Spring Style: High Waisted Skirt

If I could wear these skirts everyday, I would. They are soo comfy, and at the same time it looks like you tried.  This is why high waisted skirts are my go to for the Spring.

You know that weather that is cold in the morning, to the point you need a winter coat, then extremely hot in the afternoons? This outfit combo works well with those awkward Spring days. The sweater keeps you warm, while the skirt keeps you cool!

Shirt is from: Kohls
Skirt & Wedges: found in the back of my closet

If you want to make this look seem less "casual" just add jewelry and some heels or wedges.

Im wearing a mustard sweater with a denim skirt.

Mustard is not only a perfect Autumn look, it can also be work in Spring! I add some pearls to compliment the colors and to give it a timeless look. 

I love how it looks so retro!

Benefits of Drinking out of a Copper Cup

 Drinking out of copper is a form of an ancient Ayurvedic practice, which is a traditional Hindu system of medicine. The copper works as a what we would now call a water filter. Copper's antiviral and antibacterial properties would cleanse and purify the water! Copper is an essential trace mineral, without it, we would die, so that's where these cups come in handy, ayy? 

spiritually: copper is a conductor so drinking out of this would help amplify thoughts, ground certain frequencies, and open your root and sacral chakras.

SOME BENEFITS:

• stimulates thyroid

• melanin production

• slows aging

• fights inflammation: (helps with arthritis!)

• fights off Cancer. (Copper gives oxygen to cells, helping the cells to fight off Cancer.)

• assists with weight loss

• strengthens immune system

• kills bacteria

• helps your body absorb iron

• stimulates brain

• heals wounds quicker

**store a a cup of water in a copper cup overnight (or at least 4 hours) and drink first thing in the morning**

 this allows your large intestine to awaken and heal you up for the day, as you know first thing in the morning is when your liver is functioning the most. It is important to fuel it with enough water. Never drink cold water, it freezes up your digestion and cools your digestive fire that is needed to function properly.

***clean with lemon and salt. 

One To Watch: Home

This documentary is an eye opener. It is about how humans, as a whole, have impacted Earth. I find it intriguing, beautiful, and all around life changing. This makes you realize how many materials you are in truth actually using. (water was a biggy!) This is one to watch again.  rate: 9/10

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Vegan Ice Cream

I froze 6 bananas and it made 6 bowls of ice cream, so think 1 banana a person. If I were to make this recipe again, I would add more fruit. I think some berries like blueberries or strawberries would be make this taste even better, as if it possible. This ice cream is truly just as good, but obviously so much more healthier for you. (and no animals had to suffer from the ingredients used)

6 bananas

2 Tbsp vanilla 

3 cups almond milk (may need a little more if blender needs more liquid to blend easier)

ENJOY!! 

One To Watch: Cowspiracy

Cowspiracy

 - Kip Andersen &  Keegan Kuhn  

This documentary is available on Netflix. It is a great one; I give it a 10/10.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO  

Why Everyone Should Expierience A BioMat

 

 I am lucky that where I work there is a BioMat to lay on. Although my days can get hectic,  I look foreword my relaxing hour, laying on the heavenly mat for a while. It is like sitting on a beach; in fact, it has very similar benefits to the beach! Most of you reading this may not have this opportunity, but they can be purchased; or using Google, you may find a place that would let you have a session. At my family business, a session is $1 a minute, not much is it?

   

  The BioMat is filled with amethyst and tourmaline crystals, as seen in the pictures to the right. The part you can see that is filled with the crystals is only a clear window to show you that there are, in fact, real crystals in there. It is filled from left to right with amethyst and tourmaline crystals for maximum healing.

 Amethyst crystals are said to stimulate and soothe the mind and emotions. They are also thought to  improve sleep, circulate the blood, treat inflammation, and hormonal support. For the BioMat, they also help with the far infrared rays.

Tourmaline crystals are said to help protect you from negative energy. It gives you a barrier between you and the negative energy to so you will not pick it up.

