Favorite Things Exchange

While home for the holidays last month the Hidden Sisters...and our lovely mom...got to talking about the dark winter days looming ahead and the inevitable distance that would be separating us after the holidays were over and everyone returned to the daily obligations of life.

We decided to counter this we would each mail eachother a special care package over the next month or two filled with our favorite things. Things that make us smile, things we love, things to make us feel closer despite our distance.

{This idea was inspired by Sunnyside Up's Favorite Things post. We love this idea.}

To our delight our mom's care package arrived last week.

Take a peek inside.

{favorites}
composition notebook
vintage copper colander
Whitman's chocolate sampler
Fresh Fig candle
kitchen timer
comfort food recipe*


{*We hope you love her favorite comfort food recipe as much as we do. Perfect for a cold winter night.}

Turkey In Mushroom Garlic Cream Sauce

8 oz button mushroom slices
8 oz oyster mushrooms
1//4 c dry sherry
1 c fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 c fat-free half-and-half
4 c diced roasted turkey meat {or skinless leftover cooked turkey}
4 cloves of garlic
2 T butter
salt and pepper to taste

Place all mushrooms and garlic in food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Heat a deep 10-inch skillet over meduim heat and melt butter. Add mushroom-garlic mixture to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms release their moisture and then begin to dry-about 3 minutes. Add sherry, increase heat to high, and boil until reduced by half. Add chicken broth and boil about 4 minutes more or until slightly thickened. Add the half-and-half and boil, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in diced turkey. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Can be served over fettuccine or other cooked pasta.

We are wrapping brown paper and tying up string
in preparation to pop our special care packages in the mailbox this week.



Listening: Landon Pigg~Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop

As the rain falls here and a long night was spent with a sleepless little one, we simply want to head to the coffee shop and fall in love all over again with our sweetest one.

Inspiration: Dior & Moi Je Joue

The hidden sisters love this little clip...a pink dress, a sweet shop, a darling french song...The perfect thing to inspire us to start thinking about candy confections, pink icing and sprinkles...all the sweetness that February brings.

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

Little Days

{'All Smiles' by Jess Penner}

On a recent trip to get my newly three year old a haircut, he threw a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad tantrum. On the floor of the children's salon. In front of other little ones and their moms. Though I kept calm and let if flow off like rain on a tin roof, it was a challenge. He ended up having a wonderful time~in the kid car with a lollipop~and the cut makes him look so big now!

As the stylist finished up, she complimented me and said it was good that I had followed through. Perhaps she knew that I had been seconds away from just leaving. I was so grateful for the affirmation from a stranger.
So often, time is spent wondering what is called for...to persuade, to distract, to be really firm...or to melt in to tears with them...
Her words were the little sunshine in my day.

This video is a happy reminder of *all* of the rest little bits and pieces...the funny little run, noticing shadows, twirling, swinging in the sun...that make up the days with little ones. These moments are the ones to ultimately remember...along with the words from kind strangers.

Sweet{heart} Cinnamon Tea

With Valentine's Day just a few weeks away, we wanted to

make this week extra sweet by putting our own spin on Martha's heart shaped tea bags.

We found these adhesive backed felt hearts at JoAnn's.
They stick on easily to the end of your favorite tea bag and are the perfect way
to share a cup with your sweetheart.
 {our Valentine pick is Yogi Tea's cinnamon inspired Classic India Spice}

Loving: Happiness

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you.

But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

~ Thoreau

Happiness is a funny thing, isn't it?
Curiosity got the best of us when we stumbled across this album on a recent trip to our favorite art supply store. Being the music {and happiness} lovers that we are, we couldn't resist giving it a try.
Definitely worth a listen should your spirits need a little uplifting
on one of these dark, winter days.

Here are some things the album suggests you can
do every day to prepare for happiness:

1. Surround yourself with people or things that make you happy.

2. Fill your mind with happy thoughts. Consider all the things you enjoy,
rather than dwelling on those you dislike.

3. Be present in the moment- notice the little things, listen, see, smell, taste, feel.

4. Recongizen that happiness can be a matter of perspective. Not only are things seldom as bad as they seem, but also remember that there are often others worse off than you are.

5. Get plenty of sleep. Set and stick to a bedtime routine that will leave you
feeling refreshsed and invogorated.

6. Eat well. Having a healthy, well-balanced diet will strengthen your mind and body,
and equip you with the stamina you need to stay focued.

7. Exercise regularly. Keeping yourself fit will improve circulation,
keep you in shape and help maintain your energy level.

8. Set aside some time for yourself each day to relax and decompress.
Listening to pleasant music in the background can be an effective aid toward breathing easy.

