elainedispo

Posts Tagged ‘dessert’

Foodie Friday: Around the World

In Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Travel, Uncategorized, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 03/04/2016 at 17:45

Last week, my speech students🎤 delivered their cultural reports!

Some offered us 🎁giveaways!

 

  • Jenna ~ 🇰🇷South Korean translation of our names🎌
  • Dom ~ 🇨🇳Chinese Almond Cookies🍪
  • Dani ~ 🇲🇽Tomatillo y Salsa Tamales🍛
  • Sarahi ~ 🇰🇭Cambodian Noodles🍜

Fitness & Foodie Friday: Health or Treat? Nooky Quickie

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/30/2015 at 09:00

While trick-or-treaters may be house-hopping and candy-popping this weekend, I’ll continue consuming my healthy supplements on the ☼daily!

Ginkgo Biloba: to promote mental focus

IMG_6197

Centrum VitaMints®: to aquire essential nutrients in a tasty way

IMG_5630

  • I’ve come a long way since my childhood Flinstones chewables ~ which I doubt are the best bet for my teeth with the acidity
  • I’m still not a fan of swallowing tablets without having water and food in handy
  • Therefore, I’m all about double-duty of fulfilling my ☼daily☼ needs while freshening my breath!

Of course, I don’t skimp on the actual food that I need to fuel my brain and body ~ which I’m actually including in an analogy between my marathon and my main statistical method (multiple regression) for my doc research!

Pumpkin Trail Mix

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Speaking of my race, although I haven’t run as many long distances in awhile, I’ve fit in mini drills to keep my energy levels high while I’ve been drained from my dissertation, a.k.a., my doc docs …

During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!

IMG_5878

Olive Garden Leftovers from Ladies’ Night with the Holy Spiri† (counter-clockwise from bottom right): Chicken Cacciatorie & Cheese Manicotti (2 of my fave entrées rolled into 1) • Pasta e Fagioli w/ breadstick • MinestroneBestie Evie‘s Better-Than-Sex BrowniePumpkin Cheesecake (which took me 4 days to finish!) • Andes Mints ~ gotta ♥love♥ these after-dinner chocolate mints to cap off a classic OG meal!

While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:

Standing ♥Cardio♥

Floor/Mat/Carpet Core

More ♥Cardio♥

  • Dance ’til your ♥heart’s ♪content♫ ~ or your grub is ready

Stretch

Relieve those muscles after sitting at the computer desk and before sitting down to eat

Happy Early Halloween, All †Saints’ Day y el Día de los Muertos! ✌

Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 10/23/2015 at 11:00

What’s better than carving and painting jack-o-lanterns?

Eating pumpkin … At least for yours truly!

I’ve already gone PSL-out and then some:

IMG_4751

IMG_5603

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert cookies & Pumpkin Spice Milano + Blue Diamond Pumpkin Spice Almonds from CVS | Quest Bar Pumpkin Pie energy bar (which we used to give away from Pretty Fit) from Market Street

IMG_5609

  • I’m nuts for pumpkins!
IMG_5830

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Pumpkin Cheesecake

In fact, I used to buy a full pie for the fam to celebrate Halloween/Thanksgiving/my sis‘ birthday since college

(the Fazoli’s Ghirardelli tops a close 2nd)

IMG_5999

  • Even Yogurt!

IMG_6220

I’m flipping over this YOLOyo!

IMG_6219

TGIF *Friday Night* Addendum

Now I’m somewhat relieved that this weekend’s Halloween party has been canceled/postponed due to t-storms (Hurricane Patricia’s just further down south) ~ so in addition to preparing for my next round, I also can have some down time …

Bring on the cozy comforts of hot cocoa & mac ‘n’ cheese, please!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Dissertation Declutter

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/14/2015 at 19:00

Happy National Dessert Day!

Carrot Cake topped w/Cream Cheese & Pecans

C is for … Carrot Cake * Cream Cheese * Chopped Pecans

My peers who’ve preceded me in finishing their doctor of philosophy degrees can agree:

Cleaner and clearer are better.