Since Amethyst can not hold heat well, The BioMat releases far infrared light, allowing the crystals to emit this form of heat. Far infrared light is invisible to the human eye, to long of a wavelength.  Since this heat is spread efficiently, it goes 6-8 inches into your body, just like the sun! Similar to the sun, this heat can heal the outside as well as the inside of your body.  This is different to a heating pad because the heat spreads to your skin, far infrared light goes well past that. The difference between the far infrared amethyst rays and regular far infrared rays are that the amethyst shorten the rays so you can emotionally handle it. This will have a deeper impact and a more comfortable use.

for more information on far infrared light click here.

Far infrared light is the longest of the infrared wavelengths, with near infrared being the shortest.

 

Negative Ions

Another component of the BioMat is the Negative ions that it emits. Negative ions may turn you away because of the "negative" in front of the word. In fact, Negative ions are very important for a healthy balanced lifestyle. Negative ions is where you have more electrons than protons in molecules in the environment. When you take a walk by the beach or forest, you feel a fresh aroma. That is the abundance of negative ions. In that case, the tourmaline crystal comes in play. This crystal has a reputation for emitting negative ions. Without negative ions in your cells, nutrients can not be passes through out your body, in the end, causing pain. This is a huge factor why I have a Himalayan Salt Lamp. They play a huge factor in producing negative ions.

The Mat

There is a button for the temperature and how many hours you want to have it on.  I like to have it two less than the highest temperature it goes, that is where it feels comfortable to most people. This is very simple to use, with just a couple buttons to click. You then get in the mat, lay on your back, and enjoy the benefits!

Here is a good book on the BioMat:

The Fourth Treatment for Medical Refugees

Bentonite Clay Mask

Clay masks are a great outlet for relaxation and detoxification. Bentonite clay, specifically, is the perfect ¨all around¨ clay. I mean you can use this stuff anywhere on your body, internally and externally.  One of my favorite uses with bentonite clay is to help me get perfect soft skin on my face.

 I make a blend every other day, and plaster it on my face. My sister is going to school to become an esthetician, free massages and facials for me hehe, and she recommended doing this every other day.  I tell you not, my skin has never looked clearer or softer in my life! The blackheads and bumps on my face are very minimal and I have only been doing this for a week! 

Bentonite clay draws out toxins from your skin and reduces your pores, reduce scars, prevents acne, prevents blackheads, exfoliates, and evens out your skintone. I mean who doesn't want that? If you put some in your bath you can removes heavy metals that are trapped in your tissues. Bentonite clay has many minerals in it to help you get your daily intake. 

and of course we need a selfie!

 You will want to start off by using a wooden spoon to get the clay, metal spoons don't work well with the minerals. Scoop about a teaspoon of clay and pour it into your bowl.

Add equal amount of water to the clay, if you want a thinner paste you can add more water.

Mix this around until you get the needed paste and now you can begin to plaster it all over your face and don't forget the selfies!

WORDS OF CAUTION

I leave this masks on for about 10-20 minutes. You will want to take this off BEFORE it dries, if you take it off after; 1: it will hurt 2: the toxins will not be taken out of your face.

Remove with an old cloth or paper towel and throw it into the garbage. The clay WILL clog your drain. 

Your face will be red when you are done using it, don't worry about it, it is because of the added blood flow to the face. 

Some people who have bad acne and really sensitive skin can actually have a worsening affect using this, so be sure to try a test run prior. 

All About: Rose

 Just outside my home is an assortment of Roses. I collect the fallen petals and spend a day creating D.I.Y.'s like lip scrubs, lotions, and  even water. Rose is a great flower to use with these beauty products because the benefits for your skin and health is incredible!

I have a new section for my blog called Herb, Tree, or Shrub; this will not only describe the featured post but also explain the benefits that come with them. For the first one,  I decided to talk about Roses! Before you say anything, I know. Roses don't fall into any of the three categories, I thought that Roses are too good of a flower to pass up. Now that I have said that, shall we begin?

Scientific Name: Rosa
Origin: Asia, North America, Europe, and northwest Africa.
Facts: There are over a hundred species. Although you may call them thorns, they are actually prickles.

