tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309375115079367022024-03-04T23:08:00.003-08:00Beyond the BookwormJessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-50744350211930819032018-12-05T17:21:00.000-08:002018-12-05T17:21:48.186-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, once again I have been a slacker and a half about writing in here. I swear, every time I remember this blog exists I ask myself "Why don't you ever write in here Jessica? It's fun!" and then I'll write a post (like I am now) and then forget about it for another few months. I was even worse this year about writing in my physical journal. As in... I didn't write in it all until yesterday. It is what it is. To say that 2018 has been a rough year is an understatement. I've learned a ton about myself, and grown a lot, but man it was hell.</div>
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That quote up there is one of my favorites from the books I've read recently. <i>The Inexplicable Logic of My Life</i> is a book all about growing up, learning how the world really works, and trying your damnedest to find your place in it. I'm 34 years old, and I still really needed this YA book when I found it. I mean, honestly, living is an art. There's no map for it. No formula. It's just a series of things that you do, blindly hoping they turn out well, and then dealing with aftermath. There are good times, bad ones, a lot of meh ones, and they all just make up who you are and where you're going. It's insane.</div>
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As I round out this year, and head in 2019, my journaling bug is back in a big way. I have my eyes on a new leather notebook, and a fancy fountain pen, because writing by hand should be a joy. Yes, I type way faster than I write. But writing something by hand has its own special magic. I miss that feeling.<br />
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We'll see how I do.</div>
Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-91184185863977925822018-06-12T11:47:00.001-07:002018-06-12T11:47:17.133-07:00Do better.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This quote has become the center of my whole being over the last year or so. As I search out new concepts in agriculture, sustainable living, politics, and life balance, I am learning more and more how important it is to keep building yourself into a better you. </div>
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Using the excuse "well I didn't know" is a weak defense. If you're using that phrase, that means someone has just explained something to you, or brought a new idea into your life. That means now you do know. Now you're more informed. The next question is, what do you plan to do about that? Will you sit back in your safe space, even with this new information? Or will you try to do better?</div>
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My opinion on the subject is that we should always do better.</div>
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I set out this year to learn more about the world around me, specifically about the food system that we live in each and every day. I've challenged myself to read one non-fiction book a month and, because I'm so intrigued by it, most of them have been about agriculture lately. I've learned about regenerative agriculture. I've learned about carbon sequestration, the "organic" paradigm, and the real cost of all the cheap food out there. I've learned why paying $11.99 a pound for chicken from a co-op is worth it, both because of the meat itself and what it means for the farmer who provided it me. I've come to understand why even though I recycle like mad, I should be pushing to cut out more plastics in my life.</div>
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I've learned a lot! Now I know better, so it's time to do better.</div>
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So here are some goals I'm setting for myself to "do better" the rest of this year:</div>
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* Cut the amount of plastics that I use by at least 25% (shooting for 50%)</div>
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* Slowly incorporate more plant-based meals, starting with "meatless monday"</div>
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* Start planting fall crops to keep my gardening year round</div>
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* Move away from single use items, especially paper products, and buy compostable items for the times we do need single use items</div>
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* Repair/reuse/rehome things as much as possible, rather than tossing them out.</div>
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* Continue to share the things I learn with all of you!</div>
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I look at it this way.</div>
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We should absolutely care about politics.</div>
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We should care about people, and their rights.</div>
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We should care about equality and honesty.</div>
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However all of those things become null and void if we damage our planet beyond repair. Without good soil to grow crops, we have no food. Without food, we have no people. Without people... well you get the picture.</div>
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I'm going to do what I can, even if it feels like I'm the smallest part of all of this. It has to start somewhere.</div>
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Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-9909861076623214872018-05-06T15:20:00.003-07:002018-05-06T15:26:23.903-07:00Balance.This is a word that I've had to acquaint myself with this year, and it's one that's become the center of everything that I do. I think we, as a society, see this word around a lot and kind of just ignore it. Work/life balance. Sure, when I'm retired. A balanced diet? Obviously you have no idea how busy I am, and how hard it is to plan ahead and eat like that. Too much work. We look at that word, we see it a cliche, and we move on without figuring out why we just can't seem to get things to work out the way we want them to. I've set out to make this word a part of who I am this year and, you know what? It's amazing how well it actually works when you apply balance to your life.<br />
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Take today, for example. It's Sunday, which means it's the end of my weekend. My anxiety controlled brain is screaming at me that I need to finish all the chores I won't have time for throughout the week. There are dishes to be done, laundry to be washed, things to put away, things to tidy, a stack of books I haven't touched in two weeks, and heaven forbid that I enter the week without making sure that we have enough snacks for lunches all week. Before I started focusing on balance, I would have spent all of Sunday rushing through chores and feeling like any downtime that I spent doing anything else was time wasted. I'd be exhausted, and unhappy, and go to bed feeling like my weekend wasn't a weekend.<br />
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Now, I remind myself to slow it down. For every chore I finish, I take an hour of time to do whatever I want. Or, if I can, I work things I want to do into things I have to do. I slowly work my way through laundry while binge watching Netflix shows. I do the dishes while listening to a podcast, or audio book, and stop periodically to rest or eat something. I pull away from everything, grab a book, and go snag a nap in hammock outside so that I can enjoy the weather. Lo and behold, every chore gets done. Perhaps it takes a bit longer than before. Maybe only 75% of the laundry gets done. Maybe some small amount of dishes will have to be washed tomorrow before I make dinner. But I get me time. I get rest time. I get a weekend.<br />
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That's balance.<br />
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Eating excellently all work week and taking a Saturday to eat pizza and frozen yogurt sometimes? That's balance.<br />
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Spending as much time as possible with friends, but also remembering that it's okay to take an afternoon to myself and just putter around? That's balance.<br />
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It's not always easy to maintain, true, but that's part of the balancing act too. I've learned not to be too hard on myself either.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-74452910519697727902018-04-25T15:38:00.001-07:002018-04-25T15:45:59.069-07:00Sleep, the tired frontier.<br />
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So, I'm usually pretty good at sleeping. I mean, let's be honest, I can pass out and take a nap in the middle of the afternoon with basically no issue. I go to bed by 10 PM every work day, and follow the "don't look at you phone too close to bed" rule. I'm one of those who is a zombie if I get poor sleep, so I just kind of try to get the best sleep possible. I'd guess you'd say that sleep and food are pretty equal on my spectrum. Ha. Important things to this girl.<br />
