tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74645479210529710182024-02-19T01:38:19.495-06:00Eat Well and SparkleEat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-29117372832033049952016-06-20T15:01:00.000-05:002016-06-20T15:02:35.781-05:00Summer Peach Popsicles<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">First, HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!! Although, it has felt like summer here in Texas since the middle of May. Summer is without a doubt my favorite time of the year! Despite the heat, summer bring the best fruits, the best vacation memories and the best birthday... <i><u>MINE</u></i>! <b>(June 25th)</b>. Today, it is a bit cooler, <i>only</i> around 88 degrees (cooler for Texas) but this summer treat will still hit the spot! </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">These past few days have been no joke with the heat index so I thought making popsicles would be a nice cool treat while I lay in AC or the pool. I have a sight obsession with peaches so I keep a bowl full of them during the summer; except when my dad comes to visit, they <i><u>always</u></i> disappear. Go Figure! Actually in my photos, I had about 6 in the bowl and 3 "suddenly" went missing after my dad left my apt. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">These are seriously made with things I already keep around the apt such as honey, almond milk, yogurt and fresh fruit. Honestly, this could be made with a wide variety of fruits if your weird and not a peach fan. Totally kidding! Seriously though, make this your own recipe. In fact, I had some blueberries already frozen in the freezer so in a few molds I threw those in too! <b>If you are making these for a toddler under 2 years old, use raw sugar instead of honey as a sweetener. </b></span><br>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">A few fun facts about peaches!!</b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1: Peaches are actually a member of the rose family. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2: A large peach has less then 70 calories but has about 3 grams of fiber.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3: Peaches are best from June through August </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4: To check for ripeness in a peach, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">The flesh should have a slight give, but use your whole hand vs. fingertips to check since the fruit </span>bruises<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> so easily. Also, check for an even coloring of golden or creamy yellow.</span></span><br>
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Now, on to the recipe!<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summer Peach Popsicles </u></span></div>
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></div>
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- 3 peaches </div>
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- 1/2 cup of plain yogurt or vanilla greek yogurt</div>
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- 1/3 cup of honey </div>
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- 1/3 cup of Almond milk </div>
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- dash of vanilla extract </div>
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- dash of salt </div>
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<b><u>Directions:</u></b></div>
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1: Cut and Dice the peaches. Place about 1 cup of the diced peaches in a bowl and set aside.</div>
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2: Add the remain peaches to the blender with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth.</div>
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3: Pour mixture into a bowl (or a large measuring cup which will make it easier to pour into the molds) and add the remaining diced peaches.</div>
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4: Divide it evenly among the molds. Found some fun one on amazon. Freeze until solid, usually about 5 hrs.</div>
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<b>Enjoy!! </b></div>
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<b>What are some of your favorite ways to beat the summer heat? </b></div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-84444270839637217322016-06-05T23:08:00.000-05:002016-06-05T23:08:02.029-05:005 Ways to Jumpstart Your Smoothies<br />
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Y'all.....first let me apologize for being absence for awhile. For some strange reason, I thought it was a good idea to work a full time job, take 9hrs worth of credit for my masters degree in ONE semester and live my life. <i>#GeniusMove</i> It should be against the law to have a full time job and get your masters degree. Personally, I think I should get a weekly check until I graduate but <strike>enough of my whining.</strike><br />
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With the long nights I've recently experienced, it was even more important that my morning smoothie had a little extra "jump" in it to make it through the work day. I am not the nicest person when I'm sleepy AND hungry so my smoothies <b>must </b>be filling, full of energy and tasty. (I get mad at bland food too)<br />
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<b>Hi! Im Jerica and I occasionally get <u><i>Hangry</i></u>. </b></div>
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Anywho!! Here are some of my favorite things to add to my morning/afternoon (depends on how I feel) smoothies to make them healthier and full of energy. </div>
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<u>Flax seeds</u> are an amazing way to add some omega fatty acids and fiber to your diet. Seriously, the omega fatty acids in this small seed pack a punch in the body by helping the immune system, brain function, joints and the skin. You can find this seed whole or ground on the baking aisle by the flour but personally, I prefer the ground version. </div>
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<b>Tip:You want to add about 1 tablespoon in your morning smoothie to really get the full benefits.</b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLb05vgPYE95apVExXO7RxHRVXZOkpkmPIaUt_ja2028GxIPjvxs5AxRQyeJA6gKHFsUjRf-8-QA6rFKVD4HOgVerd_vdkxSA8TQcew2yFJVbskh7qTByQKjgW_q9kHAOHpmUIlK-D1B1/s1600/avocado-933060_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLb05vgPYE95apVExXO7RxHRVXZOkpkmPIaUt_ja2028GxIPjvxs5AxRQyeJA6gKHFsUjRf-8-QA6rFKVD4HOgVerd_vdkxSA8TQcew2yFJVbskh7qTByQKjgW_q9kHAOHpmUIlK-D1B1/s320/avocado-933060_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Avocados </span></b></div>
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When I manage to pick a good ripe <u>avocado</u> (#WorldsWorstAvocadoPicker), I love to add it to my smoothies. Before you gag and mutter "Ewwwwww", I PROMISE you won't even taste it, especially if you use a nice sweet fruit with it. Besides being <u>loaded </u>with heart healthy fats, an avocado is filled with about 20 different vitamins and minerals. This gem will give your green smoothie a richer, creamier consistency and the fats will give your skin a healthy glow! </div>
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<b>Tip: I add this, along with spinach to give my green smoothie that healthy boost and to keep my tummy full longer.</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cacao Nibs/Powder</span></b></div>
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Confession Time: Sometimes I enjoy dessert for breakfast...BUT that doesn't mean it has to be unhealthy! <u>Cacao</u> is basically what chocolate is made of, without the truckload of sugar added. It has a strong deep rich dark chocolate flavor and are perfect for adding that chocolate note in your smoothies. This little treat is filled to the brim with antioxidants that will help boost your immune system and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time. </div>
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<b>Tip:My personal favorite is to add about 1 tablespoon into my peanut butter, banana smoothie. #Yummy </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUagAW5hod59KcjhaeIXSVFJ1_yIDRKohM9bI3AkOtq2CgcBLp_GqbCS6hEZCozIxEVPjceZpYF8X9wcDmftzpr5rty9zaGCgLdOaIyKmnaq_L4yOi8LiNA7AKvMd3g0BFZzGUpv8Cq6Uo/s1600/coconut-1123738_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUagAW5hod59KcjhaeIXSVFJ1_yIDRKohM9bI3AkOtq2CgcBLp_GqbCS6hEZCozIxEVPjceZpYF8X9wcDmftzpr5rty9zaGCgLdOaIyKmnaq_L4yOi8LiNA7AKvMd3g0BFZzGUpv8Cq6Uo/s320/coconut-1123738_960_720.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Coconut Oil/Coconut Water</b> </span></div>
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Besides being amazing moisturizer for your skin and a great product for your hair, <u>coconut oil</u> is also great for your health. Many people substitute it in their cooking for a healthier oil but not a lot of people know you can add it directly to your smoothie! The fatty acids in this super oil convert into energy within the body instead of adding to your body fat. 1 tablespoon will give your smoothie the boost it needs.</div>
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Another great coconut product for your smoothies and your body is <u>coconut water</u>. Athletes use this to add back important electrolytes that sweat out during a workout, plus it has MORE potassium then a banana! Coconut water will add a nice sweetness to your smoothie while giving your body that supercharge it needs through the morning.</div>
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<b>Tip: Freeze your coconut water in ice cube trays to keep your smoothie nice and cold. </b></div>
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Nothing is easier to make your smoothies more filling then to add a <u>nut butter</u>. Not only to make the smoothie more filling, they always add a nice flavor to it as well. Don't fret, yes all the nut butters contain some kind of fat BUT it is the good fat you want to have. It is the added sugars, oils and salt manufactures add to them that turns them bad for you. Peanut butter is a classic but there is also Almond butter and Cashew butter. Almond butter goes very well with fruits like berries and Cashew butter is so mild tasting, it goes so well with nearly anything. </div>
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<b>Tip: When you are looking for a nut butter, be sure to choose one labeled natural with nothing else added. </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">XoXo,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Jerica</span></b></div>
Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-33884267829303756052016-03-09T09:13:00.000-06:002016-03-09T09:13:20.065-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays <br />
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Welcome to our series <b>We're Obsessed Wednesdays</b>! Here we share some of our favorite things we love each week. <u>None of these are affiliated posts, all opinions are our own. We just really really enjoy these products.</u><br />
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1. Let me just say, if you told me to try a drugstore makeup I usually would frown up. Basically out of frustration. Being a woman of color with combo/oily, most drugstore foundations either</div>
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<i>A. Don't have my shade (very frustrating)</i></div>
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<i>B. Mostly for dry skin</i></div>
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<i>C. Say they are for oily skin and by the end of the day, your looking like an oil slick by the face.</i></div>
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<b>So, I mostly avoid them at all cost. </b>Expensive shades tend to do what they say they do and carry more then 3 shades for us girls with darker skin tones. </div>
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So I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled across this formula when I was at walmart. </div>
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<b><u>First</u></b>, <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Products/face-makeup/Foundation/Fit-Me-Matte-Poreless-Foundation.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation</b></a> comes in <u>24 different shades!</u> Imagine my delight when I<i> didn't</i> have to chose from medium/ dark to dark. <b>(insert annoyed face)</b>. </div>
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<b><u>Second</u></b>, with the help of an awesome primer, this primer actually stays on the face & I'm not nearly as oily as I am with other drugstore foundations. </div>
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<b><u>Third</u></b>, when you find your color, it blends so well!! Omg, I was most impressed with this. <i>Btw</i>, I am <u>330 Toffee</u> just to compare. I love using this foundation with a brush that has firm bristles.</div>
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<b><u>Fourth</u></b>, this foundation is only about $6.50 at Walmart, my usual foundation can run between 32-40 dollars! Can we say Steal??? </div>
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2. Y'all, I only spent 6 bucks in Walmart for foundation so it was only natural that I take my savings and spend them on another item I was excited to try.<strike> That is my spend logic when it comes to makeup so judgment shall not pass.</strike> Anywho! I've been wanting to try this <b><a href="https://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/expert-face-brush" target="_blank">Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques</a> </b>for sometime now but <u>seriously, every. single. time. I would go to purchase it at the store, it was sold out.</u> Must be something to this brush if the different stores can't keep it in stock. Haha! </div>
