Sunday, January 28, 2018

KETO (Low Carb) Cheese French Souffle



Despite the temptation, I have managed to stay strict to Keto the entire month of January. Getting back on the wagon has been tougher this go around following the splurge of the holidays and traveling, it has felt like learning good behaviors all over again.  Last night I was grouchy because I couldn't eat all the things that I was craving and I was so tired of the foods I routinely eat.  I hadn't been to the grocery store as I was supposed to be in Minneapolis this last week but plane mechanical issues and a blizzard that crossed the Midwest kept me in Wichita.  Needless to say, I felt inspired to be creative with what I had on hand and my love of french food.  I had heard that a souffle could be made low-carb but had never attempted it on my own.  I'm actually really happy with the results and am definitely adding to my repertoire.  And of course contemplating why I haven't been making souffles for years?  Next time I'll have to give a chocolate souffle a try.

KETO (Low-Carb) Cheese French Souffle

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. real butter (I use Kerrygold)
2 Tbs. Almond Flour
1 Tsp. Nutmeg.
1 C. Heavy Whipping Cream
4 eggs, separated
3/4 C. Grated nice cheese of your choosing (Gruyere, Parmesan, Vermont cheddar, etc.)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a skillet heat butter till melted.  Add 1 Tbs. Almond Flour and mix with butter.  Lower heat and add heavy whipping cream.  Mix together and then add the other tbs. of almond flour and nutmeg allowing to slightly thicken.  Remove from heat.  In a medium size bowl mix together egg yolks and cheese.  Add grated cheese.   In another mixing bowl using a hand mixer, mix the egg whites with electric mixer until egg whites form stiff peaks.  Add the skillet mixture once mostly cooled into the yolk mixture and mix together.  Next fold in the egg whites.  Be careful not to over mix causing the the egg white mixture to loose it's airiness.  Place the mixture in ramekins (3) or a medium size round souffle dish.  Bake for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.  Do not open the oven for the first 20 minutes or it will cause the souffle to fall.

Souffles will rise quite a bit above the top of the ramekin or dish.  This is expected.  Mine were quite a bit higher but then fell a bit after cooling on the counter.


Sunday, January 21, 2018

Tyminski - Southern Gothic

A couple of months ago I discovered Tyminski (Dan) and his album Southern Gothic. His songs are about all the dark, damp, ghostly, freakish things I love from the south.  The whole album is fantastic.  I'd love to catch him in concert in the future.

I have had the title song from the album, Southern Gothic, on repeat for months.  If you haven't heard it, I suggest you check it out.  The music video is also perfect full of eerie images and scenery.  I sure do love me some spanish moss and darkness...


Saturday, January 20, 2018

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2018 Japanese Fukubukuro



I've posted about Lucky Bags before and my fascination with the Japanese Fukubukuro tradition at the new year to indulge in massive grab bags.  Last year, I discovered that there actually are a few ways to get a Lucky Bag in the United States.  One of those options is by a company called Beautylish. Beautylish is a high end makeup store that sells some exclusive brands that you can't easily find other places such as Charlotte Tilbury, Wayne Goss, Jeffree Star, and Natasha Denona.

Each year, Beautylish does two Lucky Bags, a small bag for $75 and a large bag for $150.  The value of the items in the bag should at least be the amount you pay but if you are lucky, it will be worth well over the value, with some up to three times the price of the bag.  It is necessary to sign up on the Beautylish website in advance of the sale, which typically occurs at the end of December to beginning of January.  The sale opens up early to people who are signed up and because the bags sell out, you have to move fast.  This year, I signed up well in advance but not soon enough to get a large bag.  Large bags were sold out before my time slot of 1 PM.  I sat my alarm on my phone for 1 and as soon soon as I could get in to shop, I purchased one.  It would be nice to not have to sit and wait to shop online but I suppose this recreates the mad dash for Lucky Bags as it happens in Japan....

