When it comes to indulging on food, I love cake and fried dishes as much as the next person. So much so that I wasn’t exactly following the recommended food pyramid to a T and decided a few months ago to round out my diet more healthfully.

I’ve always eaten plenty of fruits, but my goal was to incorporate more veggies into my diet and reduce meat consumption. Knowing me, a plain salad and vegetarianism wouldn’t cut it for long.

However, this summery salad with fruit and baked fish meal is just right, and tastes good enough that I actually find myself craving it for dinner!

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This Fall, I’m moving to Massachusetts. It’s a long way from my home in beautiful California, but I’m looking forward to the change of scenery. One thing I’ll miss for sure though are the gorgeous outdoors here, specifically the beaches and hiking trails.

I’ve been going on hours long hikes on this trail right off the beach. The view is breathtaking, and I hardly notice the time pass until my stomach starts grumbling. Of course, I’m prepared with my water bottle and a handy, quick trail mix that I make with Bear Naked granola and some add-ins like nuts and raisins.

The Bear Naked Heavenly Chocolate Granola ($4.84 US) is so decadent, it feels like sinful dessert. In fact, I like it atop frozen greek yogurt for a treat. Yet, the nutritional stats for all the Bear Naked products are great, heavenly in fact! This flavor packs in 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein for a 130-calorie serving and is made with clean, natural ingredients.

I boost the chocolately flavor by mixing in a handful of dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries along with pecans and walnuts for a yummy, sweet trail mix.

I have a hard time resisting glazed nuts, so the Bear Naked Maple Pecan Granola ($4.84 US) strikes a delicious chord with me. The sweetened, nutty flavor blends perfectly with the maple syrup flavored oats. It tastes like Fall and Thanksgiving to me, just without the guilty feeling from indulging.

Something to note, but I found that this particular flavor didn’t have as many clusters of granola, which I like, as Heavenly Chocolate. This flavor goes great with raisins and more pecans.

I was a little disappointed that the Bear Naked Fit Triple Berry Crunch Granola ($4.84 US) had less of the add-ins than the flavors above. The berries were not as plentifully found among the oats. However, nutritionally, this flavor’s a clear winner. With 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of protein for 120 calories, it has a lot to offer.

I mixed Triple Berry Crunch with more dried berries. The result was a fruity cobbler without the messy work. I suggest dried cherries for a tart sweetness and dried blueberries for an antioxidant boost!

The Bear Naked Peak Protein Granola ($4.84 US) is interesting, because it’s a soft-baked granola resulting in a chewier, oatmeal cookie type texture. I loved it personally and the 6 grams of protein. This flavor has a very mild vanilla taste, but the cranberries mixed in really give it the feel of a cranberry oatmeal cookie.

I love this with yogurt as a parfait, but for a trail mix, adding white chocolate chips takes it over the top in transforming this granola into a yummy crumbled cookie.

Have you tried any Bear Naked granolas before? What do you like in your trail mix?

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Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive. I love hunting for the latest, amazing drugstore finds. After all, there are some “gems” to be unearthed!

I recently bought some NYX items to try out. They have an amazing reputation and are constantly compared to MAC. Lots of people rave about their products saying that they’re almost as good, if not equal to those of MAC. Was everyone just exaggerating or were they right? I was eager to find out!

First, I tried NYX Doll Eye Mascara ($8 US) in Volume Extreme Black. The brush shape is curvy, but thin in size. I found the formula to be a little too thick making it clump a bit after 2 coats, but I love the pitch black color.

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Summer is fast approaching and makeup lines are popping out with the greatest and newest products for the long hot months ahead.

The Urban Decay Get Baked Kit ($28 US) is a true gem among their famous palettes. Inside the Pucci-inspired case are four eye shadows: Twice-Baked, Half-Baked, Flipside, and Baked.

The colors are all gorgeous. Pigmentation and texture are amazing and they glide on like butter.

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