See Me

See Me

I remember reading Nicholas Sparks' books in middle school and high school. He ruined my reality boyfriend check list. I read almost all of his book and was sad that he didn't publish anything for a while. When I heard he was publishing a new book, See Me, I was over the moon!

I grabbed the book immediately and started to drown myself in his fantasy, romance, and thriller.

He never disappoints.

This book was the NEXT LEVEL. It's romantic, mysterious, and thrilling! It's almost like a CSI movie only better.

In this book, Maria is a lawyer, living an almost simple life. Colin had a rough past; he as been in jail and have anger issue. When they first met each other, you can tell that they didn't like each other at all. But then, they got together one day and actually had fun spending time and getting to know each other better.

When everything seems to fall perfectly into place for Maria and Colin, things got out of hand. A stalker has been threatening Maria. Since Maria is a lawyer, she had a case once where a girl was killed by her boyfriend. The whole family was broken and the mother of the dead girl committed suicide, the brother lost his mind and the father was suspicious. When Maria receives multiple strange treats, Colin was very protective but that also made him lost control over his anger issue. He became very violent, someone Maria didn't fall in love with. Will Maria break up with Colin after seeing his dark side? Who really was threatening Maria? Was it the family or was it the boyfriend that killed the girl?

This book had me jumping up and down my seat. It's unbelievable and really well written. It's such an easy read and brings back memories of high school. Only Nicholas Sparks. 

hugs and kisses

Me Before You Book Review

Me Before You

After reading fifty shades, I find it hard to start a new book because all I want to do is reread the trilogy. (BTW, there's less than 300 days till Fifty Shades of Darker comes out) But this book made my inner self flutter into the air and believe in true romance without the sex part.

This book started off quite confusing and disappointing but after Clark meet Will, everything came together. It was absolutely adorable and utterly sweet. Clark has a healthy physical body but her mind would not let her go places. She thinks that she will never fit in anywhere and would rather stay where she is, never changing. Will used to have the perfect life; he had a good job, travel around, learned different languages, and he is obviously really rich but after an accident, Will is paralyzed and can no longer live the way he wants to. When you bring two broken people together, you form something better than miracle.

I cannot wait for the movie because the Mother of Dragon from Game of Thrones is Clark! How amazing is that? I also really love the story line. It kinda reminds me of Nicholas Sparks' magic.

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Eating in the Middle Book Reivew

Eating in the Middle

I love this book because I personally know the author though her book "All of Me" 

The recipes in the book are fairly simple and the ingredients are easy to find in the groceries. What I love abut this book is that she inserted many beautiful pictures of the food that will make you want to eat them off the pages. Although not all of the recipes are vegan, but surely anything can be made vegan with some substituted that are available now a days. I loved her baked goods, her bean burger recipes, her stir fries, and wraps. 

It was all divine. The content also includes the serving sizes, the macros, and calories.  It surely is helpful for people who are recovering from an eating disorder, anorexia, or binge eating. It's also helpful for people who wants to lose weight or are trying to eat healthy. The recipes are very simple and healthy (most of them). They look like something your mom or grandmother would cook for family dinner.

I would really recommend this book for a Mother's day gift or even a treat for yourself because it makes cooking so simple and enjoyable.

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Tri-berry Smoothie Bowl Recipe

Tri-berry Smoothie Bowl Recipe

I N G R E D I E N T S

Smoothie:

• 2 kiwi
• 2 cups of frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
• sprinkle of goji berries

Topping:

• frozen berries
• kiwi slices
• oats
• goji berries
• raisins

I N S T R U C T I O N

1. Blend chopped kiwi and 1/2 cup of water.

2. Add the frozen berries into the blender.

3. Pour into bowl.

4. Add any toppings you like and ENJOY !

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GEM Smoothie

GEM Smoothie 

I N G R E D I E N T S

1 cup blackberries
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
2 kiwi

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Chop and freeze the kiwis. Pack and freeze the berries. (Recommended overnight freezing)

2. Place the kiwi into the blender and add some water. Blend

3. Pour into a big jar.

4. Place the berries into the blender then  add some water. Blend.

5. Pour into the jar and watch magic happens.

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3- Ingredient Tropical Smoothie Bowl

3- Ingredient Tropical Smoothie Bowl

I N G R E D I E N T 

1 mango

1 large orange

1/2 cup soy milk

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Peel and chop the mango and oranges into small cubes.

2. Place them in the freezer for 4 hours or overnight.

3. Take them out and place into the blender. Add some water and the soy milk then blend!

4. Top with anything you want. I added raisins and some rice crisp which gave the smoothie a little sweetness and crunch. YUMM! 

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Grey- EL James

GREY- E.L James

In this book, you really get to see the behind the scene. E.L. James is brilliant. Somehow, I don't know if it's just me, but Christian sounds like a teenage boy in his head.It's very sad actually to hear him talk about his pain and watch his nightmares.

