Building a full life...& a new home

How does one find balance when they're trying to "do it all"--wife, mom, career woman (a totally dated phrase, I'm aware!), weekend warrior, weeknight chef, friend, mentor, creative pursuer, home remodeler? Mind you, this is just an abbreviated list of things wonder women such as Christie Bienemann attempt to achieve in their crazy, beautiful lives.

The answer is...they don't. As this Bay Area native will tell you, life is about seasons and phases, being able to push pause on something and revisit it later, and oh yes, be real with the fact that no one can do it all, all the time.

Christie's career path is impressive. Her creativity and entrepreneurial pursuits are motivating. And most importantly, her journey to motherhood is inspiring and candid. From the outside, it's easy to say she's got it down, but she's humble and a wide open book on these matters. She's so passionate about keeping things real for other women, she started a blog, Christie Noelle, to share all of these aspects and more. 

Business-minded and incredibly ambitious, Christie took many courses in college to pursue business and marketing. She signed up for more internships (four!) than most people have jobs in their careers, just to ensure she land in an area that truly interested her after graduation. Her first job out of school ended in a layoff, which led her to a small start-up you may have heard of called Facebook where she worked alongside just 400 others at the time. She spent six years there in may roles, traveling internationally, and kicking professional booty along the way, until she felt a bit stagnant in her role. 

At the same time, she self-planned her wedding and felt really fulfilled creatively. After she said "I do," she met a friend-of-a-friend with a design background, and the two of them founded Going Lovely, an event design company. The self-proclaimed "planner" hoped to turn this side hustle into a full-time job eventually, but she didn't predict the struggles she'd encounter when trying to get pregnant. She knew it wasn't the right time to leave a steady job, but she felt called to make a change.   

Without hesitation of leaving the comfort of Facebook, she made a leap and started working at Pinterest, a place where she could combine her career interests and personal creative passions. Plus, she didn't have to travel, and she could focus on her top ambition of growing her family. At Pinterest, she started managing people, too, something she found greatly rewarding. Eventually, she stepped away from Going Lovely because she knew it just wasn't the right time, especially with the fertility battle she was only just beginning. 

"If I wanted to take it to the next level, I'd be giving up all of my weekends [as many of the events were weddings], and I just had too much going on," she said. "I knew I needed to put this on pause right now."

It'd be unfair to cut to the chase and shout from the rooftops that Christie became a twin mom without pausing for a minute and explaining how she went through years of infertility, a miscarriage, and the eventual journey of in vitro fertilization. Christie chronicled her life during this time on social media, mostly because she wanted to build community among countless other women she knew shared the same disappointment and heartache. She's now a strong advocate for infertility and is working to become an official mentor to other women experiencing the same thing.

Another topic Christie was and is vocal about is the teeter-totter of emotions that surrounded continuing to pursue her career after her twins were born. When Christie was around 10 years old, she witnessed her own mother go through somewhat of an extreme identity crisis, which impacted Christie throughout her life. She felt like her mom poured her entire being into raising her and her brother and she felt her mom truly didn't know who she was without that role. From such a young age, Christie knew she wanted to keep working when she became a mom.

"Probably because of the experience I had with my mom, I know being a part of a [work] team feeds me in a way, and I'm just careful in what I've seen that I don't get lost and have my own identity so I don't end up in a similar position."

Now, her babies are almost two-year-old toddlers, and she's still trying to figure out the right cadence for her life as a lady of many hats. She made a change about a year after they were born and left Pinterest, joining another start-up company in a different industry.

"Having worked with dozens of talented colleagues and managers, I took the opportunity to re-join former colleagues who inspire me every day. I guess I've learned it's less about the high-profile company but more about the people--teammates, managers, leaders."

She's happy having the opportunity to manage others and working with standup people.

"I think balancing a career and children has forced me to think more about priorities. Work-life balance, something that wasn't even on my radar earlier in my career, is a new focal point."

