ChefSisi: French Toast

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-French Bread (Or any bread you prefer just make sure it isn't too soft. TIP: Take out your bread the night before and leave it on the counter, this will toughen up your bread so when you soak it in the egg mixture it won't fall apart.)

-Whole milk (You can substitute this for either coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk. I don't recommend using skim or 2% milk for this recipe.)

-Vanilla extract

-Sugar (I personally avoid eating sugar as much as possible so I used stevia in this recipe.)

-Eggs

-Salt

-Unsalted butter

-Fruit (Your choice, I like bananas and strawberries on mine)

-Maple or Agave Syrup

Optional
+Cinnamon

HOW TO MAKE:

1.) Slice your bread into 1 1/2 inch pieces. If you are using French bread slice diagonally.

2.) Prepare your egg soak: For every 2 cups of milk use one egg, 2 tsp of vanilla extract, 3-4 tsp of sugar or one small package of stevia, a dash of salt, and cinnamon if you like. Once the ingredients are together mix thoroughly.

3.) Heat up a flat skillet with about 1-2 tablespoons of butter.

4.) While the pan is heating up and the butter melting soak each of your bread pieces until nicely coated and place in the pan

5.) Cook for about 2 mins on each side or when it starts to turn a nice golden brown color

6.) Slice up some bananas and berries, top it off with some cinnamon sugar and maple syrup VIOLA Enjoy :)

This is a very kid friendly recipe. I have tested this recipe on pretty much all my younger siblings and cousins and none complained.

Weekly Playlist 3/24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4keD5Qvya4&list=PLEusLI9-6r2GqeyFNURt3o7Wymq1GWgYL&feature=share

1.) It Goes Like This- Thomas Rhett

2.) Coming of Age- Foster The People

3.) Heaven Knows- The Pretty Reckless 

4.) I'm A Freak- Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull

5.) The Other Side- Jason Derulo

6.) Awake- Tycho

7.) This is How We Roll- Florida Georgia Line ft. Luke Bryan

8.) Turn Down For What- DJ Snake & Lil Jon

9.) Stay High- Hippie Sabotage & Tovo Lo Flip 

10.) Bounce- Iggy Azalea 

Physician's Formula Youth Boosting Spotless Foundation SPF 15

Youth Boosting Spotless Foundation (Click to purchase) 

PACKAGING: This foundation comes in a glass bottle with a dropper to dispense the product. It is quite heavy for a 1 fl oz bottle of foundation. I would not recommend traveling with this.  It also comes with a small foundation brush made from synthetic hairs. The brush itself is very soft and has a short handle. It is too small to apply the foundation all over the face but works pretty well as a concealer brush. It is also not easy to clean once you get it dirty, the bristles will stain.

FORMULATION: This is one of the first drugstore serum foundation out on the market today. It claims to hide dark spots and make your skin look more "youthful". When applying you need to be very careful, it is an extremely water- like texture due to the serum it contains in it. The coverage is very nice and does give a youthful appearance and a bonus SPF 15. Personally I wasn't a fan of this product. It never set on my face even after I applied a powder over it. And it stained all over my sunglasses. So I would recommend this for people with very dry skin. Oily skin definitely stay away from! Another issue I had with this foundation is that it only comes in 3 colors, so you do have to mix to try to get your perfect shade.

OVERALL: 3.5/5

Depending on where you purchase it prices range from $14-16. 

Chef Sisi: Healthy BUT Tasty Food Replacements

At some point in our lives we always make the resolution of trying to eat a bit healthier, but as we all know that is easier said than done. I was diagnosed with genetic kidney failure at a young age and due to this little setback in my life I was put on A LOT of diets. However thanks to these diets I learned that it is possible to eat food that is tasty and good for you at the same time. Even after I got my transplant I still stuck with a lot of my diets from when I was sick. Here are some of my favorite dupes and hopefully will inspire you guys to make healthier choices.

1.) Stevia: This is something I am sure a lot of you know about. It has become somewhat of trend in the culinary world these last few years. Stevia is a sugar substitute that comes from a plant. Stevia is actually not one plant but is a genus that contains about 250 herbs and shrubs. It comes from the sunflower family. Stevia has about 300 times the sweetness of sugar but none of the bad stuff. Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes, weight gain, an impaired immune system (the immune system helps fight off diseases), and much more. Sugar substitutes contain chemicals that can lead to brain damage over a long period of use. Stevia does have a bit of a taste but nothing too overwhelming and disappears when mixed in your favorite drink or food. You can also now bake with Stevia.

