Recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Pie

It's been a long time since I posted a recipe. You would think I don't like to cook but of course I do! The weather is getting cooler and I've been in the mood for something tasty, warm and... HEALTHY!! Ok, ok- I haven't  REALLY been in the mood for anything healthy but as part of my discipline to be a better me, it's necessary. Today I was in Starbucks and someone ordered a pumpkin latte. It looked delightful and gave me the idea to bake something pumpkin-y tonight. I remembered a Betty Crocker recipe I pull out every winter to the delight of my son and myself (the DH doesn't like pumpkin). This is another recipe I'd make when I was doing Weight Watchers. I picked up many great eating tips and making a worthy dessert was one of my main quests. So, here it is- if you try it, let me know!



Topping

First there is the topping. Mix all the ingredients and set aside:
Brown Sugar Topping
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. quick cooking oats
1 tbsp of margarine (I used Land O'Lakes butter)
Mix all of the ingredients and set aside




Mix the next ingredients in a blender or food processor in the order listed.
Remaining ingredients
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated skimmed milk
1/2 c. fat-free cholesterol-free egg product or 4 egg whites
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp of salt
2 tsp of grated orange peel

Topping added

Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Pour into a pie pan/plate. Try to use a deep-dish pie plate as you may find that there is more than a normal pie pan can hold. After pouring into your dish, sprinkle the topping across the mixture.

Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Now... at this point the recipe says you should place in the refridgerator for 4 hours or until chilled. Personally, we give it about 20 minutes to get to the point of being warmed (versus scorch your esophagus hot) and go for it! Basically, try it your way! 




The deets on calories and such are below. I interpreted this to being 4 weight watcher points per slice (provided you turn it into 8 portions).
Recipe makes 8 servings
200 Calories
2g Fat
2mg Cholesterol
230mg Sodium
38g Carbs
2g Dietary fiber
7g Protein

If you try it, please come back and comment! In the meantime, my son is chomping at the bit and complaining that I'm sharing this recipe! Bon appetite!

Peace!

Product Review: Ouidad Mediterranean Bay Leaf Exfoliating Hair and Scalp Treatment

As I love to say- he does the work, and I get the perks! My husband scored a 2 oz size of Mediterranean Bay Leaf Exfoliating Hair & Scalp Treatment. It's a product from the Salon Series by Ouidad. The bottle says that it "helps promote healthy hair growth". Further research indicated the product would exfoliate the scalp, alleviating product build-up and ease issues with dandruff. I don't have any dandruff issues, but I may sometimes have issues with product build-up. At first glance, I thought- "eh" and that maybe I'd use it, or maybe not. Tonight, maybe turned into a reality as I decided to wash my hair for the week in preparation for a protective style challenge I entered and the bottle was glowing at me from its space. Funny how products always communicate and beckon to me from faraway spaces in my house! Even though I decided to use it anyway, I realized it might also be good to know exactly what I was putting on my scalp. After all, I am normally a self-proclaimed product snob but tonight the inner snob did her best to see/hear no evil about this product. Anyway, the ingredients aren't listed on the bottle, but a quick visit to the website turned up the following:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, PEG-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Hexylene Glycol, Bambus Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Powder, Pimenta Acris (Bay) Leaf Oil, Hexapeptide-11, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract, Visnaga Vera Fruit/Stem Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Superoxide Dismutase, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxyethanol.

The directions stated that I should apply to my scalp after dampening my hair. So, after a quick wash and adding a deep conditioner, I squeezed some of the product into my hand. It's a greenish-blue color and the granules were visible. Based on the ingredients, I thought it might have a citrus-like scent. Instead, it smelled a bit medicinal (probably from the fennel) and I might even say- minty.

I massaged it into my scalp for about 2-3 minutes per the instructions. After a few moments, my scalp became a little tingly, and just felt good all over. I wished someone would take over the massage and allow me to enjoy the feeling without doing the work. I need to take this to my hair dresser STAT!!!!

