Cassie DeNisco

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January Amazon Essentials!

Last year I shared my Best Amazon Purchases and you loved that post! This year I’m going to try to share my Amazon essentials each month so you get my real time favorites! These will be shorter posts only because I’m hopefully not going crazy on Amazon!

I love watching videos and reading blogs like this because I am a sucker for product recommendations. Any time I see something kind of cool, I instantly become obsessed and need it! This month I really prioritized health with these Amazon essentials!

Hatch Restore Alarm

Shop Here

amazon essentials

I’ve been using this for a solid 3 weeks now and seriously love it! I love to fall asleep to the sound of the rain. I like that it’s also a night light because it seriously changes the game for reading! I love using the red light to wind down or the warm white light to read. It’s also great because you can schedule your bedtime so it’s always on when you need it and can go off on its own!

I also fell in love with the wake up feature! First the bright light starts and then you get a gently sound slowly getting louder. It is so magical and makes you wakeup in the best mood. I’m really not sure how but I swear this adds to my morning mood being better and I just have been sleeping so well.

One down side is I’ve found the buttons on it are super sensitive. I feel like I have to click it a few times to get it to do what I want. Since at night I really don’t want to be on my phone, I wish the Hatch itself was easier to use than having to open the App!

Essential Oil Diffuser

Shop Here

I have always wanted a diffuser but with Sky I am very careful about the stuff I put in the air because dogs are so sensitive. I did some research and do feel comfortable diffusing lavender a little at a time. This diffuser is great because I love to just do the 30 minute version.

It gets my room smelling so good and I swear it really helps you relax. Lavender is also good to help pets relax too so I feel like even Sky is benefiting from it. I just ordered the essential oil right off of Amazon too and it has a dropper. This seriously just adds to the vibe and keeps you relaxed and cozy!

Bloom Powdered Greens

Shop here

I also got this for the new year because I really want to prioritize getting my greens in. I find that I’m someone who usually goes for the carbs and proteins but usually forgets the greens. I like taking this right after my Seed probiotic and then I’ll have a chai or breakfast.

I am someone with a really sensitive stomach so I get nervous when I take anything that says digestion but I have so far really like this. It’s easy to just add to some water and get on with my day. I know I’m getting in so many good stuff so It honestly just helps me to make better food choices throughout the day. I definitely want to try to get my hands on the mango one when I run out of this because I hear it’s so good!

Let me know you January Amazon Essentials! It’s seriously so fun to see all the cool things you can get on Amazon these days so leave a link below!

Insta Pot Curry Recipe!

This is one of my fall go to recipes that I am obsessed with! We’ve been making this insta pot curry recipe since last fall but really have the recipe perfectly nailed down. This is the easiest dinner recipe that tastes like you’ve been working all day on it!

I really fell in love with my insta pot during the pandemic because it cooks food so easily and quickly! This recipe wouldn’t be as easy if it weren’t for my insta pot so definitely think about investing in one if you don’t already have it!

insta pot curry recipe

Ingredients:

4-5 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 yellow onion diced (keep pieces large)

olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced ginger

7-8 chopped baby carrots

1 tablespoon ketchup

3-4 potatoes peeled and cubed

2-3 cups chicken broth

block of Japanese curry roux

1 tablespoon soy sauce

White rice to serve it with!

Directions:

  1. In your insta pot turn on sauté feature and add olive oil, onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until fragrant.
  2. Add in the chicken thighs and cook both sides until white. (I do this to make sure it get’s cooked all the way through)
  3. Add in potatoes, carrots, and pour chicken broth over everything until covered.
  4. Place curry roux on top but don’t mix it in just leave it there. Close the lid and then turn on stew setting for 15 minutes.
  5. After cooked, let steam for additional 15 minutes.
  6. Lift the lid and mix thoroulghy adding in ketchup & soy sauce.
  7. Enjoy!!

As you can see, this was the insta pot curry recipe easiest recipe to make! I love to serve this with white rice and will have leftovers for days! This is also a really easy meal prep meal for lunches for the week too!

