Paleo Strawberry Muffins: Success or Fail?

Baking gluten free, dairy free, and egg free is always a challenge. I have an AA in Pastry Arts and I still struggle to cook and bake this way. I recently started following this wonderful blogger Paleo Gluten Free Eats on Instagram and she has inspired me to start baking and cooking more. Her posts are beautifully photographed and she is always making something interesting and new. Watching her videos and reading her blog made me start searching even further for more recipes that fit in my dietary category. For the most part, her recipes do that, but I also need egg free. It's extremely difficult to find something Paleo AND egg free.

I recently headed the Paleo route only because that diet does eliminate dairy and gluten already. The added bonus is no refined sugar, which I have also been working on cutting down. The only problem with Paleo and my dietary restrictions is that it does include eggs, and usually a lot of them. (In regular cooking, it also usually includes a lot of meat which my body isn't used to. I have also recently eliminated chicken as an experiment). So, with that in mind, I went to Pinterest. I have (as many do) a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. It's mostly that I hate that I love it. As many of us know, though, it's a great resource for recipes, especially for special diets. I found a few recipes I wanted to try but was craving something I could take as a snack for work that also felt summery. I came across a recipe for Paleo Strawberry Muffins. No gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar...but 3 eggs. Going back to my baking training, I remembered that I could substitute a flax or chia "egg" instead of using a powdered egg replacer (which never works as well and smells like chemicals). So, I went on a run to the store to find chia.

The store only had whole chia seeds which I determined would be fine and I could just grind them in the tiny food processor we have. NOPE. This was the one big fail. 20 min of grinding in the food processor and they barely broke down. I tried mashing them in the mortar and pestle we have (that a quick search on Google said would also be an option) and NOPE. Nothing. So, I went forward with the recipe anyway. This was the major flaw in my plan. When the chia isn't broken down into powder it becomes EXTRA gelatinous and way too thick to be an egg replacement. I ended up baking it longer than necessary and it was still a bit gummy. The taste was great but I had to toss the remaining muffins after a few days because they got soggier. I have already ordered a spice grinder so I can try this recipe again!

Try it yourself and let me know how it goes. I have included the regular egg and the chia/flax egg information. The strawberries can be swapped out for raspberries, blueberries or I would think even apples (with a dash of cinnamon...yum). Find the original recipe here.

Servings: 9 muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour        
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs (flax or chia substitute: 1 Tbsp. ground flax or chia to 3 Tbsp. water per egg)  
• 1/4 cup honey (preferably organic and raw; sub maple syrup for vegan)
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil melted (can also substitute ghee for all or half of oil)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries     

  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease or line muffin tin (or use silicone baking cups).
2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl with a large whisk. Combine wet ingredients in medium bowl. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold in strawberries.
3. Use a large ice cream or cookie scoop to fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
4. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

I will be trying this recipe again as soon as my grinder arrives. I will post an update to my trial. So, the verdict is that it was a successful fail. Not a complete fail, but not a complete success. A second trial awaits!

San Francisco: A Quick Overview of My Trip

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. Living in the suburbs of Southern California halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, I don't get into big cities as much as I would like. I try to get to LA as much as possible as there is so much to see and do there and I really do love it. I get to San Diego even less. But San Francisco? There is something about that city. If I could afford it, I would move there. I fall in love with it again every time I visit. My best friend lives in San Jose which is less than 60 miles from downtown San Francisco. We made plans for her to come up to the city and spend the day with me while I was there. We had talked about so many things I wanted to do, but in the end, we took a nice, leisurely day and it was fantastic!

Sausalito

I have always wanted to visit Sausalito. I had heard about its small town charm and was told I would love it. I have a dream of living in a "Gilmore Girls" quirky small town on the ocean. It combines so many of my favorite things: the ocean, the city, and small town vibes. So, Saturday morning we jumped in the car and drove over the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito. (Heading out of the city they don't charge for the bridge, but be prepared to pay roughly $6 to get back.)

