Hello Again

Hello everyone. It’s been quite some time since I’ve formally posted on this site, though you can always visit the shop page where I keep updated and fresh new favorite finds. With everything going on currently in the world, it did not seem appropriate at the time to stay with my posting schedule. I was focused on taking care of my family and making sure they were safe, and I still am.

This site has always been about inspiration, specifically with fashion and lifestyle. I feel ready to come back on and I hope to continue to inspire readers. It also feels appropriate to start formally posting again on my mom’s birthday, which is today. She was the reason I started this blog in the first place and my very first post was about her. The picture of her above is one of my absolute favorites. She was so cool and stylish! I love those red sunglasses. I can only hope she is smiling down from heaven and watching over my family. Always and forever mom, I love and miss you. Cheers.

xo, Amanda

Healthy Living // Meidcal Medium

Raspberry and Lime Chai Pudding Parfait  

Coconut Tortilla Chips and Salsa  (This recipe I made up myself)

Tomatoes, Cilantro, Olive Oil, Lime Juice, Onions, Salt and Pepper.

Fresh Celery Juice  16oz on an empty stomach (wait 1/2 hour to eat)

Black Bean Humus

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes  

Honey Berries  

 Wild Blueberry Pancakes

Good morning dear friends and happy Monday! I’ve always been one to watch what I eat, though never eliminating anything from my diet. Eating healthy has always been important to me, but I would never “diet” or exclude food, only keeping the “bad” food in moderation. I recently came across The Medical Medium’s Instagram account through Selma Blair, who was recently diagnosed with MS, the illness my mom bravely fought for 16 years. She was showcasing her morning celery juice, which is the cornerstone of the Medical Medium’s healthy lifestyle. Celery juice is taking the world by storm! Read more about it here.

Always curious about eating the best I can, I spent a few hours reading through Anthony’s blog posts, Instagram posts, and testimony from readers of his books all over the the world. There’s a wealth of information, and I highly encourage you to read through some of it, but these are the key points:

• No dairy (I drink Almond Milk)

• No eggs

• No corn

• No canola oil

• No soy

• No gluten

Eating only fresh foods from the earth, and either limiting or completely eliminating processed foods, will have a tremendous impact on your health and overall well being. Eating this way should eliminate the heavy metals, toxins, parasites, and virus’s, living within the body. The goal is to cleanse and heal the liver, thyroid, and gut of these. I do use some processed foods, though they all follow the guidelines above and are organic like the Coconut Tortilla Chips I have with the salsa. Wegman’s has their Marketplace section, which is amazing for finding healthy snacks and foods. Below are some of the snacks I found at Wegmans. The Hippeas are from Target.

I started with the celery juice, 16oz of fresh celery juice each morning on a empty stomach and then waiting half of an hour before eating. Read more about how celery juice heals HERE. It’s all about their mineral salts reducing inflammation and neurotoxins! I feel extremely energized, calm, and alert after starting about 3 weeks ago. I do not need to have coffee anymore either! Overall, after starting to eat cleaner, I have less digestive issues (bloating, burping,) and feel more alive than ever. I was also starting to experience some neuropathy type issues along with muscle soreness in my legs, which has also disappeared as well. My brother jokingly calls this my dirt diet, though he’s not completely incorrect, haha.

The above photos are just some of the recipes I’ve tried (and loved) over the last few weeks. I also eat a ton of fruit and vegetables throughout the day. After my celery juice, I have a bowl of the berries with honey and a green tea. I then eat an apple and a banana followed by a small bowl of raspberries and a cutie (orange). The raspberries and tangerine “help prevent the calcium loss that can occur as the thyroid virus forces the body to use its calcium stores to wall off the virus in nodules and cysts, both in the thyroid itself and throughout the body. Help prevent osteoporosis.” At lunchtime, I have coconut water with a salad I made up of organic spinach, hearts of romaine lettuce, broccoli sprouts, cilantro, cucumber slices, nut cheese (Parmela Creamery found at Wegmans), and fajita chicken (I make a batch of this a head of time and save for my salads throughout the week.) I’ll also make cucumber juice to have along with some more fruit to snack on (cantaloupe, watermelon, carrots, zucchini spears, kale chips (2tbs eevo tossed with some fresh kale, salt and pepper, bake for 10 mins) kiwis, grapes, strawberries). I’ll also snack on some baby carrots and the black bean hummus or I’ll make guacamole or the fresh salsa. Dinner is really a toss up and different everyday, but my morning breakfast, lunch, and snacks are pretty much the same everyday. The pancakes for dinner is always fun or zucchini pasta, salmon and veggies (mushrooms, brussel sprouts, red peppers), seasoned chicken, or even a soup. Sometimes I’ll make the parfait for dinner and it’s soooo filling!

Anothy also has kids recipes available, thank goodness! Kids are notoriously picky eaters, especially with health food, but I’ve always been very lucky with Ava. She eats a lot of fruit and some vegetables throughout the day anyway. Shes also a big fan of the pancakes, parfait, and the healthy snacks we found at Wegmans and Target. Kid approved! 

• Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not claim everyone will react or feel the same. All recipes are from The Medical Mediums MM101 series. Information is from Medical Medium.

xo, Amanda 

The Art Of The Handwritten Note

Blue Lace Dress c/o || Blue Embellished Shoes || Rose Floral Pen || Pink Polka Dot Pen || Hydrangea Stationary || Lighthouse Note Cards || The Art Of The Handwritten Note || Mint Arrow Clipboard || Gold Flower Earrings || Pink & Blue Co. Bracelet c/o || 

Good morning and a very happy Friday, friends! This is a post I have been wanting to do for quite some time now and I am beyond excited to finally have it for you today. I’ve been hand writing notes for as long as I can remember. I used to write very simple ones to my mom and dad when I was younger. I would write to my mom as often as I could once I no longer lived at home. Though she couldn’t write back, she loved to receive them. My dad would read them to her. I wrote to my grandmother quite a bit, to friends and family members, and of course I wrote many love letters over the years. Even with email and texting becoming the norm, my late husband and I would still hand write letters to one another. I would thank friends for having my late husband and I over to their homes or for any gifts received. I would write to simply catch up with family members.

I do realize that I’m talking about physically writing out a note on the very medium that makes note writing seem obsolete. Today’s world consists of instant everything. I believe for that very reason that writing and receiving a hand written note are all the more special and heartfelt. It is something that takes time and a good amount of thought put into it. There is no backspace key or delete button. Writing and sending a note shows the recipient you care about them and you took time out of your busy day to pen the letter. It has more meaning than an email or a phone call, and while those are perfectly fine ways to communicate, especially if a matter is urgent, there is still a personal feeling and indeed an art to writing a note by hand.

I personally like to set my writing area up before I sit down to compose my letter. I always have a cup of coffee or tea on hand to sip while thinking of the words that will eventually reach the page. The pen and paper you choose will set the mood for what you are about to write as well. I will admit that I am a sucker for pretty office sulies, especially pens and stationary. I’m inspired to write when I have a beautiful pen and card to write upon. The paper chosen can express to the reader a message before they even begin to read your letter. The size of the paper, the thickness, is it decorated or have initials on it, and the color all send a subtle message. Even the pen you choose will influence how you write and should make you feel confident when doing so. How the pen feels in your hand and appeals to your eye will make for the perfect combination.  

The most common hand written note would be the thank you card. Also, when in doubt, always send one. It’s better to over thank than to not thank at all. Other occasions are love letters, condolences, thinking of you, congratulations, invitations, and a request.  

In the very most basic form your note should include the following:  

1. The location from where you are writing from

2. The date

3. Salutation (Dear, Hi, Hello!)

4. Text. Three sentences minimum will fill the front of a notecard nicely. 

5. Windup Phrase (thank you again, looking forward to seeing you). This is a transition to the closing.

6. Closing (Cheers, Sincerely, Yours, Best, Affectionately). The closing words give the impression of a wave, handshake, hug, or kiss.  “Best” and “Bye” are breezy and impersonal like a wave. “Sincerely” is impersonal and formal like a handshake. “Yours” and “truly yours” are personal and casual like a hug. “Affectionately” and “love” are very personal like a kiss.   

7. Signature

I recently picked up The Art Of The Handwritten Note and devoured the book. It’s the perfect compliment to any writing desk and fantastic for someone who would like to start writing notes or write more frequently. It’s where I got some of the information here from. I highly recommend it! 

