DIY: Coffee

Do you drink coffee in the morning? Yup, me too. Do you feel incomplete without it? Yeah, I know what you mean but. I digress... To satisfy that your craving Is part of your morning routine to pick up your coffee on the way to work at Starbucks, Dunkin, or perhaps the local coffee cart? I used to but, not anymore. Why? Because, I started looking at how much money my daily "treat yoself" Grande Soy Latte was costing me and, while $20 here and there to refill your Starbucks card doesn't seem like an excessive amount, it added up; I estimated to the tune of over $1000 in 6 months. Isn't that crazy? I know, that's what I thought too. To address the (caffeinated) leak in my spending I thought about alternatives AKA less expensive coffee sources but, the coffee carts/delis near my office aren't cranking out steamed soy milk beverages at all and the watery coffee from other places wasn't satisfying my caffeine craving. With no great alternatives popping up I realized that sometimes when you've gotta get things done (and satisfy your need for caffeine) you have to do it yourself. Which is what I am now doing as part of my morning routine. It's pretty simple, here's what you need.

Death Wish Ground Coffee, 16 Ounce

Get a coffee that you like. Flavored, Mild, Caffeine Free (wierdo) whatever floats your boat... perhaps try out some of the different offering at you local grocery store or head to a local coffee house or market so you can try some of their special blends. Whatever you end up picking make sure it's something you enjoy. If you really want to get fancy in your attempts to be your own barista you could grind your own beans at home for the freshest cup but, that move is a next level coffee maneuver.

Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother and Whisk in Stainless Steel with Stand and 4-Frothing Attachments

If you are into fancy coffee beverages investing in a frother might be worth it. This was the one I picked even though they do get (much) more elaborate. I have an espresso/coffee maker combo at home and enjoyed whipping up the soy milk before I poured it into my espresso for a yummy latté. While it doesn't substitute the high steam of an industrial grade machine it's good for creating bubbles and frothing up you warm beverage.  

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug, 16-Ounce

Lastly you need the perfect vessel to transport your coffee to work in the morning. I cannot thank my cousin enough for her recommendation of the Zojirushi. It keeps your beverage hot or cold for hours and hours and hours (no exaggeration.) It was battle tested when my squad and I filled it with ice water and spent a day on Governors Island for the Jazz Age Lawn party. Even after hours in the sun in 100° plus weather there was still frigid water inside! I also use it on a daily for my morning coffee hot or cold. Don't believe me? Try it yourself... I'm sure you will be satisfied. 

Holiday Shopping

In honor of Black Friday I want to talk to you about holiday shopping and what my (best) practices are.The reason that I put so much thought and effort into holiday (and birthday) shopping is because there are lots of people on my list  to shop for which means it can be costly in terms of money but, also in terms of my time. I also take it to the "next level" (yes there is a spreadsheet) because I want to make sure that I give the people in my life that I care most about gifts that they will actually appreciate and enjoy. By making a plan about shopping in advance and implementing these practices I have been able to tackle holiday shopping without getting very stressed or maxing out my credit cards. To be honest, most of the time, I don't even participate in the craziness that is Black Friday or Cyber Monday because they are so protracted beyond what they used to be that you can find savings starting at the beginning of November (OMG, you've already missed out) and those very limited "door buster" deals are not worth the aggravation and time they would potentially cost me. While everyone might not feel the same way, I have found that with planning I am able to tackle holiday shopping without going crazy.

• Budget - Take a look at how many people you feel obligated to need/want to buy gifts for. There might be some people who pop up closer to the holiday but, for the most part, you know who your main beneficiaries are and you can ballpark how much money you want to dedicate towards their gifts. I'm not saying that you need to stick with this to the last penny for everyone but, having an idea of what you can spend overall helps from overspending on your favorite person or cheaping out on someone that you wanted to get a swell gift.  
• Shop all year - This is not for every person on your list (ahem, children) but, sometimes when you are out you might see something that would be perfect for your Mom, BFF, gardener, etc. that you know they will love to matter what time of year you give it to them. This helps in terms of limiting the amount of time you will spend shopping during the holiday season and hopefully ensure that you will avoid shopping at crunch time (Ex: Christmas Eve) completely. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 20, 2012 at 9:36am PST

