tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79152964131964570832024-02-06T23:48:34.456-08:00The Art of Doing EverythingAn invitation into my world of travel, food, books, movies, music, fashion, writing, and all the other things that make life wonderful.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-8788834438384527612016-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:002016-02-07T09:54:05.436-08:00Beauty Product Review: OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPH2d4zITVbvX54HYZcW9u70sQBvquyU8mvaBUsIRuNT4brUoFBxY_B0PYlgRF2fnsqHTaGQXEI9UPJO5vGhNfTfLhc7iJoO7n5gw_xq-ZOs-dDIXOo-FMc7jZGz9hyDEvZ8ZGB3a6ME/s1600/ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPH2d4zITVbvX54HYZcW9u70sQBvquyU8mvaBUsIRuNT4brUoFBxY_B0PYlgRF2fnsqHTaGQXEI9UPJO5vGhNfTfLhc7iJoO7n5gw_xq-ZOs-dDIXOo-FMc7jZGz9hyDEvZ8ZGB3a6ME/s400/ocean.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1124405046"></span><span id="goog_1124405047"></span>My skin can typically handle a lot. It doesn't become easily affected by temperature change or trying new or a lot of different products at once. Since I like to take good care of my skin, it's always great when I can try out new cleansers.</span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I recently had the opportunity to sample the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?rh=n%3A3760911%2Ck%3ANatural+Face+Cleanser&keywords=Natural+Face+Cleanser&field-brand=OZ+Naturals&ie=UTF8" target="_blank">OZ Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser</a>. I love anything having to do with the ocean and many body washes I've tried have been ocean-scented. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, what I was hoping to be a fresh, maybe slightly salty smell was not what I experienced with the product. Instead, I was overwhelmed by the chlorine, more medicinal-type smell. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The product itself is gentle on the skin and great for beauty lovers looking for more organic products. There are no parabens, alcohol, or sulfates and it is created to be beneficial for all skin types. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
I feel this <a href="http://amzn.to/1QM50Bx" target="_blank">cleanser</a> would be best for those who have oily skin because it doesn't irritate or leave a film behind. It washes clean. The product itself works well, but I couldn't overcome the smell. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post by BrandBacker. All opinions remain my own.</i></span></div><input type="hidden" id="bbtracker" value="cid381_cmid89647" /><script type="text/javascript" src="//www.brandbacker.com/trk/bb_clk_trk.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-52462532910735913152016-01-26T20:26:00.000-08:002016-01-26T20:26:07.805-08:00Sunday Night Suppers: Crockpot Carnitas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_WRpZq1DGFoQK7fLLHQA17Tz_HdKHTNFXsJUV100DRzvZjK9JqqnvsmRI57reC6VWxEWqksYvDcwMvlapVvRDkGI8tL9SKhLhGZjCwkpZnxiZmCwBdSwXtm4z7LBHkr6md67OGdE3kI/s1600/2016-01-24+12.07.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_WRpZq1DGFoQK7fLLHQA17Tz_HdKHTNFXsJUV100DRzvZjK9JqqnvsmRI57reC6VWxEWqksYvDcwMvlapVvRDkGI8tL9SKhLhGZjCwkpZnxiZmCwBdSwXtm4z7LBHkr6md67OGdE3kI/s640/2016-01-24+12.07.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been inspired again by The Pioneer Woman. I learn so much from her shows; mainly how to make quick, easy and flavorful meals. Being a carnitas lover, I finally decided to take the plunge and try them for myself. TPW made hers in a dutch oven, but I used my trusty crockpot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The beauty of crockpot meals is that you add a bunch of good stuff to the pot, cover it, and then hours later after you've ran your errands, taken a nap, and marathon watched a new show on Netflix, your dinner is ready. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I combined TPW's recipe with a few I found online and came up with what turned out to be delicious carnitas. I bought a 2 lb. pork butt (or shoulder, which I think is essentially the same), and rubbed a few teaspoons of olive oil all over it. Then, rubbed in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then chopped one yellow onion, three jalapenos, two limes, and two oranges and added it all to the pot. Squeeze in the lime and orange juice first and add two bay leaves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first I was apprehensive about not adding any liquid, but the longer it cooks, the pork begins to create its own juices. Trust me when I say, you don't need to add any liquid, but you do need to add more salt and cumin than you think. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After nearly six hours on high in the crock pot, the pork will be ready to easily shred. If not sure, poke at the pork and see if it falls apart. I used two forks and added the pork, peppers, onions, and part of the juice to a Tupperware dish to store in the fridge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Typically, you'd eat your carnitas right away, but due to other plans, we had them the next night. One of my favorite parts of carnitas is when they're crispy, so I added a little bit of olive oil to a pan and turned the heat to medium high. I added the carnitas, onions, and peppers in a thin layer and pressed down with a spatula. In a few minutes, they began to crisp. I flipped them over and did the same to other side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband loved them and so did I! Serve with warm tortillas and top with pico de gallo. For sides roll up corn on the cob with chili butter and cotija cheese in foil. Roast in the over for 20ish minutes on 450 degrees. I also made canned refried beans, but added chicken stock to thin them out and added some cumin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The recipe is delicious the first time around and tasty as leftovers. Plus, the pork butt was only about $7. Another supper success!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next crockpot recipes to try: kalua pork and black bean and chorizo soup. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-49283432466776043752016-01-18T20:33:00.000-08:002016-01-18T20:33:19.756-08:00Roasted Chicken and All the Veggies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkvFBhiJW0f6s1mcyN3wlzDkuxrj5P6r2paP3E59eX1zz8NY0bkuz5TrxqABodAsZTfYToA7UzIQRDUxVQctJTr9GLeeKNQO_ylfyG4n856fnH0VwMVM-9uJPKoOBYuGOkhTye0RRNFc/s1600/2016-01-17+17.23.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkvFBhiJW0f6s1mcyN3wlzDkuxrj5P6r2paP3E59eX1zz8NY0bkuz5TrxqABodAsZTfYToA7UzIQRDUxVQctJTr9GLeeKNQO_ylfyG4n856fnH0VwMVM-9uJPKoOBYuGOkhTye0RRNFc/s640/2016-01-17+17.23.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For someone who doesn't make a huge effort to eat vegetables (besides potatoes), I was able to use everything from my last CSA box before getting the new one today. One of the vegetables that I was nervous to use was fennel. Technically, I think this is an herb...plant...root something? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have never cooked with fennel, but lo and behold Ree Drummond a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman came through with an episode that featured chicken with fennel. I don't know about you, but I am a devout Food Network watcher, her show in particular, and record every episode so that I can watch them before going to bed. What can I say? It's soothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this particular episode, she made sheet pan meals and one of them was chicken thighs roasted atop a bunch of vegetables. Easy. In the crisper, we had carrots, onion, green beans, and the fennel. I bought a lemon at the store and chicken thighs, which together totaled under $7. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similar to what she had done on the show, I mixed olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and dipped the chicken thighs in it before laying them on top of the cut up vegetables. I squeezed more lemon over everything and sprinkled with a little more salt and lemon pepper seasoning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Into the oven (on a foil-lined sheet -- her tips are so great!) for about 50 minutes at 425 degrees and we had a healthy and inexpensive meal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I paired it with rice and beans, which was easy to make, too. Just use one can of kidney beans, one cup of chicken broth, and then add a package of frozen rice. The key is to simmer the kidney beans and broth together for awhile until it becomes thick. Then, add a <i>lot</i> of seasoning! I added salt, garlic powder, a bunch of cayenne, and bay leaf. They turned out really delicious! I'll add andouille sausage next time and make it a full meal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The fennel, which I have read has a licorice taste, was similar to an onion texture with a sweet-ish, almost citrus taste. It worked well with the dish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The thing I'm figuring out as I cook more and more at home is that I have been under-seasoning my food. It's not just lacking salt, but actual seasoning. I mean lemon pepper is a god send and I love heat with nearly anything. If chicken and vegetables seem too plain for you, think about spicing them up. What I made was enough for Sunday night supper plus leftovers for two. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Budget-friendly and healthy -- win for us!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-83753309752675728472016-01-03T14:45:00.000-08:002016-01-16T12:50:34.553-08:00Beauty Product Review: HASK® Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Hair Care Collection <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0uCIrb98mAt5sp53F3CFL2N6248qu5U4-hH85VEavdxvXortLCT_8aN_A73hdfx0ZBTsmf3O-e13FfFWJSVxVN8n6NhpsleNrmd7E8u1W_noC-XUD4nELWCOdJHZfLgica1kNKIpsLI/s1600/2015-12-27+09.18.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0uCIrb98mAt5sp53F3CFL2N6248qu5U4-hH85VEavdxvXortLCT_8aN_A73hdfx0ZBTsmf3O-e13FfFWJSVxVN8n6NhpsleNrmd7E8u1W_noC-XUD4nELWCOdJHZfLgica1kNKIpsLI/s640/2015-12-27+09.18.05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather in sunny, Southern California doesn't get quite as cold as the rest of the country, but the chillier, drier temps can still do a number on my hair. I have thick, long, heavy hair that tends to be on the dry side already, so anything that will add in extra moisture is a must-have for me. I have tried going a day or two without washing it to give my hair a rest, but can't bring myself to do it. It requires daily washing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a savior products like the <a href="http://haskbeauty.com/brand/macadamia/products" target="_blank">HASK</a></span><a href="http://haskbeauty.com/brand/macadamia/products" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">®</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://haskbeauty.com/brand/macadamia/products" target="_blank"> Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Hair Care Collection</a> are for those who want to give their hair a "healthy drink," so to speak. When my hair is at its driest, my hair will soak up anything added to it quickly. This goes for my skin, too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Macadamia oil is a great beauty ingredient for both the hair and skin because it's nourishing and hydrating. For the hair, it leads to shinier strands and more conditioned hair. The HASK</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">®</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> shampoo formula works into a nice lather and rinses clean, meaning that there isn't a film left behind that can be the case with certain oil-based products. The conditioner is best left on the hair for a few minutes before rinsing out with extra love given to the ends. The brush that comes with the collection helps the oil to be distributed evenly through the hair and helps gently detangle any knots. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shampoo and conditioner can be used daily, while the deep conditioning treatment can be saved for once or twice a week. I usually reserve Sunday nights for hair and face masks -- like a mini-beauty night to end the weekend as a treat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After three days of using the products, I have noticed an extra softness to my hair and the oil (just a little bit will do!) helps tame frizz for styling. I tend to have hairs that need smoothed out, especially if I wear my hair in a ponytail. It helps my hair look sleeker and more pulled together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HASK</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">®</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> products can be found online or in your local drugstore or beauty store. There is also a selection of other types of oils to use on your hair. I haven't noticed a difference between argan, coconut, or macadamia oils in products -- they all work well for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're looking for a product that will nourish your hair during the winter months or keep it healthy in the summer, this is a good one to try. It absorbs well into the hair, but doesn't leave it feeling greasy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am trying new products all the time and fortunately, my hair adapts well. What's your favorite hair care product? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post by BrandBacker. All opinions remain my own.</i></span><br />
<br />
<input type="hidden" id="bbtracker" value="cid350_cmid83697" /><script type="text/javascript" src="//www.brandbacker.com/trk/bb_clk_trk.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-57379986238155966862015-12-28T16:38:00.000-08:002015-12-28T16:38:26.569-08:00CSA Box: What I Got, What I Made<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPM28qsOTQ0MuZ0XONIpkulmYvTuwpT2E2Y_7EANZWIxXNfiJRqytHdKXv4A_tA7jBSsybXXxuEYz9caYfDssrkSC9CMwugOemYFcZjB_E9wVQLuJczaz1pFnMWN1y1_9Z1ZFDmAUQpE/s1600/2015-12-21+17.41.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CSA box" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPM28qsOTQ0MuZ0XONIpkulmYvTuwpT2E2Y_7EANZWIxXNfiJRqytHdKXv4A_tA7jBSsybXXxuEYz9caYfDssrkSC9CMwugOemYFcZjB_E9wVQLuJczaz1pFnMWN1y1_9Z1ZFDmAUQpE/s400/2015-12-21+17.41.23.jpg" title="CSA box" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past week I picked up my first CSA (community supported agriculture) box, which I'm sharing with my friend, Kim, who's received it for months already. I like vegetables, but have been pretty limited in using them and usually go for the trusty, steamed broccoli as a side to mostly anything I make that consists of meat and potatoes, which is about 80 percent of the food I cook for my husband and I. We're Midwesterners, what can I say?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter the CSA box from <a href="http://www.bewiseranch.com/picklist.htm" target="_blank">Be Wise Ranch</a> and its bounty of fresh produce. What will I do with: </span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby Bok Choy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Satsumas (had to look this one up)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avocado</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carrots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green Beans</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butternut Squash</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dates</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lemons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring Mix</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zucchini</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Radishes</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far, I've used a less than half the items. The zucchini I used to make zucchini bread, kind of a cheat, since I'm baking it into something and not eating it in its natural form, but rather, shredded and mixed with wonderful things like sugar, butter and nuts. The bread turned out well, but the consistency lumpier than I anticipated and different than zucchinis breads of my past. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwTqoEZlGlHFz1RINntWdfRw2fOhaanC7qjfgV9-uribQs9AXVm1_pKH96G6QColucW578TuUHn1LqdUSyz2-a_NEZ6Gb-ka63cf57RAiIy8EPLzLCqxqs444k0VbUyQfto54ayMpU3c/s1600/rsz_1rsz_1rsz_2015-12-24_115246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwTqoEZlGlHFz1RINntWdfRw2fOhaanC7qjfgV9-uribQs9AXVm1_pKH96G6QColucW578TuUHn1LqdUSyz2-a_NEZ6Gb-ka63cf57RAiIy8EPLzLCqxqs444k0VbUyQfto54ayMpU3c/s400/rsz_1rsz_1rsz_2015-12-24_115246.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This isn't too much of a surprise since my baking skills aren't that great. I messed up sugar cookies a few weeks ago. The kind where you just add egg and oil to the mix. They all melted into one, large sugary cookie, which I covered with frosting and tasted incredible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think this is due to my problem with patience and exact measurements. I am an oven peeker to see if things are done cooking and I eye measurements and toss them in as I go. No nos in the world of baking, I guess.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQggj4dlms0MwRmT4cZOsL9-9FVWMjslNE3lFSZuEJ7vbPV3bMNAWRHXEQ276HRtUNt6c9ak0IDwAAp9lE0JMGP6vhZmyPTNZ7hdVTRLnsX6z5gFSQqDizqApZ8n3qF_KLMpYiKSU8X3M/s1600/2015-12-26+18.49.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQggj4dlms0MwRmT4cZOsL9-9FVWMjslNE3lFSZuEJ7vbPV3bMNAWRHXEQ276HRtUNt6c9ak0IDwAAp9lE0JMGP6vhZmyPTNZ7hdVTRLnsX6z5gFSQqDizqApZ8n3qF_KLMpYiKSU8X3M/s400/2015-12-26+18.49.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I topped the spring mix with a dressing I made of balsamic vinegar, onion, pepper, lemon (also from the box!) and oil drizzled in. I added in random stuff like artichoke hearts and satsumas (oranges from the box), all which turned out pretty tasty. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, I made bacon-wrapped dates because how else are you supposed to eat them? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv12V7KlOApu4spF46vgWr6Tv6mn4DD7Ob0mbxja0przgcw9qp0TajmCcSyVVk4VTpjFpD0Uvw9EGfeHKD13dTGc8fJCZTSEIKGqdtDstF0Kf4cLYF8VBmtjfjtBO6wAUG478woVwXTOY/s1600/2015-12-27+13.08.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv12V7KlOApu4spF46vgWr6Tv6mn4DD7Ob0mbxja0przgcw9qp0TajmCcSyVVk4VTpjFpD0Uvw9EGfeHKD13dTGc8fJCZTSEIKGqdtDstF0Kf4cLYF8VBmtjfjtBO6wAUG478woVwXTOY/s400/2015-12-27+13.08.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me know if you have recipe ideas for what I can do with the rest of the ingredients!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-22915093926367504172015-12-27T20:39:00.002-08:002015-12-27T20:39:50.062-08:00New Entry // 12.27.15<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What can I say? It's only been five months since my last blog post. Don't think I got married and now have nothing left to say! I did get married, but still have tons to say and have been saying it...just not on this blog. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But hey, what good's a blog unless you can care for it and pay attention to it the way YOU want, right? If it was a chore to do it, I wouldn't partake, but now I feel is a fine time to make a return. Just in time for the new year!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-62142655186632000032015-07-05T20:09:00.000-07:002015-07-05T20:09:22.526-07:00Wedding Countdown: 33 Days to Go!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKS8N0WaLATEVMPkXC_3kKuGWfraqBZRaF-Xo3BX3qai43UnOpY0avoWE_Y1HoMVrOew7DqcO5iaeAymCGbv__1bgy4Gv-kg-y6Eiy4TXVG1d7MwmlkHv6fTzSTdmier6u9ird1jDwEQ/s1600/m%2526cengaged_046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKS8N0WaLATEVMPkXC_3kKuGWfraqBZRaF-Xo3BX3qai43UnOpY0avoWE_Y1HoMVrOew7DqcO5iaeAymCGbv__1bgy4Gv-kg-y6Eiy4TXVG1d7MwmlkHv6fTzSTdmier6u9ird1jDwEQ/s400/m%2526cengaged_046.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Katherine Beth Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello, friends.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I was a bit of a brat. I had my heart set on going to the beach, but the sun never came out. Were we or weren't we going to the beach? Mikey waited patiently while I pouted through my indecisiveness. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did end up going to the beach. We did not find a place to park. We came back home and Mikey put on sounds of the ocean he found on YouTube. He said he would shine a light on me since there was no sun. I can't even make this stuff up. The guy is that sweet.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tell you this peek into the life because this is reality. It is the countdown to our wedding. 33 days to be exact (per that trusty resource TheKnot.com) and this is the day-to-day. Him making my life better.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to kind of question when people would call their significant others their "best friend" because it's like, what do you <i>mean</i>? I already have best friends. The person I'm dating is just that - the person I'm dating. But now, being in it, from boyfriend to fiance to husband-to-be -- thank GOD he is my best friend. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mikey has seen me in brat form before. He's been there during my snappiest, hangriest, most stubborn of times. During the times when I've been wrong, and I KNOW it, but still won't give in. And, bless his soul, he just waits for the storm to pass. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The person you marry should be your best friend. Lesson learned. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will also tell you that I never imagined I'd get married. It wasn't on my list of "things to do." It's always been write a novel, move to New York. Or, write a novel, move to the beach. Or, write a novel, travel the world. I'm not anti-marriage or feel like I don't need a man. It just didn't cross my mind that often. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, ok, during Christmastime watching "Love Actually" and when people would say things like, "But you're so smart/funny/single" but other than that, it wasn't something that I had to come to grips with, the fact I might not get married. I was OK.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and my books would be just fine.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because how would I get married <i>and</i> be independent? I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> am an active participant in my life. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when you create your own voice, a certain direction for your life, it's hard not to want to protect it or worry about losing it. It's not romantic. It reeks of narcissism. But, that's the truth of this single gal who eased herself into a relationship.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But h</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ere's the beauty of it: I didn't have to change for him. I was able to remain completely myself, but better!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am calmer. Not because he tells me to relax (the worst!), but over time, you just chill out in the natural way that you do when you live with another human you have respect for. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am smarter. Mikey knows a lot. I know more, of course. But he's pretty smart and I've learned new things. Mostly baseball things. Walk-off homer. I get it now.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am prettier. I didn't do a damn thing different. Mikey just tells me that every day and he's not a liar. So, there you have it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These next 30+ days will be the most I will talk about marriage for probably my whole life, but I'm here to tell you that l</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ove will surprise you in the best possible ways. How accepting it is. How nonjudgemental. How easy it can be. Taking chances become easier. Changing direction is like sweet serendipity. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because when your best friend, whom you love, asks you to marry him, actually gets down on a knee and politely poses the question -- you say YES.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's a no-brainer. You add "get married" to your list, honey. Pass me a pen. Where do I sign? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-52183375868436084262015-06-04T09:27:00.000-07:002015-06-04T09:27:00.853-07:00Where's Courtney: Welcome to Denver, CO (April 2015)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What better excuse to travel than tag-a-long with your significant other on a business trip, which is exactly what I did when Mikey said he was scheduled to speak at a conference in Denver. I'd never been to Denver except for multiple layovers on my way to other destinations. Let's make a weekend of it, shall we? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Denver is a pretty big beer city. They have one of the biggest (or maybe <b>the</b> biggest) beer conventions in the nation. San Diego is known for its craft beer, but Denver is no slouch either. We visited a few of the breweries on an informal beer crawl of our own led by yours truly, including <b>Falling Rock Tap House</b>, which is located on Blake St., one of the more popular walking blocks of the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XvB2r2IrPnUL9Mh3dwfyfWaxFkPOVEg2UnnydmI5gL5xhsxbSziV4NGTUJ_UVpiFUNs1_7EXVWKiOx1CZo4KafYCyHZKFo6OvLevq5HPvFX3V8HSlcxX6fC3AsfWJsjcytpxMWbVjVw/s1600/2015-04-12+13.07.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XvB2r2IrPnUL9Mh3dwfyfWaxFkPOVEg2UnnydmI5gL5xhsxbSziV4NGTUJ_UVpiFUNs1_7EXVWKiOx1CZo4KafYCyHZKFo6OvLevq5HPvFX3V8HSlcxX6fC3AsfWJsjcytpxMWbVjVw/s320/2015-04-12+13.07.58.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also had to take in a Rockies game, but of course. A baseball game is pretty much a given whenever we travel together. Since Mikey used to work for the Rockies, he scored us some pretty sweet tickets and we enjoyed a fun time at <b>Coors Field</b> where I wanted to trick him into getting Rocky Mountain Oysters. Sadly, he already knew what they were, so my plans were spoiled.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz5Zwxm-v7qqUDtzdDdrGtlcDxYfhOA-CqVoY50PmVr_ma2XLVNHr2pdIPt5xuAzjSZOdZbAX5QR7S-xA9fWt2yCucTdP1akzD33vOXp8oKZP9VD9YlzNcUm2A379nCslHmO0PBqQEK4/s1600/2015-04-11+19.04.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz5Zwxm-v7qqUDtzdDdrGtlcDxYfhOA-CqVoY50PmVr_ma2XLVNHr2pdIPt5xuAzjSZOdZbAX5QR7S-xA9fWt2yCucTdP1akzD33vOXp8oKZP9VD9YlzNcUm2A379nCslHmO0PBqQEK4/s320/2015-04-11+19.04.43.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVHLk7MhlZAD7y-b2akDI8155drOQjAtdiP_QlJPU_B0EYF4z0ar6Hte5GMdhCwhNtAPo0KGI-mEDeQDY18iLHcfu7TIKq3TiK-nj-jSRQtEEd6VH79XLxjuf3kB2T-K5K7xc_NXxfec/s1600/2015-04-11+21.54.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVHLk7MhlZAD7y-b2akDI8155drOQjAtdiP_QlJPU_B0EYF4z0ar6Hte5GMdhCwhNtAPo0KGI-mEDeQDY18iLHcfu7TIKq3TiK-nj-jSRQtEEd6VH79XLxjuf3kB2T-K5K7xc_NXxfec/s320/2015-04-11+21.54.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The morning of Mikey's conference, I went to hear him speak and then we met for lunch at<b> Sam's No. 3</b>, a place that's appeared on <i>Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives</i> and I had the pork chili verde which was uh-mazing!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27uiBPO6OlZqw1m4RV1tFcPgxWYsfpkmu8qozA4bRfEEu0LMSmMaQA6aJ1P2BBqljd4XG8H6zFY-S36VDyKgUS1xXNNRBbFRVr4ilNYahO-Mve-HHCBoOtnXEqzjfFf3QJAm9WjjzHKY/s1600/2015-04-11+12.26.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27uiBPO6OlZqw1m4RV1tFcPgxWYsfpkmu8qozA4bRfEEu0LMSmMaQA6aJ1P2BBqljd4XG8H6zFY-S36VDyKgUS1xXNNRBbFRVr4ilNYahO-Mve-HHCBoOtnXEqzjfFf3QJAm9WjjzHKY/s320/2015-04-11+12.26.46.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7Rp5WpaF86iX_Qt5tOUFYVelL5Yuen7aX-gVEreeWZbW8djgc9KF-ClQMGmfMtv810vETgoBYjw6xEh5uQjwc_Gd3TvkanCZIVf-IQYY1zYvNj3X_koQU6K4oFS39j3SGzc1ZPmhVV8/s1600/2015-04-11+12.38.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7Rp5WpaF86iX_Qt5tOUFYVelL5Yuen7aX-gVEreeWZbW8djgc9KF-ClQMGmfMtv810vETgoBYjw6xEh5uQjwc_Gd3TvkanCZIVf-IQYY1zYvNj3X_koQU6K4oFS39j3SGzc1ZPmhVV8/s320/2015-04-11+12.38.23.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also hit up a few bookstores, coffee shops, and I ventured onto <b>Banjo Billy's Tour Bus</b>. Yes, it's a thing. It's nice if you want someone to point out all the main spots of Denver and give you a little bit of history, but I was slightly disappointed since I thought I had signed up for the ghost tour excursion. Apparently, I had not. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After learning this, I kind of fell asleep for a little bit. One thing I did learn is that there is a park in Denver where there used to be a cemetery. The tombstones have been moved to another location, but the bodies haven't! Also, across from the Holiday Inn Express we were staying is an old hotel that used to have an underground tunnel for gentleman to uh, escort ladies back and forth late at night.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Denver is a pretty short getaway from San Diego. If you wanted to make the trip, you could even leave early on Saturday or after work on a Friday and still plan a fun time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next time I go back, I'd like to explore Rocky Mountain National Park, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Stanley Hotel nearby in Estes Park. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-1369675810412529602015-06-01T08:30:00.000-07:002015-06-01T08:30:01.710-07:0050/50 Challenge: Halfway Mark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zxSOFnZqJ6ykO14D8KB9aL8e-Wzz4-Cm84b0-TPi26861S6TgMpY-8hXLp24jxLfPS1yC5JtBV9AEhyphenhyphenyXhw34fzz1pAd48FRXKyB-YK0oCaArTqpS4hCazBE3-VeztMJAozqti8XDf8/s1600/intothewild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zxSOFnZqJ6ykO14D8KB9aL8e-Wzz4-Cm84b0-TPi26861S6TgMpY-8hXLp24jxLfPS1yC5JtBV9AEhyphenhyphenyXhw34fzz1pAd48FRXKyB-YK0oCaArTqpS4hCazBE3-VeztMJAozqti8XDf8/s320/intothewild.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">June marks the halfway point for the 50/50 Challenge. While I've been behind on regularly updating my progress, maybe it's better that I just do it now and then near the end of the year, I can see if 2015 is the year I accomplish my goal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not doing awful, but I'm not doing great either. Since my last update, I've seen the following movies:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#23 - True Story </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#24 - Adult Beginners</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#25 - Welcome to Me </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#26 - Insurgent</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#27 - Pitch Perfect 2</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-36057975-ad32-8db0-aca8-06a0a0c84092"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#28 - Entourage</span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little bit behind on the reading end, per the usual. </span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#11 - Better than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives - Gretchen Rubin</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#12 - The Violets of March - Sarah Jio</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#13 - Into into Wild - Jon Krakauer</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#14 - The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League - Jeff Hobbs</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#15 - The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-36057975-ad33-652e-8d53-5c5313848b53"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#16 - The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho</span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wouldn't even be this far on my book reading if it wasn't for my book clubs and being on pace to read something in order to discuss it later. However, of the ones I've read recently, only one was for book club. </span></span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't know why I never was pulled into reading Into the Wild before now, but I'm so glad I did. Jon Krakauer did an excellent job of mixing journalism with storytelling. I'm eager to read more of his work. The story of Into the Wild reflects many of my own feelings towards "how to live life." I followed up that book by reading a few articles regarding criticism surrounding both Krakauer and Christopher McCandless (whose story the book captures). When someone takes a road that goes so strongly against the norm, it's a given there will be judgment that is mostly based on misunderstanding or non-understanding. These stories are important to tell whether they go against the grain of society or not. Honestly, they're important <i>because</i> they go against the grain of society.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, I digress. Movies-wise, I'm good. I'll make it to 50 and beyond. I'm confident. Books-wise, it's going to be a struggle. I'm open to suggestions for any must see/must read movies and books. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-20037582772712624172015-05-06T13:29:00.001-07:002015-05-06T13:29:19.329-07:00Treat Yo' Self: Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask Product Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IIfx3sMKPSXEnw81T-IJQCsOH-9ndAaJ1b9oxKxsLqDtD2y5XWbun0uS8nb_xd1belbE3E2f8gWvQ0GTUIfmg-Hdl7IfHopU2xTje9XrzD3FfIy1iKM5NyvgLkVXHcZ-LztuLqPdsBQ/s1600/mudmask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IIfx3sMKPSXEnw81T-IJQCsOH-9ndAaJ1b9oxKxsLqDtD2y5XWbun0uS8nb_xd1belbE3E2f8gWvQ0GTUIfmg-Hdl7IfHopU2xTje9XrzD3FfIy1iKM5NyvgLkVXHcZ-LztuLqPdsBQ/s1600/mudmask.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every once in awhile a gal just needs some time for pampering. It doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money or time, but setting aside even an hour dedicated solely to you and you alone can leave you feeling rejuvenated. </span><script src="http://www.brandbacker.com/bob_cl_tk.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">var search_me = '272_62817'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(272,62817);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(272,62817, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);</script><input id="bob_camp_id_272" name="bob_camp_id" type="hidden" value="272" /><input name="bob_camp_mem_id" type="hidden" value="62817" /><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Sunday nights, I usually like to take this time to prep for the week ahead and then relax with either a stack of magazines, reality tv, beauty pampering or all of the above. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">goPURE Naturals has a fantastic face mask for those of you want to do your pampering while in the comfort of your home. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Sea-Mud-Facial-Mask/dp/B00IBS9QC6/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1429143474&sr=8-12&keywords=mud+mask" target="_blank">Adovia Mineral Skincare Dead Sea Mud Facial Mask</a> makes your skin feel loved. It infuses the skin with minerals from Dead Sea mud, in addition to vitamin C, aloe vera gel, and jojoba oil to help nourish the skin and leave it looking healthier. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wash your face per your normal skincare routine and then apply a layer of the mask all over the face and let dry for up to 30 minutes. This formula is different than others in that as it was drying, it didn't crack as much or make my skin feel tight. It was super simple to rinse off, no scrubbing necessary and my face indeed felt smoother and softer. I plan on using this mud mask on a weekly basis, if not more.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't hold back on allowing yourself little luxuries? How do you like to wind down the weekend?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post by BrandBacker. All opinions remain my own.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-15587456117065408032015-04-21T22:03:00.002-07:002015-04-21T22:03:31.995-07:00Celebrate Earth Day with Neutrogena Naturals #WipeForWater Campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOBcopEumJgJullvb_nlNv8gYrP3ETDy1hW4z_3MWZshTORGRILMqf6W4EFnM18kfu0pmxXSJx_mPUUwl5TKNzNDVkFLUOXnKp0wz3OIWcN6vb0diy2wkBUYvZgqsbzxml2jYyefld3w/s1600/ThisOne.png.342x341_q85_crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOBcopEumJgJullvb_nlNv8gYrP3ETDy1hW4z_3MWZshTORGRILMqf6W4EFnM18kfu0pmxXSJx_mPUUwl5TKNzNDVkFLUOXnKp0wz3OIWcN6vb0diy2wkBUYvZgqsbzxml2jYyefld3w/s1600/ThisOne.png.342x341_q85_crop.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just in time for Earth Day, Neutrogena and Influenster has hooked up a few of us lucky ones with their Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes while they encourage everyone to #WipeForWater. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When water conservation is necessary (as it often is here in Southern California), these wipes come in handy to leave your face looking fresh and clean. This beauty product has a subtle, pleasing smell and removes dirt, oil, and makeup. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They're perfect to take to the gym and definitely a must have while traveling. I'm mostly impressed with how hydrating and nourishing they are for the skin. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wipes contain vitamins B and C and Peruvian Tara Seed, which aids in preventing dehydration in the skin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are easy to toss in your tote or travel bag and can be used day or night to leave your skin looking and feeling refreshed. They are definitely one of my new favorite products for makeup removal. They are 97% made from natural fibers and have not been tested on animals. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Eco-friendly and effective, what more could you want? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I received these products complimentary from Influenster for test purposes. All opinions remain my own.</i></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-49629750228999856672015-04-05T21:19:00.000-07:002015-04-05T21:20:10.324-07:0050/50 Challenge Update<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYR07ZASwJ568cGDnN86RP-u-J4zL0jJ2ldpU5Nj1TiNB23d1P8jkOYM4tCK6eZWW3Mlr3qNS2XbSRUoMTGB2MgdqF2Op0677BGqdHmV6sj9Go1xisVR56xMb0u_HMsgZyIXn-YlWvmc/s1600/thegirlontrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYR07ZASwJ568cGDnN86RP-u-J4zL0jJ2ldpU5Nj1TiNB23d1P8jkOYM4tCK6eZWW3Mlr3qNS2XbSRUoMTGB2MgdqF2Op0677BGqdHmV6sj9Go1xisVR56xMb0u_HMsgZyIXn-YlWvmc/s1600/thegirlontrain.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, well, well, it's been awhile. Is it good to not have time to blog or am I not devoting myself to it like I should? I haven't had time, busy little bee I am, but I also haven't <i>made</i> the time either. Shame. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll be traveling this week, which means I'll need to pass the time and what better way to do it than update my blog. In the meantime, I have been making slow progress on the 50/50 Challenge. I think this may be one of my slowest starts to date. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've seen three new movies: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cb8-eb3e-076e-473f49d91d21"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cb8-eb3e-076e-473f49d91d21"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#20 - The Wrecking Crew </span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cb8-eb3e-076e-473f49d91d21"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#21 - Get Hard</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#22 - Furious 7</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The Wrecking Crew" is a cool film I saw at Ken Cinema (my first time there!) about this group of musicians who pretty much played for every big band of the 50s and 60s, including The Beach Boys, which was one of the main reasons we went to go see the movie. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love the roll that Kevin Hart is on and while the previews didn't look that hilarious, "Get Hard" made me laugh harder than I intended. Maybe I was just in need of a good laugh that night, but I giggled pretty much throughout. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can read my full review of "Furious 7" on Examiner.com, but as a huge fan of Paul Walker I have to say it was sad to see this one, especially at the end. The movies are just a lot of fun and you can tell they make them for the fans alone and that's what's important. They're so ridiculously awesome. I just hope they don't make any more because how could they go on without Paul? </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book-wise I only read a dismal two. Or, maybe I read more and forgot to list them, which would be worst! The two I read were pretty great though and I recommend both of them. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cbb-c89a-4c10-042dbe2e432e"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cbb-c89a-4c10-042dbe2e432e"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#9 - The Autumn Balloon - Kenny Porpora</span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c829ab3e-8cbb-c89a-4c10-042dbe2e432e"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#10 - The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kenny Porpora's book is a memoir about him growing up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic mother and a bordering-on-homeless father, but it's written in a way that doesn't evoke pity. There are definitely sad parts to it, but you can tell the writer took to heart that he was writing about his family and did not pass judgment on them or their struggles. I like reading about people who surpass adversity to succeed.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the debut novel by Paula Hawkins, I couldn't really put it down. It's a mystery, which I love and I honestly didn't figure it out until about three-fourths the way through. The character detail is amazing and the style keeps the pace moving because it's told from various perspectives. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There you have it. Chugging steadily along. More soon. I hope.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-70944185465397253582015-03-10T18:04:00.000-07:002015-03-10T18:04:21.729-07:00New Recipes Resolution: Chicken Stir Fry with Veri Veri Teriyaki from Soy Vay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cfvhcXmB71IGesIBJ3ZVfI-cwSU5aByocXx85cvEQNfDAvEnD2YXB9CuBbPG_Vw0SeW0TZ9XMmdQ-c4fv2frlpyBtZ1nw6iAYz1DdK0ZbwtqdytXzw6zT_cX8MnfpgI8oIaYij68rhU/s1600/2015-02-27+17.54.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cfvhcXmB71IGesIBJ3ZVfI-cwSU5aByocXx85cvEQNfDAvEnD2YXB9CuBbPG_Vw0SeW0TZ9XMmdQ-c4fv2frlpyBtZ1nw6iAYz1DdK0ZbwtqdytXzw6zT_cX8MnfpgI8oIaYij68rhU/s1600/2015-02-27+17.54.37.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I've posted a new recipe. Not that I haven't been cooking; I have! I just haven't been documenting as well as I should be or as eagerly as I was at the beginning of the year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't that how it goes? The new year burst of energy runs its course around springtime? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, I still am partially sticking to my resolution of trying new recipes, just not as often as I aimed for. Progress, not perfection, my friend says. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Klout has gifted me with quite a few goodies in recent months and the latest Klout Perk I received from them was the Veri Veri Teriyaki from Soy Vay. The perk came with a full bottle of sauce to try and recipe cards. However, I knew immediately that I wanted to make a stir fry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Why? Because it's really tough to screw up stir fry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess you can't really count this as a new recipe since I've made stir fry before, more like a new product. It's really quite simple, all you need to do is: </span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy cut up chicken (or cut it up yourself) and cook in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil; pepper your chicken, but do not salt if you're using this sauce!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the chicken is cooked, add in your stir fry veggies: snow peas, broccoli, carrots, bamboo shoots. You can buy a mixture at the store. Fresh or frozen, it's your choice, make sure you cook them long enough so they're not raw, but also so they don't become limp either. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the Soy Vay sauce to the pan. I would use a little more than half of the bottle. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Served with steamed rice. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Soy Vay sauce was tasty, but a bit on the salty side, so do <i>not</i> add any extra salt to your dish. I added a few shakes of chili flakes and then Sriracha sauce to my individual portion. I like things spicy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next time I am going to marinate the meat in the sauce first and the cook it. I'm a fan of their product, especially after reading their adorable </span><a href="https://www.soyvay.com/the-legend/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">About Us story</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from their site. Too cute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, here is my humble offering from one of the many resolutions I have set for 2015. Any recipe ideas, feel free to send my way! Comment below or send me a tweet to @mscourtneybeth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Klout sent this product for free as part of their influencer program. All opinions remain my own.</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-68125593878703785072015-03-07T18:54:00.003-08:002015-03-07T18:54:19.692-08:00Product Review: Peppermint & Lemon Essential Oils from InstaNatural<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgPhw6XFB7MLPPZdLoW1_FM2Lcuki-4dcFrjkCEMIFH_G9CzweGKjxU2DJn_1y4P9gTEJb8hoJZ0lc-MCr-bTxwoGJNn4QzTbRgCM17k97Wquv24NW7Hap_neaadjoyEmeNTPLITKAJk/s1600/rsz_2015-02-21_115245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgPhw6XFB7MLPPZdLoW1_FM2Lcuki-4dcFrjkCEMIFH_G9CzweGKjxU2DJn_1y4P9gTEJb8hoJZ0lc-MCr-bTxwoGJNn4QzTbRgCM17k97Wquv24NW7Hap_neaadjoyEmeNTPLITKAJk/s1600/rsz_2015-02-21_115245.