Tasty Tuesday: 12 Kitchen Hacks

I am so sorry about getting this up a day late. I thought I had published it but I guess I saved it instead.

So I was looking on Pinterest and I found some awesome Kitchen Hacks, so I thought I'd share! Some of these I already use, some I am definitely going to try out. 

12 Awesome Kitchen Hacks

1. Shred chicken breast with a stand or hand mixer. 

(Use this. Makes shredding so much easier and faster!)

2. Use your pizza cutter to cut your herbs.

3. Skip Having to Turn Roasted Veggies in the Oven.When roasting vegetables, preheat the oven with the baking sheet already inside to avoid having to flip foods halfway through.

4. Tired of buying a whole bushel of fresh herbs only to use a teaspoon and then watch the rest go bad until you need it a week later? Next time, freeze rosemary — or basil, parsley, or oregano — and olive oil in an ice cube tray. Just pop one in the pan when cooking.

5. Keep Your Cutting Board From Slipping. Don't let your cutting board slip as you cut by adding a damp dishcloth underneath the board. 

(You can also cut a piece of no-slip shelf liner and place under your board as well.) 

6. No time to boil water. Use your Keurig. 

( I also use this for steaming my face before doing a face mask.)

7. Cook bacon in bulk quick by baking it in the oven. 

(Use this and it cooks the bacon perfectly and very fast!)

8. Weave bacon into squares for the perfect B.L.T.s. 

9. Is your baking soda or baking powder still good? Test it out. Using old baking soda or baking powder that is no longer effective will ruin your recipe. To test baking powder, just mix a teaspoon into half a cup of hot water. Does it bubble? Yay, your baking powder is good to use! If not, replace it before you get started. And what about baking soda? Mix a quarter of a teaspoon into 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Once again, you should immediately see bubbling. If you don’t, the baking soda is no longer effective. Baking soda is rarely labeled with an expiration date, so this is super helpful to know! (Haven't tested but definitely going to try!)

10. Tired of your bananas going bad before you get to eat them? Wrap the top of your bananas with plastic wrap and they’ll last four to five days longer.

11. Alton Brown Method of Hard-Cooking Eggs: 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Baked eggs are better because they are less sulfurous (smelly) and the texture of the finished eggs is creamier.

12. Lather a moat of PB around the J for a drip-free PB&J sandwich.

(Can not wait to try this out!)

Be Kind, Be Beautiful, Be You-Ashley

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Manic Monday: August 29th - Sept. 4th Target Dollar Spot Planner Layout

Goodness, it's been a heck of a Monday, thank God for my planner! It's only been a week back to school and both kids have strep throat!

Last night I did my weekly planning. I enjoy planning and decorating on Sunday nights. For me it is a lot like my makeup time, it's my de-stress time. This week isn't too terribly busy but lots of little things that need to be done.

For those that don't know, I plan in a Target Dollar Spot planner. I used purple washi I found in the Target Dollar Spot for $1, to cover up and fortify the holes and to also cover up the days. The sticker decor and push pin stickers I used are from The Dollar Tree. And the dots are from Wal-Mart, I do believe they were $1.84. For the paper clips, I used the ones I made, as well as the headband wrap. I love this spread so much! It's so bright and colorful and makes me smile!

Without further ado, here it is!

I cut the rainbow in half. 

I hope y'all have an amazing week ahead. 

Be Kind, Be Beautiful, Be You-Ashley

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Newsflash....I'm fat!

I'm not really sure how to start this blog off. So I'm just gonna start. I am currently writing this from my hospital room! Whawhawha.....Monday I struggled to breathe all day, so I came to the er. Long story short I was admitted. Woohoo! NOT!!! I seriously have the best nurses in the world, though. And I absolutely love this hospital!So it's kinda fitting that I had wanted to write about this and now I am being admitted for it. But anyways on with the story.  This is gonna be a long one so go grab a drink and a snack sit back and relax. 

Ps. I apologize now if some of this doesn't make 100% sense. I am having serious brain fog from lack of oxygen all day. I am going to try my best to reread this several times. 

I will start off by saying I am in no way writing this for sympathy. I am purely writing this for awareness purposes. And for that little twerp on Periscope. And to all the little twerps that like to hate on me. 

Yes, I'm fat, I know this! You don't have to tell me this every day. I can see myself in the mirror. It's no surprise to me. Not to mention you feel the need to tell me every time you see me, I got the hint! You say you want to me, ummm hello, news flash you calling me fat telling me I'm fat and I need to lose weight does not help me!

1st let me say this I have always been a big girl. I will ALWAYS be a big girl. Yes, I would like to loose the weight but I by no means want to do it to "look good" I want to loose it to be healthy. Even though I am fat I am happy and I still LOVE MYSELF. I am still BEAUTIFUL! I have been working on losing the weight but it's not an easy process when you have my health problems. 

