Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

 My latest obssesion are Giuseppe Zanotti's shoes. Since I cant afford them, I am posting some of my favorites on here so we can all admire them. Enjoy :)

 

The Best Carrot Cake Ever!!!

Hey there everybody,

Anybody who knows me can tell you that I have a huge sweet tooth, and my favorite things to cook are deserts. The first desert I would like to share with you guys is a carrot cake recipe that I found and personally tested. I have never been a carrot cake fan, but decided to give it a try. It was very easy to make. The hardest part was shredding of the carrots lol. I brought it to work and all my coworkers went nuts for it.  It is very easy to make and trust me when I tell you, with this cake you will kill it in the office or at home. 

For the cake you will need:

1 cup raisins
1 15oz. can crushed pineapple (pour in the juice in the mix as well)
1 lb. carrots, shredded
2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs beaten
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all spice

Cream cheese frosting:

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

Beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly butter an aluminum half sheet pan (12×17″ baking sheet) and line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, place all ingredients in the order they are listed. Mix with a wooden spoon until all dry spots are gone.

2. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, then use a knife to loosen the cake all around the edges. When cake has completely cooled, you can either frost it in the pan, and serve it banquet style, or you can frost it in layers like I did:

3.  To frost the cake the way I frosted mine, loosen the cake again and invert onto the cooling rack or onto a clean flat surface. Use a very sharp knife to cut the cake into 2 eight-inch squares (save the scraps for a snack). Place one square on a cake stand and top with half the frosting. Smooth it out in a thick layer, and top with the remaining square of cake. Spread the remaining frosting on in a thick, luscious layer. Serve.

 

Beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.

Instead of baking 1 big sheet of cake, what I do is split the mixture in half and bake 2 8"x8" cakes. After that I let them cool on a rack and then frost the cakes in 2 layers. The cake is best after it has been in the fridge for couple of hours. After the cake has set in, enjoy because it will be delish!!!! Let me know what you guys think. Please share your favorites. 

Run Half - Marathon in 10 Weeks: Beginner Training Plan

Be a Runner: The 10-week Beginner Training Plan 

You're a beginner if... you're a walker or a weekend jogger or if three miles is a challenge. The couch to 13.1 beginner plan takes you from a zero base of running to the half-marathon distance slowly to avoid injury, and to get your body used to a jogging routine.
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I quit cigarettes 5 months ago, and I am very proud of myself. I feel better, food tastes better, but my jeans do not fit better. Actually I gained quite a bit of weight and I can't fit in my clothes. Every Sunday I tell myself that I am starting to work out on Monday, but somehow the couch always looks better than the gym after work.
Today is the last day of my procrastination and expansion. I can't stand my back boobs, and triple chin, so tomorrow I start the change that I need.
I picked this easy to follow program because it is for beginners like me, who enjoy the couch way too much.

• Take baby steps. The schedule that is posted eases you in with walk intervals that are twice as long as the run segments, and then gradually stretches out the running. 

• Build a social network. This one is hard for me personally because my friends are lazier than me, but for those of you who can buddy-up it will be easier to start and keep you motivated. If you choose to run alone, then update your progress on facebook or twitter so you can get some cheers and motivation. 

• Eat high-carb foods. Carbs are a source for fuel, because they turn most readily glycogen, which feeds the muscles. It is best to eat high-carb snacks or meals, like whole wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana, and hour before your run. Some experts recommend a daily diet that consists of 50 to 55 percent carbs from whole grains, fruits and veggies, 10 to 20 percent protein, and 25-30 percent fats, like avocado and nuts. 

Starting tomorrow I will start this program and will update you guys on my progress. Would love to hear about every body's progress. Lets do it together!!!

Cold Sores

Cold Sores

As the winter is approaching fast, many of us are faced with the ultimate nightmare - cold sores. I personally have suffered all my life from them and through the years and extensive research I have come to find some common cures. Below are pictures of the stages of the cold sore for those who are not really familiar with the stages of a cold sore. 

• Liquid Band Aid - I know it sounds crazy, but for me it works miracles. Once the monster has appeared on your lips, just spray it with Liquid Band aid and let it stay that way. Do this couple of times a day and watch the cold sore shrink. There is a substance like the one in nail polish remover that helps kill the cold sore. I can not guarantee this for everyone, but for me it helps. 

• L-lysine Supplements  - L-lysine is an important and indispensable component of proteins. It plays a role in the production of carnitine and collagen. It has many benefits including treatment of viral infections like herpes simplex, cold sores, shingles and others. I have used L-lysine and the way I do it is this: when I feel the tingling that signals the formation of a cold sore on the lip, I take 2-3 500mg L-lysine pills twice a day. Many times the cold sore doesn't come out, sometimes it does. But in my experience, the best way to prevent the cold sores coming at all is to take L-lysine everyday.  If you would like to learn more about this supplement go to www.md-health.com/L-Lysine-Benefits.html. 

• The third and latest cure that works wonders for me, when it comes to the horrible cold sores that love to appear right before major events like vacation, dates, presentations at work or school, is Orajel Instant Pain Relief for Cold Sores. Its a 2 single dose treatment vials that do wonders. I went on vacation to Cancun, Mexico in April, 2013 and from all the excitement and sun, the first night at the hotel I got a horrific tingling sensation on my lip. I could not believe 

that this was happening. I forgot my L-Lysine and the liquid band aid, so the only thing I had was the Orajel. I applied one vial, and when I woke up in the morning I could not believe my eyes. The cold sore that was coming out the night before, was dead. There was a little bump on my lip, but nothing like a cold sore. It was hardly visible and did not hurt at all. After I applied the second vial

my lips were perfect, and I could enjoy the rest of my vacation. 

Once again I want to let you know that I am not a doctor, and I am not paid to endorse those products. I am just sharing with everybody what works for me after many years of suffering. My cold sores are brought by stress, fever, sun and drastic changes in temperature. I would love to hear what works for you guys. Lets conquer those irritating cold sores and help each other be cold sore free. 

Hello :)

Hello everybody. My name is Ivelina and this blog is going to be about a little bit of everything. I hope we can make this an interactive experience and learn about things from each other. I will post about everything from animals to travel, fashion, quotes and of course food. So let the journey begin.