Low Carb Keto Pad Thai Noodles

Low Carb Keto Pad Thai Noodles

by | Jul 11, 2018 | Blog, Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Noodles, noodles, and more noodles. I love noodles, and my favorite low carb noodles are by a brand called Nasoya. These noodles are made from Shiitake mushrooms, and they contain very few carbs.

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Low Carb+ Keto Pad Thai Noodles

Ingredients

  • 2 packages Nasoya Shiitake Mushroom Noodles
  • 1/4 tsp Red Boat Fish Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Skippy Natural Smooth Peanut Butter
  • 1 pack Shredded Cabbage
  • 1 Organic Red Pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp Mushroom Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Parsley Flakes
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 tbsp Whole Foods Carrot & Ginger Dressing

Instructions

  1. First, pour 1/2 tbsp of coconut oil into a heated saucepan. Next place shredded cabbage into the saucepan. Put the heat setting on your stove to medium. Season cabbage with garlic salt, Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute, and garlic powder.

    While the cabbage is cooking, rinse the Nasoya noodles in cold water, and then place the noodles into a pot of boiling water. Only cook the noodles for 2 minutes or else they will taste chewy.

    Next, put Nasoya Noodles into the saucepan with the cabbage. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, and peanut butter, Whole Foods Carrot & Ginger dressing, and seasonings( garlic powder, black pepper, Trader Joe’s 22 seasonings salute, and parsley flakes) into the mixture. Cook noodles and vegetables for 10-15 minutes.

    What are your favorite low carb noodles too eat?

Low Carb & Keto Fettuccine Alfredo Noodles

Low Carb & Keto Fettuccine Alfredo Noodles

by | Jun 26, 2018 | Blog, Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Fettuccine drenched in Alfredo sauce; topped with parmesan cheese and parsley flakes is the perfect comfort food to me!  But is it low carb? That’s the question I have been asking myself lately, as I enter my second week on Atkin’s low carb diet.
Although I don’t count my carbs, I still check the nutritional facts on packaging to make sure the foods I’m about to eat contain the lowest carbohydrates possible!
I created my low carb fettuccine Alfredo noodles using Nasoya mushroom noodles. These noodles contain only one net carb. In order to figure the total net carbs on various foods, you subtract the total amount of carbohydrates from fiber, and that will give you the net carbs in packaged food items.  The Alfredo sauce in this recipe is made using a combination of heavy cream and parmesan cheese. What are some of your favorite noodle recipes?

 

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Low Carb Fettuccine Alfredo Noodles

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp Kerry Gold Butter
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Parsley flakes
  • 1 tsp Trader Joe’s 21 Seasonings Salute
  • 1 tsp Basil powder

Instructions

  1. First strain Nasoya noodles. After straining the noodles place them in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Heat a saucepan with1 tbsp of Kerry Gold butter. Next place 1cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese into the pan, and whisk all the ingredients together. As the mixture solidifies add all of your seasonings. Lastly, lower the heat on your stove, and add the Nasoya mushroom noodles. 

The Keto Chronicles: Low Carb Quiche

The Keto Chronicles: Low Carb Quiche

by | Jun 12, 2018 | Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Quiche is one of my favorite low carb breakfast meals to make! It’s quick, healthy, and packed with enough protein to keep you feeling full. The foundation of this recipe is my almond flour pie crust recipe, with sauteed vegetables, cheese, and organic eggs. What’s your favorite low carb/keto breakfast meal?

*Click here to learn how to make an almond flour crust.

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Low Carb & Keto: Quiche

Ingredients

  • 1 Almond Flour Pie Crust
  • 5 Large Organic Eggs
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Parsley Flakes
  • 1/2 tsp Trader Joe's 21 Seasonings Salute
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream *A great substitute for heavy cream is Coconut cream. Your quiche will take 15-20 minutes longer to bake.
  • 1 cup Organic Green & Red Peppers

Instructions

  1. Bake almond flour crust at 375 for 5-10 minutes, or until the center of the crust rises and the edges of the crust get crisp. While the crust is baking, whisk your eggs, spices, cheese, heavy cream, and peppers into a bowl. After you take the almond flour crust out of the oven, pour your egg mixture onto the crust. Place your quiche into the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the quiche gets crisp. Another way to ensure that your quiche is cooked, stick a knife into the center of the quiche. If the knife is clean when you remove it from the quiche, then it's cooked. 

Almond Flour Pie Crust- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

Almond Flour Pie Crust- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

by | Feb 26, 2018 | Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Blanched almond flour is so versatile. You can use it to bake pie, biscuits, breads, and cakes. My favorite brands of blanched almond flour are by Trader Joe’s and Wellbee’s.

