{What I Love Wednesday}

 JONATHON!!

I love, love Jonathon hair products. They are my absolute favorite. And what else do you expect from me? I definitely have expensive taste!
As most of you know, I am in sole possession of a head of hair that is, above all, supremely terrifying. Because of my special head of hair, I make it my business to be in sole possession of:

A) The knowledge of the newest and most effective products for breaking, taming, and controlling my hair, and
B) Whatever amount of money is required to accomplish this.  

Hairstylists all across America have been astounded at my quest for "the perfect head of hair". I will come in at insane times, sit stiffly in salon chairs for hours on end, suffer steam burns to my scalp, return faithfully at regular intervals, and suffer through endless days of stinky products absorbing into my hair shaft during the "no-shampoo period" after treatment (3 days!!!) At the age of 14, I was flying from CA to FL just to get my hair treated with Japanese straighteners. Believe me--if there's one subject I have educated myself about due to necessity, it's hair.

Now, back to my Jonathon product rage. I bought my first Jonathon hair product, Silky Dirt, four years ago. Silky Dirt is a beautifully scented, soft-textured, non-sticky, medium hold finishing wax. A tiny dab the size of a pea will seal in my shiny finish for the day without a problem. After straightening my hair, I coat my hands lightly and rub the ends of my hair with the majority of the product for a shiny, sealed-in straight that will outlast my day. My most recent purchase was the Jonathon dry shampoo. I wanted to use that to extend my blow-outs by a day. A dab at the roots takes away the shine (the yucky kind). This dry shampoo is my favorite product for creating a day-old pony with a little extra crown height. I lift the hair on my crown, dab dry shampoo into the roots, let it absorb overnight, and the next day my hair has the texture that stays perfectly in a ponytail.

Why Jonathon products? First of all, I have never found another wax created equal. It is truly a one-of-a-kind product. Also, I love the fact that all of the products are Vegan and Sulfate Free. What this basically means for the consumer is that the products are mainly comprised of natural oils, botanical butters, & fruit, plant & sea extracts. This is GREAT for your hair's health and shine! Lyes and animal fats have the potential to create a greasy build-up on the scalp and hair. For me, the sulfates are a big deal, because sulfates strip straightening products off of the hair shaft.

VIEW OR PURCHASE SILKY DIRT
VIEW OR PURCHASE DRY SHAMPOO

100 Calorie Cupcakes

Soon, I'm going to try making these cupcakes by Chef Curtis Stone. Not sure how delish they will be...but worth a try, I suppose.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes about 14 cupcakes

Ingredients

    * 5 organic egg whites

    * Pinch of salt

    * 3 tablespoons honey

    * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    * ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt

    * ½ cup whole wheat flour

    * 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the raspberry frosting

    * 1 cup nonfat cream cheese, at room temp

    * 1 cup fresh raspberries

    * Fresh raspberries to garnish

Method

   1. Preheat the oven to 325F.

   2. Place the egg whites in a large bowl and using a handheld mixer whip the whites on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until the whites begin to lighten up and hold their shape.

   3. Increase speed to high and whip in the salt and honey until the whites hold a soft peak, then add the vanilla extract.

   4. Fold in the yogurt.

   5. In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the flour and baking powder and mix well.

   6. Sift the dry ingredients into the egg whites a little at a time, gently folding them in with a rubber spatula.

   7. Once fully incorporated, scoop the batter into cupcake tins lined with cupcake papers.

   8. Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have colored and gently spring back when pushed with a finger.

   9. Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes at room temp.

  10. While the cupcakes are baking, puree the raspberries in a blender until smooth.

  11. Pass through a fine mesh strainer into a small saucepot and cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the puree reduces slightly.

  12. Cool completely.

  13. Place the cream cheese into a medium mixing bowl and fold the puree into the cream cheese until fully mixed.

  14. Once cupcakes are cool, spread a little of the berry frosting over the cupcakes, garnish each with one raspberry and serve.

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive; then go and do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. 


~Howard Thurman

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

{What I Love Wednesday}

The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.

My First Loaf!!

My first loaf of bread ever!! I made a basic whole wheat loaf. If was very good...today I took it to work with some leftover sliced ham and cheddar cheese. Everyone made sandwiches. Good-bye, bread!

Cat VS Bread Machine

Today I decided to make my first loaf of homemade bread. I just couldn't wait anymore. After work, I went to the store to buy flour and yeast, then came home to get started on my newest venture. After deciding to make a two pound loaf of whole wheat bread with light crust ( who knew there were so many decisions to make-where's the button that says "bread"?!), I put together my first loaf of bread and closed the lid. Immediately, all kinds of swishing and churning sounds erupted from the bread machine. The cat was lounging on the top of the refrigerator when I started the machine. In 1.5 seconds he had leapt from the top of the fridge and was gone to hide safely--in my stationery box. After a minute he came back to assess the danger and act out the stages of bread machine battle mode (see photos, below). After bravely peeking at the bread machine from the dining area, he stealthily jumped onto the kitchen counter (the no-go zone in our home) and started a boxing match with my new bread machine. After a couple of minutes I suppose he figured out that the machine would not hurt him...he backed off, but continues to run back and check it out from the dining chair every time it makes a sound. I'm really excited to taste my fresh bread. Maybe I should make a tuna loaf for the cat! :)

Step 1: Hiding in Fear

Step 2: Angry Cat Ears: What is This?!

Step 3: Bravely Assessing Potential Household Threat!!

Step 4: Crisis Averted: The Realization That the Breadmaker is, Indeed, An Inanimate Life Form.

Step 5: Acceptance & Continued Monitoring :)