Bacon, Spinach & Shallot Quiche.

Christmas week is upon us! Hurray!!! This is the grandest, most delightful time of year and I am so excited that this week has finally come! What celebratory things do you have planned?!

I'll admit, I am still working with a mile-long to-do list. My unordered Christmas cards will have to become New Years cards. My pantry is empty. I could use a good house cleaning (okay, scrubbing/dusting and while you're at it, a fresh coat of paint would be great). After spending the past week goofing off in NYC, I got behind on a few things here on the home front. But it's the most wonderful time of year so I'll just prioritize what needs to happen and let go of the rest of the expectations. This time of year can really eat you alive with all the busyness - my thing over the past week has been saying no to everything else for the rest of the year. I don't know about you, but I feel maxed out, but in a super great way! And I want to preserve that great feelings and enjoyment without going into full-blown frazzled mode of trying to do everything. Doing everything well is a myth. I must say no and do a few things well. So pretty much any "thing" that comes up between now and January is just going to have to wait, because I'm at full commitment capacity. In case you're struggling with this, I give you permission today to let yourself say no to a whole bunch of stuff. Just do it. It will feel like relief, I promise you. Okay wow that was a tangent I wasn't really expecting to go down... but hopefully someone here needed to read this today! And P.S. I'll get a post up ASAP about our trip and all the fun things to do in the winter in NYC with kiddos. Ahhh it was the best. Although I don't miss the 25-degree weather.

Okay, so since it's Christmas week and we are all traveling or hosting or having meals and celebrations, I thought it was high time that I shared my holiday brunch go-to recipe. This quiche is easy and severely, dangerously good. I've been making it for years and I don't even use a recipe anymore, i just throw all the ingredients together and it always turns out well. It's not fancy or hard, but it's hearty and GOOD. My theory on this is that when you combine bacon and cheese with anything, it's going to be good. No matter what. It's just the law or science or something. Okay, here goes!

Ingredients:
- 1 quiche or pie crust (found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 shallot, diced
- 5 slices bacon, already cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp. flour
- a handful of spinach
- a dash of nutmeg
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste

Method:
1. Heat a skillet over medium and add the oil.
2. Wait for the skillet to get hot and then add the diced shallots. Using a spatula, continuously move them around and give 1-3 minutes to soften.
3. Then add the crumbled bacon and spinach. Allow this mixture to cook with the onions for about 1 more minute. Once the spinach has just wilted, remove the pan from the heat. Put this mixture into a small bowl and set aside to cool.
4. Go ahead and whisk together the eggs and milk. Add a light dusting of salt, pepper and nutmeg, then set mixture aside.
5. Add the 2 tbsp. of flour to the bacon-spinach-shallot mixture, combine until everything is coated with flour.
6. Place the quiche crust inside a round glass Pyrex, pressing it into the pan.
7. Add the bacon-spinach-shallot mixture to the center of the quiche crust, then I spread it out evenly. Add the cheese and stir until everything looks consistent.
8. Pour the egg/milk mixture into the center of the quiche.
9. Bake on 375 degrees for about 35 minutes. Once a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean, your quiche is ready to be devoured!

Bon Appetit, friends!

Notes:
- The baking time is extremely approximate. Just keep checking - it might be perfect or it might still need 10-15 more minutes to fully cook. Every oven, climate, and therefore quiche is different.
- If you feel like your crust is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the entire quiche with some tinfoil. This keeps the crust from cooking faster than the contents.
- Don't have shallots? Use an onion! Don't have bacon? This is awesome with sausage, too. The other delicious twist on this recipe calls for sausage, mushroom and rosemary (so savory!).

I hope you enjoy whipping this up for your loved ones! And yourself. Tag a sista if you decide to make this - @oykristen. And I hope you have the MERRIEST CHRISTMAS WEEK!!! May the wrapping/laughing/egg-nogging be ever in your favor. xx

p.s. - how do you like my new kitchen breakfast table? Travis McAfee custom designed this beauty - he is a true genius craftsman extraordinaire and me and Stevie are LOVING IT. This table has brought our little family together in the kitchen and it's really been the perfect addition to our home. If you're interested, here is Travis' info - he makes everything from wooden wallets to custom projects. If you get in touch, let him know I sent you!

