Cold weather essentials

It's that time again! cold and dry weather- thank you Cali! I've already been feeling this season change, affect my skin and hair.  I remember last year my face was dry and  breaking out and nothing was helping so this year I decided to get a head start.   So here are a few essentials I can't live without:

Caudalie Huile Divine - Love this product! Multi-use for hair, body and face.  I mainly use it for my face twice a day it gives me a glow and evens my skin tone.  Keeps face moist but I STILL moisturize.
Aquaphor - can be used on skin I use it for my lips
Shea Butter foot cream - never really used foot creams before but I received this from my pageant days and now I love it because it really gets rid of dry and calloused feet without a greasy feeling
SachaJuan over night hair repair - this product smells amazing and I apply to my ends at night to help with breakage from this dry weather
Neutrogena body oil - can you say heaven? I apply after I shower and sometimes will mix it with my body lotion.  Make your entire body glow with this!
Sally Hansen nails and cuticle cream -  I get embarrassed to show my hands when I have cracked skin especially if you wash your hands constantly like me.  this product is a life saver it soaks into your skin and lasts all day

xo
M

Jewel Tat obsession

Since I'm afraid of the real deal I get my dose of Jewel Tats! Temporary tattoos to spice up my style.  Reminds me when I was 8 years old - stick tattoo face down, soak with wet towel, and peel, tada! They last for a week and I'm just loving these metallics <3   You can purchase them at www.jeweltats.com

lace and leather

More pics from yesterday's outfit.  I was wearing an actual dress (knee length) with lace details at the bottom, not a dress shirt, and accessorized it with a leather belt.  My favorite combination is lace and leather! You get both, a feminine and masculine touch :)
xo,
M

No Lipstick Zone - Perricone MD

All I ever wanted in a lipstick/lip balm is to mimic the natural color of my lips and keep it moist.  I came across this product formulated by Perricone MD called No Lipstick Lipstick and its exactly what I've been looking for!  It has many perks to it other than just a lip balm and it was perfect for summer because it kept my lips hydrated and also includes SPF.  Most importantly it contains no chemicals and it's anti aging.  I noticed a difference within a few weeks of using this product that it keeps my lips soft, non flaky, and plump, due to the ingredient in there that targets the appearance of lip lines. 

xo
M

muahhh

Yesterday

Exactly a year ago I started my blog to share my journey to optimal health and now this… I cannot stress how important the immune system is to your health!  I thought I was doing great until I had a few different incidences back in February and June.   My doctor warned me about this a year ago and I was too stubborn to do anything about it because I didn’t see it coming.  It’s so interesting the way the human body reacts to any infection or a virus entered into your system.  As it tries to protect and heal itself first which is why we come across symptoms, it needs a strong immune support to combat these toxins.  There’s not enough amount of antibiotics to kill and destroy ONLY harmful agents in your body if it’s severe enough.  Because I take a very holistic approach towards my health sometimes it gets the best of me when I’m faced with obstacles that I fear.  IV ozone therapy is a treatment that destroys all pathogens and doesn’t harm the good cells and antioxidants.  Any form of bacteria, infection, parasites, toxins and so forth cannot live in purified oxygen therefore the healthy cells don’t get destroyed in this process.  This treatment is not as simple as just popping antibiotic pills but I would much rather keep my good cells from being destroyed because that’s so crucial for your immune system and the reason why I’m in a recurring cycle of being sick.  A lesson I learned from this is to be proactive and to face my challenges and live life to the fullest with health! Fear and challenges is not to make me bitter, but gives me a different look on how precious life is. 

 

healthy living

xo

M

Dry Brush to Detox Inside and Out

Dry Brushing - What I like to call outside detox for the skin! Since I’m all about getting rid of toxins inside and out dry brushing is so beneficial to your body as a whole.  It gives your skin a nice complexion and also stimulates organs in your body and circulates blood flow.  Let’s just say your skin does not get the attention it needs therefore dry brushing gives it a wakeup call.  I prefer to dry brush in the morning because it gives me energy and then I jump in the shower after.  At first I was a bit harsh on my skin but there is no need for that, it still does its job with gentle strokes starting from your ankles brushing up towards your heart.  Because dry brushing awakens your inner beauty as well it’s also useful to manage bloating because it helps get rid of the excess water and toxin build up from the bloat.  (For ladies that have to deal with this once every month its a life saver!)

