Cassie DeNisco

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My Vegan Pumpkin Bread Recipe

I love the holidays because of all the pumpkin spice. I wanted to get this post up sooner, but it has really taken me this long to perfect my vegan pumpkin bread recipe. It is finally ready to go out and I am obsessed with it!

This is a really easy recipe and since it’s vegan, it has very minimal ingredients too! I really have tried to move away from white sugar so this also is a little healthier since it uses brown. This recipe is going to be a go to when I want a healthy treat!

Ingredients:

1 c pumpkin puree

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c neutral oil (I used vegetable)

3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

3 tbsp sugar free maple syrup

1 3/4 c oat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Sprinkle of salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Prepare a loaf pan with parchment paper and grease it.
  2. Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup in a bowl and mix until combined.
  3. Next, add in your flour, baking soda, baking powder, spice, and salt. Mix again until well combined but try not to over mix. You’ll notice it become fluffy and that is the consistency you want.
  4. Pour batter into loaf pan and cook for 45-50 minutes or until you can stick a knife in it and it comes out clean.
  5. Let it set for an hour and enjoy!

I am obsessed with this recipe. The oat flour makes this vegan pumpkin bread dense and so decadent. This is a perfect dessert to bring to a holiday party which will already be filled with all the other typical goodies. This is a really healthy alternative and I hope you’ll try it out!

If you loved this recipe, follow me on Pinterest for more or you can read my latest recipe here!

PS.. here’s a funny behind the scenes pic of what happens behind most of my food pictures lol!

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!

Melissa Wood Health Review One Year Later

I am honestly super surprised to even be giving you this Melissa Wood health review one year later! Prior to her workouts, I could never stick to a program for longer than a few weeks. I used to find working out a chore and really not something I wanted to spend a lot of time on.

Working out means different things to different people and for me, I want something quick and effective. I don’t want to be at the gym for hours but I want to be left feeling like I moved my body and am a little sore. My other goal with working out is increasing my flexibility since I’m a dance teacher and need to maintain that.

melissa wood health review

What I Love:

I think the really pull I have to Melissa Wood Health is her vibe. It sounds crazy but she is seriously so calming. I feel like with each workout, I’m not just getting a workout but also like a mini meditation session in. It makes me want to keep coming back for the feeling of peace each time.

Another thing I love about these workouts is I can do them anywhere. On vacation, I actually took my mat with me a and did her workouts. This is something I literally would never do but again, my body craves the post flow feeling. Her workouts range from weights, balls, and bands to literally just your own body weight. This makes her workouts easy to do anytime and anywhere.

In addition to the low maintenance of these workouts, I like that her message is never to do a super hard workout on your body. If you are just moving a little each day, that is more than enough. Putting this thought in my head has built up a consistency that I have never had before.

The Melissa Wood Health workouts start at like 5 minutes and go up to 50. If I am feeling a longer one, I’ll choose that but most of the time I am around 20 minutes. Because of this, I am able to put a workout in everyday and build that good habit in myself.

I thought about including a “what I don’t love” section but honestly, I don’t have anything. These pilates and yoga flows fit my lifestyle and are so easy to incorporate in my day. Finding Melissa Wood Health workouts during the pandemic seriously changed my view of working out.

I always thought that I needed a hard, intense cardio filled workout but I find that these slow workouts are just as effective and so much better on my body. I am obsessed with MWH and think everyone should at least give it a try. You really have nothing to lose when you’re moving your body in a gentle but crazy effective way!

You can read my initial Melissa Wood Health review here! If you want to check out the MWH method, you can read more here!

The Best Chili Recipe

Fall to me is all about a warm dinner. I love to cook in fall because your meals can help to bring all the cozy fall vibes you are looking for. I actually used to not like chili at all but I am obsessed with this best chili recipe. It is super easy to make and the flavors are so good! This is perfect to pair with white rice or just eat it alone in a bowl.

Here’s the best chili recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1lb Ground Turkey
  • yellow onion
  • 1 can of Bush’s Chili Beans
  • 1 can of sweet corn
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • salt + pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Dice yellow onion and add to a big pot with ground turkey. Cook until turkey is browned and onions are translucent
  • Using paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt + pepper, season the turkey and onion mixture
  • Slowly mix in 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of corn (without the water), and 1 can of chili beans
  • Let mixture sit on low for 30 minutes and finish off by tasting and making sure it’s seasoned to your liking. Sometimes I add more of a seasoning here if I think it needs it!
best chili recipe

This is the easiest recipe I have found for chili and it is literally so good! Like I said, sometimes I’l serve this on top of white rice if I am looking for a more filling meal. I also like to make corn bread on the side of this too because there’s nothing I love more than chili with cornbread!

Let me know in the comments below your favorite fall meal and check out more of my recipes here!

I also am on Pinterest so be sure to follow me!

