Hand Job… Not That Kind!

Today I was researching DIY beauty remedies and came across a ridiculously easy hand scrub. This concoction is so easy it’s laughable. I have no other choice but to keep this post short and sweet. You will not even have to refer back to any directions once you read this post.

Here goes! Mix together 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Scoop the scrub out of the bowl with your fingers and rub it all over your hands. You can even get fancy and spa-like by rubbing the scrub in small circular motions… good for sloughing off dry, dead skin. After one minute or so, rinse your hands under warm water. If your hands feel too oily at this point, you can wash them with a mild soap. Dry your hands with a towel. Gush about how soft and smooth your hands feel. It’s magic. I think I’ll add honey to the mixture next time.

Enjoy!

Olive oil and sugar working magic.

The Heat Is On

Up until recently I didn’t think the 2014 heat was unbearable, that is, until the A/C conked out in my car. Now I have to strategically plan when I’ll be running errands or arriving at appointments that require a pulled together look. Once I’m in my car it only takes about five minutes until I’m hotter than two squirrels making love in a wool sock.

You don’t “appreciate” how insanely hot it gets in a car in the summer (especially in Phoenix) until you actually don’t have A/C. In the past, whenever anyone told me that they didn’t have A/C in their vehicle I would reply, “That’s awful! I’m so sorry.” And I was always completely sincere, and then we’d move on to another topic. But it’s different when you’re the one without A/C. Right?! You should hear ME tell people I don’t have A/C in my car. It goes something like this…

“The A/C conked out in my car. Do you know what that’s like? It’s awful. I swear to God I almost fainted today on my way home after running errands all day. I was in my car for four hours today, during the hottest part of the day. FOUR HOURS. WITHOUT A/C. I’m serious. Can you even imagine? Is my face red? It looks like my head is going to explode, doesn’t it? Guess how much it’s going to cost me to fix my A/C? $600.00!! What’s up with that? …”

At this point the person I’m telling my story to, who is usually someone who knows me well, says, “You’re being dramatic.”

And I look at him or her with my mouth wide open, my eyes bulging out of their sockets. “I am NOT dramatic,” I say, while letting out a big sad sigh and silently wondering if this might be an itty bit true. Until I get my vehicle A/C repaired, I’m blaming the heat for everything from now on.

Yesterday I drove from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles, CA. I knew it was going to get crazy hot in my car, so I came up with a plan. I bought some ice sheets, froze them, and tucked them into a cooler filled with ice. When it got Hell-ish hot I placed one across my lap (I called it my ice sheet skirt) and I placed one down the length of my back. It made a HUGE difference and provided some heat relief for, at least, a little bit. I also wiped my face, neck, and chest with cool wet wipes. And this is a trick I learned a long time ago: I keep a package of wet wipes in the refrigerator, and right before heading out of the door I’ll tuck a cold wet wipe into my cleavage. Talk about heaven! I’m convinced that the hypothalamus is located in the cleavage nook—at least for well-endowed women.

This ice sheet skirt made my road trip more comfortable.

This little A/C ordeal I’m going through makes me worry about people (with children) who do not have A/C in their vehicles. I know our bodies can tolerate a lot, but if we can provide extra heat relief solutions, like wiping down our faces with cool wet wipes, it helps with intolerable heat.

Have you ever experienced a stretch of time where you did not have A/C, either in your vehicle, at home, or at work? How did you handle the heat? If you have any MacGyver-ish tricks for staying cool, I’d love to learn about them.

Sincerely,

Hot Mess

Red Flags

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I met one of my girlfriends for coffee the other day–to console her over a recent breakup she is working through–and the topic of red flags came up.

She said, “I’ve known for a long time, years actually, that Red didn’t want to live together. He said it plenty during the past three years, so why didn’t I pay attention to that first red flag when it waved across my mind as if it were blowing in a 60mph wind gust? I DO want to eventually live with my boyfriend. How else will I know if I want to marry him if I don’t live with him? I should have believed Red that first time when he said he never wanted to live with a woman.”

Being an expert in red flag denial, I assured her that many foolish women (yes, I basically called her and myself foolish) ignore red flags. Men do too, though. And we all know THEY can be foolish. Men should be just as accountable in recognizing when a red flag appears in a relationship and stepping up to the I- or we-need-to-address-this-plate. Both sexes SHOULD be able to have adult red flag conversations, but so many of us are afraid to rock the boat when we’re still getting to know someone.

