Author Archives: Marissa Gossett

Fast and Healthy Snacks for the Working Girl

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Times have changed, and while there is no extra minute in the day to make three wholesome meals from start to finish, there should be little reason to save money by going through fast food drive-thru.

Can convenience be healthy? Sure, but not in the way we are used to.

Resist zipping over to the golden arches between classes or dropping a wad at the gourmet farm-to-plate cafe walking distance from your job. Instead, stock your work fridge, trunk cooler, and day bag with these naturally gluten-free and ready-to-eat foods purchased from your local health food store. If you are needing a snack, a meal, or an energizing beverage, these ideas will satiate your hunger, and save your health and money. All you need is a fork, knife, and a spoon (and a couple napkins).

 

1. These inexpensive protein packed balls contain a good amount of nourishing fat for your hardworking brain. Cage-free, already hard boiled eggs can be found at Trader Joe’s or other health food stores, or can be easily made at home. Eat them with hot sauce or add slices to a salad.

2. Not all pickles are created equal. Bubbies Pure Kosher Dills are swimming in probiotic brine which means every crispy bite is supporting good digestion. These babies are a low-carb finger-licking-good snack.

3. One ounce of savory jerky has about eleven grams of protein, which is equivalent to a small hamburger patty. While good quality grass-fed beef jerky can be found at farmers markets, gluten-free beef jerky can be purchased from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

4. With about fifty brands of protein bars staring back at you in the snack aisle, one brand stands above the rest. Larabars simply contain dates, dried fruits, and nuts, which means no soy, corn syrup, gluten, or added sugar (there’s cane sugar in the ones with chocolate). Enjoy a bar for sweet treat or before you hit the gym.

5. Full-fat cheddar cheese sticks are an excellent source of energy. For a sweet and savory snack, alternate taking bites of cheese with a juicy pear or grapes, or round-out a salad with cheese chunks.

6. The nuts and dried fruit combo has become the ultimate snack–keep an eye out for organic nuts and sugar/sulfer-free dried fruit. A mix of coconut flakes, almond slices, dark chocolate chunks, and dried apricots make a tasty meal between meals. Tired of almonds? Try omega-3 fatty acid packed macadamia nuts or pecan pie bites: halved dates, seeded, and stuffed with pecans.

7. While you’re out to lunch, imagine being out to sea with a can of tuna, or a personal favorite, Kipper Snacks. With lots of vitamin A and D, the unfishy smoked herring can be eaten straight out of the can or mixed with olive oil, lemon, and chives. Use cucumber slices or endive spears as scoops.

8. Salted avocado halves are easily devoured with a spoon. Or, try Terra’s Sweets and Beets chips, baby carrots, baby cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes dipped in homemade guacamole (avocado mashed with organic jarred salsa).

9. Take a break with a pack of Justin’s Nut Butter and an apple or banana for an energy punch. A couple of clementines, a handful of cherries, or some frozen blueberries are also nutritious snack-worthy options.

10. While it is tempting to get out and drive to the local coffee shop for a midday cup, take a walk, find a park bench, and savor a bottle of kombucha, mineral, or coconut water on a bench. Stash some organic Numi tea bags in your desk or purse pocket and just add hot water for a ridiculously cheap steamy brew.

11. If you are craving your mom’s Sunday roast chicken, you aren’t out of luck. Pick up one of those rotisserie chickens at the grocery store (Whole Foods has them) and pair with a microwaved sweet potato. Better yet, wrap-up shredded chicken and guacamole in lettuce leaves for a quick and easy bite.

 

Photo Credit: http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/avocado-meal-40.jpg

 

Some Friends, a Shopping Itch, and a New Wardrobe

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If you haven’t read our previous article, Clear that Closet Clutter , do so now–then revisit this account of what can happen once you’re ready to shop to replenish!

I could divide my clothes up in a few sections: maternity, junior high, moth eaten or stained, do not fit, and hand-me-downs. (Yes, a twenty-four year old woman with hand-me-downs–it happens in desperate times). It is not healthy for a young lady in her prime to have such a devastating wardrobe, but it really comes down to not knowing how to dress and wasting money on impulse buys that end up in the third-wash-grave.

Honestly, I could probably dress my mom, my grandma, and my best friend because all those addicting reality makeover shows make it easy to critique the run-of-the-mill, but living in a hip (I said “hip”) city can be a little intimidating fashion-wise. Some of my best-dressed friends frequent second-hand shops or Barney’s, but I do not have the creativity or patience for the first, and the latter is… well… spendy! My biggest internal struggle with getting my buns out shopping was making my money worth it AND desiring to look more than decent with a unique style of my own.

