Aged 27 -30? Mind the Saturn Return

Saturn is twisting my melon, man. Waving his stick in the air. Telling you to cut your hair and get a real job.

If, like me, you're emerging from your 20's, then perhaps you always assumed Youth, Time and their scrappy little sidekick Gay Abandon, would be your buddies forever.

However, between the ages of 27 and 30 (57 - 60, and if you're lucky, 86 - 88) the planet Saturn returns to the exact position it held at your birth, bringing with it new and powerful elements of structure and responsibility. In astrological terms, this means change. 

If you haven't decided which path to tread in life, or if you're following one that isn't right, Saturn will be sure and let you know. He'll pit against your fears and limitations, shake you senseless until you're honest about who you are. Saturn will bring you screaming into maturity, whatever it takes.

You think I'm kidding? Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, James Dean (to name but a few) all bowed out of the game at 27. It seems some folk'll do anything to avoid a whipping from 'Ol Man Saturn. 

Why? Because it hurts. It's distinctively uncomfortable, this 'facing up to life' business. I should know, I've visited the support blog: We Will Survive: The Saturn Return Blog www.saturnreturn.net  

But it isn't all self-examination and flagellation, it's also a time of immense and lasting personal growth. Careers and relationships formed in the misty bloom of youth may come to an end, only to make way for more mature and fulfilling ones. Van Gogh, for example–well adjusted model that he is–decided to leave the church at 30 and pursue a career as a painter.  

Is there any way of avoiding this cantankerous old astro-botherer? Apparently not, according to star writ. Unless, of course, you're already treading the right path. In which case you can take a gold star and sit at the front. 

For those of us who are left to the mercy of Saturn, it's advisable not to resist his meddling. Holding on to any unwanted elements will only cause suffering.

Well then, I guess it's time to wave goodbye to long summer days with Youth & the Boys.

Except Gay Abandon. He can stick around. I'll need someone to cheer me up when Mortality invites me over for a drink.

Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies

Makes:

60
COOKIES (5 DOZEN)

Prep Time:

15

MINUTES

Total Time:

39

MINUTEs

Butterscotch morsels add their sweet creaminess to this classic gingerbread cookie. The ultimate treat, warm from the  oven with a glass of cold milk.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups/sticks butter or margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup mild molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Flavored Morsels

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt in small bowl.

BEAT sugar, butter, molasses and egg in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Clean your fruit without chemicals!

HOT COCOA RECIPE

HOT COCOA RECIPE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY/FRIENDS

peppermint hot cocoa affogato

recipe details:

• quick look

  5minutes

  1servings

what you need

• 1 packet Archer Farms® Dark Chocolate or Peppermint Cocoa Mix
• 1 cup very warm milk
• 1 scoop peppermint ice cream

here's how

1. Pour cocoa mix into large mug. Add milk. Stir until blended.
2. Carefully add 1 scoop ice cream.
3. Garnish with peppermint candies or whipped cream if desired. Serve immediately.

tip

Serve with a candy cane stir stick.

Notes to a Lover: Beautiful

 December 5, 2011
Baby-

Thank you for another wonderful stay. I love the fact that I learn something new about you from conversation. It is great to know that you can trust me with your past; that you are comfortable enough to share your meaninginful moments and memories with me. I love hearing about your history as it helps show how you became the beautiful man that you are today.

And you are, you are so so so so beautiful, kind and considerate, generous, sweet, loving, strong and intellegent!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Reading that made me so sad. I vividly recall writing it. God we were so in love. It was heavenly. I miss you so much, I am delerious with emptiness.

Notes to a Lover: Postive Thoughts

Novermber 20, 2011.  Motel

B,
I am extremely happy that we shared this truely stellar weekend together. It will undoubtedly be branded into my mind forever. I oh so appreciate your endless kind gestures and positive thoughts. Such wonderful tings will never go unnoticed. I constantly think of the countless hours in which we have gazed into each other's eyes with complete adoration and depth. Thought we stare in silence, our smiles speak volumes. These are the moments that I shall carry within me for many years to come. They will always succeed in reminding me that purity exists; that it's not too impossible to find someone who is capable of experiencing complete, unadulterated emotion and the strength to share it. Thank you for being so open minded, understanding, and accomodating. I really appreciate everything.

