#MexicanFoodTherapy: Chorizo, Papa y Huevo Breakfast Tacos

It's you're lucky day. Besides the fact that it's Friday, you are about to get a little glimpse into the wonderful world of authentic breakfast tacos. 

One of the things I miss most about living in Texas is the cheap breakfast tacos.

What really makes these tacos are the potatoes. Even though it takes longer to peel, chop, and fry the potatoes, don't skip this step. These "papas" are prepared the way my abuelita used to make them for me. Sometimes I'd just eat a big bowl of my grandmas potatoes for breakfast. Is it healthy? No. Is it delicious? Yes.

Here are your ingredients and instructions for making life changing breakfast tacos.

2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced medium
olive oil
1 lb chorizo sausage
5 eggs
1/3 cup milk
corn tortillas
salt & pepper to taste
queso fresco (optional)
avocado (optional)
salsa (optional)

First, fry up your potatoes in a 12-inch non-stick skillet with olive oil. I'd start with a couple of tablespoons and then add more as needed. In case you're wondering what the potatoes should look like, here you go:

Start cooking the potatoes on medium-high heat and then reduce to medium low heat once they turn a nice golden brown color and cook a few minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. It should take 10-12 minutes for them to be soft enough. Set them aside in a large bowl.

Next, use the same skillet to cook the chorizo. Break it up into bite-sized pieces until cooked through.

While the chorizo cooks, whisk together the eggs, milk, and more salt and pepper. Once the chorizo is cooked add it to the bowl with the potatoes.

Don't worry about cleaning out the skillet, add the eggs and scramble. Finally, add the cooked eggs to the bowl with the potatoes and chorizo and mix everything together.

So simple yet so good.

Put the potato, chorizo, egg mixture in a corn tortilla and add some yummy toppings. I like queso fresco, a little salsa, and avocado. 

¡Provecho!

Media Roundup: Inventive Ways to Find a Job, Hugh Jackman's Documentary on Fair Trade Coffee, and More...

Happy Friday morning! I am coming off of a busy couple of weeks and this weekend won't be any different, but the sun is shining and it feels like summer is just around the corner, so I'm going to take a deep breath and enjoy all of the blessings in my life in the midst of the busyness. 

Here's a round up of some interesting content from around the web this week. There's some good stuff here from some job search tips, to beautiful drawings that portray everyday love. And... Hugh Jackman + fair trade coffee documentary. Need I say more?

Enjoy and have a great weekend! 

Out-of-the-Box Approaches to Job Searching

If there's anything this past year has taught me it's that when it comes to finding a job it's not enough to work hard and know the right people anymore, you have to figure out a way to stand out from all of the other people jockeying for the job you want.

Here are some creative ideas on how to do that, like coming up with a new approach to a resume or coming across as inventive, but not to the point of being annoying. Scan the list and see if you can take something away. Even if you are currently working, it never hurts to be prepared for a sudden change in direction.

Hugh Jackman Stresses the Importance of Fair Trade Coffee in New Documentary

Hugh Jackman is moving beyond his super hero role on the big screen and is moving into documentary territory with a new project he and his wife, Deborra Lee Furnass, are involved in called Dukale's Dream.

The documentary sheds light on the daily struggles of Ethopian coffee farmers as Hugh and Deborra travel to rural Africa to see what the farmers have to go through to make enough money on their crops to survive.

The documentary touches on important issues like the cycle of poverty, food security, and fair wages. You aren't going to want to miss it! Despite Hugh's often brash Wolverine-like attitude on screen, we see a softer side of the actor in this film set to release in select theaters on June 5th and VOD on July 14th.  

The Integrated Social Media Campaign: A Marvel Case Study

Who knew Marvel's Avengers characters could teach us so much about the art of the integrated social campaign? 

Here are some interesting takeaways from the Avengers Age of Ultron social campaign leading up to its May 1st release date. With a huge opening weekend boasting $191.3 million in sales I think they may be on to something..

What can you learn for your brand?

Hand Drawn Logo Montage

Here's some video zen for you. This will be especially exciting to all of the artists in the room. It's got some pretty groovy music too. :)

20 Heartwarming Drawings from Korean Artist Puuung

And finally, for all of the hopeless romantics, a collection of feel-good drawings of a couple just doing life together. It's the simplicity of the scenes that really pulls you in.


Did anything from this week's roundup stand out to you? 

How To Survive Seattle Weather

It's the end of April and while it would normally be about this time of year that I'd be researching flights to escape to some place sunny and flipping through Instagram looking longingly at beach pics, desperately missing the sun, this year has been relatively mild. We have had very few rainy days and the temperature has been surprisingly warm. I think I've seen the sun more this winter/spring than any other since I've lived in Seattle (going on 6 years).

