Dreaming of the clearest skin? Budget Beauty Tip Alert! Mask & Gel @ Home Miracles

Might you be interested in consistently clear skin, even pigmentation, small pores & little to no breakouts?
I sound like my own teen acne comercial, I know...

Dreaming of smooth and clear skin this morning in my shower...

Me too! Dream no longer. I've been using a product combo that is too awesome to not share. These two products are under $10 and can be readily found online or at your local stores. These exciting & affordable finds deliver such fast beauty results that I'm forced to blog about it to share the wealth;)

Product 1 - Found at Whole Foods Beauty Aisle - $7.00
BENTONITE CLAY MASK

Mix with a little water or apple cider vinegar (which I've been too chicken to do) and this powerful mask literally suctions out impurities and makes your face pulsate in 10 minutes or less! I don't have much time for beauty routines and prefer to spend $dinero on eating something delicious or creating lasting memories... so this little Aztec secret is a a precious gem! Can be used by women and men. LOVE IT!


Product 2 - Found at CVS - $8.00
Dr. Lin's Hyaluronic Acid Gel

Clear, lightweight gel you can place under moisturizer or as a light night mask before you go to sleep. Non-irritant, plumps, softens and evens out skin tone. It's a dermatologist treatment at home. Awesome price, delivers results. LOVE IT TOO!



Hope you find these items, hope they work for you too & that they brighten your day as you walk around with the freshest skin ever! One less thing to worry about;)
                                                     
                                                      In His Peace & Grace, xoxo Claudia

Monday Morning Quarterbacking - 9/16/03

What happened this past weekend?

On Saturday I helped out and attended a Beth Moore Simulcast Event with my "Mother in Love". It was a fantastic time together & a time for women from all walks of life to congregate, re-focus & re-energize.   With our estrogen at an all time high we relished a day of friendship, encouragement, great food, music, CHOCOLATE, COFFEE and time alone with our thoughts and our Creator. I was part of a super creative team of women who planned this event down to the flowers that would "camoflage" the men's bathroom and make it pretty and pleasant for us girls to use. See Exhibit A

Deets only women can luv! - Exhibit A

Sunday, we spent a day with the grandparents who came up to see us, & we drove through Skyline Drive taking in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia. Nothing makes me more excited than seeing animals in the wild and these here parts did not dissapoint!

Skyland Resort - Blue Ridge Mountains

My own pet deer for a day. Nearly peed my pants w/ excitement @ being so close

"Never pass up an opportunity to enjoy nature's beauty --it's the handwriting of God." 

Wishing you a week filled with the real presence of God lifting you through any pain, carrying you through the busy of life or celebrating with you in the joys that the days ahead have to offer. In His Peace & Grace! Claudia

The 10 MINUTE KITCHEN - Oven Roasted Pork Chops with Balsamic, Charred Broccoli

https://plus.google.com/u/0/101694318852216160010/

THE 10 MINUTE KITCHEN

Oven Roasted Pork Chops a la Jardinera with Balsamic, charred Broccoli

1. Boil then marinate thin chops, bone-in in white wine, shallots, salt, pepper, adobo, dash of mustard, worcestershire sauce

2. Add any veggies you like plus broccoli. Salt, pepper and drizzle of olive oil over all vegetables. Drizzle balsamic only over broccoli to charbroil.

3. Cover with aluminum foil at 350 for 40 min. Uncover & broil on high for 5 minutes.

10 minute prep, budget friendly. Serve with salad for low-carb meal. Savor the time saved and flavor:) From mi casa to yours, peace & blessings!                                                  

Claudia

89 Cent Beauty Hair Tip! #Rocksmyworld

This is a hair story told like poetry in picture motion - It turns out that while removing a clothing stain with club soda the other day, I googled what other uses the bubbly liquid possessed. What I uncovered is a secret known in Dominican salons near and far! The carbonate water with traces of mineral salts has a glossing, calming down effect on hair follicles. The ending is a frizz-free hair fairy tale. The cost of this kind of happiness? Only 89 Cents!
Women of all hair types can agree that sometimes beach hair is in the words of Tina Turner, "simply the best". It cooperates & looks great with little to no effort, however it's a sticky, matted mess after a few hours. The pictures don't do this trick justice but I can vouch for the soda softening hair texture. I sprayed after the shower and again in the car. It dried with less frizz & gave it better control outdoors. Give this awesome beauty tip a try because a few sprays into the hair provides goodness minus the salt overload of the salon of the seas;) Let me know how it goes for you, I'm known to use stuff on places not stipulated anywhere in the instructions but in this case I'm kinda loving the results...

                                          Hugs, blessings and club soda tresses! Claudia

Rain is pending, hair with mild frizz and tolerable poof...

Before it acts up further sprayed with club soda into submission

Happy 89 cent frizz cure, makes hair lie down, feel softer, shine & obey:)

Depending on Him when I failed to get up

Hellooooo-Holaaaaaa!

I come to you after writing 6 posts in my brand new blogging adventure of 2013, promptly followed up by a 6+ week break! In my teen daughter's language, "This is a FAIL, mom"... The recap: What I prayed about in January at the start of this blog happened and my worst fear came true. I was worried about how I was going to keep the blog up, seeing as I feel life moves at the speed of sound and my time management skills are not deft enough to take on a new hobby while drowning. "Why did I do this in the first place?", I asked myself and my guilt-ridden self replied "to journal life for your daughter's so they can look back at it one day and see that a life with Christ and others is so worth living".

As it turned out it wasn't lack of time that took the wind out of my blogging sails...I can now share that on March 6th life threw us a curve ball as we were thrilled to be expecting and nearing the 3 month mark. I couldn't wait to share the news, I couldn't believe our good fortune & the blessing of being pregnant after an eight year gap. At the 3/6 appointment we saw a perfectly formed baby on the ultrasound...not a hard to make out figure but our baby!
We couldn't hear the heartbeat and for a second I wondered if that was bad news, although we could see it was by the way it was written all over the specialist's face. We chose to wait to give the baby a chance to have the heartbeat detected. For those 14 days my world went blank, my joy turned to sorrow and I really couldn't control the mix of emotions that often led to tears. For the first time in my adult life I didn't want to get out of bed to find out what God had in store. The girls visited me in bed and that just made me feel worse, as I rationalized that I wasn't sick and recalled real tragedies of people we love and the suffering of many we don't know and pray for. This is our second miscarriage and Sofi/Alex in the future when you read this I want you to know... One day according to scripture we will get to meet these precious ones of our family in a very real way. When King David's child died he wasn't mad at God, he did not fully understand it but he held on to the promise of life after death and heaven."But now that the baby is dead, why should I fast? I can't bring him back to life. Someday I will go to him, but he cannot come back to me". 2 Sam 12:23.

I didn't understand why me, why again, and wondered if God thought I didn't deserve to be a mom. Not because that is who I think He is... but if I'm honest, no matter how low, those were my thoughts.
On April 24th, I was finally able to thank God for the dark cloud lifting from my horizons and for those he sent that knew of my despair, prayed for me and tried valiantly to hold me up when I didn't think I wanted them to. I finally felt the need to pray for my husband, recognizing this ache is not mine alone and to lift him up to the One that comforts.
Later that day, God gave me the surprise of my life as I knew He was speaking to me through these words in a devotional describing the pain of the people in Nehemiah. "A prayer from the people of this place started with praise for the Almighty and supplication. Only then were they ready to consecrate themselves again to the Lord."

God... after every pain and even after joy, when I don't trust your plan and fail in all my efforts please remind me to rededicate myself to you, responding to the circumstances of life with affirmations of trust. Only then will I be able to say, "Bind me here, my God, bind me here with cords, even forever". Thank you for the gift of motherhood and for being a merciful, awesome God who keeps His covenant of love. (Neh 9:32)

Thank you all who visit & for coming alongside us to do life together in good times and bad. Fellowship & transparency are some of the ingredients propelling this little blog along, and I hope it blesses you as your love and friendship blesses us.

Is my grace really sufficient for thee?

Mercy...The witholding of deserved discipline. Grace...freely given favor.