So is she still feeding her creative soul, making time for her family, and oh yes, getting dinner on the table? Inquiring minds would like to know just how this seemingly super hero manages these things and more.

Well, she and her equally impressive husband, Troy, are undergoing a complete remodel of their home, and Christie is in charge of the design decisions (check out her blog for all the details!); she does not budge on making sure she spends the mornings with her kids and gets home in order to have dinner and play a bit before bedtime; and she is brutally honest and won't lie about the simplicity of her dinner menus. She also wants to toss in how she's definitely not going to be posting about her outfits or any sort of fashion advice. She knows there's really no such thing as "doing it all" or "having it all," and she hopes sharing her stories will motivate and inspire other women to play to their strengths and be true to who they are.

"I think I'm a very positive person but also very real, and I like to keep it real and share those stories with people to help find the joy and reflect."

Here's to finding your inner Christie and sharing your stories with others, whether that be to a broad audience through an outlet like a blog or just being honest with your mom friends and neighbors about your struggles and triumphs. It take a village to do much more in life than just raise a child, and we're all in this together.

In her words

Advice for dream seekers:

"Write it out, and make a plan!"

Other females who inspire you:

"Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers and Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance:

"Lately it's the pancake griddle because my kids love pancakes. We make pancakes every Saturday."

Favorite style of cooking:

"Mexican."

Can't live without ingredient:

"Quinoa!"

Go-to recipe:

Christie's Non-Recipe Weeknight Quinoa Bowl...view the recipe here!

Christie's Non-Recipe Weeknight Quinoa Bowl

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Christie's Non-Recipe Weeknight Quinoa Bowl

Spending a lot of time in the kitchen is a back-burner priority for many moms (or anyone!) who just need to get a meal on the table. This healthy and completely customizable recipe will be ready for hungry bellies in about 20 minutes. Quinoa - we always buy ours from Costco!) Meat - can be anything - leftover chicken, ground turkey, meatballs, whatever you've got!) Veggie - Frozen or fresh, whatever you have on hand. broccoli, jarred artichoke hearts (Costco fave) and zucchini are a favorite. Also the frozen peppers and onions from trader joes. Sauce - Cream of chicken soup, butternut squash/roasted bell pepper soup (Trader Joe's) or even spaghetti sauce. Heck, I've even put in salad dressing for some extra flavor!

Ingredients

• 2 cups Quinoa
• 4 cups Water or vegetable/chicken stock
• Roughly 1 lb or more Meat of choice (whatever you've got on hand: leftover chicken, ground turkey, meatballs, etc.!)
• About 2 cups (cut, cubed, diced, or however you like) Vegetable of choice (again, what you've got in your fridge or freezer: broccoli, artichoke hearts, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)
• To taste Sauce of choice (butternut squash or roasted red pepper soup, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce...get creative!)
• To taste Parmesan (or other) cheese

Instructions

In a large pot, bring quinoa and water (or stock) to a boil; prepare according to package directions. Christie says: Remember, it's a 1:3 ratio of quinoa to water--some instructions say to strain it beforehand, but I never have. In a separate pan, prepare your meat accordingly (if it's a leftover, it just needs to be reheated; if it's frozen or raw, cook until it's thoroughly done). Prepare vegetables as desired (cook or keep 'em raw!) Once quinoa is ready, assemble your bowl: Take a scoop of quinoa, add the meat, veggies, and top with a sauce of your choice. Top with parmesan cheese or any other cheese of your choice. Christie also likes to add Cholula hot sauce for an extra kick!

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 20 mins Yield: 6-8 servings

Kitchen Sink Morning Juice

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Kitchen Sink Morning Juice

If getting more fruits and veggies into your diet is a part of your New Year's resolution, as well as dusting off that fancy juicer in your pantry, try this non-recipe recipe. It just might become your go-to.

