Quinoa/Corn Pasta Healthy Stove Top Mac n' Cheese

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

Today I have a super awesome and really healthy recipe I have adapted to make me feel much less guilty about one of my favorite foods.  Mac n' Cheese! Those of you who follow me on facebook/instagram/twitter will have seen these pictures before this recipe was up.  Oh, now you want to follow me on other social media? Go right ahead!

Quick Note: Quinoa/Corn Pasta (I use Ancient Harvest Elbows)* is great and won't leave you missing regular pasta at all!  Just make sure to only cook it for about 5 minutes (not the 6-8 recommended) or else your meal will be mush.

The "extras" in this picture of my Mac n' Cheese that is copyright of myself are all natural nitrate and preservative free ham and organic frozen peas.  If you'd like to use this image, please ask first.  Thanks!

Quinoa/Corn Pasta Healthy Stove Top Mac n' Cheese


Ingredients
1 pound Quinoa/Corn Pasta---This will be 2 boxes if you get the Ancient Harvest Elbows.
1 1/2 cups Unsweetened Plain Almond Milk---I use this because the Almond Breeze's Original Unsweetened Almond Milk, is only 30 calories a cup!
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour---I have not tried to substitute this, it's only 2 tbs.
2-3 cups Lite Cheese (shredded)---I suggest getting block lite sharp cheese in block form and shred it yourself.  The additives in shredded lite cheese are not so great.  Also, sharp cheese will pack more flavor for less cheese. My favorite is "Lite Celtic Sharp Cheddar" from Trader Joes.
1/4 teaspoon powdered mustard
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon of Pepper
Suggestion of Extras (cook before adding): ham, peas, broccoli, bacon, cayenne pepper for spice...anything!

1. Make Pasta--Prepare the pasta according to directions on box (only 5 minutes if using Ancient Harvest Elbows). When the pasta is done cooking, set it aside. Mini-Tip: It will not seem done at all.  Alternative pastas are very sensitive to heat, and the residual heat will finish cooking the pasta when you are making the sauce. 

2. Make Cheese Sauce--Begin by warming 1 cup of the milk in the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup of milk and the flour until there are no lumps (NO LUMPS IS KEY!) When you start to see steam rising from the warming milk, whisk in the milk-and-flour mixture. Continue whisking gently until the milk thickens (about 3 minutes).

3. Add the Cheese--Turn the heat down to low (or completely off if you are using an electric stove) and begin mixing handfuls of cheese into the thickened milk. Stir in the salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir until all the cheese has melted. Adjust the seasonings to your taste buds.

4. Combine the Pasta, Extras, and Cheese Sauce: Combine the pasta, extras, and the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.

I hoped you enjoyed this easy and healthy comfort food recipe! Feel free to leave any comments or questions below.  I'll impart any useful cooking tips you might need!

Shine & Sparkle!


*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. Also, I'm not a professional chef, just a cooking enthusiast!

Ulta Beauty Haul and Mini Reviews!

Yo what's up Shine and Sparkle Report Readers?

So I love to see what other people decide to spend their money on when it comes to beauty stuff.  I also like the mini-reviews that tend to go with the hauls. So since I know I like it, I thought you might as well.  Without further ado, lets get started!

'

Repurchases (I obviously LOVE them since I'm repurchasing right?):

-The Balm Cosmetics Enroot "Moisturize My Hair" Shampoo*  (see post on this product here)

-Bastiste Dry Shampoo in "Wild" and "Blush" Scents were buy one get one 50% off, had to get 2 right? (see post on this product here)

-Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner "Special/Tingle" version.  I had the "Lemon Sage Thickening" version before.  I also love this one for more problematic scalp issue.

-Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Rounds are by far my favorite cotton rounds.  I only need one to take off all my eye make-up.  I also use them to apply my toner.  They have exfoliating side and regular side, depending on on how you are feeling that day.  They also stand up to being wet very well and do not shed bits of cotton all over your face. Hooray!

-Simple Cleansing/Make-up Removing Wipes are really nice.  They do not sting my eyes and are good on light make-up days or to cleanse my face when I'm being really lazy.  Since they were on major sale with the Simple "Radiance" Cleansing/Make-up Removing Wipes for Sensitive Skin, I got those too.  However, I have not had a chance to try them yet.  Considering how gentle the regular ones are, I'm interested if the "sensitive skin" ones are just as good or sacrifice effectiveness.

