I’ve always loved the idea of looking at everyday objects and finding inspiration in them.  I often find myself looking for interesting textures, patterns and colors that evoke an emotion or response from me.  This is a palette that I recently put together using photos from a few things that I found beneath a sycamore tree.

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This post is part of the katienormalgirl.com revisited series. I recently switched platforms and I’m bringing some of the old blog bits with me. Whether it’s new to you, or if you’ve seen it before, I hope you enjoy!

Now that you’ve learned how to dice a mango, what to do with it? You can throw the pieces of one mango into about two cups of your favorite pre-made salsa for tasty semi-homemade recipe. I like to pair mango with a medium or hot salsa because the sweet, cool fruit cuts the heat a little.

If you’re in the mood to make salsa from scratch, give this easy recipe a try.

From the Orchard:

• 2 ripe mangos, diced
• 1 lime, juiced

From the Garden:

• 1 small, red onion
• 1 medium-large, tomato
• 1/2 green pepper
• 1/4 c. cilantro
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed (optional)

From the Pantry:

• 1/2 – 1 tsp. large-chunk salt, like kosher or sea salt

PREP OPTION 1      .
looks easy but it’s a lot of chopping!

Chop all ingredients (except the lime) into a small dice and mix together in a bowl. Squeeze the lime juice over the salsa, add salt to taste and stir.

PREP OPTION 2      .
this option provides a much better “prepping salsa to eating salsa” ratio

Break out the food processor! Cut the onion, tomato, green pepper and jalapeno into quarters and drop into the food processor bowl. Add the cilantro and pulse 5-6 times for chunky salsa. Pour into a serving bowl and stir in the mango chunks, lime juice, and salt to taste.

Chill before serving with chips or spooned over black beans, tacos or any other delicious food you can think of!

Waste Not, Want Not

• After juicing the lime, cut the two halves in half again and throw the pieces into the garbage disposal. With the hot water running down the disposal, turn it on and let it run until you don’t hear the lime bouncing around in there. The acidic peel of the lime will help eliminate any mystery odors coming from down there!
• Slice the other half of the green pepper and let everyone munch on it while waiting for the salsa to be ready!

How do you prep salsa? Open the jar, food processor, by hand (!)?

Check out more of my Gratitude Picture Journal.

Mango season is almost over, so be sure to scoop up a couple of these yummy fruits the next time you’re in the store. When selecting a mango, pick one that is firm with just a small amount of give. You want a firmness between an apple and a ripe peach.

If you haven’t sliced a mango before, then you may not realize that there is a large seed in the center. You need to be careful to avoid cutting the seed because it’s very hard and your knife could slip and…well…bad things man…bad things. Also, don’t cut too close to the seed because the fruit around it is fibrous and not very tasty. Check out the pictorial below for some tips on how to dice a mango!

Now that you have this wonderful bounty, what shall you do with it? It’s tasty as-is, or you can toss it together with some raspberries and blueberries for a fancy fruit salad. There’s mango martinis, mango smoothies or one of my favorites…mango salsa.

No matter what you pick, it’s bound to be delicous because these little guys are at the peak of freshness and flavor through the end of the month.

Enjoy!

The skin around your eyes is thin and very delicate.  It must be treated with a gentle touch and great care.  That being said, any time you’re applying creams, lotions or oils around the eyes, be sure to use your ring finger to do the spreading.  It is your weakest finger and will deter you from pressing too hard.

When applying a product around your eyes, start by dabbing a bit of the product under your eye.  Then, using your ring finger, start at the outside corner of your eye and gently roll the cream under your eye moving toward the inside corner.

“…[when] you’re applying creams, lotions or oils around the eyes, be sure to use your ring finger”

Then, starting at the inner corner of your eye, sweep your finger and the product up into the crease of your eye, up to the bottom of the brow line.  Do not put product directly on the lid of your eye, as it might get into your eye and that’s never delightful.  Plus, it could irritate your eye causing redness, tearing and puffiness…all of which you are trying to prevent.  Your eye lids have natural oils on them that will carry the product from the crease of your eye down toward the lash line.

June Birthstones: Pearls, Moonstone and Alexandrite

Is a Pearl a Stone? A Quick Geology Lesson.

As you may have guessed, a pearl is not a stone. Here’s a quick layman’s summary of the differences between minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones…and why a pearl is none of these things.

