{cupcakes & cucumbers}

Natural Bug Repellents

2012-03-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

As spring time sets in and I go on amazing adventures with my husband in the outdoors I know that soon I will be faced with complaints and a sad face. We live in the south, and there are bugs. Bugs love my husband. We love the outdoors. All this does not mix well at times.

With a baby on the way hardcore bug spray is out of the question so we decided to come up with some natural, safer alternatives to help us enjoy the outdoors during this long southern buggy season.

DIY Essential Oil Bug Spray

3 tbsp Filtered Water
3 tbsp Rubbing Alcohol 99%
7 Drops Citronella Oil
4 Drops Eucalyptus Oil
4 Drops Lavender Oil
2 Drops Lemongrass Oil

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, and don't forget to shake before each use!

5 Natural Options for Bug Repellents

Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent - Burt's Bees is a great source for natural products, and can be found online as well as in many retail locations. It contains Rosemary, Lemongrass and 10 other essential oils to ward off bugs.
California Baby Citronella Bug Repellent Spray - This spray can be used for newborns and older children, and contains a combination of essential oils gathered from sustainable sources. Another good feature of this product is that is also soothes existing bites!
All Terrain Kids Herbal Amor Natural Insect Repellent - This combination of essential oils boasts that it lasts up to 4 hours protecting you against pesky bugs. It is made for outdoor enthusiasts, and reviews state that it works well, but has a strong smell.
Bug Away Disposable Table Cloth with All Natural Insect Repellent - I love this product for picnics. It is a natural way to ward away bugs that no one even realizes you are using. A great alternative to candles and sprays. It is safe for food and includes only ingredients that are FDA approved for food handling.
Green Fire Massage Oil and Insect Repellant Candle - I love massage oil candles, and think this is a wonderful alternative to the chemical laden candles you find in stores. It is scented with lemon, eucalyptus and lavender for a romantic evening on the porch. This is a safe, environmentally friendly, clean burning candle. See also my blog post about candles here.

What solutions do you use for scaring away pesky bugs in the summer months? Comments are always welcome!

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255. Top image copyright Brooke Photo Studio 2012, bottom Images courtesy of Amazon.

Favorite Essential Oil Combinations

2012-03-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

There are so many fantastic ways to use essential oils in your home as I shared in Tuesday's post that I wanted to put together a list of some of my favorite combinations for each room in the house for you to experiment with. Have fun and experiment to get just the right scent for your home. A great way to get started is with this little kit or a big one.

Bathroom
Eucalyptus / Pine / Rosemary
Eucalyptus / Rosewood
Cinnamon / Clove

KitchenBasil / Lemon / Rosemary
Rosemary / Mint
Bergamot / Lemon

Around the House
Peppermint / Lavender
Eucalyptus / Pine
Lavender / Chamomile / Sage

Want to learn more? Try this book, or one of the many others on the topic.

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255. Images & text copyright 2012 Brooke Photo Studio

10 Favorite Natural Home Fragrance Options

2012-03-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's post was all about natural home fragrance options you can make yourself. However, I know that not everyone has the time to create their own good smell so I also wanted to share some of my favorite options that you can purchase on the retail front. As for my lifestyle? I like a combination of DIY + retail.

10 Favorite Natural Home Fragrance Options

Fresh Air Organic Air Freshener / Australian Natural Shoe Odor Eliminator / Fresh Wave Odor Neutralizing Gel / Meyers Clean Day Room Freshener / Fridge It Natural Charcoal Odor Eliminating Tablet / Aussie Natural Nursery Odor Eliminator / #2 Poo-Pourri Preventative Bathroom Odor Spray / Moso Bag / Maile Organics Reed Diffuser / Multipurpose Bamboo Charcoal Air Freshener

When you are shopping for natural alternatives to freshen the air in your home make sure to read the ingredients. Look for products that use essential oils for fragrances, and read the ingredients. If you see long chemical names or ingredients unfamiliar to you just skip it.

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255. Images courtesy of Amazon.

10 DIY Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Fresh

2012-03-06T05:02:00.000-05:00

Recently my curiosity inspired an article about candles and fragrances to discover if those delightful smells were a good addition to a healthy home. It turned out they were not, but there were healthier options.

This got me thinking about other fragrance options for the home. My husband is a big fan of fresh smells, and scented plug in products, but there has to be a healthier way to create those good smells.

With some thought and research I was able to come up with 10 DIY solutions for natural ways to make you home smell fresh. The best part about all of these ideas is that they are so easy, and even more affordable then the chemical laden store bought products that most people use. I am very excited to share my results with you, and even purchased some new essential oil flavors for my home in honor of this post.

Check back tomorrow for the retail version of this list if you are not the DIY type. Also later this week I will be posting my favorite essential oil blends, and solutions for natural bug repellant.

10 DIY Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Fresh

Essential Oil Spray - This is the quickest, and easiest way to spruce up the smells in your home. Just take 1/2 cup (8oz) of water and mix with 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. I really like this spray bottle for the project because it is just the right size! You can find essential oils online or at your local health food store in a wide variety of delicious smells. I really like lavender for its relaxing qualities or you might try a sample pack to find your favorite. A bottle of essential oil will go a long way so this is a quick, and affordable option.
Hidden in the Bathroom - Once you have some essential oils in your home another way you can use them to freshen up a room is to take a cotton swab and dip each end in the essential oil. Fasten it inside your toilet paper roll or behind the toilet bowl for a fresh smelling bathroom.
Bedroom Pillow Scents - For a sweet nights sleep take a cotton ball and dip in lavender, chamomile or sage and slip into your pillow case. This will give you a subtle calming fragrance. For something a little stronger add several drops of essential oil to a damp washcloth and throw in the dryer with your sheets.
Hanging Air Refresher - A quick and easy way to create a hanging air fresher for your car or home is to take some fabric (a piece of an old towel will work fine), and soak in 20-40 drops of your favorite essential oil. The more you add the stronger your fragrance will be.
Lemon Fridge Refresher - Take a large lemon and slice in half. Remove the insides, and fill with coarse salt. Put in the back of your refrigerator to absorb those funky smells.
Gel Air Freshener - Put those essential oils to work again with this easy tutorial on how to make your own gel air freshers from Instructables.
Simple Shakable Baking Soda Air Fresheners - This is a project that works well for every room in the house. First find a container with a lid - a glass jar, coffee can or small plastic food container will all work well for this project. Carefully poke some holes in the lid of the container. Depending on the container size fill about 1/2 way with baking soda, and add drops of essential oil until you get a nice smell. Place where you need a fresh smell, and shake up to revive the scent every once in awhile.
Crock Pot Kitchen Solution - If kitchen smells are your nemesis then this project by A Year of Slow Cooking is the perfect solution for you. Simple, but unique!
The Power of Lemon - I love to harness the power of lemon for cleaning projects, but it also works well to refresh the air. Bring about 8 cups of water to a boil and add a sliced lemon and lime. Trun down heat to a simmer and enjoy the fresh smell. Make sure to keep a close eye on your concoction, and add more water when it evaporates. If you have any fresh herbs in your garden you can also add some mint, rosemary or basil to vary the smell.
Lemon Oil Spray - Mix 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cups distilled water and 2 drops lemon oil in a spray bottle for a fresh smelling liquid for the home.

What are your favorites? Please feel free to share in the comments, and make sure to check back tomorrow for the retail options!

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255. Images & text copyright 2012 Brooke Photo Studio

Week 6 Meal Plan Experiement

2012-03-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Week #6 of my meal planning experiment!

Last week I made the mistake of not printing out the new recipes for the week when I wrote the blog post so I kept having to go back to the blog and look things up. This week I will print it out as I go to simplify!

I thought this week I would try something different - I asked my husband to pick out some recipes. I think he saw the task as work, but I hope that he took the opportunity to chose some good meals that he will enjoy.

Which leads me to my #1 question in the kitchen - Does he really like what I am cooking? My husband is sweet and will eat whatever I prepare or shop for him to prepare - but does he really like it?

So here are the husband's picks for the week!

{old favorites}
Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
Grilled Steak with Green Beans and a Salad (must be a "normal" salad - croutons and no fancy lettuce!)
Lighter Chicken Enchiladas
Cayenne Rubbed Chicken with Avocado Salsa & Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers (we have some frozen and want to see how they fared)

{new recipes}
1-2-3 Alarm Turkey Chili with White Rice
Lemon Pepper Marinated Pork Chops on the Grilled with Grilled Onions, Grape Tomatoes & Mushrooms

{baking project - if I have time!}
Black Bean Brownies as suggested by An Organic Wife

View my other meal planning blog entries at this link. They are all packed with good recipes so enjoy!

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255. Images & text copyright 2012 Brooke Photo Studio

Home is Where the Heart Is

2012-02-29T09:05:00.001-05:00

They say that "Home is Where the Heart Is" and I tend to agree. No matter what is going on in the outside world my home is my sanctuary. It is my haven that is always kept clean and smelling fresh for a pizza picnic on the couch when I have had a rough day.

Although the exterior came as-is the interior of our home is a place that I created with my husband and our memories. A road sign reminder of our honeymoon hangs in the living area making me smile on a daily basis. We have a kitchen full of mixed supplies from our lives before we met that seem to mesh into the perfect combination of objects to create wholesome and romantic meals night after night. The bedrooms are cozy, and everything reminds me of the love that we share.

The newness has worn off, and now the fresh afternoon air of our neighborhood walks is full of memories of conversations past. We make our usual circles with a combination of the usual chatter mixed in with new happenings. We solve many of life's tough problems on these walks so when we go into the home there is only love.

I do admit to be one of those people who likes to move around and create new homes in new spaces, but I always bring my heart with me.

Weekly Meal Plan

2012-02-28T08:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Week #5 of my meal planning experiment!

I'm a day late this week since we had an extra dinner out last week to celebrate 3 wonderful years together. But now I find that even though I am slammed with work I am also reluctant to go to the grocery store without a plan!

