Meal Solutions: Savory Chicken Tacos

     As a food enthusiast, I try a lot of new things. Close friends will tell you that I love grocery shopping, and prefer it to shopping for clothes! While I do cook and try a wide variety of dishes, no meal has had me coming back for more like a recent recipe I came across on EatingWell.com. If you are looking for a dish that is healthy, easy to make, and absolutely delicious-- try these Charred Tomato &  Chicken Tacos! Check out 
www.EatingWell.com for more recipe ideas!


____________________What you'll need

• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2  boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
• Salt & pepper
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 cloves cloves garlic, very finely chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and very finely chopped (Substitute Serrano peppers for extra kick!)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 4-6 tortillas, warmed (I suggest El Milagro Flour tortillas- they are delicious!!)
• 
  

Serving Size: 1-2 people. Spiciness can be altered by including or omitting peppers. Cook Time: 30mins


Step 1: Thaw the meat, trim any fat, and cut it into 1 inch chunks.


Step 2: Dice the tomatoes, the garlic, the onion, and the jalapeño (or Serrano) peppers.


Step 3: Heat a skillet on high, and add the tomatoes. Do not add any oil or spray, this process chars the tomatoes, and gives a grilled taste. Char the tomatoes for no more than 8 minutes. When you are finished, set the tomatoes aside on a plate and cover them.


Step 4: Add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the skillet, and begin cooking the chicken on medium heat. Season it with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, until it is browned on all sides and no pink remains.


Step 5: Add the garlic, onion and jalapeño peppers to the chicken. Let all of the flavors cook together for about 5 minutes. (EXTRA: For added 'zing,' sprinkle some paprika on the mixture!)


Step 6: Pour in the two tablespoons of lime juice, and add the charred tomatoes. Reduce the heat to a simmer. In the mean time, heat the tortillas in the microwave by wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel for about 35-45 seconds. 

Step 7: For a fresh, juicy flavor, add 2 tablespoons of spicy tomato juice to the simmering mixture. (For best results, try the spicy or  "picante" flavor of Clamato tomato juice).


Step 8: Load the tortillas up with the mixture and serve! Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and sauce as desired.


Enjoy!


Vanessa

Radiant Skin-- Regardless of the Season!

    It happens to all of us. Eventually Summer passes, and our tans fade, along with that summer "glow." Without even realizing it, we become pale and pasty, and our skin becomes dry. Beyond just dealing with dry skin, the condition looks and feels bad, and prevents makeup from going on smoothly. Are you ready for radiant skin, even in winter? Read on!


First Things First


It is time to slough away that dead skin! An exfoliator such as Apricot Scrub by St. Ives, or truly any face wash that contains scrubbing beads will do the trick. I'm currently hooked on L'Oreal's 360 clean deep clean cream face wash. Not only will it last you months, it smells wonderful and comes with a little "scrublet." This bad boy will clear all of your pores, and leave your skin feeling velvety soft! If you don't want to buy a new face wash or invest in an exfoliator, you can also use your current face wash on a wash cloth to get similar benefits.


Next Steps


After roughing up your skin a bit, it is crucial to follow up with a moisturizer. If you moisturize after you wash your face, you will seal in the moisture from the water, as well as receive the added benefits of the moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin, take it easy on the exfoliation, and make sure to follow up with a gentle face lotion. If you have dry or oily skin, a face lotion that I highly suggest is the Health Skin Face Lotion SPF 15 by Neutragena. This lotion contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which continues to renew your skin and erase the appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations, leaving your complexion even and vibrant.


Time for Makeup


After you have applied moisturizer, continue on with your normal makeup routine. Now that you have rid your skin of its dry appearance, it's "glow" time! Using a bronzer brush, apply a bronzer that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin color to the hollows of your cheeks. If you make a "fish face," you will want to apply the bronzer just under your cheek bones, sweeping back towards your ears. If you use blush, apply a nice rosy color to the apples of your cheeks while smiling-- this will allow you to better locate the apples of your cheeks. Next, blend the bronzer and the blush together as to avoid lines! 


Hint: A bronzer with a warm, subtle glow highlights your bone structure and adds a nice vibrant touch to winter makeup. Be careful not to go overboard, however! I recommended Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in "Dusk" for this look.  


Enjoy!

