Spring Cleaning your Make-Up

This is the time of year where we all start to clean our homes a little bit more.  Perhaps some of us forget about one important thing or things that should be cleaned and purged as well. For those of us that do wear it, make up and all the products and tools that come with it.

The first thing is to take it out of the bag or case that houses all the cosmetic items. Thourogh clean and disinfect it. While that dries I move on to it's contents. I wipe down cosmetic holders ie mascara tubes, eye shadow pallots, blush, etc. At this point, I toss whats old, cracked or expired. Yes, your make up can expire.

Makeup.com by L'Oreal has a great little chart to use when you are cleaning your make up bags out(See image right). If you use your cosmetics past the recommended date of use, you risk bacteria growth and skin or eye infections. And if you have ever had pink eye, trust me, this is a great guideline to follow.

Makeup.com guideline

I would add that some cosmetic items have their own date written on its packaging so you should use that as a guideline for expiration. Here is what that looks like below.

This gives you an idea when you should dispose. When in doubt, get rid of it. Especially if it smells bad or color looks different. This will help avoid unnecessary skin breakouts or worse. 

Last thing to clean are the brushes. Brushes can harbor so much bacteria. I clean my brushes weekly but I know not every one is doing this. So I pray you at least clean your brushes every month to 6 months depending on how often you use them and what part of face they are used on. In my opinion, eye and lip brushes should be cleaned weekly. Facial brushes can be washed every six months but I would say at least monthly. Especially if you already have skin break outs.

So how do I wash my brushes. I use a combination of vinegar, water and two drops of dawn soap. When I don't have vinegar or dawn on hand, I use hair shampoo. Works just as good. Make sure you dry them on a clean towel or hand them with bristles facing down. Let them dry overnight and place them back in a dust free area or container. 

The benefit to purging your cosmetics isn't just healthier skin but you get to go out and buy some new cosmetics. That's my favorite part!

Hope this helps. Happy cleaning and happy shopping. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Happy Veterans Day 2016

This Veteran's Day, amongst the madness in our country, I stand proudly next to my husband,  a United States Marine Corps Veteran, still serving. An  immigrant to this country who joined because he felt an obligation to give back. A college graduate, an outstanding father, a loving son, law enforcement officer and a citizen of service to this great country that he loves so much.  

There isn't a day that goes by where I question my choices in life because they brought me to him.   As an American, he has taught me the value in not taking this country for granted.  Next to loving God, I know I can love this country with great pride because I know he stands behind it. 

My prayers are for all that are fighting right now to not get lost in the drama of thoughtless outspokenness in politics. Remember we all want the same thing more or less. For our country to remain better then most, for the people of this nation to have a say in how this country operates and that equality should not be determined by cashflow, race or gender. Lets not tear each other apart and insight hate, but let us come together. Take the time to thank the selfless men and women in uniform who do what most are unwilling so that democracy can live. Show appreciation to the Gold Star families who sacrificed a family member so that we can all go on living the way we do. Be grateful for what you have. 

To my husband,

You came to this country in search of a better life. You fought in defense of our great nation and still wear the uniform because you believe it is worth standing up for. I have so much respect for you as a person, as a man, my partner and father of our three beautiful children. There isn't a day that goes by where I am not proud and grateful for all that we have. 

If all we have is the roof over our head and the smiles of our childrens faces, we are better then most. Thank you for your service. I love you very much. Semper Fi.

With great pride,

-Elizabeth

Be Blessed, Be happy and Be Healthy!

Microbeads no more!

When you cleanse your skin, you often use an exfoliant of some kind to help slough off dead skin cells. I use to love microbead exfoliants because they are softer on the skin then most scrubs. Especially scrubs that use nut shells or apricot seeds which can be so harsh on the skin. Here are some facts on why microbeads often used in skincare or toothpaste should be banned and has already been banned in some states. See attached link http://beatthemicrobead.org/en/science


Though they are gentler on skin, they pack quite the environmental punch. So try some of these listed alternatives instead.

1. BIORÉ ACNE CLEARING SCRUB

2. PHILOSOPHY THE MICRODELIVERY PEEL

3. MURAD AGE REFORM AHA/BHA EXFOLIATING CLEANSER

4. RENÉE ROULEAU MINT BUFFING BEADS

5. JAN MARINI CLEAN ZYME FACE CLEANSER

6. PERRICONE MD BLUE PLASMA

Or do it yourself with a simple DIY facial/body scrub that is super gentle on skin and easy on budget. 