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Almond Flour Pie Crust

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Blanched Almond Flour
  • 1/2 stick KerryGold Butter
  • 2 tsps Cold Water

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 cup of Blanched almond flour, 1/2 stick of KerryGold butter, and 2 tsps of cold water into a bowl.  Mix all ingredients together until it forms a ball. Place your almond dough into the refrigerator for an hour. Next spray your pie dish with coconut oil. Then take your almond flour dough, and press it into to your pie dish until it covers the pan. Bake your pie crust for 10 minutes at 375. 

    *Please note that depending on your oven, you might have to bake your pie crust for more or less time. 


Meatball Pie- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

Meatball Pie- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

by | Feb 26, 2018 | Blog, Food, Recipes | 0 comments

You get a pie! You Get a Pie! Everybody Gets A Meatball Pie!

I came up with this recipe a few weeks, when I had some leftover almond flour pie crust, and I was craving some pizza. This pie crust is flavorful, but not crispy. If you’re looking for a low-carb pizza alternative this recipe has you covered! What’s your favorite pizza topping?

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MeatBall Pie

Ingredients

  • 1 diced meatball
  • 1 Almond Flour Crust
  • 1 tbsp Rao's Tomato Sauce
  • 3/4 cup Shredded Mozzarella
  • 1/4 tsp dried basil

Instructions

  1. First grease your mini pie pan. I purchased this pan from HomeGoods years ago, but I'm sure you can find a similar one on Amazon. Then place your almond flour crust onto the pan, and bake it at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until the crust looks crispy. Next take the pie crust out of the oven, and place the diced meatballs onto the pie crust. Take 1tbsp of Rao's tomato sauce, and pour it over the meatball. Then sprinkle shredded mozarella cheese and dried basil on top, and place the pie back into the oven until the cheese melts. 

Just Like Grandma’s Meatball’s- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

Just Like Grandma’s Meatball’s- The Low Carb Keto Chronicles

by | Jan 22, 2018 | Blog, Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Growing up my grandmother made some of my favorite dishes to eat after school. Of the many dishes she made, her meatball recipe was my favorite. My grandmother would place a mixture of diced onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, and apple cider vinegar, and ground beef into a bowl. Carefully, she would scoop some of the mixture into her hands and roll it into a ball. Next she would place it in a hot skillet pan filled with a little bit of canola oil, and cook the meatballs until they were crispy on the outside. Thinking of the way she used to cook this dish transports me to her kitchen, and the aroma fills my olfactory senses.   I have recreated my grandmother’s meatball recipe many times. Recently, I decided to swap out a few ingredients, and it has been a huge hit with my family. The new recipe is low carb friendly, and it still has all the flavor of granny’s!

 

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Low Carb Meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Super-Fine Blanched Almond Flour
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 package Ground Beef
  • 1/4 tsp Parsley
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 jar Rao's Marinara Sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 

    Place ground beef, dry seasonings, egg, Parmesan cheese, and almond flour into a bowl. Mix all ingredients together. 

    Next line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Then take your ground beef mixture; start forming balls, and place the balls onto the cookie sheet. 

    Bake the meatballs for 25-35 minutes. Fifteen minutes before the meatballs are completely cooked, heat Rao's Marinara sauce in a saucepan. After the meatballs are finished baking, place them into the Rao's Marinara sauce for 10 minutes. 

#ShesoTechyWednesday: One of My Biggest Mistakes

#ShesoTechyWednesday: One of My Biggest Mistakes

by | Jun 14, 2017 | Blog, Entrepreneur, Technology | 0 comments

When I started my website almost 2 years ago, I didn’t know then what I know today. I had no idea how to create an e-mail opt-in pop-up, so that when I transferred my website to a hosting site I would still be able to keep in touch with my followers.
After changing my website name and layout, I marketed my website through various platforms such as: Instagram, Twitter, and Periscope. I gained some followers and retention through these platforms, but I could’ve reached a larger audience if I had an e-mail list of subscribers.
Currently, I use the WordPress plugin MailMunch to encourage reader’s to subscribe to my newsletter, and then I use Mailerlite to send out e-mails and newsletters to my subscribers.
Mailmunch is user friendly, and it offers different options for it’s customers. The first step to creating your MailMunch pop-up is selecting which style you like, and then creating a message. After creating your message you can chose to integrate it with your e-mail marketing program. Finally, you can publish your pop-up and have it displayed on your homepage.
Do you have a e-mail-opt-in for your website ?
Quick & Easy Low Carb Turkey Pita Pocket

Quick & Easy Low Carb Turkey Pita Pocket

by | May 8, 2017 | Blog, Food, Recipes | 0 comments

A few weeks ago, I went to City Subs located in Park Slope, Brooklyn for the first time. Let’s just say Subway has nothing on this subs only establishment. Each sub is made on freshly baked Italian bread, and served toasted or cold based on your preference. You can adorn your sandwich with various toppings such as cheese, peppers, oil, vinegar, and much more!

