Beauty: Alert Eye Cream from Israel

Inspired by nature; anything that incorporates that into my beauty routine which actually works, is a plus and makes me feel better.

Spotlight on Alert Eye Cream from Lavido – based in the heart of the Galilee.

I started using this product two months ago after reading up on it. It had great reviews and I ran out of the eye cream I was using. This delicate, water-based eye cream was touted as a miracle-worker spiked with plant-based hyaluronic acid and a complex of antiaging natural oils to fight puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. Also good under makeup. I was sold and they in turn got another sale.

What it is: a lightweight hydrosol water-based cream, formulated with plant-based hyaluronic acid, cold-pressed avocado and pomegranate seed oils, rose hip and citrus extracts. Supposed to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and is clinically proven to show significant improvement in skin hydration, texture, firmness and elasticity.

The beginning: Made in Israel by herbalist Ido Magal who established Lavido in 2003 in the Galilee Valley, inspired by childhood memories of tending her grandmother’s organic garden. A nice little story.

The Sea of Galilee has a reputation of mythic proportions. Since time immemorial, the Sea of Galilee has provided sustenance, fresh water, and a living for all the peoples that have settled in the area. Many are aware of its history, but far fewer know that the Sea of Galilee’s sweet waters and thermal hot springs, all fed by the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers, have been used since Roman times for their healing and recuperative powers.

Find out more at: https://www.lavido.com

Food + Drink, Girl Who Would be King

Dishing: Cauliflower Rice

AHA…Another healthy alternative. This one for rice.

I’m sure you’ve seen it on many a menu of late. If you haven’t made it already I urge you to try it. It’s simple and you can serve it up pretty much any way you would with regular rice. Just add garnish.

Image: **A Food Centric Life** (with parmesan and herbs).

Among its advantages: It’s made from one of the healthiest cruciferous vegetables you can get, so it’s loaded with nutrients including fiber, vitamins C, K and B6, and potassium. Cauliflower has 25 calories per cup vs. 218 for a cup of cooked brown rice.

Directions:

To make the cauliflower rice, break up the florets and pulse cauliflower in the bowl of a food processor until it resembles rice, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
One example: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and white pepper; set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium skillet over low heat.
Add the cauliflower, and stir to combine. Stir frequently, until the cauliflower has softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.Spoon the cauliflower into a large serving bowl, pour sauce over top. Serve warm.

You can gently stir fry or sauté with it using in place of rice for paella or risotto or just mixed with other vegetables. Cauliflower is like a chameleon – it will change it’s flavour depending on how you use it. It’s not as boring as it looks.

Top 8 Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Helps Reduce Cancer Risk.
Fights Inflammation.
Decreases Risk for Heart Disease and Brain Disorders.
Provides High Levels of Vitamins and Minerals (Especially Vitamin C and Vitamin K)
Improves Digestion and Detoxification.
Aids in Weight Loss.
Helps Balance Hormones.
Preserves Eye Health.

Have you tried it?

Girl Who Would be King

MONDAY Mood: Meghan Mania

What the World needs NOW

I know I’ve posted the above quote before, but I love the image and the message is obvious. And after watching the royal wedding in my p.j’s from the comfort of my sister’s sofa, it became so clear. Meghan Markle now known as the duchess of Sussex is the role model referred to in the message. She’s already begun to shake things up and put her markle on the world and is destined to make a difference. You go girl!

There is no woman alive who does not live for a happy ending.

Here’s to Love & Modern Day Fairy Tales.

DESTINATIONS, Girl Who Would be King

Feel-good Friday: California Coasting

Monterey + Carmel

When the desert got too hot to handle I decided to stay a few nights with friends who live along the coast.

**Top L** (product logo from my friends company *Reforestation Technologies International* – RTi. They did the logo then by chance came across the same vintage truck shown on the logo which was for sale and bought it. **Top R** (view from Sakura Japanese Restaurant in Monterey) **Bottom L** (their beautiful dogs Beau & Chase). We want to live Carefree; *at least that’s the intent.*

It had been several years since I’d been to Monterey and Carmel but I remember liking it a lot. There’s not much not to like about it. For starters it’s pretty picturesque especially if you take the famous 17-Mile Drive to Pebble Beach, one of the most scenic drives in the world. You twine through the impressive Del Monte Forest and take in the hypnotic coastline and golf’s greatest landmarks. Which leads me (and everyone else who does the windy drive) to the beach town called Carmel-by-the-Sea. The name has a nice ring to it don’t you think?

