Motivation | Seasonest Spice Blends

Motivation Monday In March

Happy March!

It’s spring! There is newness in the air, fresh flowers popping out of the ground and warmer weather peaking it’s head out every so often; we’re very grateful! We’ve loved seeing all of the new growth and we’re so ready to share with you some of our thoughts and accomplishments of the new season.

We’re really excited this spring because we’ve recently launched a new seasoning, our Best Friend Blend! It’s a pet-friendly blend that you and your favorite pups can enjoy. If you haven’t heard about it yet, make sure to read all about it on one of our recent blog posts.

We’ve also begun taking new steps as a business and are really diving into building our brand. We hope you’ll stay tuned with us and watch us grow!

It’s been really fantastic to watch our family business grow in size, offerings and in fans and followers. We’ve watched our seasonings become more well-known and love knowing how much all of you enjoy them. There have been so many recipes posted using Seasonest on Instagram alone… what a blessing!

What all have you been accomplishing this spring? Share with us your successes, and even failures (We’ve certainly had plenty of those along our journey.). Your story could be the motivation and encouragement someone needs today!

Abundant Blessings,

Crystal Peterson

Motivation Monday: Meaningful Work

Hard work is good. Good work is hard.

Making the most of what you do is so important. When I started Seasonest, I wanted the company to mean something. It certainly means a lot to our family, but we want it to be something even more.

Our brand has the potential to do a lot for others. It’s inspirational! I love sharing the story behind our brand and how my father was so taken by the food in New Orleans that he handmade his own seasoning blend, which later inspired our Original Blend, the first of our flavors. The company means a lot to me as it’s a dream my father once had that I now carry and have the blessing of seeing grow. Sometimes someone needs that spark or that inspiring story that reminds them that anything good can grow out of some hard work, determination and passion.

Our seasoning blends can make meals into masterpieces. For example, picky eaters LOVE our Mild Blend! Sometimes it just takes that special something to get your kids excited about food. Perhaps someone is more confident in their cooking, or has an easier time eating healthier and meal prepping because they use our seasonings. Good flavor goes a long way!

Our seasonings are healthy and all-natural. Some are even salt-free. They have the potential to be used by those with certain food allergies, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to try different flavors or spice blends. Gluten free, non-GMO… there are so many reasons our seasonings have the opportunity to benefit someone’s health!

We’ve worked hard to bring Seasonest to you and hope to continue to see the benefits that we can bring to family, friends and fans all over and that you’ll continue sharing your stories with us.

Have a great Monday!

Crystal Peterson

Motivation Monday: Things to Think About

Life is hard. But, it’s also wonderful and full of new joys every day. Sometimes it takes someone else to help us see the good in things when we’re at our wits’ end or just don’t see the opportunities in front of us. Because of this, we wanted to change things up a bit and share some of our favorite motivational quotes with you to help inspire a more motivated you this Monday!

Firstly, we must debunk that thought you have running through your mind. No more saying you can’t cook! Are you putting food on the table? Yes. Are you and those you care for eating it? Yes. Think about how great of an impact you are having by providing needed nutrition that is being EATEN to those you love. Once you realize that kind of an impact you are having, take a step back and realize… you’re cooking! If it’s a matter of you not liking the flavor of your food, we can most definitely help with that. Seasonings do make a difference! Remember, though: You CAN cook.

Never forget that you’ve got flavor! You’re a unique person with your very own personality and style. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Whether you’re spicy, soulful, original, or even a combination of them all, make sure to share your unique flavor with the world! The spice you add to the world’s recipe is special and important.

Are there any personal goals that you have? How about some ambitious dreams? It’s so wonderful to have hope for the future and what you can accomplish. Sometimes we can get a bit sidetracked or doubtful in ourselves and lose our excitement or confidence in our abilities and the dreams we have for ourselves. Believe in yourself and don’t give up; your dreams hold great value. You have those dreams for a reason; now, make sure to pursue them!

