Chocolate Brownie Cheese Cake

1. Preheat oven to 325F, and grease a 8" Cheesecake pan. 
2. Mix all dry ingredients.
3.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter. 
4. Add butter and eggs to dry ingredients. Mix well until smooth 
5. Spread brownie mix evenly in greased cheesecake pan. Bake for about 6-8 min MAX.  You want the sides to be set, but the middle to still be a bit gooey. 
6. Remove from heat and put aside to cool while you prep your cheese cake mix. 
7. Reduce oven temperature to 300F.
8. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. 
9. Pour cheese cake mix over the cooled brownie.
10. Bake for 25mins
11. Lets the cheesecake cool down before releasing the sides.
12. In a microwave safe bowl , melt butter and chocolate together for about 30-40 secs depending on the strength of your microwave. 
13. Mix well until smooth. 
14. You can pour it decoratively over the cake, or cover the entire top of the cake. BE CREATIVE. :)
15. Place the cake in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Follow me on my social media accounts for instant shenanagans. :) 

It was around this time last year that I was getting ready to start preparing for my first day as an official Jr. Makeup Artist for the Jen Evoy Makeup Team. I remember laying awake in bed before my very first booking, not be able to sleep from all the excitement and anxiety I had.

Ever since I can remember I had wanted to be a makeup artist. I use to play beauty parlor with anyone I could get my hands on. My poor mother had to endure afternoons filled with fuchsia lip stick, blue eye shadow and blotchy pink cheeks. Did I mention I also did her hair.

I have officially worked my first wedding season in 2016, and to this day I still feel like I need to pinch myself. When you dream about something for so long its almost hard to accept that it has become your reality. After 1 year of being with the team I finally earned my spot on the Jen Evoy Makeup Studios website. Which was a huge deal for me.

I had the privilege of getting dolled up by one of the senior artists at Jen Evoy Makeup Studios for my official head shot. I swear after that day I must have visited the company site 3 times a day just to see if my photo had gone up in its reserved spot.

One sweet day, as I was doing my daily check, there I was. Little ole me, mixed in with a bunch of strong, talented, passionate and driven group of women. It was not only an honor, but I felt like I finally made it.

Working with the Jen Evoy Makeup team this past year I have gained so much confidence in my art, and in myself. I have learned so much and cannot wait to continue to learn and perfect my craft. I feel so blessed to be able to work along side such a wide group of talented and amazing women.

I must admit, waking up at 4am still feels like a chore, but nothing can replace the feeling of doing what you love and in turn sharing what you love to do with someone else.

I cant wait to share some of my work with you guys, and all the fun adventures that come along with being a Jr. Makeup Artist for the JE Team.

If you want to check me out on their site check out the link below.
http://www.jenevoymakeupstudio.com/about



xo

Joana Rita

Hello My Darlings,

I was backing up my cell phone the other day and I found this GEM! I filmed this last April, but the feeling is just as strong!

I want to apologize for all the F Bombs. Just one of them days!

Enjoy xo

1. 1 Whole Cauliflower  
2. 1 medium sized onion
3. 1-2 cloves of garlic
4. 1/2-1 cup of Cheddar Cheese Grated
5. 1/2-1 pack of BACON - Extra Crispy and Crumbled Bits. 
6. 1/2 Cup of butter
7. Salt and Pepper to taste. I added a pinch of chili flakes as well.

1. Chop up Cauliflower, onion and garlic.
2. Place into a pot, I used a pressure cooker.
3. Add enough water so that all ingredients are fully covered in water.
4. Cook for about 15-20 mins.  
5. While you are waiting for the cauliflower to cook, start cooking your bacon. You can use a frying pan, or a grill. Just make sure they're crispy. Started grating the cheese.
6. Once you can easily pierce the Cauliflower with a fork, it’s ready. Mash together all the ingredients in your pot until all well blended. 
7. Add Chicken flavored bouillon cube and butter.
8. Add Bacon bits and cheese. Make sure you are constantly stirring so that the cheese gets melted into the broth and doesn't create cheese balls or clumps
9. Add salt and pepper. A pinch of Chili flakes for a bit of a kick.

Hello my Loves!

I am excited to introduce one of my new topics " YUMMY FINDS"

I dont know about you guys but I am ALWAYS on the hunt for a healthy, yummy, feel good treat.

I am constantly seeing my Instagramers posting and endorsing  yummy protein loaded traditionally "junky" meals or snacks. Mac and cheese, muffins, pancakes, ice cream, peanut butter, and bars to name a few.

Unfortunately for me and most of my fellow Canadians most of these delicious items are only available in the U.S. However you do have the option of having them shipped to you. But with our luck by the time you pay the exchange rate, shipping and possibly customs its just not worth it.

So this brings me back to my new and exciting topic of "YUMMY FINDS"

Along my get healthy and fit journey I have found some really great healthy food/snack items that meet my daily diet needs. So I welcome you to try out some of my Yummy Finds!


For My first find I am excited to share that this past summer I have discovered Protein Chips!