I ordered the Dean Street sub, and my mouth is literally watering as type this post to explain to you how delicious this sub was! It was so delicious that I devoured it before I could take any pictures. It’s crusty sesame bread is baked to perfection, then mayo is layer on top, along with thinly heavenly slices of roasted turkey. Then peperjack cheese is melted on top and roasted pepper seals the deal! This sandwich is amazing!

I recreated my own healthy version of the Dean Street below! It a low carb roasted pita, that is both satisfyingly crunchy and healthy!

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Low Carb Turkey Pita

This low carb turkey pita is filled with crunchy vegetables along with roasted turkey. It will fill you up and keep you energized!

Author Kimberly Joy

Ingredients

  • 1 Low Carb Pita I used Toufayan's
  • 2 slices Boar's Head Roasted Turkey
  • 1 slice Cheddar Cheese
  • 3/4 cup Spring Mix Lettuce
  • 1/2 cup Purple Cabage I used the Trader Joe's Organic Purple Cabbage Slaw
  • 3 slices Tomato
  • 1 Pickle
  • 1/2 tsp Hellman's Mayo
  • 1 cup Baked Kettle Barbecue Chips

Instructions

  1. Place Hellman's mayo inside of the Toufayan's low carb pita. Next put Boar's Head roasted turkey inside of the pita, along with 1 slice of cheddar cheese, Spring Lettuce, Purple Cabbage, 3 slices of tomato, and one pickle. Viola, you have created a quick, healthy, and delicious meal!

Creative Spotlight: Learn About Skincare Expert Judith Vasquez Journey to Success

Creative Spotlight: Learn About Skincare Expert Judith Vasquez Journey to Success

by | Apr 4, 2017 | Beauty, Skincare | 0 comments

Judith Vazquez is the queen of all trades! She is a phlebotomist, makeup artist, and esthetician. When clients receive her facials, they feel as though they have been transported to the ethos of calm and relaxation. Find out more about Judith, and her journey to becoming a makeup artist and esthetician in the interview below.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself, and how you got started in the makeup industry, and how you have transitioned into the skincare industry?

I’m a single parent from NYC. I work in a  hospital as a medical assistant/Phlebotomist for the past 19 years, and now as a freelance makeup artist and  Esthetician. This experience has allowed me to enhance my skills, and bring my makeup artistry background to skincare.

Give us a glimpse into what your day at esthetician school looked like.

I attended evening class after a long and busy day at work. I was always excited to learn what we were doing next in theory, but on the practical days… We actually worked on each other. This gave us the opportunity to deal and analyze different skin types such as mature or younger skin.

What are some of the challenges you experienced while in esthetician school?

One of the challenges was the fear of the unknown with my own skin. My skin was going through a change all of a sudden. Acne, dry skin, dehydration, hyper-pigmentation. In addition to this, I  was sensitive to products. Eventually I got through it. Thank god I did!

What advice would you give someone applying to esthetician school(s)?

If you are love skincare and helping people define their beauty before using makeup, Then Go for It!!!! You’re not limited to only working in a spa. You can open your own business, work in other fields for a skincare company, medical office, or freelancer. The list goes on and on because the sky’s the limit!

As the weather starts to change, what skincare advice would you give to someone with dry or oily skin?

For my dry skin ladies and men I recommend seeing a skin specialist. Esthetician first before a dermatologist. We would know the proper care for your skin by analyzing your skin first. Then we would recommend products or treatments to cater towards your skin type. (For dry skin a milky cleanser ,enzyme exfoliator,vitamin C serum ,and a SPF moisturizer at all times). For Oily skin a Purity cleanser not foamy at all- leave that for your dishes, lol!  Some products to also look into are an enzyme exfoliator, a serum like ClearCell by Image, then a mattifying SPF moisturizer. That should keep your skin looking fresh and prevent less oil buildup.

What are some of your favorite skincare products?

I have so many on my list! There are so many brands from commercial to pharmaceuticals. But so far they are Image skincare, NaturalPathica , Expurtise, Skincueticals, and Limelight by Alcone .

What are 3 tips you would give someone starting their career in the makeup and skincare industry?

Whether you choose makeup or skin, make sure you continue to educate yourself. Whether it’s going back to school and getting your license or certification, or attending seminars about them. Never give up because it’s all going to come together as one.

How can new clients get in touch with you?

Clients can easily DM me on Instagram, inbox on FB or send me a text. My number isn’t private, so please only reach out if you’re serious about your skin concerns.

#ShesotechyTuesday- Switching to a Instagram Business Profile: The Pro’s & Con’s

#ShesotechyTuesday- Switching to a Instagram Business Profile: The Pro’s & Con’s

by | Sep 20, 2016 | SheSoTechyTuesday, Technology | 0 comments

Trying to get your brand recognized on Instagram just got a little bit easier. Instagram now gives users the option to have either a business or personal page.

Selecting a business page allows your Instagram profile to be connected to your Facebook page. Also, your posts will now have detailed analytics informing you how many people viewed, engaged, and liked your social media posts. Followers can send you a direct e-mail from your Instagram business page. Another cool feature to Instagram business page is that you can promote specific posts.

A personal Instagram page is a great way to build your professional brand. You can keep your friends and family informed of your latest trips, events, and more with pictures and videos. However, a personal page does not allow you to view the analytics of your posts or provide your followers with your e-mail address. Although a personal page does not have all the perks of a business page, you can still look up social media posts analytics on iconosquare.com. Iconosquare is a website that shows you which of your posts has the highest reach, and which of your followers has viewed your page the most.

In order to switch to a IG business page, first you have to setup your Facebook business/fan account. Next go to your Instagram profile, and click on the wheel icon at the right corner of your page. Scroll down the page until you see Switch to Business Account. Then your business account profile will have a contact and a follow option for viewers. You can add your business e-mail address by clicking on edit profile and scrolling down to add e-mail address.

*Will you switch to a IG business account or stick with a personal account?

Website Name Change: When is It Time to Switch Things Up?

Website Name Change: When is It Time to Switch Things Up?

by | Sep 12, 2016 | Business, Entrepreneur, Technology | 0 comments

Last August, I blogged regularly, in order to fulfill my dream of becoming a beauty editor at a magazine. While doing the behind the scenes work required to get a blog up and running smoothly, I came up with the idea to turn my blog into an online magazine. At the time, I didn’t realize, how much money, time, and energy such a lofty goal would require.

During my attempt to turn the blog into a magazine, I took a few online courses, learned some coding language, and continued to research and study new skills to enhance my website. Eventually, I decided to put my dream of having an online magazine on hold for now, and rebrand my website and my online presence. I changed my website and social media handles from kimberlyjoymua.com (@kimberlyjoymua) to the www.thepursuitofjoy.com (@thpursuitofjoy).

The decision to change my website name was difficult because sometimes followers might not recognize a brand’s new name. I decided to take a leap of faith and brainstorm new names for my brand. After a few months of going over various names, and then booking a session with Adeea Rogers, I came up with a long lists of names like joybeyondbeauty, beautybeyondjoy, beyondtheprettythings,thepursuitofjoy, and a few more. I kept circling back to the name thepursuitofjoy.com because if I hadn’t pursued what interested me I wouldn’t be where I am today. Today I  have a collection of over 80 blog posts, various followers on my social media platforms, and I am a Brand Ambassador for SheaMoisture.

Several months ago, I did a Pericope broadcast on the importance of pursuing your interests versus your
passions.

Sometimes the interests you hold for a particular topic such as technology might lead you to take courses in computer coding and research more information on the topic. Following your interests might lead to your passion. People often say follow your passion, and it will lead you to the perfect career or something you love. In my experience it has been the reverse! My curosity to learn more about computer coding, digital graphics, and website building has helped me to create a website and brand I am passionate about and share with the world online.

The strides I’ve made did not take place over night; instead it has been and continues to be a long road filled with a lot of sweat, tears, and long nights building my website and my social media platforms, in addition to taking online courses.

*Have you ever changed your brand name? If so, what was your rebranding experience like?

 

Paleo Zucchini Fritters

Paleo Zucchini Fritters

by | Aug 10, 2016 | Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Zucchini fritters have become one of my latest obsessions this summer! They are crisp, crunchy, and easy to make.

