Nine Of My Favorite Things This Week

{cocktail hour! recipe coming this Saturday for cocktail Saturday!) Hi guys! Hope you’re all having a great weekend. I’m excited to spend my day preparing for the week ahead, which will probably consist of catching up on emails, jotting down a few new ideas, cleaning up/organizing my house (because umm, I never got to it last weekend), laundry, heading outside for a hike, and hopefully finishing the night off with the Oscars! What are your plans for the day?

{my favorite golden hour light} So getting right into things, let’s delve into my list: 1. Speaking of the Oscars, will you be watching tonight? I’ve never been much of an awards show watcher, but I’m trying to be a bit more “in the know” with things outside of the cooking world. This probably means I should spend a little time this afternoon learning about the movies/actors nominated…huh? I am so clueless! If any of you are really into the Oscars, I highly recommend checking out this fun Oscar’s ballot (it’s so cute!). PS. If you’re looking for a fun Oscar’s night cocktail, I’m thinking these champagne mules would work perfectly. Yes, please! 2. It’s officially Spring cookbook season and I am so excited to be sharing a few of my favorites here on the site over the next few weeks. In the meantime, here are some of the books I am loving. Fresh by Donal Skehan, Dinner by Melissa Clark, Naturally Nourished by Sarah Britton, The Poke Cookbook by Martha Cheng, Lexi’s Clean Kitchen by Alexis Kornblum, The First Mess Cookbook by Laura Wright, Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry.

3. I am doing some travel and absolutely loved this post on how to pack for a business trip like a pro. Planning out my outfits it going to be key for me. This is something I always have trouble doing. Typically I’ll just throw my cutest clothes in a bag and pray for the best, but I’m going to spend some time actually pulling out all of my outfits for the trip. Hoping this will relieve some anxiety and help me to feel prepared for what’s ahead!
4. I mentioned this week that I’ve been playing some major comparison games with myself. I found this article on how to avoid the comparison game really helpful. Tip number three struck me the most. Sometimes we need to step back and remember what we love most. For me, that is the creative side of recipe development and photography. Sometimes I can get so caught up in what I think others will like that I forget to just be my creative self, to be inspired and to have fun with my recipes and photos. It can be hard because I feel like some things must be this or that, but in the end, as long as I am happy with the product I am putting out, that’s all that matters! I highly recommend reading this if you often find yourself playing the comparison game. On this same topic, I loved this article on how to let go of negative thoughts. It’s in my blood line to always sway on the negative side of things, but lately I’ve really been trying to make an effort to stop the negative thoughts, and I thought this article had awesome advice. 5, NEW VIDEOS! oatmeal chocolate chunk peanut butter swirled brownies…the most delicious mouthful there ever was. 30 minute healthy kickin’ cajun chicken…just in time for Mardi Gras this week! warm chocolate chip cookie stuffed soft pretzels…one of the most popular recipes on the site (and with good reason). 6 ingredient raspberry orange pastry flowers…for Sunday brunching…obviously. cauliflower crust “pizza” with chickpea “pepperoni”…pizza done the extra healthy way…promise, it’s so good and cheesy!
5. While we are on the topic of videos, I finally filmed my first ever Facebook Live on Friday and made these healthy…ish chocolate chip cookie bars with you guys. I guess technically this was my third Facebook Live, my first was on the Food Network’s page (oh how I cringe watching that…) and my second FB Live I did on Wednesday, but I had some serious tech issues and ended up have to delete it. UGH. Glad to report that Friday’s video went well and I am super excited to start sharing a new live video with you guys once a week or so. I love the interaction with you all, and cooking live just feels like we all know each other! So what recipes do you guys want to see next? Anything other than recipes you want to see? Be sure to let me know!
6. I’ve been in need of some make-up help lately, and after a little research online, I came across this post and knew immediately that it was the exact routine I needed. I’ve been doing this routine daily for the last week and half..ish and have been loving it. I am now obsessed with finding new beauty products, any good suggestions?
7. My go to style girl Caitlin sent me these pants and I could not be more in LOVE with them. They are certainly a statement piece, and for someone who’s normally in leggings or jeans, I’m seriously loving the switch up. PS. they are so comfy and look SO MUCH cuter on than you’d think. Just sayin’.
8. This week’s dinners: 30 minute teriyaki chicken, one pan lemon roasted salmon, potatoes, and asparagus, vietnamese meatball and sweet potato noodle bowl, greek goddess chicken lettuce wraps, an Irishman’s mac and cheese.

