Cute But Psycho

Asparagus-Tomato stir- fry

Ingredients :

3/4 lb fresh asparagus spears or one 10 ounce package frozen cut asparagus

1/4 cup chicken broth

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

4 green onions, bias-sliced into 1-inch lengths (1/2 cup)

1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

2 small tomatoes, cut into thin wedges

Directions:

1. Snap off and discard woody bases from fresh asparagus. If desired, scrape off scales . Bias-slice asparagus into 1-inch long pieces( or , thaw and drain frozen asparagus). For sauce, combine broth, soy sauce and cornstarch.

2. Pour oil into a wok or large skillet . (add more oil as necessary during cooking). Preheat over medium - high heat. Stir fry ginger in hot oil 30 seconds. Add asparagus and green onions ; stir fry 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, stir fry 1 minute more or until asparagus is crisp-tender.

I love traditional recipes and cooking and rarely use instant ingredients or any ingredients laden with chemicals and artificial flavoring. But, like many, I don’t have time to labor over a meal, so many of my Instant Pot recipes are dump-and-go. Altering a traditional recipe to forego all of the tender loving care put into slow simmering and sautéing is a reasonable choice that yields a healthy home-cooked meal.

Reviving classic recipes for the Instant Pot and incorporating a few time-saving substitutions and techniques is a fun challenge. Most of my Instant Pot cooking uses dried onion and garlic, which adds a real depth and flavor to the dish. Many people complain that Instant Pot cooking is bland and they have to double amount of the spices used. This is not at all necessary if you begin with stock instead of water so I usually add 1 tbsp of powdered organic vegetable bouillon to every savory dish. I also love to use inexpensive cuts of meat. The cuts that usually require longer cook times, like beef stew meat, are perfect for the Instant Pot and particularly for dump-and-go recipes. This recipe is a variation of a traditional Hungarian Goulash. I used orange and yellow peppers instead of green peppers and, though sour cream is essential in traditional Hungarian Goulash, this recipe is delicious without it and perfect for people who are lactose sensitive. The recipe serves 4-6 and was prepared in a 6 qt Instant Pot. 

Hungarian Goulash: Dump-and-Go Ingredients

¼ cup dried onion

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp powdered vegetable bouillon

1 tbsp Italian herbs

2 tbsp paprika 

1 cup water

Salt and Pepper to taste

2lb beef stew meat

2 peppers cut in slivers 

1 8oz can diced tomatoes

1 6oz can of tomato puree

Optional: ¼ pt sour cream 

Preparation Pour water into the Instant Pot. Add dried onion, garlic powder, dried bouillon, Italian herbs, paprika. 

Add the beef stew meat to the pot. Do not stir.

Set the function to Pressure Cook and timer to 20 minutes.

Remove seeds and slice the bell peppers as the mixture is cooking. After the 20 minute cook time, allow a full natural release then put the pot in Saute Mode. 

Add the peppers, canned tomato and tomato puree and stir to mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste and let the mixture simmer until the peppers are cooked to your liking.

Optional: Stir in the sour cream and serve. Hungarian Goulash: Original Version

I make noodles but rarely make pasta. There’s a difference.

I grew up on something we called “homemade noodles” and to this day, they are my favorite food. But they’re not made from thin, perfect sheets of pasta. Rather, they’re more dumpling-like and their irregular thicknesses and shapes is partly what makes them so delicious. Our family never called these floury strands pasta.

Occasionally I take the time to roll out lovely sheets of pasta dough and cut it into circles for tortellini, but not often. I don’t have a pasta machine, unless my rolling pin falls under that category.

Yesterday I zoomed down to Pastaworks on NW 21st Avenue and bought four, perfect, fresh sheets of pasta. I’ve been in the mood for mushroom tortellini and today was the day to satisfy the need.

These are so delicious. As you can see, I gently cooked a few in some chicken broth and had them for lunch. The remainder went in the freezer to pull out at a moment’s notice for a first-class meal. Having a big bag of frozen ones feels like money in the bank.

