Tag: vegan

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Blog Health + Beauty

Lush | Mini Haul + Neon Love Soap

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I popped into Lush to get a few favorites, but I was also excited to see their Valentine’s Day items. I got the Comforter Bubble Bar (my FAVORITE!), two Sex Bomb Bath Bombs, and a small chunk of the new Neon Love Soap.

mini-lush-haul-muffinchanel-valentines-day-love-neon-review-the-comforter-sex-bomb1-1024x768The soap is limited edition for Valentine’s Day and is a super pretty reddish-pink color with a white heart running through the middle. The hearts were cut all weird in the blocks at the store, but one of the sales associates was super nice and cut me a piece with a perfect heart! ❤

muffinchanel-neon-love-lush-review-soap-valentines-day-1024x337From Lush “With fresh passion fruit juice to cleanse and soya yogurt to nourish, Neon Love is one we want to use all over our bodies in the bath and shower. A new perfume was blended for this bar, and includes citrusy bergamot, rosewood and spicy cinnamon leaf oil. Hiding inside the huge heart-shaped soap are little white hearts to ensure every slice looks just as beautiful as it smells.”

I really like the way this smells and kind of wish I’d gotten a larger piece. It smells warm and cinnamon-y but not spicy; and sweet and citrus-y; very clean. The scent lingers for a while. Plus, it makes a sweet pink lather which is amazing. It did made my hands feel kind of dry after washing with it & I had to use some hand cream to get rid of the tightness. :/

Have you tried the Neon Lush soap? Or any of the Valentine’s Day items from Lush? What did you think? 🙂

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Blog Lifestyle

Make your own | Chipotle style Guacamole

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

You know I love Chipotle, I always get a sofritas burrito with fajita peppers, green & corn salsa, sometimes sour cream, and guacamole. Their guacamole is amazing; no wonder they charge $2 extra!

Looking around online, I found a video of how to make Chipotle’s famous guac!

muffinchanel-chipotle-guacamole-ingredients-recipe-1024x768This recipe served 6 – 10 people (or just me for 2 days. lol. I love guacamole!) You’ll need:

  • 6 large ripe avocados – pitted and peeled. (Don’t skimp on the avocado; get the best you can find!)
  • 3 cups fresh cilantro – chopped
  • 1.5 cups red onion – finely chopped
  • 12 large serrano chilies – seeded and finely chopped
  • 12 tsp lime juice (I used 2 limes)
  • 1.5 tsp salt

And that’s it! This recipe is so easy and tastes so perfect.

muffinchanel-avocado-chipotle-guacamole-cut-and-pit-removed-1024x768muffinchanel-chipotle-guacamole-mash-951x1024Combine all your avocado in a large bowl and lightly mash with a fork, large spoon, or a mashed potato press.

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Add your peppers, cilantro, onions, salt, and lime  juice and combine/mash together. I prefer my guac to be a little chunkier so I combine all the ingredients lightly.

muffinchanel-chipotle-guacamole-recipe-finished-1024x768And ta-da! You’re ready to enjoy the best guacamole EVER!

Categories
Blog Lifestyle

Organic Gluten-Free Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes | Wholesome Chow

Organic Gluten-Free Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes!

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

These cupcakes were a lot of fun and very easy to make!

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl combine:

  • 1 1/4 cup Milk — we used Coconut Milk
  • 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Let mixture sit for about 5 minutes or until foamy

  • Add 1/4 cup oil (we used avocado oil) and whisk well

Whisk Baking Mix into the liquid ingredients and blend until smooth

So easy, right!? Then we poured the mixture into our cupcake pans, greased with coconut oil, and popped the tray into the oven for 18 minutes.

Bake for 18 minutes at 350 degrees
Bake for 18 minutes at 350 degrees

While the cupcakes were baking, we made the Organic Gluten-Free Vanilla Frosting Mix! Yay!

Wholesome Chow Vanilla Frosting
Wholesome Chow Vanilla Frosting

The mix was super easy to make — just combine vegan margarine (we used Coconut Oil) and the mix and voila!

