The Social Experiment

I have a confession to make – several weeks ago I conducted something of a “social experiment.”  You see, for a few weeks I had to walk to work which is not exactly a quick jaunt down the road, so the mile plus of pavement and stoplights gave me the opportunity to think sans dogs, internet, and other distractions.  A few days into it,  I decided to make some changes and see how people, both strangers and acquaintances alike, reacted to said differences.  These are the strategies I implemented:

1. SMILE – In general, keeping a pleasant look on one’s face yields positive results.  The other day I noticed a young woman jogging down the street.  She had a slight smile on her face and bopped her head to the music on her Ipod.  I took one look at her and thought, “Wow! She must be happy!”  Sadly, this sort of observation is rare, at least in my experience.  As I walk downtown, I notice people everywhere with what appear to be scowls or looks of malcontent on their faces.  Perhaps most people are simply thinking about something serious or concentrating on getting to work or maybe they really are just plain miserable, but I've learned it doesn't take much effort to keep a look of contentment on one’s face.  I recall the time period in high school shortly after I had my braces removed.  As a result of the orthodontics, not only did I have great teeth but I also had a new found self-confidence and smiled much more as a result.  I received so many compliments on my beautiful smile and subconsciously started to smile a lot more.  As I got older I noticed my smile getting thrown to the wayside.  After all, being a grown up means being serious, right?  Life becomes so much more complicated with bills to pay and other people to take care of and really important appointments that can’t be missed.  Even with all of that seriousness, I think it’s important to hold onto whatever joy we may have.  But, please, don’t walk down the sidewalk grinning ear to ear and chatting away with your imaginary friend.  You may then have a problem more serious than the scope of this blog J

2. Greet people – A simple “hello” will do in most situations.  By greeting people (happily, I must point out), it becomes apparent that we value them.  Now, when I was walking to work I obviously didn't greet every person I saw (that would be tiring!), but I made it a point to greet people whom I saw on a routine basis.  For example, there is a machine shop several blocks from our condo.  I see the same few workers out front everyday and usually just walk right on by.  As I've started to greet them, not only does it make my walk more pleasant, but I have a feeling that they felt more appreciated as well.  I remember how my grandfather used to wave and say “howdy” to everyone and I believe it brought him the greatest joy to show others he cared no matter if they were the town gossip or the local preacher or crazy Aunt Sally!  City living is much different than country living, but that doesn't excuse us from our responsibility to treat others with kindness.  Try it.

3. Use common courtesies– Those who know me well know that I abhor rudeness and can’t stand how “people these days” seem to have no respect for one another.  OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I think it’s pretty safe to say manners are not as commonplace as they used to be.  A large part of courtesy is respect, and once that hurdle is cleared it becomes quite easy to practice proper manners.  I’m not talking about which fork to use at the dinner table, but rather common courtesies such as holding the door open for others, helping someone trying to carry  heavy items, holding the elevator, saying “pardon me” when appropriate.  You get the idea. 

THE RESULTS

You may be wondering how my “experiment” ended.  Did I notice a big change in how others treated me?  Perhaps not a big change, but my pleasant demeanor did receive many lovely compliments from strangers on the street.  I’d like to think I helped brighten their day a bit.  Most notably, though, I noticed a change in myself and how I felt at the end of the day – happy, just what I was going for  J

Organization Part II - Decluttering the Wardrobe

A theme I notice recurring in my approach to life, thereby frequently appearing on this blog, is the idea to confront all areas of life with the greatest of intent.  I believe being intentional with conversations, food, possessions, and relationships helps to improve quality of life on so many levels.  Once this concept is embraced, we can begin to declutter and start living with a deeper sense of fulfillment and a greater confidence in our ability to determine what it is we truly want and need.

One of the most basic ways to be intentional with life is by determining which possessions we need and which are simply causing clutter and potentially prompting stress.  Last week I shared some basic suggestions about how to keep the home clutter-free and am delighted that many of you were inspired to begin working on your own decluttering efforts.  This week I’m going to get more specific and discuss a topic that some of you may be resistant to decluttering – the wardrobe. 

As most of us have heard, the average woman only utilizes a small percentage of her wardrobe and the rest will sit for years, untouched.  What a waste, both in terms of being a waste of space in the home and also a waste of resources!  I’d like to open your eyes to a different approach to the wardrobe, one that may seem unrealistic at first but upon more contemplation I hope you become encouraged to pare your closet down to a more manageable volume.

Disclaimer: I am not a fashionista, just someone who enjoys looking put together and prefers not to be bogged down by clutter.