Even so, adjusting to the rainy, grey weather in Seattle has been one the biggest challenges for me living in the Northwest. Besides being far from family, Seattle weather is my primary complaint about living here. Because I'm such a baby about the weather I've still been using some tactics to stay sane without the sun this year.

I'm going to share some of my tips for surviving rainy Seattle. Not everyone hates the drizzly, grey, depression-fest like I do, so for some of my PNW friends you might not be too concerned with this list, but for those of you who are recent transplants and didn't realize how depressing it is not to see the sun for 6 months out of the year, or you're a local and still can't stand the dreariness (like my husband) these tips are for you!

1. Hibernate

Once the excitement of the holidays winds down in mid to late January I pretty much have to get into the mindset that I'm not going to have as much energy as I do during warmer months of the year. The holidays usually push me through November, December, and most of January, but at that point we are only half way through the rainy months.  

Instead of fighting the slump, try embracing it. The days get darker earlier and your body has been functioning on significantly less Vitamin D for a few months, so maybe take on a new indoor hobby or start a new TV series on Netflix and just pull back a little bit.

When I say hibernate, I don't mean isolate. Isolation is never a good thing, but scaling back and not putting the same expectations on yourself in terms of what you can commit to is not the worst thing in the world. I've had to come to terms with it and I feel a lot less stressed because of it.

2. Stay Active

I'll be honest, putting on workout clothes and stepping out into the cold, dark, rainy weather to hit the gym is one of my least favorite things to do. It's tempting to give up on working out entirely, but trust me it's better to push through!

Staying active has a significant impact on your overall mood and health when the weather has you feeling down. Even if it's just a walk a day or finding some easy strength training exercises to do at home, it really does feel great to stay moving even when you're brain is telling you to go back to bed. 

One idea to stay motivated is to buy yourself a new workout outfit that will keep you warm. For the longest time I hated working out in the winter because I was a Texas girl and had only ever worked out in shorts! Buying some warmer workout pants and a new jacket helped me to get more excited about exercising. 

3. Take Vitamin D

I don't know why it took me so long, but I just started doing this this year. Most doctors will tell you that it's really tough to get the recommended amount of Vitamin D from your diet alone, and so it's not a bad idea to look into supplements.

Ask your doctor how many milligrams you should be taking. It's not hard to find some great over the counter options.

4. Drink Coffee (or some other energy-boosting substance)

The Northwest is a hub for great coffee and it's not uncommon to find coffee shops packed with people on the weekends enjoying their beverage of choice with a good book in hand. Coffee has a lot of benefits, but my personal favorite is the caffeine. I find that I actually drink less coffee during the summer because I don't need the extra boost, but in the winter months you'd be hard pressed not to find me sipping my daily morning cup of coffee. Not only is there something cozy about my morning ritual with my journal and coffee in hand, but it really does help jump start my day.

Not everyone likes coffee, but there are other great options if you want to get a little pep in your step. There are a variety of teas that have a bit of caffeine. Or if you want to steer clear of caffeine altogether, there are other things you can eat, like apples, that will give you a boost in the mornings or during that mid-afternoon slump. Maybe not to the same degree, but it's still helpful.

5. Plan a Vacation

This is my favorite option of all. While it doesn't happen every year because of finances or other factors, we try to plan a vacation around this time of year as often as we can. It helps to get away from the grey and go some place sunny. Especially for those particularly long, cold winters.

Even just a weekend getaway to California or in our case, Texas, does the soul, and skin, good. Just be prepared to be the whitest people out there when you hit the beach. Maybe even schedule a spray tan before leaving so as not to shock anyone with your pale body when you don a swimsuit. 

There are a lot of amazing things about living in the Northwest, but unfortunately the winter weather doesn't make that list for me. But as I've learned, you can be proactive about your Seattle winter experience and make some preparations so that you don't get stuck in a grey funk for 6 months. 


What are some of your tips for surviving Seattle winters?

CHICAGO My Kind of Town (How to do The Windy City on the Cheap)

I visited Chicago once when I was fourteen. My brother was going to a gymnastics camp at the University of Illinois in Champagne, so my mom and sister and I, and our friends drove into the city for a day. The trip consisted of getting some deep dish pizza for lunch visiting the American Girl Doll museum, the Hershey's Chocolate museum, and driving by Harpo studios. So, lets just say that I was overdue for a visit.

Turns out that experiencing Chicago as an adult and experiencing Chicago as a fourteen-year-old girl is much different. Who knew?

