There’s one thing we can thank 2016 for, upping its makeup game! Thanks to Instagram videos, trend upon trend, and each of our inner makeup artists, we now have “highlighting on fleek” and weird tools to apply contour with . . . like hand mixers 😉
I’m pretty adventurous when it comes to trying the new ‘it’ look, but using kitchen utensils during my makeup application is where I draw the line! LOL I’ve also tried a lot of different skincare regimens this year and the products featured today are on my must try list!
Glossier Priming Moisturizer – containing hyaluronic acid, you know it’s immediately one of my favorites! This super light cream allows for you to build up to the amount of moisture you need without it becoming heavy
Glossier Super Bounce – again with the hyaluronic acid! I love this ingredient because it’s the plumping agent in your skin that transforms the cells from raisins to big ol’ grapes! This serum is the key to perfect makeup application
Algenist 360 eye serum – free of sulfates and parabens, you can apply this eye serum around your ENTIRE eye! Ground breaking if you have hooded eyes like me! Most eye creams intend to thicken up the skin under your eyes as this is where it’s the thinnest, hence we age there there quickest booo! But not this one, it’s brightening, hydrating, and should be renamed to ‘bags be gone’ haha
Colleen Rothschild Extreme Recovery Cream – this has easily become one of my holy grail products. For dry, dehydrated skin, this silky moisturizer offers that deep hydration it really needs. It feels rich but is never heavy, goes on creamy and is absorbed quickly. It’s created with anti-aging properties, wrinkle fighting ingredients, and is free of parabens and sulfates. What’s not to love!
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – this lil pot of magic heats from a balm to an oil in the palm of your hand. It removes all makeup, dirt, and oil lickety split! You won’t even need to cleanse your skin once more after removing it with a warm cloth or cotton round. And if you’re wondering if it leaves behind any residue or greasy traces, I’m happy to report that the answer is no
I’ll continue to try out all the latest and greatest products and report back on what I love, what I believe works, and things I recommend for you. So let me know what you’d like for me to review next <3
The longest flight I’ve ever been on was 5 hours on a trip to Mexico for our wedding venue vacation, and here I was this time last week gearing up for a 12 hour flight to China! C H I N A! Talk about traveling, it was a full day of flights, transportation, time adjustments, and language barriers. I had nothing to complain about though, one of my closest friends, Miya, and I were headed into a week of Beijing explorations, new adventures, and a personal experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine (aka TCM)!
I have so many stories to share I don’t even know where to begin, so I’ll start with how it all began. Miya and I were invited byJuicertrip to join their Ctrip group of travel enthusiasts to journey around Beijing learning all about Traditional Chinese Medicine. Miya is 100% holistic by belief and lifestyle and I love submerging myself into new ideas and cultures, so there we were! We found ourselves among 8 other bloggers and journalists, and two of the writers were from one of our favorite blogs, our friends,Local Adventurer! First on the agenda was a traditional Chinese cuisine served family style, where we got to know one other and learn more about what we were to embark on in the coming days.
Among our days of visiting China’s famous landmarks, were first hand experiences in acupuncture, healing massages, medicinal herbs, natural hot springs, and stress fighting Tai Chi moves!
This was us at the Beijing University Of Chinese Medicine. So much was happening here I had to capture all of the things going on in this one moment. From left to right: Dan laughing at the situation before snapping a photo, as our professor instructs us on how to make flu prevention sachets. Caroline, Franka, and Erin smiling over Franka’s interpretation of the featured herbs, while Amanda and Miya got started. Not pictured, Josh, Lena, and Jackson who were taking awesome photos. Also not pictured, each of us deeply inhaling each bowl of herbs to guess what each contained 😉
From these 6 herbs, of which we could easily identify cinnamon and eucalyptus, we created these beautiful scented “flu sachets” that you smell daily and is believed to ward off the flu. There are so many plants, herbs, and medicinal substances used in TCM that an entire museum is dedicated to the history of Chinese medicine and it’s materials. It was pretty fascinating to learn about what goes into different medicines and powders, and the powers each has to heal from within. The idea of internal related to external really settles in when you get to see what 657 acupuncture points actually looks like on the human body. I’m captivated by the idea of healing the way China views medicine and not ‘numbing’ the way we do here. I’m the girl who even thinks I’m about to maybe get a headache and I pop a pill. I don’t like being uncomfortable I’m the first to admit it. I learned so many different ways to heal ailments naturally on this trip.
A very exciting moment for the group was when we got to share our enthusiasm with local officials and members of the press during the opening ceremony. Check us out following along in some traditional Tai Chi moves directly following the speeches. Our Sifu instructed us on how to relieve stress and pains simply by moving our bodies. It was like a beautiful dance, reminiscent of yoga meets martial arts. Tai Chi has been performed for centuries in China to lower stress and anxiety, and enhance balance, flexibility, and mood. Big thanks to Danfor capturing this moment, if you spot me you’ll see how focused I was!