My husband was my original inspiration for reducing the amount of clothing in my closet.  He would constantly ask why I kept this or that and suggested that by minimizing my wardrobe I might decrease some of the stress in my life.  I began to get rid of things, reluctantly at first, but once my clothing collection started to become smaller I felt oddly relieved.  However, I still felt a bit lost and confused as to what my end goal was supposed to be.  Was I just getting rid of stuff to get rid of it?  Could I add to my wardrobe?  If so, what would I add? 

THE CAPSULE WARDROBE

Through one of my favorite blogs, The DailyConnoisseur, I was introduced to the idea of “The 10 Item Wardrobe.”  It sounds extreme (and it is!) but I believe there’s a lot to be learned from this concept.  Most importantly, I’ve learned how to create a capsule wardrobe for my own lifestyle.  With no real direction I had been paring my closet down for over a year, but it wasn’t until coming to understand the concept of the capsule wardrobe that I began to take a more decidedly aggressive approach to eliminating my clothing clutter (it actually took quite some time for me to accept that my precious clothing could even be considered clutter!).  As you will notice in the photos below, my wardrobe happens to be much larger than ten items; however, the idea is not necessarily to achieve a certain number of pieces in the wardrobe, but instead to only keep or add items that are necessary, well-fitting, (mostly) timeless, loved by you, and of good quality.  These items, your capsule wardrobe, should make up the bulk of your day-to-day outfits.  Also, keep in mind that a typical capsule wardrobe is season-specific.  My wardrobe pictured below is for fall/winter, while I keep my spring/summer wardrobe in storage (a mere 15 pieces of clothing which fit nicely in a dresser drawer).  A capsule wardrobe will usually not contain nice tee-shirts, shoes, special occasion outfits (cocktail dresses/nice suits), workout/hiking clothing, blazers/jackets/coats, scarves/accessories, and undergarments/pajamas - these are extras.  However, if you embrace the concept of the capsule wardrobe, you will most likely begin to think differently about all of your clothing possessions. 

MY CLOSET

Over the past two years, I have eliminated close to 70% of my wardrobe, the majority of the purge occurring within the past 3 months.  To give you a point of reference, I have 52 inches of hanging space in my closet, 12 of which is for long hanging items (dresses, long skirts).  My clothing has plenty of breathing room and it’s much easier for me to decide what to wear – there aren’t a ton of options, but everything I own I love, is well-fitting and versatile.  I like to hang as much as I can so I can clearly see what my options are and it makes dressing in the morning so much easier!  There are a few items I keep folded in drawers, like a couple pairs of jeans and a few sweaters, but for the most part this is it.  Clearly, I wear a lot of tee-shirts and still have some paring down to do! 

TIPS TO ELIMINATE CLOTHING CLUTTER AND CREATE A CAPSULE WARDROBE:

1.       Evaluate your lifestyle and make a list of what you would like to include in your capsule wardrobe.  If you work from home and spend your free time hiking in the mountains, you clearly will have much different wardrobe needs than someone who works in a professional environment and enjoys fine dining and theater.  Perhaps you may even have two small capsule wardrobes if you split your time between two very different settings.  When making your list, focus on classic items that will get a lot of wear and could possibly even carry from one season to the next.  If you enjoy following trends, think carefully about where you would like to add trendy items into the wardrobe. It's also helpful to pick a color palette and stick to it. 

2.       Eliminate unnecessary items from your wardrobe.  It will be hard at first as you will be thinking about the money that was spent on the clothing or perhaps you may even have sentimental attachments to some pieces.  Look at the item objectively. Are you really attached to your 15-year-old high school sweatshirt?  Doubtful.  What about your great-grandmother’s favorite shawl?  Perhaps that holds some true sentimental value.  If you come across items that are ill-fitting or no longer suit your taste, or those which you simply don’t wear anymore, please consider getting them out of your closet!  If it becomes too difficult for you, emotionally, try putting all of the garments you’d like to get rid of in a separate closet or under the bed until you can come to terms with letting them go.  Sometimes the simple act of physically removing the clothing from daily eyesight can make it much easier to detach. 

3.       Begin to embrace the concept of quality over quantity.  As you start to build your capsule wardrobe, you may notice that you have all the pieces you want and need right there in your closet!  Lucky for you, but the majority of us won’t be that fortunate.  As you begin to consider adding items, remember to stick to the list you made in #1.  Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean that you need to purchase it.  Be picky!  Becoming more mindful of the quality of clothing items we purchase will cut down on “clothing waste” and help to build a more enduring wardrobe.  When I was first introduced to the idea of quality over quantity in the wardrobe I thought the idea was a tad pretentious, but now I understand why this works.  Whatever happens to be the best you can afford will be that which you take the best care of and from which you will find the most enjoyment.  Now, of course I’m not saying we should all be walking around in Gucci and Prada – that’s unrealistic.  What I am saying is perhaps we should try to think about things differently than most of us are accustomed to.  Here are some questions to ask yourself when shopping:

·         What is the best quality I can afford at the moment?