1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Honey

Use immediately
Gently scrub skin in a gentle circular upward motion
Allow to sit on skin for 2 minutes 
Gently wash away with warm water
Follow with cool water or skin toner
Serum then Moisturize

There are also gentle washable exfoliating scrub pads that you can use to gently rub away dead skin cells on face and body. You can also buy disposable single use pads that come with or without cleanser, like Buf-Pufs. I like the washable scrub pads because they work great, are easy on the pocket and bonus good for environment. Win, win!

Hope you found this informative and that you make the investment for yourself and the environment. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Happy Birthday My Little Ones

Day 2 at hospital

First day home together

First photo shoot

Three years ago today, I gave birth to two very beautiful but early babies. They were born 5 weeks early and weighed in 4.4 lbs and 5. 4 lbs. They were so small, I can still recall how scared I was to bring them home, especially my boy. Seeing them in NICU with all those wires and feeding tubes, I prayed I would be able to bring them home sooner then later. When I was able to bring them home within the week, I was elated. Eight months of doing my best to keep them in but they were finally here and leaving healthy. Prayers answered.

Since that day, we have watched them as they have discovered the world around them, developing what I hope is a life long friendship with their older brother and building a twin bond that is as strong as both their personalities. They fight as much as they do hug and kiss one another. 

Now they are three years old and each showing their own very distinct personalities. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't laugh with the kids. We absolutely love them and though they were a surprise, with many sleepless nights, we also know they are a blessing.  I would change nothing. 

Happy Birthday my babies!  

Mama, Daddy and Nono love you both so much. Thanks for bringing double the love into our lives and filling our hearts exponentially. 

Happy 4th of July

So while everyone gets ready for one of the biggest barbecue days of the year, don't forget one of the most important things. No it's not the ice or the propane, it's SUNSCREEN!

Be sure to apply your sunscreen of SPF30 or higher atlas 20 minutes before you plan on venturing out in the sun and reapply as directed. I suggest every two hours max. Be sure to protect the kids with sunscreen and hats to protect their young skin and scalps. Often we forget to sunscreen our ear and the back of our necks, so be sure to do that as well.

You want to make sure that the sunscreen you are using has a minimum SPF of 30 and that it is UVA/UVB/UVC protective (Broad Spectrum) and water resistant.

TEACHING MOMENT:

UVA - The wrinkle damaging rays
UVB - The sunburning, skin cancer causing rays
UVC - Most dangerous of rays but does not reach earth atmosphere. More man made, i.e. welding or in tanning beds.
NOTE: AVOID tanning beds. It's like sitting on the sun and giving an open invitation to cancer. "Hi Cancer. Come on in!"

Here is what we use in our house to protect our skin.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray

Babyganics Sunscreen spray with SPF50

It's very light weight and is non-aerosol, which is great for the kids and the environment.  We use it all the time and my kids have yet to ever burn even while being in the pool or sprinkler. It contains no PABA , Phthalates, paragons, nano-particles and is fragrance free. You can find it at your local Target, Walmart, Babies R Us or most local chain pharmacies. It comes in about a 6 oz bottle for approximately $9.

Personally, I like that it's non-aerosol. So many times I see moms spraying their kids with this, some directly in the face. I understand that it saves you a lot of time and fussing but your kids are inadvertently breathing this is. NOT good. So I prefer the fuss of rubbing it in over long term possible, we only pray not, problems.

J.R.Watkins Sunscreen

 J.R. Watkins SPF-30 Sunscreen

The adults in the house use this when we want a little color but still be protected.  You still need a little Vitamin D right? I love natural products and J.R.Watkins is known for this. 

Their sunscreen protects against all 3 dangerous sun rays, UVA,UVB and UVC. It goes on easy though you may find it initially greasy it absorbs quickly and is a great first layer to your make up. It contains all-natural titanium dioxide, PABA free, plant based Shea butter with environmental bonus of eco-friendly packaging. It's 95% natural. I'm okay with that. Also, it is fragrance free so you don't have to walk around smelling like a coconut or something else. 

These are my top two because I have used them for over 4 years nor I or my children have ever been sunburn while using them.

You don't have to use these suggested picks but PLEASE be sure to wear sunscreen. The sun still gets in, it just slows down the process of the sun attacking your skin. Reapply often. Wear sun protective clothing and hydrate, it's hot out there.  Most important protect the kids.

Have fun but be sun smart. Happy 4th of July!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

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Remembering Our Fallen on Memorial Day

Today I wanted to comment about what Memorial Day means to me.

Captain John J. McKenna IV USMC 
KIA Fallujah, Iraq, August 16,2006

Several years back, in 2006, I attended the funeral of a fallen U.S. Marine, Captain John J. McKenna, IV. This military funeral was the first one I had ever been to and it definitely stands out in my memory. Not just because of all the people that came to pay their respects to this man that gave his life for a bigger cause. Nor for the beauty of such a somber and sobering ceremony but because I will never forget his mother.

