Tea Time: Cherry Tea

I am an avid tea drinker!! When I say avid I don't just limit my self to green tea or white tea, I love and try all teas!!  For the month of June I was really into Cherry Tea.

Cherry tea is deep red in color and has a wonderful intoxicating aroma of the sweet fruit.

The tea can be enjoyed hot or cold and the taste resembles a fruit punch I once drank as a child.  

  Not only is cherry tea delicious in flavor, there are so many health benefits in drinking this tea!  Cherry tea is packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals that essentially contribute to our health,  rich in antioxidants which protect our body from free radicals, thus lower the risk of cancer and various neurological diseases. 

 Cherries also contain melatonin, an antioxidant with calming effects on the brain, which helps relieve irritability, insomnia and headaches. Cherry tea also include anti-inflammatory properties and could potentially prove effective against pain caused by diseases or injuries.  

Cherries have been know to also delay the aging process!!

I love Black Cherry Berry Herbal Tea from Celestial which you can find in any Walmart.

But when I want a real treat I like to use Teavana Snow Geisha Loose-Leaf White Tea, 8oz

It's a loose tea so you will need a filter in your cup or something to steep the tea with. 

iHerb.com

So one day, a few months back,  I was searching the internet for a new store where I can purchase so herbal and organic products. That's how I came across iherb.com.

I fell in love almost immediately, it is a very straight to the point site with no flashing ads or anything like the other sites.  They carry supplements from A-Z, stuff for kids and babies, pet needs, beauty supply and even some groceries!  

Also, there is free expedites 1-5 day shipping on order over $20. Needless to say my first order was well over $20 lol. I received my things in about 3 days. Everything was packaged nicely and no leaks. I think this will be one of my many go to sites for healthy products.

Non Toxic Cleaning

MY NON-TOXIC CLEANING SHOPPING LIST:

Vinegar
Lemons
Lemon oil/ essential oils
Food grade hydrogen peroxide
Soap nuts
castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner's)
Baking soda
salt

Dry Brushing 101

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

How does dry brushing work?
The exfoliation part is easy to understand. “Gentle dry brushing will slough off dead, dry skin, improving its appearance and allowing it to hydrate more efficiently when moisturizer is applied afterward,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

As for detoxifying, dry brushing is similar to massage. “The light pressure against your skin and the direction in which you brush helps move lymph fluid into the lymph nodes so this waste can then be eliminated,” says Robin Jones, spa director at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, TX. Your body naturally does this, but dry brushing speeds up the process and at the same time boosts circulation, delivering oxygenated blood to the skin and other organs, which helps them do their jobs better.

So how do you dry brush? 
First you need a proper brush, which you can purchase at most health food stores. Look for firm bristles—typically cactus- or vegetable-derived—or else the process won’t work, King says. A long handle is also handy to help you access hard-to-reach areas such as your back. Try Bernard Jensen Skin Brush Natural Bristles Long Handle ($11; vitaminshoppe.com).

Because dry brushing energizes and stimulates the body, most pros suggest doing it in the morning before you shower, but you can do it any time of day you prefer. Using long, upward strokes, start brushing your skin at your feet and work up your legs one at a time. Then move up your mid-section (front and back) and across your chest. Finish by brushing up your arms toward your armpits.

Now it’s shower time, with an added bonus: “You’ve just opened up your pores, so any of body treatments you apply in the shower and afterward will penetrate better,” Jones says.

Yumm...

Tea Time

Almond Oil For Dark Circles

Dark circles are a cause of worry for all those who are conscious of their looks as these are darkened skin patches encircling the eyes. They tend to make an individual appear old and unattractive. Instead of resorting to surgeries or expensive skin enhancing treatments that are loaded with chemicals, one can turn to simpler remedies like using almond oil to get rid of the dark circles. This article is an eye opener wherein it highlights the benefits of using almond oil as it is one of the simplest for remedy eliminating the darkened patches surrounding the eyes.

Reason for Dark Circles:

There are several reasons behind the occurrence of dark circles like sleep deprivation, sensitive skin, fatigue, over exposure to chemical based make up products like eyeliner, mascara, and so on. Treatments like application of almond oil should be based on the reason behind the dark circles.

Role of Almond oil in removing Dark Circles:

Almond oil is an emollient that nourishes and moisturizes the skin around the eyes. This oil possesses vitamin K and vitamin E that are highly effective in erasing the blemishes and subduing the puffiness around the eyes. Sometimes dark circles occur due to dehydration of the skin. Applying almond oil helps in rectifying this imbalance and prevents the area (encircling the eyes) from getting dull. Massaging this oil helps in enhancing the texture and lightens the skin under the eyes, making the skin taut and even prevents premature aging of the skin near the eyes.
Ways of applying almond oil for preventing dark circles

1. Simply massaging with almond oil:

The ideal way of applying this oil is by first washing the area around the eyes with water and pat dry with a towel. Next take a few drops of this oil on the tips of the finger massage it on to the area surrounding the eyes. This will enhance the blood circulation which in turn reduces the dark circles.

2. Almond oil with aromatic oil:

Another way to use it is in the form of carrier oil and combines it with aromatic oils to lighten the dark circles. This method should be used daily for best results.

3. Almond oil with honey:

A paste can be prepared by combining almond oil with honey in equal proportions and mixed well. This paste can be then dabbed on to the area surrounding the eyes, leave it on through the night and rinse off in the morning.

4. Almond oil with milk powder:

Another way of applying almond oil is by combining it with milk powder again in equal proportions. Ensure that the consistency of the paste is thick and apply it under the eyes. Leave it on for 10 minutes. This procedure is easy to follow and gives prompt results.

Precautions taken while using almond oil for dark circles:

Care should be taken to apply the oil carefully so as to prevent it from entering the eyes. People who are allergic to nuts should avoid the oil applications altogether. Oil extracted from rancid almonds can have adverse effects therefore one should select the almonds carefully. The eyes should be closed while massaging the oil on to the dark circles. Care should be taken to use the tips of the fingers gently so as to avoid hurting the eyes.

There are several brands that endorse almond oils however the purest form can be available by crushing the almonds and extracting the oil by one’s own self at home. However it can be a tedious process therefore it is advisable to buy almond oil from general stores itself. Dark circles will surely go away if one uses the almond oil diligently using one of the methods discussed in this article.

- See more at: http://stylesatlife.com/articles/almond-oil-for-dark-circles/#sthash.8JMXRW5d.dpuf

Detox Water

Strawberry Kiwi

You can’t go wrong with the classic combination of strawberries and kiwi! This is the perfect summer drink, and has a light sweetness to it.

Detoxifying Qualities:

• Kiwi is a superfood and is packed with vitamins A and E which help prevent free radicals as well as certain types of cancer. Kiwis also helps flush out toxins from the colon, which improves your overall health and well being.
• Strawberries help fight carcinogens and contains anti-aging properties such as biotin and the antioxidant ellagic acid, which helps prevent sagging skin.
• Ingredients:
• 2 strawberries
• 2 kiwis