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Six Essential Beauty Products for Summer

Published June 13, 2016 by Christina

I’ve really pared down my daily beauty regimen, but there are a few things I’m really loving and using consistently right now. Here are my essential beauty products for summer.

essential beauty products for summer skin care makeup bath and body

Some of the following include Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.

Mineral Sunscreen: I’m really digging COOLA mineral sunscreen matte tint SPF 30. I use this on days when I know I’m going to be more active outside and really need sun protection and a good base for my makeup. It’s available through Amazon and other retailers in Cucumber scented and unscented for $30-36 for 1.7 fl oz. It’s not like other matte products that can leave skin feeling tight and dry, and unlike conventional chemical sunscreens that can leave skin feeling tacky or greasy, COOLA mineral sunscreen goes on very smooth and leaves a silky texture behind (similar to Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer). I have used COOLA mineral sunscreen on bare skin before and also for added protection over my daily moisturizer with SPF. My foundation applies easily over COOLA mineral sunscreen, I haven’t had any issues with streaking, and it keeps me shine-free. I can see myself using this on hot summer days when I don’t have time for makeup touchups. I’m definitely going to buy this again when it runs out.

What is mineral sunscreen anyway? Mineral sunscreen is a physical blocker that sits on top of the skin and deflects UV rays, whereas traditional chemical based sunscreens sink into the skin so that the chemical can absorb the UV rays. Practically speaking, there is a difference in texture and application for the user. You can read more about it here.

Tinted Moisturizer: I bought Laura Mercier tinted moisture oil free SPF 20 ($44 for 1.7 fl oz at Amazon) last year on a whim. I wanted an easy to wear product with light coverage. I wear this over my daily moisturizer with SPF. It has a creamy texture and applies easily with my fingertips. It does feel a bit tacky on the skin, but you can leave it as is for a dewey effect, or you can just wait a minute to let the product sink in before applying a translucent powder for a matte finish. Tinted moisturizer is perfect when you need minimal coverage for a low maintenance look. Other popular brands like Stila, The Balm, and Physicians Formula offer tinted moisturizers in a range of prices and colors, too.

Hydrating Mist: My friend gifted me Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist ($90 for 1.7 fl oz, available wherever Chanel skincare is sold), and it feels truly decadent. I love to spritz this on after my makeup, especially when I’m already feeling hot and I haven’t even left the house yet. It has a cooling effect and smells great. I think this would be a great product to take on vacation and use after a long day in the sun before heading out to dinner. It feels refreshing with zero effort. You don’t have to spend a lot either–First Aid Beauty Vitamin Hydrating Mist is available through Amazon for just $16, and if you’re at all crafty, Fashionista compiled 5 DIY Face Mists.

Lip Balm: In the summer you need an ultra hydrating lip balm. Right now my favorite is Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm ($16.50 for 0.5 fl oz at Amazon). Its texture is thick and very moisturizing for my lips, which is perfect when I’m not wearing lipstick or a tinted lip product with SPF. Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm is made of lanolin, which is different than another favorite of mine, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (price matched at Nordstrom for $6.30 for 0.5 fl oz), made of petroleum. While I find petroleum based products to be a thinner consistency and wear off quicker than lanolin based products, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 with SPF 4 is better for daytime use because of the sun protection. If you want to learn more about what makes Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm so great and other less pricey alternatives check out this fabulous review on YouTube.

Deodorant Antiperspirant: I’ve been using Fresh SUGAR roll-on deodorant antiperspirant ($19 for 2.3 oz at Sephora) for a couple of years. I can’t believe I spend so much for this, but I have yet to find another product that works so well for me. Traditional solid deodorant antiperspirants always cause discoloration and irritation on me, and that’s no fun in the summer months when you want your skin to look great. The Fresh SUGAR roll-on smells sweet, citrusy and refreshing. It just takes a few minutes to absorb, and I find I’m willing to wait since it’s the only product that hasn’t led my sensitive skin to an allergic reaction. I’ve also read great things about Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream (price matched at Nordstrom for $14.40-17.55 for 1.7-2.5 oz), and plan to check it out next time I’m at the store. It’s another product suitable for sensitive skin types.

