6/14/16

Most Basic Vinaigrette That Will Transform Your Salads

I'm a huge fan of big salads - had one for dinner last night and lunch today. Salads are a great way to practice FIFO and use up all your odds and ends of ingredients...a little chicken, a little cheese, part of a tomato, whatever! Don't let it go to waste. That's money.


Here's my most basic vinaigrette that is so delicious and easy and goes with most any salad.


This is enough for one big salad...

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar (but you can substitute balsamic or red wine vinegar or lemon juice)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
generous salt and pepper to taste

Make in a mason jar and shake with lid on, of course.

A little goes a very long way. In the picture above is a tripled recipe to use for several salads during the week.


My favorite thing to do is dice up the vegetables and let them sit and marinate in the dressing in the bottom of the bowl for a few minutes. They absorb so much flavor.

Then pile on the lettuce and "toss" the salad.


Top with meat (chicken, fish, shrimp), olives, avocado, cheese, boiled egg. The possibilities are endless.

I've made this dressing so much, I never measure the ingredients now. In fact, I usually make the dressing in the salad bowl and whisk with a fork. The ingredients do not have to be exact and you can totally play around with them and make the vinaigrette to your taste.



Salads are my life...

just kidding...

not. I love salads.

When serving as a family meal I often do deconstructed salads for the kids.

6/10/16

My Favorite Blogs

Blogging has changed so much over the years, and it makes me a little sad. It's certainly not as en vogue as it once was. I miss the glory days! I miss the casual, candid way in which people shared their lives. So much of this has moved to Instagram, I think.

But, I've made my peace, and I still enjoy a handful of blogs. I read them daily, and I always get excited when I find a new one.

Bloglovin' is my favorite way to round them up all up in one spot. I usually start my day off reading blogs on my iPad, coffee (of course), and a nursing baby in my lap.

 

Here's my favorites...

A Cup of Jo 
Food, fashion, motherhood, travel...this blog is legit. Based out of NYC, Joanna Goddard has her finger on the pulse of the modern woman. My favorite series is Beauty Uniforms.

Unfancy
If you are on a quest to find your personal style, then Unfancy is your go-to guide. Caroline blogs her journey from dealing with her unhealthy shopping habits to creating capsule wardrobes to minimalist fashion and finding her distinct style. This is totally one of my favorites! And it's the inspiration behind my own capsule wardrobes.

Modern Mrs. Darcy
Books! Anne Bogel blogs all about books. She also has a fantastic podcast What Should I Read Next. I have learned so much about my own reading life and preferences from reading her blog.

Dinner a Love Story
Jenny shares recipes, tips on family dinner and entertaining, and she is the author of one of my favorite cookbooks. Also, she just announced her next book and I can't wait! 

A Mother Far From Home
This is a fabulous parenting blog. The tag line is parenting without the chaos. This blogger, Rachel Norman, has done her homework! She has a way of putting words to parenting problems and solutions that will empower you as a parent and make you feel more in control! One of my favorite posts...5 Times It's Okay For Your Child To Go Hungry.

Babyccino 
This blog is written by 4 European women who put a beautiful spin on motherhood. They share product recommendations, but also crafts, recipes, and parenting tips.

Design Mom
Gabrielle Blair writes about home design meeting the practical parts of family life and motherhood. This is a colorful blog with so much design inspiration as well as great tips on parenting and mom life in general. Also, I'm a huge fan of the book Design Mom.

Thrift at Home
Margo's blog is so inspiring as she shares how she thrifts at home! She shares recipes, kitchen tips, sewing, and much more. This post is one of my favorites and I think about it all the time.

Art of Simple
Tsh's well know blog offers everything from practical life tips, great recommendations for kids' toys and books, inspiration about hospitality and travel as well much food for thought on education and choosing schools. Also, there's a podcast.

Memories on Cloverlane
Sarah is a mom of 6 kids. She shares so much wisdom and perspective about mothering and running a home as well as tons of great parenting tips. Her 40 bags in 40 days posts are super inspiring!

Best Laid Plans
Nell is one of my best life friends and my college roommate. She writes about her life with her three adorable triplets. Yes, triplets!

Flannery
This is my sister-in-law's blog. She writes about deep and fascinating things....God, people,  spirituality. She is a brilliant writer, and she is only 21 years old! She truly amazes me.

Disclaimer: I do not agree or endorse every opinion shared on these blogs. Generally, I enjoy their content, but occasionally there is something I vehemently disagree with...just FYI.

So PLEASE share...what are your favorite blogs these days? Did you once upon a time have a blog? Do you wish you still blogged? If so, why did you stop? Do you think blogs are dead?

Also, all the blogs I shared have updated at least once in the last month.

6/9/16

Hey Summertime

Hello out there...

How is your summer going?

Ours has barely started, and I have already binge watched the second season of Bloodline and listened to two audio books. So we are off to a good start!

Back in August I birthed a baby and a school year. Now that the baby is almost 10 months old, sleeping through (most) nights, feeding herself, etc and the school year is over...I feel like I just finished a marathon.

I have the feeling of being tired, yet relieved, and I'm enjoying this season of a little less pressure....though my body and soul are still recovering from all the adulting.

I'm setting summer expectations super low. My only serious goal is to keep the pool bag packed at all times. That way when we decide to go swimming, we grab the bag and go. Suits, towels, sunscreen, swimmy diapers live in the bag.

Why have I never thought of this?!


Happy summer to all of you! What are your plans?
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...