Welcome in Summer with Gorgeous Living!🪻

June is the perfect month to slow down … with a new cookbook!

Jun 04, 2024

Hello, my friend! Are you ready for June?

I don’t know about you, but I cook differently in the summer. Can you imagine a big bowl of chili … on a 100-degree day?! That just doesn’t sound very good …

For me, June starts the summer season, when we spend more time outside than in. I’ve gone a little overboard on my patio decorations this year, crafting a few more buckets of flowers. Why? Because I love them! It’s simply Gorgeous when I head outside! It does my soul good … and I think we all need a little more of that this year.

Gorgeous living. What does it mean?

Joy. Femininity. Bliss. Pleasure.

A sunny day. A walk in the park. Perusing the farmer’s markets. Tasting the local wine.

Good food. Beautiful meals. Great conversations. Enjoying the scenery.

Cooking together. Flavorful foods. Music, music, music. Joy and fulfillment.

That’s me.

Here’s a note to you to remind you to put yourself at the top of your priority list this summer. As women, we are programmed to take care of everybody and everything around us. Too often, we forget that occasionally, our own needs should be met too.

I believe there’s no better time to do that than right now.

Slow down this summer. Find something you love. Do it more. Enjoy.

Make a list of things you adore. Then give yourself a little more. It’s called self-honoring. You’re worth it.

So here’s a bouquet. 💐 Go ahead and make plans to enjoy the coming days.

I’ve got some ideas for you …

This month’s June Motivation will cover …

Cookbook Time!

It’s summer! It’s summer!

I live in wine country in Oregon, in a smallish city south of Portland. If you know anything about the Pacific Northwest, you might have visions of non-stop rain throughout the year. That’s a myth … BUT, we do get our fair share in the winter months. It starts tapering off as the days grow longer. And by June, SUNSHINE!

I’m a little excited about summer this year. For so many reasons. I have outdoor concerts scheduled from June through October. I’ve doubled the space for my garden. My outdoor patio is looking especially nice this year. I’ll sum it up by saying: I love being outdoors!

Of course, that means stepping away from my kitchen. But I still cook most of my meals, and enjoy being in the kitchen when I’m there. Which is why I look for truly Gorgeous recipes that are nutritious, scrumptious … and easy to create.

This month’s cookbook is the perfect book to bring into my kitchen. I was sold by glancing at the table of contents. She categorizes them by Speedy Lunches, Midweek Suppers, and Cook Once, Eat Twice. Sign me up - I’m in! You will be too, when you discover this Gorgeous cookbook that makes the perfect June companion.

Healthy made Simple
By Ella Mills

The front of the cookbook says it all: Delicious, plant-based recipes, ready in 30 minutes or less. Because sometimes we lead a busy life. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve good food.

I believe cooking is an activity you get better at over time. When you learn how foods come together - how they work together - you’ll have an easier time putting your own signature on a dish. This book is a great starting point for that.

Like with her Everyday Veggie Tray Bake. Start with the suggested veggies. Then experiment with what you have on hand. We picked up some beautiful turnips at the farmer’s market … throw them in!

Honestly, you can’t make a mistake. You can find some things that make a recipe “meh.” But the more you experiment, the more you’ll create your own flare, and the more you’ll appreciate good food.

That’s what’s most important, isn't it?

Lentils - The Easy Protein Add

Want to go plant-based? Add lentils to your diet - it’s an easy way to bring fiber, protein, and key vitamins into your body.

Lentils are edible seeds from the legume family. They’ve long since been a food staple in places like Turkey, Jordan, and Syria, but only recently are gaining in popularity here in the US.

When you head to the grocery store, you’ll find several different types of lentils, each characterized by color. And here’s the key - not all varieties of lentils are interchangeable. Each has a purpose and works best in specific types of recipes.

Le Puy or French Green Lentils hold their shape as they cook, giving them a firm texture.
Beluga Lentils are similar to French green; you can use them interchangeably. They have a nice bite to them, and work well in salads or a hearty dish on their own.
Regular Green or Brown Lentils soften and become mushy as they cook. They are better added to soups to give them a creamy consistency.
Red lentils are the fastest cookers in the bunch. They become soft and tender in 15 minutes, and melt and dissolve into a creamy texture.

Why are they good for plant eaters? Let’s start with fiber. Lentils are high in fiber, which aids in the growth of healthy gut bacteria, and supports regular bowel movements.

They are packed with nutrients - B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium. They have a broad range of beneficial plant compounds called phytochemicals, which are thought to protect against chronic disease.

And now the best part … protein. Lentils are made of more than 25 percent protein, which makes them a great addition to any meal. Because they are a great source of iron, they are an easy substitute for more traditional meat dishes.

I love to throw them in anywhere - salads, veggie bakes, soups. They’re as delicious as they are nutritious. Here are two sources for you: Food To Live and Bob’s Red Mill.

I love lentil soup - for me, it’s a great way to warm up on a cold day. I think of it almost like chicken noodle soup, only better for you.

I top it on salads quite frequently. It’s my “meat” on a hardy salad.

But I’ve never baked them before … until this month’s cookbook gave me a recipe. Inside Healthy Made Simple, Ella shares a recipe Sweet Potato and Crispy Lentil Bowls with Cilantro and Ginger Yogurt. Mix sweet potato wedges with green lentils, olive oil, and a few spices. Then put it on a tray and bake it.

All I can say is … Wow! Never thought of baking them before, but it’s now on my radar. And it’s so good! When you pick up this cookbook this month, give this recipe a try. It’s one of my favorites for the summer.

Is Self-Care Really a Thing?

