Daily Routine for an Everlasting Glow

I love a smoky eye, bold lashes, and nude lips on special occasions but during 3-hour long writing workshops and Spanish class I like to wash my face in the morning and walk to class; no LashBlast necessary. More importantly, I want my skin to be protected. Living in Arizona, I have a tan from my sunglasses walking to my car. So, here's to everlasting glow and a healthy face, rich in Vitamin C:

Mario Badescu Skin Care

Right now Mario is offering free shipping for orders over $30. Promo code: LOVEMB

"For over 40 years, Mario Badescu Skin Care has been known for personalized skin care and acne treatment. We continue to offer spa and skin care services not just to celebrities, but to individuals across the world who appreciate the importance of quality skin care. Our proven line of products helps thousands each day fight acne, treat rosacea, control teen acne, and help with their aging skin. From cleansers, astringents and moisturizers to exfoliants and eye creams, Mario Badescu Skin Care offers a comprehensive array of products for all of your needs."



Routine:

Good Morning:

• Enzyme Cleansing Gel


• SPF 30 Oil Free Moisturizer 


• Hyaluronic Eye Cream


• 2-3 times a week I use the Strawberry Face Scrub

Good Night:

• Enzyme Cleansing Gel


• Every other night I apply the Vitamin C Serum


• Seaweed Night Cream

The packaging is simple and the product is amazing. Your skin be glowing with thank you's!

Classic Pasta Dish

Grocery List:

• Whole wheat spaghetti


• Bread crumbs


• Cherry tomatoes


• Basil


• Good olive oil


• Yellow onion


• Half & Half (optional)


• Tuscan Kale


• Cumin


• Thai seasoning

I made this dish in the summer. My parents always ask me what's for dinner? So, I did as they do in Italy and used the fresh and the available. Half & Half is optional her. I like how cream coats the spaghetti with a sauce derived from your basic ingredients. However, it tastes just as tastefully classic with a a splash of lemon rather than cream.



While the pasta is cooking, toast the bread crumbs in a large skillet . Add in the onion and saute with a glob of olive oil, be careful not to drench the bread crumbs. Throw the whole cherry tomatoes into the skillet and listen to the chatter. They will begin to sizzle and pop, creating a beautiful base for our pasta. The kale does not need to cook for as long as you think so once you add the torn kale to the skillet, add the al dente spaghetti shortly after. When removing the pasta from water, simply remove with a slotted spoon into the skillet. Add seasonings to taste. The thai seasoning adds zest to a traditional dish. Dash cumin powder for taste or toast cumin seeds along with the bread crumbs for a bold fragrance. Drizzle Half&Half to coat and enjoy.

 

Superbowl Munchies

Superbowl Sunday is football, family, and food in our household. I am lounging proof of a good time, currently wearing a hat at 9:30 pm, too full to drink water and too lazy to plug my low-battery laptop in. 8 Mile is on. Oh, and Modern Family. Thank you, remote control for the back and forth button.



We go big for Superbowl Sunday. Go homemade or go home. I didn't laugh, I don't expect you to either. However, something that oughta crack a smile is that table full of homemade this and that.

Sara's Salsa:

• Onion


• Cilantro


• Tomato


• Cumin


• Cayenne pepper


• Parsley


• Garlic


• Jalapeño


• Lime

Peppiina's Guacamole:

• Avocado


• Garlic


• Tomato


• Cilantro


• Onion


• Cumin


• Cayenne pepper


• Lime

My (inspired by 101 cookbooks) Roasted Chickpeas:

• Chickpeas


• Paprika


• Oregano


• Lemon juice and zest

The salsa Sara made quenched freshness and the guacamole Peppi whipped up tasted like it should on top of a tortilla chip. The roasted chickpeas will be an annual item on our Superbowl Sunday menu. Try them for yourself!



Fava Bean Soup above is an awesome alternative to chili. With the right amount of heat this soup is light and intense with flavor.

Aside from the munchies and another entertaining Superbowl (thoughts on Madonna?) I want to take a few sentences here to thank my friends and family. This past week has been unexpected and hard to grasp with the passing of my grandfather. The support and warmth from friends in Arizona to Wisconsin is heartwarming.

Rest in Peace, Joe.

"I am so sorry to hear the news. My hope is that Joe rests in peace and that you will all be comforted by the many wonderful memories you had with Joe. He will truly be missed, but his spirit will live on in you and his wonderful children and grandchildren. Thoughts, prayers, and love to all of you."

"Joe was the personification of "The Greatest Generation" to whom we all owe so much."

"I can't begin to express how amazing a person Joe was. I love him so much, and the events of the past week have been terribly sad. I can't imagine not having him there, but he lived an amazing 90 years and was surrounded by a loving family until the end. The memories he has left all of us will live in our hearts forever. Stay strong during this hard time...it's what he would have wanted."

I will stay inspired by your memory. I love you.

Joe

Dear Joe,

If I ever decide to, start to, begin to, or finish a book...

I will dedicate it to you. You are a man of many words, cigars, Ralph Lauren, and pumpkin pies. I remember you like a story.

You were born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and adopted by a farm family in southern Minnesota. This is why you hate cheese. I love how you tested your memory by trying to remember all 12 names. The 12 names of the 12 kids enrolled in your grade school. You remembered them all. You remember everything. Two years of college and writing sports for the Minnesota Daily. At the time, the University of Minnesota was 16,000 in enrollment. Money was tight. You hitchhiked from Minnesota to California for work,  6 months and you enlist in the United States Marine Corp. The very first troop into Camp Pendelton. November 1, 1943 marks the first invasion.

"I had the pleasure of serving with three Medal of Honor winners. You know the Medal of Honor? The top award, beyond the Call of Duty type thing."

Nothing really interesting happened after the War until you met Evelyn in New York. I like how you put it that way. You worked for Pan Am as a steward. You wanted the opportunity. You wanted to see Europe.

"It was a very interesting experience, quite an experience."

"That was fun too."

"I did more things than a lot of people did with their lives, you know."

You don't need to prove that to anyone, Joe. You did more than anyone I know.  You are more than a Grandfather to me and greater than any story I could ever tell. I'm just glad I am able to tell it with your vibrant words and heavy spirit. You are in good hands.

Thank you for pulling me aside each holiday over the past year, every dinner with the family to tell me how proud you are, encouraging me to keep writing. I write with your hand. You have given me a beautiful gift: confidence and sentence structure (I hope that one made you smile).

I asked you, from experience, what the most important thing in life could be...

"Self-satisfaction...being happy with whatever commitments you've made. A feeling that it was well done."

Well done, Joe. We will always remember you under a dignified light.

I love you so much,

Arden