Foodie Fridays: Almond Butter Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed puddings are a great warm weather breakfast option, and the Dreamy Almond Butter Chia Seed Pudding from The Almond Eater website is an especially tasty choice.  If you have never made a chia seed pudding before, it is surprisingly easy as no cooking is required, but the mixture will need to be refrigerated for a few hours so plan to make it the night before if you wish to have it for breakfast.  This cool treat would also make a delicious and relatively healthy dessert.  If you love almonds, then I am sure you will love this recipe!

Almond Butter Chia Seed Pudding

3 T. almond butter
2 T. maple syrup
1 C. almond milk
1/4 C. chia seeds
1 T. toasted sliced almonds (optional)

Combine the almond butter, maple syrup, and almond milk in a bowl and stir well to combine (the almond butter will not incorporate completely so the mixture will not be completely smooth).  Stir in the chia seeds until evenly distributed.  Pour the mixture into a large glass or mug and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight).  Top with the sliced almonds just before serving.  Serves 1 (or 2 for dessert).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Should You Let Your Dog(s) Sleep on Your Bed?

From AKC

Do you let your canine companion(s) sleep on your bed with you?  If so, you are certainly not alone.  A recent study of almost 1,000 women found that 55% sleep with at least one dog in their beds (for comparison, 57% share their sleeping space with another human!).  As to whether this habit is healthy, check out the infographic from an article on the Casper website shown below:

Read the Casper article for a more in-depth discussion of these benefits.  Of course, not everyone agrees that allowing a pet on your bed at night is a good idea.  Ultimately, it is up to the pet owner to decide what works for their own lifestyle.  In our house, both of our dogs get to decide where they prefer to sleep - sometimes they like to be on the bed, but sometimes they would rather sleep somewhere else, and not necessarily even in the same room.  They do not like to be on the bed at the same time so we never have more than one dog sharing our space, and that works out well for us!

                

Wish List Wednesdays: The Cat Library Jigsaw Puzzle

(click to enlarge)

Georgia's hot summer weather is starting to settle in, which means that it is time to retreat indoors for the hottest part of the day.  This is also a good time to start a fun and ongoing indoor project to work on while taking a break from summer's sweltering temperatures, and The Cat Library jigsaw puzzle ($17.99) from Puzzle Warehouse would be an ideal choice for such a project.  The 1,000-piece puzzle featuring cute kitties lounging on book-filled shelves is a better way to engage your brain than most video games or television binge-watching.  You can leave the puzzle where it is for as long as you like, returning to work on it at your leisure without worrying about remembering where you are in the game or what happened the last time you watched an episode of a favorite TV series.  When you are finished you can frame and keep the puzzle, or take it apart and either store it away for a future attempt or give it away to let others try their skill.  Talk about a win-win situation!
               

Weekend Wardrobe: Accessories for Neutral Palette 4x4 Basic Wardrobe for a Mild Summer

I meant to get this posted last weekend, but life got in the way (we were having all the tile flooring replaced on the first floor of our house after a leak in the kitchen necessitated pulling up the tiles in the kitchen).  Anyway, here are the accessories for the basic 4x4 summer wardrobe featured two weeks ago.  I decided to use the tropical palm print from two of the tops as the focal point for many of the selections - even though this wardrobe was designed with a cooler summer in mind, I thought that it would be nice to at least dream about summer in the tropics when choosing accessories!

Let's start with some summery head coverings (plus a bag which comes as a set with one of the hats):

Clockwise from top left: Peter Grimm Coralia Resort Hat in Black; Mio Marino Sun Hat and Beach Tote in Ivory; Jack Wolfskin Women's Reversible Wahia Palm Hat; J. Jill Etched Palms Triangle Scarf in Black.

And now for more handbags, plus a pair of sunglasses:

Clockwise from top left: Fendi Women's Black Oversize Sunglasses; Brevayo Circle Straw Crossbody Handbag in Black; Island Girl Cork Clutch in Tropical Leaf Print; Brahmin Tote in Cream/Palm Leaf print.

