Archives for September 2016

Everyday Moms: Meet Julia

September 16, 2016 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

Do you ever wonder other moms secrets? Like actual real beautiful day to day hard working moms? So often I see a darling one at the park and think wow, she looks so great! I wonder what she is doing so well. With that in mind I thought I’d begin a new series on A Life From Scratch: Everyday Moms. These are moms I know, moms who have been recommended to me, moms who inspire and are beautiful inside and out. Let’s peek into their lives just a bit, shall we?

Meet Julia!

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Job: Senior Content Specialist, UnityPoint Health and Staff Writer, The Everygirl

Kid(s): Ezra (almost 7 months)

You’re in your closet – what do you reach for first? This is so boring, but a gray JCrew t-shirt. It is the easiest transitional item for work, play and home – I wear one almost every day.

Hands down the one beauty product you can’t live without. Only one! Um, let’s be real. Eye cream. Arbonne is my favorite but I also like Kiehl’s Avocado.

Your daily moisturizer. Are you happy with it? This year, I made myself finish all the random bottles of moisturizer in my bathroom drawer (I had 10, it was ridiculous), so I just bought a new one and it made me so happy. My current favorite is the true cream aqua bomb by Belif. It smells good, feels lightweight and hydrates my skin fast.

Your nightly moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Yes. I use a tiny bit of Josie Maran’s argan oil before bed, which feels very luxurious. I was hesitant to dive into the oils world for a long time for fear of clogged pores but this one always makes my skin soft and helps reduce lines and dark marks.

Something in your shopping cart online right now that you want to buy – budget is no limit. All the boots. I’ve been specifically dreaming about a pair of Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee suede boots with a low block heel. Anna Wisniewski of the See Anna Jane blog wore a pair with baby no. 2 on the way, which made me think that cool moms can totally pull them off.

How do you feel your beauty routine changed when you became a mom? I usually have about 5 minutes to get ready, ha! I definitely care less about looking “good” according to anyone’s standards, and I’ve learned that lots of water plus a good night’s sleep makes me look much better than any product. I do try to focus more on skincare to feel confident. I also rely heavily on dry shampoo (thank God), Glossier’s boy brow (amazing) and rose salve on my lips and cheeks for a pop of color.

Biggest indulgence you allow yourself. Traveling. Seeing different parts of the world reminds me to keep my mind, heart and spirit open to new experiences and ways of living. It is expensive, but I would rather buy a plane ticket than anything else. My husband and I love to travel and can’t wait to take our son along in the future.

Tell us about your kid(s). Ezra is the sweetest, cutest little boy in the world—and no, I’m not biased at all. He smiles at literally everyone and is very easy-going. Lately he is into grabbing everything, laughing at the dog and giving big, open-mouth kisses (all of which make me want a million more babies).

What is your biggest struggle as a mom day to day. For me, the title of “mom” was a challenging adjustment. I feared becoming the type of mother who lost herself in her kids and had no identity outside of parenting. I miss being selfish and doing whatever I want, when I want. For example, I love writing and yoga, and I want to do so many things in terms of my career, and I want to be a really good friend and so on. But Ezra and my family come first. Period. Even though I often know the right thing to do in terms of how I spend my attention, time and energy, I get stressed and frustrated about missing out or I start to feel resentful of what I “don’t get to do.” To cope, I stay focused on all the beautiful, wonderful things I do get to do. I cultivate gratitude for the little pockets of freedom that allow me to still make time for things I love. And I remember that I wouldn’t trade any of it for the experience of mothering and parenting.

What is your biggest happiness as a mom day to day. Watching Ezra learn new things. To him, his entire world—everything he sees, touches, hears, feels—is magical and worthy of his undivided attention. Taking care of him brings me joy, even during the challenging moments. (I just teared up writing that answer, which is such a mom thing to do!)

Snap your fingers – you could have a magic fairy help you with one thing around the home every day. What is it? Cleaning 100%. I love a clean home, but I hate the process and would happily never do it again.

Because you are oh so pretty, tell us about your favorite feature! My smile. I love that it is big and takes up my whole face when I’m happy.