I get the mild curry so this is definitely a family favorite and really has all the veggies and nutrients you need for a dinner! If you liked this recipe, check out more here on my blog or on my Pinterest for video content!

My Summer Lunch Idea that you Need to try!

I can hardly believe summer is almost over here in New York! I have been loving the warmth but I’m starting to get excited for fall. I wanted to share with you my summer lunch idea that you need to try! I’ve seriously been living off this all summer long.

This is a dairy free recipe however feel free to do what makes you happy! I also will admit the vegan cheese I’m using is incredibly hard to find but if you do find it, it’s worth it!! I have been on a mission for like a year to find cheese similar to mozzarella and this is really it!

summer lunch idea

Ingredients

Sourdough bread slice

Pesto (basil, garlic, and olive oil minced together)

1 ripe tomato

Miyokos Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Balsamic Glaze

Directions

  1. Toast your sourdough slice til golden brown
  2. Apply a thin layer of pesto on the bread then take vegan mozzarella and add slices on top
  3. Slice your tomato and add that on top
  4. Finish off with balsamic glaze and you’re all set!

As you can see this is quite possibly the easiest lunch but it is so good. I love lighter lunches like this because sometimes you don’t want a giant meal when it’s hot. This is also such an easy on the go lunch that you just need to assemble and enjoy.

This summer lunch idea has seriously been my obsession! Let me know in the comments below your favorite summer lunch! If you liked this post, check out my other lunch recipes here!

Be sure to subscribe here to the blog so you don’t miss a post!

The Eyebrow Waxing Products I love!

This post is dedicated to the at home eyebrow waxing products I can’t live without! After covid, I made the transition to doing a lot of things at home. I never thought I would wax my own eyebrows but when I had no other optioned, I turned to Amazon.

Amazon had so many products to choose from so I’ll share my favorites with affiliate links! No pressure to purchase but I do love everything I’m about to mention. I will put out the disclaimer that you should go slow & gentle the first time.

Don’t try to create a new eyebrow shape while you’re getting the hang of waxing. Focus on just cleaning up the eyebrow and you won’t make any mistakes!

Wax Kit- Shop Here

eyebrow waxing products

This is truly why Amazon is great. I purchased a kit just like this one and it came with everything I needed. From the wax warmer to the pre/post wax spray this has you covered. Kits like these are a great way to start out because everything comes in and you’re able to see how it works for a pretty inexpensive price.

Slanted Tweezers- Shop Here

eyebrow waxing products

If you’re trying to pluck your eyebrows with normal tweezers you’re doing it wrong. I love a slanted tweezer to really get those little hairs. This is a true eyebrow essential because you can even pluck mid week when you notice something.

Derma-planing Razor- Shop Here

eyebrow waxing products

This is a newer product to my eyebrow regime but I love that this can help to shape them without waxing. The wax makes me nervous sometimes because I can’t control it as well as this. I can use this to really shape the eyebrow with full control. As opposed to wax where you just kind of glob it on and hope for the best.

Scissors- Shop Here

I love a good slanted scissor. I have the longest eyebrow hairs at the top and use the scissors to trim them down. This is always the way I like to finish off my eyebrows because it’s essential for me to keep them all the same size.

Eyebrow Brush- Shop Here

I love to brush out my brows before I trim them and a brush like this is my go to. I like to brush up with the clear side and leave the hair in it. I just trim across that to help keep them even. Brushes like these are even great when you’re just trying to do your makeup.

As you can see, these have become my tried and true eyebrow waxing products. I like to do my eyebrows every 2-2/12 weeks because that’s how fast they grow. Having everything at home makes my life so much easier and in the long run I do end up saving money.

If you liked this post, I have more beauty posts here! Be sure to subscribe here to the blog so you never miss a post!

A Yummy, Healthy Rice Bowl!

I’m super excited to be sharing this healthy rice bowl recipe with you! I was originally introduced to it through Green Chef, but I’ve made it so many times now I have my own take! Rice bowls are seriously such a good dinner idea because they have something for everyone.

