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‘Married To Medicine’s Quadd Welcomes Baby Girl via Adoption

Posted on June 26, 2020

Married with Medicine star Quad Webb is the latest Bravolebrity to welcome a child and the second in a few months to do so solo.

Webb introduced the world to her new daughter, Ariana, and recently shared a tender first photo on her Instagram page this week.

Just last week, rapper Iggy Azalea decided to use the Black Lives Matter movement to introduce the world to her new son she had delivered weeks prior with beau and fellow rapper Playboi Carti.

Similarly, Webb did too, using the motto of the movement to share a first photo of a  baby born months ago in April.

“Life is precious, it should be protected and valued #blacklivesmatter,” Quad captioned a photo of her daughter grasping her thumb.

She had previously announced the April birth and plans to retrieve the baby named from her birth home safely during the COVID era.

“It is exciting news, and there are so many moving pieces. My mom and I are extremely happy to welcome baby Ari to her new village,” Quad told Bravo TV‘s media subsidiary The Daily Dish in a statement. “She was born on April 8th, and since then we have been working to get her home to begin what will surely be a joyous, successful and opportunity filled life.”

She also talked about the rapid changes she’s had in her life since finalizing her divorce from Dr. Gregory Lunceford whom she was married to during most of her stint on the Bravo TV franchise show.

“There’s so much happening so fast! I’ve been in the process of looking for a new home, and now it has a completely different meaning,” she shared. “I’m eager and anxious, as my family means so much to me. We thank you in advance for all of your prayers and well wishes.”

Another Bro TVav star Golnesa “GiGi” Gharachedaghi delivered her first child solo as did executive producer and host Andy Cohen who welcomed a son via surrogatre last year.

Congrats!

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Juneteenth: Red Foods and Link to West African Tradition

Posted on June 20, 2020

Today is Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the anniversary of June 19th, 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in his Emancipation Proclamation decree.

The news did not get to the slaves in the western most state of Texas until two years later.

The freed people celebrated that announcement in opposition to oppression in a holiday called Manumission Day, named after the act of an owner freeing their captives, but later the month June and the number 19 became mixed into what’s known now as Juneteenth.

Admittedly, although m familiar with the day, I have not celebrated it until this year as the United States past and continued racial divide dominates the headlines and thrust awareness of Juneteenth into the limelight in a  big way for the first time this year. I was particularly excited, as a person who immigrated from West Africa, to learn that the foods eaten on this day have roots in African traditions of Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin and the Congo:

Red foods and drinks were a major way of commemorating that legacy of enslavement and the holiday. But “the practice of eating red foods—red cake, barbecue, punch and fruit—may owe its existence to the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo brought to Texas in the 19th century,” from present-day Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, writes culinary historian and food writer Michael Twitty in his blog Afroculinaria.

Juneteenth celebrations originated in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger issued an order declaring: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free…” This was two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln decreed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in rebel states were free, but was only practical to those close to Union territory.

For a long time, formerly enslaved people in Texas did not know they were free, and even after they knew, they faced lynchings, rape, and other continued acts of forced labor. But that didn’t stop freed people from celebrating the June 19 announcement, in opposition to the systems of white oppression. This holiday became known initially as Manumission Day, named after the act of an owner freeing their captives, but later the month June and the number 19 became mixed into what’s known now as Juneteenth.

Red foods and drinks were a major way of commemorating that legacy of enslavement and the holiday. But “the practice of eating red foods—red cake, barbecue, punch and fruit—may owe its existence to the enslaved Yoruba and Kongo brought to Texas in the 19th century,” from present-day Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, writes culinary historian and food writer Michael Twitty in his blog Afroculinaria.

Twitty goes on to write, “enslavement narratives from Texas recall an African ancestor being lured using red flannel cloth, and many of the charms and power objects used to manipulate invisible forces required a red handkerchief.”

Professor of history and foodways at Babson College Fred Opie writes that some historians believe the red color could be connected to “the Asante and Yoruba’s special occasions which included offering up the blood of animals (especially the red blood of white birds and white goats) to their ancestors and gods.”

Red, in many West African cultures, is a symbol of strength, spirituality, and life and death. It’s possible this cultural legacy along with these groups’ distinct food knowledge of okra, beans, melons, and many other food groupings—some red, some not—was brought across the Atlantic.

The story is clearer when it comes to drinks. According to culinary historian Adrian Miller, red drinks at Juneteenth celebrations have links to the fruits of two native West African plants: the kola nut and hibiscus. The kola nut, typically white or red, was and still is served to guests as a snack to chew, used as a water purifier, or steeped for tea. The flowers of the hibiscus, too, were often stewed to make a reddish-purple tea called bissap and provided to guests. Both were extracted to the Caribbean and the Americas during the Atlantic slave trade. From watching their captives, plantation owners noticed that the kola nut could be used as an energy booster, digestive, or cold remedy, and made for a stimulating additive to bitter water.

When crushed into a powder, then added into water, the kola nut creates a reddish-brown refreshing drink. Miller also notes that enslaved people used red corn, after a long day of corn shucking, to make their own whiskey. This practice of adding reddish substances to make sweet, palatable drinks was common, so it wasn’t out of the ordinary to see such drinks associated with Juneteenth.

