On this post- considering rompers and easy summer looks, how to live a Blue Zone lifestyle, and starting a reset before fall!
This week was a downtime for me which was nice. I had to stay in with a windshield repair and our street getting repaved. I realize I spend a lot of time out and sometimes I need to stop and look around.. There is a lot I can and should do here and I avoid it! One thing is clearing out drawers and closets and reassessing what I use and don’t.
Your Seasonal Reset
Does it seem like i just wrote about this? Well yes and I will keep doing so every quarter because you have to keep on top of this stuff…. We are getting ready to go into a new season, so take the down times to reassess and clean out, and make goals.
A seasonal reset doesn’t have to be a big thing, it can be as simple as taking a big shopping bag and going drawer to drawer and throwing things in it you are no longer using- or haven’t for years. A friend I hugely admire, who lives a beautiful life, told me she did that weekly and I imagine you get good at it.
While under house arrest due to the street work, I decided to start with my bathrooms and purged old shampoos, lotions, soaps and samples, cosmetics that are past their prime (a year or more), and just basically sitting unchosen and unused. Don’t feel guilty- get rid of it. Like I said with closet clean out if you haven’t chosen it, ( my favorite word for to help with purging), you probably won’t choose it later, so say goodbye.
Just make sure you separate everything at the end and recycle the plastic containers. If you have issue with that, you can offer things to a local Freecycle group, or even put it out on their sidewalk if it’s a full bottle of something. I haven’t tried that though.
I wiped the drawers with a fresh lavender non toxic cleaning spray and washed the containers with soapy water. I washed all the makeup brushes and let them flat dry in the sun. This is a good time of year to do that.
It seems like a lot of work, but later when you open the drawers and see the nice order and the fluffy clean brushes you’ll feel like it was a gift to yourself! That’s all I tackled so far, but it was satisfying and I’ve told myself I am beginning my reset.
I might do another post with my favorite brushes and skincare. I think I did it before, but maybe it’s time for an updated one.
Lifestyle Reset-Blue Zone Tips
Do you follow Dan Buettner the Blue Zones guy? I especially love his Instagram with daily tips from the Blue Zones of the world. Blue Zones are places where people live the longest- ‘consistently reaching 100’ according to the CDC. Dan works with National Geographic and identified five geographical areas where people not only live longer, but also are healthier without chronic diseases.
Blue Zone people eat a mostly plant based diet, including plant based proteins like beans, lean meats and fish, and no processed food. These people also drink in moderation, have lots of regular social interaction, are involved with or live near their families and have less stress!
We can try and incorporate some of their habits into our daily lives.. These people don’t work out per se, but are very active. Gardening and and walking a lot keeps them young and flexible. Getting low to the ground while gardening- or sitting on the ground as Okinawans do, to stretch or to rest, keeps balance into old age, so very important!
Get out there and start gardening and eating the veggies and fruit will help. My grandma who lived to almost 101 gardened and my dad who is 85 gardens. My dad is still delivering his garden bounty to me, I am so thankful.
Dan is having a new televisions show coming at the end of August on Netflix…
Right now you can watch Dan’s CBS Interview earlier this year which was good. He has a lot of simple ideas for living better… ( and hey it goes with our reset mindset!)
He has a cookbooks- this one looks the best.
Dan says people in these cultures eat the equivalent of one cup of beans a day. That sounds like a lot of beans.. Do we have to live on burritos?
Just kidding, but I was thinking about this and remembered a great pasta with beans I used to make when my kids were small and I was unable to shop and needed to use what was in the pantry and I thought I’d share… I just made it and Max and I said it’s one of our favorites and we need to get this back into our rotation. It’s comfort food, but healthier.
White Bean Dip and Pasta..
This is a faux alfredo of sorts. It’s got the fiber and protein of cannelini beans and I use gluten free pasta now ( I like the brown rice and corn versions ), and add toasted pine nuts, and fresh basil that I julienne for more flavor and texture.
For a dip, you can also do the same with the beans in a mini-prep or food processor and make it into a dip consistency and salt and pepper to taste then add a drizzle of olive oil and toasted nuts. It is great with veggies.
You will have have to tweak it a little to get the consistency you want, but once you get it the way you like it, you’ll throw it together fast.
Cannellini Bean Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz pkg pasta- gemelli, ziti I like a pasta with ridges to catch the pasta. The corn+brown rice gluten free options are so good and what I used here.
- 1 box or can cannellini beans. I like organic.
- 2-3 T milk or water of your choice. I use oat.
- 2-3 T olive oil
- 1/4 C Parmigiano -Reggiano + plus extra to garnish. I have a block and use a rasp to grate.
- 1/4 C Pinenuts toasted.
- 1/2 C Fresh basil julienned.
Instructions
- While pasta is cooking, toast pinenuts over a low heat until slightly browning and set aside. Rinse cannellini beans and blend in a mini-prep, blender or food processor slowly adding milk or water until creamy and beans are not visible. Avoid making it too runny. Add a tablespoon of the olive oil and a 2-3 tablespoons of the grated cheese. At this point I also add a small amount of sea salt and pepper to taste.Drain the pasta and rinse. In the warm pasta pan, add the bean mixture and then add warm drained pasta on top and mix. Adjust the consistency with more olive oil or water if needed. Toss with the julienned basil and more cheese and add the pinenuts and drizzle with a thin amount of olive oil before serving.
Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits- are having a moment and I’ve been thinking about getting one for fall. I thought I’d dip my toe in the pool and try a short one. I was drawn to this pink color and it is surprisingly comfy. It is sold out in this color, but still here on sale in a pretty khaki.
I’ve worn it twice now out to a brewery with friends and out to run errands with flip-flops. I love the modern feel of it and they are very forgiving. ( I also cut off the flaps to hold the sleeve up so annoying.)
What are your thoughts on jumpsuits? I will share a few fall options in later posts, but I found another pink one here ( good for the Barbie movie too. LOL)-and the chic short one below at a good price…
On My Radar
I need more easy dresses I can throw on and go for warm days. This Madewell eyelet number is cute in white or a soft blue with pockets and is on sale this weekend. I just ordered the white.
I bought a friend Chanel Handcreme and the lip balm as she needed a little luxury and it accidentally was delivered to me. Well that was a nice mistake, as I had them resent, and decided to keep the package for myself! I love the hand creme, which comes in an egg shape container and I keep next to my bed. . It brightens your hands as well as moisturizes. It would also be nice for a handbag.
The Chanel Healthy Glow Lip Balm in the package is ideal for summer! I want to try all the shades now. The color stays on surprisingly well and feels good. I bought light and want to try deep too. I have to say, I have NEVER been disappointed in a Chanel skincare or makeup product. They are worth the money.
I loved there look of this short jumpsuit ( does romper sounds like it should be on toddlers?). It’s a simple denim one from Mango that you can dress it up with pretty sandals and a few chains or it’s a great daytime look.
If you missed it, Juliet joined Annie for another tartine this week and it looked like the perfect summer appetizer with prosciutto, brie and strawberries and Annie did salted butter and chocolate..
Last week’s post included a new book with fresh ideas on kitchen renovations, our stay at the historic Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, easy chic shorts, a glamorous outdoor birthday bash, and chat about the Barbie movie..
I’ll be back on Tuesday with Cindy for August’s Signature Style! I can’t believe we are in August already. If you don’t want to miss it, make sure you are subscribed – you can click the link at the bottom to sign up.
I hope you have a good weekend!
Kim
Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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