Marie Bostwick's Blog, page 18

Farm Salad with Roasted Carrots and Homemade Citrus Salad Dressing

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I went to a long table dinner at Rainshadow Organics, a local farm.

The long table in question stretched along a wide, shady porch with a gorgeous view of the farm. After a glass of wine and some appetizers, all the guests were given a tour of the twenty-five acres by Sarahlee, the farmer who has spent the last eleven years of her life cultivating this land.

It took me about five seconds to develop a complete girl crush on the fascinating and colorful Sarahlee who – wait for it – is married to a professional rodeo rider. No kidding! She’s an organic farmer married to a cowboy.  How fabulous is that?  She could have walked right off the pages of one of my novels!

Suffice it to say, it was an absolutely amazing evening. The surroundings couldn’t have been more beautiful and the food, made entirely from organic ingredients grown on the farm, couldn’t have been more delicious.  I’ve had a farmgirl fantasy for decades so this was basically my dream date.

Taking my Farmgirl Fantasy to the Next Level

The next day, after discussing it with my husband, we decided to extend the dream by signing up for a CSA share at the farm.  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. By purchasing a share of the produce from the farm, I help support community agriculture and also receive a weekly share of fresh, organic, locally grown produce and meat.

CSA shares often sell out and the season had already begun, so I was disappointed but not surprised when I got on the Rainshadow Organics website and saw no listing for available shares. I sent an email to the farm, asking if there was any way I could purchase a small share for the season.

Lucky for me, the answer was yes!

I think it will turn out to be lucky for all of you as well. Receiving a mystery bag of freshly harvested, organic produce each week is pushing me to try new, healthy recipes. This week, my bag contained red leaf lettuce, baby zucchini, snow peas, kohlrabi, and some absolutely gorgeous carrots.

Roasted in the oven, served over greens with a homemade citrus salad dressing with toasted nuts and some creamy goat cheese, this salad was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. It was hearty enough for a main dish and so healthy that I felt zero guilt about the homemade ice cream I had for dessert. Since I reached my goal weight, this is the perfect low-calorie delight to keep me on track.

The Thing About Homemade Citrus Salad Dressing

The earthy carrots and tangy goat cheese are seriously set on fire with this gorgeous homemade citrus salad dressing. It’s a vinaigrette technically, but it’s basically the special sauce that makes this salad so incredible. It’s versatile, fresh, easy, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand. I am excited to try this same homemade citrus salad dressing on other fare this season!

Here’s the recipe.

 

Print

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Farm Salad with Roasted Carrots and Citrus Dressing




Author: Marie Bostwick

Yield: 4 starter salads or 2 main course salads







Print Recipe
Pin Recipe






Ingredients

3 Tbsp sunflower seeds

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1 lb carrots, peeled

2 cups salad greens (use whatever is fresh and tender – lettuce, baby kale or spinach, arugula)

1 large navel orange

1 lemon

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 Tbsp more

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp smoked paprika

4 oz goat cheese

Kosher salt

Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven, high broil.

In dry skillet over medium low heat, toast the sunflower seeds until they just begin to turn golden brown and smell fragrant – three to four minutes.  Take toasted sunflower seeds off heat and set aside. Toast the pistachios in the same manner, for about six minutes. Place pistachios on a cutting board to cool. Chop coarsely and place in a bowl with the sunflower seeds, adding a pinch of salt.

Slice any carrots larger than ¾ inch in diameter in half lengthwise. The smaller carrots can be roasted whole.  Cut lemon and orange in half. Place carrots on a foil lined baking sheet.  Drizzle olive oil over carrots, sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir to coat carrots. Place lemon and orange on pan, cut side up.

Place pan under broiler for about 10 minutes, stirring carrots halfway through. Carrots should be fork tender and charred in spots. Remove pan from oven to cool.

When citrus is cool enough to touch, squeeze lemon and orange to extract ½ cup of juice. Add cider vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in 1/3 cup of olive oil to make citrus vinaigrette.

Divide greens on to plates. Top with roasted carrots, toasted nuts, and goat cheese. Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Farm Salad with Roasted Carrots and Homemade Citrus Salad Dressing appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

A Homemade Slime Recipe, Plus Practical Life Lessons

Last week, I had my entire family in town: my three sons, three daughters-in-love, and six very, very advanced grandkids (I’m obviously not partial). It was a constant whirl of activity. The whole crew made a homemade slime recipe together. We visited the fire station. We paddled down a river. Some of us rode horses. We ate loads of ice cream. It was such fun and I’m still soaking up the sounds of their laughter and little voices.

Having the family around one table just made my heart so happy. But now, they’ve all travelled back home and we will have to rely on the fun photos to keep the memories fresh.

Here’s a highlight reel of our time together (because I am shameless in bragging about how cute my grand-darlings are).

 

 

What Being A Grammy Means to Me

This got me to thinking about my job as a Grammy. Sure, I am suppose to love them and pinch their chubby cheeks and (slightly) spoil them.

But how can I use experiences and activities with my grandkids to teach them about life? What nuggets of wisdom can I impart on the younger generations?

First, you have to learn how to speak their language. I’ve found that simply telling them over and over that I love them (and why I love them) is important, but using quality time spent together as a platform for my teaching agenda is far more effective. These little minds learn best by example. They also pay attention longer if there is an activity.

So what do I aim to teach my grand-darlings? Oh the list is endless, but some of my priorities are: a fascination with nature, the importance of creativity, the sheer joy of adventure, and (obviously) a love of reading. I believe I teach them empathy, compassion, how to seize each moment, the importance of my faith. I hope I do, anyway.

Making Memories

While they were in town, one of the ways I endeavored to pass on these values and make memories together was to schedule little outings with each of them individually (well, almost all of them). Don’t tell the baby and the two year old.

