21 Rainbow Recipes to Add a Little Color to Your Desserts

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are superior when it comes to paleo desserts, or any desserts for that matter. These addictive bites take on the flavors of pumpkin and chocolate, all without leaning on process ingredients! (via Brit + Co)

Cherry-Cranberry Almond Paleo Scones

These paleo scones are just as good as the ones you'd snag from your local coffee shop. Cherries and cranberries dot the sweet dough for a fresh touch, plus there's a delicious cranberry glaze to top it all off! These paleo desserts would work so well for serving a large party crowd – or, you could save the leftovers all for yourself. (via Brit + Co)

Fudgy Paleo Brownies

Though you might assume paleo desserts say 'no' to chocolate, this brownie recipe will instantly prove you wrong. The batter, made primarily from almond flour, coconut flour, and cocoa powder, gets balanced out in terms of moisture with coconut oil, eggs, and maple syrup. Dark chocolate is the key to this dessert's success! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Paleo Gummy Bears

Our list of paleo desserts wouldn't be complete without the more fruity snacks! These paleo-friendly gummy bears only require three ingredients and a gummy bear mold with a dropper. You can make any flavor you want depending on the type of fruit juice you use – just make sure it's labeled “not from concentrate” and is organic to abide by the paleo guidelines. (via Clean Cuisine)

Berry Paleo Banana Bread with Lemon Glaze

Banana bread is the ultimate treat you can snack on in the morning, afternoon, and at night. This paleo version is doctored up with even more healthy stuff like three types of berries and an addictively tart lemon glaze. Swoon! (via The Endless Meal)

Coconut-Coated No-Bake Energy Bites

For paleo desserts that you *don't* have to actually bake, energy bites are the sweetest solution. These can be crafted within minutes using a short list of ingredients: prunes (healthy fiber FTW!), almonds, chia seeds, and surprisingly, orange juice! Pop one in your mouth for a workday snack, or wait for bedtime to indulge in this daily sweet treat. (via Live Eat Learn)

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

This spoonable paleo dessert is also plant-based, gluten-free, and made with 5 ingredients. The creamy base is made with 2 ripe avocados, which get masked with the flavors of cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and the natural sweetener of your choice. (via Veggie Society)

Paleo Coconut Cream Pie

You may be a bit skeptical at just how good a keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free pie could really taste, but we promise this one is ahh-mazing. The coconut flour, coconut milk, coconut whipping cream, and *actual* shredded coconut form the signature flavor without taking over too strongly. You'll wanna eat slice after slice! (via No Eggs or Ham)

Paleo Thin Mints

Wanna enjoy your fave Girl Scout cookies year-round? Look no further than these paleo thin mints that incorporate the minty, chocolatey flavors you love, without any harmful additives. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Paleo + Vegan Caramel Apple Slices

Us any apple variety you love alongside some melted dark chocolate and caramel to create these mouthwatering apple slice pops. You can go crazy with with topping 'em with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and the like, but it's really up to you on how to best enjoy them. (via Rachel Mansfield)

4-Ingredient Chocolate Chia Pudding

This chocolatey chia pudding is too tasty. With an ample serving of chia seeds, cocoa powder, almond milk, and maple syrup, this is a certifiably healthy paleo dessert. (via Two Spoons)

Cayenne Churros

Like I said, churros are a classic when it comes to Mexican desserts! These fried treats add a bit of spice to tradition, sprinkling the chocolate dipping sauce with cayenne. Don't knock chocolate and cayenne 'til you try it – it's a staple flavor combo in Mexican desserts. (via Brit + Co)

Churro Donuts

Perhaps a more adventurous departure from *actual* churros, these sugar-dusted churro donuts are filled to the brim with a delicious dulce de leche creme. This is a great option for dessert, but they'd be even better in the morning alongside some hot coffee or horchata. (via Brit + Co)

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Prepare to get sugary! On the outside, Mexican wedding cookies are slathered in a dense layer of powdered sugar, while a buttery, nutty shortbread awaits on the inside. This texture combo makes them very addicting, which is super satisfying knowing the recipe will only take you 30 minutes to make! (via Completely Delicious)

Tres Leches

Tres leches cake is sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three different milks (condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream) and topped with whipped cream or meringue. Mexican desserts really don't get more decedent than this! Each bite you take of tres leches is amazingly dense and creamy – the ideal partner for a traditional side serving of fresh berries and fruits. (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

This Mexican dessert – typically symbolic of Lent and eaten on Good Friday – is one you really have to make to understand just how tasty it is. Capirotada is layered toasted bread slices soaked in a syrup made from piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon, cloves, and other warm spices. Sometimes cheese, nuts, dried fruits, and plantains are thrown in the mix for a traditional treat that's downright comforting! (via The Bossy Kitchen)

Mexican Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

These baked goods are basically Mexican hot chocolate, but in cookie form. Drawing flavor inspiration from the famed cocoa drink, each shortbread cookie carries the notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne for added kick. (via Averie Cooks)

Buñuelos

Similar to churros, buñuelos are fried dough desserts coated with cinnamon and sugar. They're definitely lighter and crunchier in texture, though, which makes them a fantastic ending to a denser dinner. Once you've fried 'em up, drizzle them with syrup or honey for maximum enjoyment! (via Cilantro Parsley)

Mexican Chocolate Nice Cream Bowls

Healthy desserts, meet Mexican desserts. This nice cream (crafted primarily with frozen bananas) assumes the flavors of Mexican chocolate, and the best part about it is you can eat the whole bowl yourself and not feel weighed down after! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Mangonada (With Boba!)

This is just the drink to cool you down on a hot Cinco afternoon. Mangonadas are sweet and spicy at the same time and typically blend frozen fruit, chamoy (a thick puree made from pickled fruits), and Tajín together. This recipe in particular has a bit of Asian fusion going on with the addition of fresh boba pearls! Yum! (via Takes Two Eggs)

Rose Milk Tres Leches

Your run-of-the-mill tres leches just got a serious upgrade! This gorgeous cake is doused in floral flavors from rose milk and rose syrup and topped off with a light, thin spread of whipped cream. Garnish it off with some rose petals, and you've executed it flawlessly. (via Signature Concoctions)

Mexican Hot Chocolate Chess Pie

This chess pie turns super rich once you've added in all the chocolate (it uses two types!). A tiny dash of cayenne completes this Mexican dessert with authentic flavors! (via Amanda Wilens)

Paletas

Paletas, you will always be iconic. I have such fond memories of waiting for the park popsicle vendors to come by and relieve me from the burning Texas heat in the thick of summertime with these pops. While these Mexican popsicles can be made using all sorts of ingredients, this recipe blends cantaloupe and cucumber for a truly scrumptious (and nostalgic) frozen treat! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Churro Ice Cream

This ice cream recipe might just beat out any of your local creameries when it comes to Mexican desserts – it's stuffed with *actual* baked churro pieces and thick ribbons of dulce de leche, all of which are surrounded by a densely-sweet cinnamon ice cream base. It's a no-churn recipe, too, so it's not as labor-intensive as other methods. Make a big batch for the whole fiesta to enjoy! (via Butternut Bakery)

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Dotted with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, each bite of these Mexican chocolate cookies will make you feel like you're sipping on a mug of the real thing. The cookie dough base almost resembles brownies in texture, making each one super rich and chocolatey as ever! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals

I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.

My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!

1. Just Get The Dang Haircut

Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.

According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.

2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend

His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.

3. Switch Up Your Shampoos

Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.

In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.