Ingredients

• Beets
• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Pear
• Orange
• Ginger root
• Apple
• Kale or spinach

Instructions

Depending on how much your juicer holds or what you have on-hand, you can vary the amounts of each of these ingredients. My typical juice includes: 2 large beets, about 4 carrots, 1 cucumber, 1 pear, 1 orange, about 2 inches of ginger root (yes!), 1 apple, and a handful of kale or spinach (or whatever greens you'd like). If I have other produce such as rutabaga or sometimes even a jalapeño, I toss that in, too. Really, it's about what you can keep in your fridge consistently! Add all ingredients (one at a time) to your juicer. Pour over ice and enjoy. Store the rest in the fridge for tomorrow.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 2 mins Total time: 12 mins Yield: 4 individual servings

5-minute, 1-bowl pumpkin bread

Though I like the outcome, I don't particularly enjoy the process of baking. I think it's the amount of bowls and utensils and the clean-up. I do love a good one-bowl recipe. You can throw this together while you're making or serving breakfast. It's a great option for a hostess gift or as something to have on hand for unexpected drop-ins at the holidays. Plus, it makes the whole house smell delicious. Just don't forget...it takes almost an hour for this baby to bake!

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5-Minute, 1-Bowl Pumpkin Bread

Very little clean-up and a perfectly pumpkin loaf totally ready in less than an hour. I eyeball the spices and add extra pumpkin pie spice to really amp up the pumpkin-y-ness! You can also add a 1/2 cup of nuts (like walnuts) if you so desire.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (if you have it!)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously spray a loaf pan with baking spray (9x5x3-inch pan). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda. (This is my trick for avoiding the step of sifting!) Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon, but do not over-mix. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Turn out of pan onto a rack to let cool. You can also make in a muffin tin, just bake for 20-25 minutes. This recipe doubles easily...but be sure to use an extra large bowl! Of course, you can use your electric mixer, but a free-standing bowl works just as great.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 50 mins Total time: 55 mins Yield: 1 loaf

The Missed Photo Op Series, Vol. 1: Joanna Gaines-inspired supper club

I've got to get in the mindset of being a hostess who can also snap photos. Until then, I give you the first installment in this series of fun food events with few photos to prove it.

--

My dear friend from high school, Allison, and I have talked about hosting a supper club for years. Since before babies and prior to our homes being separated by a one-hour-plus door-to-door commute.

So leave it to Joanna Gaines to reenergize our idea. An article in the fall issue of Magnolia Journal suggested a simple supper club--one with low expectations, a big pot of soup, and no need for an RSVP.

We set a date and just decided to go for it. We planned to make two of the autumn-esque soups featured in the magazine, as well as one of the salads highlighted. Add a cheese plate, some crusty bread, a couple of bottles of wine, and poof! We had a menu.

Initially, my list of invitees was long because I didn't want to leave anybody out. Then, I whittled it down to my mom friends. But I realized I yearned for an intimate dinner with a diverse group of women. I wanted to include my working mom friends, stay-at-home mom friends, and of course those moms I don't see too often but adore from afar. I'm always excited to be inspired from the good my friends are doing.

Looking for a tie to bind a diverse group of women for this first supper club, I thought of friends who live in my area or not too far away. That immediately left me with a very nice, small group of extraordinary women to invite.

Once we were set on a Wednesday night after bedtime, I said I had a group of gals in mind and wondered if Allison had anybody she wanted to include. A friend of hers from college just so happened to move to my area, and by huge chance and coincidence, she actually ended up living just two blocks away.

I sent out a quick email invitation and included the following very important notes:

- There are no strings attached and who knows if we will have another after this, but we thought we'd toss out the invitation and see if we could round up a great group of gals for a bite to eat this fall. 

- Please don't bring anything and don't offer to bring anything...this is meant to be very effortless!

Miraculously, almost everyone could come. We ended up with six ladies, and there really was no shortage of food or conversation. 

Allison and I split the cooking responsibilities (we've always loved sharing a kitchen, even if it was a dinky apartment stove with just two burners and a makeshift desk for counter space!), and it was fairly effortless.

