It’s funny to think of how nothing in our world is one set way. I used to think challenges were a necessary part of anything I would embark on. Yet, I also believe the total opposite. There is something to be said for the times when things fall into place so effortlessly that you wonder how sane or safe the situation is. I used to wonder if the latter case meant the universe is playing a trick on me.
I am not one for games and I don’t think the universe is either. It is my belief that we are led to where we need to be as long as we keep our eyes open. The signs are here amongst us but we need to know what to look for. Signals can be confusing, especially when our lives are oftentimes so busy, but that is why I find it essential to recognize how I feel.
I’m not frequently introspective but simply taking note of how things make me feel is a game-changer. It sounds obvious, like, of course I know how things make me feel. Though, I’m talking about on that deeper level of recognizing when a person, topic, or situation affects you.
People in your life that support and inspire you are worthwhile and necessary. People that don’t make you feel good don’t have to be in your life—adjust accordingly. Ideas that make you uncomfortable may be sore spots to work out. When the thought of something fills you with emotion, consider how that serves you. Life, months, weeks, and days are filled with situations. Short and longer term situations are experiences if we can only see the avenues for expansion.
I feel that, once you take the time to learn about yourself in that way, life just begins to flow. My life isn’t perfect but it is flowing right now. I’m not even close to where I am meant to be and there is still so much more I hope/plan to do but I’m thankful that I can see that.
This is a bit of a different and, perhaps, odd post but I hope sharing my thoughts can resonate with you if you wonder about how to tap into those universal signs. Check-in with yourself OFTEN and A LOT and there is no limit to the possibilities that may unfold.
Have you ever tried Shakshuka? Basically, it is a sharing dish, usually served at breakfast or brunch with a slice of crusty bread if you know what’s good for ya.
I don’t have any Middle Eastern cuisine restaurants in my city but I have tried making variations of Shakshuka at home. Traditionally, Shakshuka involves tomatoes, chili peppers, onions, and cumin. I’ve seen recipes that call for anything and everything from potatoes to eggplant to bell peppers. The latter ingredient is how I first tried it. Bell peppers make for a zesty Shaksuka so I’m using them in today’s recipe!
As summer tomato season starts to roll in, you might also find yourself with extra tomatoes on hand. Typically, a can of diced or crushed tomatoes helps bring the ingredients together but I find this recipe to be an excellent use for those tomatoes that are past their prime.
#NoFoodWaste HOORAY!
I’m on an egg kick these days. If you missed my last post, click here to see my favorite Egg, Zucchini, and Pesto Tacos! It feels good to experiment in the kitchen so I hope you guys like these egg recipes as much as I do! Let me know if you give them a try! Comment below or tag me on Instagram @melaniemakesithappen!
Fresh Shakshuka for One
Recipe Type: Entree
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Author: Melanie
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 serving
A fresher take on the classic Middle Eastern Shakshuka with ingredients you probably have in your fridge right now!
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 ripe medium-to-large heirloom tomato or two small romas, chopped*
¼ cup chopped red onion
¼ cup red bell pepper
1 clove of garlic
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp cilantro (or more parsley)
5 Kalamata olives, sliced into fourths
2 eggs
Optional: tortillas or crusty bread, for serving
Instructions
In a stainless steel or metal pan, warm a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a nice pinch of salt. Sauté until translucent and then add the chopped tomatoes. If your tomato/tomatoes are watery, go ahead and add that to the pan, too! Give the ingredients a good stir, mash, and another pinch of salt. Don’t skimp here! Cook for about 3 minutes until the ingredients thicken and combine.
When the mixture begins to boil, add in your eggs. If possible, try to create a little nest in the tomato sauce for the eggs to sit. Turn the heat to a medium-low temperature and cover with a lid.
The eggs are basically poaching in the tomato sauce so keep an eye on them! They cook to over-easy runniness in as little as two minutes.
