Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

We are slowly entering into my very favorite time of year, late August through December 25th. The next few months hold so many exciting things and I truly can’t wait. At this moment I am soaking up these gorgeous late summer days and loving them so very much. Our weather has finally hit its sweet spot. Typically the next three weeks are the prettiest of the year here in the mountains. We have the sunniest warm days with the prettiest golden sunsets, and incredibly crips nights (a little too cold, but the warm days make up for it). The leaves will start to turn come September 1st and it’s just the most beautiful time. Expect so many photos on Instagram stories!

Also, I just have to say, if you haven’t traveled to Colorado in late August/early September, I could not recommend this time of year more. Everyone always thinks of traveling up to the mountain in the winter or mid-summer. But I’m telling you guys, the time to be here is right now. The sunsets alone are truly magical. And I know that is beyond cheesy, but it’s also just a fact.

In other news, this past week was kind of all over the place. Both Tuesday and Wednesday were stressful due to some major tech issues that caused HBH to be down for most of the day on Tuesday. I know the site being down isn’t the end of the world, but we work really hard to keep everything running smoothly, so hiccups are just never fun, and always stressful. I’m so sorry for any trouble you may have experienced! I know many of you were looking for recipes (especially these BBQ chicken tacos) and couldn’t get to them! We ended up having to skip Wednesday’s blog post, but don’t worry it’s coming tomorrow! And in the meantime, if you missed Tuesday’s post, I’d highly recommend catching up on it. Why? Because Pastry Wrapped Baked BRIE With Thyme Roasted Plums is SO GOOD!

Coming up this week on HBH. We’ll have another delicious late summer corn recipe. A back to school inspired treat – that I know everyone is going to love (or at least I hope so). A simple, healthy chicken dinner. A wild card recipe for Thursday (I have a few options I’m weighing). And something perfectly sweet for the Friday leading up to Labor day weekend!

Lastly, if you’re trying to catch up on blog posts from the week, sign up for our daily newsletters to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on Half Baked Harvest. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday and enjoy another round of favorites! See you all tomorrow.

1. My Favorite Podcast Right Now.

I have so many podcasts that I jump around to each week. But here are a few that are currently standing out to me…

The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast – this is the podcast that started it all for me. Once I started listening, I was hooked. After that, I realized that I love listening to podcasts while working in the kitchen. You will learn so much from this podcast. Not every episode will be for you, but the ones that are, you will gain so much value from.

must listen to episode: Jessica Alba & Cash Warren – On How To Balance Building A Family, Business, and Brands

Raising the Bar – this business-focused post will not put you to sleep. It’s fun, real, and always entertaining. I love that Ali and her brother, Michael are always bantering back and forth. Reminds me of my brothers and me.

must listen to episode: Sarah Michelle Gellar: From Vampires to Empires

Live To Eat – Candace Nelson’s new podcast is a must listen to if you LOVE food. She interviews top chefs, cookbook authors, and even a few celebrities. She gathers information about where each guest’s love of food came from.

must listen to episode: Grain Free Goddess Laurel Gallucci’s Journey to Sweet Laurel Bakery

Healthier Together – Liz is such a breath of fresh air within the health space. In addition, she has such a healthy view on food, healthy living, and life. I love listening to her interview some of the best health experts in the field.

must listen to episode: Kelly LeVeque—Debunking Healthy Eating Myths

bonus: Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard — Managing Anxiety and Making Amazing Recipes

Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard – Oddly, I look forward to this one every week. It’s always fun. I love that he mixes it up between serious conversations and more carefree laid back talks. My favorite part though? The fact check at the end of each episode. Listen and you will get it.

must listen to episode: EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Elizabeth Gilbert

How I Built This – I love learning about how businesses are built. I’ve found every single episode interesting and inspiring.

must listen to episode: Live Episode! Glossier: Emily Weiss

Asking for a Friend with Lauren Conrad – Lauren is truly such a sweet person and it really shines through in her new podcast. This is fun and uplifting. Once you start, you will binge listen to the entire first season.

must listen episode: Organizing: It’s as Simple as the Silverware Drawer with The Home Edit girls

Trove Business– if you happen to be in the influencer space, I can’t recommend this enough. It goes into detail about the ins and outs of working and growing a business around social media. In addition, I always learn something, and it’s always interesting.

must listen to episode: When to Hire, Who to Hire, with Camille Styles

bonus: Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard on The Role Of Influencers & Building A Community

The Goal Digger Podcast– I just started listening, but if you’re passionate about growing your business you have to listen to this one too. I am only a couple episodes in, but loving it.

must listen to episode: How Quitting and Failing Lead to a Fashion Empire

Question: What are your favorite podcasts? What else should I be listening to?

PS. read this post by Camille Styles on her top 5 motivating podcasts. It’s what inspired this “favorite”.

