Ashfab

Fabulous
1. Extraordinary
2. Amazingly Good. Wonderful.

Beauty, Food

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My Best Beauty Foods this Spring

instant-fairness

Sprouts: Full of enzymes, and easily digestable sources of anti-ageing nutritents.  From broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, to bean sprouts these all boost nutrient absorption contributing to overall beauty health.

Strawberries: These anti-imflammatory berries increase the anti-oxidant capacity of your blood, defending from stress and signs of ageing as well as boosting collagan production.

Spinach: Is packed of Vitamin A which helps with skin cell-turn over and give you a natural glow.  Also supports cell renewal and repair which is essential for a youthful complexion.

Coconut: Cosumed by eating or drinking this fruit, it is bursitng with beauty benefits. It supports a healthy electrolyte balance which contributes to gorgeous hair, skin and nails.

Asparagus: A powerful anti-oxidant that is full of iron, B, & folate which is important for cell repair.  The more you eat the higher your glutathionen leves increase which can help you feel and look amazing.

 

 

 

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Pretty Peel off Polishes

PEELOFF

What they say: Little BU® is a water-based, wash-off nail polish that is safe for kids. The trendy shades have been created with a non-toxic formula for girls who like to express their creativity and accessorize with a touch of colour.

What I say: I love these four fresh new shades from Little BU®. The polishes are perfect for lil fashionistas but also great for pregnant women, as they are odourless, non-toxic, not tested on animals and vegan.  After applying 2 coats of the polish ( AVA) and blowdrying for 30 seconds,  I was left with gorgeous bright blue finish.   Once I was ready to try another shade (Georgina), I simply scrubed it off with soap and water and couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was.  These mini polishes make the perfect gift for my nieces and friends with little girls.

 

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MY Favourite Fabulous Heathy Snacks

1) Hummus and Carrot Sticks: Hummus is a great source of plant protein and inflammation-busting phytonutrients which also improves digestion, and reduces blood cholesterol levels.  Carrots are immune boosting and great for your vision.

2) Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts: The yogurt provides plenty of protein, calcium, and live active cultures, while the walnuts adds a dose of vitamin A.

3) Chopped Apple and Organic Peanut Butter: So simple but satisfying this is quick and easy and is also a great balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

4) Chia Seed Pudding: Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are filling and improve the digestion. This will give you loads of energy and also curb cravings for sweet things.

5) Avocado Matcha Smoothie: The matcha provides an antioxidant and metabolic boost.  Avocado is a great source of protein and healthy fat that actually contributes to weight loss.

 

 

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Get your Glow on

CREME DE LA MER SELF TAN

What they say: The Gradual Tan Face and Body absorbs quickly for an even, perfectly natural-looking glow with no streaks for a year-round radiance.

What I say: OMG I love this stuff!  Its like Bahamas in a bottle! The gradual tan is absolutely fantastic, giving an even tan of good natural colour, my skin was glowing and looked healthier after only a couple of uses.  It glides on easily, smells divine and is super hydrating! Hands down my favourite go-to self tan product. Infused with the miracle broth, which is anti-ageing , you definitely get what you pay for and a little goes a long way.

 

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7 Fabulous Things about Mangosteen

Blog post thumbnailYou may have heard of it on Dr. Oz, or seen it as a juice in vitamin stores, or maybe you’ve never heard the word “mangosteen” before in your life. Either way, if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a real treat.

Mangosteen is a fruit native to Southeast Asia that looks like a cartoonish plum with a leafy green cap, which reveals a creamy white pulp when cut open. The pulp is full of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and a plethora of antioxidants, including xanthones, which are presently being studied for their ability to halt cancer cell growth.

While this fruit makes it onto many superfood lists, its nutritional value isn’t the only interesting things about it! I bet you didn’t know these 7 facts about mangosteen:

  1. Mangosteen needs lots of TLC: Originating in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, the mangosteen is a sensitive fruit that only flourishes in highly tropical, humid climates. Other tropical countries have since begun cultivating it, but the plants are very high-maintenance. For example, young mangosteen trees have incredibly weak roots, and the seed takes anywhere from 8 to 10 years to mature into a fruit-bearing tree! All the more reason to give thanks when you finally get your hands on one.
  2. Mangosteen is called the Unicorn of Fruit: With a rich, purple peel and gleaming white pulp, the mangosteen looks like it was drawn as part of a mythical fairy tale. Despite its appearance, what gives the fruit its moniker is the fact that it’s nearly impossible to find due to its persnickety growth requirements as well as a USDA ban on Asian imports due to concern over tropical pests being transported with the fruit.
  3. It can be tough to find Forbidden Fruit: The strict growing requirements and USDA ban make mangosteen tough to get your hands on, so in the US, you’ll likely only find fresh mangosteen in Asian markets, particularly your city’s Chinatown. This may be changing soon, though, as the USDA recently decided it will allow imports of Asian fruit, as long as they’re irradiated. I personally still haven’t seen it in stores, but be on the lookout! So for now, your best bet is to head to Chinatown, where you’ll likely find mangosteen grown in Canada, which doesn’t pose a threat of tropical pests (and doesn’t have to be irradiated). However, you’ll hear many mangosteen enthusiasts, who have tasted the “real thing” in Southeast Asia, complain about the inferior quality of Chinatown mangosteens. It makes sense, since Canada doesn’t exactly have the ideal growing conditions for the fickle plant. You may be lucky, and find some grown in Puerto Rico or Florida. If you do get your hands on a fresh one, here are some great tips for picking and opening them!
  4. Mangosteen comes in many forms: If you don’t have a ticket to Thailand or live near a Chinatown, you can still get a dose of mangosteen. You will often find it in health food stores as powder, or in vitamin stores as juice. I highly recommend the powder over the juice, as powders are made from the dried and ground fruit, which typically retain more nutrients than the highly processed and pasteurized juices which can have additives, be higher in sugar, and sit on store shelves for ages.
  5. Mangosteen can be eaten whole: Despite a firm encasing protecting the white segmented fruit, the whole mangosteen, including the rind, can be consumed for its beneficial nutrients. Traditionally, the rind was used to make a healing tea, and is now often used in juices. Note that if you do make a juice from the rind, you will likely want to add other ingredients, like carrots or sweet fruit, as the taste can be quite sour and astringent.
  6. Mangosteen may solve your skin woes: When used topically, studies show that mangosteen is effective in treating acne. The nutritional composition of mangosteen inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, particularly those associated with acne. Additionally, folk healers have traditionally made a salve of mangosteen to treat eczema or cuts.
  7. Mangosteen may be part of an effective future cancer treatment: While there are not enough studies done on mangosteen to provide conclusive results, there are a few promising trials that suggest mangosteen can slow or stop the growth of certain cancer cells, in particular  colon cancer and breast cancer. The fruit’s high antioxidant profile, which delay the growth of free radicals, give some scientists hope that it could one day be used to effectively stop the spread of cancer cells.

Have you ever tried mangosteen? Tell us how you liked it in the comments below!

- See more at: http://www.ashfab.net/http%3A//www.wellnesstoday.com/nutrition/7-things-you-didn-t-know-about-mangosteen#sthash.aTXRoKWt.dpuf

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How to get a healthy glow on your big day…or for that important event

flawless

Beautiful, glowing skin is always your best beauty accessory, especially on you’re wedding day.  Every bride wants to have a gorgeous glow walking down the aisle and look healthy and happy.  Good skin starts within; so for at least 8 weeks before your big day, I encourage you to stock up on colourful, whole and plant based foods and exercise to bring out your bridal beauty.

1) Drink 1 Large green juice a day : Packed with beautifying properties, the green blend will make you glow from the inside out.  Try to have a blend consisting of at least 4-5 Green Veg and 1-2 Fruits or Try mine- Bridal Glow: Bridal Glow: Kale, Spinach, Parsley, Celery, Cucumber, Apple, Lemon, 1 Tbs of Spurilina

2)  Stock up on  Salmon, Walnuts, Coconut Oil, Fish Oils, Flax & Chia Seeds’. These seemingly unrelated foods all deliver essential fatty acids, and thus are key foods for healthy skin. Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell.  Because it is the cell membrane that also holds water in, the stronger that barrier is the better your cells can hold moisture. And that means plumper, younger looking skin.

3) Take or Add Chlorella to your smoothies:  This Super food should be names super skin food:  It is amazing for clear and radiant skin, renews cells,  & cleanses/supports the liver and digestion.  Clear gut means clear skin so stock up.

4)  Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate: Drink 8-9 Glasses of water a day.  It keeps skin soft, supple, and smooth.  I also love adding cucumbers or lemons to my water.

5) Book in for a Vitamin C facial 3-5 days before the big day:  Vitamin C is packed with  antioxidants, and your skin will feel and look healthier with a radiant firmer and more luminous complexion.

6) Choose an activity you enjoy: Weather it’s swimming, jogging, walking, biking or fitness classes in cardio or yoga, they will all get your heart rate up making your blood flow and face glow.

7) Exfoliate at least two times per week starting at least two months before you’re wedding day using an oil-based exfoliant. ( I love the Ginger Body Scrub by Orgins)  Exfoliation gets rid of dead skin cells that will make your tan look natural, even and fresh for the big day.

8) Invest in a good tinted moisturiser like the Illuminating Tint by Laura Mercier; which will make you look  youthful, radiant  and keep skin supple, adding to that incredible bridal glow.

9) Use a creme blush instead of a powder.  I love Nars Illuminator in Orgasm: The light-reflecting liquid glides on to refresh the skin, enhance the complexion and create a shimmering incandescence.

10) Book a spa day 2-3 days before the wedding: it will revitalise, refresh and recharge you for the big and beautiful day!!!