Cassie DeNisco

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My Holiday Gift Guide 2021

I can hardly believe it’s December! I’m so excited to be sharing my 2021 Holiday Gift Guide with you. Gift guides are one of my favorite things to read this time of year. Sometimes it’s so hard to figure out what to get someone so I thought I’d break down some ideas for you. This curated list is sure to check everyone off your list!

For Her

Ugg Slippers – Shop Here

This is probably one of my favorite gifts to both give and receive. Ugg slippers are functional yet so comfortable so I know they’ll get good use to whoever I give them too. I like to think of this as a safe bet because who doesn’t love cozy slippers for the winter?

Perfume Gift Set- Shop Here

This is a gift that just keeps on giving from Sephora. Not only do you get to try all of these perfumes but you get a voucher to go back and get the full size of any of these! That is seriously such a deal and great for someone who likes perfume but your not quite sure what kind they like.

Kindle- Shop Here

For the reader in your life, the Kindle is the perfect gift. I recently switched over to reading on a Kindle because it saves space but also, Amazon often has “Kindle Deals” making reading more affordable. You can pair the Kindle with an Amazon gift card or a Kindle Unlimited membership to have whoever you give this too set for the year!

Barefoot Dreams Robe- Shop Here

One thing I love about gift giving is getting someone something they wouldn’t usually buy themselves. I love my Barefoot Dreams robe but I definitely wouldn’t have gotten it unless it was a gift. These robes are so cozy and give you that hotel at home vibe.

Our Place Always Pan- Shop Here

This is on my personal wishlist. I have gotten really into cooking over the past year and I am obsessed with good pans. I have seen this pot all over Instagram and I am so interested in trying it out. This is perfect for the chef in your life because this pan apparently can replace a lot of other in your kitchen!

For Him

Nike Jacket- Shop Here

This might seem like such a basic gift but how many guys do you know with a rain jacket? This Nike one is nice because it can double as just a rain jacket or an everyday jacket too. I tend to be really practical with the gifts I give and I know for a fact that something like this is an essential that will get everyday use.

Men’s SkinCare- Shop Here

I love getting the guys in my life a good skincare set. I feel like they secretly are pretty into skincare but would never buy it themselves. Sephora has some really great ones like this one that are affordable by still give that luxury skincare vibe.

Ugg Boots- Shop Here

These men’s Ugg boots are functional but also super comfy on the inside. I know that we all love our Ugg boots so why not get a sophisticated version for the guy in your life. These are so stylish and perfect to wear all winter long.

Men’s Cardholder- Shop Here

Most of us don’t carry cash anymore so these little cardholders are perfect to replace a bulky wallet. Getting the man in your life a nice wallet like this is functional and will help to elevate their style as well.

Gift Card Bundle

This is seriously like my go to gift if I really don’t know what to get someone. I’ll grab a whole bunch of gift cards to different stores so that they can actually pick out exactly what they want. I find this to be more thoughtful because maybe they have a few different favorite stores or they are saving towards something and this will help them get exactly what they want.

Furry Friend

Barefoot Dreams Sweater- Shop Here

This is Sky’s favorite sweater to put on. They are literally like a blanket for her and keep her so cozy and warm all day. Definitely a pricy sweater for your pet but I swear your dog will thank you for getting them the comfiest sweater around.

Bark Box Subscription- Shop Here

This is something that I actually put on Sky’s Christmas list this year. I’m not obsessed with the treats they come with but I think the toys are adorable and she’ll love getting them. She already thinks all the Amazon boxes that come are for her so I know she’ll get so excited for all the fun that these boxes have in them.

New Bowls- Shop Here

One thing I think all pets could use are a refresh of their things. We got Sky new bowls because she had the others for like 2 years so it was time. I also think this is a great time to get them a new bed or a favorite blanket so they get something new and cozy just in time for winter.

Wild One Harness- Shop Here

I love Sky’s Wild One harness. It seriously is so cute but of course keeps her locked in and safe on our walks. Finding a harness for her because she’s a Frenchie was difficult but I seriously love having this harness in her wardrobe because it’s cute and functional. She also can fall asleep with this on which is a sign that she’s also comfy in it!

Dog Camera- Shop Here

This is a gift for not only your pet but you too! You get piece of mind while you’re out of the house and your pet will get treats! I love my Furbo. I got it soon after we got Sky and we have been using it every single time we go out without her ever since. This product is so worth it for new and pro pet parents!

