Add a faux fur throw, some personal accessories, and a gilded vintage mirror and voila: Your very own perfectly modern chic, yet comfortable Parisian inspired living space.
♥ Jen
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Room of the Week
So I am enamored with animal prints. I admit it. However, I am also intrinsically aware of how quickly too much of any pattern can create severe visual disturbances (aka what is going on there?!?) when looking at an outfit or room. This room strikes that perfect balance between modern and traditional that I so adore, while incorporating, ahem... just the right touch of pattern play with a beautiful leopard print stool and a touch of tribal print on the pillows. I also love the juxtaposition of modern art and the super glamorous gilded mirror. and the chrome/gold contrast. The room is grounded by the woven jute rug and casual striped runner. All together this room feels very livable, and quite Parisian chic. Essentially, Je t'aime.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Get Happy!
Reader warning: This is going to be a long post!
I had no intention of writing this post. Ever. There are just some things I wasn't really comfortable with putting out there for the world to see, but after several unique conversations with people in my life over the last week, I woke this morning and felt compelled to share this. So be forewarned- This is going to get deep. Yup, like the meaning of life deep. But what could be more important to discuss than that? Right, on to it...
There have been many, many times in my life where I have struggled with my own happiness and general quality of life. I think that a major component of your teens and twenties is learning how to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, and learning to work with them to maximize the joy and fulfillment you can experience in your own life.
After giving birth to my little one, I suffered from postpartum depression. While I do believe this was ultimately triggered by the crazy hormones, I also believe my emotional state was greatly aggravated by the general tumultuous state of my life during that time. I was 25, and major work transitions, a new and difficult marriage, familial problems, were all swirling around. Unfortunately, I tend to be the type who just pushes all the nitty gritty bad stuff to the very back of my mind, stuffing it in my own internal closets with the mantra "there is always tomorrow." Perhaps if I had been more honest with myself about the state of my own feelings and had also known of the simple, yet effective coping tools available to aid in dealing with them, my emotional state would not have degraded so severely. I literally felt as if I were broken, as if my very spirit had been shattered. I couldn't get out of bed, had extreme bouts of anger which would quickly swing to deep sadness, I made terrible decisions which alienated friends and family, and ultimately considered suicide on a near daily basis. It was bad.
Ultimately, my depression required medical treatment in order for me to get back to a healthier place. And it was not a quick fix. It was a process that took several years. The medication, along with my family, my faith, and a healthier lifestyle (yup, eating right and exercise!) helped me get back to "normal." I no longer take antidepressants, instead leaning on my faith and family, and incorporating positive coping techniques during times of tribulation.
So enough about me! This post is for all of the people in my life, and any of you, who are not feeling like your getting the most out of your lives. I think that for women there are two main issues when it comes to not feeling "happy."
1. Not loving yourself, or not feeling loved
2. Relying on "circumstantial happiness." The typical sense of happiness that most of us have –based on the notion that if we get what we want we will be happy.That is, believing that if we get the things that we think will make us happy and create the circumstances that will make us happy, then we will be happy all of the time. Right...
Sorting out issue number one is a tough one for every woman. Our society bombards us with standards that are impossible to achieve, therefore creating a sort of constantly negative stream directed straight at our psyche. Add to that any issues creating during childhood and early development by dysfunctional families and/or relationship trauma, and we have been pretty much programmed to not like ourselves a whole lot. And point blank, if you don't love yourself 100%, you will not be truly capable of giving or receiving love from anyone else. So how do we even attempt to fix that? Well, I sure am not qualified! Below is an excerpt from the blog of Dr. Aymee Coget, Getting happy with Dr Aymee. Dr. Aymee has over 15 years of experience in positive psychology and works with people teaching them how to be happy and how to handle life's toughest challenges.
More people than you can imagine, do not love themselves entirely.
Think about how that influenced your experience in life. If we are really 'all one' and we expect others to love us unconditionally then we need to love ourselves first.
It is easy to point the finger at our significant other and say all of the things that are wrong with them. It is harder to point our fingers at ourselves and ask, "Why is this my experience?" and look at our past and present to see why we are experiencing this lack of self-love.