• Save all year - Take a look at your budget and see what the total is, then divide that by 52 which would equal how much money you have to save each week. This is the most rudimentary budget but, it totally works for Hubby and I. We take money each pay period and set it aside for holiday and other gifts and when December November comes we don't have to think twice about where the money is coming from. It goes into a separate gift specific checking account so we don't mix that money with funds for everyday purchases... next level maneuvers. 
• Re-Gift - Not everyone does this, or thinks it is acceptable to do but, I do, under the right circumstances. I am a difficult person to shop for an often find myself with lovely things that I am never going to use and have no option of returning for credit to purchase something else that I might like better. I also get things for free sometimes (event life, yay) or as part of monthly subscription boxes that are not a good fit for me. In those situations, I would rather give those nice things, that are not my speed, to someone else who would enjoy them. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 13, 2014 at 11:30am PST

• Get Crafty - If you are the type of person who is able to use paper maché and popsicle sticks to make cool things you should totally do that for your family and then open an Etsy shop. In all seriousness, sometimes the best  gifts are heartfelt and personal so if can make something as opposed to buying it that might be the way to go in terms of making someone smile and possibly keeping yourself on budget.

Happy Thanksgiving

From: Iris

To: You

Coliflor Arroz Amarillo con Habichuelas (Cauliflower Yellow Rice and Beans)

You might not know this but, I am Puerto Rican, 100%. Many meals growing up were traditional, cooked by my grandmother, my father, and my mother. One of the staples of any Puerto Rican's diet is delicious yellow rice possibly with chicken (arroz con pollo) or with beans (arroz con habichuelas) or both (con pollo y habichuelas.) I will stop with the español lesson but, traditional Puerto Rican cuisine gets me inspired! While I love continuing the culinary tradition of cooking rice as a staple side dish it isn't the healthiest thing to be eating day in and day out and as I am trying to be a healthier me I decided to adapt an alternative that I have seen on numerous Pinterest boards, cauliflower as rice but, with a Hispanic twist. While this is a delicious side dish, that you should make and enjoy immediately, remember that in the end it is cauliflower so, it's not going to have the same texture as rice that being said... it's delicious. Why cauliflower? Because it is a low-carb, low-calorie, gluten-free rice substitute that also happens to be high in protein with fiber,  as well, as vitamins C, K, and B6. That sounds pretty healthy to me and in this recipe, we find the best of both worlds, delicious and healthy!

Ingredients
(serves 3/4)

• 2 heads of cauliflower (about 3 cups of cauliflower when riced)
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 tbsp. tomato sauce
• one packet Goya Sazon
• 3 heaping tbsp. of Goya Recaito
• 1 can of black beans (drained)

(the secret ratio is one tbsp. of each of the wet ingredients to one cup of cauliflower so adjust accordingly)

Cut the cauliflower into pieces and put the chopped pieces into a food processor. With an S blade us the pulse function until it is fine but, not pureed. Move the riced cauliflower into a bowl and press out some of the liquid periodically. 

In a large pan mix the olive oil, tomato sauce, Goya Sazon, and Goya Recaito. Cook over high heat until bubbling. Spoon in the riced cauliflower and stir until all of the white cauliflower has been coated with the sauce and is a red/orange color. Let it cook for 4/5 minutes on high heat.  

After the rice is thoroughly mixed and has cooked for a few minutes add the black beans and mix them thoroughly as well. Lower the flame, cover the pan, and let your "rice" cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

Serve with chicken, roast pork, or enjoy as your main dish!

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Fix It, Don't Forget It

Did you know that  that the textile recycling industry recycles approximately 3.8 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste (PCTW) each year (read: clothes you throw away, and other fabric stuff) this only accounts for approximately 15% of all PCTW, leaving 85% in our landfills.While that is scary enough to read watch this short video below and continue to be shocked and horrified. 