I love the part where he describes Ana and I totally adore the email part. He can get very distracted with his job when Ana is around and even more distracted when she is not around. I wonder how his business survives in the real world *jokes*

Though his eyes, you get the whole story wrapped up in your hand. You get the read about his relationship with Mia and Elliot, his relationship with Elena, and his relationship with his past. After reading this book, you will be sure to have all your question answered: who is Christian talking on the phone, what are they talking about, what is "the situation" that Christian has to handle when he was in Georgia with Ana, and everything else that make the whole trilogy complete.

The book ends with Thursday, the first day Ana and Christian meet again after the break up to go see Jose at Portland. I was screaming inside. I want and need the second book. I was so desperate that I even emailed E L James. No joke. I reread the whole trilogy again because I could not let myself say goodbye to those characters yet. I was not ready to let go of this world of Christian Grey. I was not ready to put down the emotion and the connection that I had with the story. It's bittersweet.

Lets all finger cross that there will be more books to come on Christian and Ana. Also, the movie: Fifty Shades of Darker will be out February 10, 2017. Still a long way but it's worth the wait.

hugs and kisses

Shadowhunters TV Series FINALLY

Shadowhunters TV Series FINALLY 

I think the TV Series is getting better and better, or maybe we just learn not to expect too much. However, I do have to say that the ending for Episode 1 was pretty fascinating.

Somehow, I feel more love between Clary and Alec than Clary with Jace. When Jace went through the portal, Clary wanted to jump in with him but Alec went to grab her and she sobbed in his arms. I thought that was nice and in my mind, I only hope that that chemistry was between Jace and Clary.

Also, when Magnus finally got to wake up Jocelyn, Luke was there immediately to swipe her up in his arms. It was so romantic when he said;  "I got you." Ohhh I melt. 

I hope season two will reveal more of Simon and Izzy's relationship because I really want that to happen. Like. Right. Now.

It was sad that I cannot feel the connection between Jace and Clary, but it was even more depressing to not feel anything between Magnus and Alec. I feel like they are just friends, like they will be good parabatai. Magnus (Harry) shows more emotions for Alec but I cannot see it in Alec's eyes. It's not there. Or maybe he is just trying to play cool. BUT IN THE BOOK, when he sees Magnus, his eyes lit up, I don't feel that in the TV series. Maybe it'll get better. Fingers crosses.

hugs and kisses

Mango Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

 Mango Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

The crust is hands down my favorite part of the bar. It's so thick, buttery, and baked on the outside. Heaven !

The jam doesn't really taste like mango but more like a tropical jam. There has a hint of pineapple taste to it too.

I got to say, my favorite fig bar from Nature's Bakery has to be the original fig, strawberry, apple cinnamon, and this one.

Nature’s Bakery Mango Fig Bars

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Mango Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Mango Puree, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Turmeric and Annatto Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Fifty Shades of Freed

Fifty Shades of Freed 

It's the last book of the series and I am mentally and emotionally not ready
I mean, it's a 500+ pages book, only 200+ more than the first two but it's still not enough. I cannot contain this type of emotions.

Okay, lets break it through.

The beginning of the story was quite foggy, to be honest. We dive into Ana's dream a lot and I get confused over what is really and what is not. Let's face it everything in Ana's life seems like a dream to me.

I love how in this book, she is his Mrs. It's very fascinating to see how much she has grown and how strong of a voice she has now over him. It tickles my heart to see how much both of them need each other yet so dangerous when they are together.

However, since she said yes to him, I cannot shake off the feeling that she also lost her freedom to not be his anymore. You get me? Not that I don't want them together but I want to see more drama between them and I want to see how Christian goes crazy over her. The jealousy is making my heart melt.  I also find it so interesting to watch Christine and Ana fighting but making out later. They do it too when they are married it's just different because now that she is Mrs. Grey, he has this thing over her that she can no longer say no for. I hope that makes sense. If you have not read this book then it might mean nothing to you but if you read it , you feel my pain.

I love living in Ana's mindset a lot, throughout the whole series, I truly do. She is very strong yet innocent, fierce yet sweet, flirty yet knows what she wants. I would LOVE tho, to read a trilogy in Christine's point of view. I bet every breathing soul would agree.

The last bit where the author let us into Christine's mind when he first met Ana was magical. That is all I have to say and can say. * secretly laughing and uncontrollably smiling behind the keyboards of my laptop.

hugs and kisses

Raspberry Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

Raspberry Fig Bar

There's a very settle berry flavor, but I'm not sure if it's raspberry. The jam doesn't have a very strong flavor to it, it's very soft and dissolves in your mouth so you have to pay attention to really taste the flavor.

I love the crust. It's thick. It's dark brown which mean it's baked so well. It's just heavenly.

Nature’s Bakery Raspberry Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Raspberry Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Glycerin, Modified Food Starch, Raspberries, Apple Powder, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

hugs and kisses

Fifty Shades of Darker

Fifty Shades of Darker

In this book, Christian is so broken that I want to hug him and cuddle him in my arms. From book one and jumping into book two, he is a changed man. I cannot get enough of him and I don't think I ever will. There is something about him that is so mysterious. What do I like about him? Well, he is hot, smart, did I mention hot? But I LOVE that he is over protective and bossy. When I read that Ana is in trouble, I know he is going to be there. This insurance and assurance that he has that feels safe.

