Andrea's Pantry Staples

I have wanted to share this list for along time because I believe a well stocked pantry is VERY important to minimize the overwhelm of cooking meals at home. When I say well stocked I don’t mean that you need to have everything under the sun in there either. I simply mean that you have the basic building blocks to create a really great meal at any time. These are the items that can usually be found in my cupboards. What does your pantry look like? Comment below and let me know!

1. Jasmine or Basmati Rice: These are my favorite two and I always have them on hand because they are a great staple gluten-free item.

2. Brown Rice: I am not a huge fan of brown rice, but I do like it Chicken Tikka Masala because it’s texture holds up nicely to the sauce, so I keep a little of this on hand.

3. Almond Flour: I make my own almond flour from the process of making my own almond milk. If you want to see how I do that, CLICK HERE!

4. Oat Flour: This is another common gluten-free flour that you find in a lot of recipes, so I like to keep it on hand.

5. Oats: I always have either GF regular oats or quick cooking steel cut oats on hand because I eat oatmeal so often for breakfast. It will always be my go-to breakfast because I love it so much.

6. Diced Tomatoes: These can be used in so many different styles of cuisines so I always keep them on hand. They are perfect for a super quick tomato sauce too.

7. Tomato Paste: I love keeping tubes of tomato paste on hand (usually from Trader Joe’s) because they can add an extra dimension of flavor to so many meals. I also need it for homemade tomato sauce, so….duh!

8. Tubes of Ginger Paste: I love the Trader Joe’s tubes of minced ginger because then you don’t have a knob of ginger going bad in your fridge when you only need a tiny piece for a recipe. I love to season soups, bowls, chicken, etc, with a ginger/garlic combo.

9. Broths (Veg and Chicken): I loooove to make soups, so these are an obvious must have. I only use chicken and veggie broth in my home so that’s all I stock. I always buy low sodium broths so I can control the salt level.

10. Great Northern Beans: These are one of my favorite soup beans.

11. Black Beans: A necessary for any Chipotle inspired burrito bowl or mexican inspired dish.

12. Kidney Beans: I love how big kidney beans are so they really bulk up a meal.

13. Nori Sheets: Great for sushi bowls and for making homemade miso soup.

14. Almond Butter/Peanut Butter: I like to freshly grind mine at my grocery store and choose whatever I’m in the mood for.

15. Coconut Sugar: I use coconut sugar in place of regular granulated or brown sugar whenever I can. I use it as my sweetener for my oatmeal too.

16. Chia Seeds: I put chia seeds in my smoothies and in my oatmeal.

17. Flax Seeds: I put flax in every smoothie I make (technically I store these in the fridge).

18. Hemp Seeds: These also go in my oatmeal.

19. Chocolate Chips: I keep them for obvious reasons, but I love to snack on 5-10 when I have a sweet tooth at night.

20. Arrowroot Powder: I use this in place of cornstarch as a thickening agent, but it’s also found in a lot of GF recipes.

21. Almonds: I make my own almond milk so I always have a big Costco bag of these on hand.

22. Salsa Verde (specifically from Trader Joe’s): I love to keep salsa on hand for an easy snack, but I also love pouring a jar over chicken breasts in the crockpot for an easy dinner.

23. Tomato Sauce (canned): I only keep the little cans of this on hand for when I make Chicken Tikka Masala.

24. Dry Red Wine: This is my preference when it comes to drinking wine, but I also like to have it on hand to add to the base of my tomato sauces. It adds such a richness to your tomato sauce.

25. Rice Paper Sheets: These are a quick easy dinner or lunch if you have lots of veggies on hand to use up. You can simply wet them and make spring rolls in no time at all.

26. Konjac Noodles: These are a new favorite of mine. They are almost calorie-less, gluten-free and I really like the texture. They are not as sticky as a rice noodle and have a little bit more of a bite, so I prefer them to rice noodles.

27. Red Lentil/ Other Gluten Free Pastas: Pasta will always be my go-to easiest meal to make for dinner, so I like to keep some good GF options on hand. I love red lentil pasta the most, but chickpea is also tasty!

28. Lentils: These are an easy way to bulk up a soup, so I love having a big jar of them to throw in vegetarian soup.

29. Polenta: Another GF alternative to eating a wheat product with your meal. The Italian in me wishes I could easy cheesy polenta every night.

If you made it to the end of this, GREAT JOB! I hope you enjoyed getting a peak into my pantry. What are your staples? If it’s not on my list, tell me what it is!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

How to Cook More (Part 2)

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post called “How to Cook More” and you guys really loved it. Click here to read that one first and learn the inspiration behind it.

I wanted to write a follow up post because as I’m writing my cookbook, I’m thinking a lot about the topic of how to inspire people to get into their kitchens more. So I’m back with more ways to share with you on how to cook more. As usual, I love when these posts can be the start of a bigger conversation, so be sure to comment below and let me know what really got you into cooking.

Reminder, if you want to get on my cookbook list and be the first to learn all about it, click here.

Start with one-pot recipes.

I often find that the kitchen can be very overwhelming for people and for most of us, the worst part about cooking is all the huge mess we can make. Also the thought of having to manage multiple burners or things in the oven can be stressful. To that I say, start with one-pot meals. Whether it’s an entire cookbook you purchase on one-pot meals, or you search it on Pinterest, getting your feet wet with simple recipes will help you see that you CAN do it. Then once you feel comfortable, you can dive into dishes with a little more complexity and learn new skills.

