In order to kick off the first weekend in October, I'd like to share my FAVORITE pumpkin pancake recipe. These are guaranteed to please. Whip up a batch and bring in the new season with these sweet eats.
Read MoreEat: Asian Lettuce Wraps
Asian Lettuce Wraps
Quick, easy, healthy crowd pleaser.
My Asian Lettuce Wraps are a HUGE hit around here! SBM requests them all of the time. I make enough so that we will have leftovers. This is one of those rare dishes that even better the second time.
Read MoreSea Soothe: The Power of Seaweed
SBM and I had our wedding right after my last knee surgery. After months of intense physical therapy, yoga and hours on the bike, I still didn't have full flexion, meaning I couldn't bend my knee all the way. I was stuck at 90 degrees, and very frustrated!
Read MoreUrban Garden: Buggin’ Out!
A few mornings ago, while sipping my morning coffee and doing a little reading (ok, I wasn’t really reading… I was instagramming), I noticed these tiny winged devils. EEK!! They were flying and walking all over my basil and my mint.
After a mini freak-out and some quick internet research (love me some Google!) I identified said creatures as: aphids. GROSS. I desperately tried to snap a pic of these suckers for you all to see, but they are just too tiny for my iPhone camera to catch.
I immediately called SEESTER (the real farmer in the family) and asked her what to do. If at all possible, I didn’t want to use pesticides on my sweet plant friends. In order to grow organic, I went to a great deal of trouble buying organic seeds, potting soil, and I even started composting!
Read MoreTreat: Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Summer is here! For some odd reason, Memorial Day always makes me crave M&M cookies. I’m not sure the correlation with M&M cookies and the soldiers who have served and sacrificed for our country… But there is something American about an M&M cookie.
Also, after MUCH experimentation, I have found that these cookies are the PERFECT mix of soft & chewy… but still have crispy edges. There is something about using coconut oil that will do this to a cookie.
Read MoreFeatured Local Hot Spot: Deep Ellum Outdoor Market
Deep Ellum Outdoor Market
As a kid, I moved around a LOT (I guess that is the price you pay when your dad is in the moving business). I’ve had the pleasure of living in Chicago, IL; Ann Arbor, MI; Minneapolis, MN, and Dallas, TX. One thing that ALL of these cities have in common is their support of the Arts.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are the hours I spent hanging out with my family, walking through local street fairs. I LOVED eating local treats, picking out handmade jewelry with my mom, and chatting up local artists with my dad. Dad always tries to incorporate local art into my family’s homes.
In an effort to support local artists, artisans, vendors, and fellow makers, I’m going to start sharing some local hot spots, events and/or gems that I’ve found in the DFW area.
Read MoreThe Sensitive Skin Predicament
"Jennah! Even Aveeno's baby products make him break out in rashes! He is scratching his skin off! What do I do?"
One of my best friends called with this question. Both her husband and son have VERY sensitive skin. Sensitive skin calls for sensitive treatment and very gentle products.
Many traditional skincare products (even the ones labeled natural) can contain harsh chemical ingredients. My general rule of thumb: if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin.
After speaking with her, I put on my research hat and went to work. From babies, to cancer patients, I was determined to make soap gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin.
Read MoreEAT: Pear Salad
Eat: Pear Salad
As it starts to heat up, I am aways on the hunt for fresh salad options. This Eat can be served (as pictured) as an appetizer, party snack, or as a large salad with a bed of mixed greens underneath.
Read MoreChange
There is nothing permanent except change. – Heraclitus
How much change have you encountered today, this week, in the past year?
In the past few years change has wrecked shop on my life. It has invaded every area of my life: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I’ve struggled through 3 knee surgeries, learned to walk again (twice), married the love of my life, got laid off, lost myself, found myself, gained and lost weight, reestablished my value, fell in love with new passions, started a small business, let friendships fade, reinvested in old and new friends (I call them my “lifers”), laughed, cried, and endured.
Read MoreProject Juice Fast: Day 3
Juicing continues! Today's blog includes:
- Fruits & Veggies: What specific benefits do these add to my juice?
- 2 Juice Recipes
- Nitty Gritty: How DAY 3 feels
Project Juice Fast: Day 2
Just when I thought I was in the home stretch, SBM surprised me by saying we should continue our juice fast another few days. Instead of a 3-day fast, we are now on a 5-day fast.
Read MoreTreat: Juice-Pops!
For a healthy snack (and, if you're on a juice fast, a break from all of that drinking) juice-pops are the best!
Keep in mind, whenever you boil or freeze juice, some of the Vitamin C and other heat sensitive nutrients are lost.
Read MoreProject Juice Fast: Day 1
What did I drink?
SBM and I woke up early, washed our fresh produce, and made 3 juices:
- Pink Punch
- Get Up & Go
- Mean Green
Project Juice Fast: Prep
Juice Fasting: Prep
Call me crazy; I am on another juice fast! I LOVE how I feel after the fast… but the process can be painful. Day 1 is rough, day 2 is rougher and day 3 is when you start to feel like a person again.
Read MoreProject Urban Garden: Basil
Eating outside becomes much less appealing when you know you’ll be swatting bugs away while you dine (gross). While researching this problem, I found two plants that claim to repel mosquitos naturally: basil and rosemary.
I love rosemary. I love basil. I hate mosquitos. Mosquitos hate both rosemary and basil. It feels like a confusing math problem, but it is really quite simple: plant basil and rosemary to “mosquito-proof” your urban garden.
Read MoreSpring Sip: Cucumber Lemon Water
In Texas, Spring is a season that the Good Lord grants us sparingly. It is a tiny sliver of time situated between the Holiday Season (think winter, but with sparklier attire and cider-based cocktails), and Pool Season.
Spring, however short, is a refreshing and encouraging reminder that we all like to be outside! The ice storms end, flowers start to bloom, and people start searching for the best patios in town.
At my tiny nest (aka my condo), SBM and I like to think that we have a very charming patio of our own. In order to keep it charming, I spend a lot of time digging in my Urban Garden, and this calls for a refreshing drink!
Read MorePork Loin Chop with Raspberry Balsamic Glaze
It is PORK CHOP Time!!
Last night I made the most delicious pork chop; it was so tender! I served it with my simple raspberry balsamic glaze… Let’s just say SBM has already asked when I will be making it again!
Let’s start with the glaze first!
Read MoreMission: REAL FOOD
I don’t claim to be a fancy-schmancy kitchen pro, but I do love to eat. More than eating, I love feeding everyone I know. If you’ve been to my house, I have fed you. And I have fed you what I call: REAL FOOD!
Before I start sharing all of my easy (seriously simple, but impressive-looking & delicious) recipes with you, I’ll give you the backstory on how eating REAL FOOD, as well as feeding my friends & family REAL FOOD, turned into one of my many passions.
Being a lover of food, I have struggled with my weight my entire life – until I changed ONE, yes, just ONE THING!! I went organic, yep, that is my secret. I cook at home, using primarily unprocessed, and organic ingredients. I eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m satisfied. Best of all, I still drink wine and don’t deprive myself of dessert.
Read MoreUrban Garden Inspiration
Where did you learn all of this?
How exactly did you get into Urban Gardening?
These are 2 questions I get asked all of the time, so here is the story:
SBM (Sexy Bald Man, aka my husband) and I live in a condo in the middle of a busy city. We walk to restaurants, the grocery store and our gym. We spend sunny Saturday afternoons eating big brunches on the café patios that line our busy street. Our particular little condo is situated on the top floor of our building and (drumroll…) we have almost 100 square feet of patio space! We have Patio Space, in the city. Double bonus!
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