Layout Image
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Bio
  • Sign Up!
  • Search By City
    • Los Angeles, So. Cal
    • New York, NY
    • San Francisco, Bay Area
    • National/Chains
    • Other Cities
  • Search By Dessert
    • Brownies
    • Cake Pops
    • Cakes
    • Candy
    • Cheesecake
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Creme Brulee
    • Cupcakes
    • Doughnuts
    • Flan
    • Frozen Yogurt
    • Healthy
    • Ice-cream
    • Milkshakes
    • Other
    • Pastries
    • Pies
    • Popcorn
    • Pudding
    • Rice Krispie Treats
    • Sorbet
    • Vegan
  • Gift Shop
  • Best Desserts For…
    • Best Chocolate
    • Best Cookies
  • Top Rated
    • 5 Cherry Reviews
    • Golden Cherry Reviews
  • Videos
    • Tasty Tuesday Videos
    • Vlogs
  • Press
  • Lifestyle
    • DD’s Diary
    • Gluten Free
    • Polls
    • Thinny Thursdays
    • Recipes
    • Vegan
    • Wedding

Archive for Lifestyle

Slim Star at UVA Sun: A Thinny Thursday Miracle!!!!!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Ohmygosh guys- I’ve always been a firm believer that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s why, every time I heard about the SlimStar Infra-Wrap System at UVA Sun, I totally rolled my eyes. SUUURE you could burn 1,200 calories in 50 minutes just sitting there! And what of all those results people were seeing? Dropping a full dress size in 4 session? Um, clearly that was water-weight.. right?!

You guys, I tried it. It works. I’m a little dumbfounded… but after 6 months of not shedding those annoying 5-post-wedding pounds, I finally caved and decided to invest in some Slim Star sessions. First, you smother this stinky gel on your thighs and torso.

Then you come fully clothed in sweats and lie down on this bed, where you will relax for an hour, watch a movie, TV, read a book, or play Words With Friends (my current addiction ;) )

Here I am, wrapped up and ready to go! The infrared heat penetrates twice as deep as other heat sources to target toxins and cellulite trapped in pockets below the surface of the skin (though, I only noticed a change in weight-loss, not cellulite). These wraps get very Hot!

They had one plus size model who lost twenty pounds using Slim Star!!!! Holy smokes, I want to sing it from the mountain tops, this machine is insane!! Click here to see more about the science of Slim Star and how it works.

Normally it’s $345.00 for 3 sessions, but if you mention that the DD sent you, you can buy 3- get 3 sessions FREE! Hot-damn.

To book an appointment with UVA Sun (on 3rd Street between the Grove and the Beverly Center), click here.

Comments (0)

Favorite Ice Creams I’ll Never Eat Again & Why: Baskin-Robbins, Haagen Dazs, Breyers and Dreyers with rBGH

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Thursday, May 10th, 2012

There are many articles, like this fabulous one in the Huffington Post, about Bovine Growth Hormones, or rBGH. But I’ll break it down into simple language for you here this Thinny Thursday.

Monsanto, the chemical company that’s determined to run the world’s food supply (and thus, the world), created genetically engineered growth hormones to make cows produce more milk. The cows utters get extremely large, tender, and soar.

This swelling and pain makes the cows get infections, which makes them need antibiotics. Furthermore, the infections lead to blood and puss being released into the milk.

So now, dairy from cows injected with rBGH have:

  • Genetically Engineered Hormones
  • Antibiotics
  • Puss and Blood

“Food is information,” per this article by Dr. Franklipman. What we eat directly interacts with our genes and can make us healthy and happy, or diseased and sick. Wonder why some kids are hitting puberty as early as six years old?! Consuming milk from affected cows with artificial hormones and antibiotics directly and adversely affects our own bodies.

Sadly, my ALL TIME FAVORITE ice cream brands: Baskin-Robbins, Haagen Dazs, Breyers, and Dreyers, all use dairy from cows injected with rBGH. :( Seriously guys, this is like the Day the Music Died for me. People often ask what my favorite dessert is, and it’s ice cream. I’m so bummed that my childhood staples are so careless with the quality of their ingredients. Furthermore, some have the audacity to outright lie with labels like “All Natural”- UGH!!! Good news though..

Ben and Jerry’s has always taken a firm stance against using rBGH dairy, long before I even knew what the labels meant. All Organic ice creams are safe as well, like Stonyfield, Alden’s, Julie’s, and pretty much any brand that you’d find in a health food store.

