November 27, 2012

A Year of Full Moons – November

by Katie Glenn

he moon has reset and will soon start to wane.  This is your monthly reminder that now is the time to release any bad habits or negative thoughts you might be holding onto.  As our view of the moon shrinks, sliver by sliver, let it take that which you wish to release.  Allow yourself the freedom to let go.  It’s during this lunar phase that the growth of leaves on plants and trees starts to slow, because as the moonlight fades, the plants push their energy down to the their root systems.  Focus on strengthening your own roots, the part of you from which everything else grows and flourishes.

The quote on the photo above is from one of my favorite books, The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. The story is enchanting and always inspires me to go out and chase the moon.  I took the above photograph during our full November moon in Orlando, Florida, United States on November 27, 2012 at 6:14 p.m. EST, using my iphone.

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Check out more from A Year of Full Moons

Posted in Nature & Getting Outside, Normal Life | 4 Comments »

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November 13, 2012

Handcrafted Holidays: Thanksgiving Pine Cone Turkeys

by Katie Glenn

From the archives: this project was originally published last year but it was so much fun that I wanted to share again!

y kitchen sink is stacked with dishes, my dining room table is a mess, there’s food everywhere, and I had the best time!  I invited my family over for a crafting day and we revived a holiday tradition from my childhood…Thanksgiving Pinecone Turkeys.  Normally we would craft these before Thanksgiving Dinner, but this year I invited everyone over for an early crafting day so I could share this tradition with you in time for this year’s Thanksgiving celebration. You can see all of their wonderful creations in the Inspiration Gallery, at the end of this post.

These adorable little birds can be made by each guest before Thanksgiving dinner and used as “place cards” on the holiday table.  While guests are snacking on appetizers and waiting for dinner, have them gather around the table and create their own personalized Pinecone Turkey.

Set up a folding table, which you can cover with a plastic tablecloth if you prefer.  Then you’ll need:

  • Pinecones – 1 per person, medium sized.  If you’re lucky enough to have pinecones in the backyard, then save the gathering activity for the kids when they arrive for dinner.  I didn’t have pinecones, but before heading to the craft store to buy them, I asked my family to bring some.  I also put up a notice at work and a co-worker was more than happy to bring me a large bag full!
  • Craft Glue – several small bottles
  • Pipe Cleaners in a variety of colors – the kind with bumps
  • Wire cutters (to clip the pipe cleaners, scissors usually won’t do it)
  • Fancy Paper for name tags
  • 1 or 2 Paint Markers that coordinate with the name tag paper you choose
  • Googley Eyes
  • Any additional embellishments that you can’t live without!  (My family also likes to use small craft feathers in a variety of colors.)

Making Pinecone Turkeys

1. Start by shaking out the pinecones to make sure they are free of bugs and debris.  Set the pinecone on its side, in a position where it doesn’t wobble back and forth.

2. Use the wire cutters to cut the pipe cleaners between each bump.  I like to do this part before everyone arrives.
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3. Select a pipe cleaner bump and bend it in half to form a drop, and then twist the ends slightly so they stay together.

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4. Dab a little glue on the end and tuck it into the back (the larger end) of the pinecone.

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5. Continue to do this, making several rows until you’ve formed the turkey’s tail.

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6. Next you’ll want to add the turkey’s head. Choose a pipe cleaner bump and bend it into a loose “S” shape and glue one googley eye on each side of the head. Then dab glue at the base of the head and tuck it into the front of the pinecone.

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7. Add any additional embellishments that you like!

You can add wings to the turkey’s side using pipe cleaner bumps or small craft feathers, which you can also tuck into the tail.  There were some pine needles in with the pinecones, which a couple of people used as embellishment.  Some of us used very small feathers to create a “wobble” under the turkey’s chin and my mother even created a green feather fascinator* for her turkey!  For a final touch, use the paint marker to write your name on the fancy paper and have your guests display the name in front of their turkey, tucked into the turkey’s back or, like some of my family did, glue it to the turkey’s “butt”.

I hope you enjoy sharing this holiday tradition with your friends and family and feel free to send me pictures of the fun!

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*If you’re not in the “know” about fascinators, those are the tiny embellished headpieces worn by the British at high society events…like the royal wedding.

