So I Have Hashimoto's Disease...

It admittedly feels a little silly to share this here on the ol' blog because this condition is actually really common. However, since I'm making some lifestyle changes to address said condition, it's worth mentioning. And this will probably help explain all the #glutenfree going down over on Instagram since y'all know this body has been powered by carbs since I was a spunky, freckled-faced wee one. (#givemeallthedonuts)

Prior to conceiving -- well, to be exact, prior to knowing we had conceived -- I checked in with my PCP for a routine visit and bloodwork. Turns out, my thyroid levels were borderline out of whack (subclinical hypothyroidism), so out of an abundance of caution, I started a low dose of levothyroxin so that we wouldn't have to deal with a full-blown thyroid condition in the middle of pregnancy. Turns out, it was good timing because Asher was already baking in the oven.

Fast forward to after delivering Ash, I wanted to get off the meds as soon as possible. With my midwife's permission, I weaned off of the levo, was re-tested, and all was well for me to continue without meds. I was able to remain medication-free for about four months, and then one afternoon in the throes of sleep training, I noticed that my throat was really, really swollen. (And yes, I partially blame sleep training for this. Kidding...kinda.) I instantly suspected my thyroid, so I made an appointment for the following Monday with my PCP to check it out.

Yup, the thyroid was back on the fritz. The recommendation was to jump back on the low dose of levo that I was taking during my pregnancy, and my doc advised that I'd likely have to just remain on the medication for life. 

As luck would have it, I had been doing a ton of research at that time on immunity, inflammation, and general wellness in an effort to make an informed decision about Asher's vaccines (a topic that I have no interest in broaching here, but would welcome in person or via email). I asked her (my doc) if I was correct in my understanding that thyroid issues were generally autoimmune in nature. She confirmed that was the case, and I also asked if this meant that I had Hashimoto's Disease (or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis), which she also confirmed. 

This was the first experience in this journey -- which I will truly be on my whole life -- that reminded me not to assume that my general practitioners will take the time to explain a diagnosis or treatment, or even broach alternatives. Not liking the idea of taking a synthetic medication my whole life -- not to mention knowing that my body was so inflamed and out of sorts that it was attacking itself -- I set out to learn more and find supportive resources.

I was fortunate to find two amazing resources to help guide my path: a local Integrative Medicine doctor who specializes in autoimmune conditions, and a veritable handbook for managing my condition via diet and lifestyle, The Autoimmune Solution by Dr. Amy Myers. Equipped with these tools, M and I started making some critical changes to help improve my health for the long haul. We've cut out gluten (donuts...I miss you, but you're literally killing me), most dairy, grain, legumes, nightshade vegetables, caffeine, alcohol, most processed foods, and sugar. Given these limitations -- which are admittedly strict, but only for the first month (which I just completed) to allow my body to "reset" and get a break from all the inflammatory factors -- I decided to start eating organic, pasture-raised poultry and wild-caught fish. After almost 20 years of no meat, I've tolerated it surprisingly well, so hopefully I can sustain this diet and my body will learn to run on healthy fats (versus carbs upon carbs sprinkled with grains, like previously).

We've also removed toxic products from our home, even more so than before. (I had cut out anything with synthetic fragrance just before getting pregnant.) We've started cooking on cast iron (not nearly as difficult after some proper seasoning), invested in organic bedding, learned to check for gluten in everything (including personal care products), and overall became much more in tune with how our body is functioning. It's amazing how many symptoms we can learn to ignore because they just seem commonplace: hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, generalized aches and soreness. Our bodies are often trying to communicate to us, but there's just too much noise in our culture of "Go, go, go!" to hear it. 

There's so much to learn and a lot to share along the way, so without this becoming a health and wellness blog, I will share tidbits I learn along the way. And, of course, email or leave a comment with any questions or feedback. We've all got different tools and perspectives, and I've really enjoyed learning from others who are thriving with Hashi's and learning to take the best care of their bodies for the long haul.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for lots of health snack ideas and exclusive content. I'll be using the tag #lifewithHashis for posts specific to Hashimoto's and this whole new lifestyle thing on IG and my Facebook page.

