Beach Travel Essentials-- Snacks and Skincare

I can't remember the last time I took a beach vacation. Okay... yes I can. It was to Mexico with my best friend and it was fabulous. But it was like 3 years ago and I am long overdue! I am headed to The Bahamas with a group of 10 ladies for one of my bestie's bachelorette. Things are about to get real. I'm kinda scared. LOL, kidding. We are staying at an all-inclusive resort but there are a few things I will not be forgetting to pack. Snacks and skincare are two essentials I pretty much do not leave the house without, let alone the country! But my faves as of late? Let's dive into it...

SNACKS

Rawcology Coconut Chips and Superfood Granola

I hate being let down with poor food choices. Even though there are sure to be loads of great options on the resort I can't risk being without some superfoods. Rawcology is a company I truly love! The founder, Tara, created the line of plant-based, nutrient and vitamin dense snacks to promote a healthy lifestyle and re-invent the standard of packaged foods. I add the sweet and savory coconut chips to everything-- eggs, avocado, salads, desserts, yogurt, and the granola... well let's just say I can barely keep it in the house. Perfect plane snack or beach snacking! Healthy fats will keep you full and satiated! (P.S. the Matcha Latte Coconut Chips are SO amazing, and unlike anything I've ever tasted!! You need them, now) 

Almond Butter Packs

I don't go a day without almond butter. It's kind of an addiction, kind of the best thing ever. I always travel with mini Justin's almond or Artisana pecan butter packs. They store so well, too. I keep them in my room and in my beach bag for a quick snack on the go. Eat them with apples, bananas, crackers, yogurt... or a spoon!

Magnesium

This is not a snack, you're right. But it goes in with the food category... kinda! I don't know what it is but I can barely sleep in hotel rooms. It is a HUGE issue for me. The first night I will wake up after two hours of sleep and be up for the whole night. It doesn't matter how comfortable the bed is, or where I am. It never fails. Magnesium is amazing to relax and calm the body and also helps to combat stress and body pain. A lot of people (over 50%) have a magnesium deficiency so I take Calm Magnesium nightly before bed to help me sleep. All I do is mix just over a tablespoon in with some warm water and drink. No way am I leaving home without it!

SKINCARE

SPF

You already saw my detailed list of SPF (read it here to see which ones specifically I will be taking with me). What was missing from that list? A great lip balm and scrub. Mary Kay makes a great duo that I have been loving lately. It's sure to keep my lips nice and hydrated at the beach, and scrub away the dead skin cells!

CC Cream

Sometimes I like to look polished and done up on the beach! It's not a crime! My go-to CC Cream for years has been by the "Your Skin But Better CC Cream" by it Cosmetics. It looks so flawless on since it's full coverage, it's long lasting and it has an SPF of 50! It's also packed with vitamins A, B, C, E so you are basically diffusing wrinkles and lines all while being protected from the sun's rays. I always take this CC on vacation with me, because it's a one-stop shop, and it lasts from day to night! 

WHAT ELSE?

A good read is essential for travel. I've been alternating between a few, but it will be nice to have a day to indulge in a good one! Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is a psychological thriller that I just dove into! So far I'm hooked. Must finish before it hit the TV screen in July!

Nails that last are key too. Especially when you are in and out of the sand, beach and flipflops. The essie Gel Couture line is the one line I always count on since I don't do shellac! No chipping!

Don't even get me started on this Bronzing Facial Mist by St. Tropez. I am obsessed! It's the perfect instant tan. I love that you can spray it on top of your makeup, and it smells so fresh. It's a refresher and bronzer all in one. And NO marks on your clothes. You bet I'll be faking the tan all summer long!

And you can't forget a mini bag to store all the essentials in. I love having a smaller bag in my beach bag to keep sand out and house all my little items like chapstick, headphones, etc. This pink crossbody by Poppy & Peonies is definitely coming with me! It will be great to take out and use a clutch for the evening. Double duty, people!

What are some of your travel essentials? Am I the only crazy that brings food with them away on vacation? 

*bag & towel by Poppy & Peonies

S H O P T H E P O S T

Coconut Matcha Energy Bars

Oh, my word. Ladies and gentlemen... enter into my newest creation and obsession-- The Matcha Bar! I literally just devoured one so I am in full out matcha heaven at the moment, so let me bask in my enthusiasm. 

As far as match lattes go, I can take them or leave them. I'd just usually rather have coffee! With that being said, the health benefits of matcha are so superior that I did buy some matcha powder a while back and have been determined to make the most out of it, adding a teaspoon in smoothies, and such. When I saw Rafia from Eat With Raf post a matcha ball recipe I was excited to try it out. Since then, I've adapted the recipe and have been making them non-stop! They are seriously the perfect afternoon treat. You can full out satisfy your sweet craving, skip the extra coffee and enjoy a jolt of alertness without the crash.  If that's not enough let me describe these bars further. You have a touch of sweetness from the honey, a pinch of vanilla flavour, and pure coconut bliss! Tell me that isn't enough yum to go out and make them right now? Also, they literally take eight minutes to prepare. I know this because I timed it. 