I was up north doing some grocery shopping for the weekend. I was strolling the healthy option isle at the local Super Center when I found Simply Protein Chips.

They where available in 3 flavors at the Midland location. Spicy Chilli, BBQ Tomato and Sea Salt and Cracker Pepper.

Today we are going to talk about cookies. Chewy. Delicious. Golden brown little bites of heaven. I would have to say cookies are my guilty pleasure. Unfortunately, Mr. Christie doesn't cater to my lifestyle,or the cookie isle at any store for that matter.

This past month I have been experimenting with coconut and almond flour. I have been successful in creating delicious little choke bombs. Each one of my creations have been tasty, but both flours have the tendency to absorb liquids and be quite compact. I wanted chewy, airy and moist cookies. Lets be honest, what I really wanted with a fresh baked Chocolate Chip cookie from Tim Horton's.


But I, Joana Rita, master of the healthy rendition am not quitter. Also, my cravings were wicked intense. So I googled my little heart out and created a mash up of what I had tried before with what I was finding online.



I was so excited. I know I say that about everything, but I'm honestly just a firecracker of energy when I'm happy. If rainbow vision was a thing, I would be classified a unicorn.



Also, can I just say how frustrating it is when you are trying out a diet specific recipe online and you feel like you need to go on a spiritual journey just go get the ingredients. 1 cup of Grass fed, grain fed, organic, non gmo, free range, vegan friendly, soy free "insert random ingredient here" . I'm all for being diet specific, but my baking ingredients need to be convenient for me. I dont want to have to go to 4 different stores to make a batch of goodies. BUT I encourage you to swap my ingredients for their "cleaner"counter parts if that is what you're more comfortable with or have any dietary restrictions.



Dark Chocolate Chip Keto Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup of Almond Flour
1/4 cup of Coconut Flour
1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
3 Tablespoons of Butter
3 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
6 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter
1/4 cup of Sweetener/Brown Sugar.
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Eggs
15-30 pcs of Dark Chocolate split in halves.(see notes)



Recipe Notes

• I used a 50/50 ratio with my fats( butter/coconut oil). When I first made these cookies I just used butter. I did find with the 50/50 ratio they came out a bit softer. I say use either or. If you dont have coconut oil, butter will do just fine. 
• I've tried PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter and Regular Peanut butter. Didn't notice any may differences. So I say use your nut butter of choice. I think Almond butter with be just as delicious.
• As far as sweetener goes, I dont particularly like the taste of it. I used 1/4 of a cup and found it sweet enough. If you dont have any sugar restrictions in your diet use your sugar of choice.
• I used CHIPITS Dark Chocolate Chunks. It has 4 grams of sugar per 15 pieces. Feel free to use regular milk chocolate. Again I was trying to keep this recipe as Keto friendly as I could. 

I have made this recipe a couple times. I find you can make LARGE cookies, and or 12 snack sized cookies. It honestly just depends on how much you willing to share. :) 

Is it just me, or is everyone else just as excited and curious about the Charmed Aroma craze?

I'm not going to lie, I have been creeping the website ever since I found out about the company. I absolutely LOVE the idea of it.

For those of you who have been living under a rock *cough MEN. Charmed Aroma is this beautiful, deliciously fragrant candle. The fun part is that hidden within the wax is a RING! Every ring is different. Different style, size and worth. If that wasn't already amazing, if you splurge a bit more on their Crystal Collection  you can reuse the "jar"as a jewelry box or keep sake.

My dear friend Tania surprised me this year for my birthday with a Charmed Aroma Candle. Which was perfect. I had been eyeing them for some time now. Had my online cart filled with Vanilla Bean, Velvet Peach and Coconut Vanilla. They all sounded so delicious. But my indecisive nature could never quite commit.

Just to give you an idea of my love affair for candles I am the woman who struts into Winners, by passes the purses, cosmetics and cheeky lingerie and heads straight to the candle section. I spend, what seems like endless hours smelling each and every candle. I even create little groups of them on shelves. I section them off  from favorite to least desirable. I proudly horde a handful in my shopping cart and take joy in selecting which lucky winner gets to come home with me while I browse the other isles.

If you ever in Winners and find candles scattered through out the store, you are welcome. :)

So back to my lovey birthday gift. I received the special edition Apple Cinnamon Vanilla Crystal Collection Candle. Most of you would assume I went home and lit that candle asap. But quite the opposite. I waited. I'm not sure for what exactly. But I felt like a special candle needed a special occasion. To my surprise the candle was so fragrant that even as it sat on my dresser the delicious smell filled the air in my room.

On a cold Friday afternoon I found myself snuggled up in bed, Charmed Aroma lit, glass of wine in hand devouring a good 50 shades of Grey inspired read. I know, I know, my Friday nights are WILD.

To My surprise and annoyance the candle took FOREVER to burn down. I have to say the entire experience was magical and worth the $30.00 a pop.  Charmed Aroma candles are great quality, smell amazing, are long burning and you get some bling at the end.





Check out  Charmed Aroma for more info. They also have charmed bath bombs and body butters.


x.o

Joana Rita