Amidst our hustle and bustle and wanting to live our lives comfortably, we can forget that there are others in the world and that they have great value, too. As people, we need other people and no matter how independent or confident we try to be, we will always come back to the realization that our relationships are one of the most important parts of our lives. Take care of those around you, love them from the bottom of your heart and even though it can be challenging, make sure to put them first. I can assure you that it will make a big difference.

Have you ever realized how amazing our world is? When you look back through history, you can see how far we’ve come and what all we have accomplished. Can you believe that indoor plumbing wasn’t always a thing? How about cars, the internet, grocery stores or cell phones? People have an amazing capacity to dream and create. What dreams do you have? As Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

If you’re feeling inspired, make sure to share this with others. You never know how big of an impact some motivation and inspiration can have on someone!

Abundant Blessings,

Crystal Peterson

February, Fun & Finishing: Monday Motivation

Hello!

We’re glad you dropped by to read our blog. It’s a place we like to fill with inspiration, recipes, healthy living tips and seasonings! Today, we wanted to bring you some words of encouragement as we know what the cold and the busy of February can do.

Now that we’re halfway through February it seems like those New Year’s Resolutions are so far behind us. We’re caught up in work, in our children’s schedules, in school, in worries and all kinds of craziness. Some days you just can’t imagine why you made THAT resolution and when you’re going to find time for it.

Don’t fret! We’ve all been there or will one day be at that point where we just wonder, “Why did I do this?” Here’s the deal… you have to remember that you did it for a reason. You wanted something badly enough and you had the perfect conditions in which to dream about it and the result you wanted: a whole new year ahead of you with exciting possibilities. Please don’t forget that you STILL have the whole year ahead of you with exciting possibilities! The only difference is that you may be a bit distracted.

Distractions can make for less than perfect conditions to remember those goals. You may feel off track right now. You may be upset with yourself for not going to the gym each day or meal prepping each week… you may be upset because you haven’t tried a new recipe every day like you had set out to do… you may not have even started, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to not be perfect and then look ahead! You’ve got only the days before you to improve, not those behind… so focus on those and just go for it! Go to the gym two to three nights a week starting out instead of beginning full-force and work your way up to that everyday goal. Prep a day’s worth of meals and keep increasing the number of meals each week. You’ll get there. And no matter what, you’re accomplishing something and moving forward and that’s something to be proud of.

February is a great month of the year to get into your New Year’s Resolutions. You know what the year’s routine has become and you know what you can do to help yourself moving forward. Remember: February’s cold doesn’t make the outdoor run less fun! Put on your favorite, warm workout clothes and reward yourself with a hot beverage when you’re done. Being busy doesn’t ever have to take away from the fun you can have making food, mixing ingredients and creating new and fun food dishes. Make meal times your fun time (After all, you have to eat anyways!). Don’t let yourself get discouraged. Be encouraged and know that you’ve got supporters ready to watch you succeed. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your goals by finishing what you started.

Be encouraged!

Abundant Blessings,

Crystal Peterson

You CAN Cook: A Simple, Romantic Meal

Hi Everyone,

Since it’s Valentine’s Day week, we felt that it was time to pull out a quick and tasty meal that you and your special someone can enjoy together. You may be so busy with kids that having a lot time to yourself just isn’t a real option. You may be coming back from a long trip, a weekend away or, just simply wish to keep this Valentine’s Day dinner simple (And as an added bonus, relatively inexpensive!).

Whichever category you may fall into, we hope that you enjoy this tasty meal and can share it with the ones you love!