Paleo Zucchini Fritters

You’ll need:

1 cup Otto’s Cassava Flour

2 eggs

1/4 tsp Parsley

1/4 tsp Oregano

1/4 tsp Basil

1/4 tsp Paprika

1/4 Garlic Salt

1/4 Arrowroot Flour

2 Shredded Zucchini

1 tbsp Coconut Oil

Instructions:

Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl. Next in a separate bowl pour 1 cup of Otto’s Cassava flour. Then place all of your herbs, eggs, arrowroot flour, and zucchini (*before placing zucchini into the mixture take a paper towel and drain and access water) into the flour, and take a spatula and mix everything together. Pour 1 tbsp of coconut oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Scoop zucchini mixture and place it into the saucepan. Cook each side until it is a golden crisp color.

*Please note that arrowroot is a plant based starch, which is used to thicken a recipe. If you are trying to monitor your carbohydrate intake, you may want to skip this ingredient. Also, to reduce the moisture of this recipe, make sure you strain the zucchini and use one egg instead of two.

*What is your favorite summer vegetable?

#ShesoTechyTuesday: The Impact of the Color of Emotion Wheel for Branding

#ShesoTechyTuesday: The Impact of the Color of Emotion Wheel for Branding

by | Aug 9, 2016 | Technology | 0 comments

                             Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart.

Entrepreneurship is tough, but it’s also rewarding! Imagine- you go from writing an idea on paper, to creating a road map, finalizing the details of your business plan, and lastly publishing your website. Most days you’re a web-developer, lawyer, assistant, customer service rep., researcher, and content creator, in addition to being the owner of your brand. To say you wear many hats is an understatement!

For the next four weeks, we’ll discuss the key steps to jump-start your brand and take a leap into the entrepreneurship arena. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the color of emotion for branding, how to create a logo, choose the right website template, and much more! This week we will cover the color of emotion for branding!

Brands use the color of emotion wheel as a guide to select which colors best represent their brand and create a connection with their customers.

Some famous logos are Oreo’s font logo with white and blue text, Apple’s grey apple, and Target’s red bull eye. The colors that brands select for their logos represents something different on the color of emotion wheel. Blue represents trust, dependability, and strength. Grey symbolizes balance, calm, and neutral. Red conjures feelings of excitement, boldness, and youth. Selecting the right color for your brand is important because it allows people to easily recognize your brand and logo. Throughout the world McDonald’s yellow colored M is universally recognized regardless of their menu. After examining the color of emotion spectrum, you might not look at your favorite logos the same way again!

Before creating a logo, graphic designers discuss with their clients which colors best represent their brand and why? In addition, designers inquire about what words, fonts, and shapes best reflect their brand. The more details that brand owners provide their designers with, the more likely it will be for designers to create and fulfill their client’s vision.

After changing my website name last month from kimberlyjoymua.com to thepursuitofjoy.com, I decided to change the color layout of the blog to purple. The main color that cascades throughout the blog now is a neon purple, and later this month two more colors will be introduced to further unify my brand. Purple symbolizes royalty, innovation, and creativity on the color of emotion wheel. Selecting the color purple was important for my brand because the website thepursuitofjoy.com addresses beauty, food, and technology. Purple is easily recognizable and embodies mission of my brand.

*What are some of your favorite brand logos?

To find out more information about the color of emotion wheel click here.

Going for Gold with Thrive Wall

Going for Gold with Thrive Wall

by | Aug 8, 2016 | Entrepreneur | 0 comments

Last week Friday, I watched the opening ceremony to the Rio Olympic games with my niece and nephew. It was so amazing to watch  these athletes proudly wave their country’s flag into the majestic blue sky. As they embark on their Olympic journey this week, it is a perfect reminder that when you visualize your goals anything is possible!

This week kicks off week two of Thrive Wall. Visually seeing what I have completed over the past week has me so excited, because I can no longer say “I didn’t complete anything.” I’m looking forward to going for gold this upcoming week as I take on the challenge of completing even more goals!

*You’re a rockstar! What are some goals that you completed this past week?

How to Make the Best Detox Water

How to Make the Best Detox Water

by | Aug 5, 2016 | Food, Health, Recipes | 0 comments

When the temperatures rise during the summer, the most refreshing thing to drink is some detox water. Detox waters are jam packed with fresh fruit and herbs. It helps to remove impurities and toxins from the body.

Ingredients:

4 slices of Lemon

4 leafs of Mint

3 pieces of Ginger(optional)

1 tbsp of chopped cucumber

Directions: Place ingredients into a pitcher or your favorite water bottle and refrigerate it for an hour.

 

What are some of your favorite detox water recipes?