I took Sweet Pea to the local craft store. I showed Twoodle how to use a sewing machine and make a quilt. The Llamette and I went to the toy store and to get ice cream. I took Noodle to get ice cream too. Ok, there was a lot of ice cream involved but what Grammy hasn’t tried to become her grandkids’ favorite by offering them delicious treats?

The point is, I got to spend time with each of them with my complete, undivided attention and it was wonderful.

I also wanted to spend time with them as a group, because I love watching the group dynamics and the giggles that ensue when cousins play together.

So I made our very own little crafting gang, reinforcing the lessons in creativity that I send them throughout the year with Grammy’s Craft of the Month Club.

Homemade Slime Recipe: A Grandkid Love Language

While they were in Oregon, we made tie dye t shirts and then we made what was to become their favorite activity for the whole trip: SLIME.

Remember that bit about speaking their language? Slime is their love language. To say the least, this was a hit!

 

Here’s how I made it. This homemade slime recipe is easy peasy and oh so fun.

 

 

Print

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Homemade Slime Recipe




Author: Marie Bostwick

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5







Print Recipe
Pin Recipe




Description

There are a zillion recipes for slime on Pinterest, like a fluffy unicorn variety or fancy glitter slime. This is the one I like best!

Ingredients
12 oz glue
1.5 t baking soda
washable poster paint
3 T saline solution

Instructions

Mix the baking soda into the glue.

Stir in washable poster paint (use what you need to get the color you want) until it is mixed through.

Add saline solution and stir.

That’s it!

Notes

After a few hours, this gets pretty nasty. Make sure you make it disappear before the ingredients start separating. Trust Marie.

Also, advise all of your grandchildren that slime isn’t for snacking.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

Helpful Hints for Grandkid Visits

Whenever you spend any time at all with a grandchild, wear something you can wash.
Keep everyone outside as much as possible.
Provide distractions, like ice cream.
Keep your planned activities as short as possible with virtually no set up time (because, attention spans).
Spend time with each grand-darling individually.
Model the values important in your life.
Spoil them slightly (with treats or presents or books)
Tell them you love them and why.
Hug a lot.
Cherish every. single. second.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

 

 

The post A Homemade Slime Recipe, Plus Practical Life Lessons appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Taco Tuesday: An Easy And Elegant Taco Salad Bar

In my post on Hospitality 101, I pointed out that creating a fun and memorable experience for friends and family does not require you to go all out in the food, drink, and décor department. But sometimes it’s fun to do exactly that. A dinner party I recently gave for new friends from church proves the point.

With so many people having different dietary preferences and limitations these days, making a sit-down dinner for a crowd can be a challenge. That’s one of the many reasons I like buffets. People can pick the food they like and skip the dishes they don’t care for or can’t eat. And while most buffet suppers don’t lend themselves to breaking out your best china, a delicious buffet meal can be a casually elegant occasion that actually leaves you time to visit with your guests. My church dinner party is a perfect example.

Taco Tuesday Inspiration From A Reluctant Source

Inspired by a yummy dinner I attended at the home of my new friend, Sandy, also known as The

Reluctant Entertainer, I decided to create a taco salad bar for my guests. Everybody loves tacos, right? And even better, my party was on a Tuesday evening so I could call it Taco Tuesday – what fun! And I love that you can add so many colorful, healthy ingredients to your salad. My taco salad bar included crisp romaine lettuce, tortilla strips, cheese, diced tomatoes, corn, oven roasted red, yellow, and orange peppers, homemade guacamole, black beans, green onions, sour cream and three kinds of salsa – mild, medium, and hot.

So, borrowing a tip from Sandy, who introduced me to the joys of rockfish, I offered two kinds of oven broiled rockfish – one sprinkled with salt and smoked paprika, the other with dill, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lemon. I also served some pork carnitas that I found at Costco. They were delicious and all I had to do was heat them up.

For me, creating a pretty presentation is half the fun of entertaining. I decided to give my party a unique look by incorporating one of my favorite decorating elements.

Dinner Party Decorations

Yep, you guessed it – mason jars!

I don’t know why but everything served in a mason jar just seems to look cuter and taste better to me. I’d have served every single item in jars if I could, unfortunately, I didn’t have enough big jars. But I did have a number of matching glass vases in the cupboard which fit the bill nicely and had wide mouths for serving.

(By the way, everybody went crazy over those roasted peppers! They really couldn’t be easier to make. Just seed and slice 6 peppers, drizzle with 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, broil on the top rack of a very hot oven until the peppers are soft and the skins begin to go black in spots. Be sure to keep an eye on them. You want charred pepper skins, not burned!)

To add a little extra touch of whimsy, plus give the buffet a more uniform look and make it easy for my guests to know what they were eating, I put a cute little chalkboard label on each of the jars. The labels I found on Amazon were perfect and even came with a chalk pen. They really added a festive touch. With the addition of a few fresh flowers, I had the world’s prettiest Taco Tuesday buffet table. Such fun!

 

 

 

The Grand Finale: Dessert

Speaking of fun, the mini dessert parfaits I offered after dinner were a big hit! This is an idea I borrowed from PF Chang’s, one of my favorite restaurant chains. Even after a big meal, it seems people can always find room for one of their adorable little desserts, right? I thought it would be great to give my guests a choice of two darling, teeny-weeny, no-guilt desserts.

I found just what I needed on Amazon, 5-ounce dessert shot glasses that came with their own little spoons. Seriously, how irresistibly cute are these?

Best of all, my dessert parfaits truly were about as close to guilt free as dessert can get.

For the raspberry parfaits, I made a batch of Chocolate Miracle Muffins (with the easiest, high protein mix!), broke them into pieces for the bottom layer of the parfait, then topped them with fresh raspberries, and a couple of tablespoons of low-fat vanilla ice cream. (Pro tip: put in the cake and berry layers first, then top with ice cream just before serving. If you assemble all the layers beforehand and then put them in the freezer, the raspberries will freeze. Don’t ask me how I know this.)