Here's the plan for this week :

{old favorites}

Cornish Game Hens with Stuffing, Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans
Crab Cakes with Cilantro Lime Sauce & Roasted Asparagus
Mushroom Herb Chicken with Baked Sweet Potatoes
Turkey BBQ with Sweet Potato Fries & Steamed Corn

{new recipes}

Chicken Piccata with Artichoke Hearts
Mushroom Appetizers with Grilled Pork Tenderloin Marinated in Spicy Soy Sauce & Fresh Grilled Zucchini

{baking project - if I have time!}
Black Bean Brownies as suggested by An Organic Wife

View my other meal planning blog entries at this link. They are all packed with good recipes so enjoy!

Uses for Q Tips

2012-02-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Q Tips are something that most people have around the home, including me. The everyday nature of these simple objects was the inspiration when I took this photograph on simple white with a mirror.

In honor of simplicity, and the cotton swab here are some useful applications for this unique product.

Dip in rubbing alcohol to clean hard to reach places on electronics.
Use a disposable paintbrush for children's art projects or to touch up a painting.
Keep in your purse for a make up touch up tool.
Dip in soapy water to for hard to reach housecleaning spots. This works especially well on details of basebaords.
Pull off the cotton ends, and use the stick to scrape mud out of your hiking boots.
Q tips are prefect for getting intricate details when shining silver or refinishing furniture.
Make portable perfume applications. Spray some perfume on the ends of the swab, and store in a plastic bag until ready to use.
The sticks can be used for art projects, or as lollypop stick in candy making.
Perfect glue applicator for small spaces.
Apply face paint on Halloween or at a birthday party.

I love products with multiple uses!

PS - The meal plan will be out tomorrow - we had several occasions to eat out last week so dinner for tonight is covered.

How is Your Diet in 2012

2012-02-24T05:44:00.000-05:00

How is your diet in 2012? Not just if you are on a "diet" but how does what you actually eat rank with what you know you should be eating?

Try this for 7 consecutive days. Record the nutrition information in everything you eat. You can use a website to make this easy like My Fitness Pal, Livestrong, or Spark People. Record your exercise as well.

Compare what you are consuming with what you should be consuming. A good way to find out how many calories your body needs is to use the BMR calculator over at Fat 2 Fit Radio.

After a week look at the data you have gathered and BE HONEST. Where did you do well, and what can you change? Make 3 simple goals and 1 long term goal to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle. Simple goals are just that - simple! Some examples are cut out soda, eat out 1 night less then you usually do per week, or stop putting butter on your vegetables. Your long term goal can be to maintain your weight in 2012 or to lose 5 pounds in the next 6 weeks. Keep your goals reasonable and reachable, and good luck!

So how am I doing in 2012? Well, being pregnant has thrown a wrench into my plans. I am still eating healthy and exercising, but obviously I am gaining some weight in the process! I have a love for working out, and did not want to push myself too much while expecting so I have recently become a workout DVD addict. Here are some of my favorites for pregnancy.

As I have said in the past the most important thing for me is to keep health and fitness top of mind, and one of the best things you can do is to take the time to record your fitness and activity, and then evaluate where you are vs. where you want to be. If you haven't done well in 2012 it is not too late to turn things around. It has been a warm winter and there are plenty of outdoor activities to give you a boost!

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Toxic Mercury in Energy Saving Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs

2012-02-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

We all know the benefits of the compact fluorescent light bulb. They save energy, and last longer. These bulbs have become the standard as people replace their bulbs all around the USA, and appear in many commercials for saving energy and the environment.

The other night I was remarking to my husband how it is all well and good that these bulbs are good for the environment, but the builder of the home we are currently residing in definitely picked the wrong type of compact florescent bulb for our living room. The bulbs are so bright and harsh that we almost never turn the overhead lighting fixture on. Now of course this is not the fault of the compact fluorescent light bulb because you can chose a bulb with a softer lighting effect.

When I mentioned that I thought we should get up on the ladder and replace the bulbs someday my husband told me something that I was not aware of - there is toxic mercury in these energy saving light bulbs. He asked me to be careful if I ever broke a bulb which peaked my interest enough to look into the matter.

I first visited NPR where I read a general article about the mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs. I learned that mercury is a neurotoxin that is especially harmful in children and developing fetuses. The problem with these bulbs is that they are often thrown in with regular trash and break before they reach landfills. It is the breakage that releases the which can seep into soils or cause exposure to the person cleaning up the breakage.

It is not easy to recycle these bulbs, and most people do not even realize the danger in throwing them in with their regular trash. The moral of this story is to be cautious if you need to deal with a bulb breakage. When you dispose of used or broken bulbs use this website to find a recycling center near you. If you need to clean up a broken bulb make sure to follow the EPA directions found here. This will ensure your safety and the safety of the environment as well.

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Spring Photo Shoot Planning

2012-02-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

This winter wasn't much for cold so spring has never been a far thought from my mind.

Stores have brought out Easter colors, and when I walk by photography studios children are dressed in their spring finest. The dirt is becoming home to small flowers, and soon there will be buds on the trees. In the South spring comes quickly and will soon be in full swing.

Today I find myself planning some future photo shoots on a spring theme as the time grows closer. I have been too busy with client work until this week to even ponder a stock photo shoot so now I am rushing to get some new Mothers Day, and general spring images into my collection.

This is one of my favorite times of year to shoot when props are colorful, and plentiful, but my time is limited. This is a project I should be in the final steps of since summer images are already starting to sell. So tomorrow I will search out some flowers, and see what I come up with.

Restrooms

2012-02-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

It seems like lately every restroom I visit while out adventuring with my husband looks like this. Even in neat and clean big box stores I am finding a lack of toilet paper, and precious hand soap. There is always a sign that says to wash your hands, but not always a method to do so.

Sometimes when I walk into a restroom I am pleasantly surprised to find soap or hand sanitizer. I even found a bathroom at a gas station with 3 hand sanitizer stations in and outside of the restroom. I told my husband to remember that one in case we are ever in the area and the urge strikes again.

On the flip side there is a local consignment shop that I have been frequenting every week or so to look for treasures. I have yet to find a treasure, but I have found that the last two times I was there which were just days apart there was no toilet paper. Thank goodness for soft-ish paper towels, but it makes me wonder if the bathroom went all those days between without any toilet paper on hand.

I have taken to hoping for the best, and carrying hand sanitizer everywhere I go. And if you are wondering why bathrooms are so much on my mind, the answer to that is simple...I am pregnant!

Weekly Meal Plan

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Week #4 of my meal planning experiment! So far it is saving me time, money, and grocery shopping which are all good things. The meal plans are also proving to be helpful in trying out new recipes as well. Last week I only did okay with the meal plan, altering some of the recipes to suit my tastes, and I did have to make one extra grocery trip. Overall it was still much more convenient then my old winging it approach ever was.

The way I see it is even if we don't cook exactly what is on the menu, I have food in the house for 6 complete meals which makes improvising easy if we are not in the mood for one of the dishes selected. All of the recipes get printed out, and if they are good end up in my custom made cook book that I blogged about when I first started this blog.

Weekends and Monday's are crazy for me so I am making this weeks list 7 meals instead of 6 to postpone my next grocery shopping trip if needed. This weeks menu took me a little longer to create because I was more in the mood for new recipes then the things we normally cook around the house. It should make for a yummy week!

{old favorites}
Sausage Stuffed Shells with Garden Salad & Fresh Bread
Cornish Game Hens with Stuffing, Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans

{new recipes}
Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard & Potato Salad

Crab Cake Burgers & Tomato Cucumber Salad
Beer Beef Fajitas with Chips & Salsa
Mustard Tarragon Roast Chicken with Egg Noodles

Steak with Quick Mushroom "Risotto"

{baking project - if I have time!}
.77 Carrot Cake as suggested by An Organic Wife

View my other meal planning blog entries at this link. They are all packed with good recipes so enjoy!

Extreme Cash Giveaway

2012-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the FEBRUARY EXTREME CASH GIVEAWAY! Our last giveaway was a huge success with over 600,000 entries. This time we’re bringing you MORE PRIZES which means MORE CHANCES for YOU to win!

We are giving away:(1) $300 Paypal Cash prize(1) $200 Paypal Cash prize(1) $100 Paypal Cash prize(1) $50 Paypal Cash prize(1) Kodak Easyshare Sport CameraThere are lots of entries available and this giveaway will go on for a whole month, so take your time! Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back every day and claim your daily entries too.This giveaway ends 3/15 at 11:59 pm EST and is open worldwide. There are over 100 participating blogs, but you only need to enter the giveaway on one of our blogs. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Green Beans

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Green Beans are simple and fresh, but there are a variety of ways to serve this vegetable to suit your pallet.

Fresh & Steamed
Using a steamer basket over boiling water steam fresh green beans with the ends trimmed off for 5-10 minutes. Use less time for crisp beans, and more time for a softer side dish.

Canned with Onions & Vinegar
Heat one drained can of green beans (any kind will work) over medium heat. Add diced onions, minced garlic, and 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar. Cook until onions are soft.

Roasted with Grape Tomatoes
Snap ends off fresh green beans, and place on a non-stick baking sheet with grape tomatoes. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt, pepper & a dash of marjoram. Roast at 350 Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

Here are some links to some of my other favorite recipes for Green Beans for you to enjoy. If you have a recipe please feel free to add it in the comments.

Green Bean Fries
Green Beans with Lemon & Garlic
Fancy Green Beans
Soy Glazed Green Beans
Green Bean Salad

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Are Candle Smells Healthy?

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

I am picky about fragrances, but I found myself wondering if those candles I often light to scent the room are healthy.

From the American Lung Association: "Refrain from burning scented or slow-burning candles that have additives." The additives in candles can change the color, scent, or way a candle burns. They give candles the characteristics people want, but can also release toxins when they are burned. Paraffin candles release carcinogens like benzene and toluene when they are burned which are hazardous to your health.