I fight every day to breathe. I I also have severe asthma, Copd, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. I am constantly on steroids to open my airways. Unfortunately, steroids caused me to have steroid induced Cushing's syndrome. Here is a snippet from a Cushing Website. Click the links if you'd like to read more.

What is Cushings? Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body’s tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases, or for immunosuppression after transplantation.

Others develop Cushing’s syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body. Normally, the production of cortisol follows a precise chain of events. First, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small sugar cube, sends corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. CRH causes the pituitary to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the kidneys, receive the ACTH, they respond by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream.

Cortisol performs vital tasks in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces the immune system’s inflammatory response, balances the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy, and regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. One of cortisol’s most important jobs is to help the body respond to stress. For this reason, women in their last 3 months of pregnancy and highly trained athletes normally have high levels of the hormone. People suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic disorders also have increased cortisol levels.

When the amount of cortisol in the blood is adequate, the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This ensures that the amount of cortisol released by the adrenal glands is precisely balanced to meet the body’s daily needs. However, if something goes wrong with the adrenals or their regulating switches in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, cortisol production can go awry.

Cushing's has caused a host of other problems. I now have adrenal insufficiency (or “Addisonian crisis”). It is the inability to maintain a blood pressure (“shock”), dehydration, and electrolyte (sodium and potassium) abnormalities.  It may also be much more subtle, with nothing more than fatigue. This is why I have to keep myself stress-free as much as possible. Cushings has also caused early onset of Osteoporosis. Therefore I wake up every day in horrible pain. I have to be care and watch what I do so I don't hurt or damage myself in any way. 

So yes going and doing workouts would be great but right now it is nearly impossible. I do try to walk some but that's about as much as I can do right now.  I have cut back on what I eat and trying to eat Ketogenic Diet as closely as I can. Which, by the way, has helped as I have lost a few pounds! Woohoo!!!  

So yes, "Why don't I just lose the weight?" It's not the simple for me. Even though I know you'll never read this I hope you find it in your heart to be nicer to people who are fat! Because maybe just maybe they aren't fat because they are lazy and eat to much maybe just maybe its out of their control. You also asked me "Why do I spend more time on myself putting on makeup instead of losing the weight?" Well, as you've hopefully read I am working on it and it is a very slow process. And the main reason why I spend time on myself is because ummm I'm an adult and I can! But for real though it is my meditation time. My time to relax. I enjoy makeup. I make me feel better and when I feel better then I want to get up and get out and work on myself. Yes, I'm fat but I don't have to look frumpy and fat. I try to have some class and wearing makeup makes me feel pretty and put together. 

I try to be pretty positive and don't let those that are rude online get to me, but for some reason or another, I couldn't shake this one. My main focus for this blog post is to bring awareness to invisible illnesses. I have more than my fair share of them. Bring awareness to body shaming. Bring awareness to bullying. Please stop the hate. Not just to me but to everyone. Kind words go some much further than negative words. 

Be Kind, Be Beautiful, Be You-Ashley

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My Newest Little Addiction

So sorry about not having a post up yesterday. I was too tired from staying up way too late Wednesday night all for good reason, I promise! 

Wednesday I went to visit my Mawmaw and Pawpaw and have dinner with them, as well as visit with my uncle that was in from Georgia. My Uncle is an amazing guitarist and while we were there he taught Kord a few chords on the guitar, which he was excited about. He has been practicing every day and wants to learn more! It was a very nice visit, I really miss getting to visit more often with my Mawmaw. As a kid, I was over there just about every day. I have always been close to my Mawmaw We all joke around that I'm the favorite grandchild out of the 7 grandkids. (We all know it's true, though! haha) 

Anyways, back to what this story is all about. After the visit, we had to finish up school supply shopping for Cadence. So we took off to Target. Stopped off at the Target Dollar Spot and picked up the supplies I needed for my new planner! Yes, that's right, I said it, P L A N N E R!!!!! I am so beyond excited to join in the planner community and finally stop forgetting to do things and forgetting dates and appointments! I picked up the binder and the inserts plus a couple of washis. I didn't pick up the page flags inserts because I had heard they were not that great of quality. My Target didn't have the best selection of planner stuff so I will have to go back when the new dollar spot products are out. So after picking up the rest of Cadence supplies, we headed off to Dollar Tree. My Dollar Tree was seriously lacking in the office supply and sticker/craft area. I couldn't find the gel pens and there was no washi! Ugh really was not happy! I did, however, get some adorable stickers, paper clips, reminder flags, and double sided tape. Everything from Target and Dollar Tree including Cadence's school supplies came in under $30! Woohoo for thrifty shopping! 

Came straight home and got started setting it all up! I was not happy with how flimsy the dividers were so I ran them through the laminator. After a couple failed tries and cutting mistakes, I am somewhat happy with the finished project. I also made a pocket for the front. Not happy with it but it works for now at least until I can find my scrapbook paper. 

Bonus to being a headband and bow maker, I have supplies running out of my ears and had all the supplies to make adorable paper clips! Woohoo!!! These were sooooo much and came out so cute! I can't wait to make some more. 

