recipe: rice, black bean and avocado bowl with sweet chili mustard sauce via the vegan 8

As I opened Blogger to type up this recipe I saw the date of my last post: 2016. Oops? Yikes? I'm not sure what to say here other than I took a short break which turned into a longer break and now, here I am so many months later. So, hello again!

I've been thinking about getting back to blogging. Much has changed since I last made an appearance on this page. That will be a longer post for another day as I decide on future content and how I want this blog to look. For today, I'm sharing a new favorite recipe and my modifications. It's a super flavorful, nutrient rich dish that will now be in our regualr rotation.

My mom sent me this original recipe via The Vegan 8's Instagram page.

A post shared by Brandi Doming (@thevegan8) on Jul 27, 2017 at 6:25pm PDT

{Vegan? Well, yeah, remember those changes I mentioned? That's the first. More on the whys later.)

I had all but one ingredient on hand so had to give it a try. I'm positive that the original recipe is wonderful but I changed up a few things to adjust for our toddler's palate and to get in more veggies. The following is my own twist and WOW, it is good!

Rice, Black Bean and Avocado Bowl with Sweet Chili Mustard Sauce

For the rice
• 1 1/2 cups medium-grain or long-grain brown rice
• 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/3 cups water

For the sweet potatoes
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced in 1/2 cubes
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the beans
• 1 15 oz cans low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed well
• 1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed well
• 2 teaspoons regular chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (my beans were low-sodium, so adjust if necessary)
For the Sweet Chili Mustard Sauce (makes 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup regular yellow wet mustard (120 g)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (60 mL)
• 2 tablespoons regular chili powder (use 1 1/2 T for less heat)
• 2-4 tablespoons water
Garnish
• 1 medium avocado, chopped
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the rice and sweet potatoes first. Preheat oven to 375. Bring vegetable stock to a boil and pour over rice, oil and salt in and oven safe casserole dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake 1 hour. Add sweet potatoes to a baking pan, lightly toss with oil and salt and bake uncovered in oven, along with rice, for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Uncover rice and fluff with a fork.
2. When the rice and sweet potatoes are almost done cooking, prepare the beans by combining the "beans" ingredients and heat either over the stove or microwave.
3. Prepare the sauce by combining the "sauce" ingredients into a small bowl and whisk really well until smooth. It will thicken better using a whisk. Add as much water to desired taste/consistency. This is a strong sauce so that it really stands out in the dish. The more water you add, the more diluted the flavor. I added 3 tablespoons of water to mine.
4. Chop your avocado and tomatoes (if using). Assemble either in a large serving bowl or individual bowls by layering rice, beans, sweet potaotes, avocado, tomatoes or any other choices. Drizzle lots of sweet chili mustard sauce on top and toss everything together to coat the mixture well. Serve immediately. The sauce will thicken some overnight. You can "freshen" it back up by adding some water/broth and gently reheating it.

new school year, newly organized: parent school binder

Last year was our first with two children in school. Our oldest son went off to Kindergarten, while our middle child started his first preschool year. Thankfully, their school calendars matched up as far as holidays and no school days. Still, there was a lot to manage with different teachers, lunches, school programs, homework, incoming papers and well, you get the idea!

I knew I needed some sort of system for important papers. I added a handful of page protectors to a letter size binder, slipped in the district calendar and pertinent papers and called it done. Did it work? Not really.  It just wasn't organized in a way that made sense but, I didn't put much thought into it beyond that.


Last month, I came across this video by AtHomeWithNikki where she shared a complete binder system, sectioned off for each child. It all made so much sense! I hit my own stash for some of the supplies and Staples for the rest. The genius in this system is that it is a one shot project. All that needs to be changed out yearly is the school and monthly calendar section. Everything else is reused year after year. I love that!

While I have yet to assemble my own (we still have three weeks of summer break to go), I thought I would share the video here along with a photo/written supply list to help other families who are searching for a better system. I spent far too long in the office supply store pulling together bits and pieces as, the only thing missing from the video was a comprehensive list. This should eliminate that hiccup for you!

