Societal conditions say that if we like the mundane, we lack ambition or are unwilling to take risks. But a simple life doesn’t mean we lack ambition; it means we carefully utilize our energy. I enjoy creating, and it’s all I want to do, but I know my limits. We don’t always need to achieve something; we can choose to exist in what brings us joy, and that can be enough. Slowness is what nurtures us.
Our life is a risk. I take risks often. Most of the time, they are small internal shifts. My current risk is accepting rejection and leaning into uncertainty, specifically in creation. I don’t mind this risk because I enjoy the process. Risks don’t always have to be loud for them to exist.
My YouTube gave me insight into my mundane life. A year ago, my life was chaotic. I was constantly stressed, confused, and lacking creative expression. It wasn’t until I watched a vlog from last year that I realized how different my life is today. I feel lighter and more creative. I am grateful for this, truthfully. My life isn’t rainbows 24/7; I still have many things I have to work through, but simplifying my life makes it feel achievable. I now feel at peace going into the unknown.
My message to you is this: Enjoy the small moments of life. Slow down. Allow yourself to exist. Breathe. Live your life with grace, and allow your desires to naturally flow from within you. <3
Wash one tangerine thoroughly, removing all dirt. For a deeper clean, use salt to scrub the skin if desired.
Cut the tangerine in half and squeeze out all the juice. Set the juice aside.
Carefully separate the fruit from the peel. You can eat the fruit or set it aside.
Cut the tangerine peel into small strips or large chunks, as preferred.
Place the tangerine peels in a pot of boiling water. Boil for 15 minutes to remove bitterness.
Drain the tangerine peels and discard the water.
Tangerine Candy Cooking Steps
Add rock sugar, lemon juice, the boiled tangerine peels, and tangerine juice to a pot. Heat on low-medium.
Stir constantly until all the rock sugar is melted.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Continue stirring for 5–7 minutes.
*If you have a candy thermometer, heat the mixture to 245–250°F (firm ball stage). Remove from heat when it reaches this temperature.
* If you don’t have a thermometer, use the cold water test: Drop a spoonful of the hot mixture into cold water. If it forms a ball that holds its shape but flattens when pressed, it’s ready. Remove from heat.
Quickly whip the hot mixture until it becomes creamy and caramel-colored.
Pour the candy mixture onto parchment paper. Let it cool for 10–15 minutes.
When cool enough to touch, roll the candy into small balls by hand.
* Optional: Toss the candy balls in a little rice flour to prevent sticking.
* For presentation, wrap each candy in parchment paper or store it in a jar.
Howdy!! All of these are online library resources available on Kindles, phones, and web browsers, so you can have some variety. I know you sometimes want to get rid of your phone altogether, too. For me, it’s always important for people to know exactly what resources are out there because I once was one of those people who did not!
Note: Some libraries may not offer all of the resources I list. If they do not, try chatting with your librarian to see if your local library has the funding to support the addition of the resources listed. If not, check with other county libraries and see if they offer them there. Branches are quite wide and enjoy extending resources.
Where to find these online resources: Look up your local library website and then search E-media/ Online resources.
Resource 1: Flipster is an online magazine app available on the web and phone. Here you can find a variety of magazines that date back to the early 2000s. On my current list, there’s Woodworking, Better Nutrition, Better Homes & Gardens, Astrology, and Bon Appétit. Whatever you’re into, they have it on here! If you enjoy bookmarking, they have tabs for note-taking and saving pages. Great if you enjoy magazines but don’t want them collected in your home.
Resources 2: Rosetta Stone/ language learning: My personal Favorite!! A passion of mine is actually language learning! A goal of mine is to speak multiple languages to broaden my communication with people. So, to see the library offer this FOR FREE was honestly mindblowing! Different libraries offer different languages, but a few I’ve seen are: Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Greek, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and so much more. Personally, I’ve been using it to learn Mandarin Chinese and wow… I really enjoy it. They offer extensive classes that focus on pronunciation and grammar. and helps you build up context clues through multiple speech and text questions.
Resource 3: Hoopla: Free web and phone app that gives you access to audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comics/ manga, and music! Depending on your library, you can access 5-7 borrows each month, and it resets each month! If you finish something, you can return it to get more borrows. I am currently reading: Braiding Sweetgrass and a Chinese medicine book.