JD had to go to Chi Town for work, so I decided to tag along, and I'm so glad I did. We wanted to experience Chicago like the locals, so we asked some friends who have been Chicago residents for some advice on the must-see places and the best eateries. We went simple and cheap on this trip and even though we skipped the fancy dinners and expensive tours, we had an absolute blast. 

Here's a travel guide for doing Chicago on the cheap...


If you can, stay somewhere in Mag Mile near Rush street, especially if you want to get a feel for the city. The public transportation in Chicago is pretty reliable, and the train made it really easy to get around. The system is easy to navigate and is color coded for people like me who still get lost with Google Maps in front of their face.

TRANSPORTATION

Here's a tip for doing Chicago on the cheap: make use of the CTA. My suggestion is to buy day passes if you are planning to make your way around the city and don't want to pay for taxis or Uber. You can buy 1, 3, or 7 day passes on the website by buying a Ventra card. Or you can just buy it at the stations (just make sure to factor that into your travel time). 

We used the train, walked, and rode the bus and had no problem getting everywhere we wanted to go from downtown. For longer distances at night you may want to consider calling a cab, just for the sake of safety, but we honestly had no problems or strange encounters during our time on trains and busses. 

SITES

If you are staying in the city center you can walk most places or take a quick train ride to some beautiful spots. On our first day we took the train to Grant Park, stopped for some Cuban sandwiches at a restaurant called Cafecito and walked through Grant Park and Millennium Park where we saw the bean! (Cloud Gate)

Here are a few shots of the parks as we walked our way through the fun weekend, city scenes...

As if the architecture wasn't enough to take your breath away, the weather was FRIGID, and even with coats, hats, and scarves we were a little on the cold side. If you visit Chicago in the winter or spring keep in mind that 28 actually means it feels like below zero because of the WIND. We stopped at Oak Street Beach, which was in walking distance from our hotel, but did not linger because we couldn't walk another mile with numb hands and faces. 

Next time I'll be sure to bring gloves. It was mostly having cold hands all of the time that was bothersome. Especially when you're being all touristy and carrying around shopping bags and coffee cups.

A cute little hipster red beanie couple in front of the bean

For some great Jazz we visited the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge and it definitely did not disappoint. The drinks were so-so, but it was a packed house as Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain serenaded with their smooth sounds. The overall experience was just fun. We arrived around 8 PM and stood for most of the time even though people were circulating in and out until 2 AM. So, just expect to sip your cocktail while standing if you go on a weekend night.

FOOD

I have to be honest and say that living in Seattle for nearly six years has ruined me forever. The food here is just so incredibly good and I measure all of my food experiences based on my best Seattle food memories, which if I'm honest haven't really been outdone in my recent travels. So while the food was good, I can't say that I was blow away at any point, with a few exceptions...

Our first night we embraced the tourist stereotype and grabbed some deep dish pizza. The popular place to do that is Lou Malnati's. It was a fun spot and the crust really was all you'd hope for in a deep dish: buttery and dense, but I wouldn't say that it was anything but a good slice of pizza.

Per our friend's suggestion who was a Chicago-ite for many years, we grabbed lunch the next day at D'amato's Bakery on Grand Ave. We got a little bit mixed up and got sandwiches there, instead of next door at Bari's, like everyone says to do. Apparently D'amato's is where you should go for pizza, but since we had already had pizza the night before we went for the sandwiches. 

I can say with confidence that the meatball sub there was the best I've ever had. The fresh baked bread really put that sandwich over the top. The Italian sub was delicious too, though I can't say that sub sandwiches are my favorite things in the world. But if you're trying to do Chicago on the cheap or you love sandwiches, this is your spot. If we go back I want to grab a pizza at D'amato's (they looked AMAZING and I am so bummed we didn't go for it anyway) and try the subs at Bari's instead. The cool Chicago-y thing to do is to get giardiniera on your subs. It's essentially a condiment with pickled peppers, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and gherkins. It did amp up the sandwiches, but again, not my favorite flavors. There's a spicy and non-spicy version. Go for spicy if you can handle it.

If you're doing some shopping in the downtown area grab a coffee at Intelligentsia. Another former resident recommendation, I was thoroughly impressed with their roast and the the service was really great. I tried a Salvadorian blend in an Americano and it had some really complex notes like Marzapan, which I enjoyed. Carrying a cup of coffee around also helped with the cold hands problem. They have locations in NYC and L.A as well.

Our last full-meal was at a thin crust pizza place in Lincoln Park called Pat's Pizza. It has good reviews, but again I think we can chalk the experience up to just a good piece of pizza. I did love the Lincoln Park area, though. It's a place I'd love to explore a little more when we go back.

