Sunday Cortado, 4

Hudson River Park, NYC

Sometimes, I feel as if I live in my own world.  It was something I found out last year around November, election time.  Whether you are a blogger, health and wellness advocate, sport enthusiast, foodie, or political junkie, you most likely spend most your time researching and reading those topics.  You may even surround yourself with like minded networks of people, Instagram feeds, live or visit those places that just... get you.  

For example, myself, my Instagram is made up of food lovers, health and beauty brandsjunkies, feministas, with the occasional life of friends and family.  I work in the most diverse, fast paced, and accepting cities in the world and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I go to farmers markets where most people have a common belief and love for what local sustainable food/brands has to offer. 

In a way, I think I wanted to keep these Sunday Cortado's going as a way to share interests, educate (both you and I), and maybe learn how to relate to others somewhat better.  My fellow wellness warriors, family, and friends, what's on your mind?  What do wish others would know and see?  We are more than foodies, activists, aspiring artists, travelers.  We care, and that makes our own world a little greater, a little more connected. 

I was having dinner with my family the other day, and my father made a valid point.  You make a greater impact talking face to face with someone, than anything you read or say on the internet. Touché. 

Want to meet and talk with me?  I'm thinking of getting out more, hosting mini pop up events, and making appearances to yours!  If not, let's meet for a Cortado...

There are natural disasters impacting this country to the other side of the world.  Effects are devastating and it's hard to believe there are people now on survival mode and re-adjustmenting.  Please don't forget, we are human and must believe we can always help each other.      

As Summer transitions into Fall, not only does that effect our food and harvest, but body and skin! Summer is a time for protecting and hydrating that sun kissed skin.  Fall is a time for nurturing, nourishing, and revitalizing.  Here is a guide stepping into natural skincare.  

Sweet Treats Beauty is getting a makeover and expanding for the Fall!  Here is what is available now, but I'll make sure to keep you updated with new products to come.

Anyone retired perfumes and fragrances?  When I stepped into natural beauty, it was one of the first things I let go.  Chemicals, money, and strong scents made that very easy.  I think I'm ready to bring it back with this simple DIY! 

If I can make summer last in any way, it would be with food.  Let's pickle.

How delicious does this Creme Brûlée French Toast sound? I think they use this as a dessert, but with just a little fruit, I'm down for breakfast.  

Watermelon and candied pistachios?  I'll be having that until September 20th, thank you.  

Feminine Fire Pt. 3: My Favorite Beauty Hacks and Picks

I thought I would do this series with a consistent flow. I honestly haven't written so much consecutively in a while, I almost feel a little in your face.  Am I in your face?  If I am, I apologize, but not really.  This is some gooood stuff.  I promise. 

Last week I discussed with you the secret of effortless Summer beauty through the power of food.  Because food is medicine, food heals, and food gives back. The good stuff from mother earth, at-least.

You know me though.  As I concluded, I am nothing more than a HOLISTIC FOODIE, who believes in the miracle of greens and therapy in a glass or two of wine.  So what happens when maybe you had a little too much?  Maybe sensitive heated skin from too much sun or maybe a pimple pop-up when approaching that special time of the month.  I still turn to fast relief, quick fix DIY products and solutions.

These are TRIED AND TRUEEEEE.  They are my go-to whenever I can't wait for my green juice to work miracles.

Raw Honey

This is my go-to cleanser.  I hope to one day make this into a face wash but for now, I enjoy this one ingredient quick cleansing mask. Raw honey is not only full of vitamin and minerals great for the body it is also great for the skin.  Both an antibacterial to act as a cleanser and full of antioxidants it actually rids blemishes with out clogging pores.  Once I rinse the honey with cold water my skin automatically feels smoother and softer, a natural moisturizer.  I do this mask at least three times a week. Yes, I swear by this.