I falter daily and my resolve is weak. That which I know I should do I often ignore in favor of pleasing a whim. It's no surprise then that I am familiar with the word "mercy" because as much as I am aware to thank God for His generosity, I also know deep in my core He tries to guide me to live His way and I oppose it with my own. I know my own problems and therefore seek mercy. I do trust God's way is wiser than what I know, and after many years of following Jesus, I have proof that where He leads me is the very best place for me to go. I need mercy and in his loving care He dispenses it. At times I get disciplined as a child by her father, yet somehow He manages to do this tenderly, holding my spirit so it is not reduced to rubble. I don't know anyone else in the world who can do that. I pray God teaches me to care for our daughters and those around us in the same manner.
"My grace is sufficient for thee" 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Before I ever thought of lifting my concerns to an unseen God, I made my own plans and consulted no one. At age 23 I faced a sudden high-risk pregancy and a baby girl who was four months in my womb. I placed my confidence in my doctors and laid my fears on my mom, and somehow through tumultous times delivered wondrous Sofia who this year will be 13 years old. My world would be empty without her, God knew allowing me to be her mom would bring me to Him and because of Jesus, to myself. Abiding in His care is one of the most peaceful and astounding things I have experienced. Where did such generosity come from and why? I didn't invite Him to come yet He came and saved my girl and touched my life...Love that is freely given, favor that is unmerited. Thank you God for your way of giving grace. Remember me this week especially Lord. These memories surfaced because I long to abide in your care, casting my fears on you and needing to be covered in your grace once again. Fortify my faith. Amen

Wishing any who read this to join me in enumerating all of life's blessings and in the words of Charles Spurgeon, "As for His failing you, never dream of it - hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end".

Food Coma Inspiration...Party Food on a Budget

  This is a little backdated post from the spread we prepared for a work, Superbowl themed fiesta. I share picture ideas in case you want to try something a little off the beaten path, but super easy at your next get together. This menu cost around $75 & fed 12-16 people. I made my dad's fresh salsa which is really the topping for everything you see and the star of the show based on people's reactions! The last time I made it, I had a certain mischevious friend in the kitchen with me, and made the griveous mistake of grazing my face after handling the salsa's habaneros. My nostrils burned and melted and I'm pretty sure I never looked as unattractive, with desperate wide open nose orifices that cried for help. To speed up this story she googles my dilemma and expels large quantities of cure after homemade cures. I ended up rubbing butter not just on but IN said body part according to friend's specifications & the finale was dunking my nose in a vat of milk. There are unfortunate pictures...lol This time I handled the peppers with dignity and they left me alone. Feel free to post a comment below and I'll share the recipe for which ever dish(es) you like. I'm afraid I can't spill the beans of the salsa deets or I'll have a messed up Papi on my hands but happy to share everything else.  All plates passed this foodie family's taste test, with Alex and Sofia posing for pictures in between chopping and eating...sorry "tasting" they called it;)

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the day, & His Peace which surpasses all understanding & sometimes comes in the form of cold milk.

Menu:
(Top Row L to R) - Chimichurri Chicken Empanadas
Lemon and Herb Chicken Drumsticks

(Middle) - Saffron Venezuelan Arepas (Baked Corn Biscuits)
Papi's Secret Recipe Salsa
Roasted Pork & Caramelized Onion Potato Salad

(Last) Guacamole & Salsa
Homemade Black Beans w/ Cilantro
Rum & Tomato Carne Asada
Chimichurri Shredded Chicken 

The world is on it's head but I will NOT give up or cave in

February 2013

Since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedies, I've picked up these bits and pieces of news that read like a global horror novel. India and Saudi Arabia, savage rapes, beating and deaths of women, teens and babies. China had their own version of Sandy Hook but instead of guns the madman used knives to stab the children. Today in the US, finally after a 7 day siege a "survivalist" in an Alabama bunker was killed and his 5 year old hostage released. The media showed a grainy picture of the boy and my heart shrunk inside my chest thinking of the fear this little boy has been through.

There are days where I think, how will we ever be able to adequately protect our children? Plain live...survive? Our world is dark and crazy. Those days when fear overwhelms me, I reach for one of two choices:
A) Be intentional about hearing from God through scripture in search of His comfort and wisdom or
B) Run to my nearest 7 eleven and stock up on ice cream and chocolate to see me through a day holed up at home.

