September 2015

Posted on September 28, 2015

Baked Kale Chips

recipes

As you probably already know, kale is quite popular among healthy eaters. Not only is it low in fat and calories, but it is great for helping with digestion due to its high fibre content. I normally add kale to my green smoothies, but every now and again, I like a crunchy treat.

If you have a weak spot for crispy goodness or even want a guilt-free crispy treat, then this 20-minute recipe is definitely worth giving a shot.

Ingredients:

3 handfuls of curly kale, washed and dried
1 tsp of coconut oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp mixed herbs
Other herbs of your choice

Directions:

1. After washing and drying the kale, cut into smaller pieces and remove the stems.

2. Mix the coconut oil with the herbs and then drizzle over the kale in a baking tray. Use your hands to ensure that the oil is evenly coated.

3. Bake at 145C for about 15 minutes, or until brown and crispy.

4. Enjoy as a guilt-free snack!

As you can see, this is such an easy snack to make and it is so good for you. Since I started making it, I have my mother is hooked! Hopefully, you get the chance to give this recipe a try, I look forward to getting some feedback! 🙂

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No-bake protein balls
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Posted on September 22, 2015

SOSU by Suzanne Jackson AW15 Collection

product review

If you follow me on Snapchat, then you would know that I was recently sent a few nail varnishes from the latest SOSU gel polish range.I couldn’t wait to try them out because a lot of the colours from the new Autumn/Winter Collection are warm, bold, glistening and everything in between!

I was lucky to test She Means Business, Death by Chocolate, as well as a quick dry top coat. I must say, I fell in love with She Means Business. I know that by looking at the pics, both colours look quite similar. But I found that She Means Business has more of a warm magenta tone to it, which was what did it for me! She Means Business is feminine, but not too girly. It is the type of colour for a gal who knows what she wants, hence the name!

She Means Business

Death by Chocolate is more of a plum colour. Again, another colour I found to be much very suited to my skin tone. I quite liked both of these (maybe She Means Business a little bit more), but both shades, as similar as they might seem, are still very unique.

Death by Chocolate

Now let’s talk about durability….how long before your nails stop looking so pretty?

Well, I did a little experiment when I first tried these polishes. But here’s a back story first: I am an absolute devil when it comes to top coats. I usually just apply a layer of nail varnish and carry on with my life – I know, and I’m supposed to be a beauty blogger, right? Shame on me!

So now that you know the truth, here’s how I tested these guys out. I used a top coat on one hand and no top coat on the other (the shame!). By doing this, I found that applying a top coat is actually essential for durability of the nail varnish as well as giving your nails that gelish finish.

Mother & Daughter using SOSU gel polishes

The polish that didn’t have a top coat started to chip after about three days, while the others lasted for about five. So a top coat is definitely a must, and if you want to be OCD about it then I guess a base coat is important too – such perfectionists you guys are! 🙂

Here are a few other colours from the new SOSU AW15 range. I’ve been eyeing the blue one actually, I think it’s another one that would look lovely on my skin tone:

If you’re wondering where to find the new SOSU Autumn/Winter collection colours, you can find them in pharmacies nationwide, Penneys and online at www.SoSu.ie for €7.99.

Suzanne’s top tips for applying SOSU gel polish:

Make sure the nails are shaped, filed and buffed before applying any polish. Then apply one thin layer of SOSU base coat, two thin layers of a SOSU colour of your choice followed by a thin layer of SOSU top coat, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next! The formulations in the SOSU base and top coat helps to protect the nails and also forms the gel-like, non chip finish which means the polish can last for up to 4-7 days before having to reapply.

Have you guys used any of the gel polishes from the new SOSU AW15 Collection? If so, would love to hear what you think!

