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Soup & Salad

Sweetgreen’s spicy cashew dressing

I’ve been trying to recreate the Sweetgreen’s spicy cashew dressing at home for a while, and I think I may have finally nailed it.

I’m a huge fan of Sweetgreens, and especially the Sweetgreen’s spicy cashew dressing. I’m not much of a “fast food” girl.  I don’t even know if you could call Sweetgreens fast food.  But either way, it’s been one of my “go-to” spots when I need something easy and healthy.  

Unfortunately, we don’t have a Sweetgreens anywhere near us in the suburbs of Chicago, and since we haven’t been going downtown lately, I’ve been majorly missing my Sweetgreen fix.

So I was left with no option, but to create my own version – which also meant creating my own version of Sweetgreen’s spicy cashew dressing.   Read More

Lifestyle

An honest look at how I’m doing these days

An honest look at how I’m doing these days

Yesterday, in my stories, I shared how I was having a hard moment.   And almost immediately I was flooded with sweet messages of “me to” and support from all of you.  I was overwhelmed.  I wasn’t alone.

So I thought a post was due because I have a feeling a lot of us are feeling the same, but sometimes it can be hard to articulate.  

If you were to ask me how I am, I’d say wonderful. Because for the most part, I am. I’m actually really happy. More than I have been in a long time. But the longer, more nuanced, answer is that I’m feeling it ALL these days. The good of the bad.  Which means a lot of ups and downs, and I’m actually really ok with it.  

For whatever reason, right now, I’m just taking it ALL in. 

I’ve always been someone who takes IN the world around me.  But these days, I’m probably even a little more sensitive.  Which means just more to feel. 

Plus, I wear my heart on my sleeve.  So the good or bad you always know how I’m feeling (hence tears on the couch yesterday).  I’m terrible at faking it.  

 Read More

Style

Spring break essentials

JP and I literally just booked a trip for spring break with the kids for two weeks from now.  Who does that?  Nothing like planning your family’s spring break last minute. Gotta love living in the moment.

We’re usually really big planners, and LOVE planning months (if not years) in advance.  But honestly, these days, we just can’t seem to get ahead of things. Anyone else?  

Between making decisions on the kitchen, being “IN it” with the kids (and I mean really in it, a little breathing room would be nice), work, and just LIFE…..getting ahead of things feels harder than usual.

But honestly, I also kind of love this new mentality too.  It feels a little easier sometimes just to wing it and play things by ear.  A little less pressure if you will.  

 Read More

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites 2.26.21

Friday Favorites 2.26.21

I think this has been my happiest week of 2021. Is that a thing? A “happy week”. I don’t know. But this week was for me. And man did it feel good

I think it’s the combination of the snow melting, the sun shining more and some really GREAT conversations with all of you (about SOO many topics; friendships, body image, MONEY! So much good content on here this week).

Plus I think the fact that I’m still not drinking is snowballing into some amazing effects (ps..for anyone interested, this is the book that pushed me to give sobriety a try). My sleep feels great. I’m waking up on my own.  I feel lighter and more focused and clearer than I have in months.  I wasn’t planning on continuing with this for so long – but I’m not quite ready to give up this feeling for a glass of wine. Read More

Lifestyle

42 and just getting started

Today is my 42nd birthday.

I set my alarm last night so I could wake up early, come downstairs while the house was quiet, and write. Because I genuinely love writing. It’s a gift for me. On my birthday.

This post is for me. I write a lot of times for a lot of other people, but today I’m writing for myself. And for you. And for any woman out there who’s getting a little older and needs to hear this.

So forgive me if some of this is wordy or long or doesn’t make sense. It’s just a stream of consciousness. My thoughts as I work this morning. I’m not gonna proofread it, or overthink it, or work it to optimize SEO. It’s just my thoughts on today. This is just for me.

I think today is one of the happiest I’ve ever been. Which is widely crazy.  But I am. And I am because I’m just so flipping fired up about the year to come and what’s possible and what is in store for me. Read More

Lifestyle

Picking yourself up after a setback

Picking yourself up after a setback

This past Monday I found myself watching the snowfall while quietly shedding a few tears in my room. All our kids were home (as they are EVERY day) and I didn’t want them to see me upset. So I closed my door, hid on the floor next to my bed, and let myself have a good cry.

My biggest strength, and in turn my biggest weakness, is that I’m very sensitive. Things hit me hard. And the past two months have felt “hard”, especially with blogging. I seemed to be getting no after no, and hitting one roadblock after another. And Monday it just got to me.

As a blogger, most of the “work” I do comes from me going out and finding it. Hunting for the next project. And there was one “hunt” I had been working on for a while. It was a brand I had been courting for a while that would be a partnership for our kitchen remodel. It was in my eye the deal I had been working towards. I felt like my content was GOOD. I was ready.  So I put myself together, created a great pitch, and went for it. And you guys….they said YES. Read More

Main Dish

30-minute vegetarian ramen

Before we dig into this 30-minute vegetarian ramen recipe, let’s do a good check in.  How’s everyone doing?  Honestly.  What’s the story these days, friends?  How did January treat all of you?

