Recipe: Jules' Sweet Balsamic Chicken for One

Ingredients
1 Pack of Sliced Chicken Breast
Balsamic Vinegar
Organic Vermont Maple Syrup (Or Agave Syrup)
Rosemary
Black Oil Cured Olives
S&P

Steps
1. Pour a shallow puddle of balsamic into a frying pan (large enough to lay your slices of chicken flat)
2. Lay the chicken in the balsamic vinegar
3. Add Olives
4. Sprinkle with rosemary and S&P
5. Finish with about 1 ½ tablespoons of maple syrup (more if you want it a little sweeter)
6. Cook on the stove for about 2.5- 3 minutes per side on medium/high, make sure the chicken stays nice and tender, don’t overcook!
7. Enjoy with salad and a nice light white wine, my current favorite is Domaine Pelaquie Cote du Rhone .

Leftover Lunch!
For lunch, slice that chicken up some more, toast two slices of whole wheat bread in a toaster oven topped with a slice of Swiss cheese. Then add the slices of chicken and drizzle some more balsamic on top. Close sandwich, slice on the diag, demolish with some apple juice. Leftover olives make a great garnish and nice salty snack alternative to chips!

Who knew cooking for one could be so much fun?

That Good Herb

Instead of flowers for Valentine's day, what about something that lasts (like your love!) and promotes overall health for your loved one? Check out these green gifts from TheBumbleBeeStudio's Etsy Shop.

True Beautree

These beautiful images by photographer Eric Baumann will be around for a long time to come, but the trees themselves may not. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the truth is, deforestation is happening around the world at an alarming rate. Learn about it here, and find out what you can do:
Eden Reforestation
Finca Project

Give it a Shot

I had kind of a rough week last week...the kind that requires a few stiff drinks. I’m usually a wine and beer purist, but my usual just wasn’t going to cut it. After checking out the adorable and quirky Reyka Vodka website, I knew what I needed. Reyka is distilled using geothermal steam and is as pure as vodka gets. For those occasions when your after hours aperitif just wont get the job done- keep it green with some Icelandic goodness.
(Photos from http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/05/reyka_vodka_rev.php)

Animal Appreciation Day

This Animal Collective video is what's up!
Thanks to Ilana and Avery for finding it on Kanye West's blog. Sh*t's hot.

Weekend Dreams

It's only Monday, but I'm already thinking about how I'm not going to get to sleep this peacefully again until the weekend. I love this shot, taken by my Flickr contact SeetYing, it really makes me smile, and even brings a bit of balance to my otherwise hurried Monday morning. Also, my housemates tell me I look like that in my sleep- arms overhead and all :)

Slumber Party

Life after New Years is always pretty crazy for me. I'm dancing my little heart out all day, and working or taking classes the rest of the time. When I finally shower off all the day's grime, all I want to do is fall deep into my bed. This organic body oil from the German brand, Primavera, helps my mind and my muscles de-stress and sink into sleep.