Super Foods Have Changed My Life!

It's been a while since I submitted my last entry...a long while. I admit it, the trials and tribulations of wearing so many hats in my life has consumed me and it has taken me away from one of my passions...writing. I was inspired to write this evening and share a quick update on my life and new lifestyle.
Since my last post sooo many things have changed in my life (3 years worth).  For one-we welcomed a new addition to our family.  I am now a mother to two boys. Ryan and baby Maverick. Academy of Glam has been named the number one school in the country to study professional makeup artistry, new cars have been purchased, moves have been made, family members have passed. I had my first (and last) Vegas experience and had the pleasure of cruising the Grand Cayman Islands and beautiful Jamaica! Red Stripe anyone? Needless to say-I've been one busy mama! 
I'm happy to report that I can't complain about anything.  I'm finally in a place where I'm content with life and enjoying its beautiful journey. 
I've come to a few realizations the past few years, but especially this past year.  During my most recent pregnancy with Maverick-I became very, very ill.  In fact, my kidneys almost shut down due to serious reoccurring infections and other medical terms I don't care to try and spell out.  It was a big eye opener for me and I promised myself that if I made it through the pregnancy I would treat my body like a temple and care for it the way it's supposed to be. 

Working in the beauty industry I clearly have the advantage of hearing about countless 'weight loss' products and trust me- I've done my fair share of them.  I would always lose weight using these get skinny fast products. In fact-I lost 53 pounds with one named HcG.  It involves injecting a pregnancy hormone into your abdomen daily and consuming only 500 calories.  Needless to say-I reached my goal weight but it should come to no surprise for you to know that I gained it all back...and then some. 
So, I embarked on a mission to learn about how to change my life and health...for the better.  I kept hearing about super foods this and super foods that but never really paid any attention to what people were saying.  That is until I actually did my own research and learned that these 'super foods' have healing properties and literally heal your body from the inside out.  Consuming these super foods are like consuming the earth's natural, medicinal remedies.  After being pumped full of countless antibiotics and pain medications during my pregnancy I was pretty sure that I wanted to detox my body using...you guessed it...super foods! I was introduced to an incredible product named Purium and I instantly fell in love with it's history and theories.  I began a 10 day cleanse/transformation using the Purium products and lost 13 pounds in those 10 days.  I didn't begin the cleanse to "lose weight." Instead I did it to rid my body of all the left over chemicals and medicines that were lingering in my body from my pregnancy in addition to months upon months of poor eating habits. 

During the cleanse I literally would have internal arguments with myself and had to constantly remind myself why I even started the cleanse. I'm not saying it was easy- those 10 days were a mental challenge more than anything. The first 3 days all I could think about was how badly I wanted a glass of wine! lol  I'm happy to say that I overcame my bad habits after those first 3 days and couldn't have been happier that I did.  My hair and skin are literally glowing, I have no need for coffee as I have more energy without it...I felt and still feel...great!

I'm such a firm believer of this stuff and if you know me...if I love something I will never stop talking about it.  I've never tried anything like it and can't speak more highly of this magical product.  I can now confidently say I do believe in the power of "green" food and it's healing properties.  I highly recommend you check it out for yourself as well.  The best investment you can make is in yourself. If you don't, then who will?

For more details on the Purium products go to: www.mypurium.com/southfloridasbeautybroker

Authentic Vegeterian Black Bean Soup! You've never had anything like this!!

Straight from my kitchen to yours....
What you need:
2 cans of Organic Black Beans
1/2 Green Bell Pepper
1/2 Yellow Onion

This seasoning is an absolute must in your kitchen

3 Cloves of Garlic

1/2 can tomato sauce

1 sazon envelope

2 tbs ground oregano

1 tbs ground cumin

3 tbs olive oil

1 bay leaf

2 cups of water

1 tbs vinegar

Salt to taste

                                                                        

1. In a food processor, add bell pepper, onion and garlic.  Blend until smooth. 
2. In a skillet, sautee your vegetable puree with all of your olive oil (yes, I know it's a lot of olive oil, but you want it to be soupy). Sautee until vegetables are are cooked thoroughly on MEDIUM heat (appox 6-8 min). 
3. Add Oregano, Cumin, Sazon, and tomato sauce to puree.  Cook for another 5 minutes on LOW heat.
4. In a medium sized pot, add black beans and 2 cups of water. 
5. Add vegetable puree to black beans. Stir.
6. Add vinegar. Stir.
7. Cook black beans for 20 min on medium low heat for 20-25 minutes until the beans reach a thicker consistency.
8. Add salt to taste, approx. 1-2 tbs.
9. Garnish with cilantro, corn, diced red onions and tomatoes to impress your guests. 