Notes to Lover: Desire

Notes to a Lover: Your Skin

Notes to a Lover: (Annonymous) I Used to Kow You So Well

Hyatt Hotel

B,
I am happy that we returned to the birthplace of stage two. I really needed it. It helped remind me of the reasons I fell in love with you. It is a bit sad knowing that such beautful things can be forgotten. What's important is the sincere effort in trying not to forget.
The second page is more difficult to decipher. I was able to make out..."passive aggresssive behavior..." as well as the last statement which was "...This conversation will not be forgotten..." Regardless. This not was clearly telling you that Despite the Rocky Road we've endured, It is not too difficult to remeber the amount of love between us.
Simple things can bring back such great memories but the question is.. "is it good enough?"

L

Notes to a Lover (annonymous)

Fall in love, stay in love. It’ll decide everything. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, it will affect everything. It’ll decide when you will get out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, what you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

L

Notes to a Lover. (Annonymous)

L,

I just woke up from a nightmare where I was just getting out but we were at my mom's house 'cuz there was some sort of party for the sister from Breaking Bad, but I couldn't find you anywhere. I saw a couple of your friends, then I started to panic. I found a note then I really went frantic just to come running out after you drove away.

I don't think you get how big of an impact you really have by not showing up when I think you're going to. And don't think you have to, just don't tell me you will unless you are actually going to.
I know I am not letting go of you at all, but please tell me if that's what you want and I'll do my best. It will be fucking hard as fuck (just like me every time I think of you). I don't sleep, I don't eat. I just don't do anything but think of you.
                                                   B.

Bittersweet love: Notes to a lover (Annonymous)

10/22/2012

My Only wish for tonight was to sleep. It seems like ages since my body was in a 180. A shower is what I dreampt of as soon as I thought "hotel." It's crazy that these two standard things are somewhat of a luxary now. My body aches from struggling with you. I knew you had my phone-especially since you shot for the door as soon I mentioned it. 

Was it worth it? It makes me sad that I think your answer is yes. Your seconds of cruelty were worth what was lost. I'm so tired. I could fall asleep now, but every headlight alerts me, and I duck in shame knowing that upon seeing me here, sleeping in such a someber, sad manner, you will somehow smirk...perhaps even smile knowing that yet another battle has turned in your favor. 

Tonights outcome, however sick and twisted, was what I was afraid of. How dare you take what little precisousness we had, and darken it with your barrage of insults; and onslaught of vulgarities, a slew of slurs reserved only for me....from you, a lover I once knew. I know you sensed my immediate hesitation, my audible reluctance once you revealed your plan of action. Because ultimately, all I craved was silence, peace, serenity and unfamiliare concepts to us as of late.

It amazes me to know that you are smiling with her, flirting effortlessly and giggling with ease. "Amazed" isn't accurate...."sickens" me to vizualize thee. Yet here I am because oddly enough I feel safe here. It is the safest of streets in my presence. and I detest venting that. As i know you will shake your head in disbelief; that once were smitten by such a poor, sad soul. 

I too marred at my disgusting rapid decline. I loathe the notion of you watching my gross defeated self stare back at you with tears rolling down my miserable face, such as now and last night and this morning and tomorrow I'm gone. 

I hate for you to see such despare. It sickens me. It surrounds me with self disgust, it drowns me in self pity, envelopes me tightly, painfuly, relentlessly. Punishing me for my weakness, pummeling me the knowledge that I am the fool; slicing my once sweet insides with a sharp, stabbing gusto. The ill-fated, ever feared word "FOOL" is branded onto my entire spirit.

You maintain your stance that my presence alone is insufficiant. It is nauseating knowing that I allowed you to do this, crack me, crumble me, break me. It is abundately clear to all that I've given myself wholly to you. Well, all except you. But I did do the best of my ability I remained as pleasant as possible given the fucked up circumstances. 

But I must refute because my presence represents my pride- or lack there-of. My presence is my peace offering- I offered you my precious pride-knowing self-loathing would invitably follow. For without pride, what are we?

Quivering mounds of weakend filthy flesh. Did you not know that with each moment of pardon, with every harsh gesure, with every violent streak, in self-disrespect would grow slowly turning me into nothingness.

