SUNLESS SUNDAYS

Reasons YOU can Benefit from Sunless Tanning

• SAFE-UV free, 0 exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays
• APPROVED-by the FDA and recommended by dermatologists and The Skin Cancer Foundation
• QUICK- it only takes 10 minutes to finish your body and you are tanned immediately instead of many hours laying out in the sun.
• STREAK FREE-the airbrush gun will apply the solution evenly with a smooth finish that cannot be mimicked by self-tanning lotions, with no odor, no streaks and no orange appearance
• BEAUTY-it makes you look and feel great - your teeth look whiter, you look healthier and skin imperfections are hidden.
• CONFIDENCE-It will make you feel better and give you more confidence about yourself.

Start 2012 off right and book an appointment and see the amazing results a custom made solution and glow can do for YOU!

Hope everyone is ringing in the new years safe and sound and with much ambition and hope!

Love and Shine,

C

-HAPPY NEW YEARS-

FABULOUS FRIDAY

Oatmeal is the word and it is not just for breakfast or for some of you baking junkies cookies! Oatmeal is a FABULOUS beauty product so run to your pantries and make some of these recipes for a fabulous NEW YEARS weekend :)

Acne Be Oatmealed

-1 cup oatmeal

-1 cup water

-blender

1. Pour oatmeal and water into blender

2. Blend until mushy

3. Lightly spread over skin

4. Leave on for 15 minutes

5. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry

The oatmeal will remedy some of that acne oil and make your face clear and nice.

Smooth My Oats

-1 cup of oatmeal

-blender

1. Blend Oats on a high setting

2. After about 3 minutes take a spoonful out and place in warm water

3. Oatmeal will be powdery like, If water turns a milky color they are done

4. Place in lukewarm bath and mix around as not to clump up the mix

5. Relax

This recipe is great for those with itchy or irritated skin.

Oatmeal works wonders for your skin so pull it from your shelf and make use of this wonderful ingredient!

Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY and enjoy your New Years parties!

Love and Shine

C

TABATA TUESDAY

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays :) I sure did! I got tons of makeup, clothes and from the love of my life some bling bling and a brand new big Louis! I could not ask for more! I also threw a dinner party of 13 people and with the help of my Mom it went quite smooth considering I had never done something like that before, especially a Christmas dinner! I made side dishes like quinoa black bean salad, apple cider carrots, asparagus with shallots, candied chickpeas and my love grilled steaks, chicken and shrimp!

To burn off this wonderful feast I have been working out like crazy even doing squats while washing my face but in my eyes every bit helps!

Today I started off my morning with a ton of water and this lovely tabata workout:

Tabata Week 5 Workout

-Start off with a quick stretch and 2 minute pre cardio workout. Try walking around the house in a steady pace, jogging on the treadmill or lightly jump roping

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

V-ups- 20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Squats with 5 pound weights-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Lunges with 5 pound weights-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

V-ups-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

For some reason I was able to repeat so I did but I recommend just completing the one time! If you still have energy why not try a second round or even just do a quick ab burner!

-Do some light cardio for 2 minutes and stretch everything out!

You now are ready for the day and mind what you place in your body! Your body is your temple, you only get one so make it a healthy one!

Enjoy your workout and let me know how it goes

Love and Shine

C

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you for your support this year and I wish you and those special ones around you a merry christmas and a happy holidays :)

Love and Shine

C

FABULOUS FRIDAY

Indulge in that eggnog than rub it on your face! Just kidding..but this weeks fabulous friday is all about the EGG!

Eggs are Eggcelent for your health and an easy beauty treatment! One thing for sure is the health benefits of the egg, just remember the yolk is high in cholesterol so be careful and stick to the whites! Whites are low in calories and very nutritious!

Tighten My Skin

-1 egg

1. Place the egg white in a bowl and the yolk down the drain
2. Next, place the egg white onto your face with a clean BBQ or paint brush
3. Leave on your skin for 15 minutes
4. The egg white will harden on your face. Once done remove with lukewarm water.

This mask will smooth out your skin and tighten the skin just like a pore strip.

Star Studded Hair

-2 eggs

1. Mix 2 egg yolks with 2 tsp. caster oil
2. Take your hands and coat and smooth through just like you would a brush
3. Avoid the root and work towards your ends
4. Leave on for 10 minutes
5. Rinse out

This mask coats your hair with protein and nourishment from the yolk and will help you grow and keep a strong mane. Be sure to do this over a sink or bathtub as it can get very messy!