While you might not think about the impact that shopping "all the time" and buying cheap/disposable clothes has on the planet it obviously does and it is significant, at that. When shopping, I think the more important thing to consider is why buy that item of clothing in the first place. Do you love it? Do you have a need for it? Do you even see yourself wearing it? Or is it just something that is just "ok" considering the cost. Why even bother wasting your time and your wardrobe space with something that doesn't get you excited to wear it or at least put a smile on your face. One of the ways that I try to stretch the life of the clothes that I love longer is not by washing things less (eww) but, by fixing things that have a slight "damage" from wear and tear.

• Find a cobbler - While clothes is a big part of textile waste another is shoes. Once you have worn through the heels or scuffed up the tips it's easy to cast them aside in favor of a newer (sometimes shinier) option. That being said, once you have found the right cobbler (thanks, Google/Yelp) it's just as easy to drop them off at your friendly neighborhood cobbler for a face lift or repairs.  

• Make Small Adjustments - I'm not saying that you need to sew a dress from scratch but, can you take up a hem? How about shorten straps? You could even take it to the next level by learning to sew a dart or upcycle your existing wardrobe into something completely different... Sorry, I got ahead of myself but, making small changes to an item of clothes can make a big difference in how it appears and make it continuously useful in your life. 

• Patch Holes - This is not a new tip from me. I've done (and shared) it before and I'm doing it again. Patching holes is such a tremendously simple fix that really adds length to the life of your clothes without anyone being the wiser that there was damage in the first place (as long as it is not somewhere that is highly visible.) Whether you sew the offending hole up, add a patch, or both it is worth the effort. 

What are some ways that you extend the life of your clothes?

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"Weekend" Chores

"Remember when you were a child and weekend meant a mini vacation? Or at least a break from the mundane so you could enjoy yourself and take part in fun activities, those Barbies and Legos weren't going to play with themselves but, I digress... Do you find that now, as an adult(ish) person, your weekends are full of running errands and chores?

Image courtesy of Hyberbole and a Half

Me too... which is absolutely lame when you think about it; you spend all week at work doing whatever it is that you are an amazing girlboss at and then you spend the weekend catching up on other things. Organizational experts talk about "Work Life Balance" but, I think the real key is "Life Integration." As the lines between the workplace and home blur due to our heightened state of connectivity, it is important to tweak our behavior accordingly and maximize the times when we are focused on being productive so that we can truly enjoy and be present in our periods of relaxation. There are some of the things that I have tried to implement so I can take my weekends back from the shore monster and enjoy myself. Do you have any good tips to add?

• De-clutter one room a night. I don't know about your but, new things come into my home or items move from room to room and then next thing I know my office is looking like a mail room or my kitchen is looking like a staging ground. It's very manageable to work in one room at a time picking a few things up and putting them in their proper place whether that is the shredder, a closet, or another room altogether. You could even pass a vacuum over the carpet and wipe down the surfaces... ok, ok I'm getting ahead of myself. But, tackling one room a night makes the process more manageable. 
• Do laundry during the week(days.) If you have access to a private washing machine/dryer you can run a load of laundry through the washer while you are at work, throw it in the dryer when you get home, and separate/fold it after dinner. Honestly, it's one of my one of my "favorite things" to do and was a huge transition after moving into a house. If you don't have access to a washer/dryer where you could leave your clothes all day it might be worth investigating the option of dropping it off at a local laundromat. If not, you could always visit somewhere after work and tackle that chore during the week   

• Do dishes while you are at work. In the same vein of the laundry, load your dishwasher after you eat breakfast and run it during the day while you are at work so you can empty it when you get home. I don't know about you but, I feel like I am always doing dishes especially if I cook the evening prior. Growing up without a dishwasher I don't know how I could live without one (Dramatic? Maybe...) and I love utilizing it to it's maximum level of effectiveness. 
• Run errands after work. Sometimes you need to run to the store and pick up a face cream you ran out, get a massage, or drop something off which can be challenging outside of normal business hours especially if you are in the burbs which means they get pushed to the weekend. What is important to realize is that sometimes it's totally feasible to tackle these errands after work because stores and other business are staying open later and later or working around your schedule. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Oct 4, 2014 at 11:02am PDT

• Delegate one weekend day for completion of chores if you must. Maybe you need help from someone else and that is the only time they are available or perhaps that store really doesn't stay open late enough for you to head there after work those jerks... For me it's easiest when hubby has to work on Saturdays, which happens often occasionally, and on some level it's great because I can move any unresolved errands to that day and "work" on those things so we have Sunday free and clear to do whatever I we want which is really the point of your weekend! 

