Some of my deepest and most detailed memories of my mother and grandmothers are rooted in the smells that floated through the air from the kitchen. I come from a line of women who know how to cook; and well. In recent years, my innate ability to improvise in the kitchen has really flourished. But when I first started cooking for myself, it wasn’t this way. At 19 I lived in my first apartment, and…
Rosewater toner (or hydrosol) is all the rage right now — and for good reason! Rose is an astringent herb, meaning it has a naturally tightening effect on tissues. Conventional toners are also astringent, but the tightening is via alcohol and other chemicals. My face is becoming increasingly sensitive as I get older; and in the last couple years, I’ve become more aware of the harmful chemicals in conventional skin care products. Slowly adopting a…
On numerous occasions I’ve sat down to write a blog post, only for 3 hours to pass and for me to A) not have completed said post and B) have started working on 4 other things. One might say there is nothing wrong with that. That I’m just multitasking! But I recently learned, that humans aren’t really meant to multitask. Working on 5 things at once is not getting those 5 things done any faster…
My taste buds can sense the nearing of spring! I’ve been craving iced matcha, cold brews and all the fruit smoothies. I’m not a regular smoothie aficionado by any means. After years of drinking them almost daily, it’s a rarity that I want them. I’m pretty sure when I am craving a good smoothie, it’s my body’s way of intuitively asking for more fruit — and I gladly comply! My favorite frozen fruit is a…
Change is inevitable in life. Evolving is necessary for our growth and livelihood. But personal growth can be complicated by the constant influx of outside information and influence. On a daily basis, we take in information on ways we can change ourselves. Sometimes being told how we SHOULD change ourselves. I’m probably not alone in saying this: but when I’m told I should change something about myself, my gut reaction is to resist with all…
By the looks of it, winter is not letting up any time soon. So in the mean time, you can catch me taking in as many warm spices as possible! Lately, I’ve really been loving to get creative with my coffee and hot drinks. After recently making a chai concentrate from Root For Food, I became inspired to make a chai infused Golden Milk Latte. What’s Golden Milk? Have you tried a golden milk recipe…
More than half the country is dealing with brutally cold temperatures and being urged to stay inside. In addition to the cold, two feet of snow already covers our ground here in upstate New York with the potential to get another 2-3 feet in the next two days. How crazy is that!? What’s crazier, is how that’s not necessarily abnormal for this snowy pocket of the Northeast. But honestly, I don’t hate it. I mean,…
Have I mentioned before that coffee is my favorite thing ever? Well if you didn’t know before, know you do. Coffee is my liquid gold! Nine times out of ten, I’m a total plain jane, opting for a full-bodied cup with just a splash of milk or cream (dairy or non). But on the occasion, I really enjoy a fancied up specialty bev. One with spices, florals and a touch of sweetener. The recipe I’m…
Have you ever felt intimidated by the idea of a whole roasted chicken? Me too. But here I am to ease your hesitations! Something about preparing the chicken and making sure it cooked all the way through used to make me uneasy. But after giving it a few tries over the last year, I’ve learned those nerves were slightly unnecessary! Now we’ll get to the recipe in due time, but first let’s chat! Why Make…
It’s a constant internal debate on whether or not the moscow mule or the old-fashioned is my favorite adult drink. On the one hand, you have the spicy, bubbly mule made with ginger beer, herbs and citrus, but on the other you have a warming and full-bodied bourbon cocktail. I mean, how’s a girl to choose?! It’s truly impossible; and seeing as I’ve never been one to pick favorites, we’ll call it a delightful draw.…