Okay-- so those health benefits of matcha I was speaking of... Curious? I'll break it down and then, YES, I'll share the recipe!

**Detoxifying -- bursting with chlorophyll which is a detox agent

**Antioxidant -- more antioxidants than regular green tea to fight cancer and fight inflammation

**Chilled energy -- burst of alertness/energy without the crash

** Fat burning --  boosts that metabolism 

Matcha Coconut Bars

ingredients:

*this recipe makes about 7 bars, you may want to double it!

1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut

2 tablespoons of almond flour

1 tablespoon of Vital Proteins Vanilla + Coconut Water Collagen Peptides (if you don't have you can add either another scoop of almond flour plus a dash of vanilla extract, or a scoop of vanilla protein powder)

1.5 tablespoon honey (I just use a heaping spoonful)

1/2 tablespoon of ceremonial grade matcha powder (I use Genuine Tea because it's not too bitter, and they are Canadian based) 

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon hemp hearts 

2 tablespoon dried goji berries (optional)

 ** totally optional: I added a handful of Bran Buds for a little extra fiber and ended up loving the crunch! 

directions:

1. Add coconut, almond flour, collagen, honey, hemp hearts, coconut oil and dried gojis to blender and pulse until combined

2. You could roll mixture in balls, or press down into pan 

3. Sprinkle some whole gojis, and dried coconut on top

4. Chill in fridge to set and cut when cold

Do you love matcha? Let me know if you'll try these. Even if you're not a matcha lover, I totally think this will have you hooked! 

Pumpkin Spice Granola

I am addicted to granola. Constantly eating it, trying out new recipes, and never getting bored of putting it on everything from yogurt, smoothies, to just straight- up shoving handfuls in my mouth. My go-to recipe is the granola clusters from the Oh She Glows Cookbook, but with the arrival of fall I wanted to make something festive and full of pumpkin flavour! You all know I looooove Buddha Brands Co.-- their coconut water is so pure and delish, and the coconut chips are so amazing (remember these recipes). They are launching a limited edition flavour for fall-- yes, Pumpkin Spice Coconut Chips with Turmeric! I have become slightly obsessed. They are so crunchy, so light, so packed with flavour, and so healthy! And turmeric is so, so good for you! It has great anti-inflammatory properties, and it regulates your cholesterol. I decided to take a basic granola recipe and add these in with some other fall spices to make the ultimate pumpkin spice granola for fall. It didn't last long in my house! If you saw me make it on snapchat (username: gabpacifico), you would have noticed half the pan gone as I was explaining the recipe! This recipe is a great, healthy snack and so festive. Pair it with a homemade pumpkin pie latte, or chai tea latte for a delicious snack!

The ingredient list may seem long, but feel free to substitute with what you have on hand! No rules here!

Ingredients:
makes: 1 baking tray of granola

2 cups whole grain oats
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup dried goji berries
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 tablespoon nutmeg
1/4 tablespoon sea salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup dates (soak the dates for 20 mins in 3/4 cup water, SAVE WATER!)
5 tablespoons date water
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 teaspoons maca powder (great for females)
1 package Hungry Buddha Pumpkin Spice Coconut Chips c/o

Directions:
1. Mix together oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmet and sea salt in large bowl
2. Blend (use food processor, Magic Bullet, etc.) maple syrup, drained dates, date water, coconut oil, maca powder until a smooth texture forms
3. Add wet date mixture to dry oat mixture and stir to combine
4. Add Pumpkin Spice Coconut Chips to bowl and stir to combine
5. Place on parchment paper lined baked sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 27-30 minutes (longer if want a crunchier granola)

Want more pumpkin?!
What To Do With Leftover Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin Cookies & Pumpkin Pie Latte
Fall Themed Brunch

Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Whip & Roasted Pistachios

This weekend I took to the kitchen to make an elevated version of a summertime childhood favourite dessert: pineapple and cool whip. When I was younger my mom would cube up some pineapple, spoon some cool whip on top and I would devour it within minutes, and even drink the juice at the bottom of the bowl! A perfect way to beat the heat as it's chilled and refreshing, oh, so quintessentially summer time appropriate. We got to talking about the dish just last week and how I hadn't had it in years! Our conversation had my tastebuds hankering for the sweetly refreshing treat. 

