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Matcha Powder

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What is it and Why Are We Crazy About it?

Matcha is finely ground green tea leaves. It enables you to take in the full benefits of the green tea leaves compared to traditional green tea. Matcha powder is abundant in antioxidants, thus strengthening your immune system, as well as vitamin C, zinc and magnesium. Moreover, it boosts your metabolism, helping you burn calories and thus lose weight. Not only does matcha lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, but it also helps to detox the body (plus I find the simple act of making it extremely relaxing). In other words, matcha gives you energy without the caffeine crash afterwards.

Uses

Matcha is a versatile ingredient that can be used in smoothies, baked treats, oats or chia pudding. My favourite is a matcha latte.

Matcha Latte Recipe 

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INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 tsp matcha powder
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 3/4 cup almond milk (or any of your choice)
  • sweetener (stevia)

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Sift the matcha powder into the water to remove any lumps.
  2. Using a match bamboo whisk, start whisking the powder into the water. (You may use a regular whisk but it will not produce the same foam as a bamboo whisk.)
  3. Keep staring until it is well incorporated as the powder does not dissolve into the water.
  4. Add in the cold milk and sweetener to your taste.

 

 

 

Skincare Facial Routine

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Every now and then it’s essential to treat your skin and nourish it. Even if you don’t have the time to get a facial professionally done, it’s easy to do them yourself. All you need are a few key steps and products.

  1. Start with double cleansing– this means using a makeup cleanser, followed by your usual daily cleanser. This is to ensure that you have removed all of the makeup and impurities from your skin.
  2. Open up those pores!– you can choose to use a facial steamer, steam from hot water or using a hot towel. You want to clean your pores, deep into your skin. This will help to remove any bacteria and excess sebum later on.
  3. Exfoliate– a crucial step in a facial, however your skin type influences the method  of exfoliation. You can choose a physical or chemical exfoliant and since I lean more towards having oily skin, I exfoliate with a physical scrub. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to go for a more refined scrub. Remember to wash your face with warm water after as cold water will close your pores
  4. Detox mask– the best option would be a clay mask, which helps to extract the impurities from your pores.
  1. Sheet mask– I like finishing a facial routine with a sheet mask. It can be pore care, hydrating or brightening, depending on how your skin is feeling.
  1. Eye care– this is optional but an under eye treatment is essential at times. Under eye patches are a quick and fun option to try out and they definitely help with dark circles and fine lines.
  2. Face Massage– this can be done using your fingers or a massage tool. My favorite is the jade roller. A face massage helps improve circulation, plumping up the skin and fighting against aging. When massaging your face remember to use upward and outward motions, never drag down and don’t forget your neck!

Your emergency skin care kit should have the essentials; sheet masks, cleansed, face scrub, serum, eye cream and moisturizer. You can also add a toner, face sponge/ brush and face mists.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, thank you for reading and please follow for more posts like this! Xoxo.

Healthy Chocolate chip Cookie

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It’s healthy and it’s dairy, gluten and nut free! A new recipe and a personal favorite of mine. This recipe makes one large cookie or four small cookies, either way you can adjust the recipe to your serving size.

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup of gluten free flour (I used neofoods’ gluten free all purpose flour)
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsp dairy free chocolate chips (depending on which brand you use; some are made with almond milk or soy milk, so make sure to find out)

 

Method:

  1.  Add the egg, coconut oil, flour, vanilla, cinnamon and coconut sugar to a bowl and mix well.
  2. Then add a pinch of salt and the baking powder and stir again, making sure there are no lumps.
  3. Fold in the chocolate chips into the batter.
  4. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or dust it with some flour. Spread out your cookie dough evenly onto the tray. (Tip: wet your hands or spatula to spread out the dough to prevent any sticking).
  5. Bake for 10-15 mins on 180 degrees Celsius or until slightly golden brown.
  6. Let it cool and enjoy!

Calories: 400 – this may differ depending on which flour and chocolate chips you’re using.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, follow and like for more posts like this. xoxo

2 Ingredient Pancakes

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A quick and simple breakfast idea for when you need a healthy but delicious fix. This is one of my personal faves and it’s gluten and dairy free!

Ingredients:

  • 1 banana (medium sized)
  • 1 egg (whole)
  • vanilla extract & cinnamon (optional)
  • Coconut oil (100% pure, virgin)

Method:

  1. Mash the banana with a fork or in a blender & (optional) add the cinnamon and vanilla.
  2. Add in the egg and mix well, making sure there are no lumps. (Tip: you want a slightly thicker consistency).
  3. Heat up your pan and brush it with around half a tsp of coconut oil.
  4. Turn your flame down to low and pour the batter in. ( Tip: it’s better to cook it on a low flame so that it cooks evenly).
  5. Once finished, you can top it with anything you like; blueberries, strawberries, honey or even coconut flakes.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Let me know by giving this post a like and follow for more recipes! Xoxo.