Shampoo Brands I Love

I haven’t done a dedicated post to hair care in so long. I think my last post was over the summer about my June Favorites. This post today is dedicated to the shampoo brands I love and can’t live without. One huge part of my hair care journey was finding shampoo that works for me. Buying shampoo brands may seem simple but with so many on the market, it’s important to find one that does what you need.

Here are my top 3 current favorite Shampoo Brands!

Olaplex

I love to use the Olaplex shampoo, conditioner, and mask when I want a deep clean and condition for my hair. This I use almost as a reset for my hair when I’ve been using a lot of heat and just haven’t been treating it the best. Olaplex is definitely a pricy brand but I think it’s necessary to incorporate into your hair care regime. Shop Olaplex Here!

Monday Hair Care

This brand I actually found when I was searching for a clean combo that was sulfate free. I was using the OGX brand prior to them being recalled so I was ready for a brand that was more minimal ingredients and just cleaner. This shampoo and conditioner is super light so I never feel like it weighs down my hair but still gets it clean. Shop Monday Haircare Here!

Not Your Mother’s

shampoo brands

I think Not Your Mother’s will always be a part of my hair care routine. Although I am no longer Blonde, I would highly recommend their blonde shampoo and conditioner. I also used to always use their long term relationship combo when I was trying to grow out my hair. Anything from Not Your Mother’s is pretty good for a drug store brand. Shop Not Your Mother’s Here!

I hope sharing these brands with you makes you want to try one! My hair didn’t start growing until I realized that I needed to start using products that were high quality on my hair. Once I cut out heat and used better products I’ve seen such a difference in my hair!

How to Meal Plan Each Week

If the pandemic taught me anything, it was how to meal plan your dinners for the week. This not only makes life easier but it saves you money because you only have to go shopping like once a week. I usually will grocery shop on a Friday so I sit down on a Thursday and plan out what I want for dinner. By planning it out, I know what I’m making and I’m not tempted to order out.

The key to my meal planning is this little notepad. It has space to plan out literally your whole week and even your grocery list. I will usually just fill out the dinner side but I like that if I want to plan lunches or snacks I have enough space to. You can shop this notepad from Amazon here!

how to meal plan

One of the major tips I have for meal planning is actually creating an outline. I will usually have the same type of meals each week but change up the recipes. This makes planning easy because I know I’ll have a pasta night or a chicken night.

Sample Meal Schedule

  • Monday- Pasta
  • Tuesday- Salads
  • Wednesday- Fish
  • Thursday- Sandwiches
  • Friday- Turkey
  • Saturday- Beef
  • Sunday- Chicken

As you can see, each day of the week had the same things but I switched up the recipes. This is seriously such an easy way to plan because you don’t just have to think of an idea, you have the base. Also, I’m not super strict with my meal planning. If I’m not feeling a certain meal or want to order out one night, I’ll do watever feels best.

Most of my meals actually come from Pinterest so make sure you’re following me so you’re not missing out on the recipes I’m sharing. With my meal schedule, I just have to type in the keyword and then from there like millions of recipes pop up making life so much easier.

Once I have all of my meals, I’ll see what I have here versus what I need to get. I also always have a few things like almond milk or bread that we need every week so I’ll add those too.

I will do anything to make my life easier so I really hope this was helpful! Not only will my how to meal plan post save you time but it will save you money so you’re not buying random things at the store. Let me know in the comments below if you have any how to meal plan tips!

You can see more recipes here!

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been planning your costume for months. But if you’re like most people, you’re trying to think of some great last minute Halloween costume ideas. Luckily for you, I put together 5 really fun looks that you can do with your friend or your dog. Sky was a great partner for these looks so I hope this gives you some costume inpso!

*These are all affiliate links and I make a small commission if you purchase through them. No Pressure!*

Velma & Scooby Doo

This one was a classic and I just knew I had to do it. I also found that this costume was the best one for Sky because she wasn’t super uncomfortable. When I think of Halloween, I always gravitate towards the classics and this was so fun to create!

Shop this Look:

Daenerys & Her Dragon

I have seriously been waiting for the perfect time to recreate a Game of Thrones look! This one actually ended up being so easy and is a great option for a last minute costume. I love this Greek goddess style dress from Amazon and I just paired it with some braids. I also thought this was so easy for Sky because it’s just some wings!

Shop this Look:

Batman & Robin

I just had to include a superhero look and there’s no better duo than Batman and Robin! This was an easy look to recreate because I just had to put on all black and get some Batman accessories. I thought Sky’s costume was adorable and she looked too cute as my partner in crime.

Shop this Look:

Witches

I mean tell me Sky and I don’t look up to no good? This was so fun to put together I am seriously so into this look! My actual outfit is from Dolls Kill but I linked some similar pieces because it took forever to get this in the mail and that won’t help your last minute costume. For Sky, I found her this super cute bat hoodie with wings and ears already attached so she’d be comfy.