The point of this post is to encourage you to set-up something similar. We all yearn for community, for good food, for a break for cooking...and in my case, I love to host and prepare an evening for others. 

I've included poor-quality photos (standard!) of the recipes from Joanna's magazines. You should be able to enlarge them so you can see the recipes: sausage, white bean, & potato soup...chicken, wild rice, & mushroom soup...and a salad with apples, feta, & walnuts. We ended up just making a large salad rather than the "stacks" the recipe called for (simplify and go!). 

Enjoy, and please share your supper club ideas in the comments.

From concrete jungle to floating home

Megan Lynn

When an active outdoor lifestyle is in your blood, but your reality is working in the overcrowded metropolis of Los Angeles, there's only so long you can take the grind...before something's got to give.

For Oregon transplant Megan Lynn, that moment came after working one too many nights in TV production, seemingly crawling her way back to her concrete apartment complex to rest her head for a short spell before doing it all over again the next day. She rarely found time for exercise or rejuvenation in nature.

As someone who believes everything happens for a reason, the cycle was frustrating for Megan. She didn't feel healthy or alive, but she was pursuing what many would consider a dream job after completing graduate school in film at University of Southern California.

"Every day I was leaving [work] looking for that connection to helping people be active," Megan said.

To rewind a bit...Megan grew up in a sports-centric family in Northern California and competed on the swim team at Carlton College in Minnesota. From there, she took an internship as a ski instructor at an adaptive ski program in Aspen, Colorado--partially to recharge after the demands of college athletics and partially to get back to her roots of nature and helping people.

While in Aspen, she started working on a documentary about one of the program participants, an extraordinarily inspiring man who happened to work for NBC Universal. This interaction sparked Megan's interest in film, which eventually led her to film school.

Megan didn't over-think the eventual lifestyle that would accompany her pursuit of a career in the TV industry, she just went for it. Maybe it's the athlete in her, but her drive to succeed propelled her into the competitive throes of the TV biz. But with each flip of the calendar year, Megan began realizing her job wasn't fulfilling. She wasn't connecting with or helping others. And she was losing her grasp on her attachment to recreation and the outdoors.

So she did something she's done her whole life as an athlete: She turned to a coach.

Megan practicing her cast.

Megan hired a job coach who helped her rediscover what was really important to her, professionally and personally. It may have seemed obvious for people who knew Megan since she was young, but sometimes when you're stuck in the day-to-day of a demanding job and lifestyle, your passions can become your blind spot.

Through that encounter, Megan decided to close the TV chapter of her life, pivot, and pursue a career in the athletic apparel and footwear industry, knowing she'd be contributing to products that would enable people to be active. Megan got serious and made a plan.

"I wanted to commit and dedicate myself to pursuing it full-time," she said.

And because many of the top companies in this industry happen to be in Portland, Oregon, Megan made a goal of moving to the Pacific Northwest--a haven for many of her outdoor interests, including fly-fishing. She thought she could do a lot of her networking and job searching from L.A., though.

"I shared my plan and my goals with family and friends and those that supported me. And from there, they encouraged me to reach out to their friends for advice and support."

A phone call to her parents' good friends in the Portland area led to a meeting with a senior director at Nike, and before she knew it, Megan was well on her way to developing solid relationships with many people in the industry.

"When you connect with people in a networking environment, but on a personal level, it goes a long way," Megan said. "I think having a relationship with people really shines through."

There was just one problem with Megan's plan: She made such great connections that meetings started popping up, jobs started opening...but Megan was still in L.A. At this point in her journey, Megan's mentor told her she really needed to be in Portland. When a job lead presented itself, Megan felt comfortable taking the leap.

"I moved to Portland with a solid opportunity that might develop further. I got there, and I didn't get the job. The day I didn't get it, I decided I was going to do something special for myself every single day. Every day, I explored one part of Portland to stay true to why I came here and to not get let down."

Megan's advice for other dream-seekers who run into closed doors and foiled plans is to do the same: realize roadblocks really are opportunities, adjust your expectations, continue to meet people...and explore.