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Which is why I've been so annoyed with my sleep lately. For about the last 2 to 3 months, I've been going through long periods of really restless sleep and waking up groggy and cranky. I've gotten pretty addicted to coffee, because it's the only thing that makes my brain function so early in the morning. Not that coffee is bad, but I felt like I needed to do something. Why would I have gone from such a great sleeper to a terrible one?<br />
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I downloaded an app to find out.<br />
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For the next three weeks I'll be tracking my sleep every evening.<br />
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Here's what a fairly good night of sleep looks like! You don't want to see last night. Ugh. Trust me. I'm trying to pinpoint what I'm doing right/wrong, or what I can do differently.<br />
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The other cool thing about this app is that it wakes you up naturally, during a period sometime in a half hour that you set, when you're already headed towards being awake. The three days I've used it, regardless of my actual sleep quality, I've been way more awake and alive when I finally get up. It's a NICE feeling.<br />
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Isn't it crazy that we live in a world where there are apps for everything?<br />
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I was telling B that it's crazy how we barely go to the grocery store anymore. Everything is mailed to us. Which is kind of nice, actually, because it limits impulse buys. We had to go into Winco for our party last week and.. I bought bear claws. Because they were by the front door. Oh well.<br />
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So yeah, sleep tracking is a thing now! Let's see how this turns out.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-87125682348399373542018-04-04T09:53:00.002-07:002018-04-04T09:56:01.619-07:00All about food. Seriously.<br />
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This is going to be a post pretty much entirely about food, just so that you know what you're getting yourself into. If you don't know me that well, you might not know that I've challenged myself to decrease my carbon footprint this year, and use my spending to promote ethical, sustainable and organic food. It's something that I've been aiming to do for a long while, but I was busy working on myself first. After all, good mental is the cornerstone to any other endeavor! Last year was all about me, and this year is still about me (hey, I won't lie), but also about things important to me. So how have things been going? Let's check in!<br />
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The first step into this whole thing was <b>Blue Apron</b>.<br />
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We picked up a subscription to the meal delivery box in the middle of last year, and it quickly became a brilliant way for us to kick food waste to the curb. See, here's the thing: We don't actually eat all that much food anymore. Blue Apron meals give us just enough food for the two of us for a dinner, and possibly an additional serving of leftovers for the next day. We don't throw tons of veggies away. We don't waste condiments. That specialty herb I had to buy for a recipe doesn't turn to black mush, hidden away at the back of the fridge. Definitely a plus!<br />
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The other cool thing about Blue Apron was that it was a baby step into the world of sustainability. This company partners with farmers, and plans their meals around what's in season. They source ethically raised meat (which tastes AMAZING), and there's even a little label on every box that you get showing where the items inside came from. It always makes me smile when I see a nearby farm on there that has sent me my brussel sprouts. It's a cool feeling knowing that an actual farmer, who is getting paid a fair price for his crops, has sent you food.<br />
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The downside? The packaging. Blue Apron tries really hard to make all of their packing materials recyclable, but the truth of the matter is that there is no good way to keep food frozen without using ice packs. And, alas, ice packs aren't very easy to recycle. So, Blue Apron is still part of our rotation. It actually makes up 50% of what we eat. I still want to see them push for more conscious packaging though.<br />
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Next, I signed us up for<i> </i><b>Farm Fresh to You</b>.<br />
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If you've never checked out their website, go do it! Organic veggies and fruits, as well as jams, jellies, nuts, and so much more, all delivered straight to your door. Again, it was an easy way for me to make sure that we were eating sustainably and organically. All the food comes from local farms, and you can only order what is in season. Better still, I could get fresh, free range eggs directly to my door. There's no excuse to be lazy when the food comes to you.<br />
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We've had this subscription for a year now, and I've loved every minute of it. I've discovered new types of apples, had a finger lime for the first time, and experimented with new types of carrots. I still love the farmer's market, and go as often as I can, but this is a nice alternative that accomplishes the same goal.<br />
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Are you still with me? I warned you this was all about food!<br />
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Now we've come to <b>Thrive Market</b>.<br />
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Once you've made a goal to eat REAL food, that extends into snacks as well. One of Michael Pollan's food rules is "Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce." That's pretty hard to follow at a lot of supermarkets, especially if you snack on things other than simple fruits and vegetables. I admit it, I'm a snacker. I like granola bars, chips and snack mix. I try not to eat it too often, but if it's going to be a normal part of my diet then why not try to get something better for me?<br />
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We'd try to shop at Trader Joe's as often as possible but, let's be honest, their parking lots are all terrible. So I found Thrive Market for the in-between times. Everything on there is real food. They cater to paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and so many more categories! They carry food from Califia Farms, KIND, Annie's, and all the things I love. It does cost $50 a year to join, but your membership provides a free membership to a low income family. So, why not? I even found compostable coffee pods from Ethical Bean coffee and, I can tell you right now, that coffee is GOOD. It's a win/win.<br />
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Okay, we're at the end. If you saw my FB post yesterday, you'll know that I just ordered meat through <b>Grass Roots Co-Op</b>.<br />
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Between Farm Fresh to You, Blue Apron, the farmer's market, and my fledgling garden, we had fruits and vegetables covered. We had dinners covered. We had snacks covered. But what about those in between times when it's breakfast and you want bacon? Or you really crave chicken strips but it's easier to go to the WinCo down the street, than to go to the Whole foods for ethically raised chicken? Well, I found the solution. Grass Roots allows you to subscribe to a monthly box of protein. They have pasture raised beef, forrested pork, free range chicken, and pastured turkey.<br />
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Have you noticed that most of our food is mailed to us? That's not an accident. We're both busy people who work long shifts. We're gone from home 12+ hours a day. I still wouldn't let that be an excuse not to accomplish my goal. Thank goodness we live in a world where food is so easily accessible, if you only look hard enough.<br />
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If you've made it to the end of this long post, congratulations! My main goal was to give you insight into what we've been doing, and what you might want to do too. Remember, your money is your voice in this economy. Michael Pollan likes to say that we should "vote with our forks" to push change in the way our agricultural system works. I've just proven that you can do it if you try hard enough. Does it cost more? Yes. Is it worth it? I think so. We are one of the only wealthy countries in the world that spends less on food than we do on anything else, including impulse buys. Aren't we worth more than that? Food for thought.<br />