 Don't forget to enter the Nordstrom gift card giveaway!

Working On My Fitness

Image Courtesy of popkey.co

How do you define "Fitness"? The dictionary defines "Fitness" as "the condition of being physically fit and healthy" or "the quality of being suitable to fulfill a particular role or task." That's a little more in depth than how many burpees you can do (my answer: 0). There was a time (a little over a year ago) when I was feeling very fit. How was I measuring that? Well, there are always the old standards... weight/clothing size but, it was more in depth  than that as well; my ability to sprint up stairs without getting winded or slay a challenging spin class were some of the criteria. Even though, my routine, recently, has involved less of the things that make me feel fit, partly because I had to take a break from ALL the spin classes for a hot second for medical reasons (lame but, it's ok I'm fine) and partly because my day to day started looking a little different I would still define "Fitness" for myself the same way. That being said, after weeks months of not going to the gym regularly, a YOLO summer diet, my birthday, having a commute that involves minimal walking, etc. that's not the only thing that had started to look different... just picture the below image in reverse although I would say I'm somewhere in the middle #realtalk.

While I think the only solution for that situation is just to get back to incorporating regular exercise and a non "ice-cream everyday" diet into my normal routine, I now find myself contemplating my own self image on the regular. While this habit is a normal consequence of going through any physical change the way you see yourself if not, necessarily, the same thing as being "Fit." When I first started to lose weight/inches as a result of going to the gym in an attempt to be a healthier, happier me there were positive side effects (less of me) and some less happy side effects (fewer clothing options.) While I really struggled with reconciling the number on the scale and the size on the clothing tag with how I viewed myself it helped to hone in on how I was feeling in terms of "Fitness" which, in one word, was healthier. Now that I am feeling less "Fit" I find myself craving that healthy feeling again so I don't fall back into old and (frankly) common habits of getting caught up in measuring myself by numbers (weight/clothing size) or comparing myself to other people/my former self from a few months ago. Life happens and that is why it's important to keep  "Fitness," as it is laid out by the dictionary as "the condition of being physically fit and healthy" (or your own twist on it) in mind instead of getting bogged down by details that are not directly in line with the aforementioned definition. How do you define/measure fitness?  

Gluten Free Me

I will start out by saying that I do not have Celiac disease and am not actually allergic to gluten. I do however struggle with a chronic auto-immune problem like 20% of the population of the US who has some form of auto-immune disease. I chose to eliminate gluten from my diet as a way to alleviate some of the symptoms I was feeling at the recommendation of a friend who had done the same. Well, more specifically, I said I would give it a try for one weekend as she harassed me strongly suggested I do just that. As my symptoms seemed to vanish over the course of a few days I knew that if I didn't keep it up moving forward I would be knowingly hurting myself... I'm no sadist so, I have and it really hasn't been that bad. Sure, sometimes I want to eat walk into a bakery and buy a cupcake, or a deli nearby and get sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel, or eat anything at a networking even where hey serve finger food but, while that moment of sweet/chewy/delicious flour filled goodness will taste great it won't be worth it in the end. Here are some of the ways that I started to incorporate gluten free living into my everyday gluten filled life.

• Focus on foods that are naturally gluten free like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy (or dairy substitutes), etc. Something that I realized as I started my gluten free lifestyle change was that many of the foods I was eating on a regular basis met the criteria for gluten free. There were some tweaks I had to make, of course, but, for the most part the transition was pretty seamless and in the end it was the more processed foods that I had to weed out. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Feb 11, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

• Learn about the devil gluten and where it hides. Speaking with people who are gluten free was one way to learn but, it really helped when I sat down and read a little more about it on my own terms. This book was given to my by more than one person for Christmas the year I went gluten free and was helpful in getting a baseline understanding of what gluten is a where it could be hiding. There are also some recipes that you might be able to integrate into your daily life. 

