I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Fettuccine alfredo is probably my all-time favorite pasta. It’s that guilty pleasure dish that you just know is going to hit the spot. But like any of you know who have tried to recreate a healthy version of this dish too, it’s tough. I’ve been trying to perfect my vegan fettuccine alfredo recipe for what feels like forever. I’ve seen versions of the dish with soy milk, white wine cashew cream, potatoes and more…but all of them seemed to sort of simply fall flat.
When I think of my favorite fettuccine alfredo, I think of the creamy, rich sauce…nothing watery or bland. And friends, I think I’ve finally figured it out vegan-style. And you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this rendition; it’s good for all of us to cut back on the heavy stuff like heavy cream and cheese once in awhile. In the recipe below, I’ve used cauliflower, garlic, almond milk, nutritional yeast and salt and pepper, and thrown it all in my blender. The result? A lighter sauce that’s low-fat, dairy-free, but still has that creamy, rich and warming consistency of a true alfredo. I may even prefer it to the original now! Truly, MKR
Over medium-high heat sauté the garlic with olive oil until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, set aside.
In a large pot of water bring cauliflower to a boil and cook until when you prick it with a fork it's soft.
While the cauliflower is cooking bring another large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking and once cooked through add to a blender along with the garlic, almond milk salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth. Add parsley and pulse just barley mixing.
Drain the pasta and pour it into the pan on medium low, top with the sauce, and broccoli, stir and cook until the broccoli is warmed through 2-3 minutes. Plate the finished mixture and enjoy!
By Mandy Kellogg Rye @Waiting On Martha
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
I’ve finally admitted to myself that I’ve been on a bit of a beauty product binge this summer. Maybe it’s because I’ve been switching over to a lot of natural and holistic products, (think white sage smudge sticks). Maybe it’s because the older I get, the more I truly understand that taking care of my skin should be top priority. But whatever the reason, I don’t see this binging stopping any time soon. So today, I’m sharing a few new binge-worthy picks that have earned their coveted spot on my vanity, with a few oldies that I’ve fallen in love with all over again.
Starting with the newcomers; Sunday Riley, Sapelo Skin Care and Damn Good Face Wash have continued my obsession with oils and the art of a proper daily beauty routine. Aerin, Tom Ford and Morrocanoil have resurfaced, and officially earned spots on my forever list. And on the holistic side of things, I’ve possibly gone off the deep end misting essential oils in numerous rooms, keeping three different himelayan salt lamps burning at all times, and I may or may not be lighting white sage smudge sticks around the house to purify the air. I swear everything just feels more pure. Read on below for a few of my other current faves, and please let me know if there’s anything you’re binging on right now! Truly, MKR
No. 2…Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment. This stuff definitely has a cult following, as you can see from these reviews. I, of course, had to see what all the buzz was about, and I totally get it now. After only a few uses, I felt my skin’s texture dramatically improve (smoothing out acne scars and fine lines), and I swear I do have a little glow about me!
No. 3…Tom Ford Cream Cheek Color. Though the palette looks a bit coral-y, this cream blush would look good on practically anyone. I tap a little bit on my finger and put on my nose and cheekbones. The color is dewy and goes on wonderfully…and a little goes a long way.
No. 4…NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner. I really just love a good blue eyeliner; it makes the eyes pop. This one by NARS lasts throughout the day too, which is good because there’s nothing worse than glancing in the mirror later in the day to find that all of your eyeliner has disappeared!
No. 5…Tom Ford Cream & Powder Eye Color. Besides the fact that this bronzey-gold is absolutely jaw-dropping, I love that this eyeshade duo is wet AND dry. This duo, however, is not cheap. But what I’ve found is that I use so very little (seriously I only use like one tiny drop) it will likely last for a year.
