Beautycounter - We ALL Deserve Better!

Some of you may have noticed that I've been chatting more and more about Beautycounter, or even heard from me directly through social media. If you've never heard of this company before, it's a company that will change the world as their products reach more and more people.

Since turning 30 last year, I've been on a journey to better myself in any way I can. I still have a long way to go but I've certainly made some healthy progress. I started reading more about self care and empowerment, changed my hair care routine, tried out a new way of eating, along with using safer skin care and beauty products. That's where Beautycounter comes in. I blogged about a lot of these things already but I never did with this topic and that's going to change!

One thing that I've learned as I'm going through this journey of self improvement, I crave authenticity. Once I find it, I hold on for dear life. When I work with people who are genuine and authentic, it motivates me; when I have friendships with people who are thoughtful and authentic, I will be their best friend forever. And when I find a company that is so transparent as well as authentic, you bet I'm on board. Wouldn't you be too?

Beautycounter's mission is simple, yet profound: To get safer products into the hands of everyone.

Products from their Holiday collections!

At first, I really didn't know this about the company but as I've done more and more reading, it's clear that they are trying to change the world. We expose ourselves to toxic chemicals all the time - washing our hair, makeup we put on our faces, the foods we consume, as well as how we clean our homes. When you think of it like this, it's really scary!

What I love about Beautycounter is that they think this too and are actually working tirelessly to change the way the beauty industry works. Right now, there are only 30 partially banned toxins in the United States. Beautycounter? They prohibit the use of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals while also producing high quality and high performing skin care, makeup,  and bath & body products. They have products for the whole family!

WE DESERVE BETTER, AND WE'RE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

If you agree, let's get started! Would you like a sample? Can I come over with my makeup kit? Would you like to host a get together so you can earn awesome rewards like FREE products?

Right now, they currently have a 30% off sale for their annual Winter Sale! This sale is designed to clear out their inventory so be sure to catch a peek at the options before they sell out! I personally use a lot of the products that are up for sale so let me know if you have any questions!

What's for Dinner {46} - Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Most who know me know that I love a good red sauce for my pastas. It was time to select what I was going to make for the annual Pasta Night for students staying over break and I decided it was time for a change. As I searched for crockpot recipes, this one stood out immediately. I'm so glad I decided to try it - I can still smell the wondrous aroma coming from the crockpot as this cooked for eight hours of my workday last Monday.

The boys were able to stop by for a hot second but didn't end up staying too long. They got to try a lot of the different pastas available but sadly, the boys didn't seem to like mine too much, nor did Gspice. I'm just going to blame that on him not feeling so well because I really liked it. I'm also guessing the color didn't appease them like a normal red sauce might. However, it made excellent left overs so I can still make it for myself :) The best part of the night though was definitely the RAs washing all of the dishes!

Next time I make this, I may try to leave out the cream cheese to see how that works for the recipe. It was super creamy and delicious but without it would make it a bit more healthy! As we gear up for a fun holiday season and the coldness it brings, be sure to add this recipe to your menu planning!

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff from Creme de la Crumb

• 1 1/2 - 2 lb  stew meat
• 2 t Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper, to taste (I used about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper)
• 2 c beef broth (I used low sodium)
• 1 c sliced mushrooms (I of course left this out!)
• 3 T Worcestershire sauce
• 1 T minced garlic
• 1 T dijon mustard
• 1 c sour cream
• 6 oz cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes, softened
• 4 T corn starch (or flour) + 1/2 cup beef broth
• 12 ounces short pasta noodles, cooked according to package instructions (egg noodles are traditionally served with stroganoff but penne, macaroni, or spiral all work well)

Instructions

1. Lightly grease your slow cooker, then add stew meat and sprinkle Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste over the top. Add mushrooms, beef broth, garlic, Dijon mustard, and worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
2. About 30 minutes before serving, stir corn starch (or flour) into 1/2 cup beef broth and stir mixture into slow cooker. Add cream cheese and sour cream to slow cooker then cook another 20-30 minutes on high, stirring occasionally until cream cheese and sour cream are incorporated and sauce is thickened. 
3. Taste, add salt and pepper to your personal taste if needed, and stir in noodles. Serve immediately garnished with cracked black pepper and fresh thyme if desired.
   
   **This recipe makes great leftovers!

If you would like to see previous recipes that I have made for this event, check out the recipes below!

2017

What's for Dinner {43} - Shortcut Vegetable Ragu

2016

What's for Dinner {39} - Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

2015

What's for Dinner {37} - One Pot Red Pepper Sausage Alfredo with Marscarpone

Reacting to My Favorite Song from Greatest Showman

Have you seen the Greatest Showman yet? If not, please do yourself a favor and rent it for your viewing pleasure. Back in July, I jumped on the Greatest Showman train myself and have been completely enamored with the music ever since. I love, love, love nearly all of the soundtrack and have been listening to it on repeat for the last six months.