·         Do I need the item right now, or do I have time to save up for a month or two in order to purchase something of greater quality? 

·         Is this an item I’d like to make a staple in my wardrobe?

Consider the versatility of the item (both in color and style) and take into consideration how often you plan to wear it.  Keep in mind that better quality doesn’t necessarily mean designer labels or a huge price tag.  Look at things like materials used to construct the garment and quality of the stitching.  Also, do not forget about consignment stores or online marketplaces like Ebay.  There are wonderful deals to be had on great quality clothing items, usually at a fraction of the price of retailers.  I’ve also received a number of lovely pieces from friends as hand-me-downs.  Whatever you should decide to purchase, make sure it fits your criteria and is something you can proudly display for years to come.

Good luck with your decluttering efforts!  I’d love to hear about your progress!

Maple Cinnamon Pecans

Ah, the holidays, what joy they bring!   I know everyone doesn’t feel the same way and I do agree that sometimes the commercialism of it all can turn anyone into a Scrooge; however, many of the Christmas traditions I grew up with will always hold a special place in my heart.  Of course, one of those traditions is the preparation of traditional holiday foods, particularly sweets. After adjusting my diet to eliminate most processed foods and refined flour and sugar, I’ve found I have a different appreciation for sweets.  No longer do I crave the taste of corn syrup and white sugar, but instead I’ve developed a taste for rich and creamy textures, the delicate flavor of honey, and fine quality chocolate.  This delightful balance of flavors is what prompted me to create the Cashew Butter Cup recipe that I posted last week.  Today I’d like to share another favorite with you all.  This particular recipe is one I make often around the holiday season, and also frequently at other times during the year.  Instead of focusing on a rich and creamy texture, with this recipe I wanted to bring in the candied crunch that many of us enjoy, whether as a snack, on a salad, or atop a bowl of ice cream.  This week I’m happy to share my simple yet satisfying recipe for Maple Cinnamon Pecans.  Enjoy without the added guilt of corn syrup and sugar!

Maple Cinnamon Pecans 

·         2 cups raw pecans

·         ¼ cup maple syrup

·         1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1 pinch sea salt

 

1.      Soak and dehydrate pecans.  I always try to purchase raw nuts, then soak and dehydrate them to ensure proper nutrient absorption.  (Of course, this week they were all out of raw pecans at the grocery store!  But, for the sake of this recipe, let’s pretend they are raw.) Soak in a bowl of water with one teaspoon of salt for 6-8 hours.  Then, dry in oven at lowest heat (or dehydrate) until dry.  Nuts naturally contain enzyme inhibitors that will hamper digestion and sometimes even prevent the body from absorbing nutrients.  Read here to learn more about proper preparation of nuts.

  2.      Spread pecans on a baking sheet and roast at 300 for 15-20 minutes, or until crunchy.

3.      While pecans are roasting, combine syrup, cinnamon, and salt in a medium saucepan and cook on low for 5 minutes, or until very runny.  Remove from heat.

4.      Mix roasted pecans with syrup and stir until pecans are coated. 

 5. Spread pecans evenly on parchment paper to cool. Serve when coating has hardened, after about 2 hours. Enjoy!

 

      

The New Look and a Cookbook Review

First things first...

I’m sure you’ve noticed the changes to the blog and hope you like the new look.  As I mentioned in my “Reviving the Blog” post a few weeks ago, I’d like both the title and appearance of my blog to reflect a more broad content, as my former title felt a bit restrictive.  If you are fearful that I may be giving up on the cooking theme, not to worry!  I still plan to share many delicious gluten-free and paleo-inspired recipes along with other ideas for the kitchen.  My intent with these changes is to open the door to more conversation and ideas outside the realm of food. 

With all of these changes taking place, I’ll go ahead and point out how you can stay updated, especially since there has been some confusion in the past about how to sign up for blog updates.  If you’d like to do so, simply enter your email address into the text box located on the upper right hand side of the blog (directly beneath my picture).  Click “submit”, follow the Feedburner instructions, and you will receive my new blog posts in your inbox.  Also, If you are a frequent Google user (and really, who isn’t?!), the link to “follow” is on the right hand side of the blog.  Or, if you would simply like to check back frequently, that’s ok too J

Now, on to the good stuff...