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Review: W7 Cosmetics Ebony Range
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The winner is simmybellenails!!!!! Please check your Instagram messages to see how you can claim your prize! Thank you all for entering, keep an eye out for the next one! x With Christmas just around the corner, I’ve decided to do a giveaway for one of my much-loved readers. As…
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October favourites!!!
36
I don’t normally do monthly favourites, but I just found that over the past month I’ve fallen in love with a couple of products that I think deserve a few minutes of fame! If you follow me on Snapchat (@FilomenaKaguako) then you might recognise one or two of the little…
Tags: sosu, business, top, coat, colour, death, chocolate, gel, nail, well

Posted on September 15, 2015

Homemade chicken goujons

recipes

I can be a bit funny about chicken – I know, it doesn’t exactly fit the stereotype! But, surprisingly enough, I go through phases where I don’t go near chicken at all. Now part of the reason for that is that I am a big fan of fish and often regard it as my main source of protein.

However, I can’t rely on the likes of tilapia or even turkey as my only source of protein. Especially since chicken breast is the ‘classic’ muscle building food.

I originally saw these goujons made by @edel_wade on Instagram, but like always, I’ve changed a few things to suit my taste buds. So if you’re ever running low on ideas of what to make with your chicken breast, then here’s a simple recipe for you guys!

Ingredients:

8 tbsp oat bran
1 tsp cajun
1 tsp mixed herbs
2 beaten eggs
2 chicken breasts
coconut oil

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

2. Cut the chicken breast into pieces.

3. Dip each chicken piece in the beaten eggs and then coat in the oat bran mix.Continue to do so until you’ve gone through all the pieces.

4. Heat up coconut oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the chicken pieces in a low heat.

5. Once the chicken is ready, remove from heat and serve with your favourite condiment.I think these would be perfect with some Cajun sweet potato fries! #FoodPorn

To vote for my blog in the Health & Wellbeing category, please choose ‘7 reasons your diet isn’t working’ here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PPBJNMZ

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Posted on September 14, 2015

5 types of men you’ll meet before your thirties

Dating

A few people have asked me why I stopped writing my relationship articles – if that’s even what you can call them! But to be honest, it isn’t the easiest topic to write about. While I try my best to be as witty and as humorous as I can, some of the experiences I’ve written about are a bit personal. I guess you just have to know me on a deeper level to be able to pinpoint when I am speaking the truth and when I’m just having a laugh (which I do quite a lot).

Anyways, seeing that one of my relationship posts (8 Types of Men You Should Avoid Dating) has been shortlisted in the Blog Awards Ireland, I’ve decided to let my inner Bradshaw shine yet again!

So here’s something fun, light-hearted and maybe, just maybe a bit personal – you just never know with me! 😉

Here are 5 types of men you’ll meet before your thirties:

1. The one you thank for breaking your heart

Nobody likes picking up the pieces after a relationship comes to an end. It can be disappointing and a devastating reminder of what could have been. But the one thing I can say about the pain of heartbreak is that it teaches us valuable life lessons that nothing else ever will. For starters, it teaches us that we can’t always get our hearts desire and that situations are not conducive to what we want. It shows us that emotions are fickle and how we can’t really rely on them to make decisions. Lastly, it teaches us the brutal truth about life: it goes on. No matter how heartbroken you are, people will continue on making their coffee every morning, the bus schedules will continue to run as normal and your neighbours Golden Retriever will continue to howl in the middle of the night – harsh, but true.

2. The one who changes you

And I’m not talking about the reason behind a drastic hair change here, I’m talking about the one who gives you a whole new perspective on life, love and relationships. Whether it was from a good experience you had with him or a bad one, he is part of the reason you look at things differently. After a romantic relationship, some people change for the better, while others change for the worse. Hopefully, in your case (and mine), we will always grow and change for the better.

3. The one you’ll look back and laugh at

Remember that one guy you pictured your life with? The one you believed would be the father of your kids until things fell apart. Then, you thought you’d never get over him. Well where is he now? I bet you wouldn’t recognise him in a lineup! There’s always one guy you just can’t think about without having a little chuckle with the girls. They’re usually the ones you envisioned your life with and spent weeks eating cookie dough to get over. Thankfully, we are well past that stage and know that pain is only temporary. What you cry about today you may laugh about in a few years from now!

