Cassie DeNisco

My 2- Ingredient Banana Pancakes

June 29, 2020

One of my favorite things about summer is that I have so much time in the mornings. I love waking up a little later, getting a workout in, and actually making breakfast. One of my recent favorites has been banana pancakes that are literally only two ingredients. These banana pancakes not only are healthy but they also are so yummy and will keep you fueled for your summer adventures.

Ingredients:

1 Banana

2 Eggs

Directions:

Turn your griddle or stove on medium heat and be sure to grease it.
Peel your banana and mash it really well in a bowl with a fork.
Crack two eggs and whisk with the banana until completely combined.
Pour about 3 tablespoons of your mixture into the pan and wait until the edges start to thicken. Once they’re thick and the underside is golden brown, flip.
Top with peanut butter, syrup, or berries and enjoy!

Guys I am not kidding when I tell you how easy and yummy these banana pancakes are. The key is to make sure your pan or griddle are hot before you put the mix on it so that they form evenly and don’t stick. Even my cousins like these, and they’re super picky eaters! You can even bulk these pancakes up with plain oats or protein powder.

If you’re looking for more breakfast recipes, check this post out!

Let me know if you have any minimal ingredient recipes below or what your favorite summer breakfast is!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

Best Sun Tan Products

June 22, 2020

how to get and preserve a tan!

It’s finally feeling like summer and I couldn’t be happier! I seriously have found some of the best sun tan products and I am so excited to share with you. One thing this quarantine has given me is a great tan and I would argue might be the best tan of my life. I read in the sun, answer emails and take phone calls so its not like I’m not being productive. One of the beauties of being home is that you can really work from any area of your home. With that being said, I’ve put together my top 5 best sun tan products to help you get a tan and then keep it all summer long!

Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil

This has been my all time favorite product for tanning since I can remember. I have tried plenty of tanning oils but this one is so nourishing for my skin that even if I burn, it helps to moisturize me. I usually buy the one with the least amount of SPF and start out with this on. Once I notice myself getting red, I switch over to the next product below.

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen

This product seriously changed the game for me. I often would only wear just tanning oil until I realized how terrible it could be for your skin. I LOVE this sunscreen because I swear it has some tanning oil in it because it really helps me tan. Most sunscreens do what they’re supposed to by blocking the sun but I always use this and have the nicest tan after. I rarely even get red with this product. Even family members who have different skin types love this product because it seriously works.

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion

If I had to tell you the secret to a good tan or even a sunburn, I would tell you it’s this lotion. Moisturizing your skin is so important after spending time in the sun and I swear it helps to keep your tan beautiful and dark all summer long. I am obsessed with making sure I moisturize after I lay out and shower so this product is everything to me.

Drunk Elephant Sheer Defense

I’ve very conscious of making sure my face never burns. I want to stay as wrinkle free as possible and using something like this Drunk Elephant product really protects my skin. I must warn you that it is pretty much pure zinc so it is heavy on my skin but I know it’s protecting me and I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Chapstick is so important after a long day in the sun but I really like to make sure that I help to recharge and refresh my lips post tan. This mask is so hydrating and I absolutely love it. It seriously leaves my lips feeling great post tan. It is a a little pricy but totally worth it.

Whether you’re headed to the beach, or just your back yard this summer I hope the best sun tan products seriously help you tan. Don’t forget, the sun can be dangerous so do take precautions to protect your skin and always use SPF! You seriously will thank yourself later on down the road. Let me know in the comments below what the best sun tan products are for you!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

Check out my last blog post here!

French Bulldog Must Haves for Heat

June 15, 2020

Frenchie tips + products for summer

My puppy Sky just turned one so I thought it was fitting that I put together a list of French Bulldog must haves. Frenchies are a super unique breed with some potential for health problems but to be honest, that comes with any dog. I have had the best experience so far with my French Bulldog and she is a serious goof ball. Here’s my list of French Bulldog must haves for heat!