<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-41048324719023322092018-01-09T16:02:00.001-08:002018-01-09T16:04:38.974-08:00A Rainy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's raining for the second day in a row, here in So Cal. Which, if you've ever lived here, you know means that people are already sick of it. Hahaha. Our "winter" is mostly 60 degree temps, with some occasional rain, and we like to pretend that it's the worst thing ever.</div>
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Truth though? I LOVE rain. Especially when I don't have anywhere in particular to be. When it's raining lightly, sometimes I'll drag a blanket out to backyard and cuddle up in the hammock underneath the patio cover. Listening to the rain is so relaxing. It makes me feel like I'm connected to something bigger than myself, which is what I've been trying to find basically all of last year.</div>
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Although mass transit kind of sucks in inclement weather, it's also kind of nice to be snug inside a bus and reading a book. It's all about how you perceive things, and my mindset is slowly swinging back towards looking for the good, the calm, and the relaxing.</div>
Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-72237476551900238362017-12-18T15:08:00.001-08:002017-12-18T15:08:41.022-08:00Blog ResurrectionSo I took a huge step back from my normal social media obsession this year. I promised myself that 2017 would be the year that I cared mainly about my well being. I wanted to take a good look at my anxiety, learn how to manage it, and really just get introspective on why I wasn't as happy as I wanted to be. <div>
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As it stands, this year was amazing. At first it was weird to not constantly be on Twitter, posting on my Bookstagram account, and creating massive amounts of content for my blog, but I learned quickly to fill that time with other things. I started listening to tons of audiobooks, started baking more, tended houseplants, picked up cross stitching again, learned to embroider, and spent way more time with friends. It was a lot more tactile, and a refreshing change from constantly monitoring everything online. It was nice!</div>
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Now that it's near the end of the year, and I can look back, I realize that I really needed that change. I've got my anxiety under control, I've found ways to positively channel anything that I do feel, I've rediscovered the power of good hangouts and stopped being so flaky on plans. It's been all good, and really something I'm proud of.</div>
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I'm feeling good about coming back to this now, which is why I'm resurrecting this blog! I'll still only post a few times a month, mostly to let you all know what's going on, but I do miss doing some fun unboxings and product reviews, so expect those too!</div>
Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-19361500602309934852017-08-04T13:04:00.001-07:002017-08-04T13:04:19.616-07:00Old British Lady Status<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Embroidery is my newest undertaking!</div>
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I'd like to pretend that I'm all young and hip, but the only thing pointing to that is my love of expensive, fancy food. Hahaha. All other signs point to the fact that I'm actually an old British woman at heart. Tea in the mornings? Check. Embroidery in a comfy chair? Check. Reading and then falling asleep at a very late 9:30 pm? Check. Yup, all signs point to old lady. I'm okay with that.</div>
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When I first saw hand embroidery at work, I wanted so badly to try it. I did some research, found a really cute beginner project, and ordered it all the way from Israel. Now that I've been working on it? Well, I'm in love. I can say however that it's a LOT of work. Cross stitch has nothing on embroidery. This is so precise, so intricate, and I'm in love with how much passion has to go into it. If you own anything hand embroidered, cherish it. Someone really, really worked for that.</div>
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I've kind of just been keeping a low profile. I bought a super comfy reading chair, and I've been spending my time sitting in it, musing, napping, and spending time with the puppy. I'm in this place right now where things are good, and I feel content. I'm happy about that! Trying to focus on the good.</div>
Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-61585461837304017572017-07-07T11:15:00.003-07:002017-07-07T11:16:30.525-07:00Fri-Yay!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Current Obsession: Cross-Stitch</b></div>
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As my project says: Life is Good.</div>
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If you haven't noticed yet, I go through hobbies on a rotating basis. One year, I knit or crochet. The next year, I am obsessed with nail polish, and the following year I spend entirely too much money on video games. It's always been like that. Now? I'm all about cross-stitch. It helps me achieve that weird balance between fierce concentration and relaxation. I don't understand it, but it helps with my anxious feelings. So yay for that!</div>
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Birthday weekend was amazing. I saw a hilarious musical, hung out with amazing people, ate entirely too much scrumptious food, laughed a ton, and napped in hammock. After coming back from vacation, and then feeling like I was sliding back into a funk, this last weekend really helped a lot. Work gets stressful, but friends keep me grounded. My 30's have been treating me well.</div>
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Next cross-stitch project is a tiny one, then on to a set of bibs for a friend who is having a baby! I'm excited :).</div>
<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-89785658253135721802017-06-22T08:31:00.002-07:002017-06-22T08:31:40.190-07:00*peeks in*<br />
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<b>Me: You should totally go write in your blog today.</b><br />
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<b>Also Me: But yeah, you could also just read or take a nap?</b><br />
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Oh look, it's already almost the end of June, and I haven't written in here since January. I wonder why that is (she says while smiling like a maniac and pointing at the words above). Yeah, I've been kind of lazy about this. Also though, it's because I've been practicing mega self care this year. If I want to nap, I nap. If I want to cross stitch, I cross stitch. If I want to lay in the hammock and stare at the sky and do absolutely nothing at all? Well, you get the point. I didn't feel like writing. So I didn't write. Now I do.<br />
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I get all introspective when it gets close to my birthday. Like, what have I accomplished over the last year and am I proud of the way that 32 panned out for me? Am I ready to turn 33? Which, honestly, is totally a trick question because it's happening either way. Ha. This year though, I'm pretty damn proud of myself! I've done a lot. I've stepped out my comfort zone, I've been happier than I have in a long time, I've just been feeling like things are going well. This year I can honestly say that I'm ready for 33. I'm not even a little bit worried about it.<br />
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With the exception of 2015, which we shall remember but try not to dwell on, my 30's have actually been quite fabulous so far. I've got an amazing husband, a giant love bug dog, a house that makes me happy whenever I'm in it, a job I actually enjoy, and friends who understand when I need to take a step away to be introverted for a while and recuperate. I've traveled, made memories, eaten amazing food, learned new things, and surprised myself with how well I've managed my anxiety. It still tries to crop up every now and then, I might even let it win out for a short bit, but I've learned how to acknowledge it and shape it into something I understand. That, above all else, has been a win.<br />
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Let the birthday week officially commence, this weekend! I'm ready for it.<br />
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<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-28629139173281024682017-01-03T11:39:00.001-08:002017-01-03T11:39:47.235-08:00Highlights of 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So, although I didn't keep up with this blog as well as I wanted to last year, I still did a pretty decent amount of writing! Best of all, I kept a pretty good paper journal as well. All in all, I was happy with how much of 2016 I actually documented. It was a good year overall! I thought I'd start 2017 with some highlights of 2016, to remind myself of what I have to be thankful for.</div>
