Favorite's Fridays: Nespresso

Happy Favorite's Fridays! This week is a machine that I use daily! I recently purchased a second one to accommodate both of my homes. It's the Nespresso espresso machine. It really makes my life easier in the morning. 

I read an article recently that said roughly 55% of Americans over the age of 18 drink an average of 3 cups of coffee a day! The article also stated that the average amount spent on a brewed cup of coffee is about $1.40 and an espresso-based coffee drink averages at around $2.50. 

I use my Nespresso machine on a daily basis. It works with tiny cups (similar to the K-CUP) that you can purchase online, and they are quickly delivered right to your front door. If you prefer a good latte, I also recommend the Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Automatic Milk Frother. It is so easy to use, and with the touch of a button, literally, you can have perfectly frothed milk for your latte or cappuccino. 

The coffee industry in America is about $40 billion a year. While I do love my Starbucks 2% milk latte, light foam, 1/2 brown sugar packet with cinnamon and cocoa sprinkled on top, my Nespresso machine saves me tons and tons of money, and, I must say, I make a mean latte now! Nespresso cups average at about 0.55 cents to 0.65 cents and taste great. (If I spent an average of $3 at starbucks a day for a year, I would spend $1095. If I drank a Nespresso cup at the high price of $0.65 every day for a year, I would only spend $237.25.)

I recently found that my Nespresso machine came in handy in this fabulous Black Bean Brownie recipe! Also, I used to drink about 3 cups of coffee or espresso each morning, and now that I make my delicious green drinks every day, I only have about a 1-2 cups a day! 

Coffee Facts:
- Women indicate that drinking coffee is a good way to relax while men indicate that coffee helps them get the job done. 
- Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee per day, making the United States the leading consumer of coffee in the world.
- 35% of coffee drinkers prefer black coffee
- 65% prefer to add sugar and/or cream
- Coffee represents 75% of all the caffeine consumed in the United States
- 3 out of 5 people say "I need a cup of coffee to start my day." 

Gangnam Style

Click on the link to watch my Gangnam Style video! Enjoy!

WATCH MY GANGNAM STYLE DANCE HERE!!!

How To Pick A Permanent Makeup Artist!

When choosing the right technician for you, follow this checklist to ensure that you make the right choice.

1. He/She should have no less than 5 years of working experience.

2. He/She should have a professional workspace.

3. He/She should have real client testimonials. 

4. He/She should be a member of the SPCP (or a similar organization) & be certified by the state.

5. He/She should have referral letters from physicians and doctors.

6. He/She should have proof of Blood Bourne Pathogens training.

7. He/She should have a strong portfolio of real clients and real work.

8. He/She should be able to answer any questions that you might have.

9. He/She should have certifications and credentials handy in the office.

10. YOU should feel comfortable with your permanent makeup artist.

Athena offers Complimentary Consultations. To learn more about Athena's work,
see before and after photos and read testimonials from both clients and doctors,
please visit her website FoolingMotherNature.com

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Favorites Fridays: Black Detergent

This week's favorite is probably a best kept secret amongst those with fabulously unfaded black clothes. For years, my daughter's godmother has used this incredible soap that is special for black and dark clothing. I always wondered why her black clothes are still black after years of wearing and washing them. She finally gave me her secret. 

Woolite Extra Dark Care is what I use now on all of my dark and black clothing. It has a special formula that cleans and helps maintain the original intensity of your dark clothing. It will not fade, shrink, or stretch your clothing.  

Make sure you hang up all of your delicates and dark clothing. The dryer can fade your clothes... especially your darks. 

You can purchase Woolite Extra Dark Care at most drug stores or at Target. 

Favorite's Fridays: Tide Pen (To Go)

Perfect timing for this week's favorite! Earlier this week, I was in the office wearing all white. I am pretty good at not getting ink on my clothing, but sometimes the inevitable happens. Of course, the day I wear all white and a protective apron is the day I get splattered with ink. My associate (Jeff) and I were working on a doctor's hair transplant scars. We use pigment and needling to simulate hair follicles and camouflage the scars. During the process it is very common and highly appreciated by the client to ice their head to soothe the pain. I have never done this before, but I stabbed the ice ball with the needle and it splashed my white linen pants! 

