There is something really bold about growth. The willingness to step out of the comfort of a boat and to have faith of such magnanimous proportions as to be daring enough to step out in the middle of the ocean with the audcacity to walk on walk on water, fueled by nothing more than faith in the Saviour.
I had no idea this was how I was going to start this blog post but it seems pretty apt. This was never ever just a recipe blog. Never has been, never will be. It is an artistic and creative exploration into life- how we serve it, how we live it, how we can better it, how we can enjoy it, how we challenge it. How we grow. This is why the slogan of this blog is “Serving the good life!”
How can I, Kari, the purveyor of all things good and enriching not be stretched beyond the confines of my own comfort zone, if I am to be able to help you, my reader- do the same?
And these past few months have been quite a stretch. I have stretched in uncomfortable and painful ways. I have had to challenge the false security blankets I was hiding under. I realised I was in a sinking boat and I had two choices- stay and sink or step out and walk on water.
Funny thing is that either way, is death.
You have to be ready to die to take big risks. You have to be ready to die repeatedly to not only maintain success. And certainly, you have to be ready to die, to grow.
I am not talking about a real death. But like a seed, which must fall to the ground and die, then be buried under soil for it to be given over to what appears like death but are actually the perfect conditions for all the potential that is hidden within to burst from within its own shell. Eventually that buried potential breaks through the surface of the tomb encasing of the seed coat, then peaks through the soil to become a stong, sturdy plant bearing fruit perennially in It’s own season. By virtue of simply showing up and doing what it was purposed to do, that plant creates a sub-climate around it that causes others to grow.
This my dears is the era that we bloom where we are planted.
I started a kitchen garden because the symbolism of gardening and turning a desert into a forest is certainly not lost on me. I am walking out a self-fulfilling prophecy. And this brings me to my video. The purpose you are here. But I know you have already gotten so much more.
This video I am sharing is years in the making. I only shot one video some 8 years ago. You see, I am a retired perfectionist. I retired last year in December.
The one who had really high production value and was waiting on a TV crew (because I come from a strong TV background of 24 years in TV production and know the ingredients of a great show. I am a great producer. I am a great director. I am pretty good as talent (something I am warming up to owning though I have been talent the longest). But, I cannot be not all three at the same time and I am certainly not a great editor. And as far as I was concerned, I didn’t want to do videos unless I had a boss crew and we could do boss stuff. So for 10 YEARS I parked the space on YouTube. And guess what? I still don’t have a crew.
I just came to the realization that all of the YouTubers who I watched as an early adopter of the platform, while cringing then, are now way better and have had serious financial success.
There is a part of me that is extremely introverted, though I have been talent on national TV since age 16.
Yes that was me as the prime time news weather girl at 19. But I have been hiding.
I have been hiding behind the camera and it seems as though God allowed a series of tragedies to occur in my life to shift my perspective from those lens I had been looking through.
I cannot be that coach (Certified and proven though I am) who helps others to better themselves without living it myself.
And so, I am back in front of camera. Without a crew. Just like how I went back on national radio without a crew for my radio show “Thrive With Kari” in December 2019. We are going back on air in August for Season 2 by the way. But back to the camera and YouTube. I am back. Without a crew. Just a one woman show. That’s what this is for now, because it has to be. But though I do it alone, I am not alone and I would love if you would join me on this incredibly powerful journey.
I have been uploading videos weekly for a few months on YouTube. But now, I am actually doing cooking videos. Without a crew. I am building with what I have… using what I have. I have had to retire from my lifelong role of perfectionist because I realised that it was a barrier for entry. And barriers block growth. So, yeah, we simply show up and be the best we can in the moment. I believe I have something special to offer you, and to receive from you. Again, join me.
I did the video on a recipe I developed nearly 20 years ago. It’s one that my late Aunty Sheryl, who was the best chef in the family, actually asked me for. I should have known then that I was something amazing in the kitchen. The thing is that I had only eaten quiche once before and I recreated it based on taste and intuition without ever looking up a recipe. It seemed fitting to pick that one. Plus I grew the callaloo inside that same Victory Kitchen Garden I started with my 6yo during quarantine. You ready yet?
Quite on the set! Lights! Roll Tape! ACTION!!!!!
For the actual recipe:
Click here for the printable recipe link here for the printable recipe link
The portrait in this post was snapped by my 6yo, who also told me how to pose.
Loved everything about this post, especially the video! I often have a hard time pushing myself out of my comfort zone but am always glad when I do. Oh and the quiche looks delicious, too!
Thanks ever so much Taleen! It was definitely good to stretch.
Your post is so inspirational. This blogging and video thing can be very hard! I’m cheering you on 🙂 and I love that this recipe uses Amaranth – been wanting to try using this flour! Can’t wait to try!
This recipe uses Amaranth leaves, not the flour nor the seeds. Thanks for your kind encouragement.
