The Green Giant and Pop eye Have NOTHING on this!

We are all living in a new food revolution. One in which we are all apart of such as eating organic foods, supporting farmers markets, avoiding foods with MSG or processed ingredients. These are few of the many changes that are needed to eat, be and feel healthier. Many of these changes have been accomplished because we are being educated and we demand healthier foods. Part of this revolution is juicing to cure illnesses or making smoothies that are nutrient dense. We have seen it on Dr. Oz, Oprah, and many nutritional shows.

A Great way to be healthier and make your skin have that exceptional GLOW is to enjoy a delicious and VERY GREEN smoothie. My mother and I use this smoothie as a meal replacement such as breakfast.  You can have this smoothie whenever it’s easier for you but I recommend drinking 2 cups everyday.

We use a VitaMix Blender- A high performance blender that allows for keeping the apple peel or veins of Swiss Chard where a lot of great nutrients get tossed out.

You can use spinach, swiss chard, kale, green apple, lemon juice, green tea juice, pear, banana, coconut juice and the list goes on and on………. We usually use a hand full of spinach, dash of lemon, ¾ cup of homemade green tea just cooled, 1 small green apple plus peel and half of a cucumber.  Typically the spinach is switched with kale or swiss chard. This smoothie is FRESH, LIGHT, DELICIOUS and GREAT for your heart, immune system and skin.  (PLEASE use organic and NO PESTICIDE foods).

Check out Vitamix.com for more recipes and learn more about YOUR HEALTH.

I Dare you to try this smoothie……J

Seasonal Spring Symptoms

Yes, while the flowers are blooming and April showers are pouring some may be fighting seasonal allergies, the common cold or plain old annoying Upper Respiratory Infections. A great way to help cleanse any irritants in your sinuses or remove goopy (ewww) mucus is to use an ancient Indian classic; A NETI POT. Yoga practitioners in India started this cute little irrigation regimen for all their yogi followers. It’s said the Neti Pot™ came from the word Jala Neti which means to cleanse the nose with water.

Why is this important? Because, although majority of infections are viral or symptoms arise due to allergies, they can lead to serious bacterial sinus infections. From my experience I always feel like I can breathe so much better and my infections clear up faster. Think about it, you’re flushing away whatever doesn’t belong there. Also, a friend of mine uses the Neti Pot™ everyday as a preventative measure. All I can say is that she has never had an illness or allergy outbreak since I have known her for the past 5 years. First hand experience can say a lot.

Directions (written):

1) Purchase a decent Neti Pot™ such as in my picture (Its ceramic). You can buy the ceramic pot at Whole Foods and the plastic ones at Walgreens (the plastic is cheaper but disposable so expensive in the long run).

2) Fill the Neti Pot™ with Luke warm, NOT hot, water. Check the water as if you’re going to give this to a baby. IF you think it’s too hot it probably is. SIDE NOTE: It’s going up your nose so you don’t want the water to burn you.

3) Add a 1/8-1/4 tsp of Table salt. Mix until dissolved.

4) Lean forward and turn your head to one side over the sink, keeping the forehead at the same height as the chin, or slightly higher.

5) Gently insert the spout in the upper nostril so it forms a comfortable seal.

6) Raise the Neti Pot™ gradually so the saline solution flows in through your upper nostril and out of the lower nostril.  Breathe through your mouth.

7) When the Neti Pot™ is empty, face the sink and exhale vigorously without pinching the nostrils.

8) Refill the Neti Pot™ and repeat on the other side. Again, exhale vigorously to clear the nasal passages. SIDE NOTE: You will feel like your drowning but your NOT. You will get use to it.

