Post-Holiday Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

One Lucky Winner!!!

                                                    will you be the Lucky Winner?

Enter for a chance to Win! 

Entry Dates:

Tuesday February 1, 2011-  March 1, 2011

Winner will receive a BNIO Prize Pack, consisting of some of my favorite natural goodies to benefit the Spirit, Mind and Body including:

Dessert Essence Face Wash, bag of Organic Arrowhead Mills Quinoa, Organic Amla Powder from HennaSooq, Nubian Heritage all-natural soap, a BNIO logo t-Shirt and more!

TO ENTER:  If you are currently a follower of this blog, you are automatically entered!  If you are not a follower of this blog, to enter the contest, Click on the Link on the Right to "Follow this Blog" and follow the necessary steps to follow.  That's it!  New and existing followers can get additional entries!

Want an additional Entry?  Comment below by entering your favorite thing from this blog from recipes, make-up reviews, product reviews, natural hair care etc.
Want another Entry?  Tweet a link to this blog post and come back to let me know in the comment box below.

Want yet another Entry?  Facebook a link to this blog post on your wall and come back to let me know in the comment box below.


Want another entry?  Add a link to this blog to your blog scroll. Come back to let me know in a separate comment.

For EACH action that you take, you will receive 1 BONUS entry into the contest!  That's 5 possible ENTRIES total :)

Winner will be notified via email and winner will posted to this blog on or about March 6th, 2011.

Best of Luck to you!

In honor of the month of LOVE, this is my way to show my love and appreciation for all of my dedicated followers (old and new) as well as get an idea of what post you enjoy the most or would like to hear more of! I truly appreciate your expression of your interest in my Blog by following. It really means a lot!

Contest Rules:  This contest begins at 12am on February 1, 2011 and ends at 11:59pm on March 1, 2011 and is open to anyone with a valid mailing address eligible to receive shipment from the US.  No purchase is necessary to enter.  All entries that are received that are invalid, incorrect or from ineligible will be void.  Winner must redeem prize within 14 days of notification.  Failure to respond to notification to redeem prize will constitute forfeit and an alternative winner will be selected from among all valid entries.  For a full copy of the contest rules and winners list, please send an email to sharronalisha@gmail.com by March 7, 2011.

Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Vitamins by Garden of Life: Good or Hype?

Vitamin Code RAW Prenatal Vitamin Review

Hola!  We all know the importance of taking a multi-vitamin right?  I encourage my friends and family to take a multi-vitamin, but was not consistent myself. I must say, I was NEVER a pill popper or one of those people who consistently took a multi-vitamin.  I also felt that I ate healthy so there was no need right?  Well not entirely... read on...  

Well, now that being over 30 has finally settled into my consciousness :) ... I decided to start the search for a good multi-vitamin.   For me, the process was a bit of a process!  I knew I couldn't just walk into the store and grab the first pretty pink bottle I saw. No, I had a list of wants in my multi vitamin.  Here are a few things that were on my list:



Vitamin MUST:
1. No gelatin capsules made from pork.  Must have Vegetarian capsules.
2. My food is Organic-- my vitamin needs to be also!
3. A large percentage of the veggies I eat are Raw, so why not get that from my vitamin?
4.  Dairy Free
5.  Not chemically derived. 
6.  Support healthy hair, skin and nails so nice amount of Folic Acid and Biotin
7.  Have a high synthesis rate.  (Most vitamin don't synthesis in your body so you don't get all of nutrients it claims.)

After a long search, I found that Vitamin Code RAW Prenatal Vitamin was the perfect fit for me!   The company states that the vitamins are uncooked, untreated and unadulterated, with no binders or fillers, no soy allergens and always dairy-free and gluten-free.  I opted for the Raw Prenatal Vitamin because it has extra Folic Acid which is good for building strong hair and nails... something we all want right?

For me, this Vitamin is an EPIC WIN!

If you are in the market for a multi-vitamin, I would DEFINELY suggest that you give this vitamin a try!  It truly is amazing.  I've been taking this for about a month so far and I feel great!  I love the extra boost that it gives me and it gives me that confidence that I always have the nutrients I need on a daily basis.