Anyway, my first thought is this product is probably great for those with dandruff and/or dry scalp issues. But it feels quite good even for scalps with no issues at all. Even now, my scalp feels GREAT! Not sure if I'd actually buy it though. At $36 for 6oz, that's pretty pricey for the kid! However, if I was desperately seeking scalp relief I might at least go into a beauty store and ask for a sample.

Peace.

I Found the Magic Styler (for me): Living Proof Nourishing Style Cream Review

Feeling rather lazy, I decided to skip my usual Sunday regimen of washing, deep conditioning, twisting my hair. Instead, I laid on my pillow and went to sleep with visions of a wash and go in the morning. Before though, I prepped my greek yogurt treatment and placed it in the fridge. This morning, I wet my hair, put on the treatment and went about prepping my clothes and making my morning smoothie. After 20 minutes or so, I jumped in the shower and rinsed myself and my hair (used As I Am Coconut Co-Wash). I then immediately applied my leave-in Paul Mitchell The One Conditioner to prep for styling. Normally I just apply EcoStyler Pink and leave. On a whim (and because it was mean-mugging me from the counter), I decided to add the Nourishing Styling Cream by Living Proof.

I stumbled upon this product thanks to my husband who works at Sephora (he does the work, I get the perks). It managed to make it home last month amongst a bag of other goodies. Aside from reading the front rah-rah about not having any oils or heavy silicones, I ignored the ingredient list. As snobby as I am about products, I trusted sight unseen because I liked the feel of it on my hands. It's very light and creamy without being too heavy. I initially tried it out on my twist sets with pretty amazing results (definition and stretch without first drying my hair).

Twist out with LP Style Cream

Even after the twist out, I wasn't ready to judge because I teach Zumba most evenings. As a result of the workouts, my hair often looks great during the day but comes off as a freak when you see it at night. :D 

I've tried many cream-based products that proclaimed to enhance curls but did very little for my hair alone. It was like adding absolutley NOTHING. The other products also didn't mix well with gels which I've always seemed to need for hold or risk the shrunken-brillo-pad-effect by the end of the day. This is why I resorted to gel and conditioner only styles. My only complaint was major shrinkage after it began to dry. When I added the Nourishing Styling Cream this morning, it was like my hair finally surrendered. The heavens opened and music began to play as my curls bowed down, even while wet. Well, actually the music was just my cellphone telling me it was time to get up and out. But seriously, I think the heavens did open. The styling cream seemed to elongate my curls rather than cause them to withdraw. For the first time in forever, I thought that perhaps I did NOT have to apply EcoStyler afterward. But I chickened out and did it anyway. After all, 8 hours is a long time to go around work looking like a Crunchy Side-Show Bobbi with no spray bottle! Either way, as soon as I came out the bathroom to grab the gel, the husband said my hair looked longer and asked what I did differently. Still pretty wet at this point...



Wet hair with the cream added

Later, a natural friend at work asked me what I did today and when I told her it was a wash and go, she repeated "wash and go-ooo?!" in a very shrill voice! And right then, I knowed there was a God! Normally, I try to fluff my hair after it dries to make it bigger but with this product, it stayed pretty elongated without help. Most notably, it elongated most of my hair and not just the bangs which usually hang without much effort. Unfortunately, the back of my hair ALWAYS shrinks and it couldn't change that particular fact. But-- we'll see what happens after a few tries. Here's a pic after it dried today..: It's almost as big as my twist-out hair which is no easy feat!

 I'm going to try it again tomorrow without the gel just to see what happens. This is a fairly pricey product/line developed by a group of founders who used the studies of an MIT professors and his colleagues who were looking to develop beauty products in more innovative ways. I like what they have done so far. Stay tuned!

Have you tried Living Proof products? Which ones and what do you think?

Treating my stomach and hair to yogurt goodness!

I enjoy pampering as much as the next eyeglass rocking diva (you know… because girls with glasses rock!). My pampering does not end with the occasional waxing, pedi, mani and/or massage. I also love to deep treat my hair when I’m at home chillin’. Due to my professionally done color treatment as well as the level of frizz and single strand knots I experience I feel the need to be the Buzz Lightyear of natural hair. I am willing to go “to infinity and beyond!” with my hair care techniques.

