Sunday Morning Coffee Cake

This morning I wanted to whip up something special for my sweet husband so I made a simple quick Coffee Cake! It was DELICIOUS!!! I could have eaten the whole pan! Such a great recipe and perfect for breakfast or a brunch. See the recipe HERE.

Two things I altered to make it my own was:
-Add 1/3 cup of 0% Greek Yogurt to the batter. (Sour Cream would work fine too!) I wanted to make sure it was moist and add some yummy protein as well.
-Also, I layered the batter and topping. I put a layer of batter in the pan, then sprinkled a tablespoon or two worth of the streusel topping. Then added on the final layer of batter, then finished by topping the whole cake with the remainder of the streusel topping.

Don't forget your cup of Joe to go with it! :)

Have a Sunny Sunday! :-)

Orange Muffins

I love just about anything orange or orange flavored and I found this recipe a while back for amazing fresh orange muffins. The coolest thing about this recipe? It requires the use of a WHOLE orange. Peel and all and it delivers the best, most, flavorful orange muffins ever!!!! Find the recipe here at Food.com. I don't change anything with this recipe other than what size I make as it is simply perfect as is. It makes wonderful regular sized muffins but also spectacular large muffins. I divide the batter evenly among Ramekins and bake a little longer until done to the toothpick test. Enjoy for breakfast or even as a dessert! :) Yummy in my tummy!

Combine wet ingredients with whole orange in a food processor.

Prep Ramekins or muffins tins with non-stick spray.

Combine dry ingredients into a separate bowl.

 Combine wet and dry ingredients together in a large bowl until completely combined.

 Divide batter evenly among baking dishes or muffin tins.

Let cool slightly but still enjoy while warm :) Mmmmmmm

I'm hungry now! Bye!

Seeing more dry flakes than snow flakes this winter?

Winter can take such a toll on our skin and hair, especially for those of us who live in very cold, dry climates. Don't fret my cold weather beauties, I have come up with a great budget friendly beauty plan to battle those blistery winds and crackly limbs this winter season!!

The Body
Eucerin - Daily Replenishing Lotion. This formula is the best for over all moisture for arms, legs, feet, and don't forget your back side! Its non-greasy, absorbs quickly and spreads oooh so smoothly. It's fragrance free and non-irritating! Find it at any local drugstore $8.

Hair
Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Replenishing Mask. I love using this mask once every 1 to 2 weeks. Its not a heavy formula but it will add moisture, shine, and replenish your locks to their fullest while building strength in each strand! Wal-mart $5! Bargain!! 

Face
Aveeno Active Naturals - Smart Essentials - Nighttime Moisture Infusion. I use this moisture locking cream at nighttime all over my face and neck and a little pinch goes a long ways. Its lighter than most creams I've tried and absorbs quickly. Its non-greasy and I never breakout from it. It smells heavenly and gives your face a good nights rest to wake up refreshed and replenished! Drug store find or Ulta for $16.

Lips
C.O. Bigelow - Rose Salve. I SWEAR by this stuff. I use it daily!! It will make your lips soft and supple. Another great thing about this little tin of magic is you can apply it to any of those stubborn dry areas such as elbows, knees, cuticles, etc! This is a must buy! Bath and Body Works $5.50.

Hands
First Aid Benefit (F-A-B) - Ultra Repair Cream. I bought the travel size formula and I keep it right by the kitchen sink. Its a thicker cream but it is the only one that will do the trick on my hands and last! No parabens, harsh chemicals or colorants. Safe for sensitive skin! Sephora $12. 

Head to Toe
Evian Mineral Spray - Moisturizer. I adore and use this product year round and ALL over my body; Face, Legs, Arms, Hands, Shoulders, even my Hair! This magnificent spray gives you that uplifted quick moisture boost you need and you are out the door. I love to spritz it on my face even after I've applied all my make up and if I ever get those stubborn fly-aways, I spritz it on my hair and away they go! What better way to moisturize than with mineral water! Ulta $11. Also available in small travel size bottle! I keep both sizes in my house.


**Don't forget to be drinking at least 1/2 your body's weight in ounces of WATER per day!!
150lbs = 75ounces of water PER DAY! Yes, per day! Your body will thank you for it. Trust me!


Relieve, Protect, and Replenish. Happy Winter! :)

Look Alike!

As you all know, I love to shop in a "Parallel Universe" meaning, I love to find a popular style, sometimes designer, and find its twin in a more wallet friendly form.