Vitamin Code also has a Men's Multivitamin, a regular Women's Multivitamin as well as several other products!

So far I have recommended this to my cousin and my sister-in-law.  They are just as excited about these vitamins as me.

Have you tried?  Would you try?  Do you have a multi-vitamin?  

Keeping Up With Ron Kardashian

Quick Share!

For all of you Kardashian fans that have a guilty pleasure of tuning into E! each week to check out Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim and Kourtney Take New York or Kourtney and Khloe take Miami... whatever your guilty pleasure, there is one Kardashian that's on my radar. It's the cousin of Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian--- Ron Kardashian.  With his trademark Kardashian looks, Ron is not new to the health and fitness world.  Ron Kardashian is an author, life coach and fitness expert (my personal aspirations as well!) and has over 15 years of experience in the field.  It's rumored that Ron Kardashian has a TV show brewing.. I think it would be interesting as there are not many shows out there that promote what he believes in! I'll def. tune in to watch his show!   Seems like he has a lot to share! Anyway, just thought I would share.. tata.... :)

Tuscan Kale and Pico de Gallo Recipe!

Happy Day!!!

Hope your day is filed with lots of love!

This weekend was really cold in my neck of the woods so I decided to stay in and of course that means... COOK!  If you've read any of my other post on veggies and cooking, you'll know that I love fresh veggies!

This weekend I decided to make some Tuscan Kale (also known as Dinosaur Kale or Palm Tree Kale).  Tuscan Kale is a deep, rich dark green and is LOADED with nutrients such as beta carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, calcium and is known for its powerful antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.

What you need:
Bunch of Organic Tuscan Kale
Vegetable Stock
Olive Oil
Garlic (optional)
Fresh Pico de Gallo (tomatoes, green peppers, onions, lime juice and cilantro blend)
Himalayan Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper flakes, pinch
Vegan Butter or Real Butter
What to do:
Clean veggies thoroughly with ACV.  Click here for details.

In a pan on medium heat, combine olive oil and vegetable stock, enough to cover bottom of the pan and let simmer.  (Optional: Saute Garlic with this mixture.)  Add clean Tuscan Kale to pot and season with salt, pepper and pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.  Pour a small amount if vegetable stock on top of greens and a 1/2 teaspoon of butter and lid the pot.  Cook on medium for about 3-5 minutes.  Add in Pico de Gallo and toss with tongs.  Lid for another 2-3 minutes and SERVE!   That's it!

Greens should be bright green in color and will be at the height of the nutritional level for cooked greens. 

ENJOY!

Himalaya Organique Neem and Turmeric Face Wash

This product is on my radar to try!  I read about it in my weekly sales paper from my local natural store, Roots.  In the past, I've used both neem and turmeric for skin care and cooking respectively.
Have you tried this product? Any thoughts on it?

Chanel le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil Review

MAKEUP REVIEW

Happy Friday!!!  I'm such a sucker for all things luxurious and glamorous... :)  ...especially when it comes to one of my favorite designers....... 

Chanel!

So classic, so chic!  In my opinion, the ultimate timeless splurge that every woman should have is a Chanel handbag.  Its not pretentious and is often understated.  I remember growing up and my Mom had the most amazing classic cream colored Chanel handbag, which is still in great condition to this day!   All of my stylish Auties had at least one in their collections as well!  There is just something about those double crossed C's that sends my heart a fluttering...  I digress..  I even get excited about Chanel makeup...

  

My fav, to die for eyeliner is Chanel's le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in Noir. 

 Its velvety smooth and stays on forever!  In addition, it also comes with its own sharpener.  Its so worth the splurge as you don't have to reapply it several times a day.  My 2nd favorite is Stila Kajal Eyeliner.  Both of these have great staying power if you're the type of lady that loves dark intense eyes, like me.  I've tried soooo many liners but these are the creme de la creme for me, LOVE these... 

What are your favorites?   