Last, but definitely not least was probably our favorite stop during our trip: The Violet Hour. This little gem in Wicker Park is a speakeasy that you'd miss if you weren't looking for it. When we walked up to the door that is cleverly disguised by a wall of graffiti, we were approached by a young guy asking if we were wanting a table. We told him it was just the two of us and he lead us into a dark entryway with a curtain and checked our IDs. After checking with the hostess for seating availability, he led us through the curtain and to the bar. I would recommend sitting at the bar if you can, because it's so fun to watch the bartenders work their magic. 

I ordered their signature drink the Romeo + Juliet (gin, rosewater, lemon, and cucumber) and it was one of the best cocktails I've ever tasted - expert balance and just the thing I was craving. It was so refreshing. JD ordered something with tequila. We got a few small bites, but they were nothing special. The ambiance is really what impresses. The lighting is really dim, with mostly candles providing the light, and the expansive space has small tables with chairs that have incredibly high backs and velvet seat covers. A fun part of the experience are observing teir "house rules" which includes not using your cell phone and keeping your voice down to keep with the mood. The bartenders were incredibly nice and helpful and I even had one of them whip up something on the fly for me at the end with Rum and it was heavenly. Put this place on your list when you visit! You won't be disappointed. 

Can you spot the door handle?

Another thing worth mentioning about this fun city is the people. Everyone is SO friendly. At least that was our experience. Chicago breaks the big city stereotype. You wouldn't expect such a warm and inviting feeling, but we were pleasantly surprised by how welcoming everyone made us feel. In fact, locals went out of their way to ask us if we needed help navigating the city, and that just made us enjoy our time there even more.

We packed quite a bit into our weekend stay in Chicago, but there's so much we didn't get to do and see, what are your travel tips for the Windy City?

Puppy Training: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Max with his favorite Doodle friend, Layla

My puppy is 5 months old this week and he is as rambunctious and adorable as ever! Look at the before and after picture. It's amazing how fast they grow! I haven't had a puppy since I was really young, so I didn't realize how much work and effort it takes to train a puppy. The kinds of things I just assumed my dog would know how to do like walk on a leash, turned out to be a huge pain to have to train him in. And the things I never thought I'd have to deal with like chasing him down when he runs off with my socks has been an adjustment too. We couldn't afford to adopt Max, keep him healthy with all of the vaccinations and check ups, AND put him through puppy school, so we decided to train him on our own. And it has been so much harder than I expected. 

My mother-in-law once told me that God makes babies (and puppies) really cute because they are so much work and deplete you of all of of your energy and patience, so it would be nearly impossible to tolerate them otherwise. I think she's got a point.

Don't get me wrong, adopting Max has been one of the most joy-filled experiences I've ever had, but much like many good things in life, it's really hard. 

Here are some things I've learned and can share about owning and training a puppy...

Puppies Are Unpredictable

I did a lot of research beforehand on training puppies and found all kinds of conflicting advice on everything from discipline to what to feed them. Some of what I found was helpful, but a lot of it didn't work for Max at all. I think it goes to show that each dog is different and responds to things differently. It doesn't really make sense to take one piece of advice and assume that it applies to all dogs across the board. 

One place that I did go to often for helpful advice was Cesar Millan's website. There was another Goldendoodle specific site that I used to visit often that's not available anymore unfortunately, but I found Petco employees to be really helpful even when it came to behavior advice. And of course I talked to my vet. You just have to get to know your puppy and figure out what's best for you and what you can manage as an owner.

Puppies Are Inconvenient

I had an idea of what we'd be signing on for when we decided to get a puppy - waking up in the middle of the night, taking him out in the cold rainy weather to go potty, running the risk of having him destroy things in our house - but I didn't realize how inconvenienced I would be until I actually experienced it. Besides the late night potty runs, constant chewing, and all around needy-ness, having a puppy really does limit what you can do. 

We decided to crate train, but even so Max has always had a hard time when we leave him alone, and for the first couple of months he couldn't stay home for longer than a couple of hours. It's really important to consider that reality and be ok with it before you get a puppy, because it can feel frustrating at times, especially when you're lacking sleep anyway.

Puppies Need Consistency

One piece of advice I came across in my research about puppy training, and what I was told by several experts, is that puppies need consistency. And it is SO true. It's amazing to see how much Max thrives in a consistent environment and routine. Since we adopted him at 8 weeks we've always put him in his crate at night with the same stuffed toy and told him "go to bed." For the first month he resisted, but since then as soon as we tell him to go to bed he walks straight into the bedroom and into his crate. It's crazy!

As much as we've worked really hard to train Max and be consistent with him there are some things I wish we had (or hadn't) done early on and more consistently so that he would be used to it by now. 

