Banana Peanut Butter Oat Smoothie

Craving a banana-peanut butter fix?

 

 

 

Here's a yummy, nutritious, chilled, fiber packed drink you can prepare out of your favorite fruit-nutty combo.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 banana

a little less than 1/4 cup peanut butter of choice
1/3 cup  whole grain oats (not instant)
1 tbsp Nutella
1.5 cups Almond milk
Agave nectar or honey for sweetness, desired amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combine everything in a NutriBullet or regular blender and spin till frothy. Transfer to a plastic container if you're using a blender and cover with a lid, chill in the freezer for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Pour in your favorite glass or mug and ...

 

 

ENJOY!

 

  

Green Juice | Post Workout Drink

Ingredients:


1 whole apple, chopped
around 8 pieces frozen pineapple tidbits, fresh not canned
1 whole orange, frozen wedges
a hand full of organic baby spinach
equal hand full of organic kale
1 cup Arizona Green Tea - don't worry this is 0 calories

Combine everything together in a blender or NutriBullet, spin till frothy. Serve in your favorite mug or glass. Keep excess in an airtight container and refrigerate till next use.

Bottoms up!

Oven Chuck Roast

 

Ingredients:

3.5 lbs. Beef chuck roast
seasoning (salt, pepper and Italian herbs)
5 large cloves garlic, minced
1 white onion, chopped
baby carrots
1 large Yukon potato, chopped
ground black pepper
1.5 cup beef broth
1/2 - 3/4 cup red wine, Merlot







 

 

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Season the meat with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning and let sit  - I let mine sit overnight. When ready heat skillet to seer both sides of the beef in canola or olive oil  till well caramelized and  develops a  toasted brown crust. Remove from the heat, set aside and ready the aromatic ingredients.

 

 

 

Sauté garlic and carrots with a dash of salt, stir and let cook for a few minutes then add the onions. Cover and let simmer till onions become translucent then add red wine, let alcohol evaporate then add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Let simmer for a few minutes on low-medium heat.

  

 

 

I just placed the meat in a Pyrex dish since I do not have a Dutch oven. Anyhow at this point remove the veggies from the heat and pour over the roast including the liquid.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, when ready place meat inside and let roast for 2 hours. Add in the potatoes and continue to roast covered for another 30 minutes. This totals 2.5 hours where every 30 minutes I suggest basting the meat with the liquid. When cooking time is up, turn OFF the heat and let it sit covered with foil in the oven for half an hour.  

 

OPTIONAL: blender veggies and basting liquid to serve as gravy over the roast

 

 

 

Slice the roast thinly or however you like. Pour the liquid over the meat to retain moisture and arrange the veggies around it.  

PLATE. SERVE. ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

MU Diaries #2: Go To Brow Routine

natural everyday makeup look  +  winged liner 

Taking a concealer brush I apply the lightest shade under my brows, drawing a line below the brow bone to shape out where I want the highlight to be and where not to exceed with the brow color later, from the thickest part of the brows all the way to the tail. 

Next using an angled brow brush and medium brown eye shadow, I fill in the basic shape of my brows making sure the sparse areas are covered being careful not the over apply the powder at the thickest part of the brows. Do this using a light hand to maintain the most natural shade and shape. At this point I do not pull the shadow all the way towards the tail because I will be applying a different product in this area. 

Next I use a brow pencil to build a little more shape - drawing light, upward feathery strokes to mimic the actual hairs. 

And then I take a smaller brow brush ( preferably dual ended) and a dab of brow pomade to draw a fine, crisp line along the base of the brows, bottom arch, all the way to the tail and filling in this area for a sharp, deeper but natural gradient finish. Lightly brush through the brow hairs (using the spooly end of the brush) to soften the look. I have learned that warming up the pomade first on the back of my hand before using it helps soften it and makes it easier to work with. I apply product by gently pressing the sides of the brush onto the pomade. Defining the bottom of the brows gives them dimension and emphasizes a clean finish :)

Brush through the brows with tinted brow gel to seal the deal and lastly pat on some translucent powder where  the concealer was first placed to mattify the overall look and you're done!

Photo Details:

Products - 

Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette Hidden Agenda  LIGHT

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Mahogany 10

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz SOFT BROWN

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomadee EBONY

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel CHOCOLATE

Brushes - 

Sigma F70 Concealer Brush

realTechniques Brow Brush (from the starter set)

 Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Duo Brush #7

Coastal Scents Medium Eye Shadow Brush (Smokey Eyes Brush Set)

Bella fell asleep while keeping me company ♥♥♥

BTW I got my ring at ALDO Accessories at Westfield Valleyfair Mall

Time to remove the FUN  :(   this is one brow without makeup, I know, I really jacked up my brows by over plucking LOL!

How I do my brows :)

Kitchen Confidentials - Leftovers: Pork Sisig

When you're  pressed for time and cannot prepare a decent meal for the day but you need something on the table rapido, bust out with them leftovers and don't  feel bad about it! :)

It'll take some jazzin up with items you may already have at home in your refrigerator and pantry, a few minutes of your time and Voila! You've got a revamped dish that might just be 'Mom and Pop cafe' worthy!

Last night's leftover: 

Pork Sisig

I placed a single serving amount of leftover Sisig on a plate with a scoop of rice garnished with a couple pinches of crispy fried garlic flakes, topped with one sunny side up egg and cracked black pepper. Prior to plating I reheated the Sisig stove top on a skillet to render the excess fat, discard this. I like to serve this with a side of chili garlic sauce dipping and a tall glass of ice cold water - Sisig is best when heat is mild to moderate spicy. 

Beach/Coastal Theme Mini Cupcake Platter

Running out of party ideas on dessert presentation? Need something not too time consuming, cute, fresh and inexpensive? If you're hosting a beach or coastal theme party and need to give your dessert bar some love... here's how I put this little set up together ---

my own creation for my sister's bridal shower

 

  

What you'll need:

• brown sugar (for sand), the amount depends on the quantity of cupcakes and platter size
• cupcakes (homemade, catered or store bought) topped with Aqua colored icing or any color of your choice
• seashell mold
• white chocolate chips or candy melts 
• food coloring
• small seashells for added decoration
• shallow plastic party platter/tray

What to do:

Follow the instructions on how to make white chocolate candy or refer to other recipes online how to achieve this, just add in a swirl of food coloring before pouring into the mold and allowing to harden. Stick to the color of your motif. This is the only step that will need a little bit of time :)

In a party platter, pour the brown sugar in and spread thoroughly, pack down if you wish. This represents our sand element.*Note: add white sugar if desired to give a more lighter sandy look.

Arrange the mini cupcakes, white chocolate candy shells and real seashells on top of the brown sugar, avoid overcrowding. Set on serving table covered with linen or any material that presents a classic beachy feel.

Other tips:

You may also include a few starfishes, conk shells, tea light candles (consider battery operated ones if there are children around to avoid fire hazard) and such as added decor to your tablescape! A lantern can also give that authentic coastal touch to the overall presentation.

 

Have fun and enjoy the rest of the Summer!