How Healthy Are You? 5 INSTANT Health Test

Amidst all of the health and beauty products out there to improve your health and looks, it can be a bit overwhelming.  Sometimes its good to get BACK TO THE BASICS and pay attention to what your body is telling you.  I am a huge believer in "listening to your body".  Our body can't talk so it communicates with us through physical manifestations such as pain, discomfort, scarring, dry skin, brittle nails, weak muscles etc. to get our attention, let us know that something may not be right, is off balance or it needs help!  Listen to what your body is saying and pay attention to the signs it gives you. 

Below are a few ways that I would suggest to check and see how healthy you are, INSTANTLY:

1.  TEST YOUR FLEXIBILITY.  As a personal trainer, this is part of the "Fit Test" that I perform on my clients to test their flexibility.  You can do this yourself!  Test your flexibility with a simple flexibility sit and reach test.  Sit on the floor with toes pointed towards the ceiling and reach for your toes.  If you can reach your big toe or beyond, you are flexible.  If you have trouble, you may want to incorporate daily stretching or yoga into your routine.

2. CHECK FOR TOXIC FAT.  One of the worst kinds of fat is visceral fat that deposit and builds up around your mid section.  This fat covers your vital organs such as your kidney's and liver and excessive fat in this area has been link to heart disease and many other fatal diseases.  Even if you are thin and have excess fat in this area, it is still problematic.  When you rise in the morning, lay on the floor and hold in your abdomen.  If there is a "pregnant" bulge and you are not pregnant, you may want to take the steps to reduce the bulge.  Check out my recent post on 5 Tips to Avoid Excess Belly Fat for tips on how to keep belly fat at bay.  

3. CHECK FOR DRY SKIN.  Check your skin often for dry patches of skin. If your skin is dry in more then on area in a patch, your body could be telling you that you are lacking and not getting enough internal or topical moisture.  Try taking fish oil tables orally or using jojoba oil on the dry skin.  Jojoba oil mimics the natural oils that are produced by our bodies so it will not leave your skin greasy, just deeply moisturized. (Of course eczema is a more serious and you should seek medical attention.)

4. MONITOR YOUR BREATHING.  In Bikram Yoga, we are taught to breath during the entire class in and out of your nose and not your mouth.  This can be a bit of a task for many to adjust to if you are used to breathing in and out of your mouth.  Breathing in and out of your mouth is an evolutionary response to stress.  Practice breathing in and out of your nose only.   Take note of when you begin to breath in and out of your mouth.  Is it during a stressful situation?  Consciously make the effort to breath in and out of your nose as it will lower your heart rate and relax blood vessels.

5. CHECK SKIN FOR BREAKOUTS.  Acne usually does not show an immediate response and can be in response to several issues.  Stress and candida overgrowth are just a couple ways to trigger inbalance in your body. Whatever the cause, acne or breakouts its your body's way of telling you that something is not right.   If you experience stress related breakouts, try reducing your stress by meditating and not taking on negativity from others.  Deal with situations when they arise and find ways to release stress to avoid breakouts.  If you experience candida realted breakouts, you may want to cut back on certain foods.  (I will post soon regarding candida overgrowth and how to eliminate candida overgrowth in your intestial track.)

                                               

I hope this was helpful!  Remember, listen to your body and care for your temple!

Please note I am not a doctor and none of this should be taken as medical advice.  This is simply information.  If you have major concerns, as always, seek the help of your holistic doctor or a physician.

America's Next Top Blogger

Click here to check out my post on All Women's Talk for

America's Next Top Blogger! 

 I love writing, talking, blabbing and sharing my new discoveries and knowledge with others!  My post was on My Top 5 Styles for Curly Hair:  NO HEAT REQUIRED.  I hope you get a chance to check it out and rate it as well!!!!

Later Loves :)

Herve Leger or BCBG?

Okay my little naturalista-fashionista's and the guys that love us and want to buy us clothes to keep our wardrobes stylish..... ;)  One of my favorite EPIC WINS (phrase of the week) is the BCBG Power Skirt. Now, I know this has been out for quite a while (since fall 2009 actually), but it's a great staple piece in black, white or brown that every stylish lady should own! Is an edgy hybrid of the sexy Herve Leger bondage dress meets the typical pencil skirt and can transition nicely from day to night.  With this power skirt however, its very important to wear the proper under garments to accentuate, lift and smooth as the fabric does squeeze it all in.