2.) Avocados: This is one of my favorite foods of all time. Come on who doesn't like guacamole? Avocados are also a great replacement for mayo. Mayo contains a whole lot of fat, sugar and artificial ingredients. Avocados have that same creamy texture as mayo and is a great replacement for mayo in sandwiches, wraps, salads etc... They are loaded with healthy fats and have many great health benefits like lowering cholesterol levels, maintaing a healthy heart, regulate blood sugar levels, help with eye health and so much more.

3.) Tofu Shritaki Noodles: Any pasta lovers out there? Then this one is for you. Even if you don't like Tofu you will definitely want to try this. This product was first promoted by Lisa Lillian or otherwise known as Hungry Girl. Tofu Shritaki Noodles are made from tofu and yam flour. These noodles are low fat, low sugar but have a great flavor. Their texture is a bit chewy but they work with a variety of sauces and come in different styles like spaghetti and fettucine. You can find these in the vegetarian aisle of your local grocery store.

4.) Zevia: Who doesn't enjoy a nice soda every nice and then? However sodas these days are loaded with sugar and chemicals that can easily damage your body. Zevia is a natural soda that is sweetened with stevia. There isn't any funny ingredients that are bad for you. It comes in a variety of flavors like ginger ale, cola, dr. pepper (dr. zevia) and so on. The taste isn't exactly like soda but it is very close and once you start drinking it you will get used to it. While this soda doesn't provide any health benefits it doesn't harm you like soda can.

5.) Coconut Water: To be completely honest I used to hate the taste of coconut water, it definitely took me awhile to get use to it however once I did I couldn't stop drinking it. As an athlete for a good part of my life I have had my share of Gatorade. It took me awhile to realize that Gatorade is pretty horrible for you. It is loaded with sugar and potassium. Coconut has all the benefits of hydration but all natural plus Coconut water has all natural sugars and potassium that can help lower blood pressure. It is also amazing for the skin.  It is great in smoothies and juices.

Chef Sisi: After workout refresher!

Hey y'all here is a quick and tasty drink recipe. I love making this after a workout or just chilling out on a hot day. It is so simple and easy to make plus it is very versatile so you guys can put any fruit you want in this.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-Chilled Coconut Water: (If you don't like coconut water or you can't get your hands on it just used spring water or your favorite juice)

-Frozen strawberries and blueberries (You can really use any frozen fruit you like) 

-Raw Agave Syrup (Raw honey would be good as a substitute or stevia, try to avoid using white sugar) 

HOW TO MAKE:

1.) Using a high power blender or a Magic Bullet, Nutri Bullet etc...  put in your frozen fruit

2.) Add your chilled coconut water and make sure you put enough in to cover the fruit. 

3.) Add your desired amount of agave, you can totally skip this step.

4.) Blend and enjoy! You should get an icee consistency, it shouldn't be too thick or too thin. You may need to add more or less of the coconut water depending on your desired consistency. 

This is a great post workout refresher or just something for chilling by the pool. It is not only tasty but also good for you with vitamins like C and A. Coconut water has potassium which is great for your blood pressure and it hydrates naturally without any chemicals like Gatorade. 

Weekly Playlist 3/17

Hey y'all here is a quick playlist for the week. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0fk6syQ7iY&list=PLEusLI9-6r2FYQC60B9KZ9IweQ3KS0b3a&feature=share

1.) Earthquake- Labrinth

2.) Collide- Howie Day

3.) Can't Remember to Forget You- Shakira ft. Rhianna 

4.) Better Days- Goo Goo Dolls

5.) Bloodstream- Stateless

6.) Magic- Coldplay 

7.) Up In The Air- 30 Seconds to Mars

DEALS OF THE WEEK 3-10

Hey y'all welcome to another deals of the week! Here I scrounge and find the best bargains for you guys from beauty to fashion even a bit of something extra! 