The blueberry parfaits were just as easy. I used Blueberry Lemon Miracle Muffins for the cake base, a layer of vanilla Greek yogurt (put it in a yogurt strainer in the refrigerator for a least an hour. This will give you a thick, creamy, custard style yogurt that won’t make the muffins go soggy), and topped with fresh blueberries. Yum!

Pulling together an Elegant Taco Salad Bar does require a little advance planning but, once you’ve thought it through, it really couldn’t be easier to make. And best of all, because you prepare everything in advance, this is the kind of easy entertaining that will wow your guests but leave you free to enjoy their company.

And isn’t that what throwing a party is all about?

 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

 

The post Taco Tuesday: An Easy And Elegant Taco Salad Bar appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Taking Inventory: How Are You Doing On Those Goals Of Yours?

Recently, I opened up my Living Well Spending Less planner and realized that we are quickly approaching mid-year. That means that we are closing in on the second half of the time I have to reach my annual goals that I set for myself last January. Gulp.

How are things coming on my goals? Well, let’s start with a few considerations before we really dive in. I’ve been busy. Like flying-by-the-seat-of-my-yoga-pants busy. So really, accomplishing anything at all deserves an enthusiast round of applause and maybe a margarita with salt. But as I look back at the goals I set, most of them are still in process. The wheels are turning. The plans are in the making. The first steps have been taken. But I can’t cross anything off that darn list. Not yet, anyway. And I don’t know about you, but the act of crossing things off my list really sets my soul on fire.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Instead of getting a little down on my lack of tangible, crossed-off progress, I was reminded that to do lists aren’t actually made to just cross things off. They are used to accomplish goals. They organize the daily grind so you can accelerate toward those bigger things that aren’t finished in a single afternoon. They can take months. They can take years.

Why It’s Important To Review Those Goals

How are you doing on your goals this year? Now is the time to take inventory. Now that my children and granddarlings have returned back to their homes and life is a calmer and quieter (though considerably less adorable) I’ve been taking some time to do exactly that.

Here’s what I’ve discovered: there is good news on the goal front! And…well…not so good news.

On the good side, so far this year, I’ve really slammed my writing goals! I’ve kept up with my commitment in terms of both time spent writing and in terms of page count. Yay for me!

And when it comes to my daily and weekly physical training goals, which I hope will result in completion of the overarching goal of completing a sprint triathlon in two hours or less, I’ve also been keeping pace. (Keeping pace! See what I did there! Okay, never mind. It seemed pretty clever in the moment.)

I’ve also made good progress on some relationship goals, specifically focused on spending more time with my husband and calling my mother more frequently.  And I completed a goal that had been on my radar for a couple of years; taking my mother on a camping trip. (It was wonderful, by the way, and I’ll be writing more about that soon.)

So, that’s the good news. Since these three were really high priorities for me, I’m happy with my progress.

Room for Improvement

But, unfortunately, I’ve been less successful in keeping up with some of my other goals. One or two have fallen by the wayside completely.

First, there was an online course that I promised myself I would spend six hours a week on during the second quarter. That didn’t happen at all. And there is an additional, secondary writing project I wanted to tackle that I’ve made only minimal progress on.  Also, I planned to read at least six “classic” books this year. (I read all the time, but I made this particular goal because I wanted to shore up some gaps in my education.). So far, I’ve only finished one.  Finally, I wanted to finish four large quilts this year. At this point, I’ve completely finished only one.

So? Does the paragraph above count as the “bad news” counterpart to all the “good news” above?

Nope. Not at all. Here’s why.

Celebrating Little Successes

First, with only one exception, I’ve made at least some progress on all of my goals!  Which is fantastic news!  And very much the point of making goals then breaking them down into smaller, baby steps. Sure, I’d love to have raced across the finish line with all of my goals. But the fact that I’m moving forward in almost all of my most important priorities is definitely cause for celebration! It’s also proves that making SMART goals is a very smart and effective thing to do!

Second, we’re not even quite halfway through the year. This means I’ve still got plenty time to make more progress in the areas where I haven’t been quite as successful as I’d hoped.  It wouldn’t surprise me at all to find that I’ll actually be able to complete some of them before year’s end.

So, when I look at it that way, it’s all good news.

But if I want to have even more to celebrate come December 31st, now is the time to reassess and recalibrate my goal keeping action plan by asking myself some important questions.

Are the goals I made in January still important and relevant? Or are there other opportunities I’d rather pursue at this point? Are the mini-goals I made to reach my larger goals realistic? Should I carve those mini-goals up in to smaller bites? Or perhaps stretch my completion timeline out into next year?

After asking myself those questions, I’d decided to moderate some of my goals and eliminate one that just doesn’t seem as important in June as it did in January. However, because a new, unanticipated opportunity came up a couple of months ago, I’ve added one completely new goal to my list.

You’ve Got This

And that’s the beautiful thing about my goals – and yours – we can alter, add, or eliminate them as circumstances and priorities change.  Doing so is the furthest thing from failure. In fact, tweaking your goals in light of changing circumstances or the realities of a busy life is a very, very smart thing to do!

What did you write down on January 1st? Would highlighting a few enabling steps be helpful here?  I usually operate better when I have stepping stones instead of giant leaps.

Wherever you are on your journey, you are inspirational and strong and here for a reason. So keep driving full speed at those goals, while taking breaks for things like reading books and fabric shopping, of course. Nobody can work all the time, right?

Remember to celebrate your successes, however small. Any progress is good progress, if you ask me. Now is the time to recalibrate and re-energize to take on the rest of your goals for the year. It’s an intermission. Take inventory, adjust as needed, and get back to work crushing those goals.

You’ve got this, Fierce friend!