Unfortunately our society's educational system does not give us the education we need to build this sense of self love for ourselves. There is no "How to" manual. Our family is the only structure that offers us a hint of this 100% unconditional love and if we were raised in a semi-dysfunctional or extremely dysfunctional family, then we have the odds against us.
At some point in our lives we have to come to the decision to love ourselves before we can truly love someone else and receive true love from them, In fact we will attract someone who does not love themselves if you do not love yourself. This will manifest into an unhappy relationship because each person will expect the other one to love them unconditionally and each person will not be able to do it because their own self love comes first.
So the first step is to ACKNOWLEDGE that you have to love yourself first unconditionally.
The second step is to ACCEPT your self love is only going to come from you.
The third step is to TURN YOUR ARROWS AROUND & POINT TO YOURSELF and stop looking to others for love.
The fourth step is START NURTURING YOURSELF like you were a baby. Treat yourself to dinner by yourself, go to the spa, tell yourself you are beautiful.
Take the VIA strengths survey http://www.authentichappiness.com/ that will tell you WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. Build your life in accordance with your strengths.
If you follow this quick and easy guide to building self-love for yourself, I imagine you will attract the love in your life that you were missing before.
Dr. Aymee
Pretty excellent advice all around. I took the survey recommended by Dr Aymee, and must say I was somewhat surprised by the results. Not in a bad way, just that I had not looked at the qualities that the survey pointed out were strengths, as that. I didn't see them as strengths... just as a part of who I am and the way I think. Looking at your core qualities as strengths can definitely alter your perspective on yourself for the better, and you may find yourself reevaluating your "goals."
On to issue number two. Reevaluating your sense of "happiness." Back to Dr Aymee:
The typical sense of happiness that most of us have – called hedonic happiness – is based on the notion that if we get what we want we will be happy. We are brought up to believe that if we get the things that we think will make us happy and create the circumstances that will make us happy, then we will be happy all of the time.
Unfortunately life blows this sense of happiness to smithereens. If only we could keep our boss from firing us, our spouse divorcing us, and the car accident from happening... The truth is hedonic happiness is unsustainable.
While you may feel initial happiness if you find a way to keep your job or your wife, studies have shown that this hedonic circumstantial happiness will not last more than three months.
What does that leave us with?
A chance to be completely, sustainably happy, that’s what!
Since you can’t guarantee circumstantial happiness, you shouldn’t rely on it. I have been through and live with some pretty poor circumstances – being overweight, ugly, poor, divorced and chronic pain – but I still manage to be happy every single day because I don’t depend on hedonic happiness.
In October 2007, Shankar Vedantam did an article for the Washington Post about a man who was left paralyzed from a horrific bike accident. Despite his terrible circumstance, this man was happy and outliving all of the death predictions made by his doctors. His state of mind was the only thing he had going for him, and it was enough to keep him going.
To think that you can adopt a mindset and achieve lasting happiness is empowering. If it’s all in your head, then you have control over it!
Positive psychology as a field is still in its infancy, but already there are three principles that are key to sustainable happiness.
1. Listen to the truth in your heart.
2. Know and use your strengths.
3. Have a sense of meaning and purpose in your life.
Empower yourself, take responsibility for your sustainable happiness, make the decision and begin your journey to lasting happiness. It’s only three steps away.
Dr. Aymee
Three steps, sounds pretty simple right? Well, it can indeed be that basic. Start each day with intention, as in focusing on the goal of being positive. I've posted one of Dr Aymee's videos below which may seem a little cheesy, but if you incorporate only one or two of the daily practices she suggests, I guarantee you will see a difference in your mood, and your thinking.
If you don't have an extra five minutes to practice this "routine" in the morning, simplify it: Smile. Look in the mirror and find something you love about yourself, compliment yourself on this quality. Each time you feel a negative thought creeping in on you during your day, stop it and turn it around. For example: "Ugh, I'm so behind in my work." Turn that into: "I complete everything with intention and to the best of my ability." Or, "Ugh, I feel so fat today." Instead "I am a beautiful person and loved regardless of my size."
I also believe it is exceptionally important to express gratitude. If you aren't great at thinking of things to be thankful for, keep a daily gratitude journal. Ask yourself these questions everyday, and record the answers:
When did I enjoy myself today?
