theinbetweenismine

just a girl living the expat life

23: Six new products I tried & loved

filed under: good things, lists!, NaBloPoMo

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020

1. I’ve started taking collagen supplements again. I used to take Vital Proteins Collagen, then stopped and now am getting back to it. I found Great Lakes Collagen* at Trader Joe’s. It’s a reasonable price ($9.99 for 10 oz) and I researched it and it seems to have a good reputation. It is tasteless and dissolves easily in my morning coffee, so I think I’ll be getting that one for now. 

2.I enjoy a good exfoliating scrub (when I remember) and when I came across this Exfoliating Dry Brush*, I was reminded that I wanted to get one of those to use more regularly before getting in the shower. It’s the perfect size and I am enjoying it so far.

3. Someone on Instagram recommended this Ninabella®* Detangling Hair Brush. I have very fine hair that gets easily knotted and tangled up, which makes brushing very difficult, but this brush really makes a difference. There is noticeably less hair left behind in the brush, and it really detangles the hair gently without tearing out a lot of hair. Ninabella® is a German brand, but you’re lucky, it’s available to us here in the US through Amazon.

4. The last time I bought shampoo, I ordered this big a** bottle of shampoo from a brand that my hairdresser had recommended (remember the times when we went to salons? I haven’t been in ages!) and it took me forever to use it up. While I liked it, I have the type of fine hair that gets tired of the same shampoo and I need to switch it up every once in a while. I saw that the Purezero®* Shampoo was on sale at Target (the only place I shop for personal items in person right now) and since it’s a clean beauty brand without all the bad stuff, I gave it a try and really like it.

5. I also recently picked up Trader Joe’s Coconut & Shea Hair Mask*, which people have been raving about, and I can confirm: it smells really good and makes your hair smooth and soft.

6. It’s not a secret that I am a fan of Mrs. Meyer’s. We’ve been using their dish soap, laundry detergent, multi-surface cleaner, hand soap, and hand lotion for years and I always enjoy their seasonal scents, e.g. this Mrs. Meyer’s Orange Clove hand soap*.

Have you tried any new products lately? Share your winners!

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

22: Recipe | Fish Florentine

filed under: food, NaBloPoMo, recipe

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve been seeing this dish pop up a few times in the last few weeks. It’s one of our favorite recipes if we feel like we want to add more fish to our diet. It’s a dish that tastes fancy, but is super-easy to make, cooks quickly, and is still pretty light. 

I’ve adapted the recipe from the one found on skinnytaste.com. The original recipe calls for cream cheese and we decided to use a little bit more half & half and add in some vegetable broth for flavor instead.

This dish will work with any type of white, flakey fish (we have used cod, halibut, mahi-mahi, or tilapia for this dish) and since Jon and I are both spinach fans and add it to any dishes that we can, we almost doubled the amount from the original recipe. Spinach deflates so much when cooked that you won’t be sorry that you used a little bit extra. Trust me. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs (4-5 pieces) of skinless white firm fish fillet
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 red bell peppers (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
16 ounces fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup half & half 
1 cup vegetable broth
3 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp flour mixed with 3 tbsps water
salt
fresh black pepper

In a large skillet over medium heat add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, red bell pepper, and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add spinach and let wilt.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. 
Add the half & half, vegetable broth, and parmesan cheese and mix well. 
In a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsps of olive oil. Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper and place in the skillet.
Cook 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and slightly browned.
Serve creamed spinach-pepper mixture and fish over brown rice. 
 
Enjoy!
 

Fish Florentine

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs white fish fillets
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 2 bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 12 oz fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 3 tbsps grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp flour mixed with 3 tbsps water for thickening
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, red bell pepper, and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
  • Add spinach and let wilt. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. 
  • Add the half & half, vegetable broth, and parmesan cheese and mix well. (Thicken with flour mixture, if necessary.)
  • In a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsps of olive oil. Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper and place in the skillet.
  • Cook 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and slightly browned.
  • Serve creamed spinach-pepper mixture and fish over brown rice.  

