Roasted Figs Stuffed with Feta Cheese

Greetings all!

Is the fig season upon us? I noticed many grocery stores are carrying them. So healthy and delicious when fresh (or dried or in a jam)!

I recently also tried them roasted and stuffed with feta – easy, tasty and pretty! Yum!

Image and recipe from 

https://www.olivetomato.com/roasted-figs-stuffed-with-feta-cheese/

Ingredients

• Fresh ripe figs about 1 pound not too soft (I made 4 figs only)
• 3 ounces feta cheese
• 1 teaspoon Greek yogurt
• 1 ½ teaspoon fresh mint chopped (I only had loose mint tea and it worked great!)
• Pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius)
• In a bowl mash the feta with the yogurt and the mint 
• Wipe the outside of the figs with a damp towel (I washed the figs)
• Cut off stem and make two cuts to form a cross, slightly opening the fig
• With a small teaspoon tuck in some of the feta mixture 
• Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes
• Add some pepper
• Let them cool a bit, and serve warm (mine were very hot right out of the oven!)

I only made 4 figs and just scaled down the other ingredients – had I made 10, I would have eaten them all in one sitting, they were so delicious! 

The yogurt-feta-mint mix was very tasty on bread. Next time, I will try it with crackers and with other herbs.

Also, since it is so hot out and you are using the oven, how about roasting other vegetables at the same time? I roasted red bell peppers and added them to my plate with figs, with some mozzarella cheese and olives for a very satisfying summer lunch!

For more recipes, visit https://www.olivetomato.com/

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

The Four Tendencies Quiz

Greetings all!

I think most of us at one time or another had felt frustrated or annoyed by others. But do you ever feel that way about yourself? And if so, have you wondered why?

According to Gretchen Rubin's book "The Four Tendencies", our Tendencies help shape our worldview and explain how we respond to outer (e.g., work deadlines) and inner (e.g., New Year’s resolutions) expectations.

The Four Tendencies are (from https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/):

• Upholders want to know what should be done.
• Questioners want justifications.
• Obligers need accountability.
• Rebels want freedom to do something their own way.

Gretchen believes that once we know our Tendency, "We can make better decisions, meet deadlines, meet our promises to ourselves, suffer less stress, and engage more deeply with others."

TAKE THE QUIZ HERE to discover your dominant Tendency: https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/four-tendencies-quiz/

The quiz is very short and you only have to provide your email address. Once done, you receive a several-page report - mine was interesting and accurate!

Here is one of the quiz questions:

• My constant need for more information exhausts me.
• As soon as someone expects me to do something, I don’t want to do it.
• I can take time for other people, but I can’t take time for myself.
• I can’t take a break from my usual habits, or violate the rules, even when I want to.

From https://gretchenrubin.com/

What did you think? Drop me a line!

P.S. Gretchen wrote several books, which I enjoyed!

Selection of Funnies: Wallingford Chevron Sign

Greetings all!

Did you know that laughter prolongs life? I hope you laugh a lot while reading these - I know I did! Let me know which one was your favorite!

The first one is very appropriate for a Monday!

I LOVE THIS ONE!! Let's be kind - to ourselves and to others!

Sources:

• https://twitter.com/WallingfordSign
• https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-gas-station-sign/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Thought of the week - Start Now

Greetings all!

Do you ever feel that you just need more time to prepare? And THEN you will be ready?

I recently spent some time “preparing” and “researching” until I finally realized I was just procrastinating because in my mind the task was unpleasant. But once I actually finished the task, I was surprised that it did not take as much time as I thought it would and was not as unpleasant. All I needed to do was just start! So when I came across the quotes below, they really spoke to me! 

Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/thenext28days/9301721592

“Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are, with what you have. Just… start."
― Ijeoma Umebinyuo, as seen on https://www.pinterest.com/

Have a great week! Drop me a line!

Cute Animal Video: Cat William and his Granddaughter Pixelina

Dear Email Subscribers: Starting now, new post notifications will be provided by follow.it – please make sure to check your Spam or Junk email folder. Thanks for reading my blog!

Greetings all!

Here are my picks of the week for the cute animal videos! Aren't Grandpa William and Granddaughter Pixelina adorable?

 Grandpa William Meets Granddaughter Pixelina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFH1qcTtlec&list=WL&index=32

Cat William babysitting his granddaughter Pixelina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4seugkrSm3w&list=WL&index=26

 I hope these videos put a smile on your face!

Prosecco Float

Greetings all!

It is hot hot hot outside – and this drink looks so refreshing and easy to make!

Image and recipe from 

https://www.totalwine.com/cocktail-recipes/prosecco-float

Ingredients for 1:

• 3 scoops lemon sorbet - I think any other sorbet will work great too!
• Lemon slice
• Blueberries
• Prosecco 

Instructions:

• Scoop the lemon sorbet into wine glasses.
• Add lemon slice and blueberries.
• Top with the Prosecco and serve immediately.

 Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

20 Most Beautiful Beaches In the World

Greetings all!

Have you started traveling? I am not yet comfortable with changing travel restrictions, entry requirements, and delayed or cancelled flights but that doesn’t prevent me from dreaming of the future trips and just enjoying the pictures of amazing destinations.

I came across a list of the most picturesque beaches in the word, and what I found interesting is how the data was collected!! The beaches were ranked by the most Instagram posts over meter of sand and 25 million Instagram hashtags were analyzed by money.co.uk. Of course, we live in the age of Instagram and TikTok so is it any wonder that these platforms are used for research? 

I was surprised that Ipanema Beach in Brazil was not included but I think it is gorgeous so adding it to the list, no hashtags, just my opinion :)

So here are the 20 Most Beautiful Beaches In the World, according to Instagram, courtesy of money.co.uk! My personal favorite is #9 - adorable!!

20. Sitges Beach, Spain 

19. Durdle Door, Dorset, England

18. Bal Harbour Beach, Miami, USA

17. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii, USA

16. Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada

15. Cala Gat, Cala Ratjada, Spain

14. Freedom Beach, Phuket, Thailand

13. Cala Goloritzè, Baunei, Italy

12. Margate Beach, Kent, England

11. Cala Saona, Formentera, Spain

10. Blue Point Beach, Ungasan, Bali

9. Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

8. Praia do Camilo, Lagos, Portugal

7. Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales

6. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, USA

5. Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

4. Tropea Beach, Calabria, Italy

3. Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand

2. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

1. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali 

(the most beautiful beach, according to Instagram)

Source: https://www.euronews.com/travel/amp/2021/07/03/these-are-the-20-most-beautiful-beaches-in-the-world-and-half-are-in-europe

What did you think? Drop me a line!