Have A Seat, My Sweet!

I just L-O-V-E this tablescape so much!
Even though it was originally designed for Valentines,
there is nothing so overtly "Valentiney"
about it that it cannot be a used for a beautiful
Spring tablescape too!

When I think of Valentines Day,
two very different visions come to mind...

The first is of me and my hubby having a quiet romantic dinner.

Did I mention quiet..as in we we both sit down at the same time,

in the same room and can actually eat our food!

The second is of me and the kiddos sitting in a pile of paper,

tissue, and doilies - fingers covered in glue -
making homemade Valentines.

One of the above has happened. Can you guess which one?

{I actually attempt to not "celebrate" Valentines Day...

stick around...next week, I will explain.}

This "Have a Seat, My Sweet" Valentine's Day table

is inspired by the "characters" {a.k.a. Kiddos!} in the second vision.
So, I went more sweet than romantic for this weeks design.

I imagine cleaning the glue off of our fingers

to sit down for cookies, scones, finger sandwiches and tea.

My kids actually love tea {both of them} and scones.

 A chandelier of found branches hangs from the camellia tree,
adorned with ribbons and miniature paper globes,
it creates a whimsical focal point.

A view from overhead.

A nest provides the perfect spot for a paper globe to rest.
A glittering monogram awaits the guest.

A simple glass container set a top a silver tray
is home to a bed of moss, baby's breath
and gorgeous red camellias.
I just love baby's breath when it is paired with
the unexpected or grouped in a large, full bunch.

Petite vases on either side of the main
centerpiece hold pink baby roses.

A shot of the overall place setting - my favorite
find last week were these pink basket weave plates.
I paired them with toile saucers and
a rose/love themed larger plate.
I dug deep into hubby's "treasures" and
found a glass and pitcher set with a platinum rim.
I used that because it complimented
my tea cups with the platinum rim.

I played with the linens a lot.
First I laid a basic white linen,
then layered burlap on top
{I am officially in love with burlap these days}.
I topped the burlap with a small embroidered square linen.
The napkins are simple and ecru.
I just loved the look of the contrast between
the smooth, rough, and vintage layers.

Embroidery detail from the topper.

A close up of the mixed and matched tea cup and saucer.

Handmade paper globes with flowing ribbon
hung from the chandelier.
Crystals were add for some sparkle.

I used some decorative iron garden chairs
{that are always on my porch},
wrapped them in a lightweight white fabric
and tied them off with a strip of burlap.
Tucking some baby's breath, and topping the chair
with a vintage doilie finished the look.

 

Of course, I had cookies!

 

Hope you enjoyed it!

I am linking up to the..

Spotlight Yourself Party at It's So Very Cheri

Trendy Treehouse's Creative Share Blog Hop

Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Somewhat Simple's Valentine's Link Party

and

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

Have a sweet day!

Holly 

Resources: Toile plates and Love plates (Marshall's); basket weave plate (vintage, Goodwill); tea cup (Goodwill), Centerpiece (Marshall's); Topper (grandma's); Burlap (Ace Hardware); Glassware (Vintage, grandma's); Paper globes, monogram (handmade); ribbon, nest (Michael's).

CONTINUE READING

Mind, Body, Food...I Broke Two Rules

I am a rules a person.

Yes, I have a lot of rules.

I usually don't break rules....but I did!

I broke two of my own rules.

{GASP!}

Now, I should warn you, this post is turning out to be long. I also need you to understand I was not that girl in middle school or high school who watched the movie about how hot dogs were made and vowed never to eat them again. I am just now truly interested in what has happened to our food supply and what the heck is going on so I can make me family healthier and teach my kids the right thing. I also know some of this works because at 22/23 I did eat vegan {for health and weight issues} and never felt better or looked better in my entire life. I did this for about 4 years, and then fell off the wagon when I got married...My guide, my favorite book in regards to this is

Dr. McDougall also has a website with free information,

recipes, and a free eating program.

Oh, you want to know what rules I broke...

