Gluten-free Almost Paleo Quiche--Take 2 with Manchego and Roma Tomatoes

Today I suck less at experimenting with recipes.

This is a follow up post to my Gluten-free Almost Paleo Spinach and Feta Quiche. Since then, I've made a cheddar and broccoli quiche and this manchego and roma tomato quiche. Let me just say, they are deeeelish, easy to make, high protein, low carb creations!

A few tips I've learned along the way:

1. Make sure to remove the excess water from your spinach if using frozen.
    No one likes a watery quiche.
2. Beat your eggs well so they are nice and fluffy when you bake them.
3. Remove your quiche when you see the top layer turning nice golden brown.

Here is my Manchego and Roma Tomato Quiche.

Pre-heat oven to 350°

• 1 bag of frozen spinach
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup manchego
• 2 roma tomatoes diced
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper

Slice and Dice

An excuse to try out my new Cuisinart Immersion Blender in Seafoam Green (obviously).

Saute garlic and spinach until moisture is removed.

Add manchego and tomatoes in with the eggs.

Put everything in a greased pie pan. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Panamama!

We're finally going on our Honeymoon and we're going to Panama! I am counting down the minutes until we take flight.

A few nights in Casca Viejo and four glorious nights in Bocas del Toro paradise. If you need me, I'll be at the swim up bar saying, "Coconut Me!" My version of "Beer Me". Which means, "Give me anything to drink as long as it's in a giant coconut!" I'm not opposed to "Pineapple Me!" either.

"Wait, don't leave without me!"

New passport with the Mrs. change :)

I'm ready. Let's go!

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Northern Lights
Passport Cover: MindMap on Etsy

Bag: Thrifted at Goodwill Austin
Romper: Forever21 Boutique Thrifted on Ebay

Shoes: Aldo
Belt and Bracelet: J Crew

P.S. I Like Like You, Austin

I'm afraid NYC will always feel like home to me (even though it's not technically my home.) The crisp air, the constant creative energy, the people yelling at you in street, the bonds I made, it all just feels perfectly imperfect in every way.

One thing I will say about Austin, the people I've met are incredible! I've made some remarkable friends here. One of those friends gave me an inspiring gift for my birthday. It was a photo she had taken of the Austin Power Plant. The photo read, "City of Power." I do believe she's right, that I will find a new kind of strength here. I know I have a lot to learn from Austin, even if I may have gone through most of this journey kicking and screaming.

Oh Austin, you are starting to grow on me.

Here is a collection of DSLR and iPhone shots I've taken of my favorite street art around town. I'm happy I shot these because, a few have been taken down or changed. This post has inspired me to get back out for another photo tour around town! I'm sure there will be a follow up post :)

P.S. I don't love you yet but, I really, like like you, Austin.

I (Insert Verb) L.A.

Everyone has a love/hate relationship with Los Angeles (myself included). I grew up about an hour north of Los Angeles and I rented various apartments in Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood and Studio City most of my college years. I miss the PCH, my friends, craft services, late night Laurel Canyon drives, and Killer Shrimp. Man, they had the best broth I've ever tasted.

What I don't particularly miss is the accuracy of this shirt. But, it did give me a nice giggle.

T-Shirt: Thrifted off Ebay from 2BrokeGirlsClothing

My (Sorry about my face) Magic Mud

Today I suck less at whitening my teeth and apologizing for my face.

This post started out as a simple review of My Magic Mud. But, quickly spiraled down the self-loathing, black hole I like to call, "Sorry about my face". Luckily, there is a happy ending to this post and I have whiter teeth through the process. Let's just say, taking incredibly up-close photos of your face can literally pull things into focus.

One Sunday afternoon, I was performing at the Mueller Farmer's Market. That's when I first heard about My Magic Mud. The Texas based, natural tooth whitening product comes with a great back story on how they grew their business. I didn't end up buying the product until I got home and researched it a bit. Once I did, it arrived straight away. Their website was extremely easy to use and has a great FAQ page to answer your questions.

Yeah, I drink a lot of coffee and wine! So, I need to stay ahead of the stains on my teeth. I really didn't want to turn to a product with harsh chemicals. For my own health and the fact that I'm still breastfeeding my son. I've been oil pulling with coconut oil but, while it has helped to whiten my teeth it's been slow going. My Magic Mud is made with activated Coconut Shell Charcoal, Bentonite Clay, Wildcrafted Mint, and Orange Peel Extract. Compare that to your average teeth whitening kit and I think you'll be amazed. YES to ingredients I can actually pronounce!

Truth be told, I took these photos after my second use of My Magic Mud. I REALLY wish I had taken photos after the first try. The difference was incredible! But, even on the second brush there were still notifiable changes.