Best moment of the day?
What did I learn today?
What beauty do I see in myself today?
I think when you take the time to focus on the positive moments in your life, however small, you will be amazed at all the blessings you have been given. I also believe it is extremely important to have faith. That may look very different from one person to another, but it is a fact that if you feel connected to something bigger than yourself, a universal power- God, you are more likely to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Find a local church to attend, or attend with a friend or family member if going alone is too intimidating. Get rid of any past or present negative thoughts or preconceptions about religion. That is simply carrying a grudge. Participating in something innately positive, and being around positive people and energy is bound to bring good things into your life. If you are local to the Seattle area, I highly recommend The City Church. You can even watch a video session from the comfort of your home free, on itunes.
The last step, knowing or obtaining a sense of meaning and purpose in your life, is undoubtedly the most complex and perhaps challenging of the three steps to happiness. I think many of us will be working on this for the majority of our lives. However, even working towards that goal is bound to be fulfilling and contribute to your overall happiness. In a way, you must accomplish the first two steps to get to a place where you can attain the third. You must learn to love yourself, and understand and listen to your own heart, before you are able to truly comprehend your purpose. How can you know your purpose if you don't know yourself. Similarly, you must also know your strengths. I guarantee your meaning and purpose in life will be directly fueled by your own unique strengths.
Whew! Quite a lot to take in, I know. But take little steps. Little steps every day towards achieving the ultimate goal... to be happy. Smile. Smile at yourself and at others. For no good reason. Just because you are alive, and you are a wonderful, wonderous, beautiful, unique creation. Try to stop taking yourself and your everyday life for granted. Take pleasure in the little, amazing things in your life. See the innate beauty in the tiniest intricacies of our world. Laugh. Love. Live. Experience and bring joy. Get happy!
♥ Jen
*a quick note on depression. Having experienced the depth of depression, I recognize and understand how serious and debilitating it can be. While many of us will experience brief moments (lasting a day or less) of a depressed mood at various points in our life, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, please talk to someone. Ideally a doctor or counselor, but family and friends is a start. Do not attempt to walk that path alone. You and your life are too precious to waste away in the powerful grip of depression. Please, get help!
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, please call 1-800-273-8255. This is a toll free, national crisis line. It doesn't hurt to call, and it doesn't cost anything, so pick up the phone and make the call. No one will judge you, and you won't feel like you are wasting anyone's time with your problems. Many of the counselors are volunteers, so they do this because they enjoy helping others, not because they are being paid to do it.
photo credits: 1. Me; 2. Source Unknown
I had no intention of writing this post. Ever. There are just some things I wasn't really comfortable with putting out there for the world to see, but after several unique conversations with people in my life over the last week, I woke this morning and felt compelled to share this. So be forewarned- This is going to get deep. Yup, like the meaning of life deep. But what could be more important to discuss than that? Right, on to it...
There have been many, many times in my life where I have struggled with my own happiness and general quality of life. I think that a major component of your teens and twenties is learning how to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, and learning to work with them to maximize the joy and fulfillment you can experience in your own life.
After giving birth to my little one, I suffered from postpartum depression. While I do believe this was ultimately triggered by the crazy hormones, I also believe my emotional state was greatly aggravated by the general tumultuous state of my life during that time. I was 25, and major work transitions, a new and difficult marriage, familial problems, were all swirling around. Unfortunately, I tend to be the type who just pushes all the nitty gritty bad stuff to the very back of my mind, stuffing it in my own internal closets with the mantra "there is always tomorrow." Perhaps if I had been more honest with myself about the state of my own feelings and had also known of the simple, yet effective coping tools available to aid in dealing with them, my emotional state would not have degraded so severely. I literally felt as if I were broken, as if my very spirit had been shattered. I couldn't get out of bed, had extreme bouts of anger which would quickly swing to deep sadness, I made terrible decisions which alienated friends and family, and ultimately considered suicide on a near daily basis. It was bad.
Ultimately, my depression required medical treatment in order for me to get back to a healthier place. And it was not a quick fix. It was a process that took several years. The medication, along with my family, my faith, and a healthier lifestyle (yup, eating right and exercise!) helped me get back to "normal." I no longer take antidepressants, instead leaning on my faith and family, and incorporating positive coping techniques during times of tribulation.