Once we found parking and paid for two hours at the pay station, we took a leisurely stroll along the water, talking and catching up. The marina is beautiful and the strong, salty smell of the ocean coming in with the breeze was exactly what I needed. We walked along the docks for a while and then turned back into the town so we could do a little shopping. We found great items in some unique little boutiques (including a Christmas Shop that we both wanted to spend all of our money in) and a wonderful chocolate shop called Pick Me Up Chocolate. They were incredibly nice and the chocolate was so pretty and super yummy. They have some wonderful and interesting flavors. My favorite was probably the salted caramel. The perfect amount of salt and the perfect amount of melt in your mouth caramel with dark chocolate. The are handmade artisan chocolates that would impress even the most critical chocolate lovers like myself. If you stop in Sausalito, they are a must to visit! It made me seriously think my passion in life is to own a chocolate shop.

China Town

After driving around Haight/Ashbury and Golden Gate Park, we decided to head back towards the hotel, get lunch, and to walk around China Town. We had a yummy lunch at Asian Box inside Macy's Union Square (they have a completely Gluten Free menu) and then went walking up to China Town.

I just recently read the book China Dolls by Lisa See that takes place in China Town in San Francisco back in the 1940's. I was so anxious to go back and see the area in a new light. I have been there once or twice in the last 20 years, but now knowing some of the history (even if it was a fictional story) of the city and China Town itself, I was more excited than ever to walk around there.

We walked straight through the main entrance, Dragon's Gate, up one side of the main street, and then back down the other side. A lot of the original structures are there and you can tell which signs used to be marquis of theaters and clubs. Mentally I was transported back to chapters and descriptions in the book and I could almost picture what it could have looked like 70 years ago, with dancers falling out of the side theater doors late at night or early in the morning after hours of performing and drinking, escorted by men that were customers of the club.

The lanterns and décor hanging over the street were great opportunities for artsy pictures. With the ornate designs and the beautiful red and gold colors, it felt so luxurious and cultural that I sort of forgot that I was in the middle of San Francisco. I think that my favorite structure we came across was the old Chinese Telephone Exchange building. It's in the shape of a pagoda and still keeps the integrity of the town intact. It is featured in the book and I was so happy to hear that the building was still there. It has been a number of businesses over the years but is currently a functioning bank. It's in surprisingly good shape with bright red, green, and gold making it stand out from the other plain storefronts on the street. It's clear that they maintain the building well.

After popping in too many gift shops on our route, we decided to keep on walking down to what I like to call "fancy pants" area (aka Union Square).

Union Square

There isn't much to say about Union Square. It's exactly what a big city shopping area should be. Loud, fun, and tons of different stores to play around in. The good thing about downtown and Union Square is they mix it up with the high-end stores like Caroline Herrera, Hermes, and Christian Louboutin with more affordable mainstream stores like Old Navy, Macy's, and The Levi's Store. The oddest thing for me, being a suburb dweller, was seeing stores like CVS and Trader Joe's on the bottom floor of a high rise building. I loved every minute of it but found it so weird to not see a huge parking lot in front of them. That area of the city is all about walking or taking the Trolley.

**One thing I have never done while in San Francisco is to take a Trolley ride. It will happen. It's now on my bucket list.**

Once we had walked as much as our 40-year-old bodies could walk, we headed back to the hotel. She had to get on the road to head home and I desperately needed to take a hot bath and read.

The next day I got up to head home and decided to make a side trip to a place I had always wanted to see. The James Dean Memorial.




Cholame, California - James Dean

I grew up with a fascination of James Dean. My old apartment was covered in prints on the wall of him and Marilyn Monroe. Coffee table books and different nick knacks surrounded me. Sadly, they are all currently in storage. This James Dean lover wasn't about to miss another chance to see exactly where it happened; where the tragedy of a beautiful and tortured soul met his untimely death.

Driving from the 5 down the 41 in central California is long and to be honest, quite boring. When you come to the 41/46 junction there is a spot on the side of the road with a license plate commemorating the actor, and flowers, wreaths, etc. If you keep driving, you come upon the Jack Ranch Café. It comes up quick. You can pull over and get out and take pictures with the actual memorial that was built and placed there. It was all very quick and surreal to me. I got back in the car and headed back to the 5 on the 46. I passed by the roadside spot where the accident actually occurred. I wish it was a more convenient place to stop and get out of the car, as I would have loved to just stand there for a minute, maybe take a picture or two.

I kept driving down the 46 and eventually you come upon what is known as James Dean's last stop before the crash. (Blackwells Corner) It's a general store and now Texaco station that has two large wooden tributes to the actor: a full-length picture of him pointing to the station and one of his shoulders and head. I almost missed it, but fate stepped in and turned the street light red at the last minute and I sat there on the corner looking at the gas station wondering what he might have been thinking that day. He had no idea that in a matter of minutes, his life would end. The moment was even more surreal than standing in front of the memorial. A spot he never even made it to.

