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The Acquired Taste of Healthy Foods
This week I was told twice that my last name is the exact same name as someone’s favorite drink: Buchanan. I had to google it to find out that it is scotch whiskey. Alcohol is a funny thing– it takes years to acquire the taste for many, and mixed drinks are truly an art form. People boast of the best ones by saying “you can’t even taste the alcohol!” When enjoying the finest of drinks, you will see some of the liquor connoisseurs take their time, maybe take a whiff, and savor each sip as they note hints of flower, fruit, wood, and smokiness. Don’t be fooled– when someone describes…
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20 Ways to Relax
Lately I have really been into candles. I like different scents ranging from fresh linen, to citrus, to soothing lavender. There was a time when any candle gifted to me would just collect dust. I’ve really been missing out! It got me thinking, what else do I usually do to relax and unwind? Here are my top 20 ways to find peace and relaxation. What are yours? Take a bubble bath. Do yoga. Read a book. Call a close friend. Write a nice hand-written note to a loved one. Clean something. Watch a children’s movie or a cartoon. Journal. Cook. Sing! Dance! Do a deep stretch session. Do arts…
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Mason Jar Berry Trifle
Is it just me, or are mason jars STILL all the rave?? I really thought this was a passing trend, but it looks like they are here to stay. I have to say, I am here for it! They are super cute and make food very portable. Of course, the original purpose of mason jars was to have an airtight container to preserve foods, but now they are used in so many instances. Many will be heading outdoors for 4th of July festivities and whether it is to the park, beach, or to a neighbor’s backyard barbecue, making dessert in these cute little containers come in handy. As for the…
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7 Reasons Your Skin Is Breaking Out!
7 Reasons Your Skin Is Breaking Out I used to spend so much money on products to clear my skin, lighten dark spots, and tame acne. Little did I know, some of the habits I had were contributing to m unhappy skin. Here are 7 things I’ve done to achieve clearer skin! 1. Dirty makeup brushes. Oh my gosh, healthy bunnies! This one is major. I’m ashamed to say when I first started buying good quality makeup brushes, I didn’t wash them. At all. I didn’t really know any better! Now that I do, I wash them once a week with a gentle yet effective cleanser. I don’t…
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Rest Day
Sometimes for no other reason than the fact that the human body is fallible and constantly needs regular rest does a person have to slow down the pace, get comfortable, and silence the world. We don’t need rest days only because of hard workouts or because we earned them. We need rest days because they are exactly what make us stronger and ready to take on the world. Today is mine. When is the last time you rested? Xoxo Fifi
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How to Make Starbucks' Michigan Cherry Oat Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free)
If you follow my facebook fan page, you know I drink a lot of GTLs (green tea lemonades) from Starbucks in the warmer weather. Sometimes it’s tempting to also grab a yummy pastry– but they are so high in calories and refined sugar! It would likely be momentary satisfaction and lasting regret. When I do eat a pastry, it is usually the Michigan Cherry Oat Bar. It just seems like the healthier option, though I have not really researched this. What I do know, is that most of the most tasty desserts have refined sugar, wheat and butter. I wanted to come up with something made of more natural and…
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Apple Walnut Steel Cut Oats
It’s only Monday morning and I already know this is going to be an extremely busy one! Since I’ve been up rather early this morning, I’m taking a breather and enjoying breakfast in bed and watching a little of Populaire on Netflix. Mondays are a mixture of anxiety and excitement for many because most are looking to accomplish a whole lot, but also sad the weekend has come to an end. As far as health goes, Monday is usually the day people say they will begin eating right. It’s a fresh start! If you follow my Facebook fan page, you know I eat a lot of oatmeal. A few people…
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Appetite for Health
Sometimes being a picky eater or being stuck in the rut of habit gets in the way of optimal health. Processed foods are created to be immediately pleasing to the tongue, but often lack the necessary nutrition to fight disease and promote wellness. If you read the package, many products boast of being low fat or low calorie. We’ve got to do further research. So many of the foods marketed to us lead to inflammation throughout our bodies– especially in the gut. Sometimes you have to eat the vegetables you don’t like, drink the water you don’t want to drink, and sleep when you would rather be awake. New habits…
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Volunteering at the San Francisco Food Bank
I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for weeks: it was a few months ago that I went online and signed up to volunteer at one of the San Francisco food banks. As much as I talk about eating right and living right, I am fully aware of the challenges many have due to their financial situation. For some people, it’s just important to get sustenance. I showed up with seven other friends to volunteer at this gigantic warehouse. I am told they distribute food to over 450 locations in San Francisco including places like the YMCA! Amazing. My group was on orange duty and we were in charge of…
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Simple AM Detox Drink
You may have heard me say this before…ABC: always be cleansing. Sometimes we have a day or two of poor eating habits, not enough sleep, or are very much affected by the environment. There are so many reasons we can benefit from detoxing. I like to keep it simple. Before breakfast, try this. 12oz hot filter water, 1 tbsp lime juice, 2 pinches of cayenne pepper. Add a few lime slices if you like. Lime is acidic, but it is actually alkaline forming in our bodies. Cayenne can soothe a sore throat, calm an upset stomach, and help allergies to name a few!