If you live in Los Angeles, you are bound to have friends like mine who could put an outfit or two together. Okay, I lie. I have magical friends who turn Goodwill upside-down and find ruby slippers! The ring leader, Mercedes, had me prepare my shopping extravaganza by finding images and styles in magazines that inspired me–I cannot say I am trendy, classy, or chic, but a mix of all of them. Expressing that I didn’t want the clothes to define me, but fit me in a feminine way, my girlfriend had me completely understood.

First, the duo came to my place, raided my closet and wrote out a hit list. During the hunt, both ladies decided on items mostly by fit and type of fabric… who knew? I greatly tried helping by holding up items, but received comments like “ummm… that’s fake leather,” or “no, it’s trying too hard.” A silk leopard skirt, dark straight fit jeans, leather belt, plain white tee, grey leather flats, vintage fitted dress, and chunky sweater are just a few items–all on super sale or used–I went home with within my spending limit. After mixing the old with the new, I had a fresh and complete selection of outfits.

That Thursday was one of the most life-changing days, as menial as it seems, and most importantly left me completely inspired like Audrey Hepburn outside Tiffany’s. Every woman should feel confident in the clothes they wear, even if it requires a little feedback from savvy friends. After an emotional new beginning, I wanted to get dolled up to go on a date with my man, but before my friend left, she made me organize my closet… this time, not by number of moth holes!

 

Photo Credit: http://lealatanner.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-christmas.html

DIY Cocktail & Hors d’ Oeuvres Napkins

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If you are looking for a simple and economical gift to make, dig through your fabric scraps and whip up a few dozen of these adorable napkins. They are the perfect size (6” x 6”) to accompany a cheese platter, mixed drinks, and desserts as you host your favorite people for delectable delights. I made a bunch of these little napkins from vintage sheets and some linen I found in the discount section at Ikea. Try making some from an old flannel shirt or some dingy jeans–the options are endless! For a pretty present, stack six napkins and wrap with twine or ribbon.

You will need:

pre-washed fabric scraps

an iron

scissors or rotary cutter, thread, and pinking shears

sewing machine

Note: All seam allowances are 1/4”

 

Nutella from Scratch!

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Most swear Nutella should have its own food group, but this recipe definitely earns its own day of the month…which will be up to you! I have not been much of a drink-from-the-carton or eat-the-whole-pint kind of girl until I whipped up a jar-full of hazelnutty and chocolatey taste of heaven. It was intended to be a gift, but I went through most the batch with some apple slices, and then later with a spoon. The roasted hazelnut taste peeks through a blanket of dark chocolate, and the dainty sweetness from the honey sort of makes me want to dance in my underwear. This sweet treat has only pure ingredients, which means no soy lethicin, milk powder, refined sugar, or processed vegetable oils like the original–so indulging is not so bad after-all! Truthfully, you should make some to give this holiday season, but to keep those jars safe from your spoon, make another for yourself.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw hazelnuts

1/4 cup good-quality cocoa powder

2 tablespoons unrefined hazelnut oil (or melted coconut oil)

5 tablespoons raw honey

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

*Makes one 12-ounce jar-full.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place raw hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast until skins turn dark brown and start falling off–about 10 minutes. Remove skins as best you can by rolling them between two paper towels. Transfer nuts to a food processor, and blend for 5 minutes until creamy–you may have to scrape sides once or twice. Add cocoa powder, hazelnut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt, and process for an additional minute. For a thinner consistency, add more hazelnut oil. Pour into a 12 ounce jar. Your chocolate-hazelnut butter will keep for about a week in the refrigerator.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Butter is perfect topped on ice-cream, stirred in coffee, blended with a frozen banana and milk, and smeared on coconut-flour pancakes!

 

10 Tips to Holiday Entertaining in a Small Space

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Are you taking the challenge to host a holiday get-together this year… in your 600 square-foot apartment (or much smaller for some)? If you are like me, you have traded metropolitan living for tight quarters, lease after lease. Since your living situation is not changing anytime soon, here are some inspiring tips to turn your mouse-house into a practical space for a cookie decorating party, or bringing in the new year with at least a few more than yourself! Here are some tips:

1. A big communal table works great for dinner parties in small spaces. It might take up your whole living room, but in my experience, most like to stay-put where they eat. Also stick to armless chairs. If you do not have a large table, make one with a sheet of plywood set atop two end tables and seat your guests on some cozy floor pillows.

2. Utilize every square inch. This may mean moving furniture around, but do so to make your guests comfy. Any sturdy surface can be used as a table or a place to sit, so if you decide to forgo the communal table, make sure if your friends does not whack the leg lamp when they jump up for figgy pudding.

