Friday, August 31, 2012

Simple and Healthy French Toast Delight for Two

Khristine -Beautyandthebrute.com

Title: Simple and Healthy French Toast Delight for Two
Blogger: Abby Tudela

It amazes me how many people prefer to dine out rather than having a home cooked meal. With today’s generation constantly being on the go, finding a quick meal seems reasonable, but as  easy and delicious fast food is, it can be it also can be deadly. The  U.S is the number one leading country dealing with obesity.

There are lots of articles about people dying from obesity, and it is scary to think that people are doing this to themselves. On the other side of the spectrum, there are also those who suffer from eating disorders. it’s sad to know that there are those who are dying to fit in, dying to look like what society defines as beautiful.

Hi, my name is Abby and I blog at Dirt on the Rocks and Big Boy Chronicles. I want to thank Khristine the opportunity to write a guest post on her blog.

I wanted to share with you the beauty of healthy eating and share a simple recipe for two.

Healthy does not always equal skinny. To me it means finding a balance of fitness and eating habits which will lead to a good lifestyle. It’s often believed that if you eat healthier you’re giving up tasty and fulfilling things.  That doesn’t have to be true - there are plenty of foods out there that are both healthy and flavorful.

You can still have your favorite meals. If you enjoy pasta, there are many ways to prepare pasta with healthy ingredients, and a simple Google search can help you discover many of these types of recipes.  It doesn’t have to be hard. It’s really about finding substitutes for the meals you love. Love fried food? There are tons of comfort foods out there that don’t require you to drown it in oil.

I want to share with you a delicious recipe that I tried making at home after having it at my favorite vegetarian restaurant. Keep in mind I am not vegetarian and even I enjoyed this! What if I told you that I found a way to make the ultimate breakfast treat a lot lower in calories and taste just as delicious? How is that possible, right? I’ll tell you how.

Healthy and Delicious French Toast
Ingredients
  • 4 pieces of whole wheat bread. (I chose whole wheat bread because it is lower in fat and refined carbs, and has heart-healthy grains.)
  • ½ cups of soy milk. (You can use almond milk for extra flavor, or vanilla soy milk. I just use regular plain soy milk.)
  • ½ tsp. of ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp. of maple syrup
  •  ½ tsp. of vanilla extract
  • Sliced fruits of your choice, or nuts for toppings

Directions
  1. Mix your wet ingredients together and add the maple syrup and cinnamon.
  2. Soak the bread in the mixture - making sure each side is nicely coated.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet on the stove top in low heat. If you’re not using a non-stick pan, melt a small amount of butter or oil to keep the bread from sticking.
  4. When the pan has reached a low heat, add a slice of your bread to the pan.
  5. Cook the break until it looks a bit brown and toasted, making sure to cook both sides evenly.
  6. Once that’s done add your desired toppings over the French toast and serve!

Optional toppings can include other types of syrups and whipped cream. However, keep in mind that these add sugar (calories), so take it easy on the sugary toppings and try to use fruits instead. My favorite is to add bananas.

This is such a simple recipe to make at home for breakfast and it’s flavorful and filling, too!  Eating healthy does not have to be boring and bland.

There is a new healthy, it’s here, flavorful, and in charge.

Abby is 23 and a single mother living in Southern California trying to make ends meet. She is a freelance blogger whose clients include UMoveFree.com, an apartment-finding service for locating north Dallas apartments . Abby loves spending time with her son and is constantly learning new things about him as each day passes by. In her blog, Dirt on the Rocks Abby writes about food and life. Like many single moms, Abby finds that her life experiences are both daunting and inspiring, and her blog reflects these experiences.

FTC: Sponsored by umovefree.com 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Video :: 5 Minute Makeup Challenge Tag!

Hi Everyone! I finally completed the 5 minute makeup tag! I was tagged 2 months ago by my dear friend Christine from TwilightChic143 on Youtube.. and have been lagging on doing this because I was skeptical and was like mann! I'm not gonna make it lol.. cause it literally takes me 5 minutes just to do my darn crooked eyebrows haha..



So of course the end result wasn't perfect, but I think I didn't look that bad.. I did end up going out to do errands like that so.. whatevs!

But thank you so much, Christine for tagging me! I have so many more tags to do and am looking forward to doing them! so stay tuned for more fun! 

Products Used:
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer in NW20
MAC MSFN in Medium
Sephora Mineral Blush
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (used to contour)
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil matte bronzer in Original (to contour)
Sigma Large Shader Brush
MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (highlight)
Crown C200 Blending Brush
MAC Soft Brown eyeshadow (Crease)
Sonia Kashuk Eyebrow Pencil in Haze
MAC 208 Brush
Benefit Brow Zings in Dark
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Black

If you haven't subscribed to my youtube channel - please do so - it's FREE! :) 

If you have any fitness or beauty related video/blog requests , please feel free to let us know!