This holiday gift guide will seriously help me to check a lot of people off my list and I hope it will help you too! I’ve been there when you just can’t think of anything to get so I hope this gift guide gets you through your shopping this year!

I have a gift guide for her and for him already up on my blog if you want to check it out! Let me know some of the things on your wishlist in the comments below!

A Delicious Korean Turkey Recipe

This Korean turkey recipe is definitely something out of my comfort zone but it’s actually delicious! As many of you know, for the most part I am plant based. Once in awhile I will incorporate meet into my diet and Iove this recipe for that. The protein from the turkey makes this meal filling and somewhat healthy. Keep reading to learn how I make my Korean turkey recipe.

Ingredients:

3 lbs Ground Turkey

4 tbsp Soy Sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 yellow onion

2 tbsp of minced garlic

1/4 c brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground giner

Red chili flakes (add to your liking)

Sesame seeds

3 c cooked rice

korean turkey recipe

Directions:

  1. I like to first dice up my onions and set aside. Next, I will start to cook the ground turkey in a large frying pan until cooked thoroughly.
  2. While the turkey is cooking, I add all the other things together to make my sauce except for the sesame seeds.
  3. Once the sauce is mixed and the turkey is finished, I’ll add the onions and sauce to the frying pan and let both sit covered for about 10 minutes. This step really helps the onions to soften and the sauce and meet to mix.
  4. When that is finished, I plate this with some white rice and top with sesame seeds!

I think you can see why this is one of my favorite recipes. I absolutely love how fast and easy this korean turkey recipe is. This makes for a really great meal prepped dinner or lunch if you want to prep this ahead of time. I prefer turkey over beef but you can obviously swap the turkey for ground beef, chicken, or even a plant based option!

Let me know in the comments below your favorite meal prep dinner! Check out my other recipes here!

My Veggie Couscous Bowl for Back to School

This recipe is seriously one of my favorites to meal prep. My veggie couscous bowl is so easy to make and reheats well so I love to make this at the beginning of the week. Another great part of this recipe is you can really choose any veggies you like. I picked sweet potato, zucchini, and tomato because they’re my favorite but you can use whatever you like. Here’s my veggie couscous bowl recipe!

veggie couscous bowl

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato

2 tomatoes

2 zucchini

1 box of couscous (I like instant)

Olive oil

Thyme

Paprika

veggie couscous bowl

Directions:

  1. First preheat your oven to 425 then I start chopping up all of my veggies. I dice them into about 1 inch pieces so that they don’t cook down to small.
  2. I prepare 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and place the sweet potatoes on one with a sprinkle of paprika. On the other I put my tomatoes and zucchini with a sprinkle of thyme.
  3. Bake the zucchini and tomato tray until soft for about 15 minutes. The sweet potatoes will need to be in longer for about 25 to get soft.
  4. While everything is baking, I follow the directions on the instant couscous box and then let it sit until my veggies are ready.
  5. Once everything is cooked to how I like it, I stir together and I’m all set!

I wasn’t kidding when I said this was such an easy recipe. The instant couscous seriously makes life easier because you don’t even have to do much to it. I like this as back to school or work meal because it’s somewhat healthy and gives you all the nutrients you need to continue on with your day.

Let me know in the comment if you loved this recipe! Subscribe to the blog for more recipes like these!

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My Shower Routine

One thing I can’t live without is my long showers. Showering to me is so therapeutic and I have gotten my shower routine down to a since. I love nothing more than after a long day taking a shower to just get rid of all the stress of the day. This post is dedicated to all of you out there who love the shower as much as me!

The first step to any good shower routine is ambience. I like to turn the lights off so it’s dark. Sometimes I’ll even drop in a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to help me relax. I also have recently been incorporating music into my routine. I got this adorable little water proof speaker and I’ll play some Taylor Swift or spa music to unwind.

After I set the stage for a relaxing shower, I’ll hop in and get to the nitty gritty with my products!

Dr. Teal’s Lavender Body Wash

This is my go to body wash when I’m needing to unwind. Because it’s epsom salt, it relaxes the muscles and the lavender scent just takes it to the next level. I can’t get enough of this body wash and it also makes a good bubble bath soap too!

Shampoo and Conditioner

My shampoo products often switch up during the week. I’ll go in with Olaplex when I’m needing something to help refresh and hydrate my hair. I use the Not Your Mother’s Purple Shampoo and Conditioner when I really need to refresh my blonde. I try to only wash my hair every other day so I will make sure to switch off between these products so that my hair always gets what it needs.

Shower Tools

This is probably my favorite section of products for the shower. I love to use a loofa with my body wash. It helps to really soap up the product and get it into a thick lather. Similar to a loofa, I love this hair massager. It helps to get the buildup off your scalp while also giving you the best scalp massage. My final shower tool is my face brush. This is great to use in the shower because it cleans my face and then I don’t have to do it when I get out.

This was definitely a more up close and personal blog post with sharing my shower routine. I cannot explain just how much I love a good shower so I hope these products and tools help you get the most out of your shower. Let me know in the comments below if you’re a night shower person or a morning. I am definitely a night person!!

You an read about my other relaxing night routine essentials here.

My Melissa Wood Health Review

For me, working out never was that fun. I never really found anything that really spoke to me or made me feel as great as everyone says you’ll feel. A real spark came when I discovered the Melissa Wood Health method and her app. Her workouts became game changing for me and inspired a whole new perspective on working out and getting in movement each day.

One thing that initially drove me to try her workouts was finding her on Instagram. She had a 10 minute video and after doing it, I was so freaking sore! I never felt that kind of soreness before from other workouts so I knew I was on the right track. She does a mix of pilates and yoga flows which always uses every muscle in your body. I leave each workout feeling like I used and toned my entire body, not just one area.

I also love the convience of her workouts. She often talks about how important movement is each day, even if its just a few minutes. When I started her workouts, I didn’t believe that but now I’m doing her flows at least once everyday, sometimes even twice. Melissa has the calmest voice and is so encouraging during the tough workouts.

On the app, all of her flows state the length directly on them so it makes it so easy for me to fit something in everyday. I have no excuses when she has something that’s only 8 minutes and is seriously killer. Her method really changed my entire perspective because I can get in something simple each day but take out something that will better me. I swear I have never looked at a workout routine like that before ever.

The Melissa Wood Health method talks about mind and body , which I have absolutely noticed a difference in myself. The app is only $100 for the entire year (what a deal) and she posts her weekly workout schedule on her website www.melissawoodhealth.com in case you want to follow along. I generally just choose whatever I’m feeling that day or base it on time.

Whether you’re looking for beginner workouts or challenging yoga and pilates flows, this app has it all. I highly recommend checking it out for the 7 day free trial because I am so sure that you will become as obsessed as I am.

Let me know your favorite workouts in the comments below and be sure to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco. For more fitness posts, click here.

My May Favorites

I cannot believe that the month of May is over! These May favorites have gotten me through quarantine and I know they’ll follow me into the summer. One thing I did enjoy about quarantine was that it allowed me to try out so many products without fear of reactions or what they looked like since I was just home all month.

Stars Above Sweatpants

may favorites

I cannot thank these sweatpants enough for all they’ve done for me during quarantine. Every time these pants were cleaned I immediately put them on due to just how soft and light weight they were. These are the perfect summer sweats because of how thin they are. What makes them even better is they are only $19.99!

Colsie Crop Tank Top

may favorites

In staying with the cozy theme, I love this $7 crop tank from Target. It cuts perfectly and goes really well with those sweatpants. I live in tops like this in the summer to sleep in and even do errands in because most of the time for me this shirts can double as a bra. I’m obsessed with the cut of this and know I need this in lots of colors!

Pantene Rescue Shots

may favorites

It’s no surprise with my color treated hair that it is pretty damaged. These rescue shots though do WONDERS for my hair and make me actually want to rock my natural waves. I use this product in the shower after I condition and it leaves my hair soft and not frizzy! For how inexpensive this product is, I am always so blown away by how well it works.

Microfiber Hair Towel

may favorites

If quarantine has taught me anything, it’s that I need to use less heat on my hair and this towel seriously helps! Not only does it cut down drying time but it also doesn’t make my hair frizzy. This with the Pantene shots is a dangerous combo for great hair. This towel was a little pricy at Target but I do believe it is the best one I’ve found like this.

Lululemon Yoga Mat

yoga mats

Don’t call me crazy once you find out how much this mat is until you’ve tried it! I absolutely thought this through and I have never looked back once I got it. At home workouts are my go to and this mat has made everything from yoga to pilates possible and easier. The thickness shows that this is definitely high quality so it should last you a lifetime.

Slip Sleep Mask

slip sleep mask

This has changed my sleeping game. I do have the matching pillow case but this makes me actually look forward to sleeping. It is so soft and so gentle on your eyes. I haven’t always slept with a sleep mask but after I received this as a gift, I use it every night and feel like it really helps me get the best sleep.

