THIRSTY THURSDAY

 Gorgeous Thursday today and I had a very informative and fun-filled day! 

I would like to start you all off with an amazing treat for those upcoming SUMMER days! 

This  extraordinary drink is perfect for those days you just want to sit outside on the front porch and relax the afternoon away!

You could even quadruple the recipe and make a pitcher to share at a BBQ or picnic!

Today, like I mentioned above was a very informative and fun-filled day!

I went and got a reading because I am at a new point in my life where things can go in two VERY different directions! I was happy to know it will be going in the direction I was ROOTING for!

I always drive by....

THIRSTY THURSDAY

 My liver hates me right now (5 days of partying) so I have been extra gentle and eating my liver cleansing super foods and of course avoiding alcohol, processed foods and fatty foods as well as these foods are hard on the liver.

The research I have been doing for a huge project coming out in the next 3-4 months has taught me ALOT about the liver and how vital it is to the digestive process so taking care of your special little liver is very IMPORTANT! I mean it!

You can make this as a smoothie by adding some frozen berries or ice cubes but I have been blending it as a juice because I am working on adding juices to my diet instead of just smoothies all the time.

• Coconut Water- hydrates, potassium and provides you with electrolytes lost during boozing!
• Kefir (unsweetened)- puts back those good bacterias lost while drinking while providing you with a healthy source of protein and calcium
• Berries- yummy antioxidants and excellent flavor agent! I love the taste of berries 
• Celery- if you can believe it celery contains sodium which is lost while drinking as well so fill up on celery for a refreshing dose of vegetables and vitamins/minerals
• Beet Root-the ultimate liver cleanser: beets thin the bile and enable it to flow easier through the liver and small intestine but do not eat to much as it can be overwhelming to the body
• Chia Seeds-helps lock in the moisture from all these delicious ingredients, gives your some fiber, omega-3's and helps with inflammation (drinking is bloating as we all know)
• Raw Honey- for taste and provides you with some natural sugars which will hand you a small dose of energy and can help with stomach aches and constipation

This is a great smoothie, or juice to drink for a few days after a crazy trip (vegas, river, ANYWHERE) with of course hot water and lemon right when you wake up!

Mine this morning! YUMMMYY!

I love this color in the morning its so beautiful! Filling my body up 1 juice at a time :)

 

Take care of your body and I promise it will take care of you :)

THIRSTY THURSDAY

A martini...I could use one... :) 9 days until my wedding and I am still cleansing! It gets easier as I go a long and I think about some of the things I gave up (sugar-free gum, gum, meat (except for one day), and alcohol (except for 1 day)) Not bad :) The gum was the hardest for me..I know how bad it is for me but honestly sometimes it feels so good to just chew (I must be an addict) someone save me

But giving it up for 11 days has made it so I do NOT miss it. Honestly it really has not hit me at all until right now when I started writing my accomplishments in my journal! I believe looking for praise is usually a disappointment and that you should just be proud of yourself and reward yourself in that manner. I love sitting and boasting how wonderful I am in my journal and especially writing about my accomplishments whether super small (I drank 1 more glass of water today) or huge!!

Here is a recipe I came up with for Thirsty Thursday! It uses some of Ashley Armstrong amazing Baja Super Foods! I swear this stuff is so amazing! I am HOOKED! The bag is supposed to last you a month but um...is it bad that I like to eat it by itself? haha Grab some at Baja Super Foods (click the link)

So 9 days...getting a bit stressed but I keep looking at pictures of my girlfriends and its making me SO very excited to recreate some of the memories pictured below :) (I know I have HOT girlfriends ;))

Some of my girlfriends I have not seen in 2 years (ie Tiffy) and the rest its been about 8 months ;( but I am so happy they ALL are able to attend my special day! It makes it that much more exciting and we all have SO much to catch up on!

P.S: My cleanse is still going well! The stuff thats coming out of my nose is scary (sorry for the picture)

P.P.S Anyone doing Tuesdays Tip ? Comment and let me know what these last few days have brought you?? Click the link if you have yet to check it out!

Hope you all are having an amazing day!

FABULOUS FRIDAY

Sesame Oil? Vitamin E Oil? What is with all the oils!?!

Fabulous Friday is all about the oils today!

SESAME OIL

I have been using Sesame Oil in my mouth! 

I have been taking a tablespoon of this nutty tasting oil and swishing it around in my mouth and through my teeth every morning before I brush my teeth.

What it is supposed to do is latch on to all the germs, tartar, bacterias and toxins and removes them when I spit it all out. Because of this technique, your teeth will become whiter, gums pinker, cleaner teeth and protects the immune system!