Thank you, Julia. And yes your smile – wow! Thank you so much for spending time with A Life From Scratch!

Panang Curry

September 14, 2016 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

Three cheers for another crazy flavorful, crazy healthy recipe! Hip hip HOORAY!

I recently purchased the amazing cookbook by Cassy Joy Garcia, Fed & Fit and we have, literally, been devouring the recipes. Some are a tad out there but many are the oh so sneaky healthy recipes that even my meat and potatoes husband doesn’t mind. In fact, he’s been loving them. The kids too!

Take this one for example. Coconut milk is the star of the sauce that bubbles away on the stove until nice and thick. Tossed together with chicken, onion, and slices of red pepper…the flavors are getting deep my friends. Stir in some fresh basil and you’re not going to miss the heavy calorie ridden version that normally goes along with a dish like this.

The boys stuck with mainly the chicken, but I served mine of cauliflower rice (my new love) and M’s over brown rice. Not a morsel was left.

This is a great recipe to make ahead in the day, should you have the time. Toss everything together in a pot and throw into the fridge to let the flavors deepen even more. Come dinner time just warm up slowly on the stove and serve with your choice of rice. Don’t forget the fresh lime juice squeezed over the top. It’s everything.

Enjoy, friends!

Panang Curry

2016-09-13 15:36:37

Serves 6

a healthy twist on a favorite thai takeout!

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Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Ingredients

2 cans full fat coconut milk
3 TBS thai red curry paste
2 tsp grated lime zest
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 onion, diced
1 TBS butter
2 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks
2 red peppers, sliced (I accidently minced mine - whoops)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
For serving: cauliflower rice, brown rice, fresh lime wedges

Instructions

Make the sauce to start: in a pot whisk together the coconut milk, paste, lime zest and juice, fish sauces and red pepper flakes. Simmer over medium low, stirring often, until thickened....roughly 20 minutes or so.
Meanwhile, in a large saute pan melt the butter and saute the onion for a few minutes. Add in the chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through, 10 minutes or so. Transfer the chicken and most the onions to a plate and saute the red peppers until they are slightly browned, 5 minutes or so.
Once the sauce thickened, add in the chicken, onions, and red peppers. Stir in the basil and simmer a few more minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve over cauliflower rice or brown rice with more fresh basil and lime wedges.

By Cassy Joy Garcia

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Healthy chicken cacciatore.

September 12, 2016 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

So, I’m just going to lay this out here.

Blogging can sometimes be stressful for me. And I hate using the word stressful. Blogging shouldn’t be stressful. Cancer is stressful. Losing a loved one is stressful. Not being able to pay bills is stressful. Blogging shouldn’t be. Yet it is because it is what I love to do. And it’s all mine. But so much of that love is getting my content out there and when I can’t do that due to kids and summer and moving and schedules and a lovely wedding and a killer event sometimes my loves turns into….frustration. Yes, let’s use that word instead of stressful.

I’m all like I HAVE THIS AWESOME RECIPE BUT HAVE NO TIME TO MAKE IT OR PHOTOGRAPH IT OR WRITE ABOUT IT AND SHARE IT!

Seriously, it’s the hospitality gene in me. It runs deep and strong. I want you to know what we are cooking and eating because I genuinely and honestly hope you will love it. And when I can’t share it because I’ve been with my kids 24/7 for 3.5 months amongst all the other craziness well….I sort of want to leave my kids with strangers. Kidding, of course. School starting is helping in that department for sure.

Then there are the oh so lovely individuals that ask me ‘hey, you haven’t been blogging much’ or ‘hey, can you post C’s picks? I love it for meal planning’ and little piece of me wants. to. die. inside. Because I so want to, I promise. I’m with you I just…..well, you know…. life.

If I could actually devote what I wanted to this little space it would already be so much bigger than it already is but just like with anything you make sacrifices, am I right? This summer I had help one day a week: 9:00-3:00. Seems like a great start. I had visions of typing away in some cute coffee shopping editing photos and so on and so forth.