Great post! I too have often let perfectionizm hold me back and this is a good reminder to just begin. Great video, and delicious looking quiche!
Thanks for your kind words!
I love this post, you are very inspirational! I’ve dealt with perfectionism as well and have realized that it can be very limiting. Thank you for this post. Love the video too! The quiche looks delicious.
Thanks ever so much Maria. It is scary and yet liberating to just show up and do your best, no matter the outcome.
So nice to see you in front of the camera (and as a 19 year old weather girl)! I love your allegory on the seeds and growth, really inspirational. And absolutely loved the video too!
Stine, you get me on so many different levels, and for that, I thank you.
What a fab post, I have kept away from making videos I feel far too shy but after reading this I might just give it a go. Your quiche looks delicious BTW 🙂
SO happy to inspire you to stretch in areas you feel uncomfortable. Come back and share your videos so we can follow and support you too!
Such an amazing post, you really inspire us to be our best in the simplest we can be. I believe that everybody can relate on this side of yours. The video recipe is really awesome, looking forward to more like it in the near future. Thanks for sharing.
Amy, your kind comments are very, very reassuring. It is important for us to let our light shine in what can be a very dark world at times.
When I was a young mom, I had so many issues with perfectionism. It was stressful all around. Thankfully I’ve grown as the years have gone by, become wiser, and learned to let go of some things. That’s when you can really grow. Yay for growth!
Thanks for sharing that.
Your video recipe looks awesome! Even i like to use the home grown vegetables and leaves. Your quiche looks delicious.
It’s great to hear that you grow vegetables too. Thanks so much for watching the video and leaving a comment.
Thanks. Very inspiring post and great quality video. I watched your entire video and your quiche looks delicious.
I’m always looking for tasty crustless quiche recipes. This one is on our Sunday brunch menu.
Happy to hear you have added my recipe to your rotation!
Love everything about this post! So nice that you grown vegetables, I wish I could! And that quiche looks so delicious 😀
Tatiana, if you want to learn to grow vegetables, come join our Grow Cook Build Bake Create group on FB. We have people growing food on balconies and indoors!
It’s great stepping out of our comfort zone at times when it’s easy to be on camera but also very hard with constant changes. I would love to have a kitchen garden! And be able to make quiches like this one. Wonderful
I believe that I have focused on my other art forms- writing, photography, recipe development, food styling and building other people and now it’s just time to stop doing for others that which I want to do for myself.
It looks incredibly delicious. I wish this keto Crustless Callaloo quiche were in front of me.
You would totally love it. It has a much more complex flavour note than spinach.
Love Love Love your video! You make me smile! Quiche looks yummy not sure I can find callaloo here in Italy but maybe I can use another leafy green!
Jacqueline, that is the BEST compliment I could ever get- that I made you smile. That’s my mission. That’s why I needed to get back in front of the camera. Thank you for getting it. I would use kale instead for a much richer and more complex flavour profile.
Such an amazing post and such a great recipe! Your pictures are amazing and I love that this is keto!
Good for you for challenging yourself and actually making it happen! Very inspirational and you nailed this beautiful dish!
Thanks for reading and sharing the fact that the journey, story and video has touched you. Much appreciated. It is one of my best dishes and completely intuitive.
What an inspirational post this is. Quiche looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing
I need to retire my perfectionism too! Please send notes.
This recipe looks dreamy too. The video was pretty fabulous.
Your video recipe is awesome. I like the idea of using homegrown vegetables. I am just getting started at growing few in my garden but totally inspired by you today.
I can’t wait to try the recipe. Calalloo was a favorite of mine when I was vegan but I haven’t had it in years
Very interesting crust less quiche recipe. Loved that you have made a video too, makes it easier to learn the entire process.
Omg, I know what I’m making for brunch next! This is awesome and I love that it seems relatively easy too. Thanks for sharing!
A crustless quiche would be greatly appreciated at my house, and I noticed I have two amaranth plants that popped up in my garden – I’m cultivating them now. Also, I’d love to be a retired perfectionist – you are so right that it’s a barrier to diving in.
Thank you for this post – it is an inspirational read. The video recipe is great also! And may I say, your 6 year old takes great photos!!
This crustless quiche is delicious! I think I may even prefer it to quiche with a crust!
I’ve been making a lot of crustless quiches recently (I’ve been doing LCHF/Keto) and I almost prefer them to traditional pastry case quiches. I love the flavours you have used here.
Your son took a fabulous picture of you! He’s got some talent! I bet he takes after his mom! This callaloo quiche sounds wonderful! And yes sometimes you just have to use what you got! No crew yet? That’s okay. One day I’m sure you will have one!
I love quiche, its one of my favourite things to make! Now I’m inspired to make another one and yours will be the recipe I use for it. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, loved to know you was a weather girl. Your quiche looks awesome and I loved the face that this is crust less.