Retails at $148

Beautiful blue!



Good way to add a pop  of color!



Do you have one?  Do you like it? What do you wear it with?

 Guys- would you purchase this for your lady?

5 Tips on How to Avoid Excess Belly Fat

It's that time of year again! The huge celebrations and tons of desserts have come to an end.   Reflecting anyone?  Did you splurge more then normal?  Do you feel like you need to move that button over? Well... before you start to alter your clothes, try altering a few things in your diet to shrink that excess belly fat! Processed sugar and table salt are big culprits that aid in the retention of water and weight around the mid section.  Here are a few tips to shrink current belly fat and to AVOID excess belly fat in the future.

1.  Do Skip the Dessert and Kick the sugar habit! This is easier said then done for many people as sugar and sweets can be quite addictive.  Your best bet is to cut out the sweets and processed sugar cold turkey! Go through the withdrawal period then add healthy options back into your lifestyle in place of your sweet cravings.  Take back the control of your body and give it what it needs as opposed to what it wants! 

2. Eat a balanced meal.  Don't load up on bad carbohydrates because the body turns carbs into sugar, adding to belly fat. Carbohydrate means "carbon + water".  While carbohydrate is an essential nutrient, instead of loading up on carbs such as white pasta, bread and processed potatoes, try subbing in whole grains, and fresh (not canned) raw or steamed veggies.

3. Do Drink a cup of warm water with lemon, honey and cinnamon in the mornings!  (add Cayenne Pepper to it for a boost and to speed up metabolism).  This daily detox drink is great and aids in digestion,  provides an alkaline environment and provides an optimal pH level for your digestive track.

4. Don't skip the Beans!  Beans and other Legumes are great for your heart, the more you eat the more you..... as the old saying goes.  :)   There was some truth in it!  Beans and other legumes have no cholesterol and are rich in fiber which help to keep your digestive track regular.

5.  Avoid Highly Processed Foods.  Processes food are just that.. processed!  The "process" that processed foods go through strips them of the important nutrients that are crucial for our body to function properly.  Have you ever eaten fast food, canned food or frozen food and just feel full and not satisfied?  Well, that's probably because its just a temporary fix to satisfy hunger but eating these foods do not provide our body with the nutrients that it needs!  Substitute the processed foods for fresh, organic foods as often as possible!

You are on your way dolls!  ...I hope this was helpful!

Quote of the Day-- Food for Thought

“What is the quality of your intent?
Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine the reasons of our true intent.  My intent will be evident in the results.”

-Thurgood Marshall  July 2, 1908 -January 24, 1993

In honor of Thurgood Marshall today

Ambulance LTD - Sugar Pill

Check out this AMAZING song from the band Ambulance LTD, called Sugar Pill. This song is from the club scene in the movie Takers. If you haven't seen Takers, you should check it out! It's vibe is similar to Ocean's and the Italian Job....




What do you think?

The "Raw" Truth, By Jordan Rubin FREE BOOK download!

Hi People! 

For those of you who were able to tune into the Webinar on last week with Jordan Rubin, it was really a great webinar.   Jordan spoke on his very inspirational journey! During the webinar, Jordan mentioned that you could snag a FREE copy of his new book, his first book in 3 years at www.gardenoflife.com/rawtruth which retails at $20.00.  Great Deal right? You can also find a FREE copy at a premium health retailer in your area! 

I downloaded my copy and am truly enjoying it!  I recently purchased  a multi-vitamin from the Garden of Life, the Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Vitamin and will have a review up on that shortly! Check back for my review!  I must say, so far, I have only great things to say about this vitamin and its numerous benefits!

Anyway, if you are interested in expanding your knowledge or learning new information about Raw food, -or- if you are interested in beginning a full or partial Raw food lifestyle, then I would definitely suggest getting the free download of the book!  So far so good for me!  I'm loving it!

Again you can log on to:
www.gardenoflife.com/rawtruth
for your FREE copy of

The Raw Truth,

Transform your health with the power of living nutrients

by Jordan Rubin, New York Times Best Selling Author!

did you order it?  What do you think?

Do You Love Yourself?

Self love is the cure for everything.

How would you feel and react if your relationship with yourself was a loving one?

The way we feel about ourselves can determine our actions, thoughts, relationships, opinions and health. It can change the bodys ability to heal itself.

It is so powerful!

Most of us are very critical of ourselves and do a lot of negative self talk. Being a loving friend instead, can be very healing.

Love is the fabric of the universe and the core of positive energy. Judgment, including self judgement, is very limiting while love is boundless but it needs to begin with self love because love cannot come from lack. It is why there can be no real, selfless, healing compassion without first loving ones self. Self love and compassion go hand in hand.

If our love of self was strong and healthy we would feel more content, self assured, less lonely or afraid. We would just enjoy our relationships, not control them. Death or separation would be more tolerable. It is a concept that is barely understood by us because most of us have not experienced life from a place of self love.

Our health problems are a result of our inability to be ok with who we are, caring more about what other people think, dismissing our own thoughts and feelings. That is not an act of self love, it is an idea that some part of us is not valuable. It shrinks our energy, blocks its flow and causes resistance and illness; an inability to express who we are in the world.

When we are able to nurture and develop a healthy robust friendship with ourselves, it will change the world that each of us experiences.

Just imagine reaching out to each other from a place of self love and self fulfillment...what a different world we could have. Limitless abundance!

--Author Unknown

How to Amp up your Amla Face Mask

Morning Dolls and Kens!

Hope your day is amazing thus far and wishing you blessings and prosperity this day!

For those of you who read my previous post on Amla Face Mask, you probably know the basics of Amla as well as its benefits!  Have you tried the Amla face mask?  Do you like it?.....

Well, if you've tried the Amla face mask and love it like I do, I have a way for you to "up the ante" with your mask!

Amla cleans deep into the pores, removing dirt and grime from the day as well as brightens your skin tone as it polishes your skin along the way.  In addition to your basic Amla mix of 1 teaspoon of Amla Power and enough warm water to turn it into a paste, try this: 

 

Lemon Juice and Amla Face Mask:

What you need:

1 Teaspoon of Organic Amla Powder

Enough warm water to create a thick paste ( apx. 1/2 teaspoon)

1/2 fresh lemons' juice

What to do:

1.)  In a bowl, blend the 3 ingredients until a nice paste is created.

2.) Using a mask application brush, brush the mixture onto your face in an upward and outward motion (always defy gravity people...), avoiding your eyes and the delicate skin under your eyes and around your mouth.  

3.) Let the mixture sit on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.  BONUS: As the mixture softens when washing it off, gently rub it into your face in an upward and outward motion to remove any remaining impurities as you rinse.

If you've read my previous post regarding The Power of Lemons when used on your face, you will know of all the great benefits of lemons! (There are several other great uses of lemons as well!  Search this blog to find them.) 

By combining the Amla Power and the fresh squeezed lemon juice to create a face mask, the mixture will  (i) aid in instantly brightening your face, (ii)  improve skin tone, (iii) remove acne scars and age spots with repeat use, (iv) deeply clean, (v) act as an antiseptic to rid skin of bacteria that can cause acne and (vi) shrink pores! 

Questions? Will you give it a try?

How to Get Longer Lashes Naturally

Camellia Oil for Eyelash Growth?

If you've read my previous post on Eyelashes, you'll note my love of lashes.  Long, thick, curled, luscious lashes are sought after by woman of many cultures as it is a symbol of femininity and sex appeal.

I recently ordered some Camellia Oil for my hair from HennaSooq.com.   When I received the oil I loved it and the consistency was really light and smooth.  Camellia Oil, also known as tea seed oil, promises to promote hair growth, so I decided to do an experiment.

EXPERIMENT:  Put Camellia Oil on my lashes (right along the roots) at night time right before bed each to see if it would increase the fullness and length of my lashes.