A bit of jewelry would be a nice addition:

Clockwise from top left: BLING Jewelry Sterling Silver Palm Tree Bracelet; Sterling Forever Sterling Silver Palm Tree Pendant Necklace; formandfunktion Sterling Silver Palm Leaf Cuff Bracelet; Ocean Jewelry Store Palm Tree Stud Earrings with Swarovski Crystals.

Shoes for warmer weather are up next:

Clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Woven Double-Strap Sandal in Black; Dolce Vita Women's Tala Fashion Sneaker in Palm Print Canvas; Clark's Women's Sultana Rayne Leather Sandal in Khaki; Vince Ace Palm Printed Slip On Sneakers in Coastal (no longer available); TOMS Women's Topanga Collection Clemente Slip-Ons in Birch.

And finally, since the wardrobe we are accessorizing is best suited for cooler climates, let's add some lightweight outerwear:

Clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Linen-Blend Long Cardigan in Olive Green; Edwards Ladies Full Zip V-Neck Cardigan in Black; John Lewis Mint Velvet Summer Print Kimono in Multi; BP V-Neck Cardigan in Ivory Dove; Center: prAna Cozy Up Zip Jacket in Cargo Green Heather.

Next week I have a very colorful wardrobe in mind, and as long as we don't have any more major house issues come up (other than the washing machine that my husband managed to break yesterday, less than 24 hours after he returned from a trip), I should actually manage to get it posted on time!
               

Foodie Fridays: Summer Solstice Salad

I have really been looking forward to trying the recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette from the Half Baked Harvest website, and it was just as delicious as I hoped it would be.  As usual I made some modifications, and since today is the Summer Solstice I decided to give my version a name change as a nod to this first day of summer.  Temperatures have been quite variable for the past month, but I think we are finally settling into our usual summer pattern of hot days and warm nights.  Main dish salads are perfect for southern summer suppers, and today's recipe is delightfully different from my usual salad meals.  Roast the vegetables early in the morning to avoid heating up your kitchen too much.  You could add some chicken if you feel the need for more protein, but the chickpeas and cheese are more than adequate for me.  This dish is a great way to start the summer season!

Summer Solstice Salad

1 large head cauliflower (I used the orange variety), cut into bite-sized florets
1 large red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 small red onion, cut into chunks
2 T. olive oil
2 T. garlic-flavored oil*
1 tsp. chipotle chili powder
2 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
6 C. baby arugula
8-10 oz. Wensleydale cheese with apricots, cut into 6 portions
3 avocados
Creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, or my cheater's version (see both below)

Combine the first eight ingredients in a large roasting pan and stir well to coat the vegetables thoroughly with oil.  Roast at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred.  Remove from the oven and set aside to cool to room temperature.

For each salad serving, place 1 cup of arugula in a bowl.  Top with a portion of the roasted cauliflower mixture, drizzle on some of the vinaigrette, and toss.  Crumble a portion of the cheese over the top. Add half of an avocado, diced or sliced, and serve.  Serves 6.

Creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette: Whisk together 1/4 C. olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 3 T. honey, 2 T. Dijon mustard, 2 T. tahini, 2 T. apple cider vinegar, and salt to taste.

Cheater's Honey Mustard Vinaigrette: For each serving, whisk together 2 T. Marzetti Simply Dressed Lemon Vinaigrette, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, and 1-2 tsp. honey.

*Or increase the olive oil to 4 T. and use 2 cloves of garlic, minced, instead.
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Are You on Board with These Surprising Opinions about Food?

From POPSUGAR

I recently read a list of thirteen rather unexpected opinions about food contributed by Food Network staffers that had me nodding in agreement in all but two cases.  These views are probably not popular with most people, but many of the grievances expressed have been my own personal pet peeves for quite a while.  Check out the Food Network list for yourself, as summarized by me below, and see if you find yourself in accord with any of the opinions:

From Quotabulary

1) Chocolate desserts are overrated, and vanilla options are almost always better.