Captain McKenna was her only son. The moment when they handed her his flag and they lowered him into the ground, her wailing cries tore at my heart. Even today as I write this, I still feel her chilling pain, as if it were just happening.

So to me, Memorial day isn't so happy. It's not a day about barbecues or discount sales in stores. Today's a day to be thankful for the men and women like Captain McKenna, who gave their lives so that we can maintain the lives we live. My husband lives with the loss of his friend every day with only a small picture of John in our home to keep him with us. That mother lives with the loss of her son every day.

So I ask that today you take a moment to think about those lives lost. To be grateful for the sacrifices that they and their families made so that you can sit out to enjoy the warm sun, barbecue in their memory and pray for those still out there defending freedom.

To learn more about Captain John J. McKenna, IV see these links below:
Military Room
Military Times
The Daily Beast
Together We Served
Legacy.com

Today, Be Grateful!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful! 

Thanks so much.

Happy Mother's Day

When I was an infant, I relied on my mother. As a small child, I loved my mother. When I became a teenager, I hated my mother. As I grew up in my 20s, I questioned my mother. As I became a mother, I seeked out my mother. And now that I am a mother, I appreciate my mother more then ever. With all her imperfections, bountifully flawed, I choose to only recall the good. She, despite the bad, has helped me become the person, the woman I am today.

Her actions as a mom, both positive and negative, taught me resilience and strength. Power of faith and of ones own resolve. I was not the perfect child, I rebelled in ways that people would be surprised to know. Nevertheless, I came out the other side, stronger, wiser, full of empathy and love. These lessons I bring into my parenting.

Now with three kids of my own, I try to do better. There are days as a mom I feel defeated and question my "mom skills". I wonder if I am doing any of it right.  I've learned that only a good mom would ask herself that because it means we care about our kids, that they matter. When I find myself saying "oh, that mom makes it look so easy." I recall a Ms. Sallie, when i told her, "I just don't want to mess them up." and she simply replied "Oh honey, you are going to one way or another. We can't be perfect." Motherhood comes with no book all though there are a million that will tell us one way or another how to be with our kids. In the end, we all write our own books. So I just do the best I can.

I'm taking the time to know my kids as individuals and am allowing them to teach me as I teach them. I am doing my best to raise them with love and compassion. They teach me to practise patience and understanding. Most importantly they remind me the importance of breathing! When the madness of scheduling for a family of five can seem endless or the kids all screaming for me at once puts me at the edge, I breathe. The crazy passes and then I can tend to the next task or child.

A short note of thanks to my second mother, my sister. She was always there to pick up the pieces where my mom perhaps slipped. She protected me from others and myself. She tried her best to keep me safe. Even in the worst of times as sisters, she always was there for me. She has always been the warm jacket on a blustery winters day. Thanks M for not letting me go out in the snow in high waters.

So Happy Mother's Day, to all mothers out there, new and experienced. For the dads, who have the job of mom as well. Keep it up, your doing great! We have the best salary-less job in the world. We get paid with hugs, kisses and with the bright smiles of our children. For me, that is payment enough.

Enjoy your Mother's Day!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Please take a moment to comment, like, share or Google+ my post. Thanks so much.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since it is Valentine's Day, I thought I would share this body scrub with you all. It will leave your skin super soft and energized. Try it but don't eat it. Or at least try not to eat it. 


Mocha Coffee Body Scrub:

1/2 Cup Raw Sugar
1/2 Cup Coffee Grounds
3/4 Cup Coconut Oil (Hard)
2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
You may add a few drops of Vanilla, Hazelnut or Almond extract to give it your favorite coffee scent. 


NOTE: Try to use Pure/All Natural extracts or essential oils that won't agitate skin. Last thing you won't is a skin reaction.


May your hearts be just a little extra full this Valentine's Day. Blessings and Love to all. #Valentinesday2016 #skinscrub #skincare #diyskincare 


As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!




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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to YOURS. My this holiday remind you of the importance of love and forgiveness, kindness and selflessness as well as courage and compassion. Live YOUR truth. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful.

Christmas Prep time is here.

Christmas, Christmas Christmas is here!

Super excited this year to wake up in the morning and watch the kids dig into their gifts. They are finally old enough to start to experience the joy of the holidays together.

