Gluten Free Dinner

Like any good Catholic, I've given up something for Lent. I didn't give up coffee, cookies, candy or chocolate like most people do. Oh no. That's not my style. I gave up gluten. 100%. This is partially because I want to celebrate my religious tradition by making it a challenge for myself, which is the whole purpose of the tradition and the other part of this decision was to see how my body would react. 

I've always had nasty stomach pains and bloating, for as long as I can remember. I've been checked for celiac but my doc said it was a no go, but he also said that a majority of people are intolerant to gluten, not to the point of celiac, but to the point of the inexplicable IBS, which he also said was probably the cause of all of my discomfort. 

Nasty topics aside, I have been experimenting in the kitchen and have come up with a few wonderful and delicious items that will make not only your tummy, but also the rest of your body, happy. What is also great about the gluten free lifestyle, is what it does to your waistline. Gluten is in anything wheat or bread-like. Anything with flour in it has this nasty stuff. Eliminating flour essentially eliminates the majority of the carbohydrates we consume. I've said it before and I'll say it again-- Carbs make us fat! 

So let's get started with a fresh and filling meal! You won't even miss the gluten!

Chicken & Vegetable Soup with Strawberry Chocolate Smoothie

This soup is super easy:

Heat a pot of water till it's boiling, add some chicken base (Better than Bouillon) and mix in along with some salt/pepper and any other seasonings. Chop up some carrots and throw those in the pot. Five minutes later, add some chopped celery. While this is cooking away, cook up some boneless/skinless chicken breats. Season that with salt/pepper and safflower oil. I use this instead of olive oil because it's a more neutral flavor and also is proven to help shrink fat cells! Once the chicken is done, chop it up and throw it in the pot along with some chopped zucchini. Once all the veggies are cooked through and you've adjusted your seasonings (I used a dash of italian seasoning and some celery salt) you're done!! 

It's healthy, super yummy and gluten free!! 

The smoothie is even more easy:

Blend together one scoop of chocolate protein powder, spoonful of flaxseed peanut butter, frozen strawberries and almond milk. Yum yum. If you happen to find that you've accidentally poured some rum in your smoothie, well, oops.... and let me know how it turns out!! 

You'll need to unbutton your pants after this dinner, but not in the badly bloated way, in the 'I just filled up on veggies and protein and I feel GOOD!'- way.

Happy healthy eating!!

<3 b

Jewelry Storage

If you're into fashion like I am, you have probably accumulated more jewelry than you know what to do with, like I have. I have necklaces and bracelets that I completely forget even exist. It's ridiculous. 

I've been going through this constant dilemma of trying to figure out the best way to store jewelry. They're pieces that you want to show off, but hanging necklaces on a blank wall can look cluttered and not at all organized.  You would think that a jewelry box is a good idea, but those are just a wilderness for your stuff, you're just ASKING for a tangled mess every time you try to find the one necklace you want. 

While searching through the internet, I came across a few cool DIYs for tiered cupcake platters, and I finally exclaimed "This is it!!!"

Behold. 

A perfectly organized, eye-appealing, tangle preventing jewelry holder. It can go on your dresser, nightstand, in your bathroom. You can paint it any color you wish with any texture you wish. You can use whatever type of plates you can find. The possibilities are endless. 

I told you I was super glue happy. 

If you're not daring enough to make one of these yourself, allow me to help. With a small-ish fee, I will make one for you and ship it to you. I am considering setting up an Etsy store for these and some other crafty things, but for now I'll settle for email orders and praying to God that people will actually send me checks. 

If you're interested in buying one, please email me at bdarnell1990@gmail.com 

Please specify how many tiers you want (ex: picture above has 3 tiers. If you want 2 tiers, specify large/medium or small/medium or small/large--- for the size plates you want.) Also, specify what color you want, if any at all. 

<3 b

Dirty Quesadilla

Ever have one of those days when you just want to eat something hot and melty and crunchy and gooey? 

Yes, you have. 

I have the perfect, and easiest recipe for when you're in that mood. 

It's called the Dirty Quesadilla and it's the most filthy thing you'll ever eat. 

1 Tortilla, some slices of Mozzarella cheese, a few slices of avocado, some canned sweet onion chili. Heat in pan with cooking spray until cheese is melted and tortilla is crispy.

You dirty thing, you. 

<3 b

Crafty Chick

A few DIYs for your crafting pleasure. 

I stumbled upon some amazing fiery red feathers at my local TriState. It's sort of a hunting/fishing/outdoors/sporting goods/ hardware store. I love buying colorful feathers from fly fishing shops-- the employees rarely see women. With these feathers, I intended to decorate a patent black clutch that I have. However, in my indecisiveness, I realized I would rather paint one side of this clutch rather than feather it. So off to the store to find another cheap black clutch. 

I immediately headed to Rue 21 (Forever 21 for the Jersey Shore, basically) they normally have some decent bags on sale for super cheap. There, I found a basic black envelope clutch, with attached studded wrist cuff, so you'll never lose your bag in your drunkenness. Believe it or not, this bag was only $1... score! I picked up another one too, a bronze fold-over number that I plan on adding some pale orange glitter to.

The first thing I did was take off that awful cuff. The second thing consisted of getting in touch with my inner feathery friend. With the help of some super glue and a trip to the craft store, I came up with this. 

I added some tiny mirrors to highlight the envelope shape, and a simple jewelry chain as a strap. All I did with the chain was knot the ends to a length of my liking, slide it through an existing loop and under the flap. I plan to secure it with some super glue in the future. 

My second DIY is way easier than the first. Cell phone case + glass tiles = beautiful. All you need is super glue. 

It's not hard, or expensive to add a little bit of color and texture to your otherwise boringly black accessories .

Happy crafting! 

<3 b 

Now Trending: Classy Backs

Ladies: Never miss an opportunity to do up-dog when the sequence calls for crocodile, or child's pose when you could do downward dog, because all trendy tops these days seem to be 

backless

And you need to work those muscles to get them looking good for this summer's biggest trend. 

This trend may raise the question 'what do I do for a bra?' 

well, all of these lucky girls can get away sans bra (jealous) 

For those of us 'gifted' with D cups on a tiny frame, we can use: bandeau tops, bandeau bikini tops, backless/strapless stickies, athletic tape, duct tape. Sounds like fun right? 

Or we can invest in one of those bras with the fancy lace or crochet back for this very occasion. 

Happy hopping! 

<3 b

Now Trending: So Clutch

A woman's biggest secret is what she keeps in her bag. Sometimes though, it's really not so much a secret as an extra storage unit. I despise giant, overloaded bags. They look frumpy, they look nothing like they're supposed to. 

A girls REAL secret should be a light, versatile bag with money, phone, lipstick and hand sanitizer in it. These are really your only essential items. 

Secret's out. 

all pictures via pinterest

Monday Inspiration

A few pretty things on a cold Monday. 

All images via the pinterest universe.

This week I want to focus on pretty  things. Creams, soft pinks, lace, flowery patterns, soft tulle, girly pieces. All thrown together with a thick sweater or scarf to keep warm in this frigid weather. Try pairing these items with a green anorak and some faux fur, 

<3 b