All in all, it was a great weekend. I got some down time to recharge, time to hang out and chat with my best friend, some driving time to think and reflect, and saw some historical spots that made me thankful.

Quick Post: Beauty Review

Recently I broke down and bought the Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette. I had been going back and forth on whether to purchase it or not as it is quite pricey ($49) and has had a slew of mixed reviews. I went looking for a smaller palette with similar colors and despite being spring, I just couldn't find any with peach and pinks that I wanted. So, knowing I had a coupon, I went ahead and bit the bullet. Luckily, for me, Ulta almost always has some deal where you get a gift with purchase and just my luck it was a travel size of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara that is my absolutely favorite!

I have tried this palette a couple of times now. Here are my thoughts:

1. It has absolutely beautiful colors.
2. It does NOT work well without an eyeshadow primer.
3. If you do not use a shadow primer, the color instantly fades and you are left with practically nothing in a few hours, especially if you use the lighter shades.
4. I use the NYX white eyeshadow base. With this primer the colors of this palette pop in a gorgeous way. They blend really well with this primer and I am finally getting a chance to explore accents with the darker colors in the palette.
5. There seem to be a lot of shimmers, but really there aren't. There are a couple shadows that are extremely glittery, but the other non-matte colors are just a tad bit of shimmer; almost still matte.
6. IT SMELLS LIKE PEACHES!

The bottom line is if you are looking for colors that are in this palette, use a good eyeshadow primer, and can afford the price tag, I highly suggest it. If you don't think you will use all of the colors, don't bother. I am definitely enjoying this palette, but the range of colors was exactly what I was looking for. It smells heavenly and looks gorgeous on. Just use a primer!!

Grand Hyatt San Francisco: A Review

In January I decided to take a trip to San Francisco just to get away for a few days. Luckily, one of my best friends lives in San Jose, only a short car ride away. My original planned date was President's weekend in February when California ended up getting torrential downpours, hurricane winds, and flooding all over the state. That was when I changed my plans and decided to stay close to home and did a night at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach which was beyond phenomenal. So, two weekends ago I finally got to make my long awaited trip to San Francisco a reality. I booked a room at the Grand Hyatt Union Square in downtown San Francisco and made the long trek up there.

Los Angeles traffic always being what it is (Sig-alerts and all kinds of crazy things happening), it took me longer than anticipated to get into San Francisco. When I got into downtown, it was a madhouse. I didn't know it at the time, but the whole city had been without power from 9:00 am to just a little bit before I got there. The traffic was crazy. If you have ever driven in San Francisco before, you know that one way streets are their signature layout. With GPS in the car, it's usually an easy thing to navigate. With the power having just returned, everyone was panicky and lights were flashing red all over the city. I finally got to the front of the hotel and there is NO turnout for valet. It's a lane on the street in front of the hotel. That's it. You miss it (like I did) and you get taken around another block or so of one way streets to get back to the front of the hotel; the only entrance. When I finally made it up there I thought to myself, "With the extravagant valet fees they charge ($67 a night), there should be a better system." That being said, the valet attendants were right on top of it: no waiting; they grab your bags immediately, give you your ticket, and you are on your way. They are seasoned veterans and know just how to get you up to the curb and get your car out of the way quickly.

Getting to check in was quite the whirlwind, but I was able to stop and take a breath while standing in the quick line. Check in was also fast. Their front desk area is set up more like an Apple store with many sleek and streamlined tables for each individual instead of one long check in counter, but they were quick and efficient, even offering me a bottle of water. I was off to my room in no time.

Finding my room was easy; opening the door was not. (They have a keyless entry that works great but the door handle is a little hard to push down). The room was very modern and really nice. There was a huge flat screen TV, nice sitting area, a vanity table outside the bathroom, and a really fancy looking, modern bathroom sink that was more of a elongated deep plate than a bowl. My favorite part: an automatic shade that can be operated from both sides of the bed and the front door. However, I paid an extra $30 a night for a city view. When I think of city view, I think a view of the actual city, not of the building next door. I was disappointed and called up to the front desk to talk to them about it. This is something I NEVER do. But when you are paying $60 plus taxes for something you aren't really getting, you make an effort. They offered to move me to a higher floor, but it would be facing the same building. I ended up taking a credit for $30 for at least one of the nights. My suggestion for anyone wanting a city view is to skip the "city view" and spring for the Union Square view.