Goat Cheese & Pistachio Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates.

It might be fall festival season for you, but in my world, it's wedding season! I am so excited to be celebrating the upcoming nuptials of one of my oldest friends AND my baby sister. Separate weddings. They aren't marrying each other. Two weddings. One week apart. One week away. Both occasions are coming up fast and the celebrating has already begun with showers and parties and gift wrapping and hoopla. Speaking of, I really need to pick up my dress from the alterations place. MENTAL NOTE. But anyway, in honor of this joyous season, I wanted to share one of my favorite go-to party dishes, because even if you're not celebrating a wedding, these are great holiday appetizers. And this one is SO easy, you will thank me. I'm preparing myself now - because you WILL thank me. Here is a twist on the traditional bacon-wrapped date:

Ingredients:
- 1 package of nitrate-free bacon
- 1 package of fresh dates, pitted
- 4 oz. goat cheese
- 1 package pistachios, crushed

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Stuff each date with a hefty helping of goat cheese.
3. Go ahead and stuff some pistachios in the date, as well.
4. Cut each piece of bacon in half (sometimes I even do thirds).
5. Wrap each date with bacon. Place the date with the bacon's seam side down on a baking sheet.
6. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Flip the dates, then bake for another 5-7 minutes.
7. Remove the dates from the baking sheet, allow to cool. Spear each date with a toothpick, and transfer to a serving platter. Boom! You're holding the best appetizer in the room. I promise :)

Seriously though. If these dates don't get eaten, then BONUS. You get to take them home and scarf the whole plate yourself. While watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. But seriously, if you take these to a party and they don't get eaten - I will pay you $5. Because that's how confident I am in these delectable treats. FIVE DOLLARS CONFIDENT.

Happy wedding weekending to me. Happy hosting, to you!

1st Trimester Must Haves

1st Trimester Must Haves by oykristen // 1. Amazon The Baby Name Wizard // 2. Origins Gloomaway Body Wash // 3. The Honest Company Belly Balm // 4. Barnes & Noble The Hobbit // 5. Mmm bacon // 6. Lacroix Lime Sparkling Water // 7. Rainbow Light Prenatal One Vitamin // 8. Lululemon Skinny Will Pant // 9. Green Juice // 10. Krispy Kreme Original Glazed // 11. Netflix Instant Streaming //  

1st Tri.

People, the first trimester of pregnancy is a really interesting time. A really interesting, odd kind of time. I didn't really experience the whole "wow, life is growing inside of me, this is AMAZING"-feeling, but I didn't feel angry/pissed/annoyed by the pregnancy either. I fell somewhere in the middle. And coming from a family of women who ADORE pregnancy and all things baby-licious, I sort of expected to feel, you know, all prance-y and glowy. Unfortunately, the whole pregnancy glow thing is actually just sweat. It's sweat and getting ridiculously out of breath walking up the stairs. But thankfully, these are the few things that made my early pregnancy a lot more comforting: 

1. Amazon The Baby Name Wizard

- My sweet sis lent me her copy of this unique baby book. I've really enjoyed it because it gives you a strategy for how to name your child; it's not just a list of names. It provides a ton of insight behind why you prefer certain sounds/combinations and it teaches you how to choose a name for your child that is meaningful, teasing-free and completely one-of-a-kind. Now if only we can decide on something.

2. Origins Gloomaway Body Wash

- Last year my bff Trish gave me this lotion as a gift. It is so peppy and joyful smelling, I decided to splurge and get the body wash, too. It makes a world of difference in my morning mood. If I wake up and wash with this, the whole day has a better outlook. It may seem simple, but you will grasp for anything comforting during those first few unknown months of early pregnancy. I've learned that a tiny little bit of pampering can really go a long way!

