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...
My husband hates frisee lettuce, but I actually love the stuff. I think it adds great texture and interest to a salad. But before I go any further and lose some of you, I’ll confess that I don’t consider myself a salad eater. I find that a lot of cold salads fall flat, and rarely do I feel satisfied after eating them as my meal.
But THIS, my friends, is the salad for non-salad eaters. It’s honestly my favorite salad ever. It’s the warm and cold elements of the salad that make it both interesting and filling for me. The warmth is brought by the sauteed white beans and corn (along with some red pepper flakes for a little heat!). And the fresh frisee, cherry tomatoes, cilantro and creamy avocado give a certain coolness to each bite. Truly, MKR
P.S. A quick tip if you’re getting your beans out of a can: as you probably know, you should rinse your beans as you take them out of the can because they’re super salty in there. But what’s more: I recently learned that the only brand that doesn’t use harmful preserving ingredients in its cans is Eden Organics (which can be found at Whole Foods). I’m always careful to use these beans to be safe! xo
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
There is no better way to start your Thanksgiving meal than with a warm, cozy bowl of soup. This year I took the classic butternut squash soup and kicked it up a notch by adding granny smith apples, homemade croutons, and sage leaves. All easy additions that will have your guests asking for seconds, and possibly even thirds. Truly, MKR
1 jar (2 lb.) butternut squash puree (I prefer Williams-Sonoma)
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
2 cups vegetable broth
2 small bay leaves
3 tsp. kosher salt
Sage leaves for garnish
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
...FOR THE CROUTONS
crusty bread such as french, sourdough, or you can even use dinner rolls
2-4 tablespoons olive oil
salt
Instructions
In a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until soft but not browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
Add the butternut squash puree, apple, broth, bay leaves and salt and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove the bay leaves and discard. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth.
Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish with sage leaves, croutons and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.
...FOR THE CROUTONS
Preheat oven to 400F.
Cut bread into large squares and place into a mixing bowl. Add 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil and salt, mix together with your hands. You want just enough olive oil to lightly coat each piece, but not enough where the bread is soggy.
Place bread on to a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes just until bread is golden brown. Switch oven to broil for 2-3 minutes to properly crust the croutons. Make sure to watch this last step as the croutons can quickly burn.
By Mandy Kellogg Rye @Waiting On Martha
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
Recently I’ve been asked several times about my beauty routine, (last week I even shared a peek on Snapchat during my weekly Snapchat (username Waiting On Martha Q&A). And like any (realistic) routine, my “beauty” routine will always involve a series of trials and errors, and constantly be evolving and changing. But there are a few things that will never change; I prefer to stick to all natural beauty products whenever possible and I love using the Think Dirty App when in doubt about products’ toxicity and ingredients. I have super-sensitive, acne prone, combination skin so when I do find something that works you’ll be hard pressed to get me to switch. A few examples of my tried and true favorites; BareMinerals foundation, bronzer, and mineral veil. One Love Organics Easy Does It foaming cleanser and of course my Tropical Pink YSL Lipstick.
Today though, I’m sharing a few other noteworthy front-runners of the moment, all products that I feel great about wearing regularly, and all worthy of the space on my bathroom countertop. Read all about them below, but after you do, I’d love to hear about your own beauty must-haves! Truly, MKR
No. 1…The Super Elixir. I take a helping of this superfood supplement every day with 5 oz. of water. Yes, it’s a little grainy that way, but it saves me time in the morning when I’m on the go. It can also be added to a smoothie. In my opinion, the Elixir tastes like mint and “green” but it’s all the good superfood ingredients that I need in my day. I’ve read in the reviews that it’s helped many people with stomach issues, and I’d have to agree. And as Elle McPherson says, “It is an investment but it’s cheaper than a good face cream.”
No. 2…Mario Bedescu Glycolic Skin Renewal Complex. I think of this miracle cream as my spot cream for breakouts and scarring as it seems to turns over skin quickly. While it’s too strong to use every night, I use when needed, sleeping with it on. And more times than not, I’ll go to bed with a glaring breakout, only to wake with little to no trace of it left.
No. 4…Smith & Cult Nail Color. These gorgeous hues in the chicest of bottles are free of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl (no thank you!) and I wear them all year round. (But hey S&C, I just want to say that you’ve discontinued my absolute favorite color, Feathers & Flesh, so if you could bring that back I’d be so happy!) And for the record, I love the lipgloss too; it’s one of the best all natural beauty products I’ve foundand lasts for months.
No. 5…NARS ‘Monoi’ Body Glow II. I like to use this rich, silky body oil in the bathtub and on freshly shaved legs. With a few simple drops I always have the silkiest, smoothest skin. And double BONUS, I recently read an article that said it acts at one of the best natural bug repellents around.
No. 6…Artis Oval 8 Brush. To say that I’m obsessed with this makeup brush is major, major understatement. I’m sure you’ve seen Artis brushes all over by now, and they really do work as well as they say. I use the brush to put on my bb cream, brushing away every line and crease. This size is best for all-over face and neck, and it blends sooo well. If you’re interested, there’s a full-set available as well.
No. 7…Brand New Day Microderma Scrub + Masque. An easy favorite by One Love Organics (I know, I’m a cult follower) that I use several times a week to slough off dead skin and keep my face and neck feeling new and fresh. This multi-use exfoliant can be used as a scrub or easy masque (simply add water or greek yogurt!).
No. 8…Olaplex No. 3 3.3-Oz. Hair Perfector. My hair was never really damaged in the past, but since I begun using a wand and straightener whenever I rock my waves, it’s starting to show signs of distress. But this once-a-week conditioning treatment that I can sleep in has restored shine and body back into my locks.
No. 9…Herbivore Lapis Oil Balancing Facial Oil. Most facial oils break me out, but this one doesn’t. I can use this instead of a moisturizer, and I feel good using it because it has absolutely no artificial ingredients, fillers, alcohol, animal ingredients, fragrances, artificial colors, or unnatural preservatives.
No. 10…WeledaSkin Food & Weleda Sea Buckthorne Cream. These two (incredibly affordable) hand creams are my absolute favorites. Talk about one of the best natural beauty products out their, Weleda score sa 0 out of 10 on the toxicity scale via ThinkDirty app, and they both smell amazing. You can find this thick, decadent hand cream in my nightstand, kitchen drawer, purse…everywhere. And since it’s very rich, you don’t need to use a lot, plus it smells divine.
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