Chicken-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

    Welcome to my new and improved blog, Cookin' and Lookin' Good! This is your guide to making delicious meals while keeping up on all of the latest and greatest beauty trends! Since the last Big Hair Blog post,  I have been working for an awesome marketing company called GT Universe where I have been working on an account in the food industry. My work influenced my taste buds, and I found myself trying all kinds of new dishes and spicing up things in my own kitchen! After some of my friends I have cooked for suggested that I switch around the Big Hair Blog to incorporate food, I listened! For my first food entry, I will be cooking Chicken-Stuffed Poblano Peppers! Enjoy :)

Chicken-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Serves: 2-4 depending on appetite :)

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Spicy Factor: Medium

Ingredients: 4 Poblano peppers, 2 garlic cloves, 1 large yellow onion, 1 bag of shredded Mexican cheese, 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts, 2 Roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 cup water


Step 1: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cover a baking sheet in foil.

Step 2: Rinse the Poblano peppers, and cut them lengthwise, leaving the stem intact. Clean all of the seeds out. Lay all four peppers skin-side down on the foil-covered baking sheet, and cover them with 1/2 cup of water.

Step 3: Bake the peppers for 10 minutes. In the meantime, dice the chicken into cubes, slice the garlic cloves, dice the tomato, and chop the onion as you please (diced is recommended). When the peppers are finished, set them in a glass baking dish and put them aside for the time being.

Step 4. Pour 2 teaspoons of olive oil onto a skillet. Cook the onion and garlic on high until they are golden brown. This should take about 5 minutes. (I added serrano peppers for an added kick!)

Step 5: Add the chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle with the cumin and salt. Let the chicken cook for 10 minutes over medium heat and then add the tomato. Cook the yummy mixture for 3 more minutes!

Step 6: Reduce the oven to 350 degrees for the next step. Spoon the skillet mixture evenly into the 4 peppers.

Step 7: Cover with filled peppers with 2 cups of Mexican shredded cheese (should be about the whole bag). Cover the baking dish in foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Step 8: Remove the foil and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove and let cool.

Serve! The dish is best served with rice and beans. For a little flair, garnish the finished product with green onion and beans. For spicy food fans, add hot sauce! I'm a huge fan of Valentina Mexican Hot Sauce! It's inexpensive and quite delicious! Look for it in the international aisle of your grocery store.

Enjoy!


Vanessa

Missing your old length?

We have all been there. You see a picture in a magazine and think, "Wow! I wanna look just like that!" Before you know it, you are in the chair at the salon, cut out magazine picture in hand, and thinking, "I'm ready!" The stylist takes the first chop, and your stomach drops. There's no turning back now, your new 'do is coming to you in full effect.


What now?
This entry is personal as I am currently going through this! Inspired by a Fekkai ad, I went for a shorter look. The stylist cut my hair as just as I had asked, but I chose something I thought I wanted and sadly, was wrong. As hair is my favorite thing, a big change to my 'do was tough. Through research and personal discovery, here are some tips to get it back, and to cope while your hair is growing.


1) Vitamins

You can purchase Biotin, Hair Skin & Nails, or prenatal vitamins at any drugstore or grocery store. The vitamins work internally to maintain and promote healthy hair, nail and skin. The vitamins support the structural foundation of the hair, leading to improved hair growth. Natural human hair grows about 1/2 an inch each month. Taking such vitamins may gently boost that amount. Another cool fact? The vitamins are relatively cheap! I got mine from Target for $7!

2) Scalp Massage


Growth can be boosted with increased scalp stimulation. Next time you are in the shower, applying a root lifter, or even stressed out, use your finger tips to massage your scalp in small circles. Make sure to cover your whole head for the full effect. Scalp massage can also be good for ensuring that product is fully absorbed by the hair when styling or cleansing. 


3) Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise


It seems that regular exercise and a healthy diet will solve many problems. No surprise, it even assists with maintaining a healthy head of hair. Drinking the recommended amount of water (8 glasses a day) is beneficial to healthy hair growth, as is eating a meal rich in vitamins to nurture hair, nails, and skin. Regular exercise will boost blood flow to the scalp, promoting growth.

4) Be Kind to Your Hair


Try your best to avoid constant heat styling or tight ponytails that can cause breakage. Make sure to use thermal protectants as well as gentle ponytail holders. Try letting your hair towel-dry as much as possible before opting for the dryer. A good anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner will also be beneficial.


As far as styling, do your best to embrace your new do! Use Google image search to discover hair styles for your new length. Experiment with wearing your hair wavy and natural as well as straight. A little teasing at the crown from time to time looks cute on shorter styles! Just make sure not to overdo it, as teasing is a huge cause of breakage. 


Headbands, head scarves, and other accessories may add that extra oomph to your new style as well. Forever 21 and its accessories store, For Love 21 are full of inexpensive adorable hair accessories. 