Heel Balm: My mom and I bought Body Whip Flip Flop Heel Balm ($12 for 2.6 oz at bodywhip.net) at a street fair in Palm Springs back in November. It’s the best moisturizing product for my feet that I’ve ever used, and absolutely essential during sandal season. The packaging is great, a solid made primarily of bee’s wax and shea butter in a deodorant-style dispenser, which means there’s no mess. Just slough off dead skin using a pumice stone in the shower first, then follow up with Flip Flop Heel Balm after drying off, or apply it just before bed and wear overnight with socks. I love the mango papaya scent. Another alternative I’m interested in is The Naked Bee Restoration Foot Balm (~$10 for 2 oz at Amazon), which has similar ingredients and some great reviews.

Note: I received samples sizes of COOLA mineral sunscreen and Dr. Lipp balm through my Birchbox subscription. If you’re interested in joining, here is my referral link! I’ll earn $5 in points if anyone signs up.

What is Birchbox? Birchbox is a subscription service for beauty products tailored to your preferences. It is $10 monthly for five samples. Shipping is included in the cost of the subscription and each monthly delivery comes beautifully packaged in a box with a card full of details about the products. I got a three month subscription as a Christmas gift and really enjoyed it. I got to try a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

I’d love to hear about your go-to beauty essentials for the summer!

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My Week in Review, June 10

Published June 10, 2016 by Christina

I hope everyone had a great week! I felt like I got a lot done and even managed to be social. I’ve become one of those people who juggles play dates. Like multiple ones. Who am I?

It’s graduation weekend here, and it has me feeling really nostalgic and missing my job and former students. *tear* I’m raising a glass to you all! Cheers and congratulations to the class of 2016!

What I drank: We finally broke out one of these beauties. Been saving it for a while!

au bon climat wine pinot noir
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What I Ate:

Entertainment:

  • Last Week Tonight: John Oliver forgives 14 million bucks in medical debt! Take that, Oprah. Watch on HBO or here’s the whole clip via YouTube.

  • UnReal: Quinn and Rachel are back. Watch it on Lifetime.
  • The Americans: OMG the finale. This was a really interesting season! Keri Russell is amazing, truly, and I don’t know why she’s never been nominated for anything. Actually, this show is really better than most of the shows getting nominated for stuff. Take that. It’s on FX, but the season just ended so find it on Amazon Prime.
  • The History Chicks: Thanks to Mouth Half Full’s Cassie for the podcast rec last week. I’ve already listened to Madam C.J. Walker, Dorothy Parker Pt 1 & Pt 2, and Josephine Baker Pt 1.

From the Internet: [Note that before the last two links there is a trigger warning.]

[Trigger Warning: the following are links to material about rape, rape culture, sexual assault, sexual violence]

 

 

 

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Quick and Easy Bacon Orzo

Published June 7, 2016 by Christina

I’m in love with orzo. It’s so versatile–I’ve made up a lot of orzo dishes by just throwing stuff in a bowl, and I’ve followed recipes I found online, and so far I’ve loved everything. Last week I came up with BTOPS Orzo, that’s Bacon Tomato Onion Parmesan Spinach Orzo.

bacon tomato onion spinach parmesan orzo plated

I had a carton of ripe cherry tomatoes on my countertop and a package of fresh spinach ready to go. I checked out my nearly empty fridge and pulled out some bacon, green onions, and Parmesan, and knew I was going to have a winner on my hands. I especially love that while the bacon is cooking and water is coming to a boil I can prep all the other ingredients. It’s my favorite way to cook on busy evenings–I absolutely hate waiting around in the kitchen!

Bacon Tomato Spinach and Parmesan Orzo
 
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Quick and easy orzo dish
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups uncooked orzo
  • 6 pieces of bacon
  • 1 container cherry tomatoes (or similar)
  • 1 container or bag baby spinach
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 stalks of green onion, chopped
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and lay out six strips (or more) of bacon. Bake for 20 minutes (more or less depending on thickness of bacon).
  2. While bacon is cooking, bring water to a boil in a large sauce pan and chop green onions, wash tomatoes and spinach, and shred Parmesan cheese.
  3. Remove bacon from oven, let cool for 5 minutes on a plate lined with a paper towel, then chop into bite sized pieces.
  4. Add orzo and a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Cook for 9 minutes. Strain and set aside cooked orzo in a serving bowl.
  5. Using the same sauce pan as the orzo, sauté tomatoes and spinach in olive oil until spinach is wilted and tomatoes have softened.
  6. Season orzo with garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper.
  7. Mix in bacon, tomatoes, spinach, and green onions. Sprinkle in the cheese and mix again. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve in bowls and garnish with red pepper flakes and more Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes: I like to bake my bacon in the oven. It gets really crispy after you let it sit for a few minutes. You can microwave or pan cook your bacon if you prefer.

