Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Day…who knows…of quarantine. How is everyone feeling? I know the days are all starting to blend together a bit. I’m hoping you guys are all hanging in there. Are you cooking and baking and finding ways to stay busy during this time? Over here we’ve managed to keep pretty busy with days full of cooking and photographing new recipes. And nights full of writing, emails, and checking-in on Instagram. With so many of you cooking during this time at home, we’ve been doing our best to try to provide you all with recipes, pantry staple ideas, and answer all of your questions as efficiently possible.

Very thankful for our small, but mighty little HBH team…also known as my family.

How are you all keeping busy during this time? Is there anything that you’ve started doing that you ended up really enjoying? I know many are taking online classes, diving into home organization projects, and binge-watching Netflix. Speaking of which, what is everyone watching these days? I’m still so behind and have yet to start a single show…but all I keep hearing about Tiger King. You guys, I’m confused, why is everyone so obsessed with this show? What am I missing here? Asher and I are both wondering?

In other news, two of our goats, Layla and Mara, are due to give birth this month. We’re expecting little baby kids any time now, I’m so excited. For those of you who have been reading for a while, you may remember we had baby goats a couple of years ago as well. I can’t wait to meet the new members of our family soon. It’s certainly going to bring some much-needed happiness around here. I’ll be sure to share many photos and videos.

Coming up this week, we’ll be kicking Monday off with a colorful pantry(ish) style recipe that has a touch of springtime freshness to it. Tuesday is all about Easter cake. Then on Wednesday, we’ll have a fun Mexican dish. On Thursday we’ve got a quick and easy shrimp dinner. And we’ll finish out the week with a sweet dessert that’s perfect for Easter weekend.

Also, it’s crazy that Easter is just one week from today. With everything that’s going on, it doesn’t feel like Easter. We have nothing planned and no family coming home to celebrate…it just feels weird. How are you all celebrating this year? What’s missing from your Easter menu? I’m sharing a few ideas below, but let me know if there are any last-minute dishes you’re still looking for! Appetizers? Side dishes? Main course? Brunch? Maybe I throw something new into the lineup!

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).

I hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things. Please let me know if you have any requests for next week’s post. I love sharing these lengthy Sunday posts with you all. Have a wonderful, relaxed Sunday…and have fun baking!

PS. we’re hosting a Staub giveaway for my favorite skillet on Instagram right now. The Giveaway ends tonight, so make sure you enter soon.

PSS. we have not been to the grocery store in well over a week. I’m honestly amazed we’ve been able to get by. We’ve been stocking up when we do go to the store, using those pantry staples…and getting creative over here.

1. Things that I’m finding comforting right now…

…My favorite thing to do at the end of the day is to light a candle. As soon as I get home from the studio (which is maybe just five hundred feet from my house), I prep dinner, clean up a little, and then light a candle. This has truly been such a relaxing thing for me to do every night. It’s really helped me to transition from “work” mode to “home” mode. Yes, I still work at home too, but something about having a candle lit really relaxes me and makes me feel a little calmer.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite candles with you below, but I’m also wondering if you guys have any candles you love? Looking to order a few new ones and keep up with my nightly routine. It’s saving me during this time and really helping to keep my anxiety in check.

Some of my personal favorite candles…

And of course, every single candle from The Little Market…I have this one burning as I type. It’s one my true favorites.

Question: what’s your favorite (non-toxic.chemical free) candle? I love anything warming and cozy!

Other things helping me during this time…

…I found this episode of The Skinny Confidential Podcast to be both light-hearted and inspiring at the same time. They talk about changing our mindsets during this time and using it to better ourselves instead. You can listen here.

…Additionally, I loved this podcast (also from The Skinny Confidential) on branding incredibly useful. If you are building any type of business, you have to listen to this episode. Listen here.

…Daily hikes! I feel bad mentioning this because I understand it’s a privilege to be able to get outside and hike daily. Since we live in a smaller town, it’s easier to stay a very safe distance from others while outside. I know not all of you can so easily get outside, but if you can, I highly recommend it. It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do.

…Keeping busy and creating new content for you all has been my true distraction from all my anxiety-driven thoughts. Focusing on work and how I can best provide for you guys has stopped me from constantly thinking about my fears and helped push away anxious thoughts. Thankful to be able to continue to do what I love so much daily.

…Supporting small businesses and giving back to charities. Here are a few we’ve personally donated to and love.

Feeding America – their programs serve virtually every community in the US, helping 1 in 7 Americans facing hunger live more secure and stable lives. 98% of all donations go directly into programs serving people in need.

Support Our Emergency Medical Workers – This past week Pizzana, an LA restaurant, has been cooking free meals for Los Angeles doctors, nurses, and emergency medical workers who are on the front lines fighting the pandemic. My friend Candace and her husband Charles started a Go Fund Me page to raise money so they can continue providing meals. Every dollar raised will be turned into food deliveries to Los Angeles area hospitals.

Meals On Wheels – Delivers nutritious meals to the country’s most vulnerable seniors.

Great Lakes Academy Charter School – teachers at this K-8 community charter school in Chicago are finding unique ways to provide critical services to their students, 100% of whom are minorities, and 87% are low-income. Teachers are working on the front lines by checking in one-on-one with every student, every day. They’re providing mental health, basic needs, e-learning materials/lessons, and learning packets. Over 60% of students do not have computer access. Donations will provide not only Chromebooks, but books, notebooks, and writing utensils. Just $180 provides one Chromebook for one student.

…The Home Edit quarantine challenge. Are any of you following this? I love the ideas they have been sharing out!