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Iggy Azalea Welcomes First Child, Baby Boy

Posted on June 13, 2020

Congrats to rapper Iggy Azalea announced this week that she is the mom of a brand new baby boy.

The “Fancy” singer, — real name Amethyst Amelia Kelly — confirmed the news via an post on her Instagram story made on Wednesday.

“I have a son,” she shared. “I kept waiting for the right time to say something but it feels like the more time passes the more I realize I’m always going to feel anxious to share news that giant with the world.”

After proclaiming that she would prefer to keep her son’s live private to clarify that his birth “is not a secret”, she added.  “I love him beyond words.”

Azalea has been a longterm relationship with rapper Playboi Carti though neither have confirmed that he is the baby’s dad, however. She also has not shared any additional information about when the baby was actually born.

From Billboard: Azalea took to social media to show off her curves in the wake of rumors she recently gave birth to her first child with fellow rapper Playboi Carti.

“For the record, I didn’t actually go anywhere. Just a lil harmless quarantine dress up situation,” she captioned the post, in which she’s seen strutting across a darkened driveway in a curve-hugging lilac velvet minidress. In a separate post, she showed off her glam makeup from the look with a simple purple heart emoji.

Azalea returned from a self-imposed social media break earlier in March by sharing her first post since Dec. 31, 2019.

See Azalea’s message below:

Congrats!

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13 Songs About Resistance, Protest and Revolution To Listen To Now

Posted on May 30, 2020

“I just want to live. God protect me,” sings gospel artist Keedron Bryant.

The 12-year old Season 4 of  “Little Big Shots” contestant sang the song and posted it on his Instagram page in tribute to the latest unarmed black person to be killed by police, George Lloyd.

I just want to live..:God protect me," sings 12-year old gospel artist and Season 4 "Little Big Shots" contestant…

Posted by Jay Jay Ghatt on Friday, May 29, 2020

Lloyd’s death came after a store clerk called the cops alleging he had used a counterfeit $20 and  protocol usually calls for a suspect to be given a ticket if more bills are not found on them given the fact that it is possible someone who uses one may not actually know the bill used was fake.

Somehow things escalated and he was arrested without resistace yet it ended getting violently and Floyd was killed mercilessly by an officer after being held down by a total of four. It also happened in front of the smartphone cameras of onlookers who plead for one officer, Derek Chauvin, with his knee in Lloyd’s neck to let the man breathe. He did not let up for 9 minutes and eventually killed him.

That officer has been charged with Third Degree murder and Manslaughter after a couple of days of unrest when the Minneapolis DA failed to arrest and charge the Chauvin.

Lloyd’s name and hashtag is added to Georgia jogger Ahmaud Arbery who was hunted down by a vigilante ex cop and his son and EMT and Nurse Breonna Taylor, a Louisana mom who was riddled with bullets when police while serving a warrant on a person they already had in custody barged into her home in the middle of night while she and her boyfriend slept.

There has been protests, which has spread to other cities across the country, from Georgia to DC to Louisiana, and some which have turned violent with looting and destruction of private property.

I do not condone any of that.

I have seen reports that say that anarchist groups with agendas to sully the peaceful protestors have been stirring the pot.

Nonetheless, I do know that the United States was founded on rebellion against the British.

The Boston Tea Party was a riot as was The Stamp Act Riots of 1765, the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 and the Stonewall Riots of 1969, each uprisings of oppressed people in America.

In the course of history, many movements in the world have had elements of violence to them: Apartheid in South Africa, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, the Arab Spring, Eritrean and South Sudan secessesion from Ethiopia and Sudan, respectively, resulted in resolve after the unrest.

Peaceful protest results in wins but so do anarchist ones.

In any event, I am being moved and motivated by songs of Resistance in history. Here are a few of my faves which are very relevant lines:

1

“What’s Going On?” By Marvin Gaye

Picket lines and picket signs

Don’t punish me with brutality

Talk to me, so you can see

Oh, what’s going on

What’s going on

Yeah, what’s going on

Ah, what’s going on

2

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel

“We didn’t start the fire

It was always burning

Since the world’s been turning

We didn’t start the fire

No we didn’t light it

But we tried to fight it”

3

“War” by Bob Marley

Until the philosophy

Which hold one race superior and another

Inferior

Is finally

And permanently

Discredited

And abandoned

Everywhere is war

Me say war

That until there no longer

First class and second class citizens of any nation

Until the color of a man’s skin

Is of no more significance than the color of his eyes

Me say war

That until the basic human rights

Are equally guaranteed to all

Without regard to race

4

“Revolution” by Nina Simone

And now we got a revolution

Cause I see the face of things to come

Yeah, your Constitution

Well, my friend, its gonna have to bend

I’m here to tell you about destruction

Of all the evil that will have to end.