title: “Nine Of My Favorite Things This Week " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-25” author: “Gregory Williamson”

{The photo above is of my chocolate dipped coconut macaroons. I re-shot these for a little Valentine’s Day fun! Check out the post to learn how you can purchase the ingredients needed to make these…and the best part, all of the proceeds will go to my charity of choice, Love Your Brain – Perfect Valentine’s Day gift!} So happy Super Bowl Sunday! I hope you’re all having a great weekend! After a busy week, I was so happy for a chill weekend. I spent most of Saturday working on some cookbook recipes that I needed to re-shoot…or more accurately, photos that I personally did not like. It was driving me crazy that I didn’t like them, so I asked my editor to please allow me to re-shoot them.The last week or so I’ve been madly working on trying to finish up every last photo for the book. I’m really excited because this coming week I will get to see the first mock-up copy of the book. Meaning the photos, recipes and all my writing will be together…hopefully looking beautiful! This is kind of like the “first draft” and it’s when my editor, publishing team and I will go back and forth and make any edits/adjustments to the layout of the book. We’ll also be deciding if any photos need to be re-shot or extras added to the line-up. Really excited about all this, but also nervous. Hoping everything starts to come together and look perfect…ish. 🙂 So what are you guys excited for this week? Anything fun happening? Below are Nine of My Favorite Things this Week, enjoy! 1. Will you be watching the Super Bowl tonight? Personally I’m most excited for the half time show, but I’m planning on making these salsa verde enchiladas, with a side of this guacamole, and these pineapple beer margaritas. Oh, and since my littler brother is flying in today and will be home for a total of like five minutes, I will also be making him Penne…which is a cookbook recipe that I am way too excited to share with you guys. What are you making today? Be sure to tag any HBH recipes that you make #halfbakedharvest on Instagram! PS. I loved this post on my My Domaine: 6 easy Super Bowl recipes 2. Speaking of the HBH cookbook. We are trying to decide between three photos for the cover. I can’t show you the photos yet, but what do you guys think? Pasta, sammie or “bowl” style recipe? My thoughts? Always, pasta. Always. 3. My family is planning a vacation for this summer with all nine of my immediate family, along with my cousins, plus everyone’s girlfriends, boyfriends, and let’s be honest probably any friends that want to tag along too. BIG GROUP. There have been talks of heading to New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Spain. Personally, I am down to go to any of the places on list of the ten best infinity pools around the world. Family, if you are reading, just pick somewhere warm, with the bluest waters. Remember, I missed out on Mexico last year… Question: any suggestions on where we should head? What about Jamaica? Maybe Costa Rica? Let us know your favorite travel destinations! 4. Favorite style pin of the week is this look. Loving the long and elegant skirt paired down with a classic leather jacket…soo cute. 5. NEW VIDEOS! I put up my very favorite spinach and artichoke melt just in time for Super Bowl Sunday…or really any other day of the year. Honestly, this is my favorite grilled cheese/melt, it’s the best. I love a really good veggie burger and this crispy quinoa burger topped with sweet potato fries is at the top of my list, and apparently yours too since it’s the most popular burger recipe, veggie or meat, that is one the blog. YUM. OK and last, but definitely not least, my all time favorite healthy dessert…fudgy avocado brownies with chocolate fudge frosting. <– game changer. 6. I’ve been thinking a lot about some fun things to do here on the blog and one of my thoughts was getting you guys more involved in the cooking! I am still not sure just how to do this, but maybe something like every Monday night we cook dinner together on Facebook live? Maybe we could make that days 30 Minute Dinner? Or maybe we just do it once a month? I dunno, it’s just a thought, but I love the idea of hanging with you guys and really getting to connect! What do you think? Would you join in? Putting more thought into this today, so let me know if you have ideas! 7. Here are a few links that I am loving: I found this post on 6 ways to be more persuasive so interesting. If you are a boss lady or just trying to umm, get exactly what you want in life, read this post. Also, I’m honored to be included in this list of 9 foodies to follow for serious food inspiration. Spring is a long ways off here in Colorado and surprisingly I’m still loving these white winter days (also very happy the days are getting longer…thank God), but these 8 spring cocktails have me excited for what is to come. Plus, I’ve been loving making cocktails lately. I’m really excited to share a post with you later in the week that’s super fun and involves another yet another cocktail! 8. Favorite Instagram post of the week? Without a doubt, this living room. <–serious cozy home envy…love. 9. Last up…six dinners I hope to make this week: spicy brown rice seared tuna bowl, whole wheat spinach and artichoke pizza, quick + simple pasta “risotto with herbed chickpeas, poblano mushroom tacos with cilantro yogurt, crockpot Moroccan lentil and chickpea soup.  