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Five Things I Learned During My First Month as a Blogger Plus One Surprising Outcome

Published June 6, 2016 by Christina

I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on my first month back at blogging. I decided to plunge back into writing without much thought–I used to blog off and on, I love writing, and I missed it. I needed an outlet for my creativity and the thoughts swirling around in my head. To be totally honest, I wasn’t even sure what kind of blog this would be when I started it. I chose my blog name based on my Instagram and Twitter handle, and I thought it had a nice ring to it for a lifestyle blog. I idealized that this would be a place for me to write about travel, food, and fashion with humor. What this has actually become is a place for me to spew out thoughts on life, post amateur food pics, and my cobbled together attempts in the kitchen. I do hope that it will continue to evolve and I’ll find my voice and aesthetic. But for now, this blog is still searching for an identity.

Five Things I LearnedDuring My First Month as a BloggerPlus OneSurprising Outcome

Here five things I’ve learned during my first month as a blogger:

Let go of fear

It’s scary to put yourself out there for people to read and judge. I’ve always had this fear of being discovered as some sort of fake, which is why I try my hardest to be real. I don’t take myself too seriously, and I’m the first person to point out my shortcomings. I don’t want to misrepresent myself in any way, but I also don’t know how I want to portray myself on the internet. It’s tricky. I’m intensely private, but I so love the feeling of being open and expressing myself without fear.

Move past the overwhelm

There’s so much to learn and figure out when you’re launching a blog. Some things work, and others don’t. I try not to put too much pressure on myself to know everything right away. Graphics and photo editing have always been a stumper for me. I’m working on it, and with time I’ll hopefully improve. Actually, I know I will. There’s very little I’ve tried in life that I couldn’t master to some extent. But I have to be careful and limit myself. There’s got to be a balance so that I can still write, spend time with my kiddo, and learn the business and marketing side of blogging.

Don’t get annoyed

I don’t have this app on my phone, I don’t have that plugin on my laptop, I’m not signed in here. Ugh. It’s annoying to try and keep up with everything, and even worse when you make a mistake, or a lot of them as is my case. I’m really terrible at remembering hashtags, and all I can do is shake my head after I hit post and notice after the fact. But everything is a lesson if you’re receptive to learning and growing.

Celebrate small achievements

It’s so satisfying to set small goals for myself and meet them. I wrote a little bit about the daily goals I have and the apps and tools I use to remind myself to do them. I set a goal for myself last week to post three times and I did it. I did it on my first try! Woohoo!

Keep the momentum going

I have so much I want to write, and I can’t write fast enough to keep up with the ideas. What’s more, I feel like blogging has given me energy and confidence in other aspects of my life, too. I feel like there’s momentum to my creativity and productivity and it makes me feel excited for the future.

Plus one surprising outcome:

Writing uncovers who you really are

When I became a mom and after I left my job, I felt like I lost my sense of self. I didn’t know what my identity was anymore. I felt like I didn’t have anything interesting to contribute or feel worthy of happiness. I was in a dark place and I felt alone. This happens to a lot of people at many different stages in life, usually during some transition where everything that is familiar and comfortable changes or disappears altogether.

Starting a blog got me to think in a radically different way. Writing demands interaction with the world instead of experiencing it passively. I make time to read blogs rather than just clicking on a link when it floats by. I make the effort to talk to people, even though it scares me. Not much on the surface has changed, but even small steps have made a huge impact on my life. I have something to add to the conversation now, and my days are just a little bit more interesting than they were before.

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My Week in Review, June 3

Published June 3, 2016 by Christina

Happy one month blogiversary to me! Time really does fly…

I’m going to try and post links and lists and such on Fridays. Enjoy! Holler at me in comments if you want to recommend something for me to check out.