One thing that you don’t realize about Frenchies until you have them is how hard it can be for them in the summer. Because of the structure of their nose and their fur, staying cool becomes a real challenge. Aside from having air conditioning on and not walking her in the heat of the day, she still loves to go out and play but I realized she would get hot and tired so quickly. I purchased these French Bulldog must haves for heat below and I am so glad I did!

Cooling Vest

I got mine from Canada Pooch and Sky and I are obsessed with it. A cooling vest works to help dogs sweat since that is something they can’t do on their own. I put Sky’s in cold water, ring it out, and then put it on her for a few hours. Be sure to check that it hasn’t gotten to warm periodically so that you’re not making her more hot. I have noticed a serious change with her with this on because she’s able to take a nap and get comfy in it when its hot. It also it prevents her from getting to hot on walks. This an ABSOLUTE French Bulldog must have for heat and will seriously help your Frenchie this summer. (For reference Sky is 23 pounds and I got a size 14)

Cooling Collar

Similar to the cooling vets, a cooling collar works the same way. It’s just focused on keeping their neck and head cool. Sky isn’t the biggest fan of having something wet on her neck but I love using this when we’re just hanging outside for a little while. I initially purchased the two pack on Amazon but haven’t used the ice one yet. The blue one gets the job done and keeps her cool. I purchased the Canada Pooch one when I got the vest and I love this one too. This one is definitely more high quality and keeps cool longer BUT the Amazon one is the one she is definitely more comfortable in.

Cooling Mat

Sky isn’t so sure about this one but I feel like on really hot days she’ll thank me. This cooling mat from Amazon is really cool because it has an ice insert that keeps it cool for hours. Right now, she doesn’t lay on it to sleep but she does eat her bones on it . This mat is great to keep her cool and comfy when she’s hanging out on the deck outside. The ice in it lasts awhile and I high recommend trying this out.

My Sky loves to be outside which is something that is just not feasible for her all summer long. She does pretty well in the heat, at least she has so far, so with all of these products it does allow her to be outside much longer. Some tips for keeping your dog cool are to always have fresh water. I also have see the rule to not let them play too long in over 75-80 degree weather. My final tip is to give your pup cool treats frequently. Whether it’s an ice cube or a puppy pop (recipe here), cool treats help them to cool down just like us!

If you’re a Frenchie parent or any dog parent with tips and tricks on how to keep your dog comfy and cool this summer, leave a comment below! Let me know what you thought of these French Bulldog must haves.

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco & @skythefrenchgirl !

My Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

June 8, 2020

I love to bake and have sweets but I know that when traditionally made, they aren’t always the best for me. I love to make vegan recipes, like my vegan lemon loaf, because they often are at least a little healthier for you. I made the switch to these vegan chocolate chip cookies and I will never go back! Whether you are vegan or not, these cookies are so chewy and delicious they will please whoever you’re making them for!

Ingredients:

2 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 c brown sugar

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c canola oil

1/4 c water

2 tsp vanilla

1 c chocolate chips

Directions:

Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda and chocolate chips. Set this aside.
In another bowl, break up the brown sugar and then add sugar, oil, water and vanilla. Combine the flour mixture with this mixture and mix until it’s crumbly.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and make little balls of dough. Freeze for 30 minutes in order to keep the mixture together.
Heat oven to 375 and bake cookies for 12 minutes total but turning them halfway through so they get crisp on each side.

Not only are these vegan chocolate chip cookies so easy to make but they are also so yummy. Most of us have all of these ingredients already in our homes so it makes making these cookies even easier. You wouldn’t even guess they don’t have the normal ingredients because they are so crisp and chewy. I love this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe because these cookies are to die for!

If you try out this recipe tag me on Instagram or let me know in the comments below how you liked these cookies.

Follow me on Pinterest for more recipes @cassiedenisco!