Puppies Will Take Over Your Life (If You Let Them)

I had such a difficult time leaving Max at home alone when we first got him. My heart would break when I would hear his little whines when we would leave. At first I tried rearranging my schedule so that I could be home with him as much as possible, but it's important not to let your puppy take over your life! It's so easy to do when you absolutely love your puppy and want to be a good owner, but it's more helpful to the puppy in the end if you don't make him or her the center of your world.

I still struggle with this sometimes. Since I work from home it can be tempting to let Max dictate the day by responding to his every whine and bark, but sometimes I have to revaluate and make sure that I am setting the tone for the day. 

Puppies Are Amazing!

Despite all of the challenges and inconveniences of owning a puppy, it really is one of the most fun things you can do (if you like dogs that is). I wouldn't trade even the hard days with Max for anything because the really sweet moments are so worth it. 

All in all Max really is a great dog. He has a really sweet temperament and is usually very obedient. He has his stubborn moments, but he's my puppy and I love him to pieces. I can understand now why they call dogs man's best friend. 

3 Thoughts on Traveling

I love to travel. I've also done quite a bit of it. I've traveled to 10+ states in Mexico, 10+ states in the United States, 3 different cities in Germany, 3 different cities in Canada, Puerto Rico, and a recent excursion to Chicago (a post on that is coming soon!) but that only scratches the surface of where I'd like to go. If you've traveled a lot like me, you know that there's an art and a science to it. For some, careful planning and preparation is the only way that makes sense when it comes to taking a trip. For others, part of the fun of travel is the spontaneity. 

I've learned that it's a good idea to try to strike some sort of balance between creating a detailed itinerary and flying by the seat of your pants, so for the last couple of trips I've taken I've tried to create "flexible itineraries," so that I can have something to fall back on, but also have the flexibility to change things at a moment's notice. 

When I was traveling home from Chicago last week I was reflecting on some of the things I've learned about being a successful traveler. Here are a few of my thoughts (these tips are focusing on traveling for pleasure and not so much business-related travel.) 

1. Traveling Well Takes Practice

How much money should I plan to spend? What am I allowed to take on an airplane? How much time should I give myself to get the airport? How much gas will I use each day I'm on the road? 

These are all questions that are answered over time and through experience. Once you've taken several trips and know the drill, you can know what to expect and how to plan. With each new traveling experience you are becoming a more refined traveler. 

2. Don't be Afraid to be "That" Tourist 

When I travel somewhere new I often feel frustrated with myself that I can't navigate the area like a pro and I hate feeling like I don't know what I'm doing or where I'm going. I'm sure that's partly because I have become a total snob in my own city and get so irritated with tourists that slow me down. Definitely not my best moments. When you become a resident, especially in a big city, it's hard not to expect everyone to keep up with the pace that busy city life can set.

It's totally acceptable and to some degree expected that you'd walk around a bit wide-eyed in a new environment. In fact, in order to take in all of the new sights, sounds, and smells of a new place it's better to take it slow. Obviously it's important to keep your brain in and not act like an idiot and put yourself in danger. But embrace the ambiguity a little bit. Be ok with getting lost every once in a while. 

3. Take Everything in Stride

Not everything you plan is going to work out. You are going to show up to a restaurant that's closed for a private event, or get stuck in traffic because of a marathon, or forget your ID at home and miss your flight. These things just happen and getting upset and flustered won't change that. Part of my new "flexible itinerary" approach to travel allows room for error because I'm a human and I do dumb things. And you will too.

Lately I've been realizing that seeming disasters and unexpected obstacles can spark creativity and allow you to learn lessons you wouldn't otherwise. Whenever something goes wrong when I travel I try to take deep breaths and quickly consider, "what is the worse that can happen in this situation?" And usually when I really think about it, there are solutions for even the worst case scenario. And beyond that I just pray and trust that God is taking care of me.


What travel tips would you add to this list?

Media Roundup: Empowering Women in the Developing World, Non-Digital Skills to Cultivate, and More

Photo courtesy of William Iven and Unsplash

It's Tuesday and I'm recovering from a full day of travel yesterday and a long string of late nights and not enough sleep. JD and I were exploring Chicago this weekend and it was really fun and needed, but I think I need a vacation from my vacation. Ya feel me? 

Anywho... that's just me. I'm sure some of you out there are leading productive lives and are just killing it this week. Nice work. Maybe some of this inspiring, fun, interesting content from around the Web will propel you towards even greater awesomeness. And for those of you who are feeling tired and behind on life, like me, hopefully there's something here for you too... 

1. Laura Boshnak photographs women in the Arab world

Sometimes we just need to be reminded about what we might be taking for granted. For many Americans our daily experiences are considered luxuries to people in the developing world. Especially to women in the developing world.

