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In My Crazy Kitchen: Cream of Gai Lan
I have been cooking for about 2 years now and I am starting to get the hang of it! With Pinterest, Whole Foods App, President’s Choice App – The possibilities are endless!
It was exceptionally cold today so I decide I had to make soup. Shopping between the regular grocery store and Chinese grocery stores every week, you never know what you will find in my fridge. I planned to make Cream of Broccoli soup but I ended up with my new favorite soup instead – Cream of Gai Lan. For those of you who don’t know what that is, Gai Lan is a Chinese broccoli/kale. I got 2 huge bags for $3 at the supermarket at Mott St.
Unlike the recent fad of ‘kale’ it is not expensive at all and Chinese people have been enjoying it’s nutritious properties for years! So this kind of a fusion recipe if you will. The result is absolutely scrumptious. Also, if you avoid broccoli and brussels sprouts because of gas, give Gai Lan a nutritious alternative.
Very important step – Make sure you wash the Gai Lan very very very well. I forgot once and had to eat a lot of sand. You can also add diced potato, sweet potato, mushrooms or carrots if you want. I added a left over oyster mushroom in there. You can see the little white/brown pieces floating in the picture above.
Here is what you need.
1. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in your pot, chop 1/2 an onion, crushed garlic
2. Stir everything around on high heat for 2 mins until you smell the onions getting fragrant
3. Cut up your cleaned Gai Lan into 1 inch pieces and throw it in there too
4. Add 2-3 cups of Pacific Foods Chicken stock
5. Cover and simmer on low for 20-30 mins
6. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and get your immersion blender ready
Get your immersion blender and go to town! It will puree everything til you get a smooth soup.
Now the secret stuff. After you use your immersion blender, put in 2 – 3 heaping spoons of flour to thicken to you likeness and Braggs Sea Kelp Delight. This stuff is what makes the soup taste totally heavenly. It is a blend of all the spices you can think of. This is probably the best $6 I spend in my kitchen. You can find this on Amazon or at Whole Foods. I think I got mine from Trader Joe’s. I also added a pinch of salt. So three grinds on my Himalayan Pink Salt grinder and a tap!
Utter perfection. I am so glad I didn’t have broccoli in the fridge or else I would have never invented the Cream of Gai Lan. Perfect lunch with cracker or sandwich 🙂 Try it out and tell me what you think!
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Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask
After studying women’s skin for years, Shiseido discovered that eye area wrinkles can be categorized into five types and appear in a gradual progression. With just one application, the new Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask immediately helps to improve the appearance of eye area wrinkles and helps brighten dark circles and dullness, in just 15 minutes.The Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask features WrinkleResist24 technology – effective ingredients that work to suppress the wrinkle formation process, improving the appearance of existing wrinkles and promoting the prevention of future wrinkles.
- Mukurossi Extract – an Asian plant extract that effectively counteracts the wrinkle triggering action of Heparanase.
- Chlorella Extract – a single-cell freshwater algae that is rich in proteins, chlorophyll and other vitamins, helps suppress the formation of wrinkle- inducing blood vessels.
- Gambir Extract – derived from a shrub grown in India and Southeast Asia, protects dermal tissue and effectively suppresses the activity of Elastase, which destroys elastin, a key component of skin’s firmness.
- Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid N – delivers intense moisturizing benefits.
- Hydroxyproline – promotes the generation of collagen while increasing firmness and elasticity for smooth, younger-looking skin.
In addition to WrinkleResist24, Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask features Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion Technology, a unique technology to deliver a stable, liquid form of Retinol to the skin. A pure form of Vitamin A, Retinol helps promote epidermal turnover and restores elasticity by encouraging exfoliation.
The unique Wrinkle Retouching Sheet combines soft cotton and stretchy fibers capable of superior moisture retention and gentle stretch to ensure effective and comfortable adherence to the skin, sealing in the advanced ingredients for optimal delivery and immediate results. Upon removal, Smoothness-Holding Polymers remain on the skin’s surface for a 24-hour moisturizing effect that leaves skin feeling silky smooth.
After one 15-minute use:
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- Apply directly beneath the eye to cleansed skin for 15 minutes. For maximum effectiveness, use 2-3 times per week.
$63 for 12 single-use application packets Available now at www.shiseido.com
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Spring Browns from Cle de Peau Beaute
Cle de Peau Beaute Plum Brown Eye Color Quad
Cle de Peau Beaute Peach Brown Eye Color Quad
Who says you can’t wear browns in the spring? Shimmer brown eye shadow is perfect for the spring pastel and nude color trends to create a natural look. You can really say “I woke up like this” with these pretty soft looks from the Cle de Peau Beaute Spring collection. These romantic shades are actually infused with Argan Tree Oil for fade resistant color and the Exclusive Hydro Wrap complex to moisturize the delicate eye area.
The palettes retail for $80 and the refills are $55.
Can’t wait to pair these shadows with a perfect date night outfit!
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Sun Protection Ombrelle from @GarnierCAN
Ombrelle has a new line of sun care products that are easy to use and provide SPF protection. Sun protection is not just for the summer! Even in the spring, the sun can cause UV damage in your skin. With Ombrelle’s patented Mexoryl technology and the #1 recommended filter by Canadian Dermatologists,* discover our non-greasy and fast absorbing formulas that provide broad spectrum photostable protection against UVA & UVB rays.
Depending on where you live and where you vacation, Garnier Ombrelle has a full range for all your skincare needs.
The most comprehensive do-it-all is the Ombrelle’s moisturizing SPF 60 sun protection with antioxidant.* Dermatologist recommended. This non-greasy and fast absorbing formula provides broad spectrum photostable protection against UVA & UVB rays.
* Cosmetic ingredient: skin conditioning vitamin E (tocopherol).
Find out more on http://www.garnier.ca
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Lucky You St Patrick’s Day Fashion
You don’t have to look like a leprechaun for St Patrick’s Day! Celebrate on March 17 with the luck of the Irish!
K Way zip jacket / Haute Hippie cut off / Blumarine clothing / River Island destroyed shorts, $42 / NIKE shoes / Home decor / Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm – 0.15 oz / Ban.do Girl Talk Bobbi Set / Clover Picking Julep
Lucky sites to find GREEN items on -
Style in Every Size feature @Laurawellsmodel for @eShakti
Leading custom-fit fashion retailer eShakti.com is pleased to debut their new Spring Collection, featuring renowned Wilhelmina model Laura Wells.
Wells has emerged as a leading advocate for body confidence and a healthy image, making her a perfect fit for eShakti, a brand who believes that every woman is entitled to look her absolute best, no matter her size or shape.
The new collection features the classic, ladylike fit that has become the hallmark of the brand. The new dresses, skirts and tops are all fully customizable according to the buyer’s measurements and style preferences (i.e. adjusting hemlines, adding pockets, sleeves, etc), and all styles can be produced in sizes 0-36.
For the complete collection of new items, please visit the link here: http://www.eshakti.com/Products/New%20Arrivals