 Growing into nothingness that went much worse than anticipated. As you parked, looked over and began to walk on, I bravely condidered telling you.... go. go. go. GO!

Than is dawned on me (how appropriate) FUCK THIS. I've been here for what seems to be days. I ate once yesterday- it was light out, 1/2 of a sandwich. I don't know when I brushed my teeth last- but the grainy grout-like film over my once pristine teeth tells me-months and months and months perhaps. 

A warm shower would be divine.

 Oooh I look down on myself for imaginging an outcome than the one we quickly provided. I see my sad, pitiful, depracating self and shake my head bewildered and baffled that I hoped something positive would arise from our infiinite mound of hatred. 

Endless warm gorgeousness cascading down my disgusting body=would be so delicious. But alas, tis not the case. Because you turned your back and walked ahead carelessly as I feared. Or perhaps you smugly assumed I'd follow, with my head bowed down foolishly, covering my ever shrinking pile of pride... again. no no no no. Don't you tell me you've been riding alone all night aimlessly, seeking solace somehwere unkown, when you have a glorious something who is safetly in indoor solitude, the ever fantastic something we once foolishly called home. I don't know why I stupidly excpected you to be here, a mere hour after you returned from her. I can imagine now the great disappointment you must have felt as you were forced to acknowledge meafter  almost succeeding and evading me. This is why it was seconds before you turned back quickly, crossing your fingers, hoping I'd depast easily so you could go to her, run to her, be summomed by the gross sluttness your inexplicably can not resist. FILTHY, DIRTY DOG!

more notes to come!

xoxo,

Beautyqueen

Show Him Your ‘O’ Face

5 secrets to achieving a better orgasm

The big “O.” That ever-elusive, could-be legendary experience that everyone strives for when they’re rolling around in the sheets (or on the countertop — we don’t judge) with their honeys. Sadly, much like seeing an actual unicorn or Ryan Gosling in person, a woman achieving a climax in bed is a rare thing. Turns out, only about 25% of us ladies are able to peak every time we’re with our partners, compared to over 90% of our male counterparts.

But don’t lose hope! There are things you can do to actually improve your chances of reaching that big “O” (and making it the best you’ve ever had). We’ve got five climax secrets that’ll have you (and your partner) begging each other for more. And, let’s be real — it’s not like trying this stuff out is going to be a totalbummer.

Change your position
When you’re on top of your partner, you have more control over how everything is moving down below, which means that when you get close, you won’t have to worry about your man changing gears (and causing you to lose your momentum). Not only that, but the position acts as both a vaginal and clitoral stimulator, so that big moment of ecstasy will be felt on more than one level. Um, yes please!

Don’t be shy
If your partner isn’t exactly hitting the mark (hey, we’ve all been there — jackhammering isn’t fun for anyone), speak up. Men want direction in the sack (and if he doesn’t, he isn’t worth it). And believe it or not, he can’t actually read your mind, so if you never tell him what feels good and what doesn’t, he’ll never know to do anything different for you. And remember the words “for you” — two great words to “O” by.

Relax
Stress can have a major effect on your ability to have a good “O,” so make sure you’re in a good head space before getting it on with your partner. As silly as it sounds, try taking a relaxing bubble bath together — not only will it calm your nerves, but it’s also a great place to practice foreplay, and we all know that a little pre-action can go a long way. And there’s several things you can do with a rubber ducky.

Get some exercise
Since an orgasm is, quite simply, the release of genital muscle tension, it makes sense that exercising those muscles helps get you more bang for your buck. And since we exercise the rest of our body, why not work out our pleasure center, too? Try doing a few kegels — clenching and releasing the muscles in your pelvic floor — a day. Not sure how to do it? Work on stopping yourself from peeing the next time you’re midstream.

Practice makes perfect
It’s like the saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed…” (we’ll let you fill in the rest). One of the best parts about mastering the art of the orgasm is that working toward it never actually feels like work, for you or your partner. So practice away, ladies — your body will thank you for it! And so will your partner.

