Sassy Appétit
Go for the win. Stimulate your mornings the healthy way with green tea.
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Sassy Appétit
Go for the win. Stimulate your mornings the healthy way with green tea.
Keep it sassy, join Sassy Nation
http://www.facebook.com/TheSassyNation
Sassy Appétit
Yes to all of this soupy goodness!
Last week, I challenged you all to suggest a soup recipe for me. Thanks to everyone who submitted a recipe!
I got a lot of wonderful suggestions, but one recipe caught my eye right away. Reader Meghan suggested this Thai Red Curry Soup with Chicken and Vegetables recipe from Epicurious, and I was intrigued immediately. Reading the reviews of the soup on Epicurious, I knew it was the one for me. Congrats, Meghan, and thanks for the suggestion! Enjoy your $20 to Amazon.
In case I do another reader’s choice soup recipe challenge again (which I probably will), let me give you a hint about why she won: spicy, brothy Asian soups win me over EVERY time! Seriously, I just can’t get enough of spicy Thai food (or really any flavorful Asian soup).
I made a few modifications to the recipe, including taking Meghan’s suggestion of adding lime. The biggest change I made was using shrimp instead of chicken, which I think was key to the producing the rich broth of the soup. The rest of my modifications are noted below in italics.
You’ll need (makes 4-6 servings):
- 2 tablespoons corn oil (I used coconut oil)
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste (I used probably 6 tablespoons — my red curry paste wasn’t very potent)
- 12 ounces skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut crosswise into ½-inch-wide strips (I used shrimp — about a pound. Definitely recommend this!)
- 4 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
- 2 small Japanese eggplants, cut into 1-inch pieces (I used one regular eggplant)
- 3 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
- 3 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk (I just used two cans)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (nam pla)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (I used Thai basil)
- I added juice from two limes
Make it (using shrimp instead of chicken):
- Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add curry paste; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add veggies.
- Add broth, coconut milk and fish sauce; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes.
- Add shrimp and let simmer for about 5-6 minutes — until they’re cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and lime juice and serve.
Okay, I really can’t explain in words how good this was. The broth was so rich and flavorful (shrimp will do that), and the eggplant pretty much melted in my mouth. I highly recommend this recipe, and it’s definitely one of my favorites of the 10 soups I’ve made thus far (the Fish Chowder and Southwestern Chicken are up there too).
Some of the other suggestions I got were inspiring, too! A few people suggested lasagna soup (there were a few different recipes), and I’m pretty sure I’ll make that at some point during Season of Soup. I’m very intrigued! Thanks again to everyone who suggested a soup — you might just see your suggestion on the blog before SoS is over.
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Bella Sassy
Treat yourself to some natural spa love.
Meet Indie!
I recently had the opportunity to interview Indie Lee about her amazing line of all natural skin and hair care products. Indie is so passionate and dedicated to raising awareness and providing products that are safe. The best thing about the Indie Lee line is that her products are not only green, but luxurious, pampering and affordable. Take a minute to read my interview with Indie, and learn more about the inspirational story behind her line.
Indie’s Story…
After being diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain tumor, Indie discovered that her tumor was most likely caused by exposure to environmental toxins. On Earth Day of 2009, Indie awoke from brain surgery, to learn that her tumor had successfully been removed. Indie realized that she had to be her own advocate and take responsibility for what she exposed her body to… and from that, Indie Lee began developing her very own safe, all natural, indulgent line of skin and hair care products.
Many of us are unaware that the FDA’s regulations are pretty much non-existent when it comes to the ingredients that go into our cosmetic and personal care products. In fact, most ingredients do not even undergo safety testing. It’s easy to just assume that the government wouldn’t allow an unsafe product to be sold to us, but they do. Their excuse is that the toxic/ harmful ingredients are in such small amounts that they can’t harm us… but what about when those chemicals are used on a daily basis, and along with other products? I mean who really uses just one personal care product a day? Deodorants, soaps, shampoo/ conditioners, cosmetics and even toothpastes all contain chemicals linked to tumors, cancers and many other serious health conditions. Some of those ingredients are known carcinogens, neurological toxins, respiratory and immune toxins; yet the FDA still allows for them to be put into our products.
Switching out your daily products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, and etcetera, for natural ones, tremendously reduces your exposure to these chemicals.
Indie’s Products…
Indie Lee has so many amazing products in her line, that I wasn’t sure which to start with when I was interviewing her! So, I asked her to pick her personal favorites, and talk a little bit about them…
Coconut & Citrus Body Scrub – Pampers and calms your skin, leaving is soft and sexy!
Body Balm – Perfect for healing super dry, or irritated skin. Ideal for areas prone to extra dryness such as hands, feet, knees and elbows!
Carrot French Clay Cleansing Bar – Indie says that this bar alone changed her skin. When she was experiencing some hormonal acne, this toning and revitalizing cleansing bar completely refreshed her skin! She says she never travels without it!
Squalane Facial Oil – This naturally occurring oil promotes elasticity in the skin, helps boost cell regeneration and oxidation, and leaves you with a glowing complexion that looks and feels radiant. Indie mixes the Squalane Oil with a teeny bit of her Anti-Aging Serum, for youthful and healthy skin!
Indie has a ton of other items in her line such as gentle baby care products, blemish/ acne treatments, luxurious hair care products, and much more! I am so excited to try her products and write some reviews! I know I am going to fall in love with any and everything I try, and I can’t wait to tell all of my clients about this line!
Be sure to follow Indie Lee on Tumblr and Twitter, “Like” her Facebook page, and check out IndieLee.com! She is always posting helpful tips and information, and her tutorial videos are great as well!
“Together we will create change. Remember what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it.” –Indie Lee