2.28.2022

The Chic Assignment March 2022

6:32 AM 5 Comments



Welcome to The Chic Assignment for March, 2022 Before we begin, I would like to express my heartfelt support for the people of Ukraine and everyone who is affected by the war. I have been praying for your safety and for swift peace. 


 

The Chic Assignment series is brought to us by The Chic Society, the private membership group on YouTube.  Joining The Chic Society gives you access to my exclusive members-only vodcast, which is published every Friday. I also do one livestream a month or do a Zoom call where we can all visit together and we now have a penpal program! Membership is only $1.99 a month (upper tiers are also available). 

Chic Assignment No. 1 Enjoy Vivaldi's Spring from The Four Seasons 


Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) was an Italian Baroque composer, most famous for The Four Seasons- a group of four violin concertos which give musical expression to each season of the year. We are going to listen to Vivaldi's Spring from The Four Seasons performed by The Capital String Quartet 

  

We will learn more about Vivaldi in the mid-month check-in. 

Chic Assignment No. 2 Explore the poetry of T.S. Eliot (1888- 1965)

T.S. Eliot was an American poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, literary critic, and editor. He is considered one of the 20th centuries major poets. 

T.S. Eliot (1888 - 1965)


You can read his poetry for free on Poetry Foundation and you can purchase T.S. Eliot Collected Poems

Today we read Whispers of Immortality and we will enjoy more of his poetry in the mid-month check-in. 

Lilysilk pinstripe shirt dress Daily15 for 15% off WP Standard handbag thedailyconnoisseur for free monogram


Chic Assignment No. 3 Prepare your ten-item wardrobe for the upcoming season

It's that time of year again: we will be preparing the transition of our wardrobes. Depending on where you live, you will either be preparing for spring or autumn, but the key is to be intentional. What do you need to get rid of from your wardrobe this time last year? It's time to rid yourself of clothes that are worn out, not your true style, and don't fit in your lifestyle anymore. It's ok to donate clothing and move on to something that is more your style. When you donate clothes you are blessing other people and that piece might be better suited to them. 

Robe by The Ethical Silk Company Moon Phases Cloth Journal , Boxed Ink Pen in Dusty Blush 



Chic Assignment No. 4 Journal your joy. Last month we focused on gratitude. By doing so we magnified what we were grateful for. This month we will journal our joy. You can do it whatever way you want, but if you need a prompt, you can write 10 things that bring you joy. That might be different from what you're grateful for. By journaling our joy we will expand our capacity for joy and will find that we experience more happiness and appreciation throughout the month. 


🗝 Jennifer's Outfit Details
Blouse by Rungolee DailyC for free silk face mask
SKYE 18K gold Ismay earring Jennifer20 for 20% off

Thank you for joining us for this month's assignment. I can't wait to hear about your experience. Let us know in the comments and post on social media using the hashtag #thechicassignment 

See you soon! 

Love, 
Jennifer 

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2.24.2022

Blue Zones Recipes | What's for Dinner?

6:11 AM 7 Comments

 


Welcome to an all new What's for Dinner episode... This time we are looking at Blue Zone recipes. What are the blue zones? The Blue Zones are the five regions in the world where, statistically, people live the longest. They are identified as Sardinia, Italy; the islands of Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California and were researched by Dan Buettner, who is the founder of Blue Zones. You can find Dan's book on Blue Zones here.   



It is helpful to analyze the diets of these Blue Zones. What do the people in these zones eat regularly? In today's video I've adapted some easy Blue Zone recipes for your own kitchen. 


Thank you to Bright Cellars for bringing us today's video. 


🗝 Mentioned in the video

🗝 Jennifer's Outfit Details
SKYE Enora earrings Jennifer20 for 20% off
Jon Josef velvet smoking slippers DAILYCON15 for 15% off

🗝 Featured in the video

Vitamix Blender

Hearts of Palm Ceviche I originally came across this recipe on the Blue Zones website. You can check out the original recipe here.  I modified the recipe and am very happy with the final result. I added mango, green onion, and a few more tweaks. My printable recipe is below. 


Hearts of Palm Ceviche

Hearts of Palm Ceviche

Ingredients

  • 1 14oz can Hearts of Palm, drained & chopped
  • 1/2 small sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced small
  • 1 mango, chopped in small cubes
  • 1 small jalapeño, diced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
  • juice of one lime
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredient in a medium bowl. Squeeze lime on top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with blue corn ships or melba toast.

Pumpkin Marinara Pasta This recipe was adapted from the Blue Zones Website I added more pumpkin than the original recipe suggests and it turned out well. I like the creaminess of this sauce. 
Pumpkin Marinara Pasta

Pumpkin Marinara Pasta

Ingredients

  • 1 package penne pasta
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 28 oz can diced or whole tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 sprigs of thyme
  • 2 teaspoons chopped oregano
  • 1 small handful of basil, shredded
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a skillet on medium low heat, sauté your chopped onion and minced garlic until brown. Add the pumpkin, tomatoes, broth, herbs, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minute on low. Serve over pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and extra basil.

Avocado Fettuccini This recipe was adapted from the Loma Linda University Health Website This is the easiest recipe! The sauce is made in the blender or food processor... 
Avocado Fettuccini

Avocado Fettuccini

Ingredients

  • 8 oz dry Fettuccini noodles
  • 1 large avocado, medium ripe
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 handful of herbs (basil, parsley)
  • 1/4 cup liquid (milk, almond milk, oat milk, or water)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Boil water and cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain noodles and set aside.
  2. In a blender or food processor mince the garlic and fresh herbs. Add the lemon juice, avocado, milk, and parmesan cheese. Add more liquid, if needed to thin out the sauce. Pour sauce on top of noodles and toss to coat. Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Pearled Barley and Pea Risotto This recipe was adapted from the Loma Linda University Health Website

Pearled Barley and Pea Risotto

Pearled Barley and Pea Risotto

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup peas and carrots, cooked
  • 2 cups pearled barley, cooked
  • 1/2 -1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 Tbsp - Parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to brown. Add the cream and barley. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the vegetable broth a quarter cup at a time until the barley absorbs the liquid and turns creamy. Stir in the cooked peas and carrots, 1/4 cup parmesan, and parsley. Top servings with extra parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

News


📍 The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the Channel Memberships. In The Chic Society, I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. *NEW* We now have a penpal program too! 

📍Blogger has taken away the feature where you receive email notifications when I post. Because of this we are moving the blog to Wordpress in the new year. Please stay tuned. 

Instagram

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic in Poland... 


Comment of the Week

Stacie writes, "Jennifer, thank you so much for the time and effort you put
into these assignments. No one else encourages their readers/listeners
to cultivate the arts in their lives and then gives them the
tools to be able to do this. Not only has it enriched my life,
but the lives of my friends and family also as I get them to
participate with me. Again, thank you. God bless you and your
family. Stacie"

Stacie, thank you for your encouraging comment. I'm so happy the Chic Assignment brings joy to your life! 

Thank you for watching today's video. I hoped you enjoyed learning about the Blue Zones! Let us know how the recipes turn out in your home. See you soon! 


NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.


Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: This post is not sponsored by Bright Cellars. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  


2.21.2022

The Chic Assignment Check-In | February 2022 Van Gogh + Valerie Coleman

6:30 AM 5 Comments


Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-in for February.  We are exploring the music of Valerie Coleman, learning about Van Gogh's biography, journaling our gratitude and observing the birds. What fun it has been! 


The Chic Assignment series is brought to us by The Chic Society, the private membership group on YouTube.  Joining The Chic Society gives you access to my exclusive members-only vodcast, which is published every Friday. I also do one livestream a month or do a Zoom call where we can all visit together and we now have a penpal program! Membership is only $1.99 a month (upper tiers are also available). 

🗝 Jennifer's Outfit Details

🗝 Time Stamps 0:00 The Chic Society
1:11 Valerie Coleman
3:26 Vincent van Gogh
15:15 Gratitude Journal
17:12 Observe the birds
18:40 Elegant Connoisseur mentions




Chic Assignment No. 1 This month we discovered the music of Valerie Coleman. Valerie Coleman is Performance Today's Classical Woman of the Year and one of the top 35 Women composers in classical music, according to The Washington Post. The piece we are listening to is Imani Winds performing Valerie Coleman's "Umoja."

Learn more about Valerie and visit her website.



Chic Assignment No. 2  Enjoy the art of Vincent van Gogh

In today's video we dive into the tragic biography of Vincent van Gogh. If you've never heard the story of his life, you will find his story fascinating. How did Van Gogh go from a struggling and impoverished artist who didn't think much of his work to being regarded as one of the greatest artists in human history? You can learn more about Van Gogh and see his art for free here. Buy reproductions of Van Gogh's art for your own walls here, or buy a book with his complete works here


Chic Assignment No. 3 We are journaling our gratitude this month. I have found that doing so increases my capacity for gratitude and alters the way I think. I am more apt to find the "good" in every situation and go out of my way each day to find more things to be grateful for. What has your experience been? 


Chic Assignment No. 4 We observed the birds this month. While staying in La Jolla, California earlier in the month, I befriended this magnificent Osprey. Observing the birds and being aware of their presence, habits, and calls bring us gloriously into the present moment. The Peterson Bird Guide for North America has always been a valuable guide for me in identifying bird species. 

I'd like to give recognition to the upper tiers in The Chic Society. Members with links are highlighted below the graphics.

