness - fancy, fun, inventive, traditional - I love it all.  I also save every wedding invitation, moving announcement, new baby card that I have received.  Sometimes I have a hard time sending a card if I have grown too attached to it (lame, but the truth).  I have even had some of my favorite hand-drawn cards framed.

Photo from cwtv.com

(3) Hart of Dixie.  I love this show.  I started watching it on Netflix after I exhausted all the seasons of Scandal and wanted something a bit more lighthearted to unwind with after a busy day.  It is perfect for this purpose!  I get sucked in to an episode and then have to watch another and another.  In honesty, the supporting casts' acting skills have impressed me a bit more than the central actor's.  Jamie King (Lemon Breeland) is especially fabulous and I love her wardrobe.  Every outfit is a return to the fifties.

Architecture Don't

Every month I look forward to receiving a slew of new magazines, including Architectural Digest.  I sat down this morning with a cup of coffee and the July issue anticipating a pleasant hour of looking at photos of gorgeous homes.  For the most part I was not disappointed.  Until I turned to an article on page 86 titled 'Full Spectrum.'  Ouch! My eyes hurt.  My soul hurt for the poor house.  Is this what happens when people have more money than sense or taste?

The focus of the story is a French-style mini-chateau located in River Oaks, Houston, an upscale enclave of massive homes.  The exterior and grounds look lovely.  The interior however has been transformed into a loud explosion of color, clashing styles and over-lapping eye-straining patterns.  The interior designer (Miles Redd) has taken a mansion with strong, classic bones and turned it into a carnival fun-house.

There are elements of his choices that are nice.  The wallpaper in the master bedroom (by Iksel Decorative Arts) is beautiful, but is eclipsed by bright red curtains and an 80's style shiny plastic four-poster bed.

 Architectural Digest, July 2014

The touches of class are unfortunately, overwhelmed by the tacky and tasteless.  The dining room mixes gentle silk wall coverings with a garish multicolor rug and electric blue curtains.  The elegant front entrance with its sweeping staircase is a taxi-cab yellow, which the designer proudly states inspired his being chosen for the job.

I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however this beholders eyes are smarting from the clash of colors and styles in this home.

Spring?

I am dreaming of warm, sunny days and barbeques.  The calendar (and google) tell me that today is the first day of spring.  Unfortunately, with weather reports predicting snow sometime next week, I am having a hard time believing that this winter will ever end.

Another snow day...

I cannot complain that we are enjoying another snow day, although it feels as though we have had one every week since January.  It is so wonderful to relax at home guilt-free.  I generally set one goal for the day and try one new recipe, along with making celebratory chocolate chip cookies. 

Today, I completed my Canadian taxes (last snow day, I did my U.S. ones) and made Moroccan couscous with chickpeas, along with the perfect chocolate chip cookies from Cook's Illustrated.  (These are amazing!  The secret seems to lie in browning the butter.)  The sweet, familiar smell of vanilla is so comforting.  It reminded me of reading that it is used as a key ingredient for some perfumes, although this article about it's usage just made me laugh.

Here are a couple of other things that made me laugh today:

- Rick Mercer making fun of Canadian excitement over warm(er) weather;

- President Obama on "Between Two Ferns" with Zach Galifianakis;

- and this Automobile Association ad from the U.K.

Weekend Wear

 

Banana Republic - Parkside Wallet / Madewell - Skinny Skinny Zip Jeans in Sky Wash / J.Crew - Everly suede metal metallic-trim pumps & Collection cashmere V-neck sweater

Monkey Bread in 10 Easy Steps

Monkey Bread 
Recipe originally from The Pioneer Woman 

2 cans of Pillsbury Grands
3/4 cup Sugar
2 tbs Cinnamon (appox.)
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 Orange (zest only)
2 sticks Butter

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a bundt pan. 

2.  Open the Grands cans and cut the biscuits into little pieces.

3.  Zest the orange.

4.  In a large ziploc bag combine the sugar, cinnamon and orange zest.  Shake to combine.

5.  Add the biscuit bits to the ziploc bag and shake well, fully coating all the biscuits with the cinnamon/sugar/zest mix.

6.  Place the coated biscuits in the bundt pan, spreading evenly.

7.  Brown the butter on the stove top.  Add the brown sugar until combined.

8.  Pour the butter over the biscuits in the bundt pan.

9.  Bake for 30-40 minutes.

 10.  Let sit for 15 minutes, before turning over onto a plate.

Cold Friday

Recent Reads

I love my public library!  A couple of years ago, I discovered that they lend downloadable books via Kindle and other systems.  This revolutionized by membership, which had previously been limited to a visit once every five years or so, and now I am a regular customer.  Yes, I often have to wait weeks to borrow a new or popular book, but it is well worth it.  Here are a couple of my recent reads:

Beautiful Ruins

 
NY Times Review

The Rosie Project: A Novel

NPR Review

 

Recipe Porn

I can while away (or should it be 'wile away'?), an evening reading recipes online.  Time passes as I study ingredients and decide whether something is too complicated to try or not.  Here are a couple of the delicious looking recipes that caught my eye today:

Barbecue, delicious slow cooker balsamic honey pulled pork.