Lemon Sugar Scrub

My homemade Lemon Sugar Scrub to be exact!  This is the perfect night or day scrub.  Ingredients that brighten (lemon), cleanse (coconut oil) , exfoliate (sugar), and moisturize, it's hard for me to go a day with out it.  Whether I use in the morning when my face is feeling a little dull or tight, I like to make sure I'm starting my day and face routine in an invigorating way.  After use my skin feels soft AND clean while riding any dry spots that come about.  For a spa feeling, I use this face scrub at night to prep for any mask I choose.  It opens pores, so make sure to rinse with cold water to lock moisture!

Tea Tree Oil

I honestly cannot even go on vacation without this stuff.  This product is an astringent which both cleanses and clears skin.  Perfect to combat acne, you can do one of two things.  Purchase a cleanser or make your own that features a low amount of Tea Tree Oil or if you usually only get spots of acne or that one annoying pimple, apply a low amount on that area. I usually do it the night before and wake up always with the pimple practically gone.  A small amount does wonders, so it is definitely worth the money spend on a small bottle.    

Rosehip Oil

A light weight skin absorbing cleanser.  I love this as it doesn't feel as if it's an extra layer to my skin.  It really does absorb easily leaving no greasy feel.  This is perfect for those who aren't big on high fragrant or ingredient moisturizers, since this one ingredient does it all.  The benefits over time? Rosehip actually has anti-aging properties, which help prevent or decrease visibility of wrinkles, visibly reduce pores, and treats sensitive skin.  Perfect for day or night.  

Rosewater

I swear by hydration.  Not just drinking tons of water, but actually keeping it on your face.  I love humidity for that reason, my skin automatically will retain the moisture.  But, what about when the heat kicks in? Despite my love for heat, the sensitivities are too real.  Rosewater actually contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, AND antioxidant properties.  Spray onto face and you will feel instantly refreshed, while leaving your skin soft and cleansed.  I keep a little spray bottle with me at all times during the Summer months!

PS.  There are always honorable mentions.  Vitamin E, clay masks, and my DIY Yogurt Face Mask does sensitive skin goood. 

Feminine Fire Pt 2: Summer Beauty Foods

Happy June!  So excited to start off this month with a few of my favorite things. Summer, food, and beauty!

It actually wasn't until a few years ago, I started to get into beauty.  Like skincare, makeup, and eyebrows-on-fleek beauty.  (Yes I still use fleek, even fleeky sometimes....)

I was a Jersey Girl in Florida figuring out new roads, befriending new people, living in what felt like another world sometimes.  I was becoming more involved with my full-time job, which was transforming from working in retail, to working in the fashion industry.  I started to put my clothes together differently (I somehow managed to maintain what I call City Tropics), wearing makeup as both a feature enhancer and bold statement, and then looking into natural beauty options.

You see, no matter how much makeup I wore and experimented with, I wanted to stay true to my roots.  Yes, I wore foundation, but would I love my skin even if I didn't?  I caked, contoured, and penciled in every bare spot, and then washed it all off at the end of the night.  Keeping my face clean and healthy became more important than ever before.  I made sure to buy the cleanest vegan makeup I could find and purchasing natural face mask and cleansers.  Read: Shit got expensive.  In Florida, not only did I divulge in this whole other world, I learned to incorporate what I already knew to be true.... Food creates Health and Beauty.

That is when I began to believe in feeling beautiful in every aspect of my life.  From using inside out practices, to creating products to take care of the skin I was in.  

Now that is is Summer and seeing that I started this love in the hot humid days of the south, I thought it was only fitting to do this post as a little tribute .  My Northeast, down South, and West Coast loves can enjoy most of the in season foods and ingredients.  These are just my favorite, there are many more to experiment and enjoy for your specific skin type.  Also because this is food, most of the ingredients are great to use on your skin as well!

Aloe

My summer favorite.  This is a regular/must for me when I travel to hotter and more humid climates.  Aloe serves double duty too!

The Aloe Vera plant has very cooling and healing properties.  Full of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, this plant is great topically or taken internally.  Notice I say plant, get more for your buck ya'll!  Everything from healing rashes, sun burns, to even constipation and digestion.  Quick little tidbit, if you're digestion is not track, most likely neither is your skin. It's in your gut, not genes.  