I also love to have meatless nights but still get in enough protein. This bowl is so filling and if you wanted to add a meat protein, chicken, beef or turkey would pair well!! Here’s my recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup White Rice

1 cup veggie broth

Tomato

Scallion

Lime

1 can pinto beans

1 can corn

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp mayo

1 tbsp dijon mustard

Pecans

Directions:

  1. Bring veggie broth, rice, and salt to a boil then let simmer covered for about 10 minutes.
  2. Chop up tomato, scallion, lime, and rinse pinto beans
  3. Use half of the tomato, half of the scallion, and half the lime to create a salsa. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  4. Saute the other half of tomato, scallion, and corn in the pan then add pinto peans and spices. Cook until heated.
  5. Add the cooked rice to this veggie pan and sprinkle with the other half of the lime. Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.
  6. Divide the rice & veggies evenly into bowls. Add salsa on top then pecans and finish off with dijon mustard & mayo mixed together and drizzled on top.

As you can see this bowl is so easy to make but jam packed with flavor. I seriously love to try out green chef recipes because they open your eyes to different ways to put food together! It really gives me the inspiration to create a healthy rice bowl like this!

If you liked this post, check out more recipes here ! Be sure to subscribe here to my newsletter so you never miss a post!

A Crispy Salmon Recipe!

My last salmon recipe, which you can find here, instantly became a fan favorite for my blog! It is so delicious and easy to make. I wanted to share this updated version of my crispy salmon recipe that I have been loving because it’s seriously that good.

The ingredients are pretty much the same but the actual way I make it is different. This leaves the salmon so crispy on top but juicy inside. I crave this recipe at least once a week and it seriously has become a staple in our house!

Ingredients

1 tbsp minced garlic

4 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

3 tbsp sriracha (use less if you don’t like spice)

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp sesame oil

1.5 lbs fresh salmon

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425
  2. Start by creating the sauce over a medium heat. Add a little olive oil to an oven safe pan and then add minced garlic. Cook until fragrant then add soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, and honey.
  3. Once sauce starts to thicken remove from heat, add sesame oil, and set aside.
  4. Add a teeny bit of oil back into the pan then add your salmon skin side up. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until you can easily flip the salmon over with a spatula.
  5. Once the salmon is flipped, pour a little sauce over it and put in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. This depends on how you like your salmon, I always do 5.
  6. Take out & enjoy!
crispy salmon recipe

I love to make rice with this crispy salmon recipe and roast some broccoli. The combo is just so good and I always save a little sauce to pour over everything. Making this salmon is super easy and it’s one pan so it helps to make your clean up easy!

Let me know in the comments below your favorite way to cook salmon! I am really trying to step up my game in the kitchen so be sure to subscribe here so you won’t miss a recipe!

A Morning Routine for Success!

A solid morning routine for success to me is essential for a good day. I’ve found that to minimize stress and anxiety throughout the day, you have to start off literally on the right foot. I could go on and on about the power of mornings but I thought I would walk you through my routine.

It is so nice that I do work from home in the mornings so I can slow down. I feel like everyone always jumps out of bed and hits the ground running without another thought. Slowly waking up and getting to your day can seriously help in the long run.

6:30am Wake Up

So many people will tell you to not scroll on your phone when you first wake up, I truly think it’s dumb. When someone tells me not to do something, I want to do it. I like getting up and going through email, looking at my calendar, and taking a scroll so I know what’s going on.

I used to just jump right out of bed but giving myself 30 minutes to either go back to bed or just mindlessly scroll means I won’t be tempted when I’m trying to work. Maybe it’s not the best thing to see first thing in the morning but it works for me so I do it.

morning routine for success

7:00am Journal & Meditate

This is definitely something I never thought I would add to a morning routine but it has helped me so much. I find it’s so important to ground before I go this step helps with that. It gives me a chance to write out whatever I’m stressed over for the day and then I realize it wasn’t a big deal.

Meditating also just helps me to take a deep breath and remember to slow down. I used to be such a go go go person but now I get overwhelmed almost too easily. I need a moment to breath to set myself up for success during the day.