Here are some tips for making sure the candles you burn at home are healthy for your family :

Look for cotton or hemp candle wicks.
Avoid paraffin wax, instead choose beeswax or soy.
Choose candles with natural essential oils.
Look for organic candle companies.
Use quality air filters in your home, and change them often.

Not only are more natural candles better for your health, but they are better for the environment as well! I put together a board on Pinterest with some of my favorite natural and organic candles. Check it out and give me a follow while you are there.

Party Snacks

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Cheese and crackers is one of my favorite party snacks, but how do you know which cheese to serve? Here's a little bit of what goes through my mind when I am compiling a cheese and cracker plate for house guests.

Adventurous Cheese Lovers

Local artisan cheeses always make a good impression. When I lived in NC there was a goat cheese farm nearby with a great selection.
Brie with apples, pears, and fruit spreads. This pick is a good one for adding color to your party plate.
Shop for some exotic gourmet cheeses on a site like Amazon.
Blue cheese - the moldier the better!
Fresh baked bread from the bakery & assorted crackers

Scared Cheese Newbies

Irish Cheddar - It is sharp enough to be interesting, but cheddar enough to be familiar.
Havarti - A mild cheese that some people may have tried.
Monterey Jack - Everyone recognizes this cheese!
Apples - This fruit works well with a variety of cheese choices, and can add some color to your plate.
Fresh baked bread from the bakery & assorted crackers

For any cheese platter remember not to crowd! People need room to slice up the cheese without making a mess. I like to pick 3 cheeses, some fruit, bread and crackers for my cheese trays, but you can also include things like preserved meats, smoked salmon, olives & capers if you like.

Here's a little cheese selection I made on Pinterest for you to enjoy. Feel free to add your favorite choices in the comments.

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Weekly Meal Planning

2012-02-13T08:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Week #3 of my meal planning experiment! So far it is saving me time, money, and grocery shopping which are all good things. The meal plans are also proving to be helpful in trying out new recipes as well.

The way I see it is even if we don't cook exactly what is on the menu, I have food in the house for 6 complete meals which makes improvising easy if we are not in the mood for one of the dishes selected. All of the recipes get printed out, and if they are good end up in my custom made cook book that I blogged about when I first started this blog.

One other tidbit - I am also finding myself taking more advantage of meats on sale, and family size portions to throw in the freezer. I have gotten out of that meal by meal shopping mentality, and with this buying for a week list in mind I am getting better deals. I do use coupons from time to time, but not in an extreme way. I never buy anything I don't need for the next week.

So Week #3 here we go!

{old favorites}
Sausage Stuffed Shells with Garden Salad
Mushroom Herb Chicken with Green Beans
Pork Chops with Mushrooms & Shallots and a Garden Salad.
Grilled Steak with Mixed Grilled Vegetables
Cornish Game Hens with Stuffing & Tomato Cucumber Salad

{new recipes}
Turkey BBQ with Sweet Potato Fries & Steamed Corn

{baking project - if I have time!}
Black Bean Brownies as suggested by An Organic Wife

View my other meal planning blog entries at this link. They are all packed with good recipes so enjoy!

Rafflecopter is Good for Business

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Money money money! It is a topic that is hard to ignore. Being self employed I might even think about it more then the average person with a weekly paycheck. I have my photography business to run, and my side blog projects to write. What all that amounts to are lots of small clients and income streams that add up to a salary.

Recently I have added Rafflecopter Giveaways into my money making mind.

I have taken to entering, and participating in some Rafflecopter giveaways. I haven't won a prize yet, but this activity is paying off big time for my business. How? I am building all of my social networks from Google + to Facebook, Twitter, RSS & more. As I enter giveaways and follow people I get follows in return. When I participate in giveaways my numbers increase and increase. This expansion of my social network has not only brought me more blog readers, but has also brought more traffic to my business website as well. Through this traffic comes more business. It is a fantastic cycle.

So I can't say enough good things about my experiences with Rafflecopter. You can check out my Giveaways link to see if there is anything current for you to enter. And who knows ... maybe someday I will win something!

Hiking

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't had too many new places to report for winter hikes because we visited so many new places in the fall that we wanted to return to so we have been recycling favorite hiking and walking spots.

I can't blog enough about how much I love walking with my husband. From the simple walk around the neighborhood to longer hikes that we drive many miles to get to, these times always end up being some of the sweetest.

Wherever we end up is often so far out of the mind of other people that we often find solitude from people, and can instead relish the bustling sounds of nature. We often discuss very personal matters, and use the time to set future goals of what we would like our life to be. It was not so long ago that we walked in North Carolina, planning out the life that we now have in South Carolina. When we walk, we make things happen, and eventually our dreams come true.

Always in the Pantry!

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Onions are one of the #1 items that can always be found in my refrigerator / pantry. Here's some more common finds at my home ... what's in yours?

Onions
Organic Minced Garlic
Orange Juice
Flour & Sugar for Baking
Open Cereal Box & a Spare
Hot Chili Sauce
Eggs
Pancake Mix
Provolone Cheese
Worcestershire Sauce
Granola Bars
Fat Free Organic Milk
Apples
Pasta

I like to buy food fresh so I don't keep too many things on hand, but there are just some items we always need around!

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Walnuts

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

I often blog about the simple things in life. Today I wanted to talk about walnuts. In baking people often purchase the already shelled version in the bag. When on a hike the shelled version makes it into delicious trail mix frequently too. But it is the walnuts in the shell that really intrigues me. I love the unique texture of each walnut, like a snowflake. They are both smooth and rough when picked up, and so protected that it requires a metal nutcracker to claim the delicacy inside. It is an art to crack a walnut in a way where the edible bit stays in one piece, and somehow satisfying each and every time I accomplish this feat. Often these nuts are seen in abundance around the holiday season, but I think it is a simple treat that deserves to be enjoyed all year long.

Food Ideas for the Week

2012-02-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Well ... it is Monday so I am supposed to have 6 meals planned for the week! I did okay last week. We ended up eating out on Wednesday, but the meal plan did result in less grocery trips, and quick and easy dinners. So I am trying it again this week. I don't promise to blog it out every week ... we will see how it goes.

The plan is to map out 6 dinners leaving day 7 for eating out, and go grocery shopping on Monday's. I am trying to plan on 2 old favorites, and 4 new recipes to try to bring some excitement into my kitchen. So here is what I came up with for this week.

{old favorites}
Pasta with Chicken & Homemade Pesto and a Garden Salad
Spaghetti & Meatballs - we ate out twice last week and missed this one!

{new recipes}
Roast Beef with Baked Sweet Potatoes & Steamed Corn
Skinny Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with Chicken Quesadillas
Baked Chicken with Dijon and Lime with Baked Asparagus & Tomatoes
Pork Chops with Mushrooms & Shallots and a Garden Salad.

{baking project - if I have time!}
.77 Carrot Cake as suggested by An Organic Wife

I do have to say the process only took me about half of the time this week! It looks like it will be a tasty week in my home. View my other meal planning blog entries at this link. They are all packed with good recipes so enjoy!

Prize Garden

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

With this unusually warm winter weather in the air, gardening has been on my mind.

First let me admit that I have never had a green thumb. I have tried growing many a plant who sprout out of the ground green, and then eventually, no matter how much I water them, melt away in the hot summer sun.

My biggest achievement was a "lucky bamboo" plant that I purchased from Ikea, which lived until it was eaten by my cat.

I have given up on having a prize winning garden for now, but what I would love is a nice large patch of basil that I could use to cook with. Making homemade pesto is one of my favorite dinners, and I can't always find the fresh basil that I need at the grocery store.
Fresh Pesto Recipe

2 Cups Basil
1/4 Cup Pine Nuts
2 tbsp Minced Garlic
1/4 Cup Olive Oil - you can add more to get your desired consistency if needed.

Throw everything in the food processor and blend well. We don't have a food processor so we use our Ninja Blender to do the job. It doesn't chop as smooth as a food processor would, but it does the trick. This fresh pesto is great on bread with some goat cheese or with pasta.

I am thinking I will try to grow some in a pot on the back porch once I am sure the weather will not turn cold again. I have visions of a large healthy plant, but we will see what this year brings.

* This post contains affiliate links, but I was not paid by the manufacturer to review this product - I just like it!I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Win $100 Amazon Gift Card

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks again to Makobi Scribe for organizing this giveaway for a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Good luck to everyone who enters. All entries must be entered into the Rafflecopter below to count. Giveaway ends 2/14/12. Find out who won the last giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Grandmother's Cook Book

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

There is something magical about my Grandmother's old cookbook. I love all the pieces of paper with recipe scribbles, and paper towels that mark favorite pages. I love the dust, and I love the retro quality of a recipe for turtle stew.

I never cooked with my Grandmother, but I certainly ate plenty of her food. Her dinners were classic, and her desserts were legendary. When I leaf through her cookbook it is almost as if I can go back in time and be in the kitchen with her creating her masterpieces.

I am a lover of history, and old objects. I love to imagine the objects life and picture it in use during years past. These objects often peek into my photography on those days when I am searching for a subject, and inspire me always.

Keeping Creativity Flowing

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

As a photographer my work life is dependent on my creativity. Unlike a novelist who might sit with writers block for days or even weeks, my career is all about creativity on demand. I must come up with creative product photography solutions of my clients, and between client work I must keep on producing sellable stock images to add to my portfolios and keep those monthly checks rolling in.

I get asked all the time -- how do I do it?! Here are some ways I keep creative on days when it isn't coming naturally.

1) JUST DO IT - Whatever it is you do, just do it! I will force myself to pick up the camera and start photographing objects around the studio. I will end up deleting many of these images, but often the photo shoot will evolve into a much larger project.

2) Take Breaks - It is important to take some breaks to clear your head during the day. I like to take a few 5-10 minute breaks during my day to go outside and get some fresh air, or to practice some yoga poses. This not only keeps my body limber, but also clears my mind allowing for fresh thoughts to come through.