The post Taking Inventory: How Are You Doing On Those Goals Of Yours? appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

The Best Father’s Day Gift Idea: Books For The Dads In Your Life

Are you prepared for Father’s Day this Sunday or are you frantically looking for last-minute ideas that don’t seem so last minute? It might be too late to pull off some of the great ideas I included in the Fierce Father’s Day Gift Guide, but don’t fret. I have a solution. (You can thank me later).

As your resident author friend, I’m obligated to share book ideas on all subjects. (It’s in the universal author contract. Right below the clause that says I can helpfully correct grammar and spelling. Hah!)

Back to sharing books. I read. A lot. Some might say too much. They would be wrong. But I certainly do a big chunk of reading.

So let’s have all the time I spend reading serve a purpose for you, my Fierce Friends. Whether it’s a gift for your husband, son, or your own father or grandfather, books are always the answer.

Books: The Best Father’s Day Gift Idea

Without further ado, a few suggestions for Father’s Day books (aka the best Father’s Day gift idea, in my unbiased opinion):

Made For Me

A great kids book for a dad. He not only gets a book, he gets the pleasure of reading it to that little one! It’s a sweet parenting tale that might even draw one small, sentimental tear.

Be Prepared

The bookstore is filled with handbooks for soon-to-be-fathers. But how many tell you how to change a diaper in a crowded sports stadium? Or how to fashion a diaper out of duct tape and a towel if you need to? While you might want a different title to go over some of the more nuanced details for parenting, this one is sure to provide perspective and comic relief when you’re up doing that 3:00 am feeding.

How To Babysit A Grandpa

A whimsical role-reversal tale written to tell your child how to take care of grandpa when babysitting. When your child thinks they’re old enough to take care of themself (spoiler: they aren’t!) you just tell them they’re there to take care of grandpa! Sure to provide lots of chuckles for the grandfather who needs babysitting.

Darth Vader And Son

“Luke, I am your father.” (Sorry, I had to.)

A funny look back on the possible relationship dynamics when Luke was just a little child. While it may not stick to the details of Star Wars cannon, the fan in your life will be so busy laughing and reading to their child they won’t even notice!

Grandfather’s Journal

The Chairman has been working on a memoir to share with his grand darlings for about two years. It’s been a huge project but when it is finished, I know the kids will cherish it.  How did he start down this road? Because we gave him a journal like this! Full memoir or fill in the blank, it’s important to put those memories on paper for future generations.

 

How To Grill

Admittedly, we’ve moved off the ‘parenting’ subject. Enough with it all. Let’s get Dad a book he can REALLY use – serve with a side of meat. (And let him serve dinner tonight!)

If none of these titled piqued your interest, you can always check out my Christmas gift guide for dads. There are some evergreen gems in there that would make any guy feel special!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post The Best Father’s Day Gift Idea: Books For The Dads In Your Life appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas From My Family

Now, I’m not going to assume that you’re keeping up with the events in my life, but if you follow me on social media, then you know this week all my darlings and grand-darlings are in town for a visit. All 12 of them.

Which means I’m extremely busy loving on (equally, of course) six wonderful little bundles of joy. Honestly, I was thinking I might take a break from blogging this week as I knew my week would be packed. Somehow though, every time I think I might take a break, part of my brain gets triggered and I end up stuck there until I just sit down and get my thoughts out. The kids are all napping and here I am, excitedly typing out my thoughts on the subject of: buying gifts for men vs. buying gifts for women.

FACTS OF LIFE

There are things in life that are just true.

It’s going to the rain the day after you finally get your car washed.

Seconds after painting your nails, you will have an itch that needs scratching.

Men are a million times harder to buy gifts for than women.

Don’t ask me to explain this, as I cannot. I’m not even here to debate this phenomenon, as there is no debate. I’m just here to offer some guidance, support and some comic relief.

You see, this all came about during a conversation with the darlings and the grand-darlings about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I mentioned the blog post I recently penned about taking my mother camping and the concept of buying experiences rather than things. While we all agreed in theory, in practice we decided that same as it’s more difficult to shop for ‘things’ for men it’s also more difficult to shop for ‘experiences.’ Lucky for you guys, I had a room full of men (and most being dads too) so I took the opportunity to pick their brains and I’m here to share their wisdom.

INDOOR SKYDIVING

Who comes up with these things?

At indoor locations across the country, you can put on the crazy suit and helmet and hop onto a large wind tunnel that simulates skydiving! Who knew?!

It sounds like fun for the whole family, and personally I’m a fan of anything that keeps someone from jumping out of a perfectly good plane!

BOOKS (OTHER THAN THE ONES HE READS AT BEDTIME)

Every night he reads that kiddo her favorite book. At this point, he’s practically got it memorized. He makes all the voices and giggles ensue.

But he’s so busy, does he even have time to read anymore? Audible to the rescue!

There are millions of books, which is not even an exaggeration, not even by a million. And the best part is, you don’t even have to pick out a specific book and worry about whether he’ll like it or not. Just buy him a subscription and he can choose the titles he wants to download and listen to. (And maybe you borrow his subscription to buy yourself Hope On The Inside. You know, so you’re busy listening and you make sure he has enough free time.)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Inspired by my mention of camping with my mother and want to take dad on a trip?

Check out Outdoorsy, where you can browse RV’s in your area that are available for rental. Looking for a funky, vintage Airstream? You can find that. Instead prefer a modern ride with top of the line amenities? You can find that too.

King of the Grill

So many dads I know love to be the grill master of their household. So why not give him a few new tools and accessories to really make that grill sing? That would make the experience all the better, right?

I love the idea of grilling sauces or rub…

.