Twenty Weeks

It's a little hard to believe that as of today, I am officially half-way through this pregnancy. We knew about Little Nugget at 4 weeks, so we've been able to savor this early season of his development from the beginning. (Especially since I never had Morning Sickness, Praise the Lord.) But part of me knows that this journey is about to hit an incline, and while part of me is petrified, part of me is so excited I could piddle.

We had so much fun getting another peek at Baby Boy earlier this week. He has been so active, even since the first sono (at 8weeks). I was shocked to see him shake his little tush during that first glimpse (made all the more comical that he didn't even look human at this point, more like a sassy shrimp creature), and he's been a busy bee every time since. This week, he was having a blast playing with his feet, but it wasn't more than about thirty-seconds before he'd tucker out and need a nap. He already makes us laugh, and I can't wait to see those little feet, which I can already feel kicking and playing about.

Those are some precious thumpers

I can't wait to see his face, to hear his first laugh, and to look into his eyes as he looks into mine. I know he'll be obsessed with his daddy, and I would love nothing more than to get a little M, big brown eyes, dimples and all. 

I'm still feeling really good, so I've been trying to take advantage of this quiet time at work to enjoy the opportunities I have here at home. I haven't cooked in ages, and we were both feeling it. It was nice to go to the store with a few meal ideas in hand (because otherwise, we're liable to stock our fridge and pantry with epic snacks and zero actual meals...#adultingishard), and I've enjoyed being back in the kitchen more lately. I was reminded that eating at home doesn't have to mean cooking every single day, and it has sure been nice to have yummy dishes whipped up so they're ready to go when I'm ready to eat. (It seriously goes from zero to toddler-status very quickly these days, so a wait longer than ten minutes to feed the face is danger zone.)

Here are some of the recipes I've made lately and enjoyed:

• Arugula salad with penne, chickpeas, and sun-dried tomatoes from Skinny Taste
• Slow cooker red lentil dal from Cafe Johnsonia
• Spinach, mushroom, and feta crustless quiche from Budget Bytes

You can check out my Food & Beverage board for more ideas.

Have you found any great, simple recipes lately that you're enjoying?

Registry Favorites for the Kitchen

When M and I registered for our wedding a few years ago, we had to seriously rein it in on the kitchen gadgets and accessories. We both really enjoy cooking, yet we had a hard time imagining all the items we'd need long-term, but would likely never purchase for ourselves (which, is pretty much the definition of a registry). So we tried to strike a happy medium between uber practical and swoon-worthy lust items.

Having used every single item purchased by our sweet wedding guests within six months of marriage, we were quite pleased with our registry choices. We also felt accomplished for bringing everything out to play, especially some of the fancier goods, like our china (pictured in our tablescape to the left here) and the heavier serviceware. We didn't want to treat anything as "too special," relegating beautiful items to a lifetime tucked away in the dark (though we obviously take care to ensure that guests aren't afraid to actually use said items...which I equate to how I feel about putting out white guest towels, but that's for another post.).

So I wanted to share some of my favorite, must-have kitchen items from our registries (as well as their respective price points for reference), that have stood the test of time and continue to be in regular rotation in our home...

Acacia Salad Bowl and Serving Hands ($50 and $13) - I probably use this set at least once a week...twice, if I really think about it. It's so pretty and lightweight, which if you've ever had to schlep a heavy-as-bricks salad bowl, you hear me on that one. I wasn't sure how a natural material would last with that much use, but it still looks great.

NutriBullet ($100) - This is one of those items that M really wanted, but we both have enjoyed using this handy gadget to make smoothies and other healthy beverages (as well as assisting with other dishes here and there that don't warrant pulling out the big ol' blender). M's Mom & Dad also let us borrow their copy of the NutriBullet Healing Foods Book, which gave us some awesome new ideas when I burned myself out on my beloved soy milk-spinach-almond-strawberry-blueberry concoction. 

