If you’re ever in the LA area – the Griffith Observatory is a MUST. SEE!
You can go inside the observatory, but in my opinion, the best views are from the outside. You can hike around the area to see downtown LA, or hop onto the other side for a view of the Hollywood sign.
Be aware that the crowds are crazy! Parking is terrible, so I’d recommend taking an uber up to the top. They’ll take you the entire way there.. so don’t worry about driving your own car!
There are also some great photo ops right at the front near the Hollywood sign, or around the back overlooking the city. This day, the skies were super grey, but the views were still amazing – so I can only imagine how great they’d be on a sunny day!
Have you been to Griffith Observatory? Let us know!
Big outdoor fan? Make sure you add Lake Tahoe to your list of places to visit! I just visited for the first time and had the most amazing time. This place was not only fun, but the breathtaking views while approaching and on the sandy waterside made it that much better. Note the beautiful mountains still with some snow, they are even more beautiful in person! I’m not going to lie, the water is freaking cold and your body will go numb when you first get in, but there are tons of water activities to do (not necessarily swimming), the water is crystal clear, there’s a nice bar to get food and drinks while you sun bathe, and you can even go hike and explore this amazing place.
Travel Guide Tips
Must do water activity: Jet Skiing. The water activities here are on the pricier side since it is a popular attraction, but if you can, make sure to do it. There’s paddle boarding too, but after getting in that freezing water there was no way I would risk falling in.
At the mountain: Try the ski lift for an even better view !
Take a bite and more: Make sure you don’t eat too many snacks while at the lake and head over to the Shops at Heavenly Village for a nice dinner, more fun activities and even live music.
Been anywhere exciting lately? Share your experience with us!
Raise your hand if you’ve used a chemical cleaner in your kitchen! All of us..?
I’ve recently started using an all natural cleaner substitute which works JUST as well and makes your place smell squeaky clean. And it’s two ingredients.
Say hello to your new fave cleaner – lime and salt! You can use lemon too if you prefer. The acidity mixed with a coarse salt will clean your counters SO WELL. Just grate some salt onto a lime or lemon half, and scrub away. This also makes a great sink cleaner!
And when you’re done, put the lime down your garbage disposal! Your kitchen will smell amazing!
Obstacles, frustrations and people getting in our nerves are part
of life… unfortunately. We can’t control everything around us, we can’t control
what other people do, but we can control the way we respond to all those
things. We control if we react in a positive or negative way, if we allow
things to affect us, and decide if we learn from those experiences and come out
stronger. Sometimes it is hard to make decisions in the spur of the moment,
find the right words in a heated argument (words you won’t regret), or think
clearly when things seem to be falling apart; it is okay. It is perfectly fine
for you to take yourself out of that situation, take a break, and contemplate
your options. Here are some tips on what to do when things get difficult:
Go for a walk by yourself.
Don’t immediately think about the problem at
hand. Appreciate your surroundings, look at the sky, the trees, hear the birds.
Breathe deeply, find your natural rhythm to
get your heart rate to normal and calm down.
Do a recap of what’s going on and determine
what factors are under your control and which you can’t do anything about. Be
realistic.
Don’t worry about what you can’t change now…
let it go.
Prioritize what you can change/fix and determine
the root of the issues.
Tackle them one by one, not all at once.
Be open to input from helpful sources.
Taking a few minutes to WALK IT OFF and reassess the situation can
really help you tackle things in a more positive and effective way. Remember
that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, but how many times you get up
and continue fighting.
Tip: If you are having a heated personal argument, it is okay to
sometimes choose to win the relationship vs winning the argument. It the heat
of the moment is easy to hurt and attack just to win the argument no matter how
silly of a thing it was. Take a step back before you can’t take back your words
and your actions to determine if it’s worth it. Walking away from the issue at
that moment may save the relationship from shattering.
What have you done in the past to properly handle a difficult
situation?
It’s officially past the 4th of July, which really makes it feel like Summer! And my favorite thing to do during Summer is to have a day by the pool or take a beach trip. Unfortunately the closest beach to us is about 5 hours away.. but a pool day is the next best thing! And I’ll be back in Mexico in less than 2 months.. wahoo!
I also recently was in LA and spent a couple days at Manhattan beach, Santa Monica, and Venice. THE. BEST.
The most obvious thing to wear to the beach? A swimsuit, duh.. but what to cover up with is always a struggle for me.
My go to is now either a lace see through dress (show off that swimsuit, girl), or an outfit like this – a loose tee with detail and some shorts. I love the eyelet line in this top. It’s as comfortable as a tee, but still can look cute to hop into happy hour or to lunch after. Some printed shorts also look super cute!
Two of the main ingredients of mayo are oil and eggs, both great
to fight dryness and give your hair the shine it needs. It is also incredibly
rich in vitamin A, C, and antioxidants that help protect the Keratin in the
hair. Mayo is especially good for people with curly hair as it helps with curl
definition and less frizz.
This mask is as simple, just slightly dampen your hair, saturate the
hair and scalp with mayonnaise, cover with a hair cap, and rinse!
Tip: If mayo smell makes you gag, simply add a few drops of
essential oils in the mayo and voila! Some people prefer adding vanilla, but I
don’t think it does a good enough job of masking the smell.
There are many variations of a mayo hair mask, some people make
their own mayo or add ingredients like avocado, additional oils, vinegar and
more. I like to keep it simple when it comes to the mayo hair mask (I get the
one with olive oil and lime), but occasionally heat it up a bit to use it as a
warm oil treatment. What is your preferred hair treatment method? Share it with
me so I can give it a try!
The struggle is REAL sometimes when trying to eat out but still keep a healthy lifestyle. Especially working in an office.. it’s practically an endless supply of donuts, happy hours, and coworker lunches! Below are some easy tips to keep it healthy while eating any kind of food and for any occasion.
Fill up on sides! Get some steamed veggies, a broth-based soup, or a light salad as your “main course.”
Ask for half the order to go before you start eating. They’ll be happy to box some up for you for the next day!
Many cuisines can be high in oil and salt – use these tips:
Mexican – opt for a pozole soup and salad or fajitas light on oil (YES – you can ask for them to be light on oil!)
Ramen – order without the noodles or just eat mostly the broth/protein/veggies. Get extra veggies added. Shishito peppers or edamame are a great appetizer!
Chinese/Indian – my fave hack is to get the sauce on the side! You’d be shocked how much sauce comes with an entree. Then dip to your hearts desire!
Italian – get a salad with protein or a kids meal portion. You can also get protein, veggies, and a side of your favorite sauce.
American – avoid fried foods or get a sandwich protein style – without any bread.
Sushi – opt for a cucumber wrapped roll sans rice or some lean sashimi! And get the low sodium soy sauce.
French – a lean cut of meat with veggies, escargot, or a charcuterie platter is filling yet healthier than filling up on cheese or bread!
With sweets (hellooo office birthdays and breakfast donuts), go with the chic bite rule. I got this from Ingrid.. one to say hello, one to enjoy, and one to say goodbye!
Go for simple cocktails. Tequila on the rocks with lime, vodka with soda water, a dry red wine.. nix mixers and extra sugar!
With these SIMPLE tips, eating out and dealing with temptation can be easy! We’ll stay on track together 🙂
I had a long layover in Las Vegas, 14 hours to be exact, so took advantage of the opportunity to walk around the strip and booked a room at one of the cool themed hotels in the area. The tricky part? I was there with my 12-year-old daughter, so nightclubs, casinos, and bars were out of the question. Here is a quick bullet point review of my short child friendly experience:
The City that Never Sleeps?