**Top L, middle, R and bottom L** taken at historic **Mission Ranch** (*currently owned by Clint Eastwood)*. I will blog about this separately because it’s so deserving. I’m standing by the truck Clint Eastwood drove in the movie *Bridges of Madison County.* Bottom middle taken at **Cypress Inn** (garden restaurant) owned by Doris Day. **Bottom R** – Carmel’s never ending white sandy beach. *Ahhhh…*

Carmel is a fairytale. It’s known for museums, art galleries, a library and little cottages strewn along cobblestone streets. Unique local shops and restaurants complete this charming village built on the Monterey Peninsula. A great plus is it’s also dog friendly, even on the beach. Thank you Doris Day. She was responsible for making Carmel doggy heaven here on earth. One more reason to want to move there.

Five Fun Facts about Carmel

Clint Eastwood was once the mayor but it has been more than 30 years and visitors continue to ask Is Clint Eastwood still the mayor?

No chain restaurants.

Whaaat? With no fast food restaurants the city’s enchanting eateries and tasting rooms offer a full range of cuisine and wine tasting all within walking distance from the over 40 hotels and inns.

I love this one: No street addresses. Unwilling to see their village become citified, Carmel’s founding fathers rejected the practice house- to-house mail delivery in favor of a central post office. To this day, there are still no addresses, parking meters or street lights, and no sidewalks outside of Carmel’s downtown commercial area. Those seeking directions receive hints such as fifth house on the east side of Torres Street, green trim, driftwood fence or by the legendary names adorning most houses, such as Hansel or Sea Urchin. It is, by the way, bad luck to change the name on a Carmel cottage. And why would you? Afterall I want to be Carefree .

There used to be an unusual law of prohibiting selling and eating ice cream on public streets. In 1986 Clint Eastwood and the new council elected along with him, overturned the ordinance and other similar laws that they considered to be too restrictive to businesses and visitors. Dirty Harry to the rescue!

This is the best:

You need a permit to wear high heels?

Though often mistakenly thought of as an urban myth, the municipal code of Carmel bans wearing shoes having heels more than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless the wearer has obtained a permit for them. While the local police do not cite those in violation of the ordinance, this seemingly peculiar law was authored by the city attorney in 1963 to defend the city from lawsuits resulting from wearers of high-heeled shoes tripping over irregular pavement distorted by tree roots. Permits are available without charge at City Hall.

Whew! I was worried for a sec. But for safety purposes I’ll definitely carry a measuring tape in my bag.

Images: d. king (except for the one I’m in – someone else took that).

beauty, Girl Who Would be King

Beauty: for the love of Coconuts

The Coconut Collection

Marc Jacobs Beauty

launched a series of products based on one of the most versatile fruits for skin, hair, and health. Inspired by Jacobs’ love of coconut water and the glow of youthful-looking, radiant, well-hydrated skin.

Four new products make up the limited-edition Coconut Fantasy Collection, and model Adwoa Aboah is the face of a beautiful new campaign shot by David Sims.

The coconut-themed collection includes old and new favorites, in sleek and Instagrammable white packaging with rose gold accents. The matte O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan compact is a giant bronzer, infused with a coconut scent. The Eye-Conic Multi-Finish Eye Shadow Palette in Fantascene comes with seven cream, peach, coral, and warming copper and chocolate shades in matte, satin, and metallic finishes.

The collection is out now for a limited time, at Sephora, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus.

taken from thecut.com

Food + Drink, Girl Who Would be King

Dishing: Blackened Fish

Fresh & Flavorful

Photo: **Taste of Home** (this is blackened Halibut)

This is such a delicious way to serve up mildly flavoured quick-cooking fish like Tilapia, Perch, Cod or Red Snapper. Perfect for rice bowls or tacos.

After making this you have options to serve the fish alongside fluffy rice & veggies or as the main ingredient for tacos. Rockfish like Perch or Snapper is perfect for fish tacos. The fish will flake apart nicely so you can stuff your tacos with it along with fresh salsa (see my fire-roasted corn salsa recipe below) diced avocado, extra cilantro and fresh squeezed lime.

INGREDIENTS for 4 people

2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon pepper
2-1/2 teaspoons paprika
4 fillets (4 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first eight ingredients. Add fillets, two at a time, and shake to coat.

In a large cast-iron skillet, cook fillets in butter over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Yield: 4 servings.