Striving for Greatness- Strive Wall

by | Aug 4, 2016 | Business, Entrepreneur | 0 comments

                                                       “Write it down make it happen.”

One of the challenges I face as an entrepreneur is focusing to much on how far I need to go; instead of how far I’ve come. By writing down some of my current goals down on #strive wall, it enables me to visualize what I would like to accomplish for that month.

 

What are some strides you would like to make in your business this month?

#strivewall        #thpursuitofjoy

Thrive Wall: The Importance of Celebrating Your Wins

by | Aug 2, 2016 | Business, Entrepreneur | 0 comments

Being an entrepreneur means juggling many hats, and sometimes it can be easy to forget how far we’ve come. I created the concept Thrive Wall & Strive Wall to celebrate and share our successes and goals in businesses. Throughout the month of August, we will be throwing paint against the wall(virtually) and writing down our strive goals, and celebrating the thrive goals we have accomplished.

*Watch my Periscope Broadcast where I share how I came up with the concept for strive and thrive wall 

https://www.periscope.tv/thpursuitofjoy/1djxXXMdvrVxZ

Salads in A Cup: Green Juice Smoothie

by | Apr 29, 2016 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Smoothie’s are a great way to get some key nutrients into your everyday diet. I love including fruit along with a scoop of protein to balance everything out in my smoothies. Sometimes greens like kale can be quite tart, but when you pair it with some fruit you’ll forget that it’s even in there.

Green Juice Smoothie

1/2 cup Almond Milk

3/4 frozen mangoes

3/4 blueberries

3/4 Strawberries

2 bananas

1cup Kale

1tbsp Chia Seed

1tbsp Flaxseed

1tbsp Benfiber

1tbsp Ground Ginger

2tbsp VegaOne Mixed Berry Protein

1 cup ice

Pour all ingredients into a blender and mix together.

What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?

Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings”

by | Apr 25, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings” is the prefect dish to celebrate “Meatless Mondays.” It’s crispy and spicy without the guilt and calories of eating meat!

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings:

1 Cauliflower Head

1/2 cup Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour

3/4 cup Water

1/4 tsp FlavorGod Garlic Lover’s Seasoning

Instructions:

Pour 1/2 cup of Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour, 3/4 cup of water, and 1/4 tsp of FlavorGod seasoning into a mixing bowl and stir. Take Cauliflower pieces and rinse them; then take a paper towel and dry it. Place the cauliflower into the flour mixture. Next place parchment paper onto a cookie sheet, and then put the cauliflower pieces onto it. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Let the cauliflower cook for 25-30 minutes. Then take the cauliflower, and pour your favorite hot wing sauce over the cauliflower, and then place it back in the oven to cook for 15 minutes. My favorite wing sauce is by the brand called Bella. 

 

What’s your favorite salad or topping recipe so far?

 

 

 

Quinoa Pasta Salad

Quinoa Pasta Salad

by | Apr 22, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

Quinoa pasta is my go to dish when I need to make something in a pinch. It’s super easy and fast to make!

Quinoa Pasta Recipe

You’ll Need:

1bag Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Quinoa Pasta

1 cup Grilled Eggplant

1 Organic Bell Pepper

1/2 Italian vinaigrette (recipe here)

Instructions:

Follow the cooking instructions on  the Trader Joe’s quinoa pasta bag. After the pasta is finished cooking strain it, and pour cold water over the pasta to stop it from cooking. Next place your Italian Vinaigrette into a mixing bowl, then toss your pasta and chopped vegetables with the dressing.

The Perfect Topping: Cassava Chips

by | Apr 20, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

Whenever I try to eat healthy, the one snack that I miss eating the most are chips! Today I came up with a guilt free recipe for cassava chips using Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour. These chips are perfect to eat with dips like hummus, salsa, and guacamole. 

Cassava Chips

You’ll Need:

1/2 cup Otto’s Natural Cassava Flour

1tbsp Coconut Oil

3/4 cup warm water

1/4 tsp FlavorGod Garlic Lover’s Seasoning

1 tbsp Arrowroot Flour

1 tbsp Ground Flaxseed

1 piece of Parchment Paper

1 Plattin Pan

Avocado Oil Spray

Instructions:

Mix water,cassava flour, arrowroot flour, flaxseed, and coconut oil together, until the flour turns into a dough ball. If the dough feels too moist add more cassava flour. Next separate dough into 10 balls. Then place a ball onto a piece of parchment paper, and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into a circle. Heat your plattin pan, and pour a little canola oil into your pan. Place your cassava tortilla onto the plattin. Flip the tortilla once bubbles start to form at the top. Once the tortilla has a golden hue remove it from the pan, and place it onto a plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. After the tortilla has finished cooling use a pizza cutter and cut the tortilla into small pieces. Spray some Avocado Oil and 1/4 tsp of FlavorGod seasoning onto tortilla pieces. Place tortilla pieces onto a greased cookie sheet, and put in the oven. Select the broiler setting on your oven. Cook your cassava chips no more than for five minutes or less.