3. Do not buy disposable items. Buying disposable plates, napkins, and cups seems like the obvious option, especially since little kitchens don’t have dishwashers. However, it’s not the most environmentally-conscious decision, especially when there are always those few friends who would not mind being your dishwashing elves. Take out your cloth napkins too (or make some with recycled fabric), because they make an ordinary meal more jolly.

4. Going vertical is a great way to maximize the space on a buffet table. Cake stands, plates atop mugs, and tiered fruit baskets can be used to serve fruit, side dishes, hors d’oeuvres, and to place utensils.

5. Make sure you are not cooking when your guests arrive. Invite a friend over to help you prepare all the food in advance, and if you are hosting a home-cooked meal try roasting a big piece of meat or making a sumo-sized pot of chili (you can ask your guests to bring side dishes). Another option is to go with heavy appetizers that can be served at room temp, like crock-pot meatballs, artisan cheese and aged meat platter, spinach dip served with crudites, and grilled chicken tenders with dipping sauces. Or, hire a caterer!

6. A successful festive gathering is in the details. Label cupboards and drawers that contain ordinary items, like coffee mugs, silverware, garbage, and toilet paper to bypass the it’s-in-the-second-drawer-next-to-the-sink babble. Coasters are invitations to “place your beverage here, please”, so stick them on all your surfaces. Lighting candles in front of mirrors can make your apartment feel bigger and brighter. Turn the music down, but louder than crickets, just in case there is that one awkward moment. Simply decorate by keeping the tinsel and popcorn garlands to a minimum, and keeping your apartment tidy and organized can be beneficial for hosting a merry crowd.

7. Take your guests’ hats, coats, and purses at the door and put them in the bedroom. This frees up your entertaining area, while the back room can also be designated for taking phone calls when the Christmas caroling gets rowdy.

8. Have a designated beverage station. It should have ice, bottle openers, cocktail napkins, glasses… and eggnog. Keep a pitcher or bottles of water there too. A small trash can to throw away corks and bottle tops will help keep the rubbish at bay. All these item can be compiled on a kitchen cart, small bookcase, multi-level sofa table, or mantel.

9. Make your outdoor area inviting. Whether you have a door to a nice size balcony or landing on top of some stairs, keep that outdoor space accessible for a few to meander out to breathe in some cold winter air. Light candles and set out wool blankets, just in case they want to count the stars…or watch for Santa!

10. Let your conversation and story telling be the main event. Tiny living spaces lend to an intimate setting. If you wish to dance the night away, keep it simple with the two-step…

 

Vinegar, The Multi-Tasker

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From the dirty work to the dinner plate, vinegar will do the majority of all household chores more effectively than most commercial products.  Not only economical and green, this natural disinfectant is not given enough credit since most folk cannot get passed the smell (which dissipates quickly simultaneously freshening the air)! Explore with me the possibilities…

For Cleaning: Full strength, white distilled vinegar can be used as the most successful scaling agent on shower-heads, in dishwashers, teakettles and coffee makers. For naturally soft clothes, pour half a cup of vinegar in the washing machine during the rinse cycle to gently remove detergent residue. Diluted with water one-to-one, vinegar can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for counter tops, stainless steel, mirrors, windows, floors, and anything you want to make shiny and new! Using vinegar in place of bleach and chemical-based household products can save your health by preventing emphysema as well as prevent accidental misuse.

For Cooking: Apple cider, rice, balsamic, red wine and champagne are only a few culinary vinegars to have in the pantry. Whip up a healthy and customizable vinaigrette with one part vinegar of choice, and four parts olive oil. Keep it simple, or go gourmet by adding pressed garlic, Dijon mustard, chopped shallot, or bleu cheese. Tenderize meat in a vinegar-based marinade, overnight for beef and a few hours for chicken. For quicker cook time and healthier digestion, soak beans, rice, legumes and grains overnight in water with a splash of apple cider vinegar to release phytic acid–drain, rinse, and cook as normal.

For Beauty: Your new beauty secrets are now attributed to vinegar! For smaller looking pores, lighter freckles, less acne, and a temporary facelift mix apple cider vinegar with Indian healing clay (found at most health food store); apply to entire face, let dry, and gently remove with a washcloth. Soothe a sunburn with a spray of chilled diluted vinegar, help eliminate bad breath by brushing twice a week with vinegar, and prep your nails with vinegar on a cotton ball before applying polish for a longer lasting manicure.

One product for hundreds of uses…so be sure to buy the big bottle because your pocket and the earth will thank you. Now that the superhero within vinegar has been released, you should never raise a stink again!

 

Photo Credit: acookblog.com