Juicing

Hey guess what? Fruits and Vegetables are good for you. I know you probably already knew that but what you might not know is that you can "reset" your body by juicing fruits and vegetables. 

If you don't believe me, maybe you will believe my new friend Joe Cross. (we have actually never met but I video stalk him.) Plus he also states the point in a sexy Australian accent. 

I recommend his video, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. Its not just a diet transformation video, he is really personable and watching him interact with others is a real treat. 

I am hoping to start a juicing journey of my own. 

My new juicer! Let's make something Beautiful!

Don't Forget to check out Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. You can get it on iTunes or Netflix!

Stretch it out Sunday - Spine Twist

After a long workweek and a busy Saturday, nothing is better than stretching out your back and chest muscles. Not surprising but many women carry stress in their chest. Doing a few simple stretches can help to release this tension and even improve posture. This stretch is to be done slowly, and only to go as far as you can, stretching to the point of pain can cause injury. 

 

A great stretch for the back muscles is a slow waist and lower spine twist. Start by lying on the floor, find your most comfortable position with your legs straight and your arms extended out to your sides. Bend your right leg and slowly using your left hand for support, bring your right leg over your left leg. Turn your face to your right hand; your arm should still be extended at your side. Hold this stretch for ten to twenty seconds and then move back into your starting position. Take a few breaths in this position, and then bring up the left leg over your right leg. Turn to face your left arm and stay in this position for ten to twenty seconds. You should feel the muscles in your legs, hips, arms, shoulders and abdomen being stretched from this one simple stretch. 

Sunday Recipe - Dips

Two fun dips that are easy to whip up and are always a party favorite. 

Vail Cream Cheese Salsa

A dip that is delicious,  creamy, tangy and oh so simple. My mom got this recipe while on a skiing trip in Vail. Although it is not the most attractive looking dip, it is always a crowd pleaser. This dip is best served with Tostitos chips but is also great with celery if your laying off the carbs.

Ingredients:

            Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8oz (the whole usual size package)

            Pace Picante Medium or Hot

Steps:

            Place Cream Cheese in a microwave safe bowl

            Heat the Cream Cheese in 20 second increments until it is creamy

            Mix in about half of the jar of salsa

            Stir until well blended

            Serve hot!

Don't distress if it looks a little strange, this dish isn't the prettiest but what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in taste, I promise. 

Knorr's Spinach Dip

This is the most popular dip that I have ever made. This dip tastes great paired with pita chips, Hawaiian bread and pretzels but also carrots, celery and even on cucumber. 

Ingredients:

            Package frozen chopped spinach cooked, cooled and squeezed dry 10oz

                        (You can cook the spinach in the microwave)

            Sour Cream 16oz

            Hellmann’s Mayonnaise 1 cup

            Knorr Vegetable Mix

 

           

Steps:

            Collect all ingredients

            Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl

                        Make sure the bowl is large enough, this recipe makes 4 cups of dip

            Serve Cold!

A Real Winter Wonderland

Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard

One of the best skiing places that I have found in recent years, Tyrol Basin is quaint and cute while still having some of the best hills around. About 25 miles west of Madison Wisconsin, Tyrol Basin offers over 30 acres of skiable terrain. With the average snowfall of Mt. Horeb being about 38”, they are open on average 105 days or more per year. With its highest vertical summit at 1,160 feet Tyrol Basin has been voted one of the  #1 Midwest Parks by Snowboarding Transworld 2013. 

 

Never fear, although the hills look a little daunting on the map, it is very accessible and is relaxed enough for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. One of the greatest parts of Tyrol Basin? Regular season rates are only $12! They also offer daily rentals and beginner lessons also only $12. Besides its great ski options, Tyrol Basin also boasts a lodge style restaurant where you can take a break from the slopes. 

This is defiantly a great place to go and learn to ski or snowboard. 

Location:

             3487 Bohn Road

             Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin 

                                         53572

Phone:

            (608) 437 - 4135

Trend Watch - Spring Highlights

 

A fun and sassy new trend for spring is bright colored highlight tips in hair. Unlike other bright color hair trends this one is only the bottom tips of the hair. A great way to try this trend is to use a temporary hair chalk. The hair chalk is also a great option for people who work jobs that don't allow "un-natural" colored hair in the work place.

