A day of relaxation

 This past month has been every bit of crazy and hectic for our little family. Today we decided to have a relaxation day where we do absolutely nothing but enjoy each other's company in our humble abode. I believe these little days of retreat are necessary to calm the tension and stress that may occur in your everyday life, such as work or kids. I personally feel that relaxing with the ones you love will also help build a stronger bond towards these special people in your life. In this crazy household, when we work hard we relax quietly and happily.

 Of course, our pupsters absolutely love to relax. Sergeant and Prada are laying together in the first pic and Princess Prada is under her favorite little blanket catching a snooze just above.

 I can't go a day without my essential oils. Above is the lemon and Morrocan oil that I use on my face every night (I recommend only to use at night because your face will burn if you wear citrus in the sun). I've read over and over that this mixture works as a preventative for sun spots and is very moisturizing for the sensitive skin on my face.

If I need a little pick me up due to a headache or achy muscles I apply a small drop or two directly to the forehead or achy area. Prepare yourself for a vibrant cool effect! I swear by peppermint oil for my headaches.

I also engage in yoga! I have found that for myself doing yoga every night before bed allows me to sleep more sound and relaxes the tension in my achy muscles. Whether you have a 5 minute bedtime breathing session or partake in an hour long yoga sesh, the stress seems to just melt away. I always have my essential oil air purifier going while I do yoga each night. I use ylang ylang, relaxation oil, or peace and calm by young living. Love this stuff!!

So just remember to take a little time for yourself or with your loved ones and have a relaxation day or even just block out a relaxation hour each night or once a week to endulge yourself. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you!

Simply handmade lasagna

Lately I've been making homemade lasagna for my fiance that is off the charts! He doesn't even complain about the lack of meat because it's so tasty to begin with! Here is my recipe:

Ingredients:
1. No boil noodles (I usually only use 1/2 the package for a 9x13 lasagna)
2. 1 lb. of all natural mozzarella /parmesan cheeses (shredded)
3. 1 container organic ricotta cheese
4. 1 jar of organic Muir Glen roasted garlic tomato sauce (*sometimes I make my own sauce but it takes about 20 minutes longer)
5. 1 egg
6. Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
7. 3 cups organic sliced mushrooms
8. 4 cups fresh organic spinach
9. 6-8 cloves of garlic, minced or sliced
10. 1/4 cup olive oil
11. Cooking spray

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Sautee mushrooms and garlic in olive oil.
3. In the meantime, mix ricotta, parmesan, mozarella, parsley, and the egg in a bowl.
4. Spray cooking spray on bottom of 9 x 13 casserole dish.
5. Place a layer of no boil noodles in casserole dish, then pour and spread 1/3 container of tomato sauce on top.
6. Place a thin layer of cooked garlic and mushrooms on sauce, then a thin layer of fresh spinach.
7. Spread a medium layer of cheese mixture on last.
8. Repeat two more times.
9. Cover casserole with aluminum foil and place on middle oven rack (I also place a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil underneath for easy clean up in case lasagna decides to boil over.
10. Cook 25 minutes, then take aluminum foil off top of lasagna. Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes or until cheese turns golden brown.

Enjoy!

* homemade tomato sauce : 1 28 oz. can of San Marzano plum tomatoes (hand crushed), 1 12oz can of tomato paste, fresh minced garlic, one chopped onion, 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley, one tbsp. oregano, one tbsp. basil, 1/4 cup olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Sautee garlic and onion in olive oil on medium heat for 3 minutes, then add all other ingredients and bring to a boil, then cook on low for 15 minutes.

A beautiful day for a trip to the farm

 My fiance and I decided to help a friend finish building his barn this weekend. Weather was perfect - partly cloudy and 84 degrees - great day to tour a farm!

 The next door neighbor's have a farm as well, and they invited me over to see their baby goats, guineas, and chickens...which means - farm fresh eggs! Definitely wasn't going to leave without a dozen of these organic beauties 😊.

