Great Healthy Recipe!!

I really love to cook and love finding new recipes!!! Last year, Gregory and I were on the road for his job..so we had to eat out ALL the time! This is a recipe that I have "borrowed" from Olive Garden! If you order it there it is called Shrimp Primavera. Mine is a little different..but I got the base for my recipe from eating this at Olive Garden.

Ingredients
2 Cans fire roasted tomatoes (you really can use whatever tomato product you choose whether it is diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, etc..I just like the fire roasted taste and I feel like it goes great with this recipe!!)
Half a bag of shrimp (depends on how many you are cooking for!)
Half a box of penne pasta (make it healthier..buy whole wheat penne!)
I large red pepper
I package of sliced portabello mushrooms (they usually have these packaged pre-sliced. You can also purchase a large handful of baby portobellos!)
Half of an Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
Italian Seasoning (to taste)
Crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Olive Oil
Cajun Seasoning (optional)
Parmesean Cheese (optional)

Pasta
Bring water to a boil and cook pasta as indicated on the box

Sauce
Drizzle pan (with lid) with olive oil
Put the 2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes in the food processor until desired consistency (you don't have to do this step but it speeds up the process! If you don't have a food processor just pour the tomatoes in the pan. It should take about 40 minutes for the tomatoes to reach a smooth consistency)
Add 3 cloves garlic
Season the sauce with salt and pepper, italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes
Let the sauce simmer while you prepare the rest of the meal!

Shrimp and Vegetables
Add olive oil to large pan
Cut up the bell pepper and onion and add to pan
Add mushrooms
Add Salt and Pepper
Cook for about 10 mins
Add shrimp and cook until Pink ( I add cajun seasoning to my shrimp before adding to the pan)
Continue cooking until peppers are tender

Finally!
Place the pasta in a large bowl and cover with your tomato sauce
Add in vegetables and shrimp and stir everything together

This "healthy" meal is amazing! My husband even loves it!!! It cooks very quickly..less than 30 minutes!! The only downside is having to use 3 different pots ;)

Argan Oil

I am in love with this product!! I had my hair highlighted before Christmas and my hairdresser used a product called Moroccan Oil. I noticed how shiny and silky smooth my hair was and decided I had to have that oil!! After checking prices online..Moroccan Oil is VERY EXPENSIVE (about $30-$40 a bottle!). A little does go a long way, so if you are willing to spend the money..by all means!! I decided to check out Sally's Beauty Supply and see if they had a similiar product! And of course..they did!!! Argan Oil eliminates frizz, adds shine and provides color protection.

I really do like the Argan Oil and can't tell a difference between the Argan and Moroccan Oil. My mom and I went to Sally's looking for this oil and they were sold out of the big bottles ($8)..so we both purchased the samples! Let me tell you..a little goes a very long way! My hair is several inches below my shoulders and I use smaller than a dime size of this oil.

If you want silky smooth, shiny hair then you really need to try either Argan Oil or Moroccan Oil!!

Clairol Shimmer Lights

I had my hair highlighted before Christmas and my hairdresser recommended Shimmer Lights shampoo and conditioner. I purchased the blonde/silver but they also make shimmer lights for brunettes and red heads. I bought this product at Sally's Beauty Supply. You can also buy these products on amazon.com.
I have mixed reviews about this product. The main issue I have with it is the smell!! After I got out of the shower it had a very strong odor. It doesn't smell bad..just very strong!! My husband has problems with allergies and he complained about the smell! Honestly, it really bothered him more than me! After my hair was dry though the smell was not nearly as strong.
The other con that I have concerns the conditioner. It is not as thick as I would normally use. When I got out of the shower and combed my hair it had more tangles than usual..but they quickly went away after adding in my Aussie Hair Insurance (I use this everyday no matter what shampoo and conditioner I use!!)
Ok..now that I have the cons out of the way..time for the pros!! This shampoo does exactly what it claims to do. My highlights were bright and shiny after my hair was dry! This shampoo and conditioner is also supposed to renew faded highlights. For me personally..after a couple of months my highlights do look very dull. I really think that adding this shampoo and conditioner to my routine will help my highlights maintain their color.
You can use this shampoo and conditioner everyday, but after reading reviews I don't plan on using it everyday. Since I have just had my hair highlighted, I will use it once a week. I will use it more often as my highlights get older. I really think this is a good product and it does work well if you can deal with the stong smell!! But I am willing to deal with it if it keeps my highlights looking bright!

Free Coach!!

I am earning entries by posting these giveaways in my blog..so sorry for being repetitive..but that means more chances for you to win as well!

Check out The Fashionable Gal

Also check out: Coach Holiday Blog

Free COACH Handbag!!

I absolutely LOVE COACH handbags!! Would you like to win a beautiful Coach purse just in time for the holidays?!

Check out the blog: The Fashionable Housewife

For other blogs where you can enter for your chance to win visit

Coach Holiday Blog

Handpicked

Hanpicked is a great jewelry store!! Handpicked has stores in North Carloina, South Carolina and Georgia!!

They have very fashionable and affordable jewelry as well as really cute gift ideas!! They also have a great line of monogrammable jewelry..SO CUTE!! They just opened a new store in Florence, SC! I could have stayed in there all day!! I went to buy presents..but couldn't resist getting a pair of earrings for myself :)

Check out their webpage:

http://www.behandpicked.com/

10,000 Steps!!

My biggest advice for anyone wanting to live a healthier lifestyle is to get out there and walk!!!! Go buy a pedometer and walk! In order to be considered "active" you must walk 10,000 steps a day. This sounds daunting..but in reality it is not hard to do!!

As far as working out goes..I have done it all! I have done classes (such as spin and weight classes). I have also ran, done the elliptical, etc. But walking in the past few months has been very beneficial for me! I run as well, but for someone just starting on their fitness journey should just get out there and walk!! There are so many benefits of walking at least 30 minutes a day...aim for more!!!

The most important thing to remember is that it is a LIFESTYLE! That has been the biggest change that I have made and it has really paid off. You will NEVER see me on a diet....EVER! I do not think they work and I do not recommend going on one! Yes..you will lose weight in the beginning..but it seems to me that everyone who has ever been on a diet has gained weight back!! I mean think about it..if you skim your calories down for your diet and only eat certain foods..once you stop this "diet" the weight is going to come back!! Gaining and losing is not healthy..it is important to maintain a healthy weight!

Also remember...everything in MODERATION!! Honestly..I eat what I want to..I make healthier choices but sometimes..I just want some ice cream or a hamburger and fries! Ya know what?? I eat them!!

So don't beat yourself up over the holidays...just try to make conscious choices about what you are eating! If you have a big meal..scale back on the next one..and hey..go for a walk!!!

Bye Bye Bronzer

Now that it is officially Fall..it is time to PUT AWAY THE BRONZER!! I am guilty of using bronzer year-round but after watching a recent segment on E! I decided to really give blush a try.

I have naturally red in my skin so I have never really worn blush because I felt it just made me look even more red!! But seeing how the summer glow is quickly fading, using bronzer now just doesn't look right! Don't get me wrong..if you still have color by all means..bronze away!

This product is by Physician's Formula. It is the new Shimmers collection and I believe this color palette is called ROSE. I have used this a couple times already and love how it looks! I put on my regular foundation and powder then swirl a brush in all the colors and put it on the apples of my cheeks! These colors are great and work wonderful on my light skin! This palette though would work on a variety of skin tones due to the multiple colors! I put more of the lighter colors on my brush.

Another great thing is that this compact has a highlight shade (the very top color that is basically a shimmery white). You can use an eyeshadow brush and place this color on you brow bone and in the corners of your eyes for a more "awake" look!! I am only 24, but I have always had dark circles and this really helps!!

You can also use any of these shades as eyeshadows! This product was $10..not bad considering all the ways you can use it!!

Lovin' Lashblast!

This is my FAVORITE mascara..HANDS DOWN!! I like this mascara much more than department store brands (I won't name names ;) because I love other department store products!)

This mascara is excellent. I bought the plain ole' lash blast. There is also lashblast volume, length, waterproof, etc. I already have fairly long lashes so I am just interested in plumping them up!

Another great thing about this mascara is the variety of colors available such as brown, black, brown/black/ and very black. For a blonde, the very black is amazing. Without mascara, you can hardly see my lashes! Even if I don't put on makeup for the day..mascara is always a must!! It instantly brightens your eye area.

I give Covergirl's Lashblast 5 stars!!

Great Makeup Trick!!

I have always been a Clinique user!! Here is a great trick that I use for an all-over glow!! To the left is the up-lighting liquid illuminator. To find it go to the Clinique website and it is under bronzers.

I use clinique foundation and I put a little bit on my hand. I prefer a more natural and not "made-up" look so I don't use very much foundation! Then I add one pump of the illuminator and blend the two on my hand. Voila! A new foundation with a glow! I then apply the foundation combo as I normally would! Add a little blush and you are good to go!

LOVE this stuff!!!

This is probably my FAVORITE hair product!! When I go to the salon..which isn't very often..they always compliment me
on how healthy my hair is!

I have it highlighted as well as use heat products pretty often! Not
everyday, but enough!

I use Hair Insurance EVERYDAY! I shampoo, conditioner and AUSSIE!
This product helps detangle as well as protect it. I owe my healthy hair to Aussie..so please don't stop making it!

It is between $3-$4! Well worth it!!!!! It can be hard to find..but I just bought a new bottle..so I am good for awhile!

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

I love this moisturizer!! During the summer I like a more natural look and not a "made up" face. This moisturizer does just that! My skin also is uneven and gets red. This moisturizer has helped even out my skin tone! A month ago I felt that I had to have something on my face, now with this moisturizer I feel comfortable going without makeup!

Another added bonus to this moisturizer is the fact that it has SPF 30. This is so important, not only year round but during the summer months.

If you have sensitive skin, or eye allergies be careful with this product. I wear contacts and do not have a problem. I raved about it to my mom and it did not agree with her skin and caused her eyes to water. She was also using an under eye cream, so that could have been the culprit.

This product ranges from $13-$15, which is much less than department store brands and I feel like it does a great job. I am a lifetime user as long as Aveeno will continue to make it!

Good luck finding this product. It sells out quickly!

New HBF Blog!!!

In another life..I would be in the fashion world! I love fashion but I can't draw and that goes hand in hand! Being 5'10 it has always been hard for me to find clothes. I always wanted to have a boutique and call it LEGS. lol. Hey..it could still happen!!!

I decided to create this blog to give beauty and fashion reviews as well as offer healthy tips!! I always want to know about new products and if they work. When I test something out, I will BLOG about it!

Health, Beauty and Fashion are my passions! I love reading about being healthy and I am trying to lead a healthier lifestyle (even though it is kinda hard being on the road!!) My husband and I have both managed to lose a little weight..which doens't happen usually during your first year of marriage! I also love makeup and shopping! I have had plenty of time on my hands lately!