Today, I chose option A and found that there is nothing, no matter how shocking, which we are dealing with in our day and age that hasn't been seen before. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

I also read an encouraging word by C.H. Spurgeon that asked me to recall the work that has been done by the Spirit of God already. When our world was rocked during a horrific accident my husband suffered while living in Puerto Rico, God rescued him and stayed with us through each one of this 15 subsequent surgeries. While my husband was trying to gain health and recover some semblance of his life, we had our second daughter. On my own this would have been a joyless experience but He provided enough strength for daddy to see the birth of his daughter, for mom to balance new baby, big sister and sick husband. All the while God sent us precious angels, people who gave of their time to call, hug or write a note...Others would pray with me and help take care of us.

This sort of light is in stark contrast with the darkness surrounding us and reported daily in the media. Just as God didn't leave me hanging during our most heart-breaking trial, (or any other one) he won't leave any of us ill equipped to deal with life's dirty and ugly. For an increasingly troubled world, an increasing out pouring of His Holy Spirit. I was reminded of that today.

The best thing about this news, apart that I need not hide out at my local convenience store when I get scared senseless, is that for those that trust Jesus with their lives, His spirit dwells within them. It is His strength that will enable us to stand up and be light and salt to our hurting world. It is His power that will persevere in us, so we don't cave in, look the other way or give up hope.

When striving to live by the strength of His Holy Spirit then on more days than not, I find success in choosing to put His will first in my life. For me, it's real struggle to avoid  living according to my emotions, acting out my will as I see fit. However, the hard truth is, when we put us ahead of God and act according to what we feel, we may not perform the horrible deeds of some, but for many it leads us astray from our Creator and towards harming ourselves and others. Claudia, you are being so melodramatic! You are as sweet as pie and you wouldn't hurt a fly. All I can say friends is that I have, I do and all but for the grace of God, go I.

Wishing you time to reflect upon Him and since it's Monday, a wonderful week where we strive to act according to His plans, making every day count.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

My cooking inspiration...My dad "Papi Super Leo"

Claudia & Papi

He is not everybody's cup of tea or like the saying in Spanish goes, "No es monedita de oro para que le guste a todo el mundo"... He is not a gold coin that will appeal to everybody, but in my world after God and my husband, my dad is my everything. His instruction methods were not my favorite growing up as he asked me to follow him around the kitchen making dishes "disappear". This is papi's code for "wash and watch" while I cook and teach;) Cooking is a past time I enjoy almost as much as I enjoy eating chocolate, rarely do I find it a chore & I owe that all to him as today I understand the cooking for your friends and family can really be a form of ministry. Fellowship, health, conversation, sharing, laughter, relationship naturally develop during the times when one breaks bread.

I eyeball most everything when cooking and my family will say they've never had the same dish twice, since I tweak food unintentionally depending on what is in my pantry and fridge that day. These things I picked up from my dad, who also comes from a long line of foodies whose delicious creativity in the kitchen is unmatched. Below, is our cooking/eating love story in pictures. I hope it inspires you to bravely whip up something you've never tried before. Afterwards, may you get to relish & savor it slowly, blessed with the company of the ones you love! In His Peace & Grace. xoxo Claudia~

We start our foodies young! (Alex, BBQ in Panama)

They gain experience in the family business while young!
Turning in an order @ Papi's restaurant

Sofi learns the art of preparing "Chocoberry's



Preparing Papi's "Secret" Recipe Salsa

Wearing spicy pepper-repellant goggles;)

 

Papi supervises his tribe while making Christmas dinner (Hallacas)

What can you do in 1 minute? Unusual Beauty Tip Alert!

Ok, what I am about to share might just absolutely shock you. When I came back from living overseas two years ago and started walking the aisles at Ulta, I learned that women everywhere were applying something called, "a primer". Primers go on after your moisturizer and before your concealer or foundation. They smooth out lines, make your pores appear smaller, extend the wear of your makeup, & generally make your face feel like precious pearls. In my humble opinion, they also come in impossibly small sizes and cost alot, between $28 and $40.

So, since I too want youth, and the appearance of a lifted face that is as soft as a baby's behind, I did a little research and found that budget savvy women had discovered an awesome alternative.

