TWO PERSON Crockpot Mongolian Beef Meal!

INGREDIENTS:

• SAUCE
  • 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 Cup Water
  • 1/4 TSP Ground Ginger
  • 1 TSP Minced Garlic
  • 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 TSP Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 2 TBSP Cornstarch
• MEAT
  • 1 lb Sirloin Steak
  • Sliced Thin

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together.
2. Pour sauce into a 4 quart Crockpot.
3. Add sliced beef into the pot and stir well until beef is covered in sauce.
4. Cook on high for 2 hours, or low for 4 hours.
5. Serve over a bed of rice and enjoy!*

 

*Garnish with green onion if desired!

My Workout Playlist!

Everyone has their own rhythm when they’re running or weight lifting. Here’s mine!

• Yeah Usher
• Numb / Encore JAY Z & LINCOLN PARK
• You Can’t Stop Me Andy Mineo
• Run the World (Girls) Beyonce
• Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked Cage the Elephant
• Outcast NF
• IV. Sweatpants Childish Gambino
• ‘Till I Collapse Eminem
• GDFR Flo Rida
• Statement NF
• Vengeance on My Mind G-Eazy
• Bang Bang Green Day
• Welcome to the Jungle Guns N’ Roses
• SexyBack J.T.
• m.A.A.d City Kendrick Lamar
• Say I Won’t Lecrae
• Swimming Pools Kendrick Lamar
• All I Have NF
• Say Less Andy Mineo
• Intro NF
• Rap God Eminem
• Big Shot Kendrick Lamar / Travis Scott
• No Name NF
• I Ain’t Done Andy Mineo
• HUMBLE. Kendrick Lamar
• Finesse Bruno Mars

My Experience With a Hornet

SO I’ve heard about the different levels of bees. Now, don’t quote me on this, but I am pretty sure sweet little bumble bees are at the bottom of the scary meter.

Wasps in the middle.

Hornets obviously… on the top of the scary meter.

So here I am, sitting in my room relaxing and realize something is crawling all over my… HEAD?! I swat at it and freak out! (Got stung on the hand in the process.) This hornet falls to my bed. I immediately grab a cup and trap the little devil.

So what is the first thing I think to do? Relax and act calm? Obviously NOT! Like any other scared frightened 19-yr-old, I called my dad (who lives like three states away from me may I add).

The ending to this horror story ends up being alright. The hornet survived and is freely flying outside. I also am alive, frightened to death at this intruder who hitched a ride in my hair all the way to my dorm, but yes alive.

My point to this story is, always have a soldier walking around outside your door so you can open it on the brink of tears and he’ll gladly do your dirty work taking out the hornet trash.

Yes, military members cry. This one is particularly afraid of flying things that sting.

Incredible Banana Bread Recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 to 3 overly ripe bananas, peeled
• 1/3 cup of melted butter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup of Sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 cups of All-Purpose Flour

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and butter a 4×8-inch loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
3. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
4. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C), or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. Slice and serve. (A bread knife helps to make slices that aren’t crumbly.)

Enjoy!!

56 NON-CANDY Easter Basket Ideas

BABIES

• Teether
• Pacifier
• Board Book
• Wooden Egg
• Stuffed Animal
• Blanket
• Egg Shaker
• Onesie

TODDLERS

• Sensory Balls
• Umbrella
• Board Book
• Bubbles
• Music Shaker
• Bath Toy
• Finger Paints
• Plush Toy

CHILDREN AGE 3-5

• Playdough
• Magnifying Glass
• Hair Bow
• Spring Book
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Playsilks
• Watercolors
• Crayons

CHILDREN AGE 5-7

• Slime
• Toy Figures
• Doll
• Craft Kit
• Microscope
• Soccer Ball
• Block Crayons
• Coloring Book

CHILDREN AGE 7-10

• Mad Libs
• Silly Putty
• Art Set
• Book
• Sunglasses
• Chapstick
• Legos
• Butterfly Growing Kit

PRE-TEEN

• Poster
• Lip Gloss
• Hat
• Key Chain
• Coloring Book
• Stress Balls
• Fun Pens
• Washi Tape

TEENAGER

• Candle
• Blanket
• Brain Game
• Book
• Starbucks Gift Card
• Cool Room Light
• Bluetooth Speaker
• Movie Tickets

Breaded Chicken Tenders!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Almond Flour
• Onion Salt
• Garlic Salt
• Egg
• Boneless All White Meat Chicken Breast Tender

Directions:

1. Pour the almond flour into a zip lock bag. Add garlic and onion powder to the flour.
2. Dip the chicken into a beaten egg, then lightly coat in the flour/seasoning mixture.
3. Broil on High for 10 minutes. Then flip and broil for another 5-8 minutes.
4. They’re ready when the coating starts to turn brown on both sides!

NO-BAKE Valentine Snacks For February!

As much as I love baking, I’m always in a rush just as much as the next guy! Here’s some of my favorite & easy Valentine themed snacks!

Get yourself a couple of these super CUTE bowls for easy healthy Valentine snacking! Ingredients? Blueberries and Strawberries! How simple is that! {^Shoutout to thesunnysideupblog.com for that idea!}

Ah yes my all time favorite, and one of the cutest snacks ever! Here’s your quick recipe: Heat up either white or dark chocolate in a saucepan over the stove. Once liquidized drizzle the chocolate over some salty pretzels. Then add different Valentine sprinkles!