Parent School Binder Supply List:

8.5x11" binder (video uses a Martha Stewart for Staples, aqua striped design)
Clear binder pockets (Staples): 4 per child + 2 extra
Tabbed dividers
Zip-It binder pockets (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child + 1 extra
Snap tab 2 pocket folder (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child
Monthly Calendar (I printed my freebies HERE)

Optional:
3 hole punched sprial notebook (my addition for note taking)
Label maker

I have enough supplies on hand to create sections for all three of our children, even though our youngest will not start preschool until 2017. During the coming year, I'll use her portion for the Mommy & Me schedule and any activities, such as swim classes.

I'm looking forward to using this system and will share photos (or, maybe a video?) once the project is complete. I hope that this has been helpful!

Cheers to a new school year!
Jen

all my love :: new issue monday

Today I am sharing a page with a brand new paper line and playing along with a brand new Issue at Paper Issues. "Let's Go For the Gold" creative Issue is live right now HERE. 

Here are some suggestions for playing along with us:
travel, cruises, day trips; use a world globe, stop sign or stop light as an embellishment; Olympics; use gold, silver or bronze; achievements, medals, accomplishments

I chose to use the gold suggestion. I had just received the new Fancy Pants Designs Millie and June line with all of the shiny gold accents and embellishments so, it was a perfect fit. This photos was a selfie I took with all three of my littles this past Mother's Day. Somehow, the stars aligned and everyone looked AND smiled at once!

bring on summer! new issue monday...

Happy June! Today, I'm participating in Paper Issues New Issue Monday "Let's Get Knot-ical." Every month we challenge friends and fans to join in the fun and post an interpretation of the theme for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues shop!

Here are some ideas for this month: anything you can do on the water (water skiing, boating, tubing, cruises, whale watch, etc.); use a compass, ship’s wheel, sailboat or ocean creatures as embellishments; add knots to your project, whether you use ribbon, twine or other fibers; beach vacations; Father’s Day.

I documented some photos from last June of my husband and oldest son having a water soaker battle in our backyard. While I had plenty of nautical paper lines on hand, I decided to veer off and use Cocoa Vanilla's Totally Rad collection. 

Need some supplies to jump start you take on this challenge? Use code JENBOOM to take 20% off any order from the Paper Issues shop.

project, life: may 2016

I'm still chugging along this year with Project Life and am so much happier (i.e. less stressed) using a monthly format! My method is to simply print twelve 3x4" photos to fill a two page spread. If they happen to all be from a single week, great. If not, no worries at all. With this set-up, a month can have only two pages (it's okay, really!) or many, many more.

These are all photos from the last week in May. The beauty here is that, it was a full week and I have far more than 12 photos I want to use. Instead of my old method of either a) weeding out or, b) creating an insert page, now I will simply use the carry over pics on the next spread.

I'm looking to use more ephemera again. The strict weekly format has me leaving a lot of things like tags, receipts and screen shots behind. There simply was not enough space! Now, space is all relative. So, here I have a screen shot of a television show my husband and I have been binge watching on Netflix, as well as a piece cut from a kiwi package.

Need some supplies for your own documenting? Use code JENBOOM in the Paper Issues shop for 20% off any order!

into the woods :: new issue!

Today, I'm sharing a pocket page for Paper Issues monthly Issue Challenge: Into the Woods. You'll find our monthly issue in our {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. April's challenge album is right here. Please post your Issue related projects in the Current Issue album. The deadline for adding your projects to the challenge album is May 1st for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues store.

So what is Into the Woods all about? Here are a few ideas to get you started (use one or use them all). Feel free to use any product you'd like.

• Use wood veneer embellishments, wood grain papers or wood grain stamps.

• Share paper projects about camping, glamping and enjoying the outdoors.

• Use woodland animal embellishments or photos.

• Download the free Spring is Here printable, from the Paper Issues store and use one or more of the images on your project.

While there are many ways to interpret this theme, I chose to use photo from last month of our children in the woods! We have a tow path running directly behind our neighborhood which makes for some fun nature exploration. I loved the snaps I grabbed during two of our walks and wanted to highlight them in  a full page in my Project Life album.

