Nine Favorite Things.

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Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

(Nine Favorite Things – photo from Aaron Blatt)

Very excited to finally be able to share with you all that my younger brother, Red, will again be a member of the US Olympic Snowboard Team!! As will Hailey (Langland), Red’s girlfriend. So Red, Hail’s, and my bother Malachi are all heading to China at the end of the month!!

We’ve known since last year that Red made the team, but I hesitated to say anything until they officially announced it. Last night a ceremony was held in Mammoth, CA to announce the full team, so the news is out!! As you may know, no family or spectators outside of mainland China are allowed to attend. This is obviously a huge bummer for us, but we’re trying to make the best of it!

I don’t know if you guys remember our trip to South Korea four years ago. The entire family went. All my brothers, cousins, 3 girlfriends (one is now a wife), and 1 boyfriend (now a husband). There were 18 of us in total (I would have been mortified if I was Red). We all made our way to South Korea to watch both Red and Hailey compete. It was one of those trips that you’ll never forget. It was absolutely FREEZING, but an experience most don’t ever get.

It’s obviously very different this time around. But I’m so incredibly happy that Kai gets to go to China with the them. He’s filming.

So I thought I’d start this post with the most exciting news first!! Fingers crossed that everything keeps moving forward and that covid doesn’t spoil it for anyone. These things are out of anyone’s control, so we’re just hoping for the best! We’re just so proud of both Red and Hail’s. They’ve worked so hard and stayed consistent, all of their hard work has paid off!

Everything else that I have to share today really doesn’t compare. We got lots and lots and lots of snow, it was very pretty and cozy. We had a mountain lion in the area that got our neighbors ducks and chickens. Thankfully animal control was able to catch it. So I’m feeling much safer going out for my hikes in the morning. And that’s pretty much it! We’ll let Red and Hail’s shine today, they certainly deserve it.

Enjoy this week’s favorites! Lots of New Year links below!

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…

loving… the GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator. I just used this for the first time and love the way my skin feels after using it. My goal is to try and do this 2-3 times a week.

watching…Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Return to Hogwarts. I don’t know how I just found out about this, but I actually think I need to buy HBO Max just to watch. The trailer is so good and there isn’t a movie/series I love more than Harry Potter.

listening to…10 Life Changing Lessons Learn by Doing over 400 Podcast interviews. Really awesome for some new year motivation.

burning…Boy Smells Figurare Candle. I burned through broken rosary, and am now burning the figurare scent. It’s still cozy and nice for January days. I need some new winter candles though!

reading…about Food Combining and How Food Digests. I find this really so interesting and logical. This is a good read if you have an interest in food and/or better digestion.

loving…Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream. I use this in the morning and it really helps to lighten and brighten the skin around my eyes while keeping it moisturized. I’ve mentioned this cream before, so you know I really do love it. Also, CeraVe Healing Ointment for super dry skin. And I’m curious to try Lano golden dry skin miracle salve.

thinking of ordering…The North Face Thermal Slipper. I love a pair of Uggs when it comes to slippers, but these are on sale. And a thermal slipper sounds pretty nice. Or these Uggs, which my mom just got. It’s cozy season!

also thinking of ordering….this Infrared Sauna Blanket. I’ve heard so much about this the last few months. And while all the benefits sound amazing (detoxifies the body, relaxes the mind, boosts your mood, promotes glowing skin), I honestly just love the idea of sitting in a heated bag on cold nights, which is every night around here. Some related reading, 3 At-Home Wellness Routines Featuring Infrared Heat.

loving…the Zara winter collection. These faux leather pants are so cute, but love the affordable price. This cable sleeve scarf, zippered sweater, and black + white sweater are so cozy, and I love this long knit coat.

drinking…Arrae Bloat Latte. Honestly, I’ve just been drinking this because it’s a really warming blend of spices. I certainly love sipping on something hot with all the cold and snow.

loving…True Botanicals. They sent me their line of clean beauty products before Christmas break. But I’ve been familiar with the brand for a long time. Excited to try some of their new collection.

loving…this Hanging Rattan Basket. Would be so cute by the door for winter hats and gloves.

ordered…Sfoglini Pasta. They have such fun shapes.

2. Easy, cozy winter recipes.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Creamy Pesto Pasta

30 Minute Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken and Noodles

Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salty Lime Chips

30 Minute Spicy Miso Chicken Katsu Ramen

3. Home office refresh for the New Year.

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: what’s one of your biggest regrets?
a: I really don’t have any. I’ve learned from everything I once regretted and am happy for the missteps/mistakes. They allowed me to grow in a positive way.

q: what’s you favorite Christmas gift you’ve received?
a: it’s always Asher’s! She makes me something instead of buying something because she knows I really hate getting gifts. I could never turn down something she made. My favorite is a photo she painted me!!

fun fact: I’m learning more and more that I LOVE to give gifts, but really hate receiving them ??‍♀️

q: favorite brand of athletic leggings?
a: love Alo. I just ordered a few things, but the lounge legging is my favorite. Their new espresso color is so good.

q: where do I find cardamon bitters?
a: lots of questions about this, I made my own. Just mix 1 tablespoon crushed cardamom pods with 1/2 cup vodka. then let this sit at least a couple days to develop flavor.

q: it’s such a build up to the holidays, what do you look forward to in January/February?
a: agree! January can be hard. Try planning something fun like a ski trip or a Saturday dinner with friends to look forward to. I’m excited for a new month of “Healthy January” recipes and brainstorming new goals with our team 😉 And in February, HBH Every Day comes out. So we have a lot of fun things + travel happening!! I’ll be sharing more later in January, but hopefully you can come to a signing 🙂

q: something someone told you that had great impact on your life?
a: when my mom was pregnant with Asher I was 14. I had a therapist tell my mom and me that her having a baby would be one of the worst things for me (I was struggling with school anxiety). It was bizarre, who says that to someone who is pregnant? But it stuck with me ever since. I knew it wasn’t true. It made me determined to give this new sibling (my mom never found out the sex of her kids) nothing but love and someone to hopefully look up to.

My mom having Asher was one of the best things that’s happened to me. I loved taking care of Asher and helping out as much as I could. Like cooking, having someone to care for shifted my focus. It gave me a purpose other than just going to school. Ever since then, I’ve only wanted to be the best version of myself because I’m Asher’s only sister. I just want to be a positive figure in her life, like she is for me.

It’s a little cheesy I guess, but it was something that changed my life. I didn’t know it then, but I do now.

q: how many recipes are you working on in a regular “workday”?
a: usually 2, sometimes 3.

q: do you like New York as much as you love LA?
a: I love NYC! I wish I visited more, I actually prefer it to LA. I just love the energy.

5. Favorite photos from this weekend.

(all photos are from Aaron Blatt)

6.Quote of the week.

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt”

As spoken by Ms. Hailey Langland herself…but originally by Abraham Lincoln. Basically, Hailey doesn’t talk shit about anyone or anything. She says it’s because she’s looked up to others she thought were amazing before (not only for her, but for others). It later turned out that some of those people were the first to turn around and talk behind someone’s back. She’s the only person I know that really doesn’t say a single bad thing about anyone. And the girl is one of the happiest girls I know. She just might have discovered the real secret to life.