The best part is, ITS WORKING and way cheaper than Crest White Strips! My teeth are really starting to look better and I really like the taste and the way it feels in my mouth (is this just me?)

*Tip: Spit it out in the toilet as I have been doing it in my sink and its starting to hold onto dirt more because of the oil

The only thing is, you must swish for 20 minutes! It takes forever, but I promise you the benefits are WELL worth it! I started this technique because of an article I read online at http://www.everydayglow.com This technique was practiced in India as part of the Ayurvedic technique. I really enjoy doing this every morning and I am loving my teeth more and more everyday! I head to the dentist on Thursday and I will see what my new dentist says! I also really like this technique because Crest White Strips and other products as such contain SO many chemicals such as aluminum which can't be good for you!

After about 1 month of Oil Pulling

VITAMIN E OIL

My skin has been so dry and I have so many FABULOUS bug bite scars since I guess I scratch at night! I started wearing socks on my hands which has helped tremendously! The other product that has helped my scars is Vitamin E Oil. I got my bottle at Trader Joe's and I really love it because I am starting to see a big difference. You can also purchase Vitamin E in capsule form and from what I have heard its much cheaper! You just need to poke the capsule with some kind of sterile needle.

My goal is to get rid of these "beautiful" scars ASAP since I am getting married in 15 days and who wants to see a bride with red scars all over! I put the Vitamin E oil on with a cotton swab randomly all day. According to ehow.com, it takes about 2 months for the scars to really fade. I have been practicing this technique for about 1.5 months and already see results so hopefully in the next few weeks they are totally gone!

Have you tried either of these oils? Let me know what you think and comment below!

THIRSTY THURSDAY

I am cleansing away and counting down to my wedding day! 16 days and counting...I am so excited just been stressing a bit! Its crazy having a destination wedding because not only are you doing the wedding part, but you kind of start worrying about everyone feeling comfortable in a new place. Many of my friends and family have never been to Cabo San Lucas, MX which is exciting for them because Cabo is so beautiful with a ton to do, it just makes me nervous to spend time with everyone who has taken the time to fly out to my wedding! It means so much to me that they are taking there own time and personal vacation from work just for my wedding! I wish there were more hours in the day, but thankfully all of them are staying in one place! I get to see some friends I have not seen in over 8 months which will be fun and get to show them where I have been living for the last 8 months..in paradise...:)

I thought I would share with you my cleansing strategies. Everyone cleanses differently, depending on there own personal lifestyle. I applaud those who can do the master cleanse, its tough especially if you work a 9-5 pm job where you need to be 100% awake and ready for anything. I have done it before and I will tell you it is WORK, but very rewarding at the end. Instead of that type of cleanse, I do something a bit different. It works with my lifestyle, I can exercise still and I get the same benefits. The only thing is, it takes longer than the master cleanse.

My cleanse lasts about 12-14 days depending on how I feel. Its all about how you feel! I am doing this to cleanse out my Hong Kong trip and start the next chapter of my life with a clean body!

First thing in the morning I heat up some water and squeeze lemon into it.

About 30-45 minutes later depending on how I am feeling I enjoy a super smoothie:

Check back for more recipes!

I drink the same smoothie maybe adding a bit more veggie or maybe another fruit about every 3-4.5 hours, it all depends on how I feel of course.

For dinner I have a vegan cooked meal.

Last night I had:

Baby bella mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts and 2 cloves garlic. At the end on low heat I drizzle a dash of olive oil and this is the result. 

Garlic is great for the immune system and since I am cleansing I try to include garlic into my cooked meals.

Olive oil provides me with the fats needed to move the toxins along my digestive tract. Olive oil helps "grease" up everything.

Mushrooms and pine nuts provide me with some proteins and other vitamins.

Pine Nuts are also my new favorite food and have a bit of iron as well, help with fatigue and help alleviate muscle cramps.

Spinach provides me with a bit of iron and of course green does wonders as well all know :)

Some people enjoy there cooked meal at lunch since they work and its hard to stray away from a nice vegan cooked meal. I do mine at night, as my workout is at night and I like to make sure I have yummy fuel to fill my muscles!

Of course before trying any cleanse or diet change please consult a doctor. 

Comment and let me know what you think of my cleanse! I am having fun with it and have already seen my body de-bloat and watching my fat disappear! Although a bit cranky, I just say its my negative toxins coming out and after these 14 days, my body will be clean and have only positive energy (which is needed for a wedding :)

HONG KONG PART 3

I am loving this culture! Tons of vegetables with spices! You can't go wrong with spices and vegetables! I have been loading up on my veggies and I can tell you its not very hard out here to get my 5 recommended servings of vegetables and fruits! With all that I am walking, I know I will look perfect for my wedding day!

