Guest Post

FEED THE BEAST /// Spicy Sweet Potato by Nolandia


Since Brandi is living it up in Costa Rica, we asked a few friends to step in and help me out this week on MMBB. First up is a yummy recipe from our friend Alexandria Nolan from Greetings from NolandiaAlexandria is a misplaced Michigander currently living in the wilds of the Houston urban jungle. Her blog focuses on health, fitness, travel and relationships. When she’s not writing, she’s getting fit, traveling or having a relationship with her husband, Terrence and her cat, Jables. 

To me, recipes should be 3 things: *Easy*Healthy*Delicious
So with that in mind, today’s recipe is one of my all-time favorite go-tos, and it even works as a ‘cheat’ recipe on Brandi’s diet.  It’s vegetarian friendly, has complex flavors, and it fills up hungry men and ladies alike.

Untitled

///Spicy Sweet Potato///

/Gather together (for two people)
>2 Large Sweet Potatoes
>1 Can black beans (or go old school and soak your own)
>1 Large ripe Avocado, sliced
>Your favorite salsa (ROYITO’S! for us)
>1tbsp cumin
>As much Cilantro as you need

/Method
Bake sweet potatoes in oven at 400 degrees until soft. (About 25 minutes?) 
As potatoes bake, heat black beans and stir in cumin.
Remove from oven and smash onto plates or into a bowls
Layer each potato with the heated black beans, salsa to taste, sliced avocado and cilantro on top.
We like A LOT of cilantro on ours, and it’s full of vitamins A and C, so feel free to add as much as you dare. This recipe is also packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats from the avocado. My grandma would call it “a gut stuffer” because even though it’s super healthy, it’ll totally fill you up. 
Eat it up!

HOP ON OVER TO: EMMADIME


Today @iheartbueno and I are on @emmadime (www.emmadime.com) #lovelyladiesfeature #sistersister #ootd

We totally geeked out when Emma from Emmadime asked us to be the next Lovely Ladies feature on her blog. Kelly has been following her work forever and she showed me awhile back. GIRL CRUSH? Yes! We had a lot of fun with this and so flattered that she wanted us to be a part of this. Thank You Emma we love your blog and all that you do! Click here to read feature.

So friends... I gotta run, Kelly and I are on our way to a photoshoot that I am sure you will see on Instagram sneak peeks today!

@lisenbesquared
@iheartbueno

Good luck with all the last minute Christmas shopping!!!

GUEST POST: ADVENTURES WITH VEGGIES


Saturday, Brandi left with some friends for Costa Rica, a well deserved vacation after opening up a salon in Houston. Knowing that I would be left to handle Bueno Bueno, MMBB, The Pinpoint Method and try to stay afloat in my personal life (insert mucho laughter), Brandi thought ahead and rounded up a couple guest post from our pals. Today is one by our dear friend Liz, who lives a pretty rad life in Nashville, TN and started up a food blog not too long ago... Enough about me, I'll let her get to it. 

I've been friends with Kelly and Brandi for years and have loved following their blog! Not only are they a fun and amazing family, but they are wonderful friends, too. (Awwww)

brandiLiz

This week, Brandi and I will be in Costa Rica!!! We are so excited! We went to California a couple years ago and had a blast. I love traveling with B! Once we're back we'll be telling you all about our crazy adventures and the food we ate. 

Seeing how much fun they've had blogging, I was inspired to start my own blog earlier this year. After my dad had cancer last year, I started taking a deeper look into health and nutrition. Months of research lead me to completely change my diet. But what started out as a change for health has also become more about preparing food with love. I eat a vegan diet now, most of which is raw, and I've become a healthier and happier person because of it. I started the blog to show you that it does not have to be complicated or expensive to eat healthy! My recipes are very simple (let's face it, I'm not really a chef...), and I provide shopping and travel tips, too. Follow me at AdventuresWithVeggies.blogspot.com and feel free to post comments and questions.

I'll share a new recipe that I haven't posted on my blog with you... its a MMBB exclusive! :)

kale

I've been on a kale kick lately, and have been making kale salads daily. Kale is an amazing source of fiber as well as antioxidant vitamins A, K, and C. Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet and is a major cancer fighter. It supports bone health and lowers cholesterol. Also, this dark leafy green is a great source of protein! So eat it up! 

Sweet and Creamy Kale Salad
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. garlic
pinch of cayenne
1 cup red grapes, halved
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bunch of curly kale
sesame seeds

Tear the kale into pieces and remove the stems. Sprinkle the salt over and massage the kale with your hands for a couple of minutes. You'll notice the kale begins to wilt and take on a cooked feel. In a separate bowl, blend the avocado, lemon juice, garlic, and cayenne until creamy. Pour over the kale and mix it in really well. You'll want the kale to be covered in the avocado mix. Add in the grapes and cherry tomatoes and garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

For more recipes, health information, restaurant reviews, and some fun pictures, follow my blog at AdventuresWithVeggies.blogspot.com

XO!
Liz