I have been saying this for decades.  While I do like some chocolate desserts (like brownies), don't mind chocolate bits added to a dessert (like chocolate chip cookies), and would not say no to a good chocolate bar, for the most part I prefer vanilla, cinnamon, peanut butter, or citrus-flavored sweets when it comes to cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream, pudding, etc.

From ThriftyFun

2) Stale snack foods are actually a good thing.

This is one of two opinions on this list that I do not agree with.  However, I would put unsweetened flavored carbonated beverages that have lost their fizz in this category instead (I know it's weird, but carbonation hurts my throat).

From District Dispatch

3) I cannot stand coffee!

Yes, yes, yes!  Although I admit that the smell of coffee can be pleasant, I have never liked the taste, and the caffeine buzz is just too much for me - I prefer a nice cup of tea instead.

From Backyard Burgers

4) Salads are my favorite meals.

While salads are not my most favorite meal, they are one of my top choices when the weather is not.

From Rachael Ray Every Day

5) Stop topping desserts with sea salt!

I have never understood the appeal of this trend.  I do realize that a bit of salt added to the batter will enhance the sweet flavor of baked goods.  However, on the now rare occasions when I indulge in a sweet treat, I want to taste the sweetness, unadulterated by large salt crystals sprinkled on the top!

From Novenyi Etrend Webshop

6) Rice pudding is one of the best desserts ever.

It is not my absolute favorite dessert, but I do love a good rice pudding - just do not add raisins please!

From Business Insider

7) I absolutely love mayonnaise!

Although I have recently switched to Vegenaise to reduce the amount of saturated fat in my diet, I still love that cold and creamy smoothness with the slight tang that mayonnaise brings to a dish.

From Broadway Bagels

8) Canned tuna is just awful, and egg salad is not any better.

This is the other one of two opinions I do not agree with.  I actually prefer canned tuna to fresh, especially when the latter is raw in the middle.  And I adore egg salad.

From Blaine's Farm & Fleet

9) DOTS are one of the best candies ever.

I don't mind them, and I love the name because I once had a Dalmatian named Dot, but they are not a favorite.  However, my husband loves them.

From Twitter

10) I eat SpaghettiOs straight out of the can.

I no longer do this, and have not had SpaghettiOs in ages, but I am still fond of them and would not hate eating them this way.

From Target

11) I prefer bouillon cubes to fresh or boxed/canned stock.

I would never go through the bother of making my own stock for the same reasons mentioned by this Food Network staffer (too much trouble saving and storing enough bones, and then storing the resulting vat of stock).  However, I only use the unsalted variety in a box and am not sure I could find unsalted bouillon cubes, because after all aren't they mostly salt?

From Cici's

12) Just say no to pepperoni on pizza!

My feelings exactly.  I detest pepperoni, and would pick the pieces off if given a slice of pizza topped with them.

From Thrillist

13) The Rainbow Unicorn trend must go (and the Red Velvet craze as well).

Actually, I would argue that this might be the more popular opinion now, at least as far as the rainbow unicorn trend is concerned!  I do not like the idea of artificial food dyes, so I was never a fan of food dye-filled, rainbow-colored edibles (I do not find the kaleidoscope of colors to be very appetizing).  And when I found out how much red dye goes into red velvet cake batter I lost interest in red velvet desserts.  It would not make me unhappy to see both of these fads end (the grilled cheese sandwich at the top of the page does not even look like food, but I have to admit that the cake shown below sure does look delicious!).

From Southern Living

Did you find yourself concurring with any of these opinions, or do you think that those of us who do agree are peculiar?  If the latter, then just call me weird, because I stand by my support for the majority of the items on the list!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Soft Surroundings Summer Sale

From Soft Surroundings

Soft Surroundings is currently having a summer sale, with some items up to 75% off.  I found a number of lovely offerings for less than $50, and may just have to place an order myself, despite my determination not to purchase any new apparel or décor until after we have made our move to New Mexico.  Below are just a few of the items I may not be able to resist:

1) Watercolor Slimsations Skort in Watercolor Floral (originally $74.95, now $29.99)

2) Fabulous Flamingo Shirt in Soft Blue (originally $79.95, now $29.99)

3) Salema Shawl in Multi (originally $49.95, now $34.99)

4) Mouline Beaded Pendant in Beaded Sea (originally $149.95, now $49.97)

This is just a sampling of the hundreds of items available in this price range alone.  You might want to check out the Soft Surroundings sale if you are looking for fun apparel, accessories, and even home décor at some amazing prices!
               