Back to this self-loathing crap. I watched this fascinating TED Talk about how women react when they first sit down in a makeup chair. They immediately start apologizing for their face! I noticed how I would do the exact same thing on any photo shoot. I would start with my eyes saying, "Sorry my eyes are so small." Then I would move onto my chin, "Sorry I have such a big chin. Could you contour it so I don't look like Jay Leno's daughter?" Then I would apologize for my lips, "Sorry my top lip is smaller than my bottom." After about 5 minutes of explaining away how awfully sorry I was about my face, I'd thrown in a "Well, at least I have nice skin, I guess." Some half-hearted attempt at not sounding like a total Delaney downer.

Anyway, when I uploaded these photos I immediately started in again, "Ugh, your small eyes, your big chin, your stupid flat forehead." "How can I possibly put these photos online", I thought. On and on they thoughts raced through my mind. But, then I started to remind myself of that TED Talk I watched and how the speaker described the two types of women who did not apologize for their faces. I remembered how she talked about the little old ladies getting their makeup done. How they smiled ear to ear and radiated beauty. I remember how she talked about the women that had just finished their last round of chemo. How they remarked on how strong and beautiful they felt in that moment.

I remembered that these people did not apologize for their faces.

I remembered how I do not want to wait until I have death knocking on my door to see my beauty and appreciate what I have.

So, I took a deep breath, smiled and clicked post.

Before

 During

 Ready for my Walking Dead appearance.

 After

Whiter teeth and no apologies for this face.

Okay, go watch that TED Talk and get My Magic Mud (you'll thank me for both.) Feel free to ask me any questions I may have left out about My Magic Mud in the comment section below.

Lipstick: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo

T-Shirt: Thrifted J Crew

Glasses: Nine West in Demi Green

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - It's for a good cause, right?!

Thanks to my lovely friends Kelly Sensabaugh and Jeff Hershey for nominating me for this challenge.

Challenge accepted!

For more information on ALS and what you can do to help, visit their website. Donate, take the challenge and raise awareness.

"It's so cold in the D..."

Thai-rrific Curry Quinoa

Today I suck less at making white people Thai food.

I LOVE Thai food. I have some serious wanderlust for a trip to Thailand but, we'll save that for another post. Last night I was craving curry so I decided to give it a go and make my first Thai dish. Yes, this is a total white person version and I know I have an abundance of quinoa dishes. But, you've gotta start somewhere right? So, here is the Thai-rrific dish I came up with from what I had in my kitchen already.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken Breast cut into thin slices
• 1 can Coconut Milk
• Ghee for the stir-fry
• 1 bag frozen Broccoli
• 1 bunch of fresh Spinach
• 2 tbs Curry Powder
• 1 tbs Ginger (fresh would be best but, I didn't have any)
• 1/2 tbs Turmeric
• 2 tbs of Chili paste
• 1 cup of Quinoa cooked

Wash and slice Chicken Breast. Cook your quinoa. There is a big debate on whether or not you should wash your Chicken. I'll let you decide.

Wash and chop Spinach.

 Combine Coconut Milk, Curry Powder, Ginger, Turmeric, and Chili Paste.

 Heat Ghee and Stir-fry your Chicken until cooked through.

 Steam your Broccoli while you cook the Chicken.

 Remove Chicken and drain pan. Add Broccoli and Sauce, then add the Chicken and Spinach.

Pour over your cooked Quinoa and Enjoy!

Summer in the City

It's hot as hell in Austin, Texas. As the summer slowly melts away I'm lamenting wearing layers. Much like bar hopping and seeing movies alone, they are a thing of my past. I'm beginning to get accustomed to the blazing heat and humidity. Top knots, sunglasses, SPF and high-waisted shorts, Barton Creek, and Amy's Ice Cream are a must these days. Already looking forward to the next 4th of July.

A little thrifted garb from my local Goodwill.

"When We Were Young" Music Video Premiere

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

Watch the premiere of "When We Were Young" filmed by Escape Plan Productions and directed by Keller Davis, right here in Austin, Texas.

Special thanks to Keller Davis, Jensen Yancey, David Lackey, Chris Weachock, Laura Martinez Makeup Artist and Sousous Photography by Yana Kushner, Cameron, Copeland, and Asterisk for their hard work and dedication.

I wrote this song in case I ever need to remind my future self of the best times in my life. Falling is love is easy but, you've gotta work everyday to stay in love. It's easy to forget what it was like in the beginning. I hope I never forget and I hope this song helps you to remember and relive all of your best moments.

Okay! It's up on my website... grab someone to cuddle up with and watch it!

XOX
MRS

P.S. If you fancy the video, fancy a YouTube comment?
P.P.S. If you wanna be my best friend, share the video with your friends! ;-P