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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Hey all and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Are you guys doing anything fun to celebrate? It’s funny, St. Patrick’s day in Cleveland is a pretty big deal. There is a huge parade and celebrations all day long. As a kid it was something my brothers and I looked forward to every March. And if St. Patrick’s Day fell on a school day, we’d do everything in our power to get mom to let us stay home and go to the parade. Again, the St. Patrick’s Day parade is a big deal in Cleveland.
I’m sure Denver probably celebrates big time, but up here in the mountains, St. Patrick’s Day is much more mellow. A special at an Irish restaurant, or wearing your finest greens on the mountain. Anyway, we’re not doing anything special. I’m making a roast and potatoes for some comfort food, because it’s been a seriously long week, with many highs, and some lows thrown in there too.
I know that some of you noticed there was no blog post on Tuesday. This was not a mistake or a technical glitch, but instead was very planned. As I mentioned last week, I’m on a pretty serious deadline for a fun project and in order to make that deadline I’ve had to cut back a bit on some other things, so 5 posts per week until April. Once April comes all will be back to normal. Promise! Already looking forward to sharing many fresh spring recipes and Easter sweets!
Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Favorites!
1. March Favorites…
…loving this cookbook all about Italian food.
…really loving this Dr. Barbara Sturm cleanser it is PRICEY, but it works.
…I adore this market bag. perfect for spring produce.
…my 2 favorite recipes this month are these falafel naan wraps and this broccoli pesto pasta.
…this is my current favorite candle.
…LOVE this simple tee from THE GREAT. it’s basic and perfect. worth the price tag.
…my favorite salad spoons (and EVERYONE) always ask me about them. love these too.
…and I am dying to try this face oil.
What are you guys loving this month?
2. Inspiring Me on Pinterest.
the spring flower edition…
from my flowers board.
3. Spring Picks from Anthropologie.
4. Questions of The Week:
q: next place you want to travel to (for fun, not work!)?
a: anywhere warm! where should I go?? would honestly love a trip to Florida, Morocco, or Italy!
q: favorite pizza recipe?
a: this artichoke pesto and burrata pizza with lemony arugula or this khachapuri (Georgian cheese bread) with kale and herb sauce.
q: why Half Baked Harvest?
a: OK, this one is long. When I was 16 my mom and I were hiking together. I even remember the trail, it was one of our summers spent up at Mt. Hood in Oregon. anyway, she was encouraging me to start a food blog, since all I was doing in my free time was cooking. she came up with the “half baked” because my family is very “half baked”. by that I mean that we’re all over the place and a little crazy…actually a lot crazy. And FYI, “half baked” has absolutely nothing to do with marijuana, that never even crossed our minds back then.
The word harvest has always been one of my favorite words. It brings to mind family gathered together at the end of the day enjoying the harvested meal. oh, and I love half baked cookies too…soooo, Half Baked Harvest it was.
q: do you have people help you shop and clean up after cooking?
a: YES! I 100% could not do all that I do without help. My dad started working with mom and I at HBH gradually over the the years, but officially quit his day job a couple of years ago. He now does all of the grocery shopping, cleaning, and general production/heavy lifting/shit work for us. It’s the BIGGEST help. He’s currently he’s on call 7 days a week since I’m on a major deadline. So grateful!
q: what are your 3 favorite weeknight dinner recipes?
a: Parchment Baked Lemon Salmon and Potatoes with Dill Yogurt, One Skillet Filipino Coconut Adobo Chicken, Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Hummus, Garlic Naan Grilled Cheese.
q: do you have professional training or did you teach yourself to cook?
a: I’m completely self-taught and learned everything I know by trial and error, and a heck of a lot of Googling. Everything I had questions about I Googled, and then started cooking. I am a very hands on and visual person, so I learn best by doing!
A Question for YOU guys: have you tried celery juice? If so do you love it? Should I try celery juice??
5. New Videos:
20 minute Caribbean shrimp tacos with roasted jalapeño pineapple salsa…favorite tacos. name says it all.
BEST crinkle top brownies…if there was ever a brownie recipe to have in your back pocket, it’s this one.
6. The Best Make Ahead Lunches.
A question I often get asked is what my favorite make ahead lunches are, so sharing my top 8!
Super Green Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
meal prep: chicken shawarma and sweet potato fry bowls
Better Than Takeout 20 Minute Peanut Noodles with Sesame Halloumi
mediterranean avocado chicken salad
mediterranean chickpea and egg salad jars
southwest mango, kale, and quinoa chopped salad
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad.
7. A Few Links I Am Loving…
the best beauty tips you’ll ever read…this post is like a beauty bible. study it.
beachy waves in 7 minutes flat…dream hair.
10 cozy vegetarian dinners… that you can have on the Table in 30 minutes.
life on the farm with Tiffani Thiessen…I mean? it’s perfect.
Inspiring notebooks, writing utensils and planners…love and need this all.
3 spring flower arranging trends…pretty.
exactly how to Marie Kondo your skincare routine…for you skincare junkies.
the new Queer Eye loft Is 100% shoppable…very into it all.
vegan restaurants in Dublin…these all sound so good.
14 examples of beautiful Caribbean architecture…take me here. please.
5 things you didn’t know about Scarlett Johansson…for your Sunday fun.
8. Woven Bags for Spring…
9. This Week’s Dinners:
Monday: falafel naan wraps with golden rice and special sauce
Tuesday: roasted cauliflower fried halloumi tacos with spicy avocado basil salsa
Wednesday: best easy greek sheet pan chicken souvlaki and potatoes
Thursday: saucy 30 minute thai basil salmon curry
Friday: broccoli pesto pasta with whipped ricotta
Check out all the past Favorites posts here.
