Healthy "Fried" Bananas

I was inspired to use some of my quickly browning bananas today, but wanted something sweet. I adapted an actual fried banana recipe from Pinterest and created this delicious treat! I'm no chef, and I'm sure this has been done in some capacity before, so I'm not saying I'm the first one to ever do this before. Also, none of the measurements are going to be exact. This healthy treat is gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and fully raw. It's nice to know you can create something so scrumptious with so few ingredients! All you need is a banana, honey, water, cinnamon, and almond butter (optional).

All of these ingredients are very healthy and I recently read an article about cinnamon that said even the scent of cinnamon can boost your brain. As a college student preparing for finals, I definitely need the brain boost. Cinnamon also enhances memory and focus so I'll be sprinkling it like a magic potion next week!

I took one banana and cut it into pieces as if I was making a peanut butter and banana sandwich. I wanted the pieces to be small enough to cook quickly and not be a mouthful to eat! I threw the banana slices into a pan on medium heat with some cooking spray so the banana pieces wouldn't stick.

I let them cook for about 45 seconds to a minute before flipping them. Then I took raw honey and tried my best to dissolve it into water so the bananas would be evenly coated in the mixture. I used a heaping spoonful of honey and just enough water to dissolve it. I turned off the heat on the stove, poured the honey mixture in and let it bubble for a second. It gets nice and brown, like caramelized sugar. Then I placed the mixture in a bowl and covered it in cinnamon. It's not photographed, but I also placed a spoonful of almond butter on top because the combination of almond butter and bananas is classic. I know it doesn't look like the most appetizing thing you have ever eaten, but, believe me, it is delicious.

Have you tried any healthy snacks lately? Let me know!

Products I Regret Purchasing

I don't often buy a product I don't love, but there will always be a few where they just don't work out. Occasionally I'll have an impulse buy, or something will not work well with my skin, but for the most part the other products from any of these brands are great.

Smashbox HD Concealer, Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, The Body Shop DeoDry Deodorant, Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara, Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

If you've read any of my previous posts you'll know I'm a concealer fanatic. I'll try anything once, and I'd heard so many good things about this Smashbox HD concealer. Magazines dubbed it "Best Concealer," my friends raved about it, and I trusted that a high end brand could do no wrong. Unfortunately, this product didn't work out for me. The color is too yellow, I find it goopy and hard to work with, and it does not blend very easily. For me, this concealer was much too heavy. I know many people love this product, but it was just not the right match.

The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream wasn't a huge disappointment for me because I only got a free sample in a Sephora order, but I thought it was going to work wonders. Instead, it stung my eyes and made them look puffier than before. I do have sensitive skin, so I'm sure this eye cream would be great for those with less sensitive skin.

I love The Body Shop and all of the more natural products. This was a non-aluminum deodorant that actually kept me dry and smelling fresh all day. The only downside for me was that I had an allergic reaction to the eucalyptus in this line of products. If you're looking for a natural deodorant, and are not allergic to eucalyptus, then I highly recommend this. I only regret purchasing this because I cannot enjoy it.

Mascara is a must have item for me everyday. I heard so many beauty gurus on YouTube talking about this mascara and how much they loved the brush. Being the sucker for beauty products that I am, I went out and bought the coveted mascara. I got home and tried it on only to be disappointed with the flimsy brush. I need a sturdy brush to really work the mascara onto my lashes. I like to have a bit of force behind it and this brush took away any sense of force. The formula is great, like all Maybelline mascaras, but I do not like the brush.

The biggest beauty disappointment for me recently was this Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. This was an impulse buy and I hadn't heard much about it, but I'd always wanted to try BB cream for its wonderful benefits. Unfortunately my sensitive skin couldn't handle this product and it broke me out. I am too afraid to test it out again so I'm just giving up on it. I wouldn't recommend this to those of you with sensitive skin.

Are there any products out there that you think I should try? Let me know in the comments below!

Rainy Day Outfit

So, as we all know, spring is a rainy month. And while there has been more snow than rain here, I thought it'd be fun to throw together an outfit for a rainy day where you don't feel like staying indoors. Sometimes even 20 year olds need to splash in the puddles and dance in the rain.

Head Band- Forever 21, Jacket- Gap, Tank- Victoria's Secret, Rain Boots- Target, Leggings- Tilly's, Umbrella- Amazon

With this adorable rainy day ensemble you'd be able to splash through the puddles and look bright like the flowers that are blooming this spring! The Target rain boots are almost exactly like the very cute, but very expensive, Hunter rain boots that everyone loves. The flower umbrella reminds you that the April (or spring) showers bring May flowers. You can keep your hair out of your face with a bright head wrap that complements the look by adding the brightness to your face. Once the rain stops you'd be able to slough off the coat and be ready to take on the sunshine in a cute low back tank. Pair it with a fun bandeau to really make the look pop. 

Don't be afraid to dance in the rain, even if you're 20.

L'Oreal Wear Infinite Eyeshadow - Golden Sunset (Eyeshadow Perfection)

So I know this eyeshadow is a little worse for wear, but it's been well loved. This L'Oreal Wear Infinite Eyeshadow in Golden Sunset is an ultimate favorite eyeshadow for me. I've probably had it for almost two years now, but I still love it as much as the day I purchased it. Some eyeshadows lose their magic with me, but not Golden Sunset. Now I'm almost positive this color has been discontinued (*tears*), but I scoured the web searching for places to find it online and they do still carry it here.

This has become an everyday staple for me because the golden shimmer is not at all chalky or chunky. It sweeps over the eyelid effortlessly and creates a bit of dimension for my eyes. It's subtle enough for everyday, but bold enough to be layered and worn out at night. I think this is a beautiful shade perfect for any complexion. If I ever see more of these eyeshadow singles at Target I might just have to grab every single one.

Meeting Laila Ali

I had the incredible opportunity to hear Laila Ali speak at my school this week. She's a legend and she's only in her 30s! Obviously, her father is a boxing legacy, but she has accomplished so much on her own that she will be a legacy as well.

From a very young age, Laila decided she didn't want to be known as Muhammad Ali's daughter, she wanted to be independent. She spoke about her inspirations, her training regime, and how a healthy lifestyle wasn't always a part of her plan.

Her outlook really resonated with me as an athlete because there I was sitting in the audience listening to a 24-0 world champion. I know to be successful in anything I need to be motivated and inspired by people like her. When asked about staying motivated in the gym she replied, "If I'm lagging or dogging it and not doing my best, I ask myself, 'Why am I here?'" This is true of all things in life. Why do something if you're only going to do it halfway? Do everything 110% to be successful.

Laila Ali is tough, beautiful, and inspiring. I want to be like her because she's a member of the Women's Sports Foundation working to motivate and get young girls excited about sports. This is an organization that is special to me because I've had such great experiences in sports growing up and I want to share that with others. I wouldn't change it for the world and being an athlete has sculpted me into the woman I am today. She a fighter, a role model, and a beautiful person. I hope I can be as successful as she is someday.