Ursala's Delicious Baked Salmon

June 29, 2017

As you guys already know, I spent last year I living in Los Angeles. It was an experiment I was running... I had always wanted to see what living in LA would be like, and so I packed everything up and bought a car, and got a year lease in Pacific Palisades. I will admit that I wasn't in the best place (emotionally, spiritually, socially...) as I was going through a major breakup. Less than a year later I moved back to Jackson, WY. So, yeah, LA didn't quite pan out for me, but what I will take with me are the deepened friendships of some amazing people I got to know better and the memories of our shared hikes, dinners, and impromptu costume dance parties (you know who you are!).

(Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links. All products are chosen at my discretion and promoted as other blogs promote products that reflect the lifestyle of the blogger, brand, and ethos. I only post brands and items I support.)

One of my fondest memories is of a very lovely dinner hosted at my friend Ursala's home in Manhattan Beach. She's the epitome of a beautiful, carefree European woman where everything in her life just flows. And her cooking is no exception! Her frig is stocked with a vast assortment of whole foods prime for making yummy meals, and she has a wine frig to accompany whatever delicious creation she concocts. It's a fabulous combination!

In preparation for the dinner party, she asked me to come early and gab while we prepped the meal. I was thrilled. The wine flowed, and so did the conversation, but I kept on eye on what she was doing because I knew I would want to learn from this woman. She really is something extraordinary and her friends say that everything she touches is 'Ursi-fied.' I believe it! Through the blur of a couple tasty glasses of wine, I committed her baked salmon recipe to memory and am pleased to say that ever since my preference to cook salmon has been Ursi-fied! The result is a moist and fragrant piece of fish that melts beneath your fork. I pull this one out for fancy dinner parties when I want to impress and also remain confident I can pull off a great dinner with a small amount of work. I urge you to try this for yourself and make any adjustments to make it your own. Ursala will be proud.

INGREDIENTS:

1. Prep the salmon.

Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towel. Holding the salmon over your glass baking dish, pour about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil onto salmon and rub into the fish.

2. Season the salmon.

Place salmon in glass baking dish (skin down). Salt and pepper over fish. Then layer fresh cut herbs. Add a second layer with the sliced lemon or lime rounds so that salmon is completely covered. This will help seal in juices and keep the fish moist. Pour about 1/4 cup of white wine over salmon so that there is a little layer at the base of the baking dish. This will help steam the salmon as it bakes.

3. Bake the salmon.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with foil and a clean dish towel to keep in heat. Keep covered for 8- 10 minutes to continue cooking the salmon until it is perfect, delivering a medium rare temp. Serve immediately and enjoy.

fresh caught wild salmon, filleted

2 lemons or limes, sliced into thin rounds

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (or parsley), chopped

2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

grapeseed oil

white wine (cooking wine is fine, and I subbed Mirin for wine too)

salt & pepper

Trailblazer

June 26, 2017

We drove up to String Lake in the late afternoon. It's June, but somehow still feels like early season. The mountains are snowcapped and the parking lot is surprisingly bare. I can hardly contain the joy in my heart as I hike the familiar trail. Memories of fly fishing, singing silly songs to keep the bears away, and packing a picnic lunch to eat along the rocky shore flood my mind. Trails all around Jackson and Grand Teton National Park hold pieces of me and my childhood within them like magical time capsules. Maybe that's why when recently asked what my favorite outdoor activity is I answered, "Hiking."

I grew up hiking, and although I always enjoyed it, I remember the moment it shifted for me. Shifted into something both cathartic and soul-filling (is that a word? I am making it a word! Who doesn't want their soul to be filled?). I was visiting my friend Tanya (the fab lady behind A Boy Named Sue) in Hong Kong to work on a photo shoot for their site. Each day we did 4-5 hours of work, and then we would head out on a hike... in the middle of Hong Kong! I had no idea that such a metropolitan place had access to hiking, but Tanya did. She knew all the trails and confessed that is was the only thing that kept her sane. She also disclosed to me that she often schedules a 'hike meet-up' rather than a coffee or drink to get her exercise in while catching up with friends or new collaborators. It's genius, and I have since adopted her athletic rendezvous practice.

Last year, when I lived in LA, I remembered Tanya's beautiful balance of urban life and nature, and even though the ocean was so close, the hills called to me. The Santa Monica Mountains provided the terrain and hiking them became the best part of my day. I read a book called Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It, and took the author's approach to seeing the root of everything as love- beginning with self love. On the hike up I would churn the Universe and think about all the things I wanted to solve in my life and how. And on the way down, I would let it all go, and repeat one simple phrase over and over again: "I love myself. I love myself. I love myself." I called them my Love Hikes. And, man, were they powerful. I still do Love Hikes, and Rendezvous Hikes, and lately I've returned to the old classic- Appreciation Hikes. Lost in awe of the beauty around me, my mind goes from one thought of appreciation to another.