She didn't have to wait too long before she got her first true big break, a three-day contract doing video work at Nike. Megan could now add "Nike" to her resume, and she felt like her options really opened up, and the ball just started rolling from there.

About the same time, Megan's entrepreneur boyfriend, Bryson, also took a leap and moved from his hometown of L.A., to Portland. The two had a pipe dream of living in a floating home, enjoying sunsets and nature.

"Living in L.A., we couldn't believe such a thing existed," she said. "I knew how much of an adventure it would be. We moved here to immerse ourselves in an outdoor lifestyle, and we really jumped right into it in a floating home [on the Columbia River]. Now that we've spent a year-and-a-half on the water, it's really defined us. It's strengthens our relationship."

Megan and Bryson kayaking in Oregon.

In the span of less than two years, Megan achieved her dream. After working three different temporary contract positions, a full-time job presented itself, and Megan is now a bona fide Nike employee. And her lifestyle couldn't possibly get closer to nature, as she and Bryson just purchased their first house, a floating home of their own. So what possibly could be left for the Portlander?

"Our next steps are to continue exploring Oregon. There are so many things to see and do and so many are outside, and that's really liberating for us, having been in a city for so many years. We want to camp. Fly-fish. We want to make a home in this state, and put down roots."

From simply surviving the grind in Southern California to thriving in her new environment, Megan Lynn is proof that persistence and follow-through will help you pursue your passions in ways you never thought possible.

In Her Words

Advice for dream seekers:

"Don’t be afraid to chase those dreams! Sometimes it’s so important to focus on yourself and allow yourself to do some soul searching to discover what makes you happy. As you strive to reach your goals, remember to stay patient yet focused. Things happen for a reason, and you might be surprised by the greatness of the result!"

Other females who inspire you: 

"My mom and sister who inspire me with their commitment to our family and their dedication to doing what they love."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance: 

"I love using my CrockPot because it’s so easy to use, the recipes are yummy, and my house always smells delish!"

Favorite style of cooking: 

"I really love making desserts and sharing them with friends!"

Can't live without ingredient:  

"Cheese, any kind of cheese!"

Go-to recipe: 

Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing...find the recipe here!

Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing

Megan credits her niece, Kate, for this salad recipe and uses kale by default. I tried the dressing on a bed of field greens, and it didn't disappoint. It's like a light Caesar, without the anchovy and half the effort.

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Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing

by Megan Lynn October-26-2017

Megan calls this "Kate's Kale Salad" after her niece, but I call it a garlic lover's dream dressing. The following is an easy to toss together kale salad recipe, but you can also use any greens you like (such as mixed field greens, photoed). Optional salad toppings include: avocado chunks, dried cranberries, apple or pear slices, nuts of your choice

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon or 1 large clove minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• salt & pepper
• 1 bunch kale
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

Using a knife, remove stems from kale, chop, and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.Massage kale for 2-3 minutes by kneading it like bread dough.Drizzle dressing over kale and let rest in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until tender.Serve with parmesan cheese and additional toppings, if desired.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: Total time: 5 mins Yield: 1 large salad

10-Minute Blondies

Making blondies always makes me chuckle. They're a fan favorite but the easiest bar in the book. Making the batter takes 10 minutes, and then they bake for about 25. So if you have less than an hour before you need to be wherever you said you'd bring a treat, just whip these up instead of rushing to the store.

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10-Minute Blondies

The title is a bit misleading because you still have to bake the bars for 25 minutes. Of all the cookies in the book, these are always a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• generous teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and the brown sugar, stirring constantly. Once fully melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.Add eggs one at a time and then vanilla. Stir to combine.Add baking powder, baking soda, and flour. Stir until completely combined. Spread batter into baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips across batter.Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 35 mins Yield: 1 9x13-inch baking dish, about 20 cookies

Practical & Pretty with Lo

Spend five minutes with Laurie McClure, and you'll feel happier and more inspired than you ever thought possible. Her smile, giggle, and overwhelming friendliness might even have you questioning if this girl is for real.