Once we got back to our hotel, the Beijing Jinyufengshan Spa Resort, we took a dip in their renowned natural hot springs! A few times we all looked at each other to remind ourselves that we were sitting in a hot spring, in the middle of winter, in CHINA! These 39+ degrees Celsius pools of water are rich in minerals which get absorbed through the skin and were the perfect addition to our trip. Our evenings of hot tea and hot springs.
I can’t thank everyone enough for this incredible trip and the memories our group created along the way.This post was just a glimpse into our 3 days in Beijing with one of the coolest group of people and I can’t wait to share what Miya and I did with our remaining 3 days ! David and Hash of Juicertrip, our friends on the Ctrip team, the Beijing Tourism Development Committee, and our gracious hosts, thank you all so much for having us and we can’t wait to visit again!
And more picture time! Dan once againwith his photography skills! Here we are doing our own version of ‘Forbidden City Tai Chi’, “Still Got Juice” style! Ha! From exploring the Great Wall, wandering the Forbidden City, going temple trekking, and experiencing Beijing the way we did, it couldn’t have been a more memorable trip. I’ll leave you with this fun video Miya created while we were at the Forbidden city, spinning in circles the way we do when we find the perfect center point.
You can follow along in our adventures from this trip using the hashtags #juicertrip #ctrip #visitbeijing and #TCM_Beijing! If you’d like to learn more about Beijing, TCM, and the trip we took you can check out these links!
Okay get excited because fitness and health related posts will be coming your way weekly! I’m obsessed! And I say: there is ALWAYS time for snacks … and dessert! Everything in moderation is the only rule I live by and it totally helps that the recipes featured today are nutrient packed, quick n’ easy to make, and best of all they’re SO DELICIOUS! Each of these taste like a dessert and are totally going to fuel your workouts and help you to recover from all those burpees and tuck jumps!
Most of these are breakfast recipes that I can’t live without that also double as a snack-time ‘grab and go’ when I’m in a pinch! If I have at least an hour before my workout I’ll reach for the heartier meals, but if I don’t have at least that; like I woke up late *raises hand- me today* then I’ll grab a piece of fruit or make a protein shake and run out the door. I try to always consume a protein and a carb before AND after a workout. I’m trying to build a booty over here whilst staying lean … is that a thing?! More on this later!
EVERY MORNING: Your metabolism BOOSTER shot!
Rev up that metabolism baby! I personally like to have my shot of ‘hulk power’ after a workout. I send this concoction right into my system for that warmth (ahem thank you cayenne pepper) and glow I feel all day! It’s one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon l carnitine, a dash (or two) of cayenne pepper, and a splash of pineapple juice! This helps with the taste trust me! I put it all into a shot glass because who doesn’t wanna feel like a total bad ass in the morning and I make these in bulk so that they’re ready for me to drink each day throughout the week. Just triple the recipe and secure tightly into a mason jar. I have this keep for about 3 days in the fridge before making a fresh batch!
BREAKFAST RECIPES (AND MY PRE-WORKOUT FUEL)
RASPBERRY CHERRY CRUMBLE:
I have a rectangle of this in the morning, remember I try to have my carbs before and after a workout when my body is either burning it off or fueling my muscles afterwards. For this you’ll evenly spread about a cup of fruit (I love frozen raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and strawberries) at the bottom of a glass dish, sprinkle over top a scoop of protein powder (see the very bottom of this post for some protein powder options you’ll love). Then sprinkle 1/3 cup oats, sliced almonds, a tablespoon of chia seeds, and some unsweetened coconut flakes over top that. Then squeeze the juice of half a lemon (or a whole one if you like the tang!), and sprinkle on some cinnamon. Slowly pour coconut milk (or your choice of milk) over top the layers and gently use your fingers to press the milk into them so that they’re all saturated (but not swimming in fluid). I used about 3/4 cup or so. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and enjoy! THIS TASTES LIKE PIE! It’s insanely good I can’t even.
OVERNIGHT PROTEIN OATS … with a secret ingredient:
I make this at night so that it’s a grab and go for me in the morning! In a mason jar add 1/3 cup oats, a scoop of protein powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, a tablespoon chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, and that secret ingredient I was talking about … pumpkin spiced granola (recipe coming soon), but just a teeny bit of it for flavor and use can use any granola you love. If you’re going to consume this in the morning or after about 4 hours, than pour your favorite milk (mine is unsweetened coconut milk) over top to saturate the mixture and shake well. Pop that into the fridge and give it another good shake after about 30 minutes or so. I LOVE this for breakfast or even after a workout if I don’t have time to prep a full meal before I start my work day. If you’d like to prep this for the week simply separate this recipe into different jars and you’ll have days worth of yumminess ready to enjoy!
PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN WAFFLES:
Oh YES! One of my favorites, this tastes NOTHING like those boring, weirdly textured, cardboard tasting protein waffles you’ve seen before. This is a total treat and completely good for you! In a blender or ninja add together one scoop of protein powder, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon PB2, 3 teaspoons coconut flour, and about 8 teaspoons of water. Blend until you get that perfect waffle mix consistency and then make that to your desired golden-ness! This serves one. I top this with a nice dollop of vanilla coconut yogurt (dairy free from Trader Joe’s), some cinnamon, and a pinch of unsweetened coconut flakes! No butters or syrups are necessary for this one TRUST ME! You will want to kiss me on the mouth for this one, but please refrain- I’m engaged 😀
CASEIN COOKIE DOUGH! Oh em gee I saved the best for last!!! I like to have this as my final snackie of the day OR as a snack because, cookie dough! Casein is a slower burning protein which feeds your muscles while you sleep, do it! For this magical mixture I mix one scoop of casein powder with 1 tablespoon PB2, and then I add as much water as I need (add about 1/4 cup of water at first and then slowly by the tablespoon) until I’ve reached my desired consistency. Then I drop in some cacao nibs or dark chocolate bits and DEVOUR NO REGRETS! This is my favorite way to enjoy a night-time treat that is completely reminiscent of my favorite cheat-treat!!!
Remember that our diet is 80% of our results so we want to fuel our bodies all day with good food, REAL food, and nutrient dense meals. If you missed my meal prepping lunch and dinner ideas, click HERE 😀 Sharing my day with you, I eat 5-6 times a day, that’s 3 meals + 2-3 snacks. My meals always feature a lean protein, a healthy fat, and a complex carb/fiber of some sort. My snacks are just to keep my metabolism moving- so less than 200 calories, and I eat every 2 1/2- 3 hours.
Keep your body burning all day so that it doesn’t store your food and go into survival mode. Oh oh, and I ALWAYS have a protein shake within 30 minutes of my workout if I’m not able to get a real meal in me, but that is only to hold me over until I’m able to eat real food once I’m home. You want to feed your muscles right away, a lean protein and a complex carb is what I reach for since my body will use it to repair and rebuild. Eat eat eat! <333
Lastly, if I can give you one piece of advice it is to not beat yourself up over food. Take each day to make good food choices, I always tell myself, “it’s meal by meal Jess, meal by meal”. That turns into day by day, and then BAM it’s been a month and you’ve naturally developed good habits on your own! This is a lifestyle so lets not put an expiration date on these habits, take these 30 days to ramp you up for the next 30 days and then the next! … oh and food can be FUN!
MY GO-TO PROTEIN POWDERS, HEALTHY FATS, AND SPICES!
Ok, about those protein powders! I’ve tried ’em all and to me it really does make a difference when you’re using a protein powder in recipes or drinking it with nothing but water in your tumbler. My personal favorites are THIS ONE by Bio Chem from Whole Foods, it’s an organic whey protein and I love the vanilla flavored one. It tastes like nothing to me honestly (that matters when I down it with nothing but H2O) and doesn’t make me gassy, haha TMI but hey, truth! And Vega One protein! However, this is an acquired taste, the flavor isn’t like a milk shake y’all- but with some frozen nanas, berries, coconut milk, and chia seeds it’s incredibly yummy! I wouldn’t drink this by itself but that’s just my preference.
To name a few, I love chia seeds, PB2, almond butter, avocado, and coconut oils for my healthy fats. For my carbs I opt for fruits, veggies, and whole wheat breads or ezekiel breads and tortillas. The milks I list in my recipes are always unsweetened coconut or almond milk, and cinnamon + unsweetened coconut flakes are my go-to to make ANY recipe more bearable ha! Everything in moderation for me!
So what’s your favorite protein powder? Do you have a favorite brekky or snack recipe to share?
Let me know so I can try them all out and stay tuned for our meal plan modified! Kick butt this week and I’ll see you soon with another article!
If you’ve been following me for a while than you know that my days are full of mom duties, and my nights with all the entrepreneur duties! So making time for myself yet alone a workout or a sit-down meal has been impossible lately. Our recent travels have thrown our ‘gung-ho-work-out-eat-right’ mentality right on out the window along with time to make logical food choices. But you know what they say … “we make time for the things that we want to make time for“. Ughhh who started that anyway … it’s a crazy, logical, guilt ridden statement.
BUT, I made time yayyy! *Please do this with me so we can all whine through it together!* Let me start by saying that ever since I took my first class at Fuel Rx in April, I’ve been slightly a lot addicted to seeing the changes in my body and energy levels. I’ve grown to LOVE working out in a class environment. It’s really motivating not to have to do it all alone! But I also REALLY LOVE food. Wanna hear the kicker?! Our results, our energy, and maintaining our kick ass bodies after all that hard work is 80% dependent upon what we eat. Let me let that settle … 80% is meals, ahhhh!!!!!
