Friday, November 29, 2013

The beginning of the holiday season


There's something about a lit candle in a dark room on a cold night that just makes everything better. On Thanksgiving night, I was staring at this candle when I suddenly realized how happy I was. It came as a wonderful surprise as I haven't felt that way in a long time. So there I was, in the company of my loved ones and of course, delicious food, I was happy and worry-free. All the stress and frustrations I was bottling up floated away - it was the best feeling. I knew that it wasn't going to last, but I didn't let that stop me from enjoying the moment. In that instant, it was simply an amazing feeling

Maybe it's the holiday season, but I just feel extremely touched and thankful for everything and everyone in my life. I honestly could not have asked for anything more. 

Aside from the holiday season being a time for giving, I think it is also a time for reflecting. Looking back on the year, it is important to celebrate our triumphs while recognizing our mistakes and failures. I believe that, in doing so, it will help us grow into a better person.

With that said, it was really the candle that made me take a step back and realize what I was feeling at the moment. On a much lighter note, my new favorite thing is burning candles. I think candles are great at setting the mood because they create such a bright and calming atmosphere. Besides, it's a lovely addition for any occasion, especially around the holiday time! 

I hope you are excited for the holiday season as much as I am :)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

What's in my bathroom

From left to right:

Cranberry Mandarin candle
Smells soo good and I like that it gives my bathroom a pop of color!

Dove body wash in Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena
Refreshing and light scent and is gentle enough for those who have sensitive skin

Johnson's body lotion in Shea and Coco butter
I mostly use this for when I get out of the shower and it keeps my skin soft and it smells so good!

Biore pore strips
Does not get rid of blackheads, but I still use this occasionally to clear my pores.

Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer with SPF 15
An okay product- even though it says it's for combination/oily skin, I usually find my skin getting oily later in the day. Planning on changing my daily moisturizer after finishing this one. 

Organix Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner in Coconut Milk
This stuff smells amazing (and it's sulfate-free) though it doesn't make my hair as soft as I'd like. 

Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo & Conditioner
Minimizes my frizz and makes my hair smooth and soft. Doesn't do much for the shine though

Bath & Body Works Crimson Plum foam hand soap
Smells like a garden of sweet plums and I'm just gonna just leave it at that. 

Conair blowdryer
My bathroom essentials isn't complete without one.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Watermelon Pineapple Banana Smoothie


I tend to change up the recipes when I make fruit smoothies. In other words, I tend to throw whatever I can find around the kitchen into the blender and taste as I go. Since I found bowls of cut up pineapples and watermelons in the fridge today, I decided to make myself a watermelon-pineapple smoothie. And if you're someone who likes putting a personal touch to every-day smoothie recipes, then high five because we're on the same page! 


Makes 1-2 servings

1 cup watermelons, diced
1/2 cup pineapples, diced
1 whole banana, sliced
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 cup vanilla yogurt/greek yogurt
1/2 ice cubes*

*You can use frozen banana slices as a substitute for the ice cubes.



Friday, November 1, 2013

Braces update #1: Eating burgers with a knife and fork...

I had no idea what to expect when I went in to the orthopedic's office for my first re-tightening of my braces. In the past, my friends have made pained expressions when talking about everything that braces entailed, but I didn’t grasp what they really meant until today. Let’s just say that I walked in feeling rested and cheery and by the time I was done, I was drained.

The process took about thirty minutes (it felt so much longer) as the orthodontist replaced the thin wires with thicker ones. Because she applied a lot of pressure when she was tightening the wires, my gums were very tender and sore. I gotta say, going in for my appointment today made the last visit seem like it was nothing.

As for the foods, it's just not the same. I guess it's going to take some time for me to get used to having braces. In the mean time, I'm seriously considering on eating sandwiches and burgers with a knife and fork. I try to look on the bright side, which is the fact that I’ve been eating a lot healthier and cleaner. With that said, an updated version of my personal go-to foods list from a previous post is below.

Breakfast
Nutri-Grain cereal bars
Oatmeal
Greek or nonfat yogurt
Pancakes
Muffins
Scrambled eggs

Snack
Tapioca pudding
String cheese
Pirate’s Booty (puffed rice and corn)

Lunch
PB&J sandwich
Chow-mein
Quesadillas
Mac n’ Cheese
Tofu

Fruits
Bananas
Oranges
Grapes

Dinner
Pasta
Hard boiled eggs
Baked salmon
Mashed potatoes

Dessert
Cheesecake
Lemon bars