Sur La Table Blanc Rectangular Serving Platter ($6-$13) - This item probably seems really simple (and it is relatively inexpensive, which I've found is good practice: to pepper your registry with all price points, especially if you're having multiple showers before the wedding), but I don't go a week without using these sleek platters. I registered for two, but could easily make use of three or four. Bonus: they're dishwasher safe. Even a simple weeknight meal looks like something special served on these platters.

Luna Serving Set (via Pottery Barn)

PB Luna Serving Set ($45) - These match the flatware we picked out to match our china (Waterford's Padova), so this service set was an obvious choice. But given we entertain on an almost-weekly basis, they make an appearance as often. They're lovely and perfectly sized, and I just love the weight of them. Elegant enough to feature on a lavish tablescape, yet equally appropriate for noshing around the coffee table with family and friends.

Breville Smart Oven ($250) - So this was an item we almost didn't include on our registry because of the price, but we knew our kitchen needed this. We use this oven daily, be it to toast, bake, reheat, or broil, and especially on these triple-digit days in the Texas summer, I can't imagine not having this puppy to save us from heating up the whole house with the big oven or sweating like a banshee in front of the grill. 

Reidel Decanter ($50) - Confession: I use this beautiful crystal decanter equally as often as a vase as I do a decanter. (To our wine-drinking guests: I swear, I wash it really, really well!) I think that nothing elevates a delightful pairing like taking the time to properly decant a good bottle of wine and letting it come to room temp (we store our reds in a wine fridge).

Breville YouBrew Coffee Maker ($250) - (OK, I promise, this post wasn't sponsored by Breville, but they make some quality stuff, y'all.) We are quite picky when it comes to our coffee gadgets, and this was a big item for us. (Again, almost didn't include it on the registry, but I about did a backflip in my ladylike lace dress when I opened this package.) It's awesome...built-in burr grinder, single cup and carafe brew settings, pre-infusion, and can be programmed to auto-start. Haven't regretted this selection one day in the past (almost) two years.

Now it's your turn... What are your favorite registry items, or simply your splurge purchases for the kitchen/dining room that you can't imagine being without?

Mashed Potato and Chive Waffles

Savory waffles? Y'all, if you haven't tried them, you simply must!

We made these for brunch a while back while we were house sitting for M's parents (read: relishing an excuse to hunker down in a quiet home with a fireplace, dogs, and the kind of coziness that only mamas can bring to a space). The recipe seemed complex, but it ended up being very straightforward (and even quicker if you already have leftover mashed potatoes, which we actually prepared the night before) and accurate. (Joy the Baker never disappoints!)

Get the recipe here! (Give traffic where traffic is due, knowhatimean?)

We did make a few adjustments...

I didn't have buttermilk, nor did I want to buy that stinky shiz for just a 1/4 cup worth. I used a substitute of lemon juice and regular milk, and it worked just fine.

We also opted for a creamy goat cheese to top our waffles (which we kept warming in the toaster oven after they cooled on the rack, since our iron only makes two at a time and this recipe yields 8 waffles), and we preferred the tangy brightness of the goat cheese (compared to the cheddar, which we did try later). I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that is was almost like eating a sour cream-topped baked potato for breakfast... Nom, nom, nom. And they chives are key. Don't skip those.

We froze the leftovers, and they warmed up brilliantly in the toaster oven (think Eggo waffles...but amazingsauce). Next time I'd seriously considering doubling the recipe because they're SO good and freeze really well.

Enjoy!

