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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 dressesmini 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 NoodlesTuscan Tuna Sandwich10-Minute Creamy, Buttery Herbed BucatiniOne-Pan Spring Quinoa BakeHawaiian Hula Pork Fajitas with Pineapple Slaw + Coconut RiceSuper 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. How can anyone possibly have anything negative to say about you, your posts, your recipes, anything?! Seriously 9 times out of 10 whatever I’m having for dinner comes from your site! I also don’t get internet trolls and haters…. not everyone needs to like everyone and everything, but then…. just go to another post or another site. Seriously!

    Kudos for handling it with grace, you rock! 😀

  2. What???!!! I almost couldn’t believe my eyes…what earthly reason would someone have to spew negativity on you??? You bring beauty and deliciousness to the world ?? Even though you are still mired in snow thank you for the Spring-like recipes which are perfect for the 80s weather we are having ?

    1. Haha I’m jealous! We need some warmth here haha! I am so glad you are loving them, though! Enjoy the warm weather ( and the food)! (:

  3. Tieghan, I just wanted to say that I look forward everyday to your recipes and posts and am so sorry that you had to deal with trolls this week! No one deserves that. You just keep being you!

    Also, 1) This was a great Sunday morning post and 2) I made the Crunchy Tandoori Chickpea Wraps this week and they were definitely on point ?

  4. Dear Tieghan,

    I’m super sorry you had to deal with online bullying!! You’re such a lovely, creative person and it really sucks that you’ve had to deal with that!!! People like that can be so hurtful, and it really really sucks.
    On the note of boxing though, I’ve done karate for 7 years and am a black belt, and I’ve tried other martial arts and fighting sports as well. I really enjoy sports like that and would totally recommend giving it a go!
    I love your blog and all your recipes, my flatmates in turn love your blog since they get to try your recipes when I make them!! Thank you for being so awesome!!

    Marilyn

    1. Thank you so much, Marilyn! I am so glad you like my blog and recipes!!
      And a black belt.. GO YOU!!

  5. Hey Tieghan! I can’t even imagine why anyone would react negatively to the stuff you put out there ☹️ You’re always so positive and fun! Don’t let them get you down. I think you’re everyone’s ray of sunshine ☀️? And they’re likely just envious of your success, especially at such a young age? You’re such an inspiration ❤️

  6. I don’t know why people can be such jerks. It’s so much easier to ne one over the internet than it is face-to-face. You keep doing you!

  7. You have nothing to worry about dear Tieghan. People can be so rude, and mean for that matter. It’s their karma, not yours. Keep doing what you are inspired to do. Lucky is the person that can make a career doing what they love. I have tried so many of your recipes and they have all been wonderful, and the pictures are amazing!! So keep your head up and continue to “wow” the world…. (and let the cat stay in your videos!..lol!)

    1. Thank you Andrea, this is super sweet! I am so glad you like my recipes and I hope you enjoy this FB live!

  8. I love the idea for the Q&E live Facebook video. It will be so much fun seeing you live!

  9. tieghannnnn!!! i JUST talked myself out of adding those sangria glasses to my cart & now i don’t know what to do! might just have to try them out. i swear, anthro has all of my $$. (psa: they’re having a sale this weekend! $20 off every $100!)

  10. I love kick boxing as a workout – I don’t do it every day/week, as I too prefer to hike or run in the woods, but it is a lot of fun when I want to mix it up! I can relate to your spring fever though! It has been very wet & rainy where I’m from, but the temperatures have started to warm up! I’m itching for nice spring weather! You do great work, don’t let haters tear you down!

    1. That sounds so fun! I don’t think theres a place near me that offers it!
      Jealous of the spring weather! Thank you Joanna (:

  11. First, I box as part of my workout. Not everyday but at least once a week and I love it! Gets your frustrations out. Good cardio and works your arms, legs & core.

    Second, I am inspired by your photography. I’ve just retired and decided to do it as a hobby. If you have tips for a newbie, I’d love to hear them. I probably use at least one of your recipes weekly.

    Third, In my opinion haters are jealous. You seem to have found a way to deal with it. ??. Keep up the great work.

    I can’t wait to get the book! Photos are just as great as the recipes.

    1. Hey joy!! Thank you so much for you incredibly kind comment! I am now so excited to try boxing…just need to find a class!

      As for photography, do you have any questions specifically? Happy to help if I can!

      So happy you are enjoying my recipes, that is so nice to hear! Thanks again! 🙂

  12. Oh dear, so happy to share your “Spring energy”! Every way ! Keep on rocking dear Thiegan !

  13. Tieghan
    Try not to let negative hurtful comments get to you. These are broken people with great insecurities. They believe bringing someone else down somehow elevates themselves. The problem is the law of karma keeps them perpetually stuck. They are just a part of the universe. The key is not to let them pierce your soul. Seems to me that a God placed you here to bring beauty and light. Always go to that.

    1. I know I just need to remember they don’t mean it!
      Everyones battling their own issues!
      Thank you so much Susan!

  14. Lots of rain here in Ohio, so I’d say it’s looking like spring here 😉 Hope you get more seasonal weather soon! I’m selfishly excited it’s April since my birthday is next week – lots of celebrating all around. I’m terribly sorry you dealt with trolls – down with the haters! They’re just jealous, lost creatures – don’t even give them the time of day. You’re awesome! Have a wonderful Sunday.