COOKING - BLOGGING - CREATING

Just a girl and her thoughts...

which are mostly about food, sometimes about life and always honest.

I strive to create a space to share my experiences as a 30-something year old, black female, living life in THE greatest city, New Orleans and be transparent about this thing called life cause, it ain't easy!

Most of my posts will be healthy cooking posts (because health is wealth!), some of my posts will be about life (because sharing is caring) and the things I do outside of my 9-5, and all my posts will be HONEST. Because without honesty what's the point?

Blog

Mar 24, 20222 min read

Dairy Free Chicken & Dumplings

What's more comforting than a hearty bowl of chicken & dumplings? Well I'll tell you, one that comes together in no time and has the same...

0 comments

Feb 7, 20234 min read

Valentine's Day Menu Ideas 2023

Valentine's Day is upon us once again and if you are wondering how your going to spend it, let me entice you to skip the restaurants and...

0 comments

Forever a foodie - some recent at home and outside eats!

It’s giving ✨bougie auntie✨and I’m absolutely here for it!

Dress: @meshki and I never want to take it off. It’s maybe the most comfortable thing I own

The most delicious fall breakfast bake is this applie pie French toast casserole. My only regret was not making more! Save this recipe for later when you need a nice cozy breakfast at home!

Ingredients:
- 1 apple peeled, cored, diced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
- Vanilla extract (to your liking)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup milk
- 4 4 slices brioche bread, cubed

Directions:
- Mix the apples cubes, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl til coated.
- Cook over medium low heat in a pan with the butter until soft
- Meanwhile combine the egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon in a bowl til well combined.
- Fold in the brioche bread cubes
- Fold in the cooked apples
- Divide the mixture between to greased small loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Serve with maple syrup

It was such a special night to be in community with so many wonderful black people celebrating and enjoying the delicious food of @bronzevillewinery and tasting all the different whiskeys from the original black whiskey maker @unclenearest. To hear the stories and meet the family was truly incredible. Cheers to black businesses, cheers to our rich history and cheers to community!

#datenight #blackownedbusiness #supportlocal #chicago

slow mornings ☕️ cozy evenings 🧦 delicious food 🥧 a good book 📚 time with loved ones 💕

I hope October is good to you!

Also this oat cookie creamer from @aldiusa is 😋

Yee-haw! 🤠

Had the best time celebrating my niece’s 4th birthday this past weekend! And check out those cookies my mom, sister, and I made… never again 😅!!

Love being your Titi, best job in the world! 💕

I’d like to call this chapter “Embrace the Journey” 📖
Thanks February for being so good! 😊

#monthlyrecap #adayinmylife #gymlife #justkeepswimming

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovers out there! Whether you’re loving on yourself (which you should always be doing❣️) or on someone else I hope you feel appreciated today! 💕

Simple heart themed breakfast using heart shaped ramekins and cake tins all made in the air fryer ☺️

#valentines #breakfastlover #breakfastinbed #heartshaped #lovers #selflove

Taking some time to slow down and appreciate the little things in life 😊

Crème brûlée latte to warm up on this chilly morning.

Added two @ghirardelli crème brûlée chocolates to my coffee and topped with sweet cream for the perfect Sunday morning pick me up. 🥰

#sundayvibes #coffee #latte #slowmornings

2023… what a rollercoaster of a year 🎢

Grateful for all the good times, friends near and far, and all the love that was shown to me in one of my most challenging years to date...but honestly so glad to be on the other side!

2023, you were tough but I emerged stronger so for that cheers to new beginnings, growth, selfishness, and a brighter chapter ahead! ✨

It’s moments like this I have been waiting for!! 🥹✨🎄

Not to be all emotional, but after one of the most challenging years (tbh the most challenging 3 years in a while) it was so surreal to be able to do this little party for some of my best girl friends! I have dreamed of moments like this for years and previously either didn’t have the finances to go all out like I do now, or didn’t have the space to host in a way that I wanted.

But finally in MY HOME, and being in a state of financial freedom for the first time in my adult life this was truly a dream true! I’d been told before that I am “extra” and you know what, I sure am! From the decorations, to the festive drinks, edible glitter and mini food bites, I would do it all again and be even more EXTRAordinary 😊

Happy holiday season yall! I know this can be a tough time for many so hoping you can find or make these pockets of joy like this. Keep it fun, full of love, and most importantly, EXTRA! 🎅🏾✨

Breakfast in bed anyone?

📍 @yourstrulyhotel
🥐 @tattebakery right across the street.

If you’re looking for a cute fun place to stay in DC i definitely would recommend this hotel!

Need an easy, high protein breakfast idea? Check out these breakfast bowls which have everything you could want all baked into a dish. And thanks to the cottage cheese these pack an impressive ~35 grams of protein per bowl! You can mix up the topping with anything you want like spinach, peppers, tomatoes, bacon - the possibilities are endless!

If you try these out let me know! I already snuck a bite cause I couldn’t wait and it was so good! Looking forward to breakfast now all week!

Glass dishes are from @amazon - 10 for $40ish , such a great deal and perfect for meal prepping, cooking, storage, and freezing.

#mealprep #breakfast #30minutemeals #brunch #onedishmeal #mealprepping #mealprepideas #highprotein #lowcarb #balancedmeals

On this edition of ✨we got food at home ✨- Pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes 🥞 🎃 🍫

I had my first taste of pumpkin this week and I guess it fully activated my basic fall girlie vibes, sorry not sorry 💁🏽‍♀️

I present to you - Chicago style bagels by @tillybagel 🥯!!! And based on the reception by the community a bagel shop was long over due in the South loop area! An absolute must try if you’re here and in search of some delicious bagels!! From plain bagels, to special of the week, and bagel sandwiches you literally can’t go wrong! They just opened a few days ago so definitely expect a line or for them to be out of some flavors unless you make it there early in the morning.