Rule One...Long ago, when I had quit my job after getting married and was figuring out what I was going to do with my life, I watched a lot of Oprah. Hubby would come home, and our conversation would begin like, "On Oprah today..."  So that became hubby's rule...no sentence can begin with "On Oprah today..." Over time, I got "over" Oprah, and my rule was simply no more Oprah {I know, I know...don't leave me for that!}.

Rule Two...I N-E-V-E-R buy celebrity endorsed products, especially diet or cookbooks. Call me a jaded Angeleno, but I am quite over celebrities being experts on "everything."

So, within 24 hours, both of those rules where out the window...at least for awhile. On Monday night, I was checking out the TV schedule for  the evening and saw that Oprah was having a special called Food 101 with Michael Pollan. For those of you who have read my Mindy...Body...Food posts {see the bottom of this post for the links}, you know I am all about changing the way I and my entire family eats - "out" with funky ingredients and preservatives and "in" with whole, nutritious, real food.

Any way this was a great special with so much info, really good info! I was also very interested because a few ladies have mentioned the book The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I have not read it yet, but I am buying the book today. From what I understand Michael Pollan does eat meat...he is not a vegan...he just eats the "right" kind of meat {just so no one thinks this is a "vegan-only" post}.

He also has one for kids...

Oprah mainly focused on his Book, Food Rules: An Eaters Manual

Some of the rules they covered on the special were:

1. Eat food .
2: Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
7: Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce.
13: Eat only foods that will eventually rot.
39: Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.

She also referenced a documentary called Food Inc. I am actually kind of afraid to watch it!

The Oprah special is recapped HERE.

And you have to take the food quiz...it is appalling!

Now for the second broken rule...Alicia Silverstone was on Oprah's special. I knew she was a vegan...I have heard this before, but I actually listened to her this time. Yes, I listened to a celebrity babble on about something...BUT she wasn't babbling..she made so much sense. She has a book out too, called The Kind Diet and I went out the next day and bought it.

In it, she details many different aspects of eating, health, and her perspective on being vegan and why. She also talks about Dr.McDougall {so she had me there!}. She offers recipes at different levels of change from "Flirting" to "Superhero," depending on what you are ready for. I liked this because while I can do "Superhero," hubby will "Flirt." I found I can use many of her recipes as side dishes for him...He must have meat {his idea, not mine}!!!!

Of course I could not talk about this book without having tried some of the recipes. I made the  Quinoa with Basil and Pine Nuts. A pretty basic recipe overall - prepare 1 cup of quinoa according to directions, toast pine nuts, chop basil, mix altogether and drizzle with olive oil. Easy and good (do I dare tell you I have never made quinoa before...I have always had it in the pantry, but never made it...I was afraid...so this was a good recipe to try.}.

Did I mention there are desserts? Last night I made the Coffee Fudge Brownies...six thumbs up from me and the kiddos (hubby is out of town). Really, really good! So, I am actually kind of in love with this "Kind Diet," and very excited to try more.

I am at the point where I will be seriously looking into organic chickens and grass fed beef for the family. As for me, I am pretty sure I am going to go Vegetarian again. I have a hard time calling myself a vegan, because I cannot say I won't slip up and eat cheese or anything like that. I also prefer this method of eating because I just do not want to count calories or fat or carbs or points.

Either way, they also say it is good for the environment to go meatless at least once a week. I am not preaching vegetarianism, veganism, or anything else..just exploring. What do you think? Do you buy celebrity endorsed products? Did you watch the Oprah special? 

Happy Eating!

Holly

If you are new or need a refresher on

the Mind, Body, Food Posts…

The Beginning: How it came to be.

Chapter 1: The Road to Complete Nutrition (body Image and food)

Chapter 2:Healthy Menu and Chicken Chili Recipe
Chapter 3: Pantry Perfection and a Homemade Ketchup recipe

CONTINUE READING

The Winner is...A Psi of Relief...and A Few Announcements

Congratulations to Katrina at Sevin Family!

She is the winner of the Lisa Leonard Illuminate necklace!

THANK YOU all for entering!