Or grilling tools so he can make you a delicious dinner! Being outside with friends and family, surrounded by the wafts of entrancing grill aromas and followed by a knockout meal is certainly an experience anyone can enjoy.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas From My Family appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Finding Your Morning Routine (and Why It’s So Important)

I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on the power of morning routines. When life feels hectic or things feel out of control, this is something I can actually control. If I win at my morning routine, I know I’ve conquered the day. If I conquer the day, I know I’ve conquered the week and am a bit closer to reaching my goals.

Sure, sometimes I am off to catch a plane or choose to sleep in or have an early appointment, but most mornings,  I take the time to set my intention for the day. This was harder when I had young children at home, but life’s distractions still pose their challenges. But when I start the day right, there’s nothing I can’t do.

Why We All Need a Morning Routine

Why do we need morning routines? My theory is that we are all creatures of habit. We all crave rituals. It’s simply part of being human and it’s built into our DNA. Even the most spontaneous friends need a solid foundation for their day. We might love a little variety, but the morning routine needs to be down to an art. And by our age, most of us have practiced our morning rituals over and over. If you don’t have one, it’s time, girlfriend. It’s also highly possible that as we pass through different phases of life, we need to pause and edit our routine. it doesn’t have to be the same way forever. Just for a while. Just as long as it serves you.

Think you don’t have time for a morning routine? It can literally take minutes. Everyone can set aside a few minutes.

What My Morning Routine Gives Me

A friend if mine asked me the other day why I was such a stickler about my morning routine. Here’s what I told her. The output of my dedication to routine is tangible and real and so incredibly beneficial. Starting my mornings right gives me energy. It gives me confidence and empowerment. My morning routine helps me navigate stressful days, weeks, or months in the face of deadlines or lengthy edits or writer’s block. It brings contentment. It helps me feel accomplished. While it feels so structured and repetitive, it actually helps me be more creative – a big plus in my line of work!

Being intentional helps me in every aspect of my life: relational, spiritual, professional, and physical. I could go on about this but you get the general idea. It makes my life better and it’s not something I’m quick to cut corners on. I guard this ritual because I know what it’s like to not have one. Let’s just say it’s not pretty.

Morning Routines Are Not One Size Fits All

I want to be very clear on this point: morning routines are important for everyone, but what exactly goes into those routines is highly personal. It has to be what works for you and sets you up for success. Just because your girlfriend does guided meditation for an hour followed by turmeric shots doesn’t mean that’s what you have to do to start your day. Just because your sister is into goat yoga and juicing greens doesn’t mean that fits your needs.

Hot yoga followed by an ice bath and poetry? Again, this doesn’t have to be you.

What about cranked up show tunes and hanging upside down for extra blood flow to the brain? (This one sounds kind of nice to me, actually).

You do you. This is about you and only you.

While morning routines are so highly varied, I do think there is a formula. It goes something like this:

Spiritual enrichment physical activity fuel peace organization = the best day ever.

What My Morning Looks Like

My morning routine goes something like this:

I pray. This is the single most important step in my entire morning routine.
Hello, coffee.
Walk Showgirl, my very prancy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel,  on the walking trail in the woods behind my home with my coffee.
I make myself a healthy breakfast, like Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries and a sprinkle of homemade granola. While I eat, I pull out my Living Well Spending Less planner.
I write down my goals for the day, including when I will work out. This is a power move. (For more details, head over to this recent post on morning goal setting). 
I spend time on myself. That means anti-wrinkle cream, sunscreen, mascara and a ponytail at the minimum. That also means changing out of pajamas, even if it’s only upgrading to yoga pants.
I kick butt.

Notice what doesn’t make the list of my priorities in the morning: scrolling social media, answering emails, or jumping headfirst into a project. There’s a reason for that. I learned the hard way.

Alright! Feeling empowered and ready to take on the world? Go get ’em! Get that morning routine in shape and bring it. Bring it every day.

The post Finding Your Morning Routine (and Why It’s So Important) appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

Hospitality 101: How to be a Fierce Host

This blog is going to be on the short and sweet side because I’m a little busy today.

I’ve got to finish packing for my upcoming glamping trip with my mom (we’re leaving tomorrow morning), plant my porch pot flowers, answer the backlogged email, finish the laundry, run to the market, and make a batch of Fiesta Miracle Muffins for my husband to share with some of his old high school friends who are coming to visit while I’m away camping this weekend.

Oh, and when I ran into a couple of friends at my quilt guild meeting yesterday, I invited them to come over for dinner tonight. They’ll be here in 5 hours.

That’s right. Even though I knew I had a very busy day ahead of me, I went ahead and invited a couple of friends over on the spur of the moment.

Now, some of you completely get this but a lot of you are saying, “That’s crazy! Why would you suddenly invite people over on such short notice? And for dinner, no less. That just sounds so stressful!”

You have a point. Entertaining can be stressful – for you as well as your guests.  But it doesn’t have to be. Not if you keep a few simple principles that will make get togethers a pleasure for you as well as your guests.

Are you ready? Here’s my crash course on Hospitality 101.

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a dinner for some people who attend my church, none of whom I’d met previously.  This is something my congregation does every few months, as a means of helping people connect.

My calendar wasn’t terribly packed that week, so I decided it would be fun to make a really special meal and prepare it all myself rather than asking people to bring a dish. I created a taco salad buffet and two kinds of little mini dessert parfaits. It was pretty darned adorable. (I’ll be sharing photos and recipes in an upcoming post.)

Getting ready for that party involved quite a lot of work. It involved lists, trips to a number of different stores for ingredients, online ordering for some serving pieces I especially wanted, and a good bit of time for flower arranging, table setting, and food preparation.  Everyone had a lovely time, including me. I really enjoyed the chance to meet new people and hear their stories.