Monistat Chafing Gel Powder (Blue Tube), is a genius dupe for high end primers and can be found at your local drugstore or nearest Target. I will hold my tongue, and hold all jokes the name of this product & it's description incites for me;) Mainly, because I think this stuff is amazing! It works exactly as a good primer should, is totally worthy of trying on your face (It did not break me out although it is silicone based), & it's pocket friendly, in the vicinity of $5-$6 dollars a tube.



(Left) Products, (Right) No makeup, (Center) Glowy, smoother face w/ unusual, budget friendly primer choice combo

I recently found Rimmel made a drugstore primer that is tinted & now I mix the two together & am loving the results. Photos annexed sans makeup & after w/ primer & blush. Rimmel Fix & Perfect is around $7. Hope you have a super rest of the day. Till next time wishing you His Peace & Grace. xoxo Claudia~





What can you get for $1.79? Empanadas...Riiico in Spanish/Yum in English

Our homemade empanadas

Growing up in Venezuela, I had many an empanada. Golden, crispy...ahem fried, pastries with sweet or savory fillings. A month ago, at my local grocery store, in the frozen section I detected Goya packets of 10 treasure discs ($1.79) waiting to be filled and eaten. I brought them home and my husband didn't jump for joy because he's not the kind of guy, but almost. So here are some pictures, not of him jumping but of the empanadas along with simple recipe ideas. This is a hit item for leftovers, fill them with anything and you have dinner. They also make you look like a superstar cook. Use them as appetizers, desserts or cut the discs in half and make mini-empanadas for the upcomoing Superbowl party. Final tip: sweet asian-chili sauces or Frank's hot sauce is too delish for dipping these in and eating only one!T

*Leftover savory filling can also be used by sprinkling with a little lemon, cilantro, sour cream and cheese and placed in grilled corn tortillas for mini, fresh tacos.

Savory:

Step 1: Finely dice or shred protein of choice. Small square dice, tomato, green onion and garlic and sautee in a little bit of butter. Season and sautee protein with dash of chili powder, goya adobo and any kind of marinade or worcestershire sauce.

Step 2: Add capers and or chopped green olives to suit your taste. Fill discs with spoon and a half of filling, close into a half moon. Wet the edges to seal and score shut with fork.

Step 3: Heat 1/3 of a cup of vegetable oil in sautee pan (Med/High) and place empanada, flat surface first, to fry. Should sizzle 1 to 2 min on each side to a golden brown.

Dessert Empanada: Vanilla flavored cornstarch (International aisle), splash of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Fill empanada, follow steps above and fry to a golden crisp. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Dipping sauces could be nutella, caramel, condensed milk or dulce de leche.

Final tip: Sweet Asian-chili sauce or Frank's hot sauce are too delish for dipping the savory ones! You won't be able to eat just one. Hope this little piece of Spanish yum rocks your tastebuds. In the meantime wishing you His Peace and Grace xoxo Claudia~



  

Leftovers for Corn Tortilla Tacos (left) & Empanada Ingredients





Why would you want to come HERE of all places?

Every so often, we humans like to take a little mental break. Instead of running to the fridge for deliciously chilled, Ghiradelli chocolate chips to mindlessly pop into my mouth, I will sit at my computer and write.  You "could", during your mental holiday come with or without a snack to my rent-free cyberspot. Hopefully, you'll find something useful within the blog categories of  "faith, cooking and beauty". They don't exactly go together I know, but in my world they sort of  overlap as I'm often cooking with olive oil, which I thank God for everyday, and at night mix it with witch hazel to take off my mascara. What is left over, I dab on for moisture to the tips of my hair.

I also share that I don't collect anything but I do keep around some meaningful keepsakes. Starting January 2013, I'm snapping pictures of these for the purposes of this journal in the efforts to rid myself of the Rubbermaid container that follows me around, and can be found under every bed I've slept in for the past 10 years.

I give God the credit for prompting me to write before January died & went to heaven. For me, January is like Monday's offering the hope of exciting consistency. Somehow, if all my plans go to you know where there is always next Monday, but no new January. On this new adventure, I won't worry about how I'm going to stick with it, instead I'm going to continue to do the "thing" set before me and,  "Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Him set the pace". Jesus Calling Devotions http://thejesuscallingapp.com/

So looking forward to being that "salt-seasoning" that brings out the God-flavors of this Earth, (MSG, Matt 5:13) together...xoxo
Claudia~