Some folks are gonna get the notion

I know they’ll say I’m preachin’ hate

But if I have to swim the ocean

Well I would just to communicate

Its not as simple as talkin’ jive

The daily struggle just to stay alive

5

“Revolution” by The Beatles

But if you want money for people with minds that hate

All I can tell is brother you have to wait

Don’t you know it’s gonna be

All right, all right, all right

You say you’ll change the constitution

Well, you know

We all want to change your head

You tell me it’s…

6

“We Gone Be Alright” by Kendrick Lamar

We gon’ be alright

Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon’ be alright

7

“Ohio” by Crosby Stills and Nash

Gotta get down to it

Soldiers are cutting us down

Should have been done long ago

8

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott Heron

You will not be able to stay home, brother

You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out

You will not be able to lose yourself on skag

And skip out for beer during commercials, because

The revolution will not be televised

9

“Soweto Blues” by  Miriam Makeba with Hugh Masekela

The children got a letter from the master

It said: no more Xhosa, Sotho, no more Zulu.

Refusing to comply they sent an answer

That’s when the policemen came to the rescue

Children were flying bullets dying

The mothers screaming and crying

The fathers were working in the cities

The evening news brought out all the publicity

10

“A Change Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke

It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die

‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the sky

It’s been a long, a long time coming

But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

11

“Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight!

 

12

“I Want to Break Free” by Queen

I want to break free

I want to break free

I want to break free from your lies

You’re so self satisfied I don’t need you

I’ve got to break free

13

Southern trees bearing strange fruit

Blood on the leaves and blood at the roots

Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze

Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south

Them big bulging eyes and the twisted mouth

Scent of magnolia, clean and fresh

Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday

 

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Memorial Day: How to Be A Grillmaster in 15 Steps

Posted on May 22, 2020

If you are grilling for Memorial Day this weekend and need some grilling tips, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 15 of our fave tips we spotted from various sources and around the web and assembled into top 15 tips

1. Gas vs. Charcoal? – The age-old debate over which grilling method is “better” involves multiple variables, from flavor to cost to convenience. While no studies prove that either is healthier, gas does burn cleaner. Charcoal grills emit more carbon monoxide, particulate matter and soot into the atmosphere, contributing to increased pollution and higher concentrations of ground-level ozone. From a taste perspective, on the other hand, many people prefer the smokier, richer taste of food cooked on a charcoal grill.

2. Get It Hot!– Preheat your grill 15 to 25 minutes before you start cooking to make sure it reaches the right temperature (and to kill any bacteria). Your grill should be 400-450°F for high, 350-400°F for medium-high, 300-350°F for medium and 250-300°F for low heat. A properly heated grill sears foods on contact, keeps the insides moist and helps prevent sticking. While searing doesn’t “seal in” the juices (contrary to popular belief ), it does create improved flavors through caramelization.

3. Brush It Off – It’s easier to remove debris when the grill is hot, so after preheating, use a long-handled wire grill brush on your grill rack to clean off charred debris from prior meals. Scrape again immediately after use.

4. Oil It Up– Even on a clean grill, lean foods may stick when placed directly on the rack. Reduce sticking by oiling your hot grill rack with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel: hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

5. Marinate Your Meat -Marinating does more than infuse food with flavor; it also inhibits the formation of potentially carcinogenic HCAs (heterocyclic amines), which form when grilling “muscle meats” like poultry, red meat and fish. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), marinating can reduce HCA formation by as much as 92 to 99 percent.

6. Is It Done?– The best way to know if protein is fully cooked is to check its internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.

7. The Hand Test– To gauge the temperature of a grill without a thermometer, place your open palm about 5 inches above the grill rack; the fire is high if you have to move your hand in 2 seconds, medium if you have to move your hand in 5 seconds and low if you have to move your hand in 10 seconds.

8. Tame The Flames- Flare-ups happen when fat drips onto the heat source and catches fire. This causes carcinogenic PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) to form and accumulate on your food. Meat licked by flames also tastes “off” and flames may char the outside of food before the inside has thoroughly cooked. To reduce flare-ups, select lean cuts of meat, trim excess fat and remove poultry skin. And, keep a squirt bottle of water near the grill to quickly douse any unexpected flare-ups.

9. Give It A Rest – Let finished meats rest on a clean platter, tented with foil, for about 10 minutes before carving so juices can redistribute evenly.

10. Veggies Lift – Keep the lid up for Veggies so they don’t become too limp and are crisp not soggy

11. Fishy Fish – For fish, slice lemon and make a bed of them and lay the fish on top to grill.

12. Ribs Boil – Boil ribs for 10 to 15 minutes before grilling to make sure you kill all bacteria from them.

13. Get Saucy – Add the sauce during the last 15 minutes of grilling.

14. Keep it Juicy – Don’t flatten your burgers and cause all the succulent juice to run out. Instead poke them with a fork.

15. Portion control – To avoid overcooking or undercooking, grill smaller pieces of meat at a time.

YUM!!!!

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Nurses Appreciation Week: 5 Daily Kind Ways to Honor Nurses

Posted on May 7, 2020

Guest Post

No doubt about it: America’s nurses are being hammered by unprecedented levels of stress. We keep soldiering on (that’s what nurses do), but it’s hard not to give into despair and exhaustion. Rich Bluni says the antidote for pandemic weariness is inspiration. And there’s no time better than Nurses Week—actually we get a month this year, but the traditional week still begins on May 6th—to start creating your own.