Having recently stayed in the Hyatt in Huntington Beach and realizing they had wonderful options for room dining on a gluten free diet, I was severely disappointed that this Hyatt didn't have the same. No gluten free options at all, except one dish on the kids menu. Since I got there later than planned, I walked around Union Square for a bit and then just ordered in room to rest up for the next day. Sadly, I ended up paying $40 (salad, drink, delivery, tip, etc.) for a Cobb salad that had just lettuce, a chicken breast, avocado, and egg. It was the only meal I ate from the hotel. Luckily I always come prepared and I had instant GF oatmeal with me. I called down to the front desk and had them send up some water and a tea kettle. Breakfast handled.

The only other complaint I have about the hotel was the noise. The windows are not insulated the way an expensive city hotel should be. I was next to the ocean during a horrible storm in Huntington and could barely hear what was going on out there. This hotel allowed you to hear pretty much everything going on down on the street (and I was 17 floors up). The toilets were also so loud that every time my neighbor flushed, it was a jolt to my senses, actually waking me up from a dead sleep the first night.

Overall, it was a great hotel. The staff was absolutely amazing. They were quick, thoughtful, and so nice. Everything you asked for you got. I was most impressed with the valet service. If you are looking for something in the heart of the city that is really nice and accommodates your every need, I highly suggest it. Just bring ear plugs.

Quck Post: Beauty Recommendation

***UPDATE: I found that the conditioner does contain DMDM Hydantoin which is a formaldehyde releaser. I have been trying to avoid this ingredient and it is in almost everything. I may be looking for another shampoo/conditioner.
________________

I decided to start doing some "quick posts." I am always thinking of things I should share about but don't really have enough info to justify a full blog post. So, instead of saving up each thing and lumping them together weeks or months after the fact, I am going to do quick and short (and probably barely edited) entries for these things. They could be beauty items I recommend, a book I read that I love, an event happening, an article I read, etc. It's probably something that most people would post about on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, but, let's be real...I like to talk and there just isn't enough room on those media platforms for what I want to share. This brings me to my first quick post.

For months now I have been trying to find a good shampoo that is free of all the "bad" stuff. You know, no parabens, no sulfates, etc. It's been a difficult task as most of those shampoos don't lather the way I want them to or they leave your hair feeling lifeless or straw-like. Well, I found one! Rather, my Mom found it and recommended it to me. I LOVE it.

Maui Moisture. A treasure now found. Here is the link to their website. They have many different types of shampoo and conditioners for all kinds of hair issues. I have thin, frizzy, somewhat curly hair and this Vanilla Bean one is amazing for me. Not only does it smell awesome, it lathers like a normal shampoo, it tames down frizz, and leaves my hair fuller and smoother.

You can purchase at most drugstores like Walgreens, but Ulta Beauty also carries it and their hair products are almost always buy one get one 50% off. The price point is wonderful as well. I believe most places carry it for under ten dollars each.

The best part? This! Straight from their website:

WHAT IS MAUI MOISTURE®?

MAUI MOISTURE^® starts with a unique blend of aloe vera juice and is infused with pure coconut water, unlike some other shampoos that start with deionized water as their first ingredient listed. The results? Moisturized strands, mended split-ends, and a healthy glow with every use.

• No mineral oil
• No silicones
• No parabens
• No gluten
• No SLS
• No sulfated surfactants
• No synthetic dye
• YES eco-friendly
• YES pure coconut water
• YES pure aloe juice

Highly recommended! Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Homemade Granola: Worth the Time?

Every morning I eat oatmeal with granola. I usually throw some wild blueberries and almonds in there, too. It has become my favorite morning meal. It fills me up, keeps me energized, and is healthy. But what about the granola? Every day I am eating 1/3 cup of store bought granola and the bag only lasts a week at most. How much am I spending on this? What amount of added sugar am I consuming first thing in the morning? The answer is a lot.

Even on sale, the granola I purchase is $5.99 a bag when it's on sale. That's a minimum of $24 a month, but usually at least $30. Yes, the brand I buy is Gluten Free, 5 grain, Non-GMO, and relatively healthy by most standards, but I wasn't happy that I was consuming evaporated cane juice, glycerin, and canola oil every morning.