Ingredients:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or strips)
1 head of organic broccoli
2-3 full-size, organic carrots
1 head of organic cauliflower
3/4 cup long grain or wild rice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 1/4 cups water
Sharp cheddar cheese (Or, mixed cheeses for added flavor!)
Seasonest Original Blend

Utensils:
Baking/ casserole dish (the one pictured is around 12″x 9.75″x 5″)
Medium stove-top pot and lid
Wok or frying pan
Scoop/stirring spoon
Two oven mitts
Cutting knife
Two cutting boards (one for meat, one for vegetables)
Measuring cup
Cheese grater

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set aside casserole dish (You may wish to apply olive oil to keep ingredients from sticking to the side of the dish.).
Measure out 3/4 cup rice and 2 1/4 cup water and place these in a medium stove-top pot. Add in 1 Tbsp. of olive oil so that the rice doesn’t stick to the pot.
Turn on a stove-top burner to Medium-High and place the rice-filled pot on top. Bring contents to a boil, then cover with a lid and turn burner down to Low or Med-Low for 20 minutes.
Remove chicken from packaging and wash thoroughly. Cut chicken into desired size (Bite-size preferable). Set aside.
Take out your vegetables and wash them thoroughly, then chop them up to bite-size pieces. Set aside.
Place wok or frying pan onto the stove and turn burner on to Medium heat. Once it is fully heated, toss in chicken and 1 Tbsp. olive oil and cook well (Chicken will turn white and need flipping to ensure thorough cooking.). Once well-cooked, toss in the vegetables and another 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Also, sprinkle in Seasonest Original Blend in desired amount.
Once rice, chicken and vegetables are all done cooking, place rice into the bottom of the casserole dish, adding the vegetables and chicken on top. Add a layer of grated sharp cheddar to the top until fully covered and place the dish in the oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.
After the cheese has melted, remove cooked casserole from oven using BOTH oven mitts and let sit for 5 minutes to cool.
Enjoy!

Let us know if you get the opportunity to try this dish and how it goes!

Happy Motivation Monday,

The Seasonest Family

Easy Meal Prep Recipes

Meal prepping is a great aid in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but for many of us, having to think so far ahead with types of food and ingredients can seem pretty daunting. We totally get it! That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of our favorite Seasonest recipes that work well with meal prepping, healthy ingredients and variety (Because, that’s the spice of life, after all!).

Protein:

Rotisserie Chicken: This source of protein is simply 70 minutes of total cooking and prepping time and only requires three ingredients, one of which is our Original Blend.
Lemon Garlic Chicken: Great for lunches and dinners, this flavorful chicken dish allows for some extra umph at meal time. If chicken broth, garlic cloves and fresh lemons sound appealing, this is your perfect dish du jour.
Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs: If you’re looking for more variety and fun at lunch time, you’ll definitely want to try this chicken recipe. Chicken, red onion and zucchini round this out to a tasty treat; add in some yellow rice to make it a full meal!
Fish Tacos: Lime, avocado, lettuce, tomato, green onions, jalepeños … is your mouth watering yet? Fresh ingredients make this taco time a real treat. With a prep and cooking time of less than 30 minutes and a list of delicious veggies, this meal could be one of the freshest finds around aside from you catching your own fish.

Vegetables:

Collard Greens: Southern belles, Midwestern men, people of the Pacific and bravers of the Northeastern cold alike can all appreciate come delicious comfort food like their grandma used to make. This food is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and rich in Vitamin K. Healthy, healthy, healthy! Need we say more?
Veggie Tacos: Whether you’re vegetarian or simply looking for some healthier options, veggie tacos are the way to go. A variety of vegetables makes this meal fun, colorful and amazingly flavorful. Top it off with some of our Adobo Blend and you’ve got a meatless marvel.
Roasted Corn on the Cob: Easy to make… simply bake! Fresh, organic corn with some brushed-on butter and some Original Blend… Can’t you just smell it?

We love inspiring others to live their best lives and eat well with great flavor! With Seasonest, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health benefits; try out our seasonings today. Click here for great seasonings!

Happy Motivation Monday!

The Seasonest Family

You CAN Cook: Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs

Mmm, mmm, mmm… food inspired by the Mediterranean. We like to let our taste buds travel and we hope you do too, because this recipe is an easy way to take your dinner to a new sea level. If you are still a non-believer in your ability to cook, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, toss some ingredients into a bowl and let things marinade for a bit. But, really… it’s pretty much that simple.

Happy Monday.