Since I’m already on a quest to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle, there are certain items I always have on hand. A main food item I keep on hand is Greek yogurt which I use in fruit smoothies and as a breakfast staple. Greek yogurt has protein and keeps me full for longer periods of time. Along the way, I’ve read a few ideas of using yogurt as a hair mask. I saw on curlynikki.com earlier this week that she used Greek yogurt as a cleanser. It stuck in my brain because I work out at least 30 minutes a day (participating in a 30-day fitness challenge) and my hair and scalp sweat regularly. I don’t always feel like washing and sometimes I want to do more than co-wash. Either way, I know that I want to care for my color-treated hair and scalp at all times.

So, last night after teaching Zumba I felt determined to do a yogurt treatment in lieu of my usual co-wash. I wanted to combine it with a scalp massage. Rather than do them separately, I wanted a mix that would allow me to deep treat, cleanse and boost scalp health. Here are the ingredients I used and why:

ü      ½ cup of full fat Greek yogurt (Smoothes and hydrates strands)

ü      1.5 Tbsp of organic honey (conditions, imparts shine and helps with moisture retention)

ü      1 tsp of cold-pressed castor oil (Promotes growth and as a pore cleanser on my face so...)

ü      1 tsp vitamin E (Slows down the aging process (gray hair!) and improves blood circulation to the scalp)

ü      5-6 drops of Basil essential oil (promotes growth by stimulating hair follicles, boosts hue of hair color)

I mixed it all in a small bowl and put it on my hair for 30 minutes. I made sure to create parts and allow placement on my scalp. I then massaged it into the scalp for a few minutes before waiting out the rest of the time with a plastic cap. I rinsed in the shower and made sure to get it all out. I followed with a quick conditioner wash using hello hydration to make sure I rinsed all of the yogurt out. I understand it can cause quite a stink if any is left behind. My hair felt great and the curls were clumped and ready to go. Afterward I used one of my random leave-ins and a styler for flat twists. This morning my hair looks and feels great, has a nice sheen, and quite a bit of body despite the dreaded shrinkage monster (cue horror movie music). I’m pleased and will do this once a week although next time I might go lighter with the basil because the husband gave the smell 2 thumbs down. Hated it! :D

First Listen: Elle Varner's Perfectly Imperfect



Elle Varner: Perfectly Imperfect



I first spotted fellow curly Elle Varner on my favorite cable station, VH1Soul. She was singing ‘I only want to give it to you’ over an 80’s hip hop beat (Biz Markie no less). Whilst envying her big hair and curls I quickly came to love the old skool vibe of the video, the colors, the clothes and her entire package. She just seemed fun and like someone with whom I’d hang. So I did what every social media junkie does- found and started stalking following her on Twitter. I would tell you about her entire music history, including how her father is a musician but that would be proof of my stalker-ish ways. :D

Not long after, I heard Refill on music site SoulBounce.com (they’re on Twitter too!). Elle’s raspy alto reminded me of Corinne Bailey Rae with a whole lotta edge. She doesn’t necessarily have a ton of range but in her lane- she’s pretty dope. She can be smooth and she can rock out. I began to listen more for content and vocal ability and was pleasantly surprised. While ‘Only Wanna Give It To You’ likened her desire for a boy to that for a fresh pair of kicks, Refill spoke of a surprising love for which she wanted a long pour or at least a few more sips. Heck- just gimme another glass! Who hasn’t been there before? Did I mention that I also LOVE that video?