No. 6…White Sage Smudge Sticks. As I said above I have went full boar and bought into this ancient incense to purify the air in my home. To use, you simply light the smudge sticks on fire and let them smolder, filling the room with the healing scent of sage. If you really have some trouble areas you’re supposed to open the windows and doors and waft the smoke over the troubled area (ie spots with ghosts or bad juju) and out the window or door.
No. 7…Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle. I’ve been a longtime fan of Aerin fragrances, and I knew I had to try this one the second I saw it. I’m thrilled (but not surprised) to say that this one does not disappoint.
No. 8…Bling Brush. I am just so in love with this on-the-go jewelry cleaner. It looks a little like concealer, but it’s actually a natural cleaner for your diamonds! It’s so easy to use, and it truly makes my diamonds shine like they do when I get them professionally cleaned. AND it’s only $18.
No. 9…Moroccanoil Treatment. My hair has felt extra dry lately, so I’ve come back to the Moroccanoil line. I used to use the stuff religiously for years, and am happy to see its luxurious effects on my locks again. I also have the hydrating shampoo and conditioner – which are both game-changers.
No. 10…Sapelo Renewing Serum. I use this heavenly face serum as the first step in my daily skincare routine, after cleansing. Being water-based, the serum gives my face and neck a full hydration one-over, while delivering other essential nutrients that my skin happily soaks up. It’s super moisturizing and super effective; I’ve noticed my skin feels tighter and firmer thanks to boosted collagen and elastin production. The ladies behind Sapelo and its amazing nature-based southern skincare line are SO worth checking out.
No. 11…Damn Good Face Wash The Works. This handmade, all-natural and ultra nourishing facial wash is a recent Etsy find. The face wash is coconut-oil based, and works to pull impurities and toxins out of the skin, while combating blemishes. Love love love. N0. 12…Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil. Another find from the brand with a true cult following, the Luna Sleeping Night Oil. I put this oil on my face and neck before going to bed, and have kept at it to shrink pores and smooth out some new lines.
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There’s seriously nothing worse than a night spent tossing and turning in bed. Good news is that it’s actually easier than ever to have a better night’s sleep with a few simple sleep hacks. These sleep hacks prove that you CAN take your sleep quality into your own hands, whether that’s by using insightful apps that track your sleep quality and patterns, trying out basic breathing exercises, diffusing relaxing essential oils or simply listening to ambient sounds that have the power to lull even the busiest mind to sleep. So instead of groaning about it all day at work the next day, try doing something about it BEFORE you hit the hay with a silk face mask and these eight better sleep hacks. Cheers, Kat
P.S. If you’re up for taking it even deeper, check out this list of sleep biohacks by Ben Greenfield (my boyfriend introduced me to the Pzizz app Ben mentions…and it works).
P.S.S. Get started with the basic, most-used essential oils HERE.
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Nix the Nightcap
That nightcap drink may not help you find that shut-eye after all. Alcohol decreases the amount of REM sleep that we get, and its effects can seep into the next day, decreasing your ability to concentrate. For the best sleep, avoid drinking alcohol 2-3 hours before you turn in for the night.
We've all heard the recent advice to eliminate glowing screens on laptops, tablets and phones an hour before bed. But according to the king of life hacking, Dave Asprey, you want to start shutting them down two hours before bedtime.
Reading before bed will not only help you sleep better, you'll lower your stress levels, be able to concentrate better, be more emphatic and become more creative (sign me up). If you're still not convinced why you should pick up that book, read on here.
Finding a good sound machine or sleep app is key to easing your mind to relax, while also drowning out distracting noises so you can sleep in peace. Here's a list of the top apps for 2016.
Lavender essential oil has an incredibly soothing, relaxing effect, and it can help put even the busiest mind to rest. Consider ways to enjoy this natural, affordable sleep-aid by using an oil diffuser or by sprinkling drops of the oil onto the pillow before bed.
Have you heard of this "4-7-8 breathing trick"? You breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Somehow, the combination of numbers has the perfect effect on our brains to slow down the heart rate and put you right to sleep.