When the eggs are done to your liking, use a spatula to slowly scoot or spoon the shakshuka into a serving bowl. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, Kalamata olives, and some freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
*I haven’t tested this with firm tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes are juiciest and that extra liquid helps make the shakshuka sauce. Chop the tomato finely for best results.
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I feel like tomatoes are a staple in many dishes but few times do ripe tomatoes have value in recipes. How do you guys use tomatoes? I’d love to hear your recipe ideas in the comments 🙂
Eggs aren’t just for breakfast anymore! My very favorite way to eat eggs is with a light veggie sauté, pesto, and soft corn tortillas for a hearty lunch or anytime meal!
For anyone else who has pet chickens, you’ll know that eggs are in season! Did you know that just like the plant produce we buy, eggs are also affected by the seasons? Think of how a butternut squash isn’t as accessible in summertime and therefore it is nearly three times more expensive if you want to buy it outside of its usual fall season. The same is similar for chickens and their eggs. As the winter eases out and spring starts up, chickens have more energy to dedicate to laying versus just trying to keep warm during the cold temperatures!
As for these tacos, the ingredients are super simple:
Onion, garlic, zucchini, eggs, and tortillas (non-negotiable)! Oh, and pesto! I highly recommend my cilantro-parsley pesto which is what I use when I make these tacos. Alternatively, use another kind of pesto and sprinkle some cilantro onto your tacos to give it that Mex flair! 😉
Egg, Zucchini, and Pesto Tacos
Recipe Type: Entree
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Melanie
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 tacos
If you’re looking for a tasty way to change up eggs, try them in these tacos! The veggie and pesto combo might sound strange but they make for some super flavorful tacos!
Ingredients
Avocado oil, for cooking
2 green onions, chopped OR ¼ cup chopped white onion
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 small zucchini, sliced (about a heaping ½ cup worth)
Salt and pepper
2 eggs
Pesto
Salsa
Optional: cilantro, radishes, or Everything Bagel seasoning
Instructions
In a cast iron skillet, add a tablespoon or two of oil and turn the pan to medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic for a minute, then add in the zucchini. Make sure to add a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper for maximum flavor!
Once the veggies are cooked, after about 5 minutes, transfer to a plate.
In the same pan, wipe away any crumbs and add another tablespoon or two of oil. The pan should still be on medium heat and carefully crack two eggs into the pan. Cook the eggs to your liking. I like to flip mine once the egg white starts to solidify. I do about 3 minutes, flip, and then 2 more minutes.
While the eggs cook, warm up your tortillas in the microwave. I also like to add my tortillas to the cast iron pan after the eggs cook (set them aside) so that the tortillas crisp up and absorb the pan flavors! This is an extra step but worthwhile.
For assembly, gently place an egg into each tortilla and distribute the veggie sauté amongst the two tacos. Add a generous scoop of salsa and pesto—I’m talking a good two tablespoons each—and optional toppings, if desired. Finish with an extra sprinkle of black pepper and enjoy!
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I’m legit salivating over the thought of eating these tacos. As I write out the step-by-step details I’m reminded of how flavorful these tacos are! I really hope you guys can give them a try. Drop me a comment or tag me on Instagram if you do!
Thank you all for reading! And stay tuned for ANOTHER fun egg recipe (YAS!) coming later this week to the melmakesithappen blog! 🙂
Hey, friends! How are you? Please tell me; I really want to know. Are you just here to see what the “Adventure” part of Breakfast Adventure Jar is? If so, that’s okay, too. See the recipe at the bottom of the page 🙂
I need to talk about some thoughts first. Just today, I was scrolling through Instagram and got to talking with a friend about passions. I started thinking of how we may dive into something as a follower but down the line it ignites a fire that motivates us to be a leader in that same field. For my friend, it was fitness. Following Tone it Up encouraged her to pursue personal training and nutrition coaching—both very different from her day job. Similarly, I started my fitness journey with Tone it Up and that transcended into an exploration of healthy eating and now I’m basically a nutrition fanatic.