title: “Nine Of My Favorite Things This Week " ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-08” author: “Sharla Bishop”

Last week I asked you guys what type of post you might like to see on Sundays. There was a lot of awesome feedback and I now have so many fun ideas! Today I am sharing five of my favorite things from last week. I hope you enjoy a little sneak inside what inspires me and excites me on a weekly basis. If you have suggestions for any upcoming Sunday posts, be sure to let me know! 1. I’m going to be working on some fun home projects the next couple of months and I’m pretty much obsessed with the work of Amber Lewis. If you guys have not checked out her work, you really have to. Follow her on Insta for some serious home inspiration. Fun Fact: you’ve all heard me talk about my brother Brendan’s girlfriend Lyndsie, while Amber is Lyndsie’s sister! We all spent New Years together here in Colorado and it was so fun. Amber did a little mini makeover of my kitchen and it’s the cutest it’s ever looked! 2. Currently I am on the hunt for some new clothes. New year, new stuff, right? I think I just got tired of wearing the same thing every single day so I have been madly pinning to my Style board on Pinterest. I’m loving this simple, everyday look of jeans and a t-shirt. PS. if I ever go somewhere that’s above 80 degrees, I am all about this look of the cutout back. 3. A lot of you guys ask where I buy all my dishes used in my photos, well the answer…my dishes literally come from everywhere. Australia, Thailand, California, London, pretty much everywhere. That said, one of my go-to US-based stores is Anthropologie. I probably order something every few months. I just bought these wine glasses. 4. It’s been pretty snowy here since the start of December. I am not complaining…yet. The cold and snowy days have left me wanting comfort food. Since I am still embracing Healthy January, this Black Bean and Lentil Chili with Sweet Potato Fries was my favorite easy dinner I made this week. My favorite cocktail of the week? These Spicy grapefruit Margaritas! 5. Favorite Instagram photo of the week? This one of my brother Red. I could not be prouder of this kid. He is taking the (snowboard) world by storm and I am pretty excited to watch him this weekend at X-Games. Of course, I will be covering my eyes the entire time, watching Red fly thirty plus feet high in the air, for over 100 feet is possibly the most nerve-racking thing ever. I’ll be posting it all on Instagram stories, so follow along! 6. NEW VIDEOS! We have been trying to post more videos and here are my two favorites of the week: Brown Rice Tortilla Soup..with avocado n’ things, and One Pot French Onion Pasta Bake. 7. Three ingredient desserts that are actually healthyish? Umm, ok! 8. This article on Jessica Alba Aways love a little career advice from inspiring women, so was a fun read and video! 9. 9 Kitchen Essentials Too Gorgeous to Hide in a Cabinet. <–such a fun post! ps. Dreaming of going here.