Supplies:

One large bowl
Large skillet/pan
Choice of oil
Skewers
Tongs

Marinade Ingredients:

Juice from three limes
15 minced garlic cloves (It’s worth it!)
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp thyme
2 tsp cardamom
Dash of salt and pepper
2 tbsp of the Seasonest Italian Blend

Other Ingredients:

Cubed chicken thighs
Red onion
Zucchini
Optional: yellow rice and Greek salad

Instructions:

Mix spices together in a large bowl and season the cubed chicken. Add in the lime juice, olive oil and garlic cloves, and mix until everything is well-coated. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes or more.
After meat has finished marinating, thread onto skewers with your choice of veggies (We used zucchini and red onion!).
Lightly oil a large skillet and lay skewers in hot pan. Cook by rotating with tongs until finished.
Serve over a bed of rice and with a Greek side salad.
Enjoy!

The Seasonest Family

Motivation Monday: Famous Company Slogans

With 2016 under way, we are determined to get motivated towards being healthier versions of ourselves.

It’s not always easy to get up out of bed an extra hour or two early to work out or to drink the green mixture you concocted in the blender the night before instead of the fast and easy breakfast burrito, but you do it anyways on the way to a better you. Of course, you probably had some encouragement or inspiration along the way, right? We find that there are great motivators all around us in our everyday lives. We’ve found our everyday inspiration in some pretty fantastic company slogans that motivate us and we hope they motivate you, too!

1. Nike- “Just do it.”

Why we like it: The message is clear and simple; get out and get going. Sometimes, you have to be tough on yourself. And always, you have to be honest… So, there’s really no point in arguing with yourself when you’re aware that all you have to do is get out there and do it (exercise, eating well, etc.).

2. Adidas- “Impossible is Nothing”

Why we like it: You’re running and running and suddenly you’re more trudging along than anything. All you can think is, “This is impossible. How am I going to climb that hill?” And then, you think of this slogan. It may be an uphill climb back home on your jogging path, but you make it.

3. Subway- “Eat Fresh”

Why we like it: Ah, yes… we love this one. We are all about fresh ingredients and fresh food. When we make our seasonings, we use all-natural, fresh spices and herbs. When we cook meals, we make sure that whatever is going into our bodies is fresh! It makes a world of difference.

4. Energizer- “Keeps going and going and going.”

Why we like it: When you think of this slogan, it’s hard not to imagine the pink rabbit with the drum. It doesn’t give up! And even when we want to, just thinking of this little rabbit gets us back into gear. Sometimes, you just have to pretend you’re made of infinite battery power and power through! You’ll like the results.

5. L’Oréal- “Because I’m worth it.”

Why we like it: When you’re eating right and exercising, you’re doing it for yourself. You’re taking care of your body! You have to remember that you’re worth every bit of green breakfast juice and early morning workouts. A healthier you is a happier you and you are totally worth it.

We hope this inspires you and that you have a wonderful Monday!

The Seasonest Family

Motivation Monday: Thanksgiving Traditions

Happy Monday Everyone,

It’s a great season for family and friends to gather together around the table and spend quality time with each other. Our family really loves Thanksgiving!

We wake up super early (okay, mom does) and start to prepare for our big meal. It’s not Thanksgiving without watching the parade or some seasonal cartoons while we wait for things to cook. Cori would rather watch football, so sometimes the remote situation can get a bit tricky… we’re still family, so we’re thankful for those moments, too!

It’s always fun when our cousin drives up and spends the holiday with us; gathering family from far and wide and sharing food together really is what makes Thanksgiving so special. We like to share our turkey with our furry family members, too. After we eat, furry and non-furry family members take a collective nap and sleep it all off! If we’re still feeling like there’s enough room in our stomachs (there’s always enough room for dessert), we’ll have something sweet and then head off to a movie together.

We’re really looking forward to another year all together, celebrating all that we’re thankful for and what God has blessed us with in 2015!

If you have family traditions, we’d love to hear about them. Make sure to comment below and share your favorite memories!

If you’d like to experience our Thanksgiving flavor, you can order online here.

With thankful hearts,

The Seasonest Family