Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

For me, Indian food is something really amazing. The flavors, the smell, the textures… it’s just it for me. I truly swoon.  Flavor bomb... in the best way. I also am a sucker for something that goes in the crock pot, so when I ran across this recipe on Pinterest I tried it very quickly. The amount that I loved it should be wrong… and guys… it’s pretty healthy.  so basically it makes me feel like a rock star. Ingredients 1 large cauliflower, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced 1 medium onion, peeled and diced 1 medium tomato, diced 1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated 2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed and sliced (seeds and all, if you like it very spicy; otherwise, remove the seeds) 1 Tbsp cumin seeds 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste (original recipe calls for 1 Tbsp cayenne; see reader comments) 1 Tbsp garam masala 1 Tbsp kosher salt 1 tsp turmeric 3 Tbsp cano

It has been awhile since I did a drop everything and get vulnerable post about something I am struggling with, but I never want anyone to think I have it all together, so here it goes. Lately, in every yoga class, my teacher’s seem to always mention that summer is here and bikini season is upon us and I cringe every time. However, it is not because I do not feel comfortable or confident in a bathing suit, but because things like that make me feel like I SHOULD NOT feel comfortable or confident until my body is rock hard and perfect by society’s standards. Let’s get something clear, I do not think a perfect body exists. I think it is something so many people are trying to attain and they miss out on all the life they could be living. There will always be something you want to change. Health is important, but the two DO NOT go hand in hand. Excess weight is not good. But having a six pack IS NOT IMPORTANT. You cannot convince me that God wants you to be the most chiseled

Bill and I had such a blast in Maui, and I had a few recommendations to pass along for anyone visiting this beautiful island in the future!  Most of them revolve around food and drinks, because, well... duh ;)  5 Palms    We affectionately call this restaurant on the water "Al's Bar" because I am pretty sure Bill's uncle Al would live in a hammock here if it was possible.  This was one of the first places we went when we arrived in Maui and one of those places that seemed too beautiful to be real.  It was such a gorgeous day and we shared pupus and drank a round of mai tais and just sunk into it.   5 Palms is a condo building and this bar/restaurant is on the ground floor and there is also a yoga studio below along the water where I took a class one morning.  The waves crashed and the class was gentle. I wish I had done that every single morning.  It was glorious.  Overall, I wouldn't miss this location.  It was blissfully wonderful.

This weekend was lovely and I thought I would share a few reasons why: 1. Mimosas with OJ squeezed from the oranges in our backyard always make me happy, and drinking out of champagne glasses is so fantastic. 2. Bill and I went to a community event a few miles away with a friend this weekend at an aquaponics farm in the middle of a neighborhood with grilled cheese and good beer and a DJ and it was just wonderful and we all left feeling inspired.  3. A sunflower started growing under our tangerine tree and it has finally bloomed!  Every day I look out my kitchen window at it and smile.  I feel like it should be the center of a motivational poster with a saying like “Never Give Up “ 4. I love my Rifle Paper Company calendar and every month when I get to flip to the new page I get more excited than I probably should.  I am loving June (major heart eyes). Hope your weekend had moments of happiness that caused you to be thankful fo

Oh my gosh you guys... We have been having such an adventure learning how to garden in our backyard (Well, I have, Bill gets it and is teaching me the ways, which is fun for him, so we all win!).  We built our own raised planter beds and filled them with compost and garden soil.  I never got it, the appeal was lost on me.  But I am WAY on board now.  We planted almost everything from seed (a couple tomato plants as the exception). It is about more than just the produce and the end result, there is just a therapy in getting your hands dirty and working in your own backyard.  I think it is giving both Bill and I a whole new round of pride of ownership. The pictures above are before and after, the before is right after we prepped the dirt for the boxes (it looked much worse with some rocks randomly in this open area when we moved in).  The end result looks fabulous, and it has spurred us to dream of owning a farm one day.  We have plans to continue to make it beautiful and put ro