Laura Boshnak wants to see this change. Her travels through the Arab world has inspired her to advocate for women who lack basic reading and writing skills. Her initiative helps women in Arab countries to empower themselves through education. This short video with nearly half a million views will make you want to get behind this amazing work. 

2. Three Career Lessons You Can Only Learn From Falling Hard

I don't know about you, but hearing about other people's failures on their way to success always motivates me. It might be that I have a sick sense of humor, or that I'm just relieved to hear that millionaires and celebrities are people too, but either way, here are some great tips on how to use those failures to your advantage later on.

3. SEO Basics

Search Engine Optimization. Everyone keeps telling you that you need to implement it into your Marketing strategy, but you're not sure where to start. 

Here are some helpful tips from a digital agency in Seattle that will help you lay the foundation for some SEO basics.

4. Non-Digital Skills to Foster for a Digitally-Minded Career

Non-digital skills in a digitally-centric world? It seems crazy. But the truth is any job involves people. And interacting with people, whether internally or externally, requires a set of skills that you can't pick up from a Google search.

Learn to cultivate some of these skills and see how it can put you ahead of the competition, even on the digital front.

5. A Dog Video That Will Stir Up Empathy and Hopefully a Few Laughs

Just for fun, watch this hilarious and slightly sad video of a Golden Retriever trying to catch all kinds of different foods in his mouth.

This is one of those videos that you laugh at, but feel a little bit bad about laughing at the same time. What put my guilt at ease was knowing that he got to eat all of those treats after they smacked him in the face :) I'm sure that's all that he cared about too.


Did anything catch your eye on this week's roundup?

PNW Pro Tip: Day Trip to La Conner

I don't know about you, but I genuinely enjoy it when my family comes to visit. Despite all of the cleaning beforehand, coordinating getting people to and from airports and hotels, and the exhaustion that comes with hosting, I am thrilled every time a member of my family visits me in Seattle.

This time around my mom and dad came to visit JD and I for a whole week and it was a blast! I love my parents. They have been the best support system a girl could ask for and we just enjoy each other's company and have fun when we all get together.

My dad is really into selfies

It was my mom's birthday and so on top of celebrating that we did a lot of fun things and ate A LOT of good food while they were here. A few things worth mentioning: a visit to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, taking in the beautiful cherry blossoms at the University of Washington, and a surprisingly charming visit to a little town called La Conner. 

I go a little "itinerary crazy" whenever a trip is coming up. Whether we are traveling somewhere or people are visiting us, I like to plan out specific things to see and do, and places to eat because details make me happy and planning is a hobby of mine. Or maybe a sickness. Whatever you want to call it, I always feel like things are going to go more smoothly with an itinerary, but you know what they say about best laid plans...

We originally set out to take a trip to the San Juan islands, and had everything planned out to take the ferry to Friday Harbor and spend the day there. Or at least I thought we had everything planned out. I was confusing the San Juan Island ferry terminal with another terminal where ferry's leave every half hour. So even though we arrived 45 minutes beforehand we missed our boat! And we were only 3 cars away from boarding, which was like a punch in the gut after realizing that our island day plans were slowly slipping away from us. Note to the reader: you can make reservations online for the ferry now! Do that and show up an hour early anyway, because ferry travel is a pain in the ass.

After I sulked for a good 15 minutes we started brainstorming about what to do instead and settled on a visit to La Conner. I had read about their daffodil festival, but since it wasn't peak season we just walked around the main strip of the small town.

It was probably partly because of the great company, but we ended up having a great time walking from shop to shop. We made a few purchases in an antique store and just enjoyed the small town vibe. If you are looking to get away from the city for a day, consider this cute spot just north of Seattle. And make sure to pay a visit to Nasty Jack's Antiques where you can find all sorts of fun, quirky, novelty knick knacks. The highlight, though was our lunch pick, Anelia's Kitchen and Stage, a Polish restaurant that also hosts live musicians on weekend nights. The happy hour was really affordable and we had plenty of food between the four of us. The German bratwurst and pierogies were phenomenal. They had a great selection of beers on tap, but my husband's favorite part of the meal was the peanut butter cake. 

The Hubs and I at Anelia's

Polish food is not a go-to cuisine of mine, but the food was surprisingly satisfying and the service was great! Another must-try place is the Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe and Bakery for the legendary cinnamon rolls. I had heard of this place from a friend, but totally forgot about it until we came across the cute little restaurant while we were walking the strip. We took some cinnamon rolls home to eat the next morning and let me tell you they did not disappoint.

Our final stop in town was a cute shop called Handmade. All of their products are made by hand with all natural ingredients and we picked up some lovely peppermint hand lotion (at 50% off!). They have men and women's products as well as some all natural household items.