Clean as you go.

To go off of the last topic, the mess created from cooking a meal can deter you from starting in the first place. So often we create this huge mess and at the end think, '“well that wasn’t worth it'…” and never make the recipe again. Be strict with yourself and anytime you have 3 minutes or so, wash a dish or two that you are no longer using. This way, when the meal is done, all you have to clean is the dishware you ate on and maybe a pot or serving bowl. If you deal with anxiety you may also find cooking less challenging if the environment you are doing it in is tidy and calm.

Start small.

Sometimes when we make goals we are all or nothing. We go all out and eventually get burnt out, so I suggest instead of saying, “I’m going to cook dinner every night this week and no take out'“, challenge yourself to cooking just one or two nights during the week instead. Once you create that habit, you can increase the amount of cooking you do, little by little.

Start by learning how to make your favorite foods.

If learning how to make your favorite foods at home isn’t a source of inspiration, then I don’t know what is! I think we often think that we have to learn how to cook only healthy meals, but if you’re just getting started in the kitchen, learning how to make your favorite foods will help you become confident and really enjoy the experience. I often challenge myself to try tons of recipes for that one meal until I find my favorite.

Invite people over to eat.

Sometimes if we live alone or with our significant other, it can seem like a lot of work to cook for a small amount of people. Invite some friends over and give meaning to the meal you are preparing. Cooking for the people I love is my favorite thing to do and you might find that you really enjoy it too! Maybe vow to yourself that you want to start hosting small dinners for friend’s birthdays or even just because it’s Friday and you made it through another week! Whatever the occasion, sharing the fruits of your labor can be a great source of inspiration for getting in the kitchen to do the work.

If you’re curious what cookbooks I love, click this link and you can see all of my posts relating to cookbooks I have and why I love them (including my Cookbook Gift Guide from December)!

Remember, cooking is a fun way to express your creativity. If you mess up, you can always try again tomorrow!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

A Cookbook Gift Guide

Welcome back to gift guide week here at Andrea Fontana Beauty! Just in case you missed my two previous posts here are the links for them; The Skincare Nerd’s Gift Guide & The Makeup Lover’s Gift Guide.

Today we are talking…COOKBOOKS! One of my favorite kinds of books.

If you’ve been following me for awhile you probably know how obsessed I am with them. My collection is past 50 at this point so I thought I’d offer a few suggestions and describe who I think they would be best for.

The Traditional or Brand New Cook

If you have someone on your list who is new to cooking I highly recommend either ‘The Joy of Cooking’ cookbook or ‘The Fannie Farmer Cookbook’. I have both and refer to them often for classics. They would be a great staple for any college student, newlywed or even someone who has found a new love for cooking, because they are filled with basic recipes that everyone needs.

If your gift is for a cook who is unfamiliar in the kitchen, I highly recommend ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking’ because it teaches you so much about what it takes to make a great meal. The Netflix series is also AMAZING and not to go off on a tangent but you should watch it ASAP.

The Gluten Free Cook

I’ve talked a lot about ‘True Roots: A Mindful Kitchen’ a lot, especially on my Instagram. I have made so many of the recipes and they are so amazing. If someone has dietary restrictions like gluten, dairy, or refined sugars, this would make a great gift.

The Fit Cook

I received ‘Bobby Flay Fit’ for Christmas last year and I’ve used it so much, there’s a burn mark on the cover from the coils of my stove. If the person you’re shopping for is into fitness and healthy eating, but doesn’t like sacrificing flavor, this is a great option! The recipes are easy and rely on using a lot of great spices to create clean and delicious meals.

The Pasta-Obsessed Cook

If the person you are shopping for likes pasta or noodles (I mean who doesn’t though…) these are two of my favorite cookbooks that I have actually used quite a bit in the last few years. ‘The Ultimate Pasta and Noodle Cookbook’ has recipes from all types of cuisines, not just Italian. It’s again a great reference book. My other recommendation would be for someone who LOVES Italian pasta and I’ve talked about it before on here. ‘250 True Italian Pasta Dishes’ is great for those who want to learn which types of pastas go with which sauces and how to choose veggies to add in. It has many great combinations and even a section with fast weeknight recipes.

The Beauty Loving Cook

I know I just mentioned this cookbook in my Skincare Gift Guide, but I have to mention it again in case you missed that post. If you are gifting to a lover of makeup, skincare or nutrition, ‘Eat Beautiful’ is an amazing collection of in season recipes to promote healthy skin and beauty.

The Italian Food Cook

Did you really think I wouldn’t include an Italian section. My pick for this year goes to a cookbook my boyfriend got me for my birthday one year because he wanted me to cook from it. ‘The Sopranos Family Cookbook’ is not only full of delicious traditional recipes, but it’s also really fun to look through.

The Cook Who Loves to Give Back

If you have a friend to gift this season that loves to give back, this would be a great option for them. The ‘America The Great Cookbook’ is a collection of signature dishes and family recipes from chefs all over the country. So not only is it a great collection of different types of cuisines, but the proceeds go towards helping ‘No Kid Hungry’ fight childhood hunger.

