It's Six Months Later, Let's See How We're Doing.

Hey guys!  Welcome back.  I wanted to circle back around to my blog post of January 4th, and let you know how I’m progressing.  So when I first started my eating better lifestyle, I went for the Pescatarian diet; a plant based diet that includes fish.  I also consumed eggs and cheese.  It’s been going great.  I recently gave up all fish with the exception of salmon, tuna and crab.  I don’t eat these often, maybe once a month.  I also let go of eggs and cheese; I feel like I'm headed towards vegetarianism, leaning more towards veganism.  I haven’t put a time frame on it, as I get asked a lot “so when are you going straight this or straight that.”  I am just so glad to be eating better, and I’m excited at the possibilities of trying new vegetables, fruits and recipes.  

I’m not afraid of tofu anymore! Yes, I was afraid of tofu because I hated the mushy inside of tofu, and even though it’s one of those proteins that will pick up any flavor you put on it, it never would spark up a love between me and it.  Well, through one of the trusty websites/youtubers/food artists I follow, she taught me how to cook it so the texture and flavor is the same throughout. Now we love each other, tofu and I!  

The different things you can do with fruits and vegetables, soy, seitan, pea protein is endless.  Sometimes I feel like I’m cheating! There are so many products out there that assist with missing the flavor and taste of certain animal proteins.  The company Beyond Meat has an amazing burger and other 100% plant protein products that taste amazing, and I use the online grocery store Vegan Essentials, it has everything! I’ve lost a few pounds, but the biggest change I’ve noticed is how I feel after I’ve eaten; I’m not bloated, I’m full but I don’t feel stuffed, and my tummy doesn’t hurt.  I think I have a healthier gut! LOL

I wanna share some of the food bloggers I follow on Instagram , these are probably my favorite:   

Thechicnatural

Thedomesticgeek

Minimalistbaker

Young.and.vegan

Thatchocolatevegan

Pescatariandiva

Jenn’s Journey

Also I have an Instagram page called lapetite_eats where I post photos of some of the dishes I make, or whatever I feel like posting related to food.  Go check it out.  

One of my favorite pasta dishes is pasta with alfredo sauce.  I’ve mastered one that everyone in my house will eat.  Here, I feel like recipe sharing:

2 tablespoons vegan butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 garlic cloves, peeled, and chopped

1 can of Goya cream of coconut

1 cup of starchy water from cooked pasta

2 teaspoons cornstarch or flour (optional, not everyone likes their sauce thickened, plus the coconut milk will thicken it some too)

2 cups Go Veggie! Shredded mozzarella cheese alternative

Melt butter slowly, and add olive oil.  Stir oil/butter mixture, and add garlic.  Cook until fragrant, and slightly brown.  (you can add more garlic if you like it garlicky…like me).  At this point, add other seasonings if you like, like salt and pepper, red pepper flakes) Next, shake very well, and then pour in the cream of coconut.  Stir until mixed well with the garlic.  Mix well the cornstarch with water.   Pour slowly into cream mixture.  Once it begins to thicken, add your cheese.  Once you have your desired consistency, toss with your cooked pasta.   Unless you are using an entire box of pasta, this will be a lot of sauce.  I always use an entire box of pasta with mine, and I add veggies like broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, etc. My daughter is a meat eater, and she adds chicken to hers.

I'm progressing well.  I'm still excited about ridding my life of the unnecessary, no matter what it is. Let me know how you've been doing since the beginning of this year.  If you're running very well with the plans you set out with, HOORAY! for you, if you're struggling, and not quite there, keep going, keep trying, you'll get there.

As usual, I hope you comment below and click the follow button to the right.  Have an awesome time doing you, during your day!  

What's in my Make Up Bag, You Ask?

Happy Monday! Queen She known as me here.  I've been asked if I carry a make-up bag, and if so would I mind sharing what's in it.  The answer is yes I do carry one, and no I wouldn't mind sharing it's contents, so this week’s journal entry is a “what’s in my make-up bag” post.

Called my many names; a toiletry bag, a cosmetic bag, a cosmetics case, an essentials bag, it’s all the same thing - a make-up bag.  From retailers to YouTubers and Pinterest folk, women and cosmetic artists everywhere are clad down with their makeup bags; some are just as expensive as the shoulder bags they tote.   Well mine is not expensive, but it does say and always have said a lot about me; expresses my personality, and tells what I like having on me all the time.  

I was a member of Ipsy; the monthly subscription service that provides it subscribers with a new and different makeup-bag and cosmetics samples. I always got the coolest make-up bags.  When I reached the point to where I’d accumulated five of them, I would give three away, but not before I put items in them like lip gloss, or an eye shadow and brush.  I think it’s important for women and young ladies to keep one with you even if you don’t wear a lot of makeup or none-at-all.  You can always keep a lip balm, a mirror, or other little things in there.  To me it’s chic, and it screams “I think I’m ready, but if I’m not, get me my make-up bag and give me ten minutes!” 

