Simply Pretty Eats: Green Tea Raspberry Protein Shake

I woke up this morning, feeling kind of groggy after having to work late last night, so I needed a boost to even get enough energy to get dressed to go to the gym, so I decided to make my breakfast protein shake. I had some of these babies sitting unused in my cabinet (because I buy them and then always just end up preferring plain water.) In my tired state, I poured one in my blender with my shake mix and unsweetened almond milk, and oh my! This is a new favorite!!! It tastes almost like a sweet cream soda, it is freaking DELICIOUS!!! There are so many flavors of this out there with plenty of low-calorie options and I'm excited to give them a try...

1 "On the Go" Crystal Light Green Tea Raspberry Packet
8-10 oz Unsweetened Almond milk, or fat free milk
Your favorite protein
Ice cubes

Blend and enjoy!!

*I have another recipe involving Crystal Light and cocktails, stay posted.

XOXO,
Erica

*I purchased this Crystal Light with my own money.. This is my personal opinion on this product.

Homemade Beauty: Aspirin Spot Treatment

Ever wake up with a pimple on your face and realize you're out of spot treatment to get rid of it? I have....today! My skin has cleared up tremendously since I have been spending time on a daily skin care routine, however, some days my skin still just doesn't want to cooperate and I get a pimple (glaring in the middle of my cheek, no less!) If you find yourself in this predicament or even if you have spot corrector or an acne mask and it's just too harsh, try this inexpensive at-home treatment for pimples and acne. This treatment can be used either as a spot corrector (for newer pimples that need a quick fix) or as a mask (for stubborn acne on larger areas of the face.)

Crush 5-10 aspirin in bowl and add a few drops of water to make a gritty-textured paste. For extra moisture- add 1 tsp honey or 1 tbsp plain yogurt. For anti-aging- add 1 tsp green tea.

For on the spot treatment: Apply to affected areas with a q-tip or clean finger and leave on for 10-15 min. Gently wipe off with wet towel. Moisturize.

For mask: Apply to dry face. Leave on for 5-10 min. Wet fingers and massage gently. Wipe off with  wet towel.


Use as needed, no more than once every 5 days.

Hope you enjoy this one!!


XOXO,
Erica

*Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has a similar structure and works on face much like salicylic acid, commonly used in acne medications. It also has acts as an anti-inflammatory for the skin. I find this to be gentler than most products over the counter, however, like those OTC products, if any uncomfortable tingling occurs, rise off. Be careful not to get mixture into eyes, it doesn't feel too good.

Simply Pretty Review: BetterOats Lavish Dark Chocolate Oatmeal

I've had a lot of questions about this oatmeal, if it's worth the price, healthy, and most importantly if it tastes good! I first tried this brand when visiting my grandparents in Virginia and absolutely fell in love. In general, I'm an on and off oatmeal lover. Sometimes it is the best thing this world could ever possess and sometimes, it just doesn't do it for me at all, but not in this case. 

I am a big fan of indulgent and rich flavors, and this has enough to go around. It costs a little more than other brands however,  it is 100% worth it. It also completely satisfies my occasional evening chocolate craving attacks (really, they are vicious.) It's also extremely versatile (I mean think of anything that could go with dark chocolate, mmm!) My favorite add-in is a scoop of reduced-fat peanut butter (tastes just like a preacher cookie!!)  Only 160 calories and with fiber that keeps you full, I love it! 

Anyway, here is a Lavish coupon for you to try it if you haven't had the chance.

XOXO, 

  Erica

Note: I purchased this product with my own money. This is 100% my personal opinion.

Simply Pretty Eats: Skinny Pumpkin Pie Mocha

Hi!

So I confess, I am a FALL addict!! I mean, I literally count the days until fall starting in like March. Well, to my pleasant surprise, when I was heading to the gym this morning, the weather was perfect and it had that crisp smell that early fall tends to bring, and I couldn't have been happier! Apparently, I had this same feeling one year ago today because Facebook reminded me that "On this Day in 2010"  I was talking about how much I wanted a Pumpkin Pie Mocha...well, since then I have tweaked around in my cabinets to finally make a great Pumpkin Pie Mocha! I absolutely love making this, because it's easier on my wallet than daily coffeehouse visits are, I can make this all year if I wanted, AND I can make it work with my diet since it doesn't involve heavy syrups and creams. Here's the recipe:

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Mocha

2/3 cup coffee
1/4 cup skim milk (or a splash of fat-free creamer)
2 packets Splenda (or 1 tbsp sugar or granulated Splenda)
1 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice


Stir and enjoy!!




*If anyone has a hard time finding pumpkin pie spice, let me know and I'll post the recipe for that, too!

XOXO,
Erica

Simply Pretty Eats: Butterfinger Protein Shake

I have struggled with my weight since I was in middle school so I have to be really careful about what I put into my body. I like to workout in the mornings before class and work and one thing I love to do to give my morning a boost is drink a healthy protein shake for breakfast. Now, one of my biggest challenges is that my love of cooking comes with a need to have variety in my daily eating, so the basic fruit, yogurt and protein shake just wasn't working for me on a daily basis.

So if you find protein shakes boring and want a dessert taste with few calories but a powerhouse of nutrients, try this Butterfinger protein shake recipe:

8 oz Almond Milk, or fat-free milk

2 Tbsp sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix

1 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter

1 serving Protein (whatever kind you prefer)

Ice cubes

Blend well in blender and enjoy!! 

XOXO, 

Erica

Homemade Beauty: Coffee Body Scrub

I first fell in love with home beauty-treatments after travelling to Costa Rica about 5 years ago. Out one night with a friend, I passed by a small spa with a sign outside advertising a coffee body scrub. Being a MAJOR coffee lover, I went in to find out more. The owner told me about the practical use of coffee grounds as a means not only to exfoliate and get the healthy glow that comes with but also to get rid of cellulite and varicose veins! (If you're interested, I explain a little further at the end of the post.) Unfortunately, this spa had no openings for the short time I was in town but the owner gave me a great at-home recipe to use.

So, I decided to make this recipe at home about a month ago (and actually use it regularly) to test out what the lady had told me. Two words: IT WORKS!! It also smells AMAZING!!!

Here it is, hope you love it as much as I do!!

Ingredients: 

2 cups ground coffee, any kind except decaf

3/4 cup sugar*

4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Mix together. Use scrub in shower massaging it onto skin in slow-circular motions. Rinse off. Enjoy your smooth skin and pretty glow!

*(I like to use dark brown sugar but any granulated type sugar will work)

XOXO, 

Erica

--Caffeine, when massaged into skin has the benefit of tightening blood vessels (reducing the appearance of varicose veins)  and redistributing fat cells (reducing the appearance of cellulite.)

Welcome!

Hi all!
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am really looking forward to sharing my reviews, recipes, and tips with you! If there is anything anyone would like to request, don't hesitate to email me at livesimplypretty@gmail.com!

XOXO,
Erica