"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child, with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle

As much as I enjoy cooking, it may be a bit strange for some to find that I don’t keep many cookbooks in my kitchen.  Over the years, I’ve found it more and more difficult to find quality cookbooks, especially ones with recipes that meet my dietary restrictions.  As with many things in my life, It seems that my favorites are the classics: my trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook, “Jacques Pepin’s Complete Techniques”, and my new favorite, Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”  For those who don’t know, Julia Child was a master at French cooking, a savvy businesswoman, and an all around lovely lady.  This cookbook is an embodiment of her vibrant personality and a must-have for any chef, professional or otherwise.

“Mastering the Art of French Cooking” contains all of the classic French recipes you could ever imagine preparing along with their very descriptive preparation instructions.  Julia had a special way of speaking that translated quite nicely to print, which is one of the reasons I’m so fond of this particular cookbook.  The pages are not filled with color or photos, but instead contain a great amount of wisdom from a woman who happily taught generations how to successfully prepare traditional French dishes.  When reading how to make a proper hollandaise, I feel as though she is right there with me saying “keep whisking!” 

While it may seem that many traditional French recipes would be quite difficult to convert to gluten-free versions, I have learned this isn’t necessarily the case.  No, my fellow gluten-free friends, you will not be able to make a tart or croissant or baguette using this cookbook, but rest assured there a plethora of other delicious recipes that are either inherently gluten-free or could be made so with only a few small tweaks. 

This book was given to me as a gift and has been a joy to read through and learn from.  If you are searching for a cookbook which contains all of the classics and one which will stay on your shelf for years to come, consider adding this one to your collection.  Or even better, gift it to someone you love.

Organization Tips - Part 1

The holidays are upon us!  I hope everyone is able to relax a bit and enjoy some time with loved ones.  Since many of you will be entertaining over the next month or so, I’ve decided to include a few posts about organization and keeping the home in order.  As organization is something I believe I have developed a true appreciation for over the years, I will be sharing a series of suggestions and ideas in this and future posts.  I hope you will find my suggestions helpful.  Happy Holidays!

Others frequently tell Dave and I that our house is always “SOOO clean!”  While I certainly appreciate the compliment, I also don’t want to give the impression that I’m constantly walking around with the vacuum and duster!  I think that, quite possibly, our home gives others the illusion that we clean much more than we actually do.  Yes, I like things to technically be clean and do make sure to give my home adequate cleanings on a routine basis, but it’s also my very humble opinion that a clutter-free home will always appear much cleaner than one constantly filled with stuff.  Quite simply put, if one makes an effort to tidy up their own messes and always have a place for new items brought into the home, things will just naturally fall into a tidy state.  Don’t get me wrong – we have those days when it would be a complete and utter embarrassment to have anyone step into our home (those are usually the days the neighbor or a friend makes an impromptu stop by to say hello!), but those days are few and far between since we’ve begun to implement our “no clutter allowed” policy. 

Now, the task of decluttering may be easier said than done depending on the sheer volume of stuff that has been acquired.  It is also understood that those with children may have even further challenges when dealing with clutter, but the idea in the beginning is to have an attainable goal and take it step by step instead of becoming overwhelmed.  Dave and I consciously made the effort to begin decluttering when we moved into our 920 square foot condo two years ago.  Some friends and family members questioned our decision to downgrade: “Where will you put everything??”, causing us to wonder, “Why do we need so much stuff in the first place?”.  We then began the process of decluttering, which is ongoing and trying at times, but quite freeing and a wonderful exercise in self-control and letting go.  Along with the minimal closet space in our condo, we also have a very small storage unit which houses mostly seasonal items, sporting goods, and some of Dave’s woodworking supplies (we do not have a garage).  Our condo is a highly functioning space and contains only a coat closet and a small alcove in which we recently installed a custom master closet.  Other than that we have had to make our own storage space within the home.  This is all we have but, to us, it still seems like too much and we are constantly pairing things down to the bare minimum.  We both feel much lighter and I must say I don’t miss anything I’ve gotten rid of.

Some of you may be thinking that since you have a large home then decluttering is not necessary as long as you have the space to house things.  I must argue that everyone can benefit from this process, whether you are a hoarder or a minimalist.  The idea is to start thinking in terms of quality rather than quantity, not a new concept by any means, but it is one that many of us don’t take to heart.  Try embracing this concept in every aspect of life: relationships, food, clothing, house wares, furniture, entertainment, travel, etc.  Not only will you be freed from the idea to “keep up with the Joneses”, but you will also begin to learn what it is you truly love and wish to include in your life.  Give it a shot, trust me on this one!

