Monday- leftover spaghetti
Tuesday – Pinto beans, rice and cornbread with baked chicken
Wednesdays- leftovers
Thursday- Air Fryer Salmon with pasta and broccolini
Friday- FFY Saturday- Baked Potato Soup
Sunday – Salad with grilled shrimp or eat out
What’s on your menu this week?
Love Ricki
Hi ya’ll I know I haven’t blogged in literally years and a whole LOT has happened but I have recently been enjoying writing again on threads and thought it would be good to start a series here on what I wish I knew when I was younger. Consider this part 1!
One thing that you should embed into your brain as a young lady is routines and systems. Establishing & following a routine will set you up for success in all areas of your life. Here are some routines (Part 1 – follow and stay tuned for Part 2) I wish I had established as a younger woman and some I am implementing now at 46 (which is harder bc you are literally reprogramming your brain😫 SO DO THIS NOW IF YOURE YOUNGER!) These are the more personal routines:
Morning/ Nighttime routines: Self explanatory but usually consist of making the bed (key habit that will lead to a more productive day), spending time with God (even more 🔑) prayer/affirmation/meditation time, skincare, hygiene, get ready/wind down, etc.
Skincare/hygiene routine: You should have a cleanser, toner, moisturizer & eye cream at minimum. Exfoliate with a scrub (face & body) at least once a week and also use a mask to replenish. Hygiene should consist of a base soap (Dial or Castile soap), feminine wash, body wash (scented), witch hazel, oil, lotion, foot cream, deodorant, body sprays, fragrance. You should also have a 5-10-20 minute makeup routine. I can break both skincare/hygiene down in another post, just let me know
Health routine: Move your body& maintain weight & dr/dental appts. As a cancer survivor it was expressed to me how important movement/exercise & maintaining a good weight is to lowering risks all types of illnesses. Movement could be as simple as walking but I would also suggest lifting weights. Purchase a set on Amazon & perform a workout on YouTube. Make it easy for yourself. Drink LOTS of water! Limit bad foods & alcohol. Make sure you’re taking vitamins and keeping health appts, etc
Menstrual routine: Learn more about the phases of your menstrual cycle & pay attention to how they affect you. Address PMS – are you more sensitive or triggered- that means avoiding consuming certain content, being more gentle with yourself, allowing more time so you’re not rushed or frustrated, etc. What things do you need during this time: pain meds, teas, heating pads? Also what products work best for you: organic or cloth pads/tampons/ menstrual cup, disposable panties? Find out and do that.
Self care/ self maintenance routine (1): Self care to me means spending time w/self and doing things that bring you joy. This could include things that are apart of self maintenance like therapy, manis/pedis, or separate like reading, taking a class, baking, any hobby,etc. Your self maintenance routine should include taking care of your appearance: doesn’t matter whether you are a DIY girly or seek professional assistance. Appearances matter whether you like it or not, it’s just facts
Self care/ self maintenance routine (2): You should strive to look put together, neat, & clean always. Presenting your best self will always move you forward. Of course we all have off days but if fall into not wanting to take care of yourself address your mental health. I know when I don’t want to take care of basics I’m falling into depression. Which leads to the last routine for part 1
Mental health routine: Your mental diet is JUST as important as your physical diet. Pay attention to what you are consuming thru your ears and eye gates. Get therapy. Journal. Alleviate stress by staying organized, allowing yourself time and delegating. Also cry. We weren’t meant to hold things in! If you can’t do it on the spot, go to your car and let it out! Or schedule it. I do so by watching a movie I know will get those tears falling (Best Man Holiday) & I feel so much better after
Just know every woman’s routines will look different depending on who they are & the season of life they are in. And alot of them can be combined together. I know this seems like a lot but God gave you 7 days & 1 of those days included rest so make sure you do that. Don’t make excuses. We have so many tools available to live the life we want! & I’m not of the hustle mentality, I’m all about the soft life but let’s not confuse a soft life for a lazy one
Save this post for later, share with your bff & follow me for part 2. I was thinking about creating some in depth PDFs as a guide (these are only suggestions, you should tailor routines around YOUR life) so let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in. And if you have routines & best practices share them in the comments to help all the girlies🫶🏽
Love, Ricki
Did I tell ya’ll I have a slight addiction to TikTok? I mean I think it’s a good one because it really has my creative juices flowing which means trying new recipes that happen to be delicious! This includes this Shrimp Toast recipe I saw scrolling one day and I tweaked it and recently made it for our Easter brunch and I have to tell ya’ll I was more than happy to make it again and share with ya’ll! Anything for science, HA! Let’s make it!
