RED RISER JUICE

Isn't the color of that all-natural, super good-for-you juice lovely??? No really. Take five minutes and just take in that color please... Isn't it pretty?

Yes. I'm stalling.

I'm stalling because I don't want to tell you what's in that juice. But I'm going to tell you anyway because your taste buds and your body will be missing out on something that is so surprisingly good and good for you. Friends, the color of that juice is from... beets. Yep. Beets. Beets get such a bad wrap and I've definitely contributed to that. Beets are the one vegetable that I don't really like. When I think of beets, I think of the bitter canned beets my mom used to try to get me to eat when I was a kid. YUCK.

But recently a certain juice changed my thoughts on beets a bit... A few months ago, I was in Whole Foods to get my usual juice, a Green Lemonade. But I was struck by the color of another juice they had called, "Mommy Boost." I wanted to try it until I read the sign that said the juice had beets in it. But the guy behind the counter convinced me to try it and I loved it! Could I taste the beets?? Yes. BUT, the beets combined with the other fruits and vegetables in the juice perfectly complimented the beets and made them taste so much better.

I ordered the "Mommy Boost" that day and over the holidays I recreated it at home with a few minor adjustments. But before I give you the recipe, I want to tell you one important thing. If you don't have a juicer, you are in luck! I made this using my Vitamix and a fine mesh strainer and it turned out great! So a decent blender is all you really need.

Here is what you need and what to do:
(Makes 1 serving)

1 Granny Smith apple, cored
1 medium carrot, peeled
1 medium beet, peeled
1 orange, peeled
1 lemon, peeled (a lime works here, too)
4 mint leaves
1/2 cup bottled or filtered water (only if using a blender)
ice

If you are using a juicer, simply pass the ingredients through the juicer.

If you are using a blender, chop the apple, lemon and vegetables to help out the blender. Add all of the ingredients except the ice in the order listed. Blend until smooth. Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the mixture into the strainer. Wait about 5 minutes or so for the juice to strain.

Pour the juice over ice and enjoy!

Image by me

MY SUNDAY TIMES...

Hi friends... I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I'm incredibly thankful for my weekend. It was one of those weekends where I was able to fit a lot of fun things in and get enough rest for this week. Love weekends like that... On Saturday, I ate an insane amount of Mexican food with a friend followed by a movie. We saw "August: Osage County." My quick review: INSANELY GOOD! Meryl Streep was simply amazing - as usual. If someone would have reminded me during the movie that she was acting, I wouldn't have believed them. So good...

So about Sunday... One of the things I love about blogging is that it encourages me to explore. To get out. To see what's out there. I am a homebody at heart, but blogging encourages me to be creative and think outside the box a little. I think that's a good thing. So on Sunday I took a visit to SkyView Atlanta - a 20 story ferris wheel adjacent from Centennial Olympic Park. I'm not a huge fan of ferris wheels or heights, but this was is a high-class ferris wheel complete with heated gondolas - not raggedy metal seats with metal bar draped across your lap that you swear you could slip under. It moved smoothly over the Atlanta skyline and the views were beautiful. A friend and I capped off our little venture with a walk around the park and a heavenly fresh funnel cake - something I haven't had in years. YUM! It was the perfect afternoon and the perfect way to end the weekend... 

ONE BOWL CHOCOLATE CAKE + LINKS...

Hi there! Well friends, guess what?? I'm not going to start this post off like I do on most Friday's by saying that I am glad that Friday is here. I can't do that today because I have to say that this week was fabulous! Good things happened and I'm so grateful. I had a productive work week and was able to accomplish a few goals I set for myself this year. I took my first Pure Barre class. I can barely move today, but I loved the class! I found a new neurologist and scheduled an appointment. The plan is to kick these migraines in the ass this year. Excuse my language, but that is how passionate I am about that situation. I also booked my first trip of the year. It'll be a short one, but I'll be with my dad and I'll take any time I can get with him. And my mom retired yesterday after over 30 years of hard work. I'm so proud of her! I look forward to getting to spend more time with her and talking to her during the day instead of waiting until the end of the day. Life is good.

What's up for the weekend? First on my list is going to see this movie. Julia Roberts AND Merryl Streep together?? I wouldn't miss it for anything... Anyway, have a good weekend and enjoy the links!

Sorry if you are watching your diet this month, but I had to post that cake. Chocolate deliciousness...

One of the things I love about the first few weeks of a new year are all of the inspirational blog posts that people write. I was particularly inspired by this one and this one...

I am trying to limit my use of the word, "obsessed," but there is not a better word that describes how I feel about this fashonista. Loved learning more about her there.