On our way out we stopped to take some pictures by a field of daffodils (and got yelled in the process). I guess having your car stick out in the road while you're trying to take pictures with the "do not trespass" sign is not the best idea. But at least we got some cute pictures out of it :)

What are some of your favorite Pacific Northwest Day Trip Destinations?

Favorite Furry Instagram Accounts

Photo credit: Cassandra Sanchez

I know I'm a little bit biased, but I'm pretty sure my dog is the cutest furry thing on four legs to ever walk the earth. I mean look at that picture. Come on. 

Sometimes if I just need a break from the grind or I'm having a rough day I'll get some snuggles from my pup. But for those of you who don't have a cuddly puppy at home, or if you're an animal lover like me, I've put together a list of some of my favorite Instagram accounts solely dedicated to furry things (mostly dogs).

If you're on Instagram, check out and follow these cute accounts. Somehow pictures and videos of cute animals can just make you feel like the world is a better place.

1. cesar_frenchie

You've probably noticed that French Bulldogs or "Frenchies" have become increasingly popular lately. This cheeky French Bulldog is sure to bring a smile to your face. His humans produce hilarious videos that have brought more than 54,000 followers to his page and multiple sponsors. Most of his videos are staged with his girlfriend, stitchbully, who is also usually dressed up for the camera and has the cutest puppy eyes. They are amazingly cooperative and oh so cute.

2. piggyandpolly

Another incredibly cute French Bulldog duo will make you swoon when you see all of the cute poses they strike. The photos are pretty amazing and the black and white backgrounds up against these two white Frenchies makes for a really visually stunning account. They've racked up over 158,000 followers and also have some pretty big sponsors.

3. stephsguineapigtures

You know I had to give the guinea pig accounts some love. It may seem comical, but these pictures really are quite good. The two piggies, Teddie and Sammie, are so adorable and they have the cutest props! It's no wonder they have over 3,700 followers! 

4. lexi.macie.doodle

And of course because I'm a little bit doodle obsessed since we got our Maxy, there are a number of Doodle accounts I follow. My favorite is a pair of doodles named Lexi and Macie. They are beautiful girls living in Pennsylvania and boasting close to 2,400 followers. If you're considering buying a dog, this account will win you over to team doodle :). Other accounts I really love are weezythegoldendoodle, tuxthedood, and doodle.me.that.

I'm sure there are some other pet-loving Instagram accounts out there. What are your favorites? 

A Balanced Approach to Engaging Entertainment

Photo Credit Laura Lee Moreau and Unsplash

How DO you take a balanced approach to engaging entertainment in a media-saturated culture? I'm asking because I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out probably like many of you. We live in a time when entertainment is always at our fingertips and in most parts of the world, media in all kinds of formats sends messages that inform and impact individuals, families, communities, and to some degree whole societies. 

Over time I have come to the realization that things that used to bother me just don't anymore. I think a lot of this can be chalked up to a growing awareness and sobriety about the reality of the world we live in, but I have felt some conviction in recent years about the fact that some of the harmful and damaging messages that have been normalized by society, I have willingly embraced.

Particularly when it comes to movies I really wrestle with what kinds of content I should subject myself to for the sake of a great story or amazing acting or even just curiosity because a movie is so popular. 

Since being married, JD and I have tried to be more intentional about our choices when it comes to entertainment. For Christians, opinions vary when it comes to secular entertainment. I have landed on both extremes at one point or another, but I'm striving for a more balanced understanding of how to engage media and entertainment, because I really love good storytelling and really believe that stories that resonate with people impact them too, even in ways they don't realize. 

I'm definitely not arguing that any approach is the best or perfect when it comes to making these kinds of choices, though some content is clearly damaging and I would not endorse it at all, no mater how much critical acclaim it has received. By providing some food for thought and actual resources, my hope is that you would consider making more intentional choices about what you watch, read, and listen to. 

There are a few different resources I have historically used to make informed decisions about entertainment. One site is, in my opinion, really extreme on one side of the issue. One of the sites is simply an objective telling of what kind of content you can find in a movie, and the last site, which I've really been enjoying lately, is a resource that is operating from the conviction that "entertainment is not mindless" and we can engage stories portrayed in film in a way that is beneficial and in some cases might even help us understand God and people on a deeper level. 

Focus on the Family's Plugged In

I've been reading reviews on this site since late middle school and early high school. The Plugged In ministry is an extension of Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization that has been around since the 70's. The ministry has benefitted Christian families by providing resources and giving advice and the founder, Dr. James Dobson, is a well-known psychologist who has had significant influence in Christian circles over the years.