P.S. For those wondering about my fitness videos, I'm almost done with the first series! the editing is a pain in the bootay.. it ended up being super long, so i'm trying to cut it down etc.. but it should be up either on the weekend or that Tuesday the latest!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Video :: My Favorite face Highlighters/Illuminators


So I wanted to share my favorite highlighters/illuminators with you all! Since i've been using these all throughout summer (and occasionally will use these during fall and winter)

Here's the video :) (Don't forget to subscribe!!)


Favorite highlighters/illuminators:
- Milani Illuminating face powder  - Amber Nectar 01
- MAC MSF - Perfect Topping
- MAC MSF - By Candlelight
- MAC Extra Dimension MSF - Superb
- Dior Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond 02
- Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter
- The Balm - Mary-Lou Manizer

Honorable mentions that didn't make it in the video, but are definitely worth mentioning:
- MAC All That Glitters E/S
- UD Sin E/S
- Nars Albatross

Here are swatches of the highlighters mentioned in the video :)


Milani Amber Nectar illuminating face powder

Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Powder

MAC Perfect Topping MSF

MAC By Candlelight MSF

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Highlighter

Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter

theBalm - Mary-Lou Manizer


Do you own any of these? if so do you like them

If not - what are some of your favorite or which
ones would you recommend?

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/15/2012

Since Hubby was scheduled to go to work later in the day, he asked if I wanted to go to the gym with him.. of course I said YES! cause it was leg day.. and I love going to the gym with my husband on leg day :P

Anywho.. this is what I did today:

Leg Extensions:
50lbs x 10
50lbs x 10
50lbs x 10

Wide Stance Barbell Squat:
45lbs x 10
65lbs x 10
95lbs x 10

Bench Step-Ups:
BW x 10 (each side)
BW x 10 (each side)
BW x 10 (each side)

Single Leg Barbell Deadlift:
15lbs x 10 (each side)
15lbs x 10 (each side)
15lbs x 10 (each side)

Lying Leg Curls:
30lbs x 10
30lbs x 10
30lbs x 10

Seated Calf-Raise (machine):
102lbs x 10
102lbs x 10
102lbs x 10

Standing Calf Raise:
65lbs x 10
65lbs x 10
65lbs x 10

Afterwards, got home and decided to do some other workouts (calisthenics.. like abs etc.. tried doing hubby's ab wheel roll out.. yea total fail haha..)



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/12/12

Just another leg day at the gym :)

Went for a P.R. (Personal Record) today.. my max previously was 155lbs (while on a cut) and so today i decided i'd try to do 165lbs.. well not only did I do that and smash it.. but I was able to squat 175lbs!

Very proud of myself for hitting that P.R. today despite being on a cut (losing weight)... I am definitely trying to build my booty! (for those of you ladies who want to build a booty - these are great!)

Here is my workout for today:

Barbell Back Squats:
45lbs x 5
95lbs x 2
115lbs x 2
135lbs x 1
155lbs x 1
165lbs x 1
175lbs x 1
185lbs x 1 (this was a fail though.. soo you bet that's my next goal!) 

Good Mornings:
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12

Lying Leg Curls:
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8

Seated Leg Extensions:
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8

Seated Calf raises:
90lbs x 12
90lbs x 12
90lbs x 12

Bosu Ball Sumo Squat:
BW x 12 (each side)
BW x 12 (each side)
BW x 12 (each side)

Bench Step-Ups:
BW x 12 (each side)
BW x 12 (each side)
BW x 12 (each side)

That pretty much ended my workout for today! I went to the gym yesterday and did chest/back/shoulders and triceps.. but of course i forgot to write it- and honestly forgot what I did haha cause there were so many exercises i did.. but anywho! till next gym session! :P

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/08/2012

Hi Everyone! AHH! It's been soo super hot this past week.. today and tomorrow are supposed to be the hottest days of the week being around 109-110ish =(

But anyway - Decided to hit the gym with hubby as soon as he got off work.. I was worried about the gym being super packed - but luckily although it was packed, I was able to do what I needed to do..

It was a leg day for me... and decided that I wanted to try to squat my PR (personal record) of 155lbs.. I had done this in June (video HERE) But at that point I was a little heavier than I am now.. And yes I am quite aware that when you drop weight (especially the amount I did) I was sacrificing some muscle and strength.. but that's why i'm trying to work back up to it.. and thankfully - I was able to! :) 


This is ONE of my favorite leg/glute exercises.. I'm going to be doing a series on my favorite workouts (videos) because a lot of you (on blog, twitter and instagram) have asked and i'm so excited to share my favorite exercises with you all! so stay tuned for that!