1.) Walgreens: 
-50 % off of ALL RIMMEL PRODUCTS
-25% off of ALL WET N WILD PRODUCTS 

2.) Bath & Body Works
-$5 Signature Collection Full Size Oahu Body Lotion 
-2 for $22 on their 3 Wick Candles (Best candles out there)

3.) Hollister Co.
-BOGO 50% off ALL SHORTS

4.) CVS:
-Maybelline and L'Oreal Cosmetics BOGO 50% 

5.) Ulta
-Free 14 piece beauty gift bag w/ any $19.50 of ULTA brand cosmetics 

6.) Ann Taylor Factory Store
-50% off of ALL DRESSES 

7.) Victoria's Secret
-Free Shipping w/any $25 clothing purchase (Online)  COUPON CODE: 25FASHION

Si's Life: Current Fave TV Shows

Between school and work I don't have much free time however when I do I like to watch TV shows. I am a HUGE TV junkie ever since I was a baby. But yah anyways here are a few of my current favs. ENJOY!

1.) House of Cards Season 2 (NETFLIX): Guys I can't tell you how brilliant this show is. I had an alert set for when season 2 was going to be on. Honestly I don't have words to describe this. It is a political drama however don't judge by the genre. Even if you are the type of person to watch Gossip Girl you will enjoy this, But yah this show is about Frank Underwood and his mastermind schemes to basically rule the government. It is a BRILLIANT show.

2.) Hart of Dixie (CW44- the first 2 seasons are on Netflix): I had a bit of Gossip Girl withdraw for some reason. I guess I needed a bit of drama in my life lol. This show hit the spot and has become one of my favs. It's about a New York doctor Zoe Hart who moves to a small town in Alabama and discovers her long last father left her a medical practice. Plenty of drama, romance, hot guys, comedy, an alligator named Burt Reynolds and o did I say hot guys?

3.) Teen Wolf (MTV) First off before you guys judge, just watch one episode. I have always been drawn to the supernatural so it wasn't a complete surprise I started watching this. The show tells of Scott McCall, a typical high school student who life is changed when he becomes a werewolf. Yes, I know it is cliche but unlike other supernatural shows this one actually has a pretty good storyline and quite addicting.

Weekly Playlist 3/10 Spring Break Edition

SPRING BREAKKKKK!!! (Click to Listen) 

1.) Country Girl- Luke Bryan 

2.) California Girls- Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog 

3.) Kokomo- Beach Boys 

4.) Lay Me Down- Dirty Heads ft. Rome of Sublime 

5.) Summer Paradise- Simple Plan ft. Sean Paul 

6.) Temperature- Sean Paul 

7.) No Sleep- Wiz Khalifa 

8.) Last Night (Vegas)- Breathe Carolina

9.) Too Fucked Up to Call- 2AM Club 

10.) Come Back Home- The Icarus Account 

11.) Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet 

12.) Safe and Sound- Capital Cities 

13.) Demon Dance- Surfer Blood 

14.) If So- Altas Genius 

NEW!!! MAYBELLINE COLOR TATTOOS SPRING 2014

From Left to Right:

Beige-ing Beauty (85): Shimmery yellow-toned beige

Nude Compliment (90): Shimmery Light Warm Taupe Brown

Sleek & Spice (95): Mid-tone shimmery brown

PACKAGING: Same glass container like the other Maybelline Color Tattoos. They don't really change the packaging with these even with the new collections.

FORMULATION: There are a total of I think 6 in this new spring collection however I only picked up 3 of them because these three were the most unique out of all of them. The formulation on these are quite nice and different from the other Color Tattoos. They are very smooth and creamy and applying really nicely. Some of the other ones from Maybelline are a bit drying and can come off chunky. The pigmentation is amazing and you don't need a lot. These like the original ones have a fantastic wear time. You don't need a primer under it and they last all day crease free (I'm still having trouble washing the swatches off from my hand). 

These retail for $7

Because these are new they can be tricky to find. Right now I have seen them at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Ulta but they will be released in drugstores nationwide. These are limited edition so grab them while you can.

Chef Sisi: Honey BBQ Crock Pot Roast Pork

Before

After

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- 3 lbs of Pork (This will make enough for 6-8 people depends on how you serve it)
- 1 Medium bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce (I just picked up the Kraft Honey BBQ Sauce) 
- 1 Large Vidalia or Yellow Onion 
- 4 Large Cloves of garlic (More or less depends on your preference)
-3 Bay Leaves (Dried)
- Dried Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 2 Teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 1/2 Cup of H20
- Crock Pot

HOW TO MAKE:
1.) Wash and prepare you meat and put into a warm crock pot
2.) Add half of the bottle of the BBQ sauce and all the spices and vegetables
3.) Stir and add 1/2 of water 
4.) Cover and set
High setting: 4-5 hours
Low setting: 6-8 hours

You can eat it all by itself of....

