Be Kind

Hey there Hey!

It's a breezy and sunny Tuesday over at my corner in the Empire! Today as I link up with Ponder Wonders, Soul Food Monday's, (LOL on a Tuesday) I came across a couple quotes that hit close to home. Sometimes we are ourselves don't realize the big role we play in the outcome of our own lives. How are choices and thoughts manifest and create what we are living out. So if you find yourself unhappy with "Life" as I do from time to time, it's important to take the time and sit back, analyze every little detail that has led you up to where you are. And, since I am getting use to making conscious decisions more often, I chose to practice what I preach today and share these wonderful words of wisdom from my heart to yours <3

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

I tend to judge others quite often, so I am making a conscious decision to Love my neighbor as I  "should" LOVE myself. 

                                   

Simple and Straight. Everyone is fighting their own battle.

"Love is the answer, Love will find a way.  When we LOVE one another, it's a brighter DAY"

xoxoxoxo

Kale Love

So we all know that a couple post ago I mentioned my attempting to change my eating life-style. Being completely honest, it's been a daily struggle. I wanted to also share as much possible about my progress, recipes, tips and all the effort put in between. I have been walking for about 2 weeks with a friend of mine and we have reached up to 3 miles in 45 minutes. Again a daily struggle to schedule reasons, but I am pushing it! This morning I decided to finally open up my new juicer and break it in. To my surprise it was quick to assemble and use. I chose to keep it simple, since it was my first actual time juicing on my own. I use to often and still sometimes do get my juices and smoothie fix at "fresh" place called Robeks. 

Black & Decker Juicer from Walmart

So I went with some kale, carrots, bananas and strawberries. I put them in the juicer and watched it pour. It was over all a great experience. My girls enjoyed the example being set so I was even happier! I think next time I will however add a little more fruit, but it was very very good and filling. I had enough energy to allow me to watch a movie kids, catch up on some work, write a few post and spared me some time to even BLOW DRY my hair and its only 5:30 in the evening! Wooohoooohooooooo I have also been able to manage my snacking binges since I have not felt hunger spurs through out the day. Definitely sticking to this!

I hope to give inspiration to many of us going through the same things, so please feel free to comment and share anything and everything that is on your mind regarding your health, struggles or if you have any suggestions or advice feel free to do so and share. Together we will make it through.

xoxoxo

Sunday's Comfort Food

Hey there Hey....

I hope every one is doing quite alright in their little corners all around the world. We live in such a great and big one! I have always wanted to travel. Ahhhhh I can close my eyes and see the clear blue waters in Greece and the night lit by little white homes stacked in line perfectly on a mountain hill.

Images from Google (Greece)

Images from Google (Greece)

I can imagine the feel of the wet sand that looks like clay in between my toes as the clear spakly water rinses them off in the islands of Hawaii. I think there is a beach with all black sand. How cool is that?!?

Images from Google (Hawaii)

Images from Google (Hawaii, Black Sand)

Anyway, I have yet to travel but dream very big!!! So I hope to soon see something other than the beaches here in Miami. I am actually trying to plan a cruise this early summer. It will be my first time ever in a cruise ship let alone away from the South Florida soil, so I am really hoping for it. The reason for all I mentioned above leads me to what the topic of this post is about. FOOD!!! Yummy!!! Just a couple recipes I tried over the weekend and wanted to share. I have a passion for cooking and experimenting with all kinds of flavors and cultures. I think subconsciously I get a satisfaction of traveling within the comfort of my home over a nice warm well cooked meal with lots of LOVE. 

This Sunday's comfort food cuisine was: Baked French Toast, Good ol' Chili w/Cuban twist and last but not least dessert, some DUMP CAKE! It was my first time cooking all these fine recipes. I looked through some web pages such as All Recipes, The Food Network and of course my favorite PINTEREST. I took a couple I liked from each and then made it into my own. They were winners! The kids even asked for seconds. I plan to go to the market sometime this week to make repeat CHILI from how delish it was. Hope you guys enjoy the pics. 

Baked French Toast Recipe:
You beat about 4 eggs and add salt and some vanilla extract.  I used a half loaf of butter crust bread and dipped each slice into bowl with egg mixture. As I layered them in baking pan I sprinkled cinnamon sugar and a few sliced bananas. Bake for about 20 minutes or until crunchy texture at 375 degrees and then topped with maple syrup.

Good ol' Chili with a Cuban twist Recipe: I browned the ground meat in a separate pan. I added complete seasoning and garlic as I browned the meat (the Cuban twist). I then added the cooked meat into a casuela along with 2 cans of stewed tomato's, 1 can of spicy chili beans and some chili powder for a kick of extra flavor. I then added a whole onion without the peel as is (not chopped) with some water & let it boil for about 30 minutes and then simmer for about an hour. DIVINE!!! Did I say Divine?!?!

Some Dump Cake Recipe: Super Super Easy. I bought an aluminum baking pan and buttered the bottom. I then added 1 can of blueberry pie filling and layered 1 can of strawberry pie filling on top. (Yeah yum) I then licked my fingers, LOL and you add vanilla cake mix straight out the bag in powder form without mixing and then top with lots of butter. I cut my stick of butter into little squares & covered the whole top of the cake. You then bake for about 45 minutes on 350 & OMG you can even add some ice cream for some extra wows from the gang!

 Yes it was one lovely cold Sunday filled with lots of warmth! Have a great one guys, xoxo