6th Annual Odessa Haywood Cancer Awareness Gala

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of providing my makeup services for the 6th Annual Odessa Haywood Cancer Awareness Gala. Dr. Kimberley Booker founded this organization in honor of her mother, Odessa Haywood who passed in 2008 from Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

I was honored when Dr. Booker asked me to do her and her daughter's makeup last year and even more honored this year when she asked me to provide my services for a few cancer survivors who were being recognized. I quickly jumped at the opportunity because I always think it is important to give back, especially with something as important as cancer awareness.

Here are a few photos from the event:

Organic Vs Natural

Have you ever been in the grocery store looking at produce and realize the word"organic" is everywhere? Organic, Organic, Organic. I'm almost positive you hear and see that word several times a week at least. It tends to get thrown around a lot but still, many people are not clear on what exactly this means.

The Dirty Dozen: Foods You Should Consider Buying Organic

Occasionally when your reading or watching the news, you come across a story of produce contamination. I know you have seen them, spinach being recalled because they found traces of E. Coli or strawberries having traces of feces (yeah, disgusting I know). Unfortunately this is what you have to deal with when you don't grow your own produce in your back yard. You relying on someone else to provide you and your family with good quality clean food. The Dirty Dozen list came about because many experts felt that people should understand which kinds of produce have the most pesticide contamination.

Smoothie Queen: My Smoothie Regimen

Many people have asked my about my smoothies and what I put in them. I usually tell them that it depends on what I have a taste for. One day, I may be feeling tropical, the next day I may want a berry flavor, or some days I may want to go green and have a super healthy smoothie. It honestly just depends on what my palette is feeling like that day. Below, I have recipes for three of my go-to smoothies as well as a video recipe of a yummy tropical green smoothie. Hope you enjoy!

My New Obsession: Belvita Breakfast Biscuits Review

OK, I am fully aware that these biscuits have been out for a number of years but I just recently found these bad boys and decided to try them a few week ago. Seriously, I was in the grocery store like "What can i possible get for a super quick breakfast?" I don't know about y'all but nearly 2-3 times a week, I just do not have time to make breakfast in the morning. Most of the time, Sleep wins. Who am I kidding, sleep wins all the time. Any who, while in the cookie aisle looking for something I do not need, I stumbled upon these little gems.

Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread

*No pumpkins were harmed in the making of this recipe, because there is no actual pumpkin in it*

First, let me start by saying that I am extremely glad it is finally the weekend. This week has been trying to say the least and I just want to relax.  Hopefully you guys had a much better week then I did. This recipe came from sheer laziness and trying to use a produce before it spoils. It never fails, I can never buy the correct amount of bananas for the week. Usually when I don't buy enough, I run out BUT if I buy too much, they start to spoil. So, here I am with 3 bananas practically black because I'm too lazy and too cheap to chunk them. Haha!

I Heart Fall Tag

Fall is one of our favorite seasons here at Eat Well and Sparkle. With the change of weather, the colorful trees, big sweaters and cute boots, and let's not forget....PUMPKIN; who could hate the amazingness that is Fall! In honor of the change of seasons here is our "I Heart Fall Tag"