Southern Blondie: 2015

How To Find Your Giving Spirit This Holiday Season

Leave a Comment
During the holiday season it can be very easy to feel disconnected from giving. The hustle of trying to find the perfect gift, and the bustle of all the people in your life traveling, taking vacation. With all the packaging and bows, we often forget why we’re giving.

The boys who probably didn't realize the impact a milk distribution center would have in their community.

When I start to get distracted, I think about the people that I’ve met connected to Heifer International’s work. I remember their faces so clearly and their stories so deeply that it immediately reminds me of why giving is so important. It’s not always about finding the perfect gift, or making sure each present has the perfect bow, it’s about freely providing someone with something that is immeasurable.

With my first Heifer trip to Zambia I meet these three young boys – due to a language barrier they couldn’t tell me their name and they didn’t understand mine. The one thing we both could understand was a smile and kindness. Their town had just built a milk distribution center, which was bringing in a lot of positive change.

To many in the village this meant new jobs, new opportunities, and nutrition. To these three boys who might not have understood how it all happened, I knew it meant a new future for them. For even families in villages who aren’t associated with Heifer still reap the benefits due to our models of Sharing and Caring and Passing on the Gifts. I may never meet these young boys again, but the gift of Heifer gave them a new future that they may not have known before. 



I also met a dairy farmer in Kenya whose pride of his hard work and accomplishment was inspiring. It’s not always just the giving of the cow that is so important, it’s giving families the hope they need for a better future for them and their families. When you speak to Heifer farmers they are always so proud for what they have and what they will be able to pass on to their children. Their first thoughts are about how they can continue to give more, when they’ve just received something themselves. It’s true giving.



But I’ve never been more in awe of a group of women as I was when I met this group of ladies in Zambia. (I never saw any men in this community.) Many of the women had been widowed or left once they tested positive for HIV. That didn’t stop them from perusing personal and financial security for their families. They applied to be part of a Heifer program and worked hard to receive chickens and training they needed. Once they began to improve their nutrition, they were able to sell the extra protein for income and could then afford medicine they needed. One gift can truly safe a life.



Of all the faces I will never forget, it’s of the mother and daughter standing behind me in amusement while I hopelessly tried to pull water from the well. This is a day and moment that still brings me a personal moment of silence when the holiday hustle and bustle gets to be too loud.

Every day, the young girl in the grey shirt would walk a mile before school to fill a bucket of water, then walk back. She had no shoes, but she had an enormous heart. She was able to go to school but still understood how her family needed her. When we got home from school, she would make the journey again. I walked with her and her mother (and sweet brother on the right) to get water one afternoon. It was grueling and exhausting. After working very hard to pull the bucket out of the well with water inside it, you still had to lift it up and carry it back. It took me many times of not sloshing water all over the dirt before I could catch on. Even then, I was no good and wasting so much of the water that we had worked so hard to bring back. The young girl helped by carrying my bucket and hers at the same time. She gave to me the most priceless thing she could, her compassion and understanding. (Incomparable, I gave her my old running shoes.)

This holiday season, when it’s starting to get too overwhelming and you feel like you’ve lost a little holiday spirit, remember the faces and stories of Heifer’s work. When someone asks why you decided to give a cow, tell them that you gave hope, joy, and new opportunity to so many people who need it. And more importantly, give the gifts they receive over and over again.

This holiday season, try giving back to the world. It might just give you things you’ll find immeasurable to your life. This year, #GiveHeifer. 

SHARE:
0 comments

Trying HelloFresh for the First Time

Leave a Comment


Have you heard of HelloFresh? It's one of the popular services that sends you the recipes with the fresh ingredients to your doorstep. Literally, to your door.


When you open the box all of your ingredients are boxed up per recipe. This makes it SO easy to grab one out to cook. You don't have to go through your fridge, cabinets or to the grocery store to grab anything. It's all right there for you. 


Sunday night we decided to make the Southerwestern Chicken Sausage Chili. 

If you notice, all of the ingredients are there along with the easy-to-follow recipe. 


It's your job to prep and cook! It's actually pretty fun to do as a activity with your person (significant other, partner in crime, bestie, kiddo, or another hungry person). 

This recipe had a lot of chopping - but the challenge didn't scare me. 


Once you have everything prepped the cooking part is a cinch! 


HelloFresh even sends the spices! It really couldn't be easier. 


So much steam in this photo! 


Time to let this boil and simmer before we add the cooked sausage.


The finished product! All of the food pictured was included so even presentation is a breeze. 

HelloFresh couldn't be easier. It's about $70 for three meals for two people. You can pick your three meals each week for the next. 

Use my referral code XEUNNK for $40 off your first box! That's three meals for $10! 