I started this experiment about a month ago, and to my surprise by week 2, I notice an incredible difference in my lashes! They were definitely fuller, thicker and LONGER!  They also seem stronger with increased elasticity as well.  I decided to research Camellia oil and realized that it is one of the main ingredients in many of the eyelash growth solutions! Who knew? Many naturalistas opt for Camellia oil as opposed to olive oil to condition their lashes as the oil is very light.  

Interesting Fact:  Japanese tea seed oil is used for setting the hair of sumo wrestlers.

Have you tried Camellia Oil on your lashes?   Would you be interested in trying it?

The "Raw" Truth FREE Webinar!

Hi lovelies!

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend!  I had a very eventful weekend and have some exciting things to post this week based on my weekend so be sure to follow my blog or check back often to catch the action!

Anyway, to all of my fellow raw foodies, vegetarians, vegans, natural eaters, those interested in adopting this lifestyle etc., while at the Vitamin Shoppe today, I purchased some Vitamins by Vitamin Code, made by Garden of Life and grabbed a flyer that was at the register.  I just wanted to share with you that there will be an exciting:

  FREE WEBINAR

on the "Raw" Truth

this Tuesday January 11, 2011

from 7:00-8:00pm

hosted by Mr. Jordan Rubin, founder of Garden of Life

He will touch on living a raw foods lifestyle, benefits of consuming raw and natural foods, which supplements best compliment a raw food lifestyle and much more! 

to join, Register at www.gardenoflife.com/jordanevent

I am really excited, am registered and will participate!  It's always good to get as much info as you can, soak it up like a sponge and spread the good word to others!  Hope that you will join me in the web-osphere! 

tata....

Firm, Lift and Shape Your Butt in 3 Moves!

Quick Fitness Tip:
Hi everyone!  As a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, one of the top questions that I've been getting lately from my clients and potential clients is how to tighten, lift and tone their butt.  Could it be all the attention placed on the Beyonce, J-Lo and Kim Kardashian butt in the last few years?  Well, the key to toned, lifted buns is variety in your regiment!  The buns are complex, made up of 3 key muscles, the Maximus (top/major ), Meduis (middle/side) and Minimus (bottom). Whether you are a Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced levels, I've put together 3 easy moves to Firm, Lift and Shape your butt!

MOVE #1:  Reverse Lunge
Stand with legs hip width apart, arms at your side.
Reach one foot behind you like you are taking the first step if walking backwards and drop your knee, parallel to your arms. (Really reach back with this to ensure good extension)
Bring that leg back to the start position, pushing off with the heel of the opposite leg (this is the secret!). Repeat the same movement with your opposite leg. Be sure to keep your back firmly upright and straight throughout this exercise.

MOVE #2:  Squat, Reach and Kick
Begin standing with legs hip width apart.
Squat down to also touching a "chair" and lift up with weight on your heels.
Come up 3/4 of the way (knees should be slightly bent) and simultaneously extend your arms forward and one leg backward.
Return to the starting position and repeat the same movement, alternating legs.

MOVE #3: Straight Leg Deadlifts
Begin standing with your feet wide apart, your toes pointing out, and your hands clasped together in front of you.
Bend your knees as you bend forward from your hips. Make sure you keep your lower back straight.
Pushing back at the hips and out with the butt, reach back between your legs and stick your butt out and up, until your hamstrings are tight. (Try to bring your knees as close to your chest as possible.)
Slowly stand up straight up, squeezing your butt at all times until you reach your starting position.
Repeat this movement.
The key is to use your butt muscles and hamstrings to carry out the move as opposed to your lower back.
All of these moves can be done without additional weights. If you feel over time they get rather easy, ADVANCED LEVELS can add hand weights in each hand to increase intensity.

In addition to these 3 Great moves, you can also incorporate hills and valleys on the treadmill.  Make sure that when you walk the hills, you engage your core muscles and walk with your hips thrust forward and maintain strong legs.

ALSO....Why not have great legs to go with those great buns right?  Check back soon for my posting on how to incorporate hills and valleys into your cardio workout and how to achieve beach ready legs in 3 moves!

ALSO:  I will be posting a tutorial of these 3 moves on my YouTube/theRoseofSharron page really soon!  Please check back soon or subscribe to my YouTube page for notifications!