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* We got a house in 2016! Finally, after two years of pining and waiting we were told in February 2016 that the house was ours, and we got to move in during April 2016. I can't believe we've almost lived there for a year now. I LOVE our home. It's my happy space.</div>
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* We adopted a puppy! She's the most hyper, most lovable, most frustrating, most fun part of my daily routine. Every time we teach her something new, I feel so proud. She's the best bedtime snuggle buddy ever. Plus she helps keep my anxiety at bay, and I love it.</div>
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* I spent way more time with friends and family! 2015 wasn't a great year for interactions, because I just wasn't feeling great. Last year I vowed to spend more time out, even when I wasn't feeling it, and I did. We had tons of dinner parties, rogue movie watching nights, went to events and traveled to see family. It was good for my soul.</div>
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* I made it through a whole year without letting my depression/anxiety get the best of me. There were days that were an uphill battle. There were times when I would have much rather stayed in bed all day than get up and actually face the world. I did it though. I pushed for the good, and faced the bad. I accepted the way I felt and took some days one hour at a time. I did it though, and I'm damn proud of myself.</div>
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* I made MEMORIES. So many memories. I've vowed 2017 will be the year of experiences, and not so much tangible items. It's easy to get caught up in buying things. I want to gain experiences instead. So, I started 2017 out with my very first RAVE. I love having a sister who is my partner in crime, who will push me out of my little comfort zone and go with me to a place that I had never been before. It was the best experience EVER. The people were amazing, the music was intense and intoxicating. Everything about that night was fabulous. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZfXXHQ7QyJo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfXXHQ7QyJo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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I'm not really setting any goals or resolutions for 2017. Other than to open myself up to new experiences, of course. I'm just going to take things as they come. 2017 will be a year of exploration, introspection and, most exciting of all, growth. Here's to turning 33! I can't wait to see what it brings.</div>
<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-77537466397390688312016-08-24T11:59:00.001-07:002016-08-24T11:59:25.901-07:00That Puppy Love<br />
When I first decided that I wanted a dog, way back when we still lived in our second apartment, and weren't able to have one, I always knew it would be an undertaking. What I didn't know, that I wish I could go back and tell my past self? Getting a puppy is 10x the work of getting an older dog. I don't know that I'd go back and change our decision, because Luna is the cutest thing on the history of the planet, but man I'm learning a lot from this experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AGZO3CNmAXxWEW7IZr3HZQ_8UKKMHxALJXTtLmM-H0qCEq31YFqguNRtdoA19raxx25uhyLfzbpZE4iXv4TjW9hpxcqNZDZSwrkfA19Bs4Vo66qWKrM0wPbwxNOds-usdxSuP7Gduqzq/s1600/20160823_061523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AGZO3CNmAXxWEW7IZr3HZQ_8UKKMHxALJXTtLmM-H0qCEq31YFqguNRtdoA19raxx25uhyLfzbpZE4iXv4TjW9hpxcqNZDZSwrkfA19Bs4Vo66qWKrM0wPbwxNOds-usdxSuP7Gduqzq/s320/20160823_061523.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
This is Ms. Luna Lovegood Nottingham. She's an American Bulldog and currently (looks at calendar) just about 14 weeks. Which means, that we've had for about 6 weeks and I am not lying at all when I say that time has completely flown by! This little girl grows like a weed. When we got her she was all roly poly and full of extra skin. Now, right before my eyes, I've gotten to see her transform into a strong and intelligent little miss.<br />
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It's been interesting to see how her capabilities change, even by the week. First we learned potty training, then sitting, then laying down, and the list goes on and on. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that she's so smart (and also completely stubborn) with her own little personality. Yes, she drives us completely batty at times. But the fact that we're her world, B and I, it makes me smile. Even when I'm kind of upset at her for doing something wrong, I love her to death.<br />
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What's funny is that I used to look at people with pets and wonder why they were always so intent on pampering them, and praising them. Well, I learned my lesson quickly. It's because there's this whole level of unconditional love there that is just intoxicating. Dogs are excited when they wake up. They're excited when you come home. They snuggle. They want to chase. They just want to lay their head on your lap and stare at you lovingly. What other entity in the world is that giving of their love? It makes me want to earn that, and so I sigh and put up with the accidents, and the teething, and the fussiness. She's worth it.<br />
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Truth be told, I think this whole process has been a great lesson for B and I. We've learned a lot about ourselves, our tolerance levels and how to factor another being into our daily schedule. It's also been a groan inducing, hilarious, romp through figuring out how to deal with Ms. Luna and all her quirks.<br />
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Puppies are not for the faint of heart, people. Not at all. But in my opinion? Luna is so worth it.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-90004219921384007492016-06-05T11:21:00.001-07:002016-06-05T11:22:17.403-07:00Patio Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's much too beautiful a day to be inside, so I'm out on the patio at the table. Sitting here makes me wonder, how many people actually utilize the patio furniture that they buy? Are there more people out there, like me, who spend actual time in their backyard for reasons other than barbequing or entertaining? I could sit out here all day, with my laptop and a stack of books. That's why I bought this damn thing ;).</div>
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I know I haven't been typing here quite as much. I was shooting for once a week, but then my journal itch started up and suddenly my paper journal became the haven I needed for my words. I bought myself a pack of colorful gel pens, and I've been scribbling away in my mad handwriting. Documenting feelings, both the good days and the bad days. When I was younger I used to try to only write the good things in my journal. But then I realized that isn't a valid representation of who I am. There are good days, there are bad days, and sometimes there are those balanced days that are a bit of both. What's the use of trying to lie about it? If I can't be honest with myself, then there's no purpose at all to writing things down. So I've tried my best to just write whatever the hell I feel. If it makes no sense to anyone else but me once in a while, so be it. So be it.</div>
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Happily, having a quiet place to retreat to has really improved my mood. Spending time out here, spending time on the couch in a patch of sun (I may or may not secretly be a cat), has gotten to be something that I do often. I still keep up with chores, and cook, and do other adult type things. But I don't feel guilty about taking a few hours for myself either. As the laundry spins happily in the dryer, I'm outside and typing. It's all about balance.</div>
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<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-57972649242944310312016-05-23T09:01:00.002-07:002016-05-23T09:01:42.023-07:00Lazy? Or relaxing?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I choose to use the word "sluggish", rather than lazy to describe this weekend. "Lazy" has so much negative connotation behind it. In a world where people are constantly on the go, always having to move quickly, it's seen as a waste of time to relax. Even when people are on vacation, they end up spending so much time on tours, hikes, and events that they forget to just unwind. To just be still.</div>
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If there's one thing that I've learned in life, and that I actually had to stop and remind myself of lately, it's that it's okay to be still once in a while. It's perfectly okay to sit quietly on the couch, and rest. Or to read in your favorite chair, for hours. Or, in my case, to drag everything you want to do for the day out to the lawn, and enjoy the sunshine.</div>