Hopefully, if enough of us demand quality ingredients with our shopping dollars, Baskin-Robbins, Haagen Dazs, Bryers, and Dryers will catch on and make the shift to natural milk products. Hey, it worked for Starbucks! Who, I’m happy to share, also refuses to use dairy with rBGH.

 

Comments (2)

Kentucky Derby Desserts

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Monday, May 7th, 2012

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the Kentucky Derby with veteran Derby goers. Our hosts could not have been more hospitable or gracious, so a HUGE thank you to the Lavin Family!!!! Naturally, the weekend was filled with it’s share of desserts.. and fabulous hats! So without further ado…Derby Pie!!!

Derby Pie can only be sold in Louisville, Kentucky- crazy! This Chocolate and Walnut tart tasted much like a less nutty pecan pie with a few chocolate chips and an extra flakey crust.

A few of us are ready for brunch on Derby day!

Fondant Horses greet us at the buffet line..

Bourbon Banana Bread Pudding (sorry for the sideways pic, I can’t flip it back for some reason!)

My little plate of Derby day delights. Loved the frosting, fruit tart, and chocolate pastry!

Sweet mint brownies to cap off the end of the day!

Shoot- I can’t seem to switch my long images straight on (they’re going sideways!) and I have to go to bed, but I’ll try again tomorrow night to show you the fabulous hats I saw!

Sweet dreams!

 

Comments (0)

Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits- Caramelized Almond Morsles covered in Dark Chocolate

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Friday, May 4th, 2012

At one of the birthdays I attended this weekend I encountered Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits, a TJ’s treat that I had strategically been avoiding. I mean, come on! They tell you right there on the tub that you are going to eat the whole thing at once and wallow in misery over your lack of self control and growing love handles! Or something like that. So alas, there they were, right in front of me.. and since they’re Almonds (healthy) and Dark Chocolate (healthy too!), I dove right into these tempting treats. One thing I applaud TJ’s for- they don’t have false advertising. These delicious, caramelized almond morsels covered in chocolate were indeed, addicting.

However, these Cookies & Cream Almonds that were also at the party were sweet, chalky rubbish.. even if they were made in California.

For more info on Trader Joe’s, click here.

Comments (0)

Thinny Thursday Tip- I Never Drink Soda

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Never Drink Sodas

This Thinny Thursday tip is pretty self-explanatory. Soda has been linked to pancreatic cancer, heart risks, rotting teeth, and of course, obesity. I know a guy who simply cut soda out of his diet and dropped 15 pounds. Wop-babaloo-bop, there you go.

And for you diet soda fans who drink a beverage as a snack or food substitute, you’re drowning your insides in disgusting chemicals for nothing, because studies show that “artificial sweeteners increase weight gain odds.” Studies also show that even sugar free sodas result in an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (“a cluster of risk factors linked to diabetes and heart disease”).

Yikes!

Anyway, it’s a complete waist of calories to drink them, if you ask me. I’m a huge fan of the tall glass of water! If you need caffeine, drink tea! Tea can have incredible benefits for your body.

If you need bubbles, try fruit flavored sparkling water. Or if you want a cold palette cleanser with a kick, try Kombucha! This fizzy beverage is has many healthful benefits and is naturally low in calories :)

Bottles04 

 

Finally, if you must must must have “soda”, try all natural brands made with natural sweeteners (NO High Fructose Corn Syrup!!) and fewer calories. Hope that helps!

Comments (4)

Simplethings Pies, Trader Joe’s Chocolate, Ice Cream, Dessert Wine & Champagne

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Oh what a night! My fabulous friend Mia is always the hostess with the most-est! The other night she & her guy had Tyler and me over for a home cooked meal. I knew that the evening would end Happily Ever After when I saw these delicious pies by Simplethings on the console next to a bottle of Veuve Cliquot (pie review here).

But first, I took down a bowl of these addictive, Trader Joe’s Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds, perhaps one of my favorite items at TJ’s. Once I start, I can’t stop eating them! Naturally, this was before dinner was served (roasted chicken, succulent salmon, and amazing sides, btw).

Then Mia whipped out some homemade ice cream that she made with the best Vanilla Bean Paste and a touch of heaven.

I had the “genius” idea to make a Dessert Wine Float by adding ice cream to my flute of sweet wine.

And by “genius,” I mean I was was very ill the next day….(eeeg)

But ultimately it was a great night and well worth it!

And Mia got the Golden Cherry for her fabulous cooking!

