Ringing in the New Year in Style

One of the most important events of the year is coming up: the end of 2015 on New Years Eve, and the beginning of 2016 the following day! Saying goodbye to the previous year and welcoming the new one is exciting for most of us and usually entails some kind of grand celebration: dinner with the (whole) family, a toast at midnight, music, fireworks, going out with friends. Of course, a grand celebration usually means you'll be combing through your closet (or the racks at the mall) for the perfect New Year's outfit. Still not sure what you'll be wearing in less than a week's time? Check out your color forecast!

Black

 Image: Web

This color is an excellent option because it naturally embodies elegance. You will look stunning in an LBD, whether it is a more casual dress or a cocktail dress. Sport a black number for a mysterious and sensual allure. 

Red

 Image: Flickr

This vibrant hue is synonymous with happiness, courage, hope and it's also said to attract love and passion ;)

Gold 

Image:Web

 Gold symbolizes wealth and success; it is the hallmark of a strong and decisive individual. You can go luxe in a stunning gold gown, or you can add gold accents to your outfit. Some of my favourite colour combinations: gold and black, gold and red and gold and turquoise.

Silver

 

Image: Web

This peaceful hue is ideal for attracting positive energy. It symbolizes wealth and embodies glamour and distinction, while simultaneously looking natural and elegant.

Whichever colour or look you go for this New Year's, don't forget to enjoy the evening and forget about the little stressors in your life (at least for a little while): So long as you're happy, you'll look radiant in whatever outfit you choose!

Fruit Smoothies: The Fountain of Health

Fruit smoothies are fantastic: they’re nutritious (rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber!) and they’re ready in minutes, making them a great option for a quick breakfast or late afternoon snack. If you find your fruit intake is generally low, a smoothie is a great option to increase your intake of nature’s health powerhouses. You can use any kind of liquid in your smoothies: soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, skim milk, water or natural fruit juices, like fresh OJ. If you want to add an extra bit of sweetness, a bit of honey can go a long way for little extra calories.
Here are some recipes for delicious and nutritious smoothies (my favourite in the strawberry-banana;)). Enjoy!

Strawberry banana smoothie
1 cup of skim milk or soy milk
1/2 cup of strawberries
1 whole banana
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt 
1/2 cup of crushed ice
1 teaspoon of honey

In a blender, purée strawberries and banana. Add milk, yogurt, orange juice, honey and ice. Blend until smooth and slightly thickened.
This yummy smoothie is high in fiber and protein. Bananas and oranges are rich in potassium, while strawberries contain potassium, vitamin C and calcium. Potassium is great for regulating your electrolyte levels; this smoothie is great for athletes as it helps with muscle cramps!

Source: from the web

Mango Smoothie

1 cup of mango
1 cup of cantaloupe
1/2 cup of pineapple
1/4 cup of almonds
1/2 cup of almond milk
1/2 of crushed ice

In a blender puree the pineapple, mango and cantaloupe. Add almonds, almond milk and ice. Blend until smooth and slightly thickened. 

Source: from the web

Blueberry Smoothie

1/2 of a banana
1/2 a teaspoon of flax seed powder 
1/4 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup of soy milk
1/4 cup of ice 

In a blender puree the banana and blueberries. Add milk, flax seed powder and ice. Blend until smooth and slightly thickened. Blueberries are low in fat, packed with vitamin C and full of fiber.

Source: from the web

Fruit n' Oats Smoothie 

1 cup of milk
1/2 cup mixed frozen fruit
1/2 cup of oats (milled, if desired)

In a blender mix all the ingredients until smooth and slightly thickened. Add honey if you like.

Source: from the web

 Fruit n' Wheat Smoothie

1 banana
1/2 cup of orange juice
juice of 1/2 a lemon 
1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons of wheat germ
2 teaspoons of honey
1/2 cup of crushed ice

In a blender puree the banana and pineapple. Add lemon juice, orange juice, Greek yogurt, crushed ice and wheat germ and mix until smooth.

Source: from the web

 


 

 

Facial masks to look your best during and after the holiday season

Facial masks made of fresh fruits are my favorites. They clean and hydrate your skin and give you a fresh feeling immediately. On top of that they are easy to make and economic.
Before applying a facial mask you should clean your face from all impurities using a mild soap and warm water, don't forget to dry your skin very well.

Avocado facial mask 
 
An avocado facial mask is good for any type of skin, except for those with acne problems. 

Things you will need: 

Half of an avocado
One teaspoon of olive oil
Small container

Put the avocado in the container and mash it with the help of a fork, add the olive oil and mix it well. Apply over your face avoiding the areas around eyes and mouth, leave it for 15 minutes. It would be a good idea to put one slice of cucumber on each eye to complete the treatment. When the 15 minutes are up, rinse your skin with warm water followed by your daily moisturizer.

Source: from the web

Source: Getty Images

Oat and honey facial mask

Besides the good benefits that honey and oats have as food, they are also very effective when used straight on the skin. Oats and honey have been used in past centuries to heal a variety of skin conditions. Honey contains antioxidants that help to hydrate, exfoliate and clean your skin, oat is a good natural cleanser and together they help make your skin look beautiful.

Ingredients you will need:

3 tablespoons of oats
2 teaspoons of honey
3/4 teaspoons of water or 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt.

Put the oats in a coffee grinder and grind until it looks like a fine powder.
Mix it with the honey and water (or plain yogurt) until it reaches a thick consistency. Apply evenly on your clean face, avoiding the eyes and keep it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water applying a circular massage around your face. When finished you can apply your daily moisturizer.

Source: from the web

To help your skin from getting premature wrinkles apply orange slices on your face for 20 minutes.
Tomato juice is very hydrating, it heals sunburn and helps with acne. Apply tomato slices on your face for a good 20 minutes, and last but not least, we can't forget our dear cucumber! It has many properties that are good for your health and one of them is keeping the skin's elasticity. Applying a few cucumber slices on your face for 20 minutes each time will do the trick.

Source: from the web

    Feel beautiful and enjoy your day!

Sandy =)

Staying Healthy Over the Holidays

Hello Again!

The holiday season is upon us, and that means the typical holiday goodie fare will be part of the holidays spreads at most of the gatherings you attend. Don’t feel bad when you cave in to temptation; always remember: Moderation is key. If fruits happen to be a part of the menu, don’t forget to add these to your plate; they’ll definitely help you to consume less of the empty calories in most holiday desserts (yule log, anyone?). If you’re tasked with preparing a holiday dessert, try to make it a healthier option: use fruits like pineapple, strawberries or oranges; it’ll reduce the amount of sugar in the dessert AND it will pack an antioxidant punch. Here are a few yummy suggestions:

Chianti-Roasted Pears

Pina Colada Fruit Salad

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

 

Some more tips to help you keep your dietary regimen on track over the holidays:

• Avoid greasy foods and food prepared with heavy creams. Load up your plate with fresh salads and healthy and filling vegetables. 
• Take your time! Eating mindfully and taking the time to savour each bite will help you to curb those trips for seconds. 
• Drink a cup of herbal tea after dinner; this really helps to aid with digestion. Some of my favourites are chamomile, peppermint and anise tea.
• Stay active throughout the holidays. Exercise is not only a great way to help you maintain your weight during the festive onslaught, it also helps you to keep any holiday stress at bay. Check out this 30-minute video, and try to work it in at least 3 times a week during the holidays to help you burn off any extra calories. If you don’t have time to work routines into your day, park far away from the mall entrance while Christmas shopping. Those few extra steps can go a long way! 
• Once again, don’t forget that moderation is key. No one should feel like they should be avoiding any festive delights; you really only eat them once a year ;)