Happy 2013!!!

Happy New Year 2013!

Hello my loves!  Its a new year and I must admit that I have not blogged in quite some time.  A bit of a sabbatical I presume which can indicate one of two things.. I did not have much to talk about over the last year, or I've so much to talk about that I haven't had the time to jot it down and share.. hummmmm... well, for all of the inquiring minds that want to know or that care :)  stay tuned.... I believe I have some exciting info to share with you this year....

ttys...

I hope you all had an amazing start to the new year and may God's favor meet you at your doorsteps!

Chanel meets Under Armor?

Under Armor and Chanel?  Who knew...

One of my fav designers, Chanel and a not-to-shabby, pretty cool performance gear company!  I remember when Under Armor started... Their office was in the same building as the comapny I worked for at the time. Wow how time flies.

Great Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs!

Hi there!

Happy Good Friday!  Can you believe spring is in full effect?  This week, I reverence the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   


Here is a great guilty free :) recipe for some great homemade Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs.  This are very similar to a the popular Reese Peanut Butter Easter Eggs but are made with 65% pure dark chocolate, no processed sugar and some additional minerals!

Here is what you need:

Filing:


1 cup Raw Peanuts

1/2 cup of hydrated dates (about 4 or 5) pitted

Dash of Celtic Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt

1/2 tsp of Raw Coconut Crystal by Coconut Secrets
1/2 tsp Coconut Oil

1 tsp of Organic Flax Seed Oil


Coating:

Vegan Chocolate Chips (60% or better)

Extra stuff:
Parchment paper or non-stick foil

What to do:
 
1.  Combine all of the filing ingredients in a a mini Ninja or food processor for a delicate chop.  Once the filing is nice and smooth, scoop out with a spoon and mold into egg shape.  Set aside.
 
2. Next, melt the chocolate chips on simmer in a small sauce pan.  (You can add a small amount of coconut oil to thin the chocolate a bit.)  Dip the peanut butter egg molds into the warmed chocolate until fully coated. 
 
3.  Place each egg on non-stick foil, cover and place in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour or until hard.
 
Serve!!!
 
TIP:  If you want crunchy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs,  set aside a portion of the raw peanuts and just crush them and add them to the mixture AFTER its been blended right before you make the molds.
 
Enjoy and Happy Easter!

5 Ways to Cut Liquid Calories

 Are you drinking your calories away? 

Here are my Top 5 Ways to Cut your Liquid calories:

1.  Avoid Soda!  Do you know that the average can of soda contains 32 teaspoons of sugar and that it will take 32 8 ounce glasses of water to neutralize your body's pH?  If you drink soda, giving up 2 cans of soda a day can cut back about 300 calories as well as lower your sugar intake.  Try opting for a less sugared drink.

2. Cut out sweetened and artificially sweetened Fruit Juices!  Most fruit juices on the market today are not natural juices, contain only about 10% fruit juice, are loaded with processed sugars and are the furthest thing from a nutritious drink.


3. Avoid the fancy coffee and donut shop drinks.  Yes, I know the latest frappuchino, latte or blended fruit smoothies sounds really enticing, however, most of them are loaded with unnecessary calories and sugar. 



4.  Add fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice to your water.  I keep fresh lemons and limes in my home at all times.  Fresh lemon or lime juice is a great compliment to your water.  Both of these fruits help to eliminate toxins from your body, aid in digestion and can assist in helping your drop a few extra pounds!


5. DRINK WATER!  Water should be your best friend.  It helps with so much in your body. It keeps everything flowing.  Our brains are about 85% water.  If you are dehydrated or near dehydration, then your brain can suffer.. not to mention the normal flow that is necessary in our bodies.


So... Drink up and Enjoy!

