solelysalud

You guys don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do something like this (more to come). Thankful for all of my inspiring friendships ❥

Last time I made one of these I was still getting used to my new role, so here’s how things look lately. 🏃🏻‍♀️ Thank you for helping me fill my 5-9, @pcinfluence . xoxo

The acne “recovery” story I avoided sharing. 🥺 Does this need a warning label? Probably. Acne has been a rough subject to cover since my first cystic flare up in 2017. I’ll try my best to share a summary & the products/practices that helped ME (emphasis on ME) so far. The Timeline: 🕰 2017 - First cystic acne flare up Appearance - Not a spot-free area with most bumps being huge, painful and red. Fix - Diet/Exercise. I went vegan aka no dairy, eggs, meats, etc. Started going to the gym daily hoping to burn off stress (nope). 2018 - 2nd flare up Appearance - Small dark spots, painful and mostly on forehead/cheeks Fix - Diet. Cut out (my personal) acne inducing foods like cashews, chickpeas, soy and cocoa/chocolate. Elimination diet can help if done correctly! 2019 - 3rd flare up Appearance - Large, red and painful cysts around my chin and mouth Fix - Diet & Probiotics!! Focus on gut health and cutting out high-glycemic foods that spike blood sugar (ex. refined sugar, fried food, preservatives, sunflower/canola oil, high-carb foods without nutrients, etc.). Probiotics used - @sakaralife Daily superfoods - @shopkarenberrios maca & lucuma/ @animamundiherbals mangosteen beauty powder 2021 - 4th flare up Appearance - Hormonal acne with small dark spots around mouth and chin. Fix - Exercise/Topical/Diet/Stress Management: Stopped cardio and went with ONLY yoga or slow walks, washed my face with only cold water once before bed (cut out over exfoliating), realized flare ups got worse when I stressed over acne-inducing foods so I allowed myself food freedom. Products I now swear by: Lapis @herbivorebotanicals (pure witch craft), @cerave acne foaming cleanser, @sakaralife beauty drops & @tataharperskincare clarifying cleanser/acne face oil. Code: Use XORALDA for 20% the @sakaralife beauty drops or other products/meal plans online. 💋

And now for the bites that helped me make it through the April showers: 1. @vivamaximohouston : Aguachile de Camaron 2. @ceremonialteahouse : Matcha Cookie Latte 3. @oruhtx : Rice flex 4. @oruhtx : Cornish Hen IYKYK 5. @yiayias_greekkitchen : Dolma at @culturemaphou Tastemakers 6. @credencehtx : Gulf Shrimp Dip 7. @houbbq : First round spread 8. Sarah’s Ouzi & Masakhan Palestinian Dinner 9. @yemexbakehouse : Feta Croissant 10. @togahtx : Chef’s Tasting Skewers & Seaweed Salad 11. @togahtx : Chicken Katsu 12. @cochinitaco : Shrimp Quesadilla 13. @anh_tthy & @annabeljacob Caphe 14. @craftpita : Chicken Rice Bowl 15. @rubybhohal : Mango & Coconut Princess Cake 16. @boosburgershtx : Shroom Sammie 17. @vivamaximohouston : Tuna Tostada

Is this a good time to admit I’ve been happier lately?

Building nostalgia

A Houston-based pastry pop-up that’s absolutely changing the standards 🍰 @pastrycheftevin is a CIL (Culinary Institute LeNôtre) Alumni crafting French-inspired desserts for @creamedtx . The menu is always changing, but you can expect a menu worth lining up for. You can follow them for updates on the next pop-up!

First full month back home. The goal was to focus on home-cooked meals, but I had to sneak in some new, and some classic Houston eats. Adiós, Marzo!

@artechouse just launched their latest immersion gallery: Blooming Wonders 🌸 by @mei_konishi I say you stop by with 10% off using SOFIA10 (all of March!) You can expect: • Interactive Games • Multi-Aensory Art • Choreographed Kinetic Lasers @shohei_fujimoto • Mindfulness & Meditation Events • Specialty Cocktails & Snacks

Finally sharing one of my favorite hideaways in Austin. @maaribucafe is a fully gluten-free bakery, that also happens to have home goods, trinkets, gifts and more. The patio is a hidden gem and of course, the perfect place to enjoy GF pastries with the perfect texture and taste. I say you try it for yourself!

Cusco, this time you tested me in ways I didn’t know I needed. The altitude and lack of sleep put me in a mental state I wasn’t ready for. Even with all the energy I had to explore, I did all things with a headache, stomach twirls and almost no oxygen. There were tears, groans, laughs and lots of coca tea, but we made it to the end with stories we’ll share forever. To Ana, thank you for always showing your curiosity for our cuisine, traditions and the humility of my people. Thank you for crying with me at a sacred temple, pushing yourself on the Andes mountains when I couldn’t, galloping on horses 14k+ ft up a mountain, pretending we didn’t know English so we wouldn’t get overcharged, and sharing chicken noodle soup 3 days in a row. Third Cusco trip really was the charm thanks to you. Tupanachiskama (till we meet again), Cusquito

I may have a full Lima guide up my sleeves, but this will do for now. (someone hold me accountable) ᥫ᭡. This was my first visit to Lima during the peak of their summer, so everything looked entirely different. Sunsets were not to be missed and I had forgotten what it was like to live in such a loud city. Drivers everywhere communicating with their horns and fruit vendors yelling out the medicinal benefits of lucuma, pitaya and granadilla. Solo travel never feels lonely here since there’s always a kind smile, someone hoping to learn about you, or feed you. Every bite happened to be the best thing I’ve tasted and the tears flowed thinking back to the family I once had. The picarones I’d knead with my great grandma, the ceviche my uncle was so proud of and the mazamorra morada that I’d smear on my lips because my aunt said it’s “natural lipstick.” They were so special to me and so is this place.