After reading hundreds of their entertainment reviews over the past decade or so I can say that while some of the guidance and advice is helpful and relevant, much of it is so conservative that it feels a bit like you're getting a finger wagged at you if you are considering consuming any secular content at all.

At this point in my life, I personally don't agree with this approach or mindset, and so I try to take most of what I read on their site with a grain of salt, though there are some helpful parameters and warnings. 

IMDB Parental Guide

If I'm trying to decide if we should watch a movie or not I will usually go here just to find out exactly what to expect. The MPAA rating system is wholly confusing and unreliable in my opinion. Just because something is given a particular rating doesn't mean that we can always base our decision on that.

This feature of the site and app gives detailed explanations of what kind of content is in the movie. Here I'm linking to a movie that we watched recently, Whiplash. It's just nice to know what all a movie entails before dedicating two hours of your Friday night to it. If you are really against being clued in to any story details or running the risk of having anything spoiled you probably won't want to go this route because the summary has a lot of detail.

Reel World Theology

I first came across this site a few months ago when I was looking for some new podcasts and since then I have been visiting their site almost weekly for podcasts, articles, and other great resources. This site has reviews on old and new movies, tips on the best new movies and shows to keep an eye out for, and weekly podcasts discussing some of the latest popular movies. The contributors have varied and balanced views and I thoroughly enjoy their podcasts that feature new guests each week who give different perspectives on a variety of themes in movies. 

While their approach to film is largely Christian, they readily explore difficult topics and have honest discussions about them. Sometimes their opinions differ, but there is a common thread that ties all of their discussions together which is that art is a reflection of who we are as created beings and that storytelling is a great way to reflect back to the the Creator. If your looking for a fun new podcast for your commute check them out! Make sure you watch the movie first though because their podcasts go so in depth that it's impossible not to spoil the story.

A few more resources...

Rotten Tomatoes

Some of you may only watch TV or movies every once in a blue moon because your schedule is so packed and your life is so hectic you'd rather spend your time doing other things. Well, if you do have time to squeeze in a movie every now and again check out this site to scan some helpful critic and user ratings and figure out whether a movie is worth your time. If you're not too entrenched in the world of pop culture or don't have friends' recommendations to rely on, check out this easy-to-navigate site for some help.  

The Gospel Coalition Movie Reviews

This site is, in my opinion, one of the best resources out there for Christians. The articles, podcasts, and other resources are solid, honest and relevant. From time to time a contributor will write about a movie or about pop culture trends that can be helpful. Here I am linking to an insightful article about specifically Christian media and entertainment that often times misses the mark.


How do you make decisions for yourself and your family about how to engage entertainment?

#MexicanFoodTherapy: Breakfast for Dinner Skillet

Ingredients:

Cooking spray

2 cups frozen hashbrowns

1 cup frozen or fresh corn, roasted

1 green pepper, chopped medium

1 jalapeno, chopped medium

2 links chicken sausage 

2 eggs

1/2 cup queso fresco

Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 2 (to double you'll need a bigger skillet!)

This my friends is roasted corn. One of my latest cooking obsessions. I've been putting it in everything. Salads, tacos, you name it. It's also super easy to make. Just throw it (fresh or frozen) in a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat and let it sit there. No stirring. After five or so minutes it should be browned and then you can stir and heat through. I like to add salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. This is what it should look like. SO GOOD. First cook your corn in the skillet and then put it in a medium bowl and set it aside. No need to clean out the skillet. That's the beauty of cast iron.

We eat breakfast for dinner almost weekly because it's easy and SO good. This meal only takes about 20-30 minutes to prepare and cook and it's really yummy. The only requirement is that you have a cast iron skillet.

First, chop everything medium like so:

I would normally add a jalapeño, but I forgot to buy one, so just pretend there's a chopped jalapeño pictured here :) for jalapeños and chiles in general, keep the rib and the seeds for more heat and get rid of the rib and seeds for less heat.

Coat the skillet with cooking spray and add the hash browns. Add a bit of salt and pepper. If I was really legit I would fry up a cut up yukon gold instead of using frozen hash browns, but then it wouldn't be a quick and easy meal would it?  

Mix together the seasoned, roasted corn, green pepper, and jalapeño while the hash browns cook up for a few minutes. Then add it to the skillet. Meanwhile cut up the chicken sausage into bite-sized pieces. Chorizo sausage would also be a great choice for this dish.



Add the sausage to the skillet...

Finally, crack a couple of eggs over the top, cover and reduce the heat to low. Give it 7-10 minutes for the eggs to cook and veggies to soften. Add some salt and pepper and crumble some queso fresco over everything.

We like to just eat it straight out of the skillet with a couple of forks and a fruit salad. 

Provecho! 

What are some of your breakfast for dinner recipes?