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2. Amazingly Good. Wonderful.

Food, Inspire-Me, Wellbeing

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Spring into Spring

spring_detox-2Visualise hitting the reset button this minute. Visualise feeling renewed, refreshed and revitalised today.
Get ready for a new beginning, a fresh start.
Are you ready to shift that weight?
Are you fed up with having dull, uneven, blotchy skin?
Are you sick of feeling tired, bloated, and blah?
Are you ready to feel amazing RIGHT NOW?
MY 10 Day Slim Down Detox will be out soon to sign up too… Over 60 Recipes, A Shopping list, Email Support, Meal Plans and much more
!

 

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Spicy Avocado Deviled Eggs

20130804_HOPE_ALT_DEVILED_EGGS_SAweb

Spicy Avocado Deviled Eggs

Makes 24 deviled eggs

Ingredients:

12 hard-boiled eggs

1 avocado

¼ cup Greek yogurt

Juice from 1 lime

½ tsp pepper ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp cayenne ¼ tsp chili powder

Paprika

Directions:

Slice each hard-boiled egg in half lengthwise and very carefully scoop out the yolk.

Place the yolks in a bowl, and then peel and chop the avocado. Add it to the bowl with the yolks, then add the rest of the ingredients except for the garnish.

Use a fork to mix everything together until it is well combined and has a thick consistency.

Fill a piping bag or a baggy with a corner snipped off with the filling. Carefully fill each egg with the filling. 5. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika Do you have a healthier deviled egg recipe that you love? Share your comments below..

 

 

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The perfect polish

liz earle

I love the Liz Earle cleanse and polish. I am almost finished and definitely will be stocking up on more.  The consistency of the creamy cleanser is luxurious, and it’s effectiveness is incredible. It removes face and eye make without irritating and my skin is super soft and smooth.  “The plant based cleanser has a two-phase action. Phase one is the cleansing. Free from mineral oil, it has a rich and creamy texture and swiftly removes all traces of face and eye make up, even stubborn mascara.  Phase two is the polishing. Polish off the cream using the pure muslin cloth to gently dislodge dead skin cells and help reveal clean, soft and radiant skin.” A staple beauty essential ;-)

 

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7 Habits of highly healthy people

stock-footage-fall-woman-happy-throwing-autumn-leaves-having-fun-laughing-in-beautiful-colorful-forest-foliageWhether you’re making a belated New Year’s Resolution or setting goals for the week ahead, improving your health is probably on your radar. We all know that making perfectly healthy choices isn’t easy or possible 100% of the time. There always seems to be some special circumstance or distraction that takes the focus away from our health, and the “I’ll start tomorrow” mentality is all too common.However, leading a more a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean dramatically overhauling your routine—it can easily be incorporated into your everyday life by taking small yet significant  steps toward creating better habits. Healthy living is a choice  that will make you feel and look better, and the best part about it is that it’s accessible to everyone.  For me, incorporating these seven healthy habits into my day-to-day life makes me a better friend, family member, co-worker, and participant of life. Perhaps the most important part of sticking to healthy habits is to remember that it’s okay to not be perfect! For me, I know that I don’t stick to all 7 of these habits all of the time, but finding balance is what helps me stay healthy, full of energy, and loving life!  To kick off a healthier, happier you, try incorporating these seven habits into your life:

1. Plan Ahead: On Sunday evenings I try to think about what’s happening in the coming days. If I have plans with friends after work, I know that I probably don’t need a home-cooked meal that night, and I’ll plan a morning workout.  For nights that I don’t have plans after work, I’ll try to fit in a yoga class followed by dinner at home.  You never know what your palate might be craving on a given night, but give meal planning a try. By planning meals ahead of time, I know that I won’t be wasting time going to the grocery store each time I need to cook.  Stock up on some of these healthy staples and try cooking big batches so you can have your leftovers for a couple of days.

2. Drink Water: Water makes up to nearly 75% of our body weight! Staying hydrated helps with alertness, appetite control, and fatigue, and will make your skin glow.  As someone who likes to exercise and gets dehydrated easily, I have to be extra conscious that I am getting enough water. On the weekends when I’m out shopping or running errands, I always carry a water bottle around in my purse, and during the work week I keep a huge glass full of H20 on my desk at all times

3. Move Your Body: A fact is a fact. Healthy people exercise regularly. Find a program that works best and feels best for your body.  Whether it’s a leisurely walk or a vigorous class, any movement is better than no movement. I like to work out 4-6 times per week, and try to mix up the types of workouts, from teaching spinning to taking calm yoga classes.  Not a fan of an exercise? Find a walking buddy and commit to taking a stroll together a few times a week so that you’ll be held accountable. And next time you have the choice between the stairs or elevator, take the stairs. Small modifications like this or parking a little bit farther away from the store can make a difference!

4. Sleep: Getting enough high-quality ZZZ’s, ones that aren’t interrupted by a buzzing phone or an LED screen, is a crucial healthy life habit. Not only does cuddling up in your comforter feel good, but the health benefits are endless.  Aim for about 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night. This simple change could result in better memory, weight management, a longer life, and lower stress. I really struggle with sleeping through the night, so I monitor my sleep patterns to see what’s affecting me and try to make adjustments so I get a full night’s sleep.

5. Eat Well:  Experience the rainbow – of fruits and veggies! I truly believe that what you put in your body is what you’re going to get out. Add more nutrient-dense foods like dark leafy greens, healthy whole grains, and vibrantly colored fruits, and you’re going to get a vivacious, energetic, happy person.  Think quality not quantity here, and don’t focus on calories.  If you’re feeding yourself wholesome food your body will know when to start and stop.

