I’m not sure about you guys, but sometimes in the middle of the week I need a little inspiration. I tend to try and hit Monday full-force (although it typically ends up with me over-doing it, wearing myself out, and then laying on our office floor lamenting how little I got done that day) and by Wednesday or Thursday I’ve worked hard enough that I’m feeling a little weary and ready for the weekend. Every week is different, but that’s about how this week has gone so far.
If you’re feeling anything like I am and need a little pick-me-up, I want to share a some mid-week inspiration with you! These are a couple of the things I’ve been inspired by lately.
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I’ve been loving this book lately. Sarah Rhoads suggested it to me ages ago, and it’s been on my bookshelf for about three years now and I finally got around to reading it. If you’re a fellow creative, you could heartily benefit from picking up a copy (it’s only about $9 on Amazon right now!)
The way she writes about the creative process is accessible but thought-provoking as well. I’ve had a pen in-hand the whole time I’ve been reading and have scribbled and scratched throughout the book, underlining everything that stands out to me. Here’s one of my many favorite quotes to pique your interest – “Without passion, all the skill in the world won’t lift you above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering. Combining the two is the essence of the creative life.”
Look Up. This video on Youtube is well worth your time. It’s been floating around Facebook this week and I highly recommend you go watch it. I could go on for ages about all the thoughts it made me think, but for now just go watch it.
Smart Gardener. This website has been incredibly helpful for Tim and I as we’ve learned what it takes to grow a garden. It’s totally free and you can easily plot the layout of your garden and choose the plants you’d like to go in it. Smart Gardener will tell you which plants do well in your climate, what you can plant right now, when to water and feed your garden, and what grows well and doesn’t grow well together, amongst other things! I can’t recommend it enough if you’re a first time gardener, are curious about what it takes to grow your own veggies, or simply want to learn more to supplement the knowledge you already have about gardening! I’d love to hear if you have any good gardening resources – I always love learning more!
One of the beautiful things about growing your own veggies is that it teaches you what eating seasonally means. When you can hop over to the grocery store and purchase nearly any kind of vegetable at any time of the year, it’s easy to ignore what’s actually in season. By growing your own food – even just one tomato plant, or a few pepper plants and some herbs – you’ll start to learn the patterns of that vegetable. What does it need? How do you care for it? What natural enemies does it have that will set up camp in your garden? And most importantly – when does it come into season?
I promise that your appreciation for the farmers that grow your food will multiply exponentially when you find yourself plucking weeds out of your garden or fending off the tomato hornworms that decide to wreck havoc on your plants. In growing your own veggies you’ll find yourself being more aware – more aware of the weather, more conscious of the fields of corn and soy beans you pass when driving through the country, and more mindful of what you’re putting into your own body.
Eating seasonally saves you money when you’re buying at the grocery store because whatever is currently in abundance will naturally be cheaper. Supply and demand, you guys. And who doesn’t like saving money at the grocery store?? Fruits and veggies that are in season will also taste better – have you ever tried buying strawberries in Janurary? Gross. When you compare them to the fragrant, juicy strawberries that are coming into season now, they’re bland and sad (and expensive!) little January strawberries. To see what’s in season in your area, check out this fabulous interactive map by Epicurious!
For more gardening tips and tricks, you can follow my gardening board over on Pinterest!
What have you been inspired by lately? Read any good books or come across any great websites? Seen any good movies or read any inspiring blogs?
Asparagus is in season across much of the US right now, so it’s easy to find these tender little green shoots at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. I love asparagus roasted in the oven with a little olive oil, some salt and pepper, and garlic. Sprinkle some parmesan over the top when you take them out of the oven and you have a delicious side dish, perfect for pairing with a pasta dish or some grilled chicken.
Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1/2 bunch asparagus
- Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Parmesan grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Rinse asparagus and dry well with a paper towel. Place on a rimmed baking sheet (use a silpat or tin foil for easier cleanup.)
- Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus and toss them to coat.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh garlic over the asparagus and toss again if need be.
- Roast asparagus for 10 minutes, remove from oven and turn them with a spatula.
- Roast for 5-10 more minutes as desired.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle grated parmesan over the top before serving.