Really, I wish I could buy you all one...

maybe if I ever stepped away for the blog

and worked on my books...I could!

If you still need a FABULOUS piece of jewelry,

go to Lisa Leonard's site and sign up for her newsletter.

You will get a coupon for 15% off your purchase!

Thank you Lisa for this great giveaway!
{P.S. I pick the old fashion way...one ticket per valid entry,
throw 'em in a bowl and pick one!}

**********************

I was named PsiBands Featured Mom for February 2010.

 

Do yo know someone who should be the featured mom for March?

Visit their Facebook Page and click on the Pregnant Tab for details

{pregnancy not required}!

And now, for a little about PsiBands...

These super chic, FDA-cleared acupressure wrist bands

are for the relief of nausea due to morning sickness (pregnancy),

motion sickness/travel, anesthesia, and chemotherapy....

and they come in stylish designs!

PsiBands were created by two moms who were looking

for a better, drug-free way to treat their morning sickness...
and they did it!

Check out there website or Fan them on Facebook.

You can check out my post over at Hip Weddings

about how PsiBands can help you on your
honeymoon or when you travel!

**********************

A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project

Keep it in mind {nudge, nudge}.

Go read more about it and really think about joining in.

Let's all celebrate our beauty!

**********************

NOW FOR SOME HOUSEKEEPING!

I'll be back later with a regular post....

about two things I N-E-V-E-R do!

I will also be doing my best to catch up with comments and visiting.

I posted way too much this week and, boy am I behind!

Anyone figured out how to keep up with your blog addiction

and funciton in the real world too...while still finding time for sleep?

It's 12:43 a.m. and I am still up!

Good Night...or Good Morning!

Holly

DISCLAIMER: For the Lisa Leonard giveaway, I did receive one Illuminate necklace for my review and use. I did not receive any compensation from PsiBands for my post(s), and I was nominated by a friend to be the featured mom. 

CONTINUE READING

How Do You Define Beauty?

Yes, I love makeup.

Yes, I love a good haircut and a few highlights/lowlights.

Yes, I love clothes, shoes, bags, and especially sunglasses.

But, how do I really define beauty?

How do you define beauty?

About a year and a half ago, over at Hey Gorgeous

(that particular part of the blog is no longer up, 1/15/12),

there was something fabulous going on...

The author of the blog was compiling stories and photos for a project called

A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project
(blog no longer up, 1/15/12)

 A Beautiful State of Mind - The Project (blog no longer up, 1/15/12) iexplored what women of all ages, all ethnicities, all walks of life think is beautiful, how they define beauty, and what they think makes them beautiful.

I am in a constant state of self-exploration and discovery, so this project simply fascinates me. Gone are my days of turning heads as I walk down he street {it happened once or twice} - a 6 foot tall blond is bound to do that no matter what - and as those days disappear , I must really consider what makes me beautiful, not physically, but what really makes me and other women beautiful.

I have met gorgeous women, only to get to know them...and not really like what I see anymore. There lack of inner beauty, of kindness, or anything substantial has left me thinking very little of their outer beauty. I have also watched this process in reverse.

Now that I have a daughter, I know I will always think she is beautiful, but I want her to know what true beauty is...what it is to have a "Beautiful State of Mind."

So have you thought about it...How do you define beauty?

And what do you think of these wacky shots - crazy hair and all - my son took of me tonight!?!

 Have a Beautiful Day!

Holly

CONTINUE READING

Rethink...Your Environment

 This week's discussion topic at Rethink What Matters is

RETHINK YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

To catch up, read Rethink and Grow, the first post in this series.

The house you grew up in....

the road you walk to school...

the mountains your camp in...

the ocean you swim in...

the air you breathe...

This is your environment.

How has it impacted you?

How have you impacted it?

On a large scale - the largest scale - we must all think about our Earth and what we can do to relieve the stress on our planet...even simple gestures help. I conserve energy {seriously it has to fall below 55 in the house for the heater to be turned on}, I repurpose, I reuse, and I try to find homes for my own unnecessary items. I bring my own bags to the grocery store, the drug store, the craft store...or skip the bags altogether. I buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste, purchase locally grown and/or organic products, and we have pretty much weaned ourselves from bottled water.

