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Nine Favorite Things…

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

{above: vanilla bean iced coffee}

Hey, hey! Happy April! Have the flowers started to burst up out of the ground where you are yet? Over here it’s still pretty much looks like winter, but it’s OK, because inside I am surrounding myself with all the flowers I can get my hands on…okOK in reality they’re just a bunch of edible flowers (because I’m obsessed), and some slightly droopy tulips, but still, I’ll take em!

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty excited April is here. Or wait, I am excited, but then I also wish time would slow down! Anyone feel the same? With April comes longer days, new produce (spring strawberries and heirloom tomatoes), and Easter! I have a lot of fun stuff planned for this month. Easter recipes will be showing up in full force starting tomorrow (I’m talking appetizers, sides, desserts, brunch, the whole thing!). After that it’s Mexican Cinco de Mayo all the way…which yes, I have already started planning for, it’s probably one of my favorite “foodie” holidays. <–get ready it’s gonna be good! Taking a break from recipes today I am back to sharing some of my favorite Sunday reads! Hope you enjoy, and see ya tomorrow for a serious appetizer platter!

1. As I mentioned, the weather here in Colorado has not been very spring like. Most years I’m okay with this, only because I know snow in March, April, and even May is just what you get when you live in the mountains. BUT this year it’s really bugging me. For some reason I am just craving sunshine, flowers, and green grass like no other. The one thing that has really helped to brighten up my days, and even my mood, has honestly been having some fresh flowers in the house. Whether they’re edible and used for cooking, or the real deal sitting on the corner of my desk, they all make me happy. The only flowers we seem to get up here are roses, tulips, gerber daisies, and if I’m lucky some chamomile, but I absolutely LOVED reading this post on 16 flowers to try for spring. My two favorites are the Straw Flowers and the striped Japanese Ranunculi.

2. Staying active is a big part of my everyday routine. Everyday I get up and head out the door for a hike, it’s one of my favorite things I do for myself, and honestly, it’s when I come up with my very best and most creative ideas. I’m definitely a cardio kind of girl, but recently I’ve been wanting to try to incorporate some strength training into my routine. As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I found this article on Kendal Jenner’s 11 Minute Workout routine pretty awesome. I did the workout yesterday and thought it was the perfect quick hit of strength training…which is great for me because, let’s be honest, I don’t really want to do more than 11 minutes. On this same topic, I’m super curious about trying out boxing. Cait (my brother’s girlfriend) took a class the other day and said it was really fun. I love that it’s high energy. It would be great to find a class to try. Does anyone else box as part of their workout? Dying to know your thoughts on this!

3. My favorite spring style inspiration: classic jean shorts, flowy bohemian dresses, mini skirt + sneakers, massive flares, and spring braids.

4. Four of my most used kitchen items this month: these pretty glasses (for this smoothie and an upcoming recipe!), spiralizer (for this noodle bowl), this citrus juicer (for these tacos), and Melissa Clark’s new cookbook Dinner: Changing the Game. <–if you guys do not have this book, GET IT. I am in love, and just like the tagline suggests, it totally changes the dinner game.

5. New video: Green Goddess Zucchini Pasta with Fried Halloumi…aka spring pasta!

6. On a more personal topic, I dealt with some online haters/bullies this week, and you know, I just don’t get people who want to tear other people down. Typically, I keep these things to myself, but this last experience just left a really bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it was because it came from someone whom I thought to be an empowering person, or the fact that there was zero truth in what was being said, or the fact that someone could even say such things without ever speaking one single word to me. It really just sits with me in such a bad way. Normally I can shrug these types of things off, but this one just got to me, and I can’t lie, it completely ruined my day/night. To move forward, I actually came across all these quotes on haters. A lot of them came from Taylor Swift and can I just say, that girl is inspiringly smart. Her words brought me outta my funk. And with that…

“you never look good trying to make someone else look bad”

“dear haters, I have so much more for you to be mad at, just be patient”

“they don’t like you but they still find the time to watch everything you do”

“SHAKE IT OFF” ?

7. On a more positive note, you guys seem to be loving my weekly Facebook Live posts! I’m thinking it might be really fun to do a live Q&A. Would you guys be into that? If so, what kind of questions would you like answered? Leave any that you have in the comments!

8. Favorite pin of the week: concrete kitchen counter tops <–LOVE

9. This week’s dinners: 15 Minute Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles, Tuscan Tuna Sandwich, 10-Minute Creamy, Buttery Herbed Bucatini, One-Pan Spring Quinoa Bake, Hawaiian Hula Pork Fajitas with Pineapple Slaw + Coconut Rice, Super Green Pea and Asparagus Burrata Pizza.

Strawberry Coconut Carrot Cake with Mascarpone Buttercream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

{one of my favorite photos from Friday’s Strawberry Coconut Carrot Cake}

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.

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Comments

  1. RE: #2 check out toneitup.com girl!!! you’ll love it for quick toning and HIIT workouts

    LOVE your blog
    <3

  2. Having been a part of several online communities (mostly writing and fandom) I too have had my fair of mean people, trolls, flames and bad reviews. Sometimes it’s like all the kind things other people have said can be wiped away by just *one* crappy/judgy comment! I know it’s easier said than done, and time will probably make it better, but ignore the (jealous) haters. Know that you are in good company. Anybody who is doing something worthwhile is going to get criticized. I’m so sorry that it ruined your day.l – I hope you have had a beautiful week and weekend since, and I love your blog! I’ve made several of the recipes and enjoy it so much.