Now if you have a cookbook addiction like me or you’re shopping on a budget this holiday season, don’t forget that thrifted/used books are a great way to reuse and recycle books! I don’t know what I was doing before I started using Thriftbooks.com to order all of my books from. I have been buying from them from almost a year and have always had great luck with them. The customer service is also great if you have a question. I have found some of my favorite cookbooks for under $5 before! If you click this link, you can save 15% off your first purchase on Thriftbooks.com!

Do you have any favorite cookbooks? Be sure to comment below and let me know which ones you are obsessed with that I need to add to my collection.

Don’t forget to come back here tomorrow for Day 4 and my last day of Gift Guides on Andrea Fontana Beauty,

Have a great day,

Andrea

My 'Party's Over' Detox Skin Tips

Welcome back! If you don't follow me on Instagram (...but like why aren't you?) then you wouldn't know that I spent 5 days last week in Chicago working a wedding and then frolicking with friends in the city. This meant more gluten than I normally eat, little sleep, wine instead of water, and all sorts of anti-clear skin habits. Am I paying for it? You betcha. Was it worth it? HELL YES! Because spending quality time with my best friends is priceless and I have the tricks to get my skin back to where I want it once the party's over. 

Today I'm sharing what I've been doing to get my skin back to where I want it & my body feeling normal again. These are my "Party's Over" Detox Skin Tips. Whether you're back from vacation or just celebrated your birthday week (...or month haha) I hope you find these tips helpful to getting back on track with your skin & body.

1. Get rid of all the guilt. Do not spend one second stressed about the fact that you had 2 donuts instead of 1. We've all been there. We've all done it. But that's the point. It's done and all you can do is accept that you cannot change it and get back on track now.

2. Cut out your trigger foods for a week. The first thing I had to do when I got back was get back to eating gluten-free every meal. I usually had one or two meals with gluten when I was in Chicago and since it affects my skin so much, I have cut them out for a week to boost my clear skin and feel better. Whatever your trigger food may be, skip it for a few days or a week and it'll help you to start feeling like yourself again.

3. Do an At Home Detox Facial: Chances are you were a little more lax with your skincare routine when on vacation so it's time to get your skin back into shape. This is especially important for me because my diet caused some serious texture issues and breakouts. I cannot recommend this enough. Here's how I do it.

1. Start by cleansing your face & toning. I'm currently using this Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser, but if you don't have it try to go for one with a gentle chemical exfoliation to help get rid of any congestion. This cleanser was in my July Favorites; click here to read why I liked it. 
2. 1st Mask: Chemical exfoliation; I like the Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Mask because it's great for blemishes. Leave on for 15-20 min until dry and wash off & tone again.
3. 2nd Mask: Detox and clarifying; I prefer the Aztec Healing Bentonite Clay because it boosts circulation and detoxifies so well! Click here to read my post on this mask. The clay comes as powder and I like to mix it with apple cider vinegar or water and add a few drops of tea tree oil until it forms a thin paste. I apply it and leave it on for 30-45 min depending on how long it takes to dry/how long I can handle it. It tingles! Rinse and tone again.
4. 3rd Mask: Hydrate & Nourish; I love the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Anti-Oxidant Hydration Mask to hydrate and heal my skin after I've neglected it. It warms on contact and is such a comforting and nourishing experience. Leave this one on for about 15 minutes and have a cup of tea. Rinse off, tone, and apply your normal spot treatments & serums. 
5. Lastly it's time to re-hydrate your skin due to your preference of wine over water. I like to throw on my Laneige Water Sleeping Mask in place of my moisturizer so I can really benefit from all the hyaluronic acid and feel hydrated when I wake up.

4. Try reducing your caffeine intake. I know what you're probably thinking. Wait, I need MORE coffee to recover from a great time than less, but trust me. Your skin and your body will adapt better with less caffeine. Try sleeping more instead! Crazy I know...

Go ahead bookmark this post for easy access next time you have a girls night out, staycation, or simply need weekend recovery. If you're like me, you're not 21 anymore and can use the tips to getting back on track. Maybe you'll feel a little less stressed about skipping your routine when it's time to simply have fun!

Have a great week,

Andrea

July Favorites

I'm back with favorites and I'm excited to share the ones I have this month. I polled you guys over on Instagram and while a lot of you like the video format from last month, most of you prefer the written format, so I'll probably return to this format and film a YouTube favorites video every so often. 

This month is short but sweet, but I hope you enjoy it.

The only skincare product that is new to me recently is this Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser by Juice Beauty.  When I went through my skincare product detoxification, my cleanser rated so high on Think Dirty. This one is a ZERO and I love it. I feel like I've hit the jackpot. It's loaded with antioxidants which is really important in protecting your skin. The brightening is due to the citric (lemon) and malic (apple) acids! I love how this has left my skin feeling cleansed well (coconut oils) and brightened. I highly recommend it if you are someone who struggles with an uneven skin tone.

Every spring/summer I seem to revisit my lipstick collection and pick out lipsticks that I forgot about. This one from Maybelline (Shade 945: "Stormy Sahara" is one I realized that I've never talked about but is a classic shade from them. If you're a light/medium skin tone and looking for a good rosy/nude check this one out. 