2. The Recipe You Need To Bake…Today + What Made Me Laugh This Week.

First, if you guys have not check out Friday’s Skillet Peach Cobbler, it’s probably my favorite recipe of August. It’s just about as perfect as can be and a wonderful recipe to bake up on a Sunday…

And the leftovers make an extra quick (and sweet) Monday morning breakfast.

Masterchef Red Gerard? “I’m not so much a gourmet guy”…

If you need a laugh, watch this. I couldn’t love this kid more. Thanks for the kindness Red. Also, I am definitely not the top food blogger for 3 years in a row. Don’t think I ever was, but again, thanks Red!

PS. the potato chip chicken recipe he is referring to is in the original Half Baked Harvest Cookbook.

PSS. If you already own the original, you can pre-order the HBH Super Simple here! 🙂

3. All the Dried Flowers I am loving…for my Wedding Cakes!

PS. I LOVE that these basically last forever and have moody fall vibes.

4. Questions of the Week: 

q: What’s the best part about your job?
a: The best part is being able to help so many of you get dinner on the table, bake the perfect cake, make an awesome cocktail, create a delicious menu, set the perfect table, and feed your friends and families. I love so much that I can be a part of everyone’s day by creating recipes (and photos) that I love and sharing videos/tips/tricks too!!

Connecting with you guys every day is another best part of my job! I love messaging with you all!!

And then, of course, I love that I get to be creative and do what I love most (cooking + stying) every single day. It’s so much work, but it’s work that I love!!

q: Is it hard to do all the cooking/staging/styling AND Instagram posting?
a: Yes, it can be very overwhelming. But I’m also not complaining. I do it because I want to!

q: What desserts are you gearing up to make this fall?
a: Personally I’m all about apples in September and try to save the pumpkin for October! Looking forward to perfecting an apple cake OR apple crisp, making chai-spiced everything, and definitely a fall layer cake too! Maybe something caramel apple, I’m not sure, I need to put some thought into this! I love fall!

Question: Anything you’re dying to have me bake this fall?

q: What cuisines inspire you the most?
a: Currently I’m really into middle eastern and Thai! I always have fun with these because they use so much color!!

5. Newest Videos: 

Skillet Brown Sugar Peach Cobbler…the best end of summer dessert, enough said.

Garlic Butter Cream Corn Chicken…it’s that time of year when I have more corn than I know what to do with, so this is my go-to.

Kimchi Grilled Cheese…pretty much perfect. And SO EASY.

6. Something Fun.

This Dessert Test Will Reveal Which Famous Introvert Matches Your Personality…

I got J.K Rowling (proof below) and you guys?? I could not be more excited. It’s why I am sharing this link. Who did you get?

PS. linking out to my favorite Harry Potter recipes. Because ahh, my personality matches J.K Rowling, and because Halloween is quickly approaching.

The Half Blood Prince Cocktail

Forbidden Forest Chocolate Butterbeer Cake

The Deathly Hallows Cocktail

Death By Butterbeer Cupcakes w/Treacle Butter Frosting + Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Death Eater Negroni

Pumpkin Butterbeer Hot Chocolate

Spooky Halloween Pretzels

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

5 skincare products that are worth the hype…drying to try the Drunk Elephant whipped cream.

16 simple comfort food recipes to ease into fall…yes, yes, yes. I am so ready.

how to stop self-sabotaging…everyone can learn something from this.

step inside a secluded hotel on the French Riviera…well, I’d love to.

in memoriam of 2019’s celebrity breakups…do celebs ever stay together?

how a Forbes 30-under-30 recipient makes her Mondays productive…if you need Monday motivation.

50 pizzas to eat in every state…that’s a lot of pizza. which state are you? I’m loving what Arizona has to offer.

7 foods that can help you combat stress…avocados please.

4 creamy shockingly vegan salad dressings…these all sound delicious.

simple strategy for packing healthy back-to-school lunches…if your kids are heading back to school.

3 reasons why asking for help will make you stronger…certainly something I need to be better about doing.

inside fashion designer Ulla Johnson’s bohemian brownstone…the kitchen that is ALL OVER Instagram.

2019’s most searched wedding colors…so far, loving the moody colors.

how to create a spa-like bathroom…for yourself and your guests.

8 things I learned my first year living in a big city…just enjoyed reading this.

5 fall trends you’ll see everywhere…bring on the cardigans.

8. Early Fall Style Favorites…

Some of these are pre-orders, but man I am so excited for all the fall clothes…and boots!

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: instant pot bbq beer pulled chicken tacos with ranch corn slaw

Tuesday: cilantro lime salmon with mango salsa

Wednesday: sneaky zucchini mac and cheese with everything bagel chip crumbs

Thursday: peachy chipotle chicken tortilla and avocado rice salad with fried halloumi

Friday: roasted red pepper pasta with white beans and basil

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.