I’m personally doing really well.  So much better than I was on Jan 1.  To start with, I think I came home from Cali a little blue (I mean, the shock from the sun to grey skies every day was no joke).  Plus my body and mind weren’t in the best shape.  I felt tired, groggy, unmotivated, and just a little…I don’t know what the word is.  Yuck.  Anyone else?

So without a huge amount of pressure, and a heck of a lot of wiggle room, I made lots of little changes this month.  And friends, man do I feel so much better.  Sometimes it really is that simple.  We usually know what we need to do to feel better.  

I cut out alcohol, refined sugar, started eating cleaner, more whole food plant-based.  I committed to meditating daily.  Moving daily.  Reading before bed instead of watching TV or looking at my phone.  Nothing major or too complicated, but rather but lots of little things that really added up.  

I feel light and energized, happy and just much flipping better.

One of the biggest changes was to my diet (no more fish tacos and homemade tortilla chips -boy do I miss Cali).  Instead, I got in the kitchen and started cooking more whole foods.  Packed in veggies where I could.  And made food that felt hearty and cozy (because it is January after all), but still left me feeling energized, and not like I needed a nap.  

One of my favorites & easiest is this 30-minute vegetarian ramen.  

30-minute vegetarian ramen recipe

 Read More

Wellness

Creating a morning routine

One of the best gifts I’ve given myself over the years is a consistent morning routine.  A way to start the day feeling GOOD.  It’s a growing and evolving process, that seems to always be changing with the seasons.  But something I do, every day, and has quickly grown to become one of my favorite times of the day.  

I’ve always struggled with anxiety since I was a young woman, and as crazy as it sounds, my morning routine is a huge part of keeping my anxiety at bay.  Waking up already knowing there’s a set routine helps calm me.  It gives some order to the day.  Plus I love that I can do my whole morning routine while my house is still quiet.  

So much of my day now, especially during this pandemic, feels so out of my control.  With the kids and JP home ALL day, EVERY day, so much of my day is centered around serving other people.  Always wondering “who needs what?”.  And while I LOVE that, and fills up a huge part of my life, I need to start my day with my cup already full.

I take care of ME first, so I can take care of THEM happier.  Me putting myself first allows me to show up as a better mother, wife, and friend.  

I wrote a blog post last year about my morning routine, and to be honest, not much has changed.  But with each season and year, my routine evolves a little.  So I thought I’d share with you what I do now.

Here’s my morning routine, in hopes that it inspires you to find and creating YOUR OWN.   Read More

Design

Inspiration for our kitchen remodel

One of the best gifts of being out west this fall was returning “home” with fresh eyes.

For the past two years, since we first bought this century-old home, JP and I have been dreaming about remodeling our kitchen. And when we walked into our house after our 31-hour car ride home from California and set our bags down on the kitchen counter, the first thing we did was look at each other say “this thing’s gotta go”

What’s that saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder?  Well, in this case, absence made me realize how much I hate our current kitchen. 

We are at the very beginning of the planning process.  We’re finalizing a contractor, and still planning our exact layout, but we have some ideas of what we want, so I thought I’d take you all along for the ride. Read More

Mind, Wellness

How to begin a meditation practice

Beginning a meditation practice can feel intimidating if you’ve never done it before. How to sit, how long, what am I supposed to be thinking about it.  Wait…am I supposed to be thinking? How come my mind won’t stop?  AGHHHHH….

It can almost feel like we’re doing it all “wrong” before we’ve even begun, causing even MORE stress.  Exactly the opposite of what we’re looking for.  

But the truth of the matter is, there is no “doing it wrong” when it comes to meditation.  In fact, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” meditation practice or doing it “right”.

It’s called a PRACTICE for a reason, it’s just a practice. An exercise.  There is no right or wrong.  So let’s get rid of the self-critique or judgment before we even begin.

How to begin a meditation practice

Why meditate?

If you’re thinking about starting a meditation practice, chances are you’re hoping to slow down your mind.  Gain some clarity.  Some grounding.  And maybe find a little space to just breathe.  But there are even more benefits.  Recent studies have linked meditation to…

  • a reduction of heart disease and stroke
  • a decrease in inflammatory disorders
  • a decrease in depression, 
  • helping to regulate anxiety and mood disorder
  • increasing the concentration of grey matter in the brain
  • helps to regulate sleep
  • helps to slow down the aging process

What’s the goal? So often people assume the goal of meditation is to clear your mind of thoughts.  But friends, that’s never going to happen.  Our brain can think up to 50 thoughts per minute.  That’s roughly 50 70 thousand thoughts a day.  Our brains are hardwired to THINK. So rather than trying to STOP ourselves from thinking.  The goal of meditation, or at least the way I look at it, is to create SPACE between our thoughts. The goal isn’t to be “thought-free”, but rather to notice our thoughts, recognize we’re having one, and then mindfully chose not to react, and return our breath.  Always returning. Important things to keep in mind

1. Consistency is key. 

When you think about meditation practice or any mindfulness practice for that matter, consistency is key.  Showing up, daily.  It doesn’t work if you do it every once in a while or when it feels convenient.  You really have to put in the effort, every day, in order to feel the benefits.  