This next favorite is also a lip product but on the higher end. Back in the spring when I did a Sephora and Ulta haul I mentioned this NARS Power Matte Lip Pigment in 'Walk This Way'. I am so amazed by the formula of these. They feel like water going on, but are packed with pigment and go on so easily. They dry down to being virtually undetectable and wear so nicely on the lips. I love this shade too, because it's just enough of a pop of color to be noticeable but isn't obnoxious and bright. 

My last beauty favorite is a nail polish that has been the only thing on my toes for the past year. The color looks especially great in the summer. I'm not sure if you can still get it anywhere besides this website I found, but the Essie Metallics Collections in 'Nothing Else Metals" is the best shade. It's a silver/lavender shade that looks so great on toes. It matches everything and really looks great with a tan in the summer. 

A food favorite for the month is one that I tried a long time ago. I can't remember where I tried this brand for the first time, but when I went on Amazon to buy them I ended up getting this variety pack that was AMAZING! These bars are free of the top allergies; peanut, dairy, gluten, tree nut, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, & sesame. While I try to stay away from processed snacks, these are relatively clean and I like them every once in a while especially now that I'm gluten free. The Chocolate Chip crispy squares and Strawberry granola minis were definitely my two favorites, but I really enjoyed all the flavors. 

So those are my favorites from the month of July! I told you they were going to be short and sweet! What have you been loving? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Have a great August,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

How to Pickle Onions

This recipe was highly requested over on my Instagram because it seems I'm always showing or mentioning pickled red onions in my food posts. I'm just obsessed with them. They make many dishes look prettier and taste better! If I don't know what I'm making for dinner at night, you can often find me standing with the fridge open, pickled onion jar in my hand, snacking as I scan the fridge for ingredients and ideas for that night. If you don't follow my Instagram yet, go check it out! It's where I talk about food the most and share tons of tips

To make pickled onions you will need the following:

1 large red onion  (I like to use red, but you can use others)
1 cup of white vinegar
minced garlic
black peppercorns
3 TB white sugar
1.5 TB salt
Storage jar like a mason jar

1. First add your vinegar, salt, sugar and peppercorns to a small saucepan and mix to dissolve the sugar and salt. Put the lid on the pan and bring to a boil over just slightly higher than medium heat.

2. While waiting for mixture to boil, slice your onion into really thin rings. I like to put them in a big bowl and mix a few teaspoons of minced garlic into them. 

3. When mixture comes to a boil, pour it evenly over the onion & garlic mixture and mix it well. I like to put the lid from my pan over the onions in the bowl to trap the heat in there so they don't cool as quickly. If your liquid doesn't quite cover all of your onions (this can depend on what size of bowl you use), mix the onions in the liquid mixture every 15ish minutes. 

4. Let the onions cool and place in the mason jar making sure to pour the pickling liquid in with the onions to cover them. You can really squeeze them in there, I promise! Store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. (Mine never last this long...haha)

5. ENJOY! These are great on tacos, burrito bowls, sushi bowls, scrambled eggs, and more! The possibilities are endless. 

Leave a comment below letting me know what your favorite thing to pickle is!!

Have a great day,

Andrea

8 Easy Healthy Food Swaps

This post was born out of the idea that I don't believe in dieting long term to stay healthy. It's just not realistic. However, we can make healthier choices daily in order to create a healthier lifestyle for ourselves. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite foods that you can substitute for those that are not as good for you. Regardless of what you decide to swap on a regular basis, remember that it's important to treat yourself every once in awhile; just don't make it a continuous habit. 

1. COCONUT SUGAR FOR BROWN/GRANULATED SUGAR: This is one of my favorites to do, especially in oatmeal and sweet treats. Coconut sugar comes from coconut palm sap and has a lower glycemic index than the others. This means it won't spike your blood sugar as much and is digested slower. Also it contains minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, potassium and more, which isn't the same for table sugar which is simply empty calories. 

2. COCONUT AMINOS FOR SOY SAUCE: If you love soy sauce this one might be a little harder to transition to but it's so worth it. Coconut aminos isn't bad, it's just sweeter and different than soy in my opinion. It's obviously soy-free and also gluten-free which is great for those of you who are conscious of your soy & gluten consumption and doesn't have nearly the amount of sodium as soy sauce. Based on the name, you might have guessed that it contains essential amino acids, which soy sauce does not.

3. AVOCADO OIL FOR OLIVE/COOKING OILS: I love me some olive oil. I am Italian after all, but recently I stopped buying it and swapped it for Avocado oil and I'm obsessed. Avocado oil has tons of healthy fats including oleic acid and with it's high smoke point, you can cook at a higher heat without worrying about breaking down the structure and losing the benefits. I don't notice much of a change in taste either, so I highly recommend this swap.

4. PLAIN GREEK YOGURT FOR SOUR CREAM: I have been doing this one for a long time, but I'm always amazed how many people don't know what an easy swap this is. Make sure you don't make the mistake of buying vanilla, it HAS to be plain. But I honestly barely taste the difference, I get that creaminess that I like from sour cream, and I get a little added protein in whatever I'm doing! I love adding it to the top of a taco salad instead of dressing!

5. LEMON JUICE/OREGANO/AVOCADO OIL FOR SALAD DRESSING: I basically don't buy salad dressing, because I love the simplicity of oil and lemon juice or vinegar. Making a little vinaigrette with oregano, salt and pepper too, makes for an easy summer salad that is light and refreshing! If you can't tell, I don't like heavy dinners in the summer. 

