I love a good deal.

It's true, you can ask anyone that knows me, I love a good deal. It used to be that if anyone complimented me on anything I would rattle off where I bought it and for how much. I think ( maybe ) I've gotten better about that. Hopefully.

Most of my grocery shopping is done at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, but almost all my personal care and supplement shopping is done through Vitacost. It's so much cheaper ( except Dr. Bronner's which is better at Amazon or Wholefoods ). I usually order when they have 12-15% off specials on everything, plus shipping is free if you order more than $49 worth of stuff.

That sunscreen you see up there is awesome. I was tipped off by Jora and I've used it the last couple of days and I think I'm in love. It's moisturizing without being greasy and it's better for you than most sunscreens.

Modernist on 100 Layer Cake-let!

I was doing my usual morning routine of skimming pinterest when I saw this image above. I'm so excited to have my earrings included in a Mother's Day Gift Guide! Thank you, 100 Layer Cake-let.

image via: 100 layer cake-let

The Whole30 + Caribbean Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Coconut Soup.

Josh and I have been doing the Whole30 since the 10th of April, so we are a little over half way through. I don't know that I have seen the miracle health changes that It Starts With Food promises, but I have lost a bit of weight.

It hasn't been as tough as you would think. I have had some hard days. For instance two Pantry Parties with yummy 'healthy' treats that were a little tough to pass up. Also, I had to get over the hump on day 3 where the little rebel inside me was screaming about rules. As a rule I kind of hate rules. Other than that it has been smooth sailing.

Right away I noticed that although I eat pretty well I don't make vegetables the star of the meal as often as I should. I usually concentrate on the protein and just make a salad (I don't want to mislead that there has been none of that on the Whole30, but it's gotten a lot better).

I have been cooking out of the Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special since I bought it in 1999 through one of those Organic Style Magazine book clubs. Remember book clubs?

When I ate mostly vegetarian I followed the recipes pretty closely, but now I usually end up substituting veggie stock for chicken and so on. I will say because it is a vegetarian cookbook the flavors are really great and very good to use as a jumping off point. So here's my paleo version of a vegetarian soup.

Caribbean Sweet Potato, Chicken, and Coconut Soup

adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special

2 cups chopped onion

⅔ cup chopped celery

1 T coconut oil

1 T grated fresh ginger

1 - 1½ t curry powder

¼ t fresh ground nutmeg

2 bay leaves

½ t salt or more to taste

3 cups chicken stock

1½ cups shredded chicken

3 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes

½ t freshly grated organic orange peel

2 T dark rum - can be omitted, but really adds to the flavor

1 cup fresh orange juice

14 oz can of coconut milk

2 T fresh lime juice, to taste

chopped cilantro or scallions (optional)

toasted unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

seeded and chopped serrano pepper (optional)

In a soup pot, sauté the onions and celery in the oil until the onions are translucent about 10 minutes. Cover the pot and stir often to prevent sticking.

Add the ginter, curry, nutmeg, bay leaves, and salt and sauté for another minute, stirring constantly. Add the stock, sweet potatoes, shredded chicken, grated peel, and rum. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Discard bay leaves. Pour the orange juice and coconut milk into the pot. Bring heat back up. Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust.

Garnish as you wish. 

Note:  You can purée the soup if you leave out the chicken. If you like it a bit brothier add ½ - 1 cup of stock.

Good with Slaw, Tomato Avo Salad or a Kale Salad.

By The Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin.

I love Curb Your Enthusiasm so much. Larry David reminds me a little bit of my husband and he completely cracks me up. So when I saw that Jeff Garlin had a new podcast (podcasts are also a love of mine) where he talks to his friends on stage I had to give it a listen. I have not been disappointed. Jeff's laugh alone makes it worth listening to.

This week I listened to his Zach Galifianakis interview and I completely cracked up. Zach is so funny. I have been a fan since watching Late World on VH1 in 2002. He always kills me.

If you are so inclined give it a listen. 

Method & Scribe

Method & Scribe started following my tumblr today and boy I'm sure glad that they did. I went over to check out thier blog and got lost. You should go check it out if you have the time or the desire. It's the perfect balance of nature, people and Wes Anderson. Enjoy.

P.S. I have such a strong hankering for camping now I can barely keep myself from packing up the car.

images via: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

DIY Pantry Items.

There's another Pantry Party coming up and I know what I'm bringing, but then another friend wanted to throw another party and I was vexed. I was wondering if I should bring the same thing or something else. Should I make it or collect it?

I love going to these parties they are so fun. They inspire me to make things that I have been thinking about doing for awhile, but I realized I don't have to make anything. I can use these parties as an outlet to order bulk herbs that I love or make large amounts of dry mixes that I use a lot and give some/store some. 

I use a ton of spices, but they still don't get turned over quick enough for my taste. This could be the perfect outlet for that. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Fun 'problem' to solve. 

images via (from top left to bottom right): 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Spring, Summer and Sometimes Fall Sandals.

I love sandals. I think my feet love them too.

I am pretty picky when it comes to a good sandal because I tend to live in them. The soles can't be too thin, or too thick. They can't rub weird. I have to be able to walk for 4 miles or so in them without hurting my feet. I don't want them to wear out too fast either.

I have bought $200 dollar leather flip flops that I had to have that ended up failing the test because they had leather soles and you couldn't stand in them for more than a half hour at a time. 3 years ago I purchase 2 pairs (1, 2) of Sandali sandals from Etsy and they are still going strong. I love these sandals, but last Summer I was lured away by a sandal maker from Greece and I have to say I regret it. I thought every handmade shoe was created equal, but I was wrong.

Do yourself a favor and buy a pair before it gets too hot. You won't be sorry.