Resource 4: Libby: online library literally!! Amazing for newer book releases & audiobooks. Suitable with Kindle, which I find amazing! Has over 1 million books available.
Resource 5: Kanopy: This one is for my movie watchers!! Kanopy is the place for you, especially if you enjoy older, historical, educational films, or just classic TV and movies! I was browsing the other day and came across one of my favorite childhood movies. CLUELESS!! Some categories they offer: the arts, business, education, global studies & languages, health, media, science, social science, and series.
Resource 6:Universal class: Last but not least, and my ultimate favorite! Yes, still free. Universal class. Universal Class is an online learning resource with over 1,000 classes. I currently have a strong interest in nutrition and found a nutrition 101 class that offers 11 lessons with exams! I find that super cool. Some categories offered: accounting, business, finance, science, medicine, law, crafts & hobbies, personal development, writing, psychology, etc!!
Bonus resources: In-person free clubs and activities within the library: check your local library’s calendars to see when they have group classes like yoga. Craft and yap, language classes, book clubs, and garden clubs. Archives: art prints + old stories + research papers
That is all I have for you today!! Please remember, even in times of overconsumption, resources are out there that you can engage with that will bring fulfillment. With a balance of both online and in-person free resources, a nice shift can be made. If you wish to watch my related videos I will link them here! Happy Learning!
Focuses on physical media within libraries, clubs, garden accessibility, and more!!
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and place in the fridge for about 5-10 minutes.
Cookies Recipe:
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Gently fold in black sesame paste (optional: chocolate chips) to create a slight marble effect. (see video @ 7:48-8:02:
Scoop the dough into 1- or 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Drizzle the top of the dough with extra paste
Freeze the dough balls for 30 minutes or until firm.
Place frozen dough balls directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–13 minutes, or until the edges are golden, and the centers are still slightly soft (I recommend baking on the top rack)
8Jumbo Marshmallows or 1/2 cup vegan mini marshmallows
Flaky sea salt for topping is optional
Method
S’mores cookies:
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Scoop the dough into 1- or 2-tablespoon-sized balls.
On a parchment-lined pan, Option 1: place 1 graham cracker square, then top with a marshmallow. Carefully, lay cookie dough on top. Option 2: add vegan mini marshmallows (recommended to keep the design) to the center of the cookie dough and roll into dough balls. Top with 3 extra mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbles. See video @ 8:08- 8:35 )
Freeze the dough balls for 30 minutes or until firm.
Place frozen dough balls directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–13 minutes, or until the edges are golden, and the centers are still slightly soft (I recommend baking on the top rack)
Stir regularly (about 5–10 minutes) until it reaches a thick caramel texture (see video for reference @ 0:38-1:25 timestamp ).
Turn off the heat and in a parchment-lined pan, pour the hot toffee to set. This should take about 15–20 minutes.
Once cooled, place into a zip-lock bag and smash with a mallet or anything heavy.
Done!
Cookies recipe :
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in the chocolate and toffee brittle
Scoop the dough into 1- or 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Top with 2–3 small toffee bits
Freeze the dough balls for 30 minutes or until firm.
Place frozen dough balls directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–13 minutes, or until the edges are golden, and the centers are still slightly soft (I recommend baking on the top rack)
In a cold pot, add strawberry jam, powder, water, and sugar.
Turn on the heat to medium.
Mix for about 2-3 minutes until sugar is fully melted ( see video reference at @ 1:26-2:29 for in-depth tutorial )
While stirring regularly, bring the candy to 300 Fahrenheit or 149 Celsius
Turn off the heat, and in a parchment-lined pan, pour the hot candy to set. This should take about 15–20 minutes.
Once cooled, place into a zip-lock bag and smash with a mallet or anything heavy.
Done!
Cookie Recipe:
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Fold in the chocolate and strawberry brittle.
Scoop the dough into 1- or 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Top with 2–3 small strawberry candy.
Freeze the dough balls for 30 minutes or until firm.
Place frozen dough balls directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–13 minutes, or until the edges are golden, and the centers are still slightly soft (I recommend baking on the top rack)
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