Reality? I went to Target for my stock run because it was so much easier (and cheaper) without the boys and then the bank and gas and to Dick’s because L lost his baseball cup for the third time and then to lunch with L because he had a haircut and a hitting lesson you get the picture.

But that’s all part of it. This space….it’s real. It’s exactly what is happening in my life and when content isn’t going up as much as I’d like it’s because, well, life is happening around me. And I’m taking it in because one day I will be alone, for seven hours, in that coffee shop.

So, this recipe. Let’s chat. It came upon a particularly crazy week for me. Sandwiched in between my darling sister getting married (AKA I lived in the city for four days) and a strict Martha Stewart Living deadline I was already told I could not miss. Noted.

Barely recovered from the wedding (ahem) I hit the grocery store: I have to get content up for ALFS . I have to meet this deadline. Thank God B went back to school even though it was a short week I had a few hours each morning to plan and shop and cook and photograph.

I planned on this oh so lovely chicken cacciatore for dinner one particular night and then got a text about mid way through from M ‘I”m not coming home for dinner. Work event.’

Oh for goodness sake. Yet that’s life, right? With three other recipes to make and photograph that day I texted my mom that I made a lovely meal and could I bring it by for her and dad?

Thank goodness she wanted it. Dropped it off on the way to pick up B, made it back to finish up Martha on time, and called it a day.

The best part? Later that evening I got the text: ‘Dad and I loved it so much. Thank you!’

The pleasure is all mine, seriously. I got to make a full meal, photograph it, someone enjoyed it, and I’m writing about it!

Happy, happy C.

This recipe rocks, by the way. Crazy simple, crazy healthy and full of depth and flavors. You can hearty it up by serving over brown rice or noodles, or, to keep the health kick going strong it would be perfect over cauliflower rice.

Here’s to life settling back into place and more and more time to devote to this space that I love so much!

Healthy Chicken Cacciatore

2016-09-10 08:23:36

A healthy, light, and comforting one pot chicken dish.

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Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

40 min

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

40 min

Ingredients

4 TBS olive oil
1 lbs chicken legs, bone in and skin on
1/2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 onion, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, minced
1 tsp freshly chopped oregano
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 TBS capers, drained
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
1 TBS fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

In a large skillet with high edges hit up your 2 TBS olive oil over medium high heat.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear on all sides, roughly 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
With the same pan on medium high heat, add a bit more olive oil with the onions and peppers and saute a few minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and oregano and cook another few minutes. Add in garlic for another minute. And lastly the capers and diced tomatoes.
Return chicken to the same pot and cover everything with chicken stock. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer away for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. (I partially covered my pot to speed up the cooking time).
Garnish with chopped basil and serve immediately.

By Whole 30

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

C’s picks – week of September 11th

September 11, 2016 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

Another week another line up! With the temps shifting ever so slightly I’m excited to get a few cozy meals on the stove going this week. Hope it inspires something delicious for you and your family!

Sunday we are off to the big city again to welcome back Aunt Molly from New York and to see all our favorites. I’m in charge of dessert and I so think my classic chocolate chips cookies are a must.

Monday night it’s still warm and we’ve barely had one of favorite dishes all summer: grilled shrimp and asparagus. It’s all tossed up in a lemony shallot vinaigrette. Absolutely delicious. Serve it over brown rice to up the hearty factor.

Tuesday mom is on her own and I’m dying to make the big fat green salad from my new cookbook, ‘Fed & Fit.’ It looks unreal with a homemade greek vinaigrette.

Mid 60’s as a high? Let’s get a really good chicken and sausage gumbo bubbling away on the stove. (Another new recipe from Fed & Fit). Love dishes like this as you can make it mid day (when your kids are in school) and then when it comes time for dinner in between activities all you have to do is warm it on the stove. Perfect!

Thursday let’s go with another cozy light option: spicy sriracha chicken zoodle soup. Wish me luck on this one with M……

And we hit Friday. Let’s celebrate with our favorite wingless buffalo chicken pizza.

That’s a wrap – happy cooking everyone!
C

Everyday Moms: Meet Caroline

September 9, 2016 / By Courtney / 4 Comments

Meet Caroline!