Originally published as Blackened Halibut in Simple & Delicious April/May 2012.

Fire Roasted Corn + Black Bean Salsa:

In a large bowl add chopped grape tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, black beans + fire roasted corn niblets (You can toast them over the stove to save time but it would be better grilled right from the husk.) Toss with freshly squeezed lime juice + coarse salt. Add chopped avocado. Little street tacos, rice on the side and you’re done. It’s delicious.

FUN, Girl Who Would be King

Tacoachella

For the love of tacos, margaritas, friendship, parties with people you’ve never met and photography. Not really in that order. Before leaving Palm Springs my friend Tammy invited me to talented photographer Gary Dorothy’s amazing garden + outdoor space to celebrate the sweet 16 year anniversary of his gorgeous gallery Imageville. I admired a piece she and her husband David have of his in their home. It’s obvious that Gary also has a good eye for party detail. Complete with tended Margarita bar and a help yourself to tacos smorgasbord. And any Mexican-theme party would be totally incomplete without Bichon Frise piñatas right? Exactly. Simply divine!

This from California’s Prestige Magazine Palm Springs Life:

You think you’ve seen our mountains, palm trees, architecture, and iconic places. Then you see Gary Dorothy’s photographs and realize you haven’t really seen them after all. The owner of Imageville — his gallery in downtown Palm Springs (La Plaza) has a curious eye that sees the desert from a different perspective.

Gary Dorothy Photography

I also wanted to include the Palm Springs Modern-style

home to convey what we who live here see in most neighborhoods, period pieces that reflect a simpler time long past but somehow preserved here in this unusual desert town. – Gary Dorothy

Check out the Website: http://www.imageville.us/

Girl Who Would be King

Self Care: Standstill

For the first time since starting this website my heart has just not been into it.

Since a few weeks ago an overwhelming heaviness had taken over and every time I started to come up with a subject to post I ended up overthinking it and deleting it. Everything appeared trivial after the recent passing of my close friend and it brought up other losses and reinforced the reality of impermanence here on earth and making the most of the relationships we now have. Accordingly, a recipe or fashion article seemed too light hearted at this time.

Several heart breaking changes in less than one year is almost unbearable. I say almost because we still manage to carry on and get through the day even so. We are resilient creatures after all, it’s true. But grief, stress and lack of sleep do not a winning combination make. There were times where if I didn’t have dogs I would have probably just stayed in bed all day long. They don’t call them therapy dogs for nothing.

Things change all the time. Of course not all change is bad. Change is inevitable, but when it comes to you at rapid fire speed it can be difficult to embrace. We tend to draw upon all the resources in our power to deal with them. So that’s what I’ve been doing – dealing with them. All the stuff that life throws at you seemed to happen all at once but through it all I’ve learned a lot.

Last Monday I deleted a fairly lengthy post about the power of knowledge after being inspired by an article I read. Because knowledge is power. And the more we read the more we know. The more we know the more we grow. Blah, blah….academic like. I tossed it. Learning however never goes out of fashion.

I’ve learned so much over the past nine months specifically where it comes to personal and business relationships that I can probably write a book. Much of it eye opening and unexpected; an education in itself.

On the business front without going into personal detail I now know what it’s like to deal with someone who will go to any length to take advantage. Someone who has no moral values. An unfortunate situation which blindsided me into getting lawyers involved and taking at least six months more than necessary to complete. My husband would be severely disappointed by what occurred in his absence but I’m pretty sure he’d have been proud of how I dealt with it and the final outcome.

I’ve lost a few friends and gained some new ones along the way. Learning to let go and move on from stagnant or unhealthy relationships only makes you stronger. It’s like cleaning house and tossing out what’s not right or doesn’t work in your life anymore.

I’m not sure about the saying whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger but I will attest that it makes you wiser.

Instead of drowning in despair or wallowing in sorrow I am the person who picks herself up out of the ashes and is on fire. Just like that song. I’ve dealt with and am continuing to deal with whatever life throws at me with aplomb (a word I seldom if ever use but seems fitting right now). Problems will get solved. Maybe not as soon as I would like, but the important thing is that they will get taken care of. Everything in perspective. The important thing is I’m still here. And there are too many other good things to enjoy in life. So that means my stagnant period is coming to an end. Temporary problems and sadness will still occur but getting through them and being there for others who experience the same keeps my head above water and swimming along. Maybe with a few somersaults. Or more likely Summer ~~bath~~ Salts.