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

Misspelled Tattoos

Can you guess what is wrong with these photos? 

Well, these photos were sent to me in an email and it made me think of a really funny story. I was in my twenties and decided to get a tattoo with a few of my girlfriends. We found Lyle Tuttle (anyone into Tattoos should know of him) in San Francisco and finally got the courage to get inked. I knew my parents would flip out and was trying to figure out where I could get mine without them knowing. I decided to go last out of all of my friends because I couldn't figure out where to put the tattoo! I needed it to be somewhere my parents wouldn't see it... which didn't leave many places when I wore a swimsuit. As we got there, a BIG biker man had just decided on a design and some text to be tattooed on his arm. Lyle Tuttle was quick to tell the biker that he had misspelled his desired tattoo, but the biker refused to listen and was adamant on his own original sketch. Lyle again called him out on his stupidity and made sure that what he wrote was exactly what he wanted. The biker kept strongly insisting that what he personally wrote was what he wanted. The biker went in to be tattooed and one by one, my friends went in and came out with some design permanently stamped on their body. While I was waiting for my turn, the BIG Biker had just finished getting tattooed. Then I noticed his tattoo that said, "HELLS ANGLES." I guess he didn't look so tough with that tattoo. Even though Lyle told the biker that he spelled his own tattoo wrong, the biker disagreed and blew him off. Once the biker finally noticed the mistake, he asked Lyle to cross out the "LES" and tattoo "ELS" above it. 

I don't have any tattoos, except my permanent makeup. I never went through with it that day because I feared my parents reaction. I couldn't figure out where to put the darn thing so I wouldn't get caught. 

Now, I tattoo people. I know it's not exactly the same thing. I obviously focus on cosmetic tattooing (eyebrows, lips, eyeliner) and scar camouflage (hair transplant strip scars, burn scars, facelift and plastic surgery scars, areola repigmentation, mastectomy scars etc). I have yet to tattoo a battleship across someone's chest. 

Favorite's Fridays: Family Tradition

This week, my favorite is not a product but a memory... a tradition. My daughter had the brilliant idea of recreating a photo that was taken about 18 to 19 years ago. This afternoon, we went over to Make Up For Ever on Robertson Blvd and we were taken care of (to the highest regard) by two lovely ladies (Andrea and Karisa). We shared with them that we wanted to recreate this photo (below) that was taken many years ago but we wanted to modernize it. They did our makeup perfectly and above and beyond what we could have hoped for. We absolutely LOVE Make Up For Ever makeup! Below you will see some photos as well as the link to my video for this week's favorite! Enjoy and Happy Halloween. 

BEFORE - 1994

AFTER - 2012

With our fabulous make up artists Karisa and Andrea! 

HAPPY FAVORITE'S FRIDAY VIDEO

Right Place At The Right Time

The other day, my daughter (Krysten) and son-in-law (Jeff) and I were taking stroll down Robertson Blvd in Hollywood. My daughter noticed an elderly woman in her nightgown who looked lost/frustrated. She was in her blue nightgown, sandals and had gold earrings on. She looked very clean, with crisp white hair and white teeth.  Krysten nudged me and we both immediately knew that we needed to say something to her and just make sure that she was okay. This sweet old Hungarian lady was 83 years old and lost. Her name was Margaret and she had told us that her family kicked her out of her own house the day before. She spent the night on the street and hadn't had anything to eat or drink in over 24 hours. Jeff ran to the corner restaurant to get her some water while I called 911 for help. Krysten visited with her and tried to calm her down and let her know that we were here to help her. I kept telling her that everything was going to be okay. When the policeman arrived, we told Margaret that the policeman was a friend of ours and that she was in good hands. She was quick to reply, "He is my friend too! A policeman is everyone's friend!" 

I would only hope that if this was my mom who was lost in her nightgown, that someone would stop to help her. She kept saying that we were her angels. My daughter kept saying that it bothered her that no one stopped to help this little old lady. No one even asked to make sure she was okay! She needed water, food and someone to get her back to her home. We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and we are so thankful that we stopped to help Margaret. What a sweet lady.

This also makes me think of the charities and local organizations that we support. These organizations also reach out to people who need help, and that's why I support these groups. While there are so many to list, here are a few that we have supported recently:

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Little Sisters of the Poor

Boys town of Italy

St. Judes Children's Research Hospital

March of Dimes Foundation (premature babies)

American Cancer Society

Phoenix Society For Burn Survivors 

Favorite's Fridays: Surgical Paper Tape

It's time for another Favorite's Fridays product. I carry this in my purse at all times, because it serves many, many purposes. It is surgical paper tape. I use paper tape in the office on just about everyone. After I use numbing cream on my clients, I place a piece of paper tape over it so it stays in place. This tape is latex free, hypoallergenic and is very gentle on the skin. It is a great tape for those with sensitive, and fragile skin.