Have been doing the daily celery juice since November 1st. I have celiac disease and take great care of myself with my food and lifestyle choices. I still feel pretty bad most days, have acne, fatigue, etc. Some could be from some hormonal issues that stem from years of malnourishment through celiac disease, affecting my hormones (WHO KNEW!). Anyways, was hoping for some help from the juice but honestly I don’t think it really does much for me and I really stuck to it. I have grown on the taste and refreshment of it so I still do it most days, but not all. You seriously have to commit to buying SO MUCH CELERY and the tedious daily washing/cleaning the juicer is pretty annoying. 🙂
I could totally see how buying so much celery and cleaning the juicer could get very time consuming! Thank you for sharing your experience, Cori! xTieghan
WOW, THEY LOOK GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
Thank you China! xTieghan
I loved the beginning of your post. My cousin who lives in Bay Village just sent me pix of her kids all decked out for St Patty’s day in downtown Cleveland! We now live in upstate New York. I miss it too!!
I love that! I totally miss dressing up for St. Patricks Day and I hope you all had a great one! Thank you Kelly! xTieghan
YES to Herbivore Phoenix face oil. Also just started using their Prism serum… also amazing! Skincare is so addicting! P.S. Unfortunately had to miss the Cleveland parade this year but hopefully another year!
Its so good and yes, can be very addicting! Thank you so much Mandy! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan!
I hope you’re having a lovely end of winter and enjoying the busy weeks. I thought I’d reach out and see how you’ve been! I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming this past week on a family ski trip and thought of you and Red. We stayed at Teton Village and went skiing along the mountains there. The mountains and quiet nature was incredible! Now I see why you love living in the mountains. I feel like I need to make the mountains a part of my life now— they’re so beautiful and help me find joy. Anyways, apparently Teton is really well known amongst skiers and snowboarders and I thought of Red. I hope you’re doing well and I’m looking forward to hearing about your new project! ☺️❤️?
Hi Kristin! That is so sweet of you to think of us! I hope you loved your stay there, when ever I see photos from my brothers it just looks insanely gorgeous!! But yes, I hope you do make the mountains apart of your life, I love living in them! Thank you Kristin! xTieghan
I love everything about your blog and have followed you for years. When I read that you are doing one less blog a week my reaction was relief. You have worked so hard for so many years and are very well respected in your industry. You deserve to take a little space for yourself. Maybe when the project is finished keep that space for dreaming, relaxing and creating…or lunching with your mum and sister. Having your blog is an inspiration thank you
Hi Cathy! This is so sweet! I am so glad you love my blog and the topics I post about, thank you! Maybe I will take a much needed break haha! xTieghan
Hmmmm….I think I got a hint as to what your project is…and if I’m incorrect..and it’s something on top of that…you are one hard working person!!! Keep up the great, exciting work and remember to take a moment for yourself every once a awhile between now and April!! ?
Haha thank you Rosa! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan–
You’re one of only four cooking blogs to which I subscribe, and I love that you’re a Colorado girl. (I live in Littleton.) I don’t remember how I stumbled across your site–think it was maybe your interview on the Food Blogger Pro podcast? Your photography is so great! (BTW, I’m 66–so probably old enough to be your grandmother–want you to now that you click with other generations than your own.)
Anyway, the point of my comment is about juicing-why do that? I’m a big proponent of real food, as are you. Juice, either fruit or vegetable, has taken out all of the fiber and much of the nutrition. Here’s a good quotation:
“Celery juice is made by blending and straining celery. Whole stalks of celery packs tons of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, and folate. But from a nutrition standpoint, celery juice takes phytonutrient-filled produce and turns it into a concentrated source of sugar.” (from Good Housekeeping) So since you asked for opinions, I’m giving mine!
Hi Debi! Thank you so much for this! I will look more into this! Also, I am so glad you love my blog and posts, thank you!! xTieghan
The recipe below with the ginger, etc. sounds great and healthy. I don’t have a juicer, but do have a vitamix. I think I’lll try this, knowing it won’t be the same consistently as pouring a glass of apple juice. I have not tried it yet, but interested as I have never been a fan of celery, and wonder how it would work in recipes. One of my complaints has been buying a head and using two stalks and maybe the leaves in a salad. It is super healthy though.
Thank you so much Joyce! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Your posts are one of my daily reads! I did notice the day you didn’t post, and actually had a low grade worry on whether you were ok!!?. Maybe you could add a quick line “no post tomorrow “ for your fans.
Wishing you every success with your current project! You’re one of the hardest working bloggers there is!
Thank you so much C! I am so glad you love my posts and yes Im ok! xTieghan
Hi Cathy, thank you for your kind words, because of your comment, I decided to add a little note to the end of today’s post – thanks so much for your suggestion ?
I love celery juice! I make it with some ginger, lemon, cucumber and a very tiny slice of apple sometimes. I feel refreshed and energized when I drink it. I use my Breville masticator to extract as much juice as possible and it creates a nice foam layer on top.
I love that! Thank you Noël! xTieghan
Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Muffins – In the ingredient list it calls for butter, however, in the written instructions it says to add coconut oil. Before making the recipe or assuming I
can use either, I wanted to check with you. I so enjoy your recipe posts and make at least one of them a week. I also forward many to my daughter-in-law. Your cookbook is fantastic. I use it all the time and have given it as a gift to many friends and family. You work hard but know it is appreciated. Enjoy your days
of cooking.
Hi Jane! You should use butter. The recipe has been fixed. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you so much for the kind words! xTieghan
I juice celery because it seems to lower my blood pressure!
I have heard such great things about it! Thank you Sandra! xTieghan