Calling All Winos and Coffee Lovers... {A Giveaway!} CLOSED

In celebration of my new domain, I wanted to pass along a little something to thank y'all for reading, sharing (your often heartwarming and hilarious comments), Tweeting, Pinning, etc. So today we kick off a fun little giveaway...

via

Biscotti Brothers Bakery Almond Biscotti

Forget what you think you know about the twice baked treats, these biscotti are hands down the best I've had. I wasn't even a big biscotti fan (though I would tackle a baby holding a kitten for a good donut), but the good folks at Espresso Zone slipped in a free sample in our case of espresso pods, and we were done for. Dipped in hot tea, iced coffee, cappuccino, french press, whatever your brew of choice, these crispy delights maintain their crunch while absorbing just enough flavor to make your mouth go absolutely bananas. The almond flavor is my personal favorite, and my contact at EZ.com said they even like their biscotti paired with red wine. Whaaaaat.


The details:

 

Two (2) Use Your Words, Little Girl readers will receive their very own box of Almond Biscotti.*
The winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, September 16th. 
(Giveaway is open to US readers only.)
 

To enter:

•  Follow Use Your Words, Little Girl on Bloglovin'
• Follow @UseYourWordsNat on Twitter
• Follow me on Pinterest

Leave a separate comment below for each entry to let me know what you did, and be sure to include your email address so I can follow up with the winners!

Image shared courtesy of EspressoZone.com

*Please note: This giveaway is not sponsored by EspressoZone.com, though I thank them tremendously for their support and fantastic customer service! This is a "thank you," to you, from me.

Wedding Wednesday: The Food

This week we're talking food. M and I get pretty excited about delicious noms and knew we wanted a nice spread for our guests. The cuisine was one of our priorities (up there with good photography), so we handpicked our menu items and knew after the tasting that we were in for a treat!

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the chef at the clubhouse of the private neighborhood where the wedding took place, which made transport and logistics related to food much easier. We wanted a Mediterranean spread and had a variety of food preferences of which we wanted to be considerate (veggie bride, vegan MOH, kiddos, gluten-free and carb-conscious guests), so we favored the Italian region in our primary offerings, while still incorporating lots of fresh, delish veggies and a salad bar with toppings galore. We kept the protein separate from the carbs and veggies, so all palates were (hopefully) happy.

I sincerely tried not to nickel-and-dime our vendors to death, but this little girl was trying to pack max elegance into a (relatively) modest budget, so I didn't hesitate to brainstorm with our team for ways to spend wisely. For example, I'd much rather include premium cheeses on our welcome platter and spring for extra veggie options than have real silver serveware. So we switched out silver rental items for stainless and saved quite a bit. (I mean, we can't forsake the manchego budget, y'all.)

We rented white square plates for dinner (I just don't trust flimsy materials when people are noshing meatballs in their party clothes), while the cups, silverware and cake plates were purchased from Bgreen Today. I know there are fancier options out there, but we opted for sustainable party-throwing over aesthetics. (Though I have to say that their offerings are great and the materials held up nicely. Great company to work with, too!)

We offered a selection of beers, wine (red and white), soda, iced tea and water to accompany our spread. Like our flowers, we purchased the beverages from Costco. Our local Costco accepts returns on unopened wine, so we didn't have to worry about overbuying nor running dry mid-way through the evening. (A membership just for the wedding pays for itself.) For service at the built-in bar, we simply hired a TABC-certified bartender through our chef, and asked a few adults to keep an eye on the giant galvinzed trough near the dance floor that held our selection of beers, soda and water.)

Now the cake...oh, the cake. Our friend happens to be a baking goddess, so I was more than a little stoked when she offered to do our cakes. We wanted simple lines, elegant, but more than anything, silly yummy. And she delivered. Big time.

Wedding cake: lemon cake with raspberry white chocolate cream cheese filling, amaretto cake with almond buttercream filling, carrot cake with white chocolate cream cheese filling, all layers finished with Italian buttercream frosting

The groom's cake: chocolate mint with chocolate Italian buttercream frosting

While a full-blown dinner isn't necesarily expected at weddings these days, we wanted our guests to settle in and stay a while. (Especially since it was a decent drive to our venue, not to mention required shuttle service to the front door.) A hearty meal with lots of options is exactly what we would serve to guests in our home, so it felt only appropriate to scale it out and ensure our menu reflected our desire to make our nearest and dearest feel right at home.

