Jackfruit stuffed Peppers

Stuffed pepper with cauliflower, pickle cucumbers, green onion, tomato, bbq jackfruit

Ask me how

Lac Rose - Is it Really Pink? - Vlog

A day in the Life with Ali took me to 

Lac Rose, Dakar Senegal. The lake gets its name from the color the sunlight, salt and algae create.  So based on that it will not always have a pink hue.  Due to the high salt content it is not good for you to be in it longer than 15 minutes without a special salve the harvesters put on their bodies to protect them.  And women are suggested to not go in the water as it can be harmful to reproduction.

The lake is important to that community because the salt is harvested year round and is sold to neighboring cities, countries and exported to Europe. It is used for cooking and on streets to dissolve ice.  The community is very careful to preserve the lake and keep it clean as possible.

The lake is being named a historical site. It is worth a visit to learn how this small lake is so important and how it gets its salt...

check out the video to see the lake up close and see the harvesting a it is happening.

Declutter....Physically and Mentally!!

yall ever look up and your whole house.. like every single room, is cluttered... even messy??
Like how did this happen, especially if you live alone like I do. I don't get it.. but I can tell you this... it is driving me crazy.  How weird, I feel like it makes me feel groggy, lethargic and a bit moody...

if you feel like this sometimes check out my video and lets declutter together!!!

Why do women have to suppress their sexuality for him to want to marry her?

Should Women suppress their sexuality to be considered or marriage???
this is ridiculous.  On one hand we say we are not in the arch ages and on the other hand when it applies to women and expressing themselves as such we are expected to function like the 1500s.

The double standard rule is  so comical, I am not sure I understand how it still is used today.  But it is.  You can see this type of behavior on all levels.  So it goes to show you, someone out there still believes it and teaches it.

What is wrong with a woman being honest about her sexual needs.  Isnt it wonderful that she is comfortable enough to express it?
What if she hid her sexual prowness from her husband becaue he is afraid he cant hang.  yep I said it... cuz I believe that is why.   but what if she hides how she feels and has to go outside of the home to get her needs met.  To have someone care for her without judgement.  sound familiar???

I think women are tired of being treated like sex is their only quality until she ctually wants it for herself.

watch the video and let me know your thoughts.
ciao
#speakingmymind #10minsorless

How to travel light; 20 days - 1 back pack!!!

My newest crave is packing as light as possible.  Why?  well lets try to save on bag fees which are out of this world now, Avoid waiting for a checked bag,  mobility and learn how much you don't really need.
AND
I wanted to know if I could do it.
20 whole days, 2 continents, 14 flights, temps ranging from 45-88 degrees.
 Can I pull this off?  Well, this was the packing effort.  I just returned from my trip and well...I did it!!
crazy so much fits in this back pack by Hynes Eagle!! I did have to check my bag a few times, but I understand the game more and will do a blog just for you guys on flights.

so anyway, check out my tips in the video and see how you can be an official backpacker too.

Chocolate 'Fill Me Up' bites

I'm gonna call these Chocolate 'Fill Me Up' bites...

Steel cut oats

Whole grains

Carob powder

Local honey

Walnuts

Ask me How...

Beet and Goat cheese flatbread

Beet artichoke arugula flatbread with goat cheese.. And my homemade marinara.. Chiiilllleee.. So yummy.. Simple and satisfying... inspired from True Food Kitchen in Dallas

Plant based Pesto Pasta

Vegan or vegetarian can be yummy and FLAVORFUL 🔥🔥

Plant based pasta

Artichoke

Spinach & arugula

Mixed baby tomatoes

My homemade pesto with no pine nuts or parmesean.. . 

I love the taste of Basil🌱

Would you try this?? ? 

It's⏬

Simple and satisfying... 

WTxFF Women's Texas Film Fest 2019

By Frugal Chick Ali

If you wanna see what women can do BEHIND, In front, and Around the camera....WTxFF is where you need to be!

2019, Year 4 and the festival is Heck-a exciting!
The energy of support is unparalled. 

Imagine if there was no need for creating inclusive events like this.. When women in film was no longer taboo or a scarcity.. 

.. Imagine.... 

So let's Meet the women behind WTXFF.. 

