Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Asparagus.

I thought I wouldn't like it...boy, was I wrong.

Love it! On the grill at least.

I was described to me as a cross between broccoli and green beans. My two favorite veggies in one? Yea, I had to try it!

If you like asparagus, check out my recipe below.

Grilled Asparagus

Ingredients:

a bunch of asparagus

garlic (1-2 cloves, minced) or garlic powder (1 tbsp)

olive oil (or butter)

salt (to taste)

pepper (to taste)

lemon (optional)

Note: Summer time, I love lemony everything! I incorporate lemons into a lot of my dishes. So it can be added or left out, whatever your personal preference. 

• Take one stalk out of the bunch, gently snap off the end and use as a guide to trim the rest (or just trim off the bottom 1 1/2 to 2 inches). Also, if they are thick stalks, peel them
• In a bowl (large enough to toss the asparagus), mix garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper.
• Add asparagus to bowl and toss to coat each stalk.
• If adding lemon, drizzle desired amount of lemon juice and/or peel over asparagus.
• On heated grill, place asparagus in one layer and grill till slightly browned (approximately 8-10 min).
• Remove from grill and let cool.

This recipe works great in the oven as well. Roasted veggies are a great comfort in the cool winter months so keep this one in your recipe book.

Pictured with Lemon Salmon and Butter Rice (recipe coming soon).

The garlic and olive oil are a great and classic combination that gives flavor and compliments natural flavors. Delish! I've had it three times already this summer, lol!
Give this one a try! I promise (as long as you like asparagus) you will enjoy this recipe.

Nicole Charnel

Have your tried any new veggies lately that you are loving?

Inspiration: Time to Re-Evaluate

Sometimes you just have to start over.
Or take a different approach.
Stop.
Think.
Make a new plan of attack.
Re-Evaluate.

Sometimes things happen in our lives and we get suck in them. They take all our energy and focus.  We  end up losing ourselves. Losing our goals, our future, even our happiness. We may become depressed. Secluded. Alone but surrounded. Suffocated by this situation or circumstance.
When you get in these situations, it can be hard to get yourself out before you get so low you hit bottom. And sometimes you don't know where to start.

I am a [very] emotional person by nature. I tend to think, process, over work everything in my brain. Sometimes harping on it and making it a situation worse than it is.
Even someone not as emotional as me, can go through something similar.

So here are some processes that I use when I need to re-evaluate my situation and my way of thinking, and therefore, acting.

• Take some time out of your day to stop. Time to think. Time to make a plan of attack.
• Make a list of the things you want to do or accomplish in the NEAR future. Don't choice anything to long term; sometimes seeing yourself reach goals quickly helps you keep commitments and encourages more goals.
• Start a journal or a notebook. Some people don't like to write down their feelings or daily activiies but that brings up the next tip...
• Say your goals out loud. Making a promise to yourself can be simple and effective. Easy to hold yourself accountable.

Some times allowing your mind to slow down, forget the pain that may be holding you down can clear the way for the new.
It should be simple and easy [so you wont make excuses not to do it].
Simple and easy can be effective and life changing!

Nicole Charnel

Random: Why Can't I Just Do What I Love?

Why can't I?
There are plenty of people out there that, as their career, do something they are good at doing.
But how many people have a career where they do what they LOVE?
Their passion is their job.
They work hard and often because to them...it doesn't feel like work.
Those are the people I admire.
Those are the people who inspire me!

Nicole Charnel

My Own Personal Nail Salon (Haul)

When I was younger, I use to paint my nails every weekend. I wasn't great at it and often got frustrated with my rough looking manicure. But I was faithful about it!
I loved new colors. Straight nails. Fresh looks.
Of course, as I got older, I started going to the nail salon with my mom and getting tips.
From then on [high school through college] I was obsessed and slightly hooked to acrylic nails and designs.
I fell off a little after college, but after my first child I just right back on the wagon.
I would get them done whenever I had the time and the money.

And then...I started this natural hair journey...

I don't know what it is about healthy natural hair but it makes you want to be NATURAL and HEALTHY all over!
Not just your hair!
At least that is the effect it is having on me...

Wednesday I named my nail day!
I had to go to Walmart anyway for some baby stuff, so of course pick up some things for my mani.
And then for some reason when I got back to work, I realized I needed more, smh...this promoted a stop at Rite Aid on the way home as well.
So here is what I ended up with...

SN: Always grab some bobby pins, they like to disappear, smh.

Not too much...and that is mostly because I have done this before [decided to go all natural with my nails only to relapse in a week and go get a full set, tragic]. Therefore I already had a lot of what I needed.

Of course I had to get some more nail files and tools [like bobby pins, files walk].

Also some colors. The brand is Ice, the yellow is called 'Excuse Me' and the white is 'Superstar'.

Now the top coats by Kiss. This was one of my favorite purchases. These top coats not only protect but also change the finish of the polish. There is a high gloss, a shimmer, and a matte. Can't wait to try the matte.

Lastly is the 'Dry & Go Drops'. LOVE! The worst part of the manicure is waiting for your polish to dry, ugh! Yes, I am impatient...but also, I have two children! Sometimes I don't have 15 minutes to wait for my nails to be 100% dry. Now this liquid doesn't dry them 100% but it does like 80%. It drys the surface and prevents the dings and the imprints. But you can still tell the the polish under the top coat could still use some time. Still saved me 10 min; I just turn on the fan, put my hands in front for 5 minutes and DONE!

This is the manicure I did last night. Isn't it cute! And definitely fresh, love that. Looks salon professional! My mom even asked me this morning, 'When did you go get your nails done?' HA! Fooled the beautician.

I also found a great YouTube vlogger that gave some great tips! Check her out: A Love Tart: Beauty Blogger. This gave me great success compared to last time I tried my own manicure [epic fail]. Now I feel like I can do my nails anytime! I am so excited to try some new colors and watch my nails grow...YAY!

New addiction...just maybe...

Nicole Charnel

What nail polish brands or colors are you loving right now?

SPS: Marley Twist, Take 2

As the summer continues (begins), so must the protective styling!

Last month I created a challenge for myself to promote my hair growth (and keep my hands out of my hair,). I'm calling it my Summer of Protective Styling.
Just in case you don't know, protective styling is when style your natural hair in a manner that keeps your ends protected. This allows low manipulation to your tresses and encourages maximum growth.

I started with the installation of Marley Twist, which I did myself. It was my first time attempting anything like this but I was determined. The end result wasn't terrible but not exactly the look I was going for either.
See here...
I kept them in a bun and ended up taking them out after a week...mostly because they were falling out, lol.

But because I am not a QUITTER (yes, the caps were necessary), I tried again.
Take 2...much better.

I did a few things different.
I didn't use gel. It made my hair hard to grip. For an amateur, grip is EVERYTHING. I just used a leave-in and shea butter.
I also used a different type of hair. Janet Collection and a no-name brand marley hair. I was suppose to have all of the same brand but Hair Stop and Shop, yea, don't ever order from them. They processed my order, took my money, then sent me an email the day my stuff was delivered that said they were refunding me half because they didn't have my hair.
O_O Really tho. I was more than a little upset. But I got my refund and went to find some hair of that color (I wanted a burgundy) but I had to settle for red. On plus side was the no-name brand was cheaper, I liked the feel better than the Janet Collection, and the red turned out beautifully.
The last thing I did different was I made my twists smaller. That means my hair took double the time (6 hours total) and I have double the amount of twist but I definitely like this look better.

Did I already say that I love this style?
Because I REALLY love this style!
And I'm going to keep doing it so I keep getting better, trust and believe.

PS on Deck: Faux Bun with Marley Hair
I'm really digging this marley hair.

Nicole Charnel