Today's Look Alike is the Woven Camel Cross-Body Bag. I love getting People's Style Watch Magazine every month and drool over all the popular brands but, its gets my wheels turning and I look for the hottest styles on a budget. Here is what I found in the February edition...

SR Squared by Sondra Roberts Woven Camel Cross-Body Bag. $65.00. irresistibles.com
 

 

Its twin is:

Women's Cross-Body Saddle Purse in Natural. $19.94. Oldnavy.com

An adorably simple bag that will go with everything. Save some cash with the twin and head out to lunch! :)

Happy Twin Shopping!

Cheap Beauty Finds

I felt like I needed to make a quick stop at Walmart and pick up some inexpensive favorite and new beauty products! There are so many awesome products out there that will do just the trick from lip balm to shampoo that perform just as well as high end products but save you tons of cash!!

Here is what I snagged:

1.) Eco Tools Loofah Bath Sponge. Its made out of 100% recycled plastic so, its a good value and we are helping the world reuse what its got without producing more waste! Bonus! $1.97.
2.) Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. I use this once a week to get all the product build up and whatever else is hanging on to my locks out! Its strips your hair of all its natural oils as well so make sure you follow up with a good conditioner. $4.24.
3.) Faux Leather Head Wrap. I found this lovely image online and wanted to find a cute headband to mimic it! So I found my bargain buy at Walmart! $4.97.
4.) Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Cherry Me. Want a smooth lip balm with SPF 20 and a slight tint with some yummy color? Maybelline has done it all right with their new release! Comes in 4 colors and 2 clear with all different scents. $2.97.
5.) Cetaphil face cleanser. This cleanser will get all the dirt, oil, and makeup off without drying or stripping your skin of what it needs. Its been around forever, so you know its good! Its very gentle and I love to use it at night. $5.97.
6.) Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Icy Nude. A great everyday nude lipstick with a hint of shimmer. Its great to wear as a hit of color alone but will pick up pigments in lip liners or glosses if you choose to pair it with one. $6.48.

All these products are sure to last me for awhile too as some I won't use every day.

Total Beauty Shopping Cost: $26.60!!!! Bargains!!!

Think Green - Green Monster Smoothie

Starting the new year I wanted my body to be a lean mean green monster machine!
I found a recipe for a Green Detox smoothie but of course, made it my very own. This smoothie is not only surprisingly delicious, it's lean, contains TONS of vitamins and minerals, and you can drink it daily. It is going to give you glowy skin, boost your immune system, cleanse your body of toxins, the benefits are endless not to mention a delicious drink!

Amy's Green Monster Smoothie

1 Frozen Banana (peel and slice before freezing)
1 Kiwi
1/2 Cup of Baby Spinach
1/2 Cup of Kale (ribs removed)
3/4 Cup of Orange Juice

Blend well in blender until very smooth. Add ice cubes after blending to keep cold while sipping.


Enjoy! You're feeding your body what is needs!

New Years Resolutions? Solutions?

Image from
fineartamerica.com

Okay...I'll be honest, I'm not one to usually make New Years resolutions but, I may have changed my own mind this time around. I wasn't planning on making resolutions this coming 2012 but then I thought to myself, wait a minute, this is the perfect opportunity for me to think only about "Me!" There isn't always room in the hustle and bustle of life to stop and think about yourself and the wants and desires you have for your life and future and the New Year gives us just that! Allow yourself to brainstorm solutions to problems or ideas and set out to resolve!
Resolutions can be big or small, easily tangible or hard to reach! It gives us something to look forward to and again, gain personal grown and achievement! Also, keep in mind it doesn't have to be something new! If you have had great success on your vegetarian diet through 2011 and want to continue, make that your resolution!

 Note to self: if the goal isn't achieved, well...there's always next year right?!!

Here are a few of my 2012 New Year's Resolutions and Solutions!

1.) Drink LOTS more water.
2.) Re-evaluate finances. I'm going to be a first time momma in 2012 so, the bank account is going to be changing quite a bit for our new bundle of joy! :)
3.) Remind myself more often of all the wonderful joys I have in my life. Big or small. Its a good feeling and reminds me of how far I've come and the obstacles I've tackled like a linebacker! (examples, the yummiest chocolate chip cookie ever made by the world's best husband, and Women's rights! - Okay, I'm 26 but think about it...I'm grateful!!)
4.) Find a new charity/foundation to support and be apart of.
5.) Discover a new hobby I can do with my husband. <3
6.) Blog more!!

Let me in on your New Years Resolutions or why you don't make them! Remember, your opinion counts, its what makes you, YOU!

Happy 2012!!!!!!! <3 Amy