Allergy season is upon us

AAHCHOOOOO!!

Well, it is that time of year where some of us start sniffling a bit more, sneezing a lot more and going through boxes of tissues like wild fire through trees. Many of us may feel as if we are trapped in a field of pollen, waking each morning tour cars coated with a sheath of glowing green pollen. Or for some,  it's like digging your face in cats tummy. AAHCHOOOOO!

So what are we to do? There are so many options out there, which do we chose, right. Here are some of the things we use in my house to reduce the affects of allergens.

Keep a dust free home - This is easier said then done but with some work daily on it, we can limit the amount of dust floating around. Also, we changed the air filter to our central air system and continue to clean it regularly for cleaner air in house.

Steam - I can't say enough about this. At night, I take a mist/steam shower with some of my J.R. Watkins Eucalyptus spray to clear out my air ways. Has really helped a great deal. I sleep better at  night for sure.

Local Honey/ Bee Pollen - The kids and I have been consuming more of the local honey in our smoothies and I have seen a difference in the amount of runny noses. I am a big believer in this. The key is using local honey so you build immunity to the local plants/pollen.

NOTE: If you are allergic to honey, I would skip this for sure. 

Echinacea tea - Drink this tea daily or when your feeling a bit under the weather to speed things along. I drink it at least once a week for maintenance and I haven't fallen sick yet. The brands I prefer are Traditional Medicinal or Yogi teas.

Over the counter medicines - Normally I don't go this route but I have moments when it calls for it. At least with the kids for sure. Zarbee's Naturals Cold or Mucus reducer is a brand I use for the kids. If they do catch a cold with cough, I still use it. However, I use Zarbee's Natural Mucus reducer Nighttime for when my 4 year old has difficulty getting to sleep.

NOTE: I like the fact that he can get to sleep with their nighttime relief but it seems to give him vivid dreams. So be aware that this may happen. 

As for the adults, my husband he uses Claritan D and Flonase. But his allergies were so bad this year that he had to seek further help. And since he refuses to eat the bee pollen or honey on a regular, I believe that is why he is worse off.

For me, I am just figuring out what it is I am actually allergic to since when I lived up North I never experienced allergies like this. All I have ever been allergic to before is Latex and Chocolate. Yes, I know. Valentine's day is lost on me.

See your Allergist - The best thing you can do is see an allergist and get tested to find out what it is that is making you feel so awful. If you are okay taking medications, they can help you with that for sure. Or at the least, let you know what it is you are allergic to in order to help you avoid those allergens. Example: If you know that you are allergic to grass and someone is cutting their lawn outside, don't go outside for a few hours, if you can avoid it. Or if the weather person reports that Dogwood is in high bloom, take your medications before heading out or don't go out. Simple right.

Lastly, when its really bad. We just don't go out. Keep windows closed and hang in doors. But that's not always possible. People have to works, kids have to go to school and so on. Life must go on even when your eyes are itching, nose running and throat aching.

Overall, you have many options out there to help you relieve symptoms of allergies. From simple home remedies to prescriptive medications. Be smart and educate yourself on your health. Talk to your doctor about possible natural remedies you can try before jumping in to prescriptive drugs. Maybe that's just me but I like to avoid pharmaceuticals whenever possible.

Hope this helps you. Let me know if you have a home remedy that helps you through allergy season or if you have tried any of the above with positive or negative outcomes. I would love to hear from you.

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

FOR YOUR SAFETY ALWAYS SPEAK TO A DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS OR PRESCRIPTIONS.

My Healthy Orange Chicken

Healthy Orange Chicken my way.

When I was pregnant with the twins, I was craving all things citrus. My poor father went out one night searching for orange creams pops, came back with strawberry and I was so sad. Remember, pregnant = emotional. 

Anyways, my parents introduced me to Orange Chicken from the local Chinese place they order from. I knew of it but never ordered it because well I always thought it was gross. However, pregnant, willing to eat anything and craving citrus, I tried it. From then on, I have been hooked.

Now the thing about this yummy dish is that it's not a food I would feed my family. It's super fattening.  I try to avoid battered and fried when I can. I'm human, I like stuff that's bad for me but I pick my evils. So I looked to The Pioneer Woman, as I so often do for a "Reecipe" (did you catch that?)  and to my surprise she had one but it was breaded and fried. Bummer! So I was about to hit the breaks on that "Reecipe" when I said "What if I use her sauce and just stir fry the chicken and veggies?" 

