Sausage bites

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Sausage
  • 1 C. Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 Eggs
  • 4 oz. Cream Cheese
  • 1/3 C. Coconut Flour
  • 1/4 tsp. Salt
  • 3 Tsp. Butter

Let’s Start

Preheat oven 375°
line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cook sausage completely. Pour out on a lined paper towel plate, Set aside to cool.

In a bowl add coconut flour, baking powder, salt, whisk to combine.

Add to the dry ingredients; cream cheese (room temperature), cheddar cheese, 2 eggs and melted (yet, cooled) butter. The best tool to combine your soon-to-be delicious snack are you hands, dont be afraid to get in there.

Once mixture is combine, scoop (ping pong size) amount onto your parchment paper.

Bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Allow to cool before enjoying.

Save Your Avocado Seeds

When you try to live a sustainable lifestyle all and everything is useful and having children just ups the game. BC (before children) I use to live in a self serving lifestyle, I was financially stable, not set, but stable. Shopping trips were often, and “wants” instead of “needs” were justified. It was fun.

I didn’t know anything different my life was all about myself and I STILL didn’t know who I was. I spent my 20’s wildly, my 30’s caring what others thought, and now my 40s with an awaking.

When life starts to slow down then, you are able to reflect what is. You begin to realize it all didn’t matter in first place, living in others expectations didn’t matter.

Immerse your Avocado seeds in water. Within time you will begin to see your seed cracking as a root will try to form. Replenish water as needed.
Your pit should start to sprout roots and a stem in two to six weeks.

Once the stem reaches six to seven inches tall, cut it back by half.
When the roots have grown thick and the stem has leaves again, plant in soil in a pot about ten inches in diameter, leaving half the seed still exposed above the soil.
Keep your avocado plant in a warm, sunny location.
Water frequently with an occasional deep soak. Keep plant moist but not overly saturated. As with most plants, make sure the soil drains well.
Pinch the stem back every time your plant grows another six inches or so, in order to encourage a bushier appearance.
If you live in a warm-enough climate, plant your tree outside once it is big enough. In time (we’re talking many years), it might actually bear fruit.

The simplicity of life is what you will find in the end. The “wants” will always be there. Sit with it, don’t act on impulse and life goes on.

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.”

Wayne W. Dyer

Comfort Chicken Tortilla Soup

Something so simple, Soup. Yet, leaving you so satisfied. The best part, this soup allows you to get carried away with the added toppings. Savory and comforting will have you craving it the next day.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 cup yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 clove garlic (grated)
  • 1 cup carrot (diced)
  • 1 small zucchini (diced)
  • 2 ears sweet corn cut off the cob, or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
  • I can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
  • I can tomato sauce
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 6 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 cups of shredded chicken *time saver pick up a cooked rotisserie chicken, shred the whole of the chicken. Saving or freeze remainder for easy to make meals later in the week. My favorite, easy shredded chicken quesadilla for snack/lunch or add to any favorite salad.
  • 5 corn tortillas cut into strips

Let’s Start

Place a large pot over medium heat, add  olive oil and a tablespoon of butter, Saute onion, garlic, carrot, and corn in olive oil and butter for about 5 minutes. 

Stir in spices, allow contents to saute for a few seconds (this allows the dried spices to come to life.)

Add beans (drained/rinsed), tomato sauce, and chicken stock, bring to boil.

Reduce to simmer, place shredded chicken and diced  zucchini into soup. Cover and simmer, 10-15 minutes.


Tortilla Strips

Cut a pile of corn tortillas into strips

To a skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter.

Add tortilla strips, allow them to toast to a golden brown before removing from pan.

Add a squeeze of lime juice and salt to taste.

Top strips to your own bowel of soup.

Enjoy!

Desired Toppings

  • Cilantro leaves
  • Avocado slices
  • Sour cream
  • Hot sauce
  • Cheese
  • Jalapenos

Wine Cork Mushroom Ornament

I bet we all have lots of wine corks lying around, thanks to 2020. If you’re looking for a reuse project then keep scrolling. So simple even your cat can make.