6. ORGANIC BROWN RICE CAKES FOR TOAST: I fell in love with these in my elimination diet because I was able to eat brown rice still and loved that rice cakes gave me the crunch I was looking for without the gluten. Now I still eat them all the time with avocado in place of my old avocado toast! 

7. AVOCADO OR HUMMUS FOR MAYO: This one is another classic, but I love mashed avocado or hummus (or both!) on a sandwich in place of mayo. You still get the creaminess, but a much healthier fat option!

8. FRUIT COMPOTE (HEATED FRUIT & COCONUT SUGAR) FOR SYRUP ON PANCAKES: Now this one is something I made up when I was in my dutch baby obsession because I wanted a healthy alternative to store bought syrup. Maple syrup is obviously a healthier option too, but if you like fruit, I highly recommend this one. Simply use frozen or fresh berries on medium heat in a pan, and sprinkle some coconut sugar on top (a few tablespoons depending on how many berries you have and how sweet they are). The sugar will help to break down the fruit and bring the juices out and if you let it bubble and thicken on a lower heat for a little bit, you'll get a beautiful and delicious fruit compote, perfect to top pancakes, waffles, dutch babies, ice cream, etc!! Depending on the fruit you choose, this can be a great way to get extra fiber, antioxidants and minerals (see coconut sugar above) into your daily diet!

Let me know what you think of these easy food swaps and be sure to comment below what your favorites are!

Have a great weekend,

Andrea

My Elimination Diet Experience

If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen that during April and May I underwent an elimination diet to figure out which foods were bothering me. A lot of you were interested in the process and results so I figured I would share a little bit about my history that led me to do this type of diet, what it was like, and what I discovered about my digestive health. 

*Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor before starting an elimination diet or any type of diet. I am not a nutritionist and this post is meant only to share my experience with you guys! 

Background:
First let's talk about my history. A little over 10 years ago, while visiting my family in Brazil, I ended up with a twisted intestine. They were able to fix it there but when I came back to the U.S. I ended up having more pains. They did every test under the sun but weren't able to diagnose anything else. Since my twisted intestine, I have had a love hate relationship with my digestive system. Many foods continued to make me sick and surprise, surprise, more tests came and no answers were discovered. I finally decided to play with my diet and take out the foods that made me sick. 

For the past 10 years, I've been vegetarian 80% of the time because meat has just never settled well for me. I would go through phases of eating no meat and then slowly phasing it back in, but my symptoms always came back. I wake up with symptoms at 3 am more than I'd like to admit and spend 60% of the time probably feeling bloated and looking 3 months pregnant. There's plenty more symptoms but in case you're reading this on your lunch break, I'll spare you the details. I have medicine that I was given to help my intestines not spasm so much, but the thought of living my life taking pills in order to eat certain foods just didn't feel like the life I wanted to live. After talking to my doctor a earlier this year we decided I needed to try more probiotics (I started making my own kombucha which I LOVE) and changing my diet up.

My Elimination Diet:
In the beginning of April, a friend texted me and asked if I wanted to do an elimination diet with her and be accountability partners. I had always told myself that I should try one, like the Whole 30, etc, but had never just bit the bullet and done it. The one we did was based off the book 'The Elimination Diet: Discover the Foods that are Making You Sick and Tired --and Feel Better Fast' by Tom Malterre & Alissa Segersten, which is a little bit different than the Whole 30. If you're interested I highly recommend buying the book and going off of that and checking with your doctor first. 

Elimination Phase:
For the first 3 weeks I eliminated the following; beef, pork, citrus, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, etc.), soy, corn, gluten, added sugar, nuts, alcohol, chocolate, & dairy. Basically when people would ask what I couldn't have it was easier to tell them what I could eat because that list was shorter! haha I also eliminated caffeine because I knew it has an effect on my digestive system and I didn't want it to skew the results. I used to drink one cup of coffee every morning and a few afternoons a week, so this was a difficult change for me. 

The first three weeks were tough. I craved foods I didn't even really like that much and had never craved before. I had terrible headaches for the first 4 days because of the caffeine withdrawals. The good news though, is that I never felt hungry. I was eating so many fruits and vegetables and foods that were nutritionally dense, but not calorie dense, so I felt great! It was crazy to see how quickly I felt like my stomach shrank in half and I was full quicker. The three weeks honestly went quicker than I expected once I got used to the foods I could and couldn't have. I was basically eating extremely clean and unprocessed and it felt great! I had energy after my meals instead of feeling comatose and ALL of my symptoms went away. I had the best skin I've had in years, with no breakouts and I felt like I was glowing. The only drinks I was having was 2 cups of chamomile tea a day (in replacement of coffee) and SO much water. I'm usually great with water intake but this was even better! 

The one thing that was hard for me at first was that I felt like I lost my love for food for a few weeks. If you've been following my blog or IG you know that I LOVE to cook. Food is my passion and I cook most of my meals almost every day. I found myself feeling like I was just eating for sustenance and not for enjoyment which was hard when you love creating meals. Eventually I got over this feeling though, when I started looking at cooking in a different way. I started challenging myself to create my favorite meals using substitutes and cooking became fun again!