Hair Powder by Anastasia Beverly Hills offers bright colored hair powers and is available at Ulta for only $12.50. Since I absolutely love this trend, but work a job where this trend is not allowed, I decided to try the Anastasia Beverly Hair Powder. I purchased the hair powder in the color, "In the Pink". The other color options included a bright purple, lime green, a dark turquoise, neon pink (that I purchased) and bright blue. 

Since I have dark hair I was worried that this was not going to work in may hair. I ended up having to apply two coats to achieve the color depth I wanted, but it coated my hair and looked really good. I covered the powder with hair spray, and the color lasted at least four hours. Although I wish I could just dye my hair to achieve this look, this will have to do for now and since it works so well I will purchasing a few more colors to have for this spring.

Review - JustFab.com

JustFab.com is truly fabulous for shoe lovers on a budget. The online boutique offers department store quality shoes to its customers’ for only $39.95. JustFab cuts out any middlemen and brings the product straight from the manufacturer to the customer.  This amazing online shoe lovers paradise also offers handbags and accessories which are all priced at $39.95!

JustFab.com offers monthly subscription plans as well as the option to buy anytime. To sign up for the subscription plan, customers first take a short survey to help narrow down their favorite styles, then every month the website sends you a “closet” of shoes for you to choose from. With the monthly subscription you are charged $39.95 every month and receive one item of your choosing. The greatest part about this subscription plan, unlike many other sites, JustFab offers it’s customers the option to skip over a month and pay nothing, when buying shoes just isn’t in your budget. JustFab offers Collections by Avril Lavigne,  Elle and Blair Fowler and IPSY YouTube Stars like Michelle Phan. 

I usually choose to purchase shoes in store, but I figured just this once I would try out buying shoes I had never seen before. I purchased a pair of boots in late November, called the Briyanni Boots. They were recommended by Youtuber Elle Fowler. The boots arrived in a sturdy cardboard box, two days before their intended arrival. Much to my surprise the actual shoe box the boots came in could rival any top designer box. The box wasn’t made of gold or anything but it was of higher quality then I had imagined. The boots were soft and well put together, no glue smushed between the heel and the sole. It was finally time for the test of truth, trying them on. The beautiful boots fit me perfectly. Although I must admit I am blessed with smaller feet, which helps in picking out shoes. (always shoot for the smallest or second to smallest size)

I have looked at many reviews on this sight while trying to chose my next item and have to admit their reviews are all very thorough and they even tell you if the shoe is running big or small. I think this is defiantly a sight worth checking out and I hope if you make a purchase you will be as pleased as I was. 

Keeping Your Curls Safe This Winter

Winter isn’t really the best season for most peoples’ hair. Hair in winter gets stuffed under hats, stuck in zippers and can become dry and brittle due to low indoor humidity and increased outdoor humidity. One of the most dangerous things for hair during the winter is being exposed to temperatures that are below freezing while it is still wet. This becomes more dangerous the more damaged your hair already is. Hair becomes damaged due to styling, dyeing and normal everyday activity. As hair becomes more damaged the cuticles of the hair tend to “fluff” or to open up to look more like a pinecone than a smooth surface.

 

If hair is already damaged and it is exposed to temperatures below freezing, the water molecules that can become trapped in the cuticle of the hair can freeze and cause the hair to break off. 

 

 One of the easiest way to remedy this problem is waiting until hair is completely dry before heading out. For curly girls this can be more of a challenge. If you have the time, letting your hair air dry will provide the best curls but when you are crunched for time you can always use a diffuser attached to your blow dryer. Another great product to try is the DevaCurl diffuser. Shaped like a hand this particular diffuser can be put inside the canopy of your hair and actually dry your hair from the inside out. 

 DevaCurl

In addition to making sure that hair is completely dry, you can help to prevent any breakage by using a soothing serum on hair to help flatten the hair cuticles back down. Also remember that using a styling gel will hep to fill in the any spaces in ruffled cuticles which will make hair less prone to breakage.