Frittata!!

I love cooking healthy quick meals. When I read a recipe, if it has more than 6 ingredients (not including salt and pepper) I usually move on! One of my favorite super tasty, quick and easy things to make is a frittata! Even the word itself is fun. Say it with me right now: Fri-tta-ta!!

They are super easy and the best part is they are PRETTY!

They are also cheap to make and you can use up all your leftovers. They are gluten free and you can make them a million ways. Guys will be super impressed with your cooking skills if you do this for them. They will be even more impressed if you do it effortlessly in 6 inch heels. 

This recipe was a homerun this morning for my cousin Britney but can be enjoyed any time!

For the veggie one I made this morning, you’ll need:

• eggs
• some kind of cheese you like (anything works, I used Laughing Cow!) 
• tomatoes (large ones make pretty slices for the top!)
• zuchinni cut into small pieces 
• carrot shreds
• mushroom slices  
• fresh basil
• pinch of garlic powder
• 2 large scallions (or 1/2 a red onion) sliced very thin
• 3 large handfuls baby spinach
• sea salt and pepper to taste

Cast iron skillets are the best when making frittatas. It creates a more even heat and the finished product is always much better without the bottom burning!

In your large skillet over medium heat, melt a small pat of butter and sauté garlic and shallots/onions until soft.

Next add your halved cherry tomatoes and zucchini slices of mushrooms and any other veggies and add sea salt to taste. This is important! You want your veggies to have flavor so make sure you salt them while they are cooking. Cook veggies until soft but not falling apart. Then add 3 big handfuls of baby spinach and stir in until lightly wilted. You could also add bacon or sausage crumbles if you want. I love veggie ones though!

On the stove top, raise the heat to medium high and pour in wisked eggs with cheese evenly over the vegetable mixture. Stir in the eggs and cook for a few minutes until the eggs start to set.

At this time, preheat your oven and set to “Broil”.

Reduce stovetop heat to medium-low and cook until the frittata is almost set but the top is still runny, about 2 minutes. Next place large tomato slices on top and put the skillet in the oven under the broiler until the top is set and golden brown on top, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper and let the frittata stand 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, loosen the frittata from skillet and slide the frittata onto a plate to cut into slices.

Here is the one I made this morning - I used fresh basil on the top.

YUMMO!

XO,
Rachel 

Tuesday Top 10: Beauty Essentials!

Hey Folks! So I love hearing about peoples top 10 tried-and-true-can't-live-without beauty products because they usually come from a lot of trial and error and save me a lot of trying products that suck before finding a good one. Here is my list of everyday beauty ESSENTIALS! Over the years, I have done the $300 facial creams, $50 dollar mascaras, and tried the cheapest things on the market, too. I have done it all. Now I know where to invest and these products below are ones I have been buying and using faithfully foreves.

1) Mascara is super important. If I had to choose one makeup thing and live with only that the rest of my life, I would choose mascara. Here is my favorite, "Maybelline The Falsies" in VERY BLACK. It works amazing and is like 6 bucks.I do 2-3 coats.

2) I use a variety of foundations and keep trying new ones. I haven't found anything I couldn't live without but the BEST powder I have EVER used - is Clinique Double Powder in Matte Beige. You can totally just use this and no foundation. I have been using this for 13 years and I buy several at a time. Don't pile it on TOO thick though because then you will look like you have too much makeup on.

3) So I have super oily skin and throughout the day, I need to blot the oil. DO NOT put on more powder like I mentioned above - that's how you look "cakey". These oil strips are my savior!! I use two or three a day and stick the used ones in my co workers desk once in awhile to make her scream. I used to blot my face with tissue paper before these oil strips came out. I am OBSESSED with these.

5) I love a great eyeliner. My friend Karen started me on MAC's black eyeliner in "Smolder". It stayed on FOR DAYS and it thick and yummy and super dark. I LOVE IT. I don't wear it on my short days at work...I will just wear a generic Cover Girl eyeliner but for nights out, long days, or if I am on camera, this is the best eyeliner on the planet.

