embition.

after an outing with a sweet friends to a little communal table restaurant where we ordered a grain salad with these two little ingredients, i became obsessed.

i've been making little variations of the salad like no other.

recipe:

1. make a batch of israeli couscous as
directed on the box and let cool

2. pick-up some arugula
(i prefer the wild, little version from tj's)

3. choose from the following combination
and add accordingly

israeli couscous and arugula...

cubed butternut squash + harissa + crumbled goat cheese + toasted pinenuts.

cucumber + heirloom tomato + feta + olive oil + lemon juice.

dried cranberries + slivered almonds + balsamic vinegar + shaved parmesan.

pecans + sundried tomatoes + crumbled goat cheese + olive oil.

mint + tart dried cherries + walnuts + orange juice.

a few hearty winter grain salad ideas.

enjoy!
(photo)

December 10, 2012

hobbies.

what's your hobby?

is it the opposite of your day job or parallel with your line of work?

do you do it daily, weekly, monthly?

if you don't have one, do you want one?

i have a plethora of hobbies.

and i think the greatest thing about having lots of hobbies is that

there is always something to do, explore, see, or create.

i am fascinated by the human body, disease, health, and the psyche.

i enjoy painting, crafting, and creating art.

i would love to cook, bake, feed friends, and entertain everyday.

i love hiking, kayaking, and long walks.

i am intrigued by other cultures, travel, the outdoors, and people from different walks of life.
and i am always looking for ways to better myself and my relationships.

with all of these things, i try to find outlets to channel my interest
because i find great purpose in exercising all of my passions.

in efforts to help you find your hobby of choice, i have put together a little 'hobby helpers guide'.

a few hobbies that i really want to pursue more...

throwing pottery, reading, and finding my nitch in an a exercise program that i love.

let me know how you like this guide. hit on any new possible hobbies that you would like to take on?

December 7, 2012

on the agenda.

this weekend comes with much anticipation!

dinner and 'beach blanket babylon' show with my girls, their families, my parents, and the boy in the city.

christmas shopping with the parents.

a christmasy, san francisco date with the boy that hopefully will include hot chocolate and ice skating.

shopping/luncheon/girl day with my sweet nursing friends.

doing a celebratory dance for being halfway done with my masters in nursing (wahoo!).

p.s. last night my whole nursing class had a large celebratory party that was too fun for words.
nerdy, tipsy nurses. loved it.

it's follow-me-friday people.

check out the right-hand sidebar on my blog and 'join this site' and 'follow me elsewhere'.

pretty please, i promise it will be really fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

December 6, 2012

nursing + crafting.

like every other nursing student, i have a little stress in my life.

one of the ways that i have found helpful for calming my (ridiculously crazy) nerves is a bedtime ritual.

i light my capri blue volcano candle, brew a cup of lavender chamomile or mint tea, spray my lavender spray, and chill out in my bed with the lights off while i do something non-school related.

it has become 'my thing' and i really like it.

in efforts to give some of my nursing friends a little bit of 'relaxation in a package', i conjured up a crafty and grad school budget idea to put together lavender nursing sachets, my favorite herbal teas, and a candle in a mug for their six week break enjoyment.

and here they are.

nothing says 'thank you for all of your support, poop jokes, study guides, pre-sunrise clinical carpooling, and friendship' like a little handmade, red cross, lavender sachet.

happy holidays to all my nursing friends- may you sleep a little better knowing that 4:30am alarms are still two months away!