I hope my list of May favorites inspires you to try something new! These favorites seriously have helped me get through quarantine and I know these products will be come staples in my life. Let me know in the comments below if you had any May Favorites or if there are any products you are loving right now!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco & check out my latest blog post here!

Homemade Dog Treats

This quarantine has turned me into the homemade dog treats queen. If you read my last post about puppy products you need, then you would know I am a strong advocate for minimal ingredient treats. If you wouldn’t eat them for yourself, then why give it to your pup? I’ve started to make homemade dog treats and I’ve dedicated this blog post to my absolute favorite recipes!

4 Ingredient Dog Biscuits

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 c Pumpkin

2 c Whole Wheat Flour

1 egg

Directions:

This is one of the best recipes for dog biscuits. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Mash up your banana and then mix it with the pumpkin and egg. Slowly start to add the flour and begin mixing with your hands. Once the dough forms, roll it out and add whatever shape. Bake for 25 minutes and let harden before you indulge with your pup! (These store for about a week)

Dog Peeps

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 c Honey

1 c Water

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 tsp Salt

3 tbls Unflavored Gelatin

Coconut Flour

Silicone ice cube trays

Directions:

First start by combining 1/2 c of water and gelatin in your mixing bowl. While that is sitting, start stirring the honey, 1/2c water, vanilla and salt in a sauce pan on a medium to high heat. The temperature of the mixture should reach around 240 degrees which will take about 6-10 minutes. After the mixture is the right temperature, add to the gelatin and mix in slowly. Put your mixer on high until you reach a fluffy consistency. Grease your silicone trays and then carefully pipe your fluff mixture into the trays. Let this set for at least 4 hours (I did overnight) and then remove from the mold. I dusted mine with coconut flour because they were still tacky and then let Sky enjoy!!

Puppy Pops

homemade dog treats

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 c vanilla yogurt

1 tbls Peanut Butter

Directions:

These are my go to treats for Sky! She loves them. First add all your ingredients to your blender and then pour into silicone ice cube trays. Let set and then store in your freezer. Take one out whenever you want to give your pup a sweet treat! These are my all time favorite homemade dog treats!!

As you can see, these homemade dog treats are first so easy to make but second pretty healthy. Too much sugar for dogs isn’t good but making sure they are getting in fruits and veggies is so important. I love knowing exactly what is in Sky’s food so these homemade dog treats are perfect for us!

Follow me for more recipes on Pinterest @cassiedenisco!

5 Ways to Stress Less in 2020

Welcome to 2020, the year where we all will stress less! I am an over thinker which leads me to have some seriously stressful days. I’ve put together some of my ways to stress less to ensure you’ll have a stress free year!

1. Meditate

Meditation started out as a simple 2020 goal but it has seriously helped me as a way to stress less. I swear that just spending those 10 minutes in silence can do wonders for your mind. I like to let those stressful thoughts just pass through my mind but I don’t act on them. Once I’m done meditating, I am so much happier and all around less anxious.

2. Spa Shower

This might sound bizarre, but have you ever showered with the lights off? I swear that it gives off this spa vibe and seriously can help to relax you. Whenever I’m feeling stressed out or worried, I make sure to save myself time for a good long shower. I’ve also heard some people use the Himalayan Salt night light which just adds to the spa atmosphere.

3. Treat Yourself

I can’t tell you how easy it is when you’re stressed out to completely ignore your self-care. I know an easy trick for my stressed out days revolves around spending a little extra time on myself. Whether it’s a face mask or self-tan lotion, just spending a few extra minutes alone and on yourself can help clear your mind.

4. Don’t Deflect the Stress

The only way to really rid yourself of the stress is to let it pass. Don’t try to compartmentalize your feelings or else they could just come back at a later time. As with all things, it’s important to attack them right away and head on. I like to write out what’s stressing me out and then I almost always realize it’s not that big of a deal once on paper.

5. Plan for the Next Time

If you stressed out over a grade or a deadline, make sure next time you study more or do your work earlier. It’s important to realize that a lot of our stress we inflict on ourselves. We overthink or put ourselves in situations that will stress us out so why not just try to avoid it before it gives you anxiety?

I hope that these ways to stress less in 2020 will be helpful for you. I feel like I’m the queen of thinking myself into stress and I know that doing these things seriously helps me to stress less. Do you have any good tips to stress less? Let me know in the comments below!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco! And check out my latest blog post here!

stress less in 2020

January Tech Favorites

With the new year in full swing, I’ve decided to implement a new series on my blog call “monthly favorites”. For the next 12 months, each will have one post in the middle with my favorite products and things I’m loving that month. To kick of my favorites series I’m breaking down my January tech favorites!

