How to Book a Mud Bath Spa Experience

This is the 30 day precipitation outlook for our area, which starts with a big storm brewing tonight. Micky will be happy to have fresh snow to jump in. I'm focusing my attention on my trip to California instead. Last week I booked the spa portion of the trip. This is how to book at mud bath experience.

Fall Decide you are going to Napa Valley with girlfriends. Mention a real and true desire to visit Calistoga, for you have heard about their hot springs, which remind you of Chico Hot Springs. Do some cursory searching and find out the hot spring spa experience in Calistoga includes mud baths and mineral baths. Cool.

Late fall, early winter Look at the various spa options, compare pricing. Celebrate the holidays, etc. etc.

January
Book tickets for trip.
Make hotel reservations.
Compile pricing for delightful, wonderful spa experience.
Make recommendations to group.
Get ready to pick a spa.
Begin reading reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor.

Realize this is not a solo, experience in which you privately enjoy the sensation of relaxation, hot mud and a massage. Ya'll are naked as the day you were born...with a friend. Hem, haw, send e-mails, read the step by step of how it works, which you missed beforehand.

Read more reviews.
Book mud bath spa experience at Golden Haven Hot Springs.
Think about it every day until you leave for vacation.

I Cooked Very Little This Week

It wasn't intentional, but there wasn't much cooking. Most of it due to the butt-kicking exhaustion my current workout regime is delivering. One hour of cardio a day + half hour walks with Micky every other day. Woof!

For Sunday breakfast I made the old standard eggs over medium with toast, in addition to fresh breakfast sausage. Aside from the pork, I had everything on hand. One package of meat = a double recipe, so I froze four of them. Really delicious.

I also made a modified version  of seven layer dip:

Half can fat free refried beans
2 8 oz containers plain Greek yogurt + half an 8 oz container of sour cream mixed with taco seasoning
4 oz can chopped green chilies
Spare sprinkling of colby jack cheese
Green onions
Black olives
Fresh avocado

Other than that, last night I made spaghetti and meatballs. Big whoop!

Yay for Grown Up Girl Shoes, McCann's Oatmeal and Healthy Eats

Because regular steel cut takes FOREVER to cook.

Have you checked out the Food Network's Healthy Eats blog? Good stuff, including this article about being wary of the "health halo" when choosing foods. A whole lot of marketing goes into persuading the average shopper into picking up a product, but you can only trust the ingredient list.

Lamenting my lack of grown-up lady shoes. These don't seem like they'd hurt too much. Top from UO, bottom are Franco Sarto.

Best Time of Year to Buy Things

Sometimes I just want smooch Lifehacker. So many good ideas! This article about the best time of year to buy things got me thinking about how I'd love add more seating in our living room and since January is a good time to buy furniture, I had to look around.

Top to bottom from Target: Elizabeth, Gerber, Canary and Coventry.

Food, ya'll

Sunday-chili and salad. This marked the first time ever in the history of my chili making I did not make rice to accompany my chili.

Tuesday-Tuna noodle casserole First let me say tuna noodle casserole is not something I ate growing up nor something I think of often. But this recipe, found via the Bitten Word, is a reimagined version from Bon Appetit. I thought it was fresh and delicious, the fresh dill really made its mark on the dish.

Thursday-Ham steak, rice pilaf with peas and kale with a riff on this recipe. I chopped up the kale, squeezed the juice of a ruby red grapefruit, added olive oil, key lime pepper and lime fresco salt, then let the kale sit with the dressing for upwards of 45 minutes. It was good, but needs some more flavor.

This weekend I'm making this soup, which I got from my friend Moe's husband Aaron via Facebook.

Chicken Sausage Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
1 large onion chopped
4-5 carrots sliced diagonally
4-5 stalks celery with leaves, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried ground sage
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cans chicken broth
2 cups water (just fill a broth can to measure)
1/4 cup sherry
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 1/2 cup uncooked pasta (bow ties, shells, or large mac)

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until evenly browned, and break into pieces. Stir in the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, rosemary, red pepper, and sage. Continue cooking 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Mix in tomatoes, and cook until heated through. Stir in the broth, water, sherry, and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 40 minutes.

2. Stir pasta into soup, and continue cooking 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.

 
I'm also planning on making this Mango-Agave Granola from the most recent Food Network Magazine. The meal tracking program I'm using is constantly suggesting I eat the main ingredients (almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, wheat germ and mango.)
 
 

Last but not least, this week's snack pick is Wholly's Guac Snack Packs. Pita or toasted Trader Joe's mult-grain sourdough, turkey and one of these. Heaven. I'd bought them thinking I'd take them to work for lunch, so far I've been eating them at home.

Things Organized

Not neatly.

On its way to being neatly.

I've done the math and of the 30 to 40 kitchen towels we have, I have purchased roughly 3 of them. Very popular gift for many occasions. I'm not complaining, just organizing.