Since the little ones are still in destruction mode, I decided to skip the traditional tree to avoid precious ornaments being broken. Went with a "Frosty the Snowman" themed tree, thank you Pinterest. First I purchased a pre-lit white Christmas tree at Walmart ($40). Never thought I'd ever have a white tree. Then I spray painted some pouch caps and styrofoam rounds black (Walmart $3) for the "coal" and a cylinder orange for the nose. My little boy got at one of the buttons so there are only two belly buttons now. Couldn't find a large enough button for the nose. Improvised with the look of a carrot. Found the hat and scarf at Target in the discount section and used my own rain boots. Tossed some fluff and white tinsel on floor and "Ta da!" Done.

Our Tree version of Frosty the Snowman

Yes, he doesn't have arms. That's only because it's been raining so much here on and off since the flood that the trees haven't had a chance to dry out. And though I contemplated putting them on, I figured they would just end up on floor and kids would wack one another with it. Which is exactly why I am okay with that decision not to give him arms. 

Super glad I went this route for them. They touch the tree a bit to much for my liking. So all my precious ornaments that I have collected through the years or inherited will remain safe, at least this year.  My daughter is always trying to plug it in, screaming "Poopy tree light." I'll explain that in a minute. Or I will find the tree in the middle of the living room because my little boy has pulled it away from its original placement. Tinsel in another room or someone wearing the boots. It's all in good fun and I am glad to see them enjoying the tree even if it means they may play a small part in destroying it. 

I want to explain why my daughter calls the Christmas tree a "Poopy tree". She recently watched Charlie Brown's Christmas but for some reason she connects the movie only with Snoopy. She doesn't call snoopy, snoopy, she calls him "Poopy". And it's with this thinking that I believe that this is why she calls it not the Charlie Brown Christmas tree but the "Poopy tree". It's adorable but we are still teaching her how to say it right and she gets it right more often now.

This will be a quiet holiday as we spend it just our immediate family at home. Still working on what Christmas dinner will be. Not sure I will host Christmas brunch either this year do to some scheduling issues with my husbands job. Plus my time management is awful this month but I will do my best to make it special for them. Once they have gifts they won't care much about anything else anyway. So no pressure. 

If you would like to pamper yourself to release the stress of the holiday try this mask after cleansing. It is a mild exfoliant and humectant so your skin will fell soft and look bright. 

Ginger and Spice mask

1 Tbsp Organic Plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp Organic Pumpkin purée

1/2 Tbsp All natural Pumpkin spice

Apply thin layer to face. (I use a facial brush)  Let dry. Try not to eat it off your face. Wipe with lukewarm water and wash cloth. (Don't rub skin to hard. Gently cleanse away.) Any extra can be saved in fridge for next day. Or I like to use in my hair to brighten and nourish it, just add 1Tbsp Coconut Oil. Smells yum too. 

Hope you all are enjoying the prepping for the holidays. 

Please take a moment to comment, like, share or Google+ my post. Thanks so much.

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!
#DIYSkincare #DIYskinmasks 

A Note of Thanks

This Thanksgiving, I would like to give a note of thanks to those close to me. For my friends and family that have kept ties to me despite the move and all the changes in the past 2 years.

We are blessed to have such a great support system here and to those we kept up North (you know who you are), thank you. Thank you for answering the phone or calling back. For listening to me when I needed an ear or talking just when I needed a distraction from my life. For making trips down to visit when budgets and time are tight.

To my family here, mom, dad, M and Ant, I can never express how grateful we are enough. For coming to my aid on more then one occasion. For answering my every homeowner question. To being better grandparents then perhaps parents. (So jealous. Haha!) My husband and I are forever appreciative of all you have done and continue to do. We know you don't do it for us so much but for the kids so we are all the more thankful.

That's me bottom left.

A special note to my dad who celebrates his 75th birthday today.

Dad you came to America with only a small suitcase and $30 in your pocket. As a son of a farmer from Dominican Republic you came with a dream. Later, you found mom, got married and started to have a family. In the midst of that you brought over relative after relative and started your own business. You continued to help your family back home while building a life for yourself in the United States.

When you look back on these past 75 years, I hope your heart is filled with pride. I know you are not a perfect man but you have been the best father you knew to be and I never felt less from you. Thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for all that you have given to so many. Without you, many people would be living very different lives.

I love you dad. This Thanksgiving, I hope you see and feel that from us all.

To my big brother, I simply say, I love you always.

Happy Thanksgiving.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful! 

It’s PEEL season!!

When the leaves start to fall off the trees, I am reminded of one thing...It's Peel season!

Many of you would like to go to a spa or doctor to turn back the clock but maybe you don't feel you have the time or more importantly, the money to do so. I hear you! Though I believe that peels should be done by professionals, especially the more powerful levels, more and more companies are offering them to non-skin care professionals.  Why? Mostly because people just don't seem to have the time anymore  or money to get it done and at home treatments seems to be the latest movement for DIYers.  There are many different companies out there that sell at-home chemical peel kits. Some of which I have spoken about but be careful, not all peels are of the same quality. 

Chemical skin peels are made up of different strengths for different skin types or concerns. Some can be used by the majority of skin types for mild exfoliation while others are way more specific. Be sure you know what's going on with your skin before attempting one of these at home. If you have open soars or cuts wait until your skin has healed to do a peel. Start off with a very low percentage then work your way up gradually to layering or a stronger peel. Glycolic and Salicylic Acid peels are most common for beginners at 3-50%. TCA 70% or Blue Peels are some of the strongest and harshest peels but those are only done by professionals. For newbies, I like to try an Apple Cider Vinegar peel weeks before to gage how sensitive their skin is and may become. (Give your skin at least a week to heal from Apple Cider Vinegar peel before you try any chemical peel.)

That being said, there are those of you that will still jump right in without testing the waters. So for you, I recommend to please start off low and slow. Work your way up in timed layers. If you are the type of person that thinks, "if it hurts, it must be working", get a licensed professional to do this for you. You may leave it on to long and cause serious and perhaps permanent damage to your skin. Be smart and honest with yourself. Look at your needs as well as your limitations. If you want great skin, take your time to read the instructions and follow them accurately. No short cuts or thinking excess is better when it comes to at-home Chemical Peels. 

There are a few chemical peel companies out there that I have tried and I am okay with recommending. The percentages offered are less then a dermatologists office could offer but they still can cause harm, so again, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. 

Still want to try it on your own? Though I am a bit careful with people that want to do at-home peels, there are great products out there. The key is not to get carried away applying to much, to quickly, to often. 

Now to the brand I currently like and use. 

Perfect Image. Their chemical peels do the job and their recovery products are just as great. This company is strictly about the chemical peel process and skin recovery. They sell and recommend their product lines based on that commitment. The product lines are paraben free, sulfate free, and phthalate free. As an added bonus for you PETA fans, they are cruelty free as well. They have a great Sampler Pack option for those who want to work their way up to a stronger peel. 

As you are looking to shed that summer dry skin, remove sun spots, minimize wrinkles or prep your skin for winter, peels are great for that. You can start anew and have glowing skin all winter long if you follow the instructions, keep a good skin care regimen, exercise regularly, rest well and hydrate both from the inside and out. Also remember that the skin adjusts seasonally,  take that into consideration when looking into peels and the after peel care. I can't say this enough, always apply sunscreen, year round. Especially after doing a chemical peel. 

Before you start any skin care regimen, ask your doctor if there is any reason you shouldn't and learn what would work best for you. Hope you found this informative. Should you have any questions about this or any other skin care related questions, please comment below and I will answer them. 

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share or Google+ my posts. Thanks so much.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Working hard...

Where have I been? It's like I fell into a hole or something, right? Well I have been kept busy and working hard trying to raise a happy family, strong marriage and keep my sanity. Emphasis on sanity.

I would like to tell you that I have had time this summer to watch my flowers grow. That I sat back and relaxed. That would be a lie. I literally have to take pictures of my flowers so I can remind myself that I have a garden. Which is beautiful by the way.

My goodness I have been busy with these kids so much lately. Especially now that they have more going on during the school year. Tending to a million things and needs all at once. Sometimes I even surprise myself by the amount of work I can accomplish with them. However, I often forget myself and my needs in the process. I'm sure if you are a devoted mom (parent) you know exactly what I mean. You become a master juggler for sure. Daily tasks, doing your best not to drop a ball or in my case, a child.

That's where I am at theses days but I have taken some time to continue to tinker with a skin care idea I have. So that is in development and testing stage. I have a few people using it and at the end of 30 days, they will let me know what they think and if tweaking needs to be made. Then I have to pick a name, price out cost for production (at home) starting way small and then a push to build demand. I love it but I have to get all of you to love it too. 

Also in the works, is a children's book that I have written about twins. A great friend of mine will be illustrating for me. If all goes well, we might be able to put it up for sale by Christmas 2016. Fingers crossed!! 

In any case, that is what I have been up to. Would love to hear from some of you? How do you manage to take care of your family and meet your own personal needs or goals? Curious.

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and subscribe to my posts. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

My Cali Style Burger

Light Cali Style Burger

So I love grilling outdoors but I don't always enjoy the heaviness of a burger and hot dogs just don't sit well for me anymore. Yet sometimes, I want the burger feel. You know what I mean? The wrapping your hands around freshly warmed buns and that first bite of what feels like summer. However, sometimes that delicious burger you just bit into leaves you feeling like you swallowed a brick and can't digest it without a gallon of seltzer.

My goal was to come up with something that could freeze as easy as a beef or turkey burger and grill as equally fast. My solution, a light Salmon burger garnished with Guacamole, tomato and Kale sprouts. It's oh so good tasting and oh so good for you.

Here's the thing you could bake some salmon and then make the burgers (more power to you) but I also wanted to save time in the process. So although I usually try to avoid most canned foods, this was a corner I was willing to cut to save time and money.

Recipe to my Cali Style Burger
Makes about 10 patties

2 Cans     Wild Alaskan Salmon (1lb Fresh Sockeye Salmon)
1/4 Cup   Italian Style Bread crumbs
1/4 Cup   Olive Oil Mayonnaise
1 tbsp      Minced Garlic
1 tbsp      Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp     Fresh Rosemary Chopped
1/4 tsp     Salt (optional)
1/4 tsp     Black pepper

Mix with hands and let rest in refrigerator for at least an hour before making into patties. Cook however you like. I usually precook them on stove to ensure they stay together and then freeze for another day. To warm up, I defrost night before and put on the grill or microwave.

To garnish, I like them best with Avocado, Kale Sprouts and Tomato for that extra kick of healthy. It's delicious! Trust me you will love them. Let me know if you have tried it would love to hear from you. And if you put your own twist on it. Always happy to hear new ways of making things.

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share or Google+ my posts. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Happy Birthday my Twins

As of yesterday, the twins turned two years old. Times certainly flies when your going insane. HAHA! All jokes aside, we absolutely love them and tried to show them that each and everyday. Since it was their birthday we tried just a little bit more. We did what they love most,  we went to the zoo and only went to see the creatures they like most, plus a few others for their oldest brother to see too. We had a small get together with family with A Curious George goes to the Aquarium theme. They got their favorite food, PIZZA. Play time in the pool and they had a special cake made by me which I will share the recipe with you here  Foolproof, One Bowl Banana Cake. Topped it with some homemade creams cheese frosting. So good!  Made my own cake topper since I had gone to store and there were absolutely ZERO Curious George party decor items anywhere to be found. So forgive me if it looks below standards, it is Curious George riding a dolphin.

"Big Country"

Here is just a small recap of the day.

My little girl, which her daddy affectionately calls "Big Country" woke up in a bad mood and continued that mood throughout the day. I am convinced that she woke up thinking, I begin my rein of terror today. That thought must be true because when she woke up this morning it was all screams and no this, and no that. Lord give me strength! In any case, I purchased the kids these adorable outfits for their birthday. She wanted nothing to do with her dress. She was pulling at it and trying to lift it over her head. I may have thought she looked so precious but she was like "If you don't get this dress off of me, I am liable to hurt someone!" She wasn't happy until we took it off. Then we put her in her swimsuit only to have her have another fit when we took her out of the pool and take the swimsuit off. When my husband took her out of the pool and brought her in she held on to the door, then the doorways on the way to her room. Then she fought to keep the swimsuit on, swung at us, kicked at us. Finally when it was off she grabbed at it to put it back on. She is a force to be reckoned with for sure and her big personality shows us that each day. She managed to pick herself up after cake and gifts but she struggled mood wise.

"Jumpy McDumpster"

As for my little man, which I affectionately call "Jumpy McDumpster" as he jumps around all over the place and dumps everything, he was so good. He had no complaints. Woke up so happy, as he always does now and played as much as he could. In the pool, he as able to maneuver up and down the slide all by himself sort of. Daddy held his hand as he slid down. He reached out for daddy's hand each time, so sweet. Was easy going when it came time to changing him and didn't mind when we took him out of the pool. He gets that when the fun is over, it's over and we move on.He was so happy when he had his pizza, two whole slices. Didn't eat his cake which was no surprise but he did have his favorite, Watermelon.  He tore through the gifts, taking everything out of its bag quickly examining the gifts as he tossed them to the floor. It was fun to watch.

Over all , a great day for the kids and that it was the day was all about. Celebrating them both and the love that we have for them. Eventually, they will each have their own special day. Two separate parties for two very different people but until then, they just have to share their air space just a little longer. Our kids continue to be the blessing and joy in our lives. Thanks to all that offered best wishes for them on their birthday.

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Happy Mother's Day!

My son asked me why today was Mother's Day. I started by explaining to him that today is the one special day that Mama's are supposed to get some extra special care and love.

As I continued, I mentioned how I wasn't always a Mama. I was Elizabeth and had a very different life.  That Mother's day is very special to me  because it reminds me of a time in my life when everything changed. The day he was born. And that this change will connect us both forever, no matter how far away he may be or how big he may grow. 

