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?

Media Roundup: A Poignant Ted Talk, A Match Made in Hollywood Heaven, and More...

Image courtesy of Jeff Sheldon and Unsplash.com


This week's media roundup is a bit shorter than normal because I just started a new part time contracting gig for Agros International and my schedule is a bit chaotic right now. Which leads me to one of my favorite videos this week...

1. Can We All "Have it All?" 

This Ted Talk by Anne-Marie Slaughter hits on so many important and relevant issues having to do with work/life balance, gender roles, and equality. These issues really resonate for me as I have recently been taking on some new challenges personally and professionally and I've been wrestling with the reality that something has to give if I want to work full time, take care of our home, and be a good friend and puppy mom :). The idea that care giving and bread winning are equally important to human flourishing and shouldn't necessarily be defined as "women's work" and "men's work" is refreshing. 

I don't agree with everything she has to say being that I believe the Bible has more to say on what our identity should be and how that should inform equality in the work place and at home, but the idea that we should move away from a "feminist revolution and towards a humanist revolution" is spot on. Here is a great quote from her that I really loved:

" We have to value family every bit as much as we value work and we should entertain the idea that doing right by those we love will make all of us better at everything we do." (15:20)

Do yourself a favor and carve 15 minutes out of your day to watch this video and breathe a sigh of relief that you can't have it all... and that's ok. 

2. Unlocking the Millennial Mystery

Being a millennial on the job hunt is no cake walk. Not only is it crazy competitive, but according to this infographic there are some stereotypes that follow us around making it even harder to convince employers to hire us.

Mashable paints a not so clear picture here about where the disconnect is, but it's good to know I'm not crazy or alone in the struggle. Well, maybe I'm a little crazy, but at least I'm not alone. 

3. Achieving Balance and Productivity While Working From Home

Working from home is amazing most of the time. But sometimes it's really tough. Especially when there's dirty dishes sitting 10 feet away from your work space and your dog just peed on the floor and you your favorite show just came on but your working on a deadline and you know you shouldn't break away from your work to watch it. 

There's some helpful tips in this article for navigating all of that while still being productive in your own home. I personally really enjoy the freedom of working from home, but I find myself struggling with keeping up the motivation and productivity too, so this article brings some helpful perspective. I hope it's enlightening for you too, even if you work out of on office there's some good things to glean here.

4. Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lawrence Team Up On War Photographer Biopic

To shift gears entirely... Let's just be honest, the idea of Spielberg and Lawrence joining forces to make a movie is a match made in Hollywood Heaven. The famed actress will be directed by Spielberg in a new movie based on the life of Linsey Addario, a photojournalist who specializes in war photography. Pretty badass. 

Put this on your "must watch" list if your a fan of good photography. Or film. Or feminist issues. Or pretty much anything awesome.

Does anything from this edition of the roundup catch your eye? I want to hear about it in the comments below!