Quote of the Week - Won't Wait

Single Holidays/Family Traditional - Fondue Recipe

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MARLEY & ME!!



This year has been particularly hard. Wonder why? Well, it's the first year I have been single in over four years. It's definitely a different feeling not sharing the Christmas magic with someone you love.

Fortunately, family & friends have made this holiday season just as magical!

No need to be a Grinch! Being single during the holiday are just as great! && to prove it, I made another one of my famous lists! (I love lists, can you tell yet?)

A SINGLE CHRISTMAS IS GREAT BECAUSE....

1. You get to spend your money on family & friends! - I have a huge family so instead of buying everyone gifts, we draw names. This year I drew my second eldest brother, his wife, son & two daughters! I focused on what they would really enjoy for gifts! It was so rewarding when they opened their presents!
2. Also all that time & energy you usually spend on a boy, you can spend with your loved ones.
3. Self-reflection. Take this time to really think about all your blessings in life, all the positiveness you can make and you have.
4. Remind yourself of the true Christmas story. The one that dates back to the manger and the angel, Mary, Joseph & that sweet baby Jesus!
5. You can decorate your house however you want!
6. && blast Christmas music & dance around the house & nobody can stop you!
7. You can lounge around in your sweats the entire Christmas day!
8. Christmas drinks! Have another, nobody to judge!
9. Don't forget all that food! Sweets, breakfasts, dinners, all the snacks in between. You don't have to share with anyone! More for you!
10. More self-indulgence? Why not! Go ahead & buy yourself something really nice. Wrap it up and open it on Christmas. You're allowed to spoil yourself a bit.

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FAMILY TRADITION - FONDUE RECIPE

My favorite thing about the holiday season is the family traditions we've made throughout the years.

A tradition we have always had was to make cheese fondue on Christmas Eve. My parents said that they date this back to a few of the first holiday seasons they spent together & they just celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary, so you know this recipe is delicious! Warning: this is not healthy, at all, but sometimes, ya just gotta indulge!

Ingredients:

• 1 large box of Velveeta cheese
• 2/3 package of dry Lipton onion soup mix
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 15 oz can of tomato sauce 
• French bread - for dipping
• Veggies - for dipping
• Anything else dippable! - Dippable? Is that a word?

Directions:

1. Mix it all together in a crock pot
2. Keep on low or "keep warm" heat
3. Dip & enjoy!  

I'm telling you, this is delicious!









It's OKAY to ask for help!

It's been a pretty tough week guys! Tonsilectomy is no joke, let me tell you!

 

I can't tell you enough how appreciative I am to my parents, other family & friends for sending good vibes, positive messages, flowers & balloons and for taking care of me! I could not have done this without you guys!!

 

&& that got me thinking...as much as I am an independent person, I seriously could not have done it without help.

 

It was really, really hard to depend on my parents. I haven't lived with them since I was a fresh 18 years old -- & without revealing my age, I'll just say it's been more than a few years. -- I had to allow them to cook for me (& make me eat), wake me up every four hours on the dot to medicine, even do my laundry! So, it's safe to say, I had a lot of time to think.

 

Living alone has made me quick to rely on only myself for care but not only that, it's also made it hard to ask for help! I thought it was a sign of weakness or a lack of self power. 

 

I can actually think of multiple times where I have pushed people that love me away because I wanted to prove to myself I can handle my own.

 

My past has shown me, yes I can do it alone. But this agonizing past week has shown me that it is OKAY to ask for help! Especially when you really need it! It actually feels good to have people help you...

 

Moral of the story. Ask for help when you need. Lend a helping hand when someone does.

Those two things will make you the strongest YOU you can be.

 

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Quote of the Week - Count Your Blessings...

I originally wrote out a long post but decided to revert it to a shorter Quote of the Week instead. In this time of mourning, I don't want to draw more attention to the tragedy in Conneticut but instead pass on some help or faith...something to hold on to. 

 

When I am feeling depressed or down I remember the wise words of my Mother, count your blessings.

May sound a little funny if you have never heard of this but literally, I start saying outloud, write a list or just ponder my many blessings in my life. There are so many wonderful things in this world that we have to be thankful for. It is hard to remember those in time of saddness or tragedy but I believe those are the times we need to be the most grateful.

Start small & I promise you will be surprised at how quickly your list grows.

Quote of the week - count your blessings. Name them one by one.

<3

 

 

 

 

 

Tofu & Noodle Soup

It's only December and I have made this delicious soup four times already! It is so yummy, I can't help but crave it!

Such an easy recipe, full of veggies, protein packed tofu and rice noodles, this soup is what I call, COMFORT FOOD! 