Her enthusiasm for her craft is so contagious, you may even feel compelled to rush to your nearest home decor store and buy a few new throw pillows or candles to spruce up your house.

It's not an act: Laurie really is that cheerful, warm, and downright amazing.

Her attitude and optimistic outlook on life spill into her event and home styling business, Practical & Pretty with Lo, as well as her event planning job at Anthropologie in Newport Beach.

It's easy to look at someone like Laurie and be envious of her passion-filled work that looks almost effortless, but Laurie will be the first to tell you it's taken baby steps and years of preparation to land in her current position.

For the last 10 years, Laurie has worked for several high-profile active lifestyle companies including Speedo, Asics, and Billabong, clocking incredibly long hours, commuting across Southern California, and dreaming of a day when she could spend more time at home. And for quite a while, her home was a condo, with not much space to serve as her canvas for decorating.

"It is my belief that your home is your refuge," Laurie said. "And the more you love the space you come home to every day, the more you will enjoy time in it with those you share it with."

So while the corporate grind became almost unbearable at times, Laurie continued to pour herself into her passion, starting a blog and clipping away at inspiring magazine spreads, saving for a home of her own and sowing the seeds of a budding business.

"I started making goals--big and small--for myself," Laurie said. "I know it sounds silly, but I said things like, 'I want to be featured in Better Homes & Gardens,' or 'I want to book my first wedding.'"

Laurie said because she had no formal training in interior decorating, she started her blog to establish her voice and point of view. She utilized every inch of her small space to take photos and create simple home how-to's for her growing online audience. Eventually, she and her husband purchased their first home, which offered endless fodder and a never-ending list of perfectly post-able DIY projects.

Along the way, while still working full-time, Laurie started booking weddings and clients, and slowly but surely her idea turned into a small business.

"I just kept introducing myself as a small business owner, and it felt weird in the beginning, but you really have to believe in yourself and your passion," she said. "And I keep making more goals along the way to challenge myself."

Along with these goals and challenges, Laurie took a giant leap of faith. She left her full-time job, which looked glamorous, envious, and completely Instagrammable to those on the outside. For her, the job was not fulfilling and just served as a paycheck. Trusting her heart and knowing she would find some sort of replacement, she worked even harder on Practical & Pretty.

Laurie truly believes in the power of the universe, faith, and things happening for a reason. She stumbled upon a job opening for an event planner at Anthropologie, which married perfectly with her business, and now she works on both in tandem, booking events like succulent arranging and calligraphy workshops for Anthro, while planning weddings and styling photo shoots on the side.

She's unsure exactly what's next, but she continues to set goals, make plans, and most importantly--live in the moment, as she says she's living and doing exactly what she's supposed to do right now. Laurie McClure is proving that old saying true: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

IN HER WORDS

Advice for dream seekers:

"First, never put off for tomorrow what you can do today, even if it's just fifteen minutes a day that you dedicate towards your goal....start, be present, go for it...all too often we stand in our own way more than anything or anyone else ever will. Look at each and every day as an opportunity to make even the smallest step towards your goals....and eventually, all those small moments of progress will add up.

"Secondly, be kind to yourself. Know that progress takes time and doesn't happen over night. Whether it be improvements to your physical self, strengthening your emotional self, challenging your professional self...know that it takes time and to be kind to yourself along the way as long as you're making steps each day towards that goal/progress."

Other females who inspire you: 

"My mom and grandmothers. My mom is my role model in life and in parenting and her mom before her shaped what an incredible woman she is, which is what I hope to do for my children someday."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance: 

"(Besides a wine opener...ha!) Wooden spoons. They are the most basic and fundamental cooking necessity for me. I never use mixers, rarely spatulas...a wood spoon can be used in basically every dish I cook to stir, scrape, and taste my dishes. I also love the aesthetic of a wood spoon holder on a kitchen counter--the warm wood tones just appear nice to me. 