If worse comes to worst, a classic ponytail (if possible with your new cut) is always a way to feel like your old hair again :)


Big Hair Love,


Vanessa

Solutions-- What to do with yesterday's hair

We've all been there. You wake up late with no time to shower. Your hair is a wreck. It's greasy, crinkled in strange places, and has no sense of clear direction. What do you do?

Big Hair Blog is here to save the day! There are many variations of "yesterday's hair" styles, no matter how much time you have on your hands.

Style One: You actually do have time, you just don't feel like doing it.

This happens to everyone, don't worry. A good solution for hair you just don't feel like doing is a loose, messy bun. With a cute clip and a little hairspray, no one will even notice your lack of effort.

1. Align the front pieces how you like them (I am a fan of the side pouf!).
2. Carefully gather all of the hair in one hand, and the ponytail holder in the other.
3. Act as though you are going to leave the hair in a ponytail, but after two twists of the ponytail holder, only let the hair pass half way through the pony tail holder.
4. Pin any and all loose strands that didn't quite make it into the pony tail holder around the bun to make it appear more styled.
5. With both hands, get a grip on the bun and pull it forward. This will give more volume up top.
6. Hairspray your masterpiece!

Also-- if you're really feeling lazy, throw that mess up into a "party pony." Party ponies aren't just ponytails worn out to the bars, they are also ponytails made up of bar hair.

Style Two: Your hair is salvageable, but it's just a bit greasy.

1. Use baby powder! Apply a small amount in your palms, and apply it directly to your roots.
2. Make sure to really rub in the powder as to avoid looking like you have lice.

                                                                -OR-

1. Use a dry shampoo spray!
2. Apply to the roots, rub in well.

TIP: Big Sexy Hair's dry shampoo is awesome. It comes in travel size cans as well in case you find yourself looking a little greasy on the go.

Style Three: Your hair has a weird wave going on, and you're not quite sure what to do with it.

1. Use a spray bottle to dampen your hair.
2. Apply a texture spray or mousse all over.
3. Scrunch with your hands, involving a blow dryer with or without a diffuser, depending on your hair's  reaction to a diffuser.
4. Take care of any frizz issues with hairspray or a shine spray.
5. Arrange the front pieces how you like.

TIP: Headbands are great for bad hair days. Whether a cute headband to disguise the mess beneath or a workout headband for mass coverage, these bad boys will greatly assist you in controlling your rebellious excuse for hair. 

Big Hair Love,

Vanessa

Everything in moderation--except HAIRSPRAY!

I suppose it is no mystery that I may be slightly obsessed with hairspray, but for good reason! Hairspray is the secret behind many styles. Those with curly hair or who scrunch on a regular basis know that the last step is always a spritz of hairspray. Hot rolling fanatics like myself know that the key to making the curls last is, well, hairspray! While many women (and men) believe that hairspray is all the same and can only be used in certain ways, there is much more to it. Today I will demystify hairspray, and give some good news as to where to find it.

1) The stuff your stylist used on your prom hairstyle can be used outside of prom-- A prime example is Kenra 25. If you are looking for a "no buts about it" hairspray, this is it. Kenra 25 is a volumizing hairspray. You can lift pieces of hair up, spray the Kenra, let the piece fall, and the roots will be noticeably boosted. This is a perfect spray for a night out on the town. Kenra will hold your curls or contain your frizz and flyaways through dancing, humidity, and anything else the night may hold. Word to the wise, however, this truly is serious stuff. If you tend to hate the crunchy feel, this may not be for you!


2) Some hairsprays are made for the styling process, not just the final touches. InfraTexture by CHI is a great example of this kind of spray. Truthfully, any lighter hold hairspray can be used while creating curls with a curling iron, or even with hot rollers. Simply spritz one spray on the section of hair ready to be styled, and then proceed with curling. 

CHEAP TIP-- Buy Suave Volumizing Hairspray at the grocery store for this reason. This is a great item to have around when you just want a little bit of control, but don't need to bust out the Kenra. Plus it retails at about $2!


3) Not all hairsprays smell good! If there is one thing I have noticed about women (including myself) we like to smell everything first before we buy it. From face wash to our beloved hairspray, we make sure it smells pretty. If you are looking for a hairspray that particularly smells good, (hair perfume with some hold?) check out the Herbal Essences hairsprays. I currently have the blue "Set Me Up" kind and it smells like the original Herbal Essences shampoos in the yellow bottles with the daisies on the bottle. Boys do notice hair that smells good!

