A Pre-Travel Must

There is one thing that I have learned to do before I travel that helps with post-travel depression (something that really bothers me)  and also helps me look forward to coming home:

Keeping my home straightened up when I leave it. 

It may seem like a simple task, but when you are in the throws of packing, it can be hard to keep your home clean/organized. However, coming home to a clean home is so peaceful, and can help not only make you happy to come home, but also it helps you get back into your normal routine. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean a deep clean for me, but rather just cleaned up and straightened up, so that I’m also more motivated to unpack and keep my house together. 

When I leave it in chaos, it’s easier to leave my things everywhere for a while. 

Then it doesn’t feel like I’m back to routine. 

But, just straightening up is so helpful- and it’s not as stressful as a full clean. 

For me, coming home and leaving the calm and dream of a vacation with no responsibility other than where you are eating next is SO HARD. After a few depression spells, I learned tips and tricks to help me get back into the swing of things easily.
I just LOVE traveling #wanderlust. 

What are your tips?

See you soon Baltimore!

-SBR

My Favorite Easy Meal

Disclaimer before we begin: I'm no dietician, if you'd like to speak to one though, highly recommend Courtney. 

If you've been following me for any amount of time you've seen that I enjoy cooking. 

This wasn't always the case. 

I actually was very Carrie Bradshaw (you know, shoe storage in the oven) until I was about 25. Then I started wanting more than fast food constantly, and I decided to learn how to cook. Luckily at the time, I was on a particular diet that I won't name (I don't recommend these unless for real health reasons) and it helped me learn to cook somewhat healthy, as my first few meals.

But one thing that remained constant? I love an easy meal.

It can also work with just about any food restrictions (I believe), you will just need to substitute.

My favorite meals to put together are these "bowls". 

They don't really have a name- but I guess if I gave them one it would be Easy Protein Bowls.

This isn't ground breaking info but it's just something I particularly love to cook and eat, and you've probably seen it somewhere in some kind of way, but this is how I enjoy making it!

This can work for either breakfast or dinner actually, just depends on the ingredients. 

Usually I start with some kind of base:

Rice- usually whole grain

Potato (Sweet or white or red)

Lighter gluten free option- quinoa 

Cooking oils- either coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.

Veggie: 

My favorites are broccoli, broccolini or asparagus.

Protein:

Eggs or egg whites

Lean ground beef

Boneless Skinless chicken breast

Vegans- sub your fav proteins

Beans of some kind- I like black beans and pinto 

Optional add ons & seasoning:
Garlic

Onions 

Sea Salt

Ground Pepper

Old Bay

Cheese of some kind (melty- vegan or otherwise)

Breakfast- I love doing eggs, potatoes, sometimes sausage....just depends. 

I cook most things separately and then add them together in a bowl at the end. Timing is fun sometimes and I finally figured out a strategy (like hello- potatoes take the longest), but once it all comes together it is DELICIOUS and honestly, is usually just a dump of things left over (if we are being honest).

I hope you enjoy this and find it simple as well. 

I thought it would be great right before meal prep Sunday (if you do that) or just an easy weekend option!

Have an awesome week,

SBR

Spending V-Day as a Single Lady?

Hi ladies! It's me, SBR, your resident redheaded Baltimore single lady. 

I'm here to talk all things Valentines Day, and give some suggestions if you are single on how to make the most of this day.

Valentines Day is actually one of my FAVORITE holidays! Because my dad made it so much about his gifts to me when he was alive, and my mom as well, I've always seen it more as a day for gifts, candy and showing those around you that you care. I've never really seen it as a purely "significant other" holiday. 

That definitely helps. 

A word:

Yes. Sure. It's another "hallmark" holiday, but who cares? 

To me- it's just another chance to tell those I care about- that I really care.

Should you tell them every day? Sure. 

But why not have a special day for fun too?

B* don't kill my candy hearts vibe....please.

We all need more LOVE!

Okay moving right along...

Here are 5 things you can do as a single lady on V Day to make it a happy day:

1. Celebrate your single lady friends! 

Grab them something small, write a note, tell them you care, go to happy hour (there's a good one at the Charles Thursday ladies), and spend time laughing.

2. Celebrate YOU

A friend of mine at the office is taking the day off of work, drinking wine, baking cookies, and having a real self care day. Sounds like a great plan to me. 

3. Check out local events like a cooking class. (oooo la la)

I've noticed several cooking classes in the area here, I'm sure there are some where you live too. Learn a new skill to share with your friends, and impress potential dates later.

Oh you can make french macarons? Wife material.

4. Plan a special date for your parents. 

Surprise them- tell mom it was from dad, and dad it was from mom. Now that is a real cupid at work.  I used to do this for every holiday as my dad's "assistant" ha. This can also work for friends who are couples, siblings, etc. 

5. Do a random act of kindness.

There is always so much opportunity for this, and this is a day of love right? Make someone's day better, you never know what they may be going through. 

Think you will do these?
Let me know if you do!

LOVE LOVE LOVE,
SBR

February 1, 2013

February 1, 2013.

The day I lost one of the most important people in my life. 

Throughout these 6 years I have come to learn the impact that my dad truly had in my life, and honestly, I learn something new every day. 

I thought I'd share a few major things I've come to find, since the hardest day of my life. 

1. I'm confident that I most likely would not have made the leap to start my own business. 

I relied heavily on my dad for everything. We all did. He was the rock of our family. 

I think he knew that. I think it's possible he came to terms that he had taught us so many lessons, and now was our time to grow. 

I struggle with this though, because so many things would've been easier with him in my life.

But ultimately, it's true. I don't know if I would've let go of his hand (proverbially), and went out on my own. 

2. He prepared me for so many business things that I still recognize.

He had me helping with his business taxes at age 15/16. He taught me management skills. Accounting. Money management. Time management. Planning. He taught me to remember where I came from and be myself. He taught me to stay humble no matter where you are in life. Labels and money are not everything (or to him, not really anything). And to help others, and give, whenever you can. 

3. He prepared me for what I went through this week. 

I pulled this note out today, and started crying. The timing was everything.

I went through something similar once before.

My dad left me this note, below on my dresser and I found it later. 

He and I did this often, where we would leave each other notes.

He kept all of mine in a drawer, we later learned.

4. He is part of the reason behind me changing my preferred name to Sarahbeth Ramsey (SBR). 

Not only does changing it to Sarahbeth help me differentiate from so many Sarah's, but it allowed me to use part of his initials in my name, so he's with me always (his initials - LBR). 

We shared so many similarities. So many common traits. 

So many things together that sometimes I feel like the one person who TRULY understands me is gone. But in the end, he left me with every single tool that I need to be successful and be strong. Even if that means being strong without him.

Thank you Dad.

Love you forever.

SBR