Life is busy. I can vouch for that! Balancing work life, married life, being a dog mom, working on my little farm – and not to mention a baby on the way! Trust me… I GET IT! I feel you! Life is crazy sometimes.

But we have to take time for the little things. Especially to take care of ourselves. And sometimes that means….

OUR SKIN.

The first thing we tend to notice about not just ourselves – but other people is – their face. Our faces are front and center. Exposed and vulnerable!

But, we should feel good about that!

All faces are different. Different colors, shapes, all unique in their own way.
Some have freckles – some have laugh lines – some have hair…

There are 2 things our faces all have in common…

The first being ALL FACES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

The second is ALL FACES HAVE SKIN!

Now granted all skin is different – the one thing it has in common – is that it craves moisture!

I know with my busy schedule it can get super difficult to make it to a spa for a facial or for a true pamper session. But that doesn’t mean I can do one in the comfort of my own home!

I want to give you the details on what I do at home so you can get that pampered skin you deserve while in the comfort of your home… and maybe even in your jammies!

Let’s get started.

One of my FAVORITE go to’s is what I like to call my “Guac Mask”… it may sound silly… But it works.

AND the best part is…

It has only 4 ingredients!

And you I am sure you guessed the main ingredient is AVOCADOS!

Here’s what you will need:

• 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E (the oil if you can- even if you have capsules- you can open them up and use the oil inside)
• 1 drop of Argan Oil 
• ¼  cup of avocado oil
• PLUS ½ of an avocado

Blend all of these ingredients until they have a thick paste like consistency. You will notice the avocado does become quite guac like! Apply to your face evenly until it has completely dried to your face. Gently remove it with a washcloth and VIOLA!  You can then of course follow up with your regular moisturizer that you would typically use.

Why this works.

These 4 ingredients work as little mini powerhouses for your skin – each providing your skin with their own benefits.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is known to be effective in reducing UV damage reduction in skin. And when vitamin E is applied topically, it can help nourish and protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Argan oil packs quite a punch for our skin! It is known to protect it from sun damage, moisturize it, assist with acne, anti aging effects and so much more!

Then there is the avocado. Avocado contains beta carotene, protein, lecithin, fatty acids, AND vitamins A, D, and E. All of these nutrients work to help moisturize and protect our skin from damaging UV rays while increasing collagen metabolism (which is essential for keeping our skin tight, nourished and even prevent fine lines and wrinkles)!

So what are you waiting for? Grab these 4 ingredients and let the benefits just SOAK in!

Water is the foundation of life.

The adult human body is 60% water. When we drink water, it can benefit the body in so many ways!

And yet, so many of us are not drinking enough! An average person should be consuming 64 ounces of water a day, or 2 litres.

We know water is important. We know how it can affect our bodies internally when we do not get enough of it. Not drinking enough water can make us feel run down, fatigued, have frequent headaches, feel weak and even gain weight.

But what about EXTERNALLY?

What we might not know about water is that it greatly affects our appearance as well.

Water can help

Improve our skin tone
Drinking ample amounts of water helps the body to flush out toxins we may have while also giving us healthier skin. Studies have shown that 2 cups of water daily can work to increase blood flow to the skin- providing it with a more even tone. 

Prevent Acne and Breakouts
When we drink enough water, it balances the oil and water content within our skin – primarily on our face. This works to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which in turn means fewer clogged pores and breakouts.

You may be thinking breakouts are for adolescents and teens, but the truth is that adult acne is growing more and more common.  A study revealed that 4-6 people out of 100 in the age groups of 20-40 have adult acne. 

Reduce Puffiness within the Face
Sometimes our face can look a bit puffy. This is because our skin is actually retaining water to protect us from dehydration. If we stay hydrated, we can work to reduce that puffiness we see in our face. 

Eliminate Itchiness
Drinking enough water can work to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out while flushing out toxins that can cause irritation.  If you are finding your skin especially itchy lately, it could be from lack of hydration. 

Prevent Premature Aging and Tightens Skin
Staying hydrated helps increase the elasticity in our skin due to it staying moisturized for longer. When we have more elasticity in our skin, it can delay the sagginess of our skin and also delay the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Sometimes, with sudden weight loss and just gravity not being on our side, our skin can start to sag. Drinking water can help revive the skin’s elasticity. To prevent your skin from sagging and to tighten it in areas where the sagging is prominent, like the upper arms, thighs, waist and jawline, drinking water helps as it revives the skin’s elasticity.

Skin Tip

If you find your skin is lacking in the radiance you crave… Water is essential for that!

But, also adding COLLAGEN to your daily regimen is highly recommended!

A great collagen product can do wonders for your skin and help with any unwanted saggy skin, wrinkles or fine lines you might see!  I find drinking around 8 glasses of water a day and taking my Collagen makes my skin GLOW and I just feel refreshed and amazing!

Love the skin you’re in and stay radiant friends!

Resources:

https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/skin-hair-and-nails/9-things-that-relieve-itchy-skin

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-water-should-you-drink-per-day

https://www.instyle.com/news/6-amazing-beauty-benefits-drinking-enough-water

We hear so much about collagen… But WHAT is it?

Here is the rundown on collagen:

Collagen is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix found in the body’s various connective tissues. Since it is the main component of connective tissue, it’s the most abundant protein in mammals – which makes up from 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.  Collagen consists of amino acids bound together to form a triple helix of elongated fibril, also known as a collagen helix. It is mostly found in connective tissue such as cartilage, bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin.