And, you may notice that I have saved probably the easiest, most obvious one for last...recycle. I am proud to say our recycle bin {which is the same size as the trash bin} is fuller than the trash bin. I have been recycling forever. True, it may have started by high-tailing it to the redemption machine outside the grocery store to get 3 cents per bottle...and it may have been mainly a way to get the empty wine cooler bottles out of the house before Mom and Dad found them...but it counts!

On the other hand, I do not drive a hybrid, nor do I have solar power, and I will admit I do drive sometimes when I could walk {Ed Begley Jr. will not be asking me to be a part of his show anytime soon}.

In my home, I surround myself with memories...the old Victrola, the beveled mirror that hung in my Granny's house, the gumball machines, family photos, homemade artwork. I once wanted my house to look like a page in the Pottery Barn catalog, and, I am not knocking Pottery Barn, but I am so much happier with the way it looks now...it reflects us. We have made it our own. Of course, it could have less dog hair...fresher paint, fluffier pillows, and a lot less toys...but all in all it is the place my children can play and be kids. It is a place my friends can hang out with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and be comfortable, it is the place I am the happiest and most serene. When my children are grown and come "home," if they can feel they way I do when I go "home" to my childhood home, I will have done my job.

In the less physical sense, I have tried to create a stimulating {in a non-video game sense, of course!}, safe, secure, creative, and loving environment for my children and my family, no matter where we may be physically. I want their lives to be filled with wonderful memories. I want them to know what it is like to be loved, and cared for, and nurtured. I want them to have a glorious sense of who they are, and the ability to be whatever they choose to be. I want to foster independence and responsibility.  And the best way I can do that is by being an example of all that I expect from them.

I know that I am a product of my environment. Are you?

So, do it, go visit Rethink What Matters,
answer the five questions,

and come back and tell me if you learned anything!

OR just let me now how you are rethinking your environment,

how you are helping the environment, or

how you make your environment special?

Then come back next week for some more!

Happy Weekend!

Holly

Rethink What Matters is a campaign by Bare Escentuals that challenged me...challenges all of us to Rethink What Matters. Each Friday through March 26, 2010, Bare Escentuals will pose a new topic for us to consider, to ponder, and to discuss. It is not just about makeup...it is about living your life and what is truly important. So gather your girlfriends...you never know what you'll discover! 

Want to join in on the discussion...

There are prizes and free products to be had..and more importantly thought provoking topics coming your way. Just visit Rethink What Matters to answer 5 simple questions. Then you can see how your answers compare with others. Seriously it takes no time at all to do this...and you may learn a little something about yourself or your friends! And if you are lucky enough to live in San Fransisco, New York, or Chicago the Quickie Van could be coming your way!

DISCLAIMER: So, here's the back story and legal who-ha I must include. I was contacted via email about this campaign and checked it out myself. I thought it was interesting and thought provoking. I was not paid for this review/post or compensated in any way (products or otherwise).

CONTINUE READING

Giveaways, Follows, and Thank You's

This is my random, crazy, taking care of business post for Friday.

I'll be back later with my second installment of

Rethink What Matters from Bare Escentuals.

Check out the first post, Rethink and Grow if you missed it.

But until then....

Don't miss out on the fantastic giveaway

{that I am beyond thrilled to be hosting}.

There is still time to enter to win the

Lisa Leonard Illuminate Necklace, just click HERE.

Go visit Lisa's store and stop by her blog while you are at it...
she is amazing!

If you are here for Friday Follow,

{BIG thanks to Midday Escapades, Hearts Make Families,
and One 2 Try for hosting this}

THANKS for stopping by.

I hope you find something you like.
We cover cooking, crafts, designing, kids, families, health,

and every now and then, a little creative writing.
It's not too late ot join in!
Click the button below to take you to the Mr. Linky!