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never used essential oils before, but I do know it's all the rage, especially for people devoted to Pinterest. There are a limitless amount of ideas and recipes for creating your own bath products, including lotions, bath salts, and scrubs. Honestly, I wasn't sure how I wanted to use my samples at first, but found two fantastic uses for each of the oils I received. </span><script src="http://www.brandbacker.com/bob_cl_tk.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">var search_me = '213_50683'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(213,50683);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(213,50683, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);</script><input id="bob_camp_id_213" name="bob_camp_id" type="hidden" value="213" /><input name="bob_camp_mem_id" type="hidden" value="50683" /><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Note: Due to unavailability, I did not receive the Lavender Essential Oil, which would've been great to rub into my temples before bed or take with me to yoga. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://instanatural.com/" target="_blank">InstaNatural Lemon Essential Oil</a> is highly fragrant and I could smell it before even unpacking the shipping box. Its strong scent was citrusy and fresh-smelling and turned out to be perfect for cleaning my stove. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cooking can get messy and leave behind food and grease stains that can be hard to get off. I use cleaning supplies from the store, but they always leave behind that unappealing chemical smell. This time to clean up, I decided to apply the Lemon Essential Oil directly to the stove and wiped down with a cloth. While it didn't get every single spot, it still did a better job of cleaning my stove than the products I had, while also leaving behind a nice smell. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took the InstaNatural Peppermint Essential Oil to the bathroom. Until recently, we've been having a bit cooler weather and at night, nothing is better than taking a hot shower to relax before bed. I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">added two droppers of the Peppermint Essential Oil directly to my shower to create an invigorating scent that helped clear up my sinuses and make my shower feel more luxurious. Though lavender is a more calming scent, the peppermint actually helped both me and my guy feel more relaxed before bed. He commented that it reminded him of when he gets a shave at the barbershop and how good it makes him feel.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many ways you can use essential oils and these are just two of the ways I've tried so far. <a href="http://instanatural.com/" target="_blank">InstaNatural</a> products use all organic ingredients and come in easy-to-use bottles perfect for mixing up your own concoctions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How have you used essential oils before? Have any "recipe" recommendations for me?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post by BrandBacker. All opinions remain my own.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-23026902744809771842015-03-02T18:16:00.000-08:002015-03-02T18:19:47.748-08:0050/50 Challenge: Books and Movies Update<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziJlX1Ej8Edrn0VoTtVCITfY3e2XGoZjl38x-6vVPdHgcK60stB6g-hHTbH6K-ElJvPYLBHWeUmKsITW5TWHV6uPJ1IhjwOq6ut94Sg9oYcBczZguewO-2fiQYRSWOt7LGbyac_o9P4I/s1600/lena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziJlX1Ej8Edrn0VoTtVCITfY3e2XGoZjl38x-6vVPdHgcK60stB6g-hHTbH6K-ElJvPYLBHWeUmKsITW5TWHV6uPJ1IhjwOq6ut94Sg9oYcBczZguewO-2fiQYRSWOt7LGbyac_o9P4I/s1600/lena.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
image from Pinterest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Currently, I'm reading another John Green book. He's the author that wrote <i>The Fault in Our Stars. </i>I'm a fan of his writing style and how he seems to capture the voice of young adults. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book was turned into a movie and I just read that screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">are adapting another one of his books to hit the screen this summer and more recently acquired </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking for Alaska. </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The writers are also working on screenplays for two other book club reads: <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette?</i> and one my favorites <i>Me Before You</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the list of movies I've seen since my last update was another book-to-screen adaptation. "Still Alice" was an emotional book and the movie (which Julianne Moore won Best Actress for) made me teary-eyed as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Whiplash" was one of my favorite movies that I've seen recently. I was very happy to see J.K. Simmons win the Oscar for his performance and "Birdman" was not nearly as weird as I had heard it would be. I rather enjoyed it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Shall We Dance?" is a movie I've been meaning to see for awhile because, I mean, Richard Gere. It's a fun, rainy day, flipping through cable kind of movie, and I love how in this movie they didn't follow a bad cliche of a man struggling in his marriage having an affair. Yay for Richard Gere's character putting the romance (and dance) back into his marriage!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#15 - Shall We Dance?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#16 - Kingsman: The Secret Service</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#17 - Whiplash</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#18 - Birdman</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-2bd0178e-d7a4-8884-ce3e-1b717cf6526e"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#19 - Still Alice</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've only read two more books: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">#7 - It Was Me All Along - Andie Mitchell</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#8 - Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness - Susannah Cahalan</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both of these books were interesting because they were based on real events of the authors. The one by Andie Mitchell follows her weight-loss journey in a sincere and inspiring way. Her honesty was refreshing. I received that book complimentary of Blogging for Books.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book by Susannah Cahalan is fascinating. At times it can be too clinical because it discusses a lot of her medical records, but an interesting read nonetheless. I like the parts discussing her work life at <i>The New York Post</i>. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the beginning of the year, I had thought I would update my review and book lists on Goodreads. If you couldn't tell, I have failed at this resolution. However, I am still dutifully keeping track and at this rate I predict having my movies covered by June and my books covered late December, per the usual. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Share any books or movies that you think I should put on my list!</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-53142934905292787702015-03-01T14:55:00.000-08:002015-03-01T14:57:02.958-08:00Beauty Review: Pura d'or Hair & Body Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC5yH5ALKD1ynJGD5nhOgpDOji7boL-p-olscO9NOxatg-t5Sm6Zwf3vjutRRgeGrhePzMGPuR3ouv_W-bbpJVDtUhhF9_RKDu-mJazm5SfnxtZOtnTnPrhAKN2G8HwZOSz6DuYgkS3k/s1600/v2MLFOFoRpqFipHUp5Ah_Blogger+Package.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC5yH5ALKD1ynJGD5nhOgpDOji7boL-p-olscO9NOxatg-t5Sm6Zwf3vjutRRgeGrhePzMGPuR3ouv_W-bbpJVDtUhhF9_RKDu-mJazm5SfnxtZOtnTnPrhAKN2G8HwZOSz6DuYgkS3k/s1600/v2MLFOFoRpqFipHUp5Ah_Blogger+Package.png" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's always great when I have the opportunity to try new products. Recently, I had the chance to try three separate beauty products (all full-size) from the <a href="http://bit.ly/puradorblogger" target="_blank">Pura d'or Hair & Body Care</a> line. I received the: </span><br />
<script src="http://www.brandbacker.com/bob_cl_tk.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">var search_me = '218_49909'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(218,49909);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(218,49909, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);</script><input id="bob_camp_id_218" name="bob_camp_id" type="hidden" value="218" /><input name="bob_camp_mem_id" type="hidden" value="49909" /><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Premium Organic Argan Oil Based Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Premium Organic Argan Oil Based Conditioner, Lavender Vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pure and Organic Argan Oil</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My hair is thick and long, which made the first product inapplicable to me. This product has a stronger scent, more clinical than soothing, and it seemed drying to my hair. But again, I am not the ideal candidate for this type of product. It just came as part of the complete package. I may send it to my mom who may benefit from it better than I will since she has always had thin hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second product, the conditioner, had a calming smell of lavender. Since I shower before bed, the aromatherapy kind of helps set my mind to relaxation mode. I worked this product mostly into the ends of my hair. I did feel like I had to use more than I typically do for conditioner, but the smell and product itself worked nicely on my hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use the Argan Oil following my shower, also on the ends of my hair, to further aid in conditioning, especially since my hair becomes drier during the colder month. Sometimes I will rub some of the oil between my palms and apply to my hair in the morning to tame flyaways. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many <a href="http://www.purador.com/blogger/the-art-of-doing-everything" target="_blank">beauty lovers</a> like using products that are all organic. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One fantastic perk of using these products is that you can do so knowing that you are using 100% natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals. Everything is organic and the company is animal cruelty free. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you tried Pura d'or products before? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post by BrandBacker. All opinions remain my own.</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-4669753040191764662015-02-22T15:34:00.002-08:002015-02-22T15:43:43.051-08:00February Birchbox Review: Rent the Runway Collaboration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokUiwIw1ZAJMukTTh2KCXi781YvvrVbcrWz3nIF_O5AX5kruFXMJ9mASiFmw-WwnU5sacDUsvg4X6rvQ3xJpwkGXv1v7PjoyyLO6V1WEu-magAw09tfLUiVvtsbE0TM0IMTQWHzG_uk0/s1600/2015-02-16+12.45.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokUiwIw1ZAJMukTTh2KCXi781YvvrVbcrWz3nIF_O5AX5kruFXMJ9mASiFmw-WwnU5sacDUsvg4X6rvQ3xJpwkGXv1v7PjoyyLO6V1WEu-magAw09tfLUiVvtsbE0TM0IMTQWHzG_uk0/s1600/2015-02-16+12.45.32.