Happy dry brushing

M

Dry Brushing Guide

Instant hydration facial mist!

With summer around the corner keep your skin refreshed and alive! Here is an alcohol free, organic facial mist you can make at home:

A few drops of vitamin E for moisture mixed with coconut water for hydration and you can also throw in your favorite antioxidant fruits and tadah! I try to stay away from citrus fruits because it goes directly on my face but its a beneficial use of vitamin C. I love chopped cucumbers and berries to go in mine.  You can also blend and extract the water of such antioxidants and include that in your mist.  It instantly refreshes your skin and wakes you up, also can be used on your body.

Most facial mists contain water and that tends to dry your skin therefore my preference is coconut water and the vitamin E will help balance the skin's moisture level which makes a good combination for the skin.  Vitamin E is also used to help preserve the life of the antioxidants in your homemade bottle just make sure to keep it cool in the fridge at all times. 

xO,
M

Homemade Facial Mist

Say NO to plastics!

What is BPA anyway?  Bisphenol A aka BPA. I believe the FDA just banned this chemical that has been used in plastic packaging and what not but I wanted to share this tad bit of information because most people might not be aware of this.  It has not yet been confirmed but BPA can have possible effects on the brain, hormones, heart problems, and increase risk of cancer.  We are said to have a lot of BPA in our bodies right now due to the accumulation of using plastic containers that we eat or drink from and even inhale!  If you think about it, almost everything includes the use of plastic, and this chemical! Although most companies are now stating their products are "BPA Free" the replacement of this chemical may still have the same affects as BPA if not worse. 

Here are some tips to combat this if you must use plastic:

- Don't heat your food in a plastic container
- Use less canned foods or package products
- Avoid plastic with number 3, 7, or 2, and 4 recycle codes

Last but not least avoid ALL plastics if you can of course, you will not be consuming BPA if you use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel.

Xo

Juice it or Blend it?!

That is the question! Ok so I had to get to the bottom of this since its such a trend right now and only because I am curious and would like to do things the right way if I'm going to do it.  I see this all the time, where juiced or blended fruits, and veggies are suppose to be of some health benefit to you.  Whether you want to lose weight cleanse your system or just get your nutrition in a bottle.  After much research, both are beneficial to the human body in their unique way! Juicing removes indigestible fiber from fruit and vegetables and extracts the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in juice form.  This helps absorb the nutrients faster into our bloodstream leaving the fiber out and helps cleanse our liver. Blending however includes all fiber and nutrients from the fruit and vegetables.  By preserving the fibers, blended drinks help the digestive track by pushing out toxins and leaving you with the good bacteria in our gut needed for a healthy and regular digestion.  There is still debate whether some blenders create too much heat and destroy the enzymes however some researchers have found that to be the opposite! Regardless, I invested in a cold press juicer and a good quality blender.  To get the most benefit out of this I juice on an empty stomach, usually in the mornings and blend when I need something hearty during meal time. (My book coming out soon will give details on how to prepare nutritional food to help shed pounds, get rid of toxins in your body and support a healthy digestion system)

 

Xo,

healthy living

M

Cleanse and exfoliate!

Currently my two favorite products I use that brings back life into my face are:



Vibrating Cleanser



Microdermabrasion Scrub

 I apply a dime size of the derma e microdermabrasion scrub on the foaming pad (disposable) that is attached to the wave then I gently massage over my damp face.  I make sure my face and the foaming pad is somewhat wet to activate product.  Immediately after you rinse your face you will feel a difference.  The texture of your skin will be soft and smooth as it scrubs away dull surface cells.  Applying foundation afterwards (which I don't recommend) gives you a flawless airbrushed look.

xo
M

Hello deep REM sleep Zzz

The most favorite part of my bedroom is my bed! Starting off with my pillow... I always was very picky about where my head would rest as a child. Over the past couple years I don't even put my head against a pillow anymore I just sleep resting my head flat on my bed.  Of course that resulted into having a sore neck in the morning and poor sleep.  After a few pillows later I realized which works best for me.  I've narrowed my search down to the "natural latex pillow"  its extremely comfortable and flexible. I use the shredded version which is literally shredded latex. You can shape it however you want and make it as firm as you want.  Although natural latex absorbs moisture its hypoallergenic and anti-microbial which prevents mold and mildew.  My second favorite is the kapok pillow it reminds me of goose feathers. The fibers come from a tree that gives it a silk like feeling and keeps away moisture.  If you are more old fashioned organic pure wool is another good pillow to rest your head.  Again, you will get a dry sleep it locks heat yet keeps away moisture something you can use all year round summer and winter. It keeps your head cool which means less tossing and turning and more sleep!  All my pillows and bedding have been purchased online for organic purposes. 