What I read this week:

What I watched this week:

  • Love It or List It, Too: Streaming it on Netflix. Not as profesh as the original, imho. Nowhere near as good as the UK’s Kirstie & Phil’s Love It or List It (my fave).
  • Silicon Valley: OMG. A luau at Alcatraz, that’s all I’m going to say.
  • Inside Amy Schumer: My favorite segment was It’s Better for the Baby. “My doula’s a sherpa.” Hilarious.
  • The Americans: Come on, this is a spoiler-free zone.

What I made this week:

cooking with fresh herbs making chimichurri
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I’ve made this chimichurri recipe once before and now there’s no other way I want to eat lamb. This time around I forgot to add the rosemary, but I figured it wasn’t a big deal since the lamb was seasoned with it before grilling.

On the first night we ate this, I paired dinner with Chateau Mourgues du Grès 2012 Costièere de Nimes Galet Rouges. It was Ah-mazing, and a super reasonably priced pick from our wine club at The Winehound. When we ate this for leftovers, my husband picked a 2012 Saracina Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. It really stood up to all the flavors and even tasted great after my son fed me strawberries!

Happy weekend!

 

 

 

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Chunky Pears

Published June 2, 2016 by Christina

A few weeks ago I became totally distraught when my kid protested against any smooth textured baby foods. I had just made an enormous batch of pureed butternut squash, sweet potato, broccoli, apple, and pear sauce. They were sitting in my freezer in their cute silicone ice cube molds, but Rory wouldn’t touch them.

chunky pear sauce recipe

I started giving him more foods cut up for his little baby teeth, but some foods were still too hard for him to chew. After a near choking incident, I decided to try cooking pears down like I did for the sauce. OMG. I am jealous of my son because these pears are incredible. They’re syrupy sweet without any added sugar, perfect for a grown-up dessert or snack, and great for a toddler.

chunky pear recipe no sugar added all natural

Chunky Pears
 
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Beautiful sweet and spicy pears
Author:
Recipe type: Baby Food
Serves: 24 one oz servings
Ingredients
  • 6 ripe pears, any variety
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 strips of lemon peel
  • ½ cup water
Instructions
  1. Wash, peel, and cut pears into baby bite-sized chunks.
  2. In a large sauce pan over medium heat, add pears, spices, lemon peel, and water. Using a spoon, mix thoroughly to coat pears in spices.
  3. Bring to a boil, then place the lid on top and lower the heat to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Check for doneness by piercing with a fork. Cook until tender.
  4. Let cool and enjoy.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

This recipe is adapted from Smitten Kitchen’s First Applesauce. If you’re looking for a pear sauce recipe, you can follow these instructions (you can leave the pears in larger chunks), and toss the cooked mixture into the food processor for a few good pulses until it’s a smooth puree.

In case you’re wondering, I was able to use the already pureed veggies with ground turkey and tomato sauce for what I call baby bolognese.  But that’s a recipe for another day…

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Five Tips for a Cleaner and Happier Home

Published May 31, 2016 by Christina

I am a sucker for blog posts with enticing titles offering tips and trick to keep my house clean. I recently saw a post about twenty things people do on a daily basis to keep a tidy house, and I just about went bananas. TWENTY THINGS. Without clicking, I conjured up a list in my head and stopped at ten because twenty things seem impossible for the average person.

This year I reimagined what kind of home I want to keep, and it’s inspired new routines and the way I look at my space and interact with my things. My house is a reflection of how I see life–a work in progress. I’m not done organizing or decorating, and I’m totally okay with that. My house is far from what some would consider clean, but on most days, my house is clean enough for me.

tips for a happier and cleaner home

Five tips for having a cleaner and happier home:

Some of the following include Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.

Your home should be a judgement free zone

Have you ever gone over to a friend’s and she profusely apologies for the state of her house? Do you insist that her house is fine, and that it’s not a mess at all. You say, “Oh please, you should see my place!” My guess is you’re very familiar with this type of exchange. If you don’t judge your friend for the state of her home, why are you judging yourself so harshly? Your home should be a judgement free zone. 

Little messes exist wherever we dwell because that’s where we live. Let’s work on being proud of our homes, no matter the state they’re in at any given moment.

How you judge someone else’s home says nothing about them and everything about you

If you find yourself inwardly cringing at your friend’s house and thinking, “Ugh, get it together, sister. Your house is a dump,” I implore you to take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Judging someone else because their home is not to your standard is a reflection of your own internal struggle to feel good enough. Being critical is the result of insecurity, and while mocking and judging may create a sense of superiority, it also seriously undercuts any potential for true friendship.

