Coffee for what?!

So, as we're slowly but surely approaching summer, I thought it'll be perfect to help the ladies out there reading this blog. As women, we are either prepping ourselves for the visits to the beach, or dreading the upcoming visits to the beach. One of the problem areas that most women face is...-drumroll- cellulite! So, here's an all-natural scrub that helps combat cellulite. I know the ingredients sound a little out there, but trust me! I'll include some of the benefits below.

2 Tablespoons Instant Coffee Grounds
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil (Melt coconut oil before mixing)
1Tablespoon Honey
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
Mason Jar (Optional)

Add all ingredients into medium size mixing bowl, mix together and you're all done! You can use this scrub up to two times a week!

How it works

The caffeine and antioxidants in coffee are moderately effective to mitigate the appearance of cellulite in the short term. As a stimulant, the caffeine in coffee dilates blood vessels, which temporarily tones and tightens tissue. Plus it increases circulation and reduces water retention, both of which may also help smooth the rumpled look of cellulite. The antioxidants in coffee may help to release toxins, which is not only helpful for cellulite, but for healthy skin in general.

Cheddar Bites!

So lately, I've been trying to explore Jacksonville more. What more could I do besides indulge in seafood?! When I think of seafood, I automatically think of cheddar biscuits (RED LOBSTER IS TO BLAME!) Lol. This recipe is courtesy of Divas Can Cook. Let's take a bite out of some cheddar herb muffin bites! 

Cheddar Muffin Bites

 

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, grated

1 cup Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated

½ cup Cracker Barrel Mediterranean Herb cheddar cheese, grated

1½ cups cold buttermilk

Melted butter and parsley flakes, to brush on hot muffins

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

Cut in the butter, just until the butter is coated with flour mixture and crumbly.

Stir in the cheeses until coated with flour mixture.

Make a well in the center of the bowl and add buttermilk.

Use a rubber spatula or your hands to gently incorporate the buttermilk into the dry mixture just until moistened.

Batter will be very sticky. Do not over stir.

Grease a mini muffin tin.

Use a mini ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the muffin tin.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden.

Remove from oven and brush lightly with melted butter and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve hot.

Three Layers Cafe

Like Desserts? Like Quiet Time? Well, Raeyvin says: Come here!

 

View Three Layers Cafe in a larger map

The Three Layers Cafe is a cute, quiet dessert and pastry cafe. This is definitely your neighborhood spot for mile-high cakes, bistro lunches, wine and local beer. Located in historic Springfield on Walnut Street, Three Layers serves up amazing food in a comfortable setting, both inside and out. Take advantage of the great Florida sunshine and dine in the Zen Garden or inside on one of the overstuffed chairs. And did I mention the Jeff Squares? The must-have, signature dessert is warm, gooey and one-of-a-kind. I almost said ‘NO’ when I asked what was in the Jeff Squares and they mentioned cream cheese with a pecan base but it works! I had three in one sitting! Also, check this place out especially every Monday; they have live music and poetry and the best part about it: IT’S FREE!

So, support a local business! Everyone is sweet and loves new faces! Give them a try!

Peach Cobbler

"Peach Cobbler" by  Mark  is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Peach Cobbler just tastes like home. Warm and comforting. Finish this off with a scoop of ice cream and enjoy! 

Ingredients

Two 15 oz of canned sliced peaches( do not drain!)

2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 stick of butter or margarine

1 cup of white sugar

1 box of store bought crust

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup of all purpose flour

Instructions

Add your flour and water in a small bowl and mix. Then set aside.

Add all of your other ingredients( other than the crust) in a pot and put it over medium heat. Stir

periodically.

When it starts to boil, pour in your water and flour mixture. This helps thicken your cobbler

filling. Remove from heat.

Pick out your desired baking pan, and butter the edges. Pour in your cobbler filling.

Tear apart one of your pie crust and drop the dough throughout the cobbler filling. When done, top your cobbler with the remaining crust.

Preheat your oven on 375, and bake for 35 minutes.

ENJOY!

Dinner and a movie!

Movies and Dinner by Raeyvin Lamar is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

So everyone that knows me knows I LOVE dinner and a movie! Here you see several movies I've been meaning to watch. Below, you'll find a quick but yummy recipe (courtesy of Divas Can Cook) to whip up for movie night. Enjoy! 

Comforting Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey (could use other ground meat)

½ lb ground turkey sausage (could use other ground sausages)

6 tablespoons butter, divided

1 cup diced onions

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup diced celery

3 cups russet potatoes peeled and diced into small cubes

3 cups chicken broth

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

5 Tablespoons flour

1 cup whole milk, warmed

1 cup heavy cream, warmed

3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (can use a mixture of cheeses if desired. I like smoked cheddar and sharp cheddar)

Toppings: shredded cheese, fresh parsley, chopped bacon, dice tomatoes, cheese, pickles, buttered croutons.

Instructions

In a large deep skillet brown ground turkey and ground sausage. Drain and set aside.

In the same deep skillet at 2 tablespoons of butter and diced carrot, onions and celery.

Sauté until tender over medium heat.

Stir in cubed potatoes, chicken broth, italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer just until potatoes are tender (but not to soft).

Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large soup pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter.

Whisk in flour a little at a time stirring constantly over medium heat.

Cook for 1-2 minutes.

Stir in warm milk and warm heavy cream.

Stir in cheeses until mixture is smooth and creamy. Do not bring to a boil or simmer.

Pour meat & vegetable mixture into the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.

Taste and add in additional salt, black pepper, garlic powder or Italian seasoning if needed.

Laddle soup into bowls and top with desired toppings.

Serve hot!

Another Healthy Post!

Bruschetta Tilapia

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Light tasting, extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 tilapia fillets, thawed
• Juice of ½ lemon
• salt & pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced
• 8-10 basil leaves, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Vermont cheddar cheese (can use more)

Instructions

• Brush casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Place fillets in the dish
• Drizzle fillets with lemon juice
• Sprinkle fillets with salt & pepper
• Refrigerate until ready to bake
• Add tomatoes, basil and garlic to a bowl
• Add in 1 tablespoon olive oil (can more if needed)
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste
• Refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight for maximum flavor)
• Preheat oven to 350
• Top fillets with tomato basil mixture
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fish is flaky and tender
• Remove from oven, sprinkle fish with cheese.
• Place back into the oven just until cheese has melted.
• Serve hot!

This recipe came from Divas Can Cook which is
Old School Cooking For The Modern Woman.
Make sure you go check out the website for more great recipes.