3. The Honest Company Belly Balm

- I immediately ordered this when I found out I was expecting. I got my first stretch marks at 12 years old (and they have never disappeared!), so I didn't want to wait and "chance it" with this whole pregnancy thing. They say stretch marks can't be avoided, but I'm going to try my darndest to prevent any more from plaguing my body! And for those of you ladies who have told me you've never had them in your life... I just can't imagine. For those of you who understand the concept of thunder thighs - I have yet to obtain any new stretch marks with this balm. Fingers crossed!

4. Barnes & Noble The Hobbit

- This is an old favorite, and this particular copy is so so beautiful. My dad got it for me a few years ago, and I love to crack it open every once in a while and re-read this fanciful story. Believe me, the 1st tri has you laying around A LOT. So reading... yeah, it's a good break from all the Netflix you watch. Oh wait, I'm getting ahead of myself...

5. Mmm bacon

- I craved bacon with a passion during weeks 6-10 of my pregnancy. I couldn't get enough. That was around Thanksgiving/Christmastime, which is when I was with my Georgian family, and let me just say... my mom was kind enough to make it for me almost everyday. I know, it can't possibly be healthy to eat bacon that often, but what can I say? My body yearned for it. It yearned, people. I guess this child is a protein lover.

6. Lacroix Lime Sparkling Water

- This isn't the first time I've sung the praises of delicious Lacroix water, but now more than ever I have been gulping it down! Especially this lime flavor... yum, it is the perfect thirst quencher! Especially since pregnancy makes you crazy thirsty and you can never get enough water to feel satisfied.

7. Rainbow Light Prenatal One Vitamin

- I don't know a lot about prenatals, let me just clearly state that. But this particular vitamin has been a great choice for me - no upset stomach, no burping up weirdness, and super easy to digest. Just a really well rounded food-based pill that is chock-full of hearty vitamins for mama and baby.

8. Lululemon Skinny Will Pant

- This pant. Is a dream. Stevie was sweet enough to take me into Lululemon when I couldn't fit into any of my leggings anymore (they were so tight and the waistband was cutting into my stomach and KILLING me). I tried on several pairs of their plain black leggings, and finally landed on this Skinny Will pant. It has a great tummy section that you can adjust and fold down under your belly (comfortably!) or you can pull up over your stomach and it smooths out your belly underneath your shirt, exactly like a belly band. They are a bit pricey if you're just purchasing them for yoga pants, but I have literally worn these every single day for the past month. And no, I'm not exaggerating. You can wear them just like any other leggings, with tall socks and boots or with your comfy Toms or, obviously, to the gym for yoga! This is my favorite (and most used!) pregnancy purchase so far.

9. Green Juice

- Eating is a bit of a pain during the first trimester. When your tummy is always grumbly and nauseous, the last thing you want to eat is healthy food (AKA salads or vegetables). However, I found that I could get in some good nutrients by throwing them into a smoothie or juice. I snacked on lots of crackers and toast and other forms of carbs during the 1st tri, but if I could sneak in a smoothie or juice everyday, at least I knew I was getting some good nutrition in the midst of feeling crappy. This isn't just for pregnant ladies! My hubby loves this Green Juice recipe as much as me!

10. Krispy Kreme Original Glazed

- Okay okay I know what you're thinking. Crazy munching pregnant lady! But actually, I've been eating less sugar since I got pregnant because I don't really crave it. With the exception of these delicious "hot now" treats, of course. I just can't help it. I've limited myself to purchasing these only once during my pregnancy (so far), because I don't want to loose all control, but oh... don't they just look delicious? PS I never craved donuts pre-pregnancy. Like EVER. Did too many donut-related fundraisers in middle and high school. Somehow my brain has recently experienced amnesia from hating donuts from way back then. If you've known me for long enough, I probably sold you a box of these as an 8th grader.

11. Netflix Instant Streaming

- Um, how do people live without Netflix? This delicious application made my 3 months of horizontal life so much more pleasant. I blazed through episodes of White Collar, Burn Notice and How I Met Your Mother, along with some good old favorite viewings of Emma and You've Got Mail. It helped me laugh when I felt like nothing was funny AT ALL.

I know a LOT of ladies out there that are pregnant right now. What were your 1st Tri must haves? Leave it in the comments below!