Flash forward to now and Elle’s Perfectly Imperfect has been released (August 6th). Just like her previous releases, this is a fun project. It boasts pop, country, funk, rock, soul and hip hop-tinged Elle. Sometimes when an artist tries to do too much, it seems a bit all over the place and you never quite know where you’re going (or where you’ve landed). But Perfectly Imperfect is a good ride. In fact, I would say it is the perfect riding in your car joint from start to finish. At times she also reminds me of Amy Winehouse (think F-ck Me Pumps), and even a more fun Alicia Keys. One of the best things I like about it is that it sounds like live instrumentation in my car. This means that her live set should be great. I have a deep appreciation for that alone. And the bonus? For a refreshing change, we have a young woman singing about fun, longing, partying, imperfections and love. Oh- Did I mention FUN!? Plus she uses words like “interjection” properly (I’m a nerd – so!?). I suspect there is a lot more to see here folks! In the meantime, this first stint is totally on point and perfectly- Imperfect. 

My personal faves are (ok, upon further scrutinization this is more than half the cd - lol):

• Only Wanna Give it to You
• Refill
• Sound Proof Room (ummm yeah- you might know the feeling)
• I Don’t Care
• Leaf (I forgive the fact that this sounds like a slowed-down Only Wanna Give it to you)
• Oh What a Night
• Not Tonight
• Stop the Clock (one of the few times I'm ok with hearing tick-tock being sung)
• So Fly (reminiscent of Video by India Arie)

My rating:  Pretty Dope

Girls with glasses DO ROCK!

So, I'm sitting here in Starbucks enjoying some peace with my iced chai latte, digging how well they go together. I'm about to snap a picture of my drink when I catch a view of my 2012 specs. I realized then that I've never discussed them and my love for them. Never much into the trending "nerdy" look I immediately decided they werent for me. Then I tried them on anyway because I am officially and secretly a self-proclaimed eyewear model. I LOVE going to my eye doctor's office just to see whats new. I could really take home a new pair every week were it not for that pesky thing called vision insurance.

But I digress... My new favorite brand of glasses is Lafont! They are prominently carried at my favorite eyewear house- Columbus Eyeworks (exceptional staff and my fave- Dr. Koch). It's like they were all made just for me. I wear every pair until the hinges fall off! I'm like that guy in the contact lens commercial, crying "My brand!" every time I see them on display. Hopefully I'm not alone in that or in my random stops at mall vision stores. Anyway, if you're a glasses fanatic like me- check them out, comment and let me know if you have a favorite brand!

Do you believe in... Leave-ins?

Kinky Curly Knot Today AND Paul Mitchell The Conditioner

Many of us think about using a moisturizer of some sort to manage dryness, especially when we have hair that is naturally dry and/or color treated. Typically we go to a moisturizer to combat the dryness. In fact, I have a favorite moisturizer and one that I just "like". Most recently, I found that my hair digs the lite version of Carols Daughter Hair Milk. They are all water-based and a major part of my hair care regimen. 

My hair is most moisturized when I use a leave-in conditioner on my color treated locks. But leave-ins aren't just for color treated hair. When I big chopped, my hair was super dry. I used alcohol-laden products on a regular basis and about 12 hours afterward my hair was like- "help me. need...water!" By following blogs about natural hair, I realized I should have been using a leave-in for added moisture from day one. So- why should YOU use them? 

Here are just a few reasons--> Leave ins:

· are great for detangling wet hair

· can be used as a conditioner-only styler

· provide moisture under gels

· hydrate and strengthen

· minimize frizz

In a nutshell, leave-ins have the added components that keep it all together, soft, shiny and manageable.  They are meant to actually leave ON the hair versus the conditioners that many keep on their hair all day for conditioner wash and go styles.  Some people add olive, coconut or jojoba oil for added shine and sealing all that goodness into the strand. I primarily add the oils in winter when my hair is dryest and the weather is most harsh. My favorite leave-in conditioner of late has been Paul Mitchell's The Conditioner (a generic version is sold at Sallys for half the cost) and I've always used Kinky Curly Knot Today. I've also taken a fancy to Redken Smooth Down Detangling Cream. Once I've used up my current stash I'm heading to Target or Walmart to find Herbal Essence None of Your Frizziness Smoothing Leave-in Cream (it’s only $3.99!). Do you use a leave-in? Which do you recommend?