Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Video)

Remineralizing tooth powder recipe (Source: wellnessmama.com)

As a proud owner of cavity-free teeth, I'm a little worried that my love for daily coffee may be starting to take a toll on my teeth. I'm noticing signs of slight enamel erosion (which may or may not be caused by coffee) and decided to shop for products to remineralize teeth, and came across this wonderful recipe for homemade "remineralizing tooh powder" on Wellnessmama.com

(Source: http://wellnessmama.com/5252/remineralizing-tooth-powder/)

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
• 3 Tablespoons Calcium Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons Powdered Mint Leaf (optional, or can use essential oil)- Powder in blender, food processor or coffee grinder.
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon Powder (or this kind)
• 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Cloves Powder
• 1 Tablespoon (or more to taste) Xylitol Powder
• Essential oils for taste- completely optional but Peppermint, Spearmint and Cinnamon are good.

Instructions

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl or pint size mason jar and store in a small glass jar with a lid. We actually have a separate small glass jar for each family member since we dip our toothbrushes in it. Mix with a spoon or shake to incorporate ingredients. This recipe makes about ¾ cup of tooth powder which lasts us for months. You can adjust the recipe up or down (Use teaspoons instead of tablespoons for smaller amounts).
2. This will last indefinitely on the counter since there are no liquid ingredients and all of the ingredients naturally discourage bacterial growth. You can customize the powder to your taste and all of the herbal ingredients are optional. Bentonite or baking soda would actually work alone or together as a tooth powder, this one just tastes great. You could also add more cloves, mint and cinnamon for an even more concentrated powder. This type of cinnamon has a higher concentration of beneficial oils and tastes sweeter.

How to Use: Wet the toothbrush (I use a Bass brush from OraWellness since it is super gentle on the gums and cleans better) and dip into the powder. I also add a few drops of OraWellness Brushing Blend. Brush using the Bass Brushing Technique until teeth are clean. Rinse with cool water. Can be used daily (or multiple times daily) and is fine for adults and kids.

Eurovision song contest

Was listening to a BBC interview about the Eurovision song contest and this song was played :-

Protein bar recipes :D &my fav protein recipes bloggers

Just found out last week that you can make your own protein bars!
I have since been browsing for protein bar recipes..and here are some that I've bookmarked & (planning to try but might possibly end up procrastinating):-

http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/savory-quinoa-nuts-protein-bar-recipe.html

http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-peanut-butter-chocolate-protein.html 

http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-pea-protein-bars.html 
While searching for protein bar recipes, I came across a few food blogs/bloggers that are becoming my favorites. (Pics & blog names below)

Not sure if I like chickpeas in my protein bars...but I'll have to like a website/blog named "Hummusapien" , lol :D (especially since I do like hummus too). So, here's a recipe by Alexis a.k.a. Hummusapien:-
http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-vanilla-chickpea-protein-bars-no.html

Alexia @ Hummusapien

While browsing through recipes of chocolatey protein bars, I came across this homemade Nutella recipe by "DessertsWithBenefits":-
http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-healthy-homemade-nutella.html
And here's the recipe for Nutella Fudge Protein Bar
http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2009/04/recipe-healthy-nutella-fudge-protein.html

Jessica @ Dessertswithbenefits

Recipe from Katie's blog "Chocolatecoveredkatie.com". Do check out her site for many other healthy, chocolatey dessert recipes
http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2015/04/recipe-fudge-brownie-chocolate-protein.html

 Katie @Chocolatecoveredkatie.com

Another chocolate protein bar recipe (with shredded coconut)
http://coffee-choc.blogspot.com/2015/04/recipe-german-chocolate-protein-bar.html

Enduro Kitchen & Bar (is closed) :(

 Went to Enduro Kitchen & Bar (NYC) in 2013 and thought that the food was really good.  :( :( to find that it's no longer in biz...

New Orleans highlights: Best corn muffins in the world, "po boy" sandwiches, crawfish cheesecake, etc

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of New Orleans chicory coffee...& the "beignet"s (pillow-shaped doughnuts), but I absolutely love the "po-boy"s (can't get enough of them!), the oysters, the crawfish, and Willie Mae's fried chicken & corn muffins (the best I've ever had, included a pic below)

The corn muffins have the crunchiest crust...& very, very soft and buttery and cakey inside (wonderful contrast)

The fried shrimps & catfish are also very tasty. I'm not a fan of catfish, but the ones at Willie Mae's taste good enough that I wouldn't mind eating them again

Fried chicken - some of the best I've ever tried

 Cafe du Monde's chicory coffee

 Cafe du Monde's beignets

My friend's super-cute pug

When it was a tiny tiny pup...
(Below)
& the difference in just 1 year

Lady Gaga's Oscars performance (2015)

Current fav song "Yellow Flicker Light" by Lorde

Tea for Two (song)

Was getting my Veranda Blonde Roast coffee at Starbucks when I heard another nice jazzy song :D
Didn't know who it was...caught parts of the lyrics, googled,...and found:-
Tea for Two - by Doris Day
The name Doris Day sounds vaguely familiar but I don't remember who...
Found this video of Doris Day singing the song


It's one of those cheesy 1950s 1960s Marilyn Monroe movies that I used to like...but I refuse to find out exactly which movie the song's from. Because I have other more serious (and boring but important) things to do than to be drawn to some corny movies (like tax returns...it's tax season right now).
Then,...guess what! I found the Ella Fitzgerald version LD:D I like the Doris Day version, but I've always liked Ella Fitzgerald since I heard her songs back in 2012


And then there's the Nat King Cole version...well, he's also one of my fav singers....so it's hard to choose my fav version of the song, & I'll just post all 3
Wait...am just listeing to the Nat King Cole version right now...I have to say that I don't like the piano part (without any singing) , so, I like video 1 &2 above

Trash is for Tossers: About

Trash is for Tossers: About: This is a blog about Lauren Singer who lives a Zero Waste life in NYC

2013

Milano Bakery (New York Meneghina) - Milan, Italy

Was planning to go to a cafe/restaurant called Milano Bakery but arriving, found that the restaurant name has been changed to "New York Meneghina".
First thought was, "wtf...I didn't fly from NY to try NY food", but fortunately the food turned out to be very Italian (with a modern twist)...and I loved the mini tiramisu & pistachio cannolis - the best dessert on this trip :D

 The deco, menu, ambience...is very "New York"

 We like the "living" flower wall

 Had to have coffee, of course :D
The coffee in Italy's really good, but the variety is limited to "dark roast" (espresso) beans, and for black coffee lovers like me, you only get to choose between espresso and Americano.
Even the Americano aren't really Americano...most cafes/restaurants basically just give you a cup of espresso and a cup of water to dilute your espresso if you order Americano