kale salad

I've had grand plans these past couple of weeks to eat really healthy. We already eat healthy but I've been wanting to eat even healthier especially after the holidays and vacation.

I'll stock up on a week's worth of organic fruits and vegetables from my favorite market with the goal of creating these amazingly, healthy dishes. My plan is always to cook our meals on Sunday so that all we have to do during the week is heat up dinner. Having dinner already made for the week is a genius idea especially after a long day at work, and we would also have leftovers for lunch, but for whatever reason this whole cooking thing on Sunday never happens. No big deal I'll just cook on Monday. Well, I usually have a case of the Mondays on Monday and cooking is one of the last things I want to do. By the time Tuesday comes around I've really lost all motivation for this idea of healthy eating. The week has either gotten too busy, or I've gotten too lazy, but really I think it's because it's too cold to do anything except order take out, cuddle under a blanket and drink. And lets be honest, I'd rather be eating this then something healthy anyway.

But since I'm not one to waste food I have to do something with all of the veggies in my fridge. One of the things I've been buying a lot of is kale. I love kale, especially kale salads so that's what I've been making- not exactly cooking but at least it's healthy eating. I've made kale salads before but I wanted to find a recipe that was more in tune with the season. I found this kale, clementine and feta salad from cookie and kate and the added pomegranate seeds make it perfect for winter.

Do you have a favorite kale recipe? I'd love for you to share!

between fall and winter

It's somewhere between fall and winter. That time of year when leaves get frozen in ice puddles and there's still a hint of warmth in the air but as the days go by it slowly becomes a faint memory of what once was. As the coldness arrives there's a feeling that you just don't know what's coming next.

{images via create.your.happy}

happy monday

It's cold and dreary in Chicago. The forecast says snow later this afternoon. I will try to find the happiness within this change of season, but I'm really not looking forward to it. At least change is better then things just staying the same. And I definitely don't want things to stay the same. So if the snow must come to bring change…then bring it on winter.

Happy Monday!

{image via create.your.happy}

happy spring!

via create.your.happy

Happy first day of Spring! Although it hardly feels like spring today…Chicago is cold! There were even little snow flurries this evening. I am so over winter. Is it ever going to end?

I'm definitely feeling a bit stir crazy, especially after spending a few days here, so I bought a bouquet of my favorite flowers to help get rid of these wintertime blues. Aren't they pretty? They add a lovely bit of springtime happiness to the apartment.

groundhog day!

via danielnorris

Happy Groundhog Day! This is one of the best movies ever....gotta love Bill Murray. But today's prediction was the absolute worst. Seriously, 6 more weeks of winter? Come on Punxsutawney Phil, we haven't even had a real winter and you're predicting that there will be 6 more weeks of these semi-cold, grey days. This fake winter is almost worse than having a real winter. Not that I want to shovel snow or scrape ice off my windows, I just want to enjoy the fun parts of a winter wonderland for a little bit. I want to cross-country ski, sled down a hill, make a snowman, fall into the fluffy, white snow and make a snow angel, and maybe even throw a snowball at Ebert. It's hard to believe that this and this is what it looked like a year ago today.

I think you're wrong Phil, I really do.

winter wonderland

via create.your.happy

It's officially winter in Chicago. Look at all that snow. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, especially when it took me an hour and a half to get home Friday night when it usually only takes 20 minutes. You'd think Midwesterners would be used to a mere 4 - 6 inches of snow. I mean it does happen every year.

paciugo

The winter blues, cabin fever, seasonal effect disorder, what have you is beating down on me. And the gorgeous warm weather we had last week didn't help either- it was such a tease! Now it's all cold and snowy again with nothing but gloom in the forecast.

I cannot wait for spring! I cannot wait to eat ice cream again! I don't know about you, but ice cream just doesn't do it for me during the winter time. I only crave warmth during these long dreary months. Although looking at the creamy, melting goodness of the gelato in this picture is making me think twice. I'm telling you as soon as it gets above 70 degrees I'm going to enjoy three scoops of gelato awesomeness from Paciugo. I know it's a chain gelato store, and I'm really trying to only feature local Chicago shops, but seriously it's so good! And you'll be happy to know that each store has gelato masters who make fresh gelato every morning. That's local enough for me.

It's been so long since I've been there I can't remember what flavors are in this picture, but they always feature unique combinations that pop, blend, then melt in your mouth. And the best part - they aren't stingy about samples. If you can't make up your mind, which is me every time I go in there, they'll be happy to let you try all the flavors until you find your favorite. I would only suggest doing this during slow times, otherwise the line of people who are waiting out the door could start to riot. I can't really blame them, they just want some gelato too!

I don't know if this is the best gelato shop in Chicago seeing how it's the only one I've been to, but so far it's my favorite. If you think you know of the best place then please share in the comment section. I'd love to check out your recommendations...during spring and summer time, of course!

blizzard: before & after, part 2

blizzard: before & after, part 1

BEFORE: 2.1.11 @ 5:30pm

AFTER: 2.2.11 @ 8:30am

Now, that's a lot of snow!

And I really need to take the tag off that rug. I'm pretty sure I'm keeping it.

the unknown

I have no idea what to expect these next 48 hours, it's mildly terrifying yet at the same time completely exhilarating. A blizzard? What's a blizzard? My thoughts exactly. All I know is that Mother Nature is a beautiful force, both serene and monstrous and we are completely helpless when it comes to her ferocity. If she truly is unleashing her massive powers over us, then there's nothing we can do except welcome her magic with open arms. I feel like that is the bigger lesson for me...to trust what the unknown will bring.

via pica

health bubble

During the winter season I have a health bubble that protects me from all the germs, viruses, and ickyness that gets spread around during this time of year. Unfortunately, my health bubble has popped, or sprung a leak, and I'm now sick. Once I start feeling any "sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever" symptoms I do everything I can to get rest so I don't have to take any medicine. I hate taking medicine and I hate going to the doctor.

So most of today will be spent in bed drinking tea, watching this



and reading this



The only thing I'm missing is a bowl of chicken and rice soup with a bag of bagel chips from Jerry's Deli. That would be really good right now!

dreamin'

Hatillo, Costa Rica

I'm longing to be there. On that beach. With that view.

red

via hulaseventy

Check out more beautiful colors at Poppytalk's winter color week!

wintry

snow!

There's a lot of snow outside today. And, yes, it is really cold!

happy monday!

Walking in a winter wonderland makes me happy!

happy new year!

christmas spirit

Even though it's 62 degrees in Phoenix, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

But, that just might be the hot toddy talking. If you need to feel a little more Christmas this holiday season make a cup of hot toddy with some flavorful tea added to it and put on Pandora's White Christmas Radio - in no time at all the holiday "spirit" will fill you up.

what i woke up to this morning!