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<b>For about $9.00</b>, this brush does the job so well I can't believe it's so cheap! This brush is <i>ideal</i> for cream and liquid foundations so it works amazing with my Fit Me Foundation and my higher end foundations. It gives me that flawless airbrush finish I love but it is so easy to clean. I found mine at Walmart but I do know Ulta and Target also carry it.<br />
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3. Sometimes you feel like splurging on some makeup and that's where this BB Gel from <a href="http://www.sephora.com/bb-gel-mattifying-anti-blemish-treatment-P386245?keyword=COVER%20FX%20BB%20Gel%20Mattifying%20Anti-Blemish%20Treatment%20P386245&skuId=1595255&_requestid=400844" target="_blank">Cover FX</a> comes in! It's a Mattifying Anti-Blemish BB Gel that is worth the $45 you spend on it at Sephora. I know, I know...y'all are looking at me crazy right now, but a little goes a long way so it's definitely going to last you for quite some time. The formula is lightweight because it's a BB gel, but has enough pigmentation to give you the full coverage you need. You can go from sheer to full coverage with one foundation! If that's not a blessing, I don't know what is!<br />
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4. My beautician uses <a href="http://www.moroccanoil.com/ca_en/hair-care-luminous-hairspray-medium-ca" target="_blank">Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray</a> on me all the time. I remember when she first used it, she sprayed so much that I started sneezing and I just knew my hair was going to be stiff as a board. Miraculously, it wasn't! It was actually the total opposite. My hair moved luxuriously with the wind and still managed to keep its style. I fell in love with the stuff ever since and had to get it for myself. You can get it as well for $10-$26 on the website, depending on which hold you need.</div>
Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-20266976388964010462016-03-04T10:32:00.000-06:002016-03-04T10:54:51.303-06:00D.I.Y. Whipped Shea Butter<div>
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Moisturizing your skin is so important. It relieves dry and cracked skin, relieves symptoms of eczema, and can even help stop the development of stretch marks. Store bought lotions aren't always the best choice because they have so many chemicals that can be detrimental to our bodies. That's why I've been going the natural route with my hygienic products! (Check out our post about healthy skin, <a href="http://eatwellandsparkle.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-journey-to-healthier-skin.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unrefined Shea Butter</span></td></tr>
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I recently decided to make whipped Shea Butter after seeing a few recipes on Pinterest. Though Shea Butter by itself does a great job at moisturizing my skin, it's solid texture sometimes makes it a hassle to rub all over my body. When you turn it into a whipped body butter, it makes it a lot easier to apply and you can even add your own fragrances!<br />
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Here's the whipped body butter recipe that I used to make my Lavender Scented Whipped Shea Butter. However, you can use what ever essential oil fragrances you prefer!<br />
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<u><b>Lavender Whipped Shea Butter</b></u></div>
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1 cup of unrefined organic Shea Butter</div>
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1/2 cup of grapeseed oil or olive oil</div>
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1/2 cup of organic coconut oil</div>
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10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil for scent (I like lavender and eucalyptus)</div>
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Mixing bowl</div>
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Electric mixer</div>
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Mason jar or something to hold your body butter</div>
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<u><b>Directions</b></u></div>
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Combine all your ingredients in a double boiler.</div>
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Heat until all oils are liquefied.</div>
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Pour into another bowl and let cool in the refrigerator for an hour or until the oils are re-solidified. (When your finger makes an impression in the oil, it's ready.)</div>
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Begin beating with an electric mixer. Continue until it looks like whipped cream. </div>
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Transfer your body butter into a jar for storage. Be sure to keep it out of hot places like your bathroom or direct sunlight.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Your body butter should look like this when finished!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><u>Products I Used</u></b></div>
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<b>Now Solutions Grapeseed Oil & Essential Oils: </b>You can get these from HEB or Whole Foods. Their <a href="http://www.nowfoods.com/Personal-Care/" target="_blank">website</a> has a search engine where you can find where their products are sold.</div>
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<b>Unrefined Organic Shea Butter: </b>Shea Butter can be found at any of your local urban beauty supplies. If you have any African stores around you, they more than likely will sell it. If you rather shopping online, check out <a href="http://www.shea-natural.com/products/ashanti-naturals.html" target="_blank">Ashanti Naturals</a>! </div>
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<b>Coconut Oil: </b>Any grocery store you go to will have Coconut Oil for sale. Just make sure it's organic!</div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-18068267290621485472016-02-28T23:24:00.003-06:002016-02-28T23:24:44.448-06:00Four Foods With more Vitamin C than Oranges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Man, where do I begin? Vitamin C is a <i>water-soluble vitamin</i> which is a fancy way of saying <u>your body does not store it</u>; so you have to get what you need from your diet. So often the only things you really hear about vitamin c is that <strike>it will help cure your cold</strike> (totally no true) and oranges are a great source of the vitamin. While oranges do give you a nice little supply of the vitamin, there are actually <b>plenty </b>of other<b> </b>fruits and veggies that give you <u>even more </u>vitamin c per serving.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why You Need Vitamin C</span></b></div>
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1: <b>Iron Absorption </b>- <u>Iron and Vitamin C are like BFFs.</u> When eaten together, they lift each other up making it easier for the body to absorb them.<br />
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2: <b>Building Block of Collagen</b> - Vitamin C is crucial in the development of collagen. Without collagen, you wouldn't have healthy bones, healthy skin or other healthy tissues like blood vessels. By not eating enough vitamin c, you can have inflammation in the gums, super painful joints and even nose bleeds!<br />
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3: <b>Healing</b> - Vitamin C is a <b>key part</b> in helping your body heal wounds. Not only does it help your body make collagen, it also helps the body to repair/maintain your bones and teeth.<br />
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4: <b>Antioxidant</b> - <=== I know this is a word you hear all the time. Antioxidants help fight off free radicals that can cause harm to your DNA. Overtime, free radicals can cause many health conditions such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How Much Do You Need?</span></b></div>
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<u>The Daily Recommended Intake of Vitamin C needed is:</u><br />
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<b><i>- Women need around 75mg</i></b><br />
<b><i>- Men need around 90mg</i></b><br />
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You honestly should not worry about needing a supplement of vitamin c unless told by your doctor. Being water-soluble, the body can only hold around 400mg of vitamin c, anything else just washes right on out the body.<br />
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<b>If your eating between 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies daily, your getting plenty of the vitamin c your body needs. <u>Also, you will get more vitamin c out of the fruit/veggie if eaten raw or lightly cooked.</u></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Four Foods Higher in Vitamin C then Oranges </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Red Bell Pepper </span></b></div>
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A red bell pepper has nearly 3 times the amount of vitamin C then an orange. </div>
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Try using them in a stuffed bell pepper recipe or eaten raw with hummus dip.<br />
<b>My Fellow DFA Dixya has a tasty recipe for a <a href="http://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/2015/05/roasted-peppers-and-tomato-gazpacho.html" target="_blank">Roasted Peppers and Tomato Gazpacho here.</a> <=== Seriously run to this recipe!</b></div>
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One serving of Kiwi (about 2 of the fruits) will give you plenty of vitamin c for the day. They are also higher in potassium then a banana. Try using them in an awesome yogurt parfait! </div>
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<b>Dixya, has an awesome recipe for a <a href="http://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/2016/02/yogurt-parfait.html" target="_blank">Yogurt Parfait here. </a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Broccoli</span></b></div>
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This little veggie not only gives you a massive amount of vitamin c, it is also super high in fiber to keep you full longer! Try this steamed, eaten raw with some veggie dip or even use in a stir fry.</div>
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<u>Orange - 70mg</u></div>
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<u>Broccoli - 132mg</u></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Chili Peppers</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I </span>bet you didn't know this pepper has a nice amount of vitamin C! All you need is a 1/2 cup of this little pepper in your diet to reach your recommended daily intake. Try chili peppers in your next batch of chili.</div>
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<u>Orange - 70mg</u></div>
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<u>Chili Peppers - 107mg</u></div>
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<b>Huge thank you to Dixya for letting me share her awesome recipes from her blog <a href="http://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/" target="_blank">Food, Pleasure & Health</a> with my readers! She has such tasty dishes and her photos will make you drool! xoxo</b><br />
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<br />Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-71884627172260635632016-02-17T10:03:00.002-06:002016-02-17T10:03:57.395-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5w-01P-n61Rx07RNafjaO4d_MtyoA_XAmzNpBK3bFm9ZDu0qB-z9ym_G-9sxAFexlrCuz7zHX66cCH85kKZzKQYQtuAyCam6yU-SWrIb5zhfKCZ6i-UQcqLV6ffr883T0QOlOWyG9JZa/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5w-01P-n61Rx07RNafjaO4d_MtyoA_XAmzNpBK3bFm9ZDu0qB-z9ym_G-9sxAFexlrCuz7zHX66cCH85kKZzKQYQtuAyCam6yU-SWrIb5zhfKCZ6i-UQcqLV6ffr883T0QOlOWyG9JZa/s640/1.png" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">1. </span><b style="text-align: left;">MOST of the time</b><span style="text-align: left;">, my skin is usually a good girl. No breakouts, no redness and no real problems. But every once in awhile, she decides to raise a little hell and it's just awful. </span><u style="text-align: left;">I feel like Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool</u><span style="text-align: left;">. </span><strike style="text-align: left;">Ok, so I am being a tab bit dramatic </strike><span style="text-align: left;">but still, no woman likes it when her skin is horrible. It was partly my fault because I was being super careless with no regular skincare regimen. I usually enjoy the 3-step system of Clinique but my wallet was like, "</span><i style="text-align: left;">Girl....that is not going to happen anytime soon</i><span style="text-align: left;">". Sooooooooo....I had to find an alternative; I found this new line by </span><a href="http://www.olay.com/en-us/skin-care-products/product-lines/active-botanicals" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Olay called Active Botanicals</a><span style="text-align: left;">. Within a week, I can already see a huge difference in my skin which has me </span><b style="text-align: left;">SUPER EXCITED</b><span style="text-align: left;">. I have the cleanser, the day moisturizer and the overnight mask. While I'm sure they are all working amazing together, I honestly believe that </span><u style="text-align: left;">overnight mask</u><span style="text-align: left;"> is what is sealing the deal! </span></div>
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2. First, let me just say, I would love to meet whoever invented this product. <b>Seriously.</b> They need a hug and a high five for this. Garnier really did amazing when they dropped this product on the market because it does <u><b>EXACTLY what it promises</b></u>. (<strike>Which we all know doesn't really happens with products sometimes</strike>). <a href="http://www.garnierusa.com/products/skincare/micellar/micellar-cleansing-water/micellar-cleansing-water-makeup-remover.aspx" target="_blank">Granire Micellar Cleansing Water</a> promises to lift away dirt, oil and makeup from the day with no harsh rubbing all while leaving your skin feeling clean/refreshed. All my lazy girls out there, yes, with this product you can actual use it and go straight to bed without washing your face. <u><i>Wipe the tears from your face ladies</i></u>, I know, its hard to believe but I am totally serious. <b>CVS and Walgreens both carry it but its almost 9 bucks there, so I would hit Target or Walmart to find it cheaper.</b> There is even one for sensitive skin!</div>