21: Letters to the Universe

filed under: about me, NaBloPoMo

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020

Letters to the Universe

Dear 2020 – you’ve been a real brat. I know, I know, Covid is one thing. Maybe that wasn’t your fault entirely, but you’ve been piling on big time on a lot of people that are dear to my heart, and I kinda had it with you, TBH. Can you just stop being so awful? Can we at least have the holiday season without any more bad news?  

Dear Covid – while I am at it, could you just go tf away?

Dear fellow citizens – please act responsibly during the holidays. I know, it’s hard to not see family and friends, but remember there are lots of people who sometimes – for other reasons – can’t see family or friends for the holidays (like me!) and they make it through the holidays somehow, too. Which means, so can you. Isn’t it worth it to you to bite the bullet and skip family gatherings this year, so you can see your family members for many more years to come?

Dear body – thank you for being healthy and strong and (mostly) willing to do what I ask you to. You fall asleep easily (most of the time), you haven’t given me any worrisome aches and pains, and you generally happily support my active lifestyle. I know, sometimes I am not kind and I could treat you better, but I try to not take you for granted, ever.

Dear Tr*mp –  for the love of God, concede and go away already. Don’t make this harder (and more embarrassing) than it already is. You lost. Be a man. It’s time to face the music.  

Dear holidays  – I am hoping you’ll be able to make up a tiny bit for everything that’s been hard and awful this year. Even if we’re all doing things socially distanced. Let’s make it nice. Are you ready?

Dear fellow NaBloPoMo-ers – how are you doing? We’ve made it 2/3 through the month and it looks like you’ve all been doing a great job! 

What letters would you like to put out into the universe today?

20: Five Things Friday Vol 18.

filed under: Friday Five, NaBloPoMo

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020

Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.

Are you participating in a virtual Turkey Trot this year? I ran our local Turkey Trot, which literally goes through my neighborhood, last year and I was dead set on repeating it this year, but because of COVID, everything is canceled has gone virtual. Sacramento has one of the largest Turkey Trots, Run to Feed the Hungry,  in the country and I think I am going to run, but I won’t officially register this year, but donate directly to the Sacramento Foodbank instead. I don’t need another race shirt for a race that doesn’t take place in person at this time. 

*  *  * 

California’s governor Gavin Newsom ordered a curfew for most of California’s counties starting tomorrow and it’s going to be in place for the next four weeks. We are ordered to remain in our homes between 10 p.m and 5 a.m. unless performing essential activities and I am on board with that. To be honest, this doesn’t change anything that Jon and I have been doing since March. I am sure it’s to head off any holiday gatherings, which leads me to ask – if you’re planning to get together with people for Thanksgiving, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? If you need yet another warning that COVID is real, take it from Rachel Maddow, who completely opened up on her show last night (watch these 8 minutes, for the love of all things good). 

*  *  * 

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet? I am usually a firm believer of not decorating until after Thanksgiving or the first day of Advent (which falls onto the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend this year), and while I haven’t decorated yet, I give EVERYONE a pass this time (nice of me, I know) because if the holidays are the one thing that makes you happy this year, I am all for decorating and listening to Christmas music as early as you like (share your decorations with me!).

*  *  * 

Happy birthday to Joe Biden. Stay strong and healthy. That’s all I am asking for.

*  *  * 

Do you know the company MudLOVE? No? Come back next week and I’ll tell you a little bit about them and their awesome mission.

TGIF!

19: Currently | November

filed under: currently, NaBloPoMo

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020


FEELING | so relieved and elated that Joe Biden (and Kamala Harris) won the presidency.  This was definitely the highlight of this month. I’ve never been one with a nervous stomach, but I am not exaggerating when I say that my heartburn stopped the day when they announced Biden as the next president-elect. 

ENJOYING | the mix of running, cycling, yoga, and strength training that I’ve been shaping into a solid at-home workout routine these last few months (thanks to the Peloton app).


