Sunday Self Care

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Since the new year, I’ve adapted a new Sunday, enter trendy buzz word “self care,” routine. On most Sundays, especially those following a weekend of lots of eating and drinking, I try to end the weekend with the same routine. It’s a sure way to help detox and ease the Sunday scaries…

Sunday Self Care Routine:

Take an epsom salt bath. I love Dr. Teal’s epsom salt bath, but I really love the coconut oil scent. Bonus, it makes your skin extra soft. Epsom salt baths are said to detox your skin of toxins, leave your skin smooth and ease sore muscles. A warm bath also helps with stress and aids with sleep!

Apply a thick layer of shea butter. I have really dry skin and patches of eczema. I have tried a gagillion lotions and this lotion by Aveeno has proven to be the best for an everyday lotion. However, on Sunday’s I lather up with this super thick (like really really thick) shea butter by Sun Potion.

Put on a face mask. 2018 was the year of taking better care of my skin. I’m still on the mission in 2019. When I have extra time, like on Sundays, putting on a face mask is one of my favorite acts of self care. My roommate gifted me the Super Collagen Mask by Mario Badescu for Christmas and I’ve been loving it. I put on the mask right before I get in the bath.

Sip on detox tea. I drink a lot of hot tea morning, noon and night. I often have a cup of detox tea after dinner to help settle my meal and subside any sugar cravings. But something about sipping tea, with a face mask on, in a hot bath, makes me feel like I’m really living my best life.

Get in bed early. I try to get in or start getting ready for bed around 9 each night. On Sundays especially.

Do you have a specific self care routine?

Annie

Bites of My Life

Hi spring!! You bring so much new life! Literally and figuratively. I could really feel spring this week, anyone else? It's like this weight of winter kind of lifts away. I love how the way we eat, gather and spend our time changes in the spring. And any season for that matter. Just the pep I needed in my step after feeling pretty stagnant lately.  

-An archived post refurbished! Loved this update version of "What's In My Bag" that I posted last week!
-New Garden Salad coming to the spring menu at The Jones. 2 words. Biscuit. Croutons.
-Clean out the fridge meal number 1 of the week. Shaved brussels sprouts with lemony hummus dressing, jalapeños and toasted pine nuts. 
-Clean out the fridge meal number2, and my favorite go-to clean out the fridge meal = shakshuka. This Italian version was bon appetitio! Just marinara sauce, 2 eggs, torn basil and some pesto!
-Bribing my church community group with perfect CCCs in case they didn't like the meal I made during our cooking class (more on that later this week).
-Happy baby!
-Have y'all tried Lesser Evil Snacks? LOVE their healthy popcorn. Use the code SpringLE to get 10% off. Locally can be bought at Whole Foods and Natural Grocers. 
-WWE or Kathleen, Chloe and Annie walk into a boxing gym???
-Sunday morning brekkie! With my favorite soft boiled egg cups that make me feel fancy!

Annie

Blueberry Banana Streusel Muffins

I have decided Sunday morning baking is my favorite. I've also decided it needs to become a ritual. I love getting up while everyone is still asleep and the house is quiet. Make some green tea, put on my apron, turn on the oven and get baking. Food Network is likely to be playing in the background. 

A few weeks ago I woke up with a huge itch for blueberry muffins. I tried to make them healthy, but every time I try to make baked goods healthy I'm reminded that I should just stop trying. Baked goods are meant to be filled with sugar, butter and eggs and there really is no replacement. Anyway, my last Sunday morning baking adventure failed. Exhibit A. This morning was blueberry muffin redemption day. 

I woke up at 6:48am this morning. My body doesn't know what sleeping in is. With several hours ahead of me before my roommate woke up, I decided it was baking day.

Blueberry muffins had to happen. I also have a stock pile of overripe bananas in my freezer that were begging to be used. Blueberry banana muffins it was. With a streusel topping added because like I said baked goods require lots of sugar and butter. 

They turned out just perfect and helped redeem myself after my previous muffin fail. I edited my pictures and jumped straight onto my computer this morning because I decided you need this recipe NOW. Also, if you have little kiddos at home about to go back to school, make these for them. No better way to beat the back to school blues than with blueberry banana streusel muffins!