...........
Finally, I have been a lucky girl...
From Show Me The Mom, the book below...
I am looking forward to sharing it with
some friends who have older girls.


From Half Crazy Mommie,
I won a 3 month subscription to Zoodles,
"a safe online service that makes learning fun for kids."
The kids are so excited!

From Designing dna

I won a design consultation for my family room...
the one room where I cannot seem to get it together.
I am excited to see what she does with my big white room
{and as much as I love black and white, this room should not be white}

From Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen, I won this book...
and I know just who to share it with
shhh...I cannot tell yet...she may be reading.


Thank you everyone!
Looking forward to meeting new friends today!
I bit off a little more than I can chew this week...
so if you have stope dby before, I promise...
I am coming to visit!
Holly

CONTINUE READING

Writers Workshop...You Knew It When You "Bought" It

Yes...TWO POSTS TODAY!

I am not really sure what has gotten into me!

So, if your are looking for the Tablescape Thursday post, click HERE.

Otherwise, Welcome to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

This week, prompt #1 is my selection,

Share one piece of great advice you’ve received

from someone who knows stuff...

You Knew It When You "Bought" It
So this true gem was not a advice given to me, but rather to my future hubby. My Hubby and I had been dating for 1 1/2 years when we got engaged. I certainly wasn't expecting a ring that December, nor was my family. I think my parents figured I wouldn't get married for a long while. As a matter of fact, I thought the same thing. I am the first person to admit, I am not easy...I have my ideas about things, I am independent, and I have a few idiosyncrasies.

A few weeks after we announced our engagement, my Future Hubby and I were at my parents house for a BBQ. I was helping mom out in the kitchen. Future Hubby was with Dad outside. Well, Dad found this to be a good time to take Future Hubby aside and give him a little piece of advice...

Dad: "Are you sue you want to do this?"
Fiance: "Do what?'
Dad: "Marry my daughter."
Fiance:"Yes, I am pretty sure. That is why I proposed."
Dad: "Well, I just need to warn you...she can be a B*itch."
Fiance: {crickets chirping...speechless}
 
Yep, that is is the piece of advice my hubby received from someone older, who thinks he knows a lot (and really he does...about cars and sports and a few other things).

By the time I heard this story, Future Hubby had become Hubby. The story of this little convo comes up often. If ever hubby thinks I am crazy or being a little difficult...I just remind him...HE WAS WARNED!...He Knew It When He "Bought" It!

Cheers!

Holly

Lisa Leonard Illuminate Necklace Giveaway goes on until 2/1/2010.
Click HERE to enter!

CONTINUE READING

Tablescape Thursday...Blame It On The Blackout!

I survived last weeks venture into tablescapes

at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

(thanks to everyone for dropping by!)...and I am back!

For this week no professional photography,

no ocean view estates, no very cool rentals...

just me and a simple tablescape inspired by the recent blackouts

we have had due to the rain, wind, and falling trees!

My "Blame It On The Blackout" tablescape is based on the pure

fantasy that during the blackouts, hubby and I were home alone

{or at least the kids were quietly in bed - HA!}

and we enjoyed a quiet meal by the roaring fire...

without kids screaming that it was too dark,

asking when the TV was going to come back on,

or flashing the flash lights in our faces...

but then again, what fun would that be?

When I design anything, I like to mix it up...
elegant paired with and thrift stores finds...rustic with a little glam.
That is my overall design philosophy for my entire house,
for the events I plan, and for my tablescapes.

We have a small chest that I use as a coffee table

in our living room, and it is the perfect place to enjoy

a candlelight dinner by a roaring fire.

{imagine a roaring fire in the photo, OK.}

I used a monochromatic color scheme,

trying to keep all with warm to glowing yellows.

I used a trio of dishes because I like layers

and simply liked the way the plates all stacked up.

I pulled out my wedding crystal...

it is always fun to drink from a beautiful glass!

The napkin treatment is a strand of beads

{from Tuesday Morning Clearance}

and a sprig of rosemary from my {very wet} garden.