Inspiration Gallery

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Posted in Wednesdays Homemade | 20 Comments »

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November 12, 2012

Mushroom and Green Bean Soup with Gremolata

by Katie Glenn

This week’s recipe was inspired by a recipe from Vegetarian Times magazine.

was in the mood for soup this week so I went combing through all of my recipes and found this great one with noodles, mushrooms and green beans…some of my favorite foods.  This is another recipe that is easy to whip up if you have a last minute vegetarian or vegan guest coming for dinner.  It also makes a great, low-calorie, low-sodium meal for anyone who’s trying to watch their waist line before the holiday eating season begins!

From the Pantry:

  • 2 tbs. olive oil
  • 6 c. low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 3 c. no-egg wide-ribbon noodles (these are similar to egg noodles which are vegetarian friendly but not vegan friendly, feel free to substitute with your favorite noodle)
  • ¾ tsp. dried Herbs de Provence seasoning mix (if you can’t find a premade mix, use any combination of earthy flavored herbs like, sage, rosemary, thyme and savory)
  • kosher salt to taste

From the Garden

  • 2 ½ c. (6 oz.) portabella mushrooms, chopped into large chunks
  • 1 medium sweet onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 1 ½ c.  green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ¼ c. fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 2 tsp. grated lemon zest

Use a large soup pot to saute the onion and mushrooms in the olive oil until the onion is soft and slightly browned.  Add the Herbs de Provence and the green beans and allow them to cook for 1-2 minutes.  Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.  Add the uncooked noodles and allow them to boil gently for 7-8 minutes (or the time according to the package directions for the noodles that you have selected).  While waiting for the noodles to cook in the soup, make the gremolata by finely chopping together the parsley, garlic and lemon zest.

Once the soup is ready, serve hot and top each serving with 1-2 tsp. of the gremolata.  The original recipe called for a scoop of mascarpone cheese to be stirred in just before serving but I wanted to keep the recipe vegan and low-cal.  You could top the soup with a bit of shaved parmesan cheese but then you’re not vegan anymore (but still vegetarian).  It’s up to you how if you’d like the cheese but I thought it was quite tasty without it.  Just a bit of kosher salt sprinkled on top and I was happy!


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Care to learn more about being a vegetarian?  Click here to read my mini-series: When Veggies Come to Dinner

Posted in Feeding Vegetarians, Meat-Free Meal of the Week, Recipes | 17 Comments »

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November 11, 2012

Homemade Holiday Gifts: Cinnamon Peanut Brittle

by Katie Glenn

I have studied herbalism for many years and enjoy using the knowledge that I have gained to create both simple and complex herbal remedies, delicious teas, tisanes and brews, and to make natural skin and hair care products.  I get to share a lot of this knowledge in my weekly column on hellogiggles.com as The 21st Century Herbalist.  Once a week I like to repost the column here, just in case you missed it!

Original publish date: October 11, 2012

s we continue to celebrate the multi-generational traditions of women, I can’t help but think of all of the wonderful recipes that have been passed down through the women in my family.  This time of year always puts me in the mood for peanut brittle but not just any peanut brittle, I look forward to my great-grandmother’s cinnamon peanut brittle.  It’s that little bit of cinnamon that makes this treat feel unique to my family and always makes me nostalgic.

The cinnamon tree is native to India and can now be found in many parts of the world.  The bark has long been used as a delicious flavoring in many types of food but it also has many medicinal benefits too.  This spicy bark is warming and works as a mild, yet effective, digestive aid.  It also has antiviral properties that make it great for fighting infection.

There are so many peanut brittle recipes out there, so feel free to just add a bit of cinnamon to one of your favorites.  If you don’t have a favorite, then I’d love for you to share in my family’s tradition and make the version below.  It makes a yummy treat that can be wrapped up and given as treats to your co-workers, family and friends.

…read more (you’ll be redirected to my column on hellogiggles.com)

Posted in Recipes | 5 Comments »

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November 7, 2012

Birth-mineral Earrings of the Month: Golden Citrine

by Katie Glenn

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may be a bit parital since my birthday is in November but Citrine has always been one of my favorite minerals. The golden color always catches my eye and I just want to touch it!  Citrine is a mineral that is known for its cleansing and balancing properties. Wear this crystal when you are seeking personal balance, confidence and clarity.

November Birthstone: Topaz  November Birth-mineral: Citrine

Thread the post through the bead and use the pliers to bend a small hook into the base of the post that will hold the bead on it.  Now thread one of the earring hooks onto the post and to finish the earring, bend the post in half and tuck it into the bead.

