Florida Summer

Now is the time of year the rest of the US relishes: summer time. 

In Florida, on the other hand, it is time to "hibernate." We tend to be less visible to neighbors than the rest of the year, similar to winter up north. We may deal with heat but not with snow!

The humidity is can be stifling. Most people stay indoors all day soothed by the air conditioning. If one needs to do yard work, it is cooler out after the sun goes down. 

Summer is still a great time for convertibles, pools, and beaches. 

Eating outdoors may occur on occasion at home or at a tiki hut restaurant. 

Enjoy the summer everyone!

Salt Pig

Like most people, I have always used a salt shaker to salt food. Even if it needed to be measured, I would shake some into my hand to see the right amount. 

My mom has always had a salt crock with a cork lid which can easily fit varying sizes of measuring spoons. 

Not being the gourmet cook she is, I used a salt shaker. 

It was not until I was studying abroad in France that I noticed a smaller salt container. It didn't take up the space my mom's salt crock did. A salt pig!

I was given this salt pig and scoop from my host family in France. It has been a great addition to the kitchen. I find that I can control the amount of salt easier this way. 

Personally, I typically keep course sea salt in it. The sea salt seen in the photo is fine sea salt which means I need to buy course sea salt. (There happens to be a rebate on ibotta for that!)

Crystal Light Containers

I had shown these containers in a previous post that discussed repurposing containers. So many great ideas out there!

These Crystal Light containers are my favorite because they are tall and slim. They stack easily, too. Many containers I have are short, wide, and take up a lot of space. 

I use them in the kitchen to store dry goods. There are great ideas using them in the office, workshop, craft room, etc. There are great ways to paint them, cover them with contact paper, washi tape, and other materials. 

The dry goods I currently store in these containers are sunflower seeds, bulgar, and sliced almonds. 

Looks like I'm running low on sunflower seeds!

Red Beans and Oil

A very simple African dish called haricot (French) or veyi (pronounced vay-ee in Ewe) entails red beans and palm oil.

I am using dry red beans and boil them until soft. Salt can be used if desired. 

Once the beans are soft, dish some into a bowl with palm oil (seen below). 

My husband adds gari (read more here) which adds a nice crunch to the beans. Ultimately, I added some, too. 

The hardest part about this dish is the wait time for the beans to boil. Other than that this is a very easy dish to prepare. Being in a meat-free zone, this is a great way for us to get protein. 

Badge Protection Hack

Many organizations require employees to wear a badge for identification purposes. It serves as a safety measure to ensure who belongs in that location. 

Going through the daily tasks of a job can result in a beat up lanyard and badge. Here is a solution to keep your badge clean and free from scuffs: a luggage tag holder. 

Make sure the luggage tag holder has a clear window. Mine has a clear window front and a leather back. My current workplace does not have a double sided badge. For those who require this, there are fully clear luggage tag holders. 

Place the badge inside with the photo identification visible through the clear plastic. I flipped mine over for this post because much like my driver's license, my badge photo is not the most flattering. 

Attach the lanyard to the luggage tag holder and the badge will be protected! 

This is a fun way to jazz up the ubiquitous badge. Having an interesting luggage tag holder can also be fodder for water cooler conversation as well. It may break the ice with someone who will become important to you. 

Money Saving App: 7-Eleven App

The 7-Eleven app is a fast and easy way to get free coffee. Buy 6 coffees, of any size, you earn the 7th coffee free!

It takes no time for coffee lovers to get free coffee. Conceivably, once a week if you're a frequent-flyer of 7-Eleven. 

There are other freebies on the app also. There are deals on beverages, snacks, and food. There are a couple events throughout the year that you can have free coffee for a day or the whole week if you have the app. 

It's a free app with freebies. Awesome!

The Effect of Travel

There is something about travel that makes me feel more me than usual. It has an effect that is hard to explain. 

Being far and away is trying. I feel stretched because the signs are different, the language is different, the customs are different, and the way of life is different. There is an internal struggle of wanting to maintain my ways and wanting to try a new way while remaining true to myself. 

Being far and away is liberating. There is something about wandering around the streets of a new place that allows me to breathe more deeply. 

Being far and away is adventurous. Hiking a mountain, swimming in the sea, eating new foods, attempting to communicate in a different language, shopping in the marketplace. There is a sense of risk that gets the adrenaline going. It leaves an imprint in my mind that forever marks my experience.

There is nothing else like travel. 

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page." ~Saint Augustine