My first January tech favorites is my iPhone tripod. I got it for Christmas and it has seriously changed the game. It makes taking photos so simple because you don’t need someone else there to take them for you! All you have to do is pop your phone on the tripod and then sync it to the bluetooth from the remote. You can happily take all the photos you want easily and they all come out great!

My next favorite is my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Yes, I did get the most extra iPhone but I’m not gonna lie, it’s worth it. The camera lens on it is insane and since I take pictures for a living it replaces my big bulky cameras. Having such a powerful camera in my pocket ensures that I can easily take photos on the go and always get the best shot.

Now that I’m a dog mom, I literally cannot live without my Furbo Dog Camera. This camera makes leaving my sweet Sky a little easier knowing I can check in on her. The camera resolution is awesome and I love the treat throwing feature!! I can keep her happy and my sanity in knowing she’s okay with this simple and easy to use camera.

January Tech Favorites

Another tech favorite this month is actually an app. I’ve been loving the app Headspace. One of my 2020 goals (click here for the post) was to meditate more and this app leads you through meditations. I love it because you can choose between 3, 5, and 10 minute meditations that are revolving around things like sleep, anxiety, or confidence. This app is so useful and I’m excited to continue to use it on my journey of happier mind.

January tech favorites

My last tech favorite is another app and is called 8fit. It’s for working out. I feel like everyone wants to start the new year happier and healthier so they look to working out. As a dance teacher, I get most of my cardio in at night but I like to do something in the morning to start my day. This app has guided workouts that are like 10 minutes each but they seriously work. I love turning the app on and working out while watching the trainer do the same workout. It’s like we’re working out together and because it’s an app, it sends me daily reminders to work out.

January tech favorites

This January tech favorites post is the first installment of my 2020 favorites series! I hope you love it and that these posts help you to learn about and try new products. These are things that I have been using everyday so far this month and I plan to keep using. I am literally obsessed with them and hope you will be too!

Be sure to follow my blog so you don’t miss a post and check me out on Instagram @cassiedenisco.

iPhone Tripod $23.49: Amazon

iPhone 11 Pro Max: Apple

Furbo Dog Camera: Amazon

Headspace

8Fit

Got Goals? My Goals for 2020

2020 New Years Goals & Resolutions

Before welcoming in a new year, I like to take a look at the goals and I set for the past year. 2019 was a huge year for me with new responsibilities and mindsets. I actually accomplished the 3 goals I set for myself this past year. For 2020, I wanted to make sure that the goals I set, I stick to and accomplish .

I think a goal for most people is to be healthier and maybe even lose weight. For me, I accomplished my healthy living goal last year and still continue to implement it in my everyday life. I wanted my new goals for 2020 to be more about overall wellness both physically and mentally. Through meditation and positivity both for myself and others, I plan to work on my mental health this year.

Another aspect of my life I really want to tackle this year is definitely to live fearlessly. I tend to say no way too often so I plan to start saying yes more. Whether I say yes more to friends, work or family, I feel like overall I will be living a life with out anxiety and worry. This past year I have stepped out of my comfort zone but not as much as I would have liked to. I need to listen more to those around me and learn to speak less. I want to attract the energy of good people but that can’t happen unless I start putting myself out there.

Aside from just living an overall better life, I want to make sure I actually set aside time to read more. Other than one book over the summer and required reading, I honestly can’t tell you the last time I read a book. Reading is such a great way to unwind at the end of the day and I want to start incorporating it into my nightly routine. I also want to make sure I actually give back. Whether I volunteer or donate goods, I just want to make sure that I am giving to others in need. It’s so important to me to make sure that I stay aware of how lucky I am to live the life I do.

My final and most important goal is to stay motivated and stick to the things that I start. Being a very motivated person means I can bounce from one thing to the next without having to stop for a break. I used to think it was because I would get bored so easily but I believe that it is actually because I lack the motivation for things once I’ve done them for so long. For 2020, I need to make sure that I keep up my promises.

I hope my goals and resolutions have you inspired to create and set some of your own. I know that when I actually sit and write things out I tend to actually see them through. It is so important to hold yourself accountable for things. Why not challenge yourself to set some goals in this new year? Not only is it a new year but also a new decade. There is no better time to accomplish your goals and try new things than right now!


got goals for 2020

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco. Also, check out my health posts for some inspiration in the new year!

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