my 2020 holiday gift guide is finally live on the blog! 🎁 you’ll find my picks For Her (like this cute velvet puffer!), For Him, For Toddlers, and Under $50. but let me leave this disclaimer here: it’s the thought that counts. gift giving is supposed to spread joy - don’t get caught up searching the internet for hours for the “perfect gift.” the perfect gift is simply something thoughtful 💓 and frankly, our good health is the best gift we could all ask for this year 🖤 but if you need some more inspiration, check out my stories for swipe ups or go straight to Inspiralized.com! 😘 #holidaygiftideas #holidaygiftguide ...

a festive seasonal snack or dessert idea for you and your little ones 🍎 - these french toast apple slices were inspired by my grandmother and this apple butter, cinnamon, maple syrup toast situation she used to make with her famous applesauce. you can grab this recipe from #inspiralizedandbeyond! ⁣
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tell me how everyone's doing on their thanksgiving prep - ready? haven't even started yet? I haven't bought a single thing yet! 😇😱🤡 ...

the holidays are going to be very tough and emotional for many of us this year. we're not going to spend it with the loved ones we typically do to keep one another safe and even worse, some of us will miss family we've lost to the COVID virus. 💔⁣
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something that always cheers me up is food. I've come to realize that one of the reasons it has this therapeutic effect on me is because it's a safe space for me to block out everything else and just enjoy the art of cooking. 🥄⁣
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and I realize that this will not be helpful to everyone ("oh, ali, I can't just cook it all way!"), but if it does, try to get in the kitchen and cook (or bake!) something that brings you happiness. and if it does not and you're sad right now, that's okay too. it's okay to not feel okay. 🙏🏼 I wish I could help more, but in the meantime, my love, strength, and heart goes out to you. I'm thinking of you.⁣
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but, IF food and cooking is cathartic for you too, I encourage you to make something new this year for Thanksgiving (or over whatever holiday you celebrate.) sometimes following steps in a new recipe keeps your brain focused on the task and you're able to let everything else wash away. at least that's how it is for me! I'm flipping through my cookbooks and sharing some of my favorite holiday-friendly recipes over on stories, like this one from #InspiralizedandBeyond! 📚⁣
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RICOTTA & FIG GOLDEN BEET CROSTINI with honey 🍯⁣
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makes 8-10 crostini⁣
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ingredients⁣
1 large golden beet (about 6 ounces), peeled and sliced into 1/8" thick rounds⁣
1/4 cup ricotta cheese⁣
5 fresh figs, diced⁣
honey, for drizzling⁣
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directions⁣
arrange the beet slices on a serving platter and spread about 1 teaspoon of the ricotta on each. top evenly with the chopped figs and drizzle very lightly with honey. serve.

📸: @evansungnyc ...