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When I was younger, I used to understand how important that was. On summer days, I'd take an armful of supplies out on the lawn and stay out there all day. Books, journals, snacks, and a bottle of water. All piled up in my arms so that I could hang out in nature until it got too cold to stay there. I loved the bird song. I love the rustle of wind in the grass and trees. I loved the kiss of sun on the back of my neck. To be still, and appreciate being outdoors.</div>
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I needed that this weekend, and so I relived it. And you know what? It worked like a charm. Never underestimate the power of being calm. Of being content. Of being relaxed. It's okay to hustle! But it's also okay to take a quiet day to yourself.</div>
<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-42462854020522731492016-05-11T08:38:00.000-07:002016-05-11T08:38:14.143-07:00Life Philosophy<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Do you have a philosophy of life? If so, what is it? If not, what is your method for making important decisions?</b></div>
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So I wrote down a bunch of journal prompts in an excel sheet, numbered them, and now when I feel like writing I just pick a number and start typing. Pretty cool, huh? That way if I'm not feeling particularly inspired, I have a jumping off point. I'm hoping this will keep on on the path of at least posting a few times a month. Journaling is good for the soul.</div>
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Well, anyway, down to the prompt shall we?</div>
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I think if I had to describe my philosophy of life, it would be <i>to take things one day at a time, and appreciate all the small things around you. </i></div>
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Once upon a time, when I was much younger and much less beaten down by life, I used to think that having a plan was the only way to get through. I obsessively planned out my college years, and the adulthood beyond. I just knew I'd graduate in 4 years. I'd be a teacher, and I'd have 3 kids and a big house. Oh, yeah, and I'd do that all by the time I was 25.</div>
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College came, and for the first two years I worked my ass off. I had no time for friends, or the beach, or anything really because I was too busy sticking to my plan. You can't graduate with a teaching degree/credential in 4 years without taking 14+ units a semester. I was exhausted. I was frustrated. I took a step back, and realized that I was hurting myself but not giving myself any time for the real college experience. That was the first time I let the reins loose, albeit a tiny bit, and it felt good.</div>
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College came, and went. Suddenly I was faced with a wide world full of everything... except jobs. Yup, I graduated right during the recession, when teaching jobs were few and far between. The substitute list in our district had over 800 people on it. It was daunting. I was angry. Didn't I just work so hard in college so that I could get out, get a job, and get back on my plan track? What the hell was I going to do now? Needless to say, I freaked out. I admit, I cried a bit. Then, I let go of the reins a little more and just found a job. It was kind of what I wanted to do. It made money. It let me stay in the city I had fallen in love with. So be it.</div>
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You get the picture. Life kept hitting me with unexpected road blocks, and after a time it finally battered my plan to pieces. The funny part is though, that the more that happened, the happier I was. I realized that you kind of just have to let things happen sometimes. I mean, you can't be a spectator. You've got to get out there and seize opportunities. But I also learned that you can't plan everything. Life won't let you. So I've accepted that, and I've learned to love it.</div>
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Now, when I make big decisions it's all about potential. When I chose to take my new job, as a part-time, as-needed worker, I was leaving another possibility. I chose this one, because the potential for something permanent was higher. It was a risk, but I figured it was a risk that was worth it. That's what my life has become. Weighing potential, weighing risk, making decisions based on that. It's worked! For other things, like our wedding for instance, I decided that it wasn't worth my mental energy to try to freak out, or plan too much. I was just happy that the potential in that instance was marrying the man that I loved. If he was there, and I was there, everything else be damned.</div>
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My life is about potential. It's about possibility. And, as much as I can make it, it's about positivity. Loving the good things, appreciating the small things, always looking forward.</div>
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Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-50437286308895183352016-05-02T08:51:00.001-07:002016-05-02T08:51:40.217-07:00#IReadYA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, Young Adult fiction. To those you of you who aren't ravenous book readers, that little button up there might not make sense. I'll explain. This week is the week we celebrate YA, or Young Adult fiction, as a genre. We celebrate the stories that help teens deal with the tough stuff. We celebrate the stories that show us that strong characters can be 16 years old. We celebrate the stories that I wish I had as a teen, and am now a huge part of the publicity for. I know I don't normally post book related items on this blog, but this is something that's important to me.<br />
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I've been a reader since the beginning. As a child, I devoured every book I could get my hands on. In school, I had teachers that gave me extra time to visit the library, because I'd already read every book in their classroom. As a pre-teen, I made it to a point where I'd read every "age appropriate" book in the public library, and so I started reading things like Anne Rice's vampire series at age 11. (Shout out to my mom for always letting me decide what I was ready to read.) I've always been a reader.<br />
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What I didn't realize until I became a book blogger, six years ago (oh wow, that was a while ago), was that I missed out on the YA aspect of my reader journey. At the time, YA wasn't a thing really. There may have been books that should have been classified as that, but they weren't marketed and they weren't put into my grabby little teen hands. As I read them as an adult, I realized quickly how important these books were. They dealt with things I remembered dealing with as a teen. Sex, drinking, fake friends, and even abusive relationships. Suddenly, I was seeing all the things in books that I wished someone had given the opportunity to read about when I really needed them the most. Books are great at empathy. When you find one that just KNOWS what you're going through, it's cathartic. I wish I'd had that as a teen.<br />
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So now, as an adult, I proudly read YA. I read it, I soak it all in, and I use it as a means to recommend books that I think people might need at certain points in their lives. You're never too old for these books. Some of them are so poignant, so deep, that they bridge the gap effortlessly. I've found more books to love in YA than in any other age group of reading, and I'm not ashamed of that.<br />
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So, now you know. Read YA. Love YA. Share YA. It's important.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-33764381554671295342016-04-24T19:20:00.000-07:002016-04-24T19:20:59.152-07:00The Joy of Cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was going to write this long post about self care, and admitting when you need it, and then my brain decided that writing about cooking would be a much better topic. Since I'm trying to just let whatever wants to come out when I write just come on out, I decided to go with it. It kind of borders what I was going to talk about anyway, just with more pretty food pictures. And who doesn't love food?</div>
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Cooking is one of the things that I lost during my battle with anxiety and depression. Now that I'm far enough away from it, I can admit that's what it was. If you asked me during that time what was wrong with me, I would have just told you that I was fine. Just tired. Just stressed at work. Just just just. All of that may have been true, but the real fact was that it was all mashed up together, roiling under my skin and making me feel awful. I couldn't face it, which means I couldn't deal with it, which means I couldn't get better. I stopped doing a lot of the things I loved. Cooking, nail painting, puzzles. I spent a lot of time sleeping and watching tv. Which, for those of you who know me, know that isn't me. I have nothing against people who watch tv, mind you. It just isn't me.</div>