My supplies include cards from the Project Life Everyday core kit, We R Memory Keepers Crush 6x6 paper pad, a teepee PI Paper POP, a Maggie Holmes puffy deer sticker, and some goodies from swag bags.

so happy :: new issue monday!

Happy Monday! This month bring a brand new Issue challenge over at Paper Issues. This month's theme is Em-brace World Peeps. There are so many ways to play! Simply create a project - layout, pocket page, card, altered art, etc - and share with us in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Upload your project photo(s) to the group challenge album by April 6th to be in the running for this month's gift certificate prize!

Here are your suggested themes: Easter, travel, loved ones, hugs, braces, friendship, spring, use the PI March free printable, use the free globe cut file

I decided to work with the hug suggestion. I've been holding on to this sweet photo of our two youngest children, embracing in our back yard, and the timing was right to get it documented! I used the Fancy Pants Happy Place line - the patterned papers, ephemera pack and enamel shapes to create this page.

You can still find some of the Happy Place products and so many other supplies in the Paper Issues shop. And, take 20% off your full order with code: JENBOOM

recipe: baked teriyaki pork chops

It's been nearly forever since I have shared a new recipe here. I'm cooking plenty, nearly every single night, in fact! I meal plan, grocery shop, rotate dishes and try new recipes several times a month.

Pork chops have always been a favorite here. Sometime last year, while trying to cook using pantry ingredients, I found a recipe for Saucy Salsa Baked Chops. It became an instant hit. I tweaked it a bit over time and now omit the marmalade and use Trader Joe's Smoky Peach Salsa. The combination is such a winner!

The recipe itself is fairly basic and when I came across an unopened bottle of Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki in the pantry, I decided to play around with a different spin. Now having prepared the meal twice, I felt compelled to share what is a new favorite - Baked Teriyaki Pork Chops!

The prep is very easy, even with three kids twirling around my ankles and pulling at my cardigan. If I can make this on a week night, so can you!

Chop up half a yellow onion and one red bell pepper and toss them in a 9x9" ceramic baking dish. Don't have one? Spray a metal pan and toss them in that. I love ceramic for the ease of clean up. Salt and pepper each side of your boneless pork chops. Heat a bit of olive oil in a frying pan, getting it good and hot, and sear the chops, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Add those to the baking dish over the chopped veggies. Add half a can of chunk pineapple (drained) on the chops. Pour a cup of Teriyaki sauce over the top and put them in a hot oven for 40 minutes. They are so, so good that you may want to double the recipe for leftovers!

Baked Teriyaki Pork Chops
Yield 4 servings

4 boneless pork chops, about 3/4" thick
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup chunk pineapple in juice, drained
1 cup Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce
salt and ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Add diced onion and pepper to bottom of a 9x9" ceramic baking dish or, a prepared metal pan.
3. Add oil to a fry pan over med-high heat until hot. Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. Sear chops in the fry pan, 3-4 minutes per side until slightly golden brown.
4. Remove chops from pan and add to baking dish, over onion and pepper.
5. Top chops with chunk pineapple, followed by teriyaki sauce.
6. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Serve hot over cooked rice.

Enjoy!
Jen

project life 2016 :: the beginning

Happy New Year! I am thrilled to be tarting another year of Project Life. Last year, I dabbled. Last year was a return to single pages loyouts for me. I had SO much fun exploring full 12x12 pages again. It stretched my creativity and felt good to get back to my scrapbooking "roots."

But, something was missing. I missed documenting the everyday moments. The little quirks of our three children, those phases that are so fluid at their young ages. Toys of the moment, little facial expressions. The fleeting day to day stuff. The good stuff. It's all there in photos. On Instagram. In my Momento app. That's fine. I want more.

So. 2016. Starting anew and re-dedicating myself to little pockets of memories.

I'm not even going to go by week (gasp. what did she say??) I am setting up my album with monthly dividers and am just going to add photos in, not worrying about dates. I mean, unless it's a birthday or some big event, does the actual date matter so much? "It happened in January 2016" works for me.

I chose a word to focus on this year: give. My goal is to focus on giving more to my family, to others and in my own self-care. My intentions are documented right in the front of a brand new album. A great reminder every time I open the cover to work on my pages.

