10/31/14

DIY Mamma Chia Drinks

Hey guys!  If you are into Chia seeds then you are probably familiar with the Mamma Chia drinks and Chia Squezes...




And for those of you who are not familiar with the Mamma Chia products or Chia seeds period, let's talk about why they are so great.  Chia seeds are undoubtedly one of the most nutritious foods you can eat, which is why it is known as a 'superfood'.  ('Chia' is the ancient Mayan word for 'strength').  They have more omega fatty acids than salmon and more calcium than milk, are a whole grain food with fiber and protein, all while being non-GMO and naturally gluten free.  Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants and almost all of the carbs in them are fiber.  Due to the fact that Chia seeds are high in omega fatty acids, fiber and protein, they are believed to improve metabolic health as well (possibly lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol, which could possibly lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes).  Chia seeds are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein - all super important for bone health.  I could go on and on here, but I think you get the point.  This is such a great/healthy food and adding them to some of your drinks is just one way of incorporating them into your diet.  (They don't have much flavor so you can add them to salads, rice, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, vegetables, anything really).  But today I am going to show you how I make some of my drinks with these little powerhouse seeds.

Why not just buy Mamma Chia drinks and avoid the hassle of having to make them myself?  There are a couple of reasons why.  First, I do not have any stores near where I live that carries the Mamma Chia products (the closest one is 2 hours away).  Secondly, these drinks can be quite expensive!  On the average these can cost you $4-$5 a piece.  That's just crazy!  So instead of having to spend all day traveling to pick these $$$ up, I can make them here at home whenever I want.  Simple.

As I mentioned before, Chia seeds do not have much flavor so you're not going to taste them much in your drinks.  What is obvious, however, is their texture.  When replicating the Mamma Chia drinks, you soak your seeds in water and end up with a gelatinous mixture where the seeds still retain some amount of crunchiness.  That might sound gross, but I really enjoy it.  I can't really think of anything to compare the texture to, but I would say it's somewhat close to tapioca.  It has the same jelly-like consistency as tapioca but again, the seeds do crunch a little.  If you aren't really a fan of stuff like that, this drink might not be for you.  But, if you think you might like it then read ahead to see how quick and easy (and affordable) these drinks actually are to make.


First thing you're gonna need are Chia seeds.  We usually get a couple of pounds of them at a time when we go to Whole Foods (2 hours away so we stock up) from one of their big bins.  These are now available at most grocery stores as well, and if nothing else, AMAZON.  Moving on, when I make my drinks I make enough for 2 fairly good sized drinks.  As far as exact measurements, don't even worry about that.  If you make a little more than you would drink in a day, the seeds will keep overnight in the fridge.  Anyways, I put about 3 tablespoons of Chia seeds in 1 cup of warm water.


(I usually use some sort of a BPA free plastic mug, something that can take warm and cold temperatures and won't break)


After I add my 3 TBSP of seeds and my 1 cup warm water, I let this sit till about room temperature.  Then I put this in the fridge for about 8 hours (I usually do this at night).

After about 8 hours what you end up with is the gelatinous mixture of seeds.  This is the basis for your Mamma Chia drink.  If you look at Mamma Chia drinks you will see Chia seeds suspended in the drink, they are not all collected at the bottom.  Soaking your seeds in water is what allows for your seeds to be suspended and dispersed all throughout your drink.



Next is the fun part, add to your seeds WHATEVER drink you like.  I use various juices that I enjoy (as seen above) and I also enjoy using my favorite iced teas.



When I use my favorite teas I always sweeten them as usual, while they are still warm and steeping. 


And then all you do is add your tea (cold) or juice to the mixture.  Use a 50/50 ratio for your drink - half the seed mixture, half your favorite drink.


And voila!  Your DIY Mamma Chia drink is complete!

As you can see when you compare my DIY drink and an actual Mamma Chia drink side by side, they look super similar!  Note, I am not referring to the color of the drink as mine is passion tea and theirs is a Pomegranate Mint flavor, I am strictly referring to the seeds and how they are suspended in the drink and so forth.  Sooooo good!
I hope you guys found this helpful and I hope that I explained everything decently.  If you have any questions just let me know!  xoxoxo -
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10/30/14

October 2014 Favorites!

