For those of you who are gluten free but want a cake-like treat

Fresh out of the oven, peanut butter cookies. Yes.

Going gluten free is the "in thing" now. It's a lifestyle that dominates headlines, book covers and magazine articles.

Now that I'm on a gluten free diet, do I have to say, "See ya later to my cupcakes?!"

Answer to that: No. You don't! *insert clapping here, please* 

You can live a gluten free lifestyle and still indulge in those yummy cookies, cupcakes, cakes and more! Throw in some chocolate drizzle if you please.

Enough chit chat. Here's a recipe that I discovered the other night, amazing, chewy with crunchy rims, peanut butter cookies. It's glorious because, it only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 13-15 minutes to bake. I did, however adjust the amount of sugar in it.

Ingredients List

1. 1/2 cup sifted coconut flour (I used "Let's Do Organic, Coconut Flour" or Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour is good too)
2. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3. 1 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy peanut butter)
4. 1 1/4 cup Organic 365 Cane Sugar (original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cup sugar)
5. 4 eggs (I prefer having them at room temperature, but it's not necessary)
6. 1/2 tsp sea salt 

Process

• Mix together sea salt, eggs, and vanilla extract, next add in peanut butter (I used a hand blender, the peanut butter is so thick you'll need it, or you can stir really fast)
• Last, add in coconut flour. Mix well. 

Mix well.

• You can grease your cookie sheet or use aluminum foil. Spoon the cookies out and this batter will make 3 dozen.

Size of your cookies can be smaller...These were a good size.

• Bake for 13 minutes for a chewier inside, and 14-15 minutes for a crispy edge.

Hooray! Time to eat. 

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes -- then indulge. Add some ice cream too, Coconut Bliss is so good and a healthier pick. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you'll be happy you chose this.

Don't over expose

My favorite sunscreen, organic, smells
 great and doesn't leave a weird residue on skin either.

 It's that time of year, the sun is hot, the grass is green, the beach and pool are calling your name.
Whether you decide to spend some quality time outside, or just travelling to and from work, don't fry your skin.

Lathering up on sunscreen daily is ultra important to your skin and body health. Protect yourself from getting melanoma, skin cancer. I've been reading more and more, in magazines, newspapers and online news articles, that people are being diagnosed with skin cancer at younger ages.

SPF & insect repellant = Summer perfection.

Soak in these tips before you head outside. 

1. Skip the tanning beds: Time in a tanning bed significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Just don't do it. Embrace your lighter skin tone, and take care of yours if it's naturally darker.
2. Sunscreen and acne: Sometimes there are sunscreens that are so oily and greasy it's cringe-worthy slathering it on your skin, but there are tons and tons of different kinds that aren't so goopy feeling. Though spending a day in the sun dries out your acne, and it seems to be nice and smooth the next few days, the results of this dryness don't show up until a week or two later. Your skin might breakout even more, and the sun damage makes it harder for the pimples and dark spots to heal. 
• TRY: Elemis Aromapure, Vital Face Sun Screen (SPF 15)
  
3. Tan skin doesn't mean you can skip sun protection: The darker the skin, the more melanin you have, but that does NOT make you immune to sun burns. If you're concerned about not getting tan, try a self tanner, or find a place you can get a spray tan you'll like. And, it IS possible to find a self tanner that doesn't leave streaks.
4. Waterproof means waterproof: Of course! It means it will protect you while you're sweating and swimming, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have to reapply. Always reapply. Sometimes in highly populated areas you see  gloss of an oil like substance on the water's surface, there you have it, that's sunscreen. It will wash off. Apply at least 30 minutes before you get full on sun-exposure, and after you've been swimming reapply. What works best for me is, if I plan on being in the sun for four or more hours, I reapply every hour, depending on how much time I spend in the water.

"Eye" spy some Eye Cream

Eminence Eye Cream 

When's a good time to start using eye cream?

My mom got me using eye cream in my teens, it's never too early. I personally like the thought of keeping wrinkle free eyes and healthy skin around my eyes for as long as I can.

But, aside from the fact that our eyes are the windows to our soul, by age 30, aging signs around our eyes will begin to show, and in our 20's, sun damage will start to rear is ugly head, unfortunately. It's best to keep that sunscreen on and keep those eyes nourished.

By 30, coQ10, produced by the body is for basic cell functioning. As we age, these levels decrease, which is what will contribute to show those signs of aging around the eyes.

To help prevent those lines around the eyes, pick an eye cream rich with antioxidants and one that'll keep your skin plumped and hydrated. I personally like this eye cream by Eminence my mom passed along to me. Plus it's a certified organic product.