Summer style with Sara Blaine for Willow House

So you should know that one of my passions is DESIGN.... which is why I represent this phenomenal jewelry designer... Sara Blaine  :)   So I'm Loving playing in my Jewelry box today as I style for summer!   Since I can't get to SEE all my clients and friends in person all the time, I thought I would share this fun little video ( under 2 minutes) to show you how to create a Simple Summer Style!   My first career was on stage and commercials... so I'm not shy in front of the camera! :)   Enjoy! 

Oh.. and just letting you know... we are looking for individuals who want to help us really catapult this new company to the next level...   If you don't know a Sara Blaine rep in your neighborhood, you may want to consider it for yourself... or share this with a friend!    What a gift to get into this when the timing is PERFECT!  Contact me for more info!

How to Stay in Shape

So with the busy lifestyle.... comes how to fit in diet and exercise!   It is necessary to stay fit.... and to feel healthy.   I wouldn't say that I am a fitness buff but I am fit enough.... I don't let it get too out of control before I reel it back in (usually around summer when I need to wear a bathing suit).   What do other busy women do to fit in exercise and diet on a routine basis that is DOABLE?    For example... I am not a get out of bed at 5am to exercise kind of gal..... I am too much of a night owl.    What "little things" do you do to keep it in check?  What are you favorite go-to snacks or meals and how do you stay in shape busy ladies?  :)

Oklahoma

I am stunned by the damage from the tornados today!  It makes me so sad.    It makes the busiest of people slow down and pray.... pray for the safety of our neighbors.... our kids... and know that while we are enjoying life and all the great things that it has to offer.... that life is so precious and can be disrupted so fast.   I feel so helpless.   As I watch people trying to rescue other people... I'm reminded at how we are good to our core.  On a daily basis, we hear all the divisiveness on the news.... the extreme dislike for anyone who thinks differently from us... when we are all human, all equal.  We should all have the same goal... to help one another and LOVE one another like we would ourselves.   I pray for Oklahoma and and I pray for our Society!

I'm BACK!!!!

I'm Back!    It's been almost a year since I have blogged... and I think it's because I really didn't get the point of blogging until now!    I'm excited to begin again.... and chat about LOTS of things!   Before I get started though, I have to share why I was "absent".... my company had a huge transition from selling home decor to designer jewelry... and this took all my energy to figure out!    This is a whole new industry and I had a lot to learn!  I'm so excited and energized again!   I feel stable and growing again and am getting "in the groove" so to speak,  although I still have a lot to do to grow this new business, however, I feel like I am ready to begin again... and blog about things that interest me.   We'll talk about design, fashion, home, food, organization,  and more!  There's not enough time in the day... Oh... I'm also a closet techie!   I love technology .... So just wanted to say hi.... and let you know that I'm back!   I can't wait to get started!  

Corned Beef and Cabbage Willow House STYLE!

Actually, I got this recipe from a Southern Living - "Fix it and Forget It" Crock Pot Recipe book but to serve it up Willow House style, All you have to do is use OUR beautiful GREEN Hyacinth covered Casserole ( GREEN of course) for St. Patty's day and you are ready to go!
Okay... GET ready, This is EASY!

Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage

3 carrots cut in 3 inch pieces ( I use pre-cut baby carrots and as many as my family would eat)
4 medium potatoes halved
2 lb corned beef brisket trimmed of all fat
2-3 med onions, quartered
3/4-1 1/4 cups water
Half a small head of cabbage, cut in wedges

• Layer all ingredients except cabbage in slow cooker
• Cover and cook on high 5-6 hours or on high 1 hour and then low 6-8 hours
• Add cabbage wedges to liqueid pushing down to moisten.  Turn to high and cook 2-3 more hours.

You can add a mixture of sour cream and horseradish to top individual servings if you like!

SO EASY!!!!  YUM!  

It's National Chili Day on Thursday!

Not sure who comes up with this stuff... but it DOES give us a reason to have a nice hot bowl of chili!   I will add that THIS particular recipe ( and I have tried a lot) is DELICIOUS and EASY and lower calorie and lower fat than most.   It's a Cooking Light recipe we have used for years!

Sometimes the simplest ingredients.... are the yummiest and this one is SIMPLE!   I make it AS is for people in my family who don't want it spicy... and then just add whatever you want to add that "kick" if you love it hot!  I am a huge fan of  Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce that can be found in the Asian section of the grocery store!  A few squirts of that.. .and you'll be needing a few glasses of water!  LOVE IT! 

Enjoy!

Crock Pot Chili

Yield

6 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups chili and 1 tablespoon cheese)

Ingredients

·         1  pound  ground round

·         1  cup  chopped onion

·         1/2  cup  chopped green bell pepper

·         1/4  cup  dry red wine or water

·         1  tablespoon  chili powder

·         1  teaspoon  sugar

·         1  teaspoon  ground cumin

·         1/4  teaspoon  salt

·         1  garlic clove, minced

·         1  (15-ounce) can kidney beans, undrained

·         1  (14.5-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes with jalapeño peppers and spices, undrained

·         6  tablespoons  (1 1/2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation

Cook the ground round in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until brown, stirring to crumble. Add chopped onion and the next 7 ingredients (onion through garlic), and cook for 7 minutes or until onion is tender. Place meat mixture in an electric slow cooker, and stir in beans and tomatoes. Cover with lid, and cook on low-heat setting for 4 hours. Spoon into bowls; sprinkle with cheese.

Note: The chili can be made on the stovetop if you don't have a slow cooker. After adding the beans and the tomatoes, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, 1 1/2 hours.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 243 (21% from fat)

Fat: 5.6g (sat 2.3g,mono 1.8g,poly 0.5g)

National Margarita Day

Well, it seems a little odd to have National Margarita day on the first day of Lent but it is what it is.  Maybe they should have made it Fat Tuesday! :)  Anyway... Margarita's remind me of vacations... and summer so let's start planning!    Wouldn't it be fun to have a THEME party to try different types of Margaritas?

Either TRY our Willow House Margarita mix or Mix your own?  What's your Favorite recipe?