Chicago transit

Riding the train can be soothing and and very interesting as well. You can be able to see hipsters, yuppies, fashionistas, black, Asian, white, Hispanic, mixed people. All in the same space an all very quiet; (unless some of them are friends or family) then you have a nice sound of laughter and reminiscing. Sometimes you even see men with facial hair and a long wig on with almost short shirts. This blog is an expression of my ride to work because I don't always ride the train as much usually I am driving or getting a ride. I really enjoy that there is a new Chicago tranist card called Ventro. I am thinking of really considering getting it because paying $2.25 for every ride can add up. That is all for now! I will blog tomorrow! Who knows what I will choose to talk about!

Xx,

Beautyqueen

Global beauty Obsessions

In the fill-in-the-blank section of my survey, these six products came up again and again as the faves around the world

PERFUME:

Chanel No. 5, $155 (1)

Worn by women since 1921, this sultry scent changed the way fragrances were made forever.

Marc Jacobs Daisy, $65 (2)

Strawberry, grapefruit, and vanilla make up this playful spritz.

FOUNDATION:

BareMinerals Foundation, $27 (3)

Tap, swirl, and buff your face flawless with this iconic powder.

MASCARA:

Lancôme Hypnose Volume Mascara,

$26 (4)

The cult face wraps lashes with a vitamin B5-spiked formula, giving them six times more volume.

BODY CREAM:

Nivea Smooth Sensation Moisturizer,

$6 (5)

A few pumps leaves skin super soft, quenches, and smelling clean.

FACE LOTION:

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, $26 (6)

This does-it-all cream balances out a ranges of complexions, from sensitive to combination skin.

Fall Beauty Tips

Looking fabulous during the fall is something any woman can achieve with the right guidance. Whether or not you're striving for that celebrity-like look, your fall beauty regimen starts with proper hair care and appropriate styling. Autumn, as well as winter, can wither a lush and healthy head of hair, leaving it disheveled and unappealing. Alleviate any worries you may have by following hair care and beauty tips geared toward the fall.

Conditioning

Fall is the season when trees start shedding leaves. Coincidentally, it is the same time people often experience seemingly inexplicable hair loss. Technically, this is a natural cycle that cannot be avoided. However, you can do a few things to make strands more resilient and encourage new hair growth. First off, regularly apply conditioner containing skin-friendly substances like jojoba, almond or aloe vera. This will not only strengthen hair but also make the early sprouts of replacement hair healthier and better rooted.

Moisturizing

Conditioning the hair is but one fall hair care essential and one that must be supplemented. You can do this by moisturizing the scalp. During autumn, the scalp becomes more prone to dryness due to the colder weather; as winter approaches, the scalp dries out more and more. Alleviate this problem by applying and massaging moisturizing oil to the scalp. While many people think almond or aloe vera essential oils will do the trick, experts often recommend coconut oil instead due to its naturally soothing effect. Apply the oil three times a week; leaving it on to set overnight will provide even better results. Sleep with a towel wrapped over your hair and wash the oil off in the morning.

Beauty experts often recommend coloring the hair during the fall. Darker shades of blond to more fiery auburns are the trendy hair colors during this season. Since coloring contains various harsh substances that can render hair lifeless and brittle, experts recommend colorizing a couple of weeks before fall begins. Darker and bolder colors are the way to go. Highlights are generally not advisable as they can lessen the overall effect of the hair color.

Styling

While there are limitless ways to wear hair during the fall, a few styles are considered fashionable and trendy and also simple to create. Allure recommends 10 new hairstyles for fall 2011, ranging from high-volume straight hair to a high and bouncy ponytail. Curls and buns are considered appealing and appropriate as well. And, if going with a classic or vintage hairstyle is your choice, fall is the perfect season to look like Jacky O, according to experts.

HEY, IT'S OK...

...to love fruit, but not quite enough to count it as a dessert,

...to start a new job and anoint everything in your closet "new" too. Your coworkers haven't seen your clothes!

...to put your boyfriend in a Speedo-just so he'll understand the whole waxing/shaving/sucking-it-in thing once and for all.

...to say no to any shot of booze that has to be lit on fire before you drink it.

...to take beauty tips from the contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race-those queens have skills!

...to set your out-of-office email response the day before your vacation starts. (Ballsiness points for two days!)