The Reintroduction Phase: 
After the three weeks are up, you start adding one type of food in for 3 days to see what your body's response is. If you pass and have no symptoms, you get to keep it in your diet and move onto the next food. If you don't pass it, you have to wait for your body to clear the upsetting food and remove it again but continue on. The book is great at outlining the order and way that you should introduce the foods so again I highly recommend checking it out so you can do the process properly. 

The Results & Where I'm at Now:
So what did I discover? Beef and pork are in fact triggers for me. When I did three days of each back to back, I was so lethargic and exhausted that I knew it was a sign that my body didn't like them. Going into this I had a feeling it wasn't just these two however, so I wasn't surprised to see that I didn't have my normal symptoms from them. I knew there had to be something else.

Enter in testing gluten. When the time came to test, I had something with gluten for dinner and the next morning all of my symptoms were back. The same thing kept happening over the course of more gluten meals. The interesting part I found was that I broke out terribly on the third day and it just kept happening with more gluten. 

So where am I at now? I eat a gluten free diet with no beef or pork. Even though I didn't end up with symptoms when testing dairy, I still try to eat a very minimal amount (I am so thankful I can still have my ice cream cones this summer), because I have noticed in the past how it can affect my skin. I still haven't gone back to caffeine on a regular basis and I honestly don't know if I'll go back anytime soon. I have only had 2 cups of coffee since I started 2 months ago and will drink an occasional green tea if I feel like I need it. I'm sleeping better and even lost 14 pounds during the process which wasn't intentional but I was happy about! My anxiety was also much lower during this process which I found really interesting. 

The thing I am most proud of however is that I was able to practice self control and accomplish something so difficult! I promise you it’s worth it in the end to so! You will feel great about yourself!  

My Recommendations:
I highly recommend that you do more research and talk to your doctor if this sounds any bit intriguing to you. I think everyone should try this diet at least once because it's very eye opening. I felt like I was finally living without the fog when I was eating clean and unprocessed. Sometimes you don't realize how negatively something can be impacting you until you remove it. Here are some things to remember if you want to try this out:

-Do this process with a friend. It was SO helpful to have someone I could text all the time and ask questions to, give feedback to, and just talk about how I was doing. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between our symptoms. It also happened to work out that on days when I was feeling really low she was doing well and was able to pick me up, and vice versa. Support is EVERYTHING in these types of situations.

-Don't try this when you have many special events going on. The less temptations you have the easier it will be to stick to the diet and not stray. It's not fun to go to a wedding and not be able to eat the food, so plan accordingly.

-Meal plan and prep every week. This was huge for me and I really think it's the bulk of why I succeeded. I never questioned what I was going to eat next and always had many options available that I was excited about. The book contains many great recipes for all of the different phases so it was nice having some options and ideas. 

-Give your friends and family the heads up that you are doing this. If you let everyone close in your life know that you are doing this diet, they will be less likely to invite you out and tempt you into situations where you make bad food decisions.

-Plan on not eating out for awhile. The only times I found it difficult to find something to eat were when I had to eat out (i.e. I went out of town). Bring plenty of snacks wherever you go so that if this happens, you at least have some back up foods. 

I hope this over view of my Elimination Diet experience was helpful for you! Please feel free to comment below or email me with any questions you have. I love talking about it because it was such a positive experience for me. 

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to take your health seriously! We only get one shot!

Andrea

How to make the only Kale Chips I'll ever eat.

It's no secret that kale is an extremely nutrient dense food that we should be consuming. Did you know that it can help tremendously with your skin? Full of Vitamin K, kale helps strengthen blood vessels, boost circulation and protect your liver. Since it's anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce puffiness and redness in the face and is great for conditions like rosacea. It's also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin (cartenoids that absorb UV light) which help protect us from free radical damage. Loaded with other vitamins and minerals, kale also has Omega-3 fatty acids and helps your skin stay nourished. Overall eating more kale will help with cell turnover, reducing dryness, and restore radiance to your skin. (Source: Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe, 2016)

If you want all of the above but don't know how to incorporate more kale into your diet, look no further! This is my sister's "recipe". The reason I say that in quotations is because I asked her how she made them and all I got was "250 until crisper". So let's just say I made it up from there. 

I have never liked kale chips. I have bought them from the store I don't even know how many times, and each time they taste like what I would imagine dirty leaves to taste like. They have no flavor and the texture is weird. Then last week my sister was talking about making kale chips and my nieces got so excited because they love when she makes them. I was shocked because I like healthy food and eating my greens but couldn't imagine trying kale chips one more time. 

After texting my sister and getting the 250 degrees response, I decided it was time to attempt making them. 

You will need:

A couple stalks of Kale
1 TB Coconut Oil
Salt & Pepper
Garlic Powder or whatever you want to season with

You will need to do the following:

1. Preheat the oven to 250.
2. Rip Kale leaves off of the stems and tear into smaller pieces. Wash in a salad spinner and dry really well; add to a big bowl.
3. Melt the coconut in the microwave for 30 seconds and pour over kale and massage into kale to make sure it's distributed evenly. 
4. Season with S&P to taste and garlic powder (or your choice of seasoning) and mix with hands to make sure it's incorporated well.
5. Spread out on 1 or 2 baking sheets to make sure most of kale isn't touching and has plenty of space. This allows it to properly dry out.
6. Bake 20-30 min until it's your preferred texture checking frequently to make sure you don't burn them. 
7. Try not to eat them all at once.