The Elegant Connoisseurs

Adalet Bir 
Alan Watt - The 90-Day Memoir L.A. Writers' Lab
Aimee Floor, Azalia Spa Goods
Jenny Williams, Carrot Top Paper Shop
Cindy Bulharowski 
Elaine Brisebois - Certified Nutritionist
Guy Blaise, author of Love Like the French
Indiana David WillowNookBox.com 
Janalyn Voigt 
Janice Leitner 
Jenny Candelaria 
Jet Rowley-Herron 
Jina Kay Henry 
Julie Kolman - My Confident Closet 
Juliet Keeler-LeBien 
Katherine Rae 
Linda Eklof 
Living in loveliness - Carli Thom
Maria Conder
Marie Caudill 
Mrs. Shockley  A Home for Elegance
Nicole Brignolle Lovely Bits

The Chic Connoisseurs

I am linking the Chic Connoisseurs with websites here: A Better Life with KAT (Flylady Cleaning System), Audrey CoyneBewitchedCrafts.comLeslie M www.withlesliemorris.com
Luba - healthywithluba.comMichelle the ItaliagalThis and That with Denise JordanTracy The Tea Lady Tracy Lopez, What’s New with Nadine


Thank you for watching and participating in this month's Chic Assignment. I am excited to hear about your experience this month. Let us know in the comments and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog. 


NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.


Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  




2.17.2022

Intermittent Fasting Teas + 10 Breakfast Ideas

5:50 AM 4 Comments

 


I'm sharing ten "break fast" breakfast ideas and we are diving into the world of fasting teas in today's video. 



I do the 16:8 method of intermittent fasting. I've been doing this for two years and have experienced the many health benefits this lifestyle has to offer. I typically break my fast at 9:00 a.m. so my break fasts are also breakfast! 

Disclaimer: While I always try to eat well-balanced meals that are healthful and meet my needs, I am not a nutritionist. Please consult your doctor and nutritionist before embarking on an intermittent fasting plan. This video is for entertainment purposes only. 


Thank you to Pique Tea for sponsoring this video. Pique has an array of fasting teas formulated by Dr. Jason Fung. They also have a wonderful ceremonial grade organic matcha tea and a delightful vitamin c and elderberry supplement that tastes like a spoonful of sugar. Use code DAILYC for 5% off + a free sample pack.  

🗝 Featured in the Video

🗝 Jennifer's Outfit Details
Tee shirt by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off
Jeans by Mott & Bow JLS10 for 10% off


This breakfast is one of my regular favorites: whole fat probiotic yogurt, blueberries, walnuts, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and monk fruit sweetener. 




This smoothie consists of whole fat plain yogurt, 1/2 avocado, blueberries, almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla protein powder, shredded coconut. (Please note: this made 3 smoothies for me and my daughters). I do not measure so I estimated how much I would need to make this. The muffin is a whole wheat blueberry muffin. Recipe coming soon on the blog. 

An old favorite: poached eggs on toast. I boil water and then crack the eggs into the water and cook for 3 minutes exactly, then remove with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve on toast (this is sourdough toast). 


I made oatmeal in the slow cooker overnight. I placed 2 cups of oatmeal in the slow cooker along with one can of coconut cream and another canful of water. I cooked on low overnight. In the morning, I mixed in some almond milk and a bit of brown sugar and served it with the following toppings: chia seeds, blackberries, shredded coconut, and walnuts. Delicious! 


I know what you're thinking... this looks gross! But it was delicious. This is a matcha chia seed pudding. The night before I mixed 1 cup almond milk with 1/4 cup chia seeds, a packet of Pique's Sun Goddess Matcha Powder (DAILYC for 5% + a free sample pack) off and a dash of maple syrup. I let this sit overnight in the fridge. The next day I plated out my portion (this makes 2 servings) and I topped it with shredded coconut and kiwi fruit. 


Today I had deviled eggs and a fruit salad... 


This is one of my favorites: cottage cheese, berries, walnuts and chia seeds. Delicious! 


I frequently make this breakfast. I scramble eggs together with a bit of heavy cream, salt, and pepper and cook on a medium hot skillet. I top with shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onions. This is served with whole grain toast and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. 


Chocolate mousse for breakfast? Sign me up! This is an overnight oats chocolate mousse. I initially found the idea from this video on Mina Rome's channel. I used 1 cup oats, 3 Tbs nut butter (almond or hazelnut is ideal), 1 1/2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 3 tsp ground flax seeds, 1 cup almond milk, 3 tsp chia seeds, and a dash of maple syrup. Blend all these ingredients in a blender and pour into individual ramekins. The next morning top with yogurt and raspberries. Decadent and delicious! 


The final breakfast is one I frequently enjoy as well: avocado toast topped with everything but the bagel seasoning with a side of cottage cheese and blackberries. I drank this with a matcha latte. 


News


📍 The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. In The Chic Society, I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. *NEW* We now have a penpal program too! 

📍Blogger has taken away the feature where you receive email notifications when I post. Because of this we are moving the blog to Wordpress in the new year. Please stay tuned. 

Instagram

Madame Chic on Instagram... 



Comment of the Week 

Roo's Creative Learning Curve shares her favorite parts of the morning: "The birds chirping, the cat at the front door, water and coffee, quiet time, reading my daily text about a scripture and audio with earbuds with my morning routine while the house is still asleep and being grateful for another day."

Thank you for sharing your pleasures of the morning with us!

I hope you enjoyed today's video. I would love to know what your favorite breakfasts are. What are some of the ones you return to again and again? Do you have any new favorites? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.


NEW* Join 
The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.


Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home


FTC: This post is not sponsored by Pique Tea. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.