Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

How’s everyone’s January going so far? Are you embracing the new year and setting new goals? Doing any organizing? I’d love to hear how you guys are spending the first month of the new decade!

Personally, I always find January to be such an odd month, anyone else? The holidays are over, so that’s a little bit of a bummer. But then there’s a fresh start with the new year, which is always so exciting to me! I’ve been slowly catching up on new content for HBH. And emails…I swear the second that January 2nd rolls around everyone seems to be back to their emails. Not complaining, but I will say that the break from my inbox over the holidays was so nice!

I’m sure I’m not alone in that though…

Moving along, I was able to spend a little sister time with Asher after work this week. We made the 5 Ingredient brownies from the Half Baked Harvest Super Simple cookbook. I hadn’t made these brownies in ages and had forgotten how easy they actually are. The whole recipe took us maybe 30 minutes from start to finish. EASY. They have only 5 ingredients (with one very special ingredient), are extra fudgy, and have the most flakey, crinkle top ever. If you haven’t made them yet, I’d highly recommend baking some up today. They remind me of the brownies I’d eat as a kid. In other words, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing better…perfect Sunday brownie.

In other news, I almost made a last-minute trip to NYC for a friend’s birthday party. However, I’m in LA towards the end of the month, and then have a lot of travel planned for the spring So, in the end, I decided it was best to stay home…I’m such a homebody. Plus it was my mom’s birthday yesterday, so I wanted to be sure I was able to make her banana chocolate chip pancakes for lunch (kind of our special thing), and give her the biggest hug imaginable.

Coming up this week on HBH, we have a full week of fresh new Healthy January recipes. Doing a little meatless Monday with a new cauliflower recipe. On Tuesday we’ll be sharing a go-to snack. On Wednesday we’ll have the absolutely prettiest and most delicious sheet pan salmon. Then a fun Thai soup with a little bit of a twist on Thursday. Of course, Friday will likely have something sweet. But as of right now it’s a wild card…as in I have no idea yet. Anything you’d love to see? Let me know!

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. 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).

1. Inspiring me this week.

Ginger Zee Chief Meteorologist at ABC News.

I first meet Ginger when I was on Good Morning America back in October. It was my first time on such a highly watched national show. And by far the biggest thing I’d done thus far. I was so excited to be on GMA, but even more so when I arrived and meet Ginger. She was so incredibly welcoming and kind, I was blown away. What’s even cooler is that it turned out Ginger has been cooking from HBH for years, her favorite recipe is the cranberry Brie pull apart bread. I was beyond flattered and instantly felt so comfortable on set. She made my GMA experience the best it could have been.

Fast forward a couple of months and I can now call Ginger a friend. We have a fun segment airing soon on GMA and hopefully more coming in the future!

Ginger is such an inspiration, I’m in awe of all she does. If you don’t follow her on Instagram, you should be. She’s constantly doing her part to do good in the world, sharing all her workout tips on her IG stories, giving behind the scenes clips around GMA, and of course, sharing the cutest videos of her two sons. Ginger just returned from Australia where she was reporting on the active burning fires. She’s always on the go, but yet always has a smile on her face and the most positive attitude. I’m not sure how she manages it all, but she does, and she does it so well.

And tomorrow happens to be her birthday, so please be sure to send her sweet messages on Instagram!

Question: Who’s inspiring you right now?

Related Reading: Why is Australia Burning? Plus, How You Can Help.

2. The best winter citrus recipes.

Citrus season is short and sweet, so I’m excited to start cooking and baking with all the citrus that’s currently at the market. Here are a few of my favorite citrus packed recipes to enjoy all season long.

Ombrè Citrus Cream Tart

Whipped Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake

Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Whole Wheat Dutch Baby with Meyer Lemon Whipped Ricotta

One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo

Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Winter Citrus Tequila Smash

Sheet Pan Cuban Chicken With Citrus Avocado Salsa

Vanilla Chai Lemon Ricotta Muffins

3. My Favorite Kitchen Finds for January…

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: If food wasn’t it, what would your career be?
a: Before I began cooking I always said I wanted to be a stylist. In fact, I spent my teens putting outfits together or rearranging my room. I’ve always loved making things pretty. So, either fashion or interior design

q: What is your favorite go-to vegetarian dish from your cookbook?
a: The spicy buffalo cauliflower, any of the pizzas, the Cacio e Pepe Brussels sprouts, and the Moroccan chickpea tagine

q: Do you ever get tired of cooking? Say screw it and order takeout?
a: Honestly? Nope! For one, we actually have pretty horrible takeout options around here. Two, I really do really love cooking, especially for others!

q: Do you ever have a total photography fail?
a: Indeed, all of the time! In fact, I reshoot more recipes than you’d ever think.

5. newest videos.

Artichoke Pesto and Burrata Pizza with Lemony Arugula…cheesy pizza on the bottom, but salad on top.

20 Minute Caribbean Shrimp Tacos…when it’s snowy, but you really want to be somewhere warm…make these.

6. Currently listing to…

Second Life with Hillary Kerr, but specifically Hillary’s interview with Reese Witherspoon. I’m so impressed by Reese, her story, and everything she’s doing to better her industry. If you haven’t listened to this episode, I’d add this to your Sunday to-do list or Monday work commute.

Other Second Life episodes I (especially) love…

Cindy Crawford: Supermodel, Entrepreneur, and Meaningful Beauty Co-Founder

Nicole Richie: House of Harlow 1960 Founder and Creative Director

Eva Chen: Instagram’s Director of Fashion Partnerships

Question: What are your favorite podcasts right now? I need some new ones and would love to hear your favorites!

Related Reading: the podcast you should listen to in 2020.

7. a few links i am loving…

my go-to cleaning tool is actually meant for baking…AGREE. I LOVE this tool and use it only for cleaning.

7 winter brunch recipes…Sunday brunch anyone?

I left a steady paycheck at Estée Lauder to start my own clean beauty brand…so inspiring.

royal oils…the best beauty oils.

Camille’s office makeover reveal…love the cozy boho vibes.

9 kitchen trends for 2020…trends #3 and #6 are my favorites.

10 clean beauty swaps to make in 2020…Vintner’s Daughter serum is worth the splurge.

the ultimate Trader Joe’s clean eating shopping list…if you need ideas.

the one dress everyone needs for winter…certainly love a knit sweater dress.

the 8 most beautiful castle gardens in Europe…well these are so pretty.

how to prepare your team for change in 2020…found this read especially helpful.

4 organization hacks…to help you take control of your life.

Dr. Barbara Sturm talks Glow, Breakouts, and Blood Cream…I swear by her products.

what to do in Chicago in the winter…if you are in the area.

the problem with making New Year’s resolutions…and what to do instead.

I wear basic outfits 7 days a week…here are 6 Simple trends to buy now.

7 reasons you should declutter and organize your desk…if you need a fresh look.

the perfect winter work wardrobe…requires only these 7 items.

8. my favorite cashmere brand…

Bonus: a few pieces of gold jewelry I love…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: kale caesar salad with sweet potatoes and crispy chickpeas

Tuesday: healthier Italian wedding soup with lemon and garlic

Wednesday: eggs in purgatory with chile butter and feta

Thursday: one skillet greek sun-dried tomato chicken and farro

Friday: Chinese mushroom dumplings with sweet chili ginger sesame sauce

Sunday Baking: homemade vegan Twix bars

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