6) MAC Eyeshadow in "Mulch". It's the most gorgeous neutral/brown eyeshadow. I use it on everyone when I do their makeup and on myself almost everyday. Sometimes I blend it with purple or pinks. Sometimes I apply a light amount for a natural look or sometimes I apply a lot when I want to look like a hussy. I LOVE IT!!

7) I love to do two things at once - LORAC duo blush and bronzer does that. It's perfection.

8) The best nude lip color on the PLANET is BLANKETY by MAC. I even blogged about it last year here!!

9) False eyelashes. They transform your ENTIRE face. I wear them for special occasions or just when I want to look super hot. When applied correctly, they make you look like a Playboy centerfold in 3 quick seconds. Use a ton of eyeshadow when you wear them.  These are the ones I use and I get them at Sally Beauty Supply.

10) Positive thinking. We as women can get so down on ourselves. We don't look a certain way or need to lose a certain amount of weight or whatever. It's so easy to fall into this trap and believe me, I have and I work at it all the time.

All the false eyelashes and makeup is just fun, not real. It all starts from within and my number one beauty tip for you ladies (and fabulous men if you've made it this far!) is to remind yourself of everything you are - instead of everything you are not. Look in the mirror right now if you can or just repeat after me: "I love and approve of myself. I am thankful for today. I am thankful for the person I am". And tell yourself this - everyday.

XO,
Rachel

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna!

Happy MLK All!

I wanted to share a yummy recipe I made with spaghetti squash...my latest food obsession!

Strands of roasted spaghetti squash are layered with marinara sauce, mozzarella and ricotta cheese, then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and all the flavors bake together. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian!!

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1 lasagna Calories: 291.0 • Fat: 13.7 g • Protein: 19.6 g • Carb: 21.0 g • Fiber: 2.7 g


Ingredients:

• 2 cups marinara sauce (I used Wolfgang Puck or if Rao's is available, use that!) 
• 3 cups cooked roasted spaghetti squash 
• 1 cup part skim ricotta
• 8 tsp parmesan cheese
• 6 oz part skim shredded mozzarella (I used Sargento)

Directions:

See instructions on how to cook spaghetti squash in my "obsession" post a couple days ago.

Preheat oven to 375°.

In four individual 5 x 7-inch oven safe baking dishes, ladle 1/4 cup quick marinara sauce on the bottom of each dish. Top each with 3/4 cup of cooked spaghetti squash and spread evenly. Top each with 1/4 cup ricotta.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges begin to bubble; uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes.  That's it! You can also personalize it with extra veggies or meat if you want. Possibilities are ENDLESS!

It was delicious and great for a lot of people allergic to gluten or vegetarians that can eat cheese. I will be eating it this week at work!

Enjoy!

XO,
Rachel

DIY Expensive Shoes

So after my crazy blog about Crocs, I thought I should do something more enlightening and useful for my fashion friends. You know how I feel about Crocs - but let me tell you of my favorite styles for comfort and style of shoes - Coach makes a great wedge. Coach shoes, for the investment price, are a good value and also go on sale so wait and get a good price. I have bought several pairs on sale at department stores and Norsdtrom Rack. All my Coach shoes have lasted a long time and they are really cute.

Here's my favorite pair -  a wedge with black patent toe:

I also like these:

The accented toe peaking out under your dress pants adds visual appeal and style. I was all over here like, "I wish Coach would come out with gold toed wedges, or turquoise or orange!"

Weeeellllll...my friend Kate came up with an awesome idea. Just paint the suckers!! So I got some wedges from the thrift store that actually were super cute for the experiment and metallic paint. 

Tape off the section of the shoes you want to paint and viola! You have "Coach" wedges that are a fraction of the price and flipping cute!

So if you own a pair of plain shoes that need a little pick me up, here's the solution! Paint those suckers!!

XO,
Rachel

If You Want to Add a Degree of Difficulty to Getting Laid, Just Wear Crocs!

So you guys already know about my affair with Crocs. In May I did a write up on my favorite worst offenders of Crocs which you can read about HERE. Since then, Crocs unfortunately has come out with some more "stylish" examples which I am here to give two cents on today.

In Boston in November, I came across one of the biggest Crocs stores I had ever seen. I started melting like the Wicked Witch.