I started off this album using the Project Life Everyday and Midnight Core Kit cards. The simple, graphic cards really allow my photos (just look at those little faces!) and my intentions stand out.

Cheers to 2016!
Jen

u-pick :: 7paper spotlight with paper issues

I always love playing along with the Product Spotlights on the Paper Issues blog. In the past I had a little habit (ahem) of hoarding new products, not wanting to cut in to the new favorite patterns or to "use up" the pretty embellishments. I finally learned that there will always be new goodies to play with so, I'm using what I love. Now. This Spotlight feature encourages that usage by featuring projects with newer lines available in the Paper Issues shop.

This layout was created with mainly 7paper Products from the Elliot and Darcy lines. At first glance you wouldn't think the lines would play well together but, I had such fun pattern mixing to highlight the photos for this autumn layout. How cute are these kids choosing their perfect pumpkins???

Need some 7paper in your life? Use code: JENBOOM for 20% off your entire order from the Paper Issues shop!

Top 15 of 2015 :: A Year to Remember!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2016!

Today, I'm taking a look back at some of my favorite projects from last year. Fifteen projects, to be exact!

2015 was a huge year for me, creatively speaking, and I have my position on the Paper Issues Design Team to thank for that. I started off the year just planning to continue on my way with Project Life but, ended up making more single pages layouts than I have in many years, had a lot of fun with my planner and did a few pocket pages here and there. I cannot to see what 2016 has in store!

remember the mishief :: spotlight on shine

This little girl is a sweet as they come. She loves to cuddle and dole out hugs, curl up on the couch with each of us and has a quick, dimpled smile. She also has quite the mischievous side (I'll credit her brothers) and is so proud of herself when she pulls off a new antic. So, when I walked into the kitchen one day this past summer and found her sitting on the kitchen counter, after using the drawers underneath as stairs, I had to snap a photo to capture this side. Priceless.

The Paper Issues design team is spotlighting the Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper Shine collection on the blog today and this layout uses nearly all products from the line. I love that is a great mix of playful and classic patterns and elements. You can grab some for yourself in the Paper Issues store at 20% off using code: JENBOOM

love us :: cut file saturday

There is a brand new, FREE cut file up on the Paper Issues blog today. I was so excited to see the design this month and to document a couple of my new favorite autumn photos.

A few weeks ago, my husband was working on and around local train tracks that are no longer in use. We met up with him for a few minutes so that the kids could see their Baba at work and managed to grab a couple of cute iPhone photos. Now I am certain this is where I want to have our family portraits taken next year!

I used mainly two fall collections for the layout, Pebbles Harvest and Photo Play Autumn Day, along with Swag Bag bits, of course, and the amazing Shimelle foam Thickers!

You can find all of these supplies and more - at 20% off! - with code JENBOOM in the Paper Issues shop.

nature girl :: pinspire me

There is a brand new Pinspire Me board up on the Paper Issues blog today! Play along in our Facebook {Friends and Fans} group for a chance to win a Pinspired Swag Bag.

I was Pinspired by the photo of the hands (top row) and the colors of the beautiful sunset (bottom row). As soon as I saw this board I ran to the computer to print out this photo of Amalia and her little backyard nature collection that I snapped last month. She is fascinated by the foliage on our property, particularly the various berry bushes. Nearly everyday she will create a little collection to admire on this wood table.This is a memory I want to keep. Her little hand, her love of nature and her sweet innocence.

I used a mix of every current fall line I have on hand to create my layers and embellishments: Photo Play Autumn Day paper and cardstock stickers, Imaginisce Give Thanks chip ephemera, a Pebbles Harvest card cut from a 12x12 sheet, Pink Paislee Cedar Lane embellishments and I even snuck in a Project Live Everyday core kit card (A for Adventure) and a few Swag Bag bits!

You can grab any of these products and much more in the Paper Issues shop and for 20% off using code: JENBOOM

wicked cute :: halloween 2015

Happy Halloween week! This year we have two pirates, Captain Jakes to be exact, and a tiny Tinkerbell. Last weekend was our neighborhood block party and all of the kids go in costume. It was the perfect opportunity to get photos early and not have to worry about rushing them on the actual holiday. Look! All three children standing still and smiling! That's a Halloween treat for certain.

