Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

(lemon rose shortbread cookies)

Happy February, happy Super Bowl Sunday! Hoping you’re all enjoying your weekend and either gearing up for a fun Super Bowl Sunday with friends…or a very chill and relaxing Sunday. Either way, hoping it’s filled with all the best foods and plenty of smiles. Kind of cheesy, but I really do hope that!

In not so fun news, we had a sad/scary situation on our hands this week. Last Sunday a mountain lion got into our goat pen and killed three of our six goats. I have to walk past the goat pen to get to the office (studio barn) each day. So I was the first one to find them very early Sunday morning. To say that it was an ugly situation would be an understatement. Because of the bite directly to their necks, we knew right away that it was a mountain lion.

There was no reason the lion should have attacked our goats. If it’s a healthy lion, they’ll mostly leave livestock alone and instead hunt only wild animals. When they do go after livestock, they usually only take one animal at a time. Generally, a lion would then hide the carcass. This one lined up all three goats in a row, eating only the hind of one of the goats. Not going to lie, it was scary. I’ve always been very aware that we have mountain lions in our area, it comes with the territory. But this was way too close for comfort. The attack happened pretty much outside my back door. Frightening.

Thankfully, Colorado Parks and Wildlife took this very seriously. As much as no one ever wants to kill an animal, because of the cat’s erratic behavior, and sighting of the animal in the neighborhood during daylight (the house up above us caught the cat on surveillance video). CPW felt that the mountain lion needed to be put down. Not only for the safety of our other animals, but for the safety of us, and all our neighbors.

After two days of camping out on our property and tracking the mountain lion, the rangers brought in hound dogs. The dogs immediately found the lion. He had been living in an abandoned house just up the hill. They were able to kill the lion, which turned out to be a 3-year-old male. Again, it’s always sad to have to put any animal down, but since mountain lions rarely travel in packs, I feel much safer heading out my door every morning.

Sad story, with no real happy ending, but I guess that’s life sometimes. All is OK now and only hoping for a brighter week ahead! Unfortunately, the lion killed all three of our milking goats, so as of right now we are lacking in the milk department. I’m looking to try out some type of nut milk. Do you guys have a favorite brand? Let me know!

Moving along to happier things! Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking the week off with a bright new better than takeout style recipe. Tuesday is a wintry citrus recipe that’s full of color. I’ll be sharing a new sheet pan dinner on Wednesday, and a healthy one-pot vegetarian dinner on Thursday. And for Friday, we’ll, of course, need something sweet for Valentine’s Day!

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

Hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things!

1. The Instagram accounts I follow and love.

Whenever I do a Q+A on Instagram I always get asked who I follow, especially when it comes to food IG accounts. Oddly, I don’t follow many food accounts at all. But I love following fashion and lifestyle brands for outside/unexpected sources of inspiration. Below are the ones that always leave me feeling inspired.

Aimee Song – Technically, Aimee is a fashion influencer. Her style is on point, but I love following her for her realness. She does not give in to the pressures of social media and is always sharing what’s raw and real. Everything from her struggles, to her successes, it’s refreshing. She just shared an IG story this past week about body image and the poor role social media plays on it. I found her words to be uplifting and inspiring.

Tezza – If you need creative inspiration, follow Tezza. I’m not sure there is anyone more creative. Her photos are stunning and her Tezza app is the best photo editing app.

Hannah Bronfman – Hannah is my healthy lifestyle follow. She’s the perfect mix/balance of workout inspo, to food inspo, to life, and even career. Not to mention, she’s just fun, real, and always upbeat.

Chriselle Lim – Chriselle is such a true businesswoman. She’s juggling a new start-up business, a thriving blog, family, and managing a huge team. It’s insane. She’s doing so much, it’s inspiring for me to follow along and learn from her. She may look like only a fashion/beauty influencer, but she’s all business. Bonus? Her site, The Chriselle Factor is my go-to source for all things beauty.

The Home Edit – yes, I follow for the home/office organization inspiration, but also? Their Instagram stories always make laugh, especially on bad days when I need something to just make me smile.

Kristen Kilpatrick – I’ve been following Kristen for years. She’s hands down one of my favorite photographers. She’s a true pro and the best at what she does. If you don’t follow her on Instagram, you need to change that. Her stunning photos will make you stop the scrolling, and just gaze for a minute.

Question: who do you follow on Instagram? I would LOVE to hear who your top 3 accounts are!

2. the most popular recipes of January.