Shop this Look:

Sleeping Beauty & Maleficent

This was the prettiest costume I think I have ever worn. I loved the simplicity of it just being one thing but it looked so great. Sky actually had a dress but as you could tell she wasn’t feeling this look so I just stuck with the horns. I wanted to include at least one fairy tale look because sometimes it’s fun to do for Halloween as opposed to just the scary looks!

Shop this Look

I hope this post helps you with some last minute Halloween costume ideas! Halloween is seriously one of my favorite holidays and I love to go all out for it. Give this post a like if you enjoyed it and you can read more Halloween posts here!

French Bulldog Life Hacks You Need to Know

I love my french bulldog but as many of you know, they are a very particular breed. After having her for now 2 years I can say I have found many french bulldog life hacks that I want to share. I love this breed but you have to be prepared to care for them and their many needs. You can read more posts like these here!

Bentonite Clay Shampoo

french bulldog life hacks

I’ve found that shampoos with Bentonite Clay work wonders for my ichy Frenchie. This class has been shown to work wonders for itch and hotspots which is something Sky suffers from over the summer. I love the Moosh brand shampoo because it’s all natural and doesn’t have harsh cleaning chemicals. For me, I would never want to put something on her skin that would potentially have bad effects later on. I stick to all natural and organic ointments and creams. This shampoo does the job to clean her and keep her skin soft and itch free.

Dasuquin Hip and Joint Supplements

french bulldog life hacks

I became interested in giving her hip and joint supplements after some research. Dasuquin was recommended to me by my vet so I have just stuck with it. Starting a pet on hip and joint supplements early, especially if they are a breed prone to issues, can help lessen the chances of developing major issues down the road. One thing I’ve learned with French Bulldogs is the key is to make sure they are bred well and then do everything you can for preventative care.

Portable Fan

french bulldog life hacks

This one is life changing. Everyone knows Frenchie’s overheat easily so it’s important to have ways to cool them down. I am obsessed with this little fan because it’s perfect to carry for her wherever we go. The flexible legs are great because I’ll attach them to her carseat in the car to give her an added level of coolness. This little fan from Amazon is powerful and I actually got the recommendation from my cousin who uses this on a baby stroller.

Life Jacket

Because Frenchie’s are top heavy, this French Bulldog life hacks is essential. Life jackets might seem pointless but they can save your pups life. We have this one from ruff wear because we needed one that would prop her head up enough. Some have a buckle around the neck but we need one that was all floating material to support her head so that she can’t get her head stuck.

I hope this French Bulldog life hacks post helps you whether you have a Frenchie or not. All of these tips and tricks are great for a different breed as well. Let me know in the comments below your French Bulldog life hacks or if you have any pet tips or tricks!

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 Princess Polly Review

As the fall weather starts to creep in, I wanted to start building up my fall wardrobe. Princess Polly is a site that I have always wanted to order from but for some reason just didn’t. I finally placed my first order and thought I would share my Princess Polly Review with you!

As you can tell from this haul, I like the color black. It truly is one of my go to colors especially in the fall so I wanted some nicer going out shirts which is what I got. Princess Polly reminds me of an elevated Forever 21. The prices are slightly higher but so is the quality of the clothes. Overall, Princess Polly also is pretty inexpensive for the trendy pieces it sells.

I purchased 5 things and only spent $280 dollars which isn’t bad. I also paid for the fastest shipping so that things would come in like 2 days later.

Ariah Long Sleeve

The first shirt I got was the Ariah long sleeve in black. I usually am a size 6 or 8 but I sized up in pretty much everything which I’m glad I did. The cut of this top is super flattering and it’s great to pair with a skirt or jeans depending where you’re wearing it.

princess polly review

Elouise Crop Top

I love this Elouise crop! This is literally the perfect casual to dressy top because it’s easy to pair with anything. I will note this top is not the greatest for larger chest gals. I just fit into this top even in the bigger size and I don’t have the largest chest.

princess polly review

Jamison Reid Crop

You’re probably shocked I have something white in this princess polly review. This top is so flowy and cute. Again, not the best for people with a larger chest because it doesn’t have any support at all. I paired this with jeans when I wore it and it was the most effortless look.

Charvi Mini

This dress literally wow’ed me when I tried it on. The material is actually pretty stretchy which makes this dress the best little black dress. I also think that for the price, this is the perfect staple piece to have in your closet.

Cottage Hill Mini

On to the only item I returned, this pink dress. It was just not it. I felt like there was almost too much material for it to look as good as it does on the model in the size I ordered. Definitely wasn’t in love with the color because on line it looks pink but it was much more muted and almost nude in person.

princess polly review

One of my major take aways is to order up if you are unsure. I am so glad that I sized up because most of the pieces I would have had to reorder. I think it might have been my own fault with the pink dress but other than that I was super happy with my Princess Polly order!

If you liked posts like these, check out my other hauls here!