Quinoa and Kale Salad

It's difficult to eat well all the time, but when you find a meal that's healthy and delicious you hold onto it for dear life. That's how I feel about this Quinoa and Kale Salad. Filling, tasty, and super duper healthy. If you don't want to make it on your own, stop by LGO and pick one up to go!

QUINOA AND KALE SALAD
2/3 c. Kale, shredded

1/2 c. Quinoa, cooked & chilled

1 tsp. Garlic, minced
1/4 c. Grapes, sliced
3 T. Red Bell Pepper, chopped

1 T. Sunflower Seeds

1/4 c. Reggiano & Manchego Cheese, shredded

Light Vinaigrette Dressing

Add garlic to cooked quinoa and chill. Toss in grapes and bell peppers to chilled quinoa. Layer kale on the bottom of serving dish, place quinoa mixture over kale, top with cheeses and sunflower seeds. Select a light dressing to serve on the side. Bon appetit!

My Favorite T's

It's not easy to find t-shirts that fit well. Boxy shaped t's aren't flattering, skin tight shirts are uncomfortable, so I prefer shirts with more of a slender fit on the sides to complement my figure. I've searched high and low, purchased and returned many shirts, but the picks below have proved worthy of everyday wear and are at the top of my list.

1. The Plain T. +Target. At under $10 this shirt can't be beat. Available in a variety of colors, I own at least five different shades. I prefer v-neck, but scoop neck is also available. Loose around the tummy and more fitted on the top help with appearing more feminine than a traditional t-shirt.

2. The Graphic T. +J.Crew Factory. I love the slim sides of these J. Crew shirts. Absolutely flattering and fun prints liven things up a bit. J. Crew can be a little spendy, but the factory store offers discounts with a slightly different style. A worthy investment for comfortable staples in your wardrobe.

3. The Fitted T. +Banana Republic. This dressier shirt is classy and comes in a variety of colors. It's perfect to tuck in with slacks, skirts, and dresses up jeans. The satin edging around the collar adds the right amount of detail and looks lovely with a statement necklace. This is my favorite shirt for work, hands down.

Salvation Outdoor

We recently moved to downtown Phoenix and love it. There is so much to do. We're central to restaurants, museums, sporting events, and tons more. It can be a hassle to drive everywhere so we decided we need to join the throngs of peeps who ride bikes.

A new bike isn't cheap, so we checked out a place called Salvation Outdoor that has used outdoor equipment. We got an awesome deal, and the guy who runs the place is friendly and helpful. We spent about $300 for two bikes, a bike rack for the car, a basket, and a lock. If you're looking for camping gear, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc. take a road trip to Salvation Outdoor. You might find just what you need and save a ton of cash in the process. Cha-ching.

May Birchbox Review

Another month, another +Birchbox! This box was definitely summer themed. We're gearing up for 90 straight days of 100+ temps in Phoenix (heaven help us), so yes, I can use some sunscreen and lip balm. Thanks for helping a sista out BB.

ABOUT THE BOX: For those of you who haven't heard, Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends samples of products for $10/month ($20 for men). Fill out your profile so they get an idea of what you like, then patiently await your delivery. Earn points toward free products by referring friends and writing reviews. Easy, fun, and something to look forward to each month. Use this link to try it out.

Caudalie, Overnight Detox Oil. I grew up in humidity and rarely used lotions, but now I live in the desert and my skin gets PARCHED. Really, it's dying of thirst. I have used oils before and they're a nice change from heavy lotions. This one has a scent to it which I wasn't a fan of, but overall I was pleased with the results. If you want to try an oil I suggest Josie Maran Light Argan Oil. A little goes a long way.

Pixi, Shea Butter Lip Balm. I have a thing for lip balm (see here). Pixi has fun packaging and is a nice moisturizing choice. It's tinted and the shade I was sent is quite vibrant, but still works. I have plenty of lip balms on hand and I'm not quite convinced yet this is better than those.

Supergoop!, Everyday SPF 30. This sample size is handy-- love that. I typically use SPF 15, so I wasn't crazy about 30 but occasionally it's needed. As far as the sunscreen itself it has a subtle tea tree oil scent and isn't moisturizing but applies smooth and light. Not bad.

Whish, Shave Crave Shaving Cream. I don't use shave cream, but maybe I should. I just see it as another bathroom accessory where soap will get the job done. The scent here is lovely, but I noticed a waxy feeling after shaving my legs and I felt like the cream was clogging my razor. Not sold.

Lifestyle Extra
SmartyPants, All-in-One Gummy Vitamins. I could do without these. Package directions say to eat 6 per day. No thanks, I'll just swallow my single multivitamin and call it good. The taste is nice but it's overpriced. Skip it.

Overall, great value for $10 and glad I got to try out some new stuff. Keep 'em coming, Birchbox.

Aunt Gwen's Peach Pie

My Aunt Gwen is a fabulous cook. She taught me how to make my grandma's fondant chocolates and shared other great recipes for fudge, caramels, and mud pie. One of my family's favorite recipes is her peach pie. It's different from a traditional pie in that it doesn't have a top crust, uses almond extract, and there aren't any spices. We had more than enough peaches from our trip to the Schnepf Farms Peach Festival so I made the pie and was surprised with how well in turned out! It's simple to put together, but it takes a bit of time for the pie to set up. Here's what you need:

Aunt Gwen's Peach Pie

1 pie crust, baked to package directions
3 large peaches, sliced
2 large peaches, mashed
4-5 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2-1 tsp. almond extract
2 Tbsp. butter

In glass pie pan, bake pie crust according to package directions. Layer sliced peaches on top of baked crust. Set aside. In a bowl, mash 2 large peaches. On stove top combine mashed peaches, cornstarch, and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract and butter until melted. Pour mixture over sliced peaches in pie crust. Chill until set. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. (Note: Almond extract can be overpowering. Experiment until you find the amount you prefer).