That means: clean desks and clear minds

Plus clean PowerPoints to clear our minds!

Two of my esteemed classmates who graduated a few years ago and whose guidance I sought for my paper and slideshow both explicitly pointed out that I most certainly must cut back

Down to 120-140 slides, no more than 150!

As the ☼summer☼ drew to a close ~ during my most recent hurdle (that lasted four months as we entered fall term), my statistics ~ I already reached 300+ slides and reached 300+ pages of my dissertation

Yet that’s way too many to fit into a two-hour presentation (including professors‘ Q&A) ~ so I’ve reduced down to almost ½ so far!

Declutter Dissertation

This slide: an indicator that I measured a TON of stats! I ended up taking out 50+ slides last night … Shooting to eliminate more. Next issue: making sure that the fewer slides that I look less cluttered!

Just as I’ve had to minimize my clutter-bug and shutter-bug ways, I’m also de-clutteringcleaning and clearing up my PowerPoint

That way, I can advance into the next round!

Foodie & Floral + Fitness Friday: PSL & OLG, Lucky Me!

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Fitness Friday, Floral Friday, Foodie Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 09/11/2015 at 10:00

As Bruno Mars sings

♪Baby Squirrel, you’s a $3×7 … ♫

Redbud

My first fun run♥ ♥heartburn-free this week to be greeted on his home turf! #HomeOfTheAbilenePrairieDogs

treasure

☼ Our Lady of Guadalupe † ♥

OLG

To view close-ups of some of these beautiful petals from ☼floral showers☼ surrounding ♥Our Lady♥ who I visit after my †Adoration† Hour, then please check out Bishop Mike‘s OLG medalPope Francis‘ coin!

and my fave fall flave:

IMG_3069

PSL is back! I hit up *$ after my park jog specifically for this & was grateful that it made a grand return ~ following the succulent ☼summer☼ flavors! #KickingOffFall +Added *BONUS*: while I was at Market Street, I took time to smell the roses ~ great stress-relief therapy in the midst of this dissertation preparation!

Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte & Scone

Double the Pumpkin = 1 Delighted Munchkin #PumpkinSpiceLatte #PumpkinScone

 Please make it sweet & spiced + iced

IMG_3073

Spice … Ice … Nice … Is this a vice?

& to top it off to make it all nice:

Pair with a Pumpkin Scone

IMG_3072

Can’t go wrong with FREE samples … Because even if it’s a YOLO, the portion’s so low! #DISPObustAFlow

To Knock 2 Birds with 1 Stone!

#DISPObustAFlow  ✌

Mixer Monday: Mojito Madness

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Home Sweet Home, Mixer Monday, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 09/07/2015 at 09:00

Minty!

To ring in recent birthdays, I was all about ordering up mojitos!

La Canela Pasión

Passionfruit Mojito topped with Cocktail Fruit from La Canela Peruvian Restaurant

  1. First, to celebrate my Tita Fe‘s birthday, I had this Passionfruit Mojito at the Peruvian restaurant ~ thanks to my cousin & her hubby!
  2. Then I enjoyed a refreshing Frozen Blueberry Mojito at my own Bday Brunch from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café (Mex intentionally before Tex)!
  3. Most recently, I toasted to my cousin’s birthday with this Twisted Madre Mango Margarita ~ another special from Miguel’s Agave Bar!
IMG_2727

Twisted Madre: Frozen Margarita swirled with Mango Flavor topped with Lime and dressed with Chile Salt on the Sim from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café

S is for …

  • Sip On
  • ¡Salud!
Bday Frappé

Freebie for my Bday: Mocha Coconut Hazelnut Frappé

More Sweet Treats … this time without spirits:

Bday Frappé Run: Fun in the ☼Sun☼

Bday Frappé Run: Fun in the ☼Sun☼ as I stay cool at school #DISPObustAFlow #Frappuccino

Starbucks Birthday Rewards

Blueberries 'n' Creme

My Next Bday Freebie: Blackberries & Creme make you scream!