So enough about me! This post is for all of the people in my life, and any of you, who are not feeling like your getting the most out of your lives. I think that for women there are two main issues when it comes to not feeling "happy."
1. Not loving yourself, or not feeling loved
2. Relying on "circumstantial happiness." The typical sense of happiness that most of us have –based on the notion that if we get what we want we will be happy.That is, believing that if we get the things that we think will make us happy and create the circumstances that will make us happy, then we will be happy all of the time. Right...
Sorting out issue number one is a tough one for every woman. Our society bombards us with standards that are impossible to achieve, therefore creating a sort of constantly negative stream directed straight at our psyche. Add to that any issues creating during childhood and early development by dysfunctional families and/or relationship trauma, and we have been pretty much programmed to not like ourselves a whole lot. And point blank, if you don't love yourself 100%, you will not be truly capable of giving or receiving love from anyone else. So how do we even attempt to fix that? Well, I sure am not qualified! Below is an excerpt from the blog of Dr. Aymee Coget, Getting happy with Dr Aymee. Dr. Aymee has over 15 years of experience in positive psychology and works with people teaching them how to be happy and how to handle life's toughest challenges.
More people than you can imagine, do not love themselves entirely.
Do you want someone to love you unconditionally?
Do you give yourself 100% self love?
Think about how that influenced your experience in life. If we are really 'all one' and we expect others to love us unconditionally then we need to love ourselves first.
It is easy to point the finger at our significant other and say all of the things that are wrong with them. It is harder to point our fingers at ourselves and ask, "Why is this my experience?" and look at our past and present to see why we are experiencing this lack of self-love.
Unfortunately our society's educational system does not give us the education we need to build this sense of self love for ourselves. There is no "How to" manual. Our family is the only structure that offers us a hint of this 100% unconditional love and if we were raised in a semi-dysfunctional or extremely dysfunctional family, then we have the odds against us.
At some point in our lives we have to come to the decision to love ourselves before we can truly love someone else and receive true love from them, In fact we will attract someone who does not love themselves if you do not love yourself. This will manifest into an unhappy relationship because each person will expect the other one to love them unconditionally and each person will not be able to do it because their own self love comes first.
So the first step is to ACKNOWLEDGE that you have to love yourself first unconditionally.
The second step is to ACCEPT your self love is only going to come from you.
The third step is to TURN YOUR ARROWS AROUND & POINT TO YOURSELF and stop looking to others for love.
The fourth step is START NURTURING YOURSELF like you were a baby. Treat yourself to dinner by yourself, go to the spa, tell yourself you are beautiful.
Take the VIA strengths survey http://www.authentichappiness.com/ that will tell you WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. Build your life in accordance with your strengths.
If you follow this quick and easy guide to building self-love for yourself, I imagine you will attract the love in your life that you were missing before.
Dr. Aymee
Pretty excellent advice all around. I took the survey recommended by Dr Aymee, and must say I was somewhat surprised by the results. Not in a bad way, just that I had not looked at the qualities that the survey pointed out were strengths, as that. I didn't see them as strengths... just as a part of who I am and the way I think. Looking at your core qualities as strengths can definitely alter your perspective on yourself for the better, and you may find yourself reevaluating your "goals."
On to issue number two. Reevaluating your sense of "happiness." Back to Dr Aymee:
The typical sense of happiness that most of us have – called hedonic happiness – is based on the notion that if we get what we want we will be happy. We are brought up to believe that if we get the things that we think will make us happy and create the circumstances that will make us happy, then we will be happy all of the time.
Unfortunately life blows this sense of happiness to smithereens. If only we could keep our boss from firing us, our spouse divorcing us, and the car accident from happening... The truth is hedonic happiness is unsustainable.
While you may feel initial happiness if you find a way to keep your job or your wife, studies have shown that this hedonic circumstantial happiness will not last more than three months.
What does that leave us with?
A chance to be completely, sustainably happy, that’s what!
Since you can’t guarantee circumstantial happiness, you shouldn’t rely on it. I have been through and live with some pretty poor circumstances – being overweight, ugly, poor, divorced and chronic pain – but I still manage to be happy every single day because I don’t depend on hedonic happiness.
