Finding style in meals, cities, and a lens

Gâteau à la banane

banana cake

This was a recipe that I was really contemplating about publishing on the blog. Not that it doesn’t taste good; it actually tastes magnificent. But the frosting was more of a little project for me and Magdalene. As you can see, it’s not the most perfect display but since it’s so yummy I couldn’t resist sharing it.

If you know me, you would know that I absolutely love banana cakes. Even more so when they’re filled with ripe banana chunks. Sigh. It’s just the sweetest and most wholesome taste ever. Check out the sweet recipe down below.

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Gâteau â Banane

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1 tsp. of baking powder
  • 4 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups of granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla
  • 1 cup of milk
  • Vanilla frosting
  • Coconut flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° degrees. Prepare a 9x13 inch pan by greasing it with a non-stick spray or butter.
  2. Gather the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and mix in a medium-sized bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas into a puree. If you want banana chunks in your cake, leave some. Combine with the other ingredients.
  4. Melt butter in a saucepan and mix into the batter.
  5. Pour batter into baking pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until cake is done.
  6. Once baked, set cake aside for 15 minutes to cool. When it's cool, you can add your favorite frosting on top and sprinkle some coconut flakes on top.
  7. Serve and enjoy
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Oracle and Tarot Decks

lenormand deck

This past weekend was such a blur; it went by so quick. But it started out well. Me and a friend went to shop for tarot cards. It was her first time shopping for a deck so I tagged along. But I ended up buying two oracle decks and another tarot deck. I’m not sure if there’s an unwritten rule that you can’t have too many decks.

I have had two sets of Raider-Waite tarot cards for almost four years now. I have the Radiant Rider-Waite which is a small size. And then I have the giant Rider-Waite (my first deck). I have always consulted them and they never failed.

Two years ago I decided to try my hand at the Lenormand Oracle deck. They’re great to consult along with the tarot since they give more cut and dry answers. But to each their own. Everyone has their own experiences with decks and changes may also occur throughout the divination journey.

Well long story short, I ended up buying another Lenormand deck. Yeah, I know why so many repeated decks? Well, this one was slightly bigger than the small one I have and had gold foil!

I also decided to invest in the Romance Angels Oracle deck. I was always skeptical about these types of decks but I received two virtual readings where the same card came up. So, I decided to try it myself, and guess what. I drew the same card.

Finally, me and Bonny both decided to buy The Wild Unknown online. Yeah we went on a divination spree. She received hers and I’m still waiting on mines. I feel these are like Pokemon cards for the divine truth seekers.

Ride WaiteRider Waite tarot

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Sketches and Progress

workspace

About two years ago I became intrigued by the watercolor medium. I had taken an art class before but for acrylic paint, not watercolor. And, well, acrylic paint wasn’t my thing.

There’s something about watercolor paint that makes it appear more romantic. Maybe it’s cause you never know what you’re going to get since painting with water makes it spontaneous. In result, this makes the medium a bit harder to master.

I quickly found out that if I wanted to learn how to paint, I had to get comfortable drawing with a pencil. Of course, not all people need to be comfortable with a pencil before diving into watercolor painting, but I felt it was a must for me. After all, practicing with a pencil will improve your hand control. It doesn’t hurt to become comfortable using both pencil and watercolor. As you can tell from the sketches and paintings below, I still have a long way to go as far as hand control goes.

The rough sketches and paintings below are from the past two years. Some of my sketches are from real life observation while others are from images I am inspired by. I really need to get back on the bandwagon. Venice

Parismacaronsbeauty

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La Favela Cubana

favela cubana

Perfect brunches, for me, consist of sweet plantains, empanadas, and caipirinhas. Why would anyone want anything more? Great food and drinks go hand-in-hand for me. I cannot stand places that offer drinks but can’t satisfy my appetite when the time comes. This leads me to one restaurant that does a hell of a job at providing food, drinks and a great ambiance, Favela Cubana.

I can’t get enough of the Brazilian-Cuban restaurant. The first time I went there was eight years ago for one of my birthdays. I went again this week for my 26th birthday. It made me happy to see that they’re still in business. A lot of things change in eight years but not this place; it’s still open and better than ever.

It’s one of few places that make you feel like you’re not in New York City. Maybe it’s the decor or the food. But whatever it is, it’ll always be one of my favorite spots.

