May 13, 2020

Broccoli Beef

On about day 40 of sheltering in place, I lost my cooking mojo. I found myself in a major food rut. I didn’t want to clean anymore and my back hurt. I got caught up in making bread and OH MY GOD THAT GETS MESSY. When I’m in a food rut, making a new recipe can usually pull me out of the funk. But I didn’t know how to get groceries regularly and panicked about having enough food (that my family would like). So we all ate a lot of bread until I could find a good way to get food during this pandemic. My friend Gaby’s new cookbook – Eat What You Want arrived last week (around day 55 of sheltering in place) and while I was flipping through I spotted the Broccoli Beef recipe. Oooooh! I had a head of broccoli to use up and some flank steak in the freezer!

Having all of the ingredients to make something new during this time is a special kind of magic.

(look how many recipes I’ve marked to try in this cookbook! It’s my kinda food!)

This Broccoli Beef recipe fits the bill for everyone.

I love broccoli.

My boys love meat.

If we combine it with rice, we have a full meal.

IN A BOWL.

Do you know how much I love eating things in bowls?

Cooper didn’t complain about the onions (YAY), Casey had seconds and we saved a portion for me to use in fried rice the following day. The sauce is gingery and slightly sweet. I love how the onions melt in the dish. It really did taste like we ordered takeout! Welcome to the meal rotation, Broccoli Beef. The Benjamin Family is happy to have you cuz WE ALL EAT BROCCOLI AND THAT IS GREAT.

LISTS

May 11, 2020

Intentions for the Week

Intentions for the Week – Week 20 of 2020

Happy Monday!

I slept in for the first time in forever this weekend. I spent time visiting with friends through Facetime and over phone calls. We even had a social distancing cocktail hour with my neighbors in our driveway. So many social dates all while sheltering in place. We’re making it work! We worked in the garden. Cucumbers were put into the planter beds. I grew them from seed! I made a few arrangements of succulents in the yard and thought about my Mom while I worked in my childhood garden. Mother’s Day this year was quiet and that is exactly what I wanted. Let’s take a moment and write down our Intentions for the Week, shall we? It’s a good way to check-in with yourself. Here is mine!

my everyday life, Photography

May 10, 2020

My Everyday Life Week 19

Here’s what this past week looked like – My Everyday Life Week 19

Working on produce shots this week for a client.

I was in my happy place…

Playing with food…

I forget how much the colors of fruits and vegetables speak to me.

I was supposed to teach a class in Santa Fe this month but it got canceled due to the pandemic.

I’m so bummed but also grateful to have stuff to work on. I love a creative challenge.

Social distancing with trees.

LISTS

May 8, 2020

I LOVE LISTS

What is this thing? The internet knows.
Ordering groceries online can be misleading.
I would totally be this guy.
How to avoid burnout during a pandemic.
Celebrities- then & now.
This is what happens to couples under stress.
Photos of the flower moon.
I’m a dessert snob.
So many empty shelves in grocery stores right now.
Solve your problems with these outlandish remedies.
These insects aren’t murder hornets so don’t kill them.
Parenting achievements during quarantine
Martha Stewart is isolating with her gardener.
What shopping will be like, post pandemic.
My mom used to talk about how cool the Cliff House was- this was before her time.
Some relics from my childhood.
This makeup tutorial made me LOL.
Think you’re having a bad day? These people have got you beat.
Something to play with- water reversal photos
Weekend Reading: The Upside of Being Down / Eat What You Want
I finally found an outdoor table cloth I love!
Make my Mom’s coffee cake for Mother’s Day xoxo

Sending out food journals this weekend. There’s more in the shop!!!

I need to get back on board with healthy eating.

JOIN ME!

Also, if you’re looking to do something productive with your time, take some Skillshare classes. It’s helped me grow my creative practice. Here are two months of FREE premium membership when you sign up.

Inspiration

May 5, 2020

Currently April 2020

Currently April 2020

April can be summed up into two words.

BACK PAIN.

My sciatica acted up this month after doing a bunch of yard/housework and I have been laying on the floor all month. Actually that’s not true. It’s been three weeks. But, I finally got an appointment with my chiro. Things got better and now my knee hurts. It put a lot of my organizing plans on hold.

Intentions for the Week:

Intentions for the Week – Week 19 of 2020

Happy Monday, friends!

Another week of sheltering in place. We are on day 54 of being at home. Toilet paper supply is dwindling. My house is a mess because I haven’t been able to move (back pain!) much to clean it. We spent the weekend watching more of the Hunger Games series. My brother & sister-in-law came to visit and we spent 6+ feet away from each other on my deck. THIS LIFE IS SO WEIRD. It’s time to sit down and figure out what my Intentions for the Week are. Let’s focus on the things we can control in a time when we feel like we can’t control ANYTHING!