Red flags can appear in many types of relationships or scenarios and at any given time. Most of the red flags I have experienced and ignored in my past long-term romantic relationships pretty much waved within the first six months of the relationships. And each of my past romantic relationships lasted four years or more. The red flags were always there: they would hoist themselves up from time to time and then slowly move back down the relationship flagpole… and everything was hunky dory again. So I thought. I’ve discovered that if red flags are ignored they’ll just shape-shift into relationship problems that will create so much pressure the relationship will eventually explode like a volcano.

It wasn’t until my relationships ended and months had passed that I was able to reflect on my failed relationships with a clear head. And it was during these clear-headed moments when I could really see the importance of the red flag messages—messages that nudged at me as if to ask, “Do you REALLY like this person’s qualities?” or “Why do you feel like this person is not being honest?” If you’re aware, you’ll notice that red flags trigger a chain reaction–from the awareness of the red flag to a gut reaction to questioning yourself about the relationship and finally to addressing the situation. But even when we’re aware we sometimes hesitate. Again, who wants to rock the boat when the boat ride, for the most part, is smooth sailing?

After comparing our red flag stories, my friend and I promised each other to be more aware of red flags in our lives and to be more true to ourselves… and to be less agreeable with other people whose beliefs may not align with ours. We promised each other to rock the f**king boat and to be more assertive when it comes to communicating topics that have, in the past, made us feel uncomfortable. And we ended our coffee session high-fiving each other for, once again, thinking we figured out another classic problem in the world of relationships. Time will tell how we each handle future red flags, be we’re optimistic.

What are your thoughts on red flags? Do you recognize them in the moments when they appear? How do you handle them?

Budding

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I love the first day of spring. There’s a promise in the air–of change. For me, that always means looking at my life from the outside in and asking myself questions like…

• How are your goals coming along?
• How many goals have you reached since the first of the year?
• How hard are you working to make your goals reality?
• What are your priorities?

The arrival of spring is usually a check-in on my New Year’s resolutions but this year it’s that and more. As I continue to make big changes in my life after leaving a job I was at for six years, I find that I am truly enjoying the unknown. I’m on an adventure, and I have so many wonderful people in my life supporting my decisions and enjoying my journey with me. I, of course, have moments of fear, but the mini bouts of fear I have light a fire under my ass. Fear, I’m realizing, can be a catalyst for a more amazing life.

Every day I explore. Every day I hustle. Every day I ask questions. Every day I tell myself, “Don’t settle for less, B.” Every day I’m presented with information that reminds me that a truly adored life requires intense soul-searching. Intense as in… done with great enthusiasm. I’m soul-searching with a genuine spring in my step, and I feel myself getting closer to that adored life.

Does spring inspire you in any way(s)?

Just Mayo Is Just Delicious

When it comes to condiments, mayonnaise always has a place in the refrigerator. From BLTs to spring and summer potato salads to hot, creamy artichoke dip, mayonnaise is a must-have for year-round sandwiches and dishes. At least, in my world it is.

When I found out about Hampton Creek Foods’ Just Mayo I was excited to do a little taste testing. Just Mayo is a plant-based mayonnaise, made with no eggs whatsoever. Wait… What?! No eggs? Yep. Hampton Creek’s biochemists break down the proteins in plants to replicate what eggs can do. Interesting, right? The thought of mayo made with a plant protein made me even more curious to taste Just Mayo. To my surprise, Just Mayo tastes identical to mayonnaise. Spot on. The texture is creamy, and the flavor is big. Here’s the ingredient list: Non-GMO Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil, Filtered Water, Lemon Juice, White Vinegar, 2% or less of the following: Organic Sugar, Salt, Apple Cider Vinegar, Pea Protein, Spices, Garlic, Modified Food Starch, Beta-Carotene.

Just Mayo is…

• Non-GMO
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Egg-Free
• Nothing Artificial
• Cholesterol-Free
• Soy-Free
• Dairy-Free
• Lactose-Free
• Kosher

Great lists, eh? This mayo appeals to many people who are passionate about their food choices, for different reasons.

