Matcha: Your Guide To This Wonder Tea!

Credit

Hey loves! This is a post I have been wanting to write for some time, as I have recently discovered this delish and multi-beneficial tea! However, I happened to have had this submitted to me to post, so I decided to just go ahead and share this one instead! Still covers pretty much everything I planned to say, so it's all good! :-)

Anyhoo..read on and let me know your thoughts on this tea - have you tried it? How do you drink it - iced, hot? What is your favorite brand of Matcha tea? Let me know in the comments below!

Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xoxo

Matcha: Your Guide To This Wonder Tea! 

~This post was submitted to TBE

You might have heard of the new wonder tea that just about everybody is trying these days. No, it’s not green tea. Health and fitness experts have been drinking green tea for ages in the hopes that everybody else will catch on. It’s matcha! Now, although matcha has been around for a while, it’s only just hit the mainstream. This guide will tell you a bit more about it and why you should drink it!

The History of Matcha

Matcha tea is an ancient Japanese tea. It’s been around since the 12th century in Japan, when monks used to drink it to help them expand their awareness. The tea soon became consumed by people outside of monk colonies, and it has been a well-kept secret ever since. It is pure green tea powder, making your drink a very deep green in colour.

Why You Should Drink Matcha

There are so many reasons you should give matcha go, as its benefits are unmatched by any other tea. Matcha tea is 10 times more powerful than regular green tea. That’s right; 10 times! It’s really high in antioxidants, making it a great addition to a good diet and exercise program. It promotes calm, yet people use it as an alternative to coffee because it enhances clarity and focus. That being said, it’ll never give you the jitteriness that coffee can. It naturally contains caffeine, but the boost in energy is thanks to many of the other great ingredients. It’s like a clean "buzz", if you like. You can improve your cholesterol, burn more calories, and detoxify your body too. It speeds up the metabolism like no other tea!

credit

How to Prepare Matcha Tea

Preparing matcha tea isn’t too complicated, but it’s different to other tea. You can use a small scoop to get a small amount of powder in your cup. You don’t need much at all to brew a nice cup of matcha. Then you want to use nearly boiling water; not boiling, as that will impair the benefits and flavour of the tea! Pour a small amount of water into your cup, and make a paste. At this point, you could even use a matcha whisk to get out any lumps and bumps. If you don’t do this, your tea powder can clump at the bottom. Then you can pour the rest of your water in the tea. Some like to use a small electric whisk to froth up the tea. You can even add a little coconut or almond milk to make a matcha latte if you like!

What Else You Can Do With Matcha

You can add matcha powder to anything you bake, smoothies, and more. It’ll still give you the benefits! View http://www.amazon.ca/Matcha-Green-Tea-Powder-Culinary/dp/B00DDT116M for more information!

How to Know if Your Matcha is Quality

Your matcha tea is quality when it’s a bright green colour. The brighter the green, the better the tea!

Will you give matcha tea a go?

*Post was submitted to TBE for compensation, all edits made by TBE

The Best Things to Give Up for a Healthier Lifestyle!

We all want to be healthy. We may not always do the things we should to be healthy (like not eat that 4th piece of pizza!), but we all want to feel and look our best.

This post I'm sharing today lists a few of those things that should be eliminated if you want to achieve that goal. Personally, I'd love to be able to give up stress, but it doesn't seem to want to give up on me! *Sigh*

Anyways, read on and enjoy my friends!

Peace & love,
~Sabrina xoxo

The Best Things to Give Up for a Healthier Lifestyle!

I don't like to negative, but, unfortunately, being healthy isn't always about doing fun things. Sometimes you have to decide to cut things out of your life to create a healthier lifestyle. It can suck to get rid of some of the things you enjoy, but the results are worth. Even if you struggle at the beginning, you'll soon wonder how you ever found it so hard. There are several bad habits that everyone could do with getting under control. If any of the things below play a part in your life, you should consider giving them up.

Smoking

You don't need me to tell you that smoking isn't good for you. You might know a 90-year-old grandma who has been smoking all her life, but I bet she has one heck of smoker's cough (not to mention lines and wrinkles galore!). When you stop smoking, you can begin to see the health benefits almost right away. Within a few weeks or months, your circulation improves. You'll get ill less, and you'll be able to breathe better. You might have tried to give up before and failed, but that doesn't mean you can't try again. Just keep reminding yourself of the reason's you're quitting.

