self care

Candied Pecans

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These candied pecans are simple, comforting, and one of those recipes that makes the house smell like the holidays almost instantly. I sometimes make them for the stocking exchange at work or give them as little extra gifts for everyone. They’re perfect for snacking, gifting, or tossing on a salad when you want something a little special without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 4 cups pecan halves

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set it aside.

In a larger bowl, whisk the egg white, vanilla, and water until it’s nice and frothy. Add the pecans and toss until they’re all coated.

Pour the sugar mixture over the pecans and gently stir until everything is evenly covered. Spread the pecans out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes, giving them a good stir every 10 minutes so they don’t stick or burn. Once they’re done, take them out and let them cool completely on the pan—this is when they crisp up.

When fully cooled, store them in an airtight container.

Storage Tips

  • On the counter: up to 10 days
  • In the refrigerator: up to 2 weeks
  • In the freezer: up to 2 months

Nutrient Facts (Approximate per 1/4 cup serving):

  • Calories: 200 kcal
  • Total Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Sodium: 25mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 5g

Nutrient values can vary based on the specific nuts used and the exact measurements of ingredients.

5 Minutes of Meditation (Brain Break)

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Some of us struggle with finding ways to ground ourselves and create calmness within right? What does it take to get this moment done. Well for starters, time. We live in a hustle bustle world where we are going non-stop. Both physically and mentally. Our bodies and brains feel like a windup toy the minute our feet hit the ground. Our thoughts are a compilation of worries, schedules, priorities, and people to take care of. How is that going to happen when you can’t even find 5 minutes to clear your mind to give your brain a break? I call it just that, it’s a “brain break” to get myself in shape for what’s ahead.

Will taking 5 minutes for yourself really change or take away from anything that you have to get done for the day? Set a timer for 5 minutes wherever you are when you wake up, after you send the kids to school, or before you make your calls for the day and set aside 5 minutes to take care of YOU.

5 Minutes of Meditation

  • 1st minute: Be grateful and thankful for waking up and having the opportunity to be alive. Think, how did I get to where I am right now in life? Think of all the things that brought you to where you are now. Give it a good solid minute.
  • 2nd minute: Listen, look, and indulge at what is going on around you. The sound of your coffee perking, the birds chirping outside, the humming of the cars whirring past your house, the appliances humming doing their job. Everything going on around you that lets you recognize that you are alive and well.
  • 3rd minute: What do you have right now that lets you have internet, read this post, the device that brings you to reading this post, gives you electricity, keeps you warm, gives you something to sleep on, to communicate with others through? Get my drift? All these things are a blessing. They also give you the opportunity to keep going.
  • 4th minute: How can I use what I have to make my life even better? Take what you have in your life, all your resources to make things better. Everything tangible can change your life. Use what you have to do whatever it takes to get you to where you need to be. Including the people around you that encourage you, help you in the time of need, and those who you can always lean on. All these things and people were put in your life for a reason.
  • 5th minute: Give thanks to whoever you worship. It can be anything or anyone that you find solace in. A God, a friend, nature, anything that gives you peace, support, and hope. Devote your energy into that being for the sole reason of projecting your gratefulness out there. It will be recognized someway, somehow and trust me, it will be.

Jot down a summary of what you want to get out of your 5 minutes. Be diligent with following through and utilizing those 5 minutes to give you what you need to function properly throughout your day. It’s not being selfish and don’t make excuses. It’s only. 5 minutes!

This Will Not Be Another Draft (1 minute read)

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I refuse to let another one of my blog post turn into a draft.

I hold back periodically because self-doubt and fear but where does that get me? Where does fear get us? It gets us further away from being at our happiest. What’s that quote…. hold on googling it. Ah yes, the great Wayne Gretzky said it best, “You miss a 100% of the shots you don’t take.” That quote has so many meanings.

Holding back and not taking those shots prevent you from what? Living life to your fullest? Saying how you really feel? Taking the path that’s right for you? Slighting yourself of what does your mind and body good?

You could be stuck in the “uncomfortable comfort zone.” Change is wicked scary. It took me 30 years to get to the point where I’m at. I didn’t have the resources or the power within to help me make that change right away. It was a slow process but I knew it had to happen or it would have gotten the best of me. It will get the best of you too if you don’t make a plan. Start slow but start somewhere.

Listen, life is never going to be perfect but if you have the right mindset and stay positive as much as you can, life will seem beautiful regardless.