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By the time we were done, so were the cupcakes!

Mmmmm, fresh cupcakes warm from the oven!
Mmmmm, fresh cupcakes warm from the oven!

After letting the cupcakes cool for 15 minutes, we added the frosting.

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These cupcakes are awesome! Even if you don’t have a food allergy or dietary preferences, you will enjoy this mix and frosting. You can order this and other organic, gluten-free baking mixes from wholesomechow.com.

I want to try their Lemon Poppy Blueberry Muffins next!

Categories
Blog Lifestyle

Top 10 – September Favorites

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

  • Skillful Means by Tarthang Tulku

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This book is all about improving your life by being mindful of what is happening right now. I first read this book a couple of years ago and it’s great. How many times are you walking to class or your car or at the mall and you’re on your cell phone? Or how often are you thinking about the XYZ you have to do tomorrow or next week instead of paying attention to what you are doing right now? All we have is the present — this moment. Skillful Means is all about living in the moment you are in; being mindful about what is going on around you. No distractions — just really being self aware and clearing your mind. It’s a great book that will help you focus and appreciate what’s happening all around you.

  • Starbucks Star Dash

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From now until October 1, Starbucks is doing their Star Dash. Basically, it’s another incentive for you to go to Starbucks during certain times of the year in order to accumulate stars to earn a gift card. This “Star Dash” is different from the stars you earn with the Rewards Card, although, you do need a rewards card to participate. Separate from the regular stars you earn with the Rewards Card, these “Star Dash” stars will give you $5 or $10 gift cards depending on how many you get before the deadline. Each transaction will ear you one star. I’m on my way to earning the $10 gift card!

  • Mediterranean Veggie sandwich (Panera)

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New favorite sandwich for sure. I was looking for some meatless options at different restaurants and a friend suggested I try this sandwich from Panera. It’s amazing —  lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, red peppers, cilantro/jalepeño hummus, and feta swiss cheese (I prefer swiss) on tomato basil bread. I bought ingredients today to make my own version at home! YAY!

  • iOS7

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I love the clean look and feel of the iOS7 update. I have the iPhone 4S and my camera app is faster and I really like having the “live filters”. Command Center is great and I really like all the new ringtones/sounds. It’s neat to have the option to block contacts and to be able to multi-task between apps.

  • Clear

Clear is a simple task management/list application. It’s clean and easy to navigate with lots of color schemes to choose from.

  • iTunes Radio

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iTunes radio is basically like Pandora. I prefer it because it’s already integrated into iTunes and it remembers the songs I’ve listened to and makes it easy for me to purchase them if I choose. You can create your own “stations” and mark that you like certain songs. There’s even a Top 100 iTunes radio and you can listen to a shuffle of all the Top 100 songs on iTunes. I think this is awesome for getting high quality audio for more than just a preview of a song you might be interested in buying.

  • The Killers – Shot At The Night

It was actually through iTunes Radio that I first heard “Shot At The Night”. ^^^

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The Killers songs are always a little vague, but this one seems to be about taking this once in a lifetime opportunity to get out of a situation that is stale and move on to a life that is exciting and full of happiness. I love this. Plus who doesn’t love a nice 80’s synth ballad! Yay for new music from The Killers! I’m excited for Direct Hits to come out in November.

  • Lighted Makeup Mirror

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This mirror is great for applying makeup or tweezing your brows. With 8xs magnification and 360 degree rotation, you’ll be sure to see exactly what you are doing!

  • SEPHORA COLLECTION – Pro Stippling Brush #44

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I’m surprised this brush doesn’t have better reviews online. A lot of people are saying the brush sheds, but I’ve never experienced any shedding. I really like this brush. I use it to apply my Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation. The brush gives my skin an even, airbrushed yet natural look. The natural and synthetic fibers work together to give a streak-free application that looks great all day.

