Currently Craving: Bamboo

I am loving these kitchen essentials from TruBamboo!

"TruBamboo is an award-winning eco-friendly company known for its dedication to form and style. TruBamboo's Columbian designer aims to achieve harmony between both beauty and performance. The result is functional kitchen décor produced with only hand-sorted grade "A" bamboo. Superior quality artisan construction is expressed through the use of rich detailing and hand finishing for best in class fit, finish and function."

Not only are these housewares beautiful and sustainable, they are also going to help me keep a little green in the bank! Right now they are on sale over at HauteLook and NOTHING is over $20...how can I resist? 

Basics Collection Dish Rack

 One of my goals is to not use the dishwasher, as much. This will be the perfect rack for drying my dishes after I hand wash them! 

Basics Collection Square Caddy with Six Utensils

Basics Collection Cheese Board with Stainless Steel and Bamboo Utensils

 Perfect for entertaining new friends at my new home! 

Circa Collection Cutting Board with TruGrip Feet

Basics Collection Folding Banana Hanger

And last but certainly not least...

These will keep my Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats and Flours fresh, fresh, fresh! And are much more attractive then the rubber-bands and Ziploc bags I'm currently using. 

**Now these are $35...but you get all three, so it's just a little under $12 for each!**

Round Storage Containers with Silicone Lining- Set of 3 

{all images found here}

Whoop Whoop...It's the 30th!

And do you know what that means?  Yes, it's Friday...Yes, it's almost April...but most importantly it's FOODIE PEN PAL REVEAL DAY!!

This is my first month participating as a Foodie Pen Pal and I am so glad I did! Not only have I met 2 fantastic women, the person you mail to is not the person who mails to you! 

First and Foremost, here are some details about Foodie Penpals:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.

-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 

-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!

-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)

-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.

-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!

If you’re interested in participating for April, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. You will also find contact information on that page for the UK branch of Foodie Penpals if you’re a blogger across the pond!

You must submit your information by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!

Ok, Ok....I know you are interested to see what I got, but don't forget to sign-up afterwards, so you to can be in on all the fun!

My Foodie Penpal this month was Jill from Eating As A Path To Yoga! Honestly friends, I can not tell you how excited I was to open my package and see "The Fresh Market" label on several labels! Of course, I was also excited to just receive all the yummy treats, but "The Fresh Market" holds a very special place in my heart! It's one of my favorite stores from back home. My Mom and I always go there when I'm home for some delicious treats, and it's my favorite place to pick up flowers! Of course, there aren't many around but if you have one in your area, you must check it out--if you haven't already. 

Raspberry Lime Green Tea, Orange Blossom Honey, and Greek Dressing

Jill saw that I had just started (and might I add LOVED, more to come on this later!) a Gluten Free cleanse, so she was sure to include some fantastic GF options in my package. I am most excited to try the Blueberry Muffins this weekend. The granola was yummy...definitely devoured as a munchie for my road trip this past week! 

Along with some wonderful edible goodies, Jill included a lovely print out of quotes for Mindful Eating. Appropriately, just what I needed, as I am currently working thru some serious moments of "emotional eating"! Obviously immediately placed on the fridge! 

Thanks Jill! You're amazing! Go see what she got from her Foodie Penpal!! 

And if you want to see what I got for my Penpal...

Check out Tiffany's Blog! 

Happy Friday Ya'll! 

P.S. Sorry for the absence, but I have been on the road... :) 

WIAW #4

Today was long...so tonight's post will be short and sweet! Perhaps it will even be a (mostly) silent

Good Night!

