Scotch Collops, Carrot Cake, and Cumin Lime Chick Peas

 It might be too soon for a food post but I have three things waiting...so figured I had better get posting.

Starting with a recipe from my Unofficial Harry Potter book. Another recipe I had never previously heard of and that doesn't seem particularly popular. But scotch collops basically means thinly sliced meat. I wanted other use better quality meat to so I did drag myself to the meat market. This was a very easy recipe and kinda bland. I did try to add a few things to make it better and they helped and it was good but I think I would still do more if I made this again. Which isn't likely because I like trying new things. But it's very easy...you just brown your meat...cook down your onion and mushroom and toss together I cooked my onions down in some leftover beer I needed to use up. I also added a dash of Worcestershire sauce- but coulda added more. And lotsa salt and pepper. This was my finished plate. I also made broccoli- not pictured. I warmed up some garlic bread and made some buttered noodles and dinner was served. 

Then I made cumin lime chick peas. I love my chick peas so I was excited for an easy basic recipe. I decided to serve mine on some salad. And I threw a quick dressing together. Healthy....and so good! There really is so much you can do with a recipe like this- serve it as a side dish, serve on rice or quinoa. 

Last up...carrot cake. Almost vegan. I used dairy milk so mine wasn't. I don't usually try vegan dessert recipes. But the cashew icing had me intrigued. I wanted to know if it would work...and if it would be as good as any other icing. And it is. It's super easy to make...and I think much healthier than butter/cream cheese icing. But I messed mine up...I added too much lemon zest. So mine was lemony. Good...but doesn't really go with a carrot cake. Would be bomb on a lemon cake..so I think I would make it for a lemon cake.  The carrot cake itself was also good...but I think it NEEDS a vanilla icing. Preferably actual cream cheese icing. While the cake was good and had a great texture...I can't say I like it more than any other carrot cake I have made.  So I wouldn't make it again- unless I was trying to make something for someone who is actually vegan. I very much prefer non vegan carrot cake recipes. 

And that's all for this week...

Granado Apotecario Candle Review

 I'm excited because tonight I am starting the last season of Outlander. I was debating whether I just wanted to binge watch it once it's done or watch as it goes...and I'm leaning to watching as it goes. I do need a refresh so I might just restart the show once it's finished so I can experience it all at once.

But anyway...back to candles. I have a few I need to burn before the weather gets too warm. Because once it's hot- I'm not burning anything. I might grab a room spray or make some DIY sprays out of some essential oils.

Granado claims:

Granado Apotecario Candle is a spicy candle. A fragrance journey that is in the authentic soul of the workshops of the late 19th century. century, with an intense and refined blend of spices, woods, leather and resins that fill the air with timeless elegance. Apotecario Candle is handcrafted from 90% natural ingredients and a high-quality blend of 100% natural coconut wax, sunflower wax and soy oil that ensures even and clean burning. The cotton winch provides a high and constant flame with low heat output, while the high fragrance concentration envelops the room with a long-lasting and refined fragrance. The Apotecario candle is ideal for creating an intimate and enveloping atmosphere. It is the ideal accessory to transform any room into an oasis of style and comfort.

Top notes: Bergamot, Cardamom, Black Pepper

Heart notes: Leather, Black Tea, Cypriol

Base notes: tonka, patchouli, myrrh

This is a new brand to me (but it has been around forever) and the second Brazilian brand I have managed to get my hands on. Nothing I love more than trying new (to me)  brands and especially those made in other countries. 

I bought this one sale for course. I think I paid less than $30. Not sure anymore. I usually burn it when I am working. Mostly because I don't love the scent...but I thought I would based on the description. It's supposed to be spicy and leathery. And I would have to disagree. It's very light and most of the time I barely notice it when lit. It kinda reminds me of Maison Louis Marie vanilla scent. This is very similar to that without the vanilla scent. I didn't love that scent...so I'm not surprised this doesn't do it for me like that. But it's not bad. I don't hate it. I'm just not particularly excited by it. 

It's hard to describe. It's just a pleasant everyday scent that is pretty forgettable. 

The packaging is very nice though. It comes in its own little brown and gold case. And the candle itself has very pretty glass with little golden decoration on it. Packaging is a 10 of 10.