Hey guys!  Here are the things I have been enjoying this month!  If I were to put all the things that I love and use all the time in my favorites every month, then my monthly favorites would be like a broken record.  For example, these things are a given:


Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, my fall blushes (CG True Plum, Maybelline Plum Wine, MAC Animal Instincts, Nars Sin), Anastasia Brow Wiz, etc.  Some things never change and are a given that they are my favorite.  This month I will just mention other products that I have been using a ton.


This is the ONLY highlighting powder I have used for the past 2 or 3 months.  I also enjoy the Diffused Light, but this one is definitely my favorite.  I could totally get rid of ALL my other highlighters and only use these.  For like, ever.  Love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders, I never want to use anything else!


I don't really have a HG mascara, but there are several brands I repeatedly buy and use and love.  Maybelline's Rocket Volume mascara is just a really great solid product.  It's really black and gives you length and volume.  Great drugstore mascara if you're like me and don't want to shell out the cash for high-end mascaras all the time.


I picked up the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade while I was in Vegas and I totally LOVE it.  I have areas in my brows that are sparse and this is the perfect product to fix that!  Highly recommend this to anyone with similar issues.



A rediscovered favorite.  The Rosy Tan 5 Color Palette from Christian Dior is so pretty and is great for an everyday eye look.



I haven't had a desire for any new makeup that has been coming out recently (what is wrong with me?), and I really didn't see myself buying any of the new Maybelline matte lipsticks.  That was, until, they actually had the "Lust For Blush" shade in stock at my local drugstore.  It is just such a pretty rosey-mauve, I fell in love with it immediately and have only grown to love it more since.  I don't see myself buying anymore of these, but....never say never.  Especially when it's makeup!


The formula of these lipsticks really is great.  I really do think everybody should own at least one.  They have a ton of different shades, so go check them out and pick what you like best.  I really don't think you'll be disappointed.


Don't be disgusted with my dirty beauty blender, lol.  I have a few of these guys but I only keep a couple in rotation at a time ( I don't want to dirty them all up).  Anyways, love this for so many different things - applying foundation, concealer, or a cream highlight.  I also love to use this after I've applied my foundation and a setting powder, just a quick 'bump' all over my face to set things nicely.  It just makes everything go together so seemlessly.  Have used these for years and cannot imagine ever being without one.


Favorite body wash of the month.  Got this big ole bottle from BBW back in September (I think) as I knew it would be perfect for the Fall months.  One of my favorite things I have ever purchased from BBW EVER.


The body lotion I have been using this month.  This Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Comfort scent is beautiful, but if I had to choose I like the body wash (Pumpkin Pecan Waffles) scent better.


And as far as non-beauty favorites go, I almost always wear a diamond solitaire necklace.  I think they are timelessly beautiful, they go with anything, match anything, look good with anything (you get the point).  I actually broke my chain and had to take it in for repairs (I had the diamond re-set as well), so while it was off being fixed I pulled out my Tiffany "E" necklace and have been loving it!  I love the cursive 'E' font on this piece, as it is very close to how I actually write an E when signing my name.



I have several pieces of Tiffany jewelry, and my favorites are their necklaces.  These chains don't pull and tangle my hair, which almost never happens with necklaces.  Love, love, love this and will always wear this.  I know their jewelry is $$$ but they are totally worth the investment.  I own very little costume jewelry (fake metals, fashion pieces, cheap department store jewelry), instead I think you should work and save up and invest in pieces that will last you a lifetime.  I don't like big/gawdy pieces, I love simple delicate ones.  Especially in necklaces!  Simple, delicate necklaces look so classy and feminine.  (In my opinion!  Do and buy what makes you happy!)


I love to write, but sometimes I don't know exactly what to write.  That is why I love this Q&A 5-year journal that I picked up this month.  It gives you a daily prompt on something to consider and write about.  Just a sentence or two, it's nothing too lengthy or time consuming, but it does get you thinking a bit.


I think it will be neat to fill this up over the years and be able to look back to what I wrote the year before and see how things might have changed.  I found mine at Amazon for about $15 and have really been enjoying it.  Everyday I look forward to cracking open my journal and seeing what I'm supposed to be writing about.  So fun!


My FAVORITE candle of the month!  Smells so delicious (basically just like my favorite BBW candle of all time - Marsallow Fireside).  Altogether I ended up buying around 17 candles for Fall. I know, ridiculous right?  I've went thru several, and this has probably been my favorite.  Time to start stocking up on Winter scents!!!