I'm playing along with the Paper Issues design team today, spotlighting the Crate Paper After Dark collection. It's such a fun, seasonal selection with vintage touches and little bits of aqua and lavender to complement the traditional orange, black and white.

I had so much fun working with the After Dark accent stickers, ephemera pack and the 6x6 paper pad. The background paper is actually from the Crate Paper Wonder line and worked so well! Add in a handmade Paper Issues jack o' lantern PaperPOP and this Halloween is a wrap.

You can find lots of seasonal products in the Paper Issues shop and use code JENBOOM for 20% off your order!

mommy & me :: paper issues + cedar lane

Today on the Paper Issues blog, the design team girls are showcasing the gorgeous Pink Paislee Cedar Lane collection. I always, always love autumn papers and products. They are my favorite collections for my favorite time of the year. This one got me right away. The colors are unexpected but, so perfect. I adore the wood grains, the pinks, the bits of gold and aqua. It is just SO pretty. SWOON.

I scrapped two of my favorite photos from the first Mommy & Me field trip with Amalia just last week. The layout is completely made up of Cedar Lane 12x12 paper, 6x6 paper, the ephemera pack, puffy stickers and the clear word stickers. My only addition was the printed journaling. It came together in about 20 minutes!

You can still grab Cedar Lane for yourself - and at 20% off! - in the Paper Issues shop using code: JENBOOM

Thank you for stopping by!
Jen

Fan-atics :: New Issue Monday!

It's New Issue Monday at Paper Issues and the theme this month is "Fan-atics!" I'm playing along with a fan mom layout of our oldest playing fall baseball. Head on over to the Paper Issues blog to see how you can play along...this issue covers sports, Halloween and SO much more. Everyone can play and be in the running for a Paper Issues gift certificate!

The team is the KC Royals this season so, I played up the blues, along with orange accents just because I always love this color combination!

The border paper is from Fancy Pants Making Waves, the stripe is by October Afternoon Treasure Map. I used a couple of Project Life journaling cards, several bits from Paper Issues Swag Bags, a Color Cast Designs acrylic word cut, a piece of Feed Your Craft flair and finished it all off with a Silhouette cut title and stars. Grab supplies in the Paper Issues shop to create your own Fan-atics project at 20% off with code: JENBOOM

tv, i love you...

Today I'm playing with Paper Issues' FREE September Printable. Every month, Paper Issues offers a free sheet of themed 3x4 cards, ready to print. This month they celebrate the return of the fall TV line up.

I snapped this photo of our kids as they watched a cartoon together on our tablet. We were visiting family and they were having a bit of down time. Together and quiet. I'll take it!

I used a huge variety of product on this layout, where I normally prefer to stick with just a line or two. The colors played so nicely together that I ran with it!

Background: OA Treasure Map
Patterned layers: EP Jack & Jill
Tag/number 3: FP Making Waves
Project Life card, Midnight Edition
Embellishments: Paper Issues Swag Bags

Find your perfect layout supplies in the Paper Issues store and use code JENBOOM at checkout for 20% off!

donuts with baba...

Today I'm participating in a product spotlight on the Paper Issues blog featuring PaperPOPs! PaperPOPs are an exclusive collaboration between Paper Issues and Jen of Parker on the Porch. Every POP is handmade here in the USA and they are incredible quality.

I've been using my, ahem, collection as page markers in my planner but, reserved this donut for this special Father's Day layout with photos from George's Pre-K "Donuts with Dad" event.

Start your very own PaperPOP collection for 20% off with code: JENBOOM

girls just want to have fun...

Happy weekend! I'm sharing this fun layout of our daughter today using the FREE August printable file from Paper Issues. Every month, a new sheet of printable cards is offered in the shop and this month has an awesome 80's throwback vibe.

I was immediately drawn to the hot pink of the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" card and reached for the very pink 7Paper Amelia line to play it up! Perfect for these playful photos of our sweetheart playing with my sunglasses.

The 7Paper Amelia line is available in the Paper Issues store and you can take 20% off any order with code JENBOOM.