3) Keep it Clean - I work better in a clean environment. I find that by taking the time to clean up my studio each and every day allows me to focus on work tasks when I come in the next morning instead of having cleaning chores in the back of my mind.

4) Have a Side Project - Having a personal side project that is not within your field can open your mind to new ideas in the work arena as well. I try to keep some hobbies in my life that are just for fun, not for profit.

5) Keep an Idea Wall - Having a cork board or mobile that you keep inspiring images can give creativity a jolt. Collect images from magazines, or photograph things in your world. I have one that I change out often as I find new inspiration, and my ideas evolve.

What do you do to keep creative? I'd love to hear!

* This blog post contains affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255

Monday Meal Planning

2012-01-30T10:40:00.000-05:00

In my adventures reading around the Blogosphere I often see people planning out their meals for the week on Monday. This could save me so much time and grocery shopping trips during the week, but it is taking the time to plan such a thing that is complicated.

First of all Monday is the busiest day of my work week, I have been under a pile of paperwork since I came in, and I came in early. I have photo shoots to start, and other tasks to complete. I might have to move this project to another day.

Second my grand plan was to plan a meal that I have all the ingredients for to cook for dinner tonight so I won't have to run to the store after I am done at the studio, but come to find out that the recipe I had in mind needs 2 more critical ingredients to complete.

I am not real big on the eat this on Monday, and that on Tuesday plan. I like to decide what I want to eat as I go along, but I do see the benefit in planning out meals for the week before going to the grocery store. So I am going to plan out 6 meals as I write this post, leaving one day for a meal out.

Here's what I came up with :

{old favorites}
Weight Watchers Balsamic Chicken & Mushrooms with steamed zucchini
Lighter Chicken Enchiladas with avocado Slices
Pasta with Turkey Meatballs and Salad - we have extras frozen from last time we made this!

{new recipes to try!}
Balsamic Marinated Steak with Two Potato Salad and green beans
Mustard Crusted Turkey Breast with Carrots & Broccoli
Lighter General Tso's Chicken with Snow Peas & Rice

{dessert - if I ever find the time ...}
Red Velvet Cupcakes

I will report back and let you know if the time I spent planning this (about an hour...) saved me any time this week.

Amazon Blast for Cash

2012-01-30T09:37:00.000-05:00

I am participating in another Amazon Blast for Cash coming up on February 1st, 2012! Look out for another chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Makobi Scribe.

Home Improvement

2012-01-26T06:37:00.001-05:00

Home improvement products are frequently on my mind, and show up in my photography as well. Currently the home that I own is up in North Carolina by the beach with a renter in residence and I am testing out South Carolina in a rental. Being in a rental limits my imagination for projects, but does not keep them entirely at bay.

I happened upon a fabulous rental when I moved to South Carolina with my husband. It is spacious, and has a gorgeous loft outside of the upstairs bedrooms. I immediately knew this was the perfect place for the Persian rug that my husband brought back from the Middle East, and have plans on turning it into a library someday. Someday is the key in that sentence. All of the bookshelves we had ended up used in other parts of the home decor so the loft has a fancy carpet, and lots of boxes of books -- not too attractive right now.

I have two ideas floating around in my head. One is to have my husband make something custom. I'd love some low profile shelves along the walls to keep that open feeling you get from a loft. If we don't do custom I still want a custom paint color so I pondered getting some bookshelves second hand to refinish. So far I haven't perfected either plan. I'm also on the hunt for the perfect pair of chairs to put in the room to make the library look complete. This is the only part of the move that hasn't gotten unpacked, and it is more for lack of a decision and purchase on the project then anything else!

The other project I'd love to complete is to change the decor in our upstairs master bathroom. It isn't as large as the one we were used to and I find that it gets messier quicker. I haven't found any ideas that I like yet, but it is in the back of my mind.

Do you have any home improvement projects on your list for spring? I'd love to hear all about them.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Sales & Discounts in Stores

2012-01-25T08:09:00.002-05:00

The thing with this time of year, and the economy is it seems like everything is on sale! I have found myself browsing sale rack after sale rack in stores as I browse around for other goods. Yesterday I went to Target for some printer ink, and ended up picking up several clothing items "on my way" to that section of the store. As I continued to shop and find great deals I realized that they were out of the ink that I needed, and then I realized that was the reason I walked into the store. I looked at all my sale finds, decided I didn't need them and walked out with a bottle of shampoo from my grocery list instead.

Just because something is cheap, on sale, or I have a coupon for it does NOT mean that I necessarily need it.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Frozen, Fresh & Canned Carrots

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Carrots are one of those vegetables that I enjoy eating and photographing in a variety of ways. They are simple, colorful, healthy, and taste good too. They aren't my favorite vegetable so I don't think of picking them up unless I have a recipe in mind, but whenever I cook them I always wonder why I don't grab carrots in the grocery store more often.

Raw carrots are the most versatile to me. I enjoy the crunch of a raw vegetable without any additions, or alongside a great dip. Stonewall Kitchen makes a delicious vegetable dip mix that is perfect for parties or a movie night at home. I like to mix it with fat free cream cheese when I make it to cut down on the calories. My favorite use of the fresh carrot might just have to be a sweet carrot cake! I like to cut the calories down though, so I go with this recipe from Cooking Light that cuts the calories in a piece of cake down from 1460 calories per slice to 284 calories per slice.

If you are on a budget canned or frozen carrots are also a great option for enjoying this vegetable. Canned carrots taste with just a smidge of brown sugar baked in the oven or cooked on the stove. I also like them just heated up and served as a simple side dish. When it comes to frozen stir fry is the first use that always comes to my mind. Keeping some frozen vegetables, and rice on hand always makes for a quick and easy meal. You can make a stir fry with a recipe, a sauce from the grocery store, or what I like to do is simply add a little soy sauce to the mix and cook in a wok until heated throughout.

While I am on the topic of carrots there is a really fun carrot resource at the World Carrot Museum that I discovered while I wrote this post. It offers recipes, nutritional information, and history. I am always curious on the history of foods, and really enjoyed the detailed history on their website.

If you have a favorite carrot recipe please feel free to share a link! I am always looking for new ways to cook old favorites.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

An Organic Wife

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

An Organic Wife is a blog that I frequent, and a blogger that I interviewed. I wanted to give Cristina a little shout out on Cupcakes & Cucumbers today because she is a finalist in the Celebrate with Organic contest. If you get a chance check out her blog, and then give her a vote!

Here's a little bit about Cristina of An Organic Wife :

I celebrate organic every day, by using fresh, organic ingredients, local when possible. I celebrate the onions that make me cry, I celebrate the zucchini that I bought too much of, and I celebrate the farmer who grew it. Organic means no synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, but it means so much more. It means I have a connection with my food. When I support organic, I support safety for the environment, my body, and the growers who brought it to my table. So, I take time every day to make meals for myself and my husband from scratch, using ingredients I am proud of and am blessed to have access to. I give silent thanks for these gifts from the Earth – gifts that haven’t been tainted and haven’t traveled far. But the best way I know to celebrate organic is to eat my dinner, and enjoy every bite.

Also don't forget to read the interview we did on the blog at this link.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Waiting for Valentines Day

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love looking back to see what I was doing a year or two ago at a certain moment in time. Today I decided to see what I was doing in January 2011 and lots of Valentines Day and engagement ring images popped up in my photography portfolio. I was engaged, and planning my wedding.

Today I am a happy newlywed and enjoying looking back at the wedding thoughts that were in my mind in 2011. I love my husband, and am so happy to be sitting where I am today. I have a special little trinket bought for a Valentines Day surprise - I'd tell you, but he reads my blog!

Next year when I look back it will be less romantic - I have had so much client work lately that I haven't had time to add to my stock photography portfolio much in 2012.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Frozen Dinners

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Frozen dinners don't often taste good, but I am visually fascinated by how they look when they come out of the box. I bought this frozen spaghetti and meatballs dinner by Lean Cuisine not for eating, but instead for photographing.

There is something about the separation of elements that really appeals to me. The naked spaghetti on one side, and ice crusted meatballs floating on top of red sauce on the other. Frozen meals tend to hold their tray shape when you pop them out creating a smooth outline for a meal that thawed would be quite a mess.

I am most fascinated by frozen foods that are considered traditional American classics. Blocks of vegetables, and dinners representing our favorite comfort foods. I always think back to the dawn of frozen food and picture people in the past eating comforting meals in front of their TV trays. I am also interested in people who cook food in bulk and then freeze it for later. I do it with pasta sauce, but haven't gone much further with the idea. Something to add to my future to-do list.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Favorite Sandwiches

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Lunch often becomes part of my photo shoot, and since I am often in a hurry to shove some food into my mouth and continue on with my workday sandwiches make appearances quite often. I thought today I would share with you some of my favorites.

This first sandwich is simple canned Tuna on White Bread. I used a tiny bit of fat free mayonnaise to make it less dry, and I always like to toast the bread lightly with tuna. I don't like to add to much to this classic lunch treat, but I do really enjoy green olives on my tuna sandwich. This has been one of my "gross" food habits since childhood so I put the olives on this sandwich after the photo shoot. In grade school I used my tuna and olive sandwich as a trick to gross out my friends sitting around me. Luckily I wasn't a shy child so when they made fun of my spectacular lunch treat I took it as a high compliment.

Another favorite sandwich of mine I like to call the Leftover Veggie Panini. I am a huge fan of steamed vegetables with dinner, and there are often some leftover. You don't need much to make a sandwich so I usually save them for the next day. My husband was sweet enough to buy us a fantastic panini press while away on one of his business trips, and we get a ton of use out of it. This sandwich is simply the leftover veggies, on sliced bread with a slice of provolone cheese cooked for a few minutes in the panini press. I like to add a bit of sea salt on top to finish it off. This is a delicious trick, and works with all kinds of leftovers. I found that low fat provolone cheese does a great job holding everything together while not packing in too many extra calories.