Drugs and Alcohol

Giving up drugs and alcohol may seem like another no-brainer, but many people wouldn't do either. Many people are happy to reduce how much they drink and perhaps avoid drugs entirely. But giving up drinking isn't always a popular suggestion. However, for some people, it's essential to stop. There is drug and alcohol treatment for women in the form of rehab facilities for anyone who feels like they might have a problem. It's the best way to deal with serious substance abuse issues and get the support you need. However, if you don't have an addiction, it's all about having the self-discipline to follow through on your promise.

Source: https://flic.kr/p/cFMMc

Sugar

You can't cut sugar out of your diet completely. You'll find naturally occurring sugars in a lot of foods. But you can try to avoid refined sugar and only sugars that aren't added into your food. A lot of people feel much better when they reduce their sugar intake. However, you have to be careful not to replace sugar with other unhealthy sweeteners. If you have a sweet tooth, you don't have to avoid the things you love. Just have things in moderation and try to pick healthier options. Swirl some jam or fresh berries into your oatmeal or mix some honey or Stevia with your yogurt.

Stress

Stress isn't something anyone would be reluctant to give up. Unfortunately, it's difficult to avoid stress altogether. The best you can do is try to turn stress into something more positive and deal with it in a healthy way. Some pressure can be useful to stretch yourself and help you be more productive. But you also need to find ways to relax and to deal with stress in the moment so you keep your head.

Giving up anything can be tough, and it's even harder when you have an addiction. But cutting negative things from your life could turn it around.

~Post was contributed to TBE


*I was compensated to publish this post

Post-Holiday Skin Woes & What I Am Doing To Make My Skin Happy Again!

Hey, loves! So, I don't know about you, but a little too much holiday food and drink indulging has left my skin looking like World War III took place on it! I thought about taking a "before pic" to show you guys but decided to spare myself the humiliation. Seriously, it's not a pretty sight! :-(

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, I decided to do something about it (and no, not walk around with a bag over my head, though it was tempting) - namely, put myself on a strict "diet" of particular skincare products and skin friendly only foods and cutting out the offenders.  Which means bye bye, morning coffee and two glasses of wine at night. Sigh.

Here's what I am using/doing:

Skincare:

I've found lately that there are two brands that seem to clear my skin up and calm my skin down quicker than any other and those are the two that I have been alternating. My skin can vary between oily/acneic and parched/acneic and these brands help to tame both issues.

For excess oil, cystic blemishes, and redness:

Enessa Organic Skincare (you can find out all the products I use here and here) - I am obsessed with this brand! Their Clove Acne Control Serum is the bomb.com at getting rid of painful cysts lickety split and their Seaweed Moisturizer in Cypress is lightweight, yet super hydrating. For above surface blemishes, I reach for Rescue Blemish Control - it's potent anti-bacterial properties kills acne fast, without drying out skin!


For dryness, flakiness, redness and breakouts:

Arcona Skincare's Basic 5 Dry Skin Starter Kit - Everything in this kit works pretty much immediately (like overnight) to hydrate, calm and clear up mild to moderate acne. This kit works best for me when my skin is slightly broken out, but really dry and parched. For cysts and more severe breakouts, I rely on Enessa's products to get the job done!

*I have also been adding a few drops of Avitalin's Lipid Repair (review to come soon), to my serums for extra healing benefits.


Detox from the inside:

Tastes like sadness but makes the body happy, so.....

Since Saturday, I have cut back almost completely on dairy, caffeine, sugar and alcohol. I say almost because I know going "cold turkey" just would not work for me. So, I compromised. Instead of coffee in the mornings, I now drink Organic Chai tea (it has some caffeine so I don't miss the java!), I never really eat much dairy other than cheese (though, I did go a bit overboard during the holidays), so that was an easy one to cut back on, sugar the same - don't really eat it much, except during the holidays when I was an everyday desserter! Alcohol was probably the hardest to limit. Not that I drink a lot or anything ( I have a tolerance level of like zero!), but I do enjoy a glass or two..ok, three with dinner and dessert. Now, I have been having water, tea or mineral water with dinner and one glass after as my dessert. Baby steps. My goal is to only have wine a few times a week, instead of everyday.

Another thing I have been doing is drinking a special detox drink alllll day long. It's basically just filtered water, 1/2 of an organic lemon (juice squeezed), 1 Tbsp of Braggs Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, a dash or two of Cayenne pepper and a dash or two of Cinnamon. I was originally drinking the lemon water alone and having a Tbsp of the ACV & water before meals (which tastes like all the happiness has been sucked out of me - Harry Potter fans will get it. ;)P), but because I hate the taste of the ACV so much, I decided to combine them. Thankfully, the lemon juice dampens the vinegar taste enough so I can drink it! That being said, I have noticed a remarkable difference in my digestion and a few other issues I have been struggling with. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar has soooooo many health benefits - I just can't stand the taste!


