Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Lately......

These are photos of some of the food we have enjoyed lately. Of course, there were a lot of fruits as well particularly avocados, bananas, mangoes, papaya, apples, and oranges. But lately, I have been into baking again and recently I made a type of Chocolate cake that didn't involve white flour and white sugar in it. It is a recipe from the new book we have been reading- "The Guide To Healthy Living". Basically, this would be the first recipe I have tried from the book. Yes, the cake contains Garbanzo beans or Chick Peas and the verdict, it wasn't too bad after all. I would make it again next time. If anyone is interested in a recipe, let me know. It is a healthier version of a cake and only contains few ingredients. Some people might not like it, probably because of its texture, but we all liked it. Even my very picky-eater little man thought it was good. He didn't even know it has chickpeas in it. Next time, I might experiment with adding some pureed Beets and Sweet Potatoes. Hmm... We'll see!

Instead of using white sugar, the recipe calls for a different type of natural sweetener   (not Splenda), but I only had Agave and Pure Maple Syrup on hand so that's what I used. Sweet! It is a proof that living a healthy life doesn't mean you have to stay away from eating chocolate cake. It just needs a few tweaks or changes of ingredients. 

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We have also enjoyed a lot of fish lately. Even though we are far away from the ocean, it doesn't mean we can't enjoy some salmon. Frozen salmon that is that we fish at the store. Not too bad! 

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Roasted Asparagus with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar and breaded Flounder fish. 

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But of course, if you're a Filipino like me, you will always crave for some Pandesal. These bread doesn't last long in our household. This time, I have tweaked the recipe a little bit and used half Whole Wheat and half Bread Flour with some milled Flax seed. Also, I didn't use white sugar in this bread and I used Agave Syrup instead. Yes, I know. We have been buying a lot of Agave Syrup these days. It's supposed to be good for your body instead of white sugar. 

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Star Bread is another type of bread that we have back home in the Philippines. I miss it so much that I thought I would some my own. Ah! It pays to know a little bit about baking. And look who else was excited for some freshly baked bread? 

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And lastly, the most awaited Chocolate Ice Cream. Yaye!!!! We haven't had some in what seems like ages so we decided to pick up a Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream the other day. Oh yes! We deserved it, didn't we. Look how happy my kids are. It definitely puts a smile on their faces and mama's too. 

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Before I end this blog post, I would like to say that my thoughts and prayer go out to the people in Moore, Oklahoma. It is heartbreaking to see such devastation. Please be safe everyone! 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Product Review: Adventure Hat

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I know it is no longer the winter, but when I had the chance to pick out a hat that I would love from the ADVENTUREHat.com, I picked out a The Lauren Floppy Wool Hat by Cov-ver. I have always wanted to have a black hat for the winter with a wide brim and never got around to purchasing one until I got lucky the other day. The Adventure Hat sent me this lovely number, which is perfect for the colder months and is perfect for traveling as well. I just pack it in my bag without having to worry about my hat loosing its shape and it doesn't take up a lot of space.  The floppy hat is lightweight and made from waterproof Australian wool. 

Hats are not only an accessory, but they are also a necessity. A hat offers protection from the sun because honey you don't want those crows feet showing up on your face or around the eyes. It pays when you take good care of your skin, am I right? Not only the Lauren floppy wool hat is functional, but it is stylish too. Just like the rest of the hats available at the ADVENTUREHat.com

By the next winter, I don't have to worry about buying another hat anymore because I have a new one in black color that I can switch around with my other brown hat. Next on the list, a new Fedora hat for the summer. **wink** To all of you lovely fashionistas out there, ADVENTURE Hat is a place to shop for functional yet stylish hats. They offer a wide variety of hats for men, women, kids, to even pet's hat, and available in different styles. Shop now! 
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Product Feature:
The Lauren floppy hat is made from waterproof Australian wool and features a wide brim for sun protection. Travel the world with this hat! Pack it away and shake it out at your destination. Features a satin inner adjustable size band for a perfect fit. Brim size is 4". Made by Cov-ver Hats.

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Thank you, Adventure Hat! 