What is evaporated cane juice? Companies that make it will say it's a natural sweetener. Really, it's just sugar with a tad bit of the molasses still included. All sugar, because of the process that makes it, is evaporated cane juice. So really, it's just a fancier, healthier sounding way to say "processed sugar."

Glycerin is a filler. It's used as a sweetener and preservative. I wouldn't think it would be considered an ingredient for "clean eating." Besides, isn't that an ingredient in soap? Just because it is non-toxic doesn't mean it is edible or should be consumed.

Canola oil is not something I have done a lot of research on, but it seems to be a controversy. I prefer to use olive oil or coconut oil strictly for anti-inflammatory properties and health reasons. I don't avoid canola oil completely, but I figure if there is a controversy, there might be a reason to limit your consumption at the very least.

So, this led me to research Paleo homemade granola recipes. I wanted something that was similar to the flavor of the brand I buy (blueberry vanilla). I found a great recipe and it was really easy to make. You can find the original recipe here. My version is tweaked a bit. The original recipe was so large that it required two sheet pans. Not only do I not have two sheet pans, I am only one person and that much granola would go stale before I could eat it all. I cut the original recipe in half. Also included are directions to read as you go, because my pastry chef instructor would reprimand me as I did not read the whole recipe before starting. It's my way of helping you out so you don't make the same mistakes I made.

Pre-start tips:
1. Pull out all of your ingredients and measure them out.
2. Pre-heat oven to 325* and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. (I was out so I used wax paper which wasn't ideal, but it worked in a pinch)

Blueberry Vanilla Granola with Chocolate Chunks

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 40 min

Yield: 5 cups  

Ingredients

1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup almond butter (I used cashew butter)
1/4 cup raw honey
1 teaspoon good-quality vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (I use the GF oats from Trader Joe's)
3/4 cup raw sliced almonds
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (I just used a few shakes as I try to keep things low sodium)
1 cup dried blueberries (I prefer the Steve's Paleo dried blueberries because they have no added sugar, but Whole Foods was out)
**1/8 - 1/4 cup at least 65% cacao dark chocolate chunks (I see this as optional) (I used Enjoy Life allergen-free chocolate chip minis)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and line baking sheet with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.

2. To a small saucepan, add just the coconut oil. Melt over medium-low heat.

3. Whisk in the almond (or another nut) butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Continue to whisk until melted and smooth. Turn the pan to low heat while you prepare your dry ingredients.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, salt, and blueberries. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened.

4. Pour the granola onto the baking sheet, spreading evenly.

Before spreading evenly in pan.

5. Bake the granola in the oven for 10-12 minutes and then give it a good stir.

6. Return to oven for an additional 10-12 minutes and bake until golden brown.

7. Remove granola from the oven and let it completely cool before transferring to an airtight container and stirring in the chocolate chips.

8. Store the granola in an airtight container for about two weeks.

This recipe turned out great. It's nice and crunchy with just the perfect amount of sweet. It's great for breakfast or a snack. I use this on top of my oatmeal every morning. As a snack, the chocolate chips are a fun added sweetness. However...if you are using it on top of oatmeal or in a bowl with almond milk for breakfast, I suggest you cut the chocolate chips. I add fresh blueberries to mine, so the chocolate is a little odd mixed in there.

I hope you all try this! It's a tasty recipe and has no added sugar, especially if you get the Paleo snacks dried blueberries with no added sugar and cut the chocolate chips. My verdict? DEFINITELY worth the time.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I was so excited to make this granola that I only snapped one. Enjoy! Be healthy.

Nail Products: The Big Debate

First, I would like to apologize for the gap between posts. I am doing my best to get at least one post up a week but sometimes life gets in the way. The last few weeks have been busy and tough. Hopefully, I can get back on track now!

One of the biggest debates I have witnessed in the beauty industry is what kind of nail product or process is the best. People get VERY passionate about this subject. Honestly, I don't really prefer any one style. I like different methods for different reasons. I decided to help others by sharing my experience and thoughts on these four popular methods.

1. Jamberry

Jamberry vinyl nail wraps have a large variety of designs and even partner now with Disney, Marvel, Peanuts, the NBA, the NFL, and various charities. They are fairly easy to apply once you get the hang of it. You don't have to buy all the fancy extras to apply them either, most of what you need you already have at home. Nail scissors, a nail file, a blow dryer or heat source, and your thumb are all you need to put them on.

