30 Day White Space Gratitude Challenge

Take our Gratitude Challenge and bring more joy and peace in your life. 

5 Steps to Getting Started:

• Morning Gratitude: Tie your morning gratitude session into something that you do everyday such as commuting to work (notice the sunrise, the crisp autumn weather and the leaves changing colors) or having a morning cup of coffee (enjoy the wonderful aroma of the warm coffee, the quiet before the day officially starts).

 

• Gratitude Letter: Take a few minutes to sit down and write a letter to someone that has made a positive influence in your life. It can be a family member, a teacher, a doctor or even someone that works at the local market. It is a simple gesture that you are letting them know that they are appreciated. It can make someone’s day and yours too.

 

• Gratitude Stroll: This can done anywhere at anytime as long as you are looking around and being aware of all of the things that you appreciate. You may notice the blue sky without a single cloud, the chirping of the finches that sit in the neighbor’s tree, or even the smell of freshly baked bread as you walk by the local bakery.

 

• Gratitude as a Life Lesson: There is always a silver lining in every cloud and the way you choose to look at an event or experience can be life changing. When faced with a difficult situation, see if you can learn something from the experience, benefit from the experience or find something to be grateful for in the experience. Turn bad into good!

 

• Sunset Gratitude: A great way to end your day may be to take a few minutes to reflect upon the good from the day. You can think of something or someone that made you smile, someone that inspired you or reflect upon the best part of the day.  

After 30 days, you should feel a positive shift in the way that you look at the people and the world around you.  Challenge yourself and start TODAY.

Healthiest Leek and Mushroom Soup Ever

 

Serves 6-8
White Space Inspiration: Lazy Sundays Cooking with the Kids

Build some white space into your weekend to cook this healthiest soup ever.  Enjoy with a baguette and good book.  Bon Appétit!

 

Ingredients

 

1 T of Olive Oil

1 1/2 cups of chopped leeks (2 small stalks- white/pale green parts only)

2 garlic cloves pressed

Fresh ginger (pinky sized piece cut in two)

2 t of minced fresh rosemary (optional)

1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes in juice

5-6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

1 large portobello mushroom diced into bite sized pieces

3 medium sized carrots peeled and cut 

2 stalks of celery cut

2C of diced green cabbage

1 C of corn

1 14.5 ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained) *optional

1 bunch of kale (about 8 ounces), trimmed, center stalks removed, leaves coursely chopped

Preparation

 

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat

Add leeks, salt and pepper until leeks soften (about 5 minutes)

Add diced mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and rosemary (optional). Increase heat to medium high and saute until mushrooms soften and begin to brown, stirring often (about 7 minutes)

Add carrots, celery, cabbage, corn and continue to stir (about 5 minutes)

Add canned tomatoes with juice and stir for a minute

Add rinsed and drained can of black beans

Add 5-6 cups of chicken or veggie broth (can be more or less broth as preferred) and cook for 25-30 minutes at medium low temperature

 

5 minutes before serving, add the diced kale until wilted (about 1 minute)

Add salt and pepper as needed

 

Chef Ideas

*For veggies to still be somewhat crunchy cook for 25 minutes and longer for softer veggies

*Rice, barley or pasta can also be added if desired

*Other fresh and seasonal vegetables may also be substituted other than the leeks and mushrooms

10 Day Countdown to Thanksgiving

With the holidays approaching, its time to White Space the kitchen so we have peace of mind while whipping up those amazing feasts! 

Our 10 Day Countdown to Thanksgiving is the perfect way to get this done.  Tackle only one area below every day and apply our 10 simple steps to create more White Space.

 

Day 1: Fridge and Freezer  

Day 2: Silverware Drawer

Day 3: Tupperware

Day 4: Pots and Pans

Day 5: Food Pantry

Day 6: Spice Cabinet

Day 7: Appliances

Day 8: Trash/Recycling

Day 9: Counters

Day 10: Any Remaining Area

 

 

10 Steps to White Spacing Your Kitchen:

1. Remove all items from area
2. Discard expired items
3. Match items together (e.g. lids to pots) and discard or donate unmatched, unused or damaged items
4. Wash shelves and drawers
5. Designate certain areas for each category of food or cooking appliances
6. Adjust height of shelves if needed (e.g: I lowered my drink shelf, so my kids could reach the milk)
7. If you have children under 4, label each shelf with pictures
8. Put items back on shelves (nest pots and pans)
9. Place commonly used items in most accessible area
10. Make sure when cleaning counter only to put items absolutely necessary. Be ruthless here as living in White Space is about keeping things peaceful on your eye and creating space that's more efficient to do the job.

I am starting today by cleaning out the fridge.  Join the countdown with me and feel energized every time you walk into your kitchen! 

Locavore

In 2005, Jessica Prentice coined the term “locavore” to promote organic local eating and local consumption of foods that are grown within a one hundred mile radius. It is a farm to table approach that is exciting and easy to try at home.
 

With the knowledge of where and how our food is grown and appreciating the harvest in season, we are able to maximize the nutritional value of the food that we eat every day.  

To find a farmers market in Northern California go to  Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association.  If you live anywhere in the country, you have to check out this wonderful Epicurious tool to learning what is fresh each month in your area.  My kids love to then hunt for these items at our local farmers market or grocery store!