“It is possible to reconnect to that feeling of inspiration you felt when you first became a nurse,” asserts Bluni, himself an RN with over 25 years of experience in the ER, Trauma, and ICU and author of best-selling books Inspired Nurse. “But you have to own it. You have to get deliberate and proactive about it. It won’t just happen—especially right now.”

Bluni—who is now sharing stories and tactics from Inspired Nurse in short video segments—offers a fun, energizing five-day exercise to try during Nurses Week.

What You’ll Need to Get Started: Five dollars; five thank-you notes; five stamps, envelopes, and sheets of paper; five minutes; and five prayers/positive thoughts. Over the next five work days, you will use each of these. The order of your “fives” is not important, but the actions themselves are.

Day 1: Give away your five dollars to someone who needs it. This person could be at work, on your way to work, or on your way home. You might buy breakfast for a patient’s family member or for a coworker whose partner is now out of work. You could donate it to a local pet shelter or contribute to your favorite takeout spot’s fundraiser so they can make payroll. Or use it to buy a couple pairs of new socks for a homeless person…just give away your five dollars to someone who needs it. Don’t worry. You’ll find them.

Day 2: Bring your five thank-you notes to work and find five coworkers to thank. Chances are, over the past few months, your coworkers and fellow staff members have gone above and beyond for you over and over (and you for them). This is your chance to acknowledge all they have done. Write them each a thank-you note and give it to them. (Yes…texts count!)

Day 3: Use your five stamps, papers, and envelopes to send letters of gratitude or just to say “hi” to five people for whom you are grateful or whom you miss. This can be done before, after, or at work (if you have a break). If you are quarantined from your family, send a letter to your spouse and kids. Send one to your elderly parents. Send letters to people who have made a difference for you in your healthcare journey, such as a professor, mentor, or anyone who has supported you in becoming who you are or in doing what you do.

Day 4: Spend five minutes doing a simple act of kindness. Maybe you’re caught up but your peer isn’t. Give him five minutes of your time and help him out. Spend five minutes with a new peer and tell her what a good job you think she is doing. This kindness can even be extended to yourself! Go outside for five minutes and feel the sun on your face instead of going to the candy machine for an unhealthy sugar fix.

Day 5: Depending upon your preferences, pray for five people or situations and sincerely wish them well. They could be patients or peers. Be positive in your prayers. Focus on surrounding these people or situations with blessings and peace. In lieu of prayers, you could also think five positive thoughts. Notice five positive things about a person or situation and be deliberate about sharing them with others.

Be purposeful about each task on each day. You might even recruit five others to do it with you. (Imagine what work would be like if even 10 percent of your peers “took five”!)

“Your renewed enthusiasm for your work is stronger than your fear and more lasting than your fatigue,” says Bluni. “Let the love and gratitude you feel for nursing inspire those around you and create a ripple effect that reaches to your patients and coworkers.”

About the Author:

Rich Bluni, RN, is the author of the best-selling books Inspired Nurse, Oh No…Not More of That Fluffy Stuff!, and Inspired Nurse Too. He has an active and popular Facebook page called Inspired Nurse.

Rich has been an RN since 1993. He has worked as a nurse in Adolescent Oncology, Pediatric ICU, and Trauma ICU departments as well as serving as a pediatric flight and transport nurse. He has served as an ED nursing manager as well as a senior director of risk management, quality, and patient safety.

He came to Studer Group in 2007 as a coach working with dozens of healthcare organizations and leaders to drive outstanding results. He is presently a senior director with Huron and a Studer Group national speaker, having traveled across North America to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and leaders in hundreds of healthcare organizations, large healthcare conferences, as well as virtual webinars.

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75+ RECIPE SUBSTITUTES EVEN FOR DAIRY, EGG, GLUTEN & SUGAR

Posted on May 3, 2020

 

Now that everyone is forced to be home because of the global pandemic, a lot of people are finding themselves cooking and baking a lot more. Sometimes, you cannot find certain crucial ingredients items on the shelves and are stuck. In fact, there have been reports that a lot of stores are struggling to keep flour on their shelves.

It helps in times like these to be aware of recipe substitute you can use to swap out an ingredient you don’t have. Also, for those who have allergies to dairy, gluten, eggs, sugar, it’s a good idea to have subs in mind or in the pantry.

Here are some common recipe subs for you to keep in mind. Bookmark this post!

RECIPE SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 tsp cornstarch = 2 tsp flour (for thickening)
  2. 1 tbsp butter or margarine = 1/2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil (frying, sauteing or grilling)
  3. 1 clove of garlic = 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  4. red wine = replace with equal amounts of grape juice or beef broth
  5. white wine = replace with equal amount so apple juice or chicken broth
  6. 1 cup of beer = 1 cup of chicken broth
  7. 1/4 cup of brandy = 1 tsp brandy extract plus enough water to make 1/4 cup
  8. 1 cup ketchup = 1 cup tomato sauce + 1 tsp vinegar + 1 tsp sugar
  9. 1 cup mayonnaise = 1 cup plain yogurt
  10. 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese = 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese or 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
  11. 1/2 cup Soy sauce = 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce + 1 tbsp water
  12. 1 tbsp chives = 1 tbsp green onions
  13. Substitute any mushrooms type for meat
  14. 1 tsp Seasoning salt = 1 tbsp fresh herbs