The next choice is a little more time consuming, but totally worth it. It is a Santa Fe style chicken wrap that I really enjoy as a lower calorie alternative to traditional chicken salad. First I poach some chicken - one breast for every 2 wraps that I want to make. You can find out how to poach chicken quickly and easily in this blog post I wrote in November 2011. Then I cut up the chicken into chunks and add my extras. You can add as many or as few as you like to suit your tastes. First I use fat free sour cream instead of mayonnaise to get a creamy chicken salad texture. Then I add chipotle pepper along with fresh cilantro, tomatoes and corn. I serve it all up on the healthiest wrap I can find in the grocery store and voila! Sometimes when I make the filling for the wrap I make extra so I can eat it over several days. It works best to add the filling to the wrap right before you are ready to eat instead of stuffing them in advance.

Lastly is my favorite! This simple sandwich consists of deli cracked pepper turkey, fresh cucumbers, and spicy mustard on toasted wheat bread. This flavorful lunch is not only low calorie, but delicious as well. I love how the cucumbers add a fresh crunch to the sandwich. I appreciate simplicity in life, and this is one of the simple treats I often enjoy for lunch. What's your favorite sandwich? I'd love to see a link if you've blogged about it!

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Spraying Lemons

2012-01-17T10:00:00.002-05:00

This image was created during my time of discovering green cleaning products. I was concerned with the amount of chemicals I used to clean my home everyday and started to research alternatives. At the time I found several ways to clean with baking soda that I blogged about here.

The spray bottle spraying lemons to me is a change back to cleansers from nature, while still keeping with the modern packaging that we see in the stores. When I see this image I think of my home smelling fresh like a sliced lemon, rather then that chemical smell that most people associate with clean. As the world progresses I can't help but wonder what I am breathing in or touching today that will be deemed unsafe or outlawed 10 years from now.

You can see other images from my natural cleaning collection in my stock photography portfolio.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love working with fresh fruits and vegetables in my photography. This image was created on a sunny afternoon when I was inspired by laundry hanging outside on a bright day. I set up my white textured background with a clothesline that I use often and then went into my refrigerator for some props to add to the scene. I went for bright colors and came out with fresh tomatoes that would later become a dinner salad, and a lemon that I sliced up to create the most vibrant color. The idea of this image is freshness, and I think I captured it well.

Don't forget about the $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway I have going on right now. You can find that blog post at this link.

$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

2012-01-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

I love Amazon so I jumped at the chance to get involved in this giveaway. Just follow the directions below to enter for your chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card from Jennifer at Kobiso.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pill Popping Culture

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

I took this image as a reaction to the modern pill popping culture we live in.

There are people who fill a plate with vitamins instead of nutritious foods, not realizing that there are more natural enjoyable ways to nourish your body. I am not opposed to a vitamin or two, but the media would make it seem as if there is a quick fix vitamin for any issue when in reality the best way to ensure your body has what it needs is by eating the proper variety of foods.

On the flip side there is the field of medicine. People go to the doctor expecting a magic pill for their ailments which can lead to side effects, and another pill for a new problem. I am not against modern medicine, but I don't always think that pills are the only answer. I hope that as I journey into old age I will be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and not end up on a regiment of pill after pill.

This image shows how pills are eaten like food, and can be used to comment on modern health care and society in a variety of ways.

Rafflecopter Giveaway: Win an iPad 2 & Amazon Kindle Fire! [Ends 2/8]

2012-01-12T15:56:00.002-05:00

Here's a little giveaway from Rafflecopter you might want to enter. I know both of these prizes are on my wish list!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Apples & Books

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

I enjoy photographing books, and also reading books and articles to educate myself about a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating was on my mind when I came up with the concept for this image, but I also thought the theme would work well for health care laws that come in and out of the news quite frequently.

I enjoy a good thick hardcover book, and like how the words are vast, but not the focus of the image. The apple in this image was just the perfect shape and shade of red to scream the keywords: food, health, education! Images such as this are the perfect addition to my photography collection. They have meaning to me as I photograph them which inspires my day, but they are also generic enough to be used for a variety of other purposes.

Condiments

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone has a favorite condiment from mayonnaise to thousand island dressing. They are delicious, but can also be a sneaky source for adding extra calories to your diet.

When I was in college I went on my first diet with my friends. When I began to count calories I realized just how many additional calories I was getting from tiny squirts of condiments. Ever since then I have been a label checker, and do my best to order the sauce on the side so I can control how much I consume.

Mustard is my condiment of choice. A teaspoon of yellow mustard has only about 3 calories, and packs in a lot of flavor. You can even splurge for some honey mustard for 10 calories per teaspoon. Be wary of the source of your honey mustard because if it is a salad dressing you are looking at a lot more calories - about 120 per 2 tablespoons . When it comes to mustard I either read the package, or if I am out and about chose yellow or spicy.

I try and avoid ketchup at 30 calories per 2 tablespoons because the portion can really add up when french fries are involved, and it is sugar based without much nutritional value. Mayonnaise also packs a calorie punch at 180 calories for a 2 tablespoon serving.

Salad dressings are one of the top offenders so I always read the label or order these on the side. Just 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing can run you 148 calories, and let's face it most people squirt on a larger portion then that. If you go fat free you can cut it down to 48 calories for the same serving size, but just remember to measure out your serving because looks can be deceiving. Vinaigrette style dressings are often one of the lighter choices if you are eating out and can't compare labels. I don't go without on my salad, but I do like to measure out my portion so I know how much I am consuming.

When it comes to calories in condiments knowledge is power.

Paperwork Season

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

This time of year is what I like to think of fondly as paperwork season, and is the inspiration for this image from my portfolio.

As a small business person the New Year means lots and lots of paperwork. I am organized by nature so everything is already in order, but there is still a lot of work to be done. End of the year reports must be printed, analyzed and filed. There are tax papers to gather for my accountant. It is time to take old paperwork from my main file and archive it away for safe keeping. The organization gets more organized, and I like to complete these tasks early in the New Year as opposed to waiting until we get closer to tax season.

The shredder will shred, recycling is inevitable, and the camera will have to wait in order for this yearly chore to be completed.

Fingerling Potatoes

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Fingerling potatoes are a frequent food in my pantry, and have also served as the subject for several images in my stock photography portfolios.

I was initially attracted to the potatoes because of their size and color. In the produce isle I like to chose items with a variety of colors, and can't resist smaller versions of more traditional foods. The best part about the size of these potatoes is that they cook quickly - even if you leave them whole.

My favorite way to cook these little potatoes is in the roasting pan with a whole chicken with some simple salt and pepper. They are also delicious when boiled with about 2 cups of salt. By adding the extra salt to the water a crust of salt is formed on the outside of the potato making it the perfect side dish for a casual burger or sandwich. Another method I enjoy is using fingerling potatoes to make traditional mashed potatoes. Be warned that they do take on a purple hue from the purple potatoes in the bunch, but if your senses can get past the nontraditional color they are fantastic.

Anyone who knows me well knows that just about everything that comes into my home gets photographed - including dinner! It satisfies both my love for simple food photography as well as having supplies to create a delicious meal after the work day.

Fizzy Water

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

I can't love on carbonated water enough. It is my absolute favorite simple luxury in life. I love the sound of the bubbles, and the way they travel up the side of a glass to burst at the surface. I love it plain or with a fresh slice of lemon or lime. It is my favorite beverage on a warm or cold day, always a treat to my lips.

I use a Soda Stream to make my carbonated beverage of choice. It was a gift from my husband while he was on a business trip. Not only does it keep my supply fresh, but it has saved money and waste by not having to purchase tiny glass bottles of club soda on each grocery shopping trip. I also enjoy being able to make my own "fizzy water" because I can always have it on hand!

I blog about enjoying life's little luxuries frequently, and it is a theme that comes up over and over again in my photography. This image is simply my afternoon treat -- and as you can see I enjoyed some of it before placing the glass in front of the camera.

* This blog post contains affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255

Orange Bell Peppers

2012-01-05T07:24:00.001-05:00

Sometimes there isn't much of a story behind the photography ... I love the look and taste of orange bell peppers ... here is the result.

Happy New Year - Workouts for Your Resolution

2012-01-04T11:13:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012 to everyone! I am back from a fantastic 2 week getaway road trip to see family and spend time with my husband. It is so refreshing to get away and see some new scenery.

Now that I am back at home I see the familiar January scene of neighbors walking in newly purchased athletic apparel and sale signs up at the local gym. It is the time of year when many people resolve to lose weight, but few follow through for the entire year.

I am a fan of working out at the gym, but on a chilly day like today sometimes it is nice to stay inside and pop in a workout video. I collect videos so I have choices when I am ready for a workout. I usually search for them on Amazon because they have better prices then local chain stores. Since I usually focus on cardio workouts at the gym, I like to do yoga in the quiet of my home.

For yoga I really enjoy Rodney Yee as an instructor. I use several of his videos that you can find in the shop, and here are a few good ones to start out with.

Yoga for Beginners is a good video to start with if you have never done yoga before. It teaches you basic poses and the lingo to give you a good base of knowledge for following yoga videos. I think it is important to do a workout video that is within your range of movement so you can get the most out of the poses.

Another good workout for the beginner is Energy Balance Yoga. It has five short segments that you can do in sequence or throughout the day. It is a progression from relaxation to energy and back to relaxation. It is the video that got me to love yoga as well as the first one I practiced. I enjoy doing one sequence at random throughout the day when I am feeling stressed out to help regain focus.

For a more challenging workout try Yoga Burn. This video is based on slow movements repeated several times for a flowing workout. What I like best about this video is the minimal instruction. It is easy to follow, and allows you to get into a relaxing zone to optimize the poses. I did a mini review of this video on the blog that you can check out here.