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3. If you're like me, you and your phone are pretty much joined at the hip. Which means you probably panic as soon as your battery hits anything <b>below 50%</b>. Sometimes, an outlet is not always available or whoever's car you're in doesn't have an available car charger. That's why I'm in love with this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MNAWM92?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01" target="_blank">RAVPower Portable Charger</a>! This charger has saved my phones life on many occasions and I love how small and dainty it is. It doesn't take up much space and the battery life is amazing! The retail prices is about $40, but it's available on Amazon for <b>10 BUCKS! </b>They have 3 or 4 different colors to choose from too! I suggest you check it out and take advantage of this great deal!</div>
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4. My lips are so sensitive and unfortunately, any lip product with too many chemicals can dry my lips out or cause an allergic reaction. I have to stay away from Carmex, Blistex, EOS, and the list goes on. Through trial and error, I discovered <a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/Pomegranate-Lip-Balm/15799-00-1,default,pd.html?cgid=lipbalm&start=11&q=#start=11" target="_blank">Burt's Bees</a>, which is probably the same chapstick that Jesus Christ, himself uses. Has to be!!! This chapstick is so moisturizing and gives my lips such a soothing feeling. I'm constantly using it, and if I don't have any on me <b>I FREAK OUT</b>! I've tried other flavored chapsticks by Burt's Bees, but the Pomegranate will always be my favorite! You can find Burt's Bees just about anywhere, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, The Dollar Store, a gas station in the middle of nowhere, ANYWHERE!!</div>
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Thank you for taking the time out to check out our obsessions for the week! Have you used any of these products before? If so, how did you like them? </div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-27354186704227387402016-02-10T14:43:00.000-06:002016-02-10T15:03:12.693-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYfYqtIu2wGwhaWkmSvhD4Z14vY2n6KUhLh7QrE4b0vfi4zLFbSrM_yRl2cZgRdp_PomVe_ZPwgnJDUAiXg-OSrDqVNmKwD1vL_R0FW26S_7I5Uiz4yKJYti4u6Px7_NVan1Fo_OtVcpp/s1600/2-10-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYfYqtIu2wGwhaWkmSvhD4Z14vY2n6KUhLh7QrE4b0vfi4zLFbSrM_yRl2cZgRdp_PomVe_ZPwgnJDUAiXg-OSrDqVNmKwD1vL_R0FW26S_7I5Uiz4yKJYti4u6Px7_NVan1Fo_OtVcpp/s640/2-10-16.png" width="426" /></a></div>
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1. In this age of racial and social injustice, Beyoncé has truly made me proud. Saturday, she dropped a new song and video by the name of “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Formation</a>” where she addresses everything from the Illuminati rumors to Blue Ivy’s hair to police brutality all while proudly proclaiming that she is proud to be a “Texas Bama”! Though there is so much controversy surrounding the video and song (we won’t get into that negativity here), it has truly humanized Beyoncé for me. A lot of times, we tend to forget that celebrities are real people with feelings, emotions, and opinions. What I got from Beyoncé is her saying, “Even though I have all this money and fame, at the end of the day I’m still just like you. I still remember where I come from. I love the beautiful black woman that I am and you should love yourself too!” If that wasn’t enough, she then performed her new song at the Super Bowl the next day <b>AND</b> announced her world tour. Whether you like it or not, the woman is a powerhouse and has this game on lock. Though I may not consider myself to be a part of the Beyhive, I am definitely obsessed with Beyoncé this week. Guess I’ll just go ahead and get in formation!!! </div>
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2. I’m not a big fan of store bought smoothies or juices because of all the sugar and preservatives they could potentially hold, so naturally I was hesitant about picking up this protein drink. I finally decided to give it a try and I’ve been obsessed ever since! Bolthouse Farms has a variety of flavors, but the <b>Vanilla Chai Tea</b> and <b>Mocha Cappuccino</b> are my personal favorites. One thing you have to be <b>VERY</b> mindful of is that these drinks are loaded with calories and sugar. One serving (8 oz.) is 180 calories and holds 26 grams of sugar. That means if you’re drinking a whole 16 oz. bottle you’re taking in about <b>360 calories and 52 grams of sugar</b>!!! This is why I like to drink this as a meal replacement by itself and <b>NOT</b> every day! It’s a great once or twice a week treat that fills me up and cures my occasional sweet tooth. You can find Bolthouse Farms drinks at any grocery store close to the cold fruit section.</div>
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3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These little gems
are for my <u>left handed people</u>, <u>my stationary obsessed people</u> and <u>my pen
fanatics</u>. Being left handed, I have the worst problems with pens not drying
quickly so when I write, it either smears on the paper from my hand OR gets all
over my hand. Usually both. <b>Grrrrrrrrrr</b>. Also, <i>huge shoutout to <a href="http://www.thegingermarieblog.com/" target="_blank">Ginger from Ginger Marie Blog </a> and <a href="http://www.vodkamakesyouhappy.com/" target="_blank">Sevi from Ware is the Vodka</a> for introducing me</i> to these <a href="http://www.staedtler.us/en/" target="_blank">Staedtler Pens</a> for my planner. Now, I seriously use them for
everything I need to write it. They come in super fun colors, dry super quickly
and are super easy to write with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun
little feature: these pens come with a Dry Safe technology. This means if your
forgetful like me, you can leave the cap off this pen for <b>DAYS and it will not
dry out!</b> Find these bad boys are <a href="http://www.target.com/p/staedtler-10ct-black-fine-tip-felt-tip-marker-pen/-/A-14790209#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=staedtler+pens" target="_blank">Target</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/" target="_blank">Tarte Cosmetics </a> has been one of my favorite brands for a
while. I love their packaging, their philosophy and use of cruelty-free
products. With their products, they cover everything from sweatproof to SPF
coverange to (my personal favorite) 12-hr power formulas. I am OBSESSING over
this <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11771015#" target="_blank">Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette</a> because of how smoothly it goes on
with so much pigment. <b>Pigment for days, eye shadow for weeks and
<u><i>Slaaaaaaaaaying</i></u> for years Hunty.</b> Yes I am that animated for this palette and if
you read the reviews, I’m not the only one! Find this beauty at Ulta, Sephora
or Tarte Cosmetics. Excuse me while I go hug my beautiful palette. <o:p></o:p></div>
Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-22934765165159603322016-02-04T11:09:00.000-06:002016-02-04T14:21:52.957-06:00Podcasts: Get Into Them!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2lDfZ4BUGg8b0WpOqiZvaWVtQx7Un4Bhb451Tquxo5BHEctxhI_eE_YJskDtU6Kfhy1iok0Ee1xT3z1_acclwdQ8Stgab_6kivpuB7cezjrWRfSRc7GMqAqAXO2-lEGcJVPbb-i5ilpE/s1600/NYC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2lDfZ4BUGg8b0WpOqiZvaWVtQx7Un4Bhb451Tquxo5BHEctxhI_eE_YJskDtU6Kfhy1iok0Ee1xT3z1_acclwdQ8Stgab_6kivpuB7cezjrWRfSRc7GMqAqAXO2-lEGcJVPbb-i5ilpE/s1600/NYC.png" /></a></div>
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Sometimes an escape from work is needed. Unfortunately, hopping in our car and taking a road trip to the nearest sandy beach is more than likely not an option. So, there has has to be some kind of escape, right??? Of course there is!<br />
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Podcasts have been around for a while now, but I never really got into them because I had no idea what they were. I was under the misconception that they were only used for education or lectures, but there are so many genres from relationships to sex to comedy to sports and everything in between. I was first introduced to them because I randomly followed a guy who goes by <a href="https://twitter.com/mypotnab">MyPotnaB</a> on Twitter. I would always see him tweeting about his podcast episodes, but I never paid it any mind.<br />
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One day, I remember him tweeting something to the effect of, "If you're trying to figure out where to start with my Podcast, listen to '<a href="https://soundcloud.com/mypotnab/can-i-cuss-mama">Can I Cuss, Mama?</a>'". For some reason, that caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. For almost an hour, I found myself laughing, nodding my head in agreement, and I even got teary eyed at one point. It was such a great show and before you knew it I was listening to all his other episodes. Once I looked up and realized it was 4:30 pm (I get off work at 5), I knew I had to find more podcasters to listen to!<br />
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Since then, I have 5 podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis and they truly are great entertainment while I'm at work. Check them out below! (SN: These Podcasts are <b><u>NSFW</u></b>, so either turn your computer down or plug your headphones in. We don't want you to get fired!)<br />
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<b>1. <a href="https://twitter.com/mypotnab">MyPotnaB</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC4wtwCcxoNBL6mjMrrtpX1pomMGnQRg0wgbN9giEil36-wvPysDL8_fvNvBMvHNKwMhOBPZhOlnNm1lXhbLpSmGNwkPklcYeCfSABvSGPz7h2ovsQqE95IXw8HakXZSKLJ2UZWb9t_NZ/s1600/potnab.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC4wtwCcxoNBL6mjMrrtpX1pomMGnQRg0wgbN9giEil36-wvPysDL8_fvNvBMvHNKwMhOBPZhOlnNm1lXhbLpSmGNwkPklcYeCfSABvSGPz7h2ovsQqE95IXw8HakXZSKLJ2UZWb9t_NZ/s1600/potnab.PNG" /></a></div>
The first Podcast I've ever listened to!! Brandon or MyPotnaB ("cuz you don't know him like that") is downright hilarious! He talks about the day to day things that happen in life that EVERYONE can relate to. It's quite refreshing when you think you're the only person going through something and someone else is dealing with the same thing! As funny as he is, he always has an encouraging word for his listeners that will help you get through your day. He often has guests on his show that are non other than his own good friends; he definitely knows how to pick them, because every guest has been a hilarious addition to the show. This podcast is definitely a must listen!<br />
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<b>2. <a href="https://twitter.com/friendzonepod">The Friend Zone</a></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkY-BGhst8i3Av5LNMsep77jCXUzHs7l6Ar_4I7iNbjTBMHj9SVsX3dfYo89zLcjea0gWwF0bgJww4vKTQikjxZClGkrndHp6xbvrv_FTyS6q0DQwSZ5vzGjvqqxKxTw98jXH3OLp64DZ/s1600/friend+zone.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkY-BGhst8i3Av5LNMsep77jCXUzHs7l6Ar_4I7iNbjTBMHj9SVsX3dfYo89zLcjea0gWwF0bgJww4vKTQikjxZClGkrndHp6xbvrv_FTyS6q0DQwSZ5vzGjvqqxKxTw98jXH3OLp64DZ/s200/friend+zone.PNG" width="200" /></a>Dustin, Fran, and Assante are from three different worlds. However, opposites attract well because this trio comes together every week to give amazing tips on wellness for the mind, body, and soul "because who in the hell wants a musty brain?!" They focus on topics that allow the listener to dig deep inside themselves and WANT to become a better person. The energy that comes from these three friends is amazing and will leave you feeling like you've been friends with them all your life. My favorite segment is the Wellness Segment where Fran talks about everything from aligning your chakras to taking ACV detox baths. This podcast is great for whoever wants positive vibes and to be a better person overall!<br />
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<b>3. <a href="https://twitter.com/aylipservice">Lip Service</a></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAHi1TWeN-8LqsmWYpdCbObv-AinyxfwjDX-dLAvEjQ5pTYqQs_EJ7hA4U2rXlWN8OEa0WScJH6fqMzcpqPsiSqVf_Fwd1rUajLYGh6WYAUrCu_2Fyb0fIO7tTBIEd7j75BuxnCEEGuS2/s1600/lip+service.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAHi1TWeN-8LqsmWYpdCbObv-AinyxfwjDX-dLAvEjQ5pTYqQs_EJ7hA4U2rXlWN8OEa0WScJH6fqMzcpqPsiSqVf_Fwd1rUajLYGh6WYAUrCu_2Fyb0fIO7tTBIEd7j75BuxnCEEGuS2/s1600/lip+service.PNG" /></a>If the subject of sex doesn't scare you, you'll love this Podcast! This one is not for the faint of heart! The topics on this show would have even Rihanna clutching her pearls, <strike>and that's saying a lot</strike>! Radio personality Angela Yee, from the Breakfast Club and a few of her friends get together every week to have girl talk and it does not disappoint! A few of your favorite celebrities even stop by to share their knowledge on all things naughty! From rappers, to reality stars, to porn stars, nobody or nothing is off limits on this show! We won't discuss the topics on this blog, you'll just have to check it out for yourself!<br />