Eye Puff Be Gone

-1 egg

1. Separate the egg yolk from the white.
2. Use your fingers and put a small film of egg white where the puffiness and darkness under the eye appears
3. Leave on for 10 minutes and lightly pat warm water until completely off

This eye mask will tighten and de-puff the eye area.

I wish all of you a happy holidays! I am excited for what Star Systemz has in store for next year!

Love and Shine,

C

TABATA TUESDAY

The holiday's are here and I am sure all of you are indulging on all your holiday favorites! I personally am not a big sweets person, but I definitely indulge in a few extra glasses of wine! I have been doubling up on my tabata as with anything your body hits a point where it becomes almost used to the routine and you hit what is called a plateau. To end the plateau, you must switch things around within your diet and workout routine. I suggest shaving off 100 calories-200 calories a day for a four weeks and adding an extra set so instead of doing 3 sets of 15 try doing 4 sets of 20 and also an extra day of fitness. If you usually do five than make it six. For me at first I would do five hardcore fitness days and the sixth day would be a yoga/pilates light day which still engages the muscles.

A way to get that metabolism blasting before heading out I suggest doing a tabata before heading into the shower. I have been jump roping for the 20 seconds for all eight times before heading out as I know I am revving up my metabolism and that extra 100-300 calories I added that meal will not make that large of a difference.

Tabata Week 4 Workout

-Start off with a quick warmup: 2 minutes or so either doing light jump roping or jogging on the treadmill

Jumping Jacks-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

High Knees-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Air Squats-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jumping Jacks-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

High Knees-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Air Squats-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

--Finish off with a 2 minutes cool down of what you did when warming up but relaxing and practicing deep breathing!

Have an amazing holiday and I hope all of you are gearing up for your resolutions and fat loss goals for 2012

Love and Shine

C

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Most people would like to be tan year round and who really enjoys laying out in the sun for hours and hours on end? Within the last 20 years, we have learned about the damaging effects the sun can have on our skin. Sure laying out for 15-20 minutes usually won't cause too many problems especially to those who lack Vitamin D. Spray tanning or sunless tanning provides a perfect glow without the damaging effects but how does it work? How does spraying sugar make me tan?

• Let me give you a little background on the discovery of DHA.

DHA was discovered by accident in the mid 1950's in a children's hospital at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Eva Wittgenstein was testing large doses of DHA on children who had glycogen storage disease. The dosage of DHA was dripping onto the children's skin and creating brown spots all over their skin. Dr. Eva decided to try it on her own skin and from there DHA was discovered and used in self tanners and other tanning products.

Airbrush tanning is the application of self-tanners through a spray gun or HVLP (high volume, low pressure) system. Self-tanning spray includes DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), which is a colorless sugar that makes the magic happen in the self-tanning process. DHA color is derived from the sugar-cane plant and is FDA approved for cosmetic purposes since 1973.

• How does DHA turn the skin brown?

DHA reacts with skin proteins, including amino acids, in the outermost layer of skin. The reaction develops brown skin coloring that looks very similar to a natural tan. The tan fades as the dead layers of skin slough off, just as in normal tanning.

Some sunless products contain an immediate cosmetic bronzer which shows an immediate tan after being sprayed. This color is not permanent and will wash off with the first shower. However, after the shower you will see a different tan which was developed by the self tanning solution (approximately 6 - 10 hours later depending on the solution being used).

I customize solutions depending on your personal skin tone and skin texture. Book your appointments now at http://www.starsystemz.com or by emailing me at courtney@starsystemz.com

Love and Shine

C

By adding some honey to your beauty regime you will be the Queen Bee in no time :)

Honey is miraculous because it will attract and keep moisture in the skin due to its humectant properties. If you are looking for your dry skin to become supple, elastic and silky soft than Queen Bee Mask is for you!

Honey is also an anti-oxidant which is always good when you need a clean face! Remember this when shopping for honey: the darker the honey the more anti-oxidants it will contain.

Queen Bee Face Mask

All you need is organic honey!

1. Place warm water in a bowl large enough to place the honey jar inside
2. Let honey jar soak into the warm water bowl until it liquifies
3. Than take a small brush and evenly distribute the honey
4. Leave mask on for 20 minutes and relax
5. Wash off with warm water, pat dry and put on a light moisturizer to soak it all in
6. You are now Queen Bee

Enjoy your masks especially those of you in cold winter weather which is extra drying to the skin

Love and Shine

C

LOW GLYCEMIC FOODS

What is the GLYCEMIC INDEX?

