Current Mood


Reading...
Real Food/Fake Food Why You Don't Know What You're Eating and What You Can Do About It
An eye opening and informative exposé on how some of the food we consume is not actually what we think they are. Food shopping can be a scary and complicated process and this book has advice on how to be a more informed consumer. I feel absolutely justified about my preference for a predominantly plant based diet and only buying organic meat and poultry now. Eating this way is better for the environment too.

Listening to...
Life Kit from NPR
This podcast which covers a range of topics including health, wellness and personal finance also provides actionable strategies to help you get your life together.

Eating...
More Fish
In addition to eating less, meat, I'm committed to eating more fresh fish this year. Sitka Salmon Shares kindly sent me a selection of their wild caught Alaskan salmon and cod. The premium seafood from their Community Supported Fishery is sustainably harvested to minimize negative ecological impact. The fish is fresh and delicious and Sitka Salmon Shares offers the convenience of home delivery. Use code SITKA25 to take $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Making...
Dumplings
Yes it was that time for our annual tradition of making dumplings at the beginning of the year. The filling is a mixture of organic ground heritage pork belly and grass fed beef, shitake mushrooms, cabbage, leek, onion and garlic. We make a batch for boiling and a batch for pan frying. My husband is actually more skilled at wrapping them than I am. We now have 300 dumplings sitting in our freezer for lazy dinners over the course of winter. I made scallion pancakes with the leftover dumpling wrappers.

Drinking...
Oat Milk
I recently traded my almond milk for oat milk and it's one of the best decisions I've made in awhile. Oat milk has a creamy and smooth texture comparable to regular milk and is an excellent source of calcium and omega-9 fatty acids. It also froths up beautifully in my matcha lattes.

Loving...
Apple Airpods Pro
I got a pair of these for my husband for his birthday and he liked them so much that he convinced me to get my own. The active noise cancellation is a game changer especially in the subway and the transparency mode makes it easy to not miss anything important. We could not have gotten through watching Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker without these. The screening we went to was ridiculously loud.

Wearing...
Celine Trio Leather Crossbody
This the Christmas present I asked my husband for. I'm not really one for designer bags but this style works really well for me and the logo is quite subtle. The Lo & Sons Pearl that I favor is based off of this bag but they never made it in burgundy so I just decided to get an original. This color is just so elegant and it's really versatile as well.

Burning...
Overose Anamorphine Candle
I'm not usually big on floral candles but Anamorphine is a perfect balance of masculine and feminine with its intoxicating scent of peonies, sparkling raspberry lemonade complimented raw vanilla and a dash of delicately smoky tobacco. I'm a big fan of Overose's sustainably sourced rapeseed wax candles in general for their long burn time and strong yet not overpowering scent throw.

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16 comments

Jackie Harrison said...

I would had love to see the full recipe for those delicious dumplings. Great breakdown have a lovely weekend.

Doctor Anne said...

Oh, homemade dumplings frozen for lazy meals - that is a great tradition. The only thing I have in my freezer are soups.

Emmylou said...

That Celine bag is such a great bag for everyday...awesome gift to get for sure, chingu:) And send some of those dumplings over here....hehe....my SIL makes them once in awhile and she gives us bags. They don't last too long in our house though:P
PS Have never tried oat milk before. Thanks for the heads up:)

R's Rue said...

I love the bag and need to try the candle.

The Exclusive Beauty Diary said...

I like this type of your posts. That book sounds very interesting and I love your bag so much. Colour is stunning.

New Post - http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/01/dear-2020-beauty-of-hope_9.html

Ivana Split said...

I try to buy organic meat when I can. Not the biggest fan of meat, I only eat chicken and turkey (and only occasionally a bit of pork in dumplings) but I realized that eating a bit of meat really helps to keep my iron levels up. I bought some organic rosters and chickens from locals in the past and it's such a difference in the taste and quality. Plus, it helps to know that animals are kept in humane conditions and it's better for the environment. I also plan to eat more fish this year. Since I basically live in a port city for the time being, I plan to buy fish from the locals. They don't have a market on every day basis but I'll buy more on those days they do sell and just freeze it. How cool that you have a stash of 300 home made dumplings, well done! I'm sure your recipe is very tasty...and how nice that you and your husband make them together. A joint effort always tastes better. I was just thinking how everything we make at home basically means less plastic and packaging so it is better for the environment.

Evi Erlinda said...

Your dumplings look so neat ad beautiful!
Yummy!
I listen NPR too :)

The Dainty Dolls House said...

This books looks really interesting, will have to look into it. I need to eat more fish definitely. Have been looking up more recipes. I decided to give up meat again & eat more fish. I love dumplings, yum!!! Oat milk is really good, I try and get it here when I can as it can be expensive. The candle sounds like perfection, I really love candles & the mix of this one sounds perfect. I love opposites mixed together!! Happy Friday doll, I hope you have a beautiful weekend x

Dressed With Soul said...

Dear Rowena, thanks a lot for your mood board. Now I want to read this book and I just bookmarked the podcast! Thanks a lot!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com

Carolyna's world said...

so nice candle and very interesting book position dear xx

ALLIE NYC said...

I know it is scary what is in our food these days. It can be overwhelming. That books sounds like a great place to start. And I got airpods with new iPhone but have not tried them out yet lol!

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

Milentry said...

A great post! I love your blog. Your content is very interesting < 3
I am following you and invite you to me
https://milentry-blog.blogspot.com/

Shireen L. Platt said...

We made the switch to eat healthier this year, actually, we started in October last year and have been using almond milk for sustainability and health but will be switching to oat milk soon after reading about almond milk. Good to see you enjoy it better than almond milk too. We're also trying to eat less meat and more fish and once a week I cook a vegetarian meal and so far everyone is enjoying the healthier lifestyle my little one included.

Pilar said...

The book sounds really interesting! I would like to try oat milk since I'm trying to eat healthier this year. I hope you're having a wonderful new year Rowena!

Paola Lauretano said...

Such a lovely mood board, I would like to read that book!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

little luxury list said...

I'm also going on a dumpling wrapping marathon in the next few weeks. I hope I can get my little lady more into it as well. I'm struggling, but trying to figure out how to eat less meat and more fish. Eating well and sustainably is definitely one of our goals!