I discovered the resto during my Brasileira craze in my early college years. I added a picture below from when I was younger at Favela Cubana. I was so obsessed with Portuguese and Brasil that I wanted to experience anything and everything Brazilian. I think it’s time to revive some of that craze. Stay tuned.

latin american food

Favela Cubanafavela cubana

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A Quick and Easy Guide to Essential Oils

essential oils

Although a lot of us tend to underestimate the healing power of it, aromas are actually one of the most important aspects of healing. After all, everything we smell and breathe travels straight to our lungs and impacts it. So, if we’re inhaling something toxic, it can be detrimental to our lungs. Or, on the other hand, if we’re inhaling something soothing it can increase our dopamine and make us happy.

Below are a few things to help you get started on your aromatherapy journey.

Aroma Device

Essential Oil Diffuser

Believe it or not, an essential oil diffuser can help you get better when you’re sick or even feel better when you’re feeling down. It’s a must-have when you want to improve your body. Similar to a humidifier, an essential oil diffuser disperses a cold mist in the air which moistens it. It’s up to you to decide what aroma you want and why.

Essential Oils

Eucalytpus

This is such an essential essential oil. Saw what I did there? I have to stress it because eucalyptus aids in a lot of things. It’s antiviral, anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Sick and want to make sure bacteria isn’t in your space? Choose eucalyptus. Have a cough that doesn’t improve? Use eucalyptus as a decongestant. It’s one of the most popular oils for treating lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and the common cold.

Lavender

Maybe you’ve heard about lavender, or maybe you haven’t. It’s known for improving moods and reducing anxiety and stress. If you’re also having headaches, lavender can alleviate them. Want to fall asleep quicker? Use some lavender oil at night to relax along with chamomile tea.

Peppermint

Known for increasing energy levels, peppermint has been used for years. Sprinkle a few drops into your diffuser, and wait for that boost of energy. Along with this benefit, peppermint also helps improve memory. And if you’re feeling a little woozy, this oil can help relieve nausea.

Lemon

Suffering from allergies is no fun. Thankfully there’s lemon oil. Inhaling lemon aroma can drain your lymphatic system, reducing your allergy symptoms. Lemon oil can also be used as a disinfectant. Instead of sprinkling drops into your diffuser, make your own cleaning agent by mixing the oil with water. Voila!

Monday Morning Motivation

Peete's

Going to start this weekly entry for Mondays. I’m going to call it Monday morning motivation. Not sure if that’s the right title but I’m going to try to get up in advance to write a full article about my weekly motivations and goals. So far, I failed this week since I am writing this article in the evening and publishing it on a Tuesday.

Anywho, this week I am focused on four things: coffee, picnics, homes, and books. One of these things does not belong and that would be coffee. I’m not a coffee fanatic but I do like the aroma and lately I have been needing it to keep up with life’s demands.

Another necessity to keep up with life’s demands are picnics. Spending time outdoors is the remedy for working indoors. Work a 9 to 5? Go outdoors. I try to spend my extra time outside. Whether it’s at a park or just taking a stroll around.

Homes is next on my list. I really want a place that I can make my own. If I could ask for one thing to make me happy, it would be a home with big windows facing the sun. Living in New York doesn’t make this an easy get. After all, you need a high salary or to settle sharing with someone. I think I’ll go for the higher salary.

Last on this short list: books. The one thing I have always been into and the one thing that clutters my living space. No matter how technologically advanced we are, I will always resort to this traditional creation.

picnic

workspace

reading

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5 Benefits of the Chamomile Flower

5 benefits of the chamomile flower

The magic of the chamomile flower shouldn’t be limited to only insomnia. It is widely popular for its sedative effects because well, it works. But there’s way more to this power flower than just sleep benefits. I included insomnia, because it’s still an important issue, along with four other health problems that this flower can help with.

01. Treats Insomnia and restlessness

This is the number one complication that chamomile tisanes are known for. Whether you’re suffering from insomnia or you just have a lot on your mind, chamomile is the go-to aid. Its sedative effects relax you until you go to sleep. However, there is much debate that the sleep effects comes from the placebo effect. Hmm, I think I prefer to believe in the flower’s power.

02. Serves as a cold remedy

Research has proven that chamomile provides medicinal benefits that can help fight colds and infections. This isn’t such a surprise to me since I have tried it as a cold remedy myself and it works wonders. And it’s great for kids too. Whenever my daughter gets a cold, I don’t opt for cough or fever suppressants. What’s the point of your immune system working if you’re just trying to suppress it? But for nights when she has a pesky cough that won’t go away, I always use chamomile. I make her a mild tisane with honey and warm milk. Not only would the cough go away, but it makes her sleep throughout the whole night. At the same time, the flower is fighting the cold internally.