12:30am and the Bellagio fountain as well as the Eiffel Tower viewing deck closed… hmmmm I guess I had the misconception that Vegas would be the one place where places wouldn’t close that early, especially being main attractions for looking at the city lights. I guess these two things will wait for my next trip there…sad, was really looking forward to this ☹
Late Night Munchies
24/7 Taco Bell Cantina! Yaaaaasssssss. I am a Taco Bell lover as it is, now you combine that plus a spiked freeze and I am hooked!! My daughter and I are on the same page here, she even got a hat with the image of a hot sauce packet.
Taking a Stroll
Walking on the strip, looooooved the lights, people watching (very interesting sights), and the city environment. After living in the suburbs for so long, you learn to enjoy the city setting at least once in a while. There weren’t as many people as I thought, but I believe this is because it was a weeknight. Loved taking pictures here, just such a fun looking place.
Fabulous Accommodations
The highlight of my overnight stay and early morning? The Paris Hotel, Las Vegas. This hotel was beautiful, just walking around inside was entertaining enough. We met some cool people and hung out for a while by the casino and even got a room upgrade to the Imperial Suite for an even cozier stay. Breakfast was fantastic as I am a big crepe and coffee fanatic and they had some amazing options… Look at my breakfast and cry of jealousy!
This quick layover in Las Vegas wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, mostly due to timing issues, but would definitely love to go back with that as my primary destination to really enjoy what they have to offer. Many of the hotels offer a variety of shows including Cirque du Soleil, magic shows, comedy shows, and concerts as well as amazing casinos, high-end cuisine, and bars. Another cool thing? The Grand Canyon is not even too far from there, so there are tours departing from Las Vegas to go see it (bonus perk!). I do feel that this place can be enjoyed with the family if one spends more day time there or with adult friends for the fun night-life atmosphere. Care to share your favorite thing to do in Las Vegas? Would love to keep it in mind for my next visit!
It might seem contradictory to use your phone to relax since everyone always says to get off technology… BUT, there are some apps that can be a huuuge help!!
I personally have the worst anxiety (not exaggerating.. it’s the worst), and I’ve found that meditation helps a lot when I’m trying to relax. I love to use a meditation app either in the morning in the sauna after a workout or in bed at night trying to fall asleep.
Some benefits of meditation include an increase in self-awareness, a decrease in anxiety and stress, can help lengthen attention span, can decrease blood pressure, and make you happier! Read about some scientific benefits here.
I personally have found the greatest benefit in just relaxing my mind. It can be hard to focus on one thing for a long time, which is why meditating on my own hasn’t worked out for me very well! So here comes in some apps. And all of these are free! You can buy upgrades on most of them, but I’ve always been happy with what comes with the free versions.
I do a lot of research on how to take care of my skin, especially because I love to share my tips with all of you, but our skin goes through sooooooo many changes, that sometimes it is hard to keep up. What once worked wonders on your face may be causing breakouts now. As we go through hormonal changes, aging, weather changes, and environment changes, our skin suffers the consequences and we are left to figure out what new routine works best while healing whatever damage has already happened. I really do believe that sometimes having people to go to with questions about different products and skin changes is super important. Reading books, reaching out to experts and looking up information online is great, but I love having that personal interaction. I have found my personal skin care heaven with Origins by Esteé Lauder. They have a location at my local mall and I have come to get to know the girls that work there pretty well. They are incredibly helpful when I am struggling with anything in my routine, they give you samples so you can find what works for you, they will help you match colors, give you helpful tips and more! I also love that with their rewards membership you can get discounts and free facials! Also, that they have a lot of natural product options. My point with this is, take the time to find a store where they have a lot of the products you like, where the employees are super helpful and willing to engage in conversations and educate you in skin care. I hate when people push me to buy things, but when someone is willing to take some time to help figure out what is going on with my skin, give me potential solutions, and gives me a facial regardless of my purchase… that is an amazing experience. Having someone to go to is priceless. Try it out, find your skin care heaven and let me know of your experience and what you learned from it 😊
The weather is HEATING UP like crazy here in TX. And happy first day of summer!
One of my favorite things to wear during the summer months is a good shift dress! It’s flowy, breezy, and normally a thin material perfect for the heat.
It’s easy to feel swallowed by a shift dress! So there are a few ways to balance it out to wear a comfy dress but still have your body flattered!
My top thing to do is make sure that your dress is a little shorter. Don’t get too crazy (unless you like too, then do you, girl!).. but showing some extra leg will lengthen your body out.
Next, wear the right shoes! Sneakers can make you look more dragged down. I love a danty sandal or a pump. Again, lengthen those legs!
If your dress is a little too big, add a belt or a long necklace! A necklace can add the illusion of more shape, and a belt will cinch your waist! Accessories are your friend.
We all know that it can be hard to stay motivated, and it becomes
increasingly difficult if we wait to obtain encouragement and acknowledgement
from outside sources in order to feel validated. It is your responsibility to
truly become your biggest fan, start rooting for yourself! This doesn’t mean
that you think you are perfect and have nothing else to learn (you never stop
learning), but it means that you believe in your capacity for success, in your
value as a human being, and that you love the person you are. We all struggle
with self-love and tend to be our worst critics, but we need to start
practicing self-compassion, acknowledging that nobody is perfect (including
yourself) and that all you can do is try your hardest and enjoy the moment.
Don’t get caught up clinging to the past or looking to the future. It is
important to have short-term and long-term goals, but it is also necessary to
take the time to enjoy the everyday. When was the last time you took the time
to breath and look at the sky, to read a book for pleasure, or to look at
yourself in the mirror and look at all of your positive traits instead of
criticizing what’s wrong? Here are a few tips you can use to empower yourself
and love who you are:
Build your self-esteem
Give yourself a compliment every day.
We are so used to addressing everything that we think is negative about
ourselves that we forget there is more to us. You can learn to love all the
things that make you special.
Scattered notes
Periodically leave random notes of
encouragement or lessons to be learned throughout your home. You will find them
when you need them. You could also ask your guests to do this and hide them for
you to find at a later time.
Personal timeline
Create a visual timeline where you
show where you were in life 5 to 10 years ago, how your personality was back
then, and the struggles you had to overcome. Do the same for the present, and in
the future (5-10 years from now). Note how you’ve grown, what you’ve learned, and
how you want to improve. This will serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come
from who you were, the amazing person you are today, and a goal to work for.
Negativity be gone
Do yourself a favor and ditch your
negative friends. I have had friends that all they do is complain about their
miserable life and how life just sucks, etc. People have bad moments, but when
you refuse to change what’s making your life that way, it becomes your own
fault. Surrounding yourself with people like that will only harm you.
Love how you look
I know that sometimes you just don’t like how you look and want to throw in the towel (everyone goes through this), but that’s when you need to go the extra mile and push through. Even if you want to wear sweats and that over-sized shirt…DON’T! Do a self-care routine instead, turn on some music, pick a better outfit you know you usually like, do your hair, etc. When you do a self-care routine (face mask, hair mask, teeth whitening, body scrub, etc) your mood changes, you are going against the initial “I hate how I look today” to “I will love myself and make myself feel good”. While you do this, look at your positive traits, and tell yourself what they are. You will feel much better afterwards.
Reward yourself
When you accomplish anything, don’t
wait for other people to praise or reward you… reward yourself! Take yourself
out to buy something special, maybe a walk at the park, a nice coffee time or
dinner, or anything that makes you happy… You deserve it!
Stimulate your brain
Find something that interests you and
go for it. Finding something new you can learn or do makes you feel stronger,
smarter, more interesting, and builds your confidence.
These are only a few things to get you started, but there is so
much more you can do, the key is to appreciate the wonderful human being you
are, build up your confidence and become your best friend.
There’s NOTHING better to me than having a staycation. My birthday was on June 1st, and my husband knows me well enough by now to know what I really want… a night at a hotel!
I’ve been staying at hotels since I was a little kid. Mostly local to where we lived, and there’s nothing better. It’s like a little home away from home with a treat-yo-self kind of feel. Especially if there’s a plush robe and room service!
In case you’ve never had a staycation – here are my top things to look for:
Food options – Take a look at what’s in the area or if there’s a restaurant/bar at the hotel! Nobody wants to get hangry on “vacation”!
Amenities – Personally, I love an outdoor pool (plus if it’s heated). I also look for a bathtub (always wash it first), free parking, room service breakfast, a robe, and pet friendly since our pup loves hotels as much as I do.
Style – If you’re looking to splurge on a staycation, find a place that matches your style! I love a fresh, modern feel in a hotel.
My most recent staycation was at the Sandman Hotel in Plano, TX. It was great! We got upgraded to a suite since we had a dog with us and had to stay on the first floor.. I’m not complaining! The room service was top notch and the room was super nice.
It is crazy how many people ignore their poor lips when it comes to a beauty routine. No matter how beautiful the rest of your face looks, chapped crusty lips will ruin the entire thing. It is super simple to care for them and get them looking and feeling soft, looking plumped, rosy, and delicious. Here are some tips from my daily routine to help:
Moisturize
No, not lotion… you can use coconut oil, Vaseline, olive oil, or a natural chapstick. Super important to do it at night before you go to sleep.
Hydrate
Drink enough water! if you get dehydrated, your lips will look very dry, colorless, and will start feeling a bit rough.
Lip Brushing
Once a day, after I brush my teeth, I use my soft toothbrush to gently brush my lips in tiny little circles to get the dead skin off, make them more rosy and soft. I also do this when I need to get my lips to look fuller and more plumped right before I put on lipstick and all. Don’t do this too many times a day as that can hurt your lips.
Lip Scubbing
I would recommend doing this once a week. If you are doing everything else I mentioned, there’s no need to do it more often than that. You can buy a premade scrub (please always buy quality products without harsh chemicals) or make your own. Making your own lip scrip is super easy, you just need to combine brown sugar and honey, it is super effective, great for a face scrub too, and delicious if it happens to fall in your mouth 🙂 You can also add olive or coconut oil; however, I don’t do that since I use that to moisturize and I prefer the sugar and honey combination.
You can truly see and feel the difference after a couple of days of following the tips above. You may have to adjust the frequency of the scrubbing and moisturizing during the summer and winter due to the harsher weather conditions. Do you have any other tips you would like to recommend? I would love to hear them!
I literally don’t think I’ve ever worn a crop top in my LIFE – until a couple weeks ago! I was traveling to socal and decided, why not?!
It’s so easy to feel so insecure that you don’t feel comfortable wearing whatever you want.. but in my opinion, work it! It felt amazing to completely ignore my insecurities and wear a crop top with leggings. YES, leggings!
Normally I have a strict cover-up-the-hoo-ha rule with leggings, but I was feeling risky for a few days there. And I don’t regret it at all. Here are my top tips for werking that crop top.
First of all, wear bottoms that are COMFORTABLE. A good denim skirt, pair of high-waisted jeans, pair of high-waisted shorts, or leggings that don’t scrunch up (you know what I mean, ladies) are ideal. You wan’t to be comfy with bottoms that fit you perfectly or even loosely.
Secondly, pick a top that’s the right length for you. In this case, I loved how it covered my belly button most of the time. If you hate your belly button, you can cover it up! if you want a ton of skin showing, then go for that! There’s no right or wrong here.
And finally… balance it out! I wore a long sleeved crop top to balance out the extra skin that was showing. I also opted for longer pants since my torso was out. Of course, wear whatever you’re comfortable with! But I love to have a balance that creates the appearance of a super proportional body!
This delicious tropical fruit is not only satisfying and
refreshing, but also incredibly healthy. The fruit can be enjoyed on its own,
with lime and salt (my fave), in smoothies, with your favorite toppings, or in
many other recipes. This fruit is rich the papain enzyme, vitamins A & C,
as well as antioxidants; preventing heart disease, reducing inflammation,
improving gut health, reduce aging effects, and more. As if the multitude of
benefits of eating this delicious fruit weren’t enough, the seeds are also edible
and packed with tons of micronutrients, monounsaturated fatty acids, and lots
of fiber. Stomach issues? Take a tbsp of papaya seeds to clear it right up! 😉 It is
also a fruit commonly used in diets to promote weight loss. It is important to
keep in mind that even fruit is not healthy in excess and if you have certain
allergies, you may need to consult your doctor before making anything part of
your diet. Lastly, Papaya is not good for you if it is not ripe (it also tastes
disgusting), you must wait until the skin is orange before eating it.
Do you love papaya as much as I do? What’s your favorite recipe?
If you’re in the US – you might be thinking about your next summer vacay and which beaches to go to. I’m in TX and the beaches here are sub-par (giving too much credit..). I’ve been to almost every coast and I know my absolute favorite.. California beaches!
I personally love seeing cliffs and mountains, waves and surfers, and the people watching is PREMIUM.
So if you’re planning to go to the west coast soon, here are my fave LA area beaches:
Venice Beach – This is THE BEST people watching spot. You’ll have street performers, bodybuilding competitions, skaters, bikers, shops.. walk up and down the beach for sure.
Manhattan Beach – If you want to relax, here ya go! There are surfers to watch, a gorgeous CALM boardwalk, and a super clean beach. The sand is soft and there are amazing, nice restaurants that are walkable.
Santa Monica – The beach will be more packed here, but you’ll also be near the pier with the ferris wheel, roller coaster, and a ton more. You’ll pay more for anything in this area but it’s a must-see for sure!
Malibu – This is my personal favorite! Go to Paradise Cove for HUGE food portions at a reasonable price, then take your dranks out onto the gorgeous beach to sit in the sun for a while. It’s quaint with beautiful scenery. (PS – the pics below are all Malibu!)
What are your favorite beaches? Let us know in the comments. And have a great weekend!
YUM YUM YUM! This recipe for vegetarian street tacos with a side
of poblano spaghetti squash is going to give your Taco Tuesday a great twist!
This recipe serves about 4 people.
Spaghetti Squash:
Cut the spaghetti squash in half, place it on a cookie sheet and sprinkle
it with salt, pepper and olive oil. Bake it at 350° until cooked through. Don’t
overcook, it still needs to have a slightly crunchy consistency. Once ready,
use a fork to scrape the spaghetti squash and make the noodles.
Sauce for the spaghetti squash:
While the spaghetti squash is baking, boil 3 to 4 poblano peppers,
a small piece of onion, and a clove of garlic. Once they are soft, remove the
seeds from the peppers and blend them together with half of a vegetarian
bouillon cube, salt to taste, and a bit of sour cream. Mix the sauce with the spaghetti
squash noodles in a pan and add frozen corn. Cook all together until the corn
is defrosted and serve.
Street Tacos:
Slice 5 to 6 large portobello mushrooms and season them with creole
seasoning, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Sautee them on the stove with a bit of
olive oil and serve them in tacos with corn tortillas. Top the mushrooms with
chopped onions, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro.
Unless you’ve been living UNDER A ROCK, I’m sure you’ve heard people rave about apple cider vinegar! Honestly for a long time I felt like it was just some huge fad, but after doing a ton of research and using it myself.. the benefits are legit.
I’m about to share some ways to use apple cider vinegar, but before that – my tips on buying it. Be sure you buy with the mother. Otherwise, it’s filtered and you won’t get as many digestive benefits out of it!
And without further adieu… here are some ways to benefit from this miracle ingredient:
For Digestion: Add a tbsp of apple cider vinegar to some warm water with lemon, honey, and cayenne for a boost to your digestive system! This concoction has been shown to improve blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, and help keep things moving.
For Your Skin: Make your own toner by putting 1 tbsp of the vinegar into 1 cup of distilled water. Shake it up, put some on a cotton pad, and rub it on your face! It can help with blemishes and to even skin tone.
For Your Hair: Mix up 1 tbsp ACV with 1/3 cup honey and put it on your hair for 10-15 minutes. And voila – you’ll have CLEAN and bright hair!
For Cleaning: Vinegar has disinfectant qualities – so dilute it with a bit of water and you have an all natural cleaner! You can even put distilled ACV in a bowl to clean fruits and veggies with.
Do you ever use apple cider vinegar? Let us know how!
I have recommended meditation a ton in
the past, but did you know that something as simple as proper breathing can
help you relieve stress, anxiety, improve digestion, detoxify your body, and
more? Make sure to take some time to practice proper breathing techniques on a
daily basis and see the difference!
Breathing Technique
Sit or lay down in a comfortable position and
close your eyes to become more aware of your breathing and relax.
Place one hand on your upper chest and the
other on your belly; when you breathe deeply, the air coming in through your
nose fills your lungs, and the belly rises (not the chest).
Breathe in
and out through your nose and focus on the activity of breathing.
Inhale and
exhale slowly, calmly and quietly. Inhale, pause, exhale and pause. The time
for an inhale and exhale depends on each person, so make sure you listen to your
body to know when you’ve gotten enough air in and release it out trying to keep
the time of the inhale and exhale the same. The key here is to listen to your
body.
Sometimes you just don’t have a highlighter on hand to complete your makeup look! Lucky for all of us.. there are some natural options that you probably have in your makeup bag or pantry!
My first alternative is always some eyeshadow. I personally use Tarte pallettes, and I absolutely lovee using the lightest shimmery powder. I just brush it on my cheekbones, the tip of my nose, and on top of my cupids bow. And I love multitasking makeup products! (Note: all eyeshadows aren’t “natural”.. but it can be! 🙂 )
Maybe you don’t have eyeshadow – but do you have some petroleum jelly? I’d also like to insert in here that petroleum jelly has SO MANY USES! I use it on my lips, as moisturizer, to soothe irritated skin, to make myself smile (taking it back to cheerleading days), and now.. as highlighter! Put a tiny amount on your face to get a glow.
And last but not least, oil is the MOST IMPORTANT item to have on hand for beauty, in my opinion! I use it to cleanse, moisturize, and to highlight. Take a SMALL dab of coconut or vitamin E oil on your finger and dab it on your face to get a super dewy highlight. Voila!
So those are my top items to use since I basically never have highlighter on me in my tiny makeup bag: trying to be minimalistic, ya know?
Now, if y’all didn’t make it to Austin during Memorial Day, you must certainly plan a visit sometime soon. This place truly has something for everyone, plenty of natural beauty, history, nightlife, and delicious food. Here are my top 3 things to do there:
Visit the Capitol
A visit to the capital of Texas is not complete until you visit this place, learn its history, see the Medal of Honor Exhibit, historic photographs, and all kinds all cool artwork and artifacts. I personally don’t do the guided tour because I like to do things at my own pace, but if you don’t do the tour, please do take the time to read to better learn and appreciate the place.
Hamilton Pool
I LOVE nature and spending time outside, so when I find cool outdoor places, I must see them. This place is a natural swimming hole and a cool place to go to during a hot summer day. Capacity is limited and therefore reservations are required. The demand to go to his place is high, so you must make your reservation way in advance to be able to go. Once you arrive, you must hike a short distance to get there, so it is not accessible for people on wheelchairs or with strollers. I also recommend floating devices if your swimming skills are not great since some parts of the swimming hole are quite deep and no life guards on site.
The Oasis
The Oasis on Lake Travis is a restaurant in a shopping center that sits on a cliff overlooking Lake Travis. The food is good and the view even better. I love eating outside on the terrace and take the view in while having my meal. The sunset here is definitely breathtaking. Another place you can try at dusk is the Congress Avenue Bridge, where all the bats come out from under the overpass! Lots of people gather there as it is quite a sight.
If these options don’t appeal to you, there’s a lot more to do,
Barton Springs is another natural body of water in the area, Sixth Street to go
party it up, many more museums, and Rainey Street with historic houses turned
into bars. There’s definitely a lot to choose from.
Have you been to Austin? Let me know what your favorite spots are!
Tonight, I want to share with you the recipe for one of my favorite
teas ever. This tea is amazing for the digestive system, help detoxify the body,
reduce swelling and water retention, as well as relax you to help you go to
sleep.
Take some fresh ginger root and cut a piece that would be equivalent to a teaspoon. Boil it with two to three cups of water and bagged or fresh chamomile. Add one to two tablespoons of honey and the juice of half a lemon. Drink it while it is still warm to help relax the body and release all those toxins!
Not Only a Bedtime Drink
Ginger paste and ginger extract are also used topically to help reduce inflammation, cellulite, stimulate circulation, and tone your skin. Have you used ginger root products to help with any of these? Share your results!
Who else LOVES a good bath at the end of the day? Hopefully everyone says yes, because there’s literally nothing more relaxing!
It’s pretty normal to add bubbles or bath bombs in, but especially for us ladies.. too much fragrance or artificial ingredients can cause us some issues (hello, UTI – ain’t nobody got time for that). One easy way to get around this and STILL relax is to use epsom salts!
Epsom salts also come with natural fragrances (be sure it’s natural.. or add in some natural essential oil), or come plain. Either way, you’ll still get these benefits:
Magnesium! This is one of the minerals that are vital for bodily functions. Magnesium is also great for muscle relaxation.
Epsom salts can help with sore muscles. Perfect for a post-gym soak!
Have bloating or swelling? Soak for 20 minutes to help reduce swelling in your body. It can also help decrease inflammation for some cysts with warm water (but of course consult your doctor!)
In addition to a bath, you CAN drink epsom salts… but make sure they’re all natural and able to be consumed, and monitor how much you’re taking. This can help with digestion!
Do you use epsom salts? Let us know in the comments!
I come from a family of ranchers and farmers on my mother’s side. Her grandparents and everyone prior owned a lot of land, lots of animals, and farmed all sorts of things. I got to see a bit of this when I was little and the joy of those memories when I got to go see and pet all the animals, see the baby piglets being born, play with the baby goats, and horseback riding will forever remain. All those things are in the past, the people from back then are gone, but besides all those wonderful memories, I got to learn a few things. I learned how to properly treat animals, respect all living creatures, and that pretty much everything we need we can find in nature. One of my grand uncles (over 80 years old) has always used one secret ingredient to remain healthy and young looking… HONEY! Yep, honey. Most of us have used this as a sweetener or beeswax in various products, but him and his family use it for nearly everything related to self-care and nutrition. He never eats refined sugars, the only sweetness he adds to anything is honey. He also uses honey daily as hair mask, face mask, body scrub and more! Well… he looks like he is in his 50s! A couple of weekends ago, Kim and I went to our local community market and we saw this vendor called Soul Honey, and yeah… I freaked out! Flashback to my grand uncle. The sweet couple selling the products told me all about their love for their bees and the honey. They make anything from moisturizing cream to soaps, and they also sell their delicious honey. Some additional things they make for themselves but that just wouldn’t last packaged or would be too much for them to take to the booth, they write on little cards, so you can try making them yourself at home. Another thing I really liked about them is that they care for the preservation of bees and know the importance they have in our ecosystem, so they offer free beekeeping presentations for kids. I personally love when I find people that are passionate about what they do, especially when they care about our beautiful planet. If you want to check them out visit, www.texassoulhoney.com. Here are some of the products I ended up buying to try, so far I like them all and their honey is delicious! I challenge you to try more local products, they boost the local economy and you can find a lot of cool products like these.