The length of time isn’t as important as the repetition and consistency.  So choose an amount of time that works for you.  Maybe in the beginning it’s 3 minutes.  Great.  3 minutes daily is better than 10 minutes every once a week.  Pick a length of time that challenges you, but is also realistic. 

2. “Space has energy, time has memory”. 

This is one of my favorite quotes by Jay Shetty (who if you aren’t already familiar with, his latest book, “Think Like a Monk” and podcast are both excellent)  and it’s so true. 

“Space has energy”, so mindfully chose where you’re going to sit.  Choose a spot you love.  A spot you can return to.  It doesn’t have to be big or beautiful, but it should be a place that you can relax in.  Take some time to decide where in your home can be dedicated to your practice.  Maybe it’s just simply next to your bed, or below your favorite window that gets great morning sun.  But choose a place where you can be happy and relaxed, and a place you can return to. 

Equally as important is the time you meditate.  It does NOT have to be at 5am.  It can be whenever time works for you.  And it should be a time of day that you can feel relaxed, turn off your phone, and truly tune it.  I personally like to meditate early in the morning because it’s the only time of the day that’s actually in my control.  But find when and where works for you, and then try to stick with that routine with some consistency. 

3.  All you need is you. 

There are so many different ways to meditate out there, and books or apps that will guide you through certain medications.  And those are all well and good.  Some people believe you should have a mantra, while others think you should keep your eyes open.  Truth be told, I don’t think any of it matters.  What matters is that you find something that works for YOU, and stick with it.  If you’re just starting out – for now – don’t worry about anything other than YOU and YOUR BREATHE.  It’s really as simple as that.  

Now, let’s get started

Once you’ve determined when and where you’re going to meditate, you’re ready to go.  So let’s get started.

Finding your seat

  • Sit cross-legged on a comfortable seat or cushion (I like using a bolster like this).  Sitting on something helps bring your knees lower than your hips (which helps a lot, especially with knee health if you’re doing this every day).  
  • Feel both of you sits bones evenly on the ground/bolster.  Take a moment to really get yourself grounded,
  • Then sit up nice and tall.  To make sure your spine is stacked directly over your hips (and you’re not leaning forward) lean back just a little until you feel your abdominal muscles “catch” and engage.  
  • Tuck your chin slightly so that your cervical spine is straight. 
  • Place your hands softly on your knees or in your lap.  There are a few different hand variations you can add, but not necessary.  You can place your palms on your knees facing up and open, which is believed to help bring in more energy.  Or palms facing down on your knees which is believed to help you feel more grounded.  Either way works.
  • Relax your jaw, your shoulders. Release your tongue from the roof of your mouth.  Notice any tension in your body and softly try and release it.  
  • Set your timer to whatever time you’ve already determined, close your eyes, soften your gaze, and begin.

Focus on your breath

  • Begin by focusing on your breath, breathing in and out through your nose (if you can), feeling smooth expansive inhales, and full deep exhales.  As you breathe, not only feel not only your front body but also your back body expanding equally.  Visualizing yourself expanding in all directions.
  • As thoughts begin to come into your mind (which they will, rapidly, and that’s ok).  Pause.  Notice them.  Acknowledge the thought, and then watch it leave. 
  • I like to visualize my thoughts as clouds coming and going.  No judgment.  No attachment.  They hold no real meaning.  It’s just a thought, passing by.  See it coming and then just as quickly, see it leaving.
  • Return to your breath.  The important part is not the thoughts, but returning to the breath.  Make that your focus.  The practice of returning.
  • Continue until your time is up.  Slowly and softly begin to flutter open your eyes.  Take a moment to just breathe and notice any differences.  Bring your palms together to touch at your heart, bowing your head towards your heart.
  • Return the next day
  • I like to keep my mat where I meditate.  It helps keep me consistent and more accountable.

Create a space that makes you feel good and that you’ll enjoy returning, daily.

I keep things around my space that make me feel calm and peaceful.  Things I love.  

Before I begin I like to take a moment to place my hands on my belly to make sure my abs are engaged and holding me nice and tall, and then just feel my belly rise and fall as I begin to slow my breath.  

You do NOT need to incorporate any mudras, but an easy one, and probably the most basic and common is called the “Chin Mudra” which translates to conscious seal.  Gently join your thumb and index finger together, creating a seal, and keep your other three fingers gently upright.  

Finish your practice by bringing your hand together by your heart, bowing your head towards your heart, and feeling a moment of gratitude before you move on with your day.

For other inspiration on my creating healthy routines and mindsets, you can check out my blog post on my morning routine and 5 ways to help shift your mood.