My Crest bright white smile

My ritual of getting a white smile consists of two to three products over the counter. You can use two of the three it just depends on  how proactive you want to be and the results you are seeking.  First off I stick to a soft brush and Crest products. 

Products:

Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothpaste
Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse
Crest 3D White-strips

All three products used together will give you the best results

At first I put my toothpaste on my toothbrush (my next blog post will be details on my toothbrush - yes my toothbrush needs a blog post of its own) and brush my teeth with NO water.  This is the trick, and I repeat NO water.  Its like polishing your teeth kind of like what they do when you get a cleaning at your dentist office.  Takes a while to get use to if you brush with water.  I rinse my mouth after I dry brush my teeth and then I use the Whitening Rinse which does magic! I love this product.  If I had to choose one of the three it would definitely be the mouthwash- it even kills bad breath!  I use the white-strips from time to time if I need extra oomph. 

Love this product!

My homemade antibiotic

I no longer take prescribed antibiotics unless its a deadly must! I mix my own homemade remedies and here are my ingredients:

Garlic - a must! ( I put 3 cloves)
1 Lemon
Oregano oil
Black walnut hull - can be purchased as powder or oil
Ginger - blended to almost watery like form (2 tbsp.)
Honey
Peppermint
Olive leaf extract
Echinacea- I purchase this as tea bag

Happy healthy system!
M

Best way to get rid of a cold or flu is to prevent it!

It's that time of year again where everyone around you is sick and even your next door neighbor is offering you a flu shot. I never got a flu shot and I plan to keep it that way for the rest of my life.  However, I have learned that I need to maintain a healthy immune system all year round to avoid getting any kind of virus.  The most common cause of a flu or cold is viruses and getting antibiotics when you have a virus is not going to help you kill it nor will it make you get better any faster.  Antibiotics should only be used to treat a bacterial infection it does not cure a virus unfortunately.  The first 48 hours is crucial to control and reduce the length of your cold and symptoms therefore you can try home remedies as soon as you feel any symptoms. Trick is to boost your immune system and make it stronger. Here are a few home remedies:

One of my favorite remedies is vitamin C as we all know- but you want to make sure you get the correct amount.  Daily dose of vitamin c should be 4,000 mg a day but when your body is in stress it can double or triple that amount needed. 

Drink lots of fluids and Echinacea tea or green tea helps decongestion and can shorten length of cold.

Eat potassium rich foods and garlic :)

Vitamin B and D - D3 to be more specific helps immunity

Probiotics - for the long run will help you prevent a cold as well

Rest - sleep


Only reason I would visit a doctor is to make sure my vitamin dosages are in tact which will help your immune system.  And no, being exposed to cold temperature will not get you "sick" as every mother might think or say :)

xo
M

Benefits of Sea Salt

Believe it or not sea salt is very good for your health and majority of people are lacking this mineral.  It helps the immune system and digestive system therefore it can also aid in weight loss and prevent a cold.  Sea salt contains essential minerals that regular iodized salt does not have because it is not processed or harmful since its naturally obtained from the sea.  I like to have a lot of the things I eat to be salted for flavor but I'm glad I have a healthy substitute now which my body needs. I myself lack this mineral and aside from taking this mineral as a pill I try to get it through food.  One of my favorite snacks to munch on is roasted seaweed which contains light sea salt but still does the job when I have a hectic day.  I love seaweed in general but I love to grab this as a snack throughout my day.  It's very low in calories and does not contain gluten or msg-- totally vegan!

Save the tata's

The month of October is the national breast cancer awareness month. But why stop there to increase awareness? I've provided a link below to a website that will educate you on how to help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Take a proactive approach and increase your breast health with holistic eastern and western remedies and techniques. The site provides the best self education you need to know about your tata's! 

Spread the site! 

