Meal Shortcuts

4 recipes to make life a 'lil easier: blood orange syrup, pickled onions, buttermilk scones, golden chicken broth

It’s meal shortcut time my friends. I am very buzzed on matcha right now. I have had two already and I already want another I think — no I know — I am addicted.

& I have one of my chocolate cherry scones in the oven right now….

I am already loving February. There are good vibes in the air. I want to share something with you that has helped me when I am feeling down, to reverse my mindset, in the case that you aren’t feeling the same way about February as I am.

Usually when I am feeling down — it is because I am very in my head. Thoughts and thoughts and spiraling that take me out of the present moment. There is a difference between introspection & reflection versus obsession & overthinking. Obsession and overthinking usually comes from a place of stress, fear and negativity. Whereas introspection and reflection come from a place of non-judgement, curiosity and love.

When I am in this negative loop — first and foremost I like to take the thoughts that are in my head and put them down on paper. Write write write. There is something so therapeutic about it. If not writing on paper — communicating them to someone I love and trust who will just hear and understand me.

Next — take those inner thoughts and shift them into positive outward actions.

There are two ways we can act when we are feeling down and negative about ourselves. We can either take that negativity and spew it onto others (which in turn will just continue making ourselves feel worse), or we can take that negativity and turn it into love, caring and kindness. I have noticed when I am feeling most down, the number one thing that makes me feel better is acts of kindness towards others. Thinking about others. Making others days for no reason at all. Showing people love.

Hurt people hurt people. That is the easy way to continue to excuse your negative emotions, by convincing yourself you are a negative person. How about if we prove to ourselves the opposite? Our mindset and thoughts begin to shift with it.

So today — and every day this month, the month of love — join me in showing extra kindness for no reason. Complimenting a random stranger. Taking an extra second to help someone out. Calling someone you love. Doing something extra thoughtful for someone. Making someones day. Taking yourself out of your mind, and caring for someone else’s. Maybe make someone one of these recipes? I know they’d love it <3

On the Menu:

• Blood Orange Syrup

• Pickled Onions

• Buttermilk Cherry-Chocolate Chip Scones

• Golden Ginger Turmeric Chicken Broth

Blood Orange Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup blood orange juice (I did a mix of cara cara & blood orange)

• 1 tsp blood orange zest

• 1/3 cup sugar

Recipe

1. Freshly squeeze oranges

2. Combine orange juice, sugar and zest in a pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves

3. Lower heat, bring to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes until it’s slightly thickened (occasionally stirring)

4. Remove from heat and allow to cool

5. Strain syrup into a jar and seal tightly!

6. ENJOY

Storing/Subs/Notes

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week

• You can sub any variety of orange or citrus

• Option to sub honey or maple syrup for sugar

• Option to stir in vanilla at the end for an orange-vanilla syrup

• I love mixing in about a tbsp or two of this with sparkling water to make a blood orange soda!

Pickled Onions

Ingredients