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<b>4. <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsTheRead">The Read</a></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_cRByhrKJMGDAczUq5qAmj-IXQhM2nWjK1G-0QUA1kC8U7Ajm9r8zDIbxDgFuKTMt9ODNkrAamyth7RLCNKp5wmcBz424fbfNE9pcK17GyT7oxXSaTAL5hSSmnnQSh-z4Nu2MRcu64A1/s1600/the+read.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_cRByhrKJMGDAczUq5qAmj-IXQhM2nWjK1G-0QUA1kC8U7Ajm9r8zDIbxDgFuKTMt9ODNkrAamyth7RLCNKp5wmcBz424fbfNE9pcK17GyT7oxXSaTAL5hSSmnnQSh-z4Nu2MRcu64A1/s1600/the+read.PNG" /></a>Crissle and Kid Fury hold nothing back on this unapologetically down to earth show. This duo has zero tolerance for ignorance and will "read" anybody who deserves it! They cover everything from hot topics to racism to "Black Excellence". If they have an opinion, believe you will hear it. Their funny take on the world's issues will either have you doubled over in laughter or screaming "right on" with one fist in the air!<br />
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<b>5. <a href="https://twitter.com/TaxSeasonPod">Tax Season</a></b><br />
Turn down your headphones and if you don't like cursing, don't even bother! Haha! This podcast is by none other than Tax Stone! This ex-drug dealer from New York turned his life around and now has a very successful podcast that covers hip-hop from every angle. Some of your favorite rappers have been on this podcast and it is quite entertaining. Hip hop is not my primary choice of music (I'm an old school R&B girl.), but for some reason this podcast keeps me so entertained that I just can't stop listening in. Tax is hilarious and has absolutely no filter. Listen in, it's definitely an experience!<br />
Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-87922328992670428832016-02-03T12:09:00.001-06:002016-02-03T12:17:04.031-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello Loves! Hopefully your week has been going well and we can smell Friday around the corner. This week has been so uneventful but we are excited to share our new obsessions with y'all. Lets get right into it, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1) Finding a good product for your hair is a never ending nightmare, especially for my hair. It is really thick, would break easily and did I mention, thick?? Its super frustrating at times because a product would seem so promising! FINALLY, by the Grace of God I stumbled upon this awesome product by Ogx hair line. <a href="https://www.ogxbeauty.com/hair/vitamin-e/conditioner/" target="_blank">Healing + Vitamin E shampoo and conditioner</a> have worked <u>wonders</u> for my hair over these last few months. <b>This product was designed to reduce the amount of breakage, add some shine back into your hair and did I mention the smell is amazing!!</b> <i><u><b>Bonus:</b></u></i> You can find this haircare line just about anywhere but the biggest selection I have seen was at <a href="http://www.target.com/p/ogx-healing-vitamin-e-conditioner-13oz/-/A-16601269#prodSlot=_2_6" target="_blank">Target</a> and <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11731469" target="_blank">Ulta</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2) I'm sure I am not the only one who gets frustrated by the lack of healthy products on the market. While I do believe healthy homemade meals are the best, I completely understand that is not always realistic. A shortcut <b>is needed at times </b>but when you can't really find anything remotely healthy, it can be annoying.<a href="http://www.annies.com/our-mission" target="_blank"> Annie's Homegrown</a> has became one of my favorite food products simple because they actual care about the food your eating. <u>I'm not saying they are perfect but it gives me peace of mind that I can find tasty organic Mac & Cheese. (Don't judge)</u>. They have <i>everything</i> from pastas and snacks to refrigerated cinnamon rolls. <b>A few of my favorites</b> (<a href="http://www.annies.com/products/snack-mix" target="_blank">snack mix</a> , <a href="http://www.annies.com/products/mac-cheese" target="_blank">mac & cheese</a> & <a href="http://www.annies.com/products/snacks/organic-orchard-strawberry-fruit-bites" target="_blank">strawberry fruit bites</a>) can all be found at Target or Drug Emporium. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3) I've been using Organix products for a while now, and I have fallen in love with their Hydrating Macadamia Oil line. The smell is amazing and it leaves my hair soft as a feather! I always look for a good conditioner, because that's what gives my hair the moisture it needs. I leave the conditioner on for 30 minutes to an hour and wash it out with <b>cold</b> water and when I say my hair feel AMAZING, I am not lying!!!! You can find Organix products and most drug stores or grocery stores in the beauty department!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.) Everybody should know about the greatness that are Beauty Blenders. If not, allow me to introduce. These little sponges have changed the makeup game in a drastic way. They are great for applying foundation or concealer and gives that airbrushed, streakless finish to your makeup. I usually use mine for my undereye concealer, because it helps to blend any harsh lines between my concealer and foundation. I used to use my fingers, but I found that my Beauty Blender works 1,000 times better! You can find them at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/beautyblender">Sephora</a> or if you're in the SW Houston Area, you can find them at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Make-Up+Artist+Project+%2F+The+MUA+Project+%2F+Make+Up+Supply+Store/@29.6616215,-95.5704929,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8640e7fb30a6cd43:0xefa5017e8ca7d5e0">The MUA Project</a> on Wilcrest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-43738487956251926332016-01-28T10:57:00.000-06:002016-01-28T10:58:18.074-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b>Happy Hump Day!!!</b> Welcome to our new series 'We're Obsessed Wednesdays" here we share some of our favorite things we love each week. None of these are affiliated posts, we just really really enjoy these products.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1) <b>Shea Butter is officially apart of my skin care routine.</b> It has become a new obsession of mine and I love using it to moisturize! It is a solid fatty oil that is rich in Vitamin A, D, E, & F, so the benefits are endless. It helps to relieve dry skin because of it's moisturizing abilities helps reduce cellulite and may even help fade stretch marks. 100% natural or organic Shea Butter is the kind you want to get with NO additives or preservatives. I got mine called </span><a href="http://www.shea-natural.com/products/ashanti-naturals.html#%21___SID=U&p=2" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Ashanti Naturals</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> from a beauty supply in my neighborhood, however you can find real Shea Butter anywhere on the internet or even The Whole Foods store. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) MAC Cosmetics has always been my go to for my lipsticks and foundation. Seriously, they have the best foundation for women color and for people with combination/oily skin. Rarely have I ventured out of these two areas with them. Recently however, I've gotten a little better with my makeup skills (Go Me!) and I wanted to try something new: highlighting and skin finishers! Desiree being the awesome makeup artist and knowing me for years suggested that </span><a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13849/30735/Products/Makeup/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish#/shade/Global_Glow" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Global Glam Mineralize Skinfinish</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> would look good on my skin tone. Man oh man, when I wear </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Global Glam</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, I feel like a golden skinned Goddess floating! The glow it gives my skin compliments so well with my undertones and my contour! </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Plus a little goes A LONG WAY!</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I barely have to put any on to achieve the level of Golden Goddess I want! Haha </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) <b>Podcasts have changed my life at work.</b> I recently got into the world of podcasts after I randomly followed this guy on Twitter and found out that he had his own podcast. I decided to give it a listen and I've been obsessed with them ever since! Since then, I have 6 different podcasts that I listen to and I'm always looking to find new ones. Podcasts have so many different genres ranging from relationships to sex to wellness to inspirational to comedy and everything in between! It definitely makes my day go by 10 times faster! I just put in my headphones and my productivity goes up by 100%! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4) This mask is one of my best kept secrets. Sometimes my skin gets so tired and all out of wack that I need to do something different to calm it down. This lovely mask helps so much because it's nice and refreshing. I'm not a huge fan of cucumber scented items so to find this mint one was like a dream! </span><a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/queen-helene-masque-mint-julep/ID=prod7481-product" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Queen Helene Masque Mint Julepe</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> eases my tired skin, reduces harsh lines and shrinks my huge pores. It even helps rinses away blackheads! Best Part: you can get this bad boy at </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">Walgreens for under 4 bucks! </u></div>
</span>Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-77445452449516107282016-01-25T18:35:00.001-06:002016-01-25T19:11:52.323-06:00Review: OrangeTheory Fitness <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About two weeks ago, I packed my gym bag and attended my very first event with the <a href="http://www.dallasfitnessambassadors.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Fitness Ambassadors</a>! I was super excited to head over to OrangeTheory Fitness and attend one of their unique classes. If your like me and have not heard of <a href="http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/" target="_blank">OrangeTheory Fitness</a>, let me tell you, it was TOUGH but effective. (more on that later) Like tough enough that me, who has been an athlete her entire life and have been through <b>several </b>two-a-days in high school in this Texas heat, wanted to quit so badly. The awesome thing is that with me being surrounded by so many positive strong women, I did not give up!<br />
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At Orange Theory Fitness, their overall goal is to have you heart rate stay within certain zones, (orange and red) that spikes your metabolism, this results in the "Orange Effect". This is why they require you to wear a heart monitor. This heart rate zone is achieved by their one-of-a-kind workout which is divided into intervals of cardio and strength training. If that sounds hard, it was. Haha. No JOKE. It is 60 mins of treadmills. rowing machines and suspension training, along with free weights.<br />
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This gym can be very intimidating when you enter but you have an awesome coach that is encouraging you the entire time. Even if your new to the gym scene, the coach shows you each move step by step plus there is a reference tv screen that showing you the moves you doing at the moment. Another awesome thing is they let you see your process the entire time on giant tvs. This gave me the motivation to get going and to kick my own butt into gear because I could see my heart rate fall into the green zone while others were in the orange zone.<br />
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After we finished, the feeling of completing that intense workout was a little overwhelming.....like your so glad it is over but your overjoyed that you actually finished. BY FAR the best part of the class was seeing your finished results on the screen. <b>I burned 668 calories in 60 minutes. 668 CALORIES.</b> Like all of us were shocked at the amount we burned. As a class, together we burned over 8,000 calories in 60 minutes. Gheez! Honestly, I do not even remember the last time I burned that many calories in a session. Overall, I would absolutely recommend you try out <a href="http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/" target="_blank">OrangeTheory Fitness</a> and if it is your first time, they will let you take the class for free!<br />
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<u><b>With <a href="http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/Studio-Locations/Zip-Code-Search?z=75254&r=25" target="_blank">12 studios in the Dallas area</a> and <a href="http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/Studio-Locations/Zip-Code-Search?z=77072&r=25" target="_blank">8 studios in the Houston area</a> there is plenty of opportunity to try them out!</b></u><br />
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Thank you to <a href="http://www.premierprotein.com/" target="_blank">Premier Protein</a> for the delicious after workout shakes and yummy bars. I have finally found a bar that I actually like! The cookies & cream protein bar changed my life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFZEq4U_wHjvV0Pl8OPhrxMfKh8LOAaDX0ZgwFezdxW462g5hPsma2gqP766OkoWntehGJl__C15XOiOYUnKmrZFw4wSX-mFPO79xY5tPiiAtltCe_cqBajGu6rBmxpZ-q0bhhiHhLOMg/s1600/premierprotein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFZEq4U_wHjvV0Pl8OPhrxMfKh8LOAaDX0ZgwFezdxW462g5hPsma2gqP766OkoWntehGJl__C15XOiOYUnKmrZFw4wSX-mFPO79xY5tPiiAtltCe_cqBajGu6rBmxpZ-q0bhhiHhLOMg/s640/premierprotein.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, Thank you to <a href="http://www.mizunousa.com/" target="_blank">Mizuno</a> shoes for letting me experience their amazing workout shoes during that tough workout. I was very apprehensive at first because they were a tab bulky but hands down one of <b>the most comfortable shoes I've ever worked out in</b>! <i>Seriously, I will be making a purchase soon!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyVOLDFK6q4bAqn1pkEuUx7MbdF6j_o1riBjsZEJKWqLrwQVviCJ777jhtmA9zMstIHlSXq3e0TiW6wRwFy-fuecHZa2hoLsZLtuWs3r3YRYgIKD-xnEjATPubfHSh9sLAzSh08TBKRoq/s1600/orangetheory5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyVOLDFK6q4bAqn1pkEuUx7MbdF6j_o1riBjsZEJKWqLrwQVviCJ777jhtmA9zMstIHlSXq3e0TiW6wRwFy-fuecHZa2hoLsZLtuWs3r3YRYgIKD-xnEjATPubfHSh9sLAzSh08TBKRoq/s640/orangetheory5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Huge Shoutout to <a href="http://www.dallasfitnessambassadors.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Fitness Ambassadors</a> for these amazing photos and for being such an awesome group!!<br />