It’s human nature to compare ourselves to others, but let’s minimize this kind of negative thinking and focus on positivity instead. An attitude adjustment can go a long way in making a home happier.

Figure out what works for you and don’t get fatalistic

I’m a messy person, but I’m trying to reform. I haven’t perfected a system for keeping my home truly neat, but I haven’t given up yet. One area I really struggle with is my son’s toy collection.

decluttering toys
My house post-Christmas.

After Christmas my husband and I read the now infamous The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Marie Kondo helped us confront our issues with purging items that had been gifted to us. We were able to effectively sort this massive toy pile into bags we dropped off for donation and organized what we kept in our underutilized storage cubes and baskets.

It takes me only minutes to put away toys now that they all have a home.

Keep going until you figure out which method of cleaning and organizing works best for you, because dear reader, I don’t want your loved ones to have you removed from your home via crane when you’re old and senile and have forgotten the way to your front door.Was it over the tupperware collection and through the plastic bags or was it under the freebie water bottles and over the Time magazines?

It’s okay to take cleaning shortcuts 

I run our robot vacuum every day. You heard me, I have a Roomba, and I love it. I was not always so on board with a robot vacuum (they’re not cheap!), but I’ve become so dependent on my Roomba over the past ten years that I’ll definitely shell out more money to replace it immediately when this one dies. My Roomba vacuums my house EVERY DAY, so I’m still way ahead of the game even if the Roomba doesn’t get corners so well and occasionally eats a sock.

Swiffer mops and dusters, Clorox wipes, and other convenience cleaning items can be worth a little extra expense. I don’t have access to laundry facilities or a a utility area directly in my condo, so it’s unrealistic for me to keep a hoard of wet, dirty cleaning rags or a dirty mop hanging around. I know I can save money by cutting out these convenient indulgences, but realistically I know I won’t clean regularly if it’s more difficult.

Decide what is clean enough for you

I would love to have a spotless kitchen, but I’ll settle for doing the dishes every night. I make the bed and run the Roomba every day without fail. My husband takes out the trash, cat litter, and diaper pail every night. Anything else we accomplish on top of that is gravy.

Maybe your list of what must get done on a daily basis is very long or maybe it’s very short like mine. Whatever you decide works for you is clean enough, and you should be so proud of yourself.

Are there any cleaning tips or tricks that really work for you? Have your perspectives on housekeeping changed over time?

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After Dark Banana Bread

Published May 26, 2016 by Christina

I’ve been hooked on The Great British Bake Off ever since I found it on Netflix. It’s got me dreaming of cakes, pies, puddings, and breads. I decided to make banana bread after a whole bunch turned brown. I put them in the fridge for a few days until I had a free evening for baking.

When I Googled for a good banana bread recipe, one of the top hits was from one of my favorite food blogs, Simply Recipes. I’ve made Elise’s version of banana bread before, but I wanted something a little more exciting. I vaguely remembered pinning Deb’s Jacked-up Banana Bread from Smitten Kitchen, another favorite food blog. This recipe was exactly my speed–it calls for booze.

After reading through the recipe, I sent my husband to chase after our kid. It’s nearly impossible for me to work in the kitchen when he’s still awake. While pulling out ingredients, I decided to make a few modifications. I was running low on brown sugar, so I supplemented with white sugar. I also love walnuts.

banana bread set up

I realized we were out of bourbon, but we had whiskey on hand. In true me fashion, I forgot to beat the egg before adding it in. Oops! I made sure to incorporate it thoroughly once I realized my mistake. I couldn’t tell if there was any difference.

IMG_0995

I previously made Simply Recipes’ Chocolate Bourbon Cake, and for me it was a bit too much alcohol, but the tablespoon called for in Smitten Kitchen’s recipe didn’t seem to be enough either. I could hardly taste the whiskey, so if you want a boozier cake, I’d increase it to a quarter cup.

