Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse: Spicing It Up

We use a lot of herbs and spices when experimenting in the kitchen. And we usually buy them in bulk at Winco: the savings are exorbitant. But what to do to store them? They get stale quickly if kept in plastic bags, and with just twist ties to hold them closed, the spice cabinet can get messy fast.

Initially I was all gung-ho to use repurposed jars and chalkboard paint. I saved every jar we emptied - from Ragu to Mrs. Renfro's to giant Vlassic pickle jars. Patience is challenging for me when it requires me to be somewhat of a hoarder. I hate clutter and saving jars nearly pushed me over the edge. But I did my best to keep the vision in my head.

Once I painted the lids and actually tried writing in chalk on the chalkboard painted lids, however, I was disappointed. My handwriting looked crummy and the chalk smeared almost immediately. I suppose you could cover the lids with a lacquer to seal the chalk. But seriously, attempting nice handwriting with chalk on a tiny lid is hard! I think some DIYers out there have some tricks they're not sharing...

Anywho, in the meantime, I went to a friend's birthday party and she had us write our names in Sharpies on our glasses. She thought it would be a fun memento. Unfortunately for her, when she washed the glasses the permanent marker washed right off. Fortunately for me, I'd found the solution to labeling my spice jars.

What you need:

• Clean glass jars, any size and shape
• Paint for the lids (Chalkboard paint can be found at Walmart or most craft stores and seems to stick well to the lids.)
• Permanent marker
• Patience:)

I think patience is key! But I'm happy with the end result.

The 5 Love Languages

Knowing how your partner accepts, receives, and displays love can truly help simplify your relationship. A friend of mine told me about a test you can take to find out how you (and your significant other) best receive and reciprocate love, called Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages. I found this information to be extremely helpful and think you will, too.

• Words of Affirmation: We all like to hear that what we do has validity. But if hearing this from your spouse or significant other validates you, then this love language might be your predominant one.
• Acts of Service: This is me to a tee. If you love me, then show me. As simple as taking out the trash or making me a cocktail, or as complex as remodeling my house or rebuilding my car's transmission, I'll love it.
• Receiving Gifts: The gifts don't have to be elaborate, just something to say, "I thought of you while I was out and about," can be enough.
• Quality Time: People who want to be shown love in this way want you to truly be in the moment with them, no matter the activity. Just be present.
• Physical Touch: Holding hands, hugging, kissing, massage -- those who appreciate love in this way want physical affection that says, "I'm here for you."

Nobody said love was simple or easy. But knowing how your partner most appreciates being loved can help improve communication and simplify your relationship.

Control vs. Simplicity

The tarot card above is from the Osho Zen Tarot deck. If you're into that sort of thing, this card reminds us if we try too hard to control our lives and the situations surrounding us, we can miss out on experiences and personal growth. In addition, we most certainly can't control the lives and minds of others and will only hurt ourselves (and others) if we try. Plus, control can complicate things and increases stress, whereas acceptance can reduce a lot of anxiety.

I spoke with a very wise woman the other day about the issue of control. I've advised plenty of friends throughout the years not to try so hard to force things and mold the world to fit their belief systems. We can make choices to help drive our lives in certain ways. But ultimately nothing is certain. Circumstances above and beyond our control often change the outcome to something we had not idea would come our way. Sometimes, it's good. Sometimes, not so good. But you can always learn from the change brought on by our ultimate lack of control.

That said, I realized I've recently tried my hand at controlling something -- or someone -- out of my hands. My partner in life, love and whatever comes our way is a dreamer. I'm more cautious and prefer to avoid risks whenever possible. When he shares his dreams and whims with me, I project my own way of thinking and assume what he says will become reality. Sometimes it does, but just as often he is simply sharing his dreams and thinking aloud. Regardless, all I can do is share my concerns and needs and try my best to listen, really listen, to his concerns and needs. And someday one of those grandiose dreams might just significantly benefit both of us. Then again, someday those dreams could hurt us. Or maybe they'll help him, but not me. I simply have to stay in the moment, appreciate each day we have together and accept whatever this short life has to offer.

Simple Chicken Breasts: The Rules You Can Break and The Ones You Shouldn't

Chicken breasts are a staple in our household. Simple and diverse: you can do so much with them - baked, broiled, barbecued, stuffed... the list goes on. Tonight, I ventured from a tried and true recipe and followed suit of Shane's creativity in the kitchen. The key to simplicity, though, is to work with what you have in the refrigerator and pantry.