All photos by: Kim Hayes Photography (DFW)

Chef: Wade Goodmay

Menu cards: Winnie (My sweet step-sister)

Venue: Private residence in Granbury, TX

{More of our wedding details}

The Flowers

Bridal Details
The Reception

{Northwest Coast Road Trip} Day 5: Pike Place Market and Coffee Heaven

It always surprises me how much a travel companion can shape your experience of a given place. I've been to Seattle before, mind you, but visiting the city with M, I felt like I saw it with new eyes. It was as though I could see myself actually settling in there, imaging what life would be like in this thriving city, hitting up the market on a regular basis for fresh produce and spending hours in one of the dozens of local cafes. Le sigh.

We were fortunate enough to have nabbed a room at the very charming Mayflower Park Hotel, situated mere blocks away from Pike Place Market, which served as the anchor point for most of our stay here.  

We headed out from Portland around 6am to beat the epic morning commute in Seattle (well, most of it), so I was pretty excited when I found myself with a legit excuse to indulge in second breakfast once in town. My must-eat spot in Seattle? Piroshky Piroshky! This Russian Bakery is located just a few doors down from the OG Starbucks on Pike, and their potato, onion and cheese piroshky is one of my absolute favorite treats.

My other favorite noms while in Seattle: Rainier Cherries from the market. We enjoyed several bags of these while perusing the fresh offerings of local vendors. M was in awe; meanwhile, I had to restrain myself from jumping headfirst into the glorious spread of veggies.

And the flowers. Oh, the lovely flowers. Pale pink peonies were my favorites.

After a brief cat nap, we grabbed some lunch at Sound View Cafe, which is nestled in the market and overlooks the waterfront. It is a great, low key spot to grab some tasty fuel. (I splurged on this trip and ate some seafood. Gasp! I know, but when in Rome...)

We ventured a bit north to Lynnwood to visit M's homeland: Seattle Coffee Gear. This place is quite a gem. The staff is super sweet, and you can sample the impressive variety of coffee gadgets available for purchase. (M decided on a classic vacuum pot to round out his own impressive collection.) 

Primed for a proper cup of Seattle coffee, we visited Victrola Coffee Roasters downtown at the recommendation of another local roaster. It was a good recommendation, indeed, and nice to watch the city roll by for a bit from our table near the window.

M and I wanted to splurge on a romantic dinner to celebrate our trip (and our engagement), so we spiffied up a bit and trusted good ol' Yelp with leading us to a great dinner spot. We ended up with reservations at Il Bistro, which could not have been more lovely for such an occasion. Located just off a cobblestone alley near the market, we were welcomed into a dimly lit bistro which we shared with just one other couple. I enjoyed a glass of Prosecco and the Ravioli di Pera (pear and gorgonzola...oh. my. stars.), while M opted for some Chianti and the grilled salmon with marscapone and English pea risotto. (The lighting didn't accommodate food photos without being totally obnoxious, so trust that it was lovely and delicious.) We grabbed a slice of marscapone lemon cheesecake to enjoy back in our room, tucked into bed, and happy as clams.

It was a very, very good day.

Next: Au Revoir, Pacific Northwest...

{Northwest Coast Road Trip} Day 4: Portland Must-Do's

If my dear family didn't live in DFW (or, more precisely, if I didn't cherish living close to these folks), I'd be calling Portland home in a hot second. Waking up to the clean, cool air coming in through the cracked window (no A/C needed up in here) is not a bad way to start the day. But for a straight up excellent PDX morning, you've go to hit VooDoo Doughnut and Stumptown Coffee Roasters downtown. (That bacon-maple number obviously belongs to M; my vegan maple bar didn't photograph as nicely. Or I bit into it too quickly. Whateves.) 

Tummies full (and suffering from a mild case of eater's remorse), we headed east to check out Multnomah Falls. During previous visits, my schedule hasn't permitted exploring the falls. But as we were already on a total nature kick at this point from our experience with the Redwoods, the falls became a must-see for this trip. And they did not disappoint in the slightest.