IMG_1021

At the last second I decided to add in chocolate chips, because why not! The consistency was nice and thick but still manageable with a wooden spoon. I buttered a loaf pan and plopped the mixture right in. I took my loaf out of the oven right at 50 minutes because my testers were coming out clean, but next time I’ll leave it in a little longer. Toward the bottom middle it was a bit softer than I would have liked.

after dark banana bread baked

I could wait so I served two slices directly from the loaf pan before it was properly cooled and it was delicious! I loved the moist and chunky texture of this bread. The chocolate chips truly makes it more of a dessert or snack cake than a breakfast food. You can cover the loaf in plastic and it will keep for a few days on the counter (if you can manage not to eat it in a day), or in the fridge if you prefer.

After Dark Banana Bread
 
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Banana bread for grown ups
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
  • 3 to 4 ripe bananas, smashed
  • ⅓ cup melted salted butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon+ whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • scant ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Mix in the sugar, egg, vanilla and whiskey, then the spices.
  4. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.
  5. Add the flours last, mix.
  6. Pour mixture into a buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to one hour, or until a tester comes out clean.
  7. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan (optional) and slice to serve.

 

 

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Five Tools to Inspire Healthy Habits

Published May 24, 2016 by Christina

How many times have I read that routine is good for me? How many articles have I read and then ignored about getting up extra early for deep breath sets, calendaring and to-do lists, and unloading the dishwasher first thing in the morning so my kitchen doesn’t look like a hot mess 24/7? Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not always so great at starting and keeping up with new routines.

Even small changes to my life seem daunting, but big ones–like leaving the stability of one job for another (or like me, to be home with a small child), moving and commuting further, expanding your family, or adopting a healthier lifestyle–can feel overwhelming. So let’s acknowledge the new routines we’ve created in the face of a challenge, and celebrate the bad habits we’ve stopped and the good ones we’ve formed.

tools for healthy habits

Five favorite tools that keep me inspired and motivated to maintain healthy habits:

Some of the following include Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.

Streaks 

Good for: Self-Care

streaks
This premium app is $3.99, and worth every penny.

This app helps me add structure to my day. I like the simplicity of my goals: make the bed, prepare lunches, walk 5k steps, log meals, take a picture. Every day that I complete my tasks feels like a pat on the back. On the days I don’t want to make lunches, I think about this little circle I won’t get to tap and the money I’m going to waste, and it’s just enough incentive to make the trek to the kitchen. It’s easily adaptable for whatever “streak” you want to keep going, whether it’s eating a healthy meal, reading a book, or getting to sleep at a decent time. 

This particular app is for the iPhone, but there’s a similarly named app for Android.

My Fitness Pal

Good for: Diet & Exercise

myfitnesspal
Coffee and wine, a must.

I’m not used to having my entire kitchen at my disposal all day long. By using this app I make deliberate decisions about what I eat, rather than snacking indiscriminately all day long. You can choose your level of interaction with the app and its community, and you can set up your profile for maintaining, losing, or gaining weight. It’s simply for calorie counting (in and out), and I appreciate that approach over other diets or plans. There’s a web interface, which is how I initially signed up years ago, but I find the app much easier to use on a daily basis. I use my FitBit One to track my steps in conjunction with logging my exercise on My Fitness Pal, but you can certainly use any activity tracker or an inexpensive pedometer.

The app and web interface are available for free and with premium monthly and yearly upgrades.

Reminders

Good for: Household & Finance

reminders
I like ticking the little circles when I finish a task.

This built-in iOS app syncs across devices and can be shared with other users. I only recently started meal planning, and I think my success directly relates to communicating easily with my partner about what items we need from the grocery store! We also keep track of coupons and deals on a shared list to maximize our savings. I almost always have my iPhone or iPad nearby so I can remind myself to buy a birthday card, run an errand, and update my shopping list.

Evernote

Good for: Household & Finance, Blogging, Work

evernote
There are a lot of features I have yet to explore.

I recently got Evernote with the intention of using it to keep track of weekly spending. Eating out and coffee runs add up, but sharing a note with my partner will hopefully keep us both in check so we don’t go over budget.

This app is one I see so many bloggers talking about because of its versatility. You can incorporate your Feedly with Evernote to read and save posts, organize and brainstorm ideas, and even start notes right there in the app so they’re ready for when you sit down to write.

There are three tiers of service starting from free to 50 bucks a year, and it’s available for desktop and mobile devices.

A good old fashioned journal

Good for: Self-Care, Diet & Exercise, Household & Finance, Blogging, etc.

riflejournals
Set of 3 journals for ~$9 at Amazon.