In October 2007, Shankar Vedantam did an article for the Washington Post about a man who was left paralyzed from a horrific bike accident. Despite his terrible circumstance, this man was happy and outliving all of the death predictions made by his doctors. His state of mind was the only thing he had going for him, and it was enough to keep him going.
To think that you can adopt a mindset and achieve lasting happiness is empowering. If it’s all in your head, then you have control over it!
Positive psychology as a field is still in its infancy, but already there are three principles that are key to sustainable happiness.
1. Listen to the truth in your heart.
2. Know and use your strengths.
3. Have a sense of meaning and purpose in your life.
Empower yourself, take responsibility for your sustainable happiness, make the decision and begin your journey to lasting happiness. It’s only three steps away.
Dr. Aymee
Three steps, sounds pretty simple right? Well, it can indeed be that basic. Start each day with intention, as in focusing on the goal of being positive. I've posted one of Dr Aymee's videos below which may seem a little cheesy, but if you incorporate only one or two of the daily practices she suggests, I guarantee you will see a difference in your mood, and your thinking.
If you don't have an extra five minutes to practice this "routine" in the morning, simplify it: Smile. Look in the mirror and find something you love about yourself, compliment yourself on this quality. Each time you feel a negative thought creeping in on you during your day, stop it and turn it around. For example: "Ugh, I'm so behind in my work." Turn that into: "I complete everything with intention and to the best of my ability." Or, "Ugh, I feel so fat today." Instead "I am a beautiful person and loved regardless of my size."
I also believe it is exceptionally important to express gratitude. If you aren't great at thinking of things to be thankful for, keep a daily gratitude journal. Ask yourself these questions everyday, and record the answers:
When did I enjoy myself today?
Best moment of the day?
What did I learn today?
What beauty do I see in myself today?
I think when you take the time to focus on the positive moments in your life, however small, you will be amazed at all the blessings you have been given. I also believe it is extremely important to have faith. That may look very different from one person to another, but it is a fact that if you feel connected to something bigger than yourself, a universal power- God, you are more likely to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Find a local church to attend, or attend with a friend or family member if going alone is too intimidating. Get rid of any past or present negative thoughts or preconceptions about religion. That is simply carrying a grudge. Participating in something innately positive, and being around positive people and energy is bound to bring good things into your life. If you are local to the Seattle area, I highly recommend The City Church. You can even watch a video session from the comfort of your home free, on itunes.
The last step, knowing or obtaining a sense of meaning and purpose in your life, is undoubtedly the most complex and perhaps challenging of the three steps to happiness. I think many of us will be working on this for the majority of our lives. However, even working towards that goal is bound to be fulfilling and contribute to your overall happiness. In a way, you must accomplish the first two steps to get to a place where you can attain the third. You must learn to love yourself, and understand and listen to your own heart, before you are able to truly comprehend your purpose. How can you know your purpose if you don't know yourself. Similarly, you must also know your strengths. I guarantee your meaning and purpose in life will be directly fueled by your own unique strengths.
Whew! Quite a lot to take in, I know. But take little steps. Little steps every day towards achieving the ultimate goal... to be happy. Smile. Smile at yourself and at others. For no good reason. Just because you are alive, and you are a wonderful, wonderous, beautiful, unique creation. Try to stop taking yourself and your everyday life for granted. Take pleasure in the little, amazing things in your life. See the innate beauty in the tiniest intricacies of our world. Laugh. Love. Live. Experience and bring joy. Get happy!
♥ Jen
*a quick note on depression. Having experienced the depth of depression, I recognize and understand how serious and debilitating it can be. While many of us will experience brief moments (lasting a day or less) of a depressed mood at various points in our life, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, please talk to someone. Ideally a doctor or counselor, but family and friends is a start. Do not attempt to walk that path alone. You and your life are too precious to waste away in the powerful grip of depression. Please, get help!
