HouseResort

How to fill in the gaps 😋😌👍

July 23, 2020July 26, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Who doesn’t like to snack? When taking a refuge at home from the summer heat, it is easy to wonder around the kitchen looking for snacks. I am fan of snacking, and I can spend hours creating cheese trays or snack trays. I mix the chips with the healthy nuts and berries, and balance the bland with salty and spicy. Healthy snacks is what I am all about. Being a vegetarian most of my life my family gets bored with my healthy collection of berries, and nuts, so I give them a break by making smoothies on hot summer afternoons.

With smoothies everything goes. What you add for sweetness is a major part of keeping it healthy. To make smoothies sweet I often add honey, maple syrup, nutella and peanut butter. To make the mix smooth for drinking I add vanilla or chocolate soy, orange juice, or milk. Some cinnamon, vanilla extract with few drops of lemon juice for extra flavor.

Stay cool, and fill the gaps with yummy snacks.😘

Smoothie recipe:

Two bananas

1/2 mango

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup blueberries (or other berries)

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1cup OJ

1 Tsp Nutella

1Tsp of Honey for sweetness add as needed

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Family, Home

Quiet time with our Family

July 11, 2020July 11, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

I used to remember specifically assigning a week night for dinner with my family. Searching for the day that no one missed dinner because of a late meeting, softball practice, or travel plans. We sat around the dinner table and enjoyed nice meal as a family.

Well I know I won’t shock anyone by writing, that since the pandemic, we have been having dinners together as a family for over four months now. We cook, set the table, eat, cleanup, and spread around the house relaxing before we go to bed.

We now enjoy a routine that felt as if it was forced on all of us. Not having the freedom of mind to be some where else, our home more than ever has become a safe place that we see and hear each other, doing things that keep us entertained and comfortable.

We are watching movies from 1930s and search google to learn more about the actors we just watched. Our conversations vary from what we have read, or heard from friends, reminiscing about past summer vacations, and future plans for traveling. History pops up more than ever! Our political history, changes our grandparents lived through, and our hope and conversations for changes that our future would benefit from.

Our home has changed to accommodate all of our needs. Where we read, watch tv, listen to podcasts. We have found and created spaces to relax, and not be distracted by others. This was an important realization. To have our own quiet spaces to go to, and come back together when we want to. Hoping we are learning from our new normal, and keeping each other happy.

Go to our YouTube channel , to see how to create comfortable spaces for your kids.

https://youtu.be/xf36iuyEggo

Family, Girls, Make up

Summer Nail Colors

July 6, 2020July 11, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Warm weather is here, and we are showing a lot more skin & toes. You can’t possibly wear sandals with plain bare toes during summer, so begin with a beautiful pastel nail polish.

I love painting my own nails. It gives me a chance to relax and pamper myself. First I start by clipping, filing, and buffing my nails; then I moisturize my skin and the best part choose my color.

If you have noticed the make up counters these days, you have seen how much companies have expanded their nail products, and colors as the seasons change.

I have fallen into the trap of what is in season will also look good on me, but have also quickly realized that I often gone back to what I like and feel pretty and comfortable in. I like to think that I create my own trends 🤣

I picked a few beautiful pastel nail polishes for this summer with the help of my daughter. We chose the brand “essie” known for their fresh colors with their cute names such as “vanity fairies”, and “blue -la-la”. Their creative, fresh take on nail polish have helped them to become a very popular brand among all ages.

We bought four fun colors and recorded painting them on, just to show you the cool colors for this summer.

Check out the video👍 I hope you find the time to relax, put some color on your nails & enjoy the summer 🌞⛱

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SfYX_UmKLD

Affiliate link – We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

essie nail polish

Vanity Fairest https://amzn.to/2Z6kCfD

Baguette me not https://amzn.to/2O3vYuL

Mint candy apple https://amzn.to/31VtFlI

Family, Food, Hair, Health, Snacks

Summer Salad with Watermelon

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Best way to eat fruits & vegetables sometimes is to make a nice salad. I have found it to be easier to add flavor and excitement to our food and get our kids to eat more fresh and healthy food.

One summer fruit that I love to serve is watermelon. With 1200 varieties, it is sweet, juicy, full of nutrients, and easy to serve.

Thirst quenching watermelon has many benefits, with 92% water, drinking its juice is an important way to keep our body hydrated.

Low in calories only 46 calories per cup, it is a great recovery beverage after a workout, and packed with vitamins, that help with :

1- Lowering blood pressure

2- high in antioxidants – prevents cell damage

3- helps in preventing cancer

4- helps with inflammation

5- helps with muscle soreness

6- helps with healthy hair & skin

One of my favorite salads in summer is watermelon feta cheese salad. Served with mint, glaze balsamic vinegar, olive oil, is cool and refreshing and everyone’s favorite.

Below is a video on how I made this easy salad. Try it & enjoy it 👍😋🍉

www.youtube.com/watch

dessert, Family, Health

Baking Healthy Desserts

July 2, 2020July 2, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Cranberry & Ghirardelli chocolate Scones

I truly love baking. I rather bake than cook, and I rather bake goodies that are packed with fruits, nuts & berries.

I know there is always that feeling of guilt that creeps to our head when eating desserts, but I believe when we are baking our own cakes and cookies, we are more aware and use better and healthier ingredients.

For example, scones with cranberries and raisins, covered with vanilla glaze are great as dessert, and when served with a mixture of strawberry jelly and cream cheese or butter and honey is a scrumptious breakfast.