 

Honey Mustard Dressing

by | Apr 8, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

Honey mustard probably is one of my all time favorite dressings. I can eat it with fries, marinate meats with it, and pour it over various salads. This dressing is known for being both sweet and savory.

 

Honey Mustard Dressing

½ cup of  French’s Mustard

½ cup Mayo

¼ tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ tsp Parsley Flakes

¼ Garlic Powder

1 tbsp Agave Nectar (or honey)

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together, and taste to see if additional sweetener is required.

Salad Dressing Week- The Best Italian Vinaigrette

by | Apr 4, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

I love salad dressings! If there is no dressing on my salad, I’m less likely to eat it.

Perusing through the grocery store aisle, you might stumble upon some pre-made salad dressings ranging in price from $4-$10, and if you’re looking for an organic dressing it could cost more. I’ve always believed that eating healthy should not be a luxury; instead it should be affordable for all!

Today is the kickoff to Salad Month! Throughout the month of April you will find jam pack posts with gems on how you can create Michelin star dressings, salads, and toppings. Bon Appetit!

Italian Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1/4 tsp FlavorGod Garlic Lover’s Seasoning

1/4 tsp Cracked Black Peppercorn

1/4 tsp Onion Powder

1/4 tsp Parsley Flakes

1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions:

Whisk all ingredients together until mixture changes from a light hue to a darker color. Taste mixture and add more seasoning if required.

 

 

 

Review of The Mane Choice Hair Products

by | Apr 2, 2016 | Beauty, hair | 0 comments

One of the many things I love about having natural hair is trying out a variety of hair products. A few months ago, I purchased some of the latest products from the brand The Mane Choice. This brand is known for its products being jam packed with key ingredients like biotin. In this Youtube video, I share with you some of my holy grail products from this brand.

Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies

by | Mar 16, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

For the past few months, I have been testing out various alternative flours, and so far almond flour happens to be one of my favorites. It’s soft, moist, and fluffy, and it plays well with baking ingredients. One of my favorite almond flour brands is King Arthur because it is finely milled, and it reminds me of Gold Medal White Flour. When I ran out of my King Arthur almond flour, I decided to make my own using some Trader Joe’s unsalted sliced almonds. I pureed the Trader Joe’s almonds in my Cuisinart until it looked like flour. This process takes roughly around five minutes. 

Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies

1/2 cup  Almond Flour

1 Large Egg

3 tbsp Butter

1 tbsp Agave Nectar

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 pinch Cinnamon

1 tbsp Coconut Sugar

2 tbsp Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and mix it together. Use a cookie scoop to form dough balls. Place cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet, and bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.

 

 

 

Cheddar Almond Biscuits

by | Mar 1, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

Have you ever wanted to make a Red Lobster biscuit at home? If the answer is “Yes”, then I have the best healthy recipe for you. To make my delicious Cheddar Almond Biscuit, I used King Arthur Almond Flour. 

Cheddar Almond Biscuit

1/2 cup King Arthur Almond Flour

1tbsp  Butter

1/2 Cheddar Cheese

1/4 tsp FlavorGod Garlic Lover’s Seasoning

1/2 tsp Parsley

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

Instructions: Place ingredients in a bowl and mix everything together. Next take a piece of parchment paper, and put it onto a cookie sheet. Then place a dollop of the batter onto the parchment paper. Place in the oven and bake at 375 for 10-15 mins.

Paleo Banana Muffins

by | Feb 26, 2016 | Food, Recipes, Recipes | 0 comments

A few weeks ago, while searching for finely milled almond flour on Vitacost.com, I found a box of Simple Mills Banana Muffin mix. After clicking on the item and reading its nutritional facts, I realized that this product has healthy ingredients. In addition to its healthy ingredients, it also is well suited for a Paleo and low carb lifestyle. These muffins are moist and high in fiber, which is important when you are on a low carb diet.

Winter Skincare Essentials

by | Feb 21, 2016 | Beauty | 0 comments

During the winter my skin goes from lush and dewy to dull and dry. In this video, I share some of my new skincare products I am testing out this winter.