As a healthier alternative to cool whip I tried my hand at coconut whip. Wow-- can I just say this is the simplest thing to whip together (literally)? The can of coconut milk needs to chill in the fridge for at least 24 hours, but once it's chilled it takes mere minutes to put together. All you do is chill the can, open it from the bottom, drain the liquid on top and, using a hand mixer, whip the (hardened) coconut milk with some agave and vanilla extract. Once your BBQ is hot the whole dish literally takes 5 minutes to throw together-- throw some pistachios in the oven, grill the pineapple, spoon on the whip and there you have it. 

Coconut whip is probably my new favourite thing. Eat it with berries, add it on top of smoothies, or devour with a spoon, it's just too good! And grilled pineapple?! Well, that was also a first for me also, and it was divine! So juicy but the little bit of BBQ char gives it a nice touch. If that isn't your thing feel free to leave out the grilling and serve your whip on a bowl of mixed fruit and berries. It's equally as delicious! Don't leave out the pistachios! They really add such a nice crunch to the dish and work so well with the sweetness of the pineapple. The dessert brought me right back to my childhood and I can't wait to whip it up (literally, again) all summer long! 

Ingredients:

Pineapple rings, or fresh fruit/berries

1 can full fat coconut milk (the less preservatives it has, the better for whipping purposes)

1 tablespoon agave (or any sweetener such as sugar, honey, etc.)

1 teaspoon vanilla (feel free to add more agave & sugar depending on your taste)

Raw pistachios

Prep:

Chill can of coconut milk overnight in fridge

Flip can of chilled coconut milk upside down and open from bottom

Pour out liquid on top and spoon remainder into bowl (save coco water for smoothies!)

Using a kitchen mixer, whip coconut with sweetener and vanilla until fluffy

Chill in fridge

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees 

Roast pistachios in oven for 3-5 minutes

Grill pineapple a few minutes each side

Top pineapple with chilled coconut whip and roasted pistachios 

The coconut whip will last in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5 days.

Try out this dish! It's perfect for summer entertaining. Your guests will love it and how could you go wrong with dessert that takes 5 minutes? 

And let me know, what were some of your favourite summertime desserts as a child? 

Buddha Brands Co. Giveaway

Who's ready for a giveaway?! I could not be more excited to introduce you to Buddha Brands Company and their line of delicious, rejuvenating, all around good for you drinks and snacks. If you didn't already know, the healthy properties of coconuts are mind-blowing. They are known to improve heart health, help with digestion, increase metabolism, are antibacterial (fights off fungus & yeast) and are high in dietary fibre. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed with these little magical (ridiculously hard to open— yes, I bought a whole one) fruits, or nuts, or seeds (whatever they are), in every form (oil, milk, water, flakes, etc.). Buddha Brands Company has taken one of the ultimate super foods and developed healthy, deliciously addictive and innovate snacks and beverages to balance your body from within.  They promote a lifestyle that focuses on healthy and happy living and seeking balance, which I am all for!

In addition to original coconut water, Buddha Brands Co. has developed new Thirsty Buddha Coconut Water With Aloe Vera to help you glow from the inside out. The water contains aloe vera, which has rejuvenating, healing and soothing properties, so this water is really the ultimate beauty/wellness beverage. The subtly sweet, crisp and refreshing taste is great on it’s own and in smoothies, or made into cocktails (hi there, healthy cocktails!), or my flavoured chia seed fresca (see below).

Buddha Brands Co. also offers a line of Hungry Buddha coconut chip snacks that I am equally obsessed with. The four flavours are Classic Coconut, Smokin' Sriracha, Cheeky Chocolate, and Wild Wasabi. They are the perfect on the go snack for whatever flavour you are feeling, or can be added in to dishes or as toppers to enhance your recipes. Think smoothies, salads, avo toast... the possibilities are endless! 

I took the products and added them to a few different recipes to get you thinking of exciting new ways to experience Buddha Brands Co. I added the chips to my coconut almond balls, created a refreshing chocolatey (high in protein) smoothie with the original coconut water, and created an Aloe-Mint-Lime Chia Fresca. Make all three and let me know your favourite! 

Coconut Almond Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds

1/3 cup agave nectar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp coconut oil

1/3 cup Hungry Buddha coconut chips (classic flavour) 

½ cup shredded coconut flakes (for rolling)

Directions:

1.     Place the almonds in a food processor and process until a powder like texture forms.

2.     Add the agave nectar, cinnamon, coconut oil and coconut chips and process until combined.

3.     Place the coconut flakes in a bowl. Using your hands roll the dough mixture into balls and roll balls into coconut flakes to coat. Set in fridge, and keep balls in fridge to keep fresh.

Aloe-Mint-Lime Chia Fresca

1. Place 1 tbsp of chia seeds into glass.

2. Fill glass with Thirsty Buddha Coconut Water with Aloe and stir, making sure chia seeds have not clumped at the bottom.

