(image via here)

Whoa…listen to this!

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Word.

I was cleaning my kitchen the other day when I decided to throw some ingredients together and make a face mask. I had some extra so I even put some on my arms and legs. My skin felt amazing after. I suggest you give it a go!

BENEFITS 

• Oats are mositurizing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and mildly exfoliating. They are perfect for all skin types. 
• Honey has an anti-bacterial component as well as helps absorb moisture. It also provides protection agains the sun. 
• Yogurt aids in the anti-aging process of the skin as well as fights acne while soothing the skin. 

I had the most amazing smoothie a couple of days ago. The original recipe is in Dr. Frank Lipman’s new book Revive. I didn’t have all of the ingredients so I did the best with what I had. I am used to having a pretty basic green smoothie in the mornings, however I have tons of herbs now and wanted to incorporate my mint. If you have a chance, please try it. It is fresh and fantastic! I am hooked!

* Add some ice cubes too if you’d like. Enjoy!

Today is day six of a life detox I am doing that pretty much fell into my lap. I know what you are thinking, “Detox, blah!”  Well, at this very moment, that is how I feel too.  I recently ordered two books. The first one being Gabrielle Bernstein’s May Cause Miracles and the second book being Revive by Dr. Frank Lipman. I have been following both of these “healers” for a couple years now and I ordered their books strictly out of loyalty.  Little did I know that both of these two books have 40 day detox programs.  Once I started reading them, I realized that I was on two 40 day detox programs!

Gabby’s detox is about eliminating fear-based limiting beliefs and replacing them with loving thoughts. It is much harder than you would think.  Dr. Lipman’s book is about eliminating toxins and stresses on our bodies.  So here I am on day 6 with a splitting headache from eliminating refined sugar, caffeine and FEAR!  However, I feel confident that there is light at the end of this tunnel.  I will keep you posted. 

Also, I have been listening to a lot of Bob Marley after watching his documentary on Netflix.  It helps with the detoxing.

Now that I have stopped traveling and am back in the real world, I have started to take better care of myself. It feels fantastic! Here are some things that I have been doing to help me feel my best self:

Level Eucalyptus Lime Body Polish

OMG, this product is awesome. It smells amazing. It is all natural. It leaves my skin feeling amazing after the shower. I just LOVE it.

Fresh herbs and fruit

I have clementines, apples, basil and mint all around the kitchen. Not only are they beautiful to see every day, but they give me constant ideas for what to make next (fresh mint tea!).

Green Smoothies

I know I have mentioned them over and over but green smoothies are the bomb. Whenever I feel gross from being on the computer all day or eating too much crap, my body screams for these.

Keeping up with my daily inspirations

I am constantly connected to positive people and spiritual leaders through Instagram, blogs and e-mail. My favorites lately are:

Marie Forleo, Gabrielle Bernstein and Mastin Kipp

Ironically, you can see them all three of them on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday here.

Morning Meditation

No matter what, I keep a calm and lovely morningtime routine of tea and mediation. It’s really the only way for me to function as my best self.

(Images via Pinterest)

A couple of years ago my mom gave me one of those Magic Bullet Blender sets that comes with a million attachments. I’ve been trying to get back in the habit of drinking green shakes in the morning, so when I saw this fabulous idea from Erin at WELL in L.A., I knew I was in for business.

Last week, I filled up all the cups with a handful of spinach and some frozen mango. Then in the mornings I would add a banana and some water, screw the cup in and blend. Voila.  So quick and easy. Now I just need to make it back to the grocery store for round two. Baby steps.

More wellness for your week here!

*Top image by Emma Hack

It is 10 degrees outside in Cleveland. The snow is falling. The streets are covered in ice. It’s freezing. This weather has been the perfect reminder of my most favorite drink from around the world – Nana. While we were in Israel, my beautiful cousin introduced us to this wonderful tea. It is the most simple and most refreshing tea ever. Just try it.

I just got home from a wonderful couple of days in Cleveland.  It feels good to be back in NYC and in my apartment but now I’m prolonging the inevitable.  Unpacking.  It’s something I have a tendency to put off for far too long after I’m away.  Add to it that I haven’t fully attended to the swap of my summer to winter clothes, which I started (i.e. emptied everything all over my bedroom) during Sandy while packing for my trip to Turkey.

(image via here)

So while I’d rather watch a movie or go out to eat, I’m committing myself right now to:

- Unpacking

- Putting away my laundry

- Putting away the clothes that are strewn all over my bedroom

- Going grocery shopping (or at least making a list)

- Sweeping & vaccuming

I hate to bore you with such mundane information but this is, more than anything, a reminder to myself that these things are important, require my attention and make the rest of my life run smoother.

Since I have run out of the products I packed with me, I have been on a delightful search for new everyday products.  As always, I’m down with the all naturals, though I there is no way I can be completely certain that some of these products are 100% natural.

Moringa Soap with Avocado —  I bought some moringa-avocado soap at an NGO in Cambodia and it’s already gone because I used it constantly.  Since then I have read a lot about moringa (an amazing superfood) and have seen it in a lot of products in Asia.