Rose Oil & Flower Benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Toner: This can help reduce pores and leave your skin moisturized and glowing. 
• Fragrance: The aroma of the flower can let off a relaxing essence. With its soothing fragrance, it is perfect for your lotions and lip balms. 
• Antioxidant: With its high amount of Vitamin C, it can help with skin cell repairing. Thus, making it great for your sunscreen!
• Antidepressant
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic: relieve muscle spasms, cramps, and muscle pulls.
• Antiviral
• Purifies the blood
• Fades scars
• Menstruation: Helps regulate, eases cramps, reduces pain.
• Helps your liver
• Promotes circulation
• Great for headaches
• Boosts confidence

How I Use Roses:

When I take the petals I store them in my pantry to dry out for about a week or until they are dried completely. When that is done, I make a scrub and add the rose petals into my mixture. For lotions and chapsticks, you will want to use rose water.

Rose Water:

1. Boil the amount of water you want into a small pot.
2. Add a handful of dried rose petals
3. Simmer until all the color has faded out of the petals.  
4. Poor the water and petals through a strainer so you remove the petals.
5. With your water you can pour that into an empty glass container and throw away the petals.
6. Let the water cool and now you have Rose water! You can store in the fridge for about a week or so.

No Shampoo: Week 1

No Shampoo? What?!! 

(note: I no longer use this method, a new post will soon come explaining it all.)

Yes, in fact no conditioner either. I spent countless days months debating whether or not I should give up these products, for good. I did not dare attempt to do it during school, looking like I have not washed my hair in weeks? No thank you. Summer break has begun and so has my no shampoo journey. I have not used ¨normal¨ shampoo and conditioner for 6 days now, my hair? Oh it feels amazing! My curls are softer, healthier, and the roots of my hair is curly! Usually I have this ugly shape going on where my curls don't appear until halfway down my head. EWWW! 

For those who have no idea why I went ¨no shampoo,¨ let me explain.

1. The chemicals! Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These are chemicals in shampoo that is used to create the foaming agent. These chemicals can irritate your scalp, which create nitrosamine; linked to Cancer. Other chemicals include, BHA & BHT, Coal Tar Dyes, Dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, Parabens, fragrance, PEG compounds, Petrolatum, Siloxanes, and Triclosan. PHEW! To go more in depth about each of these chemicals click HERE. As if that's not enough I'll give you more reasons.

2. When you wash your scalp with shampoo, the chemicals soak into your hair and strip the natural oils. Your scalp then goes into shock and produces even more natural oils to replace what the chemicals from the shampoo has done, hence the reason your scalp gets greasy so quickly,not to mention a head full of frizz. I had to wash my air everyday just to keep grease from accumulating, then every other day because my hair was damaged and dry. Now, every few days, I wash my hair; yes I shower everyday... shower caps are a must!

3. From other ¨no shampooers,¨ their hair is frizz free, shiny, soft, and grows fast! All those years commercials has been saying that their products do just that, in return, my hair was still dry and damaged. Other than chemical free hair, with all the benefits mentioned above, who would not want that? 

My Experience

THE FIRST 24 HOURS:
     Prior to starting, I started showering my hair every other day. This allowed my hair to have a break in between my shampoo usage days. I did this for about 6 months, then school ended. This takes us to last Saturday,(6/14/15); when I started. I made a replacement shampoo consisting of essential oils, water, honey, grape seed extract, vitamin E oil, jojoba & Castor oil, and pure Castile soap. I will have a recipe soon posted up, here (in the next few days). The reason I did not create the usual baking soda and vinegar is because of the PH... and the smell. I went researching and created my own formula for the balanced PH shampoo. With the correct PH, the transition period for your natural oils to get into the groove would take a quicker amount of time versus the baking soda and vinegar would. 
  After I heated the ingredients together and poured it into a container, I took a shower and scrubbed my scalp for a good 3-5 minutes. When I washed it all out, I noticed my hair was not as soft and smooth and at that moment I knew that my hair would be a pain to brush. That theory was correct, I put my brush into my hair and, well, it did not move an inch. If the next couple of weeks turned out like the first day, I would have quit. I did not use any conditioner since I could not find a good recipe. In a quick panic, I went to Pinterest to find a detangler. Aloe Vera juice and ACV was my answer. I poured a little of each into my hands and soaked it into my snarls. Within minutes, I was able to comb through! I woke up and my hair was feeling...healthy! It did not have the usual greasy or dry feeling to it. It was balanced, not too dry and not to greasy. I made a detangler spray of one part aloe vera and one part ACV with essential oils that assist and improve the health of your hair, the recipe for this will also come within the next few days! 

