2016 Resolutions

BY Jen

Happy (slightly belated) New year! I am finally getting back to blogging again, it has been awhile. I usually don’t like New Year’s resolutions – because they are often empty promises that you stick to until the middle of January and then forget about – but I decided that I am going to make a few easily attainable resolutions this year. Small changes that I think will lead to happier and healthier 2016. Here they are…

2016 Resolutions | A Sip of Bliss

1. Drink More Water – I am often not good at staying hydrated. I don’t really drink soda or juice, so if I am drinking something during the day it is usually water (or tea/coffee) but sometimes I just forget about it. When I am good at drinking water I definitely see a difference in my health. I feel more energized, I get less headaches and even my skin looks better! And I know there are more benefits I can’t see as well. So I am going to try my hardest to be aware of how much water I am drinking and stay hydrated as well as I can.

2. Take Walks – Confession…exercise and I aren’t good friends. If you ask me where the closest gym is, I will just stare at you blankly, and I only run if something is chasing me…but, if the exercise is disguised as something else (hiking, kayaking, dancing, etc.) then I have no problem with it. I know I should be getting in more exercise fun activities so I am going to try to walk more. I got a fitness tracker and am trying to increase the steps I take each day. Just don’t tell me it is exercise ; )

3. Blog More Often – I haven’t been very consistent with posts since I started this blog in October, but I really enjoy blogging and I am going to do it more often. I have so many projects that I want to do that I would love to share. I promise I will!

4. Read the Classics – A few years ago, my New Year’s resolution was to read fifteen books in the year. I have always loved reading, but I got in a rut where I would reach for the tv remote instead of a book and I had to change that. I reached that goal and have been reading at least fifteen books a year since then. I am adding to that this year by reading (or rereading) more of the classics. I just finished rereading To Kill a Mockingbird (one of my faves!) and I am currently reading The Great Gatsby. I will read newer books too, just mix some classics in.

5. Create More Art – I am a graphic designer, so I create art for a living, but at the end of the day my creative juices are often used up. I would like to start creating more personal art. Even if it is just sketching in my sketchbook. And I think this will help increase my creativity overall. I started this already by creating the above drawing of my resolutions : )

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2016!

Orange & Dill Green Beans

BY Jen

Orange & Dill Green Beans

I can’t believe it is Thanksgiving week already! Time has been flying by. If you are like me, and haven’t nailed down your Thanksgiving menu yet, these super easy green beans might be for you. They aren’t your “traditional” Thanksgiving green beans (i.e. none of the ingredients come out of a can), but the orange and dill are a great combo. They would be a great addition to your holiday table.

Orange & Dill Green Beans

Orange & Dill Green Beans

Orange & Dill Green Beans

 

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 1 lb green beans
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • salt & pepper
Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the green beans until tender but still al dente (2-3 minutes). Drain green beans and put them into a bowl of ice water.
  2. Drain green beans and dry well with a kitchen towel.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice and honey.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Add green beans and honey/orange juice mixture until beans are warmed through and sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with orange zest and dill.

Orange & Dill Green Beans

Whitefish, Montana

BY Jen

Last week I went on a girl’s trip to Whitefish, Montana with my sister-in-Law and mother-in-law. We had such a great time. This is the off season (after summer but before ski season) but it was so unbelievably beautiful and we got to experience the first snow of the year which was very cool. We mostly did a lot of driving around to take in the gorgeous scenery. We went to Glacier National Park and did some exploring in some remote areas. Here are some photos from the trip.
Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana

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