So I really wanted to share with you what I did this week to prep! I only had an hour and a half today to prep for lunch and dinner for the next few days. Tomorrow I will prep breakfasts and snacks. Hey, do what you have time for and what you have time for is enough! Some days you’ll cook 3 meals and 3 snacks for the week in advance, and some days you’ll only have time to prep for the next day. But do it and you’ll find that it takes less time than we think!
Side note- my daughter is a gluten-free vegetarian so the chicken protein is for me, and her meals will be substituted with shrimp and tofu. My fiancé eats everything so I will be doubling everything.
CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE
I love a good fried rice recipe! Today I opted for a bag of cauliflower rice instead and tossed it around in 2 tablespoons coconut oil, crushed garlic,Flavor God’s garlic everything powder, green onion, and cilantro. I cooked it all over medium heat until it reached my desired crispness and then devoured.
CINNAMON SWEET POTATOES
Tastes like the holidays minus the family drama and being isolated to the kiddy table.
I popped a package of Trader Joe’s ready to eat sweet potatoes (baked and no seasonings added, hallelu for open and eat!) into a pan with a light spritz of coconut oil, some cracked black pepper, and topped them with a dash of cinnamon. So so so good!
THE WORLD’S BEST CITRUS SUMMER SALAD
I mean that with every inch of my dying love for gross BORING salads! If you like citrusy, peppery salads then this is for you! I mixed some kale with a spring mix, squeezed an entire lemon over top the leaves, drizzled on some extra virgin olive oil, and gave that a nice toss (coating them in this base will make them less dry and more appealing). Then I cracked some black pepper in there along with a turn of my Himalayan pink salt shaker, and then added in finely chopped red onion, tomatoes, parsley, and cucumber! THE BEST! So refreshing and so NOT boring!
CUMIN SPICED BRUSSEL SPROUTS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS
Probably one of my favorite ways to prepare brussel sprouts because, that ‘feet’ smell they give off. In a pan I took Trader Joe’s ready to eat brussels (again hallelu for open and eat, again no seasonings added), tossed them in a spritz of coconut oil, added in some toasted pine nuts, cumin, and red pepper flakes! Walaaa! I love this nutty combo and the cumin and red pepper flakes give it a nice lil kick! Hiiiyahhh!
CURRIED COCONUT CHICKEN
Ugh coconut milk dishes are LIFE! I browned some crushed garlic and yellow onion in a tablespoon of coconut oil and then added in 3 cubed chicken breasts. Then I tossed in some diced bell pepper, cracked black pepper, turmeric, and a can of coconut milk. I let that simmer up and then really TRIED to remember portion control. This can be added over a bed of brown rice (or white rice depending on your palette) or even that cauliflower fried rice we made earlier! This is equally as delicious with shrimp, tofu, or potatoes!
HOMEMADE KALE CHIPS
For this grab-and-go snack I simply stemmed a bag of kale, spread them evenly across a cookie sheet, gave them a light spray of coconut oil, and then lightly dusted them with Himalayan pink salt and cracked black pepper. I baked them at 350 degrees for about ten minutes, but you’ll want to keep checking on them to bake them for a shorter or longer period of time depending on your oven. Trust me, they get crispy quick!
Well I hope you try out these dishes and put your own spin on them! They really are easy to throw together- the most time-consuming task is chopping things up and then waiting for them to be cooked!
If you’re wincing from the amount of seasonings or coconut oil that I’m using, don’t fret, these are healthy fats, and I season in moderation. Salt is both necessary and beneficial to your results if you take into consideration timing (it’s a science I tell ya) and consumption (use a light hand). Also, each meal should consist of a healthy fat, a protein, and a complex carb (fiber), and don’t forget to EAT every 2 1/2- 3 hours! Your body will not be able to survive the workouts or push to your full potential if you aren’t fueling it properly. Eat eat eat <333
Next up this week is my meal prep for breakfast ideas and snacks! They’re kid friendly and fiancé approved! I also have a piece coming up all about what to eat BEFORE and AFTER a workout thanks to Patrick’s meal planning … and speaking of, I’ll be playing around with our custom challenge meal plan to bring you some modifications and thoughts! Stay tuned!
What’s your favorite or least favorite thing about meal prepping?
After coming off of vacation the last few weeks; from Vegas to Catalina to Florida … I was in need of a good ol’ cleanse.
I’d been working out pretty hard and eating pretty clean and then BAM, vacation came around and I FULLY indulged, no regrets! But now it’s time to get back to fueling my body with the good stuffs and so I decided for the next 30 days I will drink more water, eat more frequently, and keep it clean!
