Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Head Versus Heart: Heart Wins

Weighing my decision: head or heart?
You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that says you shouldn't do what your head is telling you to do? Well, my head and my stomach have been battling it out now for months. If you are a naturalized citizen to the blogging world you may have heard of a little weekly feature entitled What I Wore Wednesday, or WIWW. It all started with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy. She is a homeschooling mom of three kiddos, very busy with her handmade items shop, and is a blogger extraordinaire. She started WIWW to hold herself accountable to not allowing PJ's as a wardrobe choice day in and day out. Many, many people link up with Lindsey's site and participate. I'm talking A. LOT. of people! The people participating to WIWW take pictures of themselves in the clothes they wore throughout the week and post on their own blogs, again, to hold themselves accountable in actually getting out of yoga pants when not actually attending a yoga class.

Now, I will admit, I never miss a Wednesday on Lindsey's blog, but only as a casual observer, never a participant. I am a fan of WIWW and if it helps people, then all the better. Here's where my head and my heart are playing tug-of-war. Participation in WIWW would probably yield a lot more visits to my own site. That's a good thing (head talking here)! Participation in WIWW makes me uncomfortable if I had to take pictures of myself and what I was wearing (heart talking screaming here)! I don't know, maybe it's a California* versus Mid-West thing? I'm not sure. I do not feel this way in the least bit viewing everyone else's WIWW posts because I know it's all in fun and helps serve a purpose. But frankly, for me, I feel I don't have to hold myself accountable in choosing Capri's over sweats each day. And, when it is a sweats day, I don't sweat it. I love you Lindsey, I really do. And, I'll keep tuning in each Wednesday for WIWW. But, I just can't bring myself to do it on my own blog - sorry. I have to listen to my heart and be at peace to be happy. I know you'll understand and not hold it against me all you die hard WIWW contributors.


Did you think I was going to let it rest and blog off into the sunset? Nooooo!


So, here's what I've decided to do. I love the fact that people link up and share so I've decided to introduce my own version of WIWW in a way where I'd be most comfortable and, also what I would find most interesting to me. I'd like to be accountable for constant creativity. I hope you agree.

Are you ready? 

Wait for it, wait for it...




Don't you love it? I want to know what creative people out there are making every week!!! It can be a craft project, it can be a new recipe that turned out dee-lish, it can be a handmade product you sell, anything you want it to be as long as it was made with your own two hands (or your children's of course). I'll be getting a linky tool soon to make linking up really easy for everyone so hold tight, I'm working on it. I am so going to enjoy viewing every one's creativity each and every Wednesday on W.I.M. Wednesday!


So, here's my first installment. It's a recipe I made during the summer that was absolutely flavorful and portable since it accompanied us on so many picnics. I hope you enjoy it!

Roasted Tomato and Olive Salad
inspired by BH&G recipe, August 2011
 

What You'll Need
2 packages cherry or grape tomatoes, wash and pat dry
3 cups Italian bread torn into bite-size pieces
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/4 cup green olives or any other olive you like - my grocery store has a great olive bar where I purchased green olives stuffed with feta cheese
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 baking sheets
1 large bowl for mixing and combining


What You'll Do
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and position one of the oven racks to upper third of oven
- Arrange tomatoes on one baking sheet in a single layer
- Place torn bread in large bowl and drizzle 3 Tbsp. olive oil over bread and toss to coat
- Place oiled bread on second baking sheet in a single layer
- Roast tomatoes on upper rack and bread sheet on lower rack for 20 to 25 minutes
- Stir once, check often as to not burn the bread
- In a large bowl whisk to combine remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper
- Add to bowl the roasted tomatoes, toasted bread, and all olives


What You'll Need to Know to Finish
Toss the combination of ingredients gently in the mixing bowl and transfer to a serving bowl or storage bowl if heading out to a picnic. If you are watching your carbs simply omit the torn pieces of bread.


I'll have a Linky Tool soon so get working on your creations to share with the world! I can't wait for more W.I.M. Wednesdays, interested?

*Two bloggers I follow like a religion are both from California: Lindsey and Lisa Leonard - both participate in WIWW and I love their posts. Like I said, love seeing others, just can't bring myself to do it. Love you guys - xoxoxox

4 comments:

the pleated poppy said...

not offended at all. some of us just tend to fall into a rut that is too hard to get out of, so the accountability helps! thanks for sharing your view!

I am LOVD said...

Absolutely! The days I don't feel like getting dressed I think of WIWW and say, "OK, come on, I can do better!" Thanks for making me look better on those days when I could have taken the easy way out! WIWW is at the forefront of my mind and helps me be accountable, too. I'm just too lazy to take the pics and post:-)

Michelle @ Fashionably {L8} said...

Go on and post the link tools! It's free for the first month and super easy to set up- it takes 2 minutes after you watch the short tutorial. It's way easier and more encouraging for peeps to link up to your site. Good luck!

Also, just think about doing a photo once a week, on Wednesdays. It's a good starting place, and kind of fun to look back and see your style change. Plus, you'll have a weekly self portrait.

I am LOVD said...

For the recipe, add some fresh chopped basil to really make for a Mediterranean taste.

 

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