My May Favorites

May 29, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Best Books for Summer 2020

May 22, 2020

Although it might not feel like it, summer is right around the corner. Whether we’re still stuck at home or on vacations, there is always time to curl up with a great book. This summer, I’ve put together the best books for Summer 2020 just like I did last year. Here’s that post. I hope this list of best books for summer inspires you to put down your devices and check out a good read.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

If you’re looking for a great book to motivate you to get things done, then this is for you. Year of Yes not only encourages you to step out of your comfort zone to try new things but it also gives a look into the life of Shonda Rhimes. She’s the creator of some of my favorite shows like Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder. She shares with her readers a guide to saying yes and not letting fear get in your way.

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

I am obsessed with this author and equally as obsessed with this book! Last summer I read When Life Gives You Lululemons and it is just as great as this book. I love how Lauren Weisberger creates characters that are so relatable. As I read her work, I think about how similar it is to Gossip Girl, one of my favorites, but an adult version. Chasing Harry Winston chronicles 3 girls dating journeys at different stages. It’s a great read for the beach because you won’t want to put it down.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Read this book if you’re looking for something you won’t be able to put down!! Based in Connecticut, this book is about a woman trying to insert herself into another woman’s life. I loved this book because it was so fascinating. Every page had me captivated and the author is amazing at writing. The author is actually a sister duo writing together which I found even cooler. Love this book and definitely will read more by the author!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This is on my list to read this summer! I have heard great things about this author and book so I am excited to get started. This book was also recommended by Reese Witherspoon which is all the more reason to read it! Based on the back of the book, it seems like a murder mystery coming of age story and I am hooked. This one really seems like it might be the best books for summer!

I hope this list of best books for summer inspires you to find a good book and get to reading. One of my all time favorite things to do is lay out in the sun and read a good book. Let me know what’s on your list of best books for summer and share it below!

Follow me on Instagram @cassiedenisco!

What to Know Before Starting a Blog!

May 15, 2020

It’s absolutely wild to think that my first blog post ever was posted 1 year ago. I can’t believe that it’s my 1 year blog anniversary! I decided randomly one day to launch a blog and it has been the craziest year since. In honor of my first year as a blogger, I put together my list of 5 things you need to know before starting a blog.

1. Have a Plan

I started out my blog thinking I would just write some posts and upload them but I soon realized so much more goes into that. If I could give one piece of advice to a new blogger, I would absolutely say make yourself a schedule. Write on one day, take photos on another, and then plan for a day to upload and also post on social media to announce it. To gain traffic, you need take your time and a plan will help you stay on track.

2. Use Social Media

In the beginning of my blogging days, I only posted on Instagram to announce blog posts. Now, I have posts on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest as well. Social media is a great way drive traffic to your blog but utilize all of it. I focused so much on only one site that my numbers weren’t as high as they could be. Now I have over 100,000 monthly views on my Pinterest posts which drives direct traffic to my blog.

3. Invest in Your Blogging Platform

I had initially played around with Wix for hosting my blog. After just a little bit of research, I found out that even though it was somewhat cheaper, it would be hard to monetize. I then decided to pay for WordPress and I could not be happier. Not only does it help you easily monetize, but there are so many themes to choose from. I know when starting out you might want to do it on the cheaper side, but in the long run investing in your site will absolutely pay off.

4. Learn all you can about SEO

When I first started posting, I had no clue what SEO was. As I started to get further into blogging, I learned that “Search Engine Optimization” is the key to getting your blog post seen in places like Google. While you should always be creating authentic content, mixing in SEO rich phrases and terms will help you in the long run. I ended up installing a plugin that does most of the SEO work for me but since I am a Digital Audience major, I know there are plenty of online resources to teach you all about it.

5. Success Won’t Happen Over Night

After about a month or two of blogging, I hit a plateau in my viewers and site traffic. I honestly became really discouraged because I thought I was doing so well. One major thing to realize about blogging is that it does take time. You have to grow your readership and create connections. If you stay the course, you’ll be just like me, one year later with a lot of knowledge and viewers!

I hope these tips on what to know before starting a blog help you. I jumped right into blogging not knowing everything but I seriously wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was definitely a challenging year but it was so rewarding in the long run. I learned so much about building websites and website performance and loved every minute of it.

These tips on what to know before starting a blog are things that I know now would have absolutely helped me earlier on. Thank you so much for 1 year of readings my blogs and connecting with me! It has seriously been amazing writing and growing as a person. Here’s to another awesome year of blogging!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco !

25 Things to do During Quarantine

May 8, 2020

I bet you’ve read a thousand blogs on things to do in quarantine but I think my list might top all of them. In NY where I live, we are currently on week 6 almost 7 of quarantine and I’m pretty sure I’ve done it all. From movies to watch to things to do, I have you covered if you find yourself struggling to figure out what to do!

Watch Baker and the Beauty on ABC
Reorganize/clean your room
Bake something!
Read a new book
Call or Facetime a friend
Host a virtual game night
Try something new!
Take a virtual dance or yoga class
Play a board game
Online shop
Make some tie dye (use my diy here)
Foster a puppy
Go on a walk around your neighbor hood
Take a nap
Start a side hustle
Read ahead for school classes or take an online class
Workout or just move your body
Watch Little Women
Don’t focus on the news
Learn a new language
Lay in the sun
Enjoy spending time with whoever you’re with
Take a nap
Spend some time on yourself
Don’t over do it!

One thing I’ve learned throughout all of this is that you have to take it easy. Yes, this might be the most free time you’ve had in years but no one is judging you on how productive you are or not. We have to be kind to ourselves during this quarantine and I hope this list of things to do during quarantine is helpful.

I know this is a really uncertain and troubling time but we all will get through it. It does suck that we have to social distance and can’t just get up and go wherever we want to but patience is key. If you try out any of these things to do during quarantine let me know or let me know of the things you are doing during quarantine!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco

Homemade Dog Treats

May 1, 2020

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

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

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

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!

Tie Dye Sets to Make at Home during Quarantine!

April 24, 2020

I absolutely jumped on the tie dye sets bandwagon. I mean, if you haven’t tie dyed or made banana bread did you even quarantine? Making these sets not only gave me something to do but it also gave me a super comfy outfit to lounge in. I decided on two different versions of tie dye sets. I made a bleach dye black set and then pink with pink tie dye set.

Because it seems everyone is making these, I ended up ordering mine from Walmart online. I decided to grab an all black set and then a pink set. I made Sky a shirt and a set for my mom so will all of that and a tie dye kit, I ended up spending around $65 when most online are like $100. Also, the shipping took less than a week on Walmart so it was really fast with everything going on. I think you’ll be surprised with just how easy these tie dye sets were to make!

Bleach Dye

I decided to do my bleach dye set first. It was actually not as scary as it may seem. I first rinsed out the set and made sure to get most of that water out. Then I rubber banded the pants and top. I didn’t bother to do the usual patterns, I actually just went in and randomly pulled up pieces. Once it was time to bleach, I put it in a liquid measuring cup instead of just using the bottle so it had more mobility. I let the bleach set for about 10 minutes and then put it right in the washing machine. It was so easy and I really love the way it came out.

Tie Dye

For this one, I didn’t wash the set prior. I just put the dye on while the set was dry. I also made sure to do the tie dye swirl on the sweatshirts and then for the rest, I did it just like the bleach dye where I randomly banded pieces. This dye had to set for 6-8 hours so just be aware of that when you start this project. Once that time was up, I rinsed out some of the dye just so it wouldn’t fully ruin my washing machine. I kept the rubber bands in while I rinsed it and then I took them out before I put them in the washer and dryer.

This was a really fun project to do during this quarantine. I absolutely love the comfy tie dye sets I now have. I think the best part was that each tie dye sets were only around $22 each. On some websites they are selling sets like these for up to and even over $100. Quarantine can be pretty boring but making fun projects like this really helps to pass them time. Be sure to subscribe to the blog so that you don’t miss any new posts!

Follow me on Instagram: @cassiedenisco

« Previous Page