Www.breasthealthproject.com Www.breasthealthproject.com

The "healthy Hair" tie

These are my favorite hair ties by far!  Very gentle on your hair and does not crease or pull your hair.  These do the job without any strain or tightness to your head or hair and it wont damage or break your hair either.  Because they are made of elastic its so comfortable that it doesn't even feel like your hair is in a ponytail.  These ribbons even look pretty on your wrist and it isn't so tight where it's suffocating your wrist.  These can easily be made at home by purchasing an elastic ribbon and tying it in a knot. Also if you have really thick hair the ribbons stretch and WILL hold your hair tied. You can purchase this goodness at Sephora.

Sweet Summer Salad

Since I have to avoid lemon and lime and don't want heavy salad dressing I've started to become more creative with my food.  :)  Here is my substitution to salad dressing... I combined arugula, feta cheese, and watermelon! Yes, watermelon!  Those are not tomatoes.  I leave it in the fridge over night so the watermelon can absorb and become watery, like dressing.  I'm very picky about my food I hate mixing sweet/sugar with anything I eat but this is not so bad. Besides its very quick and easy!


My hair care regime

The quest for envious hair lies between being healthy inside and out, a combination of both internal vitamins and hair care regime to nurture your locks.  And yes, you know I am going to make this organic and take it back to some heritage roots.  Here we go with a breakdown for thicker longer hair.  I will first start off with products – shampoo, conditioner, and treatments.  What you should avoid are harsh sulfates, ammonium, and paraben in your hair care products.  My favorite is called hair gear all of their products are great!  You can find them at most beauty supplies or Amazon.  If you have breakage use a protein treatment at least once a week to reduce your hair breaking off.  Chemicals that are not good for your hair cause dryness and breakage it slowly strips your hair making it thinner.  If your hair is breaking at the same rate it grows you obviously will see no results of your hair growing.  Breakage can also comes from your hair being dry so if you add a treatment to your routine after shampoo to moisturize/condition your hair it can avoid dryness.  Dryness equals breakage equals not seeing growth and strong hair.  So this is just the hair itself that needs to be taken care of therefore aside from being in a good nutritional state there are a few vitamins I take to help with my hair growth and fullness.  Biotin being the first, I take 1 pill in the morning which is 5,000 mcg.  I’ve seen the most results with MSM (2,000 mcg per day) which lengthens the growth phase of your hair. I also take a B complex and silica.  These not only help your hair but also reduce wrinkles clear your skin and good for nail growth as well!

Now for an organic approach for hair treatments:

These have helped me a lot when I bleached my hair in a very short period of time to get the lightest blonde from black hair.  My hair was fried! It was very brittle, thin, and short.  You can also use this as a protein treatment for your hair. 

Blend (in a blender) shampoo, egg yolks, castor oil, and onions (I promise it does not make your hair smell).  Castor oil can be very sticky and greasy on the hair so you want to make sure you have enough shampoo to aid in the oily-ness.  You can even blend this with your protein treatment just make sure your shampoo or protein treatment contains more product than the castor oil.  Throw that in with 2 egg yolks, and half chopped onions.  Once blended, apply to your hair, wrap it with a plastic bag and let it dry until your hair is stiff. Then rinse it out in the shower and moisturize after! I did this once a week or every time I washed my hair when I was blonde.  I’m being lazy now with dark hair J but this would give my hair volume and thickness- kind of functions as a protein treatment with natural products though. 

Garlic treatment

Don’t stop quite yet! Crush a couple garlic cloves in your conditioner and apply to your hair wrap it with a plastic bag and leave on for 1 hour.  This is another treatment to help with hair loss. 

Try these all together for one month you will definitely see a difference in your hair!

Oh! Don’t forget satin pillow case is the best way to go!

New Celine shades

My new favorite sunglasses! I promised my blog would be about health and fitness but I had to throw some fashion into it!  Especially the struggle I went through to find these sunglasses I just had to share!  I've searched everywhere for them until I finally found them at Bergdorf Goodman while I was visiting my sister in New York.  After checking the huge department stores and Celine, Bergdorf had these shades while everywhere else was telling me they are sold out and don't carry them anymore.  I love huge shades that protect my eyes and try to stay away from dark lenses in the summer.  These gold/brown shades were perfect for my trip to Miami.  

These are Celine style number CL 41808/S