 Just a taste...

 Heavenly mashed potatoes.

The Pioneer Woman

    

Lavender Cupcakes

Cooking Classy

  

To balance all the butter, and because I love my slow cooker, a healthy quinoa, kale and chicken soup.

 Cooking Classy

 

Resolution: Let Go

This year, I want to learn to let go.  Let go of stressing out, let go of worrying, let go of comparing myself and my life, let go of stuff, let go of not knowing where I am going next.  I know that it won't be easy and I will have to remind myself not to hold onto worry/stress/anger/bitterness frequently, but I want to start trying.

I found this list of twenty things to let go of to find happiness and it resonated with me.  

1. Let go of all thoughts that don't make you feel empowered and strong.

2. Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to do.

3. Let go of the fear of the unknown; take one small step and watch the path reveal itself.

4. Let go of regrets; at one point in your life, that “whatever” was exactly what you wanted.

5. Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you don’t want.

6. Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don’t like
something, you have two choices, accept it or change it.

7. Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world needs you just as you are.

8. Let go of thinking your dreams are not important; always follow your heart.

9. Let go of being the “go-to person” for everyone, all the time; stop blowing yourself off and take care of yourself first … because you matter.

10. Let go of thinking everyone else is happier, more successful or better off than you. You are right where you need to be. Your journey is unfolding perfectly for you.

11. Let go of thinking there's a right and wrong way to do things or to see the world. Enjoy the contrast and celebrate the diversity and richness of life.

12. Let go of cheating on your future with your past. It’s time to move on and tell a new story.

13. Let go of thinking you are not where you should be. You are right where you need to be to get to where you want to go, so start asking yourself where you want to go.

14. Let go of anger toward ex lovers and family. We all deserve happiness and love; just because it is over doesn’t mean the love was wrong.

15. Let go of the need to do more and be more; for today, you've done the best you can, and that's enough.

16. Let go of thinking you have to know how to make it happen; we learn the way on the way.

17. Let go of your money woes — make a plan to pay off debt.

18. Let go of trying to save or change people. Everyone has her own path, and the best thing you can do is work on yourself and stop focusing on others.

19. Let go of trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone. Your uniqueness is what makes you outstanding.

 Photo Credit to Emily M. Thompson

20. Let go of self-hate. You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. Who you are matters, and the world needs you as you are. Celebrate you!

13 Things...

I found a list of the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Avoid Doing on Forbes.  It was compiled by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, that she shared in LifeHack, along with the contributor's notes and it really struck a cord with me.  So many of these are things that I do constantly.  Reading the list reinforced my resolution to stop thinking and doing them.

1.    Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves. You don’t see mentally strong people feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they’ve been mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. They are able to emerge from trying circumstances with self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned. When a situation turns out badly, they respond with phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps simply, “Next!”

2. Give Away Their Power. Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.

3.    Shy Away from Change. Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome challenge. Their biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.

4. Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control. Mentally strong people don’t complain (much) about bad traffic, lost luggage, or especially about other people, as they recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. In a bad situation, they recognize that the one thing they can always control is their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.

5. Worry About Pleasing Others. Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up. They are able to withstand the possibility that someone will get upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.

6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks. A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.

7. Dwell on the Past. There is strength in acknowledging the past and especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences—but a mentally strong person is able to avoid miring their mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. They invest the majority of their energy in creating an optimal present and future.

8. Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over. We all know the definition of insanity, right? It’s when we take the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and better outcome than we’ve gotten before. A mentally strong person accepts full responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. Research shows that the ability to be self-reflective in an accurate and productive way is one of the greatest strengths of spectacularly successful executives and entrepreneurs.

9. Resent Other People’s Success. It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They don’t become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts.

10. Give Up After Failure. Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought many failures. Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, if necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring them closer to their ultimate goals.

11. Fear Alone Time. Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be productive. Most importantly, they don’t depend on others to shore up their happiness and moods. They can be happy with others, and they can also be happy alone.

12. Feel the World Owes Them Anything. Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game.

13. Expect Immediate Results. Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power.” And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you?

Memoir

mem·oir
ˈmemˌwär,-ˌwôr/
1. a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.

I recently read an excerpt from Angelica Huston's memoir 'A Story Lately Told' in Vanity Fair and it had me hooked.  Then I saw this article in the New York Times and it solidified my interest.  I think this will go on my Christmas list.

Biographies and autobiographies provide fascinating insight into the variety of lives lead by interesting people.  Is it the accident of birth that leads to fame or fortune?  Or brilliance, hard work and timing?  How large of a role does personality play?  Is it the era in which someone lives - the surrounding world circumstances that effectively causes some people to rise to the occasion leaving a remarkable legacy?

Robert Massie's biography of Catherine the Great is another wonderful book that leads the reader through the twists and turns of a fascinating life.  The transformation of Catherine from young teenage bride living with her domineering mother in a new country, subject to the mercy of her mother-in-law's whim, to strong leader makes you wonder - personality?  Circumstance?