Location: Inverness, IL

Job: Vice President, Weber Shandwick

Kids: Kaleigh (3), Declan (17 months), and pregnant with number three due in November.

You’re in your closet – what do you reach for first? Anything that is black…I need extra help in the slimming department these days!

Hands down the one beauty product you can’t live without. Only one! Smashbox Color Correcting Primer

Your daily moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – yes – have used for years and love.

Your nightly moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Simple Replenishing Rich Facial Moisturizer. I do like it but want more PUNCH (AKA retinol) now that I’ve hit 35 but can’t do that during the pregnancy.

Something in your shopping cart online right now that you want to buy – budget is no limit. A Henri Bendel Jetsetter Crossbody.

How do you feel your beauty routine changed when you became a mom? I realized how much time I DON’T have and often slap some moisturizer and primer on and then end up putting my makeup on in the car or on the train to work. I had previously told myself I’d never leave the house without my makeup on but in reality, it’s makeup or an extra 15 of sleep – and I choose sleep (for now, at least).

Biggest indulgence you allow yourself. My biggest indulgence is heading to the nearby TJMaxx/HomeGoods every other Saturday (during afternoon naptime) and stocking up stretchy clothes for my growing belly and tons of home décor…whether I need it or not!

Tell us about your kid(s). I have a sweet, but most of the time sassy little ginger named Kaleigh Grace (aka the Red Tornado). She just turned 3 and wow – are we dealing with a three-nager these days. She’s the stereotypical strong willed red-head who isn’t afraid to push the limits with mommy and daddy. What makes it tough is she is smart – and she knows what she’s doing – so it makes for daily time outs and “learning moments” which can be tough to navigate at the end of a busy work day. Kaleigh’s little brother Declan Robert (aka Chaos) is about as sweet as they come. At 17 months, he’s just a ball of energy with a smile that will warm your heart. He adores his big sister and takes hits from her all day long – but always comes back for more. He loves basketball, cars and trucks and dive bombing into any surface (including concrete which he is slowly learning isn’t very forgiving). I hope one day the two of them will be best friends! I am also pregnant with BL3 (baby Lainio 3) who is due November 28. Like with our first two pregnancies, we are going to be surprised – so we are just praying for a healthy baby to join our family right around the holidays!

What is your biggest struggle as a mom day to day. The biggest struggle is balance and handling the “mommy guilt.” It’s real – whether you try to ignore it or not, it is tough not to feel guilty about leaving your littles each day. And then sometimes you feel guilty about having to make sacrifices at work to tend to mommy duties. But I make it a point to make sure my kiddos know that mommy is LUCKY to go to work so she can help provide them with the home they have and support the “fun stuff” they get to do. I feel blessed to work for a company that truly values both women and working moms and I do not take that for granted. I feel it’s really important to be an example for my daughter and show her that being a mommy and having a career is very much possible…but I credit having a terrific husband and partner in this thing called parenting that allows me find that daily balance and sleep well at night.

What is your biggest happiness as a mom day to day. My biggest happiness is seeing my children learn and grow – together. Books are a big deal in our family and I love how obsessed Kaleigh is with reading and learning and I hope she instills that in her brother. He loves to follow in her footsteps and catching those special moments of her teaching him and (gently) playing with him really breaks my heart – in a good way, of course! It makes those moments of chaos all worth the while.

Snap your fingers – you could have a magic fairy help you with one thing around the home every day. What is it? I actually feel like I already have that fairy. We are fortunate enough to have my mom serve as our “granny nanny.” In addition to caring for Kaleigh and Declan, she does an incredible amount of work around the home and it helps tremendously to come home to things straightened, cleaned, organized, washed, etc. I know – I am very blessed – plus my kiddos are being raised by the best in the biz!

Because you are oh so pretty, tell us about your favorite feature! Haha – I would have to say my lips? My husband loves them and I love lipstick – so I guess that’s why I am always trying to amp-them-up.

Love it, Caroline. Thanks so much for hanging with A Life From Scratch and sharing your darling family with us!