Exfoliating

The other day I was looking through reviews for a body exfoliant. I came across a few products (high in price), booked marked them, and continued looking around. I then stumbled upon these exfoliating gloves on the Sally Beauty website. The reviews were incredible. I packed up my messenger bag and headed to the store to pick them up and put them to use right away after a hot bike ride. They have renewed my skin. My body has always held a semi-rough texture, and now it's completely silky and shiny. If I didn't want to use a moisturizer everyday, I wouldn't have to. These gloves exfoliate way more than loofas, and this way instead of finding an exfoliant body wash, you can stick to your current one.

Click here to purchse

Low-Cal Mini Pizzas

1 whole-wheat English muffin, split and toasted. (120 calories)

1/4 cup pizza sauce. (35 calories)

(2) 1/4 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese. (70 calories each)

295 calories total.

Place your toasted English muffin on a baking sheet, evenly distribute your pizza sauce on both of the slices, top each slice with 1/4 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese. Bake on 350 for 5-8 minutes. Enjoy.

Creamy, Spicy, Chicken Taquitos

4 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
red cayenne pepper, according to taste
2 clove garlic, minced
1-2 green onions, chopped
jalapenos, according to taste
1-2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1-2 cups shredded pepperjack cheese
6 inch flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl heat up the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds until easily stir-able. Add lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, red cayenne pepper, garlic, onions, and jalapenos. Stir. Add pepperjack cheese and chicken, mix well. Add three tablespoons of mixture onto the flour tortillas, roll tight and set on a baking sheet that's sprayed with olive oil. Continue steps until mixture runs out then spray the tops of the taquitos with a little olive oil to help brown. Bake for 10-20 minutes, turning them once halfway until golden brown. Serve with sour cream and guacamole and enjoy!

Bedroom Inspiration Board

This weekend I'll be starting my move into a bigger and better room with a lot more privacy. Of course with me being such a creative geek the first thing I thought about was decorating. This blog post will be me sharing my inspiration board.

WALLS

As of late I've grown extremely fond of the pattern Damask. I think it's so sexy and classy. So I've decided that's what's going to be painted on the smallest wall in the room. Why I am choosing the smallest wall is because it's going to take a lot of work and patience to do. I will be purchasing a stencil from an Etsy shop rather than making it myself. Damask can be a very difficult stencil to make, especially if you want precision.

After the wall is painted in beautiful, elegant, and sexy Damask pattern I'll be left with two large walls covered in (horrid) wood paneling and one more to paint. When I first saw the room I was disgusted with the wood paneling and questioning myself for days as to what I'd do with it... and then it hit me; large (faked out) windows with dark purple drapery. This is going to be an extremely easy fix and really bring the room together, especially since I'm going for that sexy and romantic look.

The last wall is going to be painted a solid color so that I can hang up artwork without it being clashy and/or overwhelming. I have not yet decided which color. It'd have to match my color scheme which is going to be along the lines of this...

DECORATIONS

I want this room to be radiant, relaxing, and lively.

Lively Betta Fish
I was recently informed that some people use Betta Fish as decorative accents. It makes sense; they can live in small spaces, are beautiful as well as active. I'm going to purchase no more than five of these beauties and place them in small circle fish bowls with decorative beads.

Radiant Orchid Flowers
Orchids have always been my favorite flower. I don't know what it is about them... their simplicity, Or unique curves perhaps? I've not once owned an Orchid, not only are they a bit expensive but they deserve a magical place to live, which I haven't been able to offer until now.

Relaxing Sconces
There is not much more relaxing than candles. Instead of going the easy route and buying jar candles, I'll be installing scones throughout my bedroom.

"From small beginnings come great things."

Juice fast and Raw food diet.

Hi all, it's been a very intense year for me already. I've been partying lots and celebrating adulthood. But now it's time to get serious. With all of the boozing, partying, and lack of sleep it's taking a toll on my body; physically and mentally. I've been catching myself slip more and more everyday. "Oh, I can eat a burger today because I ate well yesterday." Or, "I can binge drink for four days straight if I take next weekend off," (which never ends up happening.) I've started smoking cigarettes again, partying as if I was 16 again, and eating like your average American again. Gross!

Being the strong-willed woman I know I am, this Monday I will start my 3 step process I've created for myself.

Eliminating nicotine and alcohol: Starting Monday, I will rid these two life-threatening addictions from my life.
I have before in the past quit smoking for three months, which is a lifetime for a pack-and-a-half-day smoker. It was a STRUGGLE. Not only was I suffering from withdrawals I was replacing the cravings with binge-eating. I gained five pounds within the first two weeks of quitting.
As for alcohol, I've been drinking since age twelve. Not only am I destroying my body, I've built quite the tolerance, which is making it an extremely expensive habit. I'm not sure how long I've gone before without liquor but I have a feeling it wont be terribly difficult, especially since I will not be 'partying' during this detox.

Juice fast: On the following Monday I'll begin a three-day juice fast. Possibly longer or shorter depending on how my body is reacting to such a dramatic change. The side effects of a juice fast include; nausea, lack of energy, hunger pains, headaches, dizziness, etc. Everybody reacts differently to this fast. If the side effects become unbearable/not safe, I'll obviously quit.
A juice fast is drinking strictly veggies/fruits blended with purified water throughout the day for 1-3 days, sometimes even longer (again, depending on how your body reacts.) During this fast it's very important to remain hydrated, meaning drinking lots of purified water with your juice.

Raw food diet: When I went raw in the past my energy levels improved tremendously, I lost weight, became happier, and healthier. I can't say it lasted long however. There are a few reasons, but mainly it was because once I let myself go and started to smoke/drink again, my eating habits automatically became worse as a result.
A raw-vegan diet means; no meat, dairy, processed or cooked food. My diet will consist mostly of; veggies, leafy greens, fruit, nuts, seeds, herbs and sprouts.

I can't wait to start this physical and emotional journey to a healthier, happier me. And throughout it I will be sharing my journal, photos, recipes, and tips. Spring is the most perfect time to start a new diet or detox. I encourage you all to try this with me if you're not already raw or clean of alcohol/nicotine.

Much love,
Mallory