Air dry clay, mushroom ornament could be used in your garden, tied to a gift, reused as wine cork (minus the wire), part of a ‘forest theme’ garland or wreath, mobile for your backyard or your dear child’s tree house…whatever floats your boat. That’s the beauty of this- the possibilities are endless😉

Needs

  • Wine cork
  • Air dry clay
  • Paint (any)
  • Jewelry wire (or any wire) **optional(depends on use)**
  • E6000

Start with molding your clay to reassemble your desired mushroom (keep water handy to help mold)

Allow clay to dry overnight. If you are using as ornament, add your wire before it dries (you might need to reinforce it with glue) Once dry, paint (I used only one coat.) To achieve the perfect dot; use the earser of a number 2 pencil. Then glue top to your cork
.

Happiness Chemicals and how to hack them

Photo by OVAN

Dopamine– The Reward Chemical

  • Listening to music
  • Self- care activities
  • Getting a good nights rest
  • Foods to eat; drak chocolate, cheese, unprocessed meats, fish, dairy, almonds, walnuts, fruits and vegetables.

Oxytocin- The Love Hormone

  • Self-care
  • Hugs
  • Cuddle up; with your pets or loved ones
  • Try out yoga
  • Letting someone know how much you appreciate them- By doing so, it can increase prosocial feelings on both sides.
  • Listening to music- Not only does it improve your mood, focus, and motivation. It also seems to help improve the ability to create social bonds.

Serotonin–The Mood Stabalizer

  • Walk in Nature
  • Swimming
  • Sun exposure or light therapy
  • Meditation: Meditating can help relive stress and help promote a positive outlook.
  • Foods that can increase serotonin levels include eggs, cheese, turkey, nuts, salmon, tofu, and pineapple.

Endorphin- The painkiller

  • Dancing
  • Gardening
  • Essential oils
  • Golf (walk instead of using cart)
  • Watching a comedy
  • Exercising- low impact aerobics
  • Foods to eat; Chocolate, Strawberries, Animal protein, Oranges, Spicy foods, Grapes, Nuts and seeds, Ginseng.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me.”

Walt Disney

Mini Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Don’t let the size of these mini muffins fool you into thinking they’re petite in flavor! These pint-sized bits are jam Packed with chocolatey goodness! The perfect way to start your morning or lunch or dinner!!😉

Ingredients

  • 1 C Flour
  • 1/2 C cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp bake soda
  • 1/4 tsp bake powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cinnamon
  • 1 C shredded Zucchini
  • 1/2 C vegetable oil
  • 1/2 C sugar
  • 1/2 C brown Sugar
  • 2 eggs room temp.
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Let’s start

1) Preheat oven 350°

2) Spray with non-stick cooking spray or line muffin tin with paper liners. When dealing with mini muffins I prefer to bake them naked. (without muffin cups)
 
3) Shred *1 C Zucchini With a cheese greater (no peeling necessary) also, try to squeeze as much moisture from the grated zucchini as possible with a clean dish towel then set aside.
 
4) In a bowl add your dry ingredients (1 C flour, 1/2 C cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cinnamon, 1/2 C sugar, 1/2 C brown Sugar)

5) Sir until combined

6) I like to add the Squeezed out zucchini to the dry ingredients. (giving it a good toss to insure all your zucchini bits won’t just end up at the bottom of your batter)

7) In another bowl whisk together wet ingredients 1/2 C vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla

8) Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Sir until combined, try not to overmix. (muffins will become dense)

9) Fold in *3/4 C (or so) chocolate chips.

10) Bake for 15-20 mins.

Enjoy!!😊

🤍 Thanks for your support!

Overcoming Burnout

Photo by Anna Tarazevich

Sleep

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Try to set a schedule of your evening to make sure that you have at least 7-9 hours rest.

Journaling and practicing gratitude

When you start to journal, you notice thoughts or feelings that you had to step over to get to the most important ones throughout your day. You are also allowing yourself to sit in it, and examine the why’s. Write down your stressors and problem- solve.

Change in scenery

Step outside for some fresh air to help alleviate the clutter thoughts. Immediately when you step outside, you’ll start to notice, you take much deeper breaths then inside. Fill up those lungs with some fresh air!

Have device free time

There are so many worlds we have to show up at, so many expectations and sometimes feel like you need an assistant for your assistant (that you do not have) The world is moving at a fast pace and just trying to keep up, could be challenging.