Tonight’s supper with girlfriends will be much simpler. I’ve got some store-bought guacamole and chips we can munch on while I’m tossing together a big salad and heating up some pulled chicken barbeque (also store-bought) that I’ll serve on slider buns. I’ve got some ice cream and raspberries for dessert.  My total time investment for this dinner is perhaps an hour, including a quick trip to the grocery store.  But I’m sure everyone will have a lovely time, including me. I’m looking forward to catching up with my friends and I know they’ll appreciate the gift of a meal that they don’t have to prepare.

Moral of the story: Sometimes it can be wonderful to go all-out when you’re entertaining, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. Either approach can result in a fun, memorable party. Don’t let being short on time shortchange you from the joy of showing hospitality.

 

FOCUS ON FRIENDS, NOT FOOD

I hate to burst your bubble, bunny, but unless your day job is as chef de cuisine at a Michelin star rated restaurant, people are not accepting invitations to your house because of the food.

Sometimes, as hostesses, it is easy to focus on all the wrong things – i.e., the food and party preparations instead of the human beings actually attending the party. That sort of thing has been going on for a long, long time. Remember the biblical story of Mary and Martha?  Mary was so busy fussing about the food and work of serving it, that she completely forgot to spend time with her guests – even though one of the guests was Jesus. What a shame. And what a missed opportunity!

Remember, if people are coming to your home, it’s probably because they want to connect with other people – including you. Parties are about people. Don’t get so wrapped up in the details that you miss the big picture.

YOUR HOUSE IS GOOD ENOUGH

I know a lot of people who won’t entertain because they don’t think their house is “good enough”.

Really? Huh. How shall I put this?

Rubbish!

Sure, the size of your home may put some limitations on the number of people you can invite over at one time, but your house is definitely good enough for entertaining! As with food, the principle is the same – people are coming to see you, not your house!

What matters here is not the size, or condition, or location of your house but the spirit with which you welcome people into it. Welcoming others into your home does require preparation, not perfection.

Before guests arrive, make sure things are clean and tidy. Sweep or vacuum the floor, put away things that have piled up on counters and tables. Make sure the guest bathroom is clean and supplied with soap, towels, and toilet paper.

Set a pleasant atmosphere by lighting a few candles and putting on some cheery music (not too loud!). If you have time, it’s nice to pick a few flowers from the garden for the table.

When guests arrive, be sure to greet them with a big smile and tell them you’re happy to see them. Offer them something to drink right away.

(Pro tip: when I’m entertaining someone for the first time, I always leave a few little things unfinished in the kitchen. If I realize that one of my guests is on the shy side, I ask if they can help me by putting the glasses on the table or peeling some carrots. Having a task to focus on can help an introvert get over the first awkward moments in a new setting with new people.)

 

PUT ON YOUR LISTENING EARS

The primary reason we entertain is because it helps us create or extend connections with other people. Giving other people a chance to tell their story is the most important, and most pleasurable, part of hospitality.

Before your guests arrive, start thinking of questions you’d like to ask them about themselves.  Try to go beyond the usual “what do you do for a living” and “do you have children” questions. Here are a few icebreaking questions that usually lead to interesting stories.

What was the best job you ever had? What was the worse? (That second one can lead to some hilarious tales!)

Do you have any trips coming up this year?

For couples, How did the two of you meet?  (This is one of my favorites. It always leads to an interesting story.)

For people who’ve recently moved, What made you decide to settle here?

For people who’ve always lived in the area, How has the town changed since you were a kid?

Those are just a few suggestions but you get the idea. Ask questions that will get people thinking, talking, and sharing their stories. When they’re talking, make sure you are really listening. Focus on their face, give them your eyes, your ears, and your complete attention.

More than anything else, I believe that people want to be heard.  Giving people the gift of a listening ear is the most important part of sharing hospitality with others.

At the end of the day, showing hospitality isn’t about how great your food is or how beautiful your home is. It’s about how you open your home and heart to others.

If you do so with sincerity and joy, you’re sure to get an A+ in Hospitality 101.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

The post Hospitality 101: How to be a Fierce Host appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

The Best Asparagus Recipe with Toasty Bread, Lemon & Feta

My grand darlings, all six of them, are coming to visit next week. My husband and I have worked meticulously on a fun (and very flexible!) itinerary and cannot wait to make some more memories with them. One of the reasons we moved out to Oregon was to lure their families into coming to visit us on a regular basis. It has worked so far! And how could it not? Oregon is such a beautiful place with so many fun things to do.

But what I learned last year, is that a few of these delightful little cubs aren’t very enthusiastic about any cuisine beyond macaroni and cheese or chicken nuggets. I know, I was as shocked as you are now. I’m sure some of you are smiling to yourself, thinking how your grandchildren have eaten braised leeks and roasted Brussel sprouts since they were 6 months old. That’s very impressive. Give their parents a pat on the back.

While I (quietly) worry about the kids not eating enough vegetables, I remember myself as a child. Crying over carrots. Begging my mom not to make me eat broccoli. I was that kid. So now we know where my grand-darlings get it.

The good news is that (almost) everyone grows up to enjoy vegetables and fresh food. It just takes a while (and maybe a little bribery) to grow their palates. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized just how important fresh foods are to my energy levels and my weight (thank you, Weight Watchers). I’ve also realized how much I love them, especially when they are prepared perfectly!

Food for Grownups and the Best Asparagus Recipe Ever

So where does this asparagus recipe come in? I’m enjoying it this week. Before the pitter patter of little palates comes storming my home. It’s food for grownups. And I’m going to enjoy every bite without overhearing some darling child loudly proclaiming “EWWWW” or making gagging noises.

Perfect for spring or summer, this is the best asparagus recipe ever because it can double as a side dish or an appetizer. Spread the feta whip on a crostini and top with asparagus or simply enjoy the feta and asparagus with a few toasty breadcrumbs. It would be a beautiful dish for Mother’s Day, a greater starter to snack on while you grill for Father’s Day, a beautiful Easter side, or the perfect pairing to accompany delicious Chardonnay on your front porch with your neighbors.

