Choose Joy

Sorry Friends~
I'm both under and overwhelmed with different things happening in and around me. The past few months have been gritty- I've been bored, cynical, riding one mundane moment to the next. But Spring is here- the growing season.  I was inspired by the book One Thousand Gifts to live a full life by being thankful. Thankfulness brings joy- and joy, perspective.  I've started my own list and was surprised to find it's ever growing, never ending.

"When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows."

 Nothing around me has changed except my perspective, which ironically changes everything.  I won't always, but today- I choose joy.

Healthy Snacks: Spicy Kale Chips

Snacking is my vice!  Even when I'm not hungry, I'm looking for things to munch on.  I saw this on pinterest while dieting (story of my life) and tried it recently with NO expectation.  The results were not bad at all.  It's not the same as a crunchy-salty-delicious potato chip, but perfect for guilt-free mindless eating.

You'll need:
-kale (I used a pre-washed, pre-cut package from traders joe's)
-salt and pepper to taste

Bake the kale in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes. DONE and YUM!

 

*tip* add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick

Airplane Travel Essentials: Part 1

TSA liquid rules, fussy children, chatty adults, dry as dust airplane air...make the best out of traveling by being prepared.

Here are my top airplane essentials:

1. Steam Eye Mask - LOVE THIS!
2. Headphones
3. Squeezable Travel Bottles
4. Sample Container
5. Too Cool For School Aqua Gel Mist
6. Evian Mineral Water Spray

Tips:

-I try not to wear any makeup on the plane because I want my skin to breathe and absorb the mist.
-I'll loosen my shoelaces or wear sandals because my feet get quite swollen.
-I always pack a sweater or blanket to keep warm from the AC chill.
-Not a fan of airplane food (even koreanair) so candy and non-messy/non-stinky snacks are a must.
-I'll do one carry-on only for domestic flights. This will help cut out baggage costs and time wasted waiting for luggage.

Seltzer Facial aka Sparkling Water Face Bath

When my skin needs a pick me up, I do a quick seltzer facial.  Korean spas have been using carbonated water to treat the skin for years.  I don't know if sparkling water actually makes your face cleaner, but your skin will definitely feel cleaner.  The bubbles will revitalize your skin and give it a nice glow.  It's also my go-to treatment to reduce bloating and swelling!  I recommend no more than 1-2 times a week so your skin doesn't get used to it.

Dunk your makeup-free face in a bowl of sparking water for about 10-15 seconds.  I usually repeat the process 3-4 times, but once will do the trick.  If you don't feel comfortable dunking or you don't have the time, you can also use sparkling water instead of tap while cleansing.  You can also use a seltzer soaked cotton pad and lightly dab onto skin after cleansing.  I feel that dunking is most effective for me, plus the bubbles are also good for your scalp~

*tip* - use plain (no color/non-flavored) mineral sparkling water.  refrigerate the water for an even more refreshing treatment.

Power Breakfast: Quail Eggs Baked in Avocado w/ Pancetta

Did you know quail eggs are considered a superfood?? They're tiny in size, but contain more potassium, iron, vitamin A/B1/B2, and percentage of protein than chicken eggs.  Not to mention, they fit perfectly inside the hollow of an avocado- another nutrient-dense superfood!  

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 15-20 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients 

1 avocado

2 quail eggs 

1 oz. pancetta

1 finely chopped cherry tomato

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Fry pancetta or bacon until crisp. Cut the avocado in half and pit. Crack a quail egg in the hollow of each shell.  Sprinkle some salt and pepper, if you want.  Add pancetta, garnish with a slice of cherry tomato, and bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

*You can use a regular chicken egg too, but you will need to scrape a bit of the avocado to make room.  This rich, healthy, low-carb breakfast is guaranteed to keep you energized and full throughout the morning. It's also really delicious.  

DIY: COMME DES GARÇONS Chuck Taylors

I've been eyeing the Commes des Garcon Play Peek-A-Boo Canvas sneakers, but they don't come in my size EVER.  Finding  shoes is such a pain when you're a grown woman with small feet.  I hand painted these chucks using my favorite, Angelus Paint.  This paint is perfect for shoes, leather, pretty much any surface that requires a little more flexibility.

*Tip* - thoroughly clean and prep the surface of any project before applying paint to ensure that the paint adheres properly and lasts for a long time.

Why I Decided to Give Up Makeup for Lent

There's a popular korean phrase that I love, 

"너 나 잘하세요". 

[Loosely translated: worry about yourself]

In recent years, I started dealing with hurt and disappointment from others by punishing myself. Instead of just feeling disappointed or hurt and being angry at the source of the pain, I will tell myself over and over,  "너나잘헤, 너나잘헤".  Because I know I can't control what anyone else thinks or does, I start to reign in on what I can control, me.  Essentially, I'm lowering my expectations of others, while simultaneously raising the bar for myself.  I get super critical and turn that self-awareness up all the way up.  I quickly sweep the broken bits away, and begin looking for all the ugly things I need to fix inside and outside.  I get obsessive about presenting the best me.  Internally, I'll downplay my own feelings and take the high road so I can be the 'better person'.  Externally, I will carefully coordinate every outfit, not leave the house until my makeup is perfectly applied, and put a big fake  smile on my face.

This season, I'm being led to break free the standards I've set for myself.  These next 40 days, I will go fully makeup free.  It's scary and liberating at the same time- I have a trip to LA planned and a birthday coming up so it's gonna be tough..But it's more than being comfortable with any bare physical features- I didn't wear that much makeup to begin with.  Rather, my hope is to focus less on my flaws and more on my creator, God.  And in doing so, discover the fearfully wonderfully made-version of me.  I'm excited to see how God will speak into my life and the things He will reveal to me during this time! Hope you'll also be encouraged to be set free from anything that's holding you back from being you~

<3.

because nothing is real until you post it on the internet..my first ever zero makeup, no filter, no camera 360, full-face selfie. Feel free to leave a comment below! I'm gonna run away now.