My handsome hubby and I at Cafe Grey at the JW Marriott! My hubby got me my first Herve Leger dress which I had wanted for FOREVER! I just wanted to reach my goal weight and body fat percentage before I got it!

A delicious Iced Tea with mint leaves and spiced with ginger! I love the Asian culture, you rarely need sugar with all the flavors from spices!

Gorgeous lunch at the W pool! Cajun spiced grilled chicken with spring greens and sliced carrots! They look like huge bacon strips but an organic carrot! Dressing was a olive oiled balsamic vinaigrette! I always get my dressing on the side just in case! I like to control my food not let it control me.

Instead of a welcome cocktail, I had some green Jasmine tea to give me a bit of a boost around my 4 PM slow down!

My gorgeous new dress! Reward yourself with clothes not food or dessert! If you completed your goals go and grab yourself some new shoes or clothes! Way better than a piece of cake I promise :)

Headed down to a gorgeous Chinese dinner :)

FOOD CRAVINGS

Last night I was craving chocolate BAD so I went into my lovely brain full of knowledge and reminded myself that my body must be screaming for MAGNESIUM! That's right..sometimes your body sends signals to your brain telling it that it is lacking a certain vitamin or mineral. Instead of running to the liquor store for your favorite Hershey's bar try a handful of raw nuts or seeds, grab a piece of fruit or add some black eyed peas to your dinner. This should help tame the beast without pilling on the calories.

Fruits Highest in Magnesium

Papaya

Grapefruit


Legumes Highest in Magnesium

Lima Beans

Cow Pea

Raw Nuts and Seeds Highest in Magnesium

Cashews

Brazil Nuts

Sunflower Seeds

OUT AND ABOUT

I pull out my Skinny Star tricks all the time when dining out! Right now I am preparing for my wedding day, May 5th which is right around the corner and of course I want to be in tip-top shape! Last night I went out to Edith's in Cabo San Lucas, MX with my fiancé and our friend and it was delicious! The atmosphere there is unbelievable with live music, gorgeous decor and top of the notch service.

A fun video of my fiancé and our friends dessert and not going to lie I took a bite :)

*This was my very first video so don't judge me haha :)

Some quick Skinny Star tricks when dining out:
-1 glass of wine at dinner, 1 glass of wine after (or other drinks work as well, I am just a wino)
-Turn that one glass into 2 with a trick I like to call "The Skinny Sparkler"
-Tea for dessert (freshens breathe and helps you feel even more full)
-If I have to one bite of each persons dessert, savor all the flavors.

"Skinny Sparkler"

1 Glass of Red Malbec Wine (my favorite, any will do)

Sparkling Water

Squeeze of Bar Sized Lime

-Delicious yummy and will last you the entire dinner

The best thing is have FUN! Always enjoy yourself! There is no need to NOT drink because you are trying to lose weight its called not downing 50 margaritas! A HUGE difference! 100-150 calories is not I repeat is NOT going to make you fat the next day. The point of going out is to enjoy yourself so do it!

FABULOUS FRIDAY

Aloe Vera rocks! It is the ultimate beauty secret and so easy to grow and find! We all know if helps heal a sunburn but did you know it can help your hair grow, beautify your skin, anti-age you and its just all around an amazing plant. Aloe Vera also can help your digestive system, sustain blood sugars, help your joints out and clean out your ulcers. Of course is best in pure form, grown by yourself but there is also bottled versions at health food stores and even walmart. 

Some quick facts about this beautiful plant:

-An Anti-inflammatory and it has an ability to absorb nutrients in the digestive system.

-Strengthens and improves immune system because of the essential enzymes, vitamins and minerals it    contains

-45% reduction of blood sugar levels for diabetics proven by

-It is also said that aloe vera can help repaid elastin and collagen in the skin and joints.

The thing is there is one problem, you have to grow it yourself to get the FULL benefits. Sure you can take a supplement but what better way to test out your green thumb than growing your own beauty secret! If all else fails you can always just purchase a plant at Home Depot, this is much easier for those of you who don't have a green thumb like myself :)

Just be sure to get one that has matured a bit as the youthful Aloe Vera's may only have first aid properties. You really want one that has a ton of leaves because once you cut the leaf off it will not grow back. 

How to Cut off A leaf:

-Cut Away with a Sharp Knife

-Trim thorny edges and slice across its width

-The inner gooey gel is the good stuff!

-Keep reaching for more gel by scratching the surface with a clean knife to rupture more cells with more juices.

Enjoy your Aloe Vera :)