Worth 1,000 Words

But one in particular... LOVE.  

Why not opt for original artwork or rare/unknown prints to decorate your walls?  

These are a few of my favs available at:
http://www.etsy.com/search?includes[]=tags&q=Illustration

 

"Unravel Me"

 

 

xoxo Shauna

Tips on Your BLOWDRY

The "nozzle" really does have a purpose!  It takes some time getting used to blowdrying with the attachment, but will make your hair a lot smoother!  It actually "trains" your hair cuticle to lay flat & speeds up blowdry time by directing the stream of air to your sections of hair while roundbrushing (if you're that skilled, I'm envious) or flatbrushing.

xoxo Shauna

Half-Moon Mani

LOVING this trend. 

D.I.Y. tip:

 

xoxo Shauna

Denim on Denim

 

It just works.

xoxo Shauna

Coconut Water: Not So Magically Healthy After All?

Coconut water is EVERYWHERE.  & I must admit, i've jumped on the bandwagon myself.  I love the stuff.  But is coconut water as amazing as it claims to be??  I usually opt for the lowest calorie option at my local grocery store (some have "pulp" or added juices that make them higher in calories & I typically like to EAT my calories & not DRINK them), but I wonder... are all coconut water brands created equal or is there a specific brand I should be buying?

To my surprise, when ConsumerLab.com tested three leading brands (Zico, Vita Coco & ONE), only one contained what it actually said it did. 

The trouble seems to lie in the beverages' sodium and magnesium quantities: These electrolytes form the basis of the drink's rehydration claims.  The test revealed that in the Vita Coco and ONE brands, there was as much as 82% less sodium than advertised, and as much as 35% less magnesium.

 

However, CNN reports that Zico Natural did deliver its promised levels of the two ingredients.

Zico it is!

xoxo Shauna

Safe Travels

Last week, I realized how much I hate hospitals.

Since my trip to Spain & Morocco, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but thought I had just gotten a bad cold & didn't let myself rest properly before going back to work & to my hectic lifestyle.  

Turns out, I was suffering form a lot more than jet lag & a head cold, & when last Wednesday, I woke up feel absolutely horrible, I knew something was seriously wrong.  

With a temperature of 102.4, blood pressure of 70/38, & terrible stomach pains, my doctor told me I should have come in a lot sooner.  Long story short & 3 nights in the hospital (in isolation none the less), my stomach & intestinal infection was finally under control.  

More than likely, my infection was a result from the food I ate on my trip abroad.  I made sure not to drink tap water, but to be honest, I was unaware of any other procotions I should have taken.  

I wanted to share the CDC website with you guys & share my story so that next time you travel abroad, you don't come home to a hospital bed...  

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm

The CDC breaks food & drink information by country & also lists suggested vaccinations & other helpful info to keep you safe & healthy on your travels.  

Next time I travel, I'll be sure to be more careful about dairy products (pasteurized only) & about eating cooked veggies instead of raw. 

xoxo Shauna

Mini Berry Cobblers

Yesterday I was craving dessert, but wanted something mini & somewhat healthy.  I decided to make this mini berry cobbler recipe that I found on Cookie & Kate, an amazing blog I've recently stumbled upon.  

Mini Berry Cobblers

(makes 4)

• 1 large carton of blackberries, or two of the small containers
• 1 carton of strawberries
• 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour (I used regular whole wheat flour but surely pasty flour would be better)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• Dash of salt
• 1 small egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melt and let cool for a few minutes

Chop the strawberries into large chunks. Gently mix the fruit, corn starch and sugar together in a bowl.

Mix the remaining dry ingredients together in a larger bowl. Whisk the egg, buttermilk and butter together in a separate bowl, then pour into the bowl of dry ingredients. 

Stir the mixture until just blended.

Spoon the fruit mixture into your ramekins and top with the dough. Bake at 375 degrees for fifteen minutes or until the tops are golden brown. 

 

View the blog entry here:   

http://cookieandkate.com/2010/mini-blackberry-cobbler-recipe/#ixzz1TFgP2uyx

 

To make the recipe a little healthier, I forwent the cornstarch in the berries & substituted buttermilk for Silk vanilla soy milk.  Still yummy & I felt a little less guilty.   

xoxo Shauna