Okay, when I say ‘cleanse’, I really mean reset. I don’t mean juicing everything in site and having to run to the toilet because you don’t know if you have to toot or poop (hey I’m just being real here). We’re going to be consuming whole fruits and vegetables in a shake- dessert style, and eating real food! Yes eating! Wholesome, protein packed meals and never ever forgetting the good carbs! So here’s a sample day of my reset, and this was all of yesterday’s goodness in real life!
8 a.m.- BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE: Tastes like a chai blended ice cream!
You’ll blend together half of a frozen nana, a teaspoon cinnamon, four dates, and half a cup of almond milk with ice! Yummmerssss! I also added half a scoop of vanilla protein powder, because every meal I try to always have a protein, a healthy fat, and a fiber <333 THIS Tone It Up Perfect Fit protein is my current obsession!
11 a.m. – a Minty Pineapple Protein smoothie for my morning snackie! Tastes like a tropical dessert sans the sand!
Blend together a hand full of spinach, some mint leaves, frozen pineapple bits, coconut milk, and a scoop of protein powder. When it’s all blended pour it into a pretty wine glass (for me this just makes it taste better!) and then top with a tablespoon of chia seeds and sip away baby!
2 p.m.- Lunch time: Vegetarian Sushi! Tastes just like sushi thanks to the seaweed and quinoa … my go-to rice replacement!
In a seaweed wrap line up some avocado slices, quinoa (I made mine with coconut milk, corn, and black beans!), 2 egg whites, and all the sriracha your heart can handle! Roll it up, devour it, repeat! By this time of day I’m starving and this kind of meal is hearty, filling, and super nutrient dense! Win wine … I mean win!
5 p.m.- Dinner! Pizzaaaa! Tastes … just like pizza, but guilt-free and all the flavor you’re craving!
On a Ezekiel sprouted whole grain tortilla spread some sugar free spaghetti or tomato sauce and top it with whatever vegetables you have! I used grape tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, spinach, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, and fat free shredded cheese! I topped it with more sriracha and even more cheese and I wasn’t even mad about it.
This pizza will satisfy your craving for pizza, for carbs, for whatever it is that you think you can’t have. You can!
This ‘cleanse’ for me is really just about swapping out my bad decisions for home-made better ones! The fruitier/vegetable-ier (that’s a word) options! And of course, it’s not a day to enjoy if you can’t ENJOY dessert!
8:30 p.m.- Dessert time BABY! Home-made coconut chia seed pudding with frozen raspberries and coconut flakes! Tastes like heaven, feels like you’re on a tropical island!
Thanks to my babe Miya, you can make this beautiful delectable dessert right at home, and enjoy every.bit.of.it!
In a jar or bowl mix together 1/2 cup chia seeds with 2 cans of coconut milk (I used a can of full fat coconut milk and a can of coconut creme from Trader Joe’s), and add in cinnamon, some agave or pure maple syrup, some frozen raspberries, and SHAKE!
Pop that baby into the refrigerator and shake it again after about an hour or so. In the morning when you’re ready to eat it … or after only a few hours because you’re like me and you need a dessert, spoon it into a bowl and top it with more frozen raspberries and some unsweetened coconut flakes! Friends, this is the best thing ever!!!
Yayyy we did it! A whole day of eating nutrient dense foods, feeling full, having a ton of energy, and just enjoying the fact that we’re making better choices for a healthier us! Good job us! I really hope this post inspires you to try a few of these recipes, I promise you won’t be disappointed and it won’t even feel like a ‘cleanse’ at all, this is more of a reset!
Am I the only one who cringes when I hear the word diet or cleanse?! Lets just refrain from using those words here 😉
This my love, is not cringe worthy, give it a try and TAG me when you do <3
My skin care routine changes depending on the time of year and the time of day, are you this particular about skincare too? So today I wanted to share with you my current night time skincare regimen and just how I keep this 30-something skin of mine as youthful as I can!
First step is cleansing. I cleanse in the shower usually since I’m one of those ‘night time shower before bed’ kinda people. Takes me all of one minute, thank you handy dandy Clarasonic timer, and I alternate between a few different products depending on what day of the week it is, errr and what time of the month it is.
Clarasonics and cleansing systems of the like, are more effective at removing impurities and giving your skin a deeper cleanse than your finger tips would, so I highly recommend them. Start slowly with exfoliation so that you don’t irritate your skin, especially if you’re not used to exfoliating weekly.
1. Exfoliate: Even if you have another skin type than my own (I have very dry skin), it’s still important to exfoliate so that your skin is prompted to create more collagen and it provides a deeper cleanse than the every day cleanser gives you. I alternate between the Clinique 7 day scrub– I love this because it’s gentle enough to use daily though that’s not how I use it, and it doesn’t make my skin feel overly exfoliated. That’s a Monday, Friday routine and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I will use the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate because there’s something about it that is different than any other exfoliant I’ve used. Leaves your skin squeaky clean without over drying and it smells like the spa! I swear by these two. The Tatcha rice powder is wonderful for a quick deep cleanse that brightens up your face instantly! I use this on the weekends after a week full of makeup and movin’ n groovin’!