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise
Sour cream - Crema Mexicana is hands down, the best sour cream ever.
Ranch dressing
Mild green salsa
Pepper jack cheese, grated
Fresh romano cheese, grated
Herbs de Provence or Italian Seasoning
Panko bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray, olive oil or butter. Add layer of chicken breasts, then cover with layers of above toppings, making sure to cover evenly. Also, be sure to use bread crumbs as a final topping. Cook for 35-50 minutes, depending on elevation. Take out of oven, drain excess liquid with a baster if necessary. Return to oven under broiler for a few minutes crisp bread crumb topping. Serve with your choice of sides, for example wild rice and broccoli.

If you follow a few general rules, your chicken breasts can turn out perfectly: moist, yet crisp on the outside.

Know your oven and your elevation. I typically bake things 10 degrees higher than the recipe calls for and often a bit longer. When I lived at a lower elevation, I did the opposite. Broiling is a different matter: I keep a close eye on what I'm cooking to ensure I don't burn whatever I have in the oven. If I don't, my little calico howls and yowls her concerns:)

Slice chicken breasts lengthwise or butterfly them to speed up the cooking process. They also seem more tender this way. You can buy the thinner chicken tenders that have already been sliced, although they often add to the cost.

Make sure you cover chicken breasts with enough liquids. This ensures that they cook fully. Chicken breasts are so mild: they'll absorb pretty much whatever spices and whatnot you throw on them.

Don't be afraid to experiment. If you're concerned about the liquids you cook chicken in becoming over-liquidy, add a bit of flour to soak up the excess moisture.

Coconut Oil: Simple Skin Care

Recently I've read all sorts of hype about the wonders of coconut oil. I wanted to try it, but hesitated because I worried my sensitive skin would break out. On a recent mini-vacay to the Pacific Northwest an older woman with beautiful skin suggested I try it. Actually, she told me if I didn't use coconut oil I'd look old. A little forward coming from a stranger, but I was convinced. And given the the fact that she had no wrinkles or visible pores at 76, she seemed like a legitimate source. When I returned home to arid Nevada, I started my mission to find it. I didn't want to go to Whole Foods -- I wanted to shop local. Seemed like more of an adventure that way. Well, it took three tries, but I found some in the cooking section of an Indian grocery store, called Spice Rack Market. You can also find the brand I bought on Amazon.

*Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Run closed bottle under hot water for a few moments to liquify.*

The stuff is awesome: it's simple, cheap and only has one ingredient. I use it mostly on my face - it absorbs quickly and evenly. And I don't get that afternoon sheen that happened with regular lotions. It also works great as a massage oil and as a leave-in hair conditioner when used sparingly. And one of these days, I plan to try cooking with it, too. As far as oil pulling goes, I'm still a little nervous to give that a whirl.

Striving for Simplicity

I'm a late bloomer and new to this blog thing. I don't want this to be a food blog, nor do I want it to be a relationship blog. But these things are important to a lot of us. Let's face it, we have to eat. And whether we're in a romantic relationship or not, most of us have to work with others in some form or another, whether it be in living situations, at work, or in friendships or family dynamics. But it's important to value yourself and your own time, too. I strive to do the following on a weekly basis, at the very least.

Set aside alone time. After 10 years of living alone, I am a pro at this. It's crucial to my well-being: more important to those of us who are introverts, but even you extroverts need to be comfortable in your own skin.
Share household duties with loved ones -- roommates, family members, and the like. If you have imbalance in cooking, cleaning, yardwork -- all those simple chores that eat up free time, then you can end up with hostility. Appreciate and acknowledge what you and others do in your household.
Get out in nature. There's nature everywhere. Look for it. Seek it out. And be in it.
Make time for friends and family. I have to work on this one. Alone time is so necessary for my existence that I tend to put myself first, my relationship second, and my friends and family last. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for these folks. I love them and strive to make more time for them.
Learn from others. Open your eyes. Everyone has a story to tell, and you most likely can learn a lesson from them. Listen. Always.
Create something. Anything. It doesn't matter what it is, and it's unique for each and every one of us. Just do it:)
Keep on top of the things we consider chores. I hate doing laundry. More importantly, I hate sorting, folding and putting it away. But seriously, what good do I do avoiding something that takes an extra few minutes? Unless I procrastinate and I have a giant teetering tower of unsorted socks to tackle?

Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Meatballs: Real Men Don't Follow Directions

Tonight, I had things to do and it was Shane's turn to cook spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs. I consider this to be pretty simple, but follow a recipe to ensure consistency.

I set out some key tools (primarily, the recipe) before retiring to my Anne Cave for some long neglected work. After a bit, I came out to investigate the progress. Well, he'd cooked the spaghetti squash to specs, as usual. But instead of using the olive oil in the pan, he'd added it to the meatball mix. He'd also tossed in some leftover steamed broccoli and a handful of additional herbs and spices. It hurts to admit it, but ultimately, Shane's meatballs were better than mine.