Tiny Tidbits

Hampton Creek Foods—created by Joshua Tetrick and Josh Balk in 2011—is committed to finding alternatives to the way foods are produced, such as eggs. Yes, there are many cage-free eggs available today, but the majority of eggs in the US that end up in foods come from chickens in barren cages—and we’ve seen those disheartening egg factory farm photos. In this respect, Hampton Creek Foods is making a big difference by creating a product free of animal cruelty. And Hampton Creek Foods uses plants that are sustainable in order to create a better food system: think less greenhouse gas emissions, less water, no animal involvement, and more affordable.

Hampton Creek Foods is supported by organizations around the world and won the Popular Science 2013 Best of What’s New Grand Award in the Green category. This is definitely a company to keep your eyes on for healthy, affordable, and innovative foods.

What have others said about Hampton Creek Foods? Andrew Zimmern, Travel Channel Host, said, “I preferred the taste of their Just Mayo to Hellmann’s, my ‘must have’ brand. In a blind test.” Bill Gates said, “They’re amazing.” And Sydney Brownstone, Mother Jones, said, “Their goal is to transform the food system the same way Apple changed how we use phones, or how Google changed the way we find information.”

Just Mayo is available nationally at Whole Foods Market and is available at Di Bruno Brothers in Philadelphia, Molly Stones, and Bi-Rite.

I tried Just Mayo on one of my favorite sandwiches: the BLT. Every layer was “yum,” despite almost burning my bacon. Just Mayo is a keeper.

 

Delicious Little Number… with Bacon

I think most cooks are always on the lookout for simple recipes to suffice for busy nights. I am. And when I found this recipe that’s what I thought it was going to be: a quick dinner fix. It is, but it’s a special quick fix, because it offers incredible taste and texture–especially given the small amount of ingredients. I keep this delicious little number in my ‘Go-To Dishes’ library. It’s one of my favorite meals to prepare, and it’s perfect for a casual dinner with family or friends.

All you need is nine ingredients, and this dish is always well received. I must warn you, though, if you prepare this recipe for yourself, you will not have any leftovers. It’s easy to keep eating… and eating… and eating when no one is watching. I blame the bacon.

I first discovered this recipe years ago on Epicurious, but I have slightly altered the recipe to suit my taste buds—this means I have increased the amount of bacon and red pepper flakes. The Epicurious recipe calls for ONLY 4 slices of bacon. I tried this, and I remember the bacon quickly disappearing. So I upped the bacon to 8 to 10 slices. You’ll always have tasty bacon bits with every bite. The other ingredient which I increased the measurement of is the dried hot red pepper flakes. The Epicurious recipe calls for ¼ teaspoon of dried hot red pepper flakes, and I increased the pepper amount to ¾ to 1 teaspoon. It’s a nice little kick that makes a big difference in flavor.

Here is my recipe version, which I call Delicious Little Number… with Bacon.

Cook 3/4 of a 16 oz. box of bow tie pasta until al dente, drain. While pasta water boils and pasta cooks, prepare other ingredients. Note: I forgot to take a photo of the cooked pasta. Whoops!

Cook 8 to 10 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. When bacon is cool enough to handle, crumble. Set aside.

Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Turn heat to medium high. Add ½ of a large onion, diced. Cook and stir onion until golden brown.

Add 1 chopped Roma tomato and ¾ to 1 teaspoon of dried hot red pepper flakes to skillet; stir to combine.

Add ¼ cup water to skillet; stir ingredients. Simmer tomato mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add 1/3 cup chopped fresh curly leaf parsley to skillet; stir to combine. Note: I implore you to always use fresh parsley with this dish. Always!

Add pasta to skillet; stir to combine. Plate pasta and then garnish with bacon and Parmesan cheese shavings.

Bon appetit!

Huevos Rancheros (Ranch-Style Eggs)

If you want to impress your breakfast or brunch crowd with a fiesta of flavors, you’ll want to prepare huevos rancheros (ranch-style eggs). You only need a few ingredients, and the wonderful flavors this dish offers will have you smiling and saying, “Buenas dias, indeed!”

Here’s how to make them…

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in small skillet. Place one corn tortillas in the hot oil, and turn the tortilla until it is easily pliable.

Dab tortilla on a paper towel lined plate to remove any excess oil, and then set tortilla into a glass baking dish. Repeat the process with enough tortillas so that the bottom of the baking dish is covered. Set aside, and keep warm.

In the same skillet you heated the tortillas in, sauté ½ cup chopped onion and 1 minced garlic clove. Saute until tender, but not too browned.

Add 3 chopped tomatoes, 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chili peppers, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Simmer ingredients, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Keep warm.