"[I also rely on] the gas burner stove top. My favorite nights typically involve all four burners going, oven on, wine poured, music on, chatting about my day with [my hubby] Jus. Those are usually the signs of a yummy meal and a long evening ahead enjoying my home."

Favorite style of cooking:

"Anything in a cast iron skillet. One dish meals are my favorite...I love to sauté the meat and herbs and butter, etc. first and get all the juices and flavors going in the skillet, then add in my rices/pastas, etc. to really absorb all of that flavors that have been marinating in the dish. There is something so comforting about serving a warm, hearty skillet meal to loved ones, especially now that we are getting into fall!" 


Can't live without ingredient: 


Go-to recipe: 

Sea salt and herb crostini...find the recipe here.

Follow Laurie

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Laurie's Sea Salt & Herb Crostini

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Laurie's Sea Salt & Herb Crostini

Laurie's go-to recipe is an appetizer, and inclusive of prep, it can be made and enjoyed in less than 15 minutes. {Practical & Pretty tip: If your guests don't finish the crostini app, refrigerate and make into croutons. Just heat up a little olive oil in a pan, crumble up the crostini, and quickly sear them in the hot oil to make the actual crouton! -Laurie}

Ingredients

• 1 Baguette
• 4 ounces Melted butter
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Sea salt
• Fresh basil
• Burrata
• Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.Slice down a baguette into small pieces.Baste each piece with melted butter.Sprinkle evenly with parmesan.Bake until the cheese starts to bubble, approximately 5 minutes.Remove from oven and add a fresh piece of basil to each toast.Top with a spread of burrata cheese and a drizzle of balsamic.Note: Just the crostini alone (without the burrata + balsamic) can be served with dried meats, different cheeses, chimichurri, etc. It's just a nice elevated bite before dinner. I also like to do the same recipe and replace the butter with truffle oil and replace the basil with pinches of rosemary.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Total time: 15 mins Yield: Approximately 20 crostini

No-recipe enchiladas

The secret to extremely fast enchiladas is in a can of organic chicken. Yes. A can! Canned chicken has come a long way, and you can find high-quality canned chicken in most grocery stores. Of course, if you have chicken breasts on hand and have the time to prepare and shred, by all means, be my guest. This variation, however, is the quickest of quick.

Enchiladas are a great make-ahead meal. as well as a wonderful option to take to a friend in need. 

Preparing two pans of enchiladas took 15 minutes. Other tips include: emptying ingredients into bowls to create a speedy assembly line and not worrying about equal portions in each tortilla.

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No-Recipe Enchiladas

A pan of enchiladas is your chance to be creative. Add whatever ingredients suit your fancy. Use this recipe as a template for super-fast enchiladas. This makes 2 pans, so freeze one for later or give to a friend!

Ingredients

• 2 32-oz cans of your favorite enchilada sauce
• About 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 15-oz cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 2.5-oz cans chopped green chiles
• 2 12.5-oz cans organic chicken breast in water (drained) OR about 4 cups shredded chicken breast
• About 16 tortillas

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees FCreate an assembly line for your enchiladas. In appropriately 3 sized bowls, empty the contents of 1) the cheese (reserving about 1 cup), 2) beans and green chiles, and 3) chicken. Open cans of enchilada sauce. Separate out two stacks of eight tortillas.Pour about half of one can enchilada sauce on the bottom of each casserole dish (using entity of one can)Begin assembling enchiladas: add small portion cheese, beans and chiles, and chicken to each tortilla (just eyeball it!); roll, and line (seam-side down) casserole dish. Each dish should fit around eight enchiladas, but feel free to add more if room allows.Cover enchiladas with remainder of enchilada sauce (another half-can each). Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese across top (about 1/2 cup cheese on each). Bake uncovered for about 35 minutes.Remove and let stand for at least 10 minutes. If refrigerating or freezing for later, let cool completely before covering in foil.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 35 mins Total time: 50 mins Yield: 2 9x13-inch rectangular casserole pans