Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

{the simplest citrus tart}

Hi, hi! Happiest Sunday to you all! It’s been such a weekend over here. It kicked off in the best way possible on Friday when my younger brother Red won the Burton US Open Men’s Slopestyle Finals. For those of you who aren’t all that familiar with snowboarding (don’t worry, I’m right there with you), the US Open is the biggest snowboard contest of the year. Most riders even see it as being bigger than the Olympics. Sooo, it’s kind of a very big deal to win. Red qualified 1st on Wednesday in the semi-finals, and then stayed in 1st throughout the 3 runs of the finals on Friday. Watching him win was the best. It brought me right back to watching him win the Olympics last year, except I truly think he might be more excited about this win.

It was for sure a good day, and I am the proudest sister. I’ve said this before, but no matter what, Red has the ability to almost always put a smile on my face. Both he and Kai (my brother two years younger) just have so much life in them. It’s the best to be around. So, so, SO happy for Red! He’s been working incredibly hard all season long, and both he and Kai have been going non-stop. This was very well deserved.

In other, slightly less exciting news, I’ve been working away, cooking a ton, and finally beginning to make headway on a big project with a deadline that’s looming (and scary). We have a shoot Monday and Tuesday with a magazine that I have been reading since I was a kid (so excited), and then I am off to LA Tuesday night for a work trip for the rest of the week. Busy, but fun, and I am looking forward to it all!

Coming up this week on HBH, I’ll be sharing a new healthy spaghetti squash recipe that I love, a super green pasta that’s perfect for spring, a Wednesday wild card (meaning I have no idea yet), a fun seafood recipe, and of course something for your sweet tooth…but not what you are expecting!

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Favorites!

1. How To Free Yourself From Negative Thinking. 

If you’ve been reading these favorites post for a while now, then you know that I am someone who has suffered from anxiety and negative thinking for as long as I can remember. Negative thinking is something I’ve really been trying hard to work at. I have good and bad days, just like everyone else in the world, but with multiple deadlines looming and a lot of stress currently on my shoulders, my negative thinking has been hard to push out of my mind.

I came across this article on Goop and found it not only interesting, but really helpful. To sum it up, we need to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. This is easier said than done, especially in the moment, but we take so much for granted. Things like our heart beating, food to eat, sunshine, just simple everyday things we don’t normally think twice about. Highly recommend reading this if you struggle with negative thoughts.

And with that, here are 5 things I am so grateful for at this very moment.

1. a productive day.
2. my loving (crazy) family.
3. this The Little Market candle that’s currently burning away as I type (it’s my favorite).
4. getting to hike every single day.
5. my bed…so grateful for my comfy, cozy bed.
6. my health (and my family’s), yes, this is extra, but it’s the thing I am maybe most grateful for.

PS. after typing these out I already feel more positive. Even as I was writing this, negative thoughts like, it’s so late, I still have so much to do, were flowing through my head. But I can honestly say I feel 10 times better, at least at this very moment…baby steps.

Question: how do you stay positive?

2. The Most Popular Recipe of February.

most popular: sheet pan chicken shawarma with sesame sweet potatoes and hummus

For once, I am not totally surprised by this month’s most popular recipe. Sure, when I shared this sheet pan chicken shawarma, I had no idea you guys would love it so much. BUT I sure hoped you would, because it’s delicious…and so easy. What’s so awesome about this healthy chicken dinner is that, not only can you make it all on ONE sheet pan, but it’s perfect for meal prep as well. I could not love this recipe more, so I’m thrilled that you all have been loving it so very much.

Runner up: oven fried korean popcorn chicken

I only shared this recipe last week and already it’s the second most popular of the month. And I totally understand why…it is GOOD. And probably my personal favorite recipe of the month. Why? One, because it’s sweet, spicy, and the sauce is addictingly good. Two, this recipe brings back all of my favorite memories of my family’s time in South Korea last year. If you have yet to make this chicken, I highly recommend making it soon. Like this week.

Have to mention: herbed garlic butter naan

Oh how I LOVE this naan. I shared this last week and it’s just about tied with the Korean chicken. Please make this naan, it’s life changing. That is all you need to know, trust me here.

3. Early Spring Finds for the Home…

4. Questions of The Week: 

q: What did you do before writing you blog/cookbooks, etc?
a: high school, then a very brief stint in LA (working at a modeling agency…lol). Then I started HBH and never looked back.

q: Do you ever burn anything on accident?
a: Yess. All the time. Did you see yesterday’s chicken? I’m often trying to do too much and that’s when I burn something.

q: Mountains or the beach?
a: Beach: February – August, Mountains: September – January

q: Do you think you’ll be in Colorado forever?
a: No idea, but for the next couple of years I would think so! Love where I live so much! But you never know!

q: What is the best to buy? 10 or 12 inch skillet? Le Creuset or Staub?
a: If you often feed more than 4 people go for the 12 inch. If it’s a smaller crowd, the 10 inch! And Staub all the way!

q: Have you ever gotten food poisoning?
a: Yes. I was maybe 12, and it was a Caesar salad…I’ve never ordered another since.

q: What kind of fitness/workout routine do you do?
a: I’m not really a gym person, I much prefer being outside, so I hike just about every single day. I also do very light strength exercises/stretches (think push ups and things) every day.

q: What cooking show do you watch?
a: I really don’t watch any cooking shows or cooking competition shows. They’ve just never interested me.

5. New Video:

skillet chicken tinga enchiladas…tangy, spicy, extra saucy, and just a little cheesy too.

6. My Favorite Podcast. 

I am always getting asked what I listen to while I cook. The answer is a podcast. I love being able to work and learn at the same time. Here are my current favorites. What do you listen to? I need suggestions!

Second Life with Hillary Kerr  – for all the inspiring career tips. love this one so much.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard – for laughs, life lessons, and career.

The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Show – for everything from beauty, to life, to business.

How I Built This With Guy Raz – so much info from some of the best business owners.

Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations – she’s Oprah, it’s good.

Accidental Creative – great for creative people who are running a business.

The Goop Podcast – life, family, business, and so much more.

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

charming grandeur in Jordana Brewster’s heirloom filled L.A. home…love so much.

Camille Styles 2019 guide to Austin’s best restaurants…really just need to try them.

inside the makeover of Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus’ L.A. home…so pretty, and I love the story.

where to have fun in Austin during SXSW…I want to go.

secret ingredient you should have in your pantry, but don’t…YESS. get this ingredient. ASAP.

top 5 design destination to visit in March…Melbourne sounds fun.

7 things a designer would never do in a small kitchen…for your home renovations.

the 1 thing you should never do when tweezing your brows…good to know.

a minimalist closet can be a reality…if you follow these 3 organizational steps.

30 meals you can make with frozen chicken breast…for when you don’t want to go to the store.

inside the world’s most expensive hotel suite…honestly? it looks kind of cold and not that inviting.

Ulla Johnson’s new Bobbi Brown collection…this looks so fun for spring.

the importance of getting dressed…love this post. love the outfit too.

the most instagrammable boutique hotels in the world…Italy and Bali for me please.

30 must see places and things in Ireland…because it is the month of the Irish.

3 lower ab exercises….to tone up for bikini season.

10 of the hardest to kill house plants…could you keep them alive?

8. Pastel Sweaters for Spring…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: better than takeout Szechuan noodles with sesame chili oil

Tuesday: vibrant spring broccoli buddha bowl

Wednesday: sun-dried tomato chicken and avocado Cobb salad with tahini ranch

Thursday: creamy Moroccan tomato soup + garlic naan grilled cheese

Friday: sesame falafel with ginger tahini and jalapeño sauce

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.