If you are in the mood for a faster paced workout the Crunch Super Slim Down is a video that I really enjoy. It is a yoga and pilates blend that you can do via the video or on streaming Netflix if you are a member. The workout runs 35 minutes so it is quick and easy to fit into your day. I did a review on the blog, but in a nutshell I love the energy I get from this workout. Sometimes I feel so good upon completion that I like to do it over again!

Comments are open -- what are your fitness resolutions for 2012 and how will you achieve them?

* This blog post contains affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255

$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

2012-01-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

I will be participating in a $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway sponsored by Jennifer at Kobiso starting on January 15th, 2012. You can add your name to the Twitter list too ... just click on the image for details. Don't forget to come back to the blog on the 15th to enter!

This is a great opportunity to get more Twitter followers that I am excited about since I am at a following limit right now & always have more people on my to-follow list.

Happy New Year!

Gym Alternatives

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I talked about walking as a way to get out of the gym, and I wanted to continue of that theme today with some other fun ways to get out of the gym.

Paddleboats
I wanted to grab some exercise on a recent trip to Myrtle Beach, SC and found that the paddleboats at Broadway at the Beach were not only a good way to burn some calories, but a lot of fun too. When I came home I did some research and found a nearby park with a lake that offered hour long paddleboat rides for a reasonable price. It is a large lake so I am able to explore new parts each time I go out.

Bike Riding
Bike riding is a hot sport. If you don't have a bike many tourist friendly towns offer bike rentals and will even steer you on the right direction for a fun adventure.

Join a Sports Team
Sports teams are out there for people of all ages. Check with your local parks and recreation office, or search on a site like Meet Up for teams near you. This is not only a fun way to get some exercise, but a great way to make new friends as well. If you aren't keen on joining on your own round up some friends and start your own team.

Rollerblading or Ice Skating
Hit the rink and have some fun. Go to a rink where you can rent blades or skates or purchase a pair of your own. These two sports offer indoor and outdoor locations, and beyond the exercise factor make a great date too!

Indoor Rock Climbing
Many indoor rock climbing clubs offer day rates for people who want to try out the sport. A great resource to find one near you is IndoorClimbing.com

10 Healthy Snacks for Road Trips

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

When you are on a long trip in the car the road can be a fast food jungle! With some planning and an insulated cooler you can create great road trip snacks for your next adventure. Here are some healthy snack ideas to get you started.

Waffles and Pancakes are great options. Make them the night before, or bring your leftovers from breakfast.
Sandwiches and Wraps are the classic choice. Go easy on the condiments though -- too much mayonnaise can turn into a mess quickly.
Organic Yogurt in a squeeze tube.
Fruit, but choose wisely. Fruits like grapes, and strawberries work well and don't need to be sliced. You can also pre-slice an apple or eat a banana on the go. Avoid peaches, plums and other juicy fruits to keep the mess factor down.
String Cheese or sliced cheese with crackers.
Sliced Raw Vegetables. I like a mix of grape tomatoes and as many different colors of bell peppers that I can get my hands on.
Trail Mix is one of my favorites, and I like to make my own. I include almonds, cashews, dried pineapples and some dark chocolate chips. If you are buying the store bought variety look for one that includes more nuts and fruit then chocolate.
Granola bars, and healthy cookies. These are two things that can be better homemade as well, but are also available at the grocery store on the run. Here is a good healthy granola bar recipe you might try. If you do try it let me know, it is still on my to cook list!
Pretzels are good for crunch!
Add some Frozen Juice Boxes to your mix for the kids. They will help keep the rest of your cooler cold and it is nice to have a chilly drink at the end of a hot day when they thaw out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Enjoy the journey!

Interview : An Organic Wife

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Eating more organic foods is a goal of mine for this year, and in my quest to educate myself more on the topic I came across Christina of An Organic Wife and thought she would be a great interview candidate.

Have you always eaten organically, if not when did you start?

My husband I started eating organic in the spring of 2010. I've actually been buying organic potatoes for a few years now. I wasn't even sure why. I just saw that my grocery store had that option, and they were about the same price, so I always got them.

Moving to an organic lifestyle can be overwhelming to a beginner, where is a good place to start?

I always say produce is the best place to start, because fruits and vegetables are the 'direct source' of pesticides and other chemicals. I also think organic produce tastes so much better, so it gets people motivated and excited about the changes they are making.

What are some of your favorite recipes?

Copyright Brooke Becker
I really enjoy baking desserts, and luckily my husband enjoys eating them! The Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of my personal favorites. My best recipe is probably my 77 Carrot Cake - everyone has raved about it.

What inspires you to blog?

I love writing; I was an English major in college. I always wondered what I would do with that. When I started becoming passionate about an organic and sustainable lifestyle, I thought that blogging would be a perfect outlet that would allow me to share what I knew and what I was learning with others.

What is a usual day in your world like?

I'm up early! I usually blog in the morning. I work a typical 8-5 office job. Then I come home, work out, play with my dog and two bunnies (my other loves!), make dinner, and hang out with my husband (my first love!). My weekends are when I get really "foodie." I do my grocery shopping, go to the farmers' market, and do lots of cooking and baking. That's when I make big batches of bread, pizza dough, or something like that, that I can freeze and use later.

Your blog has a fantastic deals section! How often is it updated, and where is your favorite source for organic discounts?

Copyright Brooke Becker
I update the deals section every Wednesday. That is when most stores start their weekly ad cycles. Oklahoma City currently does not have a great selection of organic foods or places to get them. That will be changing soon as Sunflower Farmers' Market and Whole Foods will be opening this fall! I'm really excited about Sunflower, it looks like they have some good sale prices. My favorite place for organic deals right now is my local farmers' market - and I'm sure that will never change! It's always cheaper to buy in season, and everything is so fresh, that I rarely have anything go to waste.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I hope to continue to blog about organic foods, sustainable living, and health issues! I really love what I do, and it makes me happy when I hear that I've provided information that helps someone make a healthy choice. I would also like to write for magazines and newspapers, and maybe even write my own book or cookbook someday!

Natural Cleaning with Baking Soda

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

There are many ways to clean your home that are better for the environment then those chemical filled cleansers you find at the store. Baking soda has so many uses that I thought it deserved a blog post all of its own! Here are 10 ways you can use this affordable everyday item to clean up naturally.

Add baking soda to vinegar in a drain to remove a clog.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your laundry to give your regular detergent a boost.
Dust on your carpet and then vacuum to remove odors and create a fresh scent in your home.
Place an open box in your refrigerator to remove odors.
Sprinkle in a cat litter box for odor removal.
Make toothpaste - just add some hydrogen peroxide!
A refreshing facial scrub can be made with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water.
Clean all over your house by applying baking soda to a sponge and adding a little water.
Mix with water and soak coffee and tea pots to remove stains.
Sprinkle on a sponge and use to scrub store bought produce

Walking

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

You don't need to spend a lot of money at a gym to be fit and healthy. I try to get some kind of exercise every day, and I have to say that the gym is my least favorite!

Walking is possibly the most simple form of exercise that can be spiced up in a wide variety of ways.

Studies not only show that walking for 30 minutes a day is good for your body, but it is also good for your emotional health as well. Even on days when I go to the gym for a workout I still like to find time at the end of the day to walk with my husband. We like to walk about an hour during the week and more on the weekends. It gives us the chance to unwind and talk about our days at work while improving our health at the same time.

Explore Your Neighborhood
When I started walking around my neighborhood I began to feel more connected to the place where I live. I discovered a road that is a dead end so I never drove on it before. On that road there is a small farm where the crops rotate according to the seasons. I have gotten to recognize several horses along the way that will often come to the fence and say hello. There is an entire neighborhood of bright colorful homes hidden on a back dirt road. And when you follow that dead end road all the way to the end you will find yourself at the ocean. I have found that no matter how many times I walk the same route there is always something new. It is an adventure right where I live.

Beach Walking
Walking at the beach is another one of my favorite activities. In the summer there is plenty of people watching to do, and in the winter the serenity is unmatched. Walking in soft sand burns more calories so when you are ready to kick it up a notch move away from the shore into the lighter sand. If it is a hot day make sure to bring lots of water and your bathing suit for a swim!

Zoos and Aquariums
Be a tourist close to home! Zoos and aquariums are often great places to walk and have yearly memberships that you can purchase to visit again and again. I was at the North Carolina Zoo last weekend wishing that it wasn't 4 hours from my home. It offers a 5 mile walk to cover the entire zoo which is a great little workout on a Sunday afternoon. They offer a family membership at $59/year which is a great price if you live close and can visit often. The aquarium at Fort Fisher in North Carolina offers an outside nature trail that is only a mile, but can be fun to walk several loops around. They also offer a yearly membership for $60 that is good at all 3 aquariums in NC.

Malls and Museums
If it is raining hit the mall or a museum. Malls will often offer yearly memberships like zoos and aquariums and admission to the mall is free as long as you don't buy anything. If you want to hit a museum without paying admission check with your local library to see if they offer a pass or call the museum to ask if they have any free or discounted admission days. If you end up in a smaller museum or mall for your walk don't be afraid to make several loops.

Parks, Gardens, and Battlefields
America is full of parks, gardens and battlefields that are often free. Do an internet search to see what is close to your home. One of my favorite walking spots is Moore's Creek Battlefield. It is about 45 minutes from my home, but well worth the drive. They offer a 1 mile trail through woods and swamp with Revolutionary War history along the way. My husband and I like to do about 4 loops. We are always on the lookout for new parks, gardens, and battlefields to try. The National Park Service website is a great place to search for locations near your home.

The opportunities to walk seem endless when you start looking! Where do you like to walk?

Easy Chicken Dinners

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Martha Stewart has a fantastic article on her website entitled 100 Quick Chicken Recipes.

I found this feature when I was working on adding recipes to our custom cookbook that I posted about last week. I printed out all the recipes that I liked and handed them over to my husband who threw away the ones he didn't have a taste for. What we were left with was a pile of recipes that were quick and easy to try out.