  1. First, from my research university before my BiG #-#: Hazelnut topped with Coconut
  2. Next, from our busiest local coffee shop: the new Blackberries & Creme Frappuccino
Blessed Frappuccino

Blessed with Rest (sort of) on my Bday … Real quick before I get back into it!

Beauty Tuesday: Post-Summer Post ~ S is for …

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 09/01/2015 at 10:00

Welcome, September! With school in full swing, I still have summer☼ season on the brain!

Sunkissed Summer

1. What is your go-to product for a sunkissed summer glow?

natural sunshine: *FREE* Vitamin D!

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?

Dulce Candy Ruiz‘s The Sweet Life to inspire anyone & Dr. Karen Kelsky‘s The Professor Is In for fellow grad students

BBB

Backyard Post-Bday Brunch to bask in ☼sunshine☼ + organize my HK planner & pleasure-read (intended ~ I ended up just working)

 both of which hit bookshelves exactly 4 weeks ago!

3. What’s your signature summer scent this year?

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition (since 2012) ~ I also store Sephora samples in my handbags

4. The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside! What’s your favorite thing to do?

simply bask in the ☼sunshine☼ through ALL of my senses ~ including the smell of fresh air

5. You’re on the boardwalk and starving! What’s your go-to summer beach food?

banana ice cream, paletas (popcycles) or raspas (snow cones) ~ anything frozen treat to beat the heat!

6. What’s your dream summery date?

watch a blockbuster & ☼sun☼ fun run or walk on the beach + chow down

7. After a day in the summer heat, what do you do to cool off?

chillax with my shows + consume cucumber ~ on my eyes & in H2O #DISPObustAFlow

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer?

braids for days

9. What’s your must-have nail polish for summer 2015?

this Tiffany Blue hue

Tiffany Blue hue

Fitting name for this shade

as Audrey Hepburn tribute

10. What shows do you recommend for summer?

my share of sizzling series: network nighttime dramas + home/real estate reality TV

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?

occasional base but more powder to offset sweat

12. Sunglasses or Hats?

Exhibit shown below

TAMUK sunproof hat

I tip off this hat & show school team spirit!

I always must sport ~O-O~specs~O-O~ anyway ~ I usually rock my Coach transitional lenses nowadays + still have my Fendi & Gucci frames*

13. What is your summer jam this year?

  • Locked Away♪ (not that I’m doing anything to get locked up ~ I really dig the ♫beat♪ & ♫Adam Levine‘s ♪singing)

  • Bad Blood♫ (so cliche, but I ♥heart♥ the graceful ♫Taylor Swift♪ ~ not to mention that you can’t take the ♪hip hop♫ out of this chick)

14. Do you have a summer bucket list?

mainly to finish my doc docs (paper & PowerPoint to prep to present for dissertation defense) ~ since I’m not completely caught up, my Plan B is to have them done by Labor Day now that Fall is upon us and the BiG Day draws near + added bonus: relatives reunion, check √

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!

I’ve already built up quite a two-piece collection through the years but wouldn’t mind adding a monokini to the mix ~ my fave of the moment: my VS chevron top & ombré bottom (see No. 5 “paleta” link for sippie selfie in said swimsuit)

16. What’s your favorite sweat proof product?

Banana Boat Baby Faces ☼sunblock

17. If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Champ Hoop Scoop ~ to score an ice cream dreamy combo of my faves:

S also is for …

Daily Grind

Filled up in August & as we approach September

Cross Pencil Sharpener & Eraser + Cat Notes

Champ Catechesis student’s First Communion reception gift goodies

$ Therefore, S also is forSavings $

NO

Foodie Friday: Fazing over Fazoli’s

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 07/24/2015 at 16:00

My latest dessert obsession:

*Nutella* Cheesecake from Fazoli’s

Nutella Cheesecake

Don’t let the solid chocolate look fool ya … This bad boy’s full of flavor!