Blueberry Banana Streusel Muffins
yields 1 dozen

Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Streusel:
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. cold butter

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.  

Combine bananas, sugar, oil, milk, beaten egg, and extracts in a large bowl with wooden spoon.  Add in the dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, and baking soda and stir to combine. Fold in the blueberries. Using an ice cream scoop, evenly divide the batter into the muffin tins.

In a small bowl combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and cold butter. Using your fingers, break up the butter with the sugar mixture to form the streusel. Evenly distribute over the muffins.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 

Sunday morning baking for the win. What should I make next Sunday?

Annie

Bites of My Life

Yesterday evening after finishing up Sunday dinner at my parents, I had such a feel good moment come over me. I blasted Van Morrison, put the sunroof down, and took the extra long way back to my house as I watched the sun set. It truly feels like summer now. The mornings and evenings are warm and sunny. The days seem longer and summer food/activities/vibes are all streaming in. Gosh summer is good. I wrote a few times about my winter slump. I love me some cold weather, but there is nothing like the arrival of summer to lift your spirits. Summer spirits for the win!

-Has anyone tried Rocksbox? I've been doing it for the past month and I'm loving it! Read more about it here, and use my code annietuckerxoxo to get your first box free (normally a $19 value).
-My week usually always starts green as a way to recuperate from the weekend. Mornings are even more fun with my new nutri ninja I was gifted for my birthday! Kicks my 7 year old magic bullet's butt.
-On a podcast grind. Here are my faves, what are yours?
-Dinner this week looked like this: turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles and ramp pesto that mom and dad made.
-A massive London Fog and a change of scenery helped get through a rainy Wednesday. 
-Spent my Thursday evening getting schooled in hand lettering. I've been doodling ever since.
-#NationalDonutDay.
-My roommate is an engaged lady! 
-So so special having all my best friends in town to celebrate our Mads girl's engagement! We even got our Londoner to jump the pond for the weekend! 
-Successfully finished The Hills all the way through for about the 10th time. 
-Give me all the navy home decor. Dreaming of the day I have a pocket book that can afford this style.
-Looks like/tastes like summer! Peach cobbler and homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Jeans have replaced shorts, booties have replaced sandals, and oatmeal has replaced yogurt. Not to leave out the copious amounts of coffee and tea to keep me warm and the need to always bring a jacket. Cooler temps are here and I hope to stay. You can never be too sure though with our crazy Oklahoma weather.  

Just a few days of work for me this week because Friday I am Dallas bound for the annual Red River Shootout. A reunion with friends, an OU domination over Texas (fingers crossed) and I finally get to see blogger bestie Molly again. Let's hurry up week!

-A more fall approach to my acai bowl with coconut, seeds and granola.
-Monday lunch date with mom.
-I love having the day off and getting to use that time to put a little more thought into dinner. Yogurt marinated chicken with roasted tomatoes over tumeric rice will hopefully get a recipe post soon.
-Step by step pumpkin oatmeal on snapchat! Follow me to see what I make next (annietucker93).
-Shrimp and broccoli stir fry is hopefully getting a recipe post soon too! This curbs any Chinese take out craving.
-Put a spin on my Fig and Almond Butter Smoothie by adding in and topping with blueberries. I've been adding blueberries to everything these days. 
-My work schedule gives me a little more time in the morning on some days. I love getting to start my day with a cup of coffee walking through surrounding neighborhoods, scoping out future dream houses and getting some fresh air. 
-Oatmeal has officially replaced smoothies and yogurt. 
-Played tourist in my own town Sunday.
-Whole Foods and their samples get me every time, but all pumpkin themed samples?? Pumpkin smoked salmon, pumpkin spinach salad, pumpkin spiced naan etc. 
-All creds go to roomie Lindz for this one, but our family dinner appetizer was a hit! Spicy guacamole, blue cheese and roasted chili cashews. 
-Dad texted us last week and said "I need to smoke something." Food that is. Smoked chicken, amazing ribs, cheese grits, and coleslaw left me in yet another Tucker food coma. 

Annie