What is the Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T? I wanted to create a fun weekly format to share food, reads, hobbies, items, shows and more that I’m currently loving or making my life easier. I see “Efficient Kitchen” embodying the whole home as well as the people in it. I think of the Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. as what I would discuss if you were sitting around my kitchen table with me. I also want to hear from YOU. What are you enjoying? Comment on the post anything you’re loving in a R.E.P.O.R.T category.
I officially completed my GoodReads challenge of 30 books this year by finishing Jane Eyre this week. As you know, I joined a casual book club with friends last year and started trying to consistently read fiction again. I didn’t really track my books last year but read somewhere between eight to ten books but three of them were “doorstopper” books. Something unlocked in my brain after I finished The Count of Monte Cristo and reading became easy and fun again with no book seeming too challenging.
I have learned so much this year and will write a full post at the end of the year on all the reading I’ve done, tips, and everything I’ve learned in the process, but back to Jane Eyre.
I know I read a few Bronte sister novels when I was in high school and really didn’t love them or understand them. Whereas Jane Austen is more straight forward, ironic and witty with social commentary on the regency era with relationships between women as well as women choosing a marriage, the Brontes are Victorian romantic novelist. Both authors grew up daughters of clergymen, and I believe that highly influenced their works. There are other stand out female authors but somehow these two are often compared and contrasted.
The two main reasons that I wanted to read this novel were: the Literary Life podcast did a series on it, and it is highly referenced in the Emma M. Lion series that I read at the beginning of the year. I have learned that if a book references another book, poem, or author that I need to pay attention. I’m not going to lie, I was extremely confused when I started Jane Eyre. I think I was reading it as a dark and twisty story versus a symbolic fairy tale. After I listened to the first episode of the Literary Life podcast, everything clicked. I read the book with a pen in hand making annotations, circling every fairy tale reference and underlining every time fire or ice was mentioned.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I think I was most surprised at how symbolic the book was and inherently Christian. As modern readers, I believe we have largely lost the art of reading fairy tales walking us through the depths of the human soul, good versus evil, and using archetypes. I personally have chosen multiple books to challenge my literary skills this year, not only in length, vocabulary but also style of writing. (I still don’t love Steinbeck, but I can appreciate that he’s a great writer.)
For me personally, I find investing in a beautiful copy of a classic novel that will be read many times worth it because it doubles as entertainment and art. I loved my Harper Muse copy of Jane Eyre and it is truly so beautiful sitting out on my nightstand. I own a few books from that collection as well as Rifle Paper company and the Wordsworth Classics edition. Here’s a link to some really beautiful copies I love.
I didn’t expect this recipe to be so popular, but it seems that many of you all miss Zoe’s Kitchen as well. I have been gluten free for 15 years, but prior (and when Zoe’s was open) I looooved the chicken roll ups. I made a meal-preppable, freezable version that doesn’t require an oven for these scorching hot August days. You can use regular or gluten free tortillas with them. I have a hummus recipe that will be posted soon that would be perfect with them as well. (RE: we have Zoe’s at home!)
Copy Cat Zoe's Chicken Roll Ups
I have mourned the loss of Zoe’s for far too long and realized we could have Zoe’s at home. Before I was gluten free, I would order the chicken roll ups almost every single time. These are easy to make in bulk in an air fryer, or you can make them fresh in a pan. Either way, they are delicious. If you have a gluten consumer in your house, just use regul…
Also, I shared on IG stories about my breakfast that I’ve eaten the last few months. I prep everyone else’s breakfast so that I can whip up a protein pancake and serve it with some AmyLu chicken breakfast sausage for 48g of protein for breakfast. Well, I’ve been trying to increase my fiber, so I came up with a quick basil seed blueberry “jam” to top my pancakes with. Here’s the quick recipe:
Blueberry Basil Seed Jam
2 small cartons of blueberries
1 tbl lemon juice
Optional: 1-2 tbl of maple syrup (If your berries are a little tart)
4 tbl basil seeds soaked in 1 cup of water
Start by soaking 4 tbl of basil seeds in 1 cup of water for at least 10 minutes until a white jelly coating forms around the seeds. (This hydrates the seeds!)
On the stove, add your blueberries to a small sauce pan on medium low heat.
Once the berries start to heat and release their juices, add your lemon juice and optional maple syrup.
After the berries have reduced down to a jammy consistency, add your basil seeds and stir.
Let it cool and store in an air tight jar in the fridge.
I took a few weeks off from writing this Friday newsletter so that I could soak up the last bit of summer here. (I mean it’s going to be a hundred degrees for the next month but school is back in session.)
We have enjoyed playing Mini Mahjer Mahjong as a family. One of my children and I attended a children’s mahjong class taught by the owners of Mini Mahjer, and it was truly wonderful. I personally don’t like how there are a lot of barriers to entry to play the game and think it should be more accessible to anyone who wants to play. (I mean it’s just a game!) I learned a lot as well considering they broke down strategy so well for the children. I can’t say enough good things about how they structure the game to include everyone and slowly build your skills appropriately. The entire family can play together because the NMJL card can be played alongside the Mini Mahjer card evening up the playing field between beginners and advanced.
The owners are delightful, and we have put our set to good use after the baby is in bed. The great thing about the set is it can travel well if you want to take it on a family vacation. I highly highly recommend buying their game play if you’re wanting to learn. We have the Rackin’ Rosie set and love it.
I know I’ve talked about my walking pad before but I am truly obsessed with it. It is current 107 degrees here, and I have used my walking pad every single day this summer. I have quietly been losing weight from having a baby at the end of last year and my walking pad is a huge part of it. It’s so easy to walk and read, watch TV, or listen to a podcast simultaneously. I often get up before the kids do to knock out a 15-20 minute walk and then finish it after breakfast. If you’re a mom with small kids who nap, I highly recommend owning one. Is it cute? Well no, but I found about as aesthetic of one as you can own and it’s just a part of my decor now. I have made it a goal to walk on it 30 minutes daily. Sometimes that looks like three 10 minute walks, sometimes it’s a 10 minute walk and a 20 minute walk, and sometimes I get it in all at once. I love mine so much and it’s made it very sustainable to get exercise in.
I often get asked “What pan are you using to cook so much food in??” Well, my Lodge enameled cast iron braiser is the work horse of my kitchen. I use it almost exclusively to cook meals in. It easily holds two pounds of ground meat and can cook a double portion of dinner for us in it. I own a few Le Creuset pieces, and I find Lodge to be extremely comparable for a fraction of the price. The great part is it is American made. I would highly recommend this piece of cookware for any household. I also own a matching Dutch Oven that I use for cooking soups and stews in that is wonderful for big batches.
I am about to restock my Happy Being White Tea drinks. I reached out and they were kind enough to send me a 20% off code for their website. I really love these drinks because they aren’t overly sweet, don’t contain stevia or caffeine, and are the perfect afternoon pick me up. I love that I can order them without carbonation too. I personally love the Orchard pack in still. Use the code JORDAN20 to save 20%.
(As always, thank you SO much if you use my links or codes. It makes a big difference to my small business and allows me to get more discount codes for readers!)
Let me know any of your recommendations below! I would love to hear them.
*This post may contain affiliate links at no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own.