Getting Back in the Kitchen

I love to cook...
I was enrolled in Culinary school, I work in the Restaurant Industry, I love food! 
Lately, though, I haven't really been feeling it in the kitchen. 
I used to get in the kitchen to relieve stress but lately I have just been so busy with work and so tired. By the time I get home in the evening, I just want to pour a glass (errr....bottle?!) of wine and sit on my butt and just throw something together for dinner. 
Besides being tired, busy, and stressed, I have just felt so blah lately. I'm not sure if its the winter blues or what...
So, I sat down a few weeks ago and started to really analyze what was making me feel like this. And the results were an obvious domino effect! 
1. Winter Blues--I get lazy, like really lazy, in the winter! All I want to do when its cold and dreary is cuddle up and keep warm. 
Like I've told many people I only like cold and snow in two situations: Christmas Day (only!) and if I'm on a mountain, knowing at the bottom of the hill is a nice toasty lodge, with a Hot Toddy waiting on me! 
2. Tired--Being lazy, just makes me more tired. Work has been exhausting too...I'm talking so busy that I can't be productive because I don't even know where to begin! Of course, I have taken control of this by making sure I make my to-do list everyday and really focusing on completing the tasks that have priority. 
3. Not cooking--As I mentioned, I love to cook to relieve stress, and that obviously has not been happening. So not only I am not doing something I love but I'm not getting the nutrients I need to get out of this funk! 
4. Workouts are Slack--Are you starting to see the domino effect here? Since I'm so tired, being lazy, not eating right, I'm missing out on the activity that helps the most! The best way to get those endorphins flowing, relieve stress and push that funk right back where it came from is to GET MOVING! 

Just because I love a big fluffy waffle and Texas is on my mind!

What I am doing about it you ask? 
In an effort to get back on my A-game, I'm taking small steps to get back to where I need to be. 
1. Get Back in the Kitchen: The past few weeks, I have dedicated Sunday afternoon to grocery shopping and meal planning. Meal planning has always been a great way for me to make sure I'm eating right and spending plenty of time in the kitchen. 
2. Exercising: I started a new workout plan last week and so far its working out nicely! Its a program I can actually complete at the gym in my apartment complex. (I haven't joined a gym because I travel so much for work, it would be a major waste of money!) I am setting a personal goal to hit the at least 3 mornings each week. Hopefully, this will help with the whole not wanting to do when I get home from work and also give me more time in the kitchen after work. And now with the time change the sun is still up when I get home, so I can go on a nice walk with Gary after dinner. 
3. Getting Sleep: I'm cutting back on the booze**, and working on unplugging earlier. I also write my to-do list for the next day, right before I fall asleep. 
**No, I'm not an alcoholic but I do love me some wine! 


Tonight, I whipped up an easy, healthy dinner in less than 30 minutes!




Backed Salmon Packets
1 3oz. Salmon filet
1 cup Broccoli
1 small Shallot (sliced thin)
1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic (minced)
Sprinkle of Oregano, Thyme and fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 Lemon wedges
Foil

Preheat the oven to 350. 
Place the salmon and broccoli in foil. Spread sliced shallot over top. Sprinkle your olive oil, herbs and garlic evenly. Squeeze lemon juice over salmon and broccoli. 
Fold the foil to form a packet and pop in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Up, Up and Away

via

via

via

You Know it...WIAW! #3

It's Wednesday...so you know what means! But first a quick announcement! 

My Spring Fling Giveaway has been extended, so make sure you go here to enter! 

Ok now on to the real reason you are here...

 Early-thirty protein shake and banana...yeah this is new to me... also new to me is working out in the AM, which I did today! (pat.on.back) I will admit I was pleasantly surprised, this protein smoothie was not to bad! 

Breakfast at the office: 1/2 sweet potato with cinnamon and a turkey "muffin" 

(absolutely delish!) 

Ok now, here comes the GREEN!! 

Lunch: Steamed Brussels over Quinoa and a Spinach salad with Raw Sunflower Seeds, Cranberries and Celery. 

Snack: Green Apple with Justin's Chocolate Peanut Butter (excuse me, heaven!) Blueberries and Green Tea ;)

Dinner: Steamed Veggies (cabbage, broccoli, asparagus) and Spicy Chicken

It was one of those days...so yes, even my wine, courtesy of TJ's was GREEN! ;) 

(However, I don't know if this is really gluten free...oops, again) 

**Do you work out in mornings or evenings? 

**Sweet or savory for foods for Breakfast? 

**I received a large RED box in mail today... very excited to share about what the contents of this box... 

can you guess what it was?

Bring on the Good Things!

via

25 days....