29Mar

Semi Sweet Blueberry and Fig Cake: Gluten Free

This is a gluten-free blueberry & fig cake recipe for those who prefer cakes that are not too sweet. I don’t enjoy desserts when all you can taste is the extra sugar. I feel it takes away a lot from the real flavor. I got to warn you that when you make this cake you will want to eat it all at once. Yeah, it’s that good!

Ingredients
1 cup of blueberries
1 peeled quartered orange
1 inch strip orange peel
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup of 0% lactose milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extra
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups gluten-free flour
1 cup chopped figs
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
Preparation:

Place blueberries, orange, peel, oil, milk, sugar, egg, and vanilla into a mixer and blend. Combine flower, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl. Mix together and stir very well. Slowly add the blueberry and orange mixture to it and stir well.
Pour mixture in a Pam sprayed loaf pan and bake at 350 F until you insert a fork and comes out clean. Approximately 60 minutes. Enjoy!

gluten-free blueberry & fig cake recipe via belle vivir

All images by me

22Mar

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Macaroons

Yesterday my son had a day off from school and to keep him away for his obsession with iPhones and iPads I decided to keep him busy and entertained by improvising Quinoa and Sweet Potato Macaroons. My intention was to make something that can be enjoyed in the mornings with coffee or as a snack in the afternoon.

Ingredients:
1 Big Mashed Sweet Potato
2 Cups of Quinoa Flakes
1/2 Cup of Grated Coconut
3/4 Coconut Milk
1/2 Coconut Oil
6 Drops of Vanilla Extract
Salt to Taste
Ground Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Pecans (Mashed)
Preparation:
Boil the sweet potatoes in little water almost like steaming them ( it keeps the sweetness better when compared to boiling) and mash them. Add the dry ingredients in a mixer. Combine the liquid ingredients in a bowl and slowly add them to the mixer at low speed, gradually increasing speed until it becomes a whole mixture. Making spoonfuls, place them on a Pam sprayed pan and bake for 1 hour or until you insert a fork and comes out clean.
For a sweeter taste add powder sugar and Enjoy.

All images by me via me.

21Mar

Looking for the Perfect Red Nails

I remember growing up red nail polish was never for girls, only for gown-up women. Girls were only allowed to use light natural colors instead. Anyone doing otherwise
would be easily labeled as a potential trouble maker. Obviously the red nail colors I was more exposed to were darker red tones ranging from Burgundy to Garnet. Color tones that still until not long ago I strictly associated to older ladies. Red nails are a true
classic with so many different shades now to make everyone happy and more than excited about painting their nails. I personally prefer red nail polishes with orange and coral hues for
their shades being more dynamic, happy and excited. Below is a cool selection of Red Nail Polish that will make any hand look classy and modern at once.

From left to right, top to bottom, My Chihuahua Bites by OPI, JAFFA by butter, Too Too Hot by essie, Julep Red Carpet Arrival, 300 Military Red by Burberry, essie, Nagellack by Butter, Tomorrow’s Red by NARS, deborah lippmann.

16Mar

Home Made Hummus

I think my hubby passed his love for cooking to me. Cooking is his preffered way to relax. Perhaps that’s why he makes it look so easy and once in a while I decide to help him. This time around I decided to try to make hummus at home and it came out surprisingly pretty taste. Hummus is a great source of protein and good carb, gluten-free and it can be easily made into salad dressing when you add extra lemon, a bit of water and olive oil to it.

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 lemon juice (I like it a bit lemony)
2 tablespoon of tahini
500 gm of cooked cheekpeas (half drained, half with water)
Salt to taste

11Mar

Spring Hair Inspiration

Here in Sao Paulo we are heading towards Autumn. I’m actually looking forward to wearing my new Fall clothes. In other places such as New York City, my favorite city of all, Spring will soon come and as every other season, Spring also brings along its own fashion standards. In this case I’ll focus on Spring hair because isn’t that what all ladies obsess about? In a season where temperatures can be so unpredictable it’s a must to have different hair style options, here are a few images of fabulous hair styles for future reference.

05Feb

5 Unique things to do for Valentine’s day

Valentine’s day is meant to be the day for all about love. I can however attest that it could as well and dangerously be the day when you can get sick as a dog by simply dining out at
supposedly famous, expensive and overly crowded restaurants. No need to point out any fingers here, let’s just say that February 14 can be a hazardous day for many digestive systems. Not to mention how commercialized it has become, that’s why I think it’s important to fall off the wagon and not follow the crowd when it comes to the way we show love on this day. Ditch the predictable restaurant dinner and try one of these five and unique ideas.

1- Rent a Scooter.

No one said Valentine’s day need to be limited to the night. Why not rent a scooter and ride around the City with your loved one. Be spontaneous and try out new cafes and restaurants. Another reason to do it during the day, restaurants are probably all packed
that special night.

5 Unique things to do for Valentine's Day via belle vivir

2- Have a picnic indoor by the fireplace.
Prepare a succulent and slow meal for the two of you. Take a whole day or even a few days to prepare the meal slowly. If you work too hard or are plain too lazy, do take-out at his favorite restaurant. Having a picnic in your home doesn’t mean you can forget about dressing up. Open the champagne, and reminisce on how you two met.

3- Bring Valentine to those who don’t have it.

According to scientific research the most profound and sincere feelings of happiness come from doing things for the sake of others rather than for ourselves. Bring balloons to hospitalized children, read books to them and grant them an afternoon that will make them happy.

4- Make a list of 10 things you like about each other and make it into a
card.
There is no better way to tell someone how much you love him/her than putting it on paper and make it memorable. Now that everything is said via emails and social media a handwritten valentine card is truly unique.

5- Go to a poetry slam or stand-up comedy.

Couple who laugh together stay together. Or so it’s better to think.

Category: Wellness

Semi Sweet Blueberry and Fig Cake: Gluten Free

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Macaroons

Looking for the Perfect Red Nails

Home Made Hummus

Spring Hair Inspiration

5 Unique things to do for Valentine’s day

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