Mushroom tortellini (makes 48 filled tortellini)

Ingredients:

4 (9 x 12-inch) sheets fresh pasta dough

1 (1 ounce) bag dried porcini mushrooms, or a mixture of dried gourmet mushrooms

1 pound fresh, cremini mushrooms

2 large shallots, minced

2 tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon salt

Fresh-ground pepper

2 tablespoons dry sherry

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano Reggiano

Fresh parsley

½ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

Put dried mushrooms in a small, deep bowl and cover with boiling water. Let mushrooms soak until they’ve plumped, about 15 minutes. By the handful, remove mushrooms from bowl and rinse them in clean water. Squeeze out excess liquid. Chop mushrooms into very small pieces. Set aside. Note: If you want to save the water the mushrooms have steeped in for another dish, you will need to remove any dirt that has accumulated. To do this, pour mushroom liquid through several layers of cheesecloth or through a coffee filter into a bowl.

Clean Cremini mushrooms and slice them in a food processor using the slicing attachment. Remove from work bowl and dice into small pieces using a knife.

Melt butter in large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add cremini mushrooms, the minced shallots, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently until the mushrooms have released their liquid. Continue cooking until liquid evaporates. Add the mushrooms you soaked along with the sherry and cook until the sherry evaporates. Take mushrooms off the heat and add the grated cheese and optional hot sauce.

Using a 3-inch diameter cookie or biscuit cutter, cut circles from pasta sheets. (You should get 12 circles from each sheet.) Cover so they don’t dry out.

Working 5 or 6 at a time, place a scant teaspoon of mushroom filling in the center of each circle. Brush a little egg around the edge of each circle. (You only need to brush one side of the pasta circle.) Fold dough over and press edges together, pushing out any air that might have been trapped inside. Using photographs for reference bring corners together, wrapping tortellini around your finger. Brush a little egg on the spot where corners will attach and press firmly together. Continue with all pasta circles and filling to make tortellini. After each dozen you make, set them on a baking sheet and refrigerate.

3 bell peppers cubed

1 large red onion diced

2 zucchini thinly sliced

2 squashes thinly sliced

1 large tomato

4 large cloves of garlic pressed

5 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon salt

1 pinch oregeno

1 pinch rosemary

1 pinch parsley

1 pinch thyme

5 cups diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato juice

Directions

saute zucchini, squash, peppers, onion garlic and olive oil together

while sauteing mix oregano, thyme, parsley, salt, tomato sauce, tomato, and diced tomato on low to keep warm

mix together and let simmer

the virgin suicides (1999)

Proof Lab is one of my favorite Bay Area spots, a gem of a surf shop tucked away in Mill Valley.  The founders have made it their mission to turn this shop into a community hub, offering classes & a place to hang.

In this post I’ll be outlining my current routines as they relate to self care. I’ll cover everything from head to toe making sure not to skip your spirit. You cannot be a girl of ANYONE’S dreams if you aren’t taking care of the most important person in your world: you.

mornings:

wash face with gentle cleanser from curology, tone with organic Mamonde rose water and finish with rich moisturizer and spf30

brush teeth with activated charcoal toothpaste by Crest and baking soda for whitening and gum clarity

take vitamins : woman’s one a day, hair skin nails, biotin, vitamin c

drink glass of water then a cup of tea

black tea, raw cane sugar, a lemon slice, ginger

good for energy, immune function, and detox

showers:

this may sound so extra (😅), but depending on my hairstyle, I sometimes like to let the shower run for about five minutes with the door closed to create a sauna effect. this is especially if I have a mask on my hair.

my showers usually are about 20-30 minutes

I have a back brush, pink exfoliating gloves, a loofah, and tree hut body scrubs and I use them ALL.