• Remember that vegan does not equal gluten free which can be one of the most challenging things at the grocery store. You might have think you found the perfect Non-GMO, Dairy/Nut/Soy Free breakfast burrito with heritage tomatoes and free range chicken eggs (YUM) but, none of that means Gluten Free, in fact, the burrito that all that deliciousness is wrapped in still has wheat flour... Read labels carefully to make sure don't just jump at the buzz words.
• Remember gluten free does not mean low fat. In the beginning when you focus on fresh food and non-processed things you might lose a little weight (which is nice.) Once you start trying out the plethora of gluten free substitute items available you might see that number tick up again.  Those items are, most of the time, not low fat and might actually have more calories than their gluten filled counterparts.  

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:11am PST

• Plan for stuff like special occasions (or just a random day of the week) when you might want food items that are not normally gluten free and those gluten free alternatives might pose a challenge to obtain. I'm talking about cakes, cupcakes, and anything cake related like muffins, etc. Not many bakeries stock gluten free goodies regularly as they are not shelf stable but, you can order them and pick them up or find them frozen. As I have said before, to not you until now, "If I want a cupcake, I can have a cupcake I just have to plan for it." True story...

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Aug 8, 2016 at 1:32am PDT

Getting (Back) Into A Routine

This might come as a huge surprise but, routine is a big part of what makes my daily life function at peak efficiency. Shocker, I know... While I don't have every moment accounted for there are things I do at certain points in the day and on certain days of the week that help everything to flow without hiccups. For example, we all know about how critical mornings are but, I digress... That being said, when things get off track with my normal routine, however regimented it is or isn't,  there are immediate and sometimes inescapable ripples that taint the overall order of operations in my everyday life. Those effects can be difficult to overcome for a number of reasons both logistical and emotional; "How am I going to fit this back into my schedule?" "How did I left myself get out of this habit?" "I'm the worst..." I feel like you might know what I'm talking about. When that happens what are your tricks for getting back to your routine? Well, when I find myself in that situation, as I have before, the only thing there is to do is get back to it. Rudimentary? Yes. True? Also, yes! While it can be challenging, to say the least, to accomplish a return to previously established routines or habits successfully, the process can be easier if you approach it strategically.

• Simplify - What exactly are you trying to achieve? While there might be books you want to read, blog posts you want to write, languages you want to learn, events you want to go to, gym classes you want to stomp, culinary masterpieces you want to add to your repertoire, etc. you have to be realistic about what you can commit to and hone in on the things that are of highest priority. Don't overwhelm yourself trying to do it all, add new goals gradually as you accomplish others. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jul 27, 2012 at 12:49pm PDT

• Be Patient - Let's be real. It takes (on average) 30 days of doing the same thing repeatedly to form a habit. In order to stick with your routine you have to be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that you are still in the process of learning/getting better at whatever you are working towards. Don't expect everything to happen overnight and if takes longer that you expect that's okay. 
• Reward - Do you remember when you were younger and got rewarded for good behavior? Well it's time to treat yourself like a kid and give yourself a pat on the back; treat yourself to a fancy manicure, or whatever floats your boat when you stick with your routine. Frankly, if you are just churning away going to the gym, eating healthier, or doing your DuoLingo without reward it isn't going to stick. Reinforcing those good habits continuously will help you keep up with it.

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Sep 19, 2016 at 10:39am PDT

• Keep It Going - Just because you managed to reach your first, second, or fifteenth milestone doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels and stop tracking what you are doing/rewarding yourself for that job well done. I know, from experience, that if you do you will fall off the proverbial bandwagon and be faced with a similar challenge when you try to get back into a routine again. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Nov 9, 2013 at 11:00am PST

• Stuff Happens - That being said, sometimes things happen that cannot be planned for and you have to bite the bullet getting back to your routine. Hiccups along the way are to be expected even if you can't always plan for them. See the second bullet above and be patient with yourself again and give yourself a pat on the back for the small successes. The only thing to do at that point is keep moving forward with your goals in mind. 

