Thoughtful Thursday!

Dear 16 Year Old Me!

A great message for everyone!

Creative Shoe Organizer!

Here is a neat idea I came across for storing and organizing your shoes :)

Cut

Bend

Twist

Cover with decorative duck tape

Hang

Enjoy!

Pesto Linguini and Shrimp!

This is a quick and easy recipe to make a delicious homemade dinner. 

Ingreidents:

Pesto

Shrimp

Pasta

 

• You can use store bought pesto but I prefer to make mine from scratch.  Its simple and quick process that brings incredible flavor to your meal.  To find the pesto recipe go here! 

• Next I defrost my frozen shrimp in a bowl under cool running water. (you can also use fresh raw shrimp)

• On the stove I start boiling a pot of water for the pasta.

• Next I measure out my Gluten Free linguini to ensure proper servings.

• If your shrimp are shelled you can easily remove the shells under running water.

• While I leave the shrimp to drain in the sink I add the pasta to boiling water

• In a large warm skillet I add the shrimp and cook till pink on one side then flip them over.

• Once the shrimp is flipped I add a few teaspoons of the pesto and begin to saute the shrimp.

 

After draining the cooked pasta

I add it to the skillet and top it off with more pesto

• Stir the shrimp, pesto and pasta for a few minutes

• Then serve! I like to top it off with a bit of pecorino romano grated cheese.

For this post I used 4 Tbsp of oil and opted to leave out the pine nuts while making the pesto.  Each serving has 11 Weight Watcher Points Plus Values.  Yields 2 Servings

Homemade Pesto Recipe!

I love pesto! Lately I have had a lot of basil growing in my garden anda have been finding many uses for it.  Before I left on a trip I wanted to be able to use the large amount I had growing for fear it may die while I  was away.  Right away I thought about making pesto.  At first I wasn't sure if the large amount I had was even enough to make a decent amount of pesto.  After some reading I knew it would be a perfect way to transform my basil into numerous delicious meals in the future.  It is a simple and easy process anyone can do.  Here is recipe for how to make pesto.

40 Basil leaves 

(you can add parsley if you like or if you don't have enough basil)

1/4cup Romano cheese

(you can also use Parmesan)

2 cloves of garlic

1/4cup pine nuts

(optional) 

2Tbsp Olive Oil

2Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(you may need to add more oil to get the desired consistency) 

A Dash of Salt

I start by putting my Basil leaves and Olive Oil in my Ninja Blender and pulse a few times to break down the leaves. You can use any sort of blender or food processor.

Next I add the cheese, garlic, salt and pine nuts if desired, then pulse the blender a few more times.

The last step is to add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (you can use more olive oil or canola oil if desired or if you don't have EVOO).  I add it slowly and blend the pesto in between to reach the desired consistency.  I like my pesto to resemble a thin paste.

Then Enjoy! 

There are so many uses for pesto.  You can use it as a sauce, a spread, a drizzle or as an ingredient in so many dishes.  I love it on pasta or as a spread in a caprese panini.

Have you ever made your own pesto? 

It's easy being green!

Like me, many people don't always know if their natural or organic products are the real deal.  Here is a quick and simple cheat sheet to help you find the products that deliver what they claim.  When  shopping for natural and organic products you want to look for these seals of approval!

 USDA ORGANIC 

In order to certified USDA Organic at least 95% of the ingredients must meet the USDA's National Organic Program standards for how their components are grown, mined and processed. 

 

NATURAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

For a brand to even be considered for this certification, at least 60% of it's entire line must be natural.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET PREMIUM BODY CARE

Any item that earns this seal is made without any of the 400 "unacceptable" ingredients identified by Whole Foods Market.

 

ECOCERT

This is a European authority that requires at least 95% of a products ingredients to be of natural origin, and 10% organic.

Natural Egg Dyes!

It's that time of year again and why not try some natural methods for dying Easter eggs this year. Forget using harsh synthetic colors and dyes, natural coloring derived from food can produce sweet, subtle hues that are sure to please anyone!  Check out our post from last year on Natural Dyes!

  Click here to learn 3 easy methods to dye eggs naturally

22 Things Happy People Do Differently!

 I Love this..

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves. 

The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …

1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.

2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.


3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.

4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.

5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.

6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.


7. Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.

8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.

9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.


10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.

11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.

12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.


13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.

14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.

15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.

16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.


17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.

18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.




19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.

20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.

21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.

22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

Originally found on Life'd: 22 Things Happy People Do Differently.