4. The one you couldn’t seem to get rid of

This guy claims to be head over heels for you. He tells you that there is no other woman out there quite like you and that all he wants is a chance to prove to you that blah blah blah blah blah…. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before! No matter how many times you tell him that it’s never going to happen, he just persists and persists. These kinda guys are probably good for your ego at the start. But after the ego feed, reality kicks in. They just become an annoyance because they just can’t seem to get the hint.

5. The one you’ll always remember

And then there’s him. The one who holds a special place in your heart. No matter how much you care about him, deep down you know that he isn’t the right person for you. He is the one who makes you feel enlightened about love. Even though it didn’t work out, he makes you want to love again. After him, all you’ll want is a meaningful relationship and something long-lasting and worthwhile. He’s the one that will always have a piece of your heart, he’s the one you’ll always remember.

Hope you enjoyed my ‘big comeback’ and if you’re new to my blog, be sure to have a read of my previous dating articles!

Also, don’t forget to vote for 8 types of men you should avoid dating in the Best Blog Post category and 7 reasons your diet isn’t working in the best Health & Wellbeing category! Thank you all in advance! 🙂

Click here for vote for Best Blog Post: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P6PP695

Click here to vote for Best Health & Wellbeing: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PPBJNMZ

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Posted on September 7, 2015

Enhance What’s Yours is Shortlisted!!!

Events

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that my blog, Enhance What’s Yours has been Shortlisted in the Blog Awards Ireland 2015, for Best Health & Wellbeing and Best Blog Post.

I have no words to explain how grateful I am to even be nominated, let alone shortlisted! I honestly can’t thank some of you enough for all the support, suggestions and just general feedback that I’ve gotten since I started the blog.

I started my blog a little under two and a half years ago, but I stopped writing for half a year because I started an internship with Shemazing!

At the time, my blog was running under the domain Belle F Beauty as my main focus was on makeup and beauty. But like everything in life, my blog started to evolve. I started to include topics like health, fitness and things that I practiced a lot more regularly.

So with that in mind, I decided to change the domain to Enhance What’s Yours as I thought this name was more reflective of the message I wanted to send to my readers.

I wanted my readers to realise that we each possess features which are unique to us and yet to be discovered. I think that by having a healthy fitness regime and following a balanced diet, and in practising healthy beauty habits, we begin to radiate an aura of confidence which helps us become a magnet for positivity.

This blog is about enhancing your health, enhancing your beauty and enhancing your overall wellbeing, it is about Enhancing What is Yours! 🙂

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Thanks again to those who nominated me, and a big congrats to all the other bloggers who were also shortlisted! Keep an eye on the blog for voting! xx

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Posted on September 3, 2015

Back to school giveaway with Flormar makeup

win

And the winner is Leona Melling! Big congrats and please check your Facebook messages! x

September means uniforms for some, fresher’s week for others and the end of summer for everyone else. I know, it all sounds so dreary, doesn’t it just? Because I know a lot of people don’t like the glumness that can come with September (or more precisely, waking up super early again for school), I’ve decided to brighten things up with a back to school giveaway.

Now, I’m not talking about pens or notepads here – because that would kinda defeat the purpose of brightening things up! I am talking about a set of quality makeup products that will keep your face glowing throughout the school year!

One of you lucky gals will be getting a Flormar goodie bag that has a primer, a retro lippy, a shiny pink lip gloss, a nude eye shadow palette and……..wait for it: the most gigantic bronzing powder I have ever laid eyes on!

~~How amazing would it be if you won all of this!?~~

~~To win, you must do the following:~~

~~Comment on any blog post on Enhance What’s Yours~~
~~Follow me on Instagram and Twitter~~
~~Like my Facebook page~~

Remember, those who retweet, repost and share the most will have a better chance of winning!

Good luck ladies 🙂

Terms & Conditions:

You must be a resident of Ireland. If you are under 18, you must consent from your parents to enter the giveaway as the winners will be required to give me their address in order to have their prize sent out to them. There will be three winners. Each winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize, otherwise another winner will be chosen in their place. Giveaway ends on 20^th September at 10pm

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