The most delicious low carb, gluten-free, potato-like casserole that you will ever try! Ready for the secret ingredient?....

It's cauliflower!!! Yes, that boring looking vegetable in the produce isle that you usually pass by. Before I ever begun my low carb journey about 10 years ago, I only knew of cauliflower as a side veggie dish, most often steamed and kinda mushy. Well, that all changed when I discovered how versatile this vegetable really is. Switching over to a low carb way of eating, (I despise the word "diet"), I had to find new and CREATIVE ways of making my past favorites, which included creamy mashed potatoes. (I'm a Ukrainian, so you know that potatoes are a staple). Now, before you may think of how much you will not like this recipe, just give it a try. You might just change your mind. 


INGREDIENTS
 
A head of cauliflower (coarsely chopped)
4oz of cream cheese (full fat)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3-4 TBSP of butter
Splash of cream
Bacon bits
Garlic salt & pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Bring (salted) water to a boil. Add chopped cauliflower, cover, and boil until tender (takes about 8-10 minutes or so).  Drain well. Transfer to a mixing bowl.

Mash cauliflower (I usually use a mixer) with cream cheese, cream, and butter until smooth; should be somewhat of a mashed potatoes consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, a dash of garlic salt, and black pepper. Spoon mixture into a casserole dish; top with Cheddar cheese. 

You can bake it but I prefer to broil it under the broiler for about 8-10 minutes for the top to get golden and crispy. Garnish with green onions. 

and then, this happened!! Every time....

I hope you give this recipe a try. If you all would like to see more of these types of blogs (low carb and gluten free), let me know. There is so much more I'd love to share with you all!!! Until next time....

  

 


 

Must-have eye brushes! (makeup)

YOUR MUST-HAVE BASIC EYE MAKEUP BRUSHES....

As basic as eye makeup brushes are, I'd say they're the most important part of any eye makeup look. From a basic every day look, to your most dramatic smokey eye. These brushes are a must! I guarantee you, if you have just these three, you can pretty much create almost any look. I've had my Mac brushes for many years now, and they're still pretty much as good as the day I bought them. No shedding and they keep their shape after washing. A little pricey, but worth it! Definitely a great investment in your brush collection.

So here we go...

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

• Used for packing-on eyeshadow on the eyelid (picks up color very well)
• By holding it horizontally, can also be used for applying color on lower lash line 
• Soft and dense (prevents fallout)
• Tapered, rounded edge  
• Price $25

 MAC 217 Blending Brush

•  Used for depositing eyeshadow in the outer corner/outer V
• Can be used for applying/blending cream-based eyeshadows  
• Does NOT shed with washing
•  Price $24

 MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

• Used for blending/diffusing crease color
• Fluffy, dome shaped
• Prevent a heavy and overdone eye
• Price $32

So there you have it. I hope I've made this easy and clear to understand, because makeup and makeup brushes shouldn't be complicated..right? If you have any questions, comments or requests for future blog posts, feel free to comment below! Until next time.....

Yelena, +Makeup You Beautiful

~My Spring/Summer Fresh and Flawless Foundation Routine~

(This is NOT my every day foundation routine. On most days, I'm in my sweats and wearing a tinted moisturizer).

**For any of you with questions about my skin care routine, that is a whole other post that I will do in the near future!

This may seem like a lot of products, but, when I want my skin to have that natural looking fuller coverage, these are the products I use.

(FOUNDATION PRIMER)

My skin goes in waves, sometimes it's oily and sometimes it's super dry and flaky. Right now, it's been very dry, so I have to mix two primers to get it just right. I've been loving the combination of Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer (super moisturizing) and Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (oil-free and spf 15) which helps my foundation stay on for hours. I use my fingers to put a few dabs of each on the center of my face and then I make sure it's all evenly applied.

 Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

(NOW THE FOUNDATIONS)

For a natural looking finish, I use Mac Face and Body foundation (shade C2) + Mac Studio Sculpt foundation (shade NW20). I like to mix both because one is more moisturizing and the other is more matte and fuller coverage. I love my Sigma F80 brush to buff on the foundations for a perfect finish.

 Mac Face and Body foundation

Mac Studio Sculpt foundation

 (SPOT CONCEALER) **I use this ONLY if I have some acne spots or for those days when I have more redness around my nose and chin area. 

I really love MAC Studio Finish Concealer and I'm in the shade NW20. I use a concealer brush to help me be precise and I use a very tiny amount, because it is a thicker formula. 

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

(UNDER EYE CONCEALER)

My under eye area is extremely dry all year round, so to help moisturize and cover my dark circles, I use the MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer (shade NW20). The formula is super light and creamy and I like how it covers but doesn't make my under eye area dry and crepey.  

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

(SETTING MY CONCEALER)

To set my under eye concealer, I use the Laura Mercier Secret Brightning Powder. I don't like to set undereye concealer with a typical powder because it can make for a cakey effect. I use a fluffy blending type brush and sweep a very light amount under the eyes. 

 Laura Mercier Secret Brightning Powder

(SETTING POWDER)

I use my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (in medium) as my finishing powder. I make sure to dust it on VERY lightly because I still like to see my skin. This powder leaves a very natural finish, and I use it with my big fluffy brush from real techniques. 

 MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I really hope this was helpful for you all. Until next time!