Tuesday, June 26, 2012

tea tree toner......

I am always looking for a good toner that is not all alcohol and will not dry up my face. Then I got an email today from "the well daily" and it was about tea tree oil. I used to use tea tree oil back in collage and I guess just forgot about it.


We can't get enough of this medicine cabinet in a bottle! Tea tree oil, originally from Australia, activates the renewal, rejuvenation and refining of the skins outer most layers. It not only tightens pores, but also clarifies and cleanses excess dirt and impurities from the skin. Say good-bye to acne and hello to the gorgeous glow.
  • Get it Right by Keeping it Tight: Tea tree oil can tighten pores and reduce inflammation. This will diminish the appearance of any flare-ups by drying out and minimizing acne blemishes.
  • Triple A's: Tea tree oil is anti fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial! Bacteria and viruses love to create monster pimples or groups of them (the ones that can be felt before seen, ouch!). Stop the potential spread of these nasty microbial agents with a simple swipe of tea tree oil solution. 
  • Au Natural: Tea tree oil makes for a safe solution to getting flawless skin. The natural oil blend has fewer side effects and penetrates and absorbs quickly into each layer of skin. This no-nonsense beauty product is safe for even the most sensitive of skins and can even be used during pregnancy!  
  • Aromatherapy to Boot: Not only will you have clear skin, but also you will benefit from the strong smell that tea tree oil totes. It’s invigorating and refreshing, the perfect morning boost to get you through the warm summer months
After reading this email I did some research on different toner recipes and discovered this one. I LOVED how she explained all the reasons for and benefits of each ingredient. 

recipe link 

"I wanted my toner to be an exfoliant, as well as having antibacterial and antioxidant properties.  To add exfoliating properties, I added aspirin which is salicylic acid and is a chemical exfoliant (for more information, see my last post on the aspirin honey mask where I discuss the properties of salicylic acid).  I wanted the toner to be antibacterial because some acne can be caused by bacterial.  So, I added some tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial agent.  Studies have shown that a 5% solution of tea tree oil is just as effective as a 5% solution of benzoyl peroxide when treating acne.  Tea tree oil is another one of those things that has a distinctive smell, but I really like it.  It smells kind of like pine trees.  Lastly, I wanted the toner to have antioxidants, so I used really strongly steeped green tea to dilute the apple cider vinegar and other ingredients."


Here's what you need to get started:


Apple Cider Vinegar Toner Recipe
makes 8 ounces of toner, which should last for 2 months
ingredients:::::
1/2 cup of unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I used Bragg's, but any would work)
1/2 cup of strongly brewed green tea
3 uncoated aspirin
10 drops of tea tree oil (use only 100% tea tree oil)
funnel (for pouring in your toner)
1 coffee filter 
bottle for storing your toner

method::::
Brew - your green tea in hot water.  While it's brewing, place a coffee filter in a mug and pour in your apple cider vinegar and aspirin.  Let the aspirin dissolve for 5 minutes, then pull out the coffee filter.  This will make it so that your toner doesn't have the shells of dissolved aspirin floating around, but the salicylic acid is still in the vinegar.  Use a funnel to pour all the ingredients into your bottle.  Add your tea tree oil.  

To use your homemade toner, apply it to a cotton ball after thoroughly cleansing your skin.  Wipe the toner across your skin, and wait for that stink the subside!!!  It passes quickly, just hang in there!!!


Im off to make my own**

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

amazing hair.......

AQUAGE sea salt texturizing spray
my new favorite product...  no one in my town carried it, so I had I had to purchase it on amazon.com.
I get out of the shower, spray my wet hair and go!


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

protein ice cream.....

Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
(I forgot to take a picture of it, so by now its a bit melted ;)

I found this ice cream recipe last week and had to try it! Here is the link to a video if you want to watch how to make it.
It completely filled my need for ice cream and you get an added 25 grams of protein in your day.

Nutrition: 165, calories, 25 grams of protein, 4g fat, 7 carbs

Ingredients: 1 scoop of protein powder 
1 tablespoon of coco 
1tsp of stevia
1 cup of almond milk 
bag of ice
1 cup of salt
a small zip lock
large zip lock

Steps: 1)Mix protein powder, coco, stevia and almond milk in a bowl, stir and pour into a 
small zip lock bag
2) Fill large zip lock bag half full of ice and pour in your cup of salt
3) Last put the small bag into the big bag and begin to shake
 4) Shake for 10 min (I shook for 15 min and still put it in the freezer for a bit, but I think my shaking bag didn't have enough ice)


Now enjoy your guilt free PROTEIN ICE CREAM



Tuesday, June 12, 2012

the real english muffin......

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain

 The Original Complete Protein. 100% Flourless Sprouted Grain English Muffins. The live grain difference! Different from most english muffins today, these are made from freshly sprouted Live grains and contain absolutely no flour. We believe in sprouting the grains we use in our english muffins because sprouting is the best way to release all of the vital nutrients stored in whole grains. (quote from the website)

I have been a fan of Food For Life Products for many years now. But just discovered their english muffins on Monday and have had one every day since. You can find their products in your grocery store freezer.  I have stored my english muffins in my fridge so that I don't have to defrost them every day. I will admit the bread is a fine substitute but can be really hard and chewy, the English Muffins however are fluffy and doughy!!! Their is no comparison to the bread. They are so good. I have been making an open faced sandwich on one half and using Laughing Cow Lite Cream Cheese  on the other half (only 45 calorie cream cheese ;)

You might think these are higher in calories but trust me they are GOOD calories, they are real ingredients that you body knows how to properly digest!

INGREDIENTS: Organic Sprouted Wheat, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Soybeans, Organic Sprouted Spelt, Filtered Water, Fresh Yeast, Sea Salt.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 muffin
 
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 5
Calories 80
 
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 0.5g1%
 Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 80mg3%
Potassium 75mg 
Total Carbohydrate 15g5%
 Dietary Fiber 3g12%
 Sugars 0g 
Protein 4g 
 
Vitamin A -Vitamin C -
Calcium -Iron -
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

cold and crunchy....

Since its summer, I am needing more cold crunchy refreshing mid afternoon snacks! For the past two weeks I have been overloading on fruit which is so yummy, but I think I need to add some veggies in the mix.... So today I made this ->




1 can of rinsed black beans
1 can of rinsed corn
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped yellow bell pepper
1 or 2 fresh jalapeno
1 chopped tomato
chopped cilantro
1 chopped onion
2 limes juiced
1 tablespoon of low fat Italian dressing
a pinch of salt
avocado (optional)

steps: Mix all the veggies into a boll. Then add lime juice, salt and dressing! Let it refrigerate and taste (your might need more lime juice)

I eat mine with a spoon or popped lentil chips which helps keep it completely healthy

ENJOY!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

lentil trails.....


Baked Lentil Trail Mix at the Beach



 Once the lentil bean has been baked with a little sea salt, they’re super crunchy and savory and make for a lovely little snack (even on their own). As an added bonus, they make a great trail mix base for people who are allergic to nuts.


  • 1 cup red lentils, soaked and baked
  • 3/4 cup roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds
  • 3/4 cup roasted, unsalted sliced almonds
  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • 3/4 cup dried prunes (finely chopped)
  • a few cashews I had lying around