So, when Micah from Haumeya got in touch to see about collaborating to feature their eco leggings, I felt a hiking post was perfect. Made from 65% plant-based fabric made from wood pulp, their leggings are incredibly soft while retaining their shape and elasticity. My favorite part is the sideways pocket in the waistband in the back. Designed to keep your phone snug and secured, it allowed me to be hands-free with comfort and ease. I'm a fan. Interested in getting a pair for yourself? Check out their Kickstarter page to pre-order a pair.

If you find yourself in the Jackson Hole area, these are a few of my favorite hikes: Cache Creek, Death Canyon, Ski Lake and the Old Pass Road. And, if you are in the West LA area, check out Los Leones, Temescal Canyon, and Mandeville Canyon. Also- please share your favorite hikes in the comments section below!

ECO OUTFIT

CROPPED TEE, The Lost Travel Tshirt Company #tencel #ecofabric

PLAID BUTTON DOWN, IOU Project (similar style), #fair #artisanmade

LEGGINGS, (gifted) Haumeya #plantbasedfabric #social #local #ecofabric

FLYKNIT SHOES, Nike #recycleable #zerowaste

NON-TOXIC SUNSCREEN, BeautyCounter #nontoxic #natural #zinc #physicalblocker

NON-TOXIC BUG SPRAY, Four Elements #nontoxic #natural

Photos by the talented Cole Buckhart, in Jackson Hole, WY. Many thanks to Haumeya for sponsoring this post.

Allan's Awesome Asian Salad

June 17, 2017

I'm exploring the Paelo diet and picked up a copy of Paleo Magazine's 2017 Recipes. It is very inspiring, and I must say, the instructions are so concise it makes you feel like you could make anything in 15 mins! Okay, in all fairness, it does take longer than 15 minutes (more like 30), but it is worth it.

I spent the last few days attending a Yoga Fit Fore Golf retreat in Vail, Colorado. It was beyond beautiful and really wonderful to incorporate yoga moves and stretching before getting out on the course. Coming home the back way to my parent's house, there wasn't really a great spot to stop for groceries, and I figured there would probably be enough food in the frig to make a yummy dinner. Altering a recipe in Paelo's 2017 Recipes (page 73), I drummed up an oriental style dinner that was a huge hit! My step-dad, Allan, declared that it had all his favorite things and so I've named it for him as Allan's Awesome Asian Salad.

I worked with the ingredients I had on hand, and would have added some chopped cashews or toasted black sesame seeds to finish it off. Sub things as you see fit, and add more or less depending on what kind of salad you are feeling like (ie: a meal or a side dish). This was our main dish and it was very satisfying.

INGREDIENTS:

1. Make the egg.

Beat two eggs in a bowl with a teaspoon of Mirin. Heat medium size pan over medium- light heat with grapeseed oil (about a teaspoon or two). Spread egg out on bottom of pan to cook a thin even layer (about 1-2 mins), cut in half and flip. Cook 1-2 more mins. Remove from heat and place egg directly on cutting board to cool.

Once cooled, layer the two halves and in half lengthwise. Then cut into smallish strips. Place in bowl and set aside.

2. Cook the veggies.

Reheat medium-size pan with some grapesedd oil (about 1-2 teaspoons) over medium heat. Add carrots and cook 1 minute. Salt with a couple light pinches of salt. Add onions and cook 1 minute more. Add bell peppers and cook 1- 2 minutes. Remove veggies from pan and set aside.

3. Make the dressing.

In a small bowl mix 1/4 cup grapeseed oil with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1-2 teaspoons Mirin, 1-2 teaspoons amino acids, and 1-2 tablespoons rice vinegar. Wisk together using a fork.

4. Cook the shrimp.

Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Using the same pan as before, heat grapeseed oil over medium heat. Before it gets too hot, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to release flavor. Add shrimp. Cook 1-2 minutes. Flip. Pour a touch of tamari sauce (about 1 teaspoon) over shrimp and add scallions. Stir and cook 1-2 minutes. Place shrimp in one corner of individual serving dishes. Pour excess oil, garlic and scallions into dressing and wisk once more.

8 oz fresh or frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined)

2 eggs, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon Mirin mixed in

2 carrots, thinly julienned

1 red bell pepper (or 4 small ones), thinly julienned

1/4 of a whole red onion, thinly sliced

1-2 heads butter lettuce, coarsely chopped

1/2 ripe avocado, chopped

1 scallion, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

black sesame seeds, toasted

salt

grapeseed oil

tamari sauce

mirin

rice vinegar

amino acids

toasted sesame oil

5. Assemble!

Place lettuce in one corner of serving dish and top with avocado and dressing. Place cooked veggies in another corner, and the chopped egg in the remaining open corner. Top with cilantro and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Serve and instruct guests to mix everything together to insure a yummy mouthful with each bite.