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1)      Keep baskets on hand to store stray items.  Sometimes we don’t have time to file or shred or store items right away.  Having a few nice baskets around can help with this problem.  This will keep clutter contained and out of eyesight when guests come over or will help if you’d simply like your place to look a little more polished.  But don’t forget to clean out and organize frequently!

2)      Constantly review the items in your wardrobe, kitchen, garage, etc.  Do you have duplicate items because you think you may need the extra someday?  Chances are, these items are unnecessarily taking up space and perhaps even causing stress if they are creating clutter.  If this is you, check out #3.

3)      Donate!  While there are many ways to get rid of unwanted items – garage sales, EBay, gifting to friends or family – I have found that often times a trip to Goodwill is the best way to go.  Especially if the items are not of significant value but still functional, then it may be best to donate instead of letting the items further collect dust while you figure out how to get rid of them.

4)      One in, one out.  Simply speaking, if you buy something new, be sure it is either necessary or will replace a current item.  This is a particularly helpful rule to follow when shopping sales.  If a replacement item is purchased, be sure to immediately discard, donate, or recycle the old item.

5)      Remember, “stuff” is not your whole identity, but should be a reflection of who you are.  You are you regardless of how many shoes you have or the great deal you got on all that stuff that sits in the closet unused.  When you think in terms of your belongings being a reflection of yourself, it becomes much easier to eliminate the stuff that’s just taking up space.

Good luck!

Cashew Butter Cups - Recipe!

I had been searching (unsuccessfully, I might add) for quite some time for a Peanut Butter Cup recipe…except without sugar…and no peanut butter…and also gluten-free J.  Can you understand my dilemma?!  Finally, last week I took it upon myself to craft my own recipe, and not to toot my own horn, but it turned out pretty darn good!  Using a nut butter recipe I make often (modified from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook), I was able to create this delicious, creamy chocolate dessert.  Enjoy my Cashew Butter Cup recipe alone or topped with ice cream and a piece of fruit for some extra pizzazz.

Cashew Butter Cups

Makes 18 servings

Chocolate Base

¾ cup cacao butter, melted

1/3 cup cacao powder

¼ cup, plus 1 tablespoon honey

¼ teaspoon vanilla

2 pinches sea salt

Combine all ingredients until smooth.

Cashew Butter

2 cups raw cashews, soaked and dehydrated

1 big pinch sea salt

3 tablespoons honey

½ cup coconut oil

Combine cashews and sea salt in the food processor and process on low until a fine powder forms.  Add honey and coconut oil to cashews and process until creamy.

To assemble Cashew Butter Cups:

Using a regular sized muffin tin, fill each space about ¼ full with the chocolate base.  Place tin in freezer for 20 minutes or until chocolate is solid.  Remove from freezer and top with an equal amount of cashew butter (each space should be about ½ full at this point).  Place in freezer for 15 minutes.  Remove from freezer and let sit for 5 minutes; this will help loosen the chocolate.  Serve alone or topped with ice cream and berries.  Bon appétit!

Dinner Table Discussions

Several months ago Dave and I went to a wine tasting event a few blocks from our condo and ran into a neighbor with his girlfriend.  As I had not yet met his girlfriend, I introduced myself and we began to have a lovely conversation.  Over the course of the next hour, we discussed travel, food, and our experiences growing up in different parts of the country.  Never once did we discuss work and never once did it occur to me to bring it up.  Later that evening, as I was packing for a weekend trip, I realized I had not asked her what she did for a living.  It seemed strange at first and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had carried on a lengthy conversation with someone I didn’t even know, fully engaged, and walked away having gained a new perspective from a person who, for all I knew, could have been a touring ventriloquist!  What a strange but intriguing interaction! Would I have had a better conversation with her had I known her career?  Or, would I have had some amazing insight into her as a human being had I known she was a waitress or a doctor or a stay at home mom? I really don’t think so.  

Maybe we are going about this conversation thing all wrong.  Perhaps we’ve just become accustomed to discussing work all of the time, but truthfully, is that the way to live?  When there are so many things to talk about, why not discuss some of those “off” topics at times.  While everyone else is lamenting about workload or horrible bosses or annoying co-workers, how about bringing up the new restaurant downtown or a funny personal anecdote or thoughts about future or past travels?  While difficult, I’ve been consciously trying to steer my conversations away from the predictable and on to more interesting and fresh topics.  Likewise, try having a conversation with someone new without discussing career, or weather, or any of those predictable topics.  See where it takes you.  Maybe it will be the best conversation of your life!