EATING | homemade Vinschgauer rolls. They’re a specialty from South Tyrol, the region of Northern Italy where I went skiing every winter when I was growing up. The rolls are mostly made with rye flour and spices, such as fennel and caraway seeds and they taste amazing. Jon was a bit skeptical at first (the scent of fennel and caraway seeds can be a bit overwhelming) but he said they were absolutely delicious, which is true! Also, soup!

DRINKING | (big pots of) peppermint tea. I got my big thermal carafe out of the garage for the winter months.

FOCUSING ON | making this holiday season extra special. Jon and I are (kinda) used to not always being able to see family for the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t sad that this year, it wasn’t even an option on the table. After our summer plans had been canceled, I had for sure hoped that we could have made plans for Christmas, but with COVID raging around the country, we are not going anywhere. 

LOVING | the fall temperatures and the first rain. I am ready for the cooler season now. Bring it.


PLANNING OUT | my Christmas shopping. I’ll be keeping it pretty simple and light this year (I think), as I will do most, if not all of my shopping online. 

TRYING | to come up with a game plan for our holiday cards. Are you sending cards this year? (If you’ve been around, you know I’ll be having a roll call a little later this month (so I can gather and/or update your addresses!)

WEARING | yoga pants all day, every day.

PURCHASING | a meat grinder attachment for my Kitchenaid Mixer, plus a cookie press attachment, so I can finally make my own “spritz cookies” for Christmas this year. I am beyond excited. I’ve been talking about it for years, never made the purchase because my Mom usually sent me a Christmas package with spritz cookies, so I didn’t have to make my own, but since this is definitely not happening this year, it was time to invest. Real German Spritzgebäck (spritz cookies) are made with chilled dough and you need a meat grinder and attachment to get them in the right shape. Cookie presses won’t cut it.


READING | Separated by Jacob Soboroff, who has documented Trump’s infamous zero-tolerance, migrant family separation policy. If it’s on your to-read list, buckle up! This is some tough sh*t.

EXCITED | to be hosting the 5th annual Secret Santa (Mug) Swap 2020 again this year. If you missed the post, you can find all the details here. You have until tonight to sign up if you’re interested in participating. I’ll be sending out the info to the swap participants tomorrow! I’d love for you to join us!

What is currently going on with you?

18: What I bought at Trader Joe’s Vol. 11

filed under: food, NaBloPoMo, traderjoes

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020

If you know me, you know I am a little bit Trader Joe’s obsessed. We do 80% of our shopping there and although I wish we’d finally also get an Aldi in the area, I would never trade my Trader Joe’s for it. 

It’s been a whole year since I shared some of the things that I have recently purchased (and loved) from Trader Joe’s and I thought I’d bring this feature back. The holiday season is an especially exciting time to shop at TJ’s because they always have really great seasonal items.  

Here are a few things I’ve recently picked up on my shopping trips:


Pappardelle Pasta* (8 oz) $1.99 // pantry  section

It’s surprising how much the shape of your pasta changes the character of your pasta dish. We usually buy whole grain spaghetti or penne for our pasta dishes, but this pappardelle pasta was a really nice change if you’d like to switch things up. 


Turkey Burger (12 oz) $2.99 // freezer section 

We’ve worked hard to try every single frozen burger variety that Trader Joe’s offers  (still a few to go), but the turkey burgers are one of our favorites. They’re just simple patties without any extra seasoning, they cook nicely, and don’t lose a lot of water. Solid buy!


Cotswold Double Gloucester Cheese* (per lb) $9.99 // dairy section

You can’t go wrong with any cheese, IMHO, but this is one of my recent favorites. If you are planning to put together a cheese/charcuterie board for the holidays (and honestly, who doesn’t?), add this cheese to your selection. You won’t regret it. 


Fairtrade Organic Bolivian Blend Coffee* (14 oz) $7.99 // pantry section

When we don’t want to pay the big bucks for fancy coffee, this is our go-to everyday coffee. We grind the beans freshly at home and it’s really smooth and delicious coffee.  


