sweet home

The kitchen is one of my favorite places to be.

It wasn’t always like that…I used to dislike cooking so much. When I was a teenager, I was responsible for making dinner for my family one night a week, and while I didn’t enjoy it at the time, I look back now and am really grateful that my mom had me do that. I think I had about three different meals that I rotated each week, and rarely ventured out to do anything new. My poor family probably got pretty tired of those meals, but at least it filled their bellies.

It wasn’t until I was living on my own that I came to really love cooking and being in the kitchen. Even washing dishes is therapeutic for me. I think that having your own kitchen perhaps instils a greater sense of responsibility and thus enjoyment, at least it did that for me! I love to love people through food, and there’s little I enjoy more than preparing meals or treats for my husband or family and friends.

Here are some of my favorite kitchen and home essentials:

Cast iron tea pot – This is by far one of my favorite and most well-used kitchen pieces. It’s a tiny tea pot…holding only enough for two cups of tea, but that’s enough for us. Cast iron obviously doesn’t make hot tea taste any different, but I just like how it look sitting on my stove top.

Fresh pepper grinder – If you’ve never used fresh ground pepper in your cooking, now is the time to start! The flavor and freshness absolutely cannot be compared to the pre-ground stuff, and I find that a little goes a long way when you can grind it fresh onto your ingredients. Once again, wooden isn’t essential to good flavor, so as long as you use any fresh pepper grinder, you are good to go!

Honest Company surface spray – I am honestly in love with the Honest Company, and this surface spray is so fresh and natural and free of harmful chemicals and additives. I use this spray to clean our bathrooms, as well as on my kitchen counters almost daily. I love that it is a safer cleaning product to have in our home now that we are starting a family. You can purchase this spray at Target in the cleaning supply aisle.

Honest Company fruit & veggie wash – I received this product a few weeks ago as part of a promotion from the Honest Co. and have been using it on my produce ever since! You simply spray your fruits or veggies, allow to set for a few minutes, and rinse well. Viola! Chemical residue, oils, and people germs gone!

Garlic press – I use garlic a lot in my cooking, and while you can also easily mince garlic with a knife and cutting board, I find it so annoying to deal with the residual garlic smell that clings to my hands for days! This garlic press is heavy duty and well worth the investment for long-term use. I’ve found that cheaper presses will break easily and won’t press as effectively either.

J.R. Watkins dish soap – I love to use this brand of dish soap since it’s not harsh on my hands or my dishes. The grapefruit scent is my favorite, and it makes the kitchen smell so fresh whenever I’m using it!

What about you: what are some of your kitchen and home essentials?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I like simple things.

If something is too complicated or requires too many steps or too much precision, it’s usually far off my radar. I cook really simple food, do really simple diy’s (if i do them at all, that is), wear simple clothes, read simple books (all speed readers raise your hand), and really just like to live simply. One day I would actually really like to undertake something extensive and un-simple…like a Master Chef worthy meal with a million ingredients or some big home project or something. But really, in my day to day, simple and easy is what I go for.

This yogurt and honey face mask fits that category perfectly. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has problems with that dry winter skin…hands, feet, face…nothing is safe from the harsh winter air. My friend Sarah has a great recipe for a body scrub to use on hands and feet that will exfoliate and soften wonderfully, and I like to use a simple yogurt and honey mixture on my face to do the same thing.

It might seem odd to put a milk product on your face, but actually yogurt is majorly beneficial for skin and hair. The lactic acid and enzymes found in natural yogurt help remove dead skin cells, which leave your skin feeling gloriously soft and fresh. I like to use this mask at least once a week, and I’ve noticed a big difference in the softness and moisture on my face.

Raw honey is also super good for your skin. It has natural antibacterial and probiotic properties that are actually gentle and nurturing for your skin cells, plus it’s full of antioxidants that help heal damaged skin and prevent acne. I also like that it makes the yogurt smell a little yummier when it’s on my face.

Yogurt + Honey Mask

1 T. unsweetened yogurt (greek, full-fat, or low-fat)
1/2 T. raw honey

Mix together in a small bowl and slather it all over your face and neck. Let the mask dry for fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water and a clean cloth. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.

Enjoy!

What about you: do you have good remedies for extra-moisturizing during the winter months?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!