The lemon zest, garlic and sesame give the asparagus a fresh, aromatic character that really brings out the natural flavor of the shoots. The pan sauce made from the apple cider vinegar and honey brings out a little sweetness. The feta spread is salty and creamy and wonderful. The toasty bread or bread crumbs, depending on which route you take, give it a little carby, crunchy goodness that we all love.

Trust me, you will love this. Maybe even grandkids will love this. Who knows!

Here’s the best asparagus recipe on the internet, the ultimate food for grownups. Enjoy!

 

 

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The Best Asparagus Recipe with Toasty Bread, Lemon, and Feta




Author: Marie Bostwick

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 6 servings







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Description

This dish can be served as an appetizer by using toast points – I like to brush ciabatta with olive oil and roast in oven for a few minutes until toasty brown. If you would rather it serve as a side dish, simply crumble up a few breadcrumbs on top for a little crunch. So there are your two options: toast points slathered with feta spread and topped with asparagus, or asparagus with a dollop of feta spread and toasty breadcrumbs on top for a little crunch. Choose your adventure!

Ingredients

1 cup homemade, coarse breadcrumbs or 10 small slices of toasted ciabatta or some other fresh bread

3 TBS olive oil, divided

1 bunch asparagus, ends snapped*

2 TBS raw sesame seeds (I find these in the Asian aisle at my local grocery store)

zest of 1 lemon (you’ll need a rasp like this one)

3 cloves garlic, minced (I use my garlic press to do this quickly)

kosher salt and black pepper

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

1 tsp local honey

FETA SPREAD

8 oz reduced-fat feta cheese

1/4 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt

1 TB olive oil

1 TB water (for desired consistency)

*Instead of just trimming the ends of the asparagus, snap the shoot by bending on the end until it breaks. It will break right at the perfect point for tender, delicate shoots. That’s how you know. 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Make the toasty breadcrumbs or toast points. On a baking sheet, toss the bread or breadcrumbs with 1 TB olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Toast for 10 minutes or until golden and toasty.

In a casserole dish, toss the asparagus, sesame seeds, garlic, lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper with 2 TBS olive oil.  Roast for 25 to 30 minutes until the asparagus has a little charred color. Remove from oven and use tongs or a fork to set asparagus on serving platter, leaving all the juices in the casserole dish.

Once the oils and juices in the casserole dish have cooled for a couple minutes, add the apple cider vinegar and honey. Scrape the bottom of the dish to get all of the extra flavor. This is going to be the sauce, sort of like a vinaigrette.

To make the feta spread,  add the feta, greek yogurt, 1 TB olive oil, and about 1 TB of water into the bowl of your food processor and process for about 3 minutes, or until creamy and light. Season with pepper. You won’t need any more salt for this step, trust me.

Now it’s time to serve! Spread the feta on a large serving plate, place the asparagus on top, drizzle on the sauce, sprinkle with breadcrumbs or serve with toast points. I like this best slightly warm or at room temperature.

Bon appetit!

Category: appetizer, vegetable side dish

Keywords: asparagus, healthy sides, spring appetizers, summer appetizers, asparagus recipes, weight watchers

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fiercebeyond50 on Instagram and hashtag it #fiercebeyond50

The post The Best Asparagus Recipe with Toasty Bread, Lemon & Feta appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.

The 80/20 Rule: The Applications Are Everywhere

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN REFERRAL LINKS. IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND TAKE ACTION, I MAY BE COMPENSATED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

Do you ever feel like you’re running as fast as you can just to stay in one place?

I’m pretty sure everyone would answer yes to that question; at least at some point during their

lives. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

You see, when I was training for my first sprint triathlon last year….

Hang on.

A whole bunch of you see the words “training” and “triathlon” and think to yourselves, “this has

nothing to do with me. I’ve never competed for anything in my life.”

But you’re wrong. Everybody finds themselves embroiled in competition at some point – most

frequently with themselves. So, even if you’ve never run unless something was chasing you and

have no plans to do so in the future, there’s something in this post for you. Stick around because

this is important. (You can go look for the Miracle Muffin recipes later. They’re not going

anywhere.)

Triathalon 2.0 Training

Now, where was I? Oh, yes…

When I was training for my triathlon last year, I wasn’t sure if my first race would also be my

last. It was just so much work! But the second I crossed the finish line, my mind was made up. I

definitely wanted to do another triathlon – a faster one!

Since my finish time was pretty dismal – two hours and fourteen minutes, a pace basically equal

to what could be accomplished by your average amphibian – improving my time seemed

eminently doable. With steely determination and a cute new workout wardrobe, I spent long

hours in the gym all winter, keeping my eyes on the prize: a sub two-hour finish time.

I put my all into my training over the winter. I trained six days a week, ate right, and pushed

myself as hard as I could. I was sure that all my hard work would pay off when the temperatures

rose enough for me to get out of the gym and back on the road again.

But when spring finally arrived and I got back onto the running track and bike trail, I found that

my times had barely budged. After months of training, it still took me 16 minutes to swim 500

meters, about an hour to ride 12 miles, and 35 minutes to run a 5K. Talk about frustrating!

Well, after I got done feeling sorry for myself (this took a couple of weeks) I decided to figure

out why my body was stuck behind this barrier and if there was anything I could do about it. A

piece of me figured it was just an age thing – that I’d pushed my beyond-50 body as hard as it

could go and that was that.

I was right. Sort of.

When You Push…Over The Edge

I really had pushed my body as hard as I could. This, as it turns out, was exactly the problem.

Until fairly recently, I approached every training session with one goal in mind; to go faster than

I had the day before. In my mind, this made perfect sense. If you want to win races, or at least

improve your time, you should up your training pace. The way to race faster is to train faster,

right?

Wrong.

