Health and Beauty

Scrap Booking-A Learning Experience Number one: Go somewhere interesting! Ha! and take pictures to document your experience. There are tutorials online, but since everyone adds their own flare, it is not necessary to watch them. It's really just, throw some wallpaper, borders, pictures, stickers, embellishments and thoughts onto your pages, in whatever order you please. Exercise your creativity. Purchase an album specifically for scrap booking. Blank pages without plastic cover sheets. Use your itinerary sheet to help you remember places visited on what day, and activities. Even though the Canada trip is still pretty fresh in my mind, I had trouble remembering the order of things, and names of places. I had to refer back to the itinerary many times. I wanted it to be an accurate account for future reference. I have my husband to thank for printing it out, was his idea to include it in the scrap book.  Use what you brought back from your trip, gift wrapping / decorative

I Tried my hand at scrap booking for the first time. Something I've always wanted to do. Started with our last trip to Canada, BC (Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler). An incredibly gorgeous and adventurous, more so then you could ever imagine, trip. The photos really dont do it justice. I would definitely revisit Vancouver (fell in love with the place), with its Sea Wall bike trail, Capilano Suspension / Tree top adventure park, its nightlife and food. AND Whistler, stunning beauty everywhere. We would have loved an extra day to visit Blackcomb village / community.

(Temporarily Closed) Okay, this place is seriously one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too. It is unbelievably green and lush after winter / spring time rains, before the weather becomes too hot, and kills it all off.  It's almost like you are transported into the Shire of the "Hobbit", someplace in New Zealand (where it was actually filmed, I believe). If rolling green hills and spectacular views of the city sound appealing to you, come on by. I fantasize about living near the entrance of this park and riding my horses through it. To that thought, it would be amazing to live on the outskirts of any of these magical parks: Yosemite, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Balboa Park in San Diego, or to simply live in Mammoth, or Lake Tahoe (Two of the most beautiful places I've ever visited).  I highly recommend you park in the actual parking lot. Although there is plenty of free parking outside the main entrance, it can be a grueling walk up, esp

                                       Spanish Brown Rice                         "Ay Que Rico!" Ingredients: Olive oil 1 cup brown rice 1/2 large red onion 1/2 Zucchini Handful of cilantro Directions: 1) Chop everything up into small pieces. 2) Fry the rice, onion and zucchini in olive oil, stirring occasionally (add garlic salt). Add the cilantro the last few minutes. Fry until the rice looks browned. 3) Add two cups water to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how wet or dry you want the rice. By Dahlia Acevedo

By Dahlia Acevedo Is it important to continue making an effort during the quarantine? , Yes!! I'm not saying do your makeup, give yourself a fancy hairstyle, and paint your nails.  I am talking about basic beauty care, showering so that you don't smell, and if working from home, helps to wake you up and feel fresh. Washing your hair when it gets to be dirty, thick and funky feeling. Wearing a bra to support the girls and keep then from sagging. Applying lotions to your face to maintain that youthful appearance you have worked so hard to obtain. And to the rest of your skin, which, depending on your age, has become dryer and itchier with age. Trimming and filing your nails. Nothing worse than tearing up that dry, itchy skin with jagged, sharp nails.  Putting on comfortable clothing (not pajamas), clothing that matches, and a comfortable bra. Apply deodorant and lotion to your hands. Do not let yourself go, even though it is tempting. Keep in mind, co-workers, family and frie

Turkey Bowls A family  Favorite By Dahlia Acevedo You will need 1 1/2 lbs ground Turkey. Feeds 4 to 5 people. Make 1 1/2 cups rice on the side. Tonight I used half white / half brown. Directions: In one pan fry, in olive oil, chopped onions (red is usually best), and whatever fresh or frozen vegetables you have on hand. Add your spices (i used pepper, garlic salt, and red pepper mix) Once nice and cooked / browned, add fresh garlic (pressed preferably). Remember, if you are adding fresh spinach, wait until the other veggies are cooked first. Spinach cooks up fast. AND, you will want to use a couple handfuls, as it shrinks. Pressed for time?, simply add frozen vegetables to the cooked meat, and cook for 20 minutes  In the other pan brown the ground Turkey till all red disappears. Drain the fat juices. And add the veggies. Add a couple table spoons bouillon powder, or one cube chicken flavoring. Add one cup water, or one and a half, depending on your preference. Mix i

Did you know this place existed? In the city of Lake Balboa (Van Nuys) , hidden off the side of the road, on Woodley Ave, is the Wildlife Reserve Area. A very beautiful place to visit during the spring time, when the yellow wild flowers are in full bloom. The entire area bursting with them. Purple lupine getting ready to bloom. Views of the snow capped mountains and city buildings. Teaming with birds, ducks and an occasional crane, A large pond hidden within, containing its own island (duck / bird nesting grounds), with several lookout points and charming bridges. Last year a large fire ripped through the Sepulveda Basin destroying much of this place. Evidence is apparent in few spaces throughout, blackened trees and soil. However, the place has pretty much experienced a complete recovery. The black actually looks stunning in contrast with the bright yellow flowers. A whirlwind flock of   Western Meadowlark (yellow bird with brown and grey accents) flew over and around us