7:30am Feed & Walk Sky

This is self explanatory but some of my favorite things about my mornings are Sky. I love how snuggly she is because the girl loves her sleep. Our walks help to get my body going and gives me some will power to be able to sit at my desk for a bit. I also love to play with her and get her energy out at this time so that I can actually get some work done.

morning routine for sucess

8:00am Skincare

This is my favorite time of the morning. I love washing my face and using my lotions because it is just so relaxing to me. It’s great that I get to do a little bit of self care in the mornings. This step probably is my biggest non negotiable because even on busier mornings I make sure that I set myself up for success by taking this time for me.

8:25am Breakfast/Drink

I’m not a huge breakfast person but I do love some caffeine. Lately I am into a chai or a matcha and this is like the end goal of my morning routine. It really helps me to get up and out of bed knowing I have something good waiting for me.

morning routine for success

Sometimes I do make a little breakfast, you can check out my go to recipes here! It just depends on my mood and what I’m feeling.

8:30am Get to Work

By 8:30 I am on the computer and typing away. I like to be a little before 9 because a lot of the businesses I work with like to launch things at 9am so it gives me a buffer to make sure everything is correct and good to go!

I hope you enjoyed this morning routine for success! I’m so passionate about telling people how essential it is to slow down in the am. It seriously helps you to have a good day and not feel so overwhelmed. Be sure to subscribe here to my mailing list so you don’t miss a post!

My Green Smoothie Recipe to Boost Beauty

I am so excited that the weather in NY is finally warming up. I’m sharing with you today my go to green smooth recipe that is great to boost your beauty. Smoothies are my favorite summer morning drink to get in your greens and keep you cool.

I also feel like the summer months are my favorite for fresh produce which helps to elevate these smoothies. I’ve shared my green juice recipe before but never my smoothie. This is perfectly sweet and refreshing for the warmer months!

green smoothie recipe

Ingredients for Green Smoothie Recipe:

1 Frozen Banana

1/2 c frozen mango

1 c spinach

1 tsp Spirulina powder

Coconut Water

Directions:

  1. In a powerful blender, combine frozen banana, frozen mango, and spirulina powder.
  2. Fill to the top with spinach and then pour in about 1/2 cup of coconut water.
  3. Blend and see consistency. If you like it thicker your might just need to add a teeny bit more coconut water where as if you want it thinner add a lot more coconut water!
  4. Pour in a mason jar & enjoy!

As you can see this smoothie recipe is so easy to make but is oh so good. This green smoothie recipe has all the tropical vibes you’re looking for on a summer morning. Smoothies are seriously such a go to for greens in the am to start off your day.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe here to my mailing list so you never miss a post! Let me know of your favorite smoothie combinations in the comments below!

Plant Based Alternatives I Love

I have been dairy free for almost a year now and seriously have never felt better. People always ask me how I do it, so I thought I’d share my top plant based alternatives that keep me going. I developed severe lactose intolerance over the past few years so I’ve become a pro at yummy dairy free things.

A lot of times people ask if I’m vegan but to be honest I don’t like to label myself. I am 100% dairy free due to medical reasons but I’ll eat meat here or there. This is my favorite list of milks, cheeses, and other plant based products & brands!

Follow Your Heart

plant based alternatives

This is my go to brand for any kind of vegan cheese. I love their Parmasean, Feta, and even recently discovered their sliced cheese. This brand makes me not even miss real cheese. I highly recommend checking out Follow Your Heart if you can. I usually find mine in Target and I’m telling you, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Simply

plant based alternatives

The simply brand is my go to for milks. I love that the ingredients are super minimal and the taste is pretty good. The only issue I have with it is that it is so hard to find. Honestly, I think it’s because it is so good! I usually will buy an extra almond or oat milk if I see it because often dairy alternative milks have so many unnecessary ingredients. This brand is so minimal and has a great taste.