03. Improves stress levels

It’s no surprise that chamomile can improve stress levels since it already has sedative effects which produce relaxation. You can use the flower in aromatherapy. I haven’t seen a lot of chamomile essential oils but you can still DIY it. Or just boil the flower and infuse your home with its gentle smell. That should do the trick.

04. Reduces eye bags and dark circles

Not only is this pretty flower a health aid but it’s also a must-have beauty product. Have dark circles or eye bags? Boil some chamomile tea bags and let them cool down. After, place them under your eyes for five minutes. The antioxidants in it will brighten the dark circles and liven your eyes up. It also helps reduce puffiness. I think I’ll start putting those tea bags to boil. Be right back.

05. Alleviates upset stomach and cramps

Chamomile is great for so many things. But next time you have an upset stomach, let this power flower help settle it.  Its anti-inflammatory properties makes sure your stomach lining isn’t going out of whack. The flower can reduce cramps since it’s great at relaxing muscles and reducing irritability.

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3 Healthy Things to Adopt in your Home

spiritual

Having been playing with new decor elements in my living space, I’ve been mainly focusing on my physical and spiritual health. I’ve also been suffering from Hay Fever for the past few weeks so it pushed me to look after my surroundings and what triggers it.

Below are the three things I have incorporated into my living space to keep me happy, healthy, and hydrated.

01. Essential Oil Diffuser

To combat the Hay Fever, I bought an essential oil diffuser, which also serves as a humidifier, and it really helped with the allergic reactions. A diffuser or humidifier can improve allergies and colds. It can even help shift your moods. So if you’re feeling a little stressed, lavender oil would do the trick.

My go-to essential oil for colds has always been Eucalyptus. It kills bacteria so if you’re having trouble with a cough or allergies, it can really alleviate the situation and help you sleep at night. And if there’s congestion, Eucalyptus helps you breathe better too.

02. Plants

Bringing in plants was one of my other goals. I actually went a tad plant crazy since I bought Basil, Mint, Parsley, and Cilantro plants. Check out my cute sage plant. It’s still a baby but it will grow.

It’s so great to have them at hand since you don’t have to worry about running to the store at last minute or even when you’re sick. You can clip them and dry them if you want. Or just clip and put in a tea.

Just like a humidifier, plants also have the power of increasing humidity. They also improve air quality in that they reduce airborne dust. Another benefit is that they keep the air temperature cool. Want another cool fact? They absorb sound. Sounds crazy right? Well, it’s been proven that plants can reduce background noise from cars and highways.

03. Tisanes

A tisane is basically an herbal infusion for those who don’t know. You may consider it a tea cause it looks like one but if there aren’t any tea leaves, it’s not a tea.

The first time I experienced the power of a tisane was when I poisoned myself with antibiotics for my wisdom tooth. I did just as the doctor said and out of nowhere started experiencing severe stomach pains. I decided to drink a sage tisane since I had heard that Native Americans used the plant to get rid of pains and negativity. The minute I finished my cup of Sage, everything came out. I’ve been a firm believer of tisanes ever since.

Tisanes are good for different conditions. Sage can be good to expel any toxicity in the gut while Chamomile is good for insomnia. Then you have Rooibos which can aid in losing weight. It’s all up to you.

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How to Cleanse Your Beauty Routine

organized medicine cabinet

Every now and then we get tired of our usual beauty routine and want to revamp it. How about just cleansing it out? By cleansing your beauty routine, you’re getting rid of toxic habits that could lead to skin damage. Let’s look at a few tips to start cleansing.

01. Out with the old, in with the new

Had that blush for a year now? We suggest tossing it. It’s probably filled with bacteria by now and this will only harm your skin. As a rule of thumb, any liquids and creams should be tossed after six months. Powders can last longer but you want to make sure you’re cleaning your brushes and wiping the top layer of the powder every so often.

02. Minimize your go-to products

Our motto is if you minimize the beauty products you’ll maximize the glow. The skin needs oxygen so let it have some. Piling on makeup will eventually result in clogged pores and, what we like to call, sad skin. The derma becomes more susceptible to skin conditions such as acne and blackheads. So let’s keep it short and simple, ‘kay?

