Saint Patrick's Day Decor #3

Remember those apothecary jars that I made? If not, check it out here.

I can use these for every season and holiday by simply changing the contents.
This is how they look for Saint Patrick's Day:

 

 

Here is a closer look at the contents of the jars:

 



I filled the first jar with cheap, shiny, shamrock garland that I picked up at the Dollar Tree for $1.
The second jar is filled with white shredded paper and then I used a circle punch to make some circles on a green and white polka dot card stock. I pushed these down and to the side of the jar for just a little green color. Cost: free with scraps I already had lying around.
The third jar is filled with green glass gems that I also found at the Dollar Tree. I used 3 bags so this filler cost $3 but will get reused for something at Easter and Christmas. :)
Total cost for fillers for 3 jars: $4.  What an inexpensive, fun way to decorate for March!

Saint Patrick's Day Decor #2

I think there should be a banner for every holiday in our home. I don't have a mantle, but I do have a shelf above the doorway between the living room and kitchen. It makes a perfect place to hang holiday banners.

 

I kept this banner really simple. I cut white card stock on my Silhouette Cameo. I then used the same shape but reduced the size to cut this pretty green polka dot from patterned paper. I cut the letters on black card stock using the Harrington font in Silhouette Studio. Then I glued it all together. I used a glue stick for the two banner shapes. I found a glue pen is easiest for the letters. I used a single hole punch to punch holes on each side of the banner piece and then strung a ribbon to hang the banner. Easy, simple way to bring festive to your home!

Saint Patrick's Day Decor #1

I want to share some ways that I am decorating our home for Saint Patrick's Day.  Today is Day 1 and combines a family activity with some easy decorating.

This is the inside of the door going to our garage. This is the door we go out most often and so I chose this location for our activity. I made a simple sign and then used my Silhouette to cut out four leaf clovers on green card stock.

The idea is that the family comes together and talks about their blessings. Then you write a blessing on each clover and sticky tack it to the door.
We used a gold Sharpie to write one word blessings such as family, love, faith, home, etc...
This would probably be MUCH MORE fun with kids instead of a grumpy husband who thinks it is silly. But still, it did get us thinking about our blessings, which was the main point of the activity :)

DIY Apothecary Jars for Cheap

I have been wanting some apothecary jars, but even on sale they are a bit more than what I want to spend. So tonight I made a couple from glass jars and candle sticks. It is a really easy project!
First, find some glass jars that you like.
I found this one on sale for 50% off regular price at Hobby Lobby. It was only $5!

I then found this little open top jar at the Dollar Tree for, wait for it, $1  :)

 

 



I found matching candlesticks on sale, 50% off regular price, at Hobby Lobby for $3.50 each.

 

I used E6000 glue that I already had at home to glue the jars to the candlesticks. Just spread a thin bead of glue to the top of the candlestick and then set the jar on top, making sure the jar is centered. Then leave it alone to set overnight and VOILA:

 



I spent a total of $13 to make two apothecary jars!

Tomorrow I will post some ideas on how to decorate with them!

Garden Omelet

I love omelets! You can put almost anything in an omelet for a nice brunch. Today I made a garden omelet and it was probably the best I have ever eaten. This recipe makes two generous servings.

Materials:
4 slices turkey bacon
1/3 cup diced onion
1/3 cup diced bell pepper
1 medium zucchini
1 oz of fresh grated cheddar
3 eggs
pat of butter
salt
pepper

Method:
In a cast iron skillet, fry the turkey bacon. Remove to a plate.
Add onion and bell pepper to pan and cook until almost tender. Add zucchini and cook until heated.
Remove the veggies to a bowl.
Add a pat of butter to the skillet and let melt.
Scramble the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add eggs to the skillet, then add the veggies back, keeping them to the middle of the eggs and in a thin layer. Grate your cheddar on top of the veggies.
Let the eggs cook until the bottom is no longer runny. Fold the omelet over itself and let it finish cooking.

I like to serve this omelet with a few slices of avocado and a generous spoonful of homemade (no store bought please!) salsa. You can serve with fresh fruit with a balanced, nutritious breakfast. Enjoy!

I don't believe in Tattoos

 I can't even fathom defacing my skin with ink...but I will rock some nail art! :)   I love having my nails done. It just makes me feel more put together. Plus it keeps me from chewing on them which is a very nasty, horrible, bacteria ingesting habit!!! Here are some of my more recent, favorite designs I have had on my nails:

 

 

Stir fry: An easy, healthy meal

I have been struggling this week with how to incorporate my love for cooking and baking into a healthy lifestyle. I have started working out twice a week with a Crossfit coach and he is constantly reminding me that "We can't out train poor nutrition!". I love to cook and so tonight I decided to make a stir fry that follows the nutritional guidelines found here.

Stir fry is one of the easiest ways to incorporate more vegetables and lean protein into our diets. It is so versatile that you can literally use whatever you have on hand. For example, tonight I used leftover beef steak. I almost always cook my steak rare, partly because I like rare meat and partly because it makes it easy to use in a second meal without over cooking the meat.

     

 

                                          

Easy Stir Fry:

 

minced garlic
sliced onion
cabbage (finely shredded)
yellow squash
zucchini
bell pepper
mushroom
left over steak
1 tbs oil
sunflower seeds
Stir fry Sauce Recipe at Eat Live Paleo

Heat your wok over high heat. Add oil by pouring down the side of the pan and swirling to coat all sides.
Cook garlic for a minute or so until browned.
Add onion and cabbage and allow to cook until onion starts to soften.
Add the remaining chopped vegetables and rare steak. Cook until heated and tender crisp.
When almost done, make a hole in the middle and add in a little Stir Fry sauce (see link above for recipe). I also sprinkled on a few sunflower seeds at this point for crunch.
Serve and enjoy!