DIRECTIONS: (VISUAL)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsZeILCedRw&feature=related

Nails Good To-Go: A Top Coat Must for the Busy Woman

Nails Good To-Go: A Top Coat Must for the Busy Woman

Just paint, apply top coat, and Go,

The Pro’s, reviewers and I say it's best in show;

Use it right before you go to that bash,

Or even before you hit the sack and crash;

Little kiddies don’t even have time to ruin their nails,

If your Mani doesn’t dry fast enough, use this if all else fails;

Messy marks is something you won’t see,

Yes! It’s called Essie Good To-Go –Get it with your Mani/Pedi;

Flirty Girl Fitness is where my friends and I found this precious coat,

Our nails stayed looking good while we hit the poles, crawled, WAIT THAT’S another NOTE!

Enjoy this secret of mine,

You can get it at Ulta for $10, rain or shine J

Homemade Hair Heat Wrap

Suffering from hair breakage, dry ends, and frizzy sections? Take this tip and carry it with you for the rest of your life. My mother was so adamant about teaching me the importance of taking care of my hair. Since I was a teenager I have been treating my hair to a once a week deep conditioning treatment. This weekly protein feast will help repair, soften, smooth, revitalize, and add shine to your hair.

This is how it’s done…….

1)      Go to Sally’s and purchase a thermal cap aka it’s a silver shower cap OR (not my first choice) you can purchase a shower cap from Target, Walmart or any convenience store. It’s best to get a thermal cap because it contains the heat.

2)      Other products: A hair clip and conditioning balm of your choice.

3)      Wash your hair separately in a sink with shampoo, rinse, and then squeeze as much water as you can out of your hair.

4)      Apply conditioning balm to tips and lower 2/3 of hair. Try your best to not apply to top of scalp because you may get greasy results. Follow directions on bottle for amount needed for each treatment.

5)      Twist hair up in a bun and clip.

6)      Place shower cap over hair. Grab a medium size towel and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds and wrap on head. 

7)      Keep conditioner in hair for 15-25min depending on how much treatment your hair needs. You may need to reheat your towel at the 10min mark. Then rinse and blow dry. (Attempt to air dry its best for your hair if you can).

For best results this treatment needs to be done weekly. Sometimes if my hair gets really dry I will treat it twice that week. TIP: I usually start the treatment before I eat breakfast, eat, then by the time im done its time to shower already. This way it doesnt interfere with my daily activities.

Products I recommend and LOVE……..

Biolage Bodifying Conditioner –Ulta- $15 (wait till you get coupons in the mail, SAVE $)

Bumble and Bumble Deeep Hair Masque-5oz for $26- Shephora(Expensive but awesome)

Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Hair Masque-Amazon- SALE $23.50 (Normal=$31) I use this now

Agadir Argan Oil Daily Moisturizing Conditioner-Amazon on SALE $12.25 (Normal=$21)I use this now

(Further Info on actual oil treatments with Moroccan Oil and Argan Oil to be continued…..)

~Je t'aime Cle De Peau~

Who or What do I love? YES, it’s Cle De Peau Beaute’s  Make up line that has always provided for me every time I step out my door. It’s delightfully fresh, yet alluringly classic. Although my dearest Parisian paramour is a costly makeup line, IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. I have been faithfully using their mascara and Intensifying eyeliner cream aka eye liner with a brush for months now. The mascara has lasted me 7 months and applies to my lashes like the day I purchased it. The eyeliner cream is wonderful and applies so clean. The brush allows you to have great technique and room for fun. I was told the eyeliner will last me 2 years. The picture below shows how much I have used with the application of everyday for the past 4 months, SO stay continued to see if it lasts me as long as I desire it too.  The close up of my eye shows the end of the day result. Mascara runs $50 dollars; Eye liner with Brush runs $60. My suggestion is to get your makeup done for FREE. Samples are not offered.

The unprecedented science of Cle De Peau is said to have a brain of its own and I believe it.  You will find yourself saving money in the long run while most makeup products dry out within 2-4months. For the eyeliner make sure you keep your brush clean and remove any build up with unsoiled makeup remover for best results.  

Cle De Peau Beaute may sound French but it really is a High End Japanese make up line. The Japanese put out a very good product just like their cars. You can purchase this line from Neiman Marcus Northbrook, Oakbrook, Michigan Avenue, Barneys Chicago and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Think about it and Enjoy!