Note: I baked mine for 20 min and I found that this was absolutely perfect. I think the reason I've never liked kale chips before is because they are so dried out. 20 min was the perfect amount to dry the kale out so it was crunchy, but still have a little bite to them. If you prefer a super crispy and dried out kale chip, try 30 min instead.

If you make these let me know what you think and how you season yours!

Enjoy,

Andrea

March Must Haves

It's the time of the month where I share everything I've been obsessing over. I get so excited to write these posts for you because you guys seem to love them! As usual, if there is an Amazon link I trust I will share it and it will be an Amazon Affiliate link (feel free to scroll to the bottom to read my disclosure on that). If it's not an Amazon link then it is not an affiliate link. Now let's get to the good stuff! This month will be short, but sweet. 

Let's start with the best healthy cookie recipe you will ever make. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that I can eat them all in 2 days, but let's be glass half full people and say it's a good thing. Laura in the Kitchen is my go to when I need a good recipe because she has so many and they never disappoint. I have shown these a few times on my Instastories and was waiting to share them with you in a favorites post. So go make them NOW. I would be shocked if someone could tell they were healthier without knowing before hand. 

Dr. Jart Cicapair CC Treatment: This has become an everyday must have for me. I have seen Michele1218 RAVE about this product for about a year and finally bit the bullet and decided to try it. I am obsessed. It is a physical SPF, gives me moisture and has pigment to color correct your skin. It doesn't look like makeup at all but makes your skin look so much smoother, healthier, and even toned. It's my last step everyday when I'm not wearing makeup and need SPF. Don't let the green color scare you, it quickly color corrects the redness in your skin, while being completely undetectable. 

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask: If you read my post about Curate + Co (I'll link it here in case you didn't) I was gifted this amazing mask by the wonderful owner Christina. This one has also found its way into a permanent position in my skincare routine because it's amazing. It's completely clean and effective for keeping my skin smooth and blemish free. I love how the Blue Tansy has Azulene which reduces inflammation, so if I have breakouts it calms them while getting rid of them at the same time.  If you can, please use the link in the title to purchase it and support Curate + Co, an amazing small business that I love! If you are only a die-hard Amazon shopper, here is the link for that as well.

Pacifica Rose Flower Hydro Mist : Yes, this one made it two months in a row. I debated not mentioning it but the reality is that I am still obsessed and I used it almost every day in March. It feels so good on the skin and I cannot get enough of it. I love how refreshed I feel every time I spray my face with it and it smells so good. If you're looking for a good refresher try this one out!

Lancome Matte Shaker in Beige Vintage (270): I have been loving this lip product, mainly because it is so light (literally feels like water on your lips) and gives the right flush of color. The staying power isn't great, but that doesn't really bother me. I'm excited to try more shades. 

As you guys know, I recently cleaned out my skincare products and the best part is that all of the skincare listed above is clean and passes my chemical-free test! My every day makeup clean out is still on the horizon so remember that when I recommend any makeup from now on. 

What were your favorites this month? Did you discover anything good? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

My 10 Go-To Week Night Meals

I know this is a beauty blog, but if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw that I asked a poll if you wanted to see these recipes and I got a 100% response of yes! So today I'm sharing my go-to recipes. I usually make something from this list once or twice a week because they are either easy, healthy, or a combination of the two. Some are links to recipes others have created and some are creations of my own!

Tuna Sushi Bowl- I make these sushi bowls all the time (as you can see on my instagram) and I could never get sick of them. They are a great way to get the flavors of sushi, without having to spend all of the time creating and rolling sushi. You can use whatever protein you want, I like to use Ahi Tuna that has been previously frozen (to kill any potential parasites) and cube it. Marinade it in 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to taste. I also like to marinade diced cucumbers and green onions with the tuna, and let it all sit in the fridge to chill for 15 min while your rice cooks. To make this extra healthy, use brown rice instead of white and use tons of veggies. I like to include pickled onions, avocado, carrots, radishes....the list goes on and on! Add whatever you like. You can also make this over salad instead of rice and it will really lighten the dish. 

Chicken Tikka Masala- (Click here for Recipe Link) If I ask my boyfriend what he wants for dinner this week, this will always be the first thing he says. I've made it for so many people and everyone loves it. The biggest thing about this recipe is that you have to let the chicken marinade for an hour or the chicken won't be as tender. The only changes I make are not to include jalapeno, I use a little less cream, and I serve it over brown rice. This is definitely a recipe that you can get away with brown rice easily it soaks up the sauce anyways and it's hard to tell the difference. 

Coconut Chicken Chili - (Click here for Recipe Link) This one is a newer recipe for me, but I love it. It's really delicious and light. 

Chicken Milanese- (Click here for Recipe Link)  I grew up eating Beef and Chicken Milanese so I absolutely love this recipe from Ree Drummond. My boyfriend calls this one "the really good chicken" haha.

