Tag: #gotitfree

My Current Morning Skincare Routine

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Let me start by saying that I am not blessed with good skin… and since I’ve stopped taking birth control… well, it’s only gotten worst. When I look for skincare, I look for products that are going to penetrate deep, hydrate and calm skin.

Quick preface to why my skin is so bad. I started taking the pill at about 17 because I couldn’t handle the acne, and when in highschool – that’s the last thing you want to worry about. Even controlling the hormones – I was never/ have never been pimple free. I guess part of it is hereditary, part of it is hormonal and the other parts… well, I have no freaking clue! I eat balanced, drink mostly only water (and coffee… and alcoholic beverages from time-to-time), tried eliminating lactose (#cheeseiscrack) and not much improvement, I feel like i’ve tried everything.

I have combination-dry skin with texture (pimples) and uneven complexion and here are the products I use religiously every morning that I’ve noticed THE most constant improvement with (Like on good skin days I can get away with tinted moisturizer):

  • Cleanser: Drunk Elephant – Pekee Bar: This cleasing bar doesn’t look like much but let me tell you, it may be tiny but it’s mighty. I like using this in the morning especially because it doesn’t strip my skin of it’s natural oils thanks to it’s perfectly calculated lower PH level of 6.51 (compared to other cleansers that are at about 9). It also tones and promotes moisture retention, while improving the feel of elasticity and firmness… I’ll take it!
  •  Toner: Kiehl’s – Ultra Facial Toner: Another gentle and super effective product is this toner. It doesn’t contain alcohol, so it won’t give you that burning feeling (which, contrary to popular belief, doesn’t means it’s working ), it’s suitable for all skin types and feels refreshing.
  • Serum: Kiehl’s – Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate: I have seen the MOST improvement in my skin with this moussey/gel-like serum (which rationalizes the price-point for me). It’s SUPER lightweight, absorbs quickly and penetrates deep into my skin. It makes my skin look and feel plumper thus deminishing the look and feel of textured skin, which is great before applying makeup.
  • Concentrate: Kiehl’s – Daily Reviving Concentrate: This is an oily product. Although it does absorb into the skin, I prefer to use this when I’m not going to apply foundation because it tends to make my makeup slip all over my face, which is it’s only downfall because it gives me the most effortless and beautifully natural glow and helps with evening out my skintone and reduces some excess texture. (It doesn’t hurt that it smells like a spa in a bottle).

    or

  • Serum: La Roche-Posay – HYALU B5: When I am going to be putting on makeup (which is pretty much everyday) I grab for this guy. I was sent this to test out by Topbox and (tbh) was really skeptical to try because the scent is quite perfume-y which made me nervous with my sensitive skin. It’s a thick serum formula that turns into water as your working it into your face. It’s combination of hyaloronic acid and vitamin B5 makes it great to lock in moisture all day and plump skin making it a bonus for keeping away wrinkles.
  • Moisturizer: CeraVe – Moisturizing Lotion: Besides the fact that it’s very inexpensive, this is my FAVORITE daytime moisturizer. Again, it’s lightweight, which is important when wearing makeup all-day. My skin gets that replenished feeling. There’s no scent, it’s great for sensitive skin and is very moisturizing! Can’t beat this moisturizer!I know this seems extensive, but for me, taking care of my skin is super important! If it makes me look and feel better about my skin then it’s worth the extra minute every morning. Top it off with some SPF in my foundation and my skin and I are ready for the day!

Let me know what products you guys use in the AM and why they’re your tried and true and maybe i’ll have to try them out for myself.

Have a good morning,

alongwithb

Easy & Fluffy Banana Nut Muffins

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As previously mentioned, I was lucky enough to be chosen to be an advocate for @FamilyRated’s Becel program and the second product I was given to try was Becel’s Salted Margarine sticks. Let me tell you… it was a game changer! I love baking (I mean, I did study pastry for about a year and a half) but I love it even more when it’s quick and easy, and often times I’m craving sweet later at night (like most people). I try not to have too much junk in our pantry (you know… to avoid temptation and whatnot) and sometimes fruit just can’t curb the craving, but to make a dessert at 9:30pm and still have to wait for the butter to soften just makes me hangry. I don’t know how it took so long to create this but BECEL has done it! These margarine sticks can be used straight from the fridge, no need to wait for what seems to be the equivalent of watching paint dry and creates the fluffiest texture to your baked goods without compromising the recipe. So here’s how easy it is to use Becel’s Salted Margarine sticks :

Ingredients:

1 stick Becel Salted Margarine

1 1/4 C. Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 Eggs

3 Ripe Bananas

2 C. Flour (I use Pastry flour but there won’t be a difference in this case)

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 C. Walnuts (I enjoy a very nutty banana bread – but put as you wish)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350*F and line cupcake tins.
  2. In a mixer, cream together Becel’s margarine stick (yes straight from the fridge – trust me) and brown sugar.
  3. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix until all combined.
  4. In a seperate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients.
  5. In thirds, alternate adding in the dry ingredients, bananas and milk to the mixture.
  6. Stir in nuts.
  7. Fill cupcake tins 2/3 of the way and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes for perfectly golden muffins.

**Note: You can also add the batter to a greased loaf pan and make it into a true banana bread. In that case, bake for 20 minutes in a 350*F oven, then lower the oven to 325*F and let it go another 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when poked into the center of the loaf.**

These are honestly the easiest muffins to make and so versatile. You can have them for dessert or wrap them individually and have them as a snack on-the-go. You can maybe even substitute some nuts for some oats and make it more of a quick breakfast option. Whatever you choose, don’t forget so send me your feedback and some pictures if you get a craving like I did for this quick “midnight” snack.

Thanks for baking,

alongwithb.

Tomato & Mushroom Rosé Pasta Sauce

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I was chosen by @FamilyRated to be one of their advocates for a couple new Becel products and anyone who knows me knows I love being in the kitchen, testing out new products and creating or tweaking recipes, so I was up for the challenge to incorporate Becel’s Avo Plus oil and Becel’s Salted Margarine sticks into some recipes.

The first product I was intrigued to try was the Avo Plus oil… I’m kind of an olive snob and am very particular about the flavour of the oils I typically use. Now the advantage of this particular oil is that it is a combination of canola, avocado, and mid-oleic sunflower oil which means it heats up faster and is thinner than your conventional olive oil (which makes it better for frying), has no trans-fats, is low in saturated fat and is a good source of Omega 3 & 6 (bonus)! Without further ado, here’s how I used it:

Ingredients:

2 tbsps Becel’s Avo Plus oil

2 Onions (small)

2-3 Garlic cloves (your preference)

1 pint Grape Tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)

1 tbsp Basil

1 small can Tomato Paste (use photo as reference for what I mean by small)

1 C. 10% Cream

1 basket White Mushrooms (sliced)

Directions:

  1. Finely chop the onions and the garlic and toss them into a large sautée pan with Becel’s Avo Plus oil and let them cook down until onions are translucent.
  2. Add in halved tomatoes and let them cook down until the skin starts naturally peeling off and tomato juice starts filing the pan.
  3. Add in basil and salt/pepper to taste and stir for a couple of minutes until aromatic.
  4. Empty out can of tomato paste and cream and stir until perfectly combined.
  5. Lastly, put in the thinly sliced mushrooms and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes and BAM!

Boil up your favorite pasta and serve overtop or (as I prefer) mix it in completely with the sauce, top with some cheese if you’d like and enjoy!

Check out my next post to see how I used Becel’s Salted Margarine sticks and share some photos of how your Tomato & Mushroom Rosé sauce turned out. I’d love to see them all!

Thanks for cooking,

alongwithb.