My inbox is about 400 times lighter because of this. Game changer...

In case cleaning is on your weekend to-do list...

How fierce are these??

A man's dream...

And a dream of mine...

Seven cardinal rules...

THE PERFECT WEEKEND RETREAT

I love a really beautiful, bright serene and neutral inviting home with statement lighting, warm, neutral fabrics and great accessories - which means I'm totally in love with this home. This home is a weekend retreat in Cashiers, North Carolina that was designed by the talented Amy Morris. I love everything from the placement of the library sconces in the living room to the detailed ceilings, to the black doors, to that big fabulous bed in the master bedroom. The views are of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are incredibly beautiful. Like I said, it's a weekend retreat. But I think if I retreated to this beauty, I might not ever want to leave... :)

Images via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

RED QUINOA SALAD WITH MAPLE ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Last year, I made it a point to get my diet in order. I've mentioned several times here that I have migraines, so wanted to experiment with my diet to see if they would get better or go away all together. While I can't report that the migraines are gone, I can report that overall I feel so much better. I just feel more awake that I did before I made the changes. My diet involved lots of smoothies (this one is still my favorite), fresh vegetable juices, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. I kept sugars and processed foods at a minimum by only indulging on the weekends and holidays. All of that was a gradual change that is now pretty permanent and it feels great... 

Healthy food can be - well boring. So during the year, I experimented with different dishes and ingredients so that this new way of eating would stick. Quinoa was one of those ingredients that I fell in love with. It is a nutty whole grain that is really high in protein. It is also rich in magnesium, which has been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines. Other than that, I love quinoa because it tastes great, cooks in 12-15 minutes and is very versatile. It's good in soups and salads and makes for a good breakfast when made warm almond milk and topped with fresh fruit.

This salad is one of my favorite salads. It includes pretty much all of my favorite ingredients in one dish, is extremely flavorful, and it is super easy to make. I mix quinoa, spinach and dried cranberries with butternut squash that I roast with pure maple syrup, which is another ingredient I fell in love with last year. The butternut squash and the dried cranberries along with the apple cider maple vinaigrette dressing adds a little sweetness to the salad. The quinoa takes in all of those flavors, which makes it taste even better. 

I've used red quinoa here, but this salad can be made with regular quinoa. Red quinoa is a little nuttier in flavor than the regular quinoa and takes a few minutes longer to cook. I particularly love the color of red quinoa in this salad...

Here is what you need and what to do: (makes 4 large servings)

Butternut Squash

4 cups butternut squash cut into 1 inch chunks

3 tablespoons olive oil (regular or extra-virgin)

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Salad

1 cup red quinoa (regular quinoa works, too)

1 3/4 cups water

Pinch kosher or sea salt (I like to use Maldon Salt when cooking quinoa) 

2 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

Roasted butternut squash

Feta cheese, to taste

Dried cranberries, to taste

Dressing

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil. Place the butternut squash on the sheet pan. Drizzle the olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and roast for about 30 - 40 minutes until fork tender. Toss the squash about halfway through with a spatula. Once the squash is cooked, set aside to cool. 

2. While the butternut squash is cooking, prepare the quinoa. Place the dried quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. This will remove any grit and the soap-tasting coating from the quinoa. Add the quinoa, water and pinch of salt to a medium saucepan. Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it comes a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all of the water has evaporated from the quinoa. 

Once the quinoa is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat. Remove the lid and place a paper towel on top of the saucepan. Put the lid on top of the paper towl and let the quinoa sit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the paper towel, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set it aside to cool. That extra step puts moisture into the quinoa and makes it extra fluffy.

3. To make the dressing, add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until everything is combined.

4. To assemble the salad, add quinoa, butternut squash, spinach, feta cheese and dried cranberries to a serving bowl. Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. 

* This makes a big salad, so store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy!

Images original to Savor Home

TWO FOR TODAY...

Well, it's the first Monday of the year, which means it's the first workday of my year. After two weeks of downtime, I'm not quite ready yet! But here goes the real official start of 2014 friends...

So I just have two pics for you today...

+ That first pic was what yesterday looked like. I milked my last day of downtime to the best of my ability and I wish I could have the day back. It is beyond FREEZING here, so I stayed on my couch under that warm  Crate & Barrel throw that is the SOFTEST ever. If you need a soft, neutral throw in your life, I highly recommend it. And it's on sale... :)

I also found myself deep into The Goldfinch, my first read of the year. It's a bit deeper than my usual reads, but I downloaded the suspenseful sample and reading it tore me away from trash TV, which was a sign that I should download the book. So I did and am totally taken by the main character. I can't wait to see where the story takes him...