New Products (I just can't resist trying something new!):

-Maybelline "Pumped Up Colossal" Mascara in Water Proof is just ok.  I get waterproof mascara for my upper lashes because it typically holds are curl better than non-waterproof versions.  However, this was a bit disappointing because it did not hold a curl very well.  The volume from this mascara was ok, but nothing compared to Maybelline's "The Rocket Volume" Mascara.  If you are not as concerned with holding a curl and want a more natural volume look, I suggest this.  But I probably will not repurchase and will stick to "The Rocket Volume".

-Maybelline "The Colossal" Mascara in Water Proof.  I'm waiting for some of my other mascara to dry-up or need replacing to try this one.  But since I love "The Rocket Volume" so much, it's going to be a tall order for this mascara to live up to.  Let me know in the comments if you want me to do a mascara post in the comments!

-Essence "Get Big" Mascara got great reviews online and only cost $3.  I had to try it.  I think it is ok.  It is good for those who want to have a very subtle and natural look.  Gives lashes a little oomph, does not clump at all and is very smooth/does not smudge.  Not quite enough drama for my puny lashes, but people who naturally have more lashes or just want to darken their existing lashes should definitely check this out!

-NYX Cream Stick Blush in "Water Lilly" is a beautiful deep mauve pink.  For the summer I wanted a longer lasting blush that can stand up to some heat and complement my tanner skin.  This was perfect! Not greasy and easy to blend out.  I have used this by blending with my fingers and applying with a stippling brush.  Both worked great!  Setting this cream stick blush with a powder blush over it makes my blush last twice as long.  I'm a huge fan of these and will be getting more colors.  $6 well spent!


I hope you enjoyed this new type of review post.  I know I've introduced some new ways of reviewing (like my Product Empties Series of posts).  Let me know if you like them!


As always,
Shine & Sparkle!


*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.

Healthy Green Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

Rise and Shine & Sparkle Dear Readers!  (get it?)

I have been on a bit of a clean eating binge.  One of the big changes I have made is making myself eating breakfast before I go to work.  Considering that I like to sleep in until the very last possible second, my adult life has rarely involved getting food in my tummy before arriving at work.  I have been able to successfully change this thanks to my “Shine and Sparkle Green Breakfast Smoothie”.  I find that doing this really jump starts my metabolism and energy for the day.  This single serve smoothie is also fast to make.  I can add all the ingredients to my Magic Bullet* the night before, then just blend for 30 seconds in the morning.  I like to make it pretty liquid in viscosity (just slightly thicker than an Odwalla type juice).  This really helps me chug all the nutrition I need in the morning in less than 2 minutes and also has the benefit of hydrating my body. 

The smoothie is packed with vitamins, protein, and even has some whole grains to make it a really great and well rounded breakfast.  And trust me, it tastes like tropical heaven.  Don’t let the green color scare you!

The Shine and Sparkle Green Breakfast Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup Fresh Spinach

½ cup Non-fat Plain Greek or European Style Yogurt

¼ cup fresh or frozen banana (using frozen fruit gives it a nice texture in my opinion, but both work)

¼ cup fresh or frozen pineapple

¼ cup unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk

¼ cup of classic rolled oats

Water (about ½ a cup is what I like, but more or less determines how thick the smoothie is).

Directions:

1) Add ingredients to blender.  If storing overnight in a magic bullet cup, make sure the wet ingredients and oats are at the bottom of the cup. Then add the fruit and spinach on top.  This prevents the spinach from wilting and lets the oats absorb some of the liquid over night and get soft and easier to blend.  If making right away, just throw everything in a blender.

2) Blend.

3) Drink.

So simple right?  I’m very happy with this smoothie.  The oats provide a nutty taste, extra fiber, long lasting whole grain energy, and keep you from getting hungry before morning snack/lunch time.  The spinach and fruits provide great vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a great sweet taste.  The yogurt provides dairy calcium, probiotics, and protein.  When combined with almond milk, there is a lovely creamy element to the smoothie.  Winning!  The smoothie is also low in calories, so makes it a good option for those concerned about weight.  

Bonus:  Good nutrition not only keeps your body healthy, but it also helps promote beautiful hair, skin, and nails. Incorporating this kind of nutrition packed breakfast might just help improve your overall quality of life. 

Let me know if you try it, have suggestions of other yummy smoothies!

As Always,

Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.

Special Go-Fund Me Post

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

I wanted to write a special post about my current Go-Fund Me campaign to Help Promote The Shine and Sparkle Report!