I grabbed a dozen, sliced em up and put them in my freezer so I’ll never run out 🤣. If you check them out would love to know what you think!!

#bagel #chicagoeats #eaterchicago #chicagorestaurants #southloopchicago #chicagofood #chicagofoodie

A spin on a childhood favorite made “healthier” for those of us with gut health issues or just want a lower sugar, dairy free alternative! This root beer float 🍺 was made possible thanks to @drinkolipop and @oatly vanilla ice cream! Cause us gut health girlies deserve some sweet treats as well!

Also didn’t even realize it was national root beer float day, but I guess the universe just knew I needed this treat today 😊

#nationalrootbeerfloatday #rootbeer #rootbeerfloat #drinkolipop #healthierchoices #dairyfree

A match made in dairy free heaven with these delicious ice cream sandwiches!
@go_nanas 🤝🏽 @oatly

#veganfood #dairyfree #icecreamsandwich #cookie #homeeats

Frozen poolside drinks, with a view, what more can a girl want?!

📍 @cabanaclubchicago at @therobeychicago

The only way I eat a salad - packed full of delicious toppings! Chicken tenders, thick cut bacon, cheddar, cucumber, shallot, hard boiled egg and of course, ranch!

I’ve been trying to post this for days but IG is being a hater 😒
ANYWAYS… here’s the recipe for those quick microwave banana pancakes w/ peanut butter and chocolate! And if you don’t have a mini Bundt pan (cause honestly why would you 😂 I’m just extra) you can make these in any microwaveable dish, mug, bowl. If you have silicone even better so it comes out easy!

dEATS: 1 serving
1 medium ripe banana, mashed 🍌
1 egg 🥚
1 tbsp melted peanut butter 🥜
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tbsp mini chocolate chips 🍫

- In a medium bowl mix together the mashed banana and egg until we’ll combined.
- Add the melted peanut butter and mix well.
- Mix in the flour just until combined and then fold in the chocolate chips
- Spray your dish with non cook spray and pour half the batter in.
- Cook in microwave on high for 2 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Repeat with the rest of the batter.

#breakfastfood #microwaveablemeals #quickmeals #pancakes #brunch #quickeats

I haven’t had a chance to do a full NYC foodie recap, but I couldn’t hold on to this pic (or this delicious ice cream) any longer! If your happen to be in Cobble Hill area you need to check out @malai_icecream !!

Truly some of the most unique flavors I have ever had and they even had cookies and cakes that I am regretting not trying. So now that’s it’s finally warm enough to call it summer definitely go treat yo self to some unique ice cream 🍦

Flavors: sweet corn saffron & something with cardamom and crumble (I wish I remembered cause it was so good!)

#nyc #nycfoodie #icecream #womenownedbusiness #brooklyn #brooklyneats

It’s the season for frozen coffee ice cubes and fancy looking beverages ☕️

Glass is drizzled with chocolate syrup, then filled with hazelnut coffee frozen into ice cubes. Then topped off with milk of choice and frothed hazelnut creamer. 👩🏽‍🍳 💋

#summerdrinks #icedcoffee #goodmorning #coffee #frozendrinks

Smoothies all summer - specifically this one! Taste like a pb&j in liquid form and it’s sooo good!

dEATS:
About 3/4 cup Frozen blueberries
1/2 of an over ripe banana - frozen
2 tbsp peanut butter
8oz vanilla Greek yogurt
Milk of your choice - fill blender and add more to reach desired consistency.

#smoothie #breakfast #summertimeeats #fresh #seasonaleats

I told y’all the home content was coming and first up I’m tacking some quick fixes/ improvements that anyone can do!

Even if you are a renter, you might want to consider changing out your shower heads as years of build up and hard water can clog them and make them less efficient. It’s super simple and as you can see takes just a few minutes to do.

All you need is a new shower head (I went with a dual head from @deltafaucet that I found on Amazon) some white vinegar and paper towels to clean the thread once the old shower head is removed and some plumbers tape to seal the deal.

What quick home improvement would y’all like to see next?!

#homeimprovement #diy #showerhead #bathroomdesign #quickhomeimprovements

If you’re looking for a brunch spot with immaculate vibes, delicious food, and amazing drinks check out @beatnikrestaurants! This is one of my top spots for dinner in the city (I mean the river views and vibes alone are perfection) but I checked it out for brunch today with my girls and was not disappointed!!

We shared the smoked salmon toast and za’atar fries! And then I had the shakshuka with lamb sausage and finished the meal off with sticky date cake! Everything was delicious and I can’t wait to come back again!!

#chicago #chicagorestaurants #explorechicago #chicagoeats #eaterchicago #choosechicago #yelpchicago

Manifesting a good week and that these cute ass twists lasts ☺�️ cause ✨i’m a lucky girl ✨

Products used:
@olaplex shampoo and conditioner
@tangleteezer brush to detangle
@miss_jessies pillow soft curls
@botanika_beauty enhancer mousse

#curlyhair #curlygirl #hairstyles #curlyhairstyles #naturalhair

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@low_carb_shawty

Get in Touch

Questions? Need Advice? Wanna Collab?

Fill out the form below or email me and I'll be in touch!

low carb shawty