I don't have a large collection of plates or flatware,

so I "made it work" with what I had

{and some really great plates from the Goodwill}.

For the rest of the decor, I scavengered around the house...

a copper bucket {probably left over from Christmas goodies},

filled with more rosemary, a few grocery store flowers, and some lemons.

I finished it all off with my Tiffany candlesticks {another wedding present}

and a few golden votives {we needed light right...it was a blackout!}

There you go...hope you enjoyed it.

For the record, we did have a candlelight dinner...

with the kids...spaghetti for all and s'mores!

See you next week!

Holly

Lisa Leonard Illuminate Necklace Giveaway goes on until 2/1/2010.
Click HERE to enter!

Resources: Tablecloth and napkins, Target clearance {5 years ago!}; Plates {$1.00 a piece at Goodwill}; Votives, Big Lots; Flatware, Target; Candlesticks, Tiffany; Crystal, Mikasa

CONTINUE READING

Mind, Body, Food...A Quest for Pantry Perfection and a Homemade Ketchup Recipe!

Hey all! I am seriously dragging my feet when it

comes to posting these Healthy Happy Hour Post Updates {sorry!}.

It is so much to take in…
overhauling your entire way of thinking and eating

{because that’s the plan we are on here!}
is overwhelming, and quite frankly

I am in a BIG ‘OLE January blah mood!

I have done an overhaul before but I was 23ish and single…

that was easy-peasy, now I am doing it for 4!

OK, that was my excuse
{which I am not supposed to make any more…so sue me!}.
Now for some quick housekeeping…

Lisa Leonard Illuminate Necklace Giveaway goes on until 2/1/2010.
Click HERE to enter!

As a follow up for the Friday Follow up…
If for some reason I missed the re-follow,
please leave me a comment and let me know…
I do not want to be a slacker.

Now on to the info {drum roll please}…
If you are new or need a refresher on
the Healthy Happy Hour Posts…

The Beginning

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

There is evil lurking in my cupboards…and frig…and freezer. Yes, I am talking about all those ingredients I cannot pronounce…which ultimately means I shouldn’t be eating them. Now, I won’t lie…I have not made a complete sweep of it all. Most of it wasn’t too bad to begin with, but it is not perfect by any means. I am certainly not the picture of “pantry perfection.” This is a journey for me and for my family to get back on track. There is still evil hiding in there, but going forward I am more conscious of it. I will admit I did get a little lazy...but wholly cow! And, you know what is really scary...the evil was in places I never expected!

CASE #1…I was the BIGGEST FAN of these great little frozen minced garlic squares {store to not be named}. Seriously, I thought they were the best invention EVER! I had them stockpiled…Then when I was cooking for the healthy happy hour, I looked at the ingredients…S-U-P-R-I-S-E…it wasn’t just garlic. There were three ingredients in my garlic – NOT necessary. It must have been a sign because that was actually my last package of the garlic…this garlic is no longer welcome in my house.  I have been buying whole heads of garlic and mincing them myself and guess what…it tastes better anyway!

CASE #2…Hubby loves chicken soup. We were having a go-around about the chicken stock….the free range organic broth didn’t have the junk but the sodium {which he needs to watch} was 3 times as much. The free range reduced sodium chicken broth has some junk (MSG), but a fraction of the sodium…what is a wife to do? Solution…I cook a whole chicken at least once a week…and make my own broth! I throw the carcass {yeah, I love that word!} into a big pot, some water, some veggies, and we just boil it for a couple of hours. It is better for us, tastes better and it is like 2 for 1. I seriously, not in one trillion years would have ever thought I would do this…but it is not hard and costs less.

Fresh, frozen, or canned?: I know there are arguments for and against canned and frozen foods. I will always choose fresh if it is available, but I still, and probably always will accept frozen and canned {or better yet jarred} food into my house provided they are organic or at least not full of junk. I am not getting into the argument here over canned foods – if you don’t like it pick something else - I know some cans have BPA. You can reference my “go to” source on this one…click HERE and visit the discussion board or search for "canned food."