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Product Review: Enhance Your Beauty With Mineral Hygienics

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About two months ago, the people of the Mineral Hygienics were so wonderful when they sent me a few beauty items, particularly some Mineral Make-Up Foundation and a Full Coverage Kabuki Brush.

I have mentioned before that I am not a fan of using foundation because I don't like the feeling of foundation on my skin and the way it looks. I would rather just go with the eye concealer, shape my brows, eyeliner, lip moisturizer or a little bit of lipstick and I am good to go. But when I had the chance to try the Mineral Hygienics product, I was very impressed. I love that it is in a loose powder form and to me it is easy to apply on my skin and I am surprised at how it doesn't leave my face dry and flaky. The Mineral Hygienics foundation is light and smooth on my skin and it stays on the whole day without having to retouch my makeup. 

Whenever I use the Mineral Hygienics foundation, I would apply a little bit of the product on my face, then I would slowly add some more if I needed to. Usually I would end up using a little bit of the powder because just like it says, a little goes a long ways. I don't like to put on a heavy foundation and I like to keep it natural looking as much as possible. So far, Mineral Hygienics is the only foundation I have in my beauty kit right now. The reason why I picked out two different tones- the Light Tan and the Medium Tan because my Filipina skin tends to be lighter during the colder months, and tanned during the warmer months. I am a happy and satisfied customer with the foundation I got, but I have a little bit of a problem with the Kabuki brush. The Kabuki brush tends to fray whenever I use it and little bits of hair get all over my face, but other than that I love the Mineral Hygienics product. And yes, I would recommend it to people who are looking for some natural cosmetics that are absolutely wonderful. It is worth the hype! 

- I don't have any skin irritations or breakouts when using the product. 
- A little foundation goes a long way. 
- Based on my own experience, the Mineral Hygienics foundation stays on the whole day without touch-up. 
- It is Made In The USA. 

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Mineral Makeup Ingredient List

Mineral Hygienics not only uses the purest minerals, but we strive to use as few ingredients as possible and strictly adhere to using Natural Ingredients. We have proprietary knowledge that enables us to make better products with out using special binders and fillers. Feel free to compare ingredients, but you'll never truly understand the difference until you've experienced Mineral Hygienics first hand. 



To see a chart of showing our competitors ingredients, CLICK HERE. We simply can not be beat! 

Below is a listing of our products and it's corresponding ingredients.

Foundation:
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Zinc Oxide
  • Mica
  • May contain:Iron Oxides and Ultra Marines
Mineral Hygienics is the most natural cosmetic a woman can wear. They are loose powders formulated from crushed minerals extracted from the Earth with no fillers added.
  • Does not contain harmful chemical additives, harsh dyes, or man-made fragrances — thus limiting the risk for skin allergies
  • Completely free of irritants such as talc, bismuth oxychloride, dyes, parabens, mineral oil, salicylates, carmine, synthetic fragrances, methylparaben, petro-chemicals, and many other questionable chemicals commonly found in other make-up
  • Non-organic, inert materials don't allow mold or fungus to grow, extending the shelf life far beyond most other types of makeup
  • Ingredients adhere to the skin's surface and are not absorbed — so you can have full day coverage without it clogging your pores or building up within your body
  • Natural ingredients are recognized by our bodies
  • Synergistic blends capable of replenishing, revitalizing, and protecting skin
  • So gentle on the skin, it is recommended by Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and Estheticians after plastic surgery, dermabrasion and skin resurfacing
  • 100% chemical-free natural protection from the sun's damaging rays
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Aside from getting the Light and Medium Tan Foundation, they also sent me the Silk Translucent Finishing Powder, and Warm Kiss Mineral Enhancer. The Silk Translucent is perfect for finishing your makeup and makes your skin look silky smooth, while the Warm Kiss Mineral Enhancer gives you that healthy sun-kissed glow to your skin without being too exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. 

Listen, I am no beauty expert or a makeup guru, but a SAHM. And when I come across a product that I think you out there would also be interested in, I always love to share it with you and this product is worth the try. I hope it works for you too. 

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In case you are having trouble finding the right foundation for your skin tone, Mineral Hygienics will help you choose the right one. Shop now! 

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Thank you, Mineral Hygienics!

Visit their website today to learn more about their products and the benefits of using the natural mineral makeup. 
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