We climbed a mountain, y'all. Like, legit hiked over a mile up a zig-zagged trail (with 11 total switchbacks) at a pretty steep incline. There was some huffing and puffing happening, not gonna lie, but the sights were incredible. And when M and I made up it to the top of the trail, we were rewarded with an incredible, secluded oasis. We sat beneath the shady boughs of the local flora, listening to the clear water rushing by, then stuck our toes in the cool spring and refilled our water bottle for the rest of the trek.

We continued up the mountain a bit on the hiker's trail to take in another lovely waterfall before finally heading back down. The experience of making it up that mountain together was really special for M and I, and I know we'll hold on to precious memories from our little oasis among the trees.

Freshened up a bit and changed into clean clothes, we met our friends for dinner at Vita Cafe. I opted for the seitan cheese steak and a root beer, which was quite satisfying after our active day. M's buffalo tofu wrap was also a winner. Once again, hunger triumphed over the photo op, but just imagine the yumminess as you take a gander at Vita's menu. (You may need a bib.)

After dinner we headed over to Powell's Books to peruse the countless shelves and for my yearly stock-up on handmade and letterpress note cards. We could've spent hours there, reading up on home design, recipes and coffee lore, but our tired feet beckoned us to take a seat and relax for a bit.

Just a short stroll from Powell's, Henry's Tavern invited us in with its comfy booths and low lighting, not to mention a great selection of local beers. (I went with the Widmer Hefeweizen. Delish!)

Tuckered out and knowing an early morning departure for Seattle was in our future, we made our way back to the condo to visit with our friends and their sweet munchkin before falling fast asleep.

Next: Pike Place Market, we heart you...

*I realize the apostrophe in the title of this post isn't grammatically correct, but "Must-Dos" had an unintended latin flair to it, so we're just gonna have to deal.

{My Top 5} Office Snacks

When work keeps me busy, I tend to nibble at my desk throughout the day to keep me focused, satisfied, and (sadly) entertained. Lunch is generally a small (albeit awesome) sandwich, so I don't feel as bad about noshing all the live long day. 

That being said, I present to you my Top 5 favorite office munchies...

via

Popcorn is positively delicious. At home I like to sprinkle a bit of nutritional yeast atop the fluffy kernels, or even indulge in M's homemade kettle corn (crack corn, y'all), but at work I just go for the basics. And if you give a girl some popcorn, she's going to want a Coke...

via

Oriental rice crackers are a staple in my snack drawer. (Don't judge me. At least said drawer is organized.) I have OD'd on these suckers more than once.

via

I've talked about these before, but seriously, way to go, Special K. The sour cream and onion crisps are silly good. A box doesn't last long in my neck of the woods.

via

Because they can be pricey, cashews are a rare but savored treat. My hands-down favorite are the Southwest Cashews from Sahale Snacks, which are dusted with chili and cheesy yumminess. (These used to be prevalent at Sbux, but you can still find them at Whole Foods and Central Market, as well as some local markets.)

via

Oh, the wasabi pea. They're addicting, right? I get super stoked if I find an asian snack mix that includes rice crackers and wasabi peas. They don't stand a chance.

So, I'm clearly a fan of salty snacks. I try to drink lots of water and walk around often so I don't just turn into a giant salt lick, but I simply can't resist these tasty treats.

What is your snack of choice when you're working hard?

A Good Friday, Indeed

Today is the last day of my juice fast. I'm honestly surprised I made it the whole week. Despite an often growling stomach, I feel great. I've dropped a few pounds, my skin is clear, the whites of my eyes are actually white, my energy has been great (earmuffs, dear coffee), and my whole system feels clean and light.