Crocs, unless you are gardening and using that traditional first style - or you are over 10 years old, make no sense. Like my title says, if you want to add a degree of difficulty to getting laid, just wear Crocs!

There are so many other options out there. I just don't understand them. Plus whatever material they are made out of. It looks and feels squishy like textured vegetable protein. Did you know that you can boil your Crocs and eat them in a pinch? They are made out of edible materials.

This one is the newest one the hit the market for spring. Get ready for it...A FLAT PEEP TOE. Are you kidding me with that color? And the little breather holes for the toes? Ugh.

 Unless you are a POWER RANGER, these examples have no place on your feet.

 There's no getting around the simple fact that Crocs are ugly. It is a truth universally acknowledged. In fact,  crocodiles have petitioned to have their names changed to Sandal Lizards.

Guys! If you wear these men's flip flops and she still goes out with you...she loves you. Put a diamond on it. I am serious.

 Sometimes I think of what my bulldog Audry would look like if she wore Crocs. It's kind of how the rest of the world looks!

This might be the world’s ugliest shoe, mixing, as it does, three of the ugliest types of footwear to hit the market in the past decade: UGGS plus CROCS PLUS TOE SOCKS?? If I had to wear shoes in hell, this would probably be one of my choices. I don't understand the toe sock thing either. I mean rllly...who the fuck thinks it's comfortable to NOT be able to wiggle your toes? LOOK AT THIS!! It looks like it's about to ATTACK someone!

 

I think LITERAL Crocs are much more becoming than Crocs. Check these out. I would wear these before I would wear traditional Crocs.

Here is a tip...if a turtle confuses your shoes with his wife, it's probably not a good choice for you. #JustSayin'.

 Happy Wednesday Folks!

XO, 

Rachel

Latest Food Obsession: Spaghetti Squash!

So I go on food tangents and my last one was PB2 which is the most amazing peanut butter around. You can read that blog post HERE!

My latest food obsession is spaghetti squash. Have you ever tried it? It's delicious, healthy, versatile, and easy to make! My cousin Britney can vouch for my obsession as our last three meals that we have had together where I cooked, we had spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti squash are at all the grocery stores and look like this: 

Some people like to cut them in half at this point and scoop out the seeds. If you have a decent knife, do this  but be careful! It looks like this. Scoop out the seeds (you can toast the seeds later!)

I don't even bother doing this because you can stick the whole thing in the oven and then slice it later which is WAY easier. Put the whole thing in the oven at 375 for 45-50 minutes. Take it out (be careful, it's HOT!) and slice it in half, take out the seeds and then with a fork, shred out the squash. It will come out in strings and look like spaghetti. 

Here is what it looks like scooped out! 

On it's own, it's sweet and delicious. I have just been doing salt and pepper! You can add butter though or even brown sugar for a dessert like taste. 

I like it with spaghetti sauce and other veggies mixed in like fresh tomatoes and basil and fresh cheese. 

There are so many versatile recipes for this vegetable...like lasagna, or casseroles, or use it as a bed for grilled chicken. 

How YUM does this look?

 

I like serving it in the shell with meatballs and sauce. 

Try a Mexican version with yummy grilled meats, cilantro, and avocado!

Try using black beans and make tacos! 

Does it look like spaghetti? YES! Does it taste like spaghetti? NO. Not even close. If you eat this vegetable as a wonderful vegetarian meal or lovely veggie side dish, you will love it. If you eat it and try to tell yourself it's flour noodles, you won't love it as much. 

It's so yummy to eat during cold weather. I suggest you try it and come up with your own favorite versions! You really can't go wrong. Have fun!!

XO, 

Rachel

Hellllloooooo 2013!

Hey All! Well I know it's been awhile and believe me, I think about my blog ALL THE TIME because there are so many things I want to write about. I am glad to be through the wonderful chaos if the last few months and back into some routine and back to blogging!! I compiled my running list of notes/lessons/thoughts of 2012. Here's to a great 2013. I am glad to be sharing it with all of you.