Justina Walford (Founder/Artistic Director, WTxFF), Kim Cousin (Executive Director, WTxFF), Erin Prather Stafford (President, Board, WTxFF), Stacy Gipe Thiele (WTxFF, Board of Directors, WTxFF), Audrey Palmer (Board of Directors, WTxFF), Melina Guravich (WTxFF), Lisa Normand (WTxFF). 

All these extraordinary women bringing their own special talent to this festival hosted in the heart of DALLAS!!!. 

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT? 

WILL IT BE ALL HARLEQUIN ROMANCE TYPE FILMS? 

WILL IT BE QUALITY WORK ANYONE WOULD ENJOY... 

just a few questions asked.. 

A: The festival is filled with EVERY SINGLE GENRE of film, Diversity, Inclusion, variety. What's unique is there is a WOMAN or MANY playing some leading role in the film from Director, Producer, Actor, Editor, Sound etc.... 

A: WOMEN can produce more than love based film... Check out the fest to get a taste of your own! 

A:

Of course it's QUALITY.. Like other tests.. WTxFF prides herself 😜 on just that, while making sure you enjoy everything the first has to offer...

While my responses will clear up the questions.. Pictures are worth a THOUSAND words

So I'll just show ya!! 

Belize....By SHIP and LAND

By Frugal Chick Ali

Caye Caulker
Solo Travel Rating:
Walkability:

Taxi:
Lodging: Airbnb, Hotels & Hostels


San Pedro
Solot Travel Rating:
Walkable:

...This is a short picture log of my Belize trips. ( most pics lost).. Such a bummer.. Always back up your photos!!

Anyway, One trip was via a cruise in 2014 and the next was ALL land or should I say IsLAND in 2015!! 

It is One quaint yet Beautiful Country

It'll is such a great place it is on my list of places to live... Yep... That good. 

My first trip was by Carnival Cruise the Magic.. Loved the boat ( first time cruising) 

Out of Galveston in June - peak season so prices we're like a third higher.. After going to Belize for only 8 hrs, I knew it was way too short. Of course I got a nice introduction to the country.. But it was just enough to set my soul on FIRE🔥

I did an inland tour to the Mayan ruins and thru Belize City... And I wanted more... 

My second trip was in Nov 2015 and we hit 2 islands!! 

RT flight out of Dallas was around $273, one Airbnb was $32 per night (4) and other was $49 per night (4).. Split for 2 ppl.. 

You can not beat that!!? My frugalness tingles at saved $$$.

First thing though....make sure you have enough time to catch the water taxi over to the islands.. At that time, only flights landed at like 4pm and last water taxi was at 4:30pm.

I remember everyone telling us we weren't gonna make it due to traffic etc... 

But we were determined.. We got a cabie and he said he would do his best to get us there... 

I also secured an Airbnb in the city just in case we d8d not. This person knew our situation and made arrangements to allow us to cancel day of arrival if we didn't need it. 

 How sweet!!!! Don't see that too often.. 

Anyway WE MADE IT!!

We decided to do 8 days total. First was Caye Caulker which is approx 5mi circumference for the entire island.. Meaning you can walk from one end to the other in say 20ish minutes. 

Main transportation is bikes and golf carts.. No cars

We found a really cute and inexpensive quad apartment on the far end of the island close to the airport strip. 

We loved it.. Great owner who met us and perfect amount of space for $32 per night.. It was a one bedroom with kitchen, outdoor porch and eating area and rooftop seating and hammocks.. 

I did my yoga there.  It was beautiful. We had access to bikes and a machete to cut our own coconuts!! 

Say what... Well of course I did 😜

Before  my trip was over, I was determined to swim across this channel that cut between Caye caulker, and this other island  so that I could jump off of this tree branch into the ocean like everyone else was doing..

Problem is I can't swim at least not enough to swim across the ocean channel to the other side, so a cool kid that worked on one side, volunteered to swim me across the other side. He was so awesome. 

I finally jumped!!  No life jacket and can't swim.

REMEMBER: Move slow and enjoy...

there is only one hospital and 2 cemetaries.....

Be careful of those sand flies and the more you go inland off the islands the more bugs you see.  Or maybe it was the time of year or the temperature..

And you'll never guess the pesky-est creatures are the crabs... they rummage through the garbage like raccoons and rats.. Eeek

Caye Caulker  was awesome and I met some really nice islanders and expats there.. 