Tata For Now...

January 1, 2017

New Year's has always signified a time of introspection for me. I like to use the opportunity to look behind, and then ahead. This year I could hardly wait for 2016 to come to a close. One of the hardest years of my life to date, it will go down in my personal history as a very challenging year that I hope, with time, will also be seen as an important year that brought a lot of growth. A time for lessons learned, and very intentional changes made.

I don't usually share so personally, on this blog or, I suppose, in general. I like(d) to keep up a happy-facing persona with everything portraying the positive. My motto has always been to find the good in everything. Yet, I'm learning that although that mindset is helpful, it doesn't really allow for the full spectrum of feeling, connecting, and learning. This year especially, I've had to learn how to sit with sorrow.

I learned to lean into pain, and dig around deep to discover the root cause so I could truly begin to heal. My ego would have me run the other way in a flat out sprint. I had to retrain myself. I had to look at the hard things and be really honest with myself. To acknowledge that I lost myself for a minute (or more accurately many months). It's not easy to see yourself as a person you don't want to be or ever thought you could be. I’m still shocked by how unconsciously I moved through life for awhile there, and how off course I got.

This past year, I separated from my long time partner and lost my best friend, my home, a number of friendships, my community, part of my identity, and any clarity I had about my career path. I lost my way and I lost myself. I guess you could call it a total reboot. And I as hard as it is to admit, I know I needed it. I needed it to gain the growth and knowing you get only with change and perspective. I’m grateful that I can see the lessons I had to learn (and am still learning) and am finally at a place to accept this monumental assignment of healing an old (and controlling) hurt so I can get back to really being me. I'm grateful to be awake and actively choosing how I want to create my life. Choosing love, deep and meaningful connections, purposeful work, living in the present moment, and growing and learning along the way.

Though it's bittersweet, 2016 has been a huge wake up call for me. I'm looking at all areas of my life, and reclaiming the driver's seat and the course I'm on. And so guys, moving into 2017, I’m tapping out of my personal blogging and social media scene.

I’m so grateful for the opportunities blogging has afforded me and for the time I’ve shared with you here. I just need a break. I need to start living out loud in the world around me, and staying present to the moment I’m in. And the people I’m with. I’m on a journey to rediscover myself. To come back clearer, stronger, powerful and real. And, hopefully, positioned to provide more value to the world. It’s tricky navigating this new world we live in- the on and offline aspects of it. I can’t say I will be offline forever. I may be back- and sooner than I would have thought. I don’t know. All I know right now is I need to take a break and make some space to reconnect with myself. Maybe you can relate? Or maybe you've found the great balance of online engagement and authentic living, and I'll look to you for inspiration.

If any of what I am sharing about consciously connecting to yourself, your path, and others is resonating, I'd like to recommend some resources I've found helpful:

The Lively Show (podcast) by Jess Lively
The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by Danielle LaPorte
Getting Real: 10 Truth Skills You Need to Live an Authentic Life by Susan Campbell
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Meditation (any kind that feels good to you is the right kind, 20- 30 minutes a day)
Journaling (I especially like the Morning Pages exercise from The Artist's Way)
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It by Kamal Ravikant (The cover is awful. The book is good.)

As we move forward into a new year, I sincerely thank you for the time you've spent with me here on Fashion Me Green, and through my social media channels. I wish you all the very best and hope you are following your own gut (or heart) to lead you where you need to be too. Here's to 2017- onwards and upwards!

Love, Greta.

What to Wear on a Resort Vaca: Part 3

December 27, 2016

Winter is in full force, and although I love the cooler temps and the many layers, a mid-January trip to a tropical locale has me daydreaming. If you are lucky enough to have an upcoming trip on the calendar (what a way to start 2017!) I hope you will find my series on What to Wear on a Resort Vaca helpful. Part three is all about what to wear to dinner. If you missed parts 1 & 2, you can check them out here, and here.

In hot climates, you wear next to nothing all day- just to stay cool. So dinner is a special time to show off your style and take things up a notch. Remember, you're on vacation so stick to flat sandals and little makeup to hold onto your relaxed vibe. Jewelry and a statement clutch, like the one featured here from Seek Wander Share, add a little something extra without trying too hard.

I hope you've enjoyed this series and that it comes in handy as you pack for your any warm weather getaways in your future. Please share your own outfit picks and tips in the comments below. xx