 

Thursday I spent the morning filling in the dates and decorating it. For a beginner with not much in supplies, I am really happy with the way it turned out. 

August Monthly Layout

August 18th -21st weekly layout

August 22nd - 28th weekly layout

I also made a cute little charm out of an old necklace, earrings that I was missing the other one, and some special keychains. I am absolutely in LOVE with they way it came out! It may be my favorite part of my planner. Although the bows are a very close tie to my fave. 

Well, that's it, my finished baby! I am so excited to share my weekly and monthly layouts with you. They will be going up on Sundays/Mondays. And if you're interested in planner DIY's let me know in the comments and I will try and post some as tutorials. 

I hope you all have a splendid weekend.

Be Kind, Be Beautiful, Be You-Ashley

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30 Beauty Tag Questions You've Always Wanted to Know About Me

Hey, Bombshells, How are y'all today? Well, I hope. I am doing pretty good. Today is pretty boring around here on the home front. So I've been looking around on good ole Google trying to find topics to talk about and I stumbled upon several tags so I saved several and choose this one today. I thought y'all would like to know a little bit more about me. Since I haven't talked about beauty much I thought this was very fitting. 

1. Do you remember your first makeup item? 

Hummm that is a tough one but it was prob eye shadow or lip gloss

 2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications? 

Volume and lengthening. My holy grail is Too Faced Better Than Sex. I really like Lancome Hypnose but the smell is very strong, which is a downfall for me. 

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?

medium to full coverage

4. Favorite high-end brand?

Too Faced

5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t? 

Urban Decay, Kat Von D, And I really want to try Estée Lauder Double wear foundation! 

6. Favorite drugstore brand?

Elf, NYX and Makeup Revolution

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?

Oh lord yes! Almost never leave home without a pair on. 

 8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

A lip product. Usually my Vaseline lip care and whatever lipstick I put on.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

Hummmm.....They are all cherished to me.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get lots of goodies at once? 

I don't shop that often. I usually only shop if I am out of something. 

11. Do you have a “beauty budget” or you spend freely? 

Haha yeah right! I wish! 

12. Do you utilize coupons, rewards cards, and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

Yes, At least I try too.

13. What type of product do you buy the most of? 

Skincare only because it runs out quicker than any of my makeup. 

 14. Is there a brand that you absolutely can’t stand?

Nope, not really.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

Not in my makeup. I do in my shampoo because I am allergic to it. If it's not in my makeup its a bonus but I don't typically search it out. If I am deciding between 2 products I will go for one the one that doesn't. 

16. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup? 

I've never been in Ulta or Sephora because of personal mental reasons I really need to get the hell over but ya know I'm a big girl and hate going into stores like that judge you. I've heard too many horror stories of their customer service!  But I love shopping from them online. 

 17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

Absolutely! I love testing products. I love doing reviews. A lot of the time I find my new love product, I would have never known about. 

18. Favorite bath and body brand?

Bath and Body works! Been a fan since I was a wee little one! (haha) My mom and sister would buy it all the time. Country Apple I think was the name. Holy moly that stuff smelled so good, now it brings back memories at the same time it makes me wanna puke! I got so sick of that smell! 

19.  If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

Ohhhh.... This is a tough one! Prob NYX or Maybelline. 

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

Urban Decay, The Balm, or Too Faced

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Gwen Stefani for more dramatic looks and Julia Roberts for more natural looks

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

6543,Two, One, Makeup and several other Facebook groups.

Recommend some of your communities?  Leave me a comment!

 23. 5 Favorite Beauty Gurus

These are ones I never miss an episode. Beauty or not these are my top 5. 

Victoria Donelda, Vintage or Tacky, Cherry Dollface, Grav3yardgirl, Glam & Gore

Tell me what your top 5 YouTubers are in the comments.

24. Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

No! To me, that just kinda grosses me out.

25. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

OMG yes! If you ever watch any of my get ready with me's on Periscope you learn real fast me and mascara have a love hate relationship!

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?

YES!!! Right now I am using Smashbox photo finish.

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

Maybe 2

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Foundation

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

I have thought several times about going to Cosmetology school. 

30. What do you love about makeup?

Everything. I love that it highlights my good assets and hides the bad ones. It makes me feel pretty and put together. It makes me take some me time, it's my form of meditation. It has given me an outlet to find new people and a way to make some amazing life long friends!I love that you can meet a stranger and spark a conversion over a lipstick and you instantly have a bond with someone you would've never talked to. 

I think that's it. That was fun! Hopefully, you learned a little bit more about me. If you want me to do a Q&A or if you have any other topic ideas let me know in the comments.


*UPDATE* I forgot to tag some friends! 

Nikki and Shannon

Be Kind, Be Beautiful, Be You-Ashley

      Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a post! Leave a comment I'd love to chat with you! And as always if you can't get enough of my fabulousness you can join me on any and all my social media. They are all linked below.

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