2. Cleanse and eye makeup removal: I love the Tula cleanser for these purposes because it’s gentle and foams up nicely. It also doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin around my eyes, and it’s light enough to use twice a day if I needed to. The Lush lip scrub I find quick and easy and takes only a few seconds to do the job- just scrub, rub, and rinse! 3. Tone: Right after the shower I will spray a few pumps of the Honest hydrating mist onto my face and while that is still drying I will go in with my serums. 4. Hydrate: Serums are the gate keepers between your skincare products and the layers deep within your face. Hyaluronic acid serum has got to be my number one go-to product for deep hydration and quick absorption. It’s something our skin already produces except in very low amounts and as we age, of COURSE we produce less of it. Oh joy. A few drops of this and then a few drops of Vitamin C will leave your skin soft and supple! 5. Seal and treat: Now that you have your serum on, you can hydrate with a moisturizer here or you can do what I do and seal all of those products in with a nice treatment! I’m in my 30’s so one of my ‘never-ever-forget-to-do’s’ is to use a treatment on my skin, something that will really plump up my skin like the PTR glycolic hydrating serum or the Ole Henriksen night treatment. Both of these are great for fine lines, acne scarring, and overall problematic skin. 6. All about the eyes: Since the skin around our eyes is the thinnest of all of our face, we age there the quickest. Oh joy! So use your ring finger and gentle pat and roll your eye cream from the outer corner of your eye, in towards your nose. Remember pat and roll and press and hold! That’s the secret! This eye serum is inexpensive and one of the best I’ve tried! My advice, start using an eye cream fresh out of the womb! And of course I drench my lashes in castor oil because it moisturizes and protects them, and keeps them healthy through all of the mascara and eye liner layers. It’s been a beauty secret for year past so lets keep it going for years to come! 7. Don’t forget your pout: Since you’ve scrubbed your lips and got them bright and smooth again, it’s time to moisturize them. For years I’ve been using this rose salve because it’s thick, smooth, and ultra hydrating. 8. Prevent turkey neck! Yup I said it, turkey neck y’all! If you’re under the age of 25 I’d say a neck treatment isn’t necessary, but for us babes who are 25+, a neck cream is a MUST! From your cleavage up (pecks up for you men out there) you should be cleansing, hydrating, and treating. You don’t want to have the face of a 19 year old and the neck of a 109 year old. I looove this Tula advanced neck cream because it’s thick like a balm but goes on smooth and doesn’t feel sticky at all. It’s extremely moisturizing and it’s packed full of probiotics and vitamins to replenish your skin and keep it young!
So there you have it! Eight steps to great skin, skin that is hydrated and healthy! This doesn’t take long at all by the way, 3-5 minutes tops is all it takes to end your day with some pampering and to start your night with some regenerating power! Go baby cells goooo!
On days I don’t wash my hair, more joys of color treated locks, I like to run a bit of oil into the ends to prevent drying and splitting. This argan oil is light enough to use daily and smells divine!
If you’d like to see these steps in action, head on over to my YouTube channel where I did a tutorial of this exact routine for you! And Subscribe if you haven’t already, fun and exciting things coming this year <3
Let me know what your number one beauty secret is! Is it a special cleanser, a mud from the Alps?!
Tell me so we can all obsess over these things together because, sharing! See you next week with some tips on how to survive the winter! *yes, this coming from a gal in LA, though this weekend we’ll be in Yosemite so I’ll be “experienced”!*
I will what I want! This is something we should say to ourselves every day. It’s 2016 everybody! You know what that means … new year resolutions and the struggle to keep them! Oh and we’ve all made them! Gyms are filling up, farmers markets are being frequented, and books are flying off the shelves! That is, if your resolution is to be healthy, to eat cleaner, and to read more! Ahem, raises hand. So today I’m going to share with you how to KEEP your resolutions this year and to why ‘the secret’ actually works!
Have you ever read The Secret, or watching the film on it? It’s the idea that our thoughts create our destiny. For instance, if you tell yourself that you aren’t successful, the Universe will agree with you, and hence you will not be successful. The Universe’s job is to AGREE with you, so be sure you’re telling it POSITIVE things! So my number one key to accomplishing your goals … vision boards! I can’t begin to tell you how much power vision boards have in amplifying motivation. To have something to look at daily, something you put together with your hands, something you thought about and sifted through … this makes a HUGE difference! For me, having a vision board puts my thoughts into one place, a tangible place that I’m forced to look at each morning. So what have we learned:
1) Create a vision board.
My friend Miya and I each created a vision board last week and it really set into motion all of things we want this year. They’re really easy to make too! All you need is a poster board, some scissors, a glue stick, and magazines!
Miya said it best when she said that most people think they need to look for pictures of things that represent their goals, but honestly, we found so many inspirational phrases that we put together just by finding WORDS that represented our goals. There are no rules when it comes to your vision board, just cut, glue, paste, and create!
2) Keep your vision board somewhere you can see it.
For me, hanging my vision board up next to my bed where I literally have to wake up to it each morning is the greatest form of inspiration. It’s the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see when I go to sleep. To have it in a space that I’m in creates a sense of urgency within myself, something I can’t take back and something to push me forward. So here it is, the view of my vision board from my pillow!
Be realistic with your goals, yes I totally glued ‘one million’ to my vision board, but seeing all those zeros really enforced into my thoughts that I want to grow this year. I like to gather my goals into areas of my life that I want to improve; work, love, self-improvement, and travel. This works for me, if a board full of inspirational thoughts and pictures work for you, do that! So long as you tell yourself that you will what you want, you WILL get what you want. And lastly, don’t stop, keep your eye on the ball.
3) Stay focused and don’t give up.
There will be days that you want to give up, days that you’re tired and that you feel like your goals are too big, or that they’re just too far to be within reach of. Just remember that every day, do one thing to accomplish your goals and you’ll see that even these small steps turn into huge leaps towards the bigger picture. We all get discouraged, just don’t let one day turn into one year. Baby steps.
So whether it’s creating a vision board or writing out daily to-do’s in a calendar, physically putting your goals onto paper will make a huge difference in your motivation I promise! You can check out what Miya and I put on each of our vision boards and what they mean to us, here!
Miya also wrote a motivational piece on how to keep your resolutions this year on the blog we have together, HapaHour.com, so head on over there for more inspiration! She inspires me every day with her wisdom and words of encouragement. Which brings me to my last point, surround yourself with like-minded people. They say that we become the 5 people we surround ourselves the most with, so be sure that your inner circle is full of people who uplift, inspire, encourage, and empower you.
Let me know what your number one goal is for 2016 and how you plan on accomplishing it and I can’t wait to share with you a ‘mid-year’ update on my own goals! Good luck and Happy New Year!!!
If this sounds like you raise your hand … Wakes up early to work out, has a protein shake, eats every few hours while making responsible meal choices, 9pm hits and BAM … eats something bad EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!
Sound familiar? Well that is another reason why I jump started #30dayswithJess 2.0! Here are my go-to snacks that are … wait for it … late night consumption APPROVED!
Craving something sweet and savory? Well I have your new favorite treat! Here’s the recipe for frozen yogurt-banana cream filled strawberries – topped with salted caramel dark chocolate pieces! I know, I know, you love me. I love you too!
10-12 strawberries
1 & 1/2 Tablespoons of Blue Diamond sliced almonds
1/2 banana
3 & 1/2 Tablespoons honey yogurt (or any greek yogurt)
dark chocolate of your choice (I used salted caramel dark chocolate)
Method:
Smash the banana in a bowl with a fork and add the yogurt until mixed well
Cut the centers out of each strawberry – very carefully, this was tricky for my uncoordinated self
Fill each strawberry with the banana-yogurt cream and top with a sprinkle of sliced almonds.
Place a chocolate piece on top of each strawberry and freeze over-night or until firm. Which ever you have time can wait for! They are messy, but sooo delicious!
For that chocolate pudding crave, try making some chocolate coconut chia seed pudding! It’s so much healthier for you and is packed full of omega 3’s and antioxidants! I topped mine with frozen mango chunks and pomegranate seeds *insert drool emoticon*!
1/4 cup chia seeds (I used a chia seed, buck wheat, and hemp seed mix with cranberries and coconut flakes)
1/2 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 cup coconut milk (almond milk works also)
fruit and unsweetened cocoa powder for toppings (I used pomegranate seeds, frozen mango chunks, and 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder)
Method:
Mix all of the ingredients together in a mason jar with the exception of the toppings
Shake well and refrigerate over night, giving the mason jar a good shake after about 30 minutes to an hour
Once thickened, top with your favorite fruits and cocoa powder for a kick, and ENJOY!
I saved the best for last! When that ice cream craving hits mid-day, or mid-night, you’ll be able to indulge without the bulge. Wow look at my rhymes! Here’s your chocolate cherry ice cream recipe! This ‘ice cream’ is made with frozen bananas, cherries (yes cherries), and peanut butter. Yes you CAN nix the PB, but combining cherries and peanut butter WILL be your newest obsession!
4 frozen bananas (this makes enough for our family of 3)
1 1/2 Tablespoons of peanut butter
1 cup of frozen cherries
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Method:
Place the frozen bananas, peanut butter, and cherries into a food processor
Blend well until smooth and creamy, like ice-cream. It will look like this!
ENJOY!
I mean, how stinkin’ pretty is this home-made chocolate cherry ice-cream?! PS if you’re not a peanut butter fan, exclude this ingredient and add in some more frozen berries and you’re set! So delicious! Frozen fruit whipped up to make ice-cream … genius!