    1. Wow, this is one of the nicest comments ever! Way to start my day of right (: Thank you for that!
      You have some great advice Rochelle!

  3. I box as my main form of exercise. I did a class at the Y for years, but three years ago it was cancelled. I floundered for awhile trying out different classes but really, I only ended up working out less and less. When I found that a Title Boxing Club opened near my work I thought, yeah, that’s what I love. I should be doing what I love!!! I went and tried the free class and I’ve been boxing ever since. Of course, I’m still trying to get back my endurance and it’s hard, if I’m telling the truth, but I love it! Give it a try. Hope you like it too!

    I really enjoy your blog. I’m so glad I found it!

    1. Ah so happy you were able to get back into it Molly! I’m really thinking about it! Thanks Molly!

  4. Ugh, so sorry about your experience with negative comments/haters. It’s amazing how easy it is for people to hide behind a screen and spread negativity. Just do your thing and keep being you, because you are amazing! 🙂 Hope your week is off to a great start!

    1. Its to easy! I’m sure it would be different in person! Thank you so much Laura (: Hope you have an amazing week!

  5. Ugh – trolls/online bullies/haters are the WORST!! My blog is small enough that I don’t have to deal with them too often, but when I do get a comment from one it feels a punch in the gut! I think as bloggers we make ourselves vulnerable and trust our audience to be respectful of that, so when someone decides to be rude it hurts even more. I love your attitude though – just shake it off! In a day or two you won’t even remember their stupid drama.

    1. It hurts a lot more than it should i think!
      Your right (: Thanks so much for talking with me about it!

  6. ah… the haters & the bullies, it is disappointing to deal with. But!…let them empower you, instead of bring you down. Turn a negative into a positive! Take it as giving you that extra edge or push (aka being pissed, lol) to tap into a more positive & constructive frame of mind. It’s annoying but it’ll keep you on your toes. It can shape you into a better person dealing with life lessons & other peoples stupidity or bad behavior. What I’ve learned is that it’s not us, but them that have the problems & issues & they lash out at anyone to deal with their own troubles. It makes them feel better or that’s just how they deal with issues in a very negative way (putting people down). Like someone said above, Karma gonna catch up with them.
    You got nothing to worry about, couple of haters/bullies….but look at all your very positive loyal followers, which is probably in the thousands…
    Keep doing what your doing, your really great at it.
    Keep your chin up.

  7. You rock and your blog is amazing!! Screw those haters! I’m a new blogger and I look up to you. Thank you for giving me inspiration! Xoxo 🙂

  8. I’m sorry about the internet haters, even when you know not to let it get to you it can sometimes be impossible not to! I am totally going to try out that Kendall Jenner workout tomorrow, usually I don’t mind strength training but have been having a hard time fitting it in lately. I’m like you and would much prefer to get outside and soak up the Spring weather.
    PS, that Strawberry Coconut Carrot Cake looks so yummy and I think I’m going to attempt it for Easter!

  9. It’s hard to deal with negative comments sometimes. It sucks. I’m sure you’re way more used to it than I am because you’ve been blogging a lot longer, but I am sure it can still sting. Hang in there. I am sure part of it is jealousy-related!

  10. Tieghan I’m so sorry to hear about the terrible comments you received. I rarely comment on your blog but I read it all the time and love it so much. I’m so impressed by how much you post (seriously, no other blog posts as much content!), and the quality is always top notch. I love reading about not just your recipes but your daily life as well. You were the first person to get me to try anything that required yeast and now I make bread and rolls all the time. You are just the best. And the NYTimes 7-minute workout is great for a quick workout if you get bored quickly!

    1. Thank you Erica! I am so so happy you enjoy my blog and have started making rolls!! Aren’t they just the best homemade? Oh and I will check out that workout!!

  11. Happy people don’t say mean things.
    You brighten my day. Thanks for all you share.
    Those home grown vegetables will be here soon.

  12. I hear you on the weather!! We just got another ten inches of snow here in Maine yesterday and that’s not unusual this time of year, but I swear I’m about ready to get a hair dryer out there and melt it! But we’ve made it to April so we’re on the up and up. Your beautiful pictures and spring recipes brighten my day everyday and you’re the greatest talent I know of! I can’t believe what anyone could say negative and they’re obviously wrong and jealous. I’ve been listening to “Happy” by Pharrell and “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake to cheer me up

    1. Considering that idea of taking the blow dryer to the snow… lol!! Thank you so much, Amy. This is so sweet and I am so happy you like my recipes and blog!

  13. Tieghan, I freakin love you. I love everything you do. You are one of the most hardworking, kick ass bloggers I follow and you are always so kind. I love that you take the time to respond to nearly every comment and I hope you never lose that (though I imagine it’s very time-consuming!). I don’t know why it’s easier for haters to be mean to nice people, but that seems to be the case in my experience. Keep your head up and “shake it off” 🙂

    1. I love hearing from you guys and really connecting cause thats just the best!! Thank you so much for the kind words Rachel!

  14. i’m sorry you had to deal with those people :/ music makes me feel better, and i love having a playlist full of kick-ass music (it’s literally titled “girl boss music”). i bet a massive one with plenty of taylor swift would be helpful to have on hand (: