It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of the Beautycounter brand, not only because they have great products that work but because I strongly support the mission of affordable clean beauty for everyone. As a mom of a teen, who wants any beauty product she sees on Tik Tok, it's important to me that regulation laws change for better health. Unfortunately, the U.S. is far behind European Union and Canada, but we're making progress over here, and Beautycounter is a company leading the way. 

And when remember, when you buy from my Beautycounter shopping link, I reward you for choosing safer products by giving you 5 percent back in reward points for use toward free products with a top value of $100

Beautycounter has several sales throughout the year, plus my own curated sales to get you more reward points. When you find the products on sale plus the reward points, then that helps you save money.  

Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm

With a blend of lotus extract, jojoba seed oil, and avocado seed oil, Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm soothes and destresses skin while increasing luminosity. The one thing I tell my daughter is that she needs to wash her face, and she should do it nightly no matter how tired she is and wants to get in her bed. It's the one thing I've done consistently in my life for 53 years now, and if you need to take your makeup off at the sink, this is a great product. Once your makeup is removed, this balm can double as an overnight facial. The cleansing balm is a Beautycounter best seller, and you could get away buying just one a year, depending on how often you use it. Seventeen magazine calls it splurge-worthy with many pros, and remember, when you buy from me, you wiSo whenet 4 reward points to use toward free products. So when this product is on sale, it's always worth the splurge. 

Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil

Beautycounter's Countertime line is fantastic. Actress Kate Hudson tells Marie Claire that she uses the cleansing oil as part of her nightly routine. This luxurious, lightweight cleansing oil gently yet effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping essential lipids from the skin. Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and our plant-derived Retinatural™ Complex, the formula reinforces the skin's fragile moisture barrier for a soothed, nourished complexion. The Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme  Cream and Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream are two of my must-have products. 

All Bright Brightening Facial Oil

Facial oil was one of the first products I ever purchased from Beautycounter. It's also a product that I will never ever go without. A little bit certainly goes a long way, and I use this as All Bright Brightening Facial Oil as my morning moisturizer. Made with omega-rich marula oil for intense hydration and antioxidant vitamin C for a brighter, even skin tone, our quick-absorbing formula is lightweight and silky-smooth with a citrus scent. 

Be sure to browse my Beautycounter website and definitely contact me with questions. And as always, shopping my blog supports my work as a blogger, and you will earn reward points back. In addition, my Facebook group offers special curated sales where the discounts are deeper. 

North Carolinians have celebrated special occasions at Kanki Japanese House of Steaks and Sushi in the Raleigh area for 50 years. My husband celebrated birthdays there as a child. We started doing the same tradition for our son, who will be 17 at the end of the year. Some people don't even have a special occasion to dine there. Instead, they enjoy the hibachi menu after a day of shopping at Crabtree Valley. 50 years in business. That is quite a milestone in the restaurant industry. 

If you've never been to Kanki Japanese House of Steaks and Sushi, you dine at a table with others unless your dining party takes up an entire hibachi grill. A server takes your order then the chef prepares your food in front of you. Each chef always has their own personality. Kids clap. Parents take photos, and it's pretty magical when a young child sees the chef turn the grill into a huge flame. Personally, I always hope I get the Teppanyaki Chef with the "wee-wee" boy who puts out the fire. Of course, not everyone loves the wee-wee boy like my family does, but that silliness, along with the fabulous yum yum sauce and the fried rice, has always made this restaurant a favorite of mine. 

Now that my kids are older, they also want sushi and the hibachi entree. It was less costly when they ate the kid's meal. Those were some good times. I rarely choose anything else but my usual filet mignon and shrimp, with my filet, always being medium-rare. The chef always nods like it's the best choice and typically gives me extra rice because half of it is gone before he can put my shrimp and steak on my plate. I always have the good intention of taking some of it home, but the white sauce mixed with the fried rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables just tastes so darn good that I end up waddling out of the restaurant with about five pounds extra in my stomach. 

Kanki has been locally owned and operated since its flagship location opened at Crabtree Valley Mall in 1972. Since then, Kanki has opened two additional locations - one in North Raleigh and one in Durham/Chapel Hill. Kanki is known for being the Triangle's favorite place for celebrations. Kanki is proud to have been voted "Best Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in the Triangle" for more than 14 years!

In honor of its 50th Anniversary, Corporate Chef Alex Cordova shared the home-chef version of fried rice with me. I'm thrilled to make this at home because I love Kanki's Fried Rice. This version is a complete meal with chicken. 

Kanki Garlic Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Ingredients: