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sweet potato muffins
So let’s say you’re looking for a new muffin recipe. You’ve tried blueberry, banana nut and even chocolate chip (I mean who doesn’t like chocolate chip muffins?). You want something healthy, but you don’t want to sacrifice taste. These sweet potato muffins are not too sweet, can be topped with butter, honey or even granola for an ideal side to brunch, lunch or in between. It’s made with shredded sweet potatoes, Splenda sugar blend and coconut oil, adding to your much-needed fiber intake and cutting the calories. Let’s get started! This recipe makes 12 muffins, but you can halve it or triple it depending on how much you need (especially…
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sadness with a side of proud
My sisters and I are close. I am confident to say we are best friends. So when I dropped her off at the airport yesterday so she can start her next chapter in LA, I was overwhelmed with a full course of sadness with a side of proud by the thought of being 1,400 miles away from my best friend. Back when we were in college, trying to figure out where our life was going to lead us, we unconsciously met up in Dallas, Texas and began what I consider to be one of the most fulfilling, inspiring, beautiful and truthful friendships I will ever experience. My sisters are my…
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squash lemon bars
I’m intrigued by baking recipes that contain vegetables in it like beets, zucchini or sweet potato. Sometimes they are awesome and others are just plain gross. This recipes folks, is fantastic. Why? Because you can’t taste the vegetable 🙂 When you try these lemon bars, you would never think they have grated squash in it. Squash is packed with beta carotene, an antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals as well as lutein which helps in preventing various eye problems like cataracts disease. We’re not getting any younger folks. Now that we know the good stuff in it, let’s get down to business. First let’s get our ingredients…
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end of summer hair
It’s September and although fashion has switched gears to sweaters, leggings and boots, it’s still 100 degrees where I’m at. The last thing I want to do is use a blowdryer, flat-iron or curling iron to add more heat, so I’ve been letting my hair loose and natural (with a few products of course). Here’s how you can do this end of summer hair. First let’s get the basics down. My hair is thick, coarse, chemically treated and naturally wavy with some lovely frizz added in. Although there are different hair types and textures, the perfect product cocktail can give you these results. Step 1: Wash hair with a sulfate-free shampoo.…
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banana coffee cake
“Hey sweetie? Could you do something with these bananas before they go bad?” “um, sure, how about banana bread?” “No… I don’t know… Just make something with them.” That’s the direction I received before making this super yummy banana coffee cake. Technically it’s kind of banana bread, but with sugar and cinnamon and all sorts of other spices. Plus it’s perfect with a good cup of coffee. Mornings just got better. First let’s get all our ingredients ready: Mixing wet ingredients first and then add the dry ones. That batter looks pretty tasty. Add some nuts and stir together. The recipe called for walnut but pecans would’ve worked as well. Spread…
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let’s talk: best face serums
Up until recently, I thought face serums were an unnecessary added step to a beauty routine that was already crowded enough. Cleansers, primers, moisturizers, SPF’s, the list goes on and on. In the summer, who wants to put another liquid that’ll cause even more oiliness? Not me. When I started getting samples in my Birchbox and reading about them in trade and consumer magazines, I found myself paying attention to this super power of a product. It’s almost like a smoothie and chia seeds. Do you really need it? No. Will the addition of chia seeds give you benefits like no other? Yes. Serums are the same way. *here’s an article about…
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remembering…
I remember hearing the alarm clock go off at a time my body is never ready to get up. I put on decent clothes that I hope matched and lazily applied enough makeup to look presentable for the office. As I start the engine and drive to work, I turn on the radio and listen to the DJ’s talk gossip about The Bachelor and American Idol, make jokes about being Mexican and poke fun at each other. This was the best DJ crew to wake me up in the morning and make me laugh. That show was Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. We all heard the news this weekend about Kidd…
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my trips: huatulco
Last week was our annual family vacation where we just eat, sleep and enjoy one of the beautiful beaches in Mexico (we tried Jamaica once and the experience just didn’t compare). This year our destination lead us to Huatulco for the second time and it was just heaven. The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms the entire week we were going to be there and only ended up raining once, in the evening. Take that weatherman! Aside from the beautiful beach and ocean, we stayed at the Dreams Huatulco hotel and the infinity pool overlooking the ocean was all I needed. The rooms were comfy and they even hooked us…
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a night in for one
I come home after work on a Friday night and sit on the couch petting Mya. I already know it’s going to be that kind of night, a night for one. I walk to the bathroom, picking up bubble bath, oils and a pillow on the way there to avoid multiple trips. As I turn on the faucet, the warm water just tempts me with visions of relaxation. As the water fills the tub and the smell of the luxurious bubbles fill the room, its time to set the scene. I walk to the living room and turn on the music channels. Jazz sounds about right to set the…
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better to be late or early?
Being on time is not the answer. It’s been drilled in my head that its proper etiquette to be on time for things. However, I’m Mexican and Mexicans are always late. I’ve heard it is the same for Italians and what do you know, I’m Italian too. I remember growing up and being a part of the high school marching band (yep, I know what you’re saying to yourself and yes I played flute) and how being on time was such a huge deal. I was to be on the field (in our case, the school parking lot), in my spot with my instrument ready to go when 9 am…