Now let’s chat about costs: Based on my current grocery shopping and the swaps I am making, I believe it will all be a wash…although it may not seem like it now. Case in point the double duty chicken/broth. I have priced a few things…

• Organic butter at the grocery store it is $7.00 at Whole Foods, $4.99 (I think it was a special). I do not always buy the organic butter but I do buy the “no rbst” butter at $2.99/lb. - I can get butter at the grocery store for $2.50/lb. most of the time – so there is a little price difference.
• I am buying bulk (and I do not mean Costco bulk)…brown rice flour, quinoa, granola, oatmeal, etc. can all be purchased in bulk…you don’t pay for the packaging (which is “green” too) and you save some cash.
• The frozen food and the canned food for the most part was pretty comparable.
• The one thing that is killing me is the meat….I have yet to buy an organic whole chicken…I hear they say one you go organic chicken you never go back…but that needs to be a lot of bang for my buck.
• I go to the Farmer’s Market for produce and try to make a good list of what I really need. I also go without the kids if possible…so without kettle korn, snow cones, and a gourmet cupcake…the cost is pretty good. Now I am also fortunate to live in a place known as “The Salad Bowl of the World,” so I won’t lie…that helps! I can also drive to a local organic farm, Earthbound Farms, and shop. 
• Shoot me an email if you want to chat about this more!

So after all of that…what the heck am I talking about? 

As I go about cleaning our pantry...

• I am removing items that are full of chemicals, MSG, and plain old crap.
• I will quit buying "backup/just in case" boxes of macaroni and cheese and nasty soups {I swear, I will}.
• I will be resourceful, using what is on hand, what is in season, and what is affordably priced.
• I will make what I can…yes, I even made my own ketchup! (see recipe below)
• A little preparation goes a long way…I make my own tortilla chips…and the kids help. It is not that hard to cut some tortillas like a pizza {did I just say pizza?} and toss them around in some sea salt or other quality seasoning {works for pitas too}.

HOMEMADE KETCHUP
My buddy Kelli at Sustaining Creativity in a Busy Mom’s World posted this recipe awhile back and I was soooo intrigued...have you read the back of a ketchup bottle..ick! So, I finally did it! I made ketchup! I did make a goof on my shopping trip for a couple of the spices, so my recipe varied a little. Go visit Kelli’s post to see the original, but here is mine. By the way everyone liked it…but next time I am cutting back on the crushed red pepper for the little ones.

Ingredients
4 whole cloves  
1 bay leaf

1 stick cinnamon
1⁄4 tsp. celery seeds
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1⁄4 tsp. whole allspice
2 lbs. tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
1⁄2 cup white vinegar
1-2 Tablespoons Molasses (for sweetness and thickness)
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic - can be less…I {heart} garlic!

Directions

• Wrap cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, celery seeds, crushed red pepper, and allspice in a layer of cheesecloth; tie into a bundle and put into a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat along with tomatoes, salt, vinegar, molasses, and onion.
• Smash and add the garlic to the pot.
• Cook, stirring, until onions are very soft, 40-60 minutes…watch it.
• Remove spice bundle
• Purée sauce in a food processor until smooth. I made sure it was really smooth!
• Transfer ketchup to a glass jar. Set aside; let cool.
• Cover with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.MAKES 2 1⁄2 CUPS(The original recipe calls for this, but I did not do these last steps) Strain sauce through a mesh strainer into a qt. saucepan over medium heat; Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 30 minutes; Add more salt, sugar, or vinegar, if you like. This recipe was altered from a recipe first published in Saveur in Issue #117
  

Ultimately it is about what works for each person/family
at a particular time and is cost effective or efficient.
Even a few changes here and there can greatly impact your health.
So, are you still here?
Do you think I am crazy?
Sound like too much work?
What are you doing to improve your health or your families health?

Happy Eating!
Holly

{Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or health professional. I am a mom on a journey and these are my steps and my opinions. I have no serious health issues so I am free to do what I feel is right. Consult a doctor if you need help...aka…don’t sue me!}

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