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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"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!

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. 

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.

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!