I strongly believe in a whole foods way of eating. For me that is mostly vegan but, I recognize that for others, a whole foods way of eating could be varied. Plus, we all have to start somewhere. I try to keep my preferences to myself but the few times I do talk about food, I think it influences others. I get asked all sorts of things about what I eat, how to cook quinoa, and how to de-bloat.
Of course, I’m not a dietician so I can only offer my personal experience and knowledge from reading but I wish to do more. Here on the internet, especially in the health and wellness community, there isn’t a question about how to use kale. Though, offline, I need to remind myself that many people still have trouble formulating a plate of nutritious food.
I thought of a quote I’ve seen floating around but I haven’t ever resonated with until now:Right now, my ability to influence the community or public’s view of nutrition is limited as my day job is an office assistant. Though, I do hope that if someone has questions, they can have the courage to seek out answers. I enjoy helping steer people on the right path but fully want them to create their own healthy relationship with food. I don’t yet know how I can further advocate for this subject which I feel strongly about IRL but I know it isn’t going away soon.
In the meantime, let’s get to the Breakfast Adventure Jar.
The adventure part of the name comes from a few different places. One, it stems from the fact that your jar is never going to look or taste the same way twice. It is a complete mystery based on whatever fridge or pantry goods you’ve got to use up. The idea for the Breakfast Adventure Jar came one day when I had baked a gingerbread loaf that wasn’t terrible but just wasn’t that great for snacking. I turned it into a parfait with some chia pudding, peanut butter, sliced nectarine, and cocoa coconut chips. That was the moment I knew.
Second, the adventure comes from looking around for goodies to put in your jar. Half of an apple? Throw it in! Mostly empty coconut butter jar? Use that to build the mish-mash concoction!
So, I guess I should say, this isn’t so much of a recipe as it is a guideline to make a bomb, texture-filled, parfait! (Keep reading for my suggestions.) Lastly, the jar is the vehicle for a delicious set of ingredients that you may have otherwise lain out on a plate at home. Now the goods are all conveniently packed into a jar for the ease of portability for you to take on YOUR adventures. 🙂
The idea for the Breakfast Adventure Jar came one day when I had baked a gingerbread loaf that wasn’t terrible but just wasn’t that great for snacking. I turned it into a parfait with some chia pudding, peanut butter, sliced nectarine, and cocoa coconut chips. 👌
Be sure to tell me what adventures you go on with your delicious on-the-go breakfast parfait!
Breakfast Adventure Jar
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Melanie
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 parfait
Ingredients
1-2 homemade loaf slices or muffins* (I use 2)
Chia pudding, yogurt of choice, or leftover protein smoothie
A bit of whatever fruit you like: berries, sliced stone fruit, or good ol’ banana
Granola, crushed up nuts, toasted coconut chips, and/or cacao nibs
Peanut butter or other nut butter for drizzling
Instructions
If making chia pudding for your Breakfast Adventure Jar, start with that. Add the chia seeds and milk to the jar and let set at room temperature for 10 minutes or so until thickened. If using yogurt or smoothie, save that for after the loaf/muffins.
Next, you can top the set chia pudding with crumbled up loaf slices or muffins OR, use them as the base of the parfait and top with yogurt/smoothie. Personally, I like adding the loaf to the base of the jar but the chia pudding wouldn’t be able to set properly that way—and we want to keep this a 1 jar recipe!
For the third layer, add chopped fruit or omit if your loaf, yogurt, smoothies, etc. have fruit already.
Finally, top it all off with crunchy goodies of choice and perhaps a hefty drizzle of nut butter.
Notes
*There is no science to this. Literally use whatever bread you have and just add flavor pairings that you like. Banana bread, zucchini bread, or protein muffins are just A FEW possibilities. I’ve even used brownies once before 😊
If you liked this post, then be sure to also check out my Yogurt Pro Bowl post where I share how to make a great yogurt bowl with unique topping ideas!