I’m rarely without my make-up bag; it’s always tucked in my handbag with other essentials.  Today, I

wanna share with you what’s in it.  I usually clean and organize it once a week, but to do this post, I grabed it out of my purse, and dumped it; so yes there are some things in there that I probably could have left at home, but like I said earlier, it says a lot about me….okay I got caught slipping, 😚😤  but here goes!

Clockwise starting from the left I have:

My bottle of HEMPZ Pomegranate moisturizer-my favorite lotion (I got hooked on this lotion when Ipsy sent it to me as one of my make-up bag goodies)

Dental floss -gotta keep those pearly whites looking good 😁

Sharpener-because? Well you never know what needs sharpening

A brow brush- yup it’s old and used, and I so need another one, but for now…

BEEKMAN Goat Milk and Cocoa Butter lip balm - for those days when I don’t want to wear lipstick

Blistex - another “why do you have this in here?”

My mirror- trusted friend of mine!

Lash glue by iENVY - this is the best lash glue to me, doesn’t irritate my eye lids

Two MAC lip liners in the colors Chestnut and Cork - Okay I can only wear one at a time, so why?

Three lipsticks: NYX in the color Tan-Gerine, MAC lip gloss in the color Myth, and Marc Jacobs Le Marc in Mahogany - Okay again! I can only wear one at a time so why?? Lol

So there you have it.  Comment down below and let us see what you’re carrying around with you! after you’re done commenting, click the follow button, right down there on the right,  so when we post, you’ll get the alerts!

We're Living in a Tutorials World.

Hey Peeps! Queen She known as Me here and this week, I’m chatting about tutorials. Earlier this year I journaled about growing daily; one of the ways to grow is to learn something often, anything. One of my goals is to try and learn something tangible every day; it amazes me how much knowledge I’ve gained on a subject or interest all because I’ve deliberately positioned myself to receive information. And sometimes, it’s fun!

I’m big into video tutorials now. Most evenings when I’m winding down, you’ll catch me on the Tube (YouTube) learning something different, something new. I run into some very interesting ones and I wanted to share five with you. If you have any you want to share, transfer some of that knowledge and drop them in the comments section below. Don’t be stingy now! Here goes.

Coop Can Cook- How to make Hibachi Dinner at Home! For those days when I dream I’m moonlighting as a hibachi chef and I want Japanese...this happens more often than I care to share.

Try Living With Lucie | Refinery29 -5 Days of Calligraphy Hand Lettering -for those days when I want to learn how to make my planner, and scrapbooks dance and come alive!

Lisa Nichols - How To Get Unstuck By Shifting Your Mindset – for those days when I need  financial and personal growth encouragement.  When I want to understand how to transform my dreams into goals, and put my goals into action.

The Domestic Geek - 5 EASY Fruit Sorbets | dairy Free Summer Desserts! – for those days when I want something good, and sweet, and I know it will be as nutritious as it is flavorful.

Carrie Rad - 7 Self Care Hacks that will change Your Life – motivation for when I want to become the best version of myself!

Queen She Known as Me goes Live!

Remembrance.

 “If you’re as honest and fair as you can be, not only in business but in life, things will work out. I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman but as a great friend — and a heck of a lot of fun.” – Glamour

Katherine Noel Brosnahan, known professionally as Kate Spade an American fashion designer, businesswoman, founder and former co-owner of the designer brand Kate Spade New York, Wife, Mother, and Friend. Rest in eternal peace.

Diary of an Introvert - A Re-Post from 2013

Dear Diary.  I have to let you know that sometimes I feel a little selfish about not being as much of a people person as most of my friends and loved ones, and sometimes it's a challenge to be in their midst for more that a couple of hours before my mind starts to wonder what new novel releases are out, or what my next scrapbook page will be about. 

You see I like to take walks, and just think.  I like to listen to the settling of the house when my children and grandchildren are not visiting.  I like putting my thoughts to paper.  I must admit I feel some kind of way when a person insist I "share my thoughts".  Excuse me, they're my thoughts, get your own! LOL.

You must wonder if I was the kid who didn't have friends, and if I am the adult who still doesn't have any; or if I was the kid who was never picked when they played Red Rover Red Rover.  Actually I have been blessed with a huge circle of friends, and I did get picked in the playground games, I just would rather have been reading a book on the bench or swings instead.  

You see, I'm an introvert. Carol Bainbridge wrote an article on About.com that explains me to a tee.  She said

  "Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around  other people. Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge." When introverts want to be alone, it is not, by itself, a sign of depression. It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.   Being introspective, though, does not mean that an introvert never has conversations. However, those conversations are generally about ideas and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social small talk."

I'm truly grateful to God that my friends and my family love me unconditionally.  And I love them.  They have learned to recognize when I get that look in my eyes.  My mom calls it "she needs a nap" time.  I call it, "my inner me expressing me" time.  

What can I say.  I'm happy being me.  Spontaneity.  That's the word that pops into my mind as I'm talking to you Diary.  I'll try it more often.

Kindest regards,

The Introvert