To Do: Magnum Ice Cream Bar Pop Up Shop

I LOVE ice cream! Yes, more than you... for an after dinner treat, reward for a job well done, or Saturday morning breakfast a snack at the beach/park/pool there is nothing better than ice cream. Recently, when I was in SoHo for dinner with a friend I passed by a store front with Magnum Ice Cream logos outside. You know, the wonderfully decadent ice cream bars at the grocery store that come encased in the most luscious chocolate. I was intrigued but, sadly, I couldn't stop in because I didn't want us to miss out on our reservation. Of course, I needed to know more; enter internet research! I was pleased to learn that what I had passed by was actually a make your own Magnum Ice Cream bar pop-up shop for the summer! Yes, let's all freak out about it together. Apparently, Magnum Ice Cream has been rolling out temporary make your own pop up pop shops like this around the world but, this is the first in the United States. When Hubby and I were heading out for date night, last Friday, this experience had to be dinner part of the equation. Yummy (non ice cream) dinner? Check. Wandering around SoHo looking at interesting street art? Check, (hello, #lovewall.) Delicious make your own ice cream concoctions? You bet!

When we went in I was surprised by the lack of a line or crowds in general. Don't get me wrong, there were people there but, not throngs of crazed ice cream lovers like me. Before they burst out from wherever they were hiding I approached the counter tentatively. I, honestly, wasn't sure where to start my Magnum pop up shop experience (at the cash register on the left so you can pay first) but, the staff was very helpful and ushered us forward. You start with a choice of chocolate or vanilla (no added hormone) ice cream, then comes the fun part. You pick three toppings from the assortment of over twenty different choices like chopped nuts, Himalayan sea salt, espresso sugar, or rose petals. Lastly your ice cream bar assistant will dip your bar in white, milk, or dark Belgian chocolate. While it cools they shake up your topping choices and then methodically sprinkle them over your waiting ice cream bar. They then finish it with another drizzle of chocolate and little chocolate M token.

Despite the overwhelming amount of choices we managed to make important ice cream decisions. Hubby got chocolate ice cream with espresso sugar, cookie crumble, hazelnut crunch, and a white chocolate drizzle. I got vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered sunflowers seeds, Himalayan pink salt, white chocolate covered rice crisp, and a white chocolate drizzle. Since there weren't hoards of people we were even able to take a seat and to enjoy our creations. Yum!  

So, make time and run, don't walk, to the Magnum Ice Cream bar pop-up shop in SoHo at 134 Prince Street, between Wooster Street and West Broadway. Their hours of operation are 12pm-8pm Sunday-Wednesday and 12pm-9pm Thudsay-Saturday from now until mid-August.  I will be heading back soon, as well, and we might bump into each other. Why? Because I need to try every permutation of deliciousness possible before the season ends and they close.

I was NOT compensated for this post the opinions are all my own.

Brunch Best Practices/Avocado Toast

Weekends mean freedom from work, time to relax, and a chance to get some chores out of the way... Weekends in spring and summer are even better! Why? Because, the time we spend relaxing is feels longer with the sun setting later and later; even chores can feel less mundane... One of the best things about the weekend, in my opinion, is the opportunity to eat the magical in between meal that is brunch. Heading out to one of the many restaurants nearby that serves brunch is simple enough. I might be a little spoiled though, as most restaurants in the vicinity of New York City have next level brunch menus. Patrons will come year round and resign themselves to the hostesses whim waiting for a table or for their full party to show so they can be seated and not lose what their coveted reservation. In the summer it's even crazier/nicer without door tables and the opportunity to eat al fresco. While brunch in Manhattan is a New York City institution, most of the times the experience is marred by long lines, watered-down cocktails, and heat lamp eggs. Yuck! Which of course leads me to to wonder, "Why not do this at home?"