BAKING SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  2. 1 tsp lemon juice = 1/2 tsp vinegar
  3. 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate = 4 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp butter
  4. 1/4 cup cocoa = 1 oz square of unsweetened chocolate
  5. 1 tsp cream of tartar = 2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar
  6. 1 cup cake flour = 1 cup all purpose flour less 2 tbsp
  7. 1 cup self raising flour = 7/8 cup all purpose flour = 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt
  8. 1 tsp arrowroot = 1 tbsp flour or 1 tsp cornstarch
  9. 1 tbsp gelatin = 2 tsp agar agar
  10. 1 tsp lemon zest = 1/2 tsp lemon extract
  11. 1 cup of cake flour = 2 tbsp cornstarch and all purpose flour to fill one cup
  12. 1 tbsp tapioca = 1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
  13. 1 cup self raising flour = 1 cup all purpose flour + 1/2 tsp salt + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  14. 1 cup unsalted butter = 1 cup shortening
  15. 1 cup corn syrup = 1 1/4 cup sugar + 1/3 cup water

DAIRY SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt
  2. 1 cup half & half = 7/8 cup whole milk + 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  3. 1 cup heavy cream (won’t whip) = 1/3 cup butter + 2/3 cup milk See how to make this heavy cream substitute here.
  4. 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup milk + 1 1/3 tbsp vinegar
  5. 1 cup light cream = 1 cup evaporated milk
  6. 1 ounce sliced mozzarella cheese = 1 ounce sliced tofu (great for sandwiches or crackers)
  7. 1/2 cup sour cream = 1/2 cup pureed silken tofu, blended
  8. 1/2 cup of ice cream = 1/2 cup of frozen banana, blended
  9. 1 cup whole milk = 1 cup fat free milk + 1 tbsp canola oil
  10. 1/4 cup butter = 1/4 cup baby prunes (dark cakes or brownies)
  11. 1 cup butter = 1/2 cup buttermilk + 1/2 cup applesauce (cakes, breads, muffins)
  12. 1 cup cream cheese = 1 cup fat free ricotta cheese

EGG SUBSTITUTES

  1. 2 tbsp water + 1/2 tsp baking powder (cookies/cakes)
  2. 1/2 banana (batters, breads, brownies)
  3. 1/4 cup applesauce (batters, breads, brownies)
  4. 1 egg = 1/4 cup pureed tofu + 1 tbsp flour (for vegans)
  5. 1 egg = 1/4 cup yogurt (brownies)
  6. 1 egg = 1/2 cup buttermilk (cakes)
  7. 1 egg = 3 tbsp pureed fruit (cakes)
  8. 2 eggs = 1 tbsp white vinegar and 1 tbsp water + 1 tsp baking powder. (stir well – use when cake calls for more than one egg)
  9. 1 egg  = 1/4 cup vegetable oil (cookies)
  10. 1 egg = 1 tbsp cornstarch + tbsp water (cookies)

SPICE SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 tbsp fresh herbs = 1 tsp dried herbs
  2. 1 tsp allspice = 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ginger + 1/4 tsp cloves
  3. 1/4 tsp saffron = 1/4 tsp turmeric
  4. 1/2 tsp cardamom= 1/2 tsp ginger
  5. 1/2 tsp cinnamon = 1/4 tsp nutmeg or 1/4 tsp allspice
  6. 1 tbsp cumin = 1 tbsp chili powder
  7. 1 tsp apple pie spice = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/8 tsp allspice + dash of ground cloves
  8. 1 tbsp Italian seasoning = 1/3 tsp each of basil, oregano and rosemary
  9. 1 tsp poultry seasoning = 3/4 tsp sage + 1/4 tsp thyme
  10. 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/4 tsp ground allspice + 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  11.  1 1/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice Powder  =1 tsp ground cinnamon + 1 tsp ground cloves + 1 tsp ground fennel seed + 1 tsp ground star anise

GLUTEN SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 cup Panko bread crumbs = 1 cup of almond flour (baking or breading)
  2. 1 cup of flour = 1 cup of pureed black beans (brownies)
  3. For Sandwich bread, substitute corn tortillas
  4. Pasta – substitute spaghetti squash
  5. Couscous – substitute quinoa
  6. Soy Sauce – substitute Tamari (affiliate link)
  7. Butter – substitute coconut oil
  8. Eggs – Ener G Egg Replacer (affiliate link)
  9. Flour for thickening – try tapioca starch

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

  1. 1 cup packed brown sugar = 1 cup of granulated sugar +1/4 cup of molasses
  2. 1 cup honey = 3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup liquid
  3. 1 cup powdered sugar = 1 cup sugar + 1/3 tsp cornstarch (blend in a blender in batches)
  4. 2 tbsp sugar = 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (cookies, cakes, brownies)
  5. 1 tbsp sugar = 1/8 tsp Stevia (affiliate link)
  6. 1 cup sugar = 2/3 cup agave nectar
  7. 1 cup corn syrup = 1 1/4 cup white sugar + 1/3 cup of water

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E!’s ‘Daily Pop’ Host Carissa Culiner Welcomes 2nd Child, Daughter Zoey Grace

Posted on May 2, 2020
carissa culner baby no 2

carissa culner baby no 2

 

 

Welcome to the world, baby girl Culiner!