Have you ever explored your city? Like… REALLY explored?! Probably not!
It’s super easy to get comfortable with the places you know and not get outside your comfort zone in your town. There are probably SO MANY hidden gems that you never would have noticed unless someone told you they were there.
And thats why there are blogs… 😉
Chantal and I went exploring Denton, TX after the farmers market and found this Chairy Orchard. It’s literally just a small field with a TON of chairs.. all shapes and sizes, hanging and on the ground, big and small. It’s seriously adorable. You can even find it in your GPS if you’re ever in the area.
You can donate your old chairs, sit in chairs, ride a see-saw, and just enjoy the warm summer air here.
I’ve lived in DFW (almost) all of my life, and have never heard of this before. But a quick google search for “great places for photos in xxxxx” or “hidden places in xxxxxxx” will give you a ton of results in your hometown for places you may be missing out on.
Here are some pictures from our visit to this hidden gem in Denton. And be sure to let us know in the comments what a hidden gem in your town is!
Nope, you will not catch me dressed like an “I give up in life bum”, not even to go to the local farmer’s market (inside my house a completely different story LOL). My mother always told me to leave the house loving how I feel and look or not go out at all because I never know who I’ll meet or what opportunities may present themselves… even when going to the gas station. Well, I try to listen t my momma 😊 During my latest visit to the local farmer’s market I got dressed for the heat with some flowy floral pants, a nice breathable flax linen blouse, and my fave straw hat! May be a bit extra, but I’m not going to lie, it feels nice to look nice.
Allergies are a PAIN (duh)! I basically am allergic to everything – grass, pollen, dogs, cats, eggs ,soy, wheat – to name a few.
So I can definitely relate to you when you say the struggle is REAL with allergy season. Cottonwood is flying and pollen is everywhere. There are obviously medications to take when you need them.. like bendaryl, but hellooo hangover?! Am I the only one who feels drugged up for at least 24 hours after taking some allergy meds?
Below are a few NATURAL remedies for the allergy struggle. Try them out and let us know what you think!
Turmeric Tea – I SWEAR by this tea. Whether it be allergies or a cold or a sinus infection, it works wonders. I always feel better within a couple of days of drinking this 2-3 times per day. Just boil 1 cup almond milk, 1 tbsp turmeric, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp honey. Voila!
Vitamin C/Zinc – RIGHT when you start feeling sick, chug some vitamin C or a Zinc supplement! It’ll boost your immune system and help you get better quickly. Zicam is a great OTC “med” that has all natural vitamins!
Local Honey – Local honey can help diminish allergy symptoms! Just add some into your tea (or turmeric tea), or just take a spoonful!
The crown chakra also
known as Sahansrara represents our connection with the universe, divinity, and
the connection among all things. This energy center is in the top center of the
head, between the ears. The crown chakra is connected to the proper function of
the ears, eyes, brain, pineal gland and the skin. Having an unbalanced crown
chakra, depending on if it is underactive or overactive, can lead to spiritual
obsessiveness or lack of spirituality, selfishness, lack of identity and purpose
in life, depression, among other things. On the other hand, if is balanced, we
feel in unity with the world, we understand that we are all interconnected,
exhibit unselfish behavior, good mental health, feel fulfilled, and are more at
peace. The crown chakra is usually represented by the color violet.
How to balance the crown chakra?
Meditating on a regular basis helps balance the
chakra and put our mind at peace.
Practice activities where you get to place the
needs of others first, where you take care of others, or offer help expecting
nothing in return. The more you become aware of what other people go through,
the more you value what you have. It is also important to get to know others to
find common ground and develop genuine concern and stop acting selfishly.
Remember, love is everything.
Sandalwood, rosewood, lavender and jazmine are
some great essential oils to help you balance the crown chakra
Some stones you can use are: clear quartz,
kyanite, and red muscovite
What makes you feel connected with the universe, what makes
you happy and truly at peace?
One of my FAVORITE things is being able to use products more than one way. I love a good multitasking situation..
For this post, I’m talking about how to use bronzer 3 ways: On your face, your eyelids, and eyeline. This is perfect for Summer because a good bronzer used all over your face can tie the whole look together. Using the same bronze on your cheeks and your eyes will make you look glowy and suntanned!
On your face – I like to add my bronzer in a “3” shape. Along your hairline, under your cheekbone, and under your chin.. It will contour your face in a natural way (more natural than a normal grey contour), and make you look slim and glowing!
On your eyelids – My favorite way to tie in a makeup look is to add bronzer to the outer edges of my eyelids. I’ll add a neutral, shimmer eyeshadow all over the lid, then put my bronzer in the outer corner and inside the crease. It makes for the perfect no-makeup look!
On your eyeline – During summer, the LAST thing you want is to have black eyeliner dripping down your face! Take a small eyeliner brush and rub bronzer along your lower lash line. It’ll define your eyes in a super natural way!
Do you ever use bronzer in more than one way?! Let us know in the comments!
Memorial Day is quickly approaching here in the US, and with that an extended weekend holiday for a lot of us. YAY! One of my favorite places to go to for a quick extended weekend is San Antonio, TX. Of course, this is a somewhat short few-hour drive away from me, but it is totally worth visiting if you can no matter where you are. It is small enough that you can get a lot done during your visit without having to stay a week or more, but they have a lot to keep you entertained. There are cathedrals, cave tours, Sea World, Aquatica and more. I would like to focus more on the “and more” things to do because I just loved these so much.
The Alamo
This fortress was founded in the 18th Century by Roman
Catholic Missionaries from Spain but was originally known as the Misión San Antonio
Valero. The structure provided shelter, protection and food to many indigenous
people back in the day (way more to learn about this) and it is also a reminder
of the Battle of the Alamo. The history behind it, the uses it was given after
that, and the restoration all make this place really worth touring. Make sure
to go with enough time so you can actually read all about the different
artifacts they have there as well as the various structures. Visit www.thealamo.org to learn more and plan your
visit so you can make the most of it… and don’t forget the souvenirs!
The River Walk
My oh my… I just LOVE this area! It is a man-made river with a
mall and restaurants, pubs, bars, and shops all around. It is beautifully
built, the food and the view are great, you can take a tour on the boat and
learn more about the area, shop for cute little things with the street vendors,
etc. If you visit this place I highly recommend staying at a hotel at the River
Walk so that you may have a view of it from the room as it is all beautifully
lit up at night and sometimes you can even hear mariachis from the balcony! Most
hotels on the River Walk also have direct access to the river walk way!
The Mexican Market (El
Mercado)
This is also such a fun thing to do! This area is so colorful, there is a lot of folk art, lots of food, sometimes they have live music and other performances, and it is just a fun place to walk around. The art museum is at walking distance as well, so you can do both while you are there.
Mi Tierra Café & Bakery
If you go to the Mexican Market, you must stop at this place. This is my ultimate favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. Everything I’ve had there at any time a day has been fantastic and they have a bakery with delicious Mexican sweet bread… OMG it is heaven! I also love the décor, it is so crazy and folkloric that even if you decide not to eat there, it is work looking at it. They even have an altar for people that have passed, and you can bring a picture of your loved one to place there!… I know. Visit the website www.mitierracafe.com if you want to check it out!
I would love to hear if you make your way out there or if you have
gone and your favorite thing about San Antonio.
What’s a “French tuck” you might ask?.. Short answer: it’s the trend you need for the rest of spring and summer, and well.. always!
It’s pretty simple, but anytime you have a flowy blouse or tank on, just tuck the front part into your jeans, pants, or skirt. It’s SUCH a versatile style and can easily be applied to a dressy or casual outfit.
Personally, I love wearing a pencil skirt to work and tucking in a blouse in the front. And for a more casual day – I go for something like this look.. a loose tank with jeans and sandals.
The French tuck makes a look more “chic,” and also flattering. It will cinch the waist in a little more, which helps a ton with a loose top that can make people look boxy!
I have always love beets, when I was a child I would eat them, use
their juice and stain my lips, to pretend I was a vampire sucking someone’s
blood, or pretend I was bleeding out (weird because it looks more pink than
red). Now I love beets for other reasons that I think you’ll love as well.
Beets are
fabulous as natural tint for lips and cheeks
You may apply the juice directly or mix it with coconut oil with a
bit of lemon juice and store it in a container in the fridge for multiple uses
or applications throughout the day. Don’t over apply on the cheeks, the stain
is pretty strong, so you don’t need a ton.
Face mask
for a natural rosy glow
Do you like to go without makeup? This may be a nice one for you.
You can easily mix a couple of tablespoons of beet juice with half that amount in
honey or sour cream and gently apply it all over your face and neck. Leave it
on for about 15 minutes and rinse.
Heal your
scalp and grow healthy beautiful hair
Beets have lots of nutrients that help prevent hair loss, nourish
the scalp, get rid of dandruff, and aid strengthen your hair. Puree some beets
and apply to your scalp and hair, leave on for 30-45 minutes and wash as usual.
Anti-aging
& helps fight acne
Apply the strained beet juice to your face and leave on for about
15 minutes and rinse. Remember that beets stain, so make sure to do the
treatment at night and no more than twice a week. Your face should feel hydrated,
healed, less oily, dark circles improve as well as fine lines and wrinkles as
it increases the production of collagen in our skin.
Incredibly
healthy for your diet
On top of all of the benefits of using beets in our beauty routine,
they are incredibly healthy. They have tons of nutrients and essential vitamins
as well as antioxidants. Regularly eating beets has been linked to lower blood
pressure, they help reduce inflammation, fight anemia, among other things.
Pink
alert!
Please keep in mind that the pigmentation of this root is quite strong
(hence it being used as a tint) and you’ll see that pink pigmentation in your
urine and stools… so, don’t panic if this happened when you ingest beets. Lastly,
if you suffer low blood pressure, you may want to speak to your doctor before
eating beets regularly to make sure it is safe for you. Always a good idea to
you a bit of research about anything you do or eat if you suffer from any
medical condition.
Will share specific beet-based masks soon, do you have a favorite
one you would like me to try? How about a favorite beet recipe? Do share!
I’m assuming I’m not the only one where life ALWAYS gets in the way of self-care! So since we’re going into the weekend, I thought it’d be a perfect time to touch on some of my top tips to pamper yourself for your own well-being.
After a stressful day, week, or month (or more..); I absolutely LOVE to do a little pamper night and treat myself. This can mean anything you want. Like to go out? Have a date night by yourself at a nice restaurant and go to a movie on your own.. and treat yourself to that popcorn! Like to stay in? Follow my tips below – because I’m with ya on that one.
Take a hot bath – and use epsom salts! They have great anti-inflammatory properties, and you can get some with lavender or eucalyptus, which will just help you relax even more.
Use a face mask. Either buy one and stick it in the fridge before for some anti-inflammatory effects, or make your own! Here are a couple of natural skincare posts – honey scrub and coffee!
Make a nice dinner. If you’re vegetarian (like Chantal!), treat yourself to a nice eggplant parmesan or stuffed peppers. I’m not a vegetarian, and on special occasions I’ll cook up a filet mignon with veggies! Make your favorite food for yourself!
Turn off electronics. If you absolutely HAVE to look on your phone, put it on night time mode so the light isn’t as harsh. Or watch some netflix on your laptop with the brightness alll the way down. But I personally love to read a book with my salt lamp on, or play a podcast while I just relax!
Meditate. I personally love using the “breathe” app on my apple watch, but the Calm app is also great! Just taking 5 minutes or less can help a TON for your mental health.
Hopefully these tips give you some ideas for some self-care this weekend! Let us know in the comments what YOU do for weekend wellness!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! We decided to make a trip to a local farmers market.. it was SO. CUTE. And we’ll definitely be sharing more about that soon.
But today I’m sharing one of my favorite styles for Spring – maxi dresses. Even though you’re a little more covered up with a maxi dress, they’re still (normally) flowy enough to let that breeze in and look boho-chic! For this outfit, I wore one with off-the-shoulder sleeves with some comfy sandals. An easy, breezy look for the warmer weather!
I’ve also worn this dress to the beach, to hot HOT cities (hellooo, Miami!), and even just to run to brunch or to run errands whenever I want to look a little more put together.
Let us know if you love a maxi dress in the comments! Or what your favorite thing to wear in Spring is!
As I have mentioned before, I have been making small changes
in different aspects of my life in order to live in a more natural and
eco-friendly way. Well, I stumbled across this Auromere shampoo bar with neem.
As soon as I saw the packaging, it caught my attention as it is made out of
cardboard instead of plastic…. I LOVED this! I know, I know, cardboard still
kills trees and it is not totally eco-friendly if we put it that way; but I was
really happy that it didn’t come in plastic and wanted to really give it a try
to compare it to bottled shampoo. I was already using an organic shampoo, but
it was in a plastic bottle, so this is definitely a step in the right
direction. I read the back of the box as well as the ingredient section and I
was very excited to take it home and write a review for it.
This shampoo bar is free of chemicals, cruelty free, vegan and earth friendly. It also packs a lot of great oils and other natural ingredients that are gentle with the hair and nourish the scalp.
I was a little unsure about how much of the shampoo bar I would have to use to wash my hair since it is long, going all the way down to my waist, but it got foamy very quickly (not as much as with a regular shampoo) covering all of my hair. I conditioned my hair as usual and styled it to see the end result. I was very pleased as my scalp felt fresh, nourished, and my hair was very soft. I did read on the box that the 4.23 oz bar of shampoo is equivalent to 18 oz of liquid shampoo, so one bar should last a couple of months depending on how often you wash your hair and if you keep the bar dry in between washes.
I am definitely enjoying this shampoo bar a lot, but since this is the first one I am trying, I would love to hear from you about any others you have tried that you would recommend. This one can be easily ordered online at auromere.com, swansonvitamins.com, or amazon!
If you’re not eating salmon – you are SERIOUSLY missing out! Unless you’re vegetarian, then GO YOU and replace the salmon with tofu or any other protein you want!
I personally love how thick and creamy salmon tastes when cooked perfectly. I also have a serious relationship with broccoli slaw made into an asian salad. So if you have similar tastes to me, you will be obsessed with this salad recipe. It can be eaten warm (my fave) or cold.
Preheat your oven to 425
Season salmon with pepper and a little salt
Cook salmon for 30 minutes (or until fish is JUST flakey.. not dry!