4) Hairspray is essential to teasing-- If you like to tease your hair, you should know this already. If not,  your teasing abilities are about to get much better. After you tease a section of hair, spray that hot mess down! If you fail to use hairspray, the teasing may not last at all! There are sprays out there that specifically were designed for this use. Big Sexy Hair has a spray called What a Tease that is meant for this purpose. It is stronger than Kenra 25, but has no added benefits such as shine. It is simply glue for the hair.


TIP-- When applying hairspray to a section of teased hair, allow the spray to dry first before letting the hair down! Use the actual hairspray bottle as a tool! Place the bottle as close to the scalp where you just teased and sprayed. Leave the bottle there for 30 seconds, and release! This will create more of a volumous shape.


5) You can overdo it. Sadly but surely, most hairsprays do contain alcohol. That being said, overdoing the hairspray can lead to some very  dry hair if the hairspray abuse continues. While many styles and situations require a lot of hairspray, make sure you are using a clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner once a week if you are a hairspray abuser. Make sure to get a trim every 4-6 weeks! 

MEGA TIP-- If you live in Greenwood, Indianapolis, Avon, or Carmel, check out the Beauty Brands Annual $6.98 Hairspray sale if you will be home for religious holidays this weekend! Big Sexy Hair, Redken, Chi, AG, Matrix, Tigi, Brocato, and many other awesome brands of hairspray will be available for $6.98 at Beauty Brands locations through April 25th. Check out www.beautybrands.com/locations for more info!




Big Hair Love,


Vanessa

Fight the FRIZZ!

The very sound of the word "frizz" can make many women have flashbacks to bad hair days. Days marked by random little curls sticking out of an otherwise flawless ponytail or patches of stringy hairs sticking out from the top of your favorite style. The good news is, there are many cures for this "disease." Here are some of my favorite products to ban frizz from start to finish!

Shampoo/Conditioner

1)Super Skinny, Paul Mitchell

This shampoo/conditioner combo is a favorite of many! The fresh kiwi scent and high "suds-ability" of the shampoo make this a product enjoyable to use as well as beneficial in overall effect. According to Paul Mitchell, the system smooths, softens, and reduces dry time.

2)Sleek Look, Matrix

If there is one product I can guarantee will reduce frizz from the start, it is Sleek Look by Matrix. This stuff smells fresh, produces great suds, and leaves your hair feeling silky smooth after the first rinse of the conditioner. You should only use about a quarter size of the conditioner as to not leave the hair greasy looking.

Serums/Lotions/Leave-in conditioners

1) Darn Straight Leave-In Lotion by Straight Sexy Hair

This is lotion made for hair! The fruity smell and weightless texture make this a good choice for people with less severe cases of frizz. It is perfect for a straight or wavy style. Apply to damp hair and style as usual.

2)Super Skinny Serum, Paul Mitchell

As you can see, the entire Super Skinny line is a tried and true "go to" product for frizz of all kinds. Once again, the fresh, kiwi scent and the benefits of smooth hair that dries faster makes this a great pick for all frizz issues. Apply a quarter size amount to hair, concentrating mostly on the crown and below. Coat the scalp very sparingly to avoid a greasy look. Blow-dry and enjoy silky smooth hair! This product also comes in an extra strength version for more sever frizz cases.

3) It's a 10 Leave-In Conditioner Spray

As a sales associate, I was asked on a daily basis if my store carried this product. We did not carry it, so I found it elsewhere-- curious to see what all the rage was about. The entire "It's a 10" line is marked by having 10 benefits; repair, shine, detangling, frizz control, hair color protection, split end prevention, silkiness, natural body, and thermal protection. It has a scent reminiscent of a woman's perfume. While the price is a bit steep, $17.50 for a 4oz. bottle, it lasts a long time and has become the saving grace for many women! On amazon.com reviews, every user rated this spray  five stars. One woman said her only complaint is that she wished they made it in greater quantities. You can find this product online or at select Krogers and other beauty supply stores.  

                                                    

Last but not least-- Final touch sprays

Smooth and Seal Aerated Anti-Frizz & Shine Spray-- Straight Sexy Hair

This may be my all-time favorite product! (Other than Kenra 25 Hairspray of course!) This spray comes in a tall can and comes out like hairspray, minus the stickiness! It is an aerated light oil spray that lightly weighs down fly aways and adds shine. It smells fresh like baby powder, and can be used on any style. This is especially wonderful to have in the summer. If there is any product I could most suggest, it would be this!

I hope this has been helpful. Check out these products and enjoy beautiful, shiny, frizz-free hair!!

Big Hair Love,

Vanessa