(This post is not sponsored. My opinions & thoughts only.)
SHARE:
0 comments

Steak House Mushrooms in Foil Packet

1 comment

 I know, I know, when you go to a steak house you're suppose to be focused on the steaks. And I absolutely am - but I am also in love with sides! Especially the mushrooms that come out hot on the mini iron skillets. Since I don't have a mini iron skillet, or want to use a lot of butter, I've created my own SUPER EASY way to cook the steak house mushrooms in a foil packet! 


I use 16 oz of mushrooms - which equals to two small containers. I've used all sorts of mushrooms so use whichever kind you like (or whatever kind are on sale like I do). 

You're not 'suppose' to wash mushrooms, but I give them a little rinse and then lightly dry with a paper towel. 




















Once clean, I take a long sheet of foil to create a packet. I pinch up with sides of the foil to make it easier when I seal the entire thing up.



Make sure you pinch it upwards. 




Next - add about 1/4 of a cup of olive oil to coat the mushrooms. I add everything directly to the foil packet because it makes for less cleanup.


Next, add 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire and soy sauce to the mushrooms. 


Next, add one tablespoon of chopped garlic. 

(Yes, this came out of a jar because I was using up things from my fridge and this is what I had on hand. This is a no judgement place.)

Add pepper to the top. 



Next, create your sealed foil pack. Once the foil is tightly pressed from top to bottom I shake around everything inside. 

So make sure you really seal the top and bottom together so you don't slosh everything out. 


I put the mushrooms in a 400 degree oven for about an hour to an hour and a half. 

To me, the longer the better. The mushrooms soak up all the flavor of the juices and take on a whole new life. 


This is the only way I will eat mushrooms. They are so tender, juicy and are a perfect side to your meal. Serve along side of your steak and baked potato, or a pork tenderloin! Perfect to please everyone. They also make for great leftovers!


Steak House Mushrooms in Foil Packet
Prep-time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 1/2 hours 
Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
  • 16 ounces of mushrooms (two small containers)
  • 1/3 olive oil 
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce 
  • 1 tablespoons chopped garlic 
  • Pepper to taste 
Will need long sheet of foil 

Directions:   

  • Take long sheet of foil and fold in half. On one half, fold the edges up to make a box like. 
  • Add the mushrooms to the foil packet. 
  • Add the Worcestershire, soy sauce, chopped garlic and pepper to the mushrooms. 
  • Fold the foil packet. 
  • Shake it gently for everything to get coated. 
  • Place in a 400 degree oven for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. (The longer the better to me!) 


SHARE:
1 comments

Spicy White Chicken Chili

3 comments
It's finally getting cold in Arkansas! I never thought this moment would happen since we were in the 90's last week, but that's the South for you - really unpredictable weather. It's been a cold and rainy weekend so I knew exactly what I wanted to cook Sunday night for dinner... Spicy White Chicken Chili! It's not too spicy, but it does have a little kick.



All of the cast of characters for this mean - it really couldn't be easier. It's also a one pot wonder so there's not a lot of cleanup after either! This can be a really quick meal to pull together if you decide to use a roast chicken like I do.




I chop one whole yellow onion while it makes me cry and I have to be careful not to cut a finger.



I add 2 tablespoons of oil to a round dutch oven.


(I got my dutch oven at Sam's Club for $40 - and I love it. No need to spend a lot of money!)







I add the onion and garlic to the pan to let it brown.



Once the onion is translucent and the garlic is browned, then I add one can of chicken broth and one can of great white northern beans. During this process sometimes I will get out my emulsion blender to blend the beans and onion together. This also thickens the chili.

If you don't want to do this but you still want to thicken the chili then add a little of cornstarch to water and then add it to the chili. I like chili to be on the thicker side.



While the onions are cooking is when I like to pull apart the roasted chicken. I find it helpful to put on some music during this process - I suggest "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones. It gives you just enough grove to get all the chicken meant off.



Once you have your glorious amount of meat (white and dark to me is the right mix) it's time to dump in the pot! Now remember, I've used my emulsion blender on the onion+chicken broth+one can of white beans mixture.



I then add another 2-3 cans of beans depending on how much I want to make. I added 3 can because I wanted to make a really large pot for sharing. Usually I rinse off the beans before I add them to remove the extra sodium.




Then it's time to add the cumin! This just makes it a little smoky - that extra little, "oh, what's that deliciousness that's been added?"


Cumin.



Now to add the spice! Add 8 oz of salsa verde! I find this to be the 'magic ingredient' I also add black pepper to taste, and any salt if needed. Stir all together and let simmer to all combine.




This chili is topping friendly - cheese and tortilla chips are my favorite, along with avocado, but you could also add some sour cream. Don't limit yourself but ENJOY!