Yay for WIlliam Rast, Ice Furniture, 30 for 30 and Home Stuff

At some point in the last few months I read an article with Justin Timberlake about the William Rast for Target line (maybe in InStyle?) In essence, he said the jeans they were selling in the line are based on their ultra popular premium denim line and they endeavored to make the Target versions as comfortable and high quality as possible.

Mission accomplished. This weekend I picked up a pair of the dark wash bootcut jeans and they are beyond comfy. And will be very good looking once I have about four inches taken off the length.

Speaking of fashion, I've been long interested in doing Kendi's 30 for 30 remix, but don't know if I have the wherewithal to take pictures in the morning or during the workday. Still thinking on that one.

House stuff

This bathroom slays me. I would never come out. My life would revolve around this bathroom. More pictures at House of Turquoise.

I've been thinking of doing something like this in our kitchen, but with Japanese masking tape instead of ribbon. Martha Stewart, via Little Green Notebook.

These long winter days and months are bearable knowing a) there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a March vacation b) there are lots of fun activities between then. My brothers are coming, Dropkick Murphys with friends, Baconfest (if we can get tickets) and other little weekend getaways.

And the promise of Laura and Barry's Winterfest kicking it up a notch with a fire + ice theme, complete with an ice bar, etc.

I can honestly say I've never been to a wedding with an ice luge. Did you know you can booze up your guests with a vodka slide?

The King's Speech

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Its not often you go to a film and it is:

• Funny
• Educational
• Gripping
• Thoughtful
• An honest reflection of devoted marriage (in a way that doesn't dog either partner and make them seem less than for their devotion)

I adored everything about it it: the actors and acting, the story, the set design and the way it made me feel. Truly a film anyone could, and should, see.

Nutrition is not Rocket Science

But damn if it doesn't feel like it sometimes. Week two of better snacking + more healthful eating + working out 6 days of week means I've been spending a lot of time pondering my whole day's worth of eating.

Looking back at some of my eating habits, I can really see how I was hurting myself (and my waistline) by not providing myself with enough fuel (hello, a bagel and cream cheese for dinner when you haven't eaten super-awesomely that day just doesn't cut it), as well as not really thinking about all the little things I was eating. Its not rocket science, but in 2011 I've at least signed up for the entry level course.

While tracking my meals has helped, along with using a customized food pyramid plan, the thing that makes it easy to eat right is how I grew up. My mom always made sure our meals were square, full of protein, vegetables and carbs. Lots of salad, not lots of junk food. Thanks Mom!

This week's food. It hasn't been creative, but at least its on the table.

Sunday-chicken soup and salad
Monday-Pork chops and rice, steamed broccoli (I put in extra tomatoes this time and switched the white rice for brown rice)
Wednesday-Mini meatloaves, oven roasted potatoes and broccoli
Thursday-cold meatloaf sandwiches and sauteed spinach

When I don't make dinner I've been eating cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, a turkey sandwich on wheat, raw carrots, etc.

Yay for Star Wars Art, Sweaters and Muscle Ease Mist

One of my new favorite things is Muscle Ease Mist. I bought it from Prairieland Herbs, but you can find it online at other places. Minty-fresh, herbal muscle relaxation.

How great are these minimalist Star Wars posters? I would hold them like I did on the shores of Naboo. Artist is Justin Van Genderen and I found them via here.

Here is this year's I wear it all the time, love it sweater from Urban Outfitters. Now on sale for $19.99.

Also found on UO's site: this ridiculous Budweiser sweater for $79. The whole point of old school, ironic stuff like this is that they actually be old school. Like you found it in a relative's basement or at Goodwill. Not full price. I mean come on, its ugly!

Black Swan

Yes, it was creepy, but I liked it. And my post-movie googling made me a smarter lady: Black Swan Theory.

State Cutting Boards

This was one of my favorite gifts we gave for Christmas. State cutting boards from AHeirloom.

Each board is custom and they will place a heart anywhere in the state. For my friends Camby and Joe I had the heart put where they met, fell in love and went to college, Bozeman. I love how the Massachusetts one includes Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Food

Considering we've been gone for the last two weeks and I haven't really gone to the grocery store, there wasn't much cooking here.

Tuesday-Key lime and ginger mustard chicken, lemon garlic orzo from Peppardelle's Pasta and sauteed spinach. I can see how the recipe included in the orzo package would have been amazing (farmer's market orzo pasta salad with fresh veggies and herbs); the orzo was a little much for this meal.

This weekend I'm making lemon chicken soup with spaghetti for my new recipe. I also got some good new soup recipes from friends and family this week, so I'm looking forward to trying them out.

One of my favorite apps on my phone is Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything. It has lots of good, fairly simple recipes as well as variations he suggests. I love Mark Bittman's no nonsense kind of cooking. And the recipes are rated, of course.

My other lifesaver these days are these Litehouse freeze dried herbs. So worth it if you have the space.

Granola/Protein Bar Round-up

So I should be honest, part of my being a better snacker intention is fueled by the 10-week class I'm taking at Kosama. I've known for quite some time I could, and should, be eating better for more energy and stamina. The reality of working out six days a week, five of them pretty intensely, is making me act upon that knowledge. Imagine that!