Foodie Fridays: Apple Pie Smoothie

I topped my smoothie with a decadent dollop of whipped cream!

I modified a recipe I found online for an Apple Pie Smoothie, substituting apple butter for applesauce to use up a jar of the former that has been sitting in our pantry for a while.  Actually, we have several jars, because my husband loves apple butter and keeps buying more as he always thinks that we are out.  Even though we have discussed this several times, more jars of apple butter still keep accumulating in the pantry - but I digress. Anyway, this recipe is a delicious way to use up apple butter, and smoothies are an excellent warm weather breakfast, or even a dessert.  I think I will be making quite a few more of these smoothies in the near future since I have so much apple butter at my disposal!

Apple Pie Smoothie

4 ice cubes
1 ripe banana
1/2 C. unsweetened apple butter* or applesauce
1/2 C. vanilla or plain yogurt
1/2 C. apple juice
1 T. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice

Put all ingredients into a blender.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a glass and enjoy!  Serves 1.

*The apple butter I used contains no sugar, only apples and apple juice, but most commercial apple butters are heavily sweetened with sugar.  If you use the sugary sort, try reducing the amount of apple butter by half, using plain instead of vanilla yogurt, leaving out the sugar (which I did anyway), and/or even using water instead of apple juice to reduce the sweetness.   Or just use unsweetened applesauce as called for in the original recipe.  Unless of course you prefer a very sweet smoothie, in which case use all the sweet stuff you like!  Also, most apple butters contain some spices, so you may also want to adjust the seasonings accordingly.
             

Holdiay Hits: Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

Blackened vegetables (those burnt bits were once summer squash 😞).

Sometimes I think certain holidays were invented specifically with me in mind!  June 13th is Kitchen Klutzes of America Day, and I certainly have my fair share of klutzy kitchen disasters that qualify me as a member of this group.  Just last night I put a pan of vegetables in the oven to roast and, as I usually do, after they were done I left them sitting in the turned-off oven with the door open a few inches to let the residual heat evaporate some of the excess moisture.  Unfortunately, I forgot to turn off the oven when I did this, so they continued to roast, albeit very slowly.  Also unfortunately, I forgot the pan was still in the oven until several hours later.  Miraculously, they were not burned to a crisp, but they did become more like vegetable chips than roasted veggies (and were actually very tasty, but definitely not what I had in mind!).

Our beloved Gia was quite the food thief!

My most recent holiday mishap was on Thanksgiving several years ago (Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday to cook for, because for me it is always a disaster waiting to happen!).  I do not normally make mashed potatoes for this holiday because there is always the turkey stuffing as the carb-heavy side dish, but my husband loves mashed potatoes and I decided to be nice for once and add them to the menu.  When they were done I had no counter space on which to place the pot.  I ended up having to put them on top of the refrigerator to keep them away from one of our dogs at the time, who was a shameless counter surfer and could not be trusted for even a moment.

Unfortunately, my husband decided to be helpful and fill the water and wine glasses on the table, so he opened the fridge to get out the drinks.  Our fridges sits in a cubby hole, so the potato pot was sitting on the narrow edge that sticks out.  Part of that edge is the top of the fridge door, so when my husband opened it the pot came crashing to the floor and mashed potatoes spilled everywhere.  Needless to say, we had no mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, the counter-surfing dog got the potatoes anyway, I now have a permanently dented pot, and I will never to make mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving again!