To the best of my knowledge, this is his Turkey Meatball recipe:

Main Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (20 oz) package ground turkey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup old fashioned oats

Shane's Secret Spices:
BBQ seasoning
Italian seasoning
onion powder
garlic powder
cayenne pepper
dried chives

Something Extra:
Leftover steamed broccoli
Leftover minced garlic

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with additional olive oil and place it in the oven while preheating.
In a medium bowl, mix together ground turkey, egg, oil and oats using your hands. Form meatballs (apparently, the bigger the better) and place in hot baking dish, making sure they don't touch to keep them from sticking. (And if you ask me, keep them under 1 1/2 inch in diameter.)
Bake for 15 minutes in preheated oven, then turn them over and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes or until somewhat crispy on the outside.

Spaghetti Squash Cooking Instructions:
For the spaghetti squash, cut it in half and remove seeds. Then cook in a casserole dish, skin side up and covered with foil for about an hour at 350 degrees or until easily pierced with a fork.

Serve meatballs and spaghetti squash with marinara or your choice of sauce. To keep it simple, use prepared sauce. Feel free to add a few of your own special ingredients, like Shane did. He'd say he was a little heavy-handed on the cayenne. I'd say it was perfect.

Someday, I'll learn: leave the man alone in the kitchen. He knows what he's doing. And chances are, he'll use some leftovers I had no idea what to do with.

Nannie's Sweet and Savory Ham Loaf

In the 1950s, my grandmother borrowed this ham loaf recipe from a neighbor in DuPont, Washington, and it's been a family favorite ever since. The sauce is key: like my uncle said when my aunt tried to make it more healthful, "If you don't make the sauce, please don't bother."

Tonight I made it for the first time. I didn't think it would be simple, but Shane and a friend started our fence replacement project this afternoon, so I figured I could putter around in the kitchen and stay out of the way. It actually turned out to be a pretty simple recipe.

Before I started the famous sauce, I got busy making the ham loaf:

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground ham (cooked) - I used a food processor to grind the ham.

1 1/2 lbs ground pork sausage

1 cup oatmeal

2 eggs

1 cup milk

salt and pepper

Mix these ingredients well. I started with a spoon, but ended up using my hands to make sure I'd mixed everything thoroughly. Press into 2 loaf pans. No need to grease them, especially if they're nonstick. Bake 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, back to the important stuff: the sauce. The sauce actually requires two parts, but is far more simple than it sounds.

Sauce Step #1

Ingredients;
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

Melt these three key ingredients and stir to blend. Cool a bit after melted, but warmer than room temperature.

 Sauce Step #2

Ingredients

3 egg yolks

2 teaspoons yellow mustard

1/2 can tomato soup

Mix the ingredients for Step #2 in a bowl, then combine with the cooled ingredients from Step #1. Return to the pan and heat until thickened, stirring regularly.

I would have posted pictures of the finished product, but we were all starving: me from smelling the delicious aromas while cooking, and the guys from tearing down the old fence and digging holes for the posts they'll install tomorrow. All I can say is, it tasted almost as good as when Nannie used to make it.

Eat, Play, Love: What Dogs Teach Me Every Day

Talk about living in the moment and being present. Here are 10 things to learn from dogs:

• Eat when hungry.
• Drink when thirsty.
• Sleep when tired.
• Make new friends as often as possible.
• Explore nature.
• Ask for affection.
• Be generous with love.
• Play every chance you get.
• Listen.
• Be ready for an adventure at a moment's notice.

Now if only they could help pay the bills:)

Zen and the Art of Auto Mechanics

When the economy gets unstable, we do what we can to make ends meet. Taking care of your car can make it run better and make it last longer, too. Regular maintenance also can and will save you money in the long run.

For the past two years, I've had the honor to work in the auto mechanics industry. No, I don't work on cars.  But the guys have taught me a lot of things I never planned to know. For instance, brake cleaner will clean stains off clothing and remove tape residue from glass. But that's beside the point. They also preach the necessity of regular maintenance and fixing your car when the initial problem arises, rather than procrastinating. And they know what they're talking about.

Here's a list of a few maintenance items to stay on top of:

Oil Changes: Generally, you should get oil changes done every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but check your owner's manual for specifications. Also, when buying a new car, keep in mind that upkeep for vehicles requiring full synthetic oil will cost a lot more than regular oil.

Timing Belts: Check the owner's manual to see when they need to be replaced and don't stray much from this recommended mileage for replacement. Make sure to have your mechanic keep an eye on them, too. If one of these breaks, your car will be in a world of hurt. And so will your wallet.