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<br />Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-31611093482874639082016-01-22T13:02:00.000-06:002016-03-03T16:47:20.187-06:00My Journey To Healthier SkinI am on a journey to healthier skin.<br />
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After years of not moisturizing, not drinking enough water, and just all around neglecting my body, I think it's time to take charge. I absolutely hate my skin. I have dark spots, suffer from folliculitis in God forbidden places, and acne scars plague my face from years of breakouts that weren't taken care of properly. I've researched and used so many different products and nothing seems to work which is mainly due to my inconsistency and laziness.<br />
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Since I got the eating right part down, I figured it's time to take extra measures to getting my skin to the glowing beauty it once was (pre-puberty). In an effort to do so, I've been looking for more natural products to use on my body as opposed to the commercially processed products that are sold.<br />
For years I've heard about the benefits of African Black Soap, Cocoa butter, Shea butter, and Coconut oil. It's one of those things where I've been meaning to try it, but never got around to it. Monday night I randomly decided to give it a go and I must say, I'm never going back!<br />
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After just <b>3</b> days, my skin feels so much smoother than before!! Dark spots that I once had are starting to lighten up (nothing drastic, but very noticeable). I feel so cleansed once I get out the shower and once I apply my Shea butter, my body feels so moisturized! Here are the benefits of African Black Soap & Shea Butter:<br />
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<b><u>African Black Soap:</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mFW5oATkvNXXrcdf8JiPvFLHxDAXlACrXpC6QJZmOZPEYqKeFjiyBQ6j8BOrisjGiWuhcRW_WqIoQpzAlm0TjBJ5Rm3PjFfKKVlEQK0ywMzg3ZWCDoa75AgkGPSMqd7Vgts-6bfEcggx/s1600/african_blacksoap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mFW5oATkvNXXrcdf8JiPvFLHxDAXlACrXpC6QJZmOZPEYqKeFjiyBQ6j8BOrisjGiWuhcRW_WqIoQpzAlm0TjBJ5Rm3PjFfKKVlEQK0ywMzg3ZWCDoa75AgkGPSMqd7Vgts-6bfEcggx/s200/african_blacksoap.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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African Black Soap is made from the ashes of plantain skins, palm tree leaves, cocoa pods, and Shea<br />
tree bark. It promotes healthy skin by helping to relieve acne, eczema, brightening, toning & firming skin, and even helps to relieve razor bumps and ingrown hair bumps. Black soap is made mainly in Ghana and should ALWAYS be 100% organic with no other preservatives or chemicals added to it.<br />
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<b><u>Shea Butter:</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLzL4KhLWyUKS9SLzUzNxkQqmvXvtJz-tkulsxYJUc3Qmq4zS03X89UkylxISiDvlKCB3QZgW-8ULSor3K5mBiPbYDwxsYo0VVGDhhGgLmhvcTYvdojMpSwUVhUd5rCTYGRrotOIzemDP/s1600/organic_shea_butter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLzL4KhLWyUKS9SLzUzNxkQqmvXvtJz-tkulsxYJUc3Qmq4zS03X89UkylxISiDvlKCB3QZgW-8ULSor3K5mBiPbYDwxsYo0VVGDhhGgLmhvcTYvdojMpSwUVhUd5rCTYGRrotOIzemDP/s200/organic_shea_butter.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Shea butter is made from the seeds of the fruit of the Karite Tree. It is a solid fatty oil that is rich in Vitamin A, D, E, & F. It has been used heavily in the cosmetic market in lotions, bath products, hair products, and much more. Unfortunately, some of those products are accompanied with other chemicals that are not so good for your skin. 100% organic Shea butter, however, is amazing for the skin and helps to relieve dry skin because of it's moisturizing abilities. Shea butter also helps the skin's natural collagen production, so cellulite can be reduced, it helps fade stretch marks, and protects the skin from UV rays.<br />
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<b><u>Where To Find Them:</u></b><br />
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Shea Moisture has an <a href="http://www.sheamoisture.com/African-Black-Soap_c_1532.html" target="_blank">African Black Soap Line</a>, where everything from the actual soap, to skin toner, to shampoo & conditioner can be bought. Their line is found a most drugstores and Walmart. You can also find African Black Soap at your local urban beauty supply. However, make sure to check the ingredients and ensure that your soap is 100% organic!<br />
Pure Shea Butter can also be found at urban beauty supplies or online. <a href="http://www.bglh-marketplace.com/" target="_blank">BGLH Marketplace</a> sells raw or scented and whipped Shea butter that is made from natural ingredients.<br />
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<b>Since these are natural products made from natural ingredients, food allergies may affect your ability to use these products. As with anything, please remember to consult with your dermatologist before usage.</b><br />
<br />Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-12565276292767614602016-01-20T11:01:00.001-06:002016-01-20T11:01:27.300-06:00We're Obsessed Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>First, Lets all give thanks that it is Wednesday and the work week is almost over! Whoop!! </b></div>
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<i><u>Anyways</u></i>, Welcome to our new series 'We're Obsessed Wednesdays" here we share some of our favorite things we love each week. <u>None of these are affiliated posts, we just really really enjoy these products.</u></div>
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1) We are low-key as obsessed with makeup as we are with a healthy lifestyle. <strike>This will be the first and last time we admit this.</strike> Shhh. If you love makeup like we do, you completely understand how a great lipstick can rock your world. Now, usually we love a good expensive brand like MAC, BUT we stumbled across this <a href="http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-matte-lip-color/-/A-13960373#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=elf+matte+lip" target="_blank">E.L.F. Matte Lip Color lipstick</a> in Target. <b>For only 3 dollars</b>, this lipstick goes on wonderfully and has a nice rich color without having to apply it 37 times like with some other cheaper brands. Seriously, we want to buy every color available.</div>
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2) <b>It's always important to keep your body moisturized, especially during the winter time. </b>Cold weather can cause dry skin and itching. Shea Moisture is a great line for natural hair and body products. <u>This little gem</u>, the Shea Moisture <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shea-Moisture-Coconut-Hibiscus-Gluten-Free/dp/B00HAUHIA8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1453260863&sr=8-6&keywords=coconut+hibiscus+shea+moisture+oil" target="_blank">Coconut & Hibiscus Bath, Body & Massage Oil</a> is essential for keeping your skin moisturized and glowing. <i>It leaves your skin soft and smooth and it smells AMAZING!!! </i>You can find it at any drug store (Walgreens, CVS, etc.) for about $10. Pair it with their body wash and your moisturizing game will be on 100! </div>
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3) For 2016, we both made a goal to be more productive with our time and to get organized. (Go Us!) <b>We have a million and one things going on at the same time so structure is needed.</b> A good friend recommended this awesome planner by <a href="http://daydesigner.com/collections/flagship-collection" target="_blank">Day Designer</a> and we were blown away!! With a daily format, this planner allows you to completely plan out your day down to what you will have for dinner. Plus it is one of the cutest things <u>EVER</u>. Super sturdy and high quality paper. Plus, with two different sizes, you can't go wrong with this planner. </div>
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4) Ok, so here at Eat Well & Sparkle we love to do a little splurging every now and then. However, since we are not at the prime of our careers, our splurging has to make financial sense (<i>most of the time</i>). Since we can't spend $1000 on a pair of shoes or a handbag because; student loans, we found an online consignment store by the name of <a href="https://www.tradesy.com/" target="_blank">Tradesy.com</a>. Tradesy.com sells gently used authentic luxury bags, shoes, and clothes for up to <b>70% off!!!</b> We have been obsessively scrolling through this website looking at the amazing deals that have every day. <u><i>Guess where our next birthday present is coming from!?!?!</i></u></div>
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<b>Have you tried any of these products? What is something your obsessed with this week??</b></div>
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Xoxo,</div>
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Desiree & Jerica </div>
<br />Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-132411090403512212016-01-13T12:08:00.000-06:002016-01-13T12:08:23.694-06:00Cherry Berry Smoothie!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIA9oAbPKb5g89nmN5uwOJJgwxWqhXEKGhTOMXMD8FcbXcXeWrgzdvJfOMb0fkH6ZAVlUQfsunbTqSJP2ilWOjPNfRuEDImHgsiWRnvsk0LXw8C7Q6_5uGU2DeV5w7am1iYGQSuCcVdF1/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Berry Smoothie" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIA9oAbPKb5g89nmN5uwOJJgwxWqhXEKGhTOMXMD8FcbXcXeWrgzdvJfOMb0fkH6ZAVlUQfsunbTqSJP2ilWOjPNfRuEDImHgsiWRnvsk0LXw8C7Q6_5uGU2DeV5w7am1iYGQSuCcVdF1/s640/IMG_1643.JPG" title="Cherry Berry Smoothie" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ok, I need your help with something. You know how when you lose weight and you keep checking yourself out in the mirror? How do you pull yourself away? </div>
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Wait...it's just me? Oh. Carry on then. Im just super super super proud of myself for losing 4 pounds so I can pass a mirror, shiny car, window and I'll still check myself out. <strike>I feel like I should have a donut for a celebration! </strike><i>Moderation is key people!</i> </div>
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Anyways, this has been one crazy week! Like seriously, it feels like everything I need to do this week is happening all at once. This cold weather does not help my work ethic either because <b>all I want to do is hide in bed under my covers and watch Martin.</b> Going outside wouldn't be an option but duty calls! With it being so cold lately, happiness has come in the form of Target. Oh how I love that store so much. Seriously, if Target was a person I would send them flowers every week just because. Being super busy these last few weeks has left me no time for breakfast in the morning so my smoothies have been my go-to for the last few months. Thanks to target and the wonder of frozen fruit, I have found some fun new combinations for smoothies. The best thing about smoothies is you can complete sub out what you don't like! You don't like cherries? Use raspberries instead. Not a fan of almond milk? Use regular or soy milk instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacZqUGnLTkqm2mEXq2IEMtzXKfezmyvv95U4vsd1KwOijQ_Znc5Y6nIF91cKzREsDH2FiIpdD8iDKCz6p0p3zZONEaHpa716-751pPKYPAwgZUhOrGINWp8cQ3OYi4b2vRuICJEXHxmPT/s1600/berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacZqUGnLTkqm2mEXq2IEMtzXKfezmyvv95U4vsd1KwOijQ_Znc5Y6nIF91cKzREsDH2FiIpdD8iDKCz6p0p3zZONEaHpa716-751pPKYPAwgZUhOrGINWp8cQ3OYi4b2vRuICJEXHxmPT/s640/berries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I give y'all the recipe, Let us first give a quick shoutout to the person who came up with the idea to freeze fruit. Like seriously, game changer. You have heard your whole life how fruit taste so much better in season and with it being frozen in the peak of that season, your getting the awesome fruit with a cheaper cost!<br />
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According to the USDA, sometimes frozen fruit can be better for your the fruit on the produce aisle because when it is picked, frozen fruit tends to be most nutrition-packed. Sometimes the fruit picked for fresh produce, is picked just before ripe. Plus, berries are amazing for you!<br />
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<li style="text-align: left;">They keep your mind sharp</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Berries can boost your heart health</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Because they are full of fiber and liquid, berries can give you a sense of fullness.</li>
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Now for the recipe, <b>Enjoy! </b><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7464547921052971018" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7464547921052971018" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-67679390411393543972016-01-06T12:53:00.000-06:002016-01-06T13:03:47.646-06:00Detoxing Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! It's a new year which means it's time for EVERYONE to start their 2 month "weight loss journey". Gyms are packed solid, spinach and kale are sold out of every grocery store, and Instagram models are having sales on Fitness Tea. Since everyone wants the secret to quick weight loss, here it is: <b>WORK OUT AND EAT HEALTHY FOR MORE THAN A WEEK!!!</b><br />