One of the things that's easy and I like is granola bars. I've been pretty constant with my two favorites.

The Nature Valley ones, coincidentally the ones I eat most mornings, don't have nearly enough good stuff like protein, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I bought a whole bunch of different ones to try. Its been like a bar crawl, but with a different kind of bar.

The winners so far.

First of all OMG, why didn't I start eating Larabars sooner? One whole serving of fruit and only a few ingredients. Yum. Must find the key lime pie ones.

I love Luna Bars, so who'd be surprised I like these. I've only had the chocolate peanut butter ones so far, but delish.

Chocolate caramel go lean crunchy, yum, yum. Really satisfying and I liked the popcorn bits. Yum, that's all I can say. And major props to Kashi for having a comment section for their products. That's a company who gets their customers. People like to know what others think, good or bad. Duh!

Anything else I should try? While I love the taste of Fiber One bars, I don't think they will work for me.

Yay Laura Ingalls Wilder, Grapefruit, Mud Baths, Cozy Corners and Boo Flying

Hi there.

So one of the unblogged about intentions is to blog less frequently but with more substance. Blogging daily for two years (!!) has been a good exercise but to accomplish it, I often resort to less than enthralling and helpful posts. Because doing this, working and having a life is hard, ya'll.

So I'm thinking it will go something like this: Monday-personal, etc., Wednesday-yays and boos, Friday-food. So, yay for 2011, as well as:

Grapefruit! After being Florida and drinking ridiculously fresh juice from Sun Harvest, citrus is on my mind. And grapefruit has to be one of the best tastes and smells after the holiday insanity. Photo from here.

Yes, yes, yes. Everything about this pictures says do this, Amanda! Picture from here.

Can't wait for this book to come out. Here's the excerpt from Amazon.

For anyone who has ever wanted to step into the world of a favorite book, here is a pioneer pilgrimage, a tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a hilarious account of butter-churning obsession.

Wendy McClure is on a quest to find the world of beloved Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder-a fantastic realm of fiction, history, and places she's never been to, yet somehow knows by heart. She retraces the pioneer journey of the Ingalls family- looking for the Big Woods among the medium trees in Wisconsin, wading in Plum Creek, and enduring a prairie hailstorm in South Dakota. She immerses herself in all things Little House, and explores the story from fact to fiction, and from the TV shows to the annual summer pageants in Laura's hometowns. Whether she's churning butter in her apartment or sitting in a replica log cabin, McClure is always in pursuit of "the Laura experience." Along the way she comes to understand how Wilder's life and work have shaped our ideas about girlhood and the American West.

The Wilder Life is a loving, irreverent, spirited tribute to a series of books that have inspired generations of American women. It is also an incredibly funny first-person account of obsessive reading, and a story about what happens when we reconnect with our childhood touchstones-and find that our old love has only deepened.

Seriously I still think about the sod house on the banks of Plum Creek, the locusts and eating salted pork. I hope my love deepens as well.

Here's my number one rule for kickstart to the new year: plan a vacation as soon as possible. In all honesty, this trip has been in the planning stages for awhile but now tickets are purchased. Napa Valley, including a stop at one of the places I've long wanted to visit, Calistoga hot springs and mud baths. Photo from here.

Lastly, I think airline travel may be the MOST uncivilized mode of transportation. I remember flying as a kid and thinking it was such a big deal. Getting dressed up, eating hot meals and the anticipation of the beverage cart. I remember flying on a 747 a long time ago and thinking the two levels were about the coolest thing ever.

Its is honestly the worst now (if you can even get off the ground.) People suck, the airlines suck, layovers suck, cancelled flights suck. Flying certainly does not make you feel like a golden god. Photo from here.

Happy New Year, etc., etc.

We're back from a much needed visit to Florida. Time with family is good for the soul, but I think I'm going to have some trouble adjusting back to the cold and the daily grind.

I'm still thinking about how I want 2011 to be different than 2010. A few of my goals and intentions have been cemented, but it feels like a year to be seized upon. Shake things up, keep trying to be a better me while making changes to propel me forward rather than treading water. 2010 was definitely a treading water kind of year.

Since I only believe in making intentions with long-term sustainability, here are some key ones:

More consistent exercise routine If I totalled the amount of sugar and butter purchased last year, it would dovetail nicely with the increasing tightness of my jeans. Combine sweets with not feeling so awesome about things and add a good heaping of not consistently working out = need a new recipe for working out. Trite as it may sound, it is needed and necessary.

Food I've already outlined my new recipe intention, but I'm also striving to be a better snacker and fill myself with more fuel than empty calories. Cause lord knows, I love treats and snacks. And cheese. Plus, I use food to fill myself up when I feel empty. So, got to fix that one.

There are some house projects (stairs, office, curtains to be sewed) and be a better me projects (being more open to people, keep working on curbing procrastination.) Plus, I've got to figure out a better way to manage keeping the house clean. It is an avalanche that grows every time we go out of town.

Onward and upward, here's to a great 2011.