Next up water taxi to San Pedro/Ambergris Caye..area well known for the divers beautiful blue hole. 



San Pedro is much bigger and tons more going on of course.. Cars, buses, motorbikes, jeeps for rent. Events, nightlife, housing subdivisions, restaurants galore..  You name it!! 

The apartment we rented on this side was awesome. We ended up getting a great break because the one bedroom, we rented for 49 dollars a night wasn't available, so we got the master suite on the top floor, which gave us full kitchen full living room, 2 separate master bedroom suites with balconies on both sides and we were a step across the street from the beach. The owner and the manager were both awesome, they took great care of us. That's one of the cool things about staying with someone or doing an airbnb  is oftentimes you can build relationships with those folks. They were so helpful and made sure we felt safe and comfortable. It was great there's also other sharing companies out there now, you have homeaway, couchsurfing, there's also a workaway. So many different ways for you to visit different places and meet people and either stay with them or meet up, so you have other people to hang out with, so anyway check those out. 

I really enjoyed the freeness of both islands. 

Even though I was with a friend she and I did a lot of our own things so it was like a solo trio and I was really comfortable walking around, exploring etc..
you reall can't go wrong with the food.  Find yourself an eatery with outside seating (everywhere) have some rice, beans and your choide of veggies or chicken or carne.  You really can't beat that.

Monkey habitat

The island I wish to purchase

Taking a quick flight inland... Yep it's a crop duster but it was short and safe..

Views from the crop duster

Shooting Belize Tv show - Morning Matters!

Which is better...TSA, GE, OR CLEAR by Frugal Chick Ali

UPDATE 1/6/2020 - on CLEAR … New User!!

For my Traveler FAM..
Do you EVER get frustrated waiting in long security and int'l entry lines at the airport??? 

So you watch you friends leave you and go to shorter lines or areas to get through security. They aren't taking stuff out of their bags, not taking shoes and belts and laces and eyelashes off.. You know what I mean.. Like you almost disrobe to go through security and I understand that some is for safety measures.. But imagine 100, 200, 500 ppl in line doing the same thing . 

Imagine this......

getting to the airport 2-3 hrs early for your international flight.. You are all good.. Or so you think...It's peak travel season and school is out sooo... Didn't think about that...OH MY GOSH! there is a travel group and strollers and massive taped boxes and luggage galore. 

That 2-3 hours dwindles and dwindles.. Then after you check in you go to security.. But you can't even see security cuz the lines are so long 🤪. I mean like amusement park line long. 

Should you start taking all your clothes off now to save time..?? All the while watching people wizz by you for that pre chk and Clear line.. Wondering how did they get that? 

You just knew you were gonna be on the other side having your coffee and pastry  flipping through emails, texts and SM by now... But you aren't... 

Don't make the same mistake next flight!!

I have GE and am considering CLEAR..
**Update** I registered for CLEAR on my way out of Dallas on my air cruise. It took 5 mins literally and I got 3 mos free trial.  They said now I can arrive at the airport 30 minutes before flight and zip through.  I did not believe that, but 3 mos free trial lets give it a shot.

Jan 1, 2020 on my way back from my 20 day air cruise around Europe and Africa I got a chance to check out the validity of the 30 min statement at FLL airport.  I arrived at 6:33 pm for a 7:05pm flight.  It literally was the quickest.  Walked up to my gate which was boarding for my flight and wahhhla, I was on.  Not to mention it was a SW flight which means I did not have to check any bags due to their amazing baggage options 2 free onboard and 2 free checked.
So verdict.... it works!!!

☯TSA PRE✔ good for 5 years -$85
☯Global entry if you travel abroad.. Good for 5 years (includes TSA PRE✔) -$100

** this process took less than 1 week for me to submit by application, get a response and within the next few weeks I had my scheduled appt. 

The interview itself took 7 mins. I timed it 😁. Then I received my card a wk or so later in the mail.**

☯Clear is good for 1 year -$179

Check out this article which explains the options you have.. Cost and benefits.. 

http://flyclear.com/clear-versus-tsa-precheck-versus-global-entry/

Don't waste your travel time.. Standing in lines... 😜

Ciao

#wheresali