The downside to Jamberry is that good application and a solid seal are key to getting them to last and if you have curved or domed nails like I do, it can be a constant source of annoyance. Most people have flatter nails and can apply them correctly with no problems. I, however, have them lifting by the next day. After trying every trick I could find, the only thing that solved it was putting the clear gel polish (they have a gel LED system that is pretty good) over the wraps. The main problem with this trick is it's an extra step in a manicure that should be easy and quick to do. If the look and design are more important to you, then you will LOVE Jamberry nail wraps.

The biggest pros: No drying time and tons of cute designs.

The biggest con: Having to take them off carefully and properly with remover so you don't ruin your nail surface.

Cost: Inexpensive as one sheet of nails will get you a minimum of two manicures plus leftovers for a pedicure and accent nails. The cost of one sheet is $15 for most designs.

2. Incoco

Incoco 100% nail polish appliques are different than the brands of polish wraps you pick up at the drugstore. These are higher quality and last a lot longer (up to 14 days). Because the strips are delicate, it takes some practice to put them on without ripping them. They are dry polish strips with the base coat, polish coat, and top coat built in. So like vinyl wraps, they are instantly dry. They come in a variety of designs and solids.

My experience with Incoco nail polish appliques was fairly positive. I have experienced a couple of instances with application issues, but for the most part they were easy to apply, instantly dry, didn't lift or chip, and were easy to remove. However, don't open the package until you are ready to apply as the air dries them out. This is good when it's on your nails, not so good when it's still in the package.

The biggest pro: You can easily remove with nail polish remover.

The biggest con: Delicate and easy to rip when applying.

Cost: $8 a sheet but you can find older designs for 50% off on their website.

3. Nail Polish - OPI Infinite Shine

When it comes to nail polish, my nails chip 20 min after getting a manicure. It's been a challenge finding a polish that lasts longer than 24 hours before having to reapply. Then I found OPI Infinite Shine Gel Effects Lacquer System.

OPI has always been one of my top two polish brands. When I saw the Infinite Shine line I really wanted to try it as it claims to last up to 10 days with a "high def gel shine without the light." I was skeptical but intrigued. Step 1 is a base coat/primer, Step 2 is the color, and Step 3 is a thicker gel-like top coat. This system works very well for me. For the first time, I can go 5-6 days with no chips! If I do two coats of the color and two coats of the top coat it lasts even longer.

The biggest pro: Regular polish you can do at home that lasts longer than other polishes.

The biggest con: Still smells like polish with the harsh chemicals and takes five coats total and proper application to last a week.

Cost: $10-$12 a bottle but you get many applications from each. You also need the base coat primer and top coat.

4. Gel Polish - Salon or at home

Gel Polish is easily the winner when it comes to how long it lasts. However, you need to either buy a system to use at home or go to a salon and spend a minimum of $30. But if you are going on vacation or have a big event coming up, chances are this is the method you want.

Salons are moving to less harsh chemicals and lights that are LED vs UV to protect hands from the damage UV light can do to skin. The selection of colors and designs you can get are just like a regular manicure but last longer. If you have the money and the patience, it's worth a try. If you decide to buy a system to do at home, do your research. Some gel polishes only work with certain kinds of light and some polishes are stronger than others. If you like to do your nails all of the time and prefer gel polish, it might be worth the investment to find a great system you can use at home. The downside to doing this at home is the removal. It's a lot easier to have them remove the gel polish at the salon. Trust me, I have tried it at home many times in a lot of different ways and it's always a huge production and makes a mess.

The biggest pro: Instantly dry and you get a bit of a pampering if you go to a salon.

The biggest con: The cost

Cost: $30 a pop, minimum, plus tip. If you are doing this twice a month, you are easily spending $80.

So, there you have it! Different methods to try that are good or bad for contrasting reasons. There is one new method/product that I just heard about within the last week that I have yet to try. I have been seeing many posts on Instagram from beauty bloggers that are trying and promoting them. The brand is called Impress by Kiss. They are gel polish nails that are press-on but require no glue. Similar to the old Lee Press on Nails from the 80's maybe? I find that hilarious, but they seem interesting and I am intrigued by the concept. I plan on trying them soon. Have any of you tried them?