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Anyway, I'm proud to say that I have my cooking mojo back! That, above all else, has proven to me that I'm feeling better. I have the want to cook. My mind dances with possible recipes, I find myself lovingly picking out ingredients at the store, and standing at the counter doesn't even phase me as I chop away. I love watching all the things that are in front of me slowly turn into something cohesive and enjoyable. It makes my heart happy, and I so missed that feeling.</div>
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This week I made a Korean Beef Bowl recipe, some Swedish Meatballs and this all veggie stir fry. I'm trying to incorporate a lot more vegetables into our diets, especially now that we're not going out to eat constantly instead of cooking at home. It's been a lot of fun to try out new recipes, and B has been a trooper through it all. I know sometimes he gets slightly miffed at the large amounts of mushrooms I put in things (I love mushrooms way too much), but he always is willing to try the new crazy recipes I find, and I'm happy to report that he's found them pretty tasty so far. I missed feeding someone else. Watching someone eat what you make, and enjoy it, is a feeling that is hard to explain. </div>
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Today I ventured out to a Japanese market to go and get some ingredients for shumai. I haven't made that in so long, and it's kind of ridiculous how excited I am to sit for an hour and stuff those little wrappers. I also found out today that Lakewood is starting its own little farmer's market right down the street from us on Saturdays, which I'm thrilled about. Nothing is better than wandering the rows of fruits and veggies. Soaking up the sun. I feel good. I feel productive. I feel like cooking. There's a joy in cooking, for me. So, don't be surprised if I bombard you with pictures of food in the coming weeks. </div>
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<br />Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-69000611099592984872016-04-13T08:07:00.002-07:002016-04-13T08:09:19.822-07:00New Mornings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, that picture of glorious coffee is calling my name. For those of you out there in blogging land, or those of you who just like gorgeous photographs, I'll point you to <a href="https://www.pexels.com/">Pexels</a>. It's a website where talented people share their photos, free for personal use. I love going there to just glance through snapshots of other lives, and also to get inspiration to write posts like this. There's something to be said for a good picture. It has the power to set the atmosphere. This photo right here? It calls to me with its aura of contentment and, since I feel that way right now, we're right in sync.<br />
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These last two days have been a new kind of mornings for me. It's both still weird, and still amazing, to wake up in a quiet house. Our bedroom furniture came yesterday, and I'm starting to see our house slowly pulling itself together. I'm loving every minute of it. I have to stop myself from worrying about every little thing we still need, everything still to be done, and remember to enjoy the fact that we're getting settled somewhere that belongs to just us. To myself and B. We have a home.<br />
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It's nice to wake up and, even though I'm still tired because commuting via train isn't always easy, feel like life is good. It makes mornings more bearable, and that's improved my mood greatly. My heart is happy.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-30846208768393392352016-04-03T11:52:00.001-07:002016-04-03T11:52:06.070-07:0030 Things That Make Me SmileSo, today is the BIG DAY! We get the keys to our house today, and I know that the next few weeks are going to be dedicated to painting, sanding, cleaning and moving. After the last two months, and stressing out endlessly over escrow, I'm deeply in need of something to set me back to zero. <div>
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I haven't been myself lately. All that passion I normally have for things, all the energy that I usually put forth, it was hiding somewhere inside me. I'm finally starting to feel normal again. To feel like my bubbly, silly, and sometimes totally nerdy self. It's a good feeling! So it's time to journal. Time to reflect on all the good things. I think once we get settled in at the house, I'm going to start a journaling jar, to pull a prompt out of on Sundays. Maybe it'll get the creative juices flowing!</div>
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Anyway, here's the prompt I was given by Tumblr today.</div>
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<b>Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.</b><div>
Challenge accepted.</div>
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1. Planting things. Flowers, vegetables, anything.</div>
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2. Cooking a big meal, hopefully successfully!</div>
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3. Eating ice cream (especially chocolate!)</div>
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4. Finding something in a book that is just SO ME.</div>
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5. Sitting and just listening to the right music.</div>
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6. Doing puzzles.</div>
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7. A warm breeze that smells like summer.</div>
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8. The sound of birds in the trees.</div>
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9. Having someone in my life who just gets me.</div>
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10. Looking at old pictures.</div>
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11. Spending time with friends I haven't seen in a while.</div>
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12. Watching people enjoy things I've cooked/baked.</div>
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13. "Window Shopping" for things I'll never actually buy on the Internet.</div>
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14. Snuggling on the couch.</div>
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15. Finding someone who is just as excited about something as I am.</div>
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16. Lying in the warm sun.</div>
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17. When that perfect song comes on, to complement what I'm reading at the time.</div>
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18. Everyday items shaped liked whimsical things.</div>
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19. Miyazaki movies.</div>
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20. The sound of wind chimes on a breezy day.</div>
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21. The smell of the ocean breeze.</div>
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22. That first sip of a new bottle of wine.</div>
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23. Getting unexpected snail mail.</div>
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24. Lazy mornings with the hubby.</div>
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25. Wearing crazy patterned socks under an otherwise professional outfit.</div>
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26. Buying the above mentioned crazy socks!</div>
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27. Talking to my mom on the phone, about everything and nothing.</div>
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28. Going for a walk on a beautiful day.</div>
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29. Shopping at Farmer's Markets, and talking to people who are passionate about their wares.</div>
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30. Honestly? Writing this list.</div>
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Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-88969608474919329702016-03-31T20:59:00.001-07:002016-03-31T20:59:13.657-07:00A New ChapterI've been thinking a lot about writing lately. It seems like every time that I get to a point where I actually want to sit and journal, something happens and I forget about it. Which is sad, because there's so much good that has happened over the last year that I haven't gotten a chance to write down! <div>
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The beginning of last year was an uphill battle. Then, my temporary job turned into a full time job. A full time job that I actually really enjoy. Then, the hubby and I were able to get out of debt. Which was amazing! And now, we've come to the point where we can actually own a home. How amazing is that? From possibly being unemployed, all the way to being a homeowner. It's like a Cinderella story, and I honestly couldn't feel more blessed. I know hard work had a lot to do with it. I also know that sometimes life just smiles on you, and I'm thankful!</div>
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Anyway, I want to write in here a bit more often. It'll be a nice place to chronicle that joys and woes of being a new homeowner. I can't wait to garden, to have a real size kitchen to cook in, and to stop having to deal with crazy upstairs neighbors. So much goodness awaits! I hope I'll remember to document it.</div>
Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-62464754451237613392014-07-23T14:37:00.000-07:002014-07-23T14:38:55.803-07:00Checking In!<br />
Hello to anyone who has been wondering where I went! I know I haven't posted on this blog in a long while, and here's why.<br />
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* All book related stuff was relegated to either Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile (my book blog) or to Bookishly Delighted (my book club blog).<br />
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* I got a new physical journal, which I love writing in! Its tempting pages made me forget to type in here.<br />
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* I've been really busy with those ^^ blogs you see above.<br />
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* My job is currently still in limbo.<br />
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There have been good things that have happened though! I got back into product reviews. I've been cutting down on the subscription boxes I pay for, to see which ones are best for me. Plus I recently got an interview for the job I'd been hoping to get. So really? Good things are happening. I choose to focus on those and let everything else go.<br />
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I'll do my best to post in here more regularly. Even if it's just once or twice a month :).<br />
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*big hugs*Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-75528659282398075092014-06-17T19:14:00.001-07:002014-06-17T19:14:14.820-07:00Love With Food Subscription Box - May 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUl2JVZgChGpwpeWooMCdfCOi-UKzShR5IqRex1hOnoCm4hFe5NoMOm_UOJ_xG7YF4deZsLVs30T9iX_D9qjIWGZw-ZGT6ZOmxzsst7pb6MdNQwSCaMtD_1_NwjCRR4a_nkdWpm2qj_Q9/s1600/20140514_171538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUl2JVZgChGpwpeWooMCdfCOi-UKzShR5IqRex1hOnoCm4hFe5NoMOm_UOJ_xG7YF4deZsLVs30T9iX_D9qjIWGZw-ZGT6ZOmxzsst7pb6MdNQwSCaMtD_1_NwjCRR4a_nkdWpm2qj_Q9/s1600/20140514_171538.jpg" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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Ready to hear all about May's <b><a href="http://lovewithfood.com/invite?m=r&ref=EDW">Love With Food </a></b>box?</div>
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Although this month wasn't my favorite, there were definitely some gems in this box. I love that I have the chance to devour so many new tasty treats! Plus Love With Food has started including a spice or condiment in the box as well, which gives you the chance to incorporate your box into a meal!</div>
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<b>What is Love With Food you ask? Here's a blurb straight from their website:</b></div>
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Love With Food helps you discover new <b>organic, all-natural snacks</b> delivered to your door every month. Our subscription membership starts as low as $10/month. Every month, Love With Food members will receive a curated box of unique, hard-to-find tasty snacks which varies based on seasonal themes.<br />
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For every box sold, we donate a meal to several food banks such as the Feeding America Network and Share Our Strength - No Kid Hungry. Join us to help end child hunger one meal at a time!<br />
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Say goodbye to boring grocery selections and start discovering your Love With Food experience!</blockquote>
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May's theme was DERBY DAYS, in celebration of the Kentucky Derby!</div>
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Once again, credit for photos goes to the Love with Food website :).</div>
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<b>Honeybush Caramel, Southern Mint and Tropical Green Tea</b> </div>
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from <a href="http://www.revolutiontea.com/">Revolution Tea</a></div>
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Package Size: 3 teabag sampler - Value: around $2.50</div>
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I loved that there was tea in this box again, and that it was a sampler pack! The Honeybush Caramel was perfectly sweet, and I loved it. The Southern Mint was okay, but I think it would have been better iced. I haven't tried the Tropical Green Tea yet, but it smells delicious!</div>
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<b>Tarallino Snack </b>by <a href="http://www.terredipuglia.it/taralli/tarallino-snack/tarallino-snack-evo.html?___store=english&___from_store=italiano">Terre Di Puglia</a></div>
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Package Size: 1.4 oz (2) - Value: $1.25</div>
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So these come directly from Italy, and I have to say they were pretty tasty! Apparently tarallos are big snacks in Italy, and these are the mini versions of them. Perfectly crispy little rounds, with a hint of olive oil and salt. I ate the first bag on it's own. The second bag, I paired with some cheese. Delicious! I'd buy these again if they weren't so hard to find.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0ysOr1A6nBIdvBrWaali05M3gmsO0s3iu4C7Cm_iKRrNDfwECJ92iznQIhxFy4wX9i7Ri3tDZc_pL2tR1Ey4zl-6xW4Q5zkspOx21YF4H3PJ01D9mt_nz8BDXauzi00a-j0jl5lhcT-5/s1600/d4e2923815_largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0ysOr1A6nBIdvBrWaali05M3gmsO0s3iu4C7Cm_iKRrNDfwECJ92iznQIhxFy4wX9i7Ri3tDZc_pL2tR1Ey4zl-6xW4Q5zkspOx21YF4H3PJ01D9mt_nz8BDXauzi00a-j0jl5lhcT-5/s1600/d4e2923815_largest.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Tropical Peach Drink Mix </b>by <a href="http://www.flavrzdrinkmix.com/">Flavrz</a></div>
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Package Size: 1 oz (2) - Value: $2.25</div>
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I wasn't overly impressed with these. The concept is awesome! A flavored drink mix that's liquid, easy to carry, and doesn't contain any of that fake stuff. The problem is, it doesn't taste like it contains any of that delicious fake stuff. The flavor is really subtle and, even when I put it in a small water bottle, it wasn't that good. Maybe a different flavor would be better?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQbOSuoeALPPZL9AoqRqb9oWTmBG4N6DlnzY-81dX29_J9omyFGlEQbK1-67hIrpYzS_iKN_g2DO2kKjrm-XTBFySJZch1W-RJwULU2VR8yQMaW0QbD2w5wxUOi8puBlWbzPqd4CwHh6v/s1600/9d05279c00_largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQbOSuoeALPPZL9AoqRqb9oWTmBG4N6DlnzY-81dX29_J9omyFGlEQbK1-67hIrpYzS_iKN_g2DO2kKjrm-XTBFySJZch1W-RJwULU2VR8yQMaW0QbD2w5wxUOi8puBlWbzPqd4CwHh6v/s1600/9d05279c00_largest.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Sweet Potato Chips</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>by <a href="http://www.onepotatosnacks.com/">One Potato, Two Potato</a></div>
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Package Size: 2 oz - Value: $.99</div>
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I only eat sweet potatoes when they are covered with marshmallows, lol. I can't lie. So I didn't actually eat these, and can't actually review them. Instead I gifted them away to someone that I knew would appreciate them more than me. One thing I am excited about though is that this isn't the company's only flavor! I absolutely <b>must</b> find their Sweet Onion chips. They sound delicious.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-MWRGVWWYOQ5hSshQeqeaWhbZEYTYInCsRUNy4BrVwk6aIFCP-hrbV45zFEhfMmT5YMEH9g04N7Atmt6t1MIdAyWzQ2xjV0XkjutRrN-hbiFJ6EXKTJeDkFMfIb_QuBJzPBK5t8jDneJ/s1600/d2cfa63d04_largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-MWRGVWWYOQ5hSshQeqeaWhbZEYTYInCsRUNy4BrVwk6aIFCP-hrbV45zFEhfMmT5YMEH9g04N7Atmt6t1MIdAyWzQ2xjV0XkjutRrN-hbiFJ6EXKTJeDkFMfIb_QuBJzPBK5t8jDneJ/s1600/d2cfa63d04_largest.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Sea Salt Caramels</b> by<a href="http://www.le-caramel.com/"> Le Caramel</a></div>
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Honestly I don't care how much these are worth, they were DELICIOUS. I'm a Werther's girl. I love caramels so very much, especially the soft ones. These though? They've converted me to a Le Caramel girl! They are so soft, so sweet, and that perfect amount of salty to offset it all. They melt in your mouth! I need an entire bucket of these. I really, really do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofSYaTA5HBKDHdLuq1-JOM-gRro7tIlYxEWD-MgQ8ut5VuPZCZOnugOu0GQL_KCrVJcHUj5ukPCnVuSn0TTWu42Zd86kX9dufdBUu29KCnxEQvTb2g-zcxj-fI9uSFcGr_iNCi7NJKUq3/s1600/a677cb3675_largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofSYaTA5HBKDHdLuq1-JOM-gRro7tIlYxEWD-MgQ8ut5VuPZCZOnugOu0GQL_KCrVJcHUj5ukPCnVuSn0TTWu42Zd86kX9dufdBUu29KCnxEQvTb2g-zcxj-fI9uSFcGr_iNCi7NJKUq3/s1600/a677cb3675_largest.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Key Lime Cookies</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>by <a href="http://www.jm-foods.com/">J&M</a></div>