Tea, tea and more tea! 

Two of my current fave teas! I always make sure to look for Organic & non-GMO Project verified! 

Along with my Chai Tea obsession, I've been enjoying a variety of other teas that until now, were just taking up space in my kitchen! The thing is, I used to drink tea all the time (and still do when sick), and I honestly don't know why I stopped. Oh, wait, that's right - coffee happened!


Exercise!

I pretend that zombies are chasing me and that keeps me motivated! #nerd

Ok, this one is still a bit inconsistent as I deal with fatigue issues, so I need to be mindful of not overdoing it - I get addicted fast to working out and have a tendency to throw all caution to the wind and that never bodes well for me! At the same time, I need to get my butt off the couch more and be some kind of active! So, I'm working on finding the perfect balance! Right now, I am doing lots of yoga type stretching and riding my stationary bike, so progress! Yay me! :-)

As far as diet goes, I basically have been listening to my body. If I am craving eggs or chicken, or bone broth or something more vegan, I go with it. I've learned that the body is incredibly intelligent and will let you know through your cravings what it is in need of. Now, that doesn't mean if I'm craving chips or cookies that I'll give in, but I will get on my laptop and research what my body actually needs through those cravings. Unless it's craving pizza, then I definitely go with that! ;-)


Aromatherapy and deep breathing:

A little essential oil love from Annmarie Gianni Skincare & Tata Harper!

Pre-acne explosion - relaxing & listening to some Classical faves on Christmas day! 

Stress has pretty much been a "normal" part of my life for the past several years now, so it's not really surprising that Acne and Adrenal & hormonal issues have been as well. And while I do see a Naturopath to help with those, I have recently found that adding a bit of aromatherapy products as well as doing deep, diaphragmatic breathing (which as a singer is pretty much how I breathe normally, just doing it more deeply) have been helping a lot to keep my stress levels down.

Hopefully, one day, I won't have to deal with skin issues regularly or at all, but until that day comes, I'll keep fighting those dirty b's with everything Mother Nature has got!


How do you guys handle your skin issues? Any tips you can share? I'd love to know! 

Peace & love,
Sabrina xoxo


*Enessa Organic Skincare, Annmarie Gianni & Tata Harper products were all sent to me, however, I do use these and truly recommend them! All other products were purchased by me.

**Affiliate links are used

It's All About Balance...

Hey guys! I hope you all had a fun Halloween! My hubs and I went low-key again this year and spent the night eating a yummy homemade dinner (all organic and healthy) and gorging on candy (not organic or healthy) while watching the season premiere's of "Grimm" and "Ash VS Evil Dead"! They were both really good, BTW! :-)

While I was stuffing my face with candy that I shouldn't be eating (Reese's PB cups and Snickers you are my kryptonite, damn you!), I started thinking about what I eat, and how certain things have changed not only in my life, but my thoughts on life too. And that got me thinking about "balance".

When I first started my journey back into a more clean and natural lifestyle, I had a full time job that paid decently and I could afford to be as strict as I wanted with what I bought in terms of food, personal care, clothing, etc...(I still pretty much am when it comes to my skincare products, make up, cleaning products and pet foods - though if a skincare or make-up product isn't 100% pure or clean as I like, but it is what I can afford and I don't have a reaction to it, I'm not going to freak or get down on myself).

Two years ago, however, a lot of things changed. My back pretty much "gave out" on me and I was forced to take a leave of absence from work. Right as I found out I needed to have major surgery, my employer let me go. So I was out of a job. Though the surgery was a success, the recovery process was slow and painful and some other issues developed. In addition, foods that I loved and ate with abandon (at this time I was mostly a raw vegan) made me nauseous and I began craving certain foods I generally stayed away from. I cut myself some slack because, after all, my body was healing and if I was craving chicken or eggs or even steak, I was going to eat it.

Because of all of the stress I was under - major surgery, losing my job, personal issues - I developed some other health problems, all of which still prevent me from working outside of the home. I'm working hard to restore my health, but in the meantime, I am fortunate enough to bring in a little income by working for my father-in-law, managing a few social media sites and my affiliates. But because the majority of income comes from my husband, we have had to really budget ourselves and unfortunately, sometimes that means buying something that might not be organic. We do try and still get as much organic and non-gmo as we can, but we also don't want to live a life that is so strict and rigid that we can't enjoy it.

So that brings me to the "balance" part. While I do strive to live as clean, healthy, and non-toxic a lifestyle as I can, I also have to be realistic and not beat myself up if I slip up, or give in to my intense craving for pizza or french fries..or even gmo filled Reeses or Snickers!

I live in a small town that doesn't have organic restaurants (the cleanest thing we have is a Chipotle's), or a Whole Foods or farmer's markets that sell all organic produce. I wish we did! But if we want to go out to eat, we know our options are limited so we don't stress over it. We just eat better the next day. We honestly probably eat 70-80% organic, non-gmo and 20-30% not so clean. And I'm ok with that. I've learned to be less strict with my diet and listen to my body more. If I'm craving chicken, I eat it. I do make sure any meat we buy IS organic..since we still don't eat a lot of it. But I don't feel guilty anymore for eating it. I don't think in terms of vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten free, etc..I don't apply labels to my diet anymore. And if I want some treat that isn't all that good for me, well, I'm going to eat that too - just not too much of it! The thing is, I'm human, I'm not perfect. I believe in progress, not perfection. I try and do the best I can with the budget and resources I have, while not restricting myself to the point where I am miserable.

And honestly, I'm much happier and less stressed for having this attitude now! :-)


How do you live a balanced life? Do you allow yourself to cheat a little? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Peace and love,
Sabrina xoxo

Eco Home: The Best Plants To Improve The Air Quality Of Your Home

Hey guys! Today's post is all about greening up your home - literally. Plants not only make eye catching decor for your living areas, but they can also greatly improve the quality of air by removing health damaging toxins from your home!

The peeps over at ProFlowers break down which plants are best for improving your home's air quality and reducing your risk of exposure from toxins.  Read on to find out more! :-)

The Best Plants For Improving Air Quality

Have you ever stopped to think about the air you breathe in your home? While you may think it's clean, most households are actually filled with harmful chemicals like benzene, xylene and ammonia. 

Thankfully, it's easy to combat these chemicals with some simple cleaning and filling your home with safe products. In addition, indoor plants can serve as a helpful air purifier. 

After learning this, flower delivery company ProFlowers decided to investigate which indoor plants are truly the best at making the air we breathe better.

 See the full guide below or on their website—do you use any of these plants in your home?

Photo Credit

Do you use plants to purify your home? If so, which ones - any from this list? I have an English Ivy sitting on my home office desk and I can honestly say that it has definitely made a difference since my hubs placed it there! #plantpower

Peace & Love,

Sabrina xoxo

Guest Post - Five Tips To Get Fit & Be Healthy Without Going To A Gym Or Giving Up Your Indulgences!

Hey guys! Today, I want to share another guest post with you. This one focuses on healthy living and a few ways to get fit without a gym membership or strict dieting! While I know that we Americans can't always walk to work (depending on where we live) or have quick access to the countryside (though that would be heaven for me!), these are still some great tips for busy peeps or for anyone who just wants to recharge a bit and be healthier (I for one definitely need to implement #4 into my life!!).



Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xo

Guest Post: Five Tips To Get Fit & Be Healthy Without Going To A Gym Or Giving Up Your Indulgences!

Do you like sweating in the gym and running for miles every day, or are you more into a pint of beer, burger, fries, pizza, and a cuban cigar from time to time? Eating tasty food while watching tv sounds good, but you’re not happy about the fact that all those pleasures have become visible around your waist? There’s no reason to despair because, whether you believe it or not, there is a way out of that vicious cycle. Check out these 5 suggestions on how to be healthy even when you’re not ready to give up all of your “sweet sins”:

1.       Eat, drink, and work while walking

Well, yes, it’s not really possible to walk with a computer in your hands, but even when your work requires being around a PC all the time, you can steal a moment or two to stretch your legs. Take a short break from work and get up every half an hour or so in order to improve your circulation. Instead of having your lunch in the restaurant, simply eat and walk.  Apart from saving you time, this idea is a great way to get rid of unwanted kilograms, since some studies showed that people who walk while eating are less susceptible to obesity.

2.       Walk with ankle weights

Although this may look like a scene from the life of a prisoner, you’ll be surprised how fast this method melts excess fat and burns calories. Every walk (or biking ) performed with ankle weights is equivalent to doing it 5 minutes more, which is why you’ll lose the weight faster. This will save you time as well because you will be working out while going to and from work without spending more time at the gym.

3.       Eat quality food

You don’t have to become a healthy food fanatic, but eating a burger and a fries every day is one of the worst things you can do to your body. There is a good reason it is called junk food, you know.  Instead, opt for a week in the countryside and you’ll see a fast improvement. A diet of fresh milk and cheese (for those that can't tolerate cow's milk, try goat's milk - it's a bit easier on the digestion than cow's milk and has many health benefits), organic meats and vegetables coming straight from the garden or Farmer's Market will do wonders for your digestion and weight. 

4.       Save a half an hour for mental rest

In the modern era in which we live, a number of people gain weight because of stress and lack of sleep. If you think your team’s debacle is worth your eaten nails – think again. You will not be rewarded for worrying, but your stomach and nerves will never forget all those hours you spent eating your heart out. Take some time off here and there, and allow yourself at least half an hour of peace and quiet every day – you will feel much better.

5.       Drink more tea

Teas are  real miracle workers for your health – nettle, mint, marigold, cranberry, aronia (kind of chokeberry), they all taste good and have great benefits as well. Mix them with raw honey and a teaspoon of propolis, and you will boost your immune system in no time!

It is fascinating just how some of these forgotten or lesser known plants can be easily rediscovered. Another great example is nigella sativa, also known as black cumin. This magnificent plant is under research for its healing potential to fight cancer or metabolic syndrome. Perhaps, the future of modern medicine can be found all around us - in nature. Make plants a significant part of your life and forget about illnesses!

These simple changes are just some of the ways that you can still enjoy all the things you like, be in great shape and stay healthy. :-)


About the Author:

Daniel Rogers, a freelance writer originally from Poland, feels inspired while thinking about ways to enrich his life with healthy habits. He has been writing short stories as long as he can remember. Recently, he has decided to redirect his passion into a job and he didn't regret it. If you find his pieces interesting you can follow him on Facebook.

Flower Power - Siddha Flower Essences Review + A Giveaway! ~CLOSED~

I've mentioned a few times that I have been dealing with some health problems (and I hope to do a full post on that at some time in the future), so I am always looking for and researching natural ways to alleviate whatever is ailing me. Even if I was all for modern medical remedies, I'm one of those people who just reacts badly for the most part to chemical drugs. So, to avoid experiencing worse issues from medicine side effects, I prefer to go the holistic route.

When Siddha Flower Essences contacted me to try out some of their products, and after browsing their website, I was only too happy to oblige! These homeopathic remedies are energy based and work to balance out your body's natural electromagnetic fields so that your nervous system can operate more efficiently which will help you to experience better overall wellness. To get the more "science-y" explanation, go here.

*PR Samples. Photo by The Brunette Ecoholic

Siddha Product Philosophy:

"According to Chinese Medicine, there are both internal and external causes of disease. The external causes include: trauma, infection, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle choices, a harsh working or living environment to name a few.

We also have internal causes of disease and it is said that when it comes to maintaining your longevity, addressing the internal factors is even more important than addressing the external factors.  In this context, longevity is not how long you live…it is how long you maintain your youthfulness.

The internal causes of disease are sometimes know as the 5 Thieves because they rob us of our energy and our youth.  These 5 Thieves are: anger, sadness, fear, anxiety, and over-stimulation. Included are all of the variations of these five which means any afflictive emotion that accumulates within the nervous system and degrades organ function over time.

Siddha Flower Essences are here to help you resolve the internal causes of disease. This is how flower essences and homeopathics work. By resolving stress in the nervous system the body has a better change to heal itself on all levels."

Since anxiety, stress, and sadness/depression are issues I deal with constantly, it's easy to see why I was so interested in trying these products out!

Here is what I selected to try:

1) Muscles & Joints - Originally developed for martial arts to enhance athletic flow, this remedy is the one that I use the most and have noticed the most benefit from. I struggle continually with back issues and now that I am making more of an effort to work out and be more active, this has been my constant companion to ease any muscle pain. I also like to use this when I am sitting at my computer for long periods to alleviate any stiffness. Since this product wakes up the body's "inner doctor" and encourages movement, it is stressed that this is not to be taken if you live a sedentary lifestyle, as doing so can cause the body minor anxiety. This can be used internally as well as externally.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

•  Pains in back or extremities

•  Inflammation of joints

•  Swelling around tendons and joints

•  Pain in limbs

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Comfrey*, Dandelion*, Four Leaf Clover*, Natural Flavor, Pear*, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Red Ginger*, Rose of Sharon*, Scarlet Fritillary*, Sour Grass*, Strawberry*

*flower essence

2) Emotional Detox - Everyone has those days when you just wish you could hit the "reset" button and recharge yourself. This is the perfect product to help your body do that. To be taken before bed, this helps to "erase" the emotional charge of the previous day and help you wake up feeling more refreshed and less stressed. This contains California Poppy, which is a natural sleep aid and helps to reduce stress and anxiety and won't cause dependency. This was another favorite and one I will probably repurchase once I run out!

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

• Melancholy

• Irritability

• Lethargy

• Mental fatigue

• Worry

• Physical, mental or emotional shock

Price - $21.95

Active Ingredients - see here

Inactive Ingredients - Avocado*, California Poppy*, Cedar*, Cereus Jusberti*, Dutchman’s Breeches*, Figwort*, Flame of the Forest*, Garlic*, Jacob’s Ladder*, Lily of the Valley*, Natural Flavor, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Swamp Onion*, Wintergreen*

* flower essence

3) Heart - Created for heavy intellectuals who are "too much in their head and not enough in their heart", this product helps to bring balance to the heart, and create a sense of relaxation and openness in the mind. This has been helping me deal with some anxiety and heartache over the past few weeks.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

• Anxiety in heart

• Indecision

• Melancholy

• Uncertainty about ambitions

• Soft pulse

• Weakness of will

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Bleeding Heart*, Milkmaids*, Natural Flavor, Phlox*, Pink Powder Puff*, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Quinoa*, Rhubarb*, Rosa Castilian*, Rosa Macrophylla*, Rosa Primula*, Silversword*, Washington Lily*, Yellow Star Thistle*

*flower essence

4) Youthful Skin - One of the annoying things plaguing me lately has been a hormone imbalance (thankfully not menopause related..hopefully I won't be dealing with that for awhile!), and my poor skin has been taking a beating because of it! With ingredients like Calendula, Aloe Vera and Jojoba, Youthful Skin is a wonderful remedy that helps to speed the healing of any breakouts and soothe any itching or irritation. I love to use this as my morning facial mist and throughout the day as needed.

Temporarily relieves symptoms of:

•  Unhealthy looking skin

•  Mild acne and pimples

•  Dry skin

•  Scars

•  Itchy skin

•  Eczema

Price - $21.95
Active Ingredients - see here
Inactive Ingredients - Purified and Structured Water, Natural Flavor, Polylysine, Aloe Eru*, Aloe Vera*, Cacao*, Calendula*, Comfrey*, Dandelion*, Fireweed*, Horsetail*, Jojoba*, Lotus*, Luffa*, Orange*, Petunia*, Spice Bush*, Sunflower*, Sycamore*


For some tips on how to achieve the best results from Siddha's products, go here. 

Now, for the best part! Siddha Flower Essences would like to give away 3 products to one lucky reader! All you have to do to enter is to list in the comments section below which 3 products you would like to try and why. A winner will be chosen randomly on August 14th. Giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck! :-)

Peace & Love,
Sabrina xo

*Products were generously provided for a review, as usual, all thoughts, experiences, opinions are my own.

Flashback Friday - "My Tips for Looking Younger than my Age!"

Since my 44th (gasp!) birthday is quickly looming before me, I thought this little blast from the past was appropriate to share! I honestly can't believe how fast the years are just whizzing by! It seems like only yesterday I was graduating High School and now..well, I'll leave it at that. ;-)

I'd also like to note that in addition to the tips listed below, I strive to always include a green smoothie, supplements, dry brushing and facial exercises/massage as part of my regimen (forgot to mention some of these when I first published this whoops!), and I have also since then added many new products to my daily/nightly routine as well. :-)


This post was first written July 11, 2013 (a different picture was used in this post than what's in the original).

My Tips for Looking Younger than my Age!

Whenever I tell anyone my age, they always look at me like I am either joking or crazy. It should be annoying, but honestly, I love that look of disbelief on people's faces when they hear my age. It keeps me motivated to continue living the lifestyle I committed myself to, and of course it's a great self esteem boost, not going to lie. ;-)

Not that I believe that a number defines how aged or youthful a person looks, but I think that for decades society has created certain pre-conceived notions as to what we should look like at certain ages. For instance, when we think of someone who is 23, our brains are immediately programmed to associate that age with youth, and youth is generally associated with beauty. At the same time, a person who is 42 (which happens to my age), is immediately associated with grey hair, fine lines, slowing metabolism, and other not so appealing "maturing" attributes.

Accurate? No. I've known dozens of girls 10-20 years younger than me, that actually look older than I do. And on the same token, I've known women my age who look 10+ years older and a few who look younger.

My point is, I don't believe that the age of a person determines their true "youthfulness" or "maturity", I think that it is a combination of a variety of factors that makes one "young" or "old".

