The Tano Lifestyle

Steak is a popular main course which usually is paired with a baked potato or mashed potatoes and vegetables. I particularly find this to become so boring at times. I also find it difficult when I'm hosting a dinner party and some of my friends including myself are on keto. Over the years I've scoured the internet, experimented with my own ideas, and collaborated with others to ditch the potatoes and level-up when it comes to steak side dishes.  Whether you're hosting a dinner party or having a typical family dinner, these elevated side dishes will leave you wondering if you'll ever serve steak with mashed potatoes again (well....just not all the time).   Flowering Red Onions                                  Photo credit: Food Network This side dish is unbelievably simple to make, but it's guaranteed to steal the show. It looks like a beautiful lotus flower on the plate. You may not think a red onion could have so much flavor but this recipe does! The red onion onc

Every Christmas we have tamales as a tradition but I could eat them every week. I never pass up someone selling tamales outside a grocery store. I love beef, pork, chicken and jalapeno cheese tamales. Tamales are a dish of seasoned meat wrapped in masa and steamed in corn husks. I've made tamales before, but they're very time consuming especially, on a weeknight. However, tamale casserole has become a family favorite in my household. You can call this comfort food a casserole or a tamale pie, doesn't matter. The options are endless. It can be made from beef, turkey, chicken, and you can use chile verde sauce instead of red enchilada sauce. This chicken tamale casserole is oozing with cheese and sauce, it's sure to become a frequent winter meal in your household.  Ingredients: 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend divided. 1/3 cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn 1 (8 ounce) box corn muffin

Being on the keto diet myself, like many people I wondered how it's possible to build muscle. Having increased my fat intake, I found myself feeling fuller faster and longer. This lead me to start eating less calories as I'm the type of person that can't force myself to eat. I started doing research because I didn't want to abandon the keto diet. I like the diet, and the health benefits. Low-fat, moderate carb diets never worked for me. We've long been told that carbohydrates are vital to increase muscle mass. Carbs help release an anabolic hormone that drives muscle growth. Which would make anyone wonder, can the low carb keto diet hinder muscle growth?                                                       Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com When in ketosis, our bodies rely on fat for energy. In the beginning stages of ketosis most people feel fatigued which is normal and temporary. So beginner keto dieters will likely experience a drop in performance. Once your body ad

Now that covid has died down for now, most of us are able to get together and enjoy time with family and friends again. The one breakfast/brunch dish I'm always asked to bring on Christmas in a quiche. I don't think I've ever met a quiche I didn't love. They're so versatile, you can add in pretty much anything you already have in your fridge or pantry. All of these quiche's can be made crust-less or by using a store bought pie crust for time-saving. The best part is that they can also be made ahead of time. Most of these quiche recipes I am using store-ready pie crust but feel free to make your own. Here are my top 5 Christmas (or any holiday) quiche recipes that I know you'll love.  Cowboy Quiche                                                                      Photo credit: Ralph Smith The Pioneer Woman's Cowboy Quiche is her take on one of my favorite classics quiche Lorraine. This version includes caramelized onions and a lot of smoky bacon. It

Since I started the keto diet, one of the hardest sacrifices like many was bread. I used to eat an English muffin every morning with eggs. My husband and son are not keto and are carb fanatics, so making dinner is even harder! It's impossible for me to find a loaf of keto bread at my grocery store that tastes good. This one actually does. This quick and easy keto bread recipe is a no-brainer and only takes 90 seconds to make. You can use it for toast, sandwiches, or as a replacement for an English muffin. I like to experiment with different microwave safe vessels so I can use this keto bread in various ways. I promise you this keto bread kicks ass! For this recipe, I'm using a circle-shaped ramekin to make a breakfast sammy. You can choose to use a small square shaped vessel for grilled cheese or french toast. When it's finished you can eat it as is or I like to toast it. I'll spread a little butter on the slices and put them face down in a skillet for a few minutes (I

Many people, including myself as of recent, turn to crystals for their healing properties. I'm a firm believer that gemstones and crystals are full of elemental energy. These precious stones help channel our true intentions and when placed in certain areas of the body, can provide mental and physical benefits. I personally use my crystals when I need to create alignment and balance within my body's energy field. I keep two jade stones in my office for focus and to help reduce stress. I recently went to a cool shop along the beach in Monterey, CA. There were crystals and gemstones everywhere and I was so overwhelmed. I picked a few that stood out to me and decided to study what their meaning and intentions were. Amethyst This is one of my favorites aesthetically. Amethyst is a spiritual healing stone widely used in meditation. It can help reduce anxiety, protect against fear, instill calmness and alleviate feelings of guilt. Amethyst stones tend to be lilac or purple in color. H

                                                           (Photo Credit: Pakiholic) Many people find the transversus abdominis, or V cut shape at the obliques and hips very sexy. Workout enthusiasts strive for this coveted shape as it reflects dedication and hard work.  There are several factors to consider when trying to achieve the V cut shape. Genetics, diet, discipline, and training. You need to build a strong core with a lower ab and oblique focus. If you're serious about reaching the V cut shape goal, follow these tips and stay consistent. Exercises Body Up Start in a plank on your forearms shoulder-width apart and palms on the floor. Raise your body upwards and then lower and repeat.  Side Plank   Any variation of the plank is going to help tighten and strengthen your core. The side plank is an excellent exercise to help define your V cut abs.  Lie on your right side keeping your knees straight and propping your upper body with weight on your forearm.  Raise your hips and h