1 Week Body Detox

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A body detox not only helps to heal the body but the skin and mind as well. Sometimes our bodies need a break and our digestive system needs time to heal and a detox is a great way to do that.  To be able to complete a detox we need to focus more on the benefits and the foods we get to eat rather than the foods we are depriving ourselves of. By trying this 7-day detox, you can get a feel of how turning to a healthy lifestyle can make your body feel. You can decide to keep practicing some of these habits if you wish, however make sure you are taking in enough calories for you body type and not over exercising. Be sure to never fall into the extreme side, don’t deprive your body.

So here are some of the benefits of this detox:

Benefits:

  • Removes toxins from the body
  • Improves skin health and mental well-being
  • Heals the gut and improves digestion
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Reduces feeling of tiredness

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Foods and Drinks That Aid in Detox:

  • Lemon water with mint
  • Green Tea
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Blueberries
  • Chia seeds
  • Oats
  • Quinoa
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumber
  • Citrus fruits
  • Almonds
  • sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • Avocados
  • Cinnamon

Foods To Avoid:

  • Sugar/ soft drinks
  • Any processed foods
  • Reduce coffee intake
  • Red Meat
  • Gluten
  • Soy
  • Dairy
  • Any sauces
  • Unhealthy oils (opt for olive, coconut, and avocado)

HABITS for this week:

  1. Exercise everyday for this week- mild exercising as you may be reducing your calorie intake.
  2. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day-  dehydration is a major cause of sluggishness.
  3. Try some mindful reading, anything from a self care book to daily sayings.book-759873_1920
  4. Obtain at least 7-8hrs of sleep– to let your mind and body recuperate.
  5. Avoid eating carbohydrates after 6pm- your body won’t be using up the energy at night and it will be stored as fat..
  6. Wake up early everyday- to stimulate your brain and get a head start on your day.
  7. Have either lemon water, green tea or any unsweetened herbal tea.planner-1873485_1920
  8. Organize your life- be it your work space, closet or schedule, it’s time to start picking up the pieces. It will help clear you mind and you’ll be able to focus more on yourself.
  9. Kill the stress– do something that relaxes you; it can be working out, painting, hanging out with friends or enjoying some alone time. Dedicate this week to yourself.
  10. Journaling– write down anything you like into a journal or diary, you thoughts, emotions, how you feel physically or even your diet plan. There’s something calming about writing that typing just can’t compare with, so give it a try in these 7 days, remember we’re detoxing the mind as well.

After completing the detox week successfully, you should feel an improvement in your skin, mental alertness and physical health. It is your choice if you want to continue the detox for a longer period. I have implemented most of the habits into my lifestyle, however there are some that I struggle with, which is completely fine. You cannot change things overnight, gradually implement these changes with time as you see fit. I hope this has helped you in any way possible, to strive towards a healthier lifestyle, it may not be the easiest process, but it has the best results.

Leave me a comment or follow my blog for more tips. xoxo

 

3 ingredient Vegan cookies

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Gluten Free! Dairy Free! Low Calorie!

An quick recipe that you can alter to your preference. I love this recipe because it’s guilt free, delicious and easy to make.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups Rolled oats (gluten free)
  • 2 Bananas
  • 1/2 cup Raisins or Dairy free chocolate chips

 

Method:

  1. Mash the bananas and fold into the oats. You want your mixture to be thick enough to roll into balls, if it’s crumbling you probably need to add more banana.
  2. Fold in raisins or chocolate chips. (Optional) add vanilla bean extract or cinnamon to taste.
  3. Roll out your cookie dough balls and press onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper or sprayed with coconut oil.
  4. Bake for about 5 to 10mins at 180°C or until they harden and are slightly browned.
  5. Let them cool down and enjoy!

 

Hope you enjoyed this recipe, let me know by liking or sharing this post! xoxo

 

Tips for Fighting Stress

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Tip #1. Playing with Essential oils- scents like lemon, lavender and peppermint are know to relieve stress and anxiety. You can either light a candle, a diffuser or use a mist to help relax yourself. My personal favorites are lemon and vanilla.

Tip #2. Take a break from social media- Most of us wake up and immediately scroll through Instagram or Facebook. Without knowing it, social media sometimes gives us a negative point of view of our own lives.

Tip #3.  Take a day off studies/ work – a weekly getaway is essential to reduce stress, it allows our body and mind to rest. I always take Saturdays off to regenerate and relax, it helps me start my week off positively.

Tip #4. Write a journal – writing down your thoughts and events in your life, even minor ones, can be an outlet for anxiety or stress. It helps to be more mindful of your life and yourself, as well as remembering motivating thoughts or quotes.

Tip #5. Organize yourself – this can be simple as using a planner or writing a to-do list every morning. You’re more likely to get things done when they are planned and feeling less under pressure and more put together will help fight stress.

Tip #6. Read a book or listen to an audio-book – it can be a motivational book or anything that might pique your interest, it distracts you from issues of your day-to-day life. It’s a gateway into another world, people who read get to live 1000 lives.

Tip #7. Have a pamper routine – Treat yourself, that could be an at home spa day or a skincare routine. Take the time to take care of yourself and unwind from daily struggles. However, this is better suggested for women.

Tip #8. Enjoy your workout – I know it seems almost impossible, especially when we have our lazy moments, but if you don’t look forward to working out and you dread it then you’re probably trying out the wrong one. There are so many ways to be physically active; swimming, dancing, running or hitting the gym, you just have to find the right one for you. Exercising helps to release tension and could make you feel so much more relaxed.

Tip #9. Try a new hobby – just like with working out, it’s good to change your hobbies  from time to time. Exploring different things stimulates the brain, reading, sketching, cooking and writing are some of my favorites and who knows, you might discover a hidden talent.

Tip #10. Have some alone time – as much as you may enjoy family events and parties with friends, we all need some time to ourselves- to center ourselves and figure out where we stand and where we’re going. Sometimes we just need to embrace the moment and relax.

Thank you for reading, I hoped these suggestions were able to help you in any way. Keep reading for more posts and updates. xoxo.

Weight loss hacks

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  • Plan your weight loss path remember you’re not dieting, if you want to lose weight your lifestyle will have to change. Diets only help you lose water weight which you will eventually gain back. If you’re just starting out it might help to write down the rules you have to follow so that you can keep yourself on track. You can also use apps to put in your current and weight goal.
  • Track your calorie intake it’s good to know just how many calories you are consuming, sometimes we may think we are eating something healthy when it’s actually filled with calories that our body doesn’t need. I use an app to track my calorie intake, making sure I only take in the amount needed for me to lose weight.
  • Try Pilates this is a great way to work out and there are tons of  videos online that can help you learn.
  • Change up your workout routine don’t let your body get used to the workout, you need to challenge yourself so that you can lose weight faster but at a healthy rate.
  • Set an alarm if you have trouble gathering courage to go workout then set an alarm to keep you in check. Use a loud alarm song and a funny message to help you get up.
  • Establish the why if you want to lose weight only to look good you won’t get that far, you should do it to feel good and be healthy as well. Set a goal in your mind and have a visual to motivate you.
  • Reduce stress I’m sure you’ve heard of it before, but stress promotes weight gain as it leads to stress eating. We’ve all done it before, go on a binge eating craze and find ourselves at the bottom of an ice cream tub. So find ways to relax, I usually go outside for some quiet time to read or think, it helps me to center myself.
  • Don’t skip breakfast when you skip breakfast you will find yourself hungry throughout the day. However, everyone’s body is different and I know some people just can’t stomach breakfast, so find what’s best for you.
  • Eat slowly eating fast will lead to getting hungry faster and taking your time to eat your food consciously will keep you full for longer. Now I’m not saying chew your food 100 times before swallowing, but be more aware of what you’re eating.
  • Eat in smaller plates or bowls this will help you with portion control.
  • Indulge 20% of the time, this lets you reward yourself and prevents you from feeling deprived or depressed. But keep in mind that when doing so, you should control the other things you during the week and that you don’t skip your workout routine.
  • Workout breaks working out every single day is sometimes frustrating so I usually take Fridays and Saturdays off. This also helps your body to rest and it gives you a reason not to give up on other days, as you know you already have a break coming up.
  • Get rid of all junk food and drinks I’ve said this before, if you’re hungry you’ll more likely reach for the unhealthy snack, so if there aren’t any you’ll reach for something healthier. If your housemates have junk food in the house, get them to hide it away from you and try your best to resist temptation. Feel free to remove pizza delivery service off of your speed dial too.
  • Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry you’re more likely to find yourself in the junk food aisle. If you go grocery shopping when you’re hungry, you’ll want to buy something you can eat in the car and in the end one just isn’t enough.
  • Purge your feed after getting rid of junk food from your home, get rid of unhealthy foods from your Instagram feed. You know what I mean, those food accounts that have you drooling on cookies, cakes and ice cream videos. They’ll make you feel hungry and you’ll crave it.
  • Are you really hungry? If you are then you should eat before you’re craving gets high and you refuse to put anything healthy into your mouth. However, sometimes you’re not really hungry, you may be just bored or even thirsty, so eliminate those possibilities to prevent yourself from overeating.