How To:

• Peel off the skin, chop jelly interior into fine pieces.  Put into a gallon of purified water and refrigerate.  
• To drink, enjoy a glass with some pineapple juice, agave, and/or herbs for an easy go to cocktail.
• To heal irritated or sensitive skin, apply aloe mixture on top and let air dry.  

Avocado

How can I not?  If I don't have avocado in a day, I sometimes feel incomplete, like I missed something so delicious to make it my day/dish ten times better. 

Rich in all the good GOOD fats, which is great for overall body health, the effects are amazing for the skin as well.  These good fats are anti-inflammatory which is also play a key role for the skin.  If you are prone to redness (rosacea), dry patches, and feel your skin becoming dull or loosing elasticity, this is for you!  I find myself more often than not poking and pulling at my skin.  Have I reached the time in my life where I worry about wrinkles?  Yes, I think I have.  But, I embrace it and now have the excuse of eating all the avocados.  Honestly, a win-win.  Also containing antioxidants which repair cell damage, so for those who love the summer sun, you absolutely cannot say no to a bowl of guacamole. 

Whether eaten or applied as a mask, affects are the same! On the skin for fast relief, eaten for overall maintenance.  

Greens

From vegetables such as kale, spinach, and dandelion, to herbs like cilantro and parsley, every green has an abundance of properties to help maintain great skin.  Full of vitamins and minerals that basically start the journey to clean beauty.  Whenever I do a detox, the first thing I notice right away is my skin.  It is calm, clear, and because of less inflammatory foods, less likely to get irritated.  The chlorophyl in greens is one of the most detoxing properties which rid heavy metals and impurities which cleanse your gut and colon, which in turn automatically helps clear your skin.  Vegetables like cucumbers and celery are great for keeping you and your skin properly hydrated, helping the cleansing effect and keeping your skin glowing!

How To:

• You DO NOT need a detox.  Simply just up your greens.  Green juices and monsters, salads, and super greens will do!
• Play with different facial mask using herbs such as parsley or basil.  More to come on next post!

Fruits

Fruits don't get enough praise and love as they should.  They are first healing, full of antioxidants which as previously mentioned help repair cell damage.  Whether from the sun or harsh temperatures, we sometimes miss how to properly care for our face and skin.  Antioxidants are an easy way to do any reversal.  Along with Vitamin C which creates radiance within the skin, it helps to absorb other nutrients such as magnesium which serves your body and sleep well.  My favorites are blueberries and raspberries (I sometimes eat a pint for a light dinner), mangos, pineapples, and watermelon more for hydration.  If there is one thing that your skin is usually missing no matter if you have dry or oily skin, is proper hydration.  

Another plus for fruit, natural sugars which help curb cravings!  Some may have a higher sugar content than others, but I guarantee you, it is better than that piece of cake, ice cream, or even nutrition bar, that you save your calories for.  Those ADDED sugars wreak havoc.  

So there you have you it,  not a complete list, but a great guide to keep your skin looking and feeling amazing.  It all comes down to following three different keys/nutrients... hydration, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and CONSISTENCY. 

Yes, I could add all the ingredients and foods to stay a way from, but in reality, I like pizza, meaty tacos, coffee, and a cocktail every now and then.  This practice is called MODERATION.

Dedicated to all my summa lovin' beauties.

DIY: Yogurt Face Mask and Raw Honey Cleanser

I left with a little DIY teaser, so a DIY I shall give.  

How have we been dealing with this winter weather? I think it is finally here and here to stay for a few more months.  If you were able to follow my Fall Transition Guide you should be on the right track adapting to the colder climate.  And it's not just cold if you noticed, but DRYYY.  Yes, and if you are a water feen and humid lover like myself, I think you are feeling the effects more intensely than most.  

From dried cracked knuckles, to a tighter dry face, these are just some of the effects that most of us tend to get right away.  It's more than uncomfortable and less than a beautiful feeling.  It's a great thing I believe in feeling great from the inside out.  If you keeping hydrated, eating a mostly cleansing diet with healthy routines, these DIY products and tips will be the icing on the cake.  