The idea for this post came when I started working at my recent office job. I quickly realized that my style of communication amongst friends was a little different than the ways coworkers at my office tend to communicate. I can be sociable but the hard part is always starting because, hey, talking to new people is scary.
Also, it might sound inherently obvious that things are and should be different online than in real life. You can’t go around using internet lingo like, “YAS GIRL!” when you agree with someone else. Nor is it appropriate to introduce yourself to others using photos instead of actual words. So, for someone who got used to communicating primarily through internet / social media (i.e. Instagram + My Blog) I had to up my social skills so that I didn’t seem like the girl who lived under a rock.
Here are some things that I discovered make for easier in-person communication:
Know who you are.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked what I do/did before working at my office. I disagree with defining oneself solely by jobs so feel free to throw in hobbies or activities that also describe a bit about you. (In such a situation, I might say, “Oh, well, after I graduated with my Psych degree in 2016 I’ve been doing some volunteering at local organizations but I’ve also used the time to explore my own interests, like cooking.”)
Ask people about 1) what they do or 2) themselves.
This tip will rarely fail you because people like talking about themselves. If someone lets on that they’re passionate about their work, go ahead and ask about it. This is especially useful within a work environment so that you can get an idea of people’s roles and the teamwork aspect. If outside of a workplace, try to AVOID asking about work. I know this sounds contradictory but there is a time and a place for everything. Unless your conversation partner brings it up, its best to stick with lighter topics because, surprise-surprise, not everyone likes what they do.
Common knowledge is only common knowledge amongst your peer or familial group.
It basically goes out the window when interacting with a mixed age group or even people of varying backgrounds/cultures. Someone else might not know the latest street slang, that ubiquitous Top 40 song, or even what you’d consider BASIC information in your field of interest.
For a personal example, I’m a foodie (definition: a person who enjoys all things food –there I go with the subculture reference :p ) and enjoy hearing about nutrition-related advancements and plant-based culture. Though, most people are not in my same boat and I can’t expect them to want to taste something green when that is unfamiliar to them. Some people are proud of themselves for having just given up drinking soda a few months back. Whenever I’ve heard this I used to think: what?! Who still drinks soda? Don’t you know how bad it is for you? Instead, I’ve become better at reframing my thinking to one of less judgment and of acceptance that everyone is at a different place in their life.
It is not ignorance to be unaware; rather, it is ignorance for those who don’t want to listen to what they hear.
To bounce off what I said in the last section, sometimes people aren’t going to be open to what you have to say or offer. Heck, they might never be ready but that’s okay, too. We are all individuals with our own free will. That is not to say that there is some elite group of people who are “more open”, either. We cannot possibly carry the worldly perspective on every subject because that only comes from experience and shared knowledge. It is likely that most all of us have blocks on our openness that just haven’t been pushed or explored yet. Which brings me to…
Listen to learn, listen to grow, listen to communicate and be a better you.
When developing a friendship, acquaintanceship, or any sort of relationship with another person, I value listening above all else. For myself, I get to hear about the other person and feel them out to see what we may have in common. I can also soak up stories about their unique experiences. My downfall is that I can listen to much, but that’s another story. Additionally, if someone extends that same courtesy to you, and is interested in hearing about you, then they’re a keeper. Personally, I feel like this is an indication of how much the other person cares or is invested in what the both of you talk about. People who are only interested in talking about themselves may have some interesting stories to tell but they aren’t going to consider you the way you deserve.
There are all sorts of people in this world and we can’t and won’t get to know them all. Though, I would like to think that the people that we cross paths with are valuable for that, in the very least. Maybe it is just a 5 minute conversation while waiting in line for your latte at the coffee shop. Or, maybe you hit it off with a coworker and something special develops between the two of you. Who knows? That’s how friends or relationships are made. That’s how you develop as an individual. It all starts somewhere. It starts with you putting yourself out there.