• Glycemic Index-an international ranking of carbohydrates on a scale of 0-100 to the extent of what the food when digested raises the blood sugar levels.
• Foods with a HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX (69-100) are those rapidly digested and absorbed which cause blood sugars to spike.
• Foods with a LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX (55 and under) are those that are slowly digested and absorbed and produce low levels of insulin and have a gradual effect on blood sugar levels

Most people assume the glycemic index is for those with diabetic problems but to be honest, I believe that everyone should be knowledgeable on the effects of foods on your blood sugars. Understanding blood sugar levels and the glycemic index will keep your body healthy and avoid diseases such as obesity, coronary heart disease and type II diabetes.

The glycemic index was created by a professor of nutrition in Toronto by the name of David Jenkins. Jenkins was out to understand and provide research for those who have diabetes. The information he gathered is what is now referred to as the Glycemic Index.

Jenkins created the values for the Glycemic Index by collection data from volunteers. The standard dish contained 50 grams of carbohydrates and from there the volunteers gave a sample of blood every 15 minutes for the first hour and than every 30 minutes. The samples were tested for glucose content and from there the results were recorded.

I am very keen on the idea of the Glycemic Index as I used to be addicted to the sugar high from sugary candies and from that addiction I understood the feeling of having high energy and than feeling so tired I would fall asleep instantly.

Since learning of the magical glycemic index, I have been one to have high energy all day long and sleep very peacefully at night!

Here are some foods that should become staples in your diet and some foods that should be avoided in the diet:

LOW GLYCEMIC FOODS

• Cherries, grapefruit, strawberries, oranges, apricots, kiwi, prunes, plums, peaches, apple, pear
• Hummus, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, rolled oats
• Chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, butter beans, black eyed peas, pinto beans
• Tomato soup, minestrone soup
• Broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, red peppers, radishes,
• Barley, Pumpernickel, Whole meal rye, bulgur
• Yams, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, green beans
• Tuna, salmon, chicken, edamame

HIGH GLYCEMIC FOODS

• Watermelon, dates
• Pretzels, rice cakes, donuts, scones
• White bread, french baguette, bagel
• Cornflakes, rice crisps, coco puffs, cherrios
• Candy, baked goods, jelly beans
• Pumpkin, parsnips

This list is a small list compared to others, but this list was compiled through scientific research and my own personal testing :)

Love and Shine,

C

TABATA TUESDAY

Here we are again another Tuesday and only a few more weeks left until the year of 2012! I have been doing quick Tabata drills after a 45 minute strength train and a Tabata right before I hop in the shower for a holiday party! Remember although it is the holiday's and certain dishes can only be made by certain family members does not mean you should overstuff yourself! I do advise you to taste those dishes though since I can understand a good dish created by a family member :)

I have been noticing lots of leggings and wanted to dedicate this tabata to quick cardio with some nice butt exercises to lift those booties and make your booty pop in those leggings!

Tabata Week 3 Workout

-Start off by warming up for 2 minutes or so either doing light jump roping or jogging on the treadmill.

Air Squats- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Jump Rope- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Lunges- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Jump Rope- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Wall Sit- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Jump Rope- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

First position/Eleve- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

Jump Rope- 20 seconds

Rest- 10 seconds

-Finish off with a 2 minutes cool down of what you did when warming up but relaxing and practicing deep breathing!

Let me know how that goes and get fit and firm in just 4 minutes :)

Love and Shine

C

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

New Years is on the way! What are your resolutions? I am still formulating mine, as I am one to accomplish my goals so I always make sure I really want what I am working towards!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays :)

Love and Shine

C

SUNLESS SUNDAY: 5 REASONS TO AVOID THE SUN

Working on your tan daily can be harmful to the skin especially for those who have pink undertones with pale skin. I, being Irish have this skin and have learned the hard way that laying out for several hours with oil and than heading to the tanning bed is a BIG NO NO! From this experience and with my obsession of being super tan, I learned the art of Spray Tanning. As part of Star Systemz, I believe that every woman should look and feel there very best! Feeling this way usually requires eating healthy, working out and taking good care of yourself mentally and physically. Just like getting your makeup done or hair touched up a good spray tan can give you that youthful, healthy glow that will SHINE!