You can absolutely achieve the same delicious amalgam of breakfast and lunch at home. It's lovely when you can have a few friends over to enjoy it with you. You don't have to send out formal invitations, a quick email/evite or text message will do. Also, It doesn't have to be an extravagant affair; you can find stylish coordinating tablecloths, napkins, and place mats at bargain stores like Christmas Tree Shops or Home Goods. Most of the items shown on my most recent impromptu brunch table come from the former...   

A brunch menu is always very eclectic but, I find egg based meals to be the most popular overall. An uncomplicated scrambled egg and bacon or sausage or tofu chorizo with toast is always a winner. Which would you prefer? In terms of what I served this time around it seemed appropriate to put together the most popular brunch item right now; that's right I am talking about avocado toast. There are many different variations of avocado toast but, I like to keep it simple.

While everything is better with bacon, I feel like I don't have to explain the process of cooking it but, here is what my version of avocado toast looks like...

Ingredients:

(serves 5)

• 10 slices of bread (gluten free if preferred)
• 10 eggs 
• 3/4 ripe avocados 
• cilantro

Place all the eggs in a sauce pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil.

While the water is getting to boiling temperature slice open the avocados and scoop out the insides into a medium bowl with a spoon, discard the skin and pits. Mash the avocado until it is a spreadable texture and set aside. 

Also while the water is getting a boiling temperature rise the cilantro and pat dry. Separate some leaves and set aside. 

When the water reaches a rolling boil set a timer to 4 minutes and lower the flame to medium high. That is approximately how long it takes an extra large egg to reach a medium boiled state but, this is to you preference; maybe you want them a little more or less done.

While the eggs are boiling start toasting your slices of bread.

When the timer goes off immediately remove the eggs and drain the boiling water. Fill the pot with cold water so you can start peeling the eggs. When all the eggs are peeled it is time to start making your avocado toasts!

Take a piece of toast an spread avocado on it. Take cilantro leaves and sprinkle them on top to taste. Using an egg slicer slice one egg and spread the slices over your avocado and cilantro. Sprinkle liberally with salt.

Repeat and Refect and Enjoy!

I was NOT compensated for this post the opinions are all my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Happy Memorial Day

Rise to a Morning Routine

I am an early bird, no questions about that. I can naturally wake up, get out of bed, and get started with my day by centering myself and tackling a few chores well before I have to head out for a standard work day. I find that by following my own morning routine on the regular my day starts off on the right foot. When I don't (for whatever reason) the days are often more harried and stressful. How about you? Well, I'm not saying you have to be like me but, maybe you would like to emulate Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer, or Michelle Obama AKA FLOTUS, just saying... These girlsbosses, as well as countless other high power individuals, make a point to get up early and start there days off with a routine which helps them be the best that they can be. Their successes are not unrelated flashes in the pan, they are due to hard work and intellect while being aided by good habits and best practices most notably (in this regard) their penchant for waking up early and getting things done. Here are some habits that you can incorporate into your mornings to make them a productive and fundamental part of your day.

• Wake Up - Not everyone is like me(/many other people) and can wake up in the morning without the aid of alarm of some kind. Find the alarm that works for you! Personally, if I need an alarm for the morning I like something that will gently coax me out of my slumber like the Uniqlo Wake up app or more melodic music. That being said, you might need something more jarring like your "Crossfit Grind" playlist or an alarm clock app that makes you solve a math problem before you can silence it. Better yet, how about one that doesn't have a snooze feature at all? 

We can exclaim our anger at governments [or people] or curse the sky at our own God but, there are moments when the higher power must come from within - Soledad O'Brien #quote #quotable #motivation #longweekend #mymonday #feelinggood #mondaymotivation #mm #niagarafalls #horseshoefalls #sunrise #mist #latergram #travelgram #instatravel #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 19, 2016 at 6:36am PST

• Enjoy the Silence - After you wake up (either independently or with assistance) pause and enjoy the sounds of stillness that are surrounding you. Hopefully, they entail something lovely, like birds chirping, and not your partner snoring but, take a pause either way... it might be the most calm point of your day and in turn a great opportunity for a moment of true "me time" and reflection. As Taj Mahal (the person, not the building) said, "Remember the feeling as a child when you woke up and morning smiled... it's time you felt like that again."
• Have a Drink - Most people are under-energized because they’re under-hydrated. Hydration is energy. Additionally, water fires up your metabolism, aides digestions, and helps your body flush out toxins. A room temperature glass of lemon water will do wonders for your body in terms of the aforementioned benefits as well as boosting your immune system (thanks, Vitamin C and potassium) and keeping you skin clear. It's that simple.

