Perricone MD and Korres Sale today on Hautelook!!! 

I told you of the glories of this website before, and right now they have sales on both of these high-end (expensive) brands. Go check it out, you don't want to miss it! 

This is an invite link, you do not have to use my link (which gives me credit towards purchases) but if you want to (thank you) just click the link below! 

Click here to sign up for Hautelook and shop till you drop!

Balanced Living: Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy is the best thing you can do for yourself. 

We all know this, but for many it's easier said than done. I think time, cooking ability, and finances are the major reasons why some of us pick the cheap unhealthy options off the shelves when we shop for groceries. When on a budget or pressed for time, the last thing someone wants to think about is buying ingredients we may never again use, then proceeding to follow a long convoluted recipe for some dish that promises great things but may not deliver. 

I recently came across this book (thanks to my bestie Julia) which I think is a great resource; especially for people who are trying to save. Many of my friends are students and I know we don't have Whole Foods every day money, so I just knew that I had to share. 

While pursuing her Master's degree in Food Studies at NYU, Leanne Brown wrote a cook book which was supposed to appeal to the person who wanted to eat a variety of healthy and balanced meals every day but stick to a tight food budget. The book is a collection of healthy recipes designed to serve 4 people, that add up to $4 a day. Yes, I said feed 4 people for $4 a day. 

Her book is available for free download as a PDF. 

Click here to download this cookbook for FREE

I've looked through it and I must say, some of these sound really good!

My St. Lucian Kitchen

I love being in the kitchen, if given a choice I would prepare my own meal rather than go out or order from a restaurant. Though the majority of things I cook are not particularly region specific, there are a few West Indian eats that I make all the time. As the foodie that I am I feel the need to share some of those with you.

Here are a few of them, if you want recipes let me know and I will try my best.

Bakes - delicious West Indian fried bread that is amazing for breakfast.

Fried Plantains - though not unique to the West Indies, this simple yet delicious side dish is extremely popular.

Lentils Bullion/Buyon - This is basically a lentil soup that is one of my favorite things. There are many varieties of these, the two most popular ones being with lentils and red beans. I make mine with dumplings and spinach or kale. Traditionally this is cooked as a one pot meal with some sort of meat. 

What are your favorite dishes?

Healthy Easy Smoothie Recipes #2: Red Breakfast Boost

Here we go again! 

I make this smoothie all the time because it is a great way to start the day. The fruit provides lots of energy to give me that kick in the butt I need to get the brain going in the morning. The oatmeal is great as a fiber source and good for slow release energy, the Chia seeds in this recipe are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and the mixed berries are a great source of antioxidants.  

As usual I enjoy using frozen fruit because it is cheaper, they don't go bad in a few days, and they're already cold so no ice needs to be added!

Ingredients: 

1. 1 banana
2. 1 cup almond milk
3. 1 handful of oats  
4. frozen mango
5. frozen mixed berries and cherries
6. 1 tbsp chia seeds 

AgainI just added whatever amount felt right at the time, so it's up to you!. 

I pop all the ingredients into my -neither expensive nor fancy- blender (that's it's official name, in the original dialect), and hit the smoothie button.

Then pour and drink! 

Review: Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil

I tired this product on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. 

As affordable drugstore products go, this is a great substitute for my Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing oil which is my holy grail of all makeup removers. 

I did a video review of this product so.... here it is.

Enjoy!

Lazy Recipes: Roasted Green Beans (or any other veggie you like)

I LOVE roasted veggies!!! 

Ok, I'll calm down on the enthusiasm, but I seriously love them. When prepared properly, veggies can be extremely flavorful and serve as the perfect healthy side to any meal. I know many people just resort to boiling or steaming veggies is an effort to save time, but I prefer to infuse my veggies with lots of flavor and roasting them. That way I keep a nice crunchy texture and get tons of flavor. 

What makes this recipe super great in my eyes is the fact that it takes hardly any time for prep work! 

I do this with any veggie or combination of veggies and it turns out great. Green beans, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower happen to be 3 of my all-time faves.

I did this recipe using flash frozen green beans from Trader Joe's that I thawed prior to cooking.

 I know, I know!!! Frozen? Why not fresh? Well, as someone who lives alone I find it much easier to buy frozen vegetables, and the Trader Joe's frozen veggies are great.... FYI. 

For this recipe (if you can really call it that) you will need: 

Red pepper flakes

3 cloves of garlic

Grape seed oil (you may use a different oil if you prefer it)

Thyme

Rosemary

Salt and fresh ground black pepper 

All quantities of these ingredients depend on your personal taste. 

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
2. Mince or crush the garlic and add to the oil 
3. Add pepper flakes to the oil, and directly shred the rosemary and thyme into the bowl.
4. Wisc everything together and allow it to sit on the counter for a short while. This allows the oil to become infused with the flavors of the seasonings. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the oil mixture to the green beans in a baking dish and toss them to coat every bean. 
6. Cook covered in the oven for 15 minutes. 
7. Uncover the beans, and cook for an additional 10 minutes uncovered, raising the oven settings to broil. 
8. When the beans are roasted to your liking, remove them and allow them to cool. 

Then all that's left for you to do is toss'em up and serve them! 

They taste great, and look like you put in more effort than you actually did.

Enjoy!