I keep surgical paper tape in my purse for a few different reasons. Have you ever worn a pair of shoes that cut at one of your toes or the back of your heel? Have you ever cut your finger, torn a nail, or needed a bandaid? Paper tape is the answer to all your "on the go" problems. You can purchase it at most drug stores or purchase it online. I order surgical paper tape in bulk (skin color) and always have it handy. It is a must for everyone! 

Favorite's Fridays: My Clients

This week, my Favorite's Friday's blog is not about a beauty product, it's about my clients. This past week on my Facebook Page, we did a fabulous giveaway and the winners will be announced later today. Our mission was to get at least 100 "LIKES" on our Facebook page, and we reached 102 with 24 hours to spare. This blog post isn't about the winners, and it's not about my "favorite" clients. It's about all of my clients. I have had thousands of clients over the last 20 years and have lost touch with many of them after their contracts have ended. The beauty of email, texting, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and blogging is the ability to be able to stay in contact long after our time in the office is completed. This week's blog post is about you and your interaction and participation in our social media adventure.

Technology can be wonderful if you allow it to be. We must use it to the best of our own personal ability and can't be afraid to ask questions. That's what our kids are for! Luckily, many of you know how to work the computer, phones and more and have even taught me a thing or two in the office. I appreciate all the help I can get when it comes to technology. The latest and greatest thing we are doing with technology is video testimonials. Clients have sent in video testimonials using their smartphones and desktop computer cameras. We have even had some filmed (with iphones) in the office. They have been fabulous tools for new clients to watch! Here are a few of them: 

Angie

Jeanette

Judy

Ramil

Carolyn

view all client testimonials on my youtube channel!

I know I have said this more than a few times this past year, but this year, 2012, has been pretty fabulous. I have had the ability to venture out into many different fields of social media and the ability to keep in touch with all of you in between your touch up appointments. Thank you for all of your participation in this Facebook Giveaway. Thank you for your participation in all of our social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest etc). Also, thank you for your continued confidence in my artistry. 

You are fabulous and deserve to be celebrated for this week's Favorite's Fridays Blog! 
xoxo
Athena

My Alaskan Cruise

I know my Alaskan cruise was awhile ago and my blog is overdue but better late than never right? Right! Have you been on a cruise before? Have you been on an Alaskan cruise? Well, I have cruised before but never to Alaska. I really wanted to visit Alaska before it melted and I am glad I did. 

I don't really have anything bad to say about Alaska itself, but I find it hard to be away from work for that long. I love my job and feel the happiest when I am in my office with my clients. While I love to travel, I can only handle being away for so long. When my daughter and I went sailing last summer, we at least docked every night and had the ability to use our cell phones - even in the middle of the ocean. The hardest part was not having phone reception, email or working WiFi. It was hard because I enjoy keeping in touch with some of my friends, family and clients while away. I also always want to be able to reach my daughter or at least have her reach me. It's amazing how much technology has a hold of our everyday lives!

Back to the beauty of Alaska. The glaciers, ice, water, mountains and everything was a sight to remember! It's a good thing we have the ability to take photos - technology once again! I went with three girlfriends of mine and we all took part in different activities. The four of us enjoyed a beautiful helicopter ride over the glaciers and a bus sightseeing tour. Landing on a glacier in the helicopter was probably the highlight of my trip. One of my girlfriends, Nancy, and I decided to go zip lining! Why? I have no idea. I love a good thrill - roller coasters, skydiving, driving on the 405 freeway in LA during rush hour, but zip lining took "thrill" to a whole new level. 

My daughter begged me not to go zip lining because of an article read about zip lining gone wrong. But, I love adventure and a great thrill and ignored her - BIG MISTAKE! While I don't necessarily regret jumping off the 200ft shaky platform (literally) I wish I had maybe educated myself a bit more on what to expect. I don't get scared easily and I was terrified beyond words. Terrified. While zipping across the forrest and trees, you are supposed to take in the beautiful sights and see the bears below you. I didn't have the opportunity to look down and all around because I was too busy making sure I wouldn't smack into the tree. Nancy, poor Nancy, got stuck in the middle of the line because she used her brake too early. It was also the biggest and longest line that she chose to get stuck on. If there was a way to slowly zip line across the beautiful trees and scary bears I think that would have been more enjoyable. 

At one point in the cruise, my daughter called (and oddly enough got through to me) and I quickly answered, "Can't talk! Playing B.I.N.G.O.! Bye!" She said she'd never thought she would hear me say that - ever! If you know me at all, you know that I don't play B.I.N.G.O. and that I would rather take a walk, go to the movies or visit with friends and family. But when there is a $2,000 prize, Hunny, I am in! I didn't win B.I.N.G.O. but had fun trying. 

Who can write a blog without mentioning the food? Well the four of us stuffed our faces for 10 days and indulged in fabulous seafood, drinks and desserts. I was good and gained about a pound - which isn't horrible. I lost it quickly from not having all that food available 24 hours a day when I got home. I missed having my daily green "slime" drinks while I was away though and the first one I had after returning home was beyond tasty. 

Would I cruise to Alaska again? Probably not, I feel like I accomplished enough there. I think everyone should see Alaska. I guess I can check that off my bucket list! 

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