I started by gathering all my ingredients and prepping them. I started with Ree's sauce recipe. (Yes, I am calling The Pioneer Woman by her first name now. I told you she is my pretend friend. We tight!) I let that simmer for 5 minutes then I turned heat off. I moved on to the chicken. 

This is where Ree and I split ways. (Only for a few minutes.) Dicing chicken into bit size pieces and using a tablespoon of sesame oil in a non stick enamel pan, pepper flakes to taste, tablespoon garlic in pan, I browned chicken. Once browned,  I added frozen edamame, peas and carrots. Covered to cook vegetables for a few minutes.  Lastly, I poor the chicken and veggies into Ree's sauce. (See, I told you we wouldn't be apart that long.) Three tosses in the pan and I am super happy with results. Tangy and sweet with just a little kick from pepper flakes.

Everything was super fast to make and just great tasting with very little food guilt. Not that I have this often but when I can find a healthier alternative I go with it.

Thanks to Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman for inspiring yet another meal in my home, even if it wasn't a complete "Reecipe" (I just love saying "Reecipe.") It was still yum.

F.Y.I. - Sauce freezes well so if you double up the recipe you only have to worry about chicken next time or freeze the chicken browned with sauce for easy microwave reheat meal. Great idea for lunch at work.


For Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman's recipe Click HERE Hope you enjoy either of the recipes but I do hope you will try both and see for yourself. Both are good.


Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share or Subscribe. Thanks so for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Food, fun and Forty!

Here is what I have been up to. 

Mini Pancake muffins

In honor of National Pancake Week/Day yesterday, I made these tasty Mini-Pancake muffins for the kids. Flavors I made were the recommended Blueberry,  Chocolate chip and Banana Peanut Butter Chip. They freeze well and the recipe made 36 mini's. I have to say it was super easy and the kids loved dipping them in syrup and eating them up. I enjoyed a few syrup-less and they were still good. 

The recipe came from one of my favorite cooking shows, The Pioneer Woman. Click here for recipe. I absolutely love her show. She doesn't know it, but we are such good friends. LOL! I've watched her show for a while on Food Network but when we went antenna instead of cable, I am no longer able to watch the show. How I wish she would do a show for PBS. Thank goodness for Netflix and Amazon. I can at least catch up post airing. 

Any ways....My best friend came for a visit to celebrate my 40th birthday (What?). We have known one another for so long that we talk for hours or just sit quietly watching TV or something. It's great fun! This time around many of our conversations brought us to food. Didn't matter how we started, we ended up with "God, now I am hungry" or "Here we are talking about food again." I wouldn't have changed a minute of it. Unlike my pretend friendship with, Ree of The Pioneer Woman, I have known my best friend Lisa since childhood. I was one years old when we met, she, an ancient two years old. We have been friends ever since. If your doing the math, thats 39 years of knowing someone and maintaining a friendship. Crazy cool!  I was discussing a recipe with her when I mentioned The Pioneer Woman. Put it on Netflix and after an episode, she was hooked. We watched the entire first season over the weekend. Thanks Ree!

Natural Chow
Easy Homemade Bagels

Others things I have made this past week. I made a batch of Natural Chow's Easy Homemade Bagels. Click here for recipe. Super easy to make and taste so darn good. They reminded me of the bagels I use to eat in New York. Yes, they are that good.  It adapts easy for added ingredients for flavors. I made Plain Bagels and plan to make Rosemary Olive Oil and Blueberry bagels next. Oh so good! A must try, so please, try it. 

Pepperoni Pizza

Followed that up recipe up with Pizza for kids using a basic pizza dough recipe that I had. I mean I had the flour out so why not, right? My son did most of the work after the KitchenAide mixed the dough and I flattened it out. I think he did a great job. It was no NYC pizza but it was still very good. Most importantly it was fun for my son to make. He was proud of himself. 

If you get a chance to try any of these recipes or have one you really love, I hope you will let me know about it. I'm doing my best to make things fresh for my family and could use some of the best of the best recipes you may have. Sharing is caring. 

So I would say that my last week of my thirties has been spent well with my family, food and fun. Oh I had fun! From my BFF visiting to eating out and pole dancing, (Yes, Pole dancing) it has been awesome! Honestly,  could not have asked for a better way to say goodbye to my thirties. I'm happy, hopeful for what is to come and I wish that those of you reading this, are happy too! 