Taco Salad- I eat these all the time and they are very low carb and high protein. I use the Quorn Meatless Crumbles to keep the meal vegetarian but you could also use lean ground turkey to keep it healthier. I saute onions and garlic for a few minutes to soften and then the 'meat' until it's no longer frozen. Once everything is hot, I add a little water, along with cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, a little cayenne and sometimes some red pepper flakes if I'm feeling some extra spice. Once the water cooks out a little and it thickens up, I add it to the top of some romaine. Then you can add whatever toppings you like! I love to add plain greek yogurt for extra protein and creaminess instead of sour cream. Then a sprinkle cheese, some black beans, tomatoes, etc and you've got a delicious taco salad!

Honey Glazed Chicken Skewers- I love these skewers and like to serve them over couscous or brown rice. I like to roast them in the oven and they always come out so moist. Make extra and you have great leftovers for another night!

Source: Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home, 2009.

Strip Steak and Chimichurri- This chimichurri is to die for and I love it served with these potato wedges too. 

Source: Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home, 2009.

Source: Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home, 2009.

Chickpea Gnocchi-  If you like gnocchi, these are so much easier and quicker to make! Not to mention they are full of protein and fiber, so they are much better for you then traditional gnocchi. The kneading is especially important. 

Source: The Ultimate Pasta and Noodle Cookbook by Serena Cosmo, 2017

Vodka Sauce with Zucchini Noodles- (Click here for Sauce recipe link) I have been making this sauce for years. It's quick, easy and super flavorful. I love it on gnocchi as well, but it's great with zucchini noodles for a light dinner that doesn't sacrifice flavor. I like to specialize my zucchini myself and then saute them in a pan for a few minutes to barely soften them. Then top with the vodka sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Roasted Tomato Soup- (Click here for recipe link) I think I've shared this recipe before but it's so delicious. It's one of my all time favorite soup recipes and such a great winter comfort food. It takes a little longer than the other recipes but I included it because it's a great one to make a big batch on a Sunday and then freeze it for easy dinner during the week. I always make a lot of this when I have fresh tomatoes from my dad's garden. 

Current Favorites

Since product recommendations have always been a huge hit on my blog, I figured I would kick off Andrea Fontana Beauty with a post sharing what I've been loving recently. It's officially the time of year when things start to get a lot cozier! 

Epsom salt baths: If you've never taken an Epsom salt bath you need to try it. I take at least 2 a week (don't judge) because after massaging sometimes more than 12 people in a week, my body starts to ache. Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate, which naturally relieves the aches and pains in our bodies. Magnesium helps regulate enzyme activity, reduce inflammation, helps muscle and nerve function and loads more. Sulfates improve nutrient absorption in our bodies, flush toxins, and can also help ease the pain of migraines. Dump a cup or two of these in with your bath water and soak for about 20 minutes and you will feel much better. If you live a very active lifestyle, I highly recommend incorporating these into your routine. Plus, I buy Epsom salts with essential oils added and they make the best aromatic bath experience ever!  

Makeup Geek Cosmetics Blushes: You will not find better blushes for this price. For $10, yes I said $10, you get a blush that is so smooth, pigmented, and long wearing. I have them in the pan form and pop them in a Z-Palette and then I have all my favorite shades in one spot. They have a great shade range and are a must in my makeup kit for all jobs. Some of my favorite shades include Puppy Love, Heart Throb, Spellbound (all mattes), and Romance (slight sheen). I know this fall I will be reaching the most for Puppy Love though because of it's a berry toned BEAUTY!

NYX Microbrow Pencil: I have been using the shade Espresso for about a year now and I have probably gone through about 5 of these. I use other brow products here and there but I always come back to this one for two reasons. First, it's so budget friendly. I swear they are always BOGO 50% off at Ulta and are only $9.99 originally. So I always snag two at a time and don't have to buy as often. The second reason is that they are so easy to use and give me the exact brow I want without having to put too much time in. I'll do an update brow routine soon but know these are also a staple in my makeup kit and you should try them if you like simple and easy (which I know you do).

Glo Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Crimson: The newest shade in one of my favorite lip products of all time! I love these lip pencils because they come with a sharpener in the lid and are an extremely long wearing and comfortable lip pencil. They deliver pigmented and smooth color and are perfect for keeping in your purse. I love deeper red shades for fall, so when I saw this new shade was launched, I immediately ordered it. If you've yet to try these pencils, come in to Remedi and I would be happy to help you test one out! 

KeVita Sparking Probiotic Drink and Masterbrew Kombucha: If you like carbonated drinks that are more bitter and tangy than sweet like La Croix, I highly suggest checking these out! Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has active probiotic cultures to support digestive and immune health. My favorite flavors include mango coconut, Lavender melon (I know it sounds weird but try it), and the Masterbrew citrus flavor. I try to stick with the fruitier favors and everyone I've tried so far I like. They are low calorie and low sugar so if you're looking for a refreshing and healthy treat besides water, give these a try! I get mine at my local Whole Foods and they seem to go on sale a lot!

Sleeping masks: I have been so into sleeping masks for the past 6 months because you can simply apply them as your last step of your skincare routine and you don't have to wash them off. It's the lazy girl's secret to skincare. I will be doing a post within the next week on my favorite ones and how I have incorporated them into my weekly routine, so look for that soon! 

So there are a quick few of the things I've been loving recently. I could add more but I want to do specific posts on some of the things that need a little more explanation so look for these posts to come! If you have questions about any of the items mentioned please let me know! 

Have a wonderful day,  

Andrea