Thanks @smartwater for keeping me hydrated all through #nyfw #thirstynomore #quenched #yum #cool #refreshing #water #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:18pm PST

• Eat Breakfast - You have probably been hearing this since you were a little kid but, breakfast actually is the most important meal of the day no matter what time you get out of bed. Don't reach for that muffin though; a protein filled first meal will fuel you throughout the course of the day. These type of foods are more filling than carbs and will help you stay alert as well as stave off random cravings because of that full feeling. Additionally, if you are killing it with you workout in the morning you need to refuel your muscles.    

Trying out this #glutenfree thing starting with breakfast this morning. Boiled eggs and greek yogurt with a honey drizzle #yum #nomnom #gfree #gfreelife #gfreeme #amfood #breakfasttime #homemade #instafood #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:11am PST

• Read a Book - Magazine, newspaper, grocery circular, or whatever else is lying around. Reading will get your brain moving! More specifically, stay off-line (if you can) for a bit longer. Don't check your email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. first. Chances are you are going to spend the rest of your day in front of a computer so this is a good time you give your eyes a rest. If all of your reading material is on an electronic device (it happens) make sure to avoid email for a bit. All of the social networking/communication outlets are black holes that will suck you in and before you know it it's time to go to work.   

Beach reads @time @newyorkermag #vaca #vacation #travelgram #beach #lightreading #longweekend #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 31, 2015 at 1:01pm PST

• Exercise - For me this means going to the gym and hitting a yoga or spin class but, for you that might mean something different like stretching or doing some calisthenics but, either way movement is key! You've just spent hours lying down in some sort of awkward sleep position so it only makes sense to be nice to your body and extend your limbs in some manner.  Besides, studies show your "Crossfit Grind" playlist exercise, of any kind, will help you feel more alert and motivated throughout the course of the day. 

Good morning 🌞 #riseandgrind #notaresolution #spinning #gymlife #fitness #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Apr 30, 2015 at 3:58am PDT

• Set Some Goals - I'm not saying work on your new year resolution/life plan before you leave for work (unless that's an integral part of accomplishing it) but, jot down a few things that you would like to get off your plate throughout the day or set up your "to-do" list. I am a big believer in the tenet that it is easier to remember things when you put a pen to paper and write them down. Overall, checking them off feels so satisfying, right? Yes! I'm glad I'm not the only one... 

Make a plan, get it done ✔ @thedaydesigner @popsugarmh #mondaymotivation #morningmotivation #mm #mondayvibes #busy #getitdone #getitgirl #girlboss #worklife #balance #organization #ocd #kindof #instadaily #igdaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Mar 21, 2016 at 3:42am PDT

• Get Something (little) Done - This is a next level morning routine trick if you have the time. Since I, personally, am more productive in the morning it works for me to take a few minutes to load the dishwasher, do some mise en place for dinner, or clear off a cluttered surface. I'm not saying I'm going to start scrubbing my bathroom top to bottom but, if I can knock a small task off my daily to do list before I leave for work, that is a win! Bonus: that positive and productive feeling tends to stay with me through the morning, at least, if not until the end of the day.  
• Mind Your Time - Overall I think it is important to be mindful of how much time all your morning ablutions take you to complete. You'd be surprised how much time flies when you are completing a seemingly rote task or vice versa; maybe the things you perceive as taking a very long time really only take a few moments. Either way having a grasp of how long things take you helps you to be more timely overall. In turn that will allow you to plan out your mornings and incorporate these great tips!