Which of course prompted another question, "Why is it special?" I told him " Mother's day is special for me and I imagine many other mother's because they go from being just a woman taking care of themselves to bringing new life into the world or choosing a special child to be a mama to. It's a very big responsibility but we chose it because we have so much love inside that we need to share it or we might burst."

His response, "Mama, you are just like Tarzan's Mama Gorilla." followed by a cuddly hug by my son.

To all the mom's out there, hope you all had a great day and that you were lucky enough to get a cuddly gorilla hug like I did. 

P.S. - This conversation took nearly an hour. #Wouldnotchangeathing 

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Allergy season is upon us

AAHCHOOOOO!!

Well, it is that time of year where some of us start sniffling a bit more, sneezing a lot more and going through boxes of tissues like wild fire through trees. Many of us may feel as if we are trapped in a field of pollen, waking each morning tour cars coated with a sheath of glowing green pollen. Or for some,  it's like digging your face in cats tummy. AAHCHOOOOO!

So what are we to do? There are so many options out there, which do we chose, right. Here are some of the things we use in my house to reduce the affects of allergens.

Keep a dust free home - This is easier said then done but with some work daily on it, we can limit the amount of dust floating around. Also, we changed the air filter to our central air system and continue to clean it regularly for cleaner air in house.

Steam - I can't say enough about this. At night, I take a mist/steam shower with some of my J.R. Watkins Eucalyptus spray to clear out my air ways. Has really helped a great deal. I sleep better at  night for sure.

Local Honey/ Bee Pollen - The kids and I have been consuming more of the local honey in our smoothies and I have seen a difference in the amount of runny noses. I am a big believer in this. The key is using local honey so you build immunity to the local plants/pollen.

NOTE: If you are allergic to honey, I would skip this for sure. 

Echinacea tea - Drink this tea daily or when your feeling a bit under the weather to speed things along. I drink it at least once a week for maintenance and I haven't fallen sick yet. The brands I prefer are Traditional Medicinal or Yogi teas.

Over the counter medicines - Normally I don't go this route but I have moments when it calls for it. At least with the kids for sure. Zarbee's Naturals Cold or Mucus reducer is a brand I use for the kids. If they do catch a cold with cough, I still use it. However, I use Zarbee's Natural Mucus reducer Nighttime for when my 4 year old has difficulty getting to sleep.

NOTE: I like the fact that he can get to sleep with their nighttime relief but it seems to give him vivid dreams. So be aware that this may happen. 

As for the adults, my husband he uses Claritan D and Flonase. But his allergies were so bad this year that he had to seek further help. And since he refuses to eat the bee pollen or honey on a regular, I believe that is why he is worse off.

For me, I am just figuring out what it is I am actually allergic to since when I lived up North I never experienced allergies like this. All I have ever been allergic to before is Latex and Chocolate. Yes, I know. Valentine's day is lost on me.

See your Allergist - The best thing you can do is see an allergist and get tested to find out what it is that is making you feel so awful. If you are okay taking medications, they can help you with that for sure. Or at the least, let you know what it is you are allergic to in order to help you avoid those allergens. Example: If you know that you are allergic to grass and someone is cutting their lawn outside, don't go outside for a few hours, if you can avoid it. Or if the weather person reports that Dogwood is in high bloom, take your medications before heading out or don't go out. Simple right.

Lastly, when its really bad. We just don't go out. Keep windows closed and hang in doors. But that's not always possible. People have to works, kids have to go to school and so on. Life must go on even when your eyes are itching, nose running and throat aching.

Overall, you have many options out there to help you relieve symptoms of allergies. From simple home remedies to prescriptive medications. Be smart and educate yourself on your health. Talk to your doctor about possible natural remedies you can try before jumping in to prescriptive drugs. Maybe that's just me but I like to avoid pharmaceuticals whenever possible.

Hope this helps you. Let me know if you have a home remedy that helps you through allergy season or if you have tried any of the above with positive or negative outcomes. I would love to hear from you.

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

FOR YOUR SAFETY ALWAYS SPEAK TO A DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS OR PRESCRIPTIONS.

My Healthy Orange Chicken

Healthy Orange Chicken my way.

When I was pregnant with the twins, I was craving all things citrus. My poor father went out one night searching for orange creams pops, came back with strawberry and I was so sad. Remember, pregnant = emotional. 

Anyways, my parents introduced me to Orange Chicken from the local Chinese place they order from. I knew of it but never ordered it because well I always thought it was gross. However, pregnant, willing to eat anything and craving citrus, I tried it. From then on, I have been hooked.