We're making a yogurt face mask followed by a raw honey cleanser.  

Each ingredient plays a role in keeping your skin healthy and glowing without going over budget. All the ingredients are edible!  Once you have them as staples, you rarely have to worry about what you have on hand to make beauty easy, sustainable, and attainable. 

Yogurt Face Mask

Whole Milk Greek/Regular Plain Yogurt - Lactid acid works to promote both a glow and softening skin treatment.  Great for sensitive skin to both cool and treat skin irritations as well.  

Lemon - Skin brighter!  Perfect for any feeling of dullness in the winter months.  A little goes a long way, especially with sensitive skin.  

Rosehip oil - An amazing investment.  Full of antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids. This will keep your skin hydrated and diminish any imperfections of fine lines and big pores.  One of my favorites!

Mix two tablespoons of yogurt, juice of 1/4 small lemon, and 2 pumps of reship oil.  Apply smoothly all over face and neck.  Leave for 10 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.

Raw Honey Cleanser

Vitamins and minerals are still in this wondrous product as no heat was involved like most honey products on the market.  Raw honey is also an antibacterial which will GENTLY removes impurities.  No irritation and softening effects involved. 

Rub in a circular motion onto face and neck and rinse with warm water.  Finish with cold water rinse to calm the skin and close the pores back up.  Key to locking in hydration!

I love to finish any face routines (exfoliants, mask, cleansers) with a toner and oil.  My favorites are witch hazel and jojoba oil!  But feel free to experiment and use what already works for you!

Fall Transition Guide: Part 3

Yes! The finale of our transition!  Fall has been here for a full month now?  How has it been?  

There has almost been a confusion in New Jersey.  From 60 degrees to 80 and back in one week. I think it gave most of us a bit more time to get into the groove of Fall.  I must admit, I was super content with the little extended summer feels.  Bright yellow mini skirts and green juices definitely made their appearance.  Now it's time for fun stuff.  The continuous nourishment for the season upon us. 

We have already went through the acceptance, we made progress into making space in our system.  Now we make way into changing routines.  Nothing ever changes if we keep doing the same things.  Here is a way to make the most out of the rest of your Fall and ENTIRE Winter.  

Daily Oil Massages

An Ayurvedic practice and ritual for my seasonal beauties!

Time to switch up your oils first!  In the summer or in hotter climates, I always recommend using coconut oil.  Although, for the winter we want to switch over to almond or sesame oil.  Almond oil, being a bit thicker, it is also enriched with vitamin E which is great to treat dry skin, what most of us suffer from.  This is great to use everyday after a shower, massage oil on wet skin and pat to dry.  This keeps skin moisturized and still feeling light the whole day.

Sesame oil is the ultimate luxury.  Great for end of the day showers to keep skin extra hydrated throughout the whole night.  Not a big night-time cleanser?  A simple foot massage with sesame and essential oil will both warm and relax your body for a great night sleep.  

Daily Routines

More sleep.  This one has definitely been easier for me, than what I'm usually used to.  With shorter days and longer nights, a good 8 hours a night is something to enjoy without guilt.  Another exciting thing for my late risers?  Six in the morning wakeup calls seem fair enough, I think.

Exercise is still top priority.  Keeping the momentum going from summer is just what we need.  This will balance the heavy foods eaten, helping to keep the movement and heat of our digestive system.  If you are active while eating the right foods, you can actually maintain your weight that I know we all worked so hard for in the summer... If not, we'll just say the healthy fats are keeping us Vata selves warm and energized.

There are many other little things and practices we can do everyday to keep us at our healthiest state during this time of year.  I follow many Ayurvedic practices such as daily nasal cleansing and oiling to everyday dry brushing to keep the circulation of the lymph flowing.  Dry brushing will act as both a detox and every day self-care practice. 

Find what special oils and creations work with you to keep your skin looking healthy during this time of year.  Hint, you may glow even in the winter!

think we are due for a beauty post...