 

Comments (1)

My Wedding on Style Me Pretty Today! Ahhh! Dessert Table Recap

By Dessert Darling · Comments (7)
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Ahhhh! I Absolutely CANNOT believe it! Today my favorite wedding blog, StyleMePretty is featuring my wedding at 12pm Pacific time! WOW!!!!!! I’m so incredibly honored that I’m beside myself! In light of this feature, I’m posting a recap of my Wedding Dessert Table below.

  1. Cheesecake Pops dipped in white and dark chocolate by Sweet Lauren Cakes for a slightly sour and savory dimension. (more here)
  2. Bears on a Stick by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Pretzel rods dipped in caramel, rolled in peanuts, and drizzled in chocolate for a salty-sweet, crunchy option.  I know people like salty items when they’re drinking- these were a Huge hit. (more here)
  3.  Swizzle Cakes, cocktail inspired mini-cupcakes with a slight alcoholic kick. To die for. (more here)
  4. Christopher Elbow Chocolates because who doesn’t like gorgeous, artisan, gourmet chocolates!? (more here)
  5. Circus Animal Cookies for nostalgic’s sake.. and the pink and white colors!  (more here)!

 ALSO, in exciting news…

I wrote an EBOOK on Wedding Planning!

GET IT:

For your Kindle here.
For your Nook here.
For your i-pad: download the Free Nook app onto your iPad here and purchase the book here.
For your Computer: download the Free Nook app for your mac or PC here and purchase the book here.

Or click here for more info on the ebook :)

XOXO

Comments (7)

Crazy Coachella Fashion… but Dessert First ;)

By Dessert Darling · Comments (3)
Monday, April 16th, 2012

This past weekend was the Coachella rock festival in the Palm Springs area that my guy and I attend every year with friends. While my diet for the weekend consists of Heineken and Spicy Pie Pizza (BEST pizza ever), I do manage to find some desserts to sweeten it up.

The most refreshing treat I had was this amazing Snow Cone by Hulu Girls Shave Ice at the GUESS Pool Party. Like real Hawaiian shaved ice, the Snow Cone has feathery flakes of snow that melt on your tongue (versus crunchy balls of ice).

Here I am enjoying my cone with hot friends, Nicole Taylor and Claudia Schiffer.

Since the flavors were made with real fruit juices and no corn syrup, they didn’t leave an artificial aftertaste, which was great.

But it did leave my tongue blue!

I also swooned over this dessert platter at the Hugo Boss pool party.

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte was UH-maaaaaazing.

Finally, I met my match the Neon Carnival, The Cookie Monster!

If anyone is wondering “How does she eat all that junk and stay thin” this answer this year is: I don’t. Señor Scale told me that I put on 7 pounds this weekend. Is that possible?! In one weekend!? Ugh- ok, back to ORGANIC veggies and lean meat this week (Bleh! and I worked so hard to get bikini ready….grumble grumble grumble)

To see more pictures of Crazy Coachella Fashion, click after the break to continue.

Read More→

Comments (3)

Easter on a Boat, Yea!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Monday, April 9th, 2012

Wowee did I eat my share of Easter delights this past weekend! Now it’s time to get disciplined before the Coachella Rock festival in the dessert next weekend- Yikes!

Having a Hoppy time in the sun

Joyful Platter

Rainbow Peeps Skewers make me giddy

The Best batch of Susie Cakes Cupcakes- Golden Cherry worthy!!!

Pretty Heart Shaped, Rose Filled Chocolate

Various Easter Candies- Love Jordan Almonds~

Melanie's Raw, Vegan, and Gluten Free Brownies

Kimmy's Homemade Twinkies!

And of course, Easter wouldn't be complete without Sees!

 

I hope you all had wonderful holiday weekends!

Comments (1)

Poll Time! What’s Your Favorite Easter Candy?

By Dessert Darling · Comments (5)
Friday, April 6th, 2012

Easter is this Sunday and I’m sure many people are excited to see what treats the Bunny has in store for them! Who am I kidding-aren’t they the same goodies every year?! Regardless, it’s still fun and yummy to indulge in the classic treats.

What is your Favorite Easter treat that you look forward to the most each year?



HAPPY EASTER!!!

XOXO

 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Comments (5)
Next Page »

Connect…


Search Dessert Darling
by city, dessert or keyword!

Visit me at Wedding Darling!

Categories

Grab My Button!




PocketChange
PocketChange
Dessert Darling
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved
iThemes Builder by iThemes
Powered by WordPress