• It's not generally a great idea to get engaged on a third date at the big game.
• Let yourself do what you feel - just keep in mind the feelings of others.
• Sometimes in life, you gotta just have that "what the hell" experience because you might not have it again. Live your life for you and worry about the details later.
• One detail that is a non negotiable - when your boyfriend tells you that tonight you're going to "take the Pain Train to Pound Town" run like hell girl. I'll come pick you up!
• Putting every single detail of your life on Facebook gets a fantastical response but WILL bite you in the butt. If you do it, prepare to reap the consequences.
• Thrift stores in Pasadena Texas are some of the best in the world.
• The Ritz Carlton in Vail is nice but I'd rather be with my cousin in a tent.
• Follow your instincts. Don't do something that feels wrong - no matter how deep you've already gotten. Stop and take a second - and turn around. Those who matter won't mind.
• I was born for a career in television.
• Filming the TV pilot in March was one of the most fun, exhilarating, and exciting experiences of my life!
• It's great to have a ton of friends that want to ride with you in the limo but cherish the friends that will still go on the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
• More soda, less vodka!
• Hitting the gym and cleaning up my diet did wonders for my body and mind.
• Essie makes the best nail polish!
• Everything is ok in moderation - except married men.
• Write thank you notes - even for a small gesture. They often times mean the most.
• If you are reading this and you're a virgin, save it girl. It's not worth it and the right man will wait.
• Do the extra work that comes along, even if you have to sacrifice - especially if it will build your skill set for the future.
• When dating, be upfront and honest about how you are feeling. People appreciate and deserve that.
• I still love throwing down in New Orleans. What a blast!
• Hold yourself accountable for your actions but learn to forgive yourself with the same commitment. The ladder is hardest for me.
• Animals are one of God's greatest gifts. Treat them with dignity if you hunt and always greet your pets when you come in the room.
• Get several opinions before making a decision you are unsure about.
• Witnessing your best friend getting engaged is one of the greatest thrills! Plus getting to be a MOH for the 2nd time. Congratulations Andy and Vicky!
• Blogging is a fantastic outlet for expression.
• I love my Facebook family. They make my life a lot more fun.
• I've learned to be kinder than necessary - especially at work with strangers. You never know what they are battling.
• Moroccan Oil is crucial for my hair. I freaking love it.
• I'll never delete the numbers in my phone of people I love that passed away. 
• Blackberry girl for life! Don't judge me!
• Doritos Locos Tacos are sex. Try them!
• Hot Tools makes an amazing curling iron.
• I rejoined the John Atencio team and he still makes the most well made and beautiful jewelry around!! Also I love my co-workers! 
• I'm happy for my friends victories.
• There are very few people that I can stand 24/7 for days and days (and few people that can stand me!!!) but my BFF cousin Britney and I always seem to manage. We took the most amazing vacation to Boston in November and had a wonderful time. Boston in November is perfect. You can read about that madness here!!
• Crawl spaces aren't the most IDEAL place to sleep but good in a pinch at your cousin's house warming party. 
• It's ok to pay for a date - but only if it benefits the Children's Hospital 
• I make a pretty hot Playboy Bunny if I say so myself. 
• RESET if you want to lose a few lbs before Christmas!
• Beautiful people come from unexpected places. 
• I need my friends. 
• FIREBALL shots. That's all I need to say. 
• Girls only birthday brunches are good for the soul.  
• Always keep your promises - even if it's hard. 
• Hair Extensions are AMAZEBALLS.  
• NUTELLA. 
• Jamie Bagley is the SPRAY TAN ORACLE! Get your SPRAY TAN OOOOON! I found out that I love spray tans. They take off like 30 lbs at least. OBSESSED. Jamie also has several other amazing businesses like a super cool photo booth for your parties (it made my Winter Festival SO much more fun), is a USANA distributor, and also updates my WEBSITE!! This girl is on the up and up.
• Vegas is an amazing place to spend for New Year - especially with a sweet boy.
• Rao's Restaurant in Ceasar's Palace has the BEST marinara EVER and you can buy it at Whole Foods! (Great on spaghetti squash!)
• I decided to put what I "should have" on the shelf and be happy with what I do have. I've never felt so free!
• 27 will be a great year!  

<3 Always,
Rach