Thursday, February 7, 2013

What's Up, Doc?! Carrot Top Quinoa Soup!!

Wascally Wabbits, It's Your Special Day!!
Eat Until Your Heart's Content! Guilt-Free Tasty Soup! 

Pretty Carrots!!

I have never made a Carrot Soup, but my recent colored carrot bundles had me thinkin'. I have been juicin' carrots left and right and have always heard that the carrot greens and tops are toxic. A little bird told me that they make a carrot green pesto leaving me super confused. I researched and found that they are not poisonous but may cause an allergy. Sooo, uhhh, bring dem carrot greens back, they ain't garbage!

Check out this great article explaining carrots and their awesomeness while you're at it!


And now, back to the good part...

Carrot Top Quinoa Soup

Zeeeee Soup Ingredients! NOM! NOM! NOM!

You will need the following Ingredients:
  • 1 Red or Yellow Onion
  • 1.5-2 Bunches of Carrots. I used a bunch of orange carrots and half of a bunch of red, purple, and yellow carrots with the greens.
  • 1 Container of Vegetable Stock, fill the remaining pot up with water.
  • Spices: Salt & Pepper to taste, Cayenne Pepper, Fennel Seed, Rosemary, and a 1/2-3/4 of a bulb of Garlic.
  • 1/2 Cup of Quinoa
  • 1/2 Cup of Black French Lentils-my personal variation.
  • One half of a bundle of Kale-my personal variation.
  • One half of a bundle of Beet Greens-my personal variation.
Beet Greens!! Super Good!!
Okay, it's not Rocket Science, soup is probably the easiest thing to make in the world! It's nutritious and a great way to use up all of your excess vegetables and pantry items! With that in mind...that'll work, throw it in the pot!

Now, get in the kitchen!!
  • Grab a large pot, add your veggie stock and fill it up with water leaving room for all of your veggies. It's important to begin with all of your seasoning ingredients giving your soup more time to simmer and soak up all of the flavors. Bring to a boil.
  • Add your Salt & Pepper, Garlic (minced), Fennel Seed, Rosemary, and Cayenne Pepper to taste. Make sure to re-season after the veggies have simmered for a little, because they absorb a lot of the herb flavor and salt.
  • Next, in the following order, add the Onion, Carrots, Carrot Greens, Beet Greens, and Kale. Then, add the Quinoa and Lentils.
  • Let your soup simmer and create those tasty soup flavors.
And Voila...

Pot O' Soup!

Dig In and Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Portrait Creations Shares the Love...Quick Pix

How am I Supposed to Choose Between all of These Cute Little Faces?!
We've Done Our Job if you Can't! 

Portrait Creations Valentine's Day Quick Pix

Portrait Creations Valentine's Day Quick Pix

Portrait Creations is my family-owned photography studio located in Charlotte, NC. We have began a new program called, Quick Pix, a super-short photography segment highlighting all of the special occasions throughout the year....and I thought, why not take a moment to share this great idea so that our clientele and other portrait studios may participate too?! We will schedule quick pix for the following special occasions: Valentine's Day, Easter, July 4th, and Halloween.

Our studio just completed our first Quick Pix for Valentine's Day and couldn't be happier! All of the cutie pies arrived in adorable red outfits, and we had a lot of fun capturing this special holiday that reminds us all to share the love! We look forward to our next Quick Pix! A special thank you to all of our amazing customers that made these adorable photo shoots a success! 


What Are Quick Pix? 

Our studio will schedule our Quick Pix segments over the course of 2 days, a couple weeks before the special occasion. Our packages are discounted and range from $65-$105, and customers have the opportunity to purchase cards or add-on additional portraits to their package. 

Quick Pix require NO session fee and provide a unique studio set for the special occasion being highlighted. Your pictures are shown on our big screen immediately after your session, packages are chosen instantly, and ready for pick-up within 2 days after your photo shoot. 

Thank you Ritzy Bitzy Baby for providing all of the cute boutique accessories for our Valentine's Day Quick Pix!! Need some adorable baby boutique items?? Ritzy Bitzy Baby is owned by Stephanie Huck created in order to provide families with adorable boutique accessories at affordable prices! Check out all of her specialty items like: suspenders, headbands, rompers, diaper covers, bows, ties and sneakers!

Portrait Creations Valentine's Quick Pix
Mama Kisses by Portrait Creations
&
Suspenders, Diaper Covers, and Bows by Ritzy Bitzy Baby
























                                                   



The next Quick Pix will be scheduled
Monday, March 11thTuesday, March 12th for Easter Pix!

We will be using REAL bunnies and/or chicks!! 
Schedule Today, these are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE appointments!!!

Don't forget to Spread the Love this Valentine's Day! 

A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. 
- Frank A. Clark