03. Start from within

Begin your beauty routine with what you eat. After all, you are what you eat, right? Food has the power to increase or decrease your glow. Swap those heavy carbohydrates and sugars with fruits and veggies. You’ll be glad you did.

04. Hydrate your way to glowing skin

Want great skin? Make room for water. It’s the best form of hydration to maintain that glow. Forget about spritzing that face mist. What you need is to hydrate your organs so it can reflect on the outside. If you don’t like the taste of water, opt for lemon-infused water or flavored seltzer water. Hey, even grapefruit-infused water can do the trick.

05. Get moving

Just like eating right impacts your beauty, so does activity. Working out or even walking more increases your blood circulation resulting in clearer skin. Plus it’s been proven to improve moods. We call it a win-win.

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10 Benefits of Rooibos

Rooibos tea

Rooibos tea, also known as red tea but not to be confused with hibiscus tea, comes from the Asphalathus linearis plant in South Africa. It aids many conditions including allergies, insomnia, as well as weight loss. This is due to all of the minerals the plant has which includes iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, calcium, and copper.

Unlike other herbs, rooibos has a pleasant and mild taste. The taste is reminiscent to cinnamon which makes the tea great to drink without sugar or any other additives. And it’s caffeine-free unlike other teas. So what are you waiting for? Let’s check out the conditions Rooibos tea is good for. After check out the cool Rooibos iced tea recipe below.

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Rooibos Iced Tea

4 cups

Rooibos Iced Tea

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of water
  • 2 tbsp. of Rooibos tea
  • honey

Instructions

  1. Boil water in a pot or teapot.
  2. Before water starts boiling, pour the Rooibos tea.
  3. Let it boil for 7 minutes.
  4. When the water turns a deep red, remove from stove and add honey to it. The amount of honey depends on how sweet you want it. Afterwards, allow to cool.
  5. Once at room temperature, pour the tea into a pitcher and place in refrigerator.
  6. Serve tea cold.
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01. Helps treat and prevent Diabetes

Balancing blood sugar is necessary for those who already have diabetes. If the blood sugar levels are constantly fluctuating, it can be a threat to your health. Rooibos balances the blood sugar and increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. The herb has also been known to serve as a defense against type II Diabetes.

02. Aids in losing weight

The polyphenols that Rooibos has makes the herb burn fat. In addition to this, it prevents new fat cells from forming. There have been studies that prove that Rooibos can fight against obesity as well. Consuming Rooibos causes an increase in leptin secretion. Leptin, the “hunger hormone”, is what tells the body that it’s satisfied. Without this, the body thinks it’s not satisfied and therefore becomes hungry more often.

03. Maintains skin and hair youthful

To maintain skin and hair youthful, you need antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acid. Antioxidants act as a shield against free radicals while the alpha hydroxy acid improves the skin. Luckily rooibos is filled with antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acid. It’s the same acid that is used for chemical peels. However, it is safer to consume it from natural sources such as herbs or foods. Rooibos is one of the few natural sources that contains this acid.

04. Filled with Anti-inflammatory properties

Suffering from bronchitis or allergies? Rooibos is good at treating inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, hay fever, and asthma.

05. Helps curb insomnia

This caffeine-free herb is perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. While it does increase energy, it doesn’t disturb the hormones produced by the adrenal gland.

06. Reduces allergies

Aiding the immune system, Rooibos is filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate allergic conditions such as hay fever.

07. Gets rid of colic

Rooibos is a well-known treatment for colicky children in South Africa. The reason for it soothing colic remains unknown but has been related to its anti-inflammatory properties.

08. Builds strong bones

Manganese and calcium are necessary minerals for strong bone growth. Almost every tea can provide strong bone growth because they increase osteoblast activity. Osteoblasts are what create bone mass. On top of the ostebolasts, Rooibos contains two important flavanoids, orientin and luteolin which increase minerals in the bones.

09. Lowers blood pressure

Rooibos maintains blood pressure balanced. Therefore, it can improve hypertension and stress levels. It can also reduce the chances of heart attacks.

10. Cures headaches

Due to its relaxing properties, rooibos can eliminate headaches or any tension you may feel. After all, headaches happen when your muscles contract in the face or head.

Caution: If you are suffering from an underlying condition, it is best to consult with your doctor before trying Rooibos tea.

rooibos tea

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