But okay - enough blabbering - my workout for the day!

Barbell Back Squats:
95lbs x 5
105lbs x 5
115lbs x 5
-- at this point wanted to try for my max (i have done it on sunday, but wanted to try again)
135lbs x 1
145lbs x 1
155lbs x 1 - I could've easily done more - but decided not to kill myself tonight since I still had more exercises to do lol.. but i'm so glad i hit my PR again while on a cut! my next goal is to squat 160lbs, then 165lbs, ultimately working up to 185lbs .. small goals.. :)

Barbell Dead Lifts:
135lbs x 8
135lbs x 8
135lbs x 8

Bench Step Ups:
BW x 12 (each leg)
BW x 12 (each leg)
BW x 12 (each leg)

Seated Leg Extension:
50lbs x 12
50lbs x 12
50lbs x 12

Seated Calf Raises:
50lbs x 10
50lbs x 10
50lbs x 10 

Leg Raises on Dip station/Roman Chair:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12

Crunches:
3 sets of 25

I'm pretty happy with my workout :) til tomorrow! 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/05/2012

Went to the gym with Hubby and My brother in law.. 



It was leg day so this is what I did.. ;) I'm also working on a video featuring my favorite leg/butt exercises are -- since a lot of you have been requesting some more fitness videos! (thank you all btw!)

Barbell Back Squats:
** trying to work up to my max of squatting 155lbs since i've lost over 20lbs..**
75lbs x 5
95lbs x 5
105lbs x 5
115lbs x 5
135lbs x 4 

Bench Step-Ups:
BW x 12 (each leg)
BW x 12 (each leg
BW x 12 (each leg)
BW = Body Weight

Barbell DeadLift:
135lbs x 5
135lbs x 5
135lbs x 5
135lbs x 5
135lbs x 5

Lying Leg Curls:
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8
40lbs x 8

Hip Thrusts w/ Barbell:
40lbs x 12
40lbs x 12
40lbs x 12

Pistol Squats on TRX:
BW x 8 (each leg)
BW x 8 (each leg)
BW x 8 (each leg)

I'm so glad that Hubby has been more active on Instagram, so if your not following us on instagram your missing out on more fitness pictures! :) Hubby has been on a roll posting pictures! :) here's some of his pix he posted!



So don't forget to follow us on Instagram (@BeautyAndBrute) is our username!  the way you can tell if it's him or me.. will be at the end of our caption.. it'll either say -Xtian (him) or -Xtine (me!) :D 

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! Stay tuned for more videos on our YouTube Channel! :)



Saturday, August 4, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/04/2012

I'm such a busy bee today! Barely slept a wink last night.. been having insomnia the past few weeks.. ugh! maybe school is stressing me out.. 


anywho - I had to hit the gym early today since I couldn't go with Hubby (I have to do makeup on a friend as well as I have a darn CPR class to attend so I can renew mine and then I have a baby shower to go to! busy, busy, BUSY!) 






So.. I got ready at about 6:30AM.. so glad no one was at the gym - so I was super quick!


Decided to do shoulders and abs today!


Seated Dumbbell Press:
12.5lbs x 12
12.5lbs x 12
12.5lbs x 12


Side Lateral Raise:
7.5lbs x 12
7.5lbs x 12
7.5lbs x 12


Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise:
7.5lbs x 12
7.5lbs x 12
7.5lbs x 12


Landmines:
45lbs x 8
45lbs x 8
45lbs x 8


Exercise Ball Crunch:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW = Body Weight


Air Bike:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12


Leg Lifts on Roman Chair/Dip Station:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12


and that completed my short workout today! :) I'm super excited about tomorrows workout because I'm going to be doing Legs! :D and possibly going to be filming a "My Favorite Leg/Glute exercises video" (as requested - more fitness related videos!) 


:) If you have any other requests please feel free to leave them here in the comments, on our twitter or on our facebook page! 


Thank you all for the support!

Video :: 12 Week Weight Loss Journey Recap

So I promised I would do a video about the 12 weeks (since I stopped at week 4).. but it's a really short video - but to those that requested it - Thank you and enjoy!