What are some of your favorite winter skincare products ?

The Best Mini-Meatloaf Recipe Ever

by | Feb 16, 2016 | Food, Recipes | 0 comments

Last week, I made a delicious mini meatloaf. It’s super easy to make, and your whole family will ask for a second helping!

Mini Meatloaf Recipe

You’ll Need:

1 lb Ground Turkey Meat

¼ tsp Garlic Powder

½ tsp Chives

½ tsp FlavorGod Garlic Lover’s Seasoning

½ tsp Onion Powder

½ cup Oatmeal

½ cup Marinara Sauce

1 Organic Egg

1 tbsp Parmesan Reggiano Cheese

¼ Chia Seeds

1 tbsp Beekman 1802 Ketchup

1 mini baking pan

Instructions

Mix turkey meat, egg, marinara sauce, and oatmeal, parmesan reggiano cheese, chia seeds, and dry seasonings together in a bowl. Spray your mini baking pan with coconut oil spray. Place your turkey meat mixture into the pan, and pour Beekman 1802 ketchup on top of your meatloaf. Bake your meatloaf at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Introducing: Techy Tuesdays

by | Feb 9, 2016 | Technology | 0 comments

Techy Tuesdays will take place over the course of the next two weeks on Periscope at 6:30 p.m. E.S.T.  This Tuesday I will be discussing all things technology related, and tips on how to launch your own website. Join me @thpursuitofjoy on Periscope this Tuesday!

What Can We Learn From Beyonce’s Super Bowl Performance?

by | Feb 9, 2016 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

                                                                        Always Be in a State of Readiness

Ok, ladies it’s time to get in Formation, singer Beyonce said, while her backup dancers stomped into an X formation this past Sunday at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Beyonce’s performance and announcement of an upcoming tour is a reminder for us to always live in a state of readiness!                                                                          

                                                                             Marketing At It’s Finest

Beyonce and her team saw the Super Bowl as great opportunity to market her new song, album, and upcoming tour. Beyonce did not create the Formation video overnight; instead she had a team help her bring her vision to fruition.                                                                         

                                                                               What’s the Takeaway?

Beyonce is known for working hard behind the scenes on her projects, and just releasing it without warning to her fans, which leaves them asking “How did she do that?” Beyonce always keeps us guessing and wanting more of her music and performances! Beyonce’s performance teaches us that with hard work, dedication, and planning anything is possible!                                                                                

                                                                            Questions

  1.What did you think about Beyonce’s Super Bowl performance?                                   

 2.What have you learned from Beyonce’s marketing skills?

The Top 4 Met Gala Trends

The Top 4 Met Gala Trends

by | May 9, 2017 | Beauty, Blog

The Met Gala has been the pinnacle of beauty and fashion over the years. Each year the gala has a theme where the rich and famous adorn themselves with futuristic cutting edge styles and beauty trends. This year’s theme was comme-des-garcons, which in French translates to like some boys. Celebrities like Solange Knowles, La La Anthony, Thandie Newton, Rihanna, and many more graced the red carpet with their glamorous looks. Some of the top fashion trends of the night were ruffled rose colored fabric, lace, and rose hair crowns. Recreate some of the most celebrated looks of the gala with our breakdown.

Solange Knowles paid homage to her friend Missy Elliot, by wearing a long puffy black jacket similar to the one Missy wore in the music video The Rain- Supa Fly. Solange’s makeup artist sketched and arched her brows like Cranes in the Sky. Keeping with the no makeup makeup trend Solange wore a natural foundation, which you can achieve with Cover FX foundation powder.

 

La La Anthony slayed the red carpet in her black lace gown, and showed Carmelo Anthony what he will be missing while they’re separated. Her makeup artist selected a mattified foundation like Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + to ensure that her look would last all night. La La’s eyes had a soft smokey mauve eyeshadow to keep with her soft gothic lace ensemble.

Thandie Newton wore one of the trends we will likely see beyond an Easter day parade. She wore a colorful blossoming arrangement of roses in her hair, and an off the shoulder red dress. You can create a floral crown by using a floral wire. First take the floral wire and bend it into a circle, then wrap that circle with green tape. Next use a hot glue gun to glue your flower pieces to the circle.

Rihanna stunned us with a ruffled multicolor dress and red knee high laced sandals. Her hair was placed in a ballerina bun with precision cut bangs. To recreate Rihanna’s look place your hair in a ponytail, then use a Goody bobby pin to pin your hair into a bun.

 

What are some of your favorite fashion and beauty trends from the Met Gala?

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