+ I shopped some great sales over the holidays, but that necklace in the second pic is probably one of my favorite purchases. It was 70% off in the store! Crazy! So if you love it and it's not on sale online, check out your local store!

Also, thank you so very much for your comments and e-mails on Friday's post. You all are so supportive! It feels good to know that I'm not alone on my journey. I'll keep you posted along the way!

And... If you are on a health kick for the new year, check back tomorrow for a super delicious recipe that might help you out!

Happy Monday!

Images original to Savor Home

THE WORD OF 2014 IS...

So if you have been reading my blog for a while, then that picture might be familiar to you. That is an photo from a previous post that SO reminds me of my word for 2014. I scoured the net for pictures that reminded me of my word, but that one just stuck with me. You know why?? Because the girl in that photo is standing on a downtown street without any regard to the passing cars, having fun, looking confident, and looking like she isn't worried about one single thing (even though she was probably worried about lots of things) and that she has it all figured out. She's looks like she is living in the moment. I want to be like that girl all.the.time.

How crazy is it that the girl in the picture is me, yet that is one of the few times last year that I felt completely... fearless. That is my word for 2014. Fearless.

In 2013, I learned a ton about a lot of things. In turn, I was able to check a lot of things off my list. I learned a lot about photography and even felt comfortable enough to offer a few tips to you, I photographed my first shop and took a trip to a new beach. I started thinking about the long-term life of this blog and had the site redesigned, I learned the importance of prioritizing my time, I learned more about cooking, the evolution of friendship, and how to feel comfortable in front of a camera. Most importantly, I learned how to truly be comfortable being with myself. 

I also learned a lot of things about myself - some good, some not so good. I realized that the older I get, the easier it is to get incredibly comfortable with the now - even if the now is not what's best or what makes me the happiest. I don't like change. If a change needs to be made, I need a good plan and for the stars to align - all of them - before the change occurs. Taking risks, big ones that really need to be made, freak me out. I get really anxious sometimes when a challenge or problem occurs and I have zero control over why it happened or how to immediately fix it. Raise your hand if you sometimes feel the same way! :) A fabulous thing I learned in 2013 is how to really stop and analyze my feelings, which is when all of the not so good characteristics rose to the surface.

So in 2014, I need to take all of the things I learned in 2013, good and bad, and move forward. I need to be fearless to be able to do that. Here is why that has become incredibly important:

Friends, this year for me is dedicated to being fearless because being fearless is going to help me figure out why in the world I'm here. I'm nearing my mid-30's and that question is still lingering. I have this feeling that I have something more to do in life than what I am doing today and last year I developed this burning desire to figure it out. I often get inklings of ideas of what my purpose might be, but then I start listening to these voices in my head that say, "That is too risky!" or "That won't work!" or "You aren't smart enough for that!" or "Do you have time for that?" or "You want to do that?? - Girl please..."

I realize that fear is an inevitable part of life, but learning how to overcome it is the true challenge. And that is what I am challenging myself to this year. I need to be more trusting of God and have tons more faith. I need to be more of a risk taker. I need to understand that a perfect alignment of the stars is not always possible, and I need to accept and embrace change. I want to be on the inside what that girl in the photo looks like on the outside. This is going to take lots of stepping outside of my comfort zone, prayer, research, and more learning.

But I'm ready. Bring.it.on.

Gosh I might have shed a tear or two while writing all of that. That is how deep and important this is to me. But I'm writing it down and putting it out into the universe. That's a big first step right??

If you made it all the way through this post, thank you... If you can relate to this or have any advice, I'd love to hear it! Have a great weekend! Oh and Links of The Week will return next Friday! :)

First photo by Paula Coldiron

STARTING WITH SOME PRETTY...

Well a new year is here and I'm quite thrilled! How was your first day of the year?? I spent the last few days and most of yesterday cleaning out cabinets, scrubbing floors, organizing my pantry, food prop cabinet and closet, cleaning bathrooms and just simplifying things around my house. I did that all while Beyoncé or trash TV was on in the background, which was helpful. :) That might have been a boring and lame way to bring in the new year, but at least I can say that I am going into the year in a clean and organized fashion. That feels really good. 

So I'm starting things off in a simple manner here on the blog with just some simple and sophisticated inspiration that caught my eye during over the holidays. I'll be back tomorrow with my Word of 2014. I don't do resolutions. I just do a word if one comes to mind. And this year it's a good one friends, so check back if you can!

Images 1/2/3/4/5