Spicy White Chicken Verde Chili

Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups of shredded chicken (one rotisserie chicken, no skin)
- 3-4 cans Great White Northern Beans
- 1 Clove Garlic, chopped
- ½ teaspoon of cumin
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 2 cans chicken broth
- 8 oz salsa verde
- 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
- Heat oil over medium heat
- Add chopped onion and one clove chopped garlic
- Cook until translucent
- Remove onions and garlic from pot into a blender
- Blend onions, garlic and one can of Great White Northern Beans. Blend until pureed.
- Add pureed mixture back into the pot
- Add 2 can of Great White Northern Beans to pot
- Add shredded chicken
- Add one can of chicken broth (wait to see if you might need two depending on how thick you want the chili)
- Add cumin
- Add salsa verde
- Add black pepper to taste
- Let sit & combine
- Top with avocado and tortilla chips and cheese!
SHARE:
3 comments

Social September Roundup: Where I've Been Lately

Leave a Comment
After I renewed the vow to myself to blog more often - the month of September happened. SO many things were planned in on month that I put the blog on the way, way, way back burner.

Here's a recap...

The beginning of September I went to Boston for work and with our night off we all went to visit Fenway Park. The Red Sox were playing the Yankees so it was a pretty memorable night for all baseball fans.

(p.s. GO CARDS!)

I also visited the Heifer Farm outside of Boston in Rutland, MA. You can see below that I have a new skill set to add to my resume of knowing how to milk a goat.
A photo posted by Maegan Clark (@maeganclark) on

I also found a great stop for fun poses in Boston in the Harbor area.
A photo posted by Maegan Clark (@maeganclark) on

After returning back from Boston I had a week home and then headed to LA.
A photo posted by Maegan Clark (@maeganclark) on
After a few days in LA it was back to Little Rock then off the NYC for the Global Citizen Festival.
I saw Beyonce play in Central Park - I mean...



While in NYC and still smiling from seeing Beyonce, I ran into Neil Patrick Harris. He is hands down one of the nicest celebs I've ever met.

A photo posted by Maegan Clark (@maeganclark) on


After a few days working in NYC it was off to Boston for another quick work trip. This was my first time to take the train from NYC to Boston so I had to do a totally not staged photo.



After a few busy weeks I'm back in Little Rock! Home feels good. Even if it does get me some weird looks.
A photo posted by Maegan Clark (@maeganclark) on
SHARE:
0 comments

My Dramatic Bedroom Makeover

3 comments
Before we begin, I feel like I need to say that commitment to life-long things has been hard for me. Also, I have completely obsessive tendencies where I need things to be just right and perfect. 

No, this is not a therapy session between my blog and me. It's to help you understand why I had been living in the same non-designed space for the past 5 years. When I graduated college and moved to Atlanta I had all of my college furniture and I was OK with that for the time. When I moved back to Arkansas a few years later I started to upgrade my couch, tv stands, dining table, and small things. The one room that I hadn't touched at all was my bedroom. Besides the king-size bed my mom bought me for Christmas one year, that's the only thing I had really done. 

Needless to say ... this is what my bedroom has looked like lately: 


So. A blog is meant to be what you want it to be and well... my in always honest of what's going on in my life. This was my bedroom. No headboard, two mix-matched nightstands, and two lamps from college. 

A tv stand that most people use for their garage storage. It had a cool look to it when I was 19. Now that I'm 29 I think it's time to mature a bit. 

After living in this space for 5 years I've realized it's time to make an investment in myself. (That's the excuse I always say when I know I'm about to spend some money...) Invest in yourself! 

My budget was $1,000. 
(I had been saving around for about two years and wasn't sure what to do with the money, but knew it was going to be spent on a bedroom set or a Louis Vuitton bag. Maybe later fancy bag.)  


My new bedroom sanctuary! It's such a beautiful space (maybe artless) but I'm so happy! 

Headboard - $150 from Wayfair 
End tables - $300 from 123stores.com 
Lamps - $140 from Target 


This is the new dresser that has made watching TV much more ascetically pleasing. 

Dresser - $400 from Cost Plus Furniture in Little Rock. 

Headboard - $150 
End tables - $300 
Lamps - $140
Dresser - $400
GRAND TOTAL: $990 

I did everything under budget with $10 to spare. 

To add the cherry to the top, I even made myself a little personal jewelry vanity area! 


I feel like I am living in a completely different space that makes me so happy and grateful. I worked hard to save the money (when I could have spent it on a lot of frivolous things), and worked hard to find things that fit within budget. 

This was a fun project over the past few weeks that had a lot of hiccups but that's what makes it fun. 

Let me know, and I can do more of an detailed post about what I bought. There's still more to be done at some point, but today, I am content. 

SHARE:
3 comments
Next PostNewer Posts Previous PostOlder Posts Home
BLOG TEMPLATE CREATED BY pipdig