- Depressed mood most of the day; feeling sad or empty, tearful
- Significant loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain; decrease or increase in appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Agitation; or slowing down of thoughts and reduction of physical movements
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- Poor concentration or having difficulty making decisions
- Thinking about death or suicide
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, please call 1-800-273-8255. This is a toll free, national crisis line. It doesn't hurt to call, and it doesn't cost anything, so pick up the phone and make the call. No one will judge you, and you won't feel like you are wasting anyone's time with your problems. Many of the counselors are volunteers, so they do this because they enjoy helping others, not because they are being paid to do it.
photo credits: 1. Me; 2. Source Unknown
Tried it: French Braid Updo
I came across this tutorial last week while searching for a tutorial on french braiding. My mother used to braid my hair as a little girl, and while I could manage a basic braid, the french braid has never been something I'd been able to accomplish on myself as an adult. So I happened upon ...love Maegan, a blog by a fantastically stylish gal named Maegan. While she has a great, distinct personal style, she also happens to possess ridiculously lovely long blonde locks. Perfect for all the hair tutorials she is kind enough to produce. I tried this one, and I highly recommend it! Not only does it cover the basics of the french braid, but it produces a really cute, perfectly bohemian, low side updo in less than 10 minutes. I've tried several different versions of this style over the past week, and they were all great. My vote: Try it now!
Enjoy!
♥ Jen
photo via ...Love Maegan
Monday, August 29, 2011
Happy (Cloudy) Monday!
I hope you call enjoyed your weekend. We had a fantastic sunny weekend here in Seattle, and enjoyed it with a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo and lots of family time. The zoo has a great animatronic dinosaur exhibit, running through labor day, that my little one simply adored. We had to walk through four times. Lots on the calendar this week with school starting, so I know I've got a busy week ahead. As its a rather dreary Monday, and I'm really not super excited about working out and getting on with the day (I'm reaching for my third cup of caffeinated motivation as I write this) I'm going to proceed with this thought in mind:
Simple. True. Alright, I'm going to get moving now. Have a great Monday!
♥ Jen
Photo via here
Restoration Hardware Fall/Winter "Catalog"
I opened my mailbox on Saturday to a rather interesting surprise. I always look forward to the September issues of my regular fashion reads, but nestled among the normal mail was a 600+ page behemoth courtesy of Restoration Hardware. Now, I've always loved Restoration Hardware for their beautiful upholstered items and well, their perfect period inspired hardware and lighting... but 600 pages seemed somehow a little over the top for a furnishings store. Then I opened it... while indeed a bit excessive, flipping the artfully photographed pages reminded me of the hours my siblings and I used to spend poring over the Jcpenny Christmas Catalog every fall as a child. I wanted something on every page!
Here are a few of my personal favorites from the sourcebook. If you didn't recieve a catalog, you can request one here.
The Foucalult Orb Chandelier would make a beautiful and unique focal point in any room.
I love the "weather oak finish" of most of their upholstered furniture. I also think the I'll be lusting after the 19th Century French Empire Chandelier. Its simply perfect.
Camille Tufted Settee. I love this. I might have to have this.
I love this room.
This may very well be the perfect sofa. Slipcovered. Available in an array of sizes and colors. Single seat. Low profile arms. This could work in any style home and decor. LOVE.
Montpellier Armoire. So gorgeous.
And this is probably the most unique of all the items in the catalog, and sure to be the one most people talk about and remember due to that fact alone. The Vintage Birdcage Chandelier. Not my style for sure, but would certainly look amazing and make quite a statement in the right room.
I could keep going, as they truly did an amazing job styling and photographing this "catalog." And really, to call it a catalog simply isn't fair. The book is quite a work of art, and obviously one created by a group of people with an incredible passion for their craft. Thanks for the inspiration RH!
♥ Jen
Monday, August 22, 2011
Welcome to Your Week!
This weekend while flipping through the inaugural issue of the new E-zine House of Fifty, created by the Janell from the fabulous blog Isabella and Max Rooms, I came across an eye catching digital print by Valentina Designs which I thought would be perfect to inspire you to keep on pushing on through this somewhat dreary Monday! ☺
Valentina is an amazingly talented artist and offers both her original artwork as well as some super cute graphic prints of inspirational thoughts, fabrics, phone skins and more through her Etsy shop. Perfect for the home or for gifting! I think I'm going to purchase this one for the little one's room makeover.
Make it a fabulous day!
