L’occitane – WITH GRACE AND CARE

Hi! How are you?

The first day of Spring was last month. I hope your neck of the woods is (finally) catching up. My yard is in full bloom with more roses than I can share. It’s a treat to open the back door first thing in the morning to the sound of birds and the bursts of color and scents all together in one big melting pot of…….charm.

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Let’s Cook!

I’m not going to hide it….this dish is high in fat. But it’s SO good! I tweaked the recipe quite a bit but you can find the original at damndelicious.net. So go ahead and tweak it yourself. Add some, take some, but please share so I can try it too.

**I made both chicken and pork because the men of the house have varying tastes. And because I like them so much I left out my normal variety of mushrooms.

CHICKEN (AND PORK) IN SUNDRIED TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Ingredients

5 boneless/skinless thighs and 3 thick boneless pork chops

Salt and pepper

1 tablespoon porcini butter (does not taste a bit like mushrooms, I swear!)

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper

1 cup low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup sundried tomatoes (soaked over night in garlic olive oil and drained before use)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme, dried oregano, and driven basil

A bunch of asparagus spears

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Season a pot of water with salt, pepper, and garlic flavored olive oil and boil the chops for 1.5-2 hours or until VERY tender. Trim the fat and set aside.

Do the same for the thighs but for only 45 minutes. Trim the fat and set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet. Add asparagus, garlic, and red pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, sundried tomatoes, parmesan, and the three seasonings.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Add meat to the skillet and turn off heat.

Place the entire contents on the skillet to a casserole dish. Keeping the meats separated is an option.

Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes.

Salt and pepper to your taste and garnish with basil leaves. Serve immediately.

**Consider adding a side dish of pasta and bread sticks. Gluten free of course 🙂

Sell some, Buy some

Tradesy is an online consignment store featuring new and gently used items from individual sellers. Tradesy is very simple. If you are buying you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the many bargains of mainly designer clothes, jewelry, handbags and other accessories. If you are a seller they make it very easy. Once your item sells shipping supplies are sent to you and shipping is paid for in advance. Trades takes 9% commission. You can use your funds in the Tradesy store or have it transferred to your bank account. Tradesy.com

Used stuff I sold. Yes, there’s a market for empty jewelry boxes!

……and what I bought. The tag still attached said $165. I paid $50. Brand new. Ain’t she pretty?

Diet Fuel

Javita! This coffee was delicious. I found a 7-day supply for $11 on Amazon. A one month supply is anywhere from $25-$40. This particular blend ‘Burn and Control’ is aimed at weight loss. It definitely curbed my appetite. If you want a cleanse this is the stuff. What I am saying is if you need to empty the bowels. The first day stay close to home or another comfort zone. The second day is a bit less ‘violent’. I cannot comment on weight loss. I had one cup each morning for 7 days straight. I no longer use a scale so I don’t have numbers for comparison. Judging from the fit of my clothes…not much happened in a week. But I did feel a lot less bloated. A month is recommended for weight loss results.

Tried It

La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream – The only thing wrong with this cream is that I’ll never be able to use it long term. It’s SO expensive. I bought a trial size .24 oz from Amazon just to try it. Even that was $25. It’s everything they say it is. Very rich and ultra moisturizing. It has a smell that reminds me of walking into an older woman’s home……clean and old-fashioned. The small tub is on it’s 7th day and I’m still using it. I use it on my face and the driest parts of my body….the top of my hands and neck.

Hydra Source Conditioning Hair Balm by Matrix Biolage – A+ for rehydrating damaged hair. This tub will last about a year. $23 at Great Clips.

Jenipapo Body Oil SPF 15 by L’Occitane – I can’t decide if the scent is fruity or floral. But it’s a great after shower moisturizer and sunscreen is a bonus. $21 at L’Occitane.com

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Lots of ‘serious’ news lately. Let it serve as a reminder to be more loving and accepting. Help when you can. And tell your loved ones you love them several times a day. XO, Lisa

Where did February go? It’s already 80 here in Temecula Valley! One of the many advantages of California life is the early onset of Spring. While most of the US is experiencing nasty weather, we here in Cali have been sensing the seasonal change for a few weeks. The warm weather usually brings a lighter spirit and new adventures toward health and happiness. It’s time to get ready for summer and it’s always time to feel good.

Selfless Gifting

Choosing the right gift does not have to be stressful. This I say AFTER Valentine’s Day 😉 For the next occasion try something different. Forget flowers and jewelry and pricey meals.