I hope these tips help you in achieving your goal, please leave a comment and like. Follow for more weight loss hacks. Xoxo

How to Make Overnight Oats

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A quick and easy breakfast idea that you can make the night before. This is my go to, as it saves time and is super delicious! I love it because it is filling and the best part is there’s no cooking! You can adjust the recipe to your taste and you can also make vegan overnight oats, here are the basic ingredients:

  • Old fashioned rolled oats (I use gluten free oats)
  • Yogurt or milk (almond or any plant-based milk)
  • Chia seeds
  • sweetener of choice

Benefits: Oats are very nutritious as they are a good source of carbs and fibre , they are a healthy breakfast choice for weight loss and they are full of antioxidants. Steel cut overnight oats also work really well; they are a tad bit creamier so if that’s your preference, give it a try!

Chia seeds are also high in fibre and antioxidants and they are great for your digestive health. They also boost your energy and metabolism, contributing to weight loss.

Plus toppings are a great way to sneak fruits into your diet!

My Favorites

Vanilla, blueberry and cinnamon oats:

  • 1/2 cup of oats
  • 1/2 cup of milk (I prefer unsweetened rice milk)
  • 1 tsp of chia seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of vanilla essence
  • 1/4 cup of blueberries
  • Your choice of sweetener (I prefer to add raisins)

Directions: Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or a mason jar and leave it in the fridge overnight.

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Chocolate and banana oats

  • 1/2 cup of oats
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1 tsp of chia seeds
  • Your choice of sweetener
  • 1 tsp of vanilla essence
  • 1/2 tbsp of raw cocoa powder

Directions: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or a mason jar and leave it in the fridge overnight. Top it with sliced bananas and enjoy!

You can literally garnish your overnight oats with anything you want; nuts, coconut flakes, berries or any fruit of choice. Have fun with it and create your own version! I hope you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and like. Xoxo.

10 Skin care hacks

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  • Cleanse day and night use a gentle face cleanser to get rid of any bacteria, oil and dead skin cells, removing impurities and giving the skin a fresher look. Also remember to use a proper makeup cleanser; I love oil cleansing, it is an essential part of Korean skincare Routines and you need to try it!
  • Use sunscreen everyday even when you are in the house, as the sun’s harmful UV rays can still penetrate the skin. Therefore, be sure your skin is always protected.
  • Use moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and has anti-ageing benefits. If you have oily or combination skin make sure your moisturizer oil free, but it is an essential step even in oily skin care routines.
  • Use homemade masks sometimes the key to healthy skin is right in your kitchen. DIY masks are 100% natural and have effective healing benefits for the skin. This is the cost-effective side of natural skin care so give it a try, you might be surprised by the results.
  • Avoid touching your face throughout the day we touch our face unconsciously, getting bacteria onto our skin. It’s important to keep our hands clean and to avoid picking at our skin.

  • Clean your makeup brushes and beauty blenders it is important to do so every two or three weeks, as bacteria builds up into our brushes. Using unclean brushes deposits dirt and oil onto our skin and into our makeup as well, causing our skin to breakout. Even the best of skincare won’t help if you’re constantly using unclean brushes on your skin.
  • Tea Tree Oil on pimples that won’t go away. Just use a q-tip or a cotton swab to apply the tea tree oil to your breakouts, dip the q-tip into water before adding the oil to dilute it, as it is concentrated. This is a great skincare ingredients but do not overuse it as it may dry out your skin.
  • Go for makeup free days sometimes it’s good to let your skin breathe, so avoid wearing a full face of makeup every single day. Layers of foundation and concealer can clog the pores and can worsen breakouts. In the long run it can cause your skin to age faster, so opt for a natural look on some days.
  • Exfoliating the skin to get rid of dead skin cells that make the skin dry and rough and lead to excess oil and clogged pores. Exfoliating makes the skin look healthier and more plump, as it allows us to absorb moisturizing products more deeply into our skin. You can use physical exfoliants like a sugar scrub, a face sponge or brush or a chemical peel. If you have sensitive skin go for a more natural exfoliant. Avoid exfoliating areas with breakouts.
  • Avoid triggering factors sometimes certain foods can lead to breakouts. For example, I breakout when I consume dairy products, so try to observe if anything triggers your skin.

Hope this list has helped you, please leave a comment and like. Follow my blog for more skin care tips to come. Xoxo.