Our favorite is the Lighter Chicken Enchiladas. They are not only better for you then the packaged version at the store, but they also taste better. It is a great recipe because there are not too many ingredients so we usually just have to buy the tortillas to make it happen for dinner. The portion is perfect for 3 people so one of us gets lucky and has leftovers for lunch the next day.

Another favorite is the Cayenne Rubbed Chicken with Avocado Salsa. This is another one that I love because we always have chicken in the freezer (we like the frozen organic chicken breasts you can get at Walmart), and we always have the spices and onions so it is usually just a matter of grabbing an avocado to make it happen.

If you like chicken head over and check out these recipes. So far we haven't tried one and not liked it!

Grilled vs Fried

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I am on the run it is difficult to eat healthy. I live in the southern part of the USA where fried food is king and if you want your seafood broiled instead of fried it can cost more or not even be on the menu.

One easy thing that can save your diet is having your food grilled instead of fried. It can get boring eating all those grilled chicken sandwiches, but the difference in calories is worth it to me. A grilled chicken sandwich is common when we stop somewhere on the road, and if I get lucky there is a grilled catch of the day to choose from as well.

Here is a good example from everyday fast food to demonstrate the caloric difference between grilled and fried chicken. A fried Chick-fil-A sandwich has 430 calories and 17 grams of fat while a chargrilled chicken sandwich at the same restaurant only has 290 calories and 4 grams of fat. Knowledge is power when it comes to your diet, and counting calories is a great way to get knowledge.

In my travels sometimes I splurge on food that I would not have eaten on a normal day, but I try to only splurge on 1 item. For example if I decided to splurge on the fried sandwich I would get a salad instead of french fries, but if I got the grilled sandwich I might just treat myself to those french fries. I also try to make sure I am active when I travel as well to help counteract some of those little splurges.

Chocolate Oatmeal for Breakfast

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Breakfast is an important meal that gives you energy throughout the day and helps to control hunger, and start the day with the energy you need. Oatmeal is a great choice because it helps fill you up, and tastes good as well.

When it comes to oatmeal, Better Oats is a company with a line of healthy oatmeal that I really enjoy. They use natural whole grain oats, and you can really taste the difference in the quality of their ingredients compared to main stream brands.

My favorite flavor is the Lavish Dark Chocolate Oatmeal which is delightfully rich and healthy at the same time. They have a unique packet that also serves as a measuring cup for adding the water so it comes out just right every time I cook it. I also like that I can find this brand easily at my local grocery store.

I like it so much that there was no oatmeal left when I took the photo of my breakfast!

Custom Cookbook

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

It is the holiday season and I am grateful to have some extra time to spend with my husband while his company is closed for the season. Come January I see some overtime in his future so I am taking full advantage of these work free days and closing my studio as well. I will be as technology free as possible from 12/22 to 1/2 and back up and running on 1/3.

I thought about cramming and writing posts for the blog to fill in that time, but since I am in the busy season with my photography studio that is not a realistic option so I came up with an alternative - Best of Cupcakes & Cucumbers aka BOCC. I will be re-posting some of my favorite posts from this year that you might have missed. Enjoy, and please feel free to leave comments. I enjoy hearing from everyone, and like to visit your blogs too.

With that said here is the first installment of BOCC - one of my most viewed posts that I like to call Custom Cookbook. It was originally posted on 8/5/11.

I am making my grocery shopping list and decided to search our a few new healthy recipes. My husband and I have a system for dinner. It is as follows :

1 - I search the web and print out recipes.
2 - If the not included, I use a recipe calculator like this one to write down the nutritional information.
3 - My husband goes through the recipes and he takes out all the ones he doesn't like and throws them in the recycle bin.
4 - We put the remaining sheets in the front of our cookbook. Our cookbook is just a blank notebook that we use to keep track of recipes that we love.
5 - Time to cook dinner!
6 - If the recipe is fantastic we glue it in the cookbook, if it needs work we throw it away and search out something similar until we find one that we like.

This method has been fantastic for keeping track of new recipes, and creating a customized cookbook that we both enjoy. I like to have the recipes printed out in a book so it is easy to cook with in the kitchen. The image in this post is the actual book that we use that I photographed when it was still blank.

So I am off to the grocery store, and hopefully will have some good recipes to report next week. AND one other thing you should know - my husband is the better cook so my research and ingredients will likely end up in his hands in the kitchen not mine!

Make Health a Priority for High Productivity

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have a lot on my plate. I own my own product photography business at Brooke Photo Studio that I work at full time, and I work on this blog as my creative outlet for fun in my spare time. I also have a husband, life and interests outside of work as well so making the most of my working hours is a must in order for me to keep up to date with my client work as well as have time for all those other things that go into owning your own business. Here are some of the things I do to keep myself on track.

Keep Regular Hours : I keep to a 7AM - 4PM work schedule Monday - Friday just as a larger business would. On the work end this schedule gives me the hours I need each day to accomplish my work tasks, as well as giving my clients an idea of when I am in the studio to answer emails. When I know that I need to put in some overtime I usually do it on the early morning end. The second benefit of keeping regular hours is the quality of time I have with my husband after work and on weekends. I do not have to be tied to my email because my clients already know when I am in the studio to answer their requests.

Take Regular Breaks : Every hour or two make sure to get up and take a small break. I like to walk around, get some fresh air, do some quick yoga poses or grab a snack to refresh my mind. I find that doing this helps keep me fresh and energized, and actually speeds up my efficiency throughout the day.

Have a Daily To Do List : I usually start a list for the coming week on Friday's. I start with generic daily and weekly tasks that tend to repeat, and add to it depending on my client workload. This list benefits me the most in the area of marketing for my business. When I am busy those little marketing tasks are the first to slip my mind so keeping them on a list ensures that they still get done even when I am having a challenging day.

Make Big and Little Goals : I am always tracking, making and updating goals. These goals help me to expand my business, and are always growing and changing. I make the big goals first, and then break them down into smaller goals that are quick to complete. I work the smaller goals into a time frame and then eventually I make it to the top and complete the big ones.

Make Health a Priority : The key to all of the above things in my work day is keeping my health a priority. Daily I eat a healthy breakfast, and make time for exercise to start my day. These two things give me the energy I need to be productive throughout the rest of the day. I will admit that when I am busy making time for exercise can be a challenge, but I know from experience that if I get it done I will have a better day and it is worth the time. Mid-day I have a healthy lunch, and make sure to have nutritious snacks on hand for the rest of the day.

These little things help to make my work life more productive, and energetic which in turn leads to the time to have a great personal life as well.

5 Ways to Keep Healthy in 2012

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you haven't thought about improving your health recently, chances are you will in the coming weeks. Many Americans are thinking about New Years Resolutions this time of year, although few of them will keep them.

I am not perfect, but I keep a healthy lifestyle top of mind year round. I thought today would be a good time to share some of the things I do to keep my diet and fitness level in check.

Record What You Eat : Sites like Fat Secret & Spark People make it easy to record every morsel that goes into your mouth. Knowledge is power, and knowing how many calories you consume is the first step in determining if you need more or less to satisfy your nutritional needs.

Limit Splurges : It is okay to splurge every once in awhile, but if you do it too much you will see your weight creep up quickly. As a rule I try to keep the splurging to a minimum, and never have more then one per day. For example, if I am out to eat and chose french fries, then I will skip dessert.

Make Smart Choices : Chose grilled or baked over fried foods when you are eating out. Another good trick is to not bring anything unhealthy into your home. Then when you go out to a restaurant you don't have to worry as much about your calories. Limit sugars, and load up on vegetables -- the usual healthy basics.

Research Eating Out : Chain restaurants are notorious for having high calorie fare. Even some seemingly healthy restaurants can pack on the calories and fat. The good thing for you? Nutritional values are readily available on the internet so if you are planning on eating out check out the facts first. Then you can have some smart choices in mind when you arrive.

Get Active : Find time daily for exercise. Even if it is just a short walk, I make sure to get some activity in my day. For me it can range anywhere from a gym or video workout to a walk with my husband after work. Sometimes on weekends when it is cold or rainy we even walk the mall or a a large store like Lowe's just to keep active. The good thing about exercise is -- the more you do it the more your body will crave it.

If you have any tips please feel free to comment!

Boredom is a Blessing

2011-12-16T07:10:00.002-05:00

A daily workout routine can get boring from time to take, but boredom can also be a blessing.

I am the kind of person who needs to get my workout in early in the morning or I will get wrapped up in my work and never get around to finding that precious exercise time. I make it a point to workout daily during the week for an hour a day, and then find active activities to do with my husband on the weekends to make a complete routine for a healthy lifestyle.

I am the most motivated in the morning to check things off my to-do list, but working out carries extra motivation for me. I know that completing my workout will give me more energy, help me sleep better, and give me time to think about the day ahead.

That last benefit is where the boredom of similar workouts can come in handy. During the winter chill I enjoy working out to a variety of workout videos that I purchase on sites like Amazon. Even though I have quite the collection, I find myself using my favorite videos quite often.

At first I felt pangs of boredom doing the same movements over and over. At the same time I began to enjoy the repetition because I was able to focus more on my technique, and when I perfected that my mind was able to wander. Now I can anticipate the next move on the video so I often turn down the volume and let my mind crawl through my thoughts.

Working out this way has become like a meditation for me, and I look forward to the time to let my mind wander each morning. I still feel those pangs of boredom from time to time, but more often I find creativity and new ideas.

Asparagus & Tomatoes

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love fresh, healthy food photography. On an ideal prop shopping day I am walking only down the fresh produce isle to acquire the objects I need for a vibrant photo shoot. Asparagus is a vegetable that always seems to catch my eye. I photographed my first images of asparagus back in photography school in 2003 and haven't stopped ever since. If you check out one of my stock photography portfolios you will find 59 images on the topic that are currently for sale.

In this image I paired the asparagus with some fresh tomatoes. I have found that any of the varieties of smaller tomatoes tend to roast well in the oven. If you take this image as a side dish inspiration you can create the following delicious morsel.