Moving forward, I will definitely incorporate juicing into my regular diet. The benefits are clear and I know I am doing my body good. I am still holding off on some foods until M has finished his fast (he's halfway through three weeks!), but I know my first few bites will be pretty sweet. (Side note: taking communion on Wednesday while fasting was something special. This was the perfect week to sacrifice.)

via



I'm looking very forward to a weekend of relaxing, reading, chatting and enjoying the sunshine in M's new hammock. Something about laying next to my honey, the sunlight streaming through the beautiful boughs, watching the pups frolic around the yard...it's good for the soul. I can hear the Lord so vividly in times like this. And that's exactly what I'm craving right now.

Here's a lovely weekend. I hope you make some time to be still and enjoy the simple pleasures. Sunday marks a glorious celebration for us all, and I wish you a blessed day of worship, fellowship and thanksgiving!

Day by Day

I feel like it has been a little quiet over in my neck of the woods lately. Please know that I am keeping up with reading your lovely posts, but I'm also trying to keep my head above water now that work has picked up (and will continue to do so for the next few months, at least).

I have also joined M in a juice fast. He has inspired me so much and been such a trooper during the week has already made it through. I just started on Saturday, and, y'all, it's rough. I'm detoxing like a mo-fo and realizing just how addicted to food I am. I am committed to doing it for a week (which seems lame compared to M's three-week goal), but I'm definitely taking it one moment at a time.

We have been using his Breville juicer (the model from Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead), and I have been very pleasantly surprised at how yummy some of our fruit and veggie concoctions have been. (This morning's beverage, on the other hand, was NOT delicious. Grapefruit, you win this round. Oy.) I know that I'll feel better once I make it over the detox hump, and while this has been challenging, my tummy has felt great and I don't miss being food drunk after every meal. (Moderation escapes me at times.)

So I may be kind of quiet as we get through this week, but I know this weekend will be a sweet celebration, first and foremost as we celebrate the good news of the resurrection!

In the meantime, I'd tackle a puppy for this...

via

No joke.

Things That Make Me Frolic

Spring is just lovely, don't you think? The beautiful weather here in the south right now makes me positively giddy. I can't help but smile thinking of all the sweet spring details. 

Flowers and trees bloom and revive from their barren winter state. True, blooms bring bees. And I hate bees. But I'll gladly brave the little buggers for this glorious sight.

Mmmmm...iced coffee. Really, all iced beverages are a special kind of yum during these breezy, sunny months. But you can't beat the light kick of a delicious icy roast.

'Tis the season of fabulous wedges, sandals, and showing off those pretty ankles. If my toes didn't curl up like an elf's, I'd be all over the pedi-baring peep-toes. Thankfully, there are still plenty of saucy shoes to chose from that don't expose my pixie toes.

Mmmmmm....gelato. This cool treat pairs well with a walk at dusk and a long chat on the porch into the evening, feet kicked up...and citronella candles ready for action. (I'm in Texas, after all. Skeeters love those pretty ankles, too.)

What has you jazzed for spring right now?

All images via Pinterest.

A Sunday Kind of Love

{Mushy post! You've been warned...}

M and I attended a cooking class last night at one of our favorite local eateries, Spiral Diner. They were sharing their awesome vegan breakfast recipes that make meat-eaters and veggies alike say, "Hummina." (Their tofu scramble is like a party in your mouth.) We had so much fun, taking notes together and imagining yummy mix-ins and occassions for trying our new recipes. The rain was falling outside, our bellies were full, and my heart was in full-blown pitter-patter mode.

via

This was one of many moments that make me cherish what I have with my mister. It's a special relationship, indeed, when you can be completely yourself and have an absolute blast no matter what you're doing. Some share this kind of bond with girlfriends, siblings, cousins, pets. These relationships are incredible blessings, being surrounded by so much love and such extraordinary people. To look my handsome man in the eye and know that he is my best friend...let's just say I think I owe God some cupcakes.