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Package Size: 1.5 oz (2) - Value: $4.20</div>
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If I had to use one word to describe these cookies? It'd absolutely be <b>decadent</b>. Oh my, yes. If you love key lime, you'll love these delicious little bites of heaven! They have that perfect sweet/sour lime combo on the inside, with the sweetness of the powdered sugar outside to offset it all. I meant to save one of these bags to eat with tea, but gave up. They were just too GOOD.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IMAC2REU6LGzQhSahgiYUYlM8d9hFCr-jcbFXE6FXqKK40qwrYmtfb_rJ_MaFA4U6eFcOiT4UpE-WBwZFrEbYynLAF1H84LPOkymz9j1WJ3nHHR7nLONp99HXu4ku1hEw92gW7CKb5dW/s1600/894fd29b1a_largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IMAC2REU6LGzQhSahgiYUYlM8d9hFCr-jcbFXE6FXqKK40qwrYmtfb_rJ_MaFA4U6eFcOiT4UpE-WBwZFrEbYynLAF1H84LPOkymz9j1WJ3nHHR7nLONp99HXu4ku1hEw92gW7CKb5dW/s1600/894fd29b1a_largest.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.thoughtfulfood.net/products">Giddy Up & Go Granola</a></b></div>
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Package Size: 1.5 oz (2) - Value: $3.00</div>
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Perfect granola. Seriously. Love With Food sent the Seriously Seedy kind and it was so darn good! This is the type of granola that clumps together just perfectly, so you can either eat it right out of the bag or throw it in some yogurt. I ate both of these bags pretty much before anything else came out of the box. SO GOOD, and gluten free!</div>
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<b>Hickory Smoked Sea Salt</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">and Italian Black Truffle Salt</span></div>
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by <a href="http://shop.thespicelab.com/">The Spice Lab</a></div>
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Package Size: One packet each - Value: ???</div>
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Again, something I can't find the value of. These two spices are sitting up in my cabinet, waiting to make their debut. I already have plans to make truffle fries with the Truffle Salt. It smells heavenly right through the bag. I think the Sea Salt will make it's home on a nice salmon steak soon too :). </div>
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<b>Praline Pecans </b>by <a href="http://www.georgiapecanstore.com/">South Georgia Pecan Company</a></div>
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Package Size: 2 oz - Value: $1.25</div>
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HOLY NOM, my friends. These were scrumptious! I love pralines, I love pecans, but praline pecans? Get out of town. These were so darn good! Another perfect sweet snack for that moment when you've just got to have something a bit decadent. The hubby suggested we buy more to throw in our popcorn next time. I'm in!</div>
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<b>Malabar Black Pepper Pork Clouds</b> by <a href="http://baconsheir.com/">Bacon's Heir</a></div>
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Package Size: .07 oz (2) - Value: $4.00</div>
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These babies aren't cheap. The hubby loved the flavor of these so much that I went online to see about buying more. It's sad how expensive one bag of these are, because they are honestly delicious! This is the perfect pork rind. Not too crunchy, not too soft, and the flavor of the Malabar Black Pepper was to die for!</div>
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<b>So there you have it!</b></div>
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I can't express enough though that Love With Food is all about curation. It's about getting you to try new snacks, from all over the world, that are healthier alternatives! So if you're looking at trying this? Go for it. You can even get your first tasting box for free right now. All you pay is shipping :).</div>
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Happy snacking!</div>
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Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-57948451116677662902014-06-13T18:48:00.001-07:002014-06-13T18:59:53.636-07:00Climbing UphillWell, it's been a battle the last few weeks. I can't lie. I haven't wanted to blog on here because I didn't want to sound whiny and cranky, even though I totally was. It's funny. When I had a paper journal I'd write whatever the hell I wanted. I mean, who was going to read it besides me? If I was whiny, it'd only be to myself. Now though? This is out there. Like <b>out there</b>. So I think a lot harder about what I write. That way you don't all think I'm just a complainer. Seriously, I'm not. I'm just in a funk.<br />
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I've been learning to deal better with it though. Work is still tough, still full of negativity, but we're pushing forward. I've been trying to find happiness in the little things. In the stuff that I love doing that, for a small moment, started to feel like work. I took a break from my book blog, but I missed it so much I went right back. I still have my nail art that I love doing. I still have my book club. And you know what? I'm still going to do subscription box and product reviews on here. Because it's fun, and I can. So there.<br />
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It's an uphill battle right now, but I'm making it. Slow going yes, but progress all the same.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-34453225736806728792014-05-20T08:21:00.001-07:002014-05-20T08:21:16.013-07:00In defense of healthy meals!<br />
One thing that drives me completely bonkers when I'm talking to people about healthy eating is the phrase, "Oh I know, but it's so expensive!". Is it? Let's dive deeper into this, shall we?<br />
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For those of you who've been following this blog, you know that the hubby and I have been dedicated to healthy eating since the beginning of the year. For the last five months we've been filling our fridge with delicious and nutritious foods. We're both handling it a bit differently, which makes for interesting grocery shopping and actually slightly increased the amount we used to spend because we aren't buying pre-made junk anymore, but I'll get to that later.<br />
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For me, groceries consist of chicken breasts, frozen shrimp, ample amounts of vegetables and healthy snacks for work. I pick up yogurt, raisins, granola, and all manner of other little yummy bites. For the hubby, who is on a ketogenic diet, groceries are just meat, vegetables, and cheese. So our diets do overlap a little bit. The difference is that now we are buying better cuts of meat for him. Steaks, pork chops, and even the occasional smoked sausage or two :).<br />
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When we used to buy pre-packaged and frozen food, our monthly food bill generally came out to around $120. Not too shabby, right? Now that we're eating healthier, our monthly food bill comes out to around $160. See that? Only a $40 increase per month my friends. Maybe $170 if we go the Farmer's Market a weekend or two. I'm betting to guess you have $40-$50 sitting around somewhere in your budget. Perhaps you're spending it on eating out or buying coffee every morning? Hmmm?<br />
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My whole point is that eating healthy isn't necessarily as expensive as you think it is. Perhaps it might cost more if you're going out to have a salad made for you that costs $8, instead of making it at home for $2. It's all about time. It's all about planning. Healthy eating is in your grasp. So stop making excuses :). You've got this!Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230937511507936702.post-4724580975925933062014-05-17T09:18:00.000-07:002014-05-17T09:19:00.150-07:00It's technology, yo!<br />
As I'm sitting here today, paying bills and getting caught up with everything social media, I can't help but realize how reliant my life has become on technology. I mean, think about it. It's how I check my finances, make purchases, talk to people who live far away, write book reviews, and oh so much more! Now before you freak out and think "Oh, Jessica is about to go off on an anti-technology ran of some sort. Head for the hills!", let me assure you that I'm not. I'm just amazed at how much I don't even think about it anymore. How all this technology is such an integral part of my life that I don't even notice.<br />
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Food for thought my friends. I'd never give it up, I'm just thankful it exists.Jessica N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.com0