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I'm participating in the See Jane Write challenge: 28 days of grace

  • Posted on: 6 February 2018
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Natural Living
Tags: 
see jane write 28 days of grace
self-care february
see jane write members
You made it through January. You accomplished some of your goals, stuck to some of your resolutions, but missed the mark on a few. How should you deal with those missed goals or resolutions? Show yourself GRACE . This year is one of the most exciting years of my life. I have launched Spiffy Eats as a full-time venture, I'll be hosting an Instagram challenge, and I'm writing an e-course. I'm getting to know my audience of food photographers better than I ever have. And I am in complete control of my time for the first time in a long time. I set some pretty lofty goals for the month of January...

Vanilla chia pudding with strawberry coconut cream

  • Posted on: 16 January 2018
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Desserts
Tags: 
califia farms chia pudding
vanilla chia pudding
There's been a little bag of chia seeds sitting on my counter for several weeks. I've sprinkled a little on a couple of smoothie bowls. I've blended some seeds into a smoothie drink. But, I've never made chia pudding. Until today! I'm not going to lie to you guys, the texture is straight up weird. For real. It's kind of like eating gummy worms as pudding. Hahaha. But, the flavor is dang delicious! And the benefits of chia seeds are pretty amazing. Did you know chia seeds are: high in omega-3 fatty acids high in calcium, potassium, and magnesium a great source of protein high in antioxidants...

Giggle Water recipe

  • Posted on: 5 January 2018
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Drinks
Tags: 
giggle water recipe
vintage cocktail recipe
40s cocktail recipe
After 5 years of creating recipes for you guys I am finally sharing my most SECRET, SPECIAL, AMAZING RECIPE with you- giggle water! String up the banners, call your girlfriends over for a cocktail night, giggle water is here!!!! This recipe uses the classic combo of gin and bubbles, but with a special twist of fluffy, sweet cotton candy. I hope you enjoy it as much as my girlfriends and I do!

Alton Brown's Pound Cake Recipe

  • Posted on: 2 January 2018
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Desserts
Tags: 
alton brown pound cake
traditional pound cake recipe
Pound cake has intimidated me for a long time. I have tried a couple of recipes and failed miserably. So, I turned to the guy who can explain each and every step and the reasoning behind it- Alton Brown . After watching his video (we streamed it on Hulu) I was ready to tackle the pound cake beast! I followed his instructions exactly and came out with the most moist, flavorful cake with a flaky, candy-like crust. I also followed his recipe for the citrus glaze, but added thyme to give it a little more earthiness. The three biggest takeaways I got from his recipe were: Make sure every...

Instagrammer of the Month: Becca of Lume & Penna

  • Posted on: 27 December 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Fundamentals
Tags: 
instagrammer of the month
spiffy eats instagram of the month
lume & penna
Today I am so excited to introduce a new feature on the Spiffy Eats blog. Each month I will be highliting an Instagrammer that is doing something unique with their profile. My goal with these interviews is to provide encouragement and inspiration for you on your Insta journey. I will be asking questions aimed at helping you use Instagram as a means to build your brand awareness, community, and technical skills. Our January featured Instagram account is Lume & Penna, a beautiful account created and run by Becca Paul of Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Becca Becca has been one of my favorite...

Eggnog Cake

  • Posted on: 11 December 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Desserts
Tags: 
boozy dessert
eggnog cake
crazy christmas cake
After spending time with family in Mississippi for Thanksgiving, I was inspired to make a crowd pleasing, over the top cake for an upcoming dinner party. At our Thanksgiving festivities my aunt prepared an out of this world cake that had me at her side asking questions and hanging onto every single word she said. The biggest inspiration I took away from her words was to not be afraid to make a cake your own. Do something that may seem a little crazy, like adding extracts you haven't used before. Just be brave and let your personality shine through the cake! That's how this crazy eggnog cake...