My bag arrived this last week so I thought I would share what I received. 


The first thing to note is that it didn't actually come in a bag.  It was a cardboard box with cute wrapping paper celebrating the tradition of Fukubukuro. It had a tag that explained the tradition.



It came with a Jouer Powder Highlight Trio in the colors Citrine, Rose Quartz, and Topaz.  I have tried Jouer Cosmetics in the past and am a fan.  This set is priced at $39.





Next was a face mask from Sulwhasoo and #17 crease brush from Wayne Goss.  I've never heard of the Sulwhasoo brand before. The mask is priced at $12.  I've heard good things about Wayne Goss brushes but have yet to try them so am happy about this one.  The brush is priced at $28.


Next was an Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray.  This was a small bottle, travel sized and priced at $22.



The next several items I am very excited about.  A matte contour liquid lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips.  The color is a great nude color for me called Charlotte Darling. The lipstick is priced at $34.


The Perfect Setting Powder in Translucent Light by Cover|FX priced at $35.


And last, a Natasha Denona eyeshadow palette 5  in #09 with colors Industrial, Indian Gold, Glam Green, Aluminum, and Antique Olive.  These are definitely shimmer colors so saved for a special occasion but I have been on the verge of buy a Natasha Denona palette for awhile so now I can give it a try. The pallet is priced at $48.


Overall I am pretty pleased with my purchase.  I didn't receive anything that I wouldn't try or was already interested in.  The value totaled up to be valued at $218 so about 3X the price I paid. Not bad, not bad at all.





Friday, January 19, 2018

Best Movies of the 80's

I've been feeling nostalgic lately. Here is a list of my favorite movies from the 80's in no particular order.  What have I missed?




Stand By Me (1986)


The Last Unicorn (1982)


The Breakfast Club (1985)


Sheena (1984)


Fortress (1985)


The Goonies (1985)


Say Anything... (1989)


One Crazy Summer (1986)


Ghostbusters (1984)


Gremlins (1984)


Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)


Poltergeist (1982)


Raising Arizona (1987)


Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)


Heathers (1988)


A Fish Called Wanda (1988)


Xanadu (1980)


The Big Chill (1983)


Weird Science (1985)


Better Off Dead (1985)


Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)


Lost Boys (1987)


Teen Wolf (1985)


License To Drive (1988)


Lucas (1986)


Valley Girl (1983)


Secret Admirer (1985)


Just One of the Guys (1985)


Legend of Billie Jean (1985)


Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)


Once Bitten (1985)


Flashdance (1983)


Splash (1984)


Mannequin (1987)


The Monster Squad (1987)


Labyrinth (1986)


The Neverending Story (1984)


She's Out of Control (1989)


Back to the Future (1985)


The Last Starfighter (1984)


Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)


The Karate Kid (1984)


Runaway (1984)


Overboard (1987)


The Secret of NIMH (1982)


Moonstruck (1987)


The Wraith (1986)


The Witches of Eastwick (1987)


Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)


Shag (1989)


Seven Minutes In Heaven (1986)


The Principal (1987)


The Mosquito Coast (1986)


Clash of the Titans (1981)


Top Gun (1986)


Great Balls of Fire! (1989)


The Princess Bride (1987)


E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)


Big (1988)


Beetlejuice (1988)


A Christmas Story (1983)


The Little Mermaid (1989)


National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)


National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)


The Dark Crystal (1982)


Grease 2 (1982)



Hope and Glory (1987)


9 to 5 (1980)


Sixteen Candles (1984)


Dirty Dancing (1987)


Adventures In Babysitting (1987)


Body Rock (1984)


The Toy (1982)


Murphy's Romance (1985)


Places in the Heart (1984)


Swamp Thing (1982)


Cujo (1983)


Romancing the Stone (1984)


War Of The Roses (1989)


Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)


Mr. Mom (1983)


Meatballs II (1984)