In a separate large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Gently break 5 to 6 eggs into skillet; sprinkle eggs with salt and black pepper. When edges are cooked and whites are set, add 1 tablespoon of water to skillet. Cover skillet and cook eggs to desired degree of doneness.

Reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons of the tomato mixture for a garnish. Spoon remaining tomato mixture atop corn tortillas, and then gently place eggs atop tomato mixture. Sprinkle with shredded Monterey jack cheese. Set baking dish under broiler until cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Garnish with reserved tomato mixture and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately, and enjoy!!

Lost and Found

I am, for the most part, a very happy person, and I am often told, “You are always smiling!” I love life, and I love people. But I’ve been lost.

Have you ever lived in a town or city that made you feel like the life was slowly being sucked out of you? I have. I have been.

I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the early 80s. And I can remember—like it was yesterday—saying to myself in the late 80s, “I don’t like it here.” And yet I stayed. The 90s came and went, as did 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013… and here we are… 2014.

Before you shake your head and ask “What’s wrong with this lady?” let me explain.

I was too loyal. Too loyal to guilt-tripping family members. Too loyal to jobs. And too loyal to beliefs that had me convinced I did not have enough money saved to move to another state and start my life over from scratch. What can I say? I’m a small town girl with loyal personality traits. Haha!

But several years ago, something happened that made me start paying more attention to ‘me.’ I started to feel like something was missing from my life. I’d mostly notice this feeling late at night, after climbing into bed. I found myself asking—night after night—“Is this it?” I wasn’t depressed, per say, but was more annoyed that this nagging feeling kept coming back to haunt me. And then I started asking myself questions like, “What’s missing?” or “Are you unhappy, B?” Soon enough, I realized I needed a change of scenery and new adventures. Do I regret not being fully aware of these things a long time ago? No. My glass is always half full. Despite the things I do not like about Phoenix, I have had many, many wonderful experiences in the Grand Canyon state. And I’m ecstatic to know for certain that it’s time to mosey.

I have been steadily researching other places to live, building an entrepreneurial spirit, and working up the courage to do what I want, on my own terms. It hasn’t been easy, but I have come a long way! I have had tearful, argumentative conversations with family members who are concerned for my well-being (as I would be them if they were in my shoes)—I mean, I’ve pretty much reduced my personal belongings to a 5 x 5 storage unit. I have put myself ‘out there’ to find additional sources of income and experiences—I’ve become a personal assistant, housecleaner, pet sitter, and more, in addition to working full time as a copywriter. And in being completely honest with people about my desire to find more personal joy, I have gained an army of supporters who have helped me in so many wonderful ways. I have a fierce ‘can do’ attitude and a goal that seems incredibly lofty to many people. I know how far I’ve come and what’s possible, especially when it comes to joy: anything and everything.

Ramen Poll!

Social Media Meltdown

Is it just me or do you also feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing social media platforms for your personal and/or business use?

I get the gist of Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, and other social media platforms. But the effort it takes to manage each unique platform—including time, creating content, and analytics—can be incredibly daunting. And each unique social media platform serves different purposes and different target audiences. If you manage social media accounts for clients in addition to your own personal and business accounts, it’s possible you may get overwhelmed to the point that social media starts to feel more automated than personal. And where’s the authenticity and fun in that?

Social media content marketing plans, editorial calendars, and social media automation tools are immensely helpful when it comes to managing social media platforms, but there are always ‘drop everything’ moments where unanticipated posts are beneficial for boosting a brand or product—like this Ben & Jerry’s tweet that was in alignment with Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana. If you want to capture the social media hearts of people, you must be prepared to post relevant content and engage at the drop of a hat.

One of my 2014 goals is to master each major social media platform. My previous copywriting positions did not include intensive social media, so I am taking it upon myself to learn the ins and outs of some social media platforms. Even though I am not 100% interested in ALL social media platforms I think it’s in my best interest to learn as much as I can, especially with more companies identifying social media skills as a must-have forte for all of their employees. Social media posts may be short but they are still content and reflect the brand.

What are your thoughts and feelings when it comes to engaging with others on multiple social media platforms?

If you would like to join me on my social media quest, here are some of my social media URLs:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brigette-Brugada/425481720812350

https://plus.google.com/116947803590311070959/posts

https://www.pinterest.com/brigettebrugada/

http://brigettebrugada.tumblr.com/

https://twitter.com/brigettebrugada