Did you know.....
Eating healthy oils and fats is one of the best things that you can do for your skin: inside and out. When your body has unrefined oils to work with when building new skin cells, it ensures a healthy immune system response, and it even gives your skin the "shield" that is needs to protect you from UV rays. Vitamin D is more easily produced when the reception of sunlight through your healthy skin cells are at their finest. These omega nutrients are priceless! xx Alana
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"Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line." -Lucille Ball  What a beautiful woman. Fierce, fiery & always fashionable, Lucille Ball was an iconic figure not just because of her quirky charm-but because of her trail-blazing spirit. Being one of the first incredibly famous women to be recognized on screen for more than just looks, Lucille inspired women all over America to dig deeper into their own personalities- & shamelessly so.
We hear the catch-phrase often, "Love yourself....". And I love how Ball takes it to the next level. "Love yourself FIRST...". In my life I have experienced that this is absolutely true. And this has nothing to do with being selfish or vain. Loving yourself means honoring yourself, listening to yourself, standing up for yourself, and trusting yourself. Loving yourself means taking the TIME to nurture a relationship with YOU. This is how you know yourself. It may take some getting used to, some re-arranging of your schedule....It might take some creativity and appreciation of how powerful 5 minutes here, and 5 minutes there can be......But we all have the ability to begin a beautiful- and highly important-relationship to ourselves. And this is why it is so unselfish: Because everything else falls into place. When we honor ourselves first, we teach others to honor themselves as well. We allow others to grow. Our respect for others exponentially improves. There is more space between the lines to really enjoy the life that we have been graced with. We are fulfilled, and then ~ we fulfill others. We truly honor ourselves, and then ~ we truly honor others. It is a win-win way to be. Cheers to loving yourself more & more everyday. xx Alana Being healthy is easy & delicious.
The Hibiscus Flower is highly prized for it's sweet fruity flavor and brilliant crimson color. When infused as a tea, this precious flower is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, has also been shown to mildly decease blood pressure in hypertensive adults AND helps to prevent recurring bladder infections. It has a soothing, relaxing effect on our nervous systems, which makes it great for reading a book, sitting around with your friends, or even a mid-day break.  For more knoweldge on this amazing flower, visit Gaia Herbs to read the article and study by Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. http://www.gaiaherbs.com/articles/detail/42/The-Surprising-Health-Benefits-of-Hibiscus  Hibiscus is by far my favorite-favorite-FAVORITE. The earthy taste of other medicinal teas such as dandelion or sage steals my heart at close second, but I find the refined, relaxing, refreshing & desert-like YUMMINESS of this herb to be unmatched.
What is your favorite tea? Relax & Enjoy. xx Alana Lash Extensions are one of the hottest new trend. This involves a refined process of individually attaching synthetic or natural lashes to your own lash bed with an adhesive that binds strong enough to last over a course of about 60-70 days. The lashes tend to fall out individually, and you return to the salon every few weeks to upkeep them.
yo·ga: noun. (yo-guh) 3. union of the self. The benefits of yoga are longlasting. Even if you only do one practice in your whole life, it is unlikely that you would walk away from that experience with nothing. More than likely, you leave knowing a part of you that you didn't realize was there.  Yoga is intended as an experience of yourself. This is why so many brilliant teachers out there will constantly remind you that, no matter where you start, you are in the perfect place. Whether you can touch your toes or not, there you are; in all your perfection. With all your faults, all your dreams, all your should-have-beens, all your sleepiness your determination, your gratitude, your anxiety, your hungry belly. With no where to be but with yourself. Can't run, can't hide. You are on your mat to work it all out. And the best news is- You will :)
The beauty of yoga, is the ability to discover change as transformation. Change often blindsides us by surprise, and we deal with ourselves by silently fighting the world. Transformation on the other hand, is a subtle spark that we all posses, a desire that we all yearn to ignite: change MINUS the fear. Transformation is ajacent to the dreams that we keep. And although transformation is at times a rocky road, yoga gives us the strength and grace we need. We have learned to flow. Through yoga it feels somewhat impossible not to develop into your fullest potential. Yoga gives you the challenge and the tools; which is exactly what is needed to break down any walls that no longer need to be there in your life, and to create new structures: mentally, physically, emotionally...that support your desire to live your dreams, no matter how simple or glamorous they may be. Plus, that booty of yours---will definitely be lookin' fly. & that just may be, a fact. Yoga love. xx Alana One thing is for certain: Beauty starts on the inside. It is surely what lives in your heart that makes you glow. There isn't, and never will be, a magic lotion on this planet that is going to do that work for you. But I strongly believe that there is a magic potion that in time heals and repairs all inner and outer forms of imbalance, and allows you to experience the most beautiful YOU. And that potion, is simply the fuel that you decide to feed yourself! There really is not such thing as an "ideal" diet, you can take it from me. The food that you eat simply needs to look, taste, and BE not only delicious, but nutritious for YOUR body. This is the longevity of not only beautiful skin, hair and nails, but of a beautiful heart and mind. I suggest just listening to your body and not necessarily to what others are doing. And don't be afraid to experiment a bit! It can be really fun. If you eat something and you feel tired, uncomfortable, jittery...try replacing it with something that you body will appreciate much more. It's easy. For a list of common trigger-foods (that are tough on lots of bodies, visit: http://triggerfoods.com/ Plus, did you know that you aren't actually craving certain foods persay, but certain vitamins and minerals? This is often the source of indulgence: Eating too many "empty" foods (like refined sugars-which actually rob your body of the minerals it is craving), and your body just keeps looking for more. Nature's Gift in Midland has an incredible array of healthy treats to get into. This day in age, being "healthy" is FAR from boring! In fact, just today I discovered this incredible recipe for a Zesty Lemon & Lime Cheesecake courtesy Lee Holmes, at of one of my all time favorite companies, KORA Organics, blog site. Check it out! I know I can't wait to... http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/live-in-my-skin/all-things-organic/organic-certification/zesty-lemon-and-lime-cheesecake/  Happy Munching :)
xx Alana How would you feel about having a beauty mark tattooed on your body or face? I personally, feel I am in love with the idea. My mom was born a beautiful fair-skinned redhead with freckles all over her face and body. Despite that being one of the initial reasons that my dad fell in love with her, she seemed to despise being in the minority. None the less, I learned to truly love and appreciate freckles. I love this Queens Of Vintage blog post about the history and sex appeal associate with the beauty mark, aka beauty spot. http://www.queensofvintage.com/vintage-style-tip-beauty-spots/ Beauty Marks are simple to create, and can be pigmented lightly or darkly---and over a progression of sessions get darker in order to naturally ease it's way into your life. Here are some of my all time faves. A mix of natural and tattooed....Can you tell the difference?
xx Alana
When life gives you lemons....
When life gives you them, squeeeeze them (into your water, of course!). Then drink that water, steam your face with that water, and feel like a new born babe all over again. Just watch those precious eyeballs. They'd rather stay out of it. Refreshing Benefits: Exfoliating – Exfoliate with lemon to maintain clear, youthful skin! Lemon fruit acids are ideal for gentle exfoliation; add the vitamin content of lemons and you’ve got a complete skincare treatment right in your kitchen! To exfoliate, apply lemon juice on clean skin for 5-10 minutes then rinse. Teeth Brightening – It’s not a secret anymore that one of the best natural whitening products is lemon. Improve Hyper-pigmentation- Rub half a lemon on your face or any darker areas like elbows and knees. Repeat every day until you notice improvement in pigmentation. But remember to use sunscreen all time for increased protection! Neutralizing environmental damage – Sun, pollution and stress take their toll on your skin. Vitamin C is known to be a potent anti-oxidant that combats the effects of free radicals on your body. Why not use it on your skin as well? It helps prevent wrinkles and helps maintain skin elasticity. Mix a bit of lemon juice in your favourite home made treatment mask to reap the benefits of antioxidants! Toning – Tired skin is no longer a problem when you have a lemon at hand. Shrink pores and regain your glow with this concoction: in a glass of water, squeeze half a lemon and add a few cucumber slices then shake and let stand for 5 minutes. With a cotton ball, wipe your face for a minute then clean with cold water. Hydrating and nourishing – Lemons are popular for their Vitamin C content, don’t forget they are also a good source of folate, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B6. Lemon’s nutrients detoxify, repair and renew skin from the inside out. Use this 20 minute mask to energize your skin: one teaspoon each of lemon, honey and black tea infusion. Fighting wrinkles – because Vitamin C stimulates collagen formation, using lemon juice in your wrinkle treatments can improve your results. A home made, hydrating wrinkle treatment is a solution made of milk and a bit of lemon juice. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. Pore cleansing– If your skin is oily, and clogged pores or blackheads are often a problem, lemon can help. Because of its exfoliating and astringent properties, overnight lemon juice treatment on problem areas can help you achieve a beautiful, smooth skin in the morning. Apply with a cotton swab where needed and let dry. xx Alana