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the first month for me to get one of the specially-curated boxes that Birchbox offers. If you're new to Birchbox, every month subscribers have the option of receiving the regular subscription with products chosen based on your profile or the curated box which includes items from the brand they've teamed up with for the month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For February, Birchbox joined with Rent the Runway to give an "all about the details" box and it was filled with some fantastic products. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>derma e </b><b>Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Scrub | Full-size, $12.95 </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a fan of derma e products, especially their night cream. This product works fantastically, makes my skin feel baby soft. The only slight drawback is the clinical smell, which is to be expected due to its ingredients. Fortunately, the scent isn't lingering and the results are worth it. I got the formula for normal to oily skin and I have dry to normal skin. Thought it'd affect my skin and have it flake, but it worked well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo | Full-size, $10-$20</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gives you salon-fresh hair. I've been using dry shampoo more when my hair needs a pick-me-up. I haven't yet to use it post-workout when my hair is exceptionally sweaty, but the product works well on my roots. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Net Soap, Radio Body Wash - The Stuff that Cupid dips his arrows in | Full-size, $16</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love, love, love the packaging. The smell, not so much. The product lathers well, but the blackberry/vanilla scent is too overwhelming for me (guess I don't enjoy those pheromone inducers!). However, I am one of the few who do not like the smell of Victoria's Secret bath products and this scent is similar to those. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sumita Color Contract Eyeliner| Full-size, $11-$21</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The blue/teal color is remarkable. Not a color I'd use everyday, but it's a little bit rock 'n roll for a fun makeup look. It has great pigment and glides on easily. I'm happy that Birchbox sent me something I normally wouldn't pick for myself, but will definitely use. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">theBalm Read My Lips | Full-size, $15</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The product was a mismatch for me. Anything bubblegum pink does not work well for my skin tone. It makes it look like I have frosted makeup. The texture was stickier rather than shiny. Not a fan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, another beauty-ful box. There will always be a few misses among all the hits, and I love my first curated box experience. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have yet to sign up for Birchbox and want to get beauty products delivered to your mailbox every month, then you can use my referral link by clicking <a href="https://www.birchbox.com/invite/mscourtneybeth" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-14217402217029639322015-02-02T17:27:00.000-08:002015-02-02T17:27:00.036-08:00Monday Musings: Settling into 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcUT-vpOBz8SEL2t0HJVH-87RzqaY5PYnLPzzS5hS_e1r5hAKOhsropu9khkWB7GJH0CbT-X18V9c4Yj9Qr5b7L_05KGhlPLHCi6Ae3UjppXPrrrcGE33BuLh5zyAU-dTOCFBkzWJsfk/s1600/2015-02-01+11.18.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcUT-vpOBz8SEL2t0HJVH-87RzqaY5PYnLPzzS5hS_e1r5hAKOhsropu9khkWB7GJH0CbT-X18V9c4Yj9Qr5b7L_05KGhlPLHCi6Ae3UjppXPrrrcGE33BuLh5zyAU-dTOCFBkzWJsfk/s1600/2015-02-01+11.18.31.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NORTH PARK - 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's get real for a minute. You know how at the first of the year, your mind is brimming with all these great intentions for the new year and you get off to a running start and think, this year is going to be the BEST year? Well, I still think that, but already, I have slipped behind on some of my goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Case in point, this blog. I was proud of keeping up my blogging on a daily basis, planning out a content calendar a week in advance, but then life stepped in and I was sidetracked by other things, i.e. writing for other people. So goes the work/life balance when your life is writing...but, so is your work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No complaints, of course. I just think January threw everything up in the air and I had to wait to see how it was going to land. A lot of things started falling into place rather quickly (after what seemed like a long time of waiting!), which left with me little time to blog for pleasure. I feel now for the start of February, the dust has settled a little and I can start a new routine. A new routine that is more balanced and more to my liking! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the big things with starting a new year is getting rid of things that no longer serve you and for better or worse, that's exactly what I got to do last month. Most of the time we hang onto things because we feel like we have something left to prove either to ourselves or others, but once we just let go, it's freeing. It opens up the door for more opportunities, better opportunities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also STILL have not finished my book that I made such good progress on during November and December, but though stalled, I still plan to finish. Why is it so tough to just get to the end?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January is that time to take all the excitement and zero in on what you want to achieve, but February is realizing that those goals may change or may be less important than what you initially had wanted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continue to write creatively as much as I possibly can. I am still focused on doing one thing each month outside my comfort zone. In January, I learned how to samba. While most of the time, I felt like a newborn horse stumbling around, I had fun and stopped taking myself so seriously, which was the point. And, I added more walking into my life, which is so good for the soul. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How have your goals shaped up for the first month of 2015? Have they taken a new direction? Mine have, but I'm embracing just going with the flow.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-19592965769257207002015-02-01T19:02:00.000-08:002015-02-01T19:03:10.964-08:0050/50 Challenge: Books and Movies Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocAlbTkX2gflH3MdP41cpycHKCDF_chZPOCd-MrHJ3Q4PmQwz1ZRxhRaE8cLaLo4TWcjWgEso8QAy2HctUVfl5o5GAKR5UsQ9VojDk-skSzAh-Jj4FAvAt5HkK8critZu4n3jChp_2Xc/s1600/Blogging_for_Books_Lockup_2.jpg" height="420" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: #00a6bb; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.0000057220459px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">http://www.BloggingForBooks.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well...I've already fallen off the movie documenting wagon. This year, I was going to review every movie I saw, whether new or not, but this quickly has come to a halt. Maybe I was overreaching for this goal? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since my last challenge update, I've seen nine new movies, four of which I reviewed on <a href="http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-san-diego/courtney-hartmann" target="_blank">Examiner.com</a>. They are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#6 - American Sniper</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#7 - Blackhat</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#8 - The Wedding Ringer</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#9 - The Equalizer</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#10 - Gliz Zii (The Uncles)</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-2bd0178e-482a-da6a-29fe-173254b3a756" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#11 - Trespass</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#12 - The Boy Next Door</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#13 - The Negotiator </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#14 - The Life of David Gale</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The Life of David Gale" is a movie I've been wanting to see for a long time, but never took the time to just watch it. After finally checking this out from the library, I got to enjoy another deadpan Kevin Spacey performance. I was able to figure out the twist beforehand, which I credit to my TV watching of shows like Scandal, Stalker, and Scorpion. Oh hey, alliteration.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you haven't seen "American Sniper," I highly recommend it due to Bradley Cooper's phenomenal performance. I read his Vanity Fair interview, which said that he stayed in character throughout the duration of filming and packed on something like 20 or 30 pounds of muscle. Can't say that I wouldn't be happy if he took home the Oscar.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you're wanting a laugh, see anything with Kevin Hart. "The Wedding Ringer" isn't highly original, but it's a fun, feel-good time. If you want to cry from wasting your money, see "Blackhat" because that was one of the worst movies I've seen in some time. I think the one before that was "Godzilla."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On to books! The last two I've read are:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#5 - Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-2bd0178e-482f-4c2f-69be-f51593cd70d8"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#6 - Eating Wildly: Foraging for Love, Life and the Perfect Meal - Ava Chin</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first one was the focal point of a good discussion at book club. I, not a true fan of the book, was fascinated by others' point of view. My big hangup with books like this is that it seems to have an "all or nothing" attitude surrounding it, which makes it a little tough to want to "lean in" all the way. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Listening to others who truly enjoyed the book, it helped me not look at it with such a critical eye. Regardless of viewpoint, I think it's an important topic of discussion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ava Chin's book is different from anything I've read before. She discusses her life foraging for roots and vegetables in New York City. I love any stories that talk about Manhattan, as I consider that city my first true love, and her unique adventures there are an interesting perspective to a different type of cooking. The book interweaves stories of her family, whom she is close with, and also her romantic relationships, too. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm currently reading It Was Me All Along, a memoir by Andie Mitchell, which I'm enjoying so far. I got this one for free from Blogging for Books. If you like free books, sign up with the site. They send you one free book for each review you leave. It's pretty easy and the books are sent out quickly. This is the fourth book I've received from them since signing up. They have new selections all the time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I'm off to a good start for the first month of the 2015 challenge. Let's see if I can keep that momentum. Any book or movie suggestions, send my way!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-4783441032456531692015-01-28T07:30:00.000-08:002015-01-28T07:30:00.135-08:00January Birchbox Review: 2015. Let's Do This. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PifsUHaEadQKA42Xi2DLqspEkjuPmtMVEI3zbFQFuI3ObplI143PJIJeqoVJbHnJN5AKpRv-eNPvqeb_f3IiIBSCYJzZYHI2ZUQJ5ItY150yUq2a5nIgEmIIOctioMi_NsuP8qUO-Jo/s1600/2015-01-13+16.59.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PifsUHaEadQKA42Xi2DLqspEkjuPmtMVEI3zbFQFuI3ObplI143PJIJeqoVJbHnJN5AKpRv-eNPvqeb_f3IiIBSCYJzZYHI2ZUQJ5ItY150yUq2a5nIgEmIIOctioMi_NsuP8qUO-Jo/s1600/2015-01-13+16.59.10.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love being part of the Birchbloggers group on Facebook where we all talk about makeup, beauty products, and of course, Birchbox! This is my inaugural Birchbox review and I got an extra bonus this month with the Love, Lashes and Lipstick book, which I haven't had time to read since this month's been a bit hectic. Is there any other way to enter a new year? </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, without further ado -- here we go:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion | Full-size, $19</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a fan of this product line. When the product description says invigorating, they mean it. It's a little strong at first, makes me flashback to me as a young child having Mentholatum smeared on to help me with congestion (or whatever it was meant to help). But, the smell quickly turns subtle and more spa-like. I have the body wash sample in the shower and the body lotion by my bedside to rub into my arms, hands, and elbows before bed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Katherine Cosmetics Everyday Eyeliner | Full-size $26</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This eyeliner glides on well and doesn't smudge. I liked trying the dark brown color since I usually use black. The color is a better choice for a daytime, more natural look. It's a pretty high price point for me for an eyeliner, so let me know if you have any drugstore recommendations. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Key West Aloe Gentle Aloe Facial Cleanser | Full-size $16.50<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca-S4HGy53QW_QCpZyQSiJgngiPBG9huvFBm_g1beLs4g6UgkjY_5funbynYzHojLnCyRpf8sSLbDWIhboZ92LRIzB2mRG_q5luAwlCAI4vpZ8efWDP3vc5-UfNNE1OYfKkDbT1ioLA4/s1600/bb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca-S4HGy53QW_QCpZyQSiJgngiPBG9huvFBm_g1beLs4g6UgkjY_5funbynYzHojLnCyRpf8sSLbDWIhboZ92LRIzB2mRG_q5luAwlCAI4vpZ8efWDP3vc5-UfNNE1OYfKkDbT1ioLA4/s1600/bb1.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was excited for this product after several people posted that they liked the line. I've tried this product and the lotion and...I wasn't crazy about either. I don't think the facial cleanser lathers that well and with the wide variety of beauty products available, I'm going to skip this line in the future.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask | Full-size $55</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not my favorite mask. The smell was a bit off-putting and I was underwhelmed. I like the thicker cream or charcoal masks. It's not a bad product, just not for me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sweet Science Invisible Daily Tint SPF 35 | Full-size $45</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three cheers for face products with a higher SPF! I love the lightweight feel of this product and how easily it glides on. I would use this as a stand alone in the summer when I ease up on my makeup routine, but in the winter, I still pair it with more coverage from a BB cream or foundation.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Extra January Favorite: Herbal Essences Naked Collection Shampoo, Dry Shampoo and Conditioner </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This did NOT come in my Birchbox, but I was sent samples from Klout for Herbal Essences newest line, which I love, and I'm adding it to my January list of favorites. The dry shampoo is fantastic and I used the BOGO coupon Klout sent to get the full-size shampoo and conditioner. It leaves my hair smelling fresh and it makes my hair feel super clean and hydrated. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look forward to getting my Birchbox in the mail every month and it's fun learning from other bloggers and YouTubers about new products to try. Let me know if you have any recommendations of recent must-haves you've used!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-83630691412263540352015-01-27T19:46:00.000-08:002015-01-28T21:36:55.762-08:00New Recipe Resolution: Homemade Mac and Cheese<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj91ElSS2ZQc2oywRBzAyzNeyKxSShef-716dhQRA6Xy7m7H9lWyOOeAiQjIsvdnCCuZy6TtsHuk9qUKgAMDYmAS1U5vuGgNFrqXT2K8LVeoh-DUH869oNo7P4VIqerXrd0g-gwn6m9Y/s1600/2015-01-26+12.11.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj91ElSS2ZQc2oywRBzAyzNeyKxSShef-716dhQRA6Xy7m7H9lWyOOeAiQjIsvdnCCuZy6TtsHuk9qUKgAMDYmAS1U5vuGgNFrqXT2K8LVeoh-DUH869oNo7P4VIqerXrd0g-gwn6m9Y/s1600/2015-01-26+12.11.39.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had a long relationship with macaroni and cheese. Earliest memories come from the good ol' Kraft blue box variety, either with or without cut up hot dogs mixed in. It was a treat when I was upgraded to the Velveeta shells and cheese (which I no longer have the taste for, sadly). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, of course, there was the progression into college and the many packs of Easy Mac I went through to save money and stay fed. And, now in my adult years, whenever I see this comfort food on a menu, I order it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homemade mac and cheese is easy to make, as you can imagine. I mean there are only a few other things to throw in besides the title ingredients, but I feel there is an art in making it that I have yet to perfect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I make a good one, but definitely not the best I've ever had. It's getting the right mix of cheeses, a well-seasoned sauce, and the delicious crumb topping just right. The latest version I made included cheddar, white cheddar, and a mixture of Parmesan and Romano cheeses. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Note: The Pioneer Woman says to grate your own cheese for better melting. She is right, of course. I love her.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, you have to create a thickening agent by combining melted butter, flour, and milk and whisking away over a medium heat. Add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste and then slowly add handfuls of whatever cheeses you'd like to melt into the mixture slowly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've put together this recipe based on a combination of recipes I've seen online and by watching Food Network.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boil and drain your macaroni noodles and don't overcook them. You want them to be able to hold up to the cheese. Add the cheese sauce, mixing it all together so every noodle gets some of the action. Transfer to a greased baking pan and add the crumb topping, which is melted butter mixed with bread crumbs and a little more cheese. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pop in the over at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. I usually just put it in with whatever else I have cooking. The top will get nice and golden. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With baked mac and cheese, you're most likely going to have a few clumps of cheese, which I like! Grating the cheese by hand helped, but I cheated with the Parmesan and Romano cheeses and used the shredded kind in the bag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Homemade Mac and Cheese:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- a few tablespoons of butter, melt slowly in a saucepan over medium heat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- a tablespoon or two of flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- salt, pepper, paprika to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1/2 c. to a 1 cup each of cheddar, white cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano (again, use whatever cheeses you think would be good - like Gruyere!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 package of macaroni or whatever shape of pasta you'd like</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Topping:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 2 tablespoons of melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 3/4 c. of bread crumbs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- more cheese!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This makes a whole pan full of mac and cheese, which is good because I think it's even better the next day as leftovers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the eats!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-69844765661448191872015-01-19T14:23:00.001-08:002015-01-19T14:23:41.147-08:00Monday Musings: Turning the Corner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WxaAfa4NjwpZ0qttWzFZCan5QIOKZjYMzhfS7eMO5t4opSz5HjX2z3BjyU2j4DlH0pAEhZuvkYyYFzZ2JCxbwYlJuvCtfiP2uzACxHwh2d17IQdATlXRpK6c_lyA4CzGNK5ZViNxqXg/s1600/mlk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WxaAfa4NjwpZ0qttWzFZCan5QIOKZjYMzhfS7eMO5t4opSz5HjX2z3BjyU2j4DlH0pAEhZuvkYyYFzZ2JCxbwYlJuvCtfiP2uzACxHwh2d17IQdATlXRpK6c_lyA4CzGNK5ZViNxqXg/s1600/mlk.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking a break from my writing schedule to well, write this blog post and keep up with my 2015 goal of contributing more to my own creative endeavors. This week has already begun with good news and I had an impromptu lunch with Mikey, so I'd say I'm off to a wonderful start. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you ever feel like you are five steps ahead of people and just waiting for others to catch up? In some cases, I am guilty of instant gratification. If I need to know the answer to something, I want to know right now. But, usually that's not how the universe works. It's not just going to lay out your life before you, so you can cherry pick the good parts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've felt for some time that I have been waiting and waiting (and waiting!) to see what's around the corner, and I feel now like I'm finally rounding the curve, which makes me think of this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is so, so true and can apply to almost any situation. Speaking of MLK, f</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or those of you who haven't seen "Selma," I recommend doing so. Despite certain critics who want to focus on the inaccuracies of what is a fictionalized version of this significant time in history, it is still an important film to watch, if for nothing else then to get the conversation going. Inequality and issues surrounding civil rights are still very much a point of contention in 2015. They deserve to be discussed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, I was waiting for a screening of a different movie to start when I heard a man behind me say he did not want to see "Selma" because he was tired of white people telling the story of black history. He went on to say that no black person was associated with that film and he had no interest in seeing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to whip around and ask if he caught the most recent Golden Globes when they discussed the fact that the movie's director, Ava DuVernay, was the first black female to be nominated in the category of Best Director. Never mind the support and affiliations with several other celebrities and musical artists who took part in the creation of the film. I also wanted to tell him to shush. But I kept the comments to myself. It was a discussion I chose to skip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Close-minded attitudes are not my thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe too many times we avoid discussions because it's the fight we don't want to have or the point we don't feel we need to prove. Sometimes we just don't want to fight period, but instead</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> appreciate the opportunity to learn from others, understand how we do and do not want to live our lives, and create the kind of life that makes us happy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We just have to instill the kind of confidence and passion within ourselves, so that when we find those things worth fighting for, we won't back down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-1166501679951227462015-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:002015-01-18T13:22:53.261-08:00New Recipe Resolution: Apricot Chicken <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lmP3GVDSXttwfm9fyeedhJjeKXWW7PJpn3Mxs36lHUGBPWEG53wyjbacx_VlGXow8LTeraDt0nMYvm9KHiFdTmEvyl5B_V3RsmnNTpwOvO9XBTrNsmB46btuNy1Azc4aDA1kneyCZAs/s1600/julia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lmP3GVDSXttwfm9fyeedhJjeKXWW7PJpn3Mxs36lHUGBPWEG53wyjbacx_VlGXow8LTeraDt0nMYvm9KHiFdTmEvyl5B_V3RsmnNTpwOvO9XBTrNsmB46btuNy1Azc4aDA1kneyCZAs/s1600/julia.