E! News can exclusively reveal that Daily Pop co-host Carissa Culiner and husband Shanon Culiner welcomed their second child, a daughter, on Tuesday, April 28 at 11:01 a.m. in Los Angeles.

Carissa and Shanon named their bundle of joy Zoey Grace Culiner. Too cute!

Carissa tells E! exclusively, “Delivery went extremely smoothly. I even got to do the Kourtney Kardashian thing and partly pull her out of me. It was the most amazing experience! We’re back home now, and mom and Zoey are doing great. Chase is loving being a big brother so far. He thinks Zoey is just the cutest thing!”

Carissa shared some exclusive first photos (which were edited with the help of Andrea Larison with Children At Play Photography) of baby Zoey Grace and we must say she’s beyond adorable!

During the Oct. 22 episode of Daily Pop, Carissa confirmed that she was pregnant with baby no. 2. Unsurprisingly, at the time, Carissa was “very excited” by her pregnancy news as they “wanted another baby.” It was during this episode that the E! personality confirmed she was due in April 2020.

Later in 2019, Carissa was joined by her family on the daytime chat show, where they learned they were expecting a little girl.

“I am so happy!” Carissa gushed in excitement. “I wanted a girl, I just thought it was going to be a boy.”

The TV personality and her husband are also parents to their son Chase, whom they welcomed back in November 2017.

“Chase arrived last night at 9:48p – 9lbs 13oz, 23 inches and a full head of hair!” Carissa previously shared in an exclusive statement to E! News. “Both of us are doing great!”

Looks like Chase is officially a big brother now.

Congratulations to the happy parents! Scroll down to see all the precious first pics of little Zoey Grace Culiner!

reprinted with permission from E! News

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College Decision Day Reveal: 11 More Creative Ideas to Steal

Posted on April 29, 2020
cupcake reveal
college decision reveal

cupcake reveal


UPDATED for 2022

Last year, I blogged about a new trend of college reveal photo shoots and video reveals like this one



and this one



and this one

And now that we are in the era of COVID, the over-the-top party celebration with friends of the past will not be possible this year! Or will it?!

Here is a curated list of unique, creative and some common ways to share with your family and friends online where your kid plans to attend college in the Fall:

College Collage

The simplest and my fave is the ubiquitous collage of college logos around a photo of your senior. If your Class of 2020 graduate has already made her or his decision, you could indicate so in the photo or with the kid in the center photo wearing a jersey or t-shirt from the selected institution.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @chcp_collegeaccess

Escape Quarantine and Shout It In the Streets

This idea simply involves a little photo shoot outside in front of the home, outdoors with your senior in his/her chosen school gear.

The “At Home” Signing Day

This idea is great for future college athletes. Have the parents or siblings pose behind the student at a desk or table ready to sign on the dotted line as is done during sports signing days.

FROM TOT TO COLLEGE

I love this school’s idea of creating a timeline collage featuring a photo of the graduate as a toddler or preschooler and his senior photo along with a copy of the college announcement. Very creative. You can create something similar using Canva. or Picmonkey for FREE in minutes!

K.I.S.S. (Keepin It Simple, Silly)

Post a simple piece of swag from the school.

Major announcement

Incorporate some elements of the major in the announcement the way this future USC  Animation Student did with her announcement

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lyndzi (@lyndzi_ramos)

Cool Runnings

Similar to the simple memorabilia, if your teen already has a tee or sweatshirt from the school, hang it from a hanger on a door and post just the item of clothing

FOOD

You cannot go wrong with cake pops or cupcakes. Print out small versions of each school’s logo, attach to a Popsicle stick or toothpick and voila!

Cupcakes are always popular

OR CAPS

college decision reveal

OR CAKE POPS

A Bed Party

Yes, Bed Parties are a thing but would require a bit of shopping for random items that come in the same color of the school and a trip to the party supply or dollar store for Mylar Balloons and streamers.

Post a photo of the future college kid in a bed of collegiate merch from the school of choice. Photo from Skiks which that site makes and sells such gear

Check out these below from Blue-Prynt a company that specializes in personalized decorations.

I hope you get inspiration from these photos!

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At Home Spa: 25 Face, Body Masks and Scrubs Kitchen Pantry Recipes

Posted on April 27, 2020

spa recipes

Ladies (and gents), we are dealing with stressful times and we need to take time for ourselves as often as we can despite the global stay-home orders forcing us all to stay home and in tight quarters.

For those among us who love getting pampered at the spa, who may not have the ability to get out or even get to a beauty supply store to shop for an at home solution, luckily there are ample kitchen cabinet and pantry items that we can use to create face masks and facial cleaners and body scrubs.

I have posted the Maddie Ruud‘s HubPages recipes in a past post before but am extracting and curating 19 simple recipes you can make from home using a few ingredients in your fridge, pantry or kitchen cabinets!

DISCLAIMER:

Before you try these, be aware and prepared of the fact that some of these things may not necessarily smell as fragrant as the masks, scrubs and cleansers you purchase commercially that are packaged. Those products are usually infused with fragrance.

If you prefer, you are free to include a few drops of all natural essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint oil which shouldn’t be too harmful in taking away the exfoliating or cleansing effect of your kitchen cabinet spa treatment!

Enjoy!

FACE MASKS

1. Nourish: Banana-Avacado Mask

Ingredients

1/2 over-ripe banana

1/2 over-ripe avacado

2 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt

1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

Mash banana and avacado, combine with other ingredients, and mix well. Apply liberally to face and neck. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

2. Exfoliate: Tomato-Lemon Mask

Ingredients

1 over-ripe tomato

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp instant oatmeal

Instructions

Put all ingredients in blender, puree until smooth. Apply to face, let soak 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

3. Tighten: Peach Mask

Ingredients

1 ripe peach

1 egg white

1 tsp unflavored full-fat yogurt

Instructions

Peel and pit the peach. Blend together with egg white and yogurt until smooth. Pat gently onto face. Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

4. Smooth: Honey-Almond Mask

Ingredients

1 Tbsp honey

1 egg yolk

1/2 tsp almond oil

1 Tbsp yogurt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Apply layer to face, leave on 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, gently wipe residue with a damp cloth.

5. Refresh: Cucumber-Parsley Mask

Ingredients

1 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt

1 Tbsp chopped cucumber

1 Tbsp fresh parsley

Instructions

Puree cucumber and parsley until smooth. Add yogurt and mix well. Apply mixture to skin, let sit 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

6. Reduce Oil: Yeast-Yogurt Mask

Ingredients

1 tsp brewer’s yeast

2 Tbsp unflavored full-fat yogurt

Instructions

Mix enough yogurt into the yeast to make a thin paste. Pat gently onto oily areas and allow to dry. Leave on no longer than 20 minutes. Rinse first with warm water, then cold. Blot dry.

7. Moisturize: Chocolate Mask

Ingredients

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 Tbsp heavy cream

1 tsp cottage cheese

4 tsp honey

1 tsp oatmeal

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in blender. Smooth onto face. Let sit 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Body Scrub and Salt Glow Recipes

Use these easy at-home body scrub recipes to bring life back into tired skin and give you the youthful glow of nourished, healthy skin all year round!

8. Coffee Body Scrub

Coffee tightens and rejuvenates skin, while raw sugar exfoliates, and olive oil seals in moisturize.

Ingredients

2 cups of coarse ground coffee

1/2 cup Turbinado raw sugar

3 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Take a warm bath or hot shower to open your pores and hydrate your skin. Rub the coffee mixture into your skin in large circles with even, firm pressure. Shower to rinse, pat dry, and follow with unscented body lotion or light vegetable oil.

9. Almond-Oatmeal Scrub

Almond meal and oatmeal slough off dead skin cells, as sage tones. Whole-milk yogurt reinforces with the oil naturally released from the almonds during scrubbing to replenish the skin’s natural moisture.

Ingredients

2/3 cup coarse ground almonds

1/3 cup dry fine oatmeal

½ tsp dried sage

plain full-fat yogurt as needed

Instructions

Add almonds, oatmeal, and sage to food processor or blender and grind on pulse until they reach the consistency of course meal. Keep covered and cool in an airtight container until ready for use. Upon each use, take medium-sized handful (around 1/4 cup) of the mixture and combine with enough yogurt to form a thick paste. Rub gently over skin with a washcloth or loofah sponge and rinse with cool water. Follow with gentle moisturizer.

10. Salt Glows

New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body – Natural Spa Quality Pore Reducer for Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin – Tightens Skin for A Healthier Complexion – 8.8 ozNew York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body – Natural Spa Quality Pore Reducer for Acne, Blackheads and Oily Skin – Tightens Skin for A Healthier Complexion – 8.8 oz

11. Lemon Salt Glow

Sea salts bring a healthy glow to dull, dry skin,.which may then benefit as much from the antioxidant properties of lemon as the rich nutrition of almond oil.

Ingredients

½ cup sea salt

½ cup sweet almond oil

½ tsp finely grated lemon zest

Instructions

Combine all ingredients, taking extra care not to let any water touch the ingredients, as it will dissolve the salts. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Before showering, swirl ingredients together with fingertips to reintegrate, then apply to body in firm scrubbing motion with hand or soft washcloth. Step into the shower and let power of the water stream rinse off the mixture. (Particularly effective as an exfoliant and moisturizer for a smooth, nick-free shave.)

12. Tropical Sugar Scrub

Sugar granules gently remove dead skin cells, which are in turn nourished by the combined power of coconut, mango, and orange.

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

1/4 cup fresh mango puree

1 cup coconut oil

Instructions

Mix sugar into coconut oil until evenly distributed before stirring in lemon juice and mango puree. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, scoop out a generous amount of sugar scrub and rub with open palms into skin. Rinse well.

 Facial Cleanser and Scrub Recipes

Nothing beats the tingle of freshly-washed skin. It somehow makes you more prepared to meet the day!

Try some of these easy-to-follow recipes for homemade cleansers and scrubs that provide amazing benefits, for a fraction of the cost of those expensive brand-name formulas at the drug store. Making your own facial cleansers and scrubs ensures that there are no additives or fillers, just good, healthy nutrition for your skin!

13. Sweet-and-Sour Cleanser

This unique combination of ingredients leaves your skin smooth and radiant.

Ingredients

4 Tbsp plain yogurt

2 Tbsp honey

3 Tbsp lime juice

Instructions

Blend ingredients, adding cornstarch as a thickening agent if needed. Apply to face and massage 1-2 minutes. Rinse.

14. Sugar-And-Spice Scrub

This facial scrub really is as good as it smells — good for your skin, that is!

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup sweet almond oil

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp ground oatmeal

1 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar for further use. Scrub face with mixture 2-3 minutes, rinse, and pat dry.

15. Thyme-to-Wash Cleanser

Reduces puffiness and irritation while gently toning skin.

Ingredients

1/2 Tbsp dried thyme

2 tsp crushed fennel seeds

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions

Stir together thyme and fennel seeds, cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice, let steep 15 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Use a cotton ball to dab onto face each morning, and rinse.

16. Oatmeal Exfoliating Scrub

A quick and easy exfoliator for beauty emergencies!

Ingredients

2 heaped tsp fine oatmeal

1 tsp baking soda

Instructions

Mix oatmeal and baking soda, add enough water to make a thick paste. Rub over face, rinse, pat dry.

17. Honey Cleanser

Softens skin and seals in moisture.

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup glycerin

1 Tbsp liquid soap

Instructions

Combine until well blended, pour into small bottle for future use. Apply small amount to washcloth or face sponge, rub onto face, rinse with warm water. Pat dry.

18. Citrus Scrubbing Grains

Follow this invigorating scrub with a good moisturizer for optimum results.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dried orange peel

1/2 cup dried lemon peel

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1 cup blanched almonds

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender and whirl until reduced to fine powder. Store in an airtight container for future use. Moisten grains in the palm of your hand with a little water, scrub over face in circular motions, rinse with warmish water, pat face dry.

19. Coconut Cleanser

A moisture-rich and nutritious treat for your face

Ingredients

3 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp glycerin

2 tsp water

Instructions

Melt ingredients together over very low heat. When liquid, remove from heat and beat as mixture cools. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator to maintain thick consistency. Massage over face, rinse, pat dry.

19. Almond-Mayonnaise Scrub

An exfoliating scrub for dry skin.

Ingredients

1/4 cup almonds

1/8 tsp mayonnaise

Instructions

Grind almonds in a blender or food processor to create a fine meal-like consistency. Add mayonnaise, blend on low only until mixed. Rub paste gently over face, leave 10 minutes. Rinse.

Recipes for Puffy Eyes and Dark Circle Remedies

20. Green Tea Cucumber Slices

A variation on the traditional cucumber remedy, with twice the results.

Ingredients:

½ cucumber

1 green tea bag

Instructions:

Brew green tea, steep, chill. Slice cucumber and add to green tea. Refrigerate until cool. Place soaked cucumber slices over eyes for 10 minutes.

21. Potato Puffiness Cure Cream

Moisturize and soothe your eyes with this simple recipe.

Ingredients:

1/2 raw potato

1 tsp urea-free moisturizer

Instructions:

Peel potato, grate finely. Measure 2 teaspoonfuls into moisturizer, mix well. Apply liberally around eyes, cover with damp cotton pads or gauze. Let rest 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Increase your circulation by using sour cream and parsley pillows.

22. Sour Cream and Parsley Pillows

Reduces puffiness and increases circulation.

Ingredients:

2 tsp sour cream

1 tsp fresh parsley

2 squares cheesecloth

Instructions:

Chop parsley finely, and mix into sour cream. Place half of the mixture into the middle of each square of cheesecloth, fold into “pillows,” put one on each eye for 10–15 minutes.

Take care of tired eyes nightly with this compress.

23. Easy Herbal Compress

A nightly treatment for ongoing eye care.

Ingredients:

1 tsp sage

1/2 cup water

Instructions:

Boil water, steep sage leaves for 10 minutes. Strain, separate water into two bowls. Soak two gauze pads or cotton balls in each bowl, and put one bowl in the refrigerator, then alternate the application to the eyes: 10 minutes warm, 10 minutes cool.

Alternatively, try substituting chamomile or dill weeds for sage.

Lutein, which can be found in avocados, is great for the eyes!

24. Avocado-Almond Rinse

A rich masque for your eyes.

Ingredients:

5 drops almond oil

3 slices ripe avocado

Instructions:

Blend almond oil into avocado, and smear around eyes. Then, rest for 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

25. Other Tips

For immediate relief of irritated eyes, mix a teaspoon of salt with 3/4 cup filtered water and flush the entire area.

If you know that you tend to have problems with puffy or dark-circled eyes, take extra care to avoid the things that irritate them. Drink plenty of water. If you work a desk job, take breaks of at least 60 seconds from staring at the computer screen every 15 minutes during the day.

The best cure for puffy eyes is the simplest, yet somehow the hardest to achieve: Get more sleep.

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