I tried to get it out with water and a little soap and nothing was working. Jeff kept working on our client while I just kept the stain wet and my daughter (Krysten) ran across the street to get me a Tide pen. I never have one when I need one, and I always seem to have it when I don't need one... Murphy's Law! 

This week's favorite is a Tide To Go (pen). It is extremely easy to use and very effective. I kept the stain wet (which is very important when removing a stain) and took the tide pen to it and it was gone within a matter of minutes. I don't know if you should always carry it around with you, but I think you should at least have one in your office, car and suitcase for traveling. 

You can purchase the Tide To Go (pen) at any drugstore or grocery store. 

Black Bean Brownies

My daughter got this recipe from a neighbor who makes delicious sweets and treats. She doesn't make just any kind of cake or brownies, all of her recipes are healthy alternatives to your everyday, fattening desserts. I have tasted two separate recipes of hers and they are both delicious. I am not able to bake much; I honestly don't have the time to cook and bake like I used to. I only have time to make my coffee, make my mean green drinks and a salad on occasion.

I don't always have a sweet tooth, but when I do I want to make it worth the calories! I love these Pumpkin Protein Pancakes that my daughter found on Pinterest and now these fabulous brownies.

She has made them for me twice, and the only difference was the type of cocoa she used.

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water (even better: 1 shot freshly brewed espresso) I love my NESPRESSO!
15 oz can black beans (thoroughly rinsed & drained)
1 cup pitted dates (12-14 dates)
3/4 cup Valrhona cocoa powder (purchased from Whole Foods)
1 tsp baking powder

DIRECTIONS
Line bottom and sides of a 9×9 inch square pan with foil. Mist with non-stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In food processor or blender, puree eggs, butter, vanilla, honey (or stevia and water), and water. Add black beans and puree until no lumps remain. Add dates and again puree until smooth. (If you are having trouble pureeing, slowly add water by the tablespoon and stir with rubber spatula to lubricate the blades). Set aside. In large bowl stir cocoa powder and baking powder together. Pour blended contents into dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes.

(NOTE) The second time she made them using Trader Joe's cocoa powder and they tasted way better the first time. The Valrhona gave it a nice rich dark chocolate flavor... both were tasty, though. Also, my son-in-law thinks they have the consistency of fudge. Enjoy!  Here is the original recipe and other variations that she gives. There are tons of healthy recipes on her website... check them out!

Favorite's Fridays: 50th BLOG!

HAPPY 50TH! This is my 50th blog post, and I am excited. When I started writing in May of this year, I didn't know how this would really go or take off. I am excited that my favorites and other posts have been read and praised by clients, friends, family and strangers! My blog has readers from all over the world: United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Germany, Russia, India, China, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and many, many more countries. Technology is pretty great!


For my 50th post, I decided to repost a few of my favorite past blogs, as well as a very special and popular post from last week. I have been receiving many emails and Facebook comments about a photo that my daughter and I took last week. It was very special and a great tradition that we have started. We recreated a photo that was taken 18 years ago! You can read about it HERE!

The month of October is about more than just Halloween. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remember to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and your other charities. Here is a blog that lists some of the charities that we have recently supported, as well as a story about a sweet old woman named Margaret. 

Our Facebook recently went from 50 fans to 100 fans in about two weeks thanks to YOU! You were my favorite a few weeks ago! You are all still my favorite! 

Everyone asks me about my favorite BB Cream... here is it! It is wonderful - I highly recommend it! 

My daughter and son-in-law recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary! This year has come and gone so quickly! Happy Anniversary you two! I love you both. 

Thank you for reading and participating in our social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube Pinterest) and this blog!

Cheers to many, many more!

xoxo,
Athena Karsant

Keep Fooling Mother Nature & Fooling Father Time