 Loved the red barn labeled "Pop's Corner" chicken coup

 I've already begun persuading my fiance for pet goats, ducks, and guineas!

 This old red barn has been recently renovated for the family to live in. Such a great idea! You can tell they are landscape enthusiasts!

Elvis, the Doberman, had the same loving and carefree attitude as my princess Prada!

reunited besties

 My highschool bestie just graduated and earned her Doctorate in Pharmacology! Way to go Karelee, or Dr. Karelee, that is!! Now, if I happen to have a pharmaceutical question I have a go -to Dr. to ask!

 We enjoyed a fun filled cocktail and sushi night for her celebratory dinner!

vintage modern

 Check out this "Bob Ross-esque" hand painted and framed piece of artwork I stumbled upon at a garage sale last week. $10 find that is priceless to me, because of the Flat Irons in the background...my fiance is from Boulder, Colorado and we always hike these mountains when visiting.  This little gem now hangs in our perfect little hallway in our home and now I have yet another eclectic conversation piece!

My mother recently found matching 1960s mod lamps that now reside in our home. Also copied a picture of my fiance's grandparents. Killed two birds with one stone that day!

life of a pup

My mother always brings souvenirs back for my pupsters when she travels. This time she outdid herself when visiting Palm Springs. Of course there was a dog boutique with a "chewy vuitton " dog toy! Princess Prada has had this toy for over three months now and she still guards it everyday from her brother, Sergeant the criminal.

cumulus creativity

                                      All of this rain we have been experiencing creates picture perfect cumulus activity in the sky. Thanks mother nature!                          

            

Farmer's Park in June

 Farmer's Park is a great little adventure each Saturday morning. This past weekend my mother and I found an array of homegrown pesticide-free lettuce (literally a bag full for $3! - beat that grocery stores!). Above is the salad I made for my father's day dinner: organic radishes and organic lettuce from the market, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, and an organic cucumber. So simple, yet so elegant! (And Healthy!!)

 My mother and I had to snap a shot of the bathroom signage at Farmer's Park...as an interior designer I appreciate all of the attention and effort made towards both major and minor details in spatial design.

Another easy homemade salad that I enjoy during the week for lunch - organic spinach, organic garbanzo beans, organic cucumber, almonds, and a little rice vinegar and olive oil. Yummy!!

Father's Day Pie for my daddy!

 This Father's Day I decided to make my daddy a homemade blueberry peach pie for dessert, after dinner. The ingredients are simple and can be found in the Betty Crocker cookbook!

 Tip: for the crust use ice cold water and cold flour and Crisco (I leave my flour and Crisco in the freezer at all times, just in case I happen to have a sweet tooth for a yummy pie).

 Tip: put the pie on top of a tin foil cookie sheet in case you have a bubbly mess occur....makes oven clean up a breeze.! Also, cut a few slits in the pie to allow the steam to escape - this will keep an explosion of pie from occurring during the baking process.

 My daddy and I !

My brother, my father, and I!

Happy Father's Day!!

organic SPF ...yes please!

I found the perfect SPF at the local farmer's market this past March. The brand is Sweet Girl, and what's fantastic about this product are the ingredients: coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils, and the wow factor - 20% zinc oxide. After talking with my friend, who is a medical aesthetician, when looking for a sunblock, zinc oxide is the main ingredient that you want to see on the label. This is what protects you from those UV rays. In the past I had always bought sunblocks at the local drug store. Up until the past year I just never thought about what I was actually putting on my skin regarding sunblock - which is a plethora of scary chemicals. So I decided to try this brand of SPF cream and I love it! The cream is soft from the coconut oil  (just a tad gritty from zinc oxide); you do have to rub it in because of the thick zinc oxide though - but it's worth it if your skin is protected. I have oily skin but have found that this cream has not caused any breakouts on my face...I'm guessing because of the all natural ingredients and the fact that coconut oil is a miracle worker for skin. So when shopping for a sunblock look for an all natural one with zinc oxide, your skin will thank you!

Thanks for reading!