Thanks for stopping by today, guys, and have a very HAPPY Halloween tomorrow!  xoxoxo -
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10/23/14

Essie "Dress To Kilt" Fall 2014 Collection


Hey guys!  Today I wanted to come on here and mention a nail polish collection that I am totally LOVING!  If you couldn't already tell, it's Essie's 2014 fall collection.  If you love nail polish then you are probably already aware of just how great Essie polishes are, and this collection is no exception.  All of the polishes are creamy and opaque, most of them you can get away with just one coat even.  There are 6 colors total, I actually just bought the cube that contains 4 of them (Dress To Kilt, Style Cartel, Take It Outside, and Partner In Crime).



If you didn't know, dark blue and navy polishes are the color for Fall 2014.  Style Cartel is on point, although it does border on being so dark it can look black in some lighting.  I currently have this on my toes (pic below) and I totally love it.  Over the past few years I have REALLY turned into a blue-polish-loving kinda woman.


Dress To Kilt is the PERFECT Fall red.  It's not a bright summery red and it's not a super dark vampy hue either, it really is a Fall red.  So creamy and easy to apply!


Partner In Crime is a true chocolate brown.  While this shade might not be everyone's cup of tea, I happen to adore this color in the cooler months.  It's deep and dark but not as stark as a black.  I definitely recommend using just one coat to keep it from getting too dark and looking black in some lighting.


Take It Outside is just a great taupe grey, creamy and opaque, and it looks so good paired with any of these other polishes.  Ugh, can't get enough.


On my fingers:  Take It Outside


On my toes:  Style Cartel
(the polish photographed a little dark in this pic, in person it is dark but you can definitely tell it's blue)
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10/22/14

Las Vegas: Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars!

Hey guys!  This last trip to Vegas was such a blast!  We watched a lot of really good shows, ate a bunch of really delicious food, and got to spend some time with friends while we were in town as well.  Our trip started out with us flying out of Kentucky and connecting in Dallas.


It was a long day of travel so I passed the time reading on my iPad while David did what he does best...


...he snoozed the whole time.

When we got to the hotel he was still wanting to sleep, but there was no time for that.  It was time to get our grub on and then get to Caesar's to see Shania again!


Dinner at Nobu!


We noshed on Yellowtail, soft shell crab, lobster, banana spring rolls, etc.  It was yummy to say the very least.


I was fortunate enough to see and meet Shania last year at Caesar's as well, but this was David's first time seeing her.  She puts on such a great show and I couldn't wait to see her again!



Waiting for the show to start!  2nd row seats again!







The last pic I was able to snap before Shania came up to me and we sang together!  We put our faces together and sang "Honey I'm Home", then we hugged, then I looked at my phone and realized I didn't record a single second of it.  Oh well, I have the memories and that is enough for me!  Go see her while you have a chance, her time at Caesar's is almost up!


Up and refreshed for our 2nd day in Vegas!  On this day I went and seen one of my favorites - Britney at Planet Hollywood.  I had seen Britney a few years before in Vegas @ the MGM Grand Garden Arena during her Circus tour.  I was lucky enough at that time to go backstage and tour her dressing room, had dinner with all the dancers in the show and all that jazz, as I paid a bloody fortune for VIP tickets.  This time I had just a simple general admission ticket, and once again I was right up at the stage.  No backstage tour, but this was just as nice.  I've always been a Britney fan and seeing her again was just great!



It never fails, every single time I see Britney I'm always like....










Post-show refueling at Sushi Samba!  Salt and pepper squid, rock shrimp tempura, lobster, eel, and more!


On Friday morning we were fueling up for a night of Bruno Mars!  (A trip to Vegas is never complete without a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity!)



David @ The Chelsea (inside The Cosmopolitan) waiting for the show to start!


Peopleeeeee - if you ever get a chance to see Bruno Mars in concert, YOU HAVE TO DO IT!  He is such a good performer!  He sounds outstanding in person and he can dance like nobody's business.  The Chelsea is such a great place to get down, the floor bounces - literally.  When the music really got booming and the crowd got moving I kept thinking at any moment we were going to end up on a craps table downstairs, lol.  The crowd was alive and the music was phenomenal.  LOVE <333










After so many days of music and fun, on the 5th day I was up and ready to make my journey back to Kentucky.  It was an excellent trip, Vegas.  But, THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!  Thanks for stopping by guys!!!!
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