Hailey's Helpful Hints

If you're trying to "hide" good nutrients in your children's meals or aren't even what to think of this whole guinoa craze, this is a great place to start. While quinoa (pronounced 'KEEN-WAH) is usually considered to be a whole grain, it is actually a seed, but can be prepared like whole grains such as rice or barley. Many people prefer quinoa for these reasons; first, it takes less time to cook than other whole grains – just 10 to 15 minutes. Second, quinoa tastes great on its own , unlike other grains such as millet or teff. Add a bit of olive oil, sea salt and lemon juice and - yum! Finally, of all the whole grains, quinoa has the highest protein content, so it's perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Quinoa provides all 9 essential amino acids , making it a complete protein. Quinoa is a gluten-free and cholesterol-free whole grain and is almost always organic. Lots of 2012 buzz words packed into that paragraph eh? Gluten. Organic. Vegan. I can't kee...

A little more time intensive than the desserts I usually like to blog about but so worth it. A delicious marriage between carrot cake and banana bread. Two of my all time faves. It's lighter than carrot cake, almost crumbly (though still in a moist way) yet bearing the distinct (though not overpowering) flavor of banana. It has a Cream Cheese Pecan frosting which gives a nod toward the Carrot Cake family. It's light and airy enough for a summer night but rustic and autumn'esk for the fall days to come. ~HUMMINGBIRD CAKE~ Modified from Country Home magazine (2008) Prep/assembly time: 45 minutes | Baking time: 25-30 minutes | Cooling time: 15 minutes Serves: 12-16 people Ingredients (cake): 3 cups flour (gluten free or regular) 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 3 large eggs, room temperature 1 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup fresh pineapple, crushed ...

Found this fab find at Target and it's honestly the most TANtastic powder I've worn in a long time. Although Milani carries several shades of this Multitasker Face Powder , I use it specifically as a bronzing powder. Why do I love it so much? It's a multi-purpose face powder with light to medium coverage so it covers what I need without feeling heavy and caked with makeup. It provides a natural matte finish without any discoball shimmer. I've found it evens out my skin tone from the sun spots on my lower jawbone and aborbs excess oil to reduce any shine. It lasts for hours and alittle goes a long way. For an extreme multitasker like myself, this product, and it's price, lives up to my standards. The color I wear: Medium Tan - 06.  Available at Target for a whopping $5.99. See what others are saying about this product HERE .

Between now and the holidays you might feel more inclined to save magazines to be inspired, discover new trends and find the latest fab products. But I have a better idea - download the no-fee Google Catalogs app to your iPad or Android tablet device and say goodbye to piles of clutter while making catalog shopping more engaging, social and creative. The Google Catalogs app features digital versions of catalogs across many popular categories, including fashion and apparel, beauty, jewelry, home, kids and gifts. They’ve partnered with a variety of top brands including Anthropologie , Bare Escentuals , Bergdorf Goodman , Bloomingdale's , Crate and Barrel , L.L. Bean , Lands’ End , Macy’s , Neiman Marcus , Nordstrom , Pottery Barn , Saks Fifth Avenue , Sephora , Sundance Catalog , Tea Collection , Urban Outfitters and Williams-Sonoma , just to name a few of the over 400 catalogs. In addition they have over 100 top brands including; Barneys , Tory Burch and Trina Turk (Fashi...

If you do one thing before you get hit with the chaos of back to school, it's this - get a laundry system in place. Now. All you need - a few white laundry baskets. The el cheapo kind. It always kills me when people spend ridiculous amounts of money on trendy organizational products. Let's be real - chevron print does not guarantee functional. I'll admit, I'm guilty. But I've learned my lesson - stick to the basics. The patterns are pretty but they usually lack the key components for ruthless efficiency. And seriously, does anyone really see them anyone?!?! Phew obviously needed to get that off my chest. Back to baskets. The key to organization is finding a place for everything and keeping everything in its place. It's always best to find a system that works best for you but here's what I propose - train all family members to put dirty clothing in baskets. Place a basket in each bedroom closet, and in each bath if space allows. Place four add...

... to leave clothes in the dry cleaning bag? A: Bottom line: Really bad. What makes your clothes look so fresh is often the chemical perchloroethylene (perc), which the Environmental Protection Agency has linked to many health risks, including cancer. Perc can linger on clothes and when enclosed in a bag, it can build up, putting you in greater danger of breathing it in once you remove the plastic. So ditch the bag right away, says Peter Sinsheimer, executive director of UCLA's Environmental Health Sustainable Technology Program. As even safer option: Try an ecofriendly dry cleaner, who will use liquid carbon dioxide, a silicone-based solvent, or steam and use non-toxic detergents to remove stains.

I'm a big eyelash fan. Never really gotten into the  fake lashes  thing though. After all, I am a mom and as much as my husband would like me to wear wedges and lash extensions as my everyday attire, it's just ain't gonna happen. As all you faithful followers know, if there's one thing I'll put on before running out the door, it's mascara . There is something about knock-out eyelashes that can be a game-changer in how you look & feel. For me, it's my attempt to look glamorous in my running shoes and braids. Sadly, however, not all of us are naturally blessed with Kardashian-like eyelashes, but know this: There’s a fine line between long, lush lashes and Tammy Faye Baker–ville. The Solution: First, toss out your mascara - it’s probably far too old. Next, gently clamp your lashes with a baby wipe between your forefinger and thumb, and pull lashes all the way through to remove any excess formula. Then put a little Vaseline on your fingertips and lightly run...

Have you ever heard of face mapping ? Thanks to the combined knowledge of dermatologists who have analyzed skin behaviors and ancient Chinese medicinal methods there is a smarter way to interpret and treat skin imperfections by way of “face mapping.” Face mapping is a type of skin analysis that explains why and how certain areas of your face are connected to other parts of your body. Why do you break out in some areas and not others? Think of your blemishes as X’s on a map that is your face. Different zones correspond to different problems. With this “map” as your guide, you can address the underlying causes of blemishes and correctly determine how to prevent them from recurring. (Don't you wish you know about this in middle school?) So, what are your breakouts telling you? Using the face mapping method to decode what’s going on with your body is both incredibly informative and very extensive if you ask me. Here is an overview of the basic areas and what breakouts or ...