Apple Cider Vinegar Fruit and Veggie Wash 2Go!

For those of us who are constantly on the go or that eat most of their meals during business hours (I know I do), you may not have the luxury of running water to rinse your fruit.  Not to mention the luxury of accessabilty to Apple Cider Vinegar for that extra clean rinse. 

I recommend preparing your own cheap "Fruit & Veggie Wash 2go" to ensure that your fruit is free of bacteria.  Apple Cider Vinegar is known to kill bacteria.  To prepare your homemade Fruit and Veggie Wash 2go, all you need is:


1. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (with "the mother")



2. Purified Water

3. Spray Bottle


Combine 1 part ACV to 3 parts water in your spray bottle.  Shake and... viola! 

You can spray directly on fruits to get the skin nice and clean!  Check out my prevoius post on How to Properly Wash Veggies for at use of ACV.

Dye Hair Naturally with Indigo, Take II

Hello Everyone....

I just wanted to post a quick update regarding my new found infinite love for dying my hair naturally with INDIGO.  My hair is already dark brown, but the Indigo transformers my locks into a rich black, which I love!  In the summer, I enjoy using just henna (Click here for my Henna process) which gives my hair red highlights, but I love the rich black luscious hair results with indigo for the winter.  This is the 2nd time that I've dyed my hair naturally using Henna and Indigo and I have nothing but good things to say about the process.   I am pretty much a pro now, (tooting my own horn, "beep-beep") so there is no messy clean up anymore!  To check out my complete 2 Step Process on How to Dye Hair Naturally using Henna and Indigo, Click Here.

Do you Henna?  Do you Indigo?

Nars Amazon Lip Liner and Mac Ruby Woo Lipstick Review

Hi Dolls!

This post is for the ladies and for the men that want their woman to have sexy Red Lips! (Fellas- Trust me, we won't get mad at you if you step outside the box and pick up a nice red shade for us, with some red shoes to match  :) ... especially with Valentine' s Day not to far away!  Even if you get the wrong shade, its the thought that counts...)  I digress.....

Now.. I must admit, I have NEVER been a fan of Red Lipstick on me.  I'm more of a neutral lip color sort of woman.  My sisters pull off red lips beautifully, but for me, I've been over it since my high school days.  In addition, red lipstick always reminds me of the bad fashion choices from the 80's that carried over to the 90's that got lost in transition.  Perhaps because I never attempted to find my right red shade?  who knows... I digress again....

HOWEVER...
I must say that I was recently blown away! 
YES!?  Could it be, will Red work on me?

I recently ventured out to Sephora and Mac, and here's my take (thanks to the lovely ladies at Sephora!)
Ruby Woo by Mac is a beautiful Matte color (think Marlyn Monroe's matte red lip color) with an orangey-red base and it worked great on me, thanks to the help from the excellent "Red Lip Expert" at Sephora! I have a yellow undertone in my skin.  If you have a Warm Skintone (yellow undertones) like me, then Red Lipstick with Orangey reds, Warm reds, Tomato reds, Brown based reds, Golden reds, Tawny reds will probably work best on you.  If you have Cool Skin Tones (pink undertones) then pink tones of red, Berry Reds, Blackberry Reds, Brick Reds, Blue tones of Red and Plum tones will probably work good on you.  (thanks Sephora ladies!)

Amazon Pencil Lip Liner by Nars,  was the perfect complement to the Mac Ruby Woo.   If you have difficulty getting this MAC color, try Jungle Red by Nars.  Its almost the exact same color!

Here is a pic with me wearing Mac Ruby Woo Matte Lipstick, Amazon Lip Liner by Nars and some red shoes, of course:

What do you think?

Feather Hair Extensions by Fine Featherheads

Hi lovelies!

If you read my previous post on Feather Hair Extensions, I dished a bit on this FAB hair trend.  I think the feather hair extensions are just darling and add a little bit of pizazz to any hair do!  Especially in the winter months! 

Well as promised, here are some pics that my friend so graciously let me take of the feather hair extensions in her hair and post on my blog!  Her stylist put them in and I think they look amazing.....

Aren't they FAB!?