One Handed Snacks for Busy People October 20 2017

I just read a great post about snacks you can eat with one hand. While it was intended as for new mothers with little or no time on their hands, I feel it can also be applied to those of us who are generally busy.  I have found that being organized and planning ahead makes everything better especially when it comes to meal planning and putting healthy food in your mouth.  All of these suggestions are for items that can be prepared ahead of time. Here is a list of some of my favorite one-handed snacks (or meals as it may be!).

• Mini Muffins: Take your favorite muffin recipe and bake them in miniature sizes. Don’t forget to adjust the baking time since they are smaller they won’t take as long to bake. These also make great snacks for kids. 
• Smoothies: Mix veggies, fruits, yogurt, and milk in a blender and puree.  This is perfect for using any fruits or vegetables that you don’t think you’ll eat before they go bad. Some combinations turn out better than others but you can drink it through a straw quickly and get lots of energy.
• Trail Mix: This is one of my very favorites. I typically mix almonds, raisins and chocolate chips but feel free to add other nuts and dried fruits.
• Hard Boiled Eggs: Eggs are an excellent source of protein and you don’t always have time to whip up a fancy omelet.  Cooking them hardboiled in advance makes the perfect breakfast, lunch, or snack.  I started eating hard boiled eggs when I tried the Paleo Diet many years ago and it is one of the habits that has stuck.
• Pre-cut vegetables, fruit or cheese: pair these with a healthy dip like hummus or eat on their own. As a chef, I used to think it was silly to cut something up ahead of eating it but when you’re really hungry and barely have a hand to eat with it can be a lifesaver.

Let me know if you have any other tips for snacks that are easy to eat on the go.

Happy Friday,

Julie

New Year = New Resolution January 08 2016

I am still amazed that we are in 2016!   It is going to be another exciting year. I am sure many of you have resolutions for the New Year. As I have been quite busy with Julie’s Beet and a few other side projects I’ve decided to focus on just one resolution for 2016. It was tough to narrow down the list but here it is.

My resolution for 2016 is to be more organized. I know I am probably not the only one with this resolution but here is how I plan to tackle it.

1. Put everything away in its proper place. That means everything from hanging up my jacket in the closet to filing important papers, instead of just making a stack on the floor. The hope is having less clutter with physical items I’ll be able to have a clearer picture of what needs to happen.
2. Make Lists! I already do this sometimes but need to do it all the time. Typically if I write something down I have a better chance of remembering to actually do it. A daily to-do list or a grocery list make the smallest tasks more manageable. By having the items written down, I won’t have to spend time wondering what I forgot or worrying that I am missing something.
3. Storage...I guess this goes back to number 1 but when everything has a proper place it is much easier to find something and also prevents items from going missing. I plan to get proper storage for the items that clutter my life. Then I won’t have to spend time looking for my keys, my phone and that piece that is missing from my son’s puzzle!

If you have any other recommendations on how I can organize my life better in 2016 please send them my way.

Happy 2016 and Happy Friday!

Julie

Halloween Open House October 27 2015

Saturday October 31, 2015

Noon – 4pm

210 West 80^th Street New York, NY 10024*

Join us for a fun-filled event with the best tricks and treats featuring artisan food products from across the globe

-Create a personalized Bloody Mary with fixings from La Boîte, D.a.T. Sauce, Gus & Grey and Rick’s Picks

-Pop-Up Shop from Essie Bartels featuring Tasty Treats made with delicious sauces from EssieSpice

-Spicy Popcorn from Lior Lev Sercarz & La Boîte

-Sweet treats from Rococo Chocolates

*Please note there is a flight of stairs going into the shop

Wedding Bells October 16 2015

This weekend I am off to a family wedding and it got me thinking about my wedding. There are so many details that go into planning the perfect event and everyone’s idea of perfect is different.  You may be one of those people who look at all of the little details or take a more laid back approach and just focus on the joy of the occasion.

I like to think I took an approach somewhere in the middle. The details were very important to me as I think that is what made the day unique to my husband and myself.  We wanted all of our guests to feel the joy of the occasion so had some sparkling wine waiting for them as they entered.  We wanted them to feel warm as they went back out in to the winter night so had coffee, hot chocolate and cookies waiting on the way out.  We also had some La Boîte Spices as our wedding favors so our family and friends could remember the day even after they left the party.

While I take a lot of pride in organization and the fine details, on my wedding day I did what I tell all brides to do(and is advice given to me by someone very wise although I cannot remember who!)… Enjoy your day, no one knows what all of the details are supposed to be except you. Let them think everything is how you planned and everyone will have a great time! This is advice that can be applied in any situation from a simple dinner party to a large event.  It worked for me that day and I still use the advice when planning events, like our Open House coming up on Halloween.  I hope you’ll be able to join and have a great time tasting delicious products from our marketplace. I promise to have a great time so you can enjoy yourself as well!

I am sure Rachel & Brian’s wedding will be flawless this weekend. I’m looking forward to a fantastic weekend with my family. I hope you enjoy yours!

Happy Friday!

Julie

Get Organized for Back to School! September 04 2015

Summer is coming to an end as Labor Day approaches this Monday.  For many of you this also means back to school time!  While my son isn’t old enough for school, this is the time of the year that I tend to get more organized for the season ahead.  Fall typically means more social commitments since everyone has returned from their summer travels and before we know it the holiday season will be upon us. Here are a few ideas I can share on how I try to keep my life more organized.  Being organized helps me relax and hopefully it can do the same for you.

1. Plan ahead – On Sunday evening I always look at the week ahead to see what our commitments are, who will be home for dinner on what nights and just see what important plans we have coming up. I do my menu planning almost a week in advance so I’m not frantic at the last minute and am able to feed my family something delicious and hopefully nutritious. I do everything I am able to do the night before, so there are not too many last minute items that need to be handled in the morning. I think this comes from working in a restaurant.  There were so many variables that you never knew what you were going to walk in to the next day.  By planning ahead and preparing as much as possible the night before, the next day typically went a lot smoother.
2. Write Lists – I typically forget everything but if I write it down, I will eventually remember it. I write lists for everything from what I am going to do on a certain day to what I’m going to buy at the grocery.  I keep an ongoing list for the grocery so when I run out of an item, I’ll write it down straight away.  Try making lists (even just typing up a note on your smartphone) and see if it helps you through the day.
3. Delegate - Sure you can try to do everything, but then you might go crazy. With a little organization you can delegate some of your projects to others around the house. Having someone else do something as small as taking out the trash will save you some time and energy.
4. Keep a Calendar – I create a special calendar each year for my family full of pictures and IMPORTANT dates like birthdays and anniversaries. I have this hanging on the wall so I won’t forget any of those important dates.  I also write down any travel plans we have and any expected visitors.  I use the calendar on my iPhone to keep track of doctor’s appointments, classes and other meetings.  Set a reminder a few hours or days ahead if you think you’re likely to forget something.

 I hope by being organized you will be able to enjoy more time with your family and friends. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend.  Enjoy the sunshine, barbecues and pool parties. 

Happy Friday,

Julie