Oh little Ana, she has a way to seduce a man and let him want more than he is legal to have. She knows what to give and what not. Sure, sometimes, I wish she said no so that she may seem hard to get but everything played out well. I secretly wished that she gets herself in trouble so that Christian can come save the day.

I cannot stop thinking about the book. I cannot put it down. I think of it when I am sleeping. I think of it in class. I think of it everywhere. The worst part is, whenever I think about it, I can't stop smiling.
This is very unhealthy. This book is my favorite out of the trilogy, hands down- without a doubt. I have never felt this way for a book since I read Twilight. You know the feeling when you put down the book but your head is singing for it. You pick it up and your heart throws glitter into the air, and when you are reading the book, it's a world you won't want to leave.

Also, a side note here, Mia reminds me of Alice Cullen from Twilight. Doesn't it? Hell, Christian and Ana reminds me of Bella and Edward too.

The ending left me hanging. ohh boy it's gonna be good. Really good.

hugs and kisses

Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey

It is eating me inside out. I cannot handle the love and romance. Okay, just to clarify, for most part, I scan through the sex part but I am hopeless over the love drama. Christine is the man every girl dreams about, forget prince charming. As for Ana, oh so innocent but so feisty too. She is so smart and really knows how to turn on a man.

I remember telling my friend that I won't want to read Fifty Shades of Grey because it was cruel and sounded painful but if you just scan through the sex part and pay more attention to their relationship drama, it's unbelievable. You will love hate Christian for most part and will think that Ana is a stupid girl for putting herself in that situation but oh man, why wouldn't she?

The ending had me screaming! I felt as if everything inside of me is turning upside down. HOW!? I have no idea?! but it did. I rushed to get the second book and I have no shame to say that I am helplessly, completely, uncontrollably drowned into the book.

hugs and kisses

Strawberry Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

 Strawberry Fig Bar - Nature's Bakery

This bar has a thinner crust than the usual ones and a very rich strawberry jam filling. Brings me all the way back to childhood.

Weirdly, it tasted like donuts with perfectly baked crust, filled with jam.

You know what? I would love to add peanut butter on top of it. oh mann what have I got myself into?
It was divine !

Nature’s Bakery Strawberry Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Strawberry Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Strawberry Puree, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Natural Flavors, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Pectin, Locust Bean Gum, Red Cabbage Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Peach Apricot Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

Peach Apricot Fig Bar- Nature's Bakery

I don't know how they make the crust so buttery good. It is very thick, just how I like it. If you are one of those people who loves the crust of a pie more than the filling, than this is the bomb. It reminds me of baked pie crust. Yummmm !

I don't really taste anything in the jam. It just tastes like jam but not apricot or peaches. The jam wasn't overpoweringly sweet which I love and it has the perfect balance between crust and jam. 

Unlike the others, the jam doesn't taste too acidic. Instead it's very smooth and soft. I have no idea those two could be used to describe taste but it does work for this!

Overall, it was very pleasant and I would definitely have more !

Nature’s Bakery Peach Apricot Fig Bars is:

• Stone Ground Whole Wheat
• Conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup
• No Artificial Flavors
• No Artificial Colors
• Soy Free
• Dairy Free
• Cholesterol Free
• Contains 0 Trans Fats

Ingredients:

Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour, Dried Cane Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fig Paste, Canola Oil, Apricot Paste (Naturally Milled Sugar, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Apple Powder, Glycerin, Peaches, Apricots, Natural Flavors, Pectin, Citric Acid, Locust Bean Gum, Turmeric and Annatto Extract for color), Rolled Oats, Oat Fiber, Caramel Color (Ammonia-Free), Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Baking Soda.

Amount/Serving	%DV*
Total Fat 2.5g	4%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0g	0%
Sodium 35mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	4%

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Sweet Potato Rice // VEGAN

Sweet Potato Rice // VEGAN 

I N G R E D I E N T S

2 cups of uncooked rice (best use brown rice)

3 medium sweet potato

Mushroom (as many or as little as you like)

Green beans (as many or as little as you like)

4 small red onions (usually found in china markets)
1 ear of medium corn

5-6 garlic cloves

Vegan oyster sauce

Low sodium soy sauce

I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. To prepare: rinse the rice and chop the sweet potato into cubes. Also, cut the mushrooms into halves and the green beans into about 1-1/2 inch long.

2. On a hot pan, add in your garlic and onion, with some water or oil if you like. Mix them around till they are soft and a little brown.

3. Add in the mushroom into your pan and stir them around. Then, add in the green beans and corn.

4. Next, add in the chopped sweet potato.

5. After stirring the around for a few minutes, add in the sauces and season it with salt and pepper.

6. Stir them around (there's a lot of stirring with this dish) and leave them to cook for around 5-6 minutes or until the green beans and mushroom are cooked.

7. Lastly, add in the uncooked rice. Mix the whole thing together.

8. Pour everything into a rice cooker and add some water, just like as if you were to cook rice. (Pour a lot of water, basically until you see water about an inch above the rice)

9. Let the rice cooker do the magic and once it starts ringing your name, it's ready to eat!

hugs and kisses