It’s ok to shut it off for awhile. Set a timer and a goal of not picking your phone up. Start small; 30 mins and then try to move your time up gradually. I know when I don’t feel the pressure to show up, I actually show up.

Delegate your work load

The feeling of “doing it all” could make anyone go into a full blown panic attack. The how’s, when’s and why’s start to creep their unwelcomed selves in. Just breathe. Make a list of importance and start seeing if family members could help around the house or colleagues can help.

Delegating takes away “one more” thing that took up space in your mind, the feeling of letting it go can often ease the anxiety.

Energy Bites


Eating consciously doesn’t mean you have to give up EVERYTHING, it just means, a little of this and a little of that. Moderation.

These Energy Bites are a satisfying pick-me-up to get you to your second wind.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 C. whole old-fashioned oats
  • 1 C. creamy or crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/2 C. honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 C. mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 C. mini m&m’s

Additional ingredients that will work great in this recipe….. chia seeds, shredded coconut, Rice Krispies cereal, raisins. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Let’s start

1) Add your crunchy peanut butter and honey in a microwave safe bowel and microwave for 30 seconds, until peanut butter and honey are melted.

1) Combine peanut butter and honey mixture with ALL ingredients.

2) Mix with silicone spatula until well Incorporated.

3) Shape into balls, about 1″ in size. (roughly the size of a golf ball)

4) Place on a cookie sheet, refrigerate for 30 minutes before enjoying. 😊

**Store leftovers covered in the fridge.

**This will get messy!  if your hands are getting too sticky when shaping, spray them with cooking spray.

The perfect grab-and-go snack! These energy balls are children approve, husband devoured and my personal favorite sweet treat!

Orange Sticky Chicken

Ingredients

  • 6-7 chicken thighs
  • olive oil and 1 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (plus optional 6-7 whole garlic cloves)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • green onions to garnish


How To:

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Make the sauce, add orange juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, crushed red pepper, and black pepper into a small bowl, mix well to combine.

In large oven proof skillet over medium heat on the stove add oil and butter

Pat dry chicken salt and pepper

Once skillet is hot add chicken thighs in a single layer skin side down. Cook for 5 minutes.

Flip chicken and cook another 5 minutes.

Place the skillet into the oven, bake 15 minutes

Prepare Broccoli, wash dry and lay on baking sheet Sprinkle Olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Add to oven

While the chicken is baking, finish making the sauce. orange juice, cup honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic and cornstarch.

Add sauce to chicken. Continue Cooking for 15 more minutes.

Check on Broccoli it should be a nice golden Brown around the edges yet, still have some crunch to it. Pull out and set aside.

Once the chicken is done cooking add Broccoli and garnish, extract orange slices. Best served over rice.

Air plant display

Ever notice those beautiful plants that have fallen from trees, realizing, they look like Air Plants but, couldn’t be because these are free and right in our backyard.

drying herb frame- made out of; old frame, chicken wire. Use staple gun to attach wire. Use tiny clothes pins to hang herb.

Tillandsia recurvata, commonly known as ball moss, a flowering plant (not a true moss) in the family Bromeliaceae that grows upon larger host plants. It grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidity, which is commonly provided by southern shade trees, often the southern live oak. It relative to Spanish moss.

Put on your comfy shoes and head out to forge for your items needed. You will want to search for Live Oak and/or Cypress trees.

Air plants are glued with a baby bit of E6000 glue (waterproof) to sticks. the sticks are wrapped around a wire wreath with floral wire. This display has occupied my twins play area. Will make another one.

We are going with the “whatever you have on hand” concept. Your bank account will thank you… And you are not creating more waste.

Acorns are glued together with, you guessed it, E6000. I used a lid from a candle as a base to hold my acorns while I glued. You are also going to need pieces of tape standing by, to use as reinforcement while the ball dries.

Drying time should be overnight just to be on safe side.

Once dry, you can start gluing on your moss. This moss I purchased from Amazon but, I do know you can dye Reindeer Moss with food coloring.

SuperMoss (23164) Reindeer Moss Preserved, Fuchsia, 2oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I6AHSL0/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_vyN8Fb1AX911R

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