There are several more kitchen disasters from my past that I could mention (like the frosting that wouldn't die!) and I am sure several more in my future as well, but I will spare you those details.  You can read about the kitchen calamities of a few other kitchen klutzes here.  Have you ever had a catastrophic cooking experience?  If not, then you are one lucky cook and probably deserve some sort of award! 😄
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Rechargeable 12v Mini Flashlight from Sporty's Tool Shop

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the biggest difference.  A case in point is the Rechargeable 12v Mini Flashlight ($16.95) from Sporty's Tool Shop, which is designed to fit into a car's cigarette lighter outlet.  It cannot be overcharged, so this tiny flashlight can stay in the outlet until needed.  The battery-operated flashlights that I keep in my car are often forgotten for so long that by the time I need them the batteries are dead, so this small but powerful version that is always fully charged is the perfect solution.  It will hold a charge for up to two hours and the LED light never needs to be replaced.  Some of the comments mentioned that this flashlight is not always a good fit in every car's cigarette lighter, and that the plastic adapter provided to address this problem may break easily, but I think that I am willing to give it a try.  After all, the price is reasonable and I have no use for a cigarette lighter anyway!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Neutral Palette 4x4 Basic Wardrobe for a Mild Summer

Topshop Graphic Palm Print Bowler Shirt

Lately my wardrobe posts have featured very colorful combinations, so I decided to go quite neutral for a change with today's offering.  I used the palm print shirt shown above as my inspiration for the color palette.  The resulting wardrobe is suitable for a cooler climate summer, but may be a bit too warm for later in the season in more southern locations unless it is an especially mild year.  This is the sort of wardrobe I would choose if I were able to resist my penchant for bold and vibrant colors - I know that is unlikely to ever happen, but I still enjoyed pulling this collection together!

Let's start with the first set of four, based on a pair of ivory-colored jeans (something that I could never actually wear without attracting stains almost immediately - I do envy women who can wear light-colored clothing and keep them clean!):

Clockwise from top left: Topshop Graphic Palm Print Bowler Shirt; L.L. Bean Women's Short-Sleeve U-Neck Organic Cotton Tee in Classic Black; Uniqlo Women Super Geometric George Sowden UT (Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt) in White; GANT Women's Slim Ecru Jeans.

The next set of four starts with black ankle pants, which even I can wear without fear of stains:

Clockwise from top left: Boden Robyn Jersey Tee in Leopard; L.L. Bean Women's Short-Sleeve U-Neck Organic Cotton Tee in Sailcloth; Coldwater Creek Destinations II Illusion Print Tee in Black/Ivory; Paul Smith Women's Black Stretch-Cotton Skinny-Fit Pants.

I love a nice pair of olive green pants in the summer, so this color is featured in the third set of four:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Short-Sleeve Print Signature Knit V-Neck Tee in Ink Black; prAna Women's Cozy Up T-Shirt in Cargo Green Heather; Boden Long Sleeve Breton in Ivory/Black; prAna Women's Essex Pant in Cargo Green.

The final set of four includes fun gauchos, plus a comfortable dress for those occasions when pants just won't do:

Clockwise from top left: Tritons Wallis Petite Palm Border Shell Top; Tritons 3/4 Sleeve Lace Insert Openwork Blouse in Black; Island Trends Tribal Elbow Sleeve Tie Front Dress in Ebony; NorthStyle Flowy Knit Gauchos in Black.

And here is the complete neutral palette 4x4 basic wardrobe for a mild summer:

Next week I will post the accessories for this collection.  After that, knowing me, I will probably go back to more colorful wardrobes - we shall see!
             

Foodie Fridays: Caprese Niçoise Salad

In my quest for more easy summer salads that can be served as a main dish, I came across a recipe for Walnut Pesto Potato Salad.  Rather than make my own pesto (which I am too lazy to do when it is so readily available at the supermarket!), I came up with my own simpler version which does not have any walnuts, so of course I had to rename it!  Since the recipe combines ingredients used in a caprese salad as well as those found in a niçoise salad, I think my new moniker for this recipe is the obvious choice!  Whatever you want to call it, this salad is exactly the sort of meal I like to consume during hot weather - easy to make early in the day, very little cooking required, and ready to eat at room temperature when you are feeling the need for food without expending too much effort.  Recipes like this one really do make life so much easier when the weather is summertime hot!