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I'm sure you know that though, after all...you read my post about <b><a href="http://eatwellandsparkle.blogspot.com/2015/08/so-you-wanna-lose-50-pounds.html" target="_blank">losing weight</a> </b>and you're aware that consistency is key. However, let's be realistic: the holidays are over and I'm sure more than a few of us may or may not have packed on 1, 2, or 5 pounds over the course of the past 3 months. Don't be ashamed, it happens to the best of us! Now, it's time to get back on track! Let's detox!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOczEtb4pOAR65t2R7sVFE_6ayxuNzXQP9W1OHXikyys8WhdT72XMY64Ej9UnRcTCarEpFhR9PikJ_7wL_xhviNP2fZWvnv_6TGqZ_wem5e2sXhb_wSb9Ut1HpeXRAFm8MHtKuqv9fzcCH/s1600/ACV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOczEtb4pOAR65t2R7sVFE_6ayxuNzXQP9W1OHXikyys8WhdT72XMY64Ej9UnRcTCarEpFhR9PikJ_7wL_xhviNP2fZWvnv_6TGqZ_wem5e2sXhb_wSb9Ut1HpeXRAFm8MHtKuqv9fzcCH/s320/ACV.jpg" width="113" /></a>Sure, there are a plethora of detox Pins on Pinterest, detox tea sales on Instagram, and Facebook pages from fitness gurus that promise THIS package you pay $19.99 for will help you lose the weight. However, there's one ingredient that has been proven effective time and time again for weight loss: Organic Apple Cider Vinegar! Most people don't realize the many health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV as it's often called:</div>
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<li>The acetic acid in ACV helps lower cholesterol and help kill certain bacteria in your body.</li>
<li>ACV helps to lower blood sugar and is a great aid for those who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. </li>
<li>The amino acids in ACV help to counter fatigue that some may experience from stress.</li>
<li>Daily consumption of ACV can help aid in weight loss over a period of time. </li>
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One thing to be sure of is that your ACV is pure, organic, unfiltered and still has it's "mother" in it. Mother is what is left over after the fermentation of the vinegar which is why it's so effective and beneficial to your body. It's best to dilute ACV because the high acid content may cause esophageal issues (detox recipe below). The best ACV that is most popular is Bragg's Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. It can be found in just about any grocery store right next to the white vinegar. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your daily detox! Your body will thank you! </div>
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<b>ACV Daily Detox Drink</b></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">8 ounces of water </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2 tbsp of ACV </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Juice from half a lemon</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">A pinch or two of cayenne pepper</li>
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*Warning: The taste is not that great, but after a while you'll get used to it! Remember, this is something that will help you in the long run. However, it is NOT a miracle drink. It will not magically make you lose weight. As always, you have to incorporate a healthy lifestyle such as diet and exercise. Also, talk to a physician before doing any detox. </div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-12697570323424648822015-12-20T20:25:00.011-06:002016-01-23T12:20:40.423-06:005 Easy Tips for Portion Control<br />
First off, let me say, I miss all of you! These last few weeks have been insane to say the least so it feels good to finally get back into the swing of things with blogging! With the holidays being in full swing, a friend thought it would be a good idea to discuss portion control, <i>Thanks Mai Lyn!</i> I, for one, have to really really really really try my hardest during Thanksgiving/Christmas not to over do the eating. I'm going to pretend this is where your nodding your head, saying, "Me too" so I don't feel alone. Haha, seriously though, when people are trying to lose weight or maintain their figure, the first thought goes to exercising like crazy.<br />
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Exercising is great for trying to slim down and lose weight, however, combined with portion control with a balance diet, the results can be even more amazing. Just do not confuse portion control with an actually serving size you find on food labels because those are two completely different things. A portion is the actually amount of food you put on your plate. A serving size is specific amount of food defined by common measurements, usually cups or tablespoons.<br />
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By understanding portion controls and how to use them, you can have a better understanding of what your putting into your body and how much! Below are a few tips to help you out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1) Portion Control Dishes </b></span><br />
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Here is a thought, have you even measured exactly how much your bowls and cups hold in your kitchen? That super cute bowl you thought was about 8oz, actually holds around 16oz? How about finding out your favorite mug holds around 16-18oz? All this sums up to the fact that, in each sitting, your eating around 2 servings instead of the 1 serving you thought you were eating. Going back for seconds? That comes out to 4 whole servings in <b>one</b> sitting. There are two ways you can fix this:<br />
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<li>Simple find out how much your current dishes hold so that way, your more aware of what your consuming. </li>
<li>If your willpower is nonexistent at this point, invest in some more portion control items like these from Portionmate. Check them out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/PortionMate-Portion-Control-Rings-Nutrition/dp/B00ECH72BC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450544134&sr=8-1&keywords=portionmate" target="_blank">here</a> on amazon.</li>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) Invest In Smaller Plates</span></b></div>
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Speaking of portion control dishes, it may be helpful to invest in smaller plates for your household. Back in the 1960s, the standard size plate was around 9in and today the standard size plate is about 12in. This can become a bit of a problem if your apart of the "clean plate club" because those extra inches add up to extra calories. By scaling down your plate, your less likely to overeat at mealtimes, especially dinner. Luckily, people are taking notice and making plates that are both small and decorative. Need even more help? Check out these awesome portion control plates for adults on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_5?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A1055398%2Cn%3A367147011%2Ck%3Aportion+control+plates&keywords=portion+control+plates&ie=UTF8&qid=1450559060&rnid=1063498" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqCLTLPgZ9abfY-1cRRhTcZUG_Mbsv8ZN6GnOPvJY2IKPRZ9kMi8y-16cN3HBpY9NJA4X1S_TRLffeCfGmCm46uWTDya5iYFlYD5Zl84-T3qlenIzGyDbQuePaR3GHRfSab6KrH8ZZDKo/s1600/plate-portions-food-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqCLTLPgZ9abfY-1cRRhTcZUG_Mbsv8ZN6GnOPvJY2IKPRZ9kMi8y-16cN3HBpY9NJA4X1S_TRLffeCfGmCm46uWTDya5iYFlYD5Zl84-T3qlenIzGyDbQuePaR3GHRfSab6KrH8ZZDKo/s320/plate-portions-food-400x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) Quit Snacking Out The Bag</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzS5Vp9Uy668pJJ4wciKY-XGZmEmv5ZmryGy0_5OUfL9jgrAtWlun16EP9asNU-DCwNMGTbXAw7rpcnf7CQhoF2znX9GjyivCy-l-gmFI0xzSetKgkOtJ5s2Yy7IRdQvVQgBbhMStUQsU/s1600/reuseable+snack+bags+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzS5Vp9Uy668pJJ4wciKY-XGZmEmv5ZmryGy0_5OUfL9jgrAtWlun16EP9asNU-DCwNMGTbXAw7rpcnf7CQhoF2znX9GjyivCy-l-gmFI0xzSetKgkOtJ5s2Yy7IRdQvVQgBbhMStUQsU/s320/reuseable+snack+bags+.jpg" width="320" /></a>This use to be a horrible habit of mine simple because I was super lazy. When your at home, who has time to grab a bowl? This little habit can add up the calories really fast simple because it is mindless snacking at its finest, especially if your in front of a tv. The best thing you can do in this situation is when you get home from the store, go ahead and portion out your snacks according to that nice little food label on the back. Look, the company has done all the work for you as far as how much is an actual serving size, you just have to understand how to read it. Check out my blog post <a href="http://eatwellandsparkle.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-frustration-with-food-labels.html" target="_blank">The Frustration With Food Labels</a> for a better understanding of how to read a label. I found that plastic snack ziplock bags are the perfect size. I will admit that snack bags like that can be so wasteful but they do make reusable snack bags like these on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cloth-Snack-Bags-Yummi-Spunky/dp/B00LAFKTHS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450556555&sr=8-3&keywords=reusable+snack+bags" target="_blank">amazon.com</a>. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) Develop Better Habits for Eating Out</span></b><br />
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When your eating out, you really want to enjoy your nice meal that you didn't have to prepare but that does not mean you shouldn't watch what you eat. Restaurant portion tend to be very large and <i>usually one plate can be 3-4 servings alone!</i> I myself consider eating out a huge treat so most of the time, I will splurge on something thats not really good for me but I will still use the following tips to make sure I do not over eat.<br />
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<li>Fill up on greens first. Getting a salad? Ask for dressing on the side, dip your fork in the dressing then in the greens.</li>
<li>If you know your going to have a naughty meal, avoid drinking extra calories, order water!</li>
<li>After your meal comes, ask the waiter for a to-go box and place half your meal in there for a yummy meal tomorrow. </li>
<li>Want dessert? Get one to share! That way your finishing with a sweet treat but not all the calories. </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5) Learn to Eyeball Serving Sizes </b></span></div>
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Hands down, this is probably one of the easiest yet one of the most helpful things you can do to control your portion sizes. For example, your serving size of meat should be no bigger then a deck of cards. Now, wait a minute before you start picturing exactly how big a deck of cards is and think your gonna starve. I know, it seems tiny but America has really narrowed our minds as to what size we actually need. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CsM1qrYNUhUJHRKgRPj-ITmDIhQVK9eLGlg_pwGvu9qq4Ey5wRqalqWFT804etHjRsqd5V21vz6CqktOLg8ir2LyXfNaAM5m8p7DDBVPobzZVdlkyplLVNs9rjteRv5yfBnkMCrOO3pD/s1600/protion+control+hands2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CsM1qrYNUhUJHRKgRPj-ITmDIhQVK9eLGlg_pwGvu9qq4Ey5wRqalqWFT804etHjRsqd5V21vz6CqktOLg8ir2LyXfNaAM5m8p7DDBVPobzZVdlkyplLVNs9rjteRv5yfBnkMCrOO3pD/s400/protion+control+hands2.gif" width="276" /></a>Everything is super sized today so it may take some time to train your body and mind on the idea. Using my hands is a great way to explain portion sizes and it works so well when I am teaching children about portion control. Hands are a great tool because more then likely, your hands are made for your body type. Example, the palm of your hand works as a great judge in how big your portion of meet should be. A man's portion of meat obviously will be bigger then a woman because more then likely his hand will be much larger. </div>
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<b>Lauren Conrad came up with this Super Cute portion chart on her website using beauty supples we all know and love!</b> <a href="http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2012/08/shape-up-portion-control-lauren-conrad-diet-tips/" target="_blank">Check it out here!</a><br />
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-75055041794799550862015-11-20T07:57:00.003-06:002015-11-20T07:57:41.619-06:00Play! by Sephora Nov 2015 Review <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links within this post. The box was paid for by Jerica.</i></td></tr>
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After fighting this illness and an ER trip this week,You have no idea how great it feels to get packages in mail, its like christmas. Even more exciting, I received my very first beauty subscription box <a href="http://www.sephora.com/play" target="_blank">Play! by Sephora</a> in the mail. Sephora and I are BFFs so when I heard they were doing a subscription box like Ipsy or Birchbox ,I jumped at the chance. Sephora has never let me down when it comes to beauty products, customer service and having a good variety of products in stock. <i>Unfortunately, Sephora is only doing a testing market for the boxes at first and there is a waiting list. </i><u>The boxes will be available for everyone in 2016. </u><br />
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As you can see above, the packaging is just too darn cute and I am a sucker for any time I can reuse something. I will probably use this box to hold cards and notes sent to me. Believe me, Im heading to Pinterest after this so I can get some other ideas for how I can use my future boxes. Within the box, you get six deluxe samples and a <b>awesome catalog</b> that explains the products, neat tips on using them and tricks. Apparently each box comes with a theme and Nov 2015 box is <i><b>The Exclusives</b></i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AUOU-x_UVp7BUZicpUtgdTBgG75MBQfs5uJBun2QW6w_O4YTcMSqO7bh6SGG4tXhuKGbFDiCzP_buDv0bhyphenhyphen1Ye8IIgxC_08n-BWa8V3SbRZ9EgnZzdwYhGwvdOzVh_2dFZbJNeIpWl38/s1600/sephoraNov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AUOU-x_UVp7BUZicpUtgdTBgG75MBQfs5uJBun2QW6w_O4YTcMSqO7bh6SGG4tXhuKGbFDiCzP_buDv0bhyphenhyphen1Ye8IIgxC_08n-BWa8V3SbRZ9EgnZzdwYhGwvdOzVh_2dFZbJNeIpWl38/s400/sephoraNov.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li><b>Bite</b> | Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarb</li>