Thanks for being here! ♥
Interested in more reading on articles of similar topic?
If you’ve been here before, you know that I’m a huge fan of the WomanCode book by Alisa Vitti. It has dramatically changed the way I treat and honor my body. The FLO Living protocol is also what helped me bring back my period after months of missed periods. When you first read the book, Alisa recommends to start with her 4 Day Reset to jump start the cleansing process for the liver and hormones. I actually felt that I ate pretty well and did not do it when I read the book back in summer 2017. It wasn’t until about two weeks ago that I had the tipping point that made me consider trying the Reset.
I felt like my body wasn’t livable anymore. My insides were so sluggish and my skin was breaking out. I was stressed from work and eating way too many carbs. My body didn’t know how to react in the mornings when I’d wake or what to crave at what hour of the day. Everything felt so out of sync so the 4 Day Reset was just what I needed.
Originally, I feared the Reset would not provide me enough food. It is A LOT less food than I’m used to eating but, then again, I was already eating too much of food that was not fueling me for my needs. Breakfasts each day of the Reset were mixed fruit bowls filled with chopped apple, pear, or berries. Plus, an optional green juice which I used as a mid-morning snack. I’ve got to say, breakfast was the hardest meal to deal with. I was on the verge of a headache and STARVED by the time 12 o’clock lunchtime rolled around.
Reset Time
I filled my lunchtime meals with HUGE bowls of greens and that helped keep me pretty content, along with lentils and quinoa. I followed the vegan option of using beans but the Reset also allows for fish to be included as a protein source. The lunchtime kale salad, the spring mix salad were both delicious and quite hearty.
Mid-afternoon called for a snack of fruit or chopped veggies. Vitti says another serving of lunch or dinner was acceptable but I preferred to eat a green apple, slices of cucumber, or carrots. Snacking on these reminded me of how satisfying simple vegetables and fruit can be.
I followed the WomanCode recipes for the dishes so that I was following the plan as closely as possible. The collard greens recipe was a delicious one that I saved for a side dish to my Veggie Soup at dinner. I would toss in some more dried herbs next time because the soup was a little poor-tasting on its own. I also preferred to add a bit of lentils to the veggie soup to make it more filling.
Here is a little breakdown of how I felt and what I noticed each day:
Day1 : Low on energy lacking in fuel. On the verge of irritable and hangry. Fatigue and lightheadedness were present. My skin was the reason I started the cleanse and my face was red, broken out, and irritated.
Day 2: Calm but walking the line between energized and lightheaded. Mentally hungry for my next meal.
Day 3: Calm and managing to keep my energy stable. Hungry for my meals but not starved.
Day 4: Happy to be eating slightly more. Content with meals but understanding that I don’t need to eat SO MUCH. My skin had slightly less redness and inflammation was down.
So, was the Reset worth it?
The verdict is: yes! I have never in my life done a cleanse or detox of any sort. The meals in the 4 Day Reset are not meant to be long-term but they are sustainable over the course of a few days.
What also made the Reset a great experience were the messages to help work on different aspects of health. These were reminders to eat slower, get rid of items I no longer use, and how to self-care—just to name a few. The activities complimented the cleanse perfectly. It reignited my understanding of principles like taking my time and moving more slowly. When I move slowly, I can better take in my surroundings and my needs.
Days and weeks later, I notice my skin still has the acne issue but without the inflammation that was evident prior to the Reset. I did not anticipate that my digestion would receive grand changes but it improved dramatically! Never have I been more regular or “light”. I feel like my body has a better handle on how to manage itself and how to process what I fuel it with.
If you’re interested in a hormonal detox then give the WomanCode Reset a try. The book has also been a lifesaver for me in getting my period back. See my FLO Living series here! I can vouch for the positive effects and tools it brought to my life and I hope this post is helpful for anyone considering this route (especially with the all the hoopla of the holidays).
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