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xo, Amanda  

New Year, New You

Hum Nutrition Gut Instinct c/o || Hum Nutrition Daily Cleanse c/o || Hum Nutrition Flatter Me c/o || Cocofloss Strawberry c/o || Cocofloss Coconut c/o || Skin Laundry Face Foaming Wash c/o || Port And Polish Pillbox c/o || 

Good morning and happy Tuesday, friends! Today is all about starting fresh, staying on track, and sleeping clean. Healthy habits start within and the new year is one of the best times to create a regimen that will keep you happy and healthy inside and out. 

The Hum Daily Cleanse capsules use botanicals to give a deep detox of the skin, liver, bowel, kindneys, lungs, and lymphatic system. Clear skin starts from within!

The Hum Flatter Me capsules help keep your stomach flat! They are formulated to optimize protein, carb, fiber and fat breakdown and to help with nutrient absorption, relief from indigestion and bloating.

The Hum Gut Instinct vegan capsules are packed with 25 billion friendly organisms to help boost the immune system and fortify skin against aging and breakouts. 

Cocofloss is not your everyday run of the mill floss! It contains coconut oil (a natural antimocrobial) to help soothe gums, while textured fibers scrub away all that’s left behind. Plus, they’re flavored! 

The Port And Polish Pillbox has a soft matte finish and a clean design, available in five different colors. These are designed to look as good at brunch as they are in your kitchen or on your nightstand.  

Skin Laundy’s Foaming Face Wash features soothing cucumber and chamomile while effectively washes away excess oils and impurities without drying the skin. Plus, it smells like fresh linens!  

xo, Amanda  

Glow From The Inside Out

Hum Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow Vitamins c/o || Hum Nutrition Collagen POP c/o || Coola Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray c/o || Coola SPF 30 Full Soectrum 360 Sun Silk Drops c/o || Blush Tulle Sweatshirt || Jeans || Crystal Link Bracelet || 

Happy Friday, friends! Sun protection and skincare are two very important things that I take quite seriously. I mean, who doesn't want to have glowing fresh skin that looks youthful and dewy?? It starts with good nutrition and wearing your sunscreen. Skin cancer runs on both sides of my family too so it’s no joke for me. 

Im a big fan of gummy vitamins and use them daily. These Glow Sweet Glow from Hum literally taste like candy! They have a tangerine flavor and I look forward to taking them every morning. You take two heart shaped gummies each day, seeing results in about 4-6 weeks. The key ingredients are low molecular hyaluronic acid (helps keep moisture in the skin!), Amal Fruit (Vitamin C), and Vitamin E. They also stimulate collagen production! Along the same lines is the Collagen POP from Hum. As you can guess, this boosts collagen levels and locks in skin moisture. You dissolve one tablet in 8oz of water and drink your way to better skin. The tablets have a rose and lemon flavor, super yummy tasting! The key ingredients are Premium Marine Collagen and Vitamin C. 

 One of the most important things we can do for our skin is wear sunscreen daily, no matter the time of the year. I rely on many of my beauty products containing SPF to get my daily dose for my face, but reapplication becomes an issue then. How to apply over makeup? Coola came up with an easy solution in their SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray. A few mists of the organic spray and you’re set! You can spray throughout the day to re-fresh and get the sun protection all without ruining your makeup. It’s a genius idea and makes on the go sun protection a breeze.

Another way to get your daily dose of full spectrum 360 protection from the sun, environmental toxins and digital exposure is with Coola’s Sun Silk Drops. You apply them after cleansing or mixed in with face lotion or makeup. These drops are for anyone who uses a cell phone, computer, or TV. Digital rays can do serious damage just like the sun. This organic liquid lotion feels light as air, has a golden color, and helps defend against UVA, UVB, IR, and HEV/Blue Light. I was really surprised about the damage digital rays emitted by computers, televisions, and cell phones have on our skin causing premature aging and inducing a skin hyper pigmentation more pronounced than UVB and similar to UVAA. Blue light rays penetrate more deeply into the layers of the skin than UV rays can accelerating skin aging.  

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xo, Amanda  

My Old Friend, Goodbye

This past Sunday our family dog Belle passed away after a battle with kidney failure. She was 13 1/2 years old and did live a wonderful life. I am so thankful for her being in our lives and bringing love, fun, adventure, and laughter to it. She was an English Springer Spaniel. She helped me get through some hard times in recent years with the passing of many loved ones. She was always my walking or hiking buddy and loved to run free in the fields or state game lands. Her spirit, even as she was declining, could not be beat. That tail of hers never stopped wagging whenever she saw a friendly face. She was a strong girl and reminded me so much of my mother who fought with a loving spirit until the end. Belle passed away at home in my dad’s arms. Pets really do become family members and she was an intrical part of ours. Everyone who met her loved her. I feel very fortunate that Ava got to know her too. It’s been hard these past couple of weeks and especially hard these past few days after she passed. Ava saw me crying and kept hugging me with such a concerned look on her face. It was a sweet moment and one I will never forget. I am blessed to have strong girls in my family. Thank you Belle for being the best friend and companion we could have ever asked for. I will miss you forever. 

xo, Amanda  

My old friend, this song's for you
'Cause a few simple verses was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
'Cause the love and the laughter
Will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again
My old friend...goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye

Blossomsib: The Concentration of Youth

White Eyelet Dress || Humble Chic Pearl Earrings c/o || Lily Lough Necklace c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Blossimsib Concentration c/o ||

Being healthy is something that is always at the forefront of my mind. I try to be mindful of what I eat, how much sleep I get, and how much I'm exercising. I recently found BlossimSib and decided to test it out. Being a busy mom on the go, I knew this concentration would have its work cut out for it! I've also been on a few different trips lately, which can put stress on the body, and was glad to know BlossomSib was cleaning my body from the inside out. The concentration strives to clean toxins out of every cell in the body and act as a natural protection from future toxins in the environment. Once completing the concentration, you should feel healthier, younger, and more beautiful while hopefully living a longer life.

The basics of taking the BlossomSib is to fill the piquette half way with the concentration and then pour it into half a glass of water twice daily 30 mins before a meal. This goes on for 12 days with a 3 day break, and then continues on for another 12 days. I've been taking mine for about 2 1/2 weeks now and have a deeper sleep with improved skin. I only have one hormonal pimple right now, while usually I'll have a few more. As being someone who has dealt with acne since middle school, that to me is reason enough to use BlossomSib. I'm also hoping to see an increase in energy. I would say I do have some, but its hard to tell since I've been drinking green tea steadily throughout the day as well. I'll definitely keep everyone updated on my final results once I complete the course!

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xo, Amanda

Namaste Yoga + Moms Bundle

Namaste TV c/o || Good Vibes Yogab Mat FabFitFun c/o ||

Let me start off by saying I am not a yoga expert haha. When I was looking through the photos I took while doing some of the poses, I could clearly see where my form needs work. I did have two yoga classes back in college and truly enjoyed them. It was an hour out of my busy life to relax and recharge my batteries. Before then, I had never done one stitch of yoga, but soon became hooked once I started my class. I continued to do some of the poses and breathing techniques, but found it was not the same as having an instructor in front of me to guide along in the process. I'm much more of a visual person and need to see something being done in order to learn it. 

I think it goes without saying that most, if not all, moms have stress in their lives. Yoga can be a great stress reliever and even allow for mental clarity. Namaste TV offers premium yoga videos that are available through digital download or dvd. I was able to download their Moms Bundle and also received The Beginner Bundle dvd set. I was amazed at the beautiful scenery each set has and the calming music helped get me in the yoga zone. The poses are easy enough to follow along with. Sometimes I'll pause the video to make sure I'm doing the post correctly. Once you get used to the flow and how each pose transforms into another, it goes get easier to remember what comes next.

I do love the added flexibility my muscles have and am looking forward to toning some of my muscles up as well. Ever since Ava was born, my muscle tone is not what it used to be, but yoga can certainly bring that back! My favorite from the Mom Bundle is the Bhakti Flow: Open Your Upper Back and Shoulders. I've always had bad back and shoulder pain from tight muscles, but this seems to help release some of the tension. Each video is about 24 minutes long making each sequence easy to fit into a busy schedule. I usually do mine when Ava is taking her afternoon nap.

Use the code BREZOVOSKYOGA to receive 20% off of your Namaste TV order. 

xo, Amanda

Detox Tea with Teami

Dress: Old, Forever 21 || Rumba Time Watch c/o || Love Today Mug || Teami 30 Day Detox || LOreal Paris Lip Color || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band ||

Love Today Mug || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o ||

Love Today Mug || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o || Humble Chic Bow Blouse c/o || Skinny Jeans || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Happiness Boutique Pearl Necklace c/o ||

Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Cable Knit Sweater || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o || Love Today Mug || Lip Color In Obsession || Policy Of Style Skirt c/o ||

Nightgown: Old || Love Today Mug || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o ||

Love Today Mug || Similar Pink Sweater || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o || Jord Wood Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band ||

Love Today Mug || Temi 30 Day Detox || Red Plaid Shirt c/o || Faux Fur Vest ||

Lip Color In Obsession || Love Today Mug || Tami 30 Day Detox || Jord Wood Watch c/o || Lily Lough Earrings || Lily Lough Necklace ||

Polka Dot Blouse || Avady Clothing Pink Skirt || Love Today Mug || Teami 30 Day Detox c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Lip Color In Obsession ||

Similar Pink Chiffon Shirt || Skinny Jeans || Tami Blend 30 Day Detox c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Love Today Mug || Rumba Time Watch ||

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today I'm sharing all about my 30 day detox with Teami teas. I was pretty excited to try this since I started right after the holiday season. I ate a little too much sugar if you know what I mean! To start off with, the 30 day detox includes a skinny tea and a colon cleanse tea. I basically started off my morning, either after Ava finishes eating or while I'm getting dressed, with a mug of the skinny tea. It is very reminiscent of a green tea taste. Then in the afternoon, usually while Ava was taking a nap, I would have my second glass of the skinny tea. Right before bed, every other night, I had the colon cleanse. Now, it's important to read the directions with the colon cleanse since it can be intense. When you take the colon tea at night, in the morning you go to the bathroom. I'm not going to get too graphic about it, but you get a slight cramping sensation and then you need to go. Enough said haha. I would recommend having a glass of water after or before you take the colon tea. Also, only steep the tea for 3 minutes max. I always did mine at 2:30 and used the timer on the microwave.

Now, the actual results! I started off having more energy and being able to sleep better. Those right there would be major pluses for me alone. I did loose about 1 1/2 inches off of my waist line, which is fantastic. 1/2 an inch more and I'll be at my pre-baby size, which was a 25 inch waist. The great thing about that is I did nothing else except drink this tea. I do eat healthy on a regular basis, but I do not exercise as much as I should. Next, it does claim to clear your complexion, but I found mine to be about the same. If anything, I broke out a bit more, which could be due to the detoxification. Your body is getting rid of all the toxins stored in there and guess where it sometimes comes out? I've actually had brake outs while on my own detoxing diets. It happens I suppose.

The jist of the detox tea is taking the colon tea to flush out the harmful toxins from your body, while the skinny tea replenishes your body with health benefits to boost your metabolism, suppress cravings, and raise energy levels. I'd have to say after the 30 days, that I do believe this works. It was nice to have something to look forward to, being on a plan, and knowing that I'm doing something good for my body. Next, I'll be trying Teami Alive and Teami Relax. Sounds perfect for being a new mom!

Use the code 10BREZ to receive 10% off of your Teami tea order.

xo, Amanda

Miracle Oils

A Radiant Boost

Shop the Products:

Sonia Kashuk Radiant Boost Facial Oil

Pur Minerals Hydrate & Setting Miracle Mist

As the air starts to cool down and the humidity lessens, one thing that never fails is my skin getting a bit dry. Enter the extraordinary oils that not only replenish the much needed moisture back into the skin, but also protects and repairs the skin to give it that natural glow from within.

Now, there are hundreds of facial oils on the market right now, and many do wondrous things for the skin, but cost a pretty penny. When I found the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Boost Oil, I was beyond thrilled. The price tag, only $14 and can be found at Target. From their website, the oil has, 9 oils including Sweet Almond Oil to soften, Bergamot Essential Oil to purify, BerryFlux Vita to boost skins moisture, Sesame Seed Oil to condition, Evening Primrose Seed Oil to nourish and regenerate, and Black Currant Seed Oil to soothe the skin. Stabilized Retinol protects against photo-aging and reduces lines and wrinkles over time while Para Cress Flower Extract works to improve skins density and firmness and Vitamin E delivers antioxidant properties. I usually mix in a couple drops with my moisturizer and then apply to my face, neck, and chest. I can already see a difference in one weeks use of the product. This is a keeper!

The next beauty buy I found was Pur Minerals Hydrate & Setting Miracle Mist. This can be found at Kohls and is priced at $19. I love using this mist to hydrate my skin throughout the day when I need a little pick me up and also misting it on after applying my makeup. It has a lovely citrus scent and no wonder, since it contains oils from oranges, lemons, and tangerines. From their website the mist has, over 70 essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Active ingredient fulvic acid to help soothe and refresh your face, hair and body.

Vita Craze

Keeping you Healthy

While I try to keep a balanced diet as much as possible, there are some days where my sweet tooth gets the best of me. As noted before, I've always felt its fine to have a treat every now and then and to keep it in moderation, which is where my vitamins come into play. Since I already know there will be some days where I indulge a little bit, I keep my body balanced by taking vitamin supplements every day. Now if you eat a well balanced diet 24/7, you are probably getting all of the nutrients and minerals you need from food, but if not then listen up.

I've rounded up some of the best vitamins I believe a woman should be taking to keep a well balanced lifestyle. Now these are only suggestions, you may need different ones or only a few to add to your diet depending on what you already eat. Personally for me, I take vitamin D, vitamin B6, Fish Oil, and a prenatal which acts like a multi-vitamin.

1. A good multi: If there is one vitamin you choose from this list, make it a multi vitamin specifically made for women. Make sure it had folate or folic acid, which is important for woman ages 18-40, who are looking to start a family. This gives you a dose of everything you need for the day.
2. Fish Oil: Omega 3 has been getting a lot of hype recently and for good reason. Not only will this help your hair stay shiny, skin stay clean, and nails stay long, but it also helps the heart and blood system, helps lower cholesterol, helps with depression, and prevents painful periods.
3. Biotin: The beauty vitamin. This little gem works miracles on hair, skin, and nails. Many multi-vitamins contain biotin though so be sure to check the label.
4. Probiotic: This supplement is a great way to keep your digestion tract in check. Probiotics are living organisms that are considered to be "good bacteria" that help strengthen the immune system. Be sure to take this on an empty stomach.
5. Iron: This works wonders by delivering oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. This supplement is good for women who are menstruating and losing blood every month. If you eat enough meat, 1 serving per day, or eat leafy greens like kale and spinach, then you most likely are getting the recommended daily dose of iron.
6. Zinc: This mineral keeps our immune system strong and fights off disease. If you are pregnant, this is especially important to take since your little one will be using up most of what is in your body. Also, vegetarians who eat many legumes, which prevent the body from properly absorbing zinc.
7. Vitamin D: One cool thing about vitamin D is that our bodies produce it naturally when exposed to sunlight. The only problem is if you live somewhere that is perpetually cloudy or has long winters, then you may not be getting the right amount. This vitamin regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in your bones and keeps cells functioning properly.
8. Calcium-Magnesium: Calcium strengthens your bones, muscles, and teeth. When combined with magnesium, it allows vitamins to better absorb into the system. Like with a probiotic, this needs to be taken on an empty stomach and not combined when taking your other supplements since it can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients.

Dance, Dance

Do one thing everyday that makes you smile

“Dance like no one is watching; sing like no one is listening; work like you don’t need the money; and love like you’ve never been hurt.”

Dancing always brings a smile to my face. The feeling of moving to a song I love simply makes me laugh with happiness. The rush of endorphins from jumping, twirling, side stepping (like a mini exercise routine) also adds to my overall happiness at the end of the song. My challenge to you is to do one thing everyday that makes you happy. You'll thank me for it later on. Anything from being outdoors, exercising, sleeping more, hiking, dancing, singing, watching a movie, reading a book, taking a photograph, whatever you heart desires, will have a positive outcome on your daily life. Studies show that when we do an activity we enjoy, it produces an overall effect of positive and enjoyable experiences for us elsewhere in our lives as in the workplace. Why not take some time then to make ourselves happy?

Crazy for Coconuts

Coconut Oil

One of the biggest health and beauty crazes of 2014 is coconut oil. The best kind to use is pure, unrefined, cold pressed, organic extra virgin. This can easily be found at any grocery store for around $7-10. What's all the fuss about you ask? Well, after conducting a 2 month test, I'll let you in on all the goodies this yummy oil has to offer.

Cooking:

To start off, coconut oil is a healthy alternative for butter and fats in the diet. You can use it to saute vegetables, roast kale or sweet potatoes, add into smoothies or oatmeal (which I do every morning), use it in baked goods, and even over popcorn. Not to mention it tastes great too, just like a coconut, go figure. I use this oil as much as I can in my cooking or baking. If I juice some vegetables or fruit I mix some in, if I make a smoothie the oil goes in. Any more when I bake up some treats, this is the oil I use or when I need to coat some veggies for sauteing or roasting, you guessed it, coconut oil.

Beauty:

This light weight oil, jam packed with vitamin E, can be used on your skin or hair. I like to add some oil, heated so that it turns into a liquid state, into my hair before I take a shower for about 1 hour. Then I shampoo it out and continue with my normal conditioning. Also, sometimes I put the oil on after my shower, while my hair is still damp, as to moisturize the ends and keep them shiny. Only a little bit is needed though or the hair looks too greasy and no one likes that. As a body moisturizer, I put this on after my shower, within 3 minutes of getting out so as not to loose any of the moisture from the shower. It does smell faintly of coconuts, which I like, but that does fade after a little while if you are one who does like the scent as much.

Oil Pulling:

The reason why most people are becoming aware of coconut oil is because of a morning ritual technique called oil pulling. Before brushing or flossing, you take a spoon full of the oil, swish it in your mouth for 20 minutes like a mouth wash, spit it out preferably into a trash can as to not block up your drain, rinse your mouth with salt water, and then continue on with flossing and brushing as you regularly would. What happens within those 20 minutes really is quite remarkable. The oil literally pulls out all of the bacteria from inside the mouth and creates a clean environment. Your breath smells fresher over time, your teeth become whiter, and the bacteria becomes non existent. I do this about 3 times a week for the full 20 minutes. When I'm traveling I take it down a notch to about 10 minutes. One thing to remember is not to swallow any of the oil while swishing. In doing that, you basically swallow the bacteria back into the body.

Health:

This do it all oil not only helps hair stay shiny, skin stay moisturized, eases cooking and baking, but it is also extremely good for you as well. Where has this magic oil been all of my life!?  Health benefits include, helps in easing digestion, improves bone health, healing damaged tissue and infections, treats pancreatitis and Alzheimer's disease, rich in lauric acid that helps maintain blood sugar and cholesterol, prevents diseases affecting the liver and kidney, prevents and effectively cures candida, and strengthens the immune system.

Benefits of Green Tea

Every morning I look forward to drinking mint green tea. It not only soothes and calms, but gets me ready for the day ahead. This tea comes jam packed with health benefits and also contains less caffeine than black tea or coffee. As someone who becomes too jittery with caffeine this tea wins my stamp of approval. Looking to try a new morning pick me up? Look no further than green tea and reap the rewards. Trust me, your body will thank you later on. A little added bonus, by squeezing a citrus juice into your tea, I use lemons, this boosts the power of the antioxidants and keeps them in the body longer.

• Contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea
• Polyphenols have been shown to decrease tumor growth. Drinking green tea over long period of time has also been shown to decrease multiple cancers.
• Prevents dental cavities
• Lowers stress levels
• Reduces risk of heart disease
• Naturally cleans teeth and freshens breath
• Improves arthritis by reducing inflammation throughout the body
• Can help in weight loss by increasing metabolism
• The catechins in the tea give your immune system a big boost by creating an antibacterial state within the body. This helps in preventing sickness and disease.
• Great for skin due to its high content of antioxidants and inflammatory properties.
• Spritz some green tea onto the face to draw out impurities and get a gorgeous glow
• Steep the tea for 15 minutes and allow to cool for a few hours. Rinse hair with it and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Make sure to shampoo and condition afterwards as normal. This gives lack luster hair a boost of shine.

Simple Pleasures

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

When it comes to dessert time, that signals all sorts of warning bells in my head. Basically, how bad the sweet treat can be for my body and health. One thing I have learned though, like most things in life, is moderation is key. I always watch the sugar content in all types of foods be it the appetizer, main course, or dessert, due to the toll it takes on the body. Sugar can literally make you look older, yikes! Cutting sweets completely out of the diet would be ideal, but as I have learned in the past, cravings can come on strong and take over, leading to an eventual dessert fest of all sorts. To keep the cravings at bay moderation comes into play. Either make healthy comprises like swapping milk chocolate out for healthy 70% dark chocolate, which is filled with flavanoids and becomes more like fiber at 70%, or treat yourself to one dessert a week so as not to completely limit yourself, but also keeping the sugar at bay. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too, the best of both worlds being had.