<li><b>Buxom </b>| Full-on lip cream in Dolly </li>
<li><b>Stella McCartney</b> | Stella perfume </li>
<li><b>Josie Maran</b> | 100% Pure Argan Oil </li>
<li><b>Sephora Collection</b> | Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof</li>
<li><b>Make Up For Ever</b> | Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer</li>
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At the back of the nice catalog Sephora provides, there is a Sephora Play! pass which helps you be more involved in the Sephora store experience. The Play! Pass you can turn in at any Sephora store to give a personal one-on-one interaction with a Sephora beauty expert including a mini makeover. Bonus: Purchase something at sephora with your Play! pass and you get 50 extra beauty insider points! </div>
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Overall, I am very happy with the box i received and since it only cost 10 dollars with free shipping, I am even more satisfied. Seriously, I sent most of my friends photos as soon as I opened the box. (We will not judge)</div>
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Thank you so much for reading this! </div>
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<b>How many of you have looked into the Play! by Sephora subscription box? </b></div>
Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-21052496263785407912015-11-13T13:21:00.003-06:002015-11-13T13:21:43.715-06:00My Favorite Products for Oily Skin <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Picture this, your feeling extra super magically delicious cute because your makeup is beat to perfection. Im talking about In-Your-Head-Beyonce-Flawless-Is-Playing-As-You-Walk down the hall cute ok?! Mid-day, you finally have time to check out a mirror with your cute self and staring back at you is a hot oily mess. Disappointing huh? Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do, your face always seems to end up shiny by the end of the day.<br />
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These are some of my favorite products that I use routinely to help combat my oil skin throughout the day.<br />
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<b>Primer Water</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgo6I86x_pPlU_5y71WxdLck8p_G9YiKGNAcl3ab_fBttnN8JpefgeEw3n5-8-jriu0e1J32Zej7hP9vZUTfKeV3-S9JLa-anVbdts2Fk3mxRxlL4Y0pLvmOjo4jU_cK7UogUuZ4iiu1K/s1600/primer+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgo6I86x_pPlU_5y71WxdLck8p_G9YiKGNAcl3ab_fBttnN8JpefgeEw3n5-8-jriu0e1J32Zej7hP9vZUTfKeV3-S9JLa-anVbdts2Fk3mxRxlL4Y0pLvmOjo4jU_cK7UogUuZ4iiu1K/s1600/primer+water.jpg" /></a></div>
This little spray by Smashbox is pretty awesome and I am so glad I discovered it. When you have oily skin, a primer free of oil and silicone like this one, will be your best friend. It is packed with electrolytes to wake up your tried dull skin and instantly absorbs for a <b>lasting hydration without the shine</b>. Even though I love this for oily skin, <u>this product is great for all skin types</u>. Sometimes I love to use this product alone or combined with one of my favorite primers.<br />
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<b>POREfessional Face Primer</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajAhCveo0A6Cyclm1v37F4vderJSN-t2aNsqfeAoDXwmyiir5wSGniECnjZcPKu8_f6U5jRIBjKqKp40QRVnhvrPX1pvSEIuDB4d9gwzmAKMzHIbc8Z0Be7Hlx3xBECvAjhpPi631pP2r/s1600/porefessional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajAhCveo0A6Cyclm1v37F4vderJSN-t2aNsqfeAoDXwmyiir5wSGniECnjZcPKu8_f6U5jRIBjKqKp40QRVnhvrPX1pvSEIuDB4d9gwzmAKMzHIbc8Z0Be7Hlx3xBECvAjhpPi631pP2r/s1600/porefessional.jpg" /></a></div>
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Where do I begin with this little gem? This primer by Benefits Cosmetics has been in my makeup bag for years and it hasn't disappointed me yet! When you have oily skin, you often have large pores to go alone with it and this primer minimizes their appearance. When applied, it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and make for a smooth surface to apply my makeup. <b>It is completely oil free with Vitamin E and complements all skin tones.</b> I usually apply this first, then use either Primer water over it or my Tarte Flawless primer. While it works well without, I find better results when i use it under another primer.<br />
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<b>Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Primer </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxHLziG3LvaqeQ_JthtPq0JpxmdbZ5YEnF-YvHU85CkfbqSZGDuoi-F_6fkaxmNw-_ulCMK_2uVdCRYGfLIbUTP-et__rCg7tbsCxeMEtQHZjitHuauz-LQM9cIaX4szLxyYtah4ysP0V/s1600/tarte+primer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxHLziG3LvaqeQ_JthtPq0JpxmdbZ5YEnF-YvHU85CkfbqSZGDuoi-F_6fkaxmNw-_ulCMK_2uVdCRYGfLIbUTP-et__rCg7tbsCxeMEtQHZjitHuauz-LQM9cIaX4szLxyYtah4ysP0V/s1600/tarte+primer.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tarte is one of my favorite brands when it comes to having oily skin because many of their products contain a amazonian clay that helps absorbs the oil on your skin. The lightweight texture of this primer is ideal when you don't want to feel like your makeup is caked on your face. <b>This leaves my skin feeling super smooth </b>and helps to make my makeup look flawless. Another good thing is that this primer is filled with Vitamin A & E that help fight premature signs of aging while also brightening your skin.<br />
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<b>Tarte Smooth Operator Amazon Clay Finishing Powder</b></div>
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<b>Hands down, one of the best finishing powders I've ever had. Period.</b> During the summer months, I will apply this after primer but before makeup; then finish with some on my t-zone after applying makeup. This is a translucent powder so do not be afraid of the white color, it goes on completely colorless. For this, I will use a large fluffy brush to apply and I will also use my finger to apply it under my eyes over concealer to keep it from creasing. A little of this goes a long way.</div>
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<b>Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder</b></div>
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Often, I'll look to Clinique for my skin care needs; their moisturizer is one of my favorites. This pressed powder I stumbled upon when I received it in a holiday gift bag last year. I quickly learned it is best to use this product for touch-ups throughout the day. It goes on very smoothly, not super heavy and does not leave streaks. It instantly makes my makeup/skin look so fresh and it combats the oil in my t-zone so well. This pressed powder stays in my purse. All.The.Time. You just never know when you might need a quick touchup. Sometimes when I am super lazy, I will apply this powder after some primer and go on with my day.<br />
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<b>Have you used any of these products before? If so, what is your favorite?</b>Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-4900673767351057612015-11-12T13:19:00.000-06:002015-11-16T12:00:27.663-06:00Staying On Track During The Holidays!<br />
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! With my favorite time of the year settling in, we all know what that means....FOOD!!! With birthdays, dinner parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's celebrations and everything in between, it can be harder than Trigonometry to stay on the healthy path.<br />
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I know for a fact that I gained weight for the holidays last year and I definitely can tell when I look back at the pictures. Luckily, I was able to lose what I gained and get back on the right path. This year, I'm going to follow the tips I created for myself back in 2013. Check them out below so that you won't let the Holidays destroy your midsection!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Don't deprive yourself.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The holidays are a time for family, fun and fellowship. It's a time to relax and let your hair down and celebrate all the hard work you'be put in throughout the year. But before you decide to devour the whole sweet potato pie, remember your goals! One slice is good. Five slices? Probably not a good idea!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b>2. Work out more.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Your calorie intake may increase a bit more during this time, so that means your workouts should increase more as well. Use your time off from school or work to hit the gym twice a day. If you can't do that, go harder than usual. Going harder doesn't mean you have to spend more time in the gym, it just means you're using more energy and sweating A LOT more!</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Keep candies, sodas, and other sweet treats out of your house!</span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Holiday season is the time when all the sweet treats ever manufactured in the history of life come out to taunt you and make you fat. Trust me. I know. Visions of sugar plums don't only dance in my head, but all around my house during this time of the year. Therefore, it's quite difficult to ignore my sweet tooth when I have a jar full of candy sitting on my living room coffee table. This year, instead of processed sweet treats, I'll be indulging in nature's candy: FRUITS. Gotta be responsible somehow, right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. Enjoy your holidays.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">"What do you think this is? Christmas?" Um, yes! At the end of the day, remember that it is the holidays. One sweet treat won't hurt you, a glass of eggnog won't give you diabetes, and a slice of ham won't clog your arteries. Remember to be responsible in your eating and load up on the fruits and vegetables. Eat, drink, and be merry! Happy Holidays!</span></span></div>
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Check out my Healthy for the Holidays video below:<br />
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<br />Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-15287388090287966962015-10-30T13:30:00.000-05:002015-10-30T13:48:09.926-05:006th Annual Odessa Haywood Cancer Awareness GalaThis past weekend, I had the pleasure of providing my makeup services for the 6th Annual Odessa Haywood Cancer Awareness Gala. Dr. Kimberley Booker founded this organization in honor of her mother, Odessa Haywood who passed in 2008 from Multiple Myeloma Cancer.<br />
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I was honored when Dr. Booker asked me to do her and her daughter's makeup last year and even more honored this year when she asked me to provide my services for a few cancer survivors who were being recognized. I quickly jumped at the opportunity because I always think it is important to give back, especially with something as important as cancer awareness.</div>
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Here are a few photos from the event:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Booker<br />
Source: yourhoustonnews.com</td></tr>
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A special thanks to Dr. Kimberley Booker, Jasmine Phillips, Young Ladies of Elegance and Young Men of Character as well as the three beautiful women whose makeup I did for the amazing opportunity. I look forward to next year's gala!</div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-26404682290135182812015-10-27T08:11:00.000-05:002015-10-27T12:42:36.133-05:00Organic Vs Natural <br />
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Have you ever been in the grocery store looking at produce and realize the word"organic" is everywhere? Organic, Organic, Organic. I'm almost positive you hear and see that word several times a week at least. It tends to get thrown around a lot but still, many people are not clear on what exactly this means.<br />
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The government defines "organic" as the following,<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u><i>Organic agriculture produces products using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics.</i></u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">It took the government many years to come to an actually definition for organic but now it is pretty highly regulated. Basically, Farmers cannot grown </span>organic produce is soil that has seen synthetic methods within the last 3 years. Also, when dealing with animals, they cannot use growth hormones on them or antibiotics. However, there is some downfall. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-4EgAw9bBaQ2iojQhbpGzBJI6Nz3Tn-rhR4Gafm6vUKrkITNnfv30Kt_Fa1cYE8kLbKOx7mspEKgf2_hV282Y0gAxZCKYrfHL2nmzYHGsB6EA92DEFRw5mfdHLXy3VdVxFCKxlMitb0/s1600/2000px-USDA_organic_seal.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-4EgAw9bBaQ2iojQhbpGzBJI6Nz3Tn-rhR4Gafm6vUKrkITNnfv30Kt_Fa1cYE8kLbKOx7mspEKgf2_hV282Y0gAxZCKYrfHL2nmzYHGsB6EA92DEFRw5mfdHLXy3VdVxFCKxlMitb0/s200/2000px-USDA_organic_seal.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Being organic does not mean completely pesticide free unfortunately, Farmers can use pesticides derived from natural sources and the word "synthetic" is also another misleading term because they can use some synthetic materials; like animal vaccines. <u>AND there is a HUGE difference between "Organic" and "USDA Organic".</u> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With USDA Organic label, a farmer has to go through an even more strict expensive process to receive that government seal on their products. </span><br />