While salmon is cooking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil on a pan
Add 2 cups broccoli slaw to pan
Once wilted, add 2 tbsp coconut aminos and 2 tsp siracha
Put salmon on top of broccoli slaw and top with low sodium soy sauce, siracha, spicy mustard, or any other condiments that you enjoy!
You can also make this ahead of time. Just refrigerate after it cools down, and you have a great salad for the next day. A great meal of healthy fats and veggies! LOVE!
I also use broccoli slaw raw as a salad base on a weekly basis. Just add some edemame, snow peas, protein, and sauces — voila. Make this salad your own!
The third eye chakra also
known as Ajna is associated with intuition, imagination, openness, and wisdom. This
energy center is located on the forehead between the eyebrows and its physical
function is to regulate biorhythms and the pituitary gland. Having an unbalanced
Ajna chakra makes us feel like we have no clarity in our path, we lack vision
and objectiveness, we daydream and feel lost. On the other hand, if the Ajna
chakra is balanced, we feel inspired, our creativity shows, we become more
perceptive, intuitive, and are more willing to learn life lessons. The throat
chakra is usually represented by the color indigo and the element of light.
How to balance the third eye chakra?
Since the pineal gland regulates sleep patterns,
getting enough sleep is essential to have a balanced chakra (like I needed
another reason to love my favorite activity of the day).
Eating berries full of antioxidants and green vegetables
are great to nourish your body and balance this chakra
Meditation (try incorporating the Om sound) and
look up some guided meditations if needed
Chamomile, lavender and rosemary are some great
essential oils to get you back on track!
Some stones you can use are: iolite, lepidolite,
and red tourmaline
Although I absolutely LOVEEE to be in a car for however long – it’s easy to get road-trip-lagged or just feel super uncomfortable. I know a ton of people who just hate road trips in general!
But I wanted to share my top tips for how to be comfortable road tripping. You definitely don’t have to be super fashionable, but being comfortable is KEY. These are also the same tips I’d have for staying comfortable while flying!
Wear comfortable pants! I can’t believe people actually wear jeans while traveling! I’m jealous! I pretty much always go with super baggy jeans or a pair of leggings.
Wear an oversized shirt! Ain’t nobody got time to keep pulling down your top or pulling your pants up. Wear a comfy sweater or oversized tee to look chic but feel good.
Wear flat shoes – with support! You don’t want your feet to be hurting while on a trip. Wear shoes with a bit of support, but not full heels.
With these tips, you’ll feel comfy on your next trip and look pulled together! What do you wear while traveling?
Excuse moi??? If you buy quality fabric leggings that are nor borderline transparent when you put them on, they absolutely count as pants to me. Tell me if leggings are not the most perfect piece of clothing… they don’t have pockets that bulk up your figure, look very flattering on most people, they are super comfy, and you can literally wear them with anything to make a multitude of outfits. Dress them up with a nice girlie blouse, accessories and nice heels (my look here), wear them with a graphic shirt and some converse to chill on a weekend, with fuzzy boots during winter, or even wear them for your trip to the gym.
Need to pack light?
I love easy travel, so the least I can pack the better. I love packing leggings and jeggings since they don’t take tons of space, you can roll them very easy and shove them in your carry on with tons of space to spare! These are definitely my “can’t live without” clothing items, what are yours?
First of all.. do you cleanse your skin every night? I sure hope so.
One of the keys to clear, healthy skin is cleansing off all of your makeup, sweat, and grime before you go to bed. Even if it’s been a late night (we’ve all been there..) – DON’T go to sleep with your makeup on!
And a super common way to wash your face is normally makeup wipes. But those can pull at your skin, cause wrinkles, and surprisingly really don’t get everything off your face. Next time you use a wipe, go in with a second one .. I guarantee you’ll have more makeup coming off!
So next time you cleanse, my #1 tip is to use an oil. And my #2 tip is to double cleanse.
I always wash my face with either Vitamin E oil or a facial oil from Trader Joe’s. I tried coconut oil – but I broke out. Try different oils and see what works for you!
It’s key to have your face dry the first time you add the oil to your face. Rub it all over (even your eyes), then rinse off. LIGHTLY dab a clean towel on your face to dry it off a bit, then do it all over again. More oil, another rinse, then dab your face dry again.
The first cleanse is to take any makeup off, then the second is to really clean your skin and remove any gunk from your pores. And it only takes a few extra seconds! And life hack: if you’re traveling, ask room service to bring you a side of olive oil.
Oil is also AMAZING for skin because it hydrates! I used to be anti-oil because my skin was oily and acne prone, but right when I started using oils, my acne cleared up and my skin actually errs on the dry side! If your skin is too dry, it’ll produce excess oils which can contribute to breakouts. So oil it up!
Now, I am not going to say that I don’t
eat any sugar whatsoever, because I do. My goal is to eventually eliminate all
added sugar from my daily life (except maybe special occasions very sporadically),
but I have to say… it is very hard! Why is it so hard you ask? Well because it
is so addictive! There are strong physical and emotional reasons as to why we
love eating sugary foods so much, but reducing the amount of sugar we consume
on a daily basis is extremely important. Sugar has sooooooo many ugly side
effects that we should really consider not eating sugar part of our daily self-care
routine.
On top of sugar contributing to obesity,
diabetes, and heart disease, here are other very visible effects of a sugar-packed
diet:
Tooth decay (not very attractive)
Body inflammation
Contributes to lack of collagen on skin (that
means more wrinkles!)
Breakouts
Worsens acne and skin allergic reactions
Personal victory, but still ways to go
I quit sodas as well as sugar and
creamer in my coffee 10 months ago and I can say that it really has made a
difference in my life. I don’t crave sugar-packed drinks, enjoy water more, my
skin feels more hydrated since I drink more water now, I get more energy from
my cup of coffee since I don’t get the crash from the sugar, and my body doesn’t
feel bloated. Eliminating just those things has made my life so much better that
I really want to continue and eliminate or minimize sugary and processed foods
from my daily life. These changes are not easy to make, but they are possible
and totally worth it. Join me and share your progress on the blog!
Maybe you’re travelling to a high-altitude destination, maybe you just want more mental clarity, or maybe you want to breathe better for stress relief! The reasons are endless, but oxygen bars are a GREAT solution.
For me personally, I’ve gone to countless oxygen bars when visiting Colorado. Being up in the mountains (especially if you aren’t used to it) can cause altitude sickness symptoms like nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc. I’m super sensitive to this! I even had a lot of altitude sickness when we visited Ojo Caliente!
The first time I tried an oxygen bar was when I visited Denver a few years ago. I like to go quite often now, and ALWAYS make a pit stop at one when I arrive! After climbing up Mount Evans and Seven Falls (pictured below).. it was much needed!
And even if you aren’t in high altitudes or have some other sort of sickness.. oxygen bars can be an AMAZING hangover cure! Too many shots?… oops!
You can also pick your flavors. So even if you’re skeptical about oxygen bar having real health benefits – there are also aromatherapy benefits. Try out some eucalyptus for relaxation, or orange for energy! Can’t hurt to try it out!
Let us know if you’ve ever tried an oxygen bar in the comments below!
Traveling to Cancun is one of my favorite things to do. It is somewhat inexpensive compared to other beachy destinations out there… especially places as beautiful as this with crystal clear water. They also have tons of all-inclusive resorts with great deals year-round. As tempting as it is to stay within the resort, dare to visit some of the other many beaches and attractions nearby. Cancun is not only known for their beautiful ocean-side, they also have many natural swimming holes scattered all over the place, many eco-friendly attraction parks, Mayan ruins, an under-water museum, zip-lines, over the ocean bungee jumping, amazing reefs, and more!