Finding that balance can be tricky, but simply takes some planning and good decision making. Instead of bleached flour, buy whole wheat flour, and instead of white rice, try the ever healthy quinoa. I've used whole wheat flour and quinoa in many of my recipes for cooking and baking, and they come out fantastic. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips from the vending machine, try to pack an apple instead or bring some berries and almonds to munch on. Having that one dessert at the end on the week, or whenever you prefer, will not seem so bad after all of the healthy choices being made. Not only that, but it gives you something to look forward to, a nice reward for all of your hard work!

Pretty Healthy

Quinoa Bake for Breakfast

One of my favorite events of the morning is breakfast. I like to get up, exercise, take a shower, and settle in for a nice healthy meal. Sometimes I'll include a juice drink, but on this occasion I wanted to focus on the meal itself. Instead of reaching for a sugary cereal, try to start off the day the healthy way! This bake, which becomes like a cereal, is packed with good for your body ingredients including quinoa, honey, coconut, cinnamon, berries, and lastly milk. This breakfast is even great for you glam gals who are always in a rush to get out the door since it only takes about 15 minutes to make. Starting the morning off with breakfast gets your body in gear for the busy ahead by getting the metabolism process moving and hopefully leading to fewer cravings throughout the rest of the day.

The main star here is none other than the whole grain quinoa. Protein packed, this little guy brings tons of fiber, lysine, magnesium, riboflavin, and manganese to the table. Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids and with all of that fiber, it makes you feel fuller longer while also decreasing your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It's lysine content helps rebuild tissue growth and repair meaning it does wondrous things for the skin! The iron helps keeps muscles full of oxygen and the riboflavin helps keep energy levels high. What a great little grain quinoa turned out to be!

To make the baked cereal, simply combine all of the ingredients together and lay out onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Once done, take out of the oven and combine back into a bowl. Top off with milk, berries and enjoy! You'll be on your way to a healthier you in no time.

Heart of Health

Juice Boost

One of the best things a person can do for themselves comes in the form of juicing. Especially drinking the juice on an empty stomach which allows all of the vitamins and minerals to absorb quickly into the system. Wait about twenty minutes to a half hour before eating anything else to give the digestive tract a chance to process the nutrients. Also, juices should be considered more like a snack than a whole meal. The body receives a good amount of the daily requirement for fruits and vegetables through juicing, but lacks in the fiber and protein needed to keep the digestive system happy.

 The great thing about juicing is how customizable it is. One can literally experiment with so many different fruit and veggie combinations. I want to share a new favorite of mine that combines kale, beets, lemons, oranges, and apples. All are extremely good for overall health and provide a big boost in vitamins and minerals. This specific combo balances each other out nicely with the fruit cancelling out the bitterness of the kale and beets. In the juicer, combine, 1 bunch of kale, 1 apple, 1 beet, 1 orange, and 1/2 of a lemon.

• Kale: This leafy green has become very popular lately and rightfully so! It comes chock full of vitamins and minerals including, vitamins K, A, and C, magnesium, and folate. It has a high fiber content leading to proper digestion and the ability to detox the body keeping the liver in check. It is high in iron, antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory properties, all great for the skin!
• Beets: I've only recently started to research about beets and their wonderful affect on the body and skin. They are loaded with potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine, and folic acid. Like the kale, they also have the great ability to detox the digestive system and keep the liver happy. To top it off, beets can also help in keeping the mind and body relaxed. They contain betaine and trytophan, which relaxes the mind and creates a sense of over all calmness. 
• Apples: The old saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so there must be a reason for this right? Absolutely! They come packed with vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B6, E, K and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, folate, niacin, magnesium iron and calcium. Apples provide potassium which may promote heart health and are thought to be good at fighting cancer with their high antioxidents, phytochemicals and phytonutrients, which help lower the LDL or bad cholestrol.
• Oranges: A glass of orange juice is known to provide twice the daily amount of vitamin C needed and that means good things for your skin and immune system. Oranges also are bursting with vitamin B6 thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium,  selenium and copper.
• Lemons: While oranges have the market corned on vitamin C, a little known fact is how packed lemons are with vitamin C as well. Not only that, but they can restore the body's pH levels, cleanse the bowels, stimulate the liver, dissolve kidney stones, contain the  phytonutrient tangeretin, which is effective for brain disorders, and strengthen blood vessels with vitamin P.