 BERRIES. Simply looking at them makes me feel playful & alive. I mean, is there any more perfect, gorgeous shades of pink & red? There is just something magic about it. And really, there is. Aside from my visual love affair, science has something to offer about the possible attraction. Yum. Gotta love the logic. But, who says you have to EAT them to actually feel the love? the strawberry: (Fragaria ananassa) Bursting with the natural goodness of antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, folates and vitamin A * Strawberries are completely cholesterol free & extremely low on calories. Because of the amazing punch they pack with their antioxidant count, their regular consumption has been known to keep your heart & organs extremely vital. Strawberries reduce the free radicals (aka cellular waste, from all the hard work they are doing!) in your system, which in turn lessens the stressful impacts on your body. You feel, and ARE a more youthful, vibrant you. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 100g (about 1 container) of strawberries is 1,540 units A study was conducted on strawberries by Dr. Gene Spiller of the Sphera Foundation with results showing that antioxidant levels in the body increased remarkably 30 to 60 minutes after eating strawberries. for your SKIN: When used as a face mask, strawberries gently refresh & exfoliate your skin because of the presence of salicylic acid (to help balance oils) & a cornucopia of antioxidants which keep skin full of elasticity, hydrated & remove the effects of environmental stress on the face. Add a dash of cinnamon to your mask to enhance circulation & increase cell renewal. Cinnamon has really helped to keep the oils on my skin in balance. * After all masks, I will typically wash with a gentle cleanser & use shea butter as a moisturizer. the raspberry: (Rubus idaeus) This beauty runs the scene with anthocyanins, pelargonidins, gallic acid, cyanidins, coumaric, catechins, kaempferols, ellagic acid, ferulic acid and salicylic acid. What?! Not to fear. Those illegible words, they fight for the good guys. Raspberries also are a bountiful source of Vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex, folic acid, copper, iron and dietary fiber. If you are looking to balance your weight, raspberries are rich in dietary fiber & play a magical trick to make you feel nice & full. Raspberries have an ORAC of 4,900 units per 100g (about 1 container). The high levels of manganese present in it increase your basal metabolic rate which is the amount of energy you burn while at rest. Nice! So does that mean that you can maintain your health by lounging? Yes indeed. The more the basal metabolic rate the better the weight loss. for your SKIN: With a similar profile to strawberries, raspberries can be mashed into a face mask to exfoliate & rejuvenate your skin just the same. Suggestion: Mix strawberries, raspberries & cinnamon together :)  the cranberry: (Vaccinium macrocarpa) Being one of the world's healthiest foods isn't easy... and being practically a pure ANTI-OXIDANT... now that's, working overtime. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 100g (1 container) of cranberries is roughly around 9,584 units. Cranberries are a rich source of essential micronutrients such as manganese, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin K. Like other berries, they are also rich in phytochemicals, flavonoids and polyphenols. Cranberries are known to be anticarcinogenic & act as anti-clotting agents (for those on blood thinners, it is suggested not to ingest cranberries). They are also used in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections and are so healthy for your heart! for your SKIN: Pour 4 tbsp. of cranberry concentrate (no sugar) into your bubble bath & soak up the benefits. Also excellent as a hair rinse or to add to your shampoo. Use with caution if you have chemically bleached hair; blondes tend to soak up the reddish hue. the blueberry: (Vaccinium angustifolium) With all the goodness of anthocynins, luteins, flavonoids, antioxidants and phytochemicals, blueberries have the amazing ability to greatly reduce inflammation. They are also known to improve vision. Blueberries have an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 2,400 units. A cup of blueberries which is roughly around 145g supplies over 30 percent of our daily requirement of vitamin C which helps to fight infections and scavenges harmful free radicals besides being anti-inflammatory in nature. Blueberries have been found increase mind & memory health, and keep our brains functioning optimally. The phytochemical pterostilbene (a methoxylated form of resveratrol) present in blueberries keeps glucose levels healthy. for your SKIN: Mash together blueberries & honey (antibacterial & full of minerals!) to make a refreshing face mask. Amazing for refreshing areas around your eyes. For a feel-good body scrub, start with a base of sugar & add just enough of the blueberry/honey mix so that it sticks to your skin. This is my favorite way to exfoliate my whole body every once in a while. Exfoliation will keep your skin healthy & vibrant, plus it feels so, so awesome.
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