TOFU & NOODLE SOUP

Ingredients:

• 2 oz thin rice noodles (about 1 cup) 
• 1 tbsp sesame oil 
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar 
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp siracha or hot sauce 
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced thin
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 6 cups stock - I use veggie
• 8 oz firm tofu, drained & diced
• 2 carrots, peeled & thinly sliced - I used my Thrive product, see my Thrive post 
• 1 cup snow peas
• 2 cups mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced julienne - I used my Thrive product, see my Thrive post 
• 1 zucchini, diced into small pieces 
• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 2 green onion stalks, thinly sliced 

 (grated ginger & one of my favorite wines from TJs - Rabbit Trick)

Directions:

1. Check your rice noodle directions - some may need to soak before placing in soup. I love the noodles from Trader Joe's. You can find them in the refrigerator section by the tofu. No soaking needed, just pop them in! 
2. Prepare all veggies & tofu 
3. In large saucepan/pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion until clear, do not burn or caramelize. Add ginger and garlic, saute for about 2 minutes, do not burn. 
4. Add stock, soy sauce, Siracha, rice vinegar & bring to a boil. 
5. Add tofu & all veggies & noodles; simmer, uncovered for about ten minutes or so. 
6. TASTE YOUR SOUP BEFORE SERVING - add salt, pepper, more soy sauce, rice vinegar, Siracha, whatever your tastebuds like. 
7. Add green onions
8. SERVE! 

(finished product simmering...wish you could smell it)

Scrumptious one-pot meal that will surely satisfy all in the family! Let me know how it goes for you!!

Relationship Season! - AKA: Winter

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN PEOPLE....

Sweatpants are in & bikinis are out! Soup, fireplace, hot chocolate...and boyfriend weather! Forget Thanksgiving or Christmas...'Tis the relationship season! 

DISCLAIMER: No Offense! If you just made it "Facebook Official", I wish you the best! But around April/May...if you change that status again, know you were struck by Cupid's twin brother, Winter Lovin'.

I admit that I have participated in this love affair. It's freakin' freezing & stormy outside! Who wouldn't want someone to snuggle up to on those Friday nights when you don't want to face winter. -Even though I have always thought it was nice to have the alcohol-induced-jacket to keep you warm.-

When did this phenomenon begin? Is it human nature? A survival instinct?

I mean damn, I don't want to take out my trash in the summer, but when it's pouring outside, you've got to be kidding me! If I could sweet talk a man in my life to do those little things when it's especially freezing, I would! I just think the whole seasonal relationship is a messy dance. The Honeymoon Phase is blazing hotter than than fireplace but as the fire dwindles...will your relationship also? Is it worth it?

I know some people who are consistently in winter-relationships with the same person, the same time, every year. After their slutty Halloween costume is packed away, they pull out their "I <3 my boy/girlfriend" sweater. (P.S. - I love a good slutty Halloween costume but that's a different blog post entirely.)

In  my personal experience, I would vote no. Once springs rolls (spring rolls, yum!) around, couples start itching for personal space, the arguments heat up as the weather does and thoughts of summer time are in the near future. Relationships take a lot of time, emotion, effort...all things that I don't give up unless I know it's serious. As much as I would love a boo-thing to keep me warm on those nights in the house, that is what Marley is for. Take up a hobby, try something new, date lots of people!! One of my favorite things to do is cook new recipes for a group of friends. It's a perfect excuse to invite people over for a Friday Night-In instead of going out.

You can do it people! I believe in you! Don't say yes to a relationship because you feel like it is a winter accessory...say yes because you mean it and want the relationship to go further.

Who knows, maybe I'm the crazy one. If you asked the famous & legen...wait for it...dary Dean Martin, he probably would say I am.....for as he sang:

But though the snow is gone, the romance lingers on
and those who said it didn't stand a chance
will know when they see us together
that love is not controlled by the weather
And all of our summers, we'll have our winter romance.


What do you think? Are you/have you been in a winter-romance? Tell me your thoughts & experiences!

Why Do Girls Like Bad Boys?

While having a text conversation with one of my oldest friends Brian & he said something that triggered a light bulb!

I just got a pair of brand new glasses & sent him a silly picture asking if he liked them - don't judge my duckface, I said it was a silly picture... He replied yes & asked how long I've worn glasses (he better have said yes, I pack a mean punch). I responded with a "fourth grade jerk, you don't remember teasing me when I got my first pair?" He didn't remember but he definitely teased me. I still remember to this day sitting by him in the cafeteria at lunch and me wearing my terrible pair of 90's paint splotched glasses...I secretly still wish I had them...and him making fun of me. Now I will admit, we did "date" in the sixth grade so he thinks that the teasing worked! And well, I guess it did!

...AND THE WHEELS STARTED TURNING...

Do you think girls like the "bad boy/asshole" type of guy because we were taught at an early age that if a boy picks on you, he likes you?

What the hell is it about the bad boys that are so attractive? And does that mean "good boys" aren't as attractive?

Usually, I'll have an opinion about the topics I post...this one, I can honestly say, I'm stumped. I don't know why I am attractive to bad boys. Maybe it's the challenge? The chase? The satisfaction?

All I know is maybe I need a good guy in my life...one day...but right now, bring on the badass! 

P.S. - Follow me on Instagram: emmaxxjo

Quote of the Week - Colors of our World

Fun Fact About Me: I am obsessed with rainbows! The story of hope & faith, the colors mixed together, I just love them! This instantly grabbed my attention because of the rainbow font but after reading it, I fell just as much in love with the quote. 

I have struggled seeing the wonderful colors of the world lately & have to constantly remind myself to open my eyes! Cliche I know but sometimes, you have to stop and smell the roses! Hope this helps :) 

Be thankful of the many blessings you have & see the beauty that is in our colorful world.