A healthy way to get in your burger fix. Some easy swaps, healthier versions but still delicious! You can choose fresh or frozen burger patties, and whatever type of protein you prefer like chicken, beef, veggie, etc. You can change up your toppings too, depending on what you enjoy. Other variations I've made is with sautéed onions and mushrooms, for more of a savory burger. You can change it up with the fries too using sweet potatoes or yuca instead. Let me know what kind of burger you make below! 

​Ingredients: 
Burgers
(Enough for 2 burgers)
Frozen or fresh burger patties 
1/2 red onion
1/2 tomato
1/2 avocado
Lettuce head 

Fries
(More than enough for 2 people)
2 large potatoes
Salt/Pepper
Garlic powder 
Olive oil 

Directions: 
You'll begin by washing your potatoes and then slicing or cutting to the size your prefer. I like thin crispy fries, which is why mine are cut as so. On a sheet pan, cover with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. When all potatoes are covered, bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. The time can vary depending on how you like yours cooked, so check after 30 minutes. Then to begin your burger, I used fresh patties. I grilled both on my stove top griddle, within a few minutes. Then just simply slice up your red onion, tomato, and avocado for serving. Tear off 3 lettuce cups to create a sturdy like bun underneath. Once done, enjoy! 

It doesn't matter what it is, if it is no longer serving you, it's okay to walk away.

Whether it's a relationship, job, friendship, ponytail, if it feels too constricting that's your sign. Your red flag blowing in the wind. Just because you want someone in your life, doesn't necessarily mean they have earned a place there. I have struggled with this thought more then ever recently. The quote "stop watering dead plants" repeats in my mind. When I have relationships that seem so one sided. Or feel so draining. Some environments, and people are only meant to be in your life for a purpose, not for permanent. 

I think that's a really hard concept to grasp when you're such a people person. When you love to make everyone around you happy, nearly putting yourself in second place. But it's even harder to grasp how you could be so good to some people and it isn't reciprocated. That's when you hit the breaking point. Where you're not sure it's worth it anymore. And maybe it's just easier to throw up your hands and walk away. 

I believe that everyone and everything comes into our lives for a reason. You're either a blessing or a lesson, right? The silver-lining in any situation. After a bad breakup you'll constantly hear how you dodged a bullet, how you're so much better off, how they showed you what you truly deserve. And it is true. Everything in life is a learning curve to some extent. 

So why do I continuously think "stop watering dead plants"? I keep envisioning myself walking over to my window sill, with a can of water, drenching dead succulents. And I know it makes no sense. That no amount of water will bring them back, yet I do it day after day. And that's exactly what some things in life feel like. 

Feeling drained by someone else is exhausting. Being in an environment that is toxic, can really have a massive effect on so many aspects of your life. And as hard as it may be to cut someone off, or to leave that job, to move on, it's just as hard staying. So choose your hard. More times than I'd like to admit, I've held on to things that no longer served me. Relationships, most definitely both romantic and platonic. Jobs I've stayed at longer than I knew I should. I based decisions off of other people's opinions, yet I'm still waiting for those opinions to pay my bills. Happiness comes from within. No one can create it for you. But you can surround yourself with people and places that add value to your happiness. I began to realize, that there were certain people in my world that brought more negativity than positivity. They were more interested in the drama, and the dirt then clapping for my wins. And I just couldn't have that for another minute. It's not like there were any falling outs, hard feelings, or fights. It just simply wouldn't do any longer. 

Life can be hard, but it is also beautiful. And how you choose to water yourself and your plants is entirely up to you and how you'll see your beautiful world. Don't let dead plants keep you from planting new ones. Choose your hard, but most of all choose yourself. 

New recipe alert!! So I tried this in the beginning of quarantine, mainly because all of the Chinese restaurants near me were closed. And I was craving dumplings in the the worst way. Thankfully, my food store had all the ingredients and other than the time to make them the recipe is so simple. It doesn't involve too much, and really the most tedious part is folding the dumplings. Or I should say the most time consuming. I made the entire package of dumpling wrappers, so I froze most of them. Aka the best late night snack to take out of the freezer, and pop into a sauce pan. Check it out! 

Ingredients:
1 package of ground pork
2 stalks of green onion
1 package of dumpling wrappers 
Sesame oil
Pepper
Soy sauce

Sauce: 
Soy sauce
Hoisin sauce
Sesame oil 
1 packet of sugar 

Directions:
Begin by chopping your green onion, to mix in with your ground pork. From there, add 1 tsp of sesame oil and soy sauce. Add a pinch of pepper and mix all together. Spoon out enough for your wrapper, about a tsp amount. If you put too much you won't be able to fully close the wrapper, so you can always take filling out if that happens. Wet your finger and drag water around the edges of the wrapper, then fold. You can cook immediately, or freeze for later. If cooking now, add to an oiled sauce pan. Add 1/4 cup of water and allow to simmer for only a couple of minutes. Then ready to serve! 

For the sauce, add a tsp of each ingredient. I add about half of the packet of sugar, mix and then taste. This is definitely more to taste if you prefer it more salty or sweet. If making more, add more tsp per ingredient.