Random Friday

So, I realize that (blog post-wise) this week has been entirely random already... it has just been one of those crazy ones.  But, generally speaking, my Fridays always feel especially random.  The finish line to a usually packed and always frenetic week comes with a morning toddler music class that sets a wacky tone to the day and a giddy anticipation of the weekend that gets my head spinning every time.  Therefore, I've decided to make it official, and declare every Friday a Random Friday on SMJ.  I'll give you a little peak into my highly abstract pre-weekend thoughts, and I'd love to hear your's as well.

What's swimming around in my brain today?

I cooked an old favorite recipe of ours this week... Chickpea and Spinach Stew.  I had forgotten how delicious and virtuous this vegetarian pot of Spanish love always turns out, and it was the perfect thing for our post-Super Bowl sloth.  It would also be the perfect thing to chef up this weekend... highly recommended on its own or served over couscous with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.

In the meantime, I'm about to throw this bad boy into the slow cooker for a Friday at-home date night...

This is a Slow Cooker Lamb, Apricot and Olive Tagine from last month's Real Simple that looks incredible and gets rave reviews.  Can't wait to try it.  Apparently I am on some sort of Spanish/North African kick, but it seems to be working for us.

Outside the kitchen, since we already have a lovely jar of coconut oil in our pantry, and we're due for a snowy, stay-at-home day tomorrow, and my winter hair is feeling a bit parched and crackly, I'm planning on trying a coconut oil deep conditioning treatment.

Supposedly, just working a heaping spoonful of this miracle oil through your mane and letting it sit for awhile has some seriously moisturizing effects.  I'm hoping that the tropical smell and decadent feeling will carry me through a cabin fever afternoon.

Also in the realm of natural foods, I got the most incredible drink this week at one of our local cafes. Called a "Kick in the Face", the drink was made with tons of fresh lemon and ginger juice, brewed hot with honey and yerba mate concentrate.  Damn, it was good!  And it made me feel slightly more immune to the ever present toddler germs, which is a total added bonus.  I got a subtle caffeine buzz from the mate to boot.  I need to try and recreate this at home, and will report back if I have any success.  In the meantime, I'm hoping this stays on their drink menu for the winter... so tasty!

In closing, TOMS has introduced a line of ballet flats.

Please hide my wallet.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo