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!