• Healthy Recipes,  Seasonal Recipes

    Spiced Pumpkin Raisin Cookies

    It’s that time of year where pumpkin everything rules and these cookies are no exception and are so good! Here’s how to make them: Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour (substitution: whole wheat pastry flour or gluten free flour) 2/3 cup old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon fine salt 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 3/4 cup turbinado (raw) sugar, plus additional for sprinkling 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree 1/3 cup vegetable oil (substitution: 1/3 cup apple sauce) 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup raisins Instructions: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line 2…

  • Hair Care,  Makeup,  Skin Care

    Target Redesigns Their Makeup and Beauty Sections

    You tell yourself, I am going Target just to buy toilet paper and milk, but have you ever walked out of Target without dropping more money than you anticipated, I know I have! That toilet paper and milk run usually turns into buying some new clothes, accessories, makeup, skin or hair care, but you forgot the toilet paper and milk. Makeup and beauty is where Target really sucks me in. With so many different brands to choose from you can easily get lost in the brightly lit aisles and you can easily walk out of Target with your wallet definitely feeling lighter then when you walked in. Well, Target is…

  • Hair Care

    The Best Comb for Your Hair Type

    When it comes to keeping our hair healthy and tangle-free, most of us tend to turn towards our favorite brush. While brushes tend to be the more versatile and widely used hair tool, combs can serve special purposes and it’s good to have at least one in your beauty kit as well. Combs can work well for detangling those tough knots and leaving your hair sleek and shiny. Even for those of us with thicker hair, a comb can make the difference between bouncy curls and split ends. Unlike brushes, a comb is perfect for wet or dry hair, making it the ideal way to work in your conditioner during…

  • Healthy Eating

    Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Fall means Starbucks releases their Pumpkin Spice Latte and I am the first one in line the day they are released! I also know that as much as I love drinking this, it’s not something should I do all the time, so when I am having a craving, this single serve skinny version is perfect and easy to make at home! Here’s what you will need: Ingredients: 1 tbsp. sugar-free French vanilla powdered creamer 1 no-calorie sweetener packet 2 tsp. instant coffee granules 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 2 tbsp. canned pure pumpkin 1/2 cup light vanilla soy or almond milk 1/4 cup fat free whip topping Directions: Place powdered…

  • Skin Care

    How to Layer Nighttime Skin Care Products

      With each passing year, I am becoming more aware of how important it is to take care of my skin. After all, it is the true foundation under makeup and since I keep my everyday makeup routine simple most days, the condition of my skin plays a huge role in the completed look. What I didn’t know is that there is a proper order to apply facial products and doing it correctly makes a big difference in how skin absorbs important ingredients. I don’t know about you, but I’m all for a process that helps me get the most out of my skin care regimen and soak up all…

  • Healthy Eating

    One-Pot Tortellini Soup

    If you had a busy day and don’t want to spend too much time thinking about dinner, this one pot tortellini soup is the answer. Bold Italian flavors simmering away in a clear broth makes for a bowl that’s perfect for chilly nights. Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1 (32-ounce) carton low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth 1 (14.5-ounce) can low-sodium diced tomatoes in juice 1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated whole-wheat cheese tortellini 2 cups baby spinach Directions: Heat the oil in a Dutch…

  • DIY's, Tips & Tricks

    DIY Pumpkin Bath Salts

    Fall is here and if you are like me, it’s all about pumpkin spice and everything nice! So, why not take your pumpkin spice obsession further with pumpkin spice bath salts! Easy to make and perfect for a fall spa day at home! Here’s what you’ll need: *Epsom Salts (get it here) *Mason Jar (get it here) *Pumpkin Spice Essential Oil (get it here) *Orange Food Coloring (optional, get it here) Directions: Step 1: Measure how much Epsom salts you need by filling up your mason jar. Step 2: Pour the Epsom salts from your mason jar into a large bowl (if you want to give your bath salts an…

  • Fitness,  Makeup

    September Favorites

    September brought the unofficial end to summer with the Labor Day holiday weekend, the first day of school and the first day of fall (my favorite time of year) and now September is over, so it’s time to talk about what I have been loving this past month: Makeup Too Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer* – I am back to using this primer again! My skin needs to be hydrated this time of year and this primer gives me that and its silicone free which I really like! Aveda Mineral Tinted Moisture w/SPF 15 in the shade 02 Beechwood* – This has been my go to foundation. It provides…

  • Health

    Which is Healthier – Coffee or Tea?

    Humanity is divided in to 2 camps: the tea aficionados (like me) and the coffee addicts. Geography and national culture often pre-determines your preference. The U.S. and Italy are coffee nations, whereas the UK and large parts of Asia are firmly rooted in tea culture. With that said, many people enjoy both drinks. Some wonder how these hot beverages compare nutritionally, so here’s what you need to know: Calories – Tea leaf or coffee bean – both contain no fat, no sodium, and no carbs, so you can’t go wrong. Prepared with boiling water, both coffee and tea contain almost no calories. However, this “straight” drink is either too bitter…

  • Makeup,  Skin Care

    This Week’s Drugstore Beauty Deals September 24 – September 30

    All the information below has been obtained from the national CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid circulars. I try to make sure to list all beauty that’s on sale in all regions of the United States each week, but certain sales may vary depending on where in the United States you live. If you live in an area that does not participate in national sales, check with your local store manager for more information. Here are this week’s beauty deals at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid: CVS Revlon: Buy 1/Get 1 50% off (all Revlon cosmetics, with rewards card)* Covergirl: Buy 1/Get 1 50% off (any Covergirl foundation, powder, blush, concealer,…