And if you love your coffee in the morning, dunking your scone in a hot cup of coffee is a great way to start your morning. 🌞

Click on the video and watch how I serve the scones.😋👍

www.youtube.com/watch

Family, Hair, Health

Healthy Hair for a youthful look

June 28, 2020June 28, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Rosemary & thyme

Healthy looking hair is important at any age. It is true as we get older our skin, and hair can change drastically, and not because we are getting older, but because of poor diet and the side effects of certain medications that we are forced to take.

Changing to a healthier diet can be the easiest solution, and eliminating stress and anxiety maybe the most difficult to achieve.

To start with the easiest changes, we need to wash our hair often to get rid of the oil that can weaken the hair follicles. And with daily brushing we are giving our scalp a message and moving oil from our roots keeping our scalp.

Healthy diet with good sleep habits are also important for healthy hair growth.

Using miniral oils while messaging can help too. Here are 3 DIY recipes :

1- One tablespoon of almond oil, three to four drops of rosemary essential oil and peppermint essential oil. Mix them together and rub it into your scalp to stimulate hair growth.

2- Message your scalp every morning with a mix of three ounces of cayenne pepper and 1/5 of vodka. Rub a small amount to your scalp once every morning to help stimulate hair follicles by helping blood circulation.

3- Use castor oil, mix one ounce of castor oil with four drops of rosemary essential oil and massaging it into your scalp. Rinse out after 30 to 45 minutes. Caster oil Is rich in Omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E that helps with hair growth.

Affiliate link – We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Rosemary oil

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Peppermint oil

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Almond oil

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Castro oil

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Family, Health, Home

Orange oil for relaxing & healing

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Scents can improve our mood and energize us. Citrus smells not only have a positive effect on our mood, they can also reduce stress and anxiety. When peeling an orange, it is hard to avoid the fruity smell dispersing through the air and its oil on your hands.

Beside enjoying a peeled orange, there is also orange marmalade, candied oranges, and orange oil to enjoy.

Making orange oil is easy and a great way to use all the beautiful orange peels. All you need is patience to peel the pith off the skin and leaving it to dry for a few days. Fill a glass jar with the dry peels and add vodka, leaving a small space between the lid and the orange peels.

Keep the jar away from light and shake it twice a day for 2-4 days. Open the lid and cover with a paper towel for the alcohol to evaporate for another day. The next day, drain the oranges using a coffee filter to get rid of sediment, then discard the oranges.

Orange oil can help protect and heal skin, and promote collagen. Add 8-10 drops of orange oil to 1/4 cup of epsom salt to running bath water for a relaxing bath.

You can also substitute the oranges for lemons or grapefruits. Enjoy the fruity smell.

Affiliate link – We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Epson salt

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Glass jars https://amzn.to/3dyi2TT

Family, Food, Health

Peaches make Summer bearable😎

June 21, 2020June 25, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Grocery shopping is not one of my favorite things on my to do list. But every now and then, it turns out to be a lovely experience.

A few days ago when I was running through isles to pick up some vegetables, I froze when the wonderful sweet smell of peaches hit my senses. To be honest, these are the small things that make summer bearable. Sweet peaches, juicy watermelons, popsicles, grilled corn on the cob, and summer gardening. Yes, they are mostly food related, but any thing else involving the outdoors means facing the heat.

Going back to the sweet peaches, I planned on baking a peach cobbler, a bowl of fruit salad for a cool dessert, grill them as a side dish, and for breakfast mix it with yogurt.

Enjoy the peaches this summer.🍑

Affiliate link – We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

Corn starch

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Baking dish

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Family, garden, Home, Planters, Spring

Gardens possess personalities

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

A garden lined with flowering plants, carefully lined, and color coordinated makes me admire the gardener who invested time and patience to create it.

How we choose Our flowers, herbs, and even the flower pots in our garden is a reflection of our personality. Colors of our flowering plants, the shape of our garden, choosing perennials or annuals sends a signal of how we think and see the world around us.

When I choose to create a garden I pay attention to how the sun will pour over the space, and how they are placed with the older plants. When I figure that out I start visiting my nurseries and purchase my plants based on what I fall in love with. Color, shape, how rare they are, or replacing an old plant that didn’t survive the winter.

Gaura lindheimeri, is one of my most favorite large flowering plants. They have a free-flowing, angelic personality that my eyes crave to see.

Geraniums are my trustworthy plants; they are bold, resilient, long lasting, and beautiful on their own in any pot. No matter how wilted and unkept they are, I grab them from clearance racks and bring them back to life.

There are many annuals I repeat every year like impatiens for my shady corners. They spread and bloom all summer and their colors add a pop to forgotten corners.

Next time you walk by a garden after you admire the hard work it took to create it, you can try to guess the personality of the gardener behind it.

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Gaura lindheimeri

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Family, garden, Home

Summer Blooms

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020by houseresortLeave a Comment

Coneflowers, Lilies, Daisies, Petunias are beautiful colorful bunch for your summer garden.

The blooms of these beautiful summer flowers are large, with mild perfume that bloom through summer. With little attention, moderate watering and some grooming these flowering plants will give you the chance to take beautiful photos of your garden, and capture their color and beautifully shaped blooms.

I love creating a permanent space for perennials in my garden. The excitement, and the chance to see them pop up in spring and come to full bloom in early summer is so gratifying.

By the way petunias are annuals. Enjoy your summer garden. 🌷🌞

Affiliate links- We earn a modest commission if you use the link and purchase the product.

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