Talk to you again when I'm officially forty. What, What!!

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share or Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra's Milk Bath

Now I am not sure how much truth there is to this, as it was way before my time but it has been said that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt loved to take Milk Bathes. If we remember the movie with Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra, there is a scene where she is taking the famous milk bath. History or myth states that it was specifically,  Donkeys milk. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine some poor soul milking donkeys to benefit her skin. What could possibly have been the benefits of it and does it still hold up today?

Since I can't get my hands on donkeys milk (not that I want to) I decided to share information on another type of milk with perhaps not so well known facts. Buttermilk. We know that Buttermilk is used in many foods, especially a family favorite, pancakes. It is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and calcium. Rich in Lactic Acid and low in fat. Many people hear buttermilk and think that it is fatty but so not the case. Buttermilk is the remaining byproduct after making butter, so much of the fat has been removed for butter. It is a probiotic food that contains the type of bacteria which instead of being harmful, has great health benefits. So if you are lactose intolerant or have digestive issues, Buttermilk is a great option for you. I like to mix some in to my kids bottles when their stomachs are acting up. Works great. 

Buttermilk on your skin? Yes, used as a facial mask it softens, brightens and exfoliates the skin to give it a younger appearance. At the same time, the natural acids, work as an astringent. Lactic acid lightens blemishes, dark spots while tightening the sagging skin by boosting collagen. One company that stands out in its use of Buttermilk is Burt's Bees. Many of their lotions contain Buttermilk. 

Want to reap the benefits from this powerful ingredient, Make your own buttermilk Mask or scrub.

Buttermilk Avena Mask

2 Tbsp Buttermilk
2 Tbsp Oatmeal (Finely Ground)
1 tsp Honey

Mix into a paste, let dry on skin and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pat dry and follow with your favorite skin Toner. 

Buttermilk Coconut Scrub
(You want to make this as needed)
4 Tbsp Buttermilk
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Raw Sugar
Mix in a bowl and off to the shower you go.
Rub scrub all over your body in circles moving upward to exfoliate skin and rinse.

NOTE: If you can manage, let it sit on skin for a bit before rinsing off. So when you jump in shower wet your skin and turn off the water. Apply scrub and shampoo your hair. By the time your ready to rinse your hair,  turn water back on and you can rinse away scrub as well. 

Hope you will make use of this fabulous natural ingredient. I promise that you will love the Buttermilk. You may not want to fill your tub with it but a mask or scrub is absolutely doable. 

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As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Oatmeal...It's not just for your belly

Oats (Avena Sativa) 

We all think about food as a source of sustenance that we intake to survive. We eat because we have to  and because we enjoy it,  some foods more then others. I love food and am willing to try all ethnic types of food at least once. Food keeps us strong from the outside in providing the body with much needed nutrients and vitamins. When done right, your bod can thrive, becoming strong and healthy from inside out. However, did do you know that you can nourish your body, particularly your skin from the outside in with food?

Yes, it is true. Certain foods when placed on the skin can aide in healing, rebuilding and nourishing it. If you have been reading my blog long enough, you know this already. If you're new to the blog, (Welcome!)here you can benefit from some of the DIY remedies and treatments that I have posted for skincare.

Food is an amazing thing and elements of nature can absolutely help the skin from the outside in. Sunburn? Everyone knows that Aloe is great for soothing sunburn. They even use it in hospitals for burn victims. It's that powerful. From inside out, it's great for those dealing with stomach issues among other things. 

Oatmeal is a great way to nourish yourself at breakfast because it fills you with less for a longer period of time, proven to help lower cholesterol and aid in increasing lactation for breastfeeding mothers. However this grain isn't just for eating. It is used in many skin care products, from your soaps to lotions and more. It's scientific name is Avena Sativa or colloidal oatmeal. "Colloidal Oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal. It is often used to relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to poison ivy or insect bites. It can also be used as a soak, compress or wet dressing. When oatmeal is used in cosmetic and personal care products (rather than OTC skin protectant drug products), it may be called Avena Sativa (Oat) " Learn more click here 

Popular brands that use Avena Sativa in their products, Aveeno (Most known for using Oatmeal), Kheils, Dove. JĀSÖN and way more. Why do they use it? What is it that they know about Oatmeal for skin care that more of us are learning or already know?

Well here are some of the top reasons:

it has anti-inflammatory properties, helpful for even the most sensitive skin types

contains saponins, a cleansing agent, and can therefore be used as a mild soap

is moisturizing and helps remove dead skin cells. i.e. skin scrub (exfoliant)

it can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes

After all this, are you still not convinced? Well here is a DIY recipe that you can try to see just how wonderful oatmeal on your skin can work. 

Oatmeal Olive Oil Mask

2 Tbsp Organic Oatmeal  (Ground into fine powder. I use my coffee grinder.)
1 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil  

Combine into a paste and brush a think coat onto skin in upwards motion
Let dry completely and rinse with Luke warm water. You can use a cloth if having trouble taking mask off. Just rub off with gentle upwards circles.
Follow with your favorite skin toner & moisturizer.

Even before you put your moisturizer on, you will notice your skin softer and brighter. Any redness you had prior should be less noticeable or gone. This mask can be used daily to ease dryness or inflammation on face. This winter has done its best to dry out my skin but I have been combating it with masks like this one. If you are worried about your skin being to greasy from Olive Oil, you can substitute with Plain yogurt. However, I find that the Olive oil works well especially when followed with the skin toner afterwards. 

Alternative mask check out past post Oatmeal Fig and Papaya Mask

Hope you try it out and let me know what you think. Have an issue with your skin? Drop me a line with your question. I am happy to help solve your skin care issue. 

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Until my next post,...

Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Saving my pennies for...

So after having the twins, I have lost a good amount of weight. Still have 5 pounds to go but I feel great. For one exception, (Why is it that there is always an exception, right?)

My skin hasn't pulled back the way I had hoped, as it did the first time around. It's a self-esteem buster at times. Muffin top was one thing. You could get the right pants or top on and you wouldn't have to look at it. When you are naked it's fine because you can't tell, no pressure. However, Muffin top with shriveled saggy skin is an entirely different look. So what is a girl to do?

As an esthetician, I am constantly learning about the skin and new skin care products and treatments. I personally like to concentrate on less invasive procedures for myself and as recommendations to others. I support those who want to go under the knife to enhance their beauty but it's just not for me. I accept my body for how it is. Small chest, big bootie. I'm absolutely okay with my curves or the the lack of, it's what makes me, me. Plus, I have never had any complaints. HAHA!

However, it doesn't mean that I am just going to let myself go and be okay with certain things that can be improved on naturally or with a little advance technology. In an effort to be "Fit at 40", I am trying my best to eat right and find time to exercise more. This loose skin seems to be sticking around. Much like my cellulite but that has been an issue my entire life so lets not get into that.

In the case of my loose skin on my belly, here is what I have found and you can bet I am saving my pennies for this one. The Reaction High Frequency Laser treatment. Here is what they claim.

Reaction™

The new generation in body contouring & skin tightening treatments

Reaction™ offers multiple treatment applications for the industry's most-wanted aesthetic treatments:

• Cellulite treatment (YOUR SEEING THIS RIGHT. BONUS!!)
• Circumferential reduction
• Skin-tightening for aging & lax skin on the face and body
• Skin tightening treatment for appearance of stretch marks

Can it do all of the above? I mean, if this is true...WOW! Women everywhere should be running to their local plastic surgeon or dermatologist/Aesthetician Laser centers, signing up for treatments. Does it work? 

I'm a "proof is in the pudding" type person but I don't just take the account of a person or company telling me it works. I do research and so should every consumer before they buy into any advertisement or story. So here is a link to a clinical study done on Radio High Frequency (RHF) lasers CLICK HERE. If you don't care about all the medical jargon, skip to Safety and Conclusion for found results.

After reading this, I would have to say, Yes, it does work. It works for the person who already takes great care of themselves physically and just needs a little help touching up. In my case, tightening up.  It boosts collagen,  helping turn back the clock. In addition to my research I have my own experiences with lasers. In the past, I worked at a popular Aesthetic Laser chain in New York City and the laser treatments for fat reduction, skin tightening and peeling worked fabulously. Clients always came back for their treatments wanting to look younger or slow down the effects of gravity.

There are risks. Clients can get burned and scared, so make sure you qualify for such procedures before you even walk through the door. Make sure you go to a reputable clinic with a Doctor on staff.  Some skin types can not use certain lasers because of the high risk of burning. I want to reiterate, do your research before you make any decisions on lasers and skin care treatments. The more you know the better.