 

Black Bean Soup is the center piece to the Cuban cuisine. It's normally served over white rice and is presented as a side dish. However, enjoying it as a traditional soup is a common practice as well. 

Banana Nut Bread Cake

Here's a Homemade Cake Mix Recipe Just in Case you are feeling a bit like Emeril:

Ingredients for Yellow Cake Mix:
2 c. flour

1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c.milk
1 tsp. vanilla

1.  Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.


2.  Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3.  To mix the cake add the flour mixture slowly to butter mixture in a large bowl, beating well.

4.  Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the milk and the vanilla. Mix. Add the eggs, beating well after each addition.

5.Add the remaining flour mixture, then the rest of the milk. Mix until smooth.

Below is the Cliff Notes way to make a YELLOW cake mix (follow the directions on the back):

Once your cake mix is ready add the following:

• 
  
  2 EXTRA, Ripe Bananas (they start to get black spotting)
• 
  
  1c Chopped Pecans
• 
  
  1tbs Cinnamon

Add these three ingredients to your cake mix, and bake your cake in a bundt cake stoneware.I suggest using the one from Pampered Chef.  Make sure you grease this stoneware to prevent sticking.

 

 Bake your cake in a preheated oven of 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. 

Makes a delicious dessert or breakfast! Enjoy!

How to put a STOP to creasing eyeshadow!

There is nothing worst than putting on your makeup and a few hours later having a 'gunky grease' on your eyelid.  It's time to put a stop to this makeup nightmare once and for all.  First, consider how you are removing your makeup in the evenings.  Any oil-based makeup remover can lead to greasy lids, so if you are using one-STOP!

Oil based makeup removers build a protective layer on the skin.  This protective layer prevents the skin from 'breathing' and becoming hydrated.  This in turn leads to the overproduction of oil on the lids due to the skin overcompensating for the lack of its natural hydration methods.  Once your skincare routine is under control, consider investing in my favorite eyelid primer...ever!

Urban Decay, is a favorite amongst the top artists in the beauty industry.  You can find it at most major retails stores, Sephora and Ulta.  Retails for $18.00.  Worth every cent of your investment! Your eyeshadow won't ever crease, smudge or become a 'gunky grease' again. 

Beauty and Family

It's so important to me that everyday women never lose themselves in the constant battle of juggling so many obstacles in their everyday lives. Yet, at the same time never dismissing the power and magic that women bring to a household and family and understand the fine balance between the two. 

As a mother to a 4 year old, a wife from a very young age, guardian to my 17 year old brother, executive assistant to one of the top celebrity makeup artists in the beauty industry, professional makeup artist, aspiring chef and business owner, many would agree that my hands are full.  Yet, I never lose the importance of beauty inside and out. In fact I want to help women celebrate it.

This blog is dedicated to any woman who refuses to let her hectic schedule inhibit her from taking care of herself or her family. It's to help women rediscover the original traditions of beauty with today's best products and unparalled advice from yours truly. 

Raised as a Cuban-American, it was imperative for the girls in my family to know and understand how to cook our culture's traditional meals. We would all eat dinner at the table and although I didn't realize it then, it was what made me feel closer to my family.  Growing up, I learned and improved all of my family's recipes (although some are so near perfection they needed no improvement) and have since developed a passion for recreating the most delicious, fast, versatile and wholesome meals. I hope that by sharing my recipes I can encourage and inspire women to develop that same sense of 'family' within her household that I was so blessed to have. Nothing brings a busy family together like a homecooked meal and so with that I encourage you to celebrate your beauty, no matter what you bring to the table....