Speculoos* (7 oz) $2.99 // above freezer section

Do yourself a favor and get a box of Speculoos for the holiday season. These cookies are so good and they pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. (I dunk mine into the warm beverage.)

What have you bought at Trader Joe’s recently?

* I am not affiliated with Trader Joe’s, nor have they endorsed, sponsored or paid for my reviews. I am just sharing my love for the store and its products, which basically means free advertisement for them. Ha. All opinions are my own.

17: A few current fall favorites

filed under: monthly favorites, NaBloPoMo

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020

Once upon a time, I used to publish a monthly favorites list at the end of each month, but everything kind of stopped when the Coronavirus hit. It didn’t feel ‘right’ to keep posting the frivolous stuff for a while. However, I truly enjoy it when other bloggers share some of their favorites things, so I am bringing the format back this month with a few of my current fall favorites.

1) I mentioned before that I ordered some Stumptown Coffee* for Jon’s birthday last month and now we’re both ‘hooked’ again. Did you know that Target carries Stumptown now? It’s amazing because now I don’t have to pay for shipping anymore. Of course, I picked up another bag on my last bi-weekly shopping trip. 

2) We had this simple, inexpensive Hamilton Beach Crockpot* for years and years and it hasn’t failed me yet. I just got it out to make a stew last week and the whole house smelled so nice the whole day and it was amazing to get up from my work desk in the evening knowing that dinner had already cooked itself. I see a lot of crockpot dinners happening again this winter. Send me your best recipes! 

3) As mentioned last weekend, it’s that time of the year again when a warm Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats is the perfect breakfast to get me started in the morning. It’s ready in minutes and just so cozy and soothing when it’s still cold in the house in the morning. How do you like your oats?

4) I picked up this Apple Cinnamon Candle* at Target because apples and cinnamon is my favorite fall scent. This candle is not too fragrant but has a really nice, subtle scent. 

5) During the same shopping trip, I also found this Fresh-spiced Apple Febreze* air freshener (do you see a theme here?) and had to buy it. We’re usually a little “stuck in our ways”, when it comes to scented household items in our house. We usually buy the relatively neutral “linen & sky” scent, but I am so glad I took a chance on this one, because both Jon and I love it. It’s a seasonal item, so we might have to stock up before the season is over.  

6) I mentioned in my last Currently-post that our old microwave bit the dust and that we finally ordered a new one. And I couldn’t be more excited about this beauty* that perfectly matches my aqua Kitchenaid mixer. I have a thing for “teal” appliances and heating up my coffee milk in the morning just got this much more exciting. Haha.

7) Fuzzy socks made an appearance again this week when our temperatures suddenly dropped to overnight lows in the 30’s. There’s nothing worse than cold feet, am I right?

What is one of your favorite fall things?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

16: Five current pet peeves

filed under: NaBloPoMo, pet peeves

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2020


Photo by David Klein on Unsplash

1. My biggest pet peeve right now: People who don’t wear masks and don’t adhere to the guidelines around COVID. This is not hard, people. Wear a mask and keep your distance. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for the people you love.  

2. Instagram is changing things around again and I just can’t with it. I wish they could stop making changes. I really don’t care for a Reels or a Shop tab, and having the Create tab and Like tab at the top right of the screen is just not very convenient (I don’t have the large iPhone and it’s already hard to reach with one hand). I also really don’t care for the new “dark” theme for creating posts. Whose decision was that? (Calm down, I’ll get used to it, but JFC, why?)

3. People who don’t give you space on the sidewalk because they’re either glued to their phones or just don’t care when other people are approaching them. I usually try to go out of my way to social distance when I am out running, but I wish other people would be just as considerate and pay attention to what’s going on around them.

4. Bloggers who wonder why they’re not getting comments but who never respond back. I understand that it’s not always possible to reply to every single comment or comment on everybody’s blog, but making that connection every once in a while is so important, IMHO.