6. Cultivate Your Relationships: Studies have shown that people who engage with others socially and have close friendships are likely to have better cognitive health than those who feel socially isolated. I make my relationships a priority by setting time aside each week to connect with the people that I love. If I can’t see someone in person, I pick up the phone, write an email or a text message, or send a hand written note. 

7. Know Thyself: The only person who knows what’s best for you is you.  Make your daily decisions and choices to accommodate your lifestyle and needs, not the desires of others. By choosing healthy habits and making decisions based on your personality and what makes you happy, you’re more likely to turn an attempt at health into a full-time lifestyle change.   What healthy habits do you practice? Share in the comments below! By Integrative Nutrition

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Have you tried incorporating tea into your beauty routine?

herbal-teaDid you know that tea can provide the same beauty benefits, if not even better results, than commercial beauty products, without any of the harmful chemicals? From a clear complexion to glistening hair, the results from incorporating tea into your beauty routine are significant. Try adding these 5 powerful teas to your skin- and hair-care routine:

HIBISCUS TEA For Skin: Hibiscus tea is a wonderful all-around anti-aging product. It is rich in anthocyanosides and vitamin C, both of which are powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from UV damage, reduce pore size, increases skin elasticity, and reduce skin inflammation. Hibiscus also contains natural hydroxy acids that help firm, soften, and brighten the skin. Plus, hibiscus is rich in mucilage polysaccharides, which moisturize the skin and form a protective barrier to keep skin healthy. Use a cotton ball to apply the tea on your face, or pour the tea in a spray bottle and spritz onto your skin morning and night after washing and before moisturizing for the best anti-aging results. Leftover tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. For Hair: The natural hydroxy acids in hibiscus tea reduce dandruff and scalp irritation, and the mucilage polysaccharide content moisturizes hair and reduces tangles. This tea has a strong red-purple hue that can add beautiful red highlights to dark hair–however, be aware that it that can stain blonde or gray hair, so fair-haired ladies should be careful. To reap the benefits of hibiscus, pour a cupful of on your hair after washing and conditioning, and rinse out if you don’t want highlights. If you want reddish highlights, make an extra strong cup of tea by using three or four tea bags per cup of water, then leave the tea in your hair and style as usual. It may take several weeks of consistent use for the highlights to appear. CHAMOMILE TEA For Skin: Chamomile tea is perfect for all skin types. It calms the skin, reduces redness, balances the skin’s oils, has antibacterial properties that reduce acne, and it may reduce the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Apply the tea with a cotton ball or spritz onto your face using a spray bottle after cleaning and before moisturizing morning and night. Leftover tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. For Hair: Chamomile tea brings out subtle golden blonde highlights in blonde, redand brown hair. To use, make an extra strong tea by using three tea bags per cup of water. Pour a cupful of chamomile tea over your hair after washing and conditioning. Leave the tea in your hair for the best results. It generally takes a few weeks of consistent use to see results. GREEN TEA For Skin: Green tea is a perfect toner for oily skin. It reduces excess oils and helps dissolve blackheads. Another benefit of green tea for all skin types is that it is rich in polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that can reduce UV damage to the skin. Apply to your skin morning and night if you have oily skin, and in the morning only if you have normal or dry skin. Leftover tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. For Hair: If you have oily hair, rinse your hair with a cupful of green tea after washing and conditioning to help reduce the oils on your scalp. Rinse the tea out for the best results. You can also do a green tea hair rinse between washings to freshen your hair and reduce scalp oils, without drying out your hair. ROSE TEA For Skin: Rose tea is wonderful for all skin types, and it is gentle enough for those with extremely sensitive skin. It calms and soothes the skin and reduces redness, and is an excellent moisturizer, making the skin feel soft and smooth. Rose tea also has antibacterial properties, which can be helpful for reducing acne and rosacea. For Hair: Rose makes an excellent clarifying and moisturizing hair rinse. It also smells delightful. Pour a cupful of rose tea in your hair after washing and conditioning to moisturize and detangle, to reduce dandruff, and to add shine and bounce to your hair. For best results, do not rinse the tea out of your hair. BLACK TEA For Skin: Black tea is rich in antioxidants and high in caffeine. The antioxidants help prevent UV damage and the caffeine helps reduce redness in the skin and puffiness under the eyes. Use a cotton ball to apply the tea on your face or pour the tea in a spray bottle and spritz your face after cleansing and before moisturizing for a quick pick-me-up that leaves your face feeling and looking refreshed. For Hair: The caffeine in black tea stimulates the scalp, which can reduce hair loss. Black tea also adds a beautiful shine to hair, and its dark pigmentation make it a natural hair dye. To darken your hair with black tea, make an extra strong brew by adding four tea bags to a cup of water. Pour the tea in your hair after washing and conditioning, and let sit for 45 minutes before rinsing out–or don’t rinse at all. It may take several weeks of continued use to see full results. By Integrative Nutrition

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Juice Plus

 

Benefits Juice Plus.jpg.opt308x297o0,0s308x297There is no substitute for eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, at least 7-13 servings every day. But if you’re like most people, you don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables or enough variety. And those fruits and vegetables that we do eat tend to be over processed, over-cooked, or too far removed from the field. That’s why there’s Juice Plus+. It’s a convenient, affordable, and natural whole food based nutritional product providing nutrition from 17 vegetables, fruits, and grains.  Juice Plus+ is not a vitamin supplement, providing a limited number of handpicked nutrients. Juice Plus+ is a whole food based product providing the wide array of nutrients found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. It’s the next best thing to fruits and vegetables…because we don’t get nearly enough of the real thing every day.  I have been taking Juice Plus for several years now, and there is no turning back.  It delivers everything it promises, and I recommend to anyone who wants to optimise their overall beauty,  health and well-being.