I love writing. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane. When I can’t get something done, there’s usually a reason why, and it’s almost always mental. So I write it out. It’s also really inspiring to look back in your journal and see how far you’ve come. 

I have an entire journal dedicated to KonMari. It’s kept me going on my epic purge! I have a journal where I write about finances. When I get stressed about spending, it’s not really about the money, it’s about whatever I was feeling when I was shopping. Why did I spend $17 on cookies and crackers at Trader Joe’s when I only went in for cream and eggs? Why did I buy a lipstick for $24 when I rarely wear the ones I have?

I like to refer to notes in my journal when I’m working on a blog post. It’s inevitable when you’re journaling that something will pop up that you want to share. I have the above Rifle Paper journals and these Moleskine journals. I love that they are thin so I can have multiple in use for specific projects and topics, and they’re lightweight enough that I can toss a few in my bag when I leave the house.

What inspires and motives you to start and maintain a new routine? I’d love to hear about it!

 

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Birthday Shopping Guide

Published May 17, 2016 by Christina

May is a big month in my household. My partner and I have birthdays within ten days of each other and we’re both turning thirty-five! Holy crap! How did that happen? I used to have a lot more anxiety about age, but this year I’m too preoccupied with life transitions to worry about a number.

I don’t need a whole lot of stuff, so the best gift I could get is time. I miss adult interaction, I crave meaningful conversation with friends, I even look forward to bumping into acquaintances around town! I do understand, however, that time is more of a concept and can’t be wrapped up with a bow. Here are some of my favorite birthday presents that pair well with the gift of time:

Some of the following gift ideas contain Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.

I just got the Madewell Transport Tote and I love it. It’s roomy enough to throw in my necessities–laptop, several notebooks, my calendar, and a water bottle. It’s my go-to handbag for my once a week afternoon of errands and writing at a coffeeshop. 

madewell transport tote
Roomy tote in English Saddle leather ($168 at Madewell). You can get it monogrammed too!

I use my favorite Rebecca Minkoff mini purse whenever I get a babysitter for the night. (So, like three times in the last year.) It can hold a surprising amount of stuff, but it’s still dainty and fun and decidedly not a diaper bag. Take this Mini Mac crossbody bag out for drinks, dinner, and a concert. Let loose for a night!

rebecca minkoff black leather mini mac bg
Mini Mac crossbody bag ($150 at Amazon) with fringe! Fringe!

David Chang’s empire of cookbooks and magazines combine kitsch, art, and humor with food. I have Momofuku, Momofuku Milk Bar, 101 Easy Asian Recpies, and the quarterly food journal Lucky Peach in my collection. Give your foodie a few hours to play in the kitchen, and you might end up with a Crack Pie or two.

101 easy asian recipes by lucky peach and peter meehan
An awesome cookbook with American classics like Mall Chicken. I kid you not. (~$23 via Amazon; also available for the Kindle, $18.99)

Why go out for drinks when you can stay in? It’s cozier and the conversation is way better! Get real copper mugs for Moscow Mules and spice them up with my new favorite ginger beer by Cock and Bull ($6.29 at BevMo for club members). 

copper mugs by alchemade
I have these mugs by Alchemade and they taste like real copper pennies! ($14.99 for one via Amazon)

Body wash is my secret weapon to starting the day right. My daily shower may be the only time I get to unwind. Skip the generic bar soap, and go for one of the dozens of delicious Philosophy multi-use washes (shampoo, bubble bath, shower gel).

Vanilla Birthday Cake
I’m dreaming of a Vanilla Birthday Cake bubble bath. ($18 for 16oz at Amazon)

Save time and save money by creating a fun and easy way to pack lunches. How about the Bentgo All In One Stackable Lunchbox? I got this for my friend in her favorite shade of green.

green bentgo lunch box
Make your lunch cute! ($14.99 at Amazon)

Everyone’s schedules are jam packed. If you can’t pick a date to celebrate in person, send a card that’s also art so they can hang it on their wall and enjoy it for longer than just their birthday month.

I Carried a Watermelon mini print
“I carried a watermelon.” My favorite line from Baby in Dirty Dancing. Mini print/post card by Emma M Illustration. ($2.97 via Etsy)

What are some of your go-to gift ideas? Is there anything you’re coveting from afar?

 

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