In April 2012, I started writing my first post on the Shine and Sparkle Report.  It has been an amazing experience so far.  I have gone from just a few friends coming through my blog, to people from around the world!  I started with one humble report a month to posting every Wednesday.  I have also received some amazing opportunities to review products.  I am so honored to have been accepted into the "Her Campus Blogger Network", where I connect with other beauty bloggers and continue to grow my audience.

I have embraced social media with a presence on Instagram, Twitter, Bloglovin', and Google+.  I even have business cards which I hand out like candy.  All of this has been working to build my viewership steadily every month.  In the almost 2.5 years of blogging, the site has seen a increase in monthly viewership every month.

After almost 2.5 years, I thought I'd take things to the next level and try and promote my blog by running an advertising Campaign.

This would be done through Facebook's paid advertising program.  Facebook allows me to promote my blog as well as my blog's facebook page.  My ideal scenario is to run a maximum-reach ad campaign (for both the facebook page as well as the blog) for 30 days.

If fully funded, this ad campaign can potentially draw:
1) A total of 540-1170 new clicks on my blog
2) A total of 540-2130 new "likes" on my facebook page

If over funded, this ad campaign can go on for more than 30 days!

The hope is that with the increase exposure, I can generate a larger repeat viewership and influence of my blog.

I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for donating!


Shine & Sparkle!

"Spring Fling" Cult Blackbox Review

Hola Shine and Sparkle Report Readers!

Thank you for tuning into another edition of the Shine and Sparkle Report! Today I have another subscription box review. So lets jump right in shall we?  FYI I know it is not "spring" at all.  However, these colors are still sold on the Cult Website.  Also, I wanted you to know what I thought about this box from the subscription service.

Cult Black Boxes* Generally Have:
-2 Full Size Cult Nail Polishes
-1 Full Size Beauty Product
-Some Extras
All this for $9.99 (with intro deals you can get it for less than $9.99).  I don't think you will ever see it for the retail value of $40, so just think of it at $9.99

My "Spring Fling" Cult Black Box:

Included:

- Belmont Shore by CULT (0.5 oz, $12 value)
- Hollywood Forever by CULT (0.5 oz, $12 value)
- Makeup Brush set by CULT (set of 7)
- Eye Crayon Crystal by BH Cosmetics

The Good:
The packaging was lovely and high quality.  I liked the thank you card, free sticker and the box itself.  All the items were packaged very safety for shipping as well.  Their customer service is also fantastic.  Big kudos to them, see why below.

The Bad:
The products just were not that great. 

• Belmont Shore: This pink color was very watery and hard to work with.  You need 3 coats at least.  Stick with very thin layers because any semblance of thickness will equal polish running all over your cuticles...and everywhere.  Also, while the bottle shapes are cute in your nail polish display, the square top is bulky and makes application somewhat awkward.
• Hollywood Forever:  I originally thought this had been opened previously.  It was impossibly thick and nonfunctional.  As you can see in the opened-polish picture, there was a hair on it and lots of crusty nail polish around the opening.  Ew.  And despite being pretty in the bottle, completely useless.
• Make Up Brushes: Meh.  The eyeliner and the blush brush were not too bad. The eyebrow brush/eyelash comb duo was also ok, but unremarkable.  The rest, hit the trash can.  I got a little roll to keep travel size brushes in, which was cool I guess
• Eye Crayon:  Hit the trash after one attempt.  The swatch in the picture above is after tons of pressure and back and forth on my hand.  It still isn't very pigmented.  I also tugged on my eyelid for no color pay-off when I tried it on my eyes.  Lastly, the water proof part is a joke. Smudge city.  No thank you.

Overall:
Needless to say based on the product reviews above, I called customer service to cancel.  They were truly fantastic.  A real person picked up immediately.  Also, they didn't argue or anything about canceling my subscription so I was obligation free in a flash.  Then the representative asked why I was canceling.  I explained "the bad" briefly.  She offered to send me a new "Hollywood Forever" at no cost, without a subscription (aka keeping my account canceled.)  Not one to say no to free stuff, I said sure and that I might re-subscribe if I got better results from it.

Epilogue:
Ms. Sparkles got the new "Hollywood Forever" which was the same useless and thick polish.  Ms. Sparkles never resubscribed to Cult Black Box.  Ms. Sparkles did not recommend Cult Black Box to her readers.



Ms. Sparkles says,

Shine & Sparkle! 

P.S. What am I supposed to do with 3 polishes that I don't like =( I guess they will continue to just look cute in my nail polish display...


*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. Also, like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.