3. Squeeze 1/2 a lime into the glass and top with a few mint sprigs.

4. Let chia seeds soak for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup Thirsty Buddha Natural Coconut Water

¼ cup hemp hearts

½ frozen banana

1 tbsp almond butter

1 tbsp raw cacao
1 tsp cinnamon

1 date

1 tbsp chia seeds

6 ice cubes

Directions:

1.     Add all ingredients to blender and blend on high speed.

2.     Add more ice if too runny/add water if too thick

3.     Top with Hungry Buddha Cheeky Chocolate Coconut Chips.

Now that I have raved about Buddha Brands Co. I’m sure you are ready to get you hands on some of these goodies, right? Get ready to nourish, glow and rejuvenate! Did I mention also become addicted? In the best way possible! I am SO excited to partner with Buddha Brands Co. to offer you the ultimate giveaway—a month supply of coconut water, including the new flavor, and coconut chips! Be sure to enter below to win this amazing prize pack. 

Good luck!

Contest open to Canadian residents only. Contest closes at 12:00 AM on 04/25/2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream

Are you ready for the most coconut-ey coconut cupcake recipe ever? Prepare yourself, because these cupcakes seriously pack the most velvety, rich coconut flavour, and the buttercream is just fluffy, whipped perfection. I made these over the long weekend for a true coconut lover and they did not disappoint. I don't consider myself a coconut fan (I would rather have chocolate or funfetti any day),  but I found myself literally licking the buttercream out of the bowl! The cake is moist and flavourful and the sweet flavour in the buttercream is on point without being too overpowering. 

I chose the recipe from A Farmgirl's Dabbles for many reasons. Her description sounded divine, the recipe seemed straightforward, and I loved the way she topped the cupcakes with a mound of buttercream and a sprinkle of coconut chips, which by the way are so addictive! The instructions were so detailed -whipping the butter for 8 minutes is key- and the recipe was super simple to follow. 

You can find the recipe here, and I've also included some of my findings below…a few cut corners never hurt, right?

My Tips:

1. I used unsweetened shredded coconut in the cupcakes as I knew the buttercream would be pretty sweet. I would not have wanted the cake any sweeter. 

2. The buttercream recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of Half & Half, which I don't keep on hand. I was not ready to go out and purchase a carton for 2 tablespoons, so I opted for regular milk and all was perfect. Feel free to use your regular 2% milk. 

3. Don't have a cookie scoop but still want the perfect mound of buttercream on top? I used my 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop up the icing and plop it on top of the cupcake. It takes a little bit of shaping but it worked for me! 

4. The coconut chips really complete the look and add a nice texture to the cupcake! You can find them in the bulk food section or any health food store. 

Fall Beauty Basics

Even though Mother Nature is gracing us with a little slice of summer right now, last week we were facing some serious change of temperatures. I know it's to be expected, but 5 degrees in Septmeber?! Just no. Anyways, my skin reacted right away, which forced me to seek out remedies to help adjust my skin to the change of season. All of these products below I have become obsessed with. Read on to find out why.

1. Lush Let The Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser- I am so happy my bestie introduced this cleanser to me because now I can't go a few days without it.  The newly revamped Lush is seriously becoming my go to place for skincare! The ingredients are natural and the cleanser leaves you soft, glowing (and ready for the best part), smelling like cookies. Seriously, I want to eat it. I even have been using it as a body cleanser and it's just as good all over. 
2. JOIE Folle de Joie Eau de Parfume- This scent is citrus-ey sweet with lovely woodys undertones. Perfect fall scent.
3. Lush Roots Hair Treatment - I already have problems with my scalp, so the minty cool sensation this hair treatment provides is not only refreshing but necessary for me. 
4. Lush Butterball Bath Bomb- Get to Lush, people!! Try any of their bath bombs, and take a trip to the spa in your own bathtub. 
5. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick -My lips are in constant need of hydration this time of year and this little stick is so worth the 9 dollar splurge! 

6. Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil- I have been using coconut oil for everything lately. As a make-up remover, as an under-the-eye serum at night, body moisturizer, and yes... to cook with. It's so gentle, and absorbs into the skin in a non-greasy way. It's pure magic. Just be sure to buy organic, virgin and not refined coconut oil . 

7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel - I recently received a sample of this brow gel and now I am wondering how I ever went without it. It keeps my eyebrows in place and still looking natural. 
8. MAC Vegas Volt-This is my go-to fall colour. It works perfectly with all the black/white, and beige/neutral ensembles I have been sporting. Coral mixes with the red for a subtle, not too over-powering shade.
9. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer- This concealer has become a life-saver for early mornings. It goes on so creamy and completely covers all signs of distress.