This day in age there are many other ways to get that desired youthful glow with one of them being a spray tan! No more excuses to lay out for several hours and here are the top ten reasons to avoid the sun and those harmful tanning beds!

5 REASONS TO AVOID THE SUN

1. Signs of aging and sunspots may not be shown until later on in life but most of those fine lines and spots were caused before the time we were 18 years old.
2. Skin diseases such as Rosacea caused by countless hours in the sun, gives you red blotchy skin
3. Age related cataracts is caused by the sun so anytime you are outside put those stunner shades on :)
4. Skin cancer is one of the MAJOR reasons to avoid those sunless beds and lying out in the sun! Although most can be removed, having something such as cancer on your skin which by the way is your largest organ is scary.
5. No one likes to look like an alligator or be that older lady who is tan but looks like aged leather!

Need a quick tan? Star Systemz offers mobile spray tanning with a customized formula, and right to your home! Get glowing for those holiday parties and book your appointments now http://www.starsystemz.com

Love and Shine

C

Fabulous Friday

I am sure everyone of you has seen or at least heard of the benefits of OLIVE OIL in health magazines and even the latest issues of Glamour, Elle and all of the above. Today, is not only to tell you about the amazing benefits of Olive Oil but to show you another side of it, the beauty side!

Feeling a cold coming on?

Try Shine My Cold Away:

-1 slice of rye bread toasted or Ezekiel Bread

-1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

-1 garlic clove grated

The fats from the extra virgin olive oil will help coat the garlic and aid in the digestion, which will help strengthen the body's defenses against viruses!

Nails getting brittle or need to spruce them quickly:

Soak your nails for at least 1o minutes and let the oil at least reach the cuticles.

This is amazing for shining up your nails and preventing hang nails!

Elbows, knees, hands, and feet getting dry?

Place a thin layer of olive oil on areas, wrap areas in plastic wrap and let soak over night for a moisturized effect.

Need a quick massage oil?

Warm up some olive oil and pour on the olive oil and massage letting the oils absorb into the skin

Love and Shine,

C

Tabata Tuesday

Another Tuesday has arrived and its time to up the tempo a tad :)

Last week we did "lady" push-ups, standing squats, jumping jacks and other fun exercises.

This week I am going to switch it up and really push the cardio blasts!

Remember Tabata is:

• Pushing hard for 20 seconds
• Resting for 10 seconds
• Repeat 7 more times for a total of 8 rounds

Let's get rid of some excess holiday calories and really push this week! After this week we will start recording our results and start creating mini goals for each Tuesday session!

Tabata Week 2 Workout

-Start off by warming up for 2 minutes or so either doing light jump roping or jogging on the treadmill.

Bicycle Crunches-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Mountain Climbers-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Twist Crunches-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jumping Jacks-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

V-Ups-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Jump Rope-20 seconds

Rest-10 seconds

Finish off with a 2 minutes cool down of what you did when warming up but relaxing and practicing deep breathing!

Stretch that body out and keep that metabolism burning all day long!

Tababta workouts are very powerful and keep the metabolism up for a longer period of time and burn more calories in a shorter amount of time!

These workouts are not to be done every day as they are very intense! Beginners should practice 2-3 times a week and as you progress you can always add small weights or even push yourself even harder!

Enjoy the workout and let me know what you think?

Love and Shine

C

Motivational Monday

Fill your December with goals and start achieving them! Goal setting in my opinion the only way you stay motivated and with something to accomplish in mind every time you go to do something. Practice drinking more water, avoid sweets for a week, put down that soda for a month or even just going to the gym 3 times a week! All excellent goals which can easily be achieved!

Start setting goals now and get ready for 2012!

Love and Shine,

C

Fabulous Friday's: Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar is the word and a fabulous in your kitchen beauty product!

Brown sugar not only can be used for baking yummy cakes and treats but can be used as your new favorite exfoliant!

Brown sugar contains glycol acid which is an alpha-hydroxyl acid ingredient. This here when used on the skin creates a healthy and vibrant glow to the skin!

Sugar Me Shine

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

3 Vitamin E gel tablets opened

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix all together and you have yourself an exfoliant that will smell yummy and leave you moisturized and shiny!

I love mixing it with olive oil because it really provides a deep moisturizing effect that lasts for at least 2 days!

So ladies grab that brown sugar sitting in the back of your pantry and get glowing!

Love and Shine

C