Thursday, April 11, 2013

DIY: Homemade Snacking Treats

Rice crispy treats are delicious munchies, but are often times packed with melted marshmallows, which means high content of sugar. Instead of making rice crispy treats with the traditional marshmallow and rice crispy recipe, why not add in flavorful and healthy ingredients as an alternative snacking treat. 

My mom made these delicious homemade alternative snacking treat just by tweaking the recipe. Here are some alternative ingredients: black sesame seeds, almonds, and a few sunflower seeds. Personally, this recipe beats the rice crispy treats. I love the chewiness with a nutty crunch. 

If you feel more health-conscious, try adding pumpkin seeds, pistachio, raspberry, etc. 

Sesame, Rice Crispy, Almond Treats
Sesame, Rice Crispy, Almond Treats
Sesame, Rice Crispy, Almond Treats Close-up
Close-up of Sesame, Rice Crispy, Almond Treats

Just because one wants to stay healthy, doesn't mean one has to sacrifice all the tasty flavor :)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Tender Lips On-The-Go

Dry and chapped lips are usually due to weather conditions or probably in my case, dehydration, which means that the main solution is providing sufficient moisture to your lip directly or to your body indirectly. I discovered that our body, functions to maintain a protective layer around the outer parts of our lips, thereby preventing lips to become dry and ultimately to chapped lips. These layers are thin and can be removed when you lick your lips. 

I have extremely dry lips and at times chapped, so I always keep lip balm in every purse. Keep in mind that some people are irritated by certain ingredients in lip balms which can cause lips to become drier.

Here's my review on various lip balms:
(Lip balms photographed are not new)


Lip Balm Collection (Sugar, Yes To Carrots, Carmex Moisture Plus, Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant, Neutrogena Naturals)
Lip Balm Collection
Yes to Carrots
Flavor: Berry


Yes To Carrots Berry Lip Balm
Yes To Carrots Berry Lip Balm

I made organic lip balm before and the texture is very similar. The texture is very smooth when you first use it, but after awhile, the lip balm shows apparent lack of softness from before. Its almost like chapstick. Yes to Carrots lip balm also doesn't keep my lips moist for very long. It was a disappoint because I really wanted these to work. As for the berry flavor, that was a hit.

Chick rating (out of 5):

Sugar Lip Balm
Flavor: Original and Rose

Sugar Lip Balm
Sugar Lip Balm
These are great lip balms. If you recognize them, these are the freebies from Sephora Insider from last year. 

Sugar Rose Lip Balm
Sugar Rose Lip Balm
The Sugar rose tinted red lip balm and the other one is a clear lip balm. Both are very hydrating and smells really good. I love it! I highly recommend anyone to get one of these. These lip balms are like mini-sized, smaller than your average lip balm.

Chick rating (out of 5):


Carmex Moisture Plus
Flavor: Original

Carmex Moisture Plus
Carmex Moisture Plus
Carmex is one of the top leading brands of hydrating lip balms. This lip balm is also one of my favorites. Its conveniently shaped like lip stick and its really light weighted; perfect for carrying on the go. Super moisturizing.

 Chick rating (out of 5):

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15
Flavor: Original 

Elizabeth Arden 8Hr. Cream Lip Protectant Stick
Elizabeth Arden 8Hr. Cream Lip Protectant Stick
I disagree with the eight hour hydrating factor but I have to agree that it does feel like it lasts longer than your normal lip balm. It looks exactly like a lipstick, even the twisting feature. Also, contains SPF 15. The only thing I dislike about this is that its fragrance-free and tasteless, which some of you may like. It also feels very thick, which I didn't really like. 

Chick rating (out of 5):


Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm
Flavor: Original 

Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm
Neutrogena Naturals Lip Balm
I enjoy this lip balm so much! I love how it has a mint freshness smell to it. It is very hydrating and lasts pretty long. Packaging matches what the lip balm is all about: natural and pure.

Chick rating (out of 5):


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