Planet Oat

plant based alternatives

When I can’t get simple, Planet Oat is my next best thing. Ingredients are a little iffy however, the taste and consistency is spot on to dairy milk. I also am obsessed with the Planet Oat ice creams. I found when I went dairy free it was so hard to have ice cream but after discovering this brand, I can have whatever Ice cream I want by them because it’s so good.

Violife

If you’re looking for a good chunk cheese to maybe have a cheese board or shred yourself, check out Violife. I love their white cheddar chunk and love it in mac n cheese or scalloped potatoes. I don’t really like anything else by this brand but the chunk cheeses make me continue to come back for more.

Made Good

My final holly grail is the Made Good granola bars. Let me tell you, typical granola bar brands sneak so much stuff in them. I love these because not only are they dairy free, but their nut and allergy free too so if I’m on the go I won’t upset someones allergy. Again this are so hard to find but I stock up when I find them!

These are my tried and true products and brands that are plant based alternatives. It took me a while to get to the point where I could even recommend anything because you really have to try it for awhile. One thing to note is that I am huge on the ingredients in products but some of these don’t have the best. In situations like this, I choose flavor over ingredients because sometimes you just want as close to the real thing as possible!

If you love this plant based alternatives list, check out some recipes here! Subscribe here to my blog!

My Sunday Reset for a Good Week

If you know me, you know I love a good Sunday Reset. Sundays are the only day that I actually don’t have to go anywhere so I take full advantage of that. I like to spend my Sundays setting myself up for a good week.

Life can get super crazy during the week so I generally leave a lot of things for Sundays to do. I’ve been loving reading posts like these to see what Sundays look like for everyone else so I figured I’d share my typical Sunday routine!

7:30 am

Sky is always up around this time no matter the day so we’re usually up and feeding her at this time. After she’s all set for the morning, I grab my ice roller and we head back to bed!

10:00am

By 10 we’re usually ready to be up for the day and will either grab bagels or make a yummy breakfast at home. I rarely have breakfast in the morning but on Sunday it’s so nice to spend the time making something like pancakes that I wouldn’t normally eat!

11:00-1:00pm

Depending on how productive I was on Saturday, I may or may not have to grocery shop on Sunday. We usually will need fresh salmon so we will make a quick trip out for coffees and whatever we need. I love actually taking the time to go for a morning ride on a Sunday because it’s leisurely and something Sky enjoys.

I always will take a few minutes to refresh the house though. I love changing my sheets, dusting, using the Roomba and mopping. This little refresh helps to keep cleaning simple and not overwhelming. During the week, I cannot be bother to do this so carving out time on a Sunday to do this is essential to keeping me sane during the week.

1:00-4:00pm

After that, I always make sure I spend time doing whatever I want. Whether it’s a nap, reading, or doing some yoga/pilates, I like having time for it. Sundays are only relaxing if I can be productive but also make time for myself to rest and recharge. We generally do laundry throughout the week so this time on a Sunday can really be relaxing.

5:00-7:00pm

I am all about an early dinner on a Sunday. I love eating early, cleaning the kitchen, and then taking a good shower. Sundays are my favorite days for a yummy meal but that has easy clean up. You can check out my favorite soup recipe here that’s always a go to on a Sunday for me.

My Sunday showers are also a ritual. I love washing my hair on Sunday to set myself up for a good week. I’ll lotion and also lymphatic drain as well since I actually have the time to spend doing that. I finish off my day with comfy pjs and a glazed donut skin on my face.

7:00pm

Once I’m all set, I’ll hop into bed and we’ll usually watch a show or movie that we’ve been putting off. I love being in bed early on a Sunday because it seriously sets you up for a good week. I’ll read and then finish off the night with essential oils and a quick mediation before bed around 9pm.

Everything I just listed is my ideal Sunday reset. Obviously not every Sunday will be this dreamy but I do try to make a few of these things a priority no matter what I’m up to that day. Also, your Sunday reset might be totally different and that’s okay too.

I’m all about setting yourself up for a successful week and you might have to do different things to do that. Let me know your favorite things to do on a Sunday in the comments below and subscribe here to the blog!

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