Combines 2 of my faves:

  • Chocolate hazelnut
  • My favorite fast food joint

    Nutella Cheesecake

    The darker the chocolate :: The sweeter the flavor!

There’s never been anything that I didn’t like from Fazoli’s ~ Italian, I’m in Heaven ~ including from this most recent visit.

IMG_0165

Giving Grape Italian Lemon Ice ~ a drink with a contributory cause!

IMG_0170

Penne Romano ~ steaming HOT!!!

IMG_0164

Yummy Post-Church Meal complete with blessings!

I’ve lucked out with this eatery (which opened in my hometown, thanks to my h.s. buddy’s dad ~ a contractor who liked it when he visited his son in college and decided to build it by their family home) because it’s always been quick, inexpensive and most of all: delicious!

NYE

Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve rung in the New Year with Fazoli’s!

My former workout partner (who now lives overseas for the military) and I used to grab Italian Lemon Ice at Fazoli’s after we’d have a fun run at the park around the corner ~ we’d burn calories then reward ourselves with something sweet, refreshing and healthy!

Classic Strawberry Italian Ice

Classic Strawberry Italian Ice ~ nothing classic about it! #BoldAndFresh

Tour of Italy

Alfredo & Marinara + Meatballs = YOLO Italiano!

Fast & Fazoli's

F is for … Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve even feasted on Fazoli’s while watching Fast & Furious movies at the drive-in!

Plus, now that I typically fly solo, I’ve done my work or homework there after hitting the track myself and have tried almost ALL of the seasonal desserts (except for the Red Velvet Cheesecake around ♥Valentine’s♥ Day ~ because it was out when I visited)!

IMG_6429

Watching my ☼truck☼ while sipping on this Strawberry Italian Ice Float!

IMG_6431

My fave Fazoli’s dessert before the Nutella Cheesecake came along … This Ghirardelli Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake!

IMG_6432

How do you eat an elephant? Savoring every single bite!

IMG_6430

Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I took 3 hours to work on this meal while writing my dissertation concept proposal!

Foodie Friday: Small & Sweet Fortunes

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 07/10/2015 at 17:15

Big things come in small packages.

Starbucks Mini Frappuccino

Mini Frappuccino in the *Starbucks$ Coffee House! S’mores, please!

Life is like a box of chocolates … You never know what you’re gonna get.

~ Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks as the title character)

IMG_9329

Celebrate everyday!

IMG_9332IMG_9434

Live in the ☼moment☼

IMG_9676IMG_0086[1]IMG_9675IMG_9600

In any ♣season♣

IMG_0042
IMG_0045

Cherish yourself ~ YOU’re a treasure! 👑

IMG_0363

IMG_9330

IMG_0352 IMG_0370

Life’s sweeter with ♥loved ones♥ …

IMG_0374

IMG_9386 IMG_9518

… ♪music♫ …

IMG_9483 IMG_9519 IMG_9474

… & literature …

IMG_9482 IMG_9390

… + chocolate!

IMG_9382IMG_9521IMG_9473

Keep the party going!

IMG_9422 IMG_9450

And most of all: spread those good vibes!

  IMG_0087[1]

Sharing = Caring!

Market Street

for my Bestie + yours truly & my family!

Foodie Friday: Banana Ice Cream

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Foodie Friday, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 07/03/2015 at 12:00

♪This sh** is bananas ~ B-A-N-A-N-A-S!♫

Gwen Stefani‘s ♫Hollaback♪ (2005)

Throwback from my first Myspace song …

… Which is the inspiration behind my most frequent ☼summer☼ dessert lately:

🍌Banana Ice Cream!!!

Here are a few different from-fresh-to-frozen banana batches from this past week:

IMG_8886

Banana Honey Walnut

IMG_9119

Chunky Monkey: Banana + Jif Mocha Cappuccino Hazelnut Spread & Chocolate Cookies

IMG_9166

Butter Pecan: Banana + Cocoa Cookie Butter & Butterscotch Morsels & Pecan Chips

More music inspiration from Jack Johnson

Happy *4th of July* mañana!!!