Caprese Niçoise Salad

1 1/2 lbs. small yellow potatoes
2-3 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 bag (8 oz.) microwaveable slender green beans (haricots verts), cooked, cooled, and cut into thirds
1 pt. (2 C.) grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 carton (7 oz.) refrigerated pesto
8 oz. mozzarella pearls

Wash the potatoes and cut into bite-size pieces.  Combine the potatoes, olive oil, and salt in a roasting pan and toss to coat the potatoes well.  Roast at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through and the skins are slightly crispy.  Remove from the oven and cool completely.

Combine the potatoes, haricots verts, tomato halves, and pesto in a large bowl.  Toss to coat the vegetables well with the pesto.  Gently stir in the mozzarella pearls.  Allow to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld, or refrigerate for several hours to serve later.  Serves 4 as a main dish, or 6-8 as a side dish.
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Lemnos Swimsuit from Boden

I am not especially fond of swimming, and I doubt that very many women truly enjoy shopping for swimwear, but if I really had to find a new suit the Lemnos Swimsuit in Ivory Jungle Cheetah print ($90) from Boden would top my list.  This suit is lined front and back and has enough coverage to make even the most reluctant swimmer feel comfortable.  I like the high-cut leg and sturdy straps, but most of all I love the unique cheetah print.  Wearing a cute suit like this one might even make me look forward to a day at the pool or beach!

Weekend Wardrobe: New Mexico Weekend Travel Wardrobe Inspired by a Fellow Traveler

I am not going to post a description of my travel wardrobe for a recent trip to New Mexico, mostly because I only took clothes suitable for either casual plane travel or doing grubby yard work - the former you have seen in some of my previous posts, and the latter are not really apparel that I need to share!  Instead, I took my inspiration for this post from an outfit worn by a woman I saw at the Albuquerque International Sunport while waiting for my return flight home.  Her clothes were casual, but there was a stylish simplicity to her outfit that caught my attention.  Below is the outfit she wore, as closely as I could match it:

Clockwise from top left: Eileen Fisher Undyed Organic Cotton Blend Oversized Trucker Jacket in Undyed Natural; Eileen Fisher Slubby Organic Cotton Tee in Corn Flower; Alltribes Turquoise Inlaid Sterling Cuff in Navajo Rug Pattern; AmeriLeather Odyssey 21" Upright Carry-On in Turquoise; Carlos by Carlos Santana Brie Ankle Booties in Doe; Vaalbara Katama Clara Clutch; Center: Eileen Fisher High-Waist Tapered Jeans in Soblu.

I took some liberties with accessories, since I did not see those details of my inspiration traveler's outfit.  I could not find a handbag similar to the one she was carrying, so I chose one vaguely similar in style but with more color and a southwestern look.  This bag added one more hue to the mix, an orange-red which brings a definite punch of color to an otherwise subdued palette.  I took my cue for the rest of the travel wardrobe from this colorful handbag, and selected these items for this New Mexico weekend getaway trip:

Clockwise from top left: Zuni Turquoise Fetish Necklace by Deborah Gasper; Mango Linen T-Shirt in Off White; Mango Panel T-Shirt in Red; Uniqlo Women Soft Stretch Short Sleeved Pyjamas in Light Green;
Alltribes Silver Buffalo Handmade Cuff Native American Bracelet; Roots Women's Kensington Sandal in Pearl; Everlane The Day Glove Shoe in Red; Eileen Fisher Straight-Fit Front Pleated Sleeveless Dress in Red Lory; Center: Eileen Fisher Tapered Ankle Jeans in Ivory.

❯❯❮❮❯❯❮❮❯❯❮❮❯❯❮❮❯❯❮❮❯❯❮❮

Hopefully once I make the move to our Santa Fe house I will be able to travel stylishly once again, but for the near future I'm afraid my travel wardrobe will be strictly functional (I have a lot more outdoor work to do before I move my horse!).  Luckily, many of my fellow travelers are able to select delightfully chic outfits for their trips, and I look forward to being inspired by them again!