Ingredients
Asparagus
Tomatoes (smaller varieties work best)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions
Preheat your oven to 400 Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Place asparagus in a single layer on the cookie sheet, add tomatoes on top of the asparagus. Drizzle lightly with olive oil - if you are on a diet low calorie cooking spray works as well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 8-10 minutes.

I am all about quick and easy recipes, and it doesn't get much easier then this one!

Growing Money

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Money is one of those topics that comes up in my photography frequently, because no matter what the economy is like people always want more of it. I photography currency and calculators galore, piggy banks, and clocks too. In this image I decided to take a literal take (and use some of the gardening props already in my studio) on the idea of Growing Money.

Growing money is something that most people plan on doing in their lifetime. From money saved in piggy banks to stocks and 401K's everyone wants a secure retirement. Personally I enjoy keeping topics of growing my money top of mind, and there is one blog in particular that I make sure to keep on my regular reading list called Get Rich Slowly.

I started reading Get Rich Slowly when I was saving for my first house, and looking for some regular reading for the times when I was waiting for emails from clients. This blog is a great learning resource if you have a specific topis that you want to search in the archives. The articles range from basic money advise to more complex topics covering a wide range of knowledge. I enjoy reading topics relevant to my lifestyle, as well as those that don't apply as much just for the knowledge. The blog is written in a way that the topics are easy for anyone to understand, and also has a large readership so you can count on some commentary in the comments for each post.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you know that I like to keep important things in my life top of mind. Through reading about money I am able to educate myself as well as find inspiration for new images to add to my stock photography collection. Money is a popular subject, and one I will continue to shoot for years to come.

I pop by other blogs and read news articles on the topic of money as well, and if you have a favorite resource that you'd like to share I'd be interested in a link -- so leave a comment!

Spring

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

As winter comes to pass, and the days darken sooner I am becoming nostalgic for spring. Since I am living in the south now in contrast to the snowy northeast of my youth there is little chance of a white Christmas so I would rather skip the windy chill in the air that southerners call winter and move on to the new buds and flowers of spring. I am waiting for long days to be accompanied by long walks. I am dreaming of the bright green buds of spring, freshly grown and not yet darkened by the constant sunlight. Until then I might just wish every once in awhile for a blizzard anyway - because you never know what life will bring.

Cherimoya

2011-12-12T08:15:00.000-05:00

This is a cherimoya also called a custard apple. I was able to find it in my local grocery store, and was attracted to the texture on the outside of the fruit. It tastes much like its common name custard apple - like a custard textured fruit with an apple flavor. The flavor is subtle, and fresh. It also has a bit of a banana flavor.

When I cut into a cherimoya for the first time I was thrilled with the creamy white interior in contrast to the earthy green exterior.

As with most fruit, I like to enjoy this one chilled and fresh. I did come across some good dessert recipes as well, and would love to hear if anyone tries one of them.

2012 Printable Calendar

2011-12-09T14:31:00.000-05:00

I made a printable calendar in 2009 as an affordable holiday gift that people could make for friends and family that was so popular I decided to update it for 2012 and make it available on my blog.

This a quick, easy, and affordable holiday gift for people of all ages. The printable template come in a PDF file and prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper. All you have to do it add artwork digitally or by hand on your print out, slice each page down the middle, poke a hole in the top and VIOLA the perfect holiday gift!

You can print the file as many times as you'd like, and give the result as a gift.* This is a great way to give gifts to many people without spending an arm and a leg!

*Rules of use : By downloading this file you agree to the rules of use. All pages in this file are copyright Brooke Becker for Brooke Photo Studio. You may print this file mutiple times for personal use (this includes gift giving) but you may not sell it commercially in this form or any digitally manipulated form. You also may not give away the file for free. The file may not be altered in any way for any other use. Resale of this file is prohibited.

Reading in Bed

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is one of the few images that exists of me in my stock photography collection.

It represents one of my favorite luxuries - reading in bed.

I love a quiet night with a soft rainstorm to turn on a bedside light and read until my eyes become heavy. I always make sure to take time to remember the everyday things that make life good, and this one is near the top of my list.

What little things make your life good?

Podcasts On My Playlist

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

I enjoy getting news and education from Podcasts. I often get asked what my reading list looks like so I thought I would take a moment to share it with you.

The Age of Persuasion - From the CBS, this is a podcast that talks about advertising throughout history.

NPR: Environment - Keeps me up to date with the latest environmental news. I also listen to the Health and Technology podcasts from NPR.

NPR: Story of the Day - These stories are varied in topic, and quick to listen to.

This American Life - My FAVORITE. Ira Glass talks on subjects of everyday life with everyday Americans. When I am low on things to listen to I often buy old episodes which run $0.99 each.

Radiolab - This one would have to be my second favorite. It is a science based podcast that touches on everyday life and social issues as well. It does not broadcast as frequently as I'd like it to, but when it comes out it it at the top of my to-listen list.

These are my basics. I am always searching for new additions to listen to and often add and delete items. I like having something in the background when I work, and anything that can educate or inspire me in some way is my preference.

Going Green

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Going Green is something I think about on a regular basis, and a theme that shows up in my stock photography as well. On a personal level I see several challenges in the process of leading a greener life.

1. Education
2. Cost
3. Availability

In the news we are constantly bombarded with stories about greener living, but they do not always give us the tools we need to make a lifestyle change. The simple things like using energy saving light bulbs are obvious, but the benefits of using organic cotton sheets are more elusive requiring some personal research. I am a researcher by nature so I take going green one thing at a time. If I am shopping for cleaning products I will do some reading on that area. I keep going green top of mind, and over time I become more and more educated, and able to make more changes in my lifestyle.

Cost is always a factor! When considering organic foods I am very price conscious. I chose to spend extra on organic produce and dairy, while purchasing other goods in the grocery store that may have more preservatives then I would like. Food is something I am very conscious of, while I wouldn't necessarily spend extra money on eco-friendly paint for some home improvement even though I know the benefits. I do not have the means to entirely transform my life, but I feel good about making small changes.

Lastly, is the availability category. If I can buy something at Target or Whole Foods I am much more likely to make the purchase for the environment then if I have to order it on-line. For me I like to shop in as few trips as possible, and searching out goods online is more of a chore sort of like paying bills. As time progresses organic and eco-friendly goods are becoming more available, and as a result push my buying tendencies in that direction.

I would be hard pressed to say that I am 100% anything. I enjoy taking what I know about the world around me and applying it to my lifestyle as I see fit. I am also a believer that keeping certain aspects of life like eating healthy and going green top of mind helps me move in the right direction. So I will continue to research, and implement my discoveries in my day to day life.

Bright Idea

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ideas are central to my lifestyle. I am a creator of imagery, and when I am between client jobs I must come up with the ideas, and the props to make my stock photography shoots work. This image was created on this very basic part of my life. I love to use lightbulbs to demonstrate ideas, and even thought this design is becoming retro with technological advances, I love the cool blue color of the glass.

This is actually one of my best selling images, and has a variety of uses. For me the bulb in the grass represents my ideas of places I want to go in the future. From local parks, and attractions on my to-do list to far off places I would like to visit in the future. It is a great stock image for my collection because it has personal meaning in my life, but at the same time is a generic image that can be used in countless applications.

I often take a part of my Friday to plan at least one new adventure for the weekend. Last weekend it was as simple as finding a new park to take a hike in - and on Saturday we were off to Caw Caw Nature and Interpretive Center. The Charleston, SC area is full of these parks that are either free or $1 or $2 per person to get in and have a variety of trails. When I do my searches for places to visit I always look for how long the trails are. At Caw Caw the 6 miles of trails we perfect for my husband and I because we like to do a 2 hour walk when we adventure out. We ended up at 1 hour and 45 minutes which was close enough since it was getting hot, but we could have repeated one of the trails to get in the last 15 minutes if we went again. What I really liked about Caw Caw was #1 the GIANT alligator we saw, and #2 all the trails were circles.

I love circle trails because we can repeat trails that we like, which we often do in locations that do not have as many total miles available. Another park that we go to locally with a good variety of circular trails is Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston. They only have 2 miles of trails, but they are all circles and run into each other so it is like walking in a large maze. We weave in and out until we get in a good hike. Some trails in this park are paved, and some are natural. We have found that by sticking to the smaller natural trails we rarely come across other hikers on our little adventures - which is a bonus for us because we often use this time to talk about personal matters!

My work often inspires my everyday life, and this is one example of an image that continues to inspire new adventures.

Inspiration for Food Photography

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share this image of Pasta Making Ingredients today for two reasons. First, I like to take images of things deconstructed, and second my husband recently made a fantastic pasta sauce so tomatoes are on the brain!

In my photography I enjoy taking classic American foods, and looking at them in a different way. In the world of stock photography almost everything has been done before, however certain subjects will always be in high demand. I consider everyday food scenarios one of these subjects.

There are two main inspirations for an image such as this one. The first is on a day where I have a goal to shoot a certain number of stock images, but do not have any props on hand. I will often take a plastic bin and go into my kitchen or around my home collecting objects for inspiration. Once I get them back into the studio I go right to work creating images as ideas come my way. When I work in this manner I try to collect objects on a similar theme so I can create multiple images with the same objects. I keep a large prop collection in the studio to assist in this process.

Another way that I draw inspiration for food photography is going to the grocery store. This is a project for a slow day at work where I can have time to shop without any distractions. With time comes creativity, and having the right mindset going into a prop shopping trip is essential to my outcome. I will start at the beginning of the store and scan visually until something catches my eye. When I find an interesting object I take some time to think about what I will do with that object and collect anything else I will need to create the shot. I often go back and forth several times in the store before leaving with just a few objects for my next photo shoot.

In my world inspiration is everywhere, even in the pasta sauce. It is just a matter of knowing how to find it, and putting it into action to create a useful photograph.