I wash first with my dove beauty bar to assure clean skin before washing with EITHER my OGX Shea So Soft body wash or Dove Renewing Peony and Rose Oil body wash to add scent or silkiness to my skin.

hair removal:

I haven’t yet mastered the art of waxing myself so I’m still riding the shave wave. *when I do I’ll make a post 4 that*

I exfoliate throughly before AND after shaving

I shave my entire body using Tree Hut Shaving Oil and a nice conditioner I’m not using. This leaves my skin super soft and silky and helps the razor to glide without skipping. I use Gillette Venus. no less than five blades, anything less is ASKING for nicks and a hard time.

when I don’t feel like shaving, I use Nair. use at your own risk. yes, I Nair my ENTIRE BODY. only leaving it on for about 7 minutes I rinse in WARM (not hot) water and exfoliate afterwards. it is imperative to moisturize after to avoid irritation. however, Nair is much easier to do than shaving and seems to last an inkling longer.

after shaving, once a month, I pull out my KENZZI. it’s an IPL device and it has helped to slow the growth of my hair. it’s noticeable for us long, thick haired chicks. I use the second to lowest setting as a melanated babe, as the higher settings could burn me.

I know many endorse the hair on women movement and I can understand it. But I personally love my skin silky, hairless, and smooth.

nights:

after eating dinner, I wash my face and apply the tiniest bit of glycolic serum and my curology night cream. my skin has been the best it’s been in a few years. then I brush my teeth and rinse with peroxide.

every four days I give myself a facial

my favorite face masks:

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid mask

The Ordinary AHA + BHA mask

all Tony Moly sheet masks *luvvvvv those*

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD clearing treatment *fav*

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme mask

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel mask

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud mask

Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel mask

ORIGINS Clear Improvement mask

An at home honey and aloe mask

I apply a rich facial moisturizer and get to bed.

I then write in my planner my new plans and what I did that day if I hadn’t already. then after that I script and make mood boards in my diary. then I read a little. currently reading: Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin, and Live Like a hot Chick by Jodi Lipper.

emotions:

I talk to my grandmother about my feelings, she helps me sort things out. please try to find one person you trust to talk to, my messages are always open. 💓 I often overthink. I suffer from anxiety and clinical depression. sometimes these things make me FEEL limited. these experiences wax and wane. I remind myself that the darkness is temporary.

I write in my diary what I feel and track my emotions for potential patterns. I don’t manufacture or sugar coat my feelings, I just talk.

sometimes you need a good cry. let it out. clean your slate. you’ll always feel better, sometimes great after a hard, deep sobbing cry.

I try to get out of the house and get some sunlight. it helps brighten my mood sometimes.

baths:

LOVE taking baths I don’t care what the status quo is about dirt. just rinse off. I love wrapping my hair up and soaking in warm-hot water.

first I run the water. as it’s running I add my bubble bath, then body wash, then my Shea Moisture fragrant coconut oil. it smells soooo good, literally yummy. then I inevitably scream from dipping my toe in the hot water. finally I get in, scrub down my body, emphasis on feet. then I wash, and just relax. I’ve even fallen asleep in the tub once, I was so zen.

careful not to soak too long or overdo it with your products. synthetic materials lingering in your lady bits for too long cause cause infections like bv or uti

some women add tea tree oil, acv, or even Aztec clay to their baths for wellness purposes. I love adding essential oils to my baths to relax and the natural scent is just great 🥺

when I get out I always put something that feels lush and soft on. *invest in super soft, comfy bath towels, they’ll make you feel so luxurious and soft after a nice relaxing bath*

flower:

the yoni is something sensitive that needs to be taken care of thoroughly, and differently than the rest of your body. it’s not recommended to use soaps down there, it can unbalance things and make you itch. also make you prone to infection. this is why I use clear warm water to clean. if I use soap it’s a sensitive, gentle formula. don’t ever try to clean the cavity. she’s a self cleaning vessel.

to shave, I trim my hair down as close as possible and use a FIVE BLADE razor with conditioner and take my time. making sure not to pass a spot twice, I apply moderate pressure and move slowly. when finished I rinse and scrub gently. I PAT not rub dry. to finish off I apply TendSkin, and salicylic acid to avoid ingrowns. once that’s soaked in I apply shea butter. very soft and pretty 🌸