For me, I qualify for this type of laser to reduce sagging skin after having the twins 18 months ago.   I've lost almost all the weight with just 5 - 8 pounds to go. Exercise can help with the pounds reduction but a laser like REACTION can help with the skins loss of elasticity. My skin is a #4  on the Fitzpatrick scale, medium brown, therefore I don't have to worry to much about skin burning (all though there is always the risk if you go somewhere with lack of training or care.)  Professionally, I would avoid using heat inducing lasers on skin types higher then a 4, as the potential risk  of burning is higher.

The pennies are going in the jar but I would love to hear from anyone that has used a laser like this one to reduce fat and or tighten skin. First hand testimonials are the best way to obtain information. Please share your experience below.

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Saying goodbye to 2014 and way more

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015!

This time a year is always when we take a look back to reflect on all that has passed. Remember those that may not be with us anymore or a life that seems so distant to us.

Just before Christmas, I spoke with my Aunt, recalling christmas' long ago. The loud celebratory New Years parties. My family really knew how to party back then, perhaps to much. Either way, it was fun. As time passed, the parties became less and less. Division amongst family began. We all grew up and seemed to go our own ways. For what ever reasons that may be. Some for good reason, others just because they think they have good reason.

But I have also been thinking about my grandmother on my fathers side who once said to me, "Diga lo que tienes que decir ahora, que despues de la muerte uno no puede hablar." Translated "Say what you have to say now, because once your dead you can no longer speak." Now more then ever, I really get what she was telling me. She was always unapologetic. Proud in the knowledge she had of herself and of her God. She was the real deal. An inspiration to me. Both my grandmothers had their own strengths. Mama Sijo (paternal grandmother) was a force to be reckoned with, Abuelita Gloria, (Maternal Grandmother) was one of the most compassionate women I have ever known. My first memory of what caring is, is from her.

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

I spent my entire young life with people telling me to hold my tongue. When Mama shared these words of wisdom, she was in her 90's, I realized I was worrying about what others thought of me. Trying to be cool or accepted by others, even my own family. What kind of life is that? I've learned that when I spoke freely, it wasn't always what my heart was speaking. So now more then ever,  I am truthful with myself first and then others. It may not always be sweet and I might not sugar coat my thoughts but it's the truth. I avoid the gossip at all cost. That's what causes trouble. I say what I think, it may not always be right, may not be welcomed but it's the truth, as I know and feel it.

Freud believed that everything comes back to the parents. Perhaps it is true, in that we are all reflections of our parents/upbringing. The lessons our family taught some good, others bad. Some of us spend a lifetime hating our parents for the poor examples they laid out. Others are lucky to have great parents straight out the gate. Me, mine were good. They had their moments but they loved us. My grandmothers, they were the best examples of them all.  They are what I reach down into for when I am at a low. I am trying to show that to my children. Realistically, I know I can never be the best. I am not in a competition with anyone, I'm simply trying my best for them. The past is in the past, why should I punish my children for how my parents raised me. So I chose to shed my skin, leave the past where it belongs, hold on to the great memories I have and let go of the ones that are often to hard to recall. Remembering that I am living a blessed life.

Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow.

Overall this has been a great year. We settled in to our house, NoNo turned three,  the twins started walking and talking. Twins turned one, they were baptized, my husband officially moved down and started his new job. It's been a year full of special events and change. Though the year started out rough and was challenging, physically, emotionally and mentally, we all managed to get through it.

Most importantly, this year, I have come to terms with my life and who I am as a person. The highs and the lows of it all. The shadows of my past. Learning to speak only my hearts truth. To show compassion to others who show only their ignorance. I may fail at times but I am trying my best to be in the moment and enjoy life now. My kids are small but I know they won't be forever so I try to spend as much time as I can with them and take this time all in.

So whatever you may be dealing with, I hope that you have strength within you to overcome it. That you learn to feel and listen to your hearts truth and live an authentic life. Only we can set the path of our lives. The obstacles that come are just challenges to see what person we choose to be. I chose truth in order to be happy. I hope you do too.

For those reading this, I wish you a wonderful New Year. May life bring you peace, joy and a chance to start anew. Goodbye 2014, hello 2015!! Be sure to Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful XOXO

#HappyNewYears2015