Sesame Green Beans!

Haricot verts. What?

Is she talking about the long, skinny green beans?

Why yes, yes I am.

Haricot verts (hairy-co-vares) is the French phrase for green beans and refers to the ones shaped like the the picture below.

If you're from the south you're probably used to green beans cooked with ham or bacon, or perhaps served in a green bean casserole.

But today we're veering off the straight and narrow path of southern staples and I think you're gonna like it....

What You'll Need:

1 Package of Hericot Verts
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce or Teriyaki Sauce
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper, to taste


Directions:


Start by rinsing your Hericot Verts thoroughly in a collander.


Now add your rinsed Hericot Verts and olive oil in a large skillet and turn the heat on high.


Let the beans cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes or until they start to become tender.
*Tip: If you're using frozen beans, cover them during this step. It will help them heat through quicker.


Now add your sesame oil and soy sauce/teriyaki sauce and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness.

Now sprinkle with sesame seeds, serve and enjoy!

xoxo,

Stay Curious!

Jazzy Jewel Tones

My recent pursuits into the world of jewelry designing left me needing a few things: a logo and a website. So I set out with a few silk scarves and a camera in hopes that I might capture a picture to represent my budding brand. I ended up with some vibrant and eye-catching shots and thought I would share the magic:

Here's what I ended up with!:

Thanks for looking!

xoxo,

Stay Curious!

Mashed Rutabagas!

Under-rated.
Under-utilized.
Under-appreciated.

All of these words could be used to describe Rutabagas, the cold-climate-thriving root veggie that's aching for attention.

If you're like me you can probably count on one hand (or no hands) the times you've eaten Rutabagas...

But don't let your past keep you from your future!

The thought of adding Rutabagas to my grocery list never crossed my mind until I stumbled upon the Rutabaga pledge on the Whole Living website, and obviously, I took it.

So when my beau and I decided to stay in and cook for Valentine's Day dinner I knew it was the perfect opportunity to experiment with this new ingredient.

The results? A delectable concoction that rivals any mashed potato recipe.

Yes my friends, I made Mashed Rutabagas and it was a culinary triumph.

So before we go over how to make this wholesome and hearty side dish, let's take a look at some of the nutrients you'll be consuming when you give Rutabagas a try:

• Potassium
• Beta-carotene
• Vitamin A
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• And they're almost fat free! (<1 gram)

Did I mention they're also extremely low in calories?

Yes, my darlings, 100 g. of cooked Rutabagas is only 39 calories.

39 calories! This knowledge paired with their delicate sweetness will keep you comin' back for more!


So now that you two are well acquainted, let's get started!

What You'll Need:

2 Medium Rutabagas
1 cup Milk
1.5 cup Buttermilk
2-3 TBSP Earth Balance or butter
2 tsp Nutmeg
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:

Start by peeling your Rutabagas......don't be intimidated by their unfamiliar exterior.....

Once you've peeled them, cut them into small cubes. This will be relatively hard to do, so make sure you use a sharp knife and steady hand!

Now put the Rutabaga cubes into a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the Rutabagas are tender.

Once they are done cooking, drain and rinse them and place them into a bowl.

Use a fork or electric mixer to mash the Rutabagas and then add the milk, buttermilk, nutmeg, earth balance, salt and pepper.

Serve and enjoy!

xoxo,

Stay Curious!

Glitter-bomb Your Shoes!

Glitter-bombing.

Have you heard of it? It's my new favorite term.

Glitter-bombing is when a gay rights activist throws glitter on an anti-gay rights politician. 

Is it bad that I'm a bit jealous of these politicians?

If someone threw glitter on me it would make my day! I'd be dazzled, literally and figuratively.

But since I'm not a politician and don't know any I could throw glitter on, I thought, why not glitter-bomb some shoes?

Considering I'm a connoisseur and hoarder of all things glitter this would be right up my alley!

So I decided to do it. I revamped some old and filthy shoes and gave them new life.

It turned out so well I decided to have some fun with a pair of black boots.

How did this miracle happen?

I used Mod Podge, but fabric glue might be better depending on the material of the shoes you're glitter-bombing.

Simple apply Mod Podge to designated areas of your shoes and sprinkle the glitter adoringly!

Once it's dry, sit back, relax and watch the light dance off your new fabulous shoes!

 I invite you to get carried away and keep glitter-bombing!

xoxo,

Stay Curious!