Obituaries offer the same insight into the twisty turns a life can take.  The recent passing of Mavis Batey and the fascinating role she had in shaping history was so interesting to learn about.  An ordinary person who, due to time and circumstance, rose to the occasion and left an indelible mark.  Yet her sensible personality remained unspoiled to the end; “So I thought, great,” she recalled. “This is going to be an interesting job, Mata Hari, seducing Prussian officers.  But I don’t think either my legs or my German were good enough because they sent me to the Government Code & Cipher School.”

Holiday Shopping Ideas

In the lead-up to the holiday season pressure mounts to find the perfect present for loved ones.  Here are a couple of things that I have found that would make great gifts!

• This hobo bag is nice and comes in fun colors - it's also on sale, always a plus!

• Although it is slightly old fashioned in these days of smart phones, this is a nice bright red leather phone book to help store your family and friends contact information.

• These gloves look stylish, warm and cozy!  They would go well with this hat.

• What a quaint tea cup - perfect for a cuppa on a chilly day.  Especially when paired with a brownie baked in this cheerful brownie dish!

• Warm and comfy, these tartan flannel pajamas look perfect for a cold night.  Wear them while curled up in front of the perfect Christmas gift - White Christmas!

Slow Cooker: Beef Stroganoff

As the weather gets cooler and my work days get longer, I am enjoying using my slow cooker (crock pot) to prepare dinner.  I recently made this simple beef stroganoff recipe and it was delicious!

 

2 cans Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 package dry French onion soup mix
1 package sliced white mushrooms
2 lbs of stewing beef
1 cup sour cream
 

Directions:

 

Stir the soup, sour cream, mushrooms in a 6-quart slow cooker.  Add the beef and stir to coat.  
 

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or until the beef is fork-tender.  Stir the sour cream in the cooker.  Serve the beef mixture with the noodles.  Sprinkle with the parsley, if desired. 

 

Alternative recipe.

Shoes

    
I love these shoes from JCrew!

Squash Cheesecake

 My mother's garden produced an abundance of zucchini, crooked neck squash, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon and beans.  We have benefited greatly and have fresh veg everywhere! 

 A small sampling of the bounty.

I found a great recipe for Zucchini Ricotta Cheesecake on 101Cookbooks, a recipe journal, which looks delicious.  Fingers crossed it turns out well!

Here is the recipe:

2 cups zucchini, unpeeled & grated
1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
2 shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
zest of one lemon
2 large eggs, well beaten
1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
drizzle of olive oil

Preheat oven to 325F degrees, racks the middle. Butter/oil a 7-inch springform pan.
In a strainer, toss the shredded zucchini with the salt and let sit for ten minutes. Now aggressively squeeze and press out as much moisture as you can. Set aside.

In the meantime, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, shallots, garlic, dill and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Stir in the eggs and continue mixing until well combined. Now stir in the shredded zucchini. Fill the springform pan with the ricotta mixture and place on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for sixty minutes. If there is any moisture left on top of the cake at this point, carefully use a bit of paper towel to dab it off. Now sprinkle with the goat cheese and return to the oven for another 20 -30 minutes or until the goat cheese is melted and the cake barely jiggles in the center (it will set up more as it cools).

At this point, if the cake is baked and set, but the top isn't quite golden, I'll zap it with the broiler (just about a minute) to get a bit more color on top. Remove from the oven and let cool five minutes, then release the cake from its pan. Cool completely, serve at room temperature drizzled with a bit of olive oil and a few sprigs of dill.

Serves 8.

Relaxation...

Chilled white wine and a magazine...

Simple Ways to be Happier at Home

As we approach a new year, I am looking for small things that I can do to make my family, my home and myself happier in 2013.  I found this list and think it has many good, simple ideas.

Here are a few simple things you can do every day to feel happier at home.

1. Make your bed. In a popular post last month, I explained the many benefits of daily bed-making. Gretchen Rubin, New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.

2. Bring every room back to "ready." I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul's clever book, It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys. It's a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to "ready" before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home. One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal. Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, "What was the best part of today?") Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can't get out of it, get into it. This tip comes from The Happiness Project. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting "Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!" and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day. In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says ""Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it." Wow. What a wise man. I tend to wake up with a strong visceral reaction that says, "Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!" Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like "be productive" or "enjoy today's delicious moments" or it could be something more specific like "say thank you to my loved ones today." But it should not be another "to do" item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!). (That's right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don't expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don't try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It's YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It's a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good.

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day. You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don't feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home. Save money for a new grill for parties or a new DVD for family movie night — something that will encourage you to have people over and entertain. Plan a summer barbeque, invite your closest friends, kick back and relax. (And don't forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself. Whatever your spiritual beliefs — or non-beliefs — may be, studies show that connecting to a high power is correlated with happiness. Just stepping back to realize that we are part of an enormous universe can put some perspective on your annoyance with the those-are-definitely-not-mine-and-they-are-abso-fricking-lutely-repulsive socks under the coffee table. Before bed, spend just a few minutes contemplating something larger than yourself. Take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Create a sacred space in your home. (Or if spirituality is really not your thing, create a home spa: light some candles, soak in a hot bath, delve into a good book… are you feeling better yet?)

From Apartment Therapy