Hygge Winter Porridge

  • Posted on: 4 December 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Snacks
Tags: 
hygge food
english porridge
jamie oliver porridge
According to Louisa Thomson Brits from her book, The little book of hygge, "Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a quality of presence and experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being warm, safe, comforted, and sheltered." Hygge is more than just blankets, fires, and cozy times spent with those you love. It is an intentional way of living your life to be more open to those around you, while still finding comfort and safety in the everyday still moments of solitude. It is far more complex than I can explain in one blog post, so consider this a brief introduction. At my home I...

A community that will change your life

  • Posted on: 30 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Fundamentals
Tags: 
bloglikecrazy
blog like crazy
see jane write blog like crazy 2017
Photo courtesy of Haute Chocolate We made it through another year of #bloglikecrazy! And I have to say this has been the most rewarding year yet. I have learned so much about the direction of my business and my goals for the future. I gained two collaborations and even a feature in Style Blueprint this year! I also got the chance to grow deeper into my community of fellow writers through See Jane Write . Being part of this amazing community has changed my life in so many ways. I have women who support me, encourage me, and even give helpful critiques when I ask for them! They stand by me and...

Winter Smoothie Bowl

  • Posted on: 29 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Snacks
Tags: 
winter smoothie bowl
sweet potato smoothie
cauliflower smoothie
The weather is brisk, sweaters and boots are in regular rotation, and our home is in snuggle mode 24/7. I love winter for so many reasons, one of the top being amazing spice combinations. The aroma of cinnamon floods my mind with precious memories of sipping apple cider from a tiny paper sample cup while shopping for holiday goodies with my mother. Today's recipe invites you to fill your body full of nutritious goodness, while igniting your taste buds with the flavors of the season. This recipe comes to us from Emilie Maynor Living . My creative, and brilliant friend is hosting a smoothie...

Winter Mule Cocktail

  • Posted on: 28 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Drinks
Tags: 
winter moscow mule
moscow mule autumn
I know you guys are thinking... really? Two cocktail recipes in a row? And the answer is yes. 'Tis the season to be jolly, right? Haha. But, seriously this recipe is a play on a traditional moscow mule that invites you to savor the joy of the holidays with orange, cranberry, and ginger you are sure to feel in the holiday spirit!

Spiked Almond Holiday Nog

  • Posted on: 26 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Drinks
Tags: 
califia farms holiday nog
almond milk egg nog
vegan egg nog
The holidays are here and it is absolutely the most wonderful time of the year! Holiday food and drink is one of my favorite ways to celebrate. After giving up most of my dairy intake last year, I was concerned I would miss out on egg nog this holiday season. I have tried several alternative soy nogs, and none really hit the spot. As I was strolling through our local grocery store, I noticed my favorite brand of almond milk (Califia Farms) was selling holiday nog. I tried not to get my hopes too high, in fear of being dissappointed once again. But, as soon as I took my first sip, I was...

Welcome, Winter

  • Posted on: 25 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Natural Living
"Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder--no matter how old you became and how much you'd seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered." --Candace Bushnell

Autumn

  • Posted on: 24 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Natural Living
“Listen! The wind is rising and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” Humbert Wolfe

3 habits to simplify your life today!

  • Posted on: 20 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Fundamentals
1. Have quiet time Make an intentional effort to spend 10-15 mintues alone first thing in the morning. I know this may sound impossible with busy schedules and work piling up to the ceiling, but I have personally found that this one tactic makes a world of difference in whether my day goes the direction of simplicity or complication. 2. Have a ritual This can be a morning ritual or evening ritual. But, make sure you do something the same every single day. Take a walk at the same time, read a book with a warm cup of tea right before bed, or you can do what I do and make a cup of pour over...

Are you missing quality time with loved ones by not being present this holiday season?

  • Posted on: 19 November 2017
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Fundamentals
Tags: 
simplify the holidays
being present during the holidays
avoid stress this holiday season
The holidays are a time of love, community building, and making memories that will last a lifetime. However, it is easy for them to also become a time of stress, business, guilt, and exhaustion if we aren't making an effort to be intentionally present & kind. Here are my tips to be the most present, kindest version of ourselves this holiday season. Go with the flow- of your breath I know, easier said than done for some of us. But, the holidays have one thing in common: people. And guess what, where people are involved, things are never going to go exactly according to plan. So, what can...

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