♥
Jen
Valentina is an amazingly talented artist and offers both her original artwork as well as some super cute graphic prints of inspirational thoughts, fabrics, phone skins and more through her Etsy shop. Perfect for the home or for gifting! I think I'm going to purchase this one for the little one's room makeover.
Make it a fabulous day!
♥
Jen
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Comfort Food, the Healthier Version.
So I think I may be experiencing a bit of PMS. For the past week I have craved all of the things I know my body doesn't really want, or need... fried, sugary, chocolaty, creamy... You get the idea. So last night I gave in a bit. Enough so my naughty brain receptors were satisfied, but not so much that my whole week of eating well and working out was thrown under the bus. What I wanted was fried chicken and mashed potatoes. What I decided to do was sub the mashed potatoes for polenta and add some healthy greens to the mix. The results were mighty delicious, so I thought I would share them with you.
Looks Good Right? And to boot, it was approved by the little one as well, so I highly recommend giving this menu a rotation at your home.
Looks Good Right? And to boot, it was approved by the little one as well, so I highly recommend giving this menu a rotation at your home.
Pan Fried Chicken Tenders with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Polenta, and Wilted Greens.
recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
Ingredients
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Tbsp. agave nectar or sucanat
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup polenta
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt
1/4 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup organic 2% milk
1 Tbsp lemon juice
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast tenders (preferably, organic free range)
4 cups organic fresh baby spinach
4 cups chopped collard greens
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan with foil. Toss tomatoes with 1 Tbsp olive oil and the agave nectar or sucanat. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp each sea salt and pepper. Roast for 10-12 minutes, or until skins just start to brown and burst.
2. Combine polenta with 1 cup cold water. In saucepan bring 2-1/2 cups water and 1 tsp. salt to boiling; stir in polenta. Reduce heat; cook 5-10 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat when polenta has thickened to the consistency of a porridge. Add Gruyere and stir.
3. In shallow dish combine flour with 1/2 tsp. each salt, pepper, and thyme; add milk and lemon juice to another dish; let sit for 5 minutes. Dip chicken in milk then flour. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken. Cook 4 minutes per side or until no pink remains (170 degrees F); remove. Set chicken to drain on paper towel lined plate.
4. Drain most of pan drippings, reserving about 1 tbsp. in pan. Add spinach and collard greens; cook until just wilted. Season to taste. Serve chicken with spinach, polenta, and tomatoes. Makes 4 servings.
Enjoy!
♥ Jen
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Blogger MIA
So, about four months ago, I went on a little vacation to San Francisco. When we returned, abruptly life started throwing some serious kinks in my daily routine. Not that I'm not up for the occasional challenge, but things sort of went crazy on all sides really quickly. Work was nuts. Home was nuts. Not surprisingly, I developed severe and debilitating migraine headaches. Unfortunately, the headaches were often triggered and intensified by exposure to bright light, so my MD nixed any computer use of more than 15 minute sessions. Many doctors appointments later, I decided enough was enough. Something had to go... so after much discussion with the husband, I decided to put in my notice at work, pull the little one out of extended daycare, and return my focus to home and health.
Fast forward two months... The headaches are gone. I'm able to sleep and workout again, and drumroll, please... Back to blogging -and killing time reading all my faves as well. So I'll be taking it a little slower for a while, posting a few times weekly rather than daily, but I'm pretty excited for all the positive changes that have happened so far in this new chapter, and look forward to sharing much as I move forward.
Here is a quick photo run of what I've been up to for the past few months!
Fast forward two months... The headaches are gone. I'm able to sleep and workout again, and drumroll, please... Back to blogging -and killing time reading all my faves as well. So I'll be taking it a little slower for a while, posting a few times weekly rather than daily, but I'm pretty excited for all the positive changes that have happened so far in this new chapter, and look forward to sharing much as I move forward.
Here is a quick photo run of what I've been up to for the past few months!
Snoqualmie Falls
Over the river and through the woods...
To Mimi's Beach House we go...
We have had a wonderful first month at home with my little one, enjoying what beautiful days we have been blessed with here in the Pacific Northwest, and our time together. I'll be back soon with more good things to share. Lots of good things coming in the next few weeks!
♥ Jen
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