Minerals - The basis for all of the elements to come, a mineral is an inorganic material. When discussing minerals, rocks, soils, etc. the term “inorganic” is not used in the same context as when we use it to refer to food. Rather than referring to a man-made material, inorganic is referring to a material that was never alive. The rocks under your feet are inorganic because they were never alive.

Rocks - A rock can be made of a single mineral or several minerals. In general, a rock is a mineral formation that is still in the original location where it was formed.

Stones - Once a rock is moved or modified (broken, crushed, split) by man and sometimes by nature, it then becomes a stone.

Gemstone - A gemstone is a stone that has been cut and shaped by man. The definition of a gemstone is flexible and is often defined by a stone’s worth…and who you’re talking to. A cut and shaped moonstone is still considered a stone but a cut and shaped piece of alexandrite is rare and expensive, and is therefore a gemstone.

A pearl is a composite of two elements, one inorganic (a mineral) and one organic (a protein) so it’s not a stone. But “birth-mineral-organic-composite” just doesn’t have the same ring as “birthstone”. Wouldn’t you say?

Pearl Earring Tutorial

1. pearl beads   |   2. standard earring hooks   |   3. 1.25″ ball-head earring pins   |    (optional) needle-nose pliers

Thread one bead and one earring hook onto a pin. Then bend the pin in half using the pliers (or your fingers) and tuck the end into the hold on top of the bead. Repeat to make the other earring and you’re all set!

Pearls are often associated with modesty, happiness, beauty, and in parts of Japan, good luck. So take some advice from Jackie Kennedy and wear your pearls today, even if you’re only running out to return your overdue library books. At least, you’ll look fabulous doing it!

I sat in the salon chair with the stylist standing behind me, her left hand holding the 12-inch ponytail, her right hand holding the scissors, poised just above the hair-tie. She asked one more time, “Are you ready?” I answered without hesitation, “Yes”. This journey was over and I was ready to release the bad and keep the good. As she started to cut, the ponytail fell away and took with it, 1,865 days, two new apartments, one new job, one new car and one new blogging adventure. Tucked inside the layers of that ponytail were lost friendships, new friendships and found friendships all nestled among old loves, new loves and wonderful memories. Wound around each strand was the breeze of five crisp autumns, the sunshine of five summers, the chill of five winters and the magic of getting caught in the rain-showers of five springs.

Looking forward, I’m excited to get started on this next phase of my life – starting a new business, settling into my new home, walking the stepping stones toward my big dreams – it all starts with this first day of my next 1,865 days.

JUNE features  |  ^{coming up in the month ahead}

6/4.     BIRTH-MINERAL EARRINGS OF THE MONTH        
             quick pearl earring tutorial to celebrate the birthdays of June

6/10.   EATING SEASONALLY      
             it’s mango season in the U.S. and time for a summer treat, mango salsa

6/18.    DIY DECOR OF THE MONTH
             bird silhouettes created with vintage postage stamps

6/19.    WHEN VEGGIES COME TO DINNER, PART I
             a newly updated guide for all of the co-habitating meat-eaters and vegetarians

6/20.    HERBALISM TREAT – FLAVORED ICE CUBES, PART I
              flavored ice cubes that you can make to take your summer parities to the next level

6/25.    FLORAL ARRANGING – 4TH OF JULY CENTERPIECES
             easy and quick floral arrangement that will complement any 4th of July table-scape

REGULAR features  |  ^{bits of healthy living and fun inspiration, updated each month}

BEAUTY BITS      
tips and tricks for loving and caring for your unique beauty

CURRENTLY READING      
updates about the books, blogs and magazines that I’m reading, along with updates on what you’re reading, join the conversation on twitter and facebook

TODAY I’M GRATEFUL FOR…      
photos and gratitude statements about the simple things that make life so wonderful

THE NATURE WALK PROJECT      
a quick escape to the outdoor world and the magic within it

TEXTURE, PATTERN, COLOR PALETTE      
creative inspiration featuring everyday objects

SUSTAINABILITY LIST PICKS      
unique and fun products with a conscience 

SMALL STEPS      
little things that you can start doing today to start living healthier

FEATURED MEAT-FREE MEAL      
an easy meat-free (but still filling) meal that you’ll love – vegetarian or not

NATURE WALK CALENDAR      
free download featuring a photo from The Nature Walk Project series and a 2-month calendar, perfect for printing or for use on your computer background