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Not only is every produce labeled organic low-key expensive, they also tend to be somewhat smaller in size. Seriously, my obsession with Honeycrisp apples is kinda insane because they are super expensive but they are HUGE so you get a lot of apple per buck. Except with organic, the apple was nearly half the size they usually are. I wanted to ask the manager did they keep the rest of the apple in the back. I'm not playing. Seriously, the sticker shock and size of organic products can take a big getting use too.<br />
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Also in the grocery store, you see the word "Natural" just as often as you see organic, especially on packaged foods. When you see the word "natural" on a produce, your almost instantly thinking, well this must be good for me, its made with natural ingredients and all that good stuff. That could be true, also, it can also be not true. Unless your familiar with reading the ingredient list on a produce, you honestly have no idea what can be hidden in your food. The government defines "natural" as the following,<br />
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Yeaaahhh, about that.... the word actually does not have a legal definition. I wish I was kidding but there is not government regulation of the word natural. The only guidance is that the produce cannot contain anything artificial or synthetic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7a5K4ODHIY5UCC4_FxX4999sU1JZE2jcmLpJ_LFdNkt_QBFYhBs73co8pkefEtcvjJZGsUMj4c4mzA3OwbZsn-_qMoQ9ZoQtOZUasmmeLS6SQ10dOZ6axX7jn3HrFR08kAC8gmYcUJId/s1600/Do_Natural_and_Organic_Mean_the_Same_Thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7a5K4ODHIY5UCC4_FxX4999sU1JZE2jcmLpJ_LFdNkt_QBFYhBs73co8pkefEtcvjJZGsUMj4c4mzA3OwbZsn-_qMoQ9ZoQtOZUasmmeLS6SQ10dOZ6axX7jn3HrFR08kAC8gmYcUJId/s400/Do_Natural_and_Organic_Mean_the_Same_Thing.jpg" width="400" /></a>The frustration comes in when you realize they can add this word to just about anything on the shelf. There have been well over 50 lawsuits against food companies who have used this word on a product. For example, General Mills was sued over putting "100 % natural" on its Nature Valley granola bars that contained high fructose corn syrup and maltodextrin(a food additive). Kashi, Kix cereals and Frito-Lay have all been under a scrutiny for their use of the "all natural" labels and GMOs on their products.<br />
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Good News is that the government is finally taking notice and hopefully in the future we will have just as strict regulation on the label "natural" as they are with the label "organic".<br />
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Occasionally when your reading or watching the news, you come across a story of produce contamination. I know you have seen them, spinach being recalled because they found traces of E. Coli or strawberries having traces of feces (yeah, disgusting I know). Unfortunately this is what you have to deal with when you don't grow your own produce in your back yard. You relying on someone else to provide you and your family with good quality clean food. The Dirty Dozen list came about because many experts felt that people should understand which kinds of produce have the most pesticide contamination.<br />
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Im sure your like, uhhhhh, why should I even care? Three words;Pesticides are toxic. Not only that, Pesticides have been linked to many health problems too such as cancer and brain toxicity. By government standards, organic produce cannot be grown with synthetic pesticides or antibiotics. Now, Im not saying run out and buy EVERYTHING organic, nor am i saying completely avoid the dirty dozen. Besides, for more people, going completely organic is a slow process, typically because organic foods are more expensive. </div>
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When you break it down, buying fresh fruits and veggies is<b> always a better, healthier option then processed foods. </b>So don't let this turn you off from buying fresh produce. Use this list as a guide when your in the store trying to decide if I should buy this in organic or not. You want to minimize your pesticide consumption while still staying with your budget. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) Apples</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) Peaches</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) Nectarines</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) Strawberries</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) Grapes</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) Celery</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) Spinach</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) Bell Peppers</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) Cucumbers</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) Potatoes</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11) Blueberries</span></b><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12) Lettuce</span></b></div>
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I bet you didn't realize that every single item on the Dirty Dozen are produce items where you can eat the entire fruit/veggie. All these items have an edible outside skin which is one of the reasons why they made the list. The outside skin is when the pesticides and chemicals tend to stay on the produce which is why you should pay even more attention to washing your produce before you consume it.<br />
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<b>Which food surprised you the most at being on the Dirty Dozen list??</b></div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-78283391957481401852015-10-14T13:07:00.000-05:002015-10-14T13:13:35.403-05:00Smoothie Queen: My Smoothie Regimen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many people have asked my about my smoothies and what I put in them. I usually tell them that it depends on what I have a taste for. One day, I may be feeling tropical, the next day I may want a berry flavor, or some days I may want to go green and have a super healthy smoothie. It honestly just depends on what my palette is feeling like that day. Below, I have recipes for three of my go-to smoothies as well as a video recipe of a yummy tropical green smoothie. Hope you enjoy!<br />
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<b>Very Berry Smoothie (yields 2 servings):</b><br />
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<li>1 cup of water</li>
<li>1 cup of almond milk</li>
<li>1 banana</li>
<li>1 cup of frozen mixed berries (Dole Brand can be found at Kroger, Walmart, etc.)</li>
<li>1/2 cup of frozen mango chunks (Dole Brand can be found at Kroger, Walmart, etc.)</li>
<li>1/2 cup of fresh or frozen pineapple chunks (Frozen Dole Brand can be found at Kroger, Walmart, etc.)</li>
<li>1 tbsp of ground cinnamon</li>
<li>1 pinch of nutmeg</li>
<li>1 tbsp of ground flax seeds or chia seeds (optional)</li>
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<b>Green Machine Smoothie (yields 2 servings):</b></div>
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<li>1 cup of water and/or almond milk</li>
<li>1 banana</li>
<li>1 handful of spinach or kale</li>
<li>1/2 cup of fresh or frozen pineapples</li>
<li>1/2 cup of fresh or frozen mangos </li>
<li>1 small green apple</li>
<li>1 half of a sliced cucumber</li>
<li>1 tbsp of cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp of turmeric</li>
<li>1 pinch of nutmeg</li>
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<b>Tropical Green Smoothie (yields 1 serving):</b><br />
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-26353472408466752462015-10-12T13:01:00.004-05:002015-10-12T13:08:17.121-05:00My New Obsession: Belvita Breakfast Biscuits Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OK, I am fully aware that these biscuits have been out for a number of years but I just recently found these bad boys and decided to try them a few week ago. Seriously, I was in the grocery store like "What can i possible get for a super quick breakfast?" I don't know about y'all but nearly 2-3 times a week, I just do not have time to make breakfast in the morning. Most of the time, Sleep wins. <b style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Who am I kidding, sleep wins all the time.</b> Any who, while in the cookie aisle looking for something I do not need, I stumbled upon these little gems.<br />
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These biscuits come in several flavors and styles now; including cranberry orange, golden oat, blueberry, cinnamon brown sugar and chocolate. They also come in different kinds like soft baked and little bites. I thought I would try the crunchy ones first just because they had a flavor I tend to always enjoy, blueberry. Oh y'all, my love of blueberry seems to no end and if it was a person, I would huge it, seriously. If you ever hear the words <u style="font-weight: bold;">super fruit,</u> blueberries should come to mind. Besides being amazingly high in antioxidants, blueberries are great for brain health, help aid in fighting heart diseases and can reduce belly fat.<br />
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Anyways, back to the breakfast biscuits, here are a few of my favorites about these tasty little biscuits. Like I said, I tried the blueberry flavored ones and I was impressed.<br />
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<li><b>These biscuits taste really good, they have just enough sweetness without feeling like your having a sugar overload. </b></li>
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<li><b>They are thin and crispy. (If crispy is not your thing, they do make a soft baked kind)</b></li>
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<li><b>Each package contains about 18 to 20 grams of whole grains and 3 whole grams of fiber.</b></li>
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<li><b>Very surprised that they are made from majority of whole wheat flour and still manage to be very tasty.</b></li>
<li><b>They are made with </b><b style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">NO</b> <b><strike>high fructose Corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and flavors.</strike> </b></li>
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A few things I wasn't very happy with...</div>
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<li><b>ONE package has about 230 calories which is pretty high for 4 little biscuits. </b></li>
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<li><b>4 biscuits contain just 3 grams of fiber which will not keep an adult full until lunchtime. (I learned that the HARD way)</b></li>
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Overall, I still recommend them for a quick breakfast in the morning when you don't have time to make anything else but I would pair it with something else to keep you full. Despite being so high in calories, these would also make a great afternoon snack if you ate just two of them and can be a great breakfast for school kids as well. These are a few things I paired mine with.</div>
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<li>A banana with orange juice.</li>
<li>hard boiled egg</li>
<li>spread peanut butter or almond butter on them with sliced bananas.</li>
<li>1 container of Greek yogurt with blueberries</li>
<li>1 whole honey crisp apple, sliced with a disk of laughing cow cheese. </li>
<li>Mixed container of fruit (pineapple, strawberries, kiwi and grapes) with a coffee</li>
<li>8oz homemade peanut butter banana smoothie with chocolate soy milk </li>
<li>Crumbled on top of yogurt parfait </li>
</ul>
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Have you enjoyed these biscuits before? How have your paired them to make a complete breakfast?</div>
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464547921052971018.post-21682122507746614622015-10-10T11:52:00.002-05:002015-10-10T16:43:13.201-05:00Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><strike>*No pumpkins were harmed in the making of this recipe, because there is no actual pumpkin in it*</strike></i><br />
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First, let me start by saying that I am extremely glad it is finally the weekend. This week has been <strike>trying to say the least</strike> and I just want to relax. Hopefully you guys had a much better week then I did. This recipe came from sheer laziness and trying to use a produce before it spoils. It never fails, I can never buy the correct amount of bananas for the week. Usually when I don't buy enough, I run out BUT if I buy too much, they start to spoil. So, here I am with 3 bananas practically black because I'm too lazy and too cheap to chunk them. Haha!<br />
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So, I said, Self, what should I do with these bananas that will come out delicious. In popped banana bread! Seriously, banana bread was the only thing I could think of. This recipe is super easy and I whipped it up early one morning before work. By the time I came home from lunch, it was cooled enough to cut and my coworkers inhaled it back at work. <br />
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This is a great bread for a nice relaxing morning with a good cup of coffee. I love how the banana bread is not too sweet but the ribbon of pumpkin spice spice sugar through the middle gives you a nice treat. The greek yogurt gives you that moist bread without the use of horrible fats. The pumpkin spice came in because, well, why not!? It is fall season after all and I am <i>slightly obsessed</i> with staying on theme of the season. <b>(We will not judge me). </b><br />
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Eat Well and Sparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319363787639586703noreply@blogger.com2