One of my absolute favorite eco-friendly attraction parks is Xcaret, an ecological and archaeological park that allows you to explore small Mayan ruins, underground rivers, fauna, and learn about Mexico with their amazing shows.
Want a bite to eat at a unique location? Try Alux Restaurant, a restaurant inside of a cave! It is absolutely beautiful with high end cuisine, sometimes they have live music or other shows, and then you get to explore the cave. It is definitely a great place to try.
Do you have a favorite spot in Cancun
yet? Share it with us, we would love to try it next time!
Even though it’s technically Spring, it’s never too late for a plaid vest! Vests are perfect for when the weather isn’t too cold or too hot – and they make for a great statement piece.
In this outfit, I layered a plaid vest from AMAZON (yes.. amazon!) with a short sleeved sweater dress. Add some booties and you’ve got yourself a lewk!
You could also wear plaid with a white v neck and jeans, a tee and heels, or a chic black bodysuit!
I have been slowly switching out certain cosmetics and other
beauty products for more natural options as well as waste free items. It has
been interesting to try out so many different things to see what works and what
doesn’t. Today I want to talk about this one product that I have really liked
and about the company who makes it. The product is by a company named Alaffia
and it is a deliciously coconut rose scented whipped shea butter to be used for
skin and hair! I bought a small container to try it out and I am OBSESSED. At first,
I was like, this little 1.5 oz container is not going to last, but it is crazy because
you have to rub it on your palms to warm it up before you spread it on your
hair or skin and it becomes oily, so you don’t need as much. This fabulous
product leaves your skin and hair crazy soft, and you can feel confident that
no crazy chemicals will harm you and that the product comes from an ethical
company. Alaffia has been For Life certified for fair trade, MADE SAFE
certified for products without known or suspected toxins to harm the health of
humans, animals, or the ecosystem, and it is Non-GMO verified. I mean, it
really can’t get better than that right?! I see all those super sad videos of
animals being killed or injured by our waste that I know a change needs to
happen, so finding companies like this one is very exciting.
A company with purpose
I invite you to visit the Alaffia website and read about their commitment
to the consumers, communities, and the planet because it is great to learn
about a company that cares and that is doing something to give back. Since the
company was started in 2003, Alaffia has implemented educational projects,
opened schools in African communities, and even has a complete line that
supports a foundation that rehabilitates women that have been victims of sex
trafficking. Even their logo is absolutely cool as it represents protection,
security and love.
I’ve only tried the whipped shea butter so far, have you tried any of their products? If so, which one is your fave??? I know I am definitely trying some more of their products!
Healthy eating.. the struggle is REAL! I don’t know about you, but there’s no way I’m completely cutting out my chips and salsa or bread – even though I’m definitely on the weight loss track. So I’m sharing some of the best healthy eating swaps I’ve found with you! Hopefully this makes the struggle a little easier!
Swap Rice for Cauliflower Rice – This is one of my faves. I LOVEEE to make a good stir fry with veggies and some cauliflower fried “rice.” I normally get a pre-made stir fry “rice” from TJ’s, but you could easily get some snap peas, egg, peas, carrots, and some shredded cauliflower and make the blend yourself.
Swap Pasta for Zoodles – Zoodles are a game changer! Seriously, add some lite alfredo (not the healthiest.. but we’re trying, right?!) or some olive oil and parm and I swear you can’t tell the difference.
Swap Strawberries for Pastries – I know this sounds cray, but some strawberries with brown sugar on it makes the BEST dessert. You won’t miss your cakes or cookies – promise!
Swap Frying for Air Frying – For real.. an air fryer is worth it! Stick in veggies, potatoes, “fried” chicken, and more with a quick spray of pam or a tiny bit of oil and you’ll have food that feels indulgent with less guilt!
Swap Breading for Fiber – This one is a little different, but y’all need to check out GG crackers. They basically just have a TON of fiber, but with no taste. So I like to crumble them up as “breadcrumbs,” coat chicken with them with some seasonings, then air fry them for some high-fiber chicken tenders!
Swap the Store for Delivery – If you’re at a loss on where to start making healthy meals, try out a meal delivery service! You can check out Hello Fresh or Blue Apron where items are pre-portioned with specific instructions (with photos). You have control over how much salt and seasoning to add, but it’ll give you the freshest ingredients with just enough so you don’t have to struggle with portion control…. NOT SPONSORED! (Below is the red pepper pasta from Blue Apron pictured)
It’s been a while since I address the chakras in the blog, so
today I will tell you about the fifth chakra. This is also known as the throat
vishuddha chakra and it is associated expression and communication. I am a big
communicator, verbal, non-verbal, to people, to animals, plants, myself… well
you get the point. This energy center is located in the center of the neck at
the level of the throat and it is the chakra that allows the energy of all the
other chakras in the body to flow; because of this it can cause issues that
would normally be attributed to other chakras. Some other issues it can cause
include sore throat, neck tension, jaw problems, thyroid disorder, and severe
headaches. The unbalance of this chakra is also linked to not been able to
express oneself properly, poor communication skills, timid voice, lies, and
secretiveness. On the other hand, if the throat chakra is balanced, we speak
the truth, make ourselves heard, we have communication with purpose, and we can
fully express what we feel or think. We are also more likely to find our motivation
to act on our desires when this chakra is well balanced. The throat chakra is
usually represented by the color blue and the element of sound.
How to balance the throat chakra?
Because this chakra is related to self-expression
and communication, singing and talking are very god for balancing the chakra
Clean eating and drinking water is the best you
can do, not only for the chakra, but for your entire body
Meditation is key, you can also do yoga
Aromatherapy! Jasmine and sandalwood are a
couple of great scents that help the throat chakra
Some stones you can use are: turquoise,
aquamarine, and lapis lazuli
Check out this great meditation music by Meditative Mind, I have listened to it before when I’m ready to go to bed and it is super relaxing while it helps you balance your chakra. Let me know what you think!
Happy First Day of Spring!! I can’t believe it’s finally here!
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for warm, sunny weather and spring showers – and where’s the best place to enjoy Spring? Central Park!
I normally go to NYC a couple times a year and it’s one of my favorite cities in the US. Once the weather gets nice, I have a couple of go-to spots: the high line, some rooftop bars, DUMBO.. and of course, Central Park.
At first glance, Central Park can seem a little sketch if we’re being honest.. but it’s a HUGE park with so many amazing areas to visit. The most visited region is near 5th Ave, and that is a great area where the ice skating rink normally is (but of course not this time of year). My personal favorite area is around 74th. You’ll find Strawberry Fields, and it’s super quaint and a lot quieter up there.
So if you’re in NYC and looking for a place to feel the fresh Spring air – hit up the park! Take a stroll and enjoy the scenery and super entertaining people watching!
I am not going to lie, I don’t always dress up to go to work. After five years of working at a pretty laid-back company, one becomes more and more comfortable dressing down instead of dressing up to play the part. I do have my moments though, meetings, lunches, after work events, etc. I do believe that an outfit can completely change your mood, the way you handle yourself with others and can even make you feel empowered. For a business environment, you don’t have to play it safe with plain/dull colors, have some fun, wear bold shades, don’t be afraid to wear skirts, cool tights (not pantyhose :/), play with patterns, accessories, and blazers. It is comfortable to stick to darker colors, but a bit of a brightness makes a huge difference, giving a boring outfit the WOW factor. Start by wearing brighter/bolder colors here and there, maybe in accessories or scarves until you feel more comfortable and rock it sister! Feel awesome and love what you see in the mirror… BTW who doesn’t love a pair of bright-colored shoes? I know I do.
