• Drop anywhere from 1-3 cups of unsalted dry roasted almonds into the food processor, add a bit of salt and turn on. 
• Leave it running until it is basically a ball that isn't easily processing. Heat up some coconut oil... Depending on how many almonds you put in, up to 1.5T of the oil. 
• Put it in the processor as well and turn back on. 
• Should just be a couple more minutes of blending before it is done. 
• Add more salt as needed. 
• You can also add cinnamon, raisins, other types of nuts, cocoa powder, etc!

It's not always easy to find low carb 'hacks' for quick cooking and snack options. Here are some finds I am pretty stoked about...

Here's hoping you all had a magnificent Memorial Day.

So many thanks to all of our veterans. We really are in the land of the free, BECAUSE of the brave.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to some incredible beauty products, made by a good friend of mine from college. Sarah and I go way back, having spent a wild summer in Queretaro, Mexico, having the time of our lives. I always knew this girl would do something amazing, and I have not been disappointed. Now that she is all growns up, Sarah lives in Eugene, Oregon with her fabulous hubby, Chad and daughter, Marley. Having Marley inspired Sarah to start Marley's Monsters, a great brand of eco-friendly supplies for babies, moms and pretty much anyone else! 

She has also paired with her friend Emily who has another fabulous Oregon company,Urban Oreganics. Urban Oreganics handcrafts the highest quality bath & beauty products from natural, sustainable, organic, and vegan ingredients in Portland, OR. Our handmade creations are lovingly fashioned in small batches and tested on friends and family, never on animals.

After spending some time using several of their products, I am thrilled to add them to the list of those items that I am #dbsobsessed with! Major beauty finds below...

First up, these amazing REUSABLE FLANNEL FACIAL ROUNDS. Not only are they adorable, but it is so nice not to have to use those terrible cotton rounds that soak up all of your toner when you try to put it on. I keep these in a small cup next to my sink and I love them for toner, makeup removal, wiping off face masks and more.

Also amazing, are the UNPAPER TOWELS, which are excellent for drying your face after washing, or for taking off a face mask. I am not a fan of how thick washcloths can be, so this was definitely a step in the right direction for me. I hate using my hand towel for wiping my face, because who wants to get makeup on your hands after you wash them... #genius!

Pretty much all things Urban Oreganics are right up my alley. What a find! Here were some of my favorites...

BEET ROOT TINTED LIP AND CHEEK COLOR: As a blonde, it is not always easy to find natural colors like this that actually work for me. If something is too deeply red, it is difficult to use on an everyday basis. Not a problem with this product! I am totally #dbsobsessed. The color is subtle but noticeable, a great color for pretty much any season. It smells great and comes in a big fat tube that I love, love, love.

MAKEUP REMOVER: Another killer find. This is the perfect combination of non-greasy and effective. So often, I find makeup remover that actually works is far too greasy, and takes a MAJOR scrubbing to get off my skin. This light formula does the job in a clean way. I'm hooked, especially when I use with the reusable facial rounds! 

Ok, I saved the best for last...
If you know me, you know I am a MAJOR user and abuser of dry shampoo. Because my hair is so fine, I use it every day to give body and to avoid a limp and dirty look that happens all too soon for these locks. I am elated to share this find with you.

URBAN OREGANICS DRY SHAMPOO: As you can see, this is a powder that you apply with a makeup brush. I found the MAC 103 brush to be a great fit for me. While this is not the dry shampoo you want to use to get giant volume for a night out, this IS what you want to use for every day, giving yourself a clean look. I cannot say enough about how much I love this lightweight product that stays off the scalp and makes my hair look amazing. I hate what happens to my scalp from the buildup that so many aerosol dry shampoo options leave you with. The fact that this is actually 100% dry, makes a giant difference.

Other amazing features:
- It comes in light and dark
- The dark is chocolate scented, and the light comes in unscented, grapefruit and lavender.
-It's easy to pack, and ok for a carry on, unlike spray dry shampoo 

Find out more about both companies:

Urban Oreganics:
Handcrafted, high quality bath & beauty products from natural, sustainable, organic, and vegan ingredients. Location: Portland, Oregon
Shop: www.urbanoreganics.etsy.com
facebook.com/urbanoreganics
IG: @urbanoreganics

Marleys Monsters:
Handmade baby, mama and home products for eco-friendly living. 
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Shop: www.marleysmonsters.etsy.com
facebook.com/shopmarleysmonsters
IG: @marleysmonsters

I'm a big fan of recipes that can be made based on what you have in your house. That way, regardless of the quantity and exact ingredients you have on hand, you can whip something up quickly.

I find this is extremely important when trying to choose healthy meal options, because when you're feeling a bit lazy, it's very easy to pick the quickest option, even if it isn't the best.

Also- I like to be a bit vague on amounts used. We aren't baking here, so it isn't an exact science, and you should add and subtract amounts, based on your personal preference. You're the one who is going to eat this, right?! #yolo

This pesto recipe is a perfect example of making it work with what I had in the kitchen.

Make it your own by adjusting the amounts used, as well as the type of nut and Parmesan (or similar cheese) that you use.

5 Minute Basil-Almond Pesto

Take all of the basil you have and throw it in the food processor with a handful of nuts of your choice (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts... Many choices here), a touch of salt and pepper, and a couple of tablespoons of whatever Parmesan cheese you have on hand. I'm only slightly ashamed to admit I used Kraft in the green shaker on this one...

Turn on the food processor and slowly pour quality extra virgin olive oil into the top, until the pesto has reached your desired consistency.

Using a great olive oil is key, as it will impart a lot of flavor.

Scoop into a Tupperware and top with some extra olive oil. Freeze or place in the fridge, and enjoy when you need some pesto in your life!

Coconut Roasted = Coasted. I just made it a thing.

They're super easy:
Toss a bag of cleaned and trimmed green beans into a large mixing bowl with melted coconut oil, salt, pepper and minced garlic.

Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, or more, depending on how crispy you want them.
BOMB, and very Paleo/Low-Carb friendly.

I asked my amazing hairstylist and friend, Leanne (check out Berenice Salon in SF), to give me the white blonde look. I showed her this photo I found on Pinterest, and she NAILED IT with my color.

#dbsobsessed

100% #dbsobsessed with these new bookends from Target. If I had even one possible place to put them, they would have been mine.

This #dbsobsessed beauty find came to me via a gift from a dear friend of mine! These 'Crystal Collagen Gold Powder Eye Masks' are a great addition to any beauty arsenal. 

What is so great about them? First, they work. They de-puff those bags under your eyes in just 15 minutes. Second, they can be used without a big mess being made. Because they do not need to be washed off like a traditional mask product, they are a breeze to use, simply sticking on and peeling off. The third great thing about them? They're $3.89 for 10 masks!  Compared to the Seacret Recover Day Mask 8-pack I recently fell quickly in and out of love with, it's a steal (Seacret cost for 8 masks...$349.95?!?! #EXCUSEME).

Pick them up by ordering directly through the link below:

Another option for snackers who are deprived of cookies, crackers, chips, carbs (what is it with the letter 'c'?!) is Crispy Roasted Broccoli. It is fast, easy, on-plan with low carb and Paleo eating, and most importantly, DELICIOUS! I did double duty when baking these and threw some garlic cloves, salt, pepper and olive oil into a foil packet and baking with the broccoli. I am now happily up to my ears in Roasted Garlic!

• Preheat oven to 450
• Dump your broccoli into a large mixing bowl. Either chop a head of broccoli into small pieces (as pictured) or make your life SUPER EASY and use a bag of florets, cutting any very large pieces into 2 or more smaller florets.
• Season with salt, pepper, minced garlic and high-quality extra virgin olive oil-- all based on your flavor preferences. (You can add anything you would like here-- some heat from cayenne would be delicious, as would lemon).
• Toss all ingredients so that there is a light coating of oil on all florets, and seasonings are evenly distributed.
• Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 25 minutes. 
• Give yourself a pat on the back if you don't eat the whole tray in one sitting.