⚠️ DO NOT PUT ON TIGHT PANTIES OR RIGHT PANTS AFTER SHAVING. it restricts the hairs and causes irritation and ingrowns. throw on some comfy loose shorts for a while, let it breathe

dietary needs:

drink plenty of water

cranberry juice

vitamin c

minimal red meat

probiotics

at home vagacial for the high maintenance girlies:

*make any necessary extractions with pointed and slanted tweezers *

scrub: 

brown sugar, tea tree oil, a little shea butter

exfoliating and anti inflammatory

mask:

baking soda, fresh lemon juice, vitamin e oil, papaya juice, gelatin

fixes discoloration and brightens the skin while softening

moisturize:

aloe vera gel, rose hip seed oil

smelling sweet:

ah yes, my favorite part. I love fragrance so much. I love to smell like you could literally break off a piece of me and eat it.

I find that using fragrant washes and oils make your scent more strong and help it linger. I already mentioned the body washes I use. the tree hut scrubs I use smell amazing also. I alike to add essential oils and man made scents like strawberry and chocolate to my Shea Moisture oil (so yummy).

I also use a fragrant lotion, eau de parfum, and fragrance mist.

here’s a list of some of my favorites:

perfumes:

jimmy choo fever

coach floral blush

yves saint laurent mon paris

victoria’s secret bombshell

victoria’s secret scandalous

valentino

fragrance mists:

victoria’s secret velvet petals, pure seduction, warm and cozy

bath and body works a thousand wishes, fiji pineapple palm, warm vanilla sugar, black raspberry vanilla

oils:

coconut

sweet almond

peppermint

chocolate scented essential oil

strawberry scented essential oil

orange

grapefruit

eucalyptus

sweetest combo ever:

vanilla extract, coconut oil, shea butter, and your favorite perfume. you’ll be smelling like a warm cupcake with extra sprinkles and icing 🧁

layering:

oil, lotion, eau de parfum, mist

pulse points:

inside elbows and knees, in between thighs, inner arms, behind ears, back of neck, ankles

hair:

it’s super important to keep your hair moisturized. quenched tresses move, grow, shine and bounce. dry hair is limp, lackluster, and extremely fragile

my fav diy deep conditioner:

a banana, half an avocado, three spoons of honey, an egg, a spoonful of mayo, a spoonful of coconut, olive, and castor oil each

strength from egg, avocado, mayo and olive oil

moisture from avocado and honey

cover damp CLEAN hair and scalp in mixture and cover with a plastic bag, then towel for an hour, rinse thoroughly, and seal in moisture

fav hair products:

castor oil

fusionplex conditioner and mask

Aussie conditioner

wella goji berry mask

coconut oil

style booster edge control

helpful tips:

when shampooing, concentrate on the scalp and wash thoroughly twice, as the suds will naturally cleanse your stands without drying and stripping them

rinse hair with apple cider vinegar every now and then. it restores your ph balance, smooths the cuticle, clarifies the strands, and adds shine

always add oil and leave ins to DAMP hair, never dry; this will ensure you’re sealing in moisture

try to use smooth fabrics to dry your hair, bath towels encourage frizz and breakage

hands and feet:

and last but not least, let’s cover manicuring and pedicuring.

it’s super important to make sure your nails are either DONE or filed, shaped, and smooth. at home maintenance is super easy. make a point to scrub your hands and feet well when bathing. make sure to stay on top of your cuticles by trimming or pushing them back. I like the look that pushing them gives. I use an orangewood stick, metal pusher and cuticle softener to make the process super easy and safe. after I’m done I add my pineapple scented cuticle oil. I do this on my fingers and toes.

invest in a rasp and pumice stone for your feet and use these gently every two weeks after soaking them in warm foot salts. rough usage can cause cuts and irritation. in between treatments keep your feet soft by slathering them in a moisturizing foot cream, cocoa/shea butter then oil to seal it all in. buy some soft thick aloe infused socks and wear them to sleep. you’ll thank me 😉

for info on how I do my nails click this