Most popular: 30 Minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice

When I shared this recipe I hoped you guys would all enjoy it, but WHOA. This recipe is really, really loved. With over 730 reviews in less than a couple of weeks (and most of them positive), this is without a doubt the most popular recipe on HBH this month. And from the looks of it, it could be the most popular of 2020, only time will tell. From the moment I made this, I loved every detail of the recipe.

Runner-up: Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Chickpeas

So thrilled that this a salad is making this list!! I LOVE this recipe more than you know. It’s not your average salad. It’s easy to throw together, colorful, healthy, and filling.

Also have to mention: Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi.

Only shared this just last week, but it is quickly moving to the top of everyone’s favorites list. This northern Thai inspired noodle soup is the perfect any night of the week dinner that’s cozy, and healthy too.

3. for valentines day…

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Do you have a team to help you with all your content creation or are you a lone wolf?
a: Very small team of 5 at this point…with 4 of them being family members. I create all the content you guys see of course!! But have help behind the scenes with blog upkeep, grocery shopping, cleaning, social media, etc. It takes a village to keep everything running.

PS. yes, I write my own IG captions…I always get this question and find it so odd.

q: Do have days when you just have zero inspiration to create something?
a: Yes, of course!!! Probably more than you think too. It can be really, really hard. On those days, I try to just push through and focus on creating something that really excites me instead of doing something that I just check off my list. And sometimes I just have off days (had a few this week!). But usually, the off days really push me to have an amazing day the next.

q: What’s your morning routine look like?
a: – Up early.
– Out for a hike almost immediately after waking.
– home, wash face, do my daily skincare routine…I don’t usually put on any makeup and try to be bare-faced while in the kitchen.
– Be Well By Kelly smoothie…with goat milk, but I now need to find something new!
– coffee…always.
– start working.

q: Do you ever take entire days off from cooking?
a: Very, very, very rarely. Usually only when traveling do I just not cook. And then when I’m on my computer working during the day, I’ll still usually cook something for dinner .

q: What do you do when you feel overwhelmed as a business owner?
a: Call my mom. Haha. But seriously. I call my mom. Then I call my dad. Got to talk it out, then I’m all good again!

5. newest videos.

30 Minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice…it’s cozy comfort food, but yet pretty healthy too.

Chipotle Sweet Potato Enchiladas…for when you’re craving Mexican, but just want to stay home, cook, and chill.

6. Last Minute Super Bowl Recipes.

Beer Pretzels with Chipotle Queso

Party Size Italian Melt

Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls

Baked Black Pepper Ranch Chicken Fingers

Herb Butter Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates

Spicy Ranch Chex Mix

Healthy Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins

Spicy Cauliflower Cheese Bites with Tahini Ranch

Crockpot Philly Cheesesteaks

Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili

5-ingredient Triple Decker Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Chocolate Chip Cookie Stuffed Soft Pretzels

7. a few links I am loving…

trends i’m loving…winter blues.

12 signs you are iron deficient…hint you are probably exhausted.

the cereal aisle is totally out of control…a review of almost everything in it.

on the go beauty…3 product makeup routine.

I love my French press…5. alternative ways to put it to work.

one of Mexico’s most sought after new hotel suites…I’d surely stay here.

hydration station…how to stay moisturized from head to toe.

inside this year’s Oscar-nominated movie sets…love a good behind the scenes.

how to ask a busy person for advice…and get an answer.

a design editor’s nursery is minimalist perfection…simple (but cute) is always best.

10 date night ideas to combat the winter blues…all about cooking a new meal.

10 work hacks to implement…email time batching is key. I need to be better about it.

8 sustainable jewelry brands…love all of these brands, and especially these earrings.

one thing design experts always do to get their home party-ready…if you need tips.

these kitchens might inspire you to remodel your own…which is your favorite?

the Goop Lab…have you watched it? Lots of talk about this Netflix documentary.

15 best puffer jackets for women that you can buy right now...at every price point.

basic beauty test…mascara edition.

the new classics…timeless furniture that will always be a great buy.

8. Currently in my shopping carts…

Too pricy to ever pull the trigger on, but so pretty…I can dream.

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: Oven Fried Cajun Popcorn Chicken

Tuesday: Mushroom Al Pastor Tacos with Garlic Lime Special Sauce

Wednesday: Spicy Ramen with Sweet Potatoes and Crispy Shallots

Thursday: Jerk Shrimp and Mango Salsa Rice Bowls (recipe in the HBH Super Simple Cookbook)

Friday: Crispy Quinoa Burgers Topped with Sweet Potato Fries

Sunday baking: Salted Pretzel Cowboy Party Cookies

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.