Serving suggestions:

+Pulled Pork sandwiches
+Serve it with Rice or Egg Noodles
+Can be used for empandas or taco filling 

Weekly Playlist 3/1

Welcome to another weekly playlist. This week is a bit short since I have been playing the same songs on repeat. I even threw in a lil of country in here this week. Enjoy! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nJrMya-4bA&feature=share&list=PLEusLI9-6r2G1Ne-wvsk6YXonfErfW9wz

1.) All That Matters- Jason Chen (Justin Bieber cover)

2.) Can't Shake You- Gloriana

3.) Satellite Flight- Kid Cudi

4.) Acid Rain- Chance The Rapper 

5.) Best Day of My Life American Authors

6.) Talking Backwards- Real Estate 

7.) You Like It- Omarion 

Chef Sisi: Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry With Egg Noodles

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry With Egg Noodles 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

-Boneless, skinless chicken breast (beef or pork will also work)

-Low Sodium Teriyaki Sauce (I will do a homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe later) 

-Hoison Sauce 

-1 Shallot 

-2 Cloves of finely minced garlic

-Half a lemon

-Salt and white pepper

-Broccoli, Zucchini, Mushrooms (I used Shitaki, Portobella, Oyster, and White Button but you can use any combination you like) 

- No Yolks Egg Noodles

HOW TO MAKE:

1.) Cut the chicken into strips and set aside

2.) Wash and cut your vegetables into bite size pieces and make sure they are about the same size to ensure even cooking

3.) Finely mince your garlic and dice your shallots

4.) In a bowl mix your garlic, shallots, Teriyaki sauce, Hoison Sauce, salt and white pepper and stir

5.) Put your chicken in a large ziploc bag and pour the mixture over it (There are no exact measurements in this recipe just eyeball and add as much as you like you can't go wrong) 

6.) Slice a piece of lemon and throw it into the bag (the lemon adds extra flavor and tenderizes the meat) Marinate up to an hr but don't exceed up to 4 hours

7.) In a large skillet saute your chicken (pour the marinate in the pan too) and once it starts to become white add your vegetables. Cook until vegetables are tender and chicken is tender 

8.) Cook your egg noodles according to the package directions. Serve w/stir fry and ENJOY!!! 

TARTE BEMATTENIFICENT AMAZONIAN EYE & CHEEK PALETTE

PACKAGING: The palette comes in a compact that is about the size of a small book. It is a hard plastic case that is very sturdy and great for traveling. There is a plastic covering over the products that has the name of them on it and can be removed, only used for protection purposes. The palette also comes with a small duo-ended flat shader and blending brush. The only issue as you can see above due to the material the package is made out of it does leave your fingerprints on it whenever you touch it.

FORMULATION: Just like the name of the palette, all the products in this, the eyeshadows and blush are all matte which means no shimmer and satin like finishes. All of the eyeshadows and blush are part of Tarte's Amazonian Clay line. Normally I am not a fan of their eye products because they are usually very chalky however this palette is amazing. None of the shadows are chalky and are nicely pigmented (not overly) and easily blendable (same thing goes for the blush). And because of the Amazonian Clay in these shadows and blush they last a pretty long time and stay crease-free. The only issue I have with the shadows and not the blush is that they do come off powdery so make sure to tap off any excess from your brush before application.

Top Row:

Sand Out From The Crowd (Left): Matte Off-White

Peach For The Stars (Middle): Matte Warm Peach

Two Plums Up (Right):Rich Matte Plummy purple

Bottom Row:

Pink Outside The Box (Left): Matte Baby Milky Pink

Rose To The Occasion (Middle): Matte Rosy Brown

View From The Taupe (Right): Matte Taupe

Blush in the color Elevated (Doesn't look very pigmented on camera but comes out as a nice light warm matte peachy pink)

OVERALL: 4.5/5

This palette retails for $36 @ Sephora both online and in-stores

http://www.sephora.com/be-mattenificent-amazonian-colored-clay-matte-eye-cheek-palette-P384570?SKUID=1577832&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1577832&om_mmc=ppc-gg-pla&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=pla00002&pcrid=24106520417&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en