Adopt an animal. One that never even comes home with you. At The Gentle Barn they have nearly two-hundred animals. All of whom were rescued from severe abuse, neglect, abandonment or worse. From feed to medical bills this ranch runs on donations. I have had the privilege of visiting this ranch on two occasions. It’s lovely. It’s inspiring. It’s peaceful. Located in Santa Clarita (two hours from Temecula, three from San Diego) it was worth the drive. I left with a renewed respect for animals and for a few weeks I had a hard time eating meat.

One of the many things I learned during my visits was the connection animals have with humans. We crave each other. For example, I was told if I sat down in the dirt by the roosting chickens and turkeys they would approach me. Within no time I had a turkey in my lap. IN MY LAP!

You can choose an animal of your choice online and set up a monthly payment as low as $10. In return you will receive an adoption certificate, a photo of your animal, and updates. Also, the ranch is open to the public on Sundays for $10 donation each. Visit your new “pet”! While you are there you can meet the owner, Ellis Laks, and hear a short and personal chalk talk all about how she achieved a lifelong dream to help animals. She also has a book called My Gentle Barn.

Recently, Ellie and her husband were notified of a cow in Tennessee who had one of his feet cut off in an accident. This cow was to be put down. When they heard about this they got in their car, drove to Tennessee and took over care of this injured animal. With their help, Dudley now has a special prosthetic to replace his foot.

“Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to abused animals. Then through the interaction with our animals children learn reverence for all life.” Gentle Barn Twitter.

Wearing It

Sunblock. Spring is when most of us get around to applying it daily. Even though it’s recommended year round. There seems to be so much talk and chatter about the good and bad of this essential element to our wellbeing. It’s confusing and time-consuming to choose whats right for you and yours. As with everything we ingest or apply label reading is important.

Here are some SPF products presumed safe to slather or brush on:

Alba Botanica, MyChelle, Colorescience Pro, John Masters, Episencial, and Block Island Organics.

Be a label reader! Avoid these ingredients: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Homosalate, Octocrylene, and Paraben preservatives.

***The FDA has researched the harmful effects brought on by AEROSOL SPRAY sunscreens. Some news outlets reported that the aerosol sprays can be flammable during application and/or when the contents is exposed to sun and heat. It has also been reported that the propellant used to expel sunscreen from an aerosol spray can cause injury by ‘frosting’ the skin (some aerosol deodorant sprays have the same effect). An aerosol burn is an injury to the skin caused by the pressurized gas within an aerosol spray cooling quickly, with the sudden drop in temperature sufficient up to a sixty degree drop.

Slather or brush on!

This particular Alba Botanica Sunscreen has a pump release which poses no harm. $8 at Sprouts

Other Uses

Bars of soap are so useful beyond the bathroom. They’re not just for washing your hands. The pleasant bouquet they give is why we really love them. Place them in small spaces for maximum fragrance.

For example — The top drawer of your desk, the center console of your car, a pocket in your handbag, the pocket of a coat that will sit in the closet until next season, your intimates drawer, or line a few in various places in your closet so all your clothes can pick up the sweet scent.

Tried It

While Bath and Body Works and The Body Shop are favorites I was happy to experience something different at L’occitane. Like any other store aimed at targeting women I was taken by the overwhelming scents and colors in the store. This is when ‘in store’ and ‘online’ are truly contradictory. Leaving empty handed was not an option.

Bonus…they are happy to give out samples.

L’occitane located at UTC Mall La Jolla. Verbena Bar Soap $8, Roll-on Lavender Oil $15,

Eye and hand cream samples FREE

Something New

The beautiful Verbena! Pot it, drink it, wear it.

*This lightly scented flower comes in many colors. Typically shades of blue. Also, pink, purple, or white. Verbena needs 8 to 10 hours of sun each day.

*For a delicious herbal tea try Verbena Mint Tea Pouches by Might Leaf Tea. Organic and caffeine free. Some benefits include reduced feelings of anxiety, drink with a meal to improve and speed digestion, and the anti-inflammatory abilities of the herb are known to aid with the aches and pain of osteoarthritis.

*If you prefer subtle and floral scents try “Verbena Blossom” by Annie Oakley.

Smart Mornings

A quick and healthy breakfast:

Egg whites, shiitake mushrooms, fresh salsa, cilantro, and ginger. Sautéed in olive oil.

Tag: L’occitane

“I’d rather be a comma, than a full stop.”

Feeling. Being. Knowing.