Friday Favorites, v.18

Ok, so technically this is v.1 of "Friday Favorites," but as it's a reincarnation of my "Friday, I'm in Love" series, I'm just going to pick up where I left off. The format and spirit are the same, but I don't want to loosely throw around being in love with anything (especially stuff). Thus, I present my Friday Favorites.

via

I adore flowers. I really do. I've long appreciated the rich fragrance of lilies, the feminine fullness of peonies and the special sentimentality of gardenias, but ranunculus in particular are making me especially happy as of late. They're so lovely. 

via

M and I broke in my new food processor the other day by making some homemade hummus. Um, yum, y'all. We used an Alton Brown recipe (sub. canned organic chickpeas), and while I can see us experimenting with different flavors and ingredients, I doubt I'll ever buy hummus from the store again. It's so easy and so delicious.

via

I blame the fashion-major roomie in college, but I am just smitten with fashion sketches. They capture creativity in such an elegant way. I've been on the lookout for a sketch to frame for my home. (Wishing I could afford one from Dallas Shaw.)

via

I want all things linen and I blame Pinterest. Especially when paired with a romantic element (like soft hues, ruffles, or lavender, above), the texture of linen anything is just fantastic. (Oh, hello, header...)

What are your favorites today?

P.S. Hello and welcome to my new followers! So glad to have you and thanks for reading!

Recipe: Lettuce Wraps

This past Friday, M and I had a proper dinner-and-a-movie date night. One of my favorite things about going to the movies is the treats. It just isn't the same to take in a show without some popcorn and a Coke (and usually Reece's Pieces or M&Ms to couple with the saltiness of the popcorn). And since I didn't want to spoil our snack appetite, we opted for a light dinner. (Priorities, y'all.) I'd been wanting to try the Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Mustard Tofu from my Appetite for Reduction cookbook, and this seemed like the perfect occasion to give this recipe a whirl.

Per usual, I made some substitutions right out of the gate. I opted for mushrooms instead of tofu because I thought the meatiness of the 'shrooms would be fantastic in this dish. (I still daydream about those mushroom lettuce wraps from our anniversary lunch). I also used romaine lettuce instead of iceberg because the leaves are nice and sturdy and create little boats o' yum. The recipe doesn't call for crispy noodles, but they're just delightful in lettuce wraps and I highly recommend the few extra minutes to prepare them.

Hoisin-Mustard Lettuce Wraps 
{Adapted from Appetite for Reduction}

Ingredients:
Mushrooms
1 package mushrooms, rinsed and diced to 1/2" (I used baby bellas)
2 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce

Sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
1 small onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp red peper flakes (I added extra for spice)
3 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tsp prepared yellow mustard 

Crispy noodles
1 package dried rice noodles (in the asian section of most supermarkets)
1 cup oil to fry (I used vegetable oil)

To serve
1 head romaine lettuce

Directions:

Prepare the mushrooms: Preheat a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 8 minutes until they're browned. About midway through, drizzle with the soy sauce and toss to coat. Place mushroom mixture in a bowl and set aside.

Preheat skillet over medium heat with the sesame oil. (I used the same skillet; no need to mess up more dishes than needed.) Saute the red pepper, onion, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 10 minutes. The veggies should be soft and browned. Add the mirin and let cook for about 3 minutes. Add the hoisin and mustard, and cook for another minute. Add the mushroom mixture to the sauce and toss to coat. 

Prepare the crispy noodles: Heat oil in a frying pan (or small sauce pan will do) for at least 1 minute over medium-high heat. Separate dry noodles and cut into 4-5 inch lengths. Gently drop a handful of noodles into oil, making sure you have a utensil ready to quickly flip them. No joke, they "bloom" in a matter of seconds, so have a plate with paper towel on which to place them ready to go, as well as some tongs or a slotted spoon for flipping and retrieving. Lightly salt the fried noodles, if desired.

Serve filling and crispy noodles alongside lettuce leaves to stuff like tacos.

We absolutely loved this recipe and can't wait to make it again! Prepping the veggies took about 15 minutes, but the assembly was quick otherwise (35 minutes start to finish). These are perfect for a light dinner or appetizer, but could also be served with some brown rice or hearty veggies for a more substantial meal.