Also the candle itself is quite large and will burn forever. It burns cleanly. But not evenly. Burning this candle down has been a hot mess. So much of the side were not burning...I figured I would need to melt down a lot of wax and make a DIY candle. It's gotten better as I have burned it but still largely uneven. If I had paid full price I would be mega disappointed. Luckily...I didn't. 

Overall, it wasn't my favorite. I don't really feel the need to try more candles from the brand. But I did buy a few soaps- so before the end of the year depending on how quickly I get through my ever growing soap stash.... I should have reviews for them. 

Blinc Eyeshadow Primer Review

Summer is on its way. Which means- I need an eyeshadow primer. My eyelids eat eyeshadow. Even in the winter. But especially in the heat. I don't even think my makeup would last two hours without one. Concealer can work in a pinch- but I prefer a dedicated primer. I lost my last primer. it has to be somewhere in my apartment but for the life of me, I cannot find it. 

So I ordered this. I haven't seen this brand much...but I think I remember they made a tubing mascara back in the day. I'm too lazy to look it up now...so  we will go with that. 

Blinc claims: 

A CLEAN, VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, and ORGANIC translucent eyeshadow primer that creates a seamless, blurred canvas for all-day crease-free, smudge-proof, and fade-resistant wear while improving skin health and appearance.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:

• Flawless Base: Fills surface imperfections for a smooth, blurred canvas that intensifies shadows and liners.
  
• Ultra-Longwearing: Keeps eyeshadow and liner in place all day without creasing, smudging, or fading.
  
• Pro-Age Skincare Benefits: Improves firmness, elasticity, and smoothness while brightening the delicate eye area.
  
• Lightweight Comfort: A breathable formula that feels weightless and comfortable for all-day wear.

KEY INGREDIENTS:

• Pro-Age Peptides: Enhance skin firmness, elasticity, and smoothness over time.
  
• Vitamin E: Provides antioxidant protection and hydration.
  
• Alaria Esculenta Extract: A natural marine ingredient that nourishes and revitalizes skin, promoting a youthful glow.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT:

• Clean Beauty Innovation: VEGAN, ORGANIC, GLUTEN-FREE, and formulated without harsh chemicals, delivering performance without compromise.
  
• Multi-Tasking Performance: Combines makeup primer benefits with skincare properties for healthier, younger-looking skin.
  
• Seamless, Skin-Friendly Wear: Perfect for those seeking minimalist, skin-conscious products that enhance both beauty and care.
  
• Made in USA

It comes in nice packaging. A nice box and is packaged kinda like a lip gloss. I like it. 

I don't ask a lot from my primers. I just want it to make my eyeshadow last all day. Maybe add a little vibrance to my colors. Make everything a little more pigmented. And be truly translucent.

I cannot stand a primer that claims to be translucent but dries looking a bit ashy and you can see it if I don't cover it completely. I think that is just a problem I have since my skin is a deeper color. But this does not do that. And I'm so happy it does not! 

I don't have any complaints with it. Except maybe it's a bit more on the pricier side. But overall, it's a solid product. 

Ingredients: 

Isododecane, Talc, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethylhexanoin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride ,Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate,Alaria Esculenta Extract, Tribehenin, Ceramide NG, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, May Contain/Peut Contenir(+/-): Mica CI 77019, Bismuth Oxychloride CI 77163, Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491,CI 77499)

I would buy it again if I needed a primer and didn't always need to always try something new. If I ever made a ranking of primers, this would make the list- probably more towards to the top. 

Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal and Fresh Tomato Sauce

 You know what I realized this week? Without my weird rotation that has me constantly cycling through recipes, I would have no idea what to make for dinner every week. It would get boring really fast because I think I would just make quick basics. Or just my favorites that are my go to anyway when I don't have enough dinner recipes to try in the week. 

Anyway...got two basic recipes this week.

Gingerbread baked oatmeal doesn't sound so bad. And I was super on board because I tried baked oatmeal for the first time a few weeks ago and became a little obsessed with that recipe. Won't happen with this version. I think it's just way too heavy on the molasses. And I'm picky about my Gingerbread flavors. So this ok. But I would never make this particular recipe again. I struggled eating the whole pan. 

Next up...I have been craving some spaghetti for a few weeks now. It's just a really basic tomato sauce. It's a nice recipe to show you how to make tomato sauce from actual tomatoes in the Vitamix. But it's too basic. I need some balsamic vinegar, or jalapeños. Or a ton of Romano or Parmesan cheese.  It's not my favorite but it's edible. I'll stick to just creating my own....

And now I have made myself hungry- time to go make dinner....

Safeguard Bar Soap Review

 I like to try all the classic soaps. I've tried many already- so next up was Safeguard. It's another brand that launched in the 60's. So it's been around for a few decades. Likely not the same as what was sold back then. Everything changes for the worst. 

Safeguard claims: 

• Eliminates 99% of bacteria. Help retain your skin's natural moisture help leave skin feeling naturally healthy - not tight & dry
• 
  

I got mine in a four pack. And I really wish I could have found a two pack instead. Because I don't like this soap. At all. The website is confusing because what I have is the "beige" version of the soap. They really could have named it anything and went with "beige". Hmm. Anyway, all I see is an Aloe version. I don't think this has been discontinued though? 

Anyway, the first bar I thought I really liked it. I don't know what happened by the second bar- but I started to hate the scent. It smells terrible. But it smells like it really is trying to smell amazing and just fails. It has that "cheap" soap scent. It's just really off-putting and I shrivel up my nose whenever I smell it. It kinda smells similar to a Dial soap. But Dial smells much better.

I wouldn't really buy it again because the scent is so bad. 

Other than the terrible scent it's a decent soap. Not very drying but I can get patches of ash after using it.. It seems to clean well. And it's one of the "deodorant" soaps. Which I wouldn't go for normally...they usually use ingredients that tend to not be so great for the skin. Or maybe I'm thinking anti--bacterial soaps. 

Ingredients: 

SODIUM PALMATE, SODIUM PALM KERNELATE, WATER, GLYCERIN, FRAGRANCE, PALM KERNEL ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, YELLOW 10, RED 4, GREEN 5

It was cool to try. I love trying things that have been sold a long time- and this has been around for decades. It's also sold in many countries all over the world. But overall, I really didn't like it. Would never purchase it again. I would rather have almost any other soap. 

I always find the commercials/ads interesting so I'll share a few here: 

Teddy Pendergrass

I'm excited about this music post because I love me some Teddy Pendergrass. He has some classic, classics that I am sure I will still be bumping too when I am in my 80's. Timeless music.

Starting with Close The Door. I love this one. They still play this one on the oldies stations. The music video was as exciting as it could have been. I just looked this song up and realized it was on the Nutty Professor..he was singing it to his food/microwave. I haven't seen that movie in forever...I should give it another watch this weekend.

Next song I think it a bit less known. I certainly slept on it for years and didn't really find it until I listened to his full discography. 

Next up, some feel good music. Signs that you play and step into an instant good mood. Love this one! 

This song is a continuation of Close The Door. Close the Door, Turn off the Lights.  That tickles me.  I think for a long time I thought they were the same song while knowing they weren't.  My favorite part- Rub me Down with some oils bayyybyyy.  Next song on this playlist should be Sexual Healing by Marvin.  I should burn myself a CD. Oh and then Fire and Desire by Rick James and Teena Marie. Hmm. Anyway, this song is FIRE. And I love it. 

Next up, Come Go With Me. I hear the Stylistics in this song...at the very beginning. So I start singing that in the beginning. Then I start thinking of the Nelly and Jaheim song. I heard all those before this jam. I love this song though, love at first listen. You can tell it came off the same album as Turn of the Lights. 

Doesn't the beginning of this song remind you of some Barry White? And maybe Quincy Jones. Is Love TKO his biggest hit? Looks like it on youtube. I'm kinda surprised. This one is a classic and I think heavily sampled. Or it samples. I don't know which but I can see why. 

And last song- Feel The Fire. One of my top ten/top five duet songs. This pairing was magic. I wish they did another song together.

One of my favorite artist for sure. These are must have songs for me.  Required listening.