{source: Happiness: Music for the Mind by Dr. Lee R. Bartel}

What helps you prepare for happiness?

Listening: Leona Naess~Sunny Sunday

We are enjoying this old J. Crew ad with music from Leona Naess...it perfectly captures the light and feel of our days this time of year.

Tunes to Keep Us Moving

January is cruising by, and the hidden sisters are working hard to stay true to our focus on health. Sometimes, we need a little kick start to keep us moving. Music that reminds us that we are strong, beautiful and moving is the perfect thing!

Here's our 30 minute workout playlist for January, 2011!

My Body~Young the Giant

There's No Secrets this Year~Silversun Pickups

Pon de Replay~Rhianna

Stadium Love~Metric

Float On~Modest Mouse

I Caught Myself~Paramore

Miracle~Cascada

Swim Until You Can't See Land~Frightened Rabbit

One Day~Matisyahu

{All songs are available on itunes and you can find this playlist under 'Hidden Sisters' in Ping}

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

Sipping: Caramel Macchiato

 Nothing coaxes us out of cozy covers on these chilly January mornings
like a creamy caramel macchiato.
No fancy espresso machine required...and the best part about making it at home
is no one in line at the coffee shop will be staring at your bed head.

What you need
 6 ounces 2% milk
6 ounces coffee
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons caramel syrup
whipped cream
{optional...but so worth it...a milk frother}

What you do
1. Brew coffee beans.
2. Heat milk in saucepan until just before boiling.
3. Pour milk into your favorite coffee mug. Place milk frother just below the surface of the milk.
Move the frother around until a half inch layer of foam has formed.
4. Mix in freshly brewed coffee.
5. Add vanilla, sugar and caramel.
6. Top with whipped cream or a thin drizzle of caramel.

{drawing a heart makes it taste even better...trust us}

What coaxes you out of the covers on these cool winter mornings?

Loving: Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Just the smell of this coconut oil hair mask will leave you dreaming
of sunshine and sand between your toes
no matter where you may find yourself this January day.

Coconut Oil Hair Mask
1. Heat a small bowl of coconut oil in the microwave until melted.
2. Smooth coconut oil into hair, starting at the ends and working towards the roots.
3. Let is soak in for for 20-30 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly {shampoo if desired} and style as usual.

{Now, about that fruity drink with a little umbrella in it...}

Devouring: Ginger Noodles with Tofu

A delicious, healthy dinner for the family for $10? Hidden Sisters love these Ginger Noodles with Tofu.

• 14-ounces seasoned extra-firm tofu, cubed

• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup Gluten Free soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons finely grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 3/4 pound rice sticks (or gluten free pasta)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• One 12-ounce package broccoli slaw
• 
  
• Combine the soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger and the sesame oil in a small bowl.
• In a large pot, bring 4 quarts salted water and the remaining 2 tablespoons grated ginger to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot.
• Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until browned on 1 side, about 3 minutes. Repeat, turning the cubes, until browned on all sides; transfer to a plate. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add the broccoli slaw, mushrooms, ginger-soy mixture and reserved pasta cooking water to the pasta and toss to coat. Divide the pasta and broth among 4 bowls and top with the tofu.
• {modified from Everyday Rachel Ray's recipe from March 2010 found here}

The Little Junk Drawer...

There's a little secret hiding in everyone's kitchen...

Here at hidden sisters, ours was simply getting to be too much to keep...

We wondered what these things had in common: 

Swimming goggles. An old drawer pull. Violet flavored mints from France. Door hinges. A socket wrench. Golf balls. 

Not a thing... Except for the fact that they were sadly out of sorts. So, with a little help...

from a a little kit I initially bought because I thought it said it was 'mad smart' (and it was!)

I was able to use these perfect, tiny, interlocking cubes to create order like this...

It's just a tiny way to take care of oneself...is there a little spot in your life that needs some order? 

Paper Fortune Cookies

These paper fortune cookies are the sweetest

{0 calorie} way to usher in an upcoming year of good fortune.

What you need

paper cupcake liners

writing paper {cut into strips}

colored pencils or pens

craft glue

What you do

1. Cut paper into thin strips.

2. Jot an inspirational quote on each strip.

3. Fold each paper cupcake liner.

4. Apply a dot of craft glue to the bottom.

5. Hold to dry, then slip a fortune into each one.

What good fortune do you hope 2011 holds for you?

A Fabulous Destiny

"Don't worry. Everything will turn out amazing."
A most favorite quote for inspiration!
Occasionally, we need to remind ourselves of this truth...and sometimes the best way to sink it into our souls is not with words, but visually. This movie always does that for me...



What's your fabulous destiny going to be?