I’ve been a self-care junkie for many years. Self-care gurus have motivated and inspired me since I started my first business. I listened to cassette tapes in my Walkman, clipped to my shorts as I jogged around my neighborhood. I graduated to signing up for courses, attending live events, and being schooled by more mentors than most ever will.

And I’ll admit, I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of that.

All of that training helped propel me forward. I believe in education - learning new things to help you take your next steps.

I’ll continue learning for life.

Because no matter how often you seek advice, no matter how many ways you hear it, the lessons come when you’re ready for them. So it’s important to keep listening.

A lot has happened in the past few years, and I admitted to myself a few weeks ago that I was facing burnout. In true “Lori” fashion, I went all-in with the research. It led me to a book I can’t stop thinking about.

The Emotionally Exhausted Woman by Nancy Colier

“The goal of self-care, or so we’ve been sold, is to remove what doesn’t feel good and add what does. And yes, of course, this is a part of taking care of ourselves. But more often than we want or are willing to acknowledge, the truth is that we can’t actually rid ourselves of what doesn’t feel good, not because we’re failing, but just because it’s the way reality is.”

I’ve approached self-care like I do everything else in my life. I read a ton, watch just as much, attend classes, and follow gurus. I absorb, take their advice, and spit it out into my life in a way that makes sense to me. I add it into my to-do list from morning to night.

So I get up, and start in. Meditate - check. Journal - check. Read - check. Paint - check. On and on it goes.

Several months ago, I stopped doing. Doing things on my to-do list just to get them done. Doing things on my self-care list because they no longer felt right, like they were what was right for me.

And this book confirmed so much for me.

Was I adding self-care to my to-do list for the sake of making it look good? Or was it really doing me some good?

“Real self-care must extend beyond your acceptable feelings, the ones you’ve been taught are okay to feel; it must include more than just those truths that are easy to acknowledge, safe, understandable, and most importantly, don’t present a problem for anyone else. It demands building an accepting and respectful relationship with those parts of yourself that you think are ugly, embarrassing, mean, yucky, dangerous, and unlikable - the feeling that you thought made you ugly, embarrassing, mean, yucky, dangerous, and unlikable. To truly take care of yourself, you have to be willing to take care of all of you - the whole imperfect and messy enchilada. Nothing, not one want, need, feeling, or experience, can be deemed unworthy or excluded from your care.”

As a 30-year vegetarian/vegan/plant-based eater, I can tell you I have a lot of feelings bottled up inside, that I’ve hidden away from friends and family. My views on eating and wellness are definitely not mainstream. They very often differentiate from the norm.

I’m working on it.

I gave up a lot of my self-care activities that were added to my to-do list based on a lifetime of research. I’ve really started asking myself: What’s important to me?

And I’ve started putting things back into my life as I discover more of who I am today.

I don’t think The Emotionally Exhausted Woman is for everyone. But if you’re still reading this, and you’re attracted to the title, you’ll probably get a lot from the book.

“I hope it’s clear by now that self-care is not a thing or activity, but rather a relationship you build and nurture with yourself.”

I’ve learned a lot about myself these past few weeks as I change my approach to self-care. What’s your self-care plan? Are you in a place where it’s working … or not? Maybe this resonates with you.

If so, I have an added bonus for you.

Start by downloading my free journaling prompt guide.

Then, watch my video and journal along with me. No matter how you’ve approached self-care before, I guarantee I’ll give you new ideas to consider as you adjust your self-care routine. It’s something I’ve been doing these past few months, and I’m finding new ways to bring joy into my life!

Kitchen Joy!

Charcuterie boards! Is there anything that sparks joy in quite the same manner as a well-thought-out charcuterie board? I’ll admit, I’ve become a bit obsessed with them over the years.

The history isn’t plant-based friendly. Charcuterie is derived from the French words chair (meaning flesh) and cuit (meaning cooked), used in the 15th century for fancy products sold from a pork butcher.

Fast-forward to today … who needs to include flesh products when there are so many better options to use instead?⁣

I love filling a board with some of my favorite magical treats. Hummus? Check. Veggies? You bet. I love poking around my favorite local market and finding all kinds of delicacies I can include to make my guests say: Wow!⁣

Charcuterie boards are easy to create. I purchased a solid plank wood cutting board, and use it as my base. One of my creations centered around a tiny pumpkin I picked up at the local farmers market. Then I added a bit of this and a bit of that, until I felt it looked appetizing. ⁣⁣

This isn’t about perfection. Instead, it’s about providing you and your guests with quality food! Make it yourself - hummus is easy to whip up in your kitchen. Buy it - just read the ingredients and choose the highest quality, whole food items you can.

Bring it with you - I’m always crafting charcuterie boards on the fly. We go to at least one concert a week in the summer - concerts in the park are so much fun! Adding a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine makes it even more appealing!

Start with your produce section. I love to include veggies and fruit.

Add dips and sauces. Hummus works well, but I also love artichoke dip, one of my favs! 😋

Gourmet crackers and breads work. Or make your own!

Here are some ideas for inspiration:

Cheese

You can never go wrong with MiYoko’s. Try their aged smoked english plant milk cheese, or plant milk cheese spread sundried tomato.

Misha’s stretches the envelope of plant-based cheese. Try black truffle or French connection. Yum!

Charcuterie boards

I’ve found this charcuterie board for the summer, and I couldn’t be more excited! It folds up for easy carrying, and unfolds for a dynamic presentation at your next picnic!

Want different sizes? Try round or rectangle. I love how these combine wood and marble.

Olives

Yep, they get their own category in my house. Pack in a jar or two. Or three.

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