Now the thing about this yummy dish is that it's not a food I would feed my family. It's super fattening.  I try to avoid battered and fried when I can. I'm human, I like stuff that's bad for me but I pick my evils. So I looked to The Pioneer Woman, as I so often do for a "Reecipe" (did you catch that?)  and to my surprise she had one but it was breaded and fried. Bummer! So I was about to hit the breaks on that "Reecipe" when I said "What if I use her sauce and just stir fry the chicken and veggies?" 

I started by gathering all my ingredients and prepping them. I started with Ree's sauce recipe. (Yes, I am calling The Pioneer Woman by her first name now. I told you she is my pretend friend. We tight!) I let that simmer for 5 minutes then I turned heat off. I moved on to the chicken. 

This is where Ree and I split ways. (Only for a few minutes.) Dicing chicken into bit size pieces and using a tablespoon of sesame oil in a non stick enamel pan, pepper flakes to taste, tablespoon garlic in pan, I browned chicken. Once browned,  I added frozen edamame, peas and carrots. Covered to cook vegetables for a few minutes.  Lastly, I poor the chicken and veggies into Ree's sauce. (See, I told you we wouldn't be apart that long.) Three tosses in the pan and I am super happy with results. Tangy and sweet with just a little kick from pepper flakes.

Everything was super fast to make and just great tasting with very little food guilt. Not that I have this often but when I can find a healthier alternative I go with it.

Thanks to Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman for inspiring yet another meal in my home, even if it wasn't a complete "Reecipe" (I just love saying "Reecipe.") It was still yum.

F.Y.I. - Sauce freezes well so if you double up the recipe you only have to worry about chicken next time or freeze the chicken browned with sauce for easy microwave reheat meal. Great idea for lunch at work.


For Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman's recipe Click HERE Hope you enjoy either of the recipes but I do hope you will try both and see for yourself. Both are good.


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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Food, fun and Forty!

Here is what I have been up to. 

Mini Pancake muffins

In honor of National Pancake Week/Day yesterday, I made these tasty Mini-Pancake muffins for the kids. Flavors I made were the recommended Blueberry,  Chocolate chip and Banana Peanut Butter Chip. They freeze well and the recipe made 36 mini's. I have to say it was super easy and the kids loved dipping them in syrup and eating them up. I enjoyed a few syrup-less and they were still good. 

The recipe came from one of my favorite cooking shows, The Pioneer Woman. Click here for recipe. I absolutely love her show. She doesn't know it, but we are such good friends. LOL! I've watched her show for a while on Food Network but when we went antenna instead of cable, I am no longer able to watch the show. How I wish she would do a show for PBS. Thank goodness for Netflix and Amazon. I can at least catch up post airing. 

Any ways....My best friend came for a visit to celebrate my 40th birthday (What?). We have known one another for so long that we talk for hours or just sit quietly watching TV or something. It's great fun! This time around many of our conversations brought us to food. Didn't matter how we started, we ended up with "God, now I am hungry" or "Here we are talking about food again." I wouldn't have changed a minute of it. Unlike my pretend friendship with, Ree of The Pioneer Woman, I have known my best friend Lisa since childhood. I was one years old when we met, she, an ancient two years old. We have been friends ever since. If your doing the math, thats 39 years of knowing someone and maintaining a friendship. Crazy cool!  I was discussing a recipe with her when I mentioned The Pioneer Woman. Put it on Netflix and after an episode, she was hooked. We watched the entire first season over the weekend. Thanks Ree!

Natural Chow
Easy Homemade Bagels

Others things I have made this past week. I made a batch of Natural Chow's Easy Homemade Bagels. Click here for recipe. Super easy to make and taste so darn good. They reminded me of the bagels I use to eat in New York. Yes, they are that good.  It adapts easy for added ingredients for flavors. I made Plain Bagels and plan to make Rosemary Olive Oil and Blueberry bagels next. Oh so good! A must try, so please, try it. 

Pepperoni Pizza

Followed that up recipe up with Pizza for kids using a basic pizza dough recipe that I had. I mean I had the flour out so why not, right? My son did most of the work after the KitchenAide mixed the dough and I flattened it out. I think he did a great job. It was no NYC pizza but it was still very good. Most importantly it was fun for my son to make. He was proud of himself. 

If you get a chance to try any of these recipes or have one you really love, I hope you will let me know about it. I'm doing my best to make things fresh for my family and could use some of the best of the best recipes you may have. Sharing is caring. 

So I would say that my last week of my thirties has been spent well with my family, food and fun. Oh I had fun! From my BFF visiting to eating out and pole dancing, (Yes, Pole dancing) it has been awesome! Honestly,  could not have asked for a better way to say goodbye to my thirties. I'm happy, hopeful for what is to come and I wish that those of you reading this, are happy too! 

Talk to you again when I'm officially forty. What, What!!

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!