You can view the post with my final pictures :: CLICK HERE



If you have any requests (i've had a few fitness video requests) please let me know by commenting here, or my youtube channel or on our facebook page! :) 

Thank you all for your support throughout the 12 week challenge - Although I did not win, I'm not going to stop here! So please continue to follow my journey!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Review :: AngelContacts.com (Circle Lenses)

I was contacted by a PR of AngelContacts.com (Brenda) to review 2 pairs of lenses of my choice. At first I was a bit skeptical because, I don't normally wear contact lenses (when I do it's usually clear and I wear them only to the gym - or special occasions) because I am most comfortable with my glasses.
But because I have seen so many beauty guru's blog/vlog about this company, I was very eager to try them out. It was even a bonus when I found out they offered their circle lenses with a prescription. I was hesitant because I have an astigmatism and wasn't sure these were going to work for me. I also have super sensitive eyes that get really dry easily (hence why I don't wear contact lenses all the time). 
I have tried many circle lenses in the past which have irritated my eyes right on contact with my eyes.  One time i tried a pair (that were real GEO lenses!!) and they just totally made my eyes blood shot red within an hour of wearing them.  So after that initial experience - I never wanted to wear them again and I did end up throwing away!
so, what are circle lenses you ask? Well just like your typical colored contact lenses (like freshlook/acuvue and whatever other company offers colored contact lenses).. they are cosmetic lenses that change the color of your eyes.. I used to wear them all the time back in high school.. The difference with circle lenses (which these type of lenses are very popular in Asia - where this originally came from before it started spreading here in the states, like many other things -- like BB creams).. 
But the difference between circle lenses and regular colored contact lenses.. is that - circle lenses are bigger in diameter to give your eyes a natural and noticeable enlargement to your iris.. meaning - they make your eyes look bigger, more doll like.. which is all the rave in Asia! who wouldn't want to look like a cute pretty dolly eyed beauty? 
The only problem was with the first pair i ever tried before - I guess the water content was really low, so it was very drying and didn't let a lot of oxygen pass through. I'm not sure if it was just the type of lens I got.. or if they just made the lenses with better quality.. because the lenses that I got from AngelContacts.com have high water content, meaning it holds on to water more, doesn't dry your eyes out and lets more oxygen pass through to your eyes.. and it's much more comfortable to wear.
I do recommend that you read all the instructions prior to wearing your circle lenses. In the video I briefly show you the card that shows how to open the separate vials of contacts, as well has the little pamphlet it comes with that shows how the lenses should look like when you apply them, the correct way to remove them and the proper way to clean and care for them.  These circle lenses are different than your average colored contact lenses because they supposedly last for one year (compared to 3 months).  
This specific company states on their website that their GEO circle lenses are Health Canada certified and US FDA 510(K) approved and are completely safe to wear.  Like I mentioned they contain high water content and are maximized for comfort.  the way they are made allows them for more oxygen to pass through resulting in long lasting comfort.
In the video, I mention you should soak them in regular contact solution instead of wearing right from the vial - I mention this only for safety precautions. I have worn them straight from the vial and nothing did happen to my eyes, but just for your safety - I would definitely recommend soaking them - you know, to clear them from any bacteria or germs. Remember to properly clean your circle lenses as with anything else you put in your eye because these are the only pair of eyes you have! 
So I definitely recommend these contact lens company for those that are new to wearing lenses - they are easy to use. Also for anyone who is already a contact lens wearer and wants to add more color to their collection or like myself - just nice to have for nights or special occasions where you wanna glam up!
The shipping was extremely fast! Like I mentioned before, I have ordered circle lenses before from an international company and was not satisfied at how long and tedious the process was (couldn't track my package because it would be too expensive and the company i purchased from did not offer that). 
I love how nice and friendly staff is at AngelContacts.com is - with answering any questions etc.. so definitely recommend them to you! and here are some pictures that I took wearing both the GEO Nudy Gray as well as the GEO OL Brown..  







Thursday, August 2, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/02/2012

Great way to start off August :) 


A classmate of mine met me at the gym and trained back and biceps today..


Wide Grip Lat Pulldown:
60lbs x 12
50lbs x 12
50lbs x 12


One-Arm Dumbbell Row:
25lbs x 12
25lbs x 12
25lbs x 12


Seated Cable Rows:
50lbs x 12
50lbs x 12
50lbs x 12


Underhand Cable Pulldowns
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12


Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12


Standing Biceps Cable Curl
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12
30lbs x 12

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Gym Session :: 08/01/2012

Helloooo August! Can't believe it's August first already! This year is flying!


Anywho - today was a chest & triceps kinda day.. went to the gym with Hubby


(My Hubby aka TheBrute Doing 500lb Deadlift)




here's what I did:


Wide Pushups:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12 
BW = Body Weight


Dumbbell Bench Press:
15lbs x 12
15lbs x 12
15lbs x 12


Flat Bench Dumbbell Flyes:
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12


Narrow Pushups:
BW x 12
BW x 12
BW x 12

Standing Dumbbell Triceps Extension:
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12
10lbs x 12


Triceps Pushdown (with rope attachment):
20lbs x 12
20lbs x 12
20lbs x 12
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