Snacks!

I get asked a lot about snack options when on the 30 day cleanse. I have a few, can't go wrong, options that I always have on hand. I always have plenty of fresh vegetables washed, cleaned, and cut into grab and go sizes. I also always have hummus, salsa, and Mary's Gone Crackers in my pantry and fridge. Sometimes,though, you just need something different. Don't be afraid to be creative. One of my favorite things to make are baked pita chips. I always use Ezekiel brand sprouted grain pitas. Here is one great recipe I found that is really tasty. Be sure to use the sprouted grain pitas if you are in your 30 day rebalancing program. Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 whole-wheat pitas, cut into 1/8's Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine olive oil and all spices in a large bowl. Add pita wedges and toss to coat, Spread in 1 layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, tossing once, or until pita is brown and crisp. Cool completely before serving. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/spiced-pita-chips-recipe.html?oc=linkback

This blog is changing

Yep. This blog is changing it's focus. I have been a terrible blogger over the years. That is about to change, I hope. Those of you that have been following me on Facebook will know that I have a few things that I love to do daily posts about. My family, my chickens, daily inspiration, nutritional cleansing, fitness, gardening, and my handbag business just to name a few. Sometimes I find that Facebook doesn't let me elaborate on things as much as I would like to. So.... I decided to expand my blog to not only include bags, family, and fashion, but also those other things that just make me smile as I go about my day. I hope the things you read and see here will inspire and motivate you to be the inspiration in your own life and those that you come in contact with as well.

Spring Pantone 2013!

I am loving the new spring colors for 2013! I have two favorites, Tender Shoots and Grayed Jade. What is your favorite?

Change Purses for Change. Help Support Sandy Hook

So when I started the Winter Collection I ordered a bunch of kelly green wool. After it arrived I didn't know why in the world I ordered so much. It has just been sitting on my shelf and I haven't known what to do with it. Then Sandy Hook happened. Now it seems really clear why I ordered all of that green. We have decided to make change purses in the Sandy Hook green and white colors with a little green applique heart on them. 100% of the profits will be donated to Sandy Hook and Newtown. They will be $20 and will be available for sale from my etsy shop at www.gardencris27.etsy.com. I am currently taking preorders to get an idea of how many I will need to make up. The only thing is I don't have a photo yet of what they will look like, but I promise you they will be adorable. If you are interested in ordering, please let me know. Order here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/118669977/be-the-change-change-purse-100-of

My Problem with Trilogies

So I love to read. I mean really, really love to read. I love getting lost in the story. I do seem to have a problem though. It seems like lately I keep picking books that are part of a series. Why is that a problem you ask? Because each of the last three times I have started a series I have neglected to check if all of the books are actually written and published yet. I just finished book two of a trilogy called "The Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness. I digested book one in about 4 days and then excitedly downloaded book 2 to my Kindle. I had some down time last night and settled in to read the end of book 2 and to download and start book 3. Imagine my dismay when I realized it isn't even written yet! What! That isn't possible. But what about Diana? What about Matthew? I wasn't ready to be done with them yet. Now what do I do? I will have to wait I guess and add it to the other two series that I will have to reread once the last books come out.

I am having a contest!

I decided to have another contest. I am getting ready to roll out my spring/summer collection and thought it was the perfect time for a contest. All you have to do is visit my facebook fan page and like me! Once you do, you will be entered to win a great cosmetic bag. If you refer a friend to my page you will receive another entry and your friend will receive and entry. Be sure to write a comment so that I know who you are and be sure your friend mentions your name. The person with the most entries will win! The more friends you refer, the more chances you will have. The contest will end on Sunday, February 25th.

Why you should never put a shag carpet in a kids play room...

This post is all about why you should never put a shag carpet in a kids playroom and how I learned the hard way! So a few months back I was at Home Goods, I love that place, and bought this super soft beige shag rug for my bedroom. Long story short it didn't look right in there so I decided to put it in the downstairs playroom. It is super soft and the kids love sitting on it to watch TV. Now my boys are 8 and 11 so I figured they could handle it being beige and all and they could and did until it came to the box of cheerios that go spilled all over the carpet. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal since they were dry from the box. Just vacuum them up right? Wrong. They lodged themselves deep down into the shag carpet strands and wouldn't come out even with our super power Kirby vacuum. The only way to get them out was to roll the whole carpet up and try to shake it out outside. This is not easy to do with an 8'x 10" carpet let me tell you! In the process of shaking out the cheerios a virtual buffet of dry snacks come spilling out. Disgusting. So, that said, word to the wise, do not ever ever ever put a shag carpet in a kids play area or just don't ever let them have snacks on it!