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In saucepan on medium high heat add a tablespoon of olive oil and butter and begin sautéing mushrooms and spinach until wilted. Add shrimp (and more butter if needed) and season. Once shrimp is just cooked remove from heat and set aside. Slice French bread in thick slices and add to parchment lined baking sheet. Pour over olive oil and spread and add to broiler to toast for 1-2 minutes. DO NOT LEAVE or you will burn your toast! Ask me how I know. Remove slices and take whole garlic clove and rub each slice. Set aside. Add cooled shrimp mixture to bowl with cream cheese and mix well. Add about a cup of cheeses of choice and mix again. Scoop mixture on each slice of bread and add more shredded cheese on top. Bake in over for about 10 minutes and then put in broiler for 1-2 minutes to brown (listen to me do not walk away)! Remove and let set for about 5 minutes and enjoy! I served this with all the normal brunch regulars and I also made this for an early dinner with a simple side salad.
Pro home cook tip: When seasoning food pour it in your hand first, then sprinkle. This will prevent you adding too much!
If you make this please invite me over! or at least tag me on Instagram lol.
Love, Ricki
So this recipe has many names, Tuscan Chicken, Marry Me Chicken and now Spin the Block Chicken, HA! I named it this because men can be weird and I can’t make any promises if you make this that said man will propose but I DO KNOW if you make this he will keep coming back! So let’s make it!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Preheat over to 375 degrees. Season chicken and then sear in butter and oil in a saucepan (preferably cast iron) on medium high heat. Once chicken is browned on both sides remove from pan and lower heat to medium – medium low. Remove excess oil from pan except for about a teaspoon. Add another tablespoon of butter, and then sauté your onions and garlic. Then add the wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Add chicken base and more water if using. Then add sun dried tomatoes and heavy whipping cream and then stir for about a minute or two. Add Parmesan cheese and stir another minute. Add back in chicken (and any juices) and cover. Bake in a preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. Once finished baking skim in excess fat (if you are using chicken thighs or skin and bones their will be fat that rises to the top) and then baste chicken with sauce. Add more cheese and fresh basil. Serve with pasta or rice or over mashed potatoes. You can also add spinach to this when adding the garlic and onions and you won’t even have to fix a vegetable!
Pro Home Cook Tip: If you are cooking for a large party or family sear your chicken in two pans. If you overcrowd the pan the chicken will not sear or brown, it will steam instead.
Pro Home Cook Tip: If cooking with dairy, make sure it’s room temperature to prevent it from curdling.
I hope you try this recipe and please tag me on Instagram @severalpeoplesmama and also follow me on TikTok @severalpeoplesmama4
Love, Ricki
Hi Ya’ll! I know we all LOVE to scroll, watch, and drool over those amazing TikTok and Instagram food videos BUT it occurred to me recently that maybe we need to get down some kitchen and cooking basics prior to attempting these fabulous recipes! A question I’m asked often in my comments or DMs when I post my food videos is what seasonings did I use? I figured I would start this Back to Basics series by talking about basic seasonings I feel you should have in your cabinets or pantry for flavoring your food. I created the PDF below to save to your phone when you’re out shopping for groceries and I did a quick overview of what you need in a reels video on Instagram and Facebook. I hope this helps and let me know what seasonings you love to use and what else you would like me to share in the Back to Basics series!
Love Ricki