This dress is super cute. I bought it for a friend’s wedding next month but I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it. The lace design is really pretty, but durable — this isn’t some dainty-be-careful-or-it’ll-rip lace. The A-line makes it flattering for all body shapes and it’s very comfortable on.

Categories
Blog Lifestyle

Vegetarian Diet

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I stopped eating meat about a week ago after watching the documentary, Earthlings. If you haven’t seen it, definitely check it out. It’s terrible how they mistreat and abuse animals all for human consumption.

So far, the transition to not eating meat has been easy. I would eat chicken often and hamburgers occasionally, but after watching that documentary, I have no desire to. I’ve been eating more fruits, vegetables, and nuts which is a huge upgrade in my diet.

My fingers used be swollen in the mornings, so much so that it was awkward to make a fist. It was uncomfortable but I attributed it to eating/drinking sugar at night or not drinking enough water during the day. Since cutting out meat, however, I haven’t had any swelling at all; it’s great!

I’m looking for some vegetarian/vegan recipes that are quick and easy to make. If you know any, please let me know! 🙂

Categories
Blog Lifestyle

Vegan Lunch – The Plum Cafe

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here20130831-133200.jpg

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We had a vegan lunch today at The Plum Cafe. I’ve never eaten at a vegan place, but it was really good. I would definitely come back here.

Categories
Blog Lifestyle

Top 10 – August Favorites

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

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I’m a little late to the party — I think this album came out sometime late last year — but I’m here now!

I first listened to the album on YouTube and then forgot about it, until recently. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately; the songs are catchy and fun.

  • Game of Thrones

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After I saw the first season, I hated this show! How dare they kill off a main character!! Not much has changed….but I like the show a little bit better. I’m rooting for the Khaleesi to reclaim her throne!

  • Natural for Her – Herban Cowboy

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I first heard of this deodorant from neo-reality.com. It prevents sweat and odors and it’s natural, what more could you ask for? This deodorant is vegan and certified organic so you don’t have to worry about chemicals and carcinogens seeping into your skin. Very happy with this purchase.

  • Pedicures (Clambake by Essie)

My mom and I recently went out for a birthday pedicure! I used Clambake by Essie because it’s so fun and it’s the perfect balance between red and orange.essie_clambake

Pedicures are a great way to relax and pamper yourself. Especially during summer, when you’ll likely be wearing flip flops, nothing can make you feel a little happier than looking at freshly pedicured toes.

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  • Korres Lip Butter

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I got these two, Pomegranate and Jasmine, for my birthday and they are both awesome! These lip butters are so smooth and make my lips feel soft and hydrated. Some of the colors are bright, but the results are mostly sheer with a hint of color. Perfect for every day and definitely one of my all time favorite lip products.

  • US Open

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All the best players all on one stage for two weeks of fun. Tennis is such a cool sport because it’s just you against your opponent — no teams, no blaming others. They’re doing some intense stuff as athletes, from sprinting to strategy. What a great game!

  • California Pizza Kitchen

screen-shot-2013-08-29-at-10-00-14-amI love the Pizza Kitchen. Their spinach artichoke dip is delicious and their BBQ Chicken Pizza is awesome.

  • Photojojo iPhone Lens

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These lenses are so cool! Thanks to my family for the perfect birthday gift! You can find these lenses at photojojo.com — all four for $50.

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My favorite lenses are the Macro and the Wide. Both lenses actually come as one and you unscrew them to separate. It took me a day to figure out how to get to the Macro lens :/ but it’s awesome. Check out my instagram: MuffinChanel for some awesome pictures!

  • Josie Maran SPF 40

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I really like this lightweight, dewy sunscreen. With Argon oil, it seems to clear up any discoloration and balance my skin. No parabens and cruelty free; it’s a silky sunscreen that absorbs well into my skin. It leaves me feeling fresh-faced, and not greasy.

  • SEPHORA Smart Liner

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This liner is so awesome — the curve of the casing give you the control you need to get the most precise line ever. The flexible felt tip makes it easy to create a fine line or build up the drama with a thick wing.

See last month’s favorites HERE