How do I fight the stigma of age? Well, for starters, I was blessed with good genes. On both sides of my family. But genes alone don't make or keep you looking young.  So here are some of my tips for staving off "Father Time" for as long as possible. ;-)

Far left - me at 34. Middle - me at 41. Right - me now at 43

1. The sun is not my friend, it's an acquaintance. While sunlight is very important to our health for synthesizing its rays into vitamin D in our bodies, too much can cause the skin to age quicker (not to mention the whole skin cancer nastiness). If I am going outside (and even if I am indoors), I always wear a natural sunscreen, or a plant oil serum that contains natural sunscreen. Some of my favorite sun protectors are Sequoia Beauty serums, Naturopathica sunscreen, and Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques creme foundation with spf
2. Water, water, water. This one is a no brainer. Water keeps you hydrated. Hydrated skin is healthy skin as water helps to flush toxins out and keeps your skin clear and smooth. You can read my full post on the beauty benefits of water here
3. Exercise. Ok, so to be honest, the past year this one has been tough for me as I have been recovering from back surgery and haven't been able to really do more than my PT exercises (happily, I never really gained any weight so getting back into shape shouldn't be too bad), but we all know the benefits exercise has on us, so I don't really need to elaborate much. The important thing is to do something you enjoy. :-)
4. Diet. This one I believe has the biggest impact on how we not only look and feel, but how quickly we age as well. I truly believe, and cannot stress this enough, that a diet high in raw, organic fruits, veggies and other plant foods is key in maintaining youth and beauty, while diets high in processed, fast foods only speed up the aging process. You can read more on this here and here
5. Nix the cosmetic chemical cocktails and switch to natural, organic skincare and make-up. Just like it's important to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies, we also need to use the same care with regards to what we are putting on it. Our bodies absorb up to 70% of what we put on it, so it really does matter what products you use! Since I made the switch to natural. organic products, I've noticed my skin looking younger than it did when I was in my 20's. Even my husband tells me I look like I am aging backwards! :-) There are so many great brands out there, but a few (some you can buy samples of to try) that I love include Annmarie Gianni Skincare,  Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques, The All Natural Face, Vapour Organic Beauty, Skin Owl, and Sequoia Beauty
6. Sleep. It's obvious that when we get a good night's sleep that we feel better, but adequate sleep also helps us to look better too. While we are sleeping, our body is using that time to repair, replenish and recharge us. Lack of sleep disrupts these functions and can cause a whole slew of health and beauty issues, such as weight gain, puffy eyes, lack luster skin, etc. If sleep doesn't come easy, there are many natural ways to help relax your body and ease you into a blissful "beauty sleep". Some things I do when I have a hard time sleeping - deep breathing, read, take valerian root (tea or supplement), take a calcium & magnesium supplement. 
7. Attitude. This is a big one. People with negative attitudes tend to look miserable and frown or don't smile as much, which to me, makes them look older. Conversely, people with positive attitudes tend to smile and laugh more, which not only makes them more fun to be around, but they look younger and more radiant as well. :-)
8. No smoking please. Even if I wanted to (which I don't..ew), I'm allergic to something(s) in cigarette smoke, so I tend to avoid it like the plague. I think this, combined with tanning and excessive drinking, ages women quicker than anything. I blame Hollywood for "glamourizing" smoking. Sorry ladies, there is nothing sexy, glamorous, or beautifying about smoking. :-/
9. Love. It may seem "hokey", but there is scientific evidence that being in love can actually make women look younger. How? When we're happy in our relationship, our bodies produce oxytocin, which triggers the release of DHEA, an anti-aging hormone that restores cells. Love also reduces stress, makes us feel better about ourselves and motivates us to take better care of ourselves. My husband is probably one of the biggest factors in my youthfulness. :-)

Well, there you have it. My secrets. The thing is, being a specific age doesn't make you more or less attractive. Health and attitude make us more attractive. The better we take care of ourselves on the inside, the more it shows on the outside. Health is youth. Health is beauty.

What are your tips for looking youthful? I'd love to know your tips and secrets!

*Post contains Affiliate links
**Since this post was first written, Sequoia Beauty was re-named "Laurel Whole Plant Organics"


Peace & Love,
~Sabrina xx

Flashback Friday: Green Smoothies for a Glowing Complexion

Happy Friday loves! One of the (many) new things I want to try and do here on my blog is to start a "Flashback Friday" series to share some of my older posts that some of you may have missed! I wrote a lot of health and diet related posts back when I first started my blog and since I want to do more of those going forward, I figured this would be a good way to start incorporating them! :-)

So, with all that being said, let's check out the first flashback post - this was first written in April of 2013...

"Green Smoothies for a Glowing Complexion"

I've mentioned in previous posts how diet can impact not just your overall health, but your skin as well. One of the things I love to incorporate into my diet is a green smoothie.

Photo is public domain

Now, when I say "green smoothie", I mean just that. Greens, maybe some fruit to sweeten and water or a nut milk of choice. No cow's milk, no yogurt, no ice cream, no sugar. We're trying to get the glow in our complexion, and dairy, sadly, does not do a body or your skin good.