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have these five ingredients, then you have a meal: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- chicken breasts or thighs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- apricot preserves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- soy sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Brussels sprouts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- butternut squash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friend has been emailing recipes to me to help with my new year's recipe resolution and she sent this five-ingredient meal that was, as you can imagine, super easy to make. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought a package of chicken thighs, since they were less expensive, and took off the skin. In a bowl I combined one jar of the preserves with a few (6-8), strong shakes of soy sauce. Soy sauce is ultra-salty, so be careful with how much you add and taste along the way. Some people may want their glaze sweeter and some may want it to be on the saltier side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place chicken pieces in a baking pan and salt and pepper each side, then cover with the glaze. Put the pan in an oven pre-heated to 450 degrees and cook for 25-30 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Brussels sprouts and butternut squash make for the perfect sides, but you can choose whichever veggies you like. Fresh & Easy has packages of butternut squash already cubed, so I bought a bag of that and a bag of Brussels sprouts and laid them out on a sheet pan. I drizzled on olive oil and sprinkled the veggies with salt, pepper, and thyme. I add the tray to the oven and cooked for about 25 minutes. You can serve with rice or pasta if you want to add a starch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love when people send me recipes, so if you have any that I should try, send my way! As you can probably tell, I like to take the easy, low-budget route. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy the eats!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Image from Pinterest</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-16312268629855326222015-01-16T18:16:00.000-08:002015-01-28T21:37:26.825-08:0050/50 Challenge: Book Update <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knocked out three more books for the challenge. I'm 4/50 right now. I'm getting ready to read Lean In for a book club and am interested to see if I'll like it. Who's read it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21853667-saving-grace" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Saving Grace" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415428645m/21853667.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21853667-saving-grace">Saving Grace</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12915.Jane_Green">Jane Green</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1170813815">4 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I LOVE Jane Green. I've read all her books and feel she is just my "comfort food" when it comes to books. She really invests in her characters and gives good description of them so that you can immerse in their (often soap opera-ish) lives. In her latest novel, she also throws in a bit of mystery that adds another element to the story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also like how she incorporates London into many of her books since she's originally from the UK. Many of her books reflect women who have to find their inner strength and this one is another example of that, but in a way that draws you in for a little bit to the entertainment of the story. I read this book in 24 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349119-someone-else-s-love-story" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Someone Else's Love Story" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415586564m/17349119.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349119-someone-else-s-love-story">Someone Else's Love Story</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45915.Joshilyn_Jackson">Joshilyn Jackson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1162765143">4 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was definitely a unique story. It started out with action right away and then took itself backwards and in interesting directions. I like the author's character description to get a visual picture of each person. Maybe due to how much Shandi had been through, I kept placing her as older. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a little mystery involved with this book as it discusses Shandi's "miraculous" child and it did leave men wondering, whose love story is being talked about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The writing was well-paced. I'm not sure about the development for William's character at the end, but I guess it gave a bit of closure to the situation. His friend, Paula was one of my favorite characters and I think it would be interesting if the writer dedicated a book just to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story did take a traditional theme of "can men and women just be friends" and put a creative spin on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13262783-every-day" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Every Day (Every Day #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356993940m/13262783.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13262783-every-day">Every Day</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11664.David_Levithan">David Levithan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1170817189">3 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This book is a true original and that's what I appreciate from it the most. The main character - A - changes bodies of who he is every day and tells a different story in each chapter, when running along with each new life is common story of A falling in love and how he's going to get his girl when he wakes up in a different family in a different house every day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it wasn't for this running love story, then I think the book would've been harder to get through because you can't connect with any of the characters or put yourself into any situation because the chapters are short and A's time with each of them is short lived. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think to have the creativity to come up and execute this type of book is fantastic and I applaud the author. Plus, the ending was unexpected, but left a good closure to the book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6127847-courtney"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View all my reviews</span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915296413196457083.post-50805444461663459662015-01-13T09:03:00.000-08:002015-01-13T09:03:31.381-08:00New Recipe Resolution: Mexican Lasagna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHExXUQmRZJyohBV2VxpZkKk51kJkBnmie27ORDlQYXfthXBolJyCYXDFzBHAiBPaleCQjVsF0hDtAUGMcy3xcYQ59TyGl0isngbcOaHd6U6sRS2WdpgWocLBD79fhT9SlXgYCK8Wbbg/s1600/foodquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHExXUQmRZJyohBV2VxpZkKk51kJkBnmie27ORDlQYXfthXBolJyCYXDFzBHAiBPaleCQjVsF0hDtAUGMcy3xcYQ59TyGl0isngbcOaHd6U6sRS2WdpgWocLBD79fhT9SlXgYCK8Wbbg/s1600/foodquote.jpg" height="640" width="481" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casseroles are a good idea for our household because we can have leftovers that don't have to last all week. I can get down with leftovers, but I don't really want to eat the same thing for days and days. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had looked up a few recipes for a Mexican-style casserole and kind of combined different ones to make this Mexican Lasagna, which was simple to put together and a good choice for a Friday night. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What you need: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 package of corn tortillas</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 lb. of ground beef </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1/2 onion</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 can of refried beans</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 can of salsa verde</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 package of shredded cheddar cheese</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- 1 can of corn</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spices to use: taco seasoning, salt, pepper, chili powder</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, add a little oil to a pan and dice up the onion and saute. Add ground beef and cook all the way through. Add spices to the meat mixture and set aside. Make sure it is seasoned well. Taste it and add as needed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spray non-stick cooking spray on the inside of a baking pan. Cut tortillas in half and place in single layer along the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of salsa verde, then layer of refried beans, layer of the meat mixture, layer of corn, and shredded cheese. Repeat the assembly with more layer. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake in oven preheated at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve with chips and salsa. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next time I make it, I will probably add Monterey Jack cheese and or the Queso Blanco Velveeta for extra spice, flavor, and cheesiness. Also, you most likely aren't going to use the entire package of tortillas, so save the extra for breakfast tacos made with scrambled eggs, veggies, and salsa!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For this recipe...I forgot to take pictures! Gotta get better at that.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Side food note: I've realized I love vegetables roasted. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to pretty much any veggie and it's delicious. Last vegetable used: cauliflower. I added thyme, seasoned salt, and a little bit of cinnamon. YUM!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16212489933114932110noreply@blogger.com0