5. When tech items slow down over time. My iPhone 7 is 4+ years old and it’s getting really slow when loading images on IG and it drives me bonkers. Does anyone else have that problem with an older phone? (I don’t think it’s our Internet connection.) Might be time to upgrade soon.

What is one of your current pet peeves?

15: Recipe | Warm and soothing Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats

filed under: food, NaBloPoMo, recipe

It’s that time of the year again where a warm and soothing breakfast makes all the difference in the dark and early morning hours. People generally love or hate oatmeal, I personally think it all comes down to the way you prepare it. 

I swear by steel-cut oats over old-fashioned oats. They don’t get as soggy and keep a little bit of extra texture. They also have a bit of a nuttier flavor, which I like. Steel-cut oats are also said to be a little bit more nutritious than the rolled variety because they contain a little bit more fiber and are slightly lower on the glycemic index. I don’t think the difference is significant though, so use whichever ones you personally prefer.

Ingredients

⅓ cup of steel-cut oats (I use the quick-cooking kind from Trader Joe’s. They cook in 8 minutes and cut the cooking time in less than half!)
¾ cup liquid of choice (I prefer soy milk these days, but water or milk or other milk alternatives work as well). 
1 apple (chopped) (or ½ cup blueberries or raspberries are good too!)
1 tsp sweetener of choice (I use maple syrup or honey, but you can also use brown sugar, coconut sugar, or agave syrup). 
cinnamon
pinch of salt

Bring the liquid and fruit to a boil. Add steel-cut oats, a pinch of salt, and sweetener and let simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally (or cook according to directions). Let sit for 1 minute.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy warm. 

*  *  *

I usually go through phases with my breakfast choices (remember, I had a lot of smoothies throughout the summer, I also enjoyed müsli with yogurt and fruit, and I even had sprouted whole-grain toast with plum butter quite a few times recently), but I know that steel-cut oats will be my go-to breakfast this winter.

What do you like for breakfast these days?

Warm and soothing apple cinnamon steel-cut oats

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Servings 1
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup steel-cut oats
  • 3/4 cup soy milk or water or other milk alternative
  • 1 medium apple
  • tsp maple syrup
  • cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

  • Bring the liquid and fruit to a boil.
  • Add steel-cut oats, a pinch of salt, and sweetener and let simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally (or cook according to directions).
  • Let sit for 1 minute.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy warm. 

14: November Link List

filed under: link love, NaBloPoMo

linklist

Around the Interwebs

The pandemic could end waiting in line.

How your brain ticks during a pandemic.

I am never moving back to America no matter who’s the president. Interesting take from someone who left the country.

Now you can see the COVID-19 risk anywhere in the country, in real time.

I agree with this. Why you should still take vacation time during the pandemic.

We all owe a lot to Stacey Abrams.

How to be rich, according to the happiest country in the world.

Around the blogosphere

Digital household chores – ever thought about adding them to your list?

Show me your cozy corner!

Unique holiday gift ideas.

The One Work-From-Home Rule I Always Follow, And 5 I’ve Tried & Ditched.

Here are some great tips! How to make the most of your Google calendar.

Craftiness/DIY

My friend Tobia shared this 2021 printable calendar and it’s so pretty! Check it out!

Thanksgiving stickers.

Another freebie. Free printable holiday labels.

For my runner friends

Did you ever wonder how much you actually sweat during a workout? Here’s how to calculate your sweat rate.

Did your shoes run their course? Don’t miss the signs of wear.

The 10 fitness goals you should be setting.

Deliciousness

More than you ever wanted to know about potatoes, but we love potatoes in this house and there’s just so many ways to prepare them (in a healthy way!). It’s not just French fries and butter-laden baked potatoes.

Stuffing Muffins? What a great idea!

Shutterbean’s Cranberry Rosemary Bars look delicious!

Trader Joe’s best frozen pasta. (I guess I have to try them one of these days.)

Cheese Cauliflower Casserole. Yum.

Share a good link with me in the comments!

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