I have even come around to the songs that I didn't really care for in the beginning. This was partially because the boys ask me to play Rewrite the Stars (which of course, I love!) and the one with the pony, which is Come Alive, the song I didn't really care for. Well, of course now I do! It is absolutely darling to hear them sing parts of the songs!

And bless my wild boys' sweet little hearts, they even ask me to sing. Imagine my entire heart melting and me squeezing them with the biggest bear hugs. For years they haven't wanted me to sing. Sure, it bruised my ego a bit but I would almost always stop singing if they asked. Like the Moana soundtrack - I LOVE it but they never wanted to hear me sing it. I think all that changed when they heard me belt out Let It Go from Frozen earlier this year. Since then, I've been allowed to sing. And it truly melts my heart when a song comes on that I'm not currently singing, they ask me to start. So sweet!!

Anyhoo, the first song I fell for was Never Enough. I heard it first during the movie and I was beyond smitten. If ever this is made into a musical, I will try out with this song. I feel that I should also say here that I am now, very recently, smitten with Tightrope, which was one of the songs I never really cared for. However, when I belt that song, I feel that this one fits my voice even better than Never Enough. Hmmm...maybe I could try out with both songs!

I'll keep this short and sweet because really, you just need to go watch the movie if you haven't already. And also, go get the soundtrack. It's pretty amazing.

Also, picture me running on the treadmill listening to this song and having the same reactions as the vocal coach in the video below....yes, I probably looked a bit awkward.

music starts at 1:08

Rothy's aka [Shoes that are helping to save the planet!]

Have you heard of Rothy's? Shoes made out of recycled plastic??? WHAAAAT!!

I first laid eyes on these shoes at least a year ago. I thought they were so stinkin' cute but also pretty expensive so never quite felt good about buying a pair for myself. However, I knew that one day I would.

That day occurred when I discovered my Chacos, bought in July 2017, looked like this:

Thought I can't quite complain because I have since learned they will replace this part of the sandal for a small fee, I was still pretty peeved that they were damaged after only a year and few months of walking in them. However, let's look at my stats for July 2017 through October 2018. 

Not too shabby, I'd say!

When I got home that night, I immediately took to the Rothy's website and bought my first pair. Aren't they cute?? 

If you'd like to have a pair of your own, let me know! I can give you a referral code for $20 off!

What's For Dinner {45} - Detox Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup

Well hey there! It's certainly been more than a hot second since I last posted but this recipe brought me out of the rut! Along with how easy this was to make, it's going to be on my mind quite a bit with the cold weather that is coming our way.

I've been talking with Gspice for some time now about how I wanted to try my hand at soups. I know you know that I don't make soups very often at all and now after making this one and now the one I'll be sharing today, I'm not really sure why. I made it a commitment to try out some new recipes, all broth-based. For some reason, broth-based soups sound e.x.t.r.e.m.e.l.y. appealing to me plus they are most certainly healthier for you! This soup would be a great addition to your fall/winter meal plans to beat the cold/flu season that is coming upon us. I also really liked the warmth/heat this soup brings to the palate so hopefully you'll like that too!


I made this recipe with a few tweaks which I will note in the ingredients/steps below and there are certainly things you could do with this that even I didn't. I made this to be Whole30 compliant but you could add in a small shaped pasta too which the original recipe doesn't call for. Without further adieu - here is the recipe!

Detox Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup adapted from Eat Yourself Skinny

• 2 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 large celery stalks, chopped (I used 2)
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped (I used 3, I think you can tell which one I like better!)
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ tsp. turmeric
• ½ tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1½ tsp. sea salt
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups baby kale leaves
• I also added black pepper which I read aids absorption

**This original recipe calls for 1 cup mushrooms and 1-15oz can of chickpeas but I did not include those products in the soup I made.


In a large pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cooking another 3 minutes.

Seriously, look at this garlic!!! I LOVE that this recipe used so much!

Stir in the chicken stock, bay leaves, turmeric, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper; bringing to a boil. Mix in shredded chicken, cover and turn down heat to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Add kale, cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, serve and enjoy!

I prepped these for my lunches for the week and paired it with a small lettuce salad with cucumbers and green olives. I topped that with a bit of Tessemae's Habanero Ranch. If you are a fan of a little spice (or a lot like me), you HAVE to try this. Not only is it Whole30 approved, which means that it is dairy free, gluten free, soy free and sugar free....it tastes amazing! They have a ton of other products on their website too so if you are looking for healthier alternatives for dressings, marinades or salad kits, CHECK THEM OUT!

I saved the rest of the soup and put it in the freezer. When I decide to pull it out, I'll let you know how it is to see if it's a suitable freezer meal!

Also, I used these glass containers if you are interested. I did have some seepage into my salad if I didn't hold my bag perfectly flat while walking to work so maybe wouldn't recommend them for carrying soup but this could be really good if you like to separate out your food!