Amazing Artist: SoHo NYC

This weekend while shopping in SoHo, NYC for my birthday, I came across the most amazing work by artist Isack Kousnsky. I also had the pleasure of meeting Isack, a very friendly, unassuming artist! Each piece was a breathtaking, captivating creation that had me speechless. His artwork captures moments in time of natures natural occurrences and amazing views of various landmarks with a colorful spin. I love discovering expressions of art.


Art gives you a glimpse into the soul and mind of its creator. When you find art that speaks to you on a deeper level, its soul stirring.


You can check out his work here: http://www.isack-art.com/


Here is a sample of Isack's work:

Central Park B&W with Pink, by Isack Kousnsky

I will be purchasing a piece in the near future! I am so excited!

Amazing Kale Chips Recipe!

Ingredients:
1 bunch organic kale (cleaned and chopped to form "chips")

1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
pinch of crushed red pepper

Directions:
1.Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2.With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, pepper and crusehd red pepper.

3.Bake until the edges of the kale are brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

and Viola!!!!

Did you try them?  What do you think?

Cabbage, Mango Smoothie... Who Knew!

Hi Everyone!

So... don't get scared now, but I have a new smoothie for you that I think you may like!  Its a combination of Cabbage, Mango, Grape and Lemon!

What you need:
1/2 head of cabbage
1 mango
1 cup of red or green grapes
Lemon (juice, pulp and zest)... I LOVE lemons!
Water
*Mint leaves for garnish-- if you like the "extra" things in life as I do :)
*Honey or Coconut Secrets to sweeten if desired. 

What to do:
Blend the cabbage and water.  Add additional ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth.  (I use my Vitamixer).  Check out www.qvc.com to purchase the Vitamixer! Right now, its on Easy Pay so its a great time to get this on a payment plan!  Click here for the link: QVC

The next time I make this, I will take a picture.. in the meantime, enjoy this "simulated" pic of what it should look like! :)

Heart Dis-ease, the Silent Killer?

Hello Everyone~

I came across this amazing video today by Dr. Crandall, a heart disease specialist.  Heart dis-ease is a silent killer for many.  This video gives some great advice on how to prevent heart dis-ease and heal yourself from heart dis-ease.

Dr. Chauncey Crandall is Chief of the Cardiac Transplant Program at the world-renowned Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. and practices interventional, vascular, and transplant cardiology.  Dr. Crandall is known as the “Christian physician”, and has been heralded for his values and message of hope to all his heart patients.


Please take the time to listen in on the video by clicking here.  If may save your life or the life of your love one.

~in loving memory of Tyrone R. Mason (July 14, 1940- September 18, 2011)

Confessions of a Mascara Junkie: Part I

Hello:  My name is _______________ and I am a mascara junkie with no desire to recover.  Anyone else out there like this?  Well, if you are and if you are anything like me, you are always on the quest for your next best mascara fix.. the one that promises to lift, curl, volumizes, strengthen, thicken, define, separate... you know the drill.

Recently, I purchased this amazing mascara by Smashbox from Ulta AND it was 1/2 price during the week I purchased it.  Good deal right?   Anyway, any good mascara junkie knows that it's all about the brush AND the formula.  This mascara wins on both ends.  The mascara has a unique flexible dual brush and comb applicator. You can use the brush side to build and thicken, then follow with the comb side to define and lengthen.  The formula is an amazingly rich highly pigmented black that last the duration of the day.  It literally coats your lash in one swoop.  After that, I go back and seperate with the comb side.

My SCORE for this mascara is:  5 STARS



TIP:  Use Christian Dior mascara primer as a base coat.

Good Luck and happy lashing! 

Shoes, Shoes and More Shoes!

Ok, so if you know me, you know about my love for SHOE's... and not just any shoes, but nicely crafted, artistic, sophisticated shoes!  One of my favorite Italian designers is Casadei.   This stilleto pump by Casadei is a thing of beauty!

Check out these AMAZING black suede pumps by Casadei:



This is a classic style with an amazing air of elegance.  The shoe also comes in black patent and blue suede.





What do you think?  Definitely one to add to my life ....  :)