Some of the many benefits of drinking green smoothies are:

~ more energy
~ weight loss
~ clearer, more radiant skin
~ stable blood sugar and less cravings for sugar
~ better digestion
~ fewer mood swings
...and the list can go on.

One of my favorite, quick green smoothie recipes involves just a handful of raw, organic baby spinach, a banana, a sprinkle of chia seeds, and water. Blend and yum!

Another of my absolute favorites is Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie (check it out here). This smoothie contains over 3 cups of dark, leafy greens, which is more than most people consume in a week (unless you're a vegetarian of course! :-D)

Another great benefit that smoothies have is that by blending the greens, the nutrients that are inside the plant cells are made more readily available to the body. Also, blending keeps all of the fiber intact, which is important for digestion. And as you know, digestion is critical for flushing toxins out of the body and for keeping your skin clear.

Just by adding one green smoothie to your diet a day,you will start to not only feel better, but your skin will become more radiant and healthy as well. :-)

Do you drink green smoothies? What is your favorite recipe? Would you like to see more posts like this? Let me know!

Peace and love,
~Sabrina

Water...The Elixir of Health and Beauty

We've all heard or read that we should drink more water. And since most of us spend the majority of our days in a state of mild dehydration, thanks to coffee, soda (or pop depending on where you are from), caffeinated teas, and sugary beverages, we really do need to increase our water consumption. How much seems to vary among the "experts", but most seem to agree on at least 8 8 ounce glasses a day.

The benefits of water are numerous, and besides keeping our bodies and skin hydrated, water also helps with the following:

~ Reduces bloating and puffiness
~ Helps to carry nutrients to your cells
~ Keeps joints and muscles lubricated
~ Increases energy levels
~ Increases cognitive function ( Your brain needs oxygen in order to function properly & water helps your brain get what it needs)
~ Supports nerve function
~ Supports metabolism and aids in weight loss
~ Promotes clear, bright eyes ( No more Visine eyedrops!)
~ Helps your body build muscle ( Water carries oxygen to every cell in our bodies, including muscles, which can enable them to work harder and longer before fatigue sets in).
~ Helps to promote clear, radiant skin ( As mentioned, water flushes out toxins and carries nutrients to cells, both of which help with skin health).

Now, I know sometimes drinking plain old water can be kind of boring. But please resist the urge to add any of those chemical laden flavor packets (Crystal Light, Mio, etc..), as that will only defeat the purpose of drinking water for health. Instead, try adding a slice of organic lemon (for extra detoxifying benefits), lime, or another fruit of choice. You can also make homemade Vitamin Water (again to avoid nasty and un-necessary chemicals) by filling a pitcher with water and adding whatever fruit (or a combination of fruits) you like. Stay away from the sugar bowl, though, as sugar not only dehydrates, but is also toxic to your body. If you feel you need an extra boost of sweetness, try raw, organic honey, stevia or xylitol (no aspartame or Splenda).

Also, if you find it challenging to drink 8 or more glasses a day, try consuming more raw fruits and vegetables. These foods contain a lot of water, and can assist in helping you maintain healthy hydration levels.

Bottom line, water is a necessary beauty booster that can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your skin. Water truly does do a body good. ;-)


Peace and love,
~ Sabrina

Green Smoothies for a Glowing Complexion

I've mentioned how diet can impact not just your overall health, but your skin as well. One of the things I love to incorporate into my diet is a green smoothie.

Credit

Now, when I say "green smoothie", I mean just that. Greens, maybe some fruit to sweeten and water or a nut milk of choice. No cow's milk, no yogurt, no ice cream, no sugar. We're trying to get the glow in our complexion, and dairy, sadly, does not do a body or your skin good.

Some of the many benefits of drinking green smoothies are:

~ more energy
~ weight loss
~ clearer, more radiant skin
~ stable blood sugar and less cravings for sugar
~ better digestion
~ fewer mood swings
...and the list can go on.

One of my favorite, quick green smoothie recipes involves just a handful of raw, organic baby spinach, a banana, a sprinkle of chia seeds, and water. Blend and yum!

Another of my absolute favorites is Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie (check it out here). This smoothie contains over 3 cups of dark, leafy greens, which is more than most people consume in a week (unless you're a vegetarian of course! :-D)

Another great benefit that smoothies have is that by blending the greens, the nutrients that are inside the plant cells are made more readily available to the body. Also, blending keeps all of the fiber intact, which is important for digestion. And as you know, digestion is critical for flushing toxins out of the body and for keeping your skin clear.

Just by adding one green smoothie to your diet a day,you will start to not only feel better, but your skin will become more radiant and healthy as well. :-)

Peace and love

~ Sabrina