DAY 2
My hair was not greasy... at all! Still felt nice and healthy. Did not wash it, I let the natural oils do its thing for day 2.

DAY 3
Washed it. Still no grease... My theory is that the 6 months of washing it every other day and the balanced PH, helped shortened/ rid of my transition period.

DAY 4 and 5
No grease, neither did I wash it. I put my hair up into a ponytail to get my hair out of my face.    

DAY 6

I washed it the night before, grease has made an appearance today. I'm happy the natural oils have started to give in! I made a dry shampoo to help with the grease, cocoa powder and arrowroot powder. I will post a recipe for this soon.

NOTE:

I will have a week 2 coming next week, if you have any questions, feels free to ask. 

BELOW:

These are pictures of my hair on the days after I showered my hair. You can how my curls are starting to show more at the root and that my curls are more, curlier! 

Sorry for the lighting change, I tried to take them at the same time of day, but it did not work out so well. 

Day 1

Day 3

Day 6

Juicing Cleanse For Maximum Health

     This may have been the most challenging thing I have tried yet, but a wise man once said, ¨to achieve great things, one must do hard work.¨ This quote has  been stuck in my head for the past four days. Through my cravings and times of almost giving up. Believe me when I say this, juicing is the best thing that has ever happened to me, it just takes all lot of self motivation to succeed; like most things in life. I am happy and energized more than ever before. I will definitely do this in the future. 

UPDATE: I did five days of this cleanse, on the fifth day my body was not for liquid, so I had to stop. I do try to drink a juice every day though.    

 DAY 1: 

     The day that was the hardest. Cravings. Tired. Angry. Emotional. This day was the day I had to push through, almost quitting.  On day 1? Who in what mind would quit with a great opportunity like this is what I kept repeating in my head. I would get up and walk to the pantry grabbing the bag of pretzels and just smell the heaven like twists for five minutes.  I was not hungry, just bored and wanted to chew on food. If you watched Fat Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix, you may remember him saying that he could not even watch TV because of all the food that showed up on it, well that is day 1.

DAY 2:

     Everything subsided. I was still having the cravings, still tired, but most of all; I knew I was doing good for my body.  My brother made pizza and I really wanted to eat it. The smell filled the room with the aroma of cheese and black olives. Wonderful. I just kept on my day and drank my juice. This is healthier.  

DAY 3:

     I took a detox bath with lavender essential oil, Epsom salt, and my book. My cravings for junk food have subsided even more, reaching a 3/10. Being able to drink my juice while everyone else was eating their blueberry pie.  This juicing was getting easier and my mood, happier.

DAY 4: 

    The day everything changed for the better. My cravings for junk food stopped. In fact, what would have been eating out of boredom, I made a healthy recipe book. I am more energetic and overall happy with life. I felt the need to do things instead of laying around and procrastinating all day. For example, this post, I wrote this and filmed a YouTube video. I can not wait to see what the next five day have in store for me. If you are considering doing this... DO IT! You will love it. 

TIPS

• Drink lots of water! This will help you get a kick start with your cleanse,and your headaches will not occur (some people get them during the cleanse) if you are fully hydrated. 
• You will be tired so pick out plenty of movies for a lazy day.
• Start this on a weekend. (If you work or have school.) You will not be your best for the first couple of days because of the detoxification that you are going through, so take a couple days off.
• Drink ginger tea every morning, it will give you warmth from all the cold drinks you will be drinking.

Questions

• What is the difference between juicing and smoothies?

Smoothies have the fibers in it from the fruit and vegetables where as the juicer gets rid of the fibers, giving your digestive system a break.

• How long should I juice?

You can juice for as long as you want. Some range from seven day to 10 or 40 to 60 days.  I did 5 and that was all my body needed.  If this is your first time, depending on your health, I would do a ten day detox.

• What do you get out of this Juicing cleanse? 

You rid of eating out of boredom, excess weight, and healthier choices.

• When is a good time to do the cleanse?

It is best to juice in a warmer season like Summer because of the cold you are placing into your body. With the warmth from the weather, this will balance your body. As to when a good time to start? If you are feeling unmotivated health food wise or lack of exercise, by the time you have finished this, you will be fully motivated.