In simple terms…

It is a protein that gives structure to skin, joints, and bones. Collagen is found in skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, and teeth, and provides structure to the connective tissue throughout your body.

So it makes sense that our bodies need this protein for our skin and bones to not just look healthy but FEEL healthy. It is something that our body naturally produces- and as we age, the amount our body makes can decrease.

One way to tell if our body is producing less collagen, is if our skin has wrinkles or appears to be sagging – it means it has lost its elasticity. And if our joints are stiff – it can also show in our bones- they can become brittle and even break. 

Taking collagen may help to improve bone density and keep your bone strength at an optimal level. Not to mention, the benefits it can have for your skin and hair as well! Low collagen levels can even cause hair loss, which is what I experienced!

And the good news is, you generally cannot have too much collagen. Collagen is generally considered to be a safe and nontoxic daily supplement for healthy individuals, and most people won’t experience adverse side effects.

There are foods naturally rich in collagen that we can incorporate into our diet…

Collagen Rich Foods:

• Fish & Poultry
• Egg Whites
• Garlic
• Citrus Fruits
• Berries
• Soy
• Leafy Greens
• Tomatoes
• Bell Peppers
• Cashews
• And more!

Now, collagen is something our bodies does produce on its own… but sometimes we do not make enough. And I knew I wasn’t as it was PHYSICALLY OBVIOUS!

I eat well and eat a lot of collagen filled foods… but I just was not getting enough, so I knew I needed more… but how?

That is when I KNEW I had to create a supercharged supplement for collagen.

Supplementing with collagen is quite popular, and comes with a lot of great benefits…

IN FACT, check out these stats:

A 2014 study of 69 women between the ages of 35 to 55- found that those who took 2.5 or 5 grams of collagen daily for 8 weeks- showed a lot of improvement in skin elasticity, compared with those who didn’t take it.

Another showed that 73 athletes who consumed 10 grams of collagen daily for 24 weeks experienced a significant decrease in joint pain while walking and at rest, compared with a group that did not take it.

It has also been shown to help with bone support. We know that calcium supports strong bones- but adding collagen to that- is like the cherry on top!

A study was conducted on women that took either a calcium supplement combined with 5 grams of collagen or a calcium supplement and no collagen daily for 12 months.

By the end of the study, the women taking the calcium and collagen supplement had significantly lower blood levels of proteins that promote bone breakdown than those taking only the calcium.

Another study found similar results in 66 women who took 5 grams of collagen daily for 12 months.

The women who took the collagen showed an increase of up to 7% in their bone mineral density (BMD), compared with women who didn’t consume any collagen.

Now- there are more benefits to collagen than just bone/joint support and hair and skin benefits.

It is also said to assist with:

• Sleep
• Immunity Support
• Heart Support

So you know all the great things collagen does for us. You may be wondering what your next step is if you fear you are not getting enough.

Incorporating collagen high foods is a great place to start- but a collagen supplement can also help fill your collagen void.

And trust me- I know that when seeking any type of supplement – quality is always the biggest concern.  So one for collagen should be no different!

You want the most top notch ingredients and to ensure what you’re giving your body- is nothing but THE BEST!

If you are looking for a collagen supplement – try Complete Collagen+.

A high quality oral supplement your body will LOVE!

I am living proof of the results.

Try Yours Today >> Learn More Here!

Resources:

https://www.medicinenet.com/collagen_diet/article.htm

Do you wake up feeling groggy, run down and just BLEH?

You are not alone!

Some days we get out of bed and just draaaag ourselves out of our bedroom to start the day…

Likely to grab a cup of joe to give yourself a boost or for some ambition to seize the day…

But what if you grabbed something different?

Like a…

Smoothie!

Now, this isn’t just your plain run of the mill smoothie… 

THIS IS AN ENERGY-BOOSTING CARPE DIEM MORNING SMOOTHIE.

(which incorporates a special energy-boosting ingredient)…

Let’s get started!

For this smoothie, you will need:

• 2 Cups of Orange Juice – This can be any type of Orange Juice of your liking. Personally, I prefer pulp free when making a smoothie! (If you aren’t an orange fan, you can try substituting with pineapple juice or even almond milk).
• 1 Cup of Plain Yogurt – I like to use just a plain Greek yogurt, but you can certainly substitute another yogurt of your choosing. 
• 2 Cups of Fresh or Frozen Berries – I prefer fresh berries out of my garden (but of course this can depend on the season… So if I can’t grow my own, I purchase from my local market). Of course, frozen berries are a suitable and easy option – no slicing and dicing needed!
• 1 Cup of Ice Cubes – This is only applicable if you’re using fresh fruit. If you’re using frozen berries, no additional ice is necessary.
• SPECIAL INGREDIENT – 1 Packet of Complete Collagen+
• Tip: This caramel flavoring will really help bring out all the flavors in this smoothie and really give you that extra morning BOOST!

Now the we have all the ingredients, here are the next steps:

• First – add the orange juice and yogurt and lightly blend.
• Tip: I always layer my softest ingredients first then move onto the hardest (frozen). 
• Second – add the Complete Collagen+ and lightly blend again.
• Third – add fruit (and if needed, add ice). 
• Finally – blend on high for approximately 2 minutes or until the mixture is smooth. 

Ta Da! A delicious energy-boosting smoothie at your fingertips!

Easy right?

Give it a try and let me know what you think! Did you like the taste? Did you feel more energized in the morning AND throughout the day? 

Stay Beautiful.