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Let me know if you give these a try and I’d love to see pictures!

Posted in Wednesdays Homemade | 29 Comments »

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November 6, 2012

Gratitude Picture Journal, Entry No. 013 {voting}

by Katie Glenn

.Gratitude Friday comes a little early this week.

Today I’m grateful for…

Check out more of my Gratitude Picture Journal.

Posted in Gratitude Picture Journal, Normal Life | 7 Comments »

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November 6, 2012

The Nature Walk Project, Calendar: November 2012

by Katie Glenn

Please feel free to download this month’s calendar page for your personal use as a printed wall calendar or electronically as the desktop background on your computer.

very time I head out on one of my nature walks, I can’t help but be enamored with the beauty that nature has to offer. All too often that beauty is fleeting, as lovely plants and habitats change with the seasons and never look exactly the same twice.  I find myself so hypnotized by this fleeting beauty that I will take photo after photo trying to capture just the right angle so I can look back and remember where I was standing, what it felt like and the colors of that moment.  While this is a lovely way to remember the places I’ve been, it often results in an abundance of photos. So I’ve decided to turn at least one of my nature walk photos into a calendar page each month.  I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading and virtually joining me on all of my nature walks.

This month’s calendar page features brilliantly colored, pink seed pods on a Maple tree that grows near my home.  I hope you have a wonderful November!

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Click here to learn more about The Nature Walk Project.

Posted in Nature & Getting Outside, Nature Walk Project | 13 Comments »

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November 5, 2012

Campfire Chili with Whole Wheat Mountain Bread

by Katie Glenn

This week’s recipe was handed down to me by my mother and now I present it to you, enjoy!

s the weather gets colder, my belly starts to want warm, hearty meals just like this chili.  It’s packed with beans and warm spices that make it the perfect meal for this time of year.  It’s also hearty enough that you’ll feel full and satisfied…no meat required.  And if it’s camping weather in your neck of the woods then you’ll want to take the ingredients along to make this one-pot meal.  Just let it simmer over the open fire on these cold Autumn nights and then make some friends because this bountiful recipe makes enough to serve 10.  If you aren’t looking to feed quite that many people at once, it freezes great or can be packaged in mason jars* and given as gifts to neighbors and co-workers.

read more »

Posted in Feeding Vegetarians, Meat-Free Meal of the Week, Recipes | 18 Comments »

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November 4, 2012

Moisturizing Pumpkin Body Whip

by Katie Glenn

I have studied herbalism for many years and enjoy using the knowledge that I have gained to create both simple and complex herbal remedies, delicious teas, tisanes and brews, and to make natural skin and hair care products.  I get to share a lot of this knowledge in my weekly column on hellogiggles.com as The 21st Century Herbalist.  Once a week I like to repost the column here, just in case you missed it!

Original publish date: September 27, 2012

or those of us in the northern hemisphere, Autumn is officially here!  Bring on the pumpkin flavored lattes, bagels, cream cheese, muffins and any other food we can flavor with delicious pumpkin and spice flavors!  Mmmm…I love it all.  Along with all of those yummy foods it’s also pumpkin season for your skin.  Yup, pumpkin for your skin.  It is so moisturizing and packed with nutrients that help bring out the subtle glow of your skin.

Next time you’re in the grocery store or at the farmer’s market pick up a pie pumpkin and give this great body whip treatment a try.  It’s a great way to pamper yourself after a long week of studying, working or before a big date. Later, as winter weather sets in and your skin starts to get a little dry, use this recipe to rehydrate your skin and even your hair.

This recipe is part of this month’s celebration of the multi-generational traditions of women.  It is a classic recipe that goes back generations and uses simple, natural ingredients to soothe and moisturize your skin.

Ingredients:

  • A small to medium sized pie pumpkin
  • 1 c. full-fat, unflavored yogurt
  • 1-2 tbsp. olive oil

…read more (you’ll be redirected to my column on hellogiggles.com)

Posted in All-Natural, Herbalism, Skin Care | 11 Comments »

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November 2, 2012

Gratitude Picture Journal, Entry No. 006

by Katie Glenn

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Today I’m grateful for…

Check out more of my Gratitude Picture Journal.

Posted in Gratitude Picture Journal, Normal Life | 13 Comments »

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