Blog Favorite: Health & Swellbeing

We hidden sisters have really been working to make January a time of renewing everything. Out with the old, in with new...for habits, too! So we were so happy to stumble upon this blog...
www.healthandswellbeing.com

Ange is doing a 30 day challenge for the month of January, and we've learned *SO* much...

We've gotten so inspired (and we'll share our own inspiration video soon...)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Her healthy eating plan through Plan to Eat is fabulous (and she'll share her recipes with you, too!)

We love her beauty and health secrets of coconut oil, too!


We can't say enough good things about this blog, and we're following her 30 day challenge. Join us!

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

A Good Scrub

What better way to rejuvenate yourself  near the

end of a busy week than with a little pampering?

All too often our feet are forgotten, but with this ultra relaxing {and all natural}

foot scrub every last little piggie will be exfoliated and moisturized.

All Natural Foot Scrub
1 cup epsom salts
1 tbs. olive oil
 1/8 tsp. lavender or eucalyptus oil {optional}

Mix epsom salt, olive oil and essential oil together.
Fill a small plastic tub with warm water.
Dip your feet into warm water and gently rub salt mixture onto feet
{concentrating on your soles and heels}.
Leave scrub on for 3-5 minutes
Rinse feet in the tub and towel dry.
Apply your favorite moisturizing lotion.

{inspiration found here}

What is your favorite way to rejuvenate yourself near the end of a busy week?

Dear January

January may already be well underway,

but we couldn't resist sharing a few of the reasons

we love this often overlooked month.

We love your
fresh starts . frost covered branches. snowy mittens .
dusky evening light . blank slates . awaiting adventures . 
promise of snow days . optimism  . white winter woods .
blank pages waiting to be filled .


What do you love about January?

Devouring: Lemon Poppy Protein Bars

 One of the easiest ways we rejuvenate ourselves throughout the day

is by keeping healthy, high protein snacks on hand for all day energy.

These lemon poppy protein bars

are perfect for a delicious boost of energy.

Lemon Poppy Protein Bars
• Cooking oil spray
• 1 1/3 cups white whole wheat flour (or gluten free flour)
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
• 1 cup Splenda granulated or 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1½ cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tablespoon canola or macadamia nut oil
• 2 ½ teaspoons lemon extract
• 2 eggs

 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9×13″ pan thoroughly with cooking oil spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, whey, Splenda, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and zest; stir to mix.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, stir together yogurt, applesauce, oil, lemon extract, and egg. Add dry ingredients to wet ones, and stir just until uniformly moistened. Pour batter into pan.
4. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Cool 5 minutes before slicing. To keep moist, wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator or freezer. Microwave briefly to reheat.


Makes 12 servings
Per serving: 125 calories, 3 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 15 g total carbohydrate, 2 g dietary fiber, 3 g sugar, 10 g protein, 261 mg sodium.


{recipe source}

Once these bars have been cooled and cut we wrap them up individually to store in the
freezer for a protein filled snack for any time or day of the week.

What healthy snacks give you energy throughout the day?

Loving: All Natural Face Mask

Here at Hidden Sisters we are committed to

making the month of January all about rejuvenation.

What better way to jump start the road to rejuvenation than with an

all natural face mask?

Rejuvenating Face Mask
1 egg yolk
1 tbs. greek yogurt {unflavored}

Mix egg and yogurt together.
Gently apply to face and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.

Optional {and oh-so-relaxing}:
Apply a warm washcloth to your face afterwards,
sit back and relax.

{face mask inspiration found here}

This mask always leaves our faces feeling smooth and refreshed.
And with only two ingredients {that you may have in your kitchen already} it couldn't be easier to make.

What is your favorite way to give your face a little lift?

Listening: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson~Relator

We needed a a little pick me up this morning and this happy little tune was just the ticket...

Devouring: Mushroom & Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

When the weather gets cold, and you need something hot and spicy to warm up...this easy, 30 minute dinner just does the trick. We doubled the original recipe to share with good friends.

Mushroom & Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 lb cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed and quartered

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper  

coarse salt and ground pepper

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

14 corn tortillas, warmed and halved

3-4 cups salsa

2 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.  Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often until browned, about seven minutes.  Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt and pepper.  Add black beans and stir to combine.  Cook until beans are warmed through, two minutes.  Remove from heat.

Arrange tortilla halves in a 4-quart baking dish. Top with half the bean mixture, 1 cup salsa then sprinkle with one-third the cheese.  Repeat with another layer of tortilla halves, bean mixture, salsa and cheese.  Top with remaining tortilla halves, salsa and cheese.  Cover with foil and bake until center is hot and cheese melts, 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, five minutes. (Serves 8)

(From Martha Stewart's Everyday Food, January 2011)

{We shared this recipe on My 3 Little Birds!}