Question: what is helping you all the most to get through this time? I would love to hear!!

2. All the best Easter recipes.

Drinks:

Spicy Cucumber Margarita

(extra) Dirty Horchata

strawberry hibiscus ginger margarita

Breakfast/Brunch:

Cinnamon Sugar Brown Butter Popovers

Easiest Cinnamon Crunch Knots

Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake

Ultimate Spring Brunch Board

Herby Everything Cheddar Swirl Buns

Roasted Mixed Potatoes with Spring Herbs and Burrata

Crispy Breakfast Potatoes with Chili Garlic Oil and Herbs

The Best Herby Potato Salad

Sesame Roasted Asparagus with Whipped Feta

Asparagus and Brie Puff Pastry with Thyme Honey

Homemade Pretzel Bagels

Lunch/Dinner:

One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake

Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon

Roasted Lemon Artichoke and Browned Butter Pasta

Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce

Sheet Pan Blackened Salmon Bowl with Potatoes and Avocado Goddess Sauce

Herbed Garlic Butter Scallops with Lemony Feta Dressing

One Skillet Greek Meatballs and Lemon Butter Orzo

Dessert

Milk Chocolate Stuffed Peanut Butter Bunny Cookies

Strawberry Chamomile Naked Cake

Lemon Coconut Naked Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream

Hydrangea Flower Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Strawberry Chamomile Olive Oil Cake with Honeyed Ricotta

Blackberry lavender naked cake with white chocolate buttercream

Healthy…ish Homemade Samoas Cookies

3. Last Minute Easter Finds…to bring some happiness.

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Do you have any bread recipes that don’t call for yeast?
a: Yes!! My 5 Ingredient Honey Butter Beer Bread. You’ll never make anything easier. And it’s the best bread!

q: If you could pick one Staub pan to use every day, which would it be?
a: This one! I literally use it every single day, and that’s not an exaggeration.

q: What jobs did you have before HBH?
a: I started HBH just as I was turning 19, so this has really been my first real job. But when I was in middle school I made jewelry and actually sold it in a few stores. That lasted about one summer. Of course, I did some babysitting for my aunts throughout high school too. After graduating from high school and receiving my Associate’s Degree I moved to LA where I planned to attend FIDM. Before school began I worked at Barbizon Acting Modeling and Talent. I wanted to be sure I could handle LA. I decided LA wasn’t for me and moved back home to start HBH. I’ve been working on HBH full time ever since.

q: How are you and your family doing?
a: All of us are healthy and doing well. I feel pretty grateful to be where we are and to have the job that I do. We’re all staying home. My brothers are a little spread out, all but one are in CA, and my oldest brother is in Ohio. But all are good and working to keep busy.

q: Do you make all your money from your cookbooks?
a: No! Not at all. We have many different revenue sources for HBH…in-content blog ads, brand partnerships, cookbooks, HBH products, etc. There’s not just one source, but many.

5. favorite recipe videos.

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette…my “everything but the kitchen sink” salad.

5 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies…the pantry cookie I always have the ingredients for.

Plus videos from Instagram stories…

Cheesy Herb Stuffed Naan…nothing is better.

Spicy Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken…personal favorite recipe.

(extra) Dirty Horchata…and of course, Sunday drinks.

6. Inspiring me on Pinterest…the at home craft edition.

I pulled a few fun craft projects I found on Pinterest.

Colorful Pasta-and-Leaf Leis

Pansy and Dahlia Fabric Flower Tutorial

Fluffy Slime

Make Your Own Rosewater + Pink Clay Soap

Easter Bunny Paper Plate

7. A few links i’m loving…

exactly how to organize your fully stocked fridge…9 pro tips to avoid waste.

30 easy recipes to make at home this month…what are you cooking?

a Nashville home where the architecture steals the show…such a pretty home.

IKEA launched air-purifying curtains…we could all certainly use a breath of fresh air.

18 activities to do at home…that you have not thought of yet.

how to start an indoor garden…Martha Stewart’s gardener shares his tips.

celebrity cooking videos…love Jennifer Garner’s “pretend cooking show”.

it seems like everyone is baking bread now…15 recipes to get started.

11 movies to transport you around the world…need to watch Eat, Pray, Love.

free printable coloring pages…love this idea to pass time in a creative way.

33 Los Angeles restaurants to support…how to support and help the restaurant community.

Casey Wilson’s farmhouse inspired home….love the coziness and sweet charm.

how team domino is working from home…inside editors’ makeshift offices.

rearranging your home won’t solve everything…but It can make you smile.

support local restaurants by ordering chef-made meal kits…love this idea.

kids activity, make your own ice cream…

13 comfy trends to wear at home…I love a cozy home outfit more than you know.

popcorn? best sweats ever?…of course, you need these! The best self-isolation splurges.

you don’t need to go to the store to get fresh produce…5 produce delivery services.

what to send your friends on their isolated birthday…love these fun ideas.

7 TV shows to binge for design inspiration…have you watched any of these?

8. A Few Sales to shop…

Get 25% to 40% off Anine Bing…

Receive 15% off Cuyana through tonight…

Senreve Handbag Revival: almost perfect collection

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: Spicy Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Fingers

Tuesday: Crispy Rice Bowl with Browned Butter Sweet Potatoes and Herby Green Tahini

Wednesday: Skillet Pesto Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups

Thursday: Greek Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce

Friday: Cacio e Pepe with Arugula and Lemon

Saturday Sips: (extra) Dirty Horchata

Sunday Baking: Cheesy Herb Stuffed Naan (with no yeast option)

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