Brakes: Obviously, well-working brakes help keep you and others safe on the road. But there's more to brakes than just pads. If the rotors are worn, they can often be resurfaced if you catch them in time. If not, you have to replace them, greatly increasing the expense.

Scheduled Inspections: Your vehicle needs maintenance repairs at certain points in its lifespan, most likely in 30,000 or 50,000 mile increments. If you don't have your owner's manual, your trusted mechanic can access this information and give you a list of what needs to be done.

Find a mechanic you trust and build a solid relationship with that shop. A great way to do this is to ask around. Don't just think of your mechanic as a grease monkey. Your mechanic is your car's doctor. Also expect that it could take a few days or even a week to get in to a good shop. Think about it: how long do you have to wait to see a good physician, dermatologist, or dentist?

Arguing and Simplicity

Sometimes sharing a life with someone, no matter how much you love him or her, doesn't feel very simple.

I'm not the best at compromise and communication. But I'm getting better, thanks to the love of my life, Shane. He makes me talk, even when I just want to hole up in my Anne Cave and paint angry paintings. Being an introvert, I process things more slowly before I speak. This frustrates him, because he says what he thinks as soon as he thinks it. I envy his candor, but at the same time I like processing things more slowly. But it's not good to let things stew, either! As a healthy relationship newbie, here are some things I've learned in the past two years:

• Say what you mean. Don't expect the other person to read between the lines. Do you know what they're thinking? Probably not. And they don't know what you're thinking either.
• Keep the argument and/or discussion on task. Don't bring up old stuff: that's just fighting dirty.
• Don't assume. Ask plenty of questions. As my dad likes to say, when you assume, it makes an ass out of 'u' and 'me'.
• Be honest. Even the white lies can, and most likely will, catch up with you.
• Accept that other people may have different ways of communicating than you do. Shane's ability to voice his mind immediately versus me being slow to speak up has taught me that. I also have a close friend who thinks out loud, which hurt my feelings in the past, but going forward I plan to do my best to remember we're simply different.

Occasionally, I miss the days when I answered to no one, and an elaborate meal consisted of an egg scramble or grilled salmon for one and a tossed salad. I liked when the only shoes and dirty clothes cluttering the floor were mine. But I would never trade what I have for what I had.

The Necessity of Simplicity

I adored sparkly things and dreamed of buying a roomy house with plenty of amenities. I also thought the size of my paycheck somehow reflected my personal worth. After enduring a few lay-offs and having to watch my finances more closely, I started to discover what's truly important to me.

Love: I've learned a lot about love in the past few years. And unless you count the unconditional love from my two dogs and (mostly unconditional love) from my two cats, an important lesson I've realized is that no matter what, love requires compromise, compassion, and empathy. Many of those closest to me have gone through some sort of turmoil, especially in recent years. I try to remember we're all the center of our own universe, all wrapped up in what we perceive to be of utmost importance. Stepping back and realizing this helps me remember most people don't intentionally hurt others. Often, they just want to make themselves feel better and they get buried by their own burdens.

Being Present: Life can get overwhelming sometimes. It takes a lot of strength to not worry about the future, or feel guilty or angry about the past. To truly appreciate the here and now, I try to remember to leave work stresses at work and not dwell on things I can't fix. This rings true with interpersonal relationships, too. I've also found that the more I stay in the moment and feel truly grateful and happy, the more positive energy I attract.

Fresh Air and Motion: Enjoying nature -- whether on a balcony watching a sunset, puttering in a backyard vegetable garden, hiking with friends, or walking the dogs around the neighborhood -- can truly clear the mind. It's also a great way to sneak exercise into your life without having to join a stuffy gym. In the past, I spent plenty of time in gyms, strictly to maintain my outward appearance. But I always felt like a hamster in a cage. Being outdoors makes me happy.

Creativity: Making time for creative outlets helps keep my mind open. I love to paint and write in my small but perfect Anne Cave. But creativity comes in other forms. Preparing a wholesome meal, baking bread from scratch, arranging plants in the garden, and helping friends plan parties are great creative outlets, as well.

Organization and Minimal Clutter: I breathe easier with less mess. The cleaner my kitchen counters are, the more well-balanced I feel. That said, I have a tendency to be a closet slob. When I keep the cabinets and closets orderly, I save time looking for stuff. Shoving things out of sight might make my house look tidy, but it causes frustration when I can't find something. And eventually the clutter starts showing. Being fully organized and discarding or donating things I don't need is a work-in-progress:)

I do have the house of my dreams; but at 728 square feet, it's about half the size I thought I needed. And I always thought I'd live alone, but found someone who helps fill it with love, making it truly a home. My job pays the bills. And every day I remind myself to stay in the moment and remember that everything -- good, bad, and neutral -- is temporary.