According the fitness experts who wrote the books I was reading, pushing as hard as you can in

every training session is an excellent formula for making sure you hit a wall. My personal

experience proved that the experts knew what they were talking about. I was running as hard as I

could and getting nowhere. (Runners, Racers, and Wannabees, the books are listed at the end of

the post. Read them. They were eye opening for me.)

Numerous studies involving every type of athlete, from elite to amateur, have shown that the best

training results come from following something called the 80/20 Rule. That means that means

that 80% of your workouts should be slow and steady and only 20% should be faster

and harder.

There’s more to it than that; read the books if you’d like more details. But it basically boiled

down to this: if you want to race faster, train slower.

Slowing Down

I have to be honest, this seemed entirely counterintuitive to me. But what I was doing definitely

was not working, so what did I have to lose?

For the next week, I ran slow. And when I say slow, I mean sloooooow, as in fourteen minutes

per mile. With a bit of effort, you can pretty much walk a mile in fourteen minutes.

Running slow was much harder than I thought it would be. After so many months consistently

running at a steady but demanding 11:30 pace, I just naturally fell back into that rhythm. The

second I let my mind wander, off I’d go, huffing and puffing and pushing myself to the limit.

Running slow required me to focus.

It took me a couple of sessions to get the hang of it. Once I did, I noticed two things. First, I was

actually enjoying my runs. Second, when I got the end of a run, even a long one, I felt like I

could have kept going. That was definitely a new sensation!

Creating Space For Speed

Before, when I was running fast every day, I never did more than 5K in a session. I couldn’t. By

the time I got to 5K, I always felt exhausted, like I had nothing left, which was true. Every day,

I’d given it my all. There was no more fuel left in my tank.

But when I ran slower, I not only felt like I could keep going, I felt like wanted to keep going.

Soon, I was able to run four or even five miles a session, and enjoy the experience.

Not only was running slower more fun, I could quickly tell that it was making me more fit.

Since I started running slow, my V02 Max has increased significantly (V02 Max shows how

much oxygen your body is able to consume during a maximum effort. It’s a good measure of

aerobic fitness). Also, when I am running hard now, my heart rate is about eight beats per minute

slower than before. I’ve still got a lot of training to do before my race in August, but I feel pretty

confident that my second race will be faster and more fun than my first.

The experts were right! If you want to race faster, you’ve got to train slower. Because when it

comes to racing, stamina, the ability to keep a steady pace over the long haul while holding

something in reserve for the finish, is more important than pure speed.

 

Creating Space In Your Life

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Personal experience has taught me that the 80/20 Rule

isn’t just for runners; it holds true for the long haul of life.

For the fifteen years since my first book was published, I’d been running the whole time. Every day was

a sprint. I regularly worked sixty and seventy hour weeks, and even more if my deadline was

looming. I have to admit; I took pride in that – too much pride. But Americans have always

valued those with a strong work ethic and I’m no exception.

I credit the fact that I truly love what I do for allowing me to keep up the pace for as long as I

did. But eventually, and inevitably, I hit a wall.

The details of what that looked like aren’t really important. Suffice it to say, I knew something

had to change. I either had to quit writing entirely, or figure out how to do it differently. Since I

really do love writing, I chose the latter.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

The transition didn’t happen overnight. There were quite a few steps involved and a little

backsliding here and there, but little by little I’ve changed the way I work. How?

I say no a lot more than I used to. When I do say yes, I think carefully before responding. I

prioritize my projects. I cut back on my travel. I don’t work on weekends anymore. Most

importantly, I’ve cut my workweek back to 50 hours.

And do want to hear something crazy? I am getting more (and better) writing done in a 50-hour

week than I ever did in a 60, 70, or 80 hour week. While I would love to lay claim to a new

discovery of workplace productivity, somebody else beat me to it.

A 2014 study at Stanford University shows that productivity starts to drop off beyond the 50-

hour workweek and takes a total nosedive after 55 hours. In fact, a person who works 70 hours a

week doesn’t produce any more output than a person working 55 hours.

Yup. It’s true. Those extra 15 hours get you absolutely nothing, except a lot of stress and

frustration. Take it from one who knows!

 

80/20 Is A Rule For Life

Look, I’m under no illusions that I’ll never again burn the midnight oil in pursuit of a deadline.

Deadlines happen. That’s part of the job, for writers and just about everyone else. Sometimes

you just have to lean in and get ‘er done.

But in racing as in life, the 80/20 Rule holds true.

If I spend 80% of my time at a slower, steadier, reliable pace that makes work a pleasure and

leaves me feeling like I could keep going, then I’ll have a reserve for the 20% of the time I need

to kick into a higher gear and run to the finish line, or the deadline.

If you want to race faster, train slower. If you want to live a successful life over the long haul,

pace yourself.

It’s a good rule. One that will leave you smiling when you cross the finish line.

80/20 For Running

As promised, for you Runners, Racers, or Wannabees, I highly recommend these books.

They’re all written for people like us (i.e., people whose Olympic dream is far behind

them).

Your First Triathlon, 2nd Ed.: Race-Ready in 5 Hours a Week

This is an excellent book for the first-time triathlete. It’s written in plain English, tells you all the

basics, and has training plans that are easy to follow.
Triathlon for the Every Woman: You Can Be a Triathlete. Yes. You. By Meredith Atwood.

I haven’t yet read the newly updated edition of this book but I found Meredith Atwood’s first

book very inspiring and informative. This new edition appears to be even better, with the most

current advice on training plans, nutrition, and updated resources.
80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster By Training Slower
Galloway’s 5K and 10K Running

Both of these books do a good job of explaining the principles of effective training for runners

and the research behind it. However, I liked Galloways’ book better because the training plan is

less complicated and easier to implement.)

The post The 80/20 Rule: The Applications Are Everywhere appeared first on Fierce Beyond 50.