Get a good ‘ol fashioned platter going with a cupcake tray! And it’s red themed! Perfect for a party or for snacking on a February Weekend! List of RED Ingredients from Left to Right: Apples, Cherries, Almonds, Radish, Raspberries, Red Bell Pepper, Cranberry Raisins, Watermelon, Pomegranates, Tomatoes, Grapes, & Strawberries.

The best for last! Valentine Trail Mix! Add all these lovely ingredients together to form the best Valentine Themed food yet! Ingredients: Red and Pink M’n’Ms, Pink Frosting Drizzled Pretzels, Popcorn, Chex, and don’t forget Sprinkles!

All Makeup Products! DO’s & DON’Ts

FOUNDATION

• DO
  • Moisturize and Prime before applying foundation.
  • Match foundation to overall body color.
• DON’T
  • Apply foundation to bare skin.
  • Match foundation to neck.

CONCEALER 

• DO
  • Use a concealer that is 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation color.
• DON’T
  • Try to use concealer to cover undereye circles without using a corrector first.

POWDER

• DO
  • Use it to set foundation.
  • Apply small amounts to acne to take away depth.
• DON’T
  • Use foundation powder to set your finished face.
  • Overuse or you’ll appear cakey.

CONTOUR 

• DO
  • Use a taupe matte bronzer.
• DON’T 
  • Use a warmer colored bronzer.
  • Apply to the entire face. Just specified areas.

HIGHLIGHT

• DO
  • Highlight high ends of cheekbones, nose, and cupids bow.
• DON’T
  • Highlight the apples of your cheeks.

BLUSH

• DO
  • Apply to the apple of the cheeks and blend upwards.
• DON’T
  • Let brush blend below the apple of the cheek.

BROWS

• DO
  • Blondes: Use a product that is 1-2 shades darker than your hair color.
  • Brunettes: Use a product that is 1-2 shades lighter than your hair color.
• DON’T
  • Use black brow products.
  • Use large brushes.
  • Forget to use concealer to clean your brows up when they’re finished.

EYES

• DO
  • Prime lids before using eyeshadow products.
  • Use a warm tone crease color.
• DON’T
  • Apply shadow to bare lids.
  • Use a shimmer color in your crease.

EYELINER

• DO
  • Use a pencil or gel for natural definition.
  • Blend eyeliner if doing a subtle cat eye.
  • Blend bottom lash line.
• DON’T
  • Use a harsh liquid eyeliner.
  • Drag eyeliner down.
  • Leave a harsh line.

LASHES

• DO
  • Curl lashes before mascara.
  • Use falsies with a thin band.
• DON’T
  • Apply mascara before curling lashes.
  • Use old falsies or ones with a thick band.

LIP LINER

• DO
  • Outline your lips by using small strokes.
• DON’T
  • Drag liner in a harsh line.
  • Use only liner.

BRUSHES

• DO
  • Clean makeup brushes often.
• DON’T
  • Use dirty or old brushes.

 

 

 

Grandma’s Lemon Squares

Who doesn’t love lemons! Especially with Spring just around the corner! One of my all time favorite desserts that you could never say no to:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sifted All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1 cup of Butter, melted
• 4 Eggs
• 2 cups White Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 5/8 cup Lemon Juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and confectioners’ sugar. Blend in the melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan from Number 1.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden.
4. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light.
5. Combine the sugar, baking powder and 1/4 cup of flour in a separate bowl so there will be no flour lumps. Then stir the sugar mixture into the eggs.
6. Finally, stir in the lemon juice. Pour over the prepared crust and return to the oven.
7. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until bars are set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

TIP: I add on Confectioners’ Sugar to the top of the squares after they come out of the oven for a hint of flavor!

BAKING SWAPS!

These always make me crazy happy. It happens all the time, you make more than half your recipe and BAM you’re missing an ingredient you thought you had! Here are some incredible ingredient swaps that work just as perfect! Enjoy!

1 tsp Baking Powder ∇ 1/2 tsp Cream of Tarter + 1/4 Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Soda ∇ 3 tsp Baking Powder

1 cup Butter ∇ 7/8 cup Vegetable Oil

1 cup Buttermilk ∇ 1 tbsp Lemon Juice + 1 cup Milk

1 cup Cake Flour ∇ 1 cup minus 2 tbsp of All-Purpose Flour

1 square/ounce Chocolate ∇ 3 tbsp Baking Soda + 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 tbsp Corn Starch ∇ 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour

1 cup Corn Syrup ∇ 1 cup Sugar + 1/4 cup Water

1 cup Half/Half (Cream) ∇ 1 cup Whole Milk + 1 tbsp of Melted Butter

1 tsp Cream of Tarter ∇ 2 tsp of Vinegar OR Lemon Juice

1 cup Granulated Sugar ∇  1 3/4 cup of Powdered Sugar

1 tsp Lemon ∇1/2 tsp White Vinegar

1 tsp Lemon Juice ∇ 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 tsp Salt ∇ 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice

1 cup Sour Cream ∇ 1 cup Plain Yogurt

1 cup Whole milk ∇ 1/2 Evaporated Milk + 1/2 cup of Water

1 whole Egg ∇ 1/4 cup Prunes pureed OR 1/4 cup Mashed Potatoes OR 2 Egg Whites OR 1/4 cup Canned Pumpkin