So there you have it! My current three most favorite, go-to treats! You can enjoy these any part of the day, but for me it’s all about settling those late night cravings.
I hope you’ve joined us for #30DaysWithJess 2.0, where we share our meal prep ideas, snack recipes, and workouts with each other! I love trying out your recipes too!
Have a wonderful weekend and remember, you can have anything you want! The key is: everything in moderation <3
Burpees. Mountain climbers. Jump Squats … forget calorie counting! How about you tell me how many repetitions of these exercies I’d have to do if I had that ice cream cone, and I’ll decide if it’s worth it or not! Ha! This is me welcoming you to #30DaysWithJess 2.0!
My Hapa sister Nikki is holding me accountable for the next 8 weeks as we embark on a fitness journey together! We’re on a full blown lifestyle plan that consists of 30 minute workouts, meal prepping, and acronyms like HIIT and LISS! So today I’m sharing with you how I’ve been staying on track by meal prepping and how my new partner My Fit Foods has made that so easy. You can join too with their #PayFitForward initiative!
this Monday’s meal prep MVPs
This week with Joe coming back from Maryland, my schedule taking on two new projects, and Corrine starting a drivers ed program, I was pressed for time to cook and plan! So I prepared a few lunches and dinners here at home, and then I supplemented the other meals for the week with ready-to-go meals from my local My Fit Foods store. The beauty of ready-to-go meals like this is that it takes the guess work out of it for me. I don’t have to think about ingredients, measuring, or macros. I just pack and go- 6 meals a day, that’s a lot of meals.
Think of it this way, our metabolisms are like a beautiful camp fire, and you have to keep feeding the fire with slow burning wood so that it is fueled throughout the day. This is my attempt at giving you a fitting analogy. The fire is your metabolism and the slow burning wood is good, clean, whole foods.
On the go I’m packing a MFF breakfast, a protein smoothie, and grab-and-go snacks
So about every 2 1/2- 3 hours you should be fueling your body with a serving from each of the food groups, and contrary to the no-carb fad I’ve seen, I am a HUGE fan of carbs! It’s our energy and our brain’s fuel! As you see in this week’s preparation photo, along side our MFF meals there is quinoa, sweet potatoes, and fruit. With each of my meals I try to also include a protein, a carb, a healthy fat, and some vegetables. MFF meals already incorporate the ingredients I prepare for myself, so it’s a no brainer to conveniently add them into our plan!
Corrine and I enjoying lunch at our local MFF
Preparing meals in advance can be a bit daunting, even if you’re only cooking for 3 days at a time like I do. So it makes my life a whole lot easier that My Fit Foods prepares each of their meals with a variety of options for each, even for Corrine! As the mother of a Vegetarian child, it can be difficult to find places that accommodate her, so it’s really nice to have a selection for her to choose from also!
Since our breakfasts were prepped with snack grabs, protein smoothies, and MFF veggie omelets, Corrine and I enjoyed our lunch at our MFF store while we stocked up on meals for the rest of the week. I knew we’d be on the road for the majority of the week, so I got 3 dinners for each of us, some more GF oat bars (also available at MFF woot!) for Corrine, and some peanut butter packets.
Plated up our MFF dinner and even lit some candles!
Dinner time is my favorite time of the day because it’s the one time we’re all at home and can sit down to enjoy a meal together. I plated up our MFF dinners and even added in some baby carrots and a side salad. I had the almond crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, while Corrine and Joe savored the shrimp tacos with guacamole. To enjoy some more crunch I tossed in some additional sliced almonds, and I completely recommend you do this and add your favorite ingredients with your next meal!
When we went into our local My Fit Foods store on Friday we were happy to learn that the meals we purchased were a part of the #PayFitForward initiative! Get excited because you too can try our their new dishes AND give back!
Every Friday during the month of September when you purchase a meal from your local My Fit Foods, you’ll get a FREE meal to donate to a participating food bank, or to give to a friend! We volunteer with Earth Angels who participate in Meals On Wheels so we are beyond happy to #PayFitForward each week and spread the love! It’s not only promoting health and wellness, but giving back, and community.
It really does help to involve your family with your health and fitness goals so that you can all do it together. It also really really helps when a friend holds you accountable and checks in with you each week! So grab a friend and create a buddy system! Plus, you can treat them to a healthy meal with the MFF initiative as a thank you for keeping you on track! Win, win!
I hope you join us in #30DaysWithJess 2.0, you still have 3 weeks and if you get stuck on the whole meal planning thing, head on over to your local MFF store and stock up! It’s all about getting your body moving, choosing healthier meal options, and having fun while doing it!
Have a be-you-tiful week!
This post is in partnership with My Fit Foods and their #PayFitForward initiative. We’re proud to share this awesome philanthropic campaign!