EVERYWHERE | THURSDAY JULy 4, 2013

Ban That Bloat! Top bulge-fighting foods for swimsuit season Getting ready for swimsuit season is a completely different experience for men and women. Men grab a pair of board shorts and are ready to scream, “cannonball!” Meanwhile we're convinced we're on track to looking like Brooke Burke-Charvet by eating broccoli crudités and hummus. Sorry Charlie, but even super foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beans can turn you into a gas-producing machine, causing unwanted belly bloat! It’s a cruel, cruel world isn’t it? No need to run for cover or return all your bikinis in favor of a muu muu. We have created a go-to list of anti-bloat foods that will have you looking and feeling your best this swimsuit season. So grab your shopping list and keep that sunscreen handy, because these foods will transport you straight from bloat city to beach babe town! Banana The potassium-rich fruit counteracts water retention from high-sodium foods. It is a perfect, grab-and-go beach snack too! Yogurt Active cultures add good bacteria to your gut, which means better digestion and less bloat! Asparagus These stalks have diuretic properties that help flush excess fluid from your body. Try them with a splash of lemon juice! Cucumber Cukes are loaded with water, which is key to reducing bloat. Almonds This protein-packed snack will keep you full while keeping your stomach flat! Papaya The colorful fruit contains an enzyme that helps your body break down food more easily.

Chevron Nails: Take the Chevy to your nails.

Take the chevy to your mani

It’s the night before your big party. You’ve got everything set to go: outfit, blowout appointment, waxing appointment. You think you really nailed it this time. And then it hits you…your nails. You forgot to get your nails done. Nooooo!

With no time to get into the nail salon, you’ve got to take matters into your own hands (literally). I've discovered an easy-to-follow DIY nail kit to complete your look. In just a few easy steps you will take your mani from drab to fab!

One of my clients took it upon herself to experiment with this kit, and if she can do it, anyone can do it! Not only does this absolutely uh-mazing nail kit come with fun summer colors (including sparkly gold and silver), but it also provides you with sticker stencils to make your very own Chevron design!

See how she rocked the Chevron Mani, and made it her own with their bright summer colors!

1. Chose two different colors, one as your base (we picked hot pink!) and the other for the chevron design (we went with nude). Paint the base coat and let dry for 10-15 minutes. Then place chevron sticker on top and paint over with second color and leave on for 1-2 minutes.

2. Remove the sticker slowly and carefully (the design should look similar to the one shown in the picture above) and repeat these steps for the rest of your desired nails.

3. And voila! In just a couple quick and easy steps you have given yourself a salon level manicure! Now sit back and let the compliments roll in!

xx, Beautyqueen

Posted on July 2, 2013

4 Natural Acne Scar Remedies Common Sense Prevails

When there is acne there are acne scars and for those who do not want to use conventional acne medicines due to allergies or because they do not work well for you, you can utilize natural acne scar remedies and there are many to choose from. If you are not sure how to get started in using natural acne scar remedies, you can visit a natural health store to get advice and you can also talk with friends who use natural acne scar remedies. Beware of gimmicky remedies that are advertised on different websites because some of those remedies could be dangerous.

 

1. Olive Oil

 

This is a good natural acne scar remedy because it has anti-inflammatory qualities and it soothes the pain of the scars as well as reduce the redness of acne scars. To get the best results, you should first wash your face with a good moisturizer for your skin type and then after this you can apply a few teaspoons of olive oil to your face each night before you go to bed.

2. Baking Soda and Water

 

In a medium bowl you need to combine a few teaspoons of baking soda and water then you would apply the mixture to the acne scars. The good thing about using baking soda and water as a remedy is that baking soda is inexpensive but it does just as good of a job in reducing acne scars.

3. Lemon Juice

 

Lemon juice is a good way to reduce acne scars because it prevents new acne from appearing on your face. If you plan to use lemon juice for treating acne scars, you want to dilute it with some water because the acid in lemon juice will sting the scar, particularly if the scar has itchiness and redness in it.

4. Aloe Vera

 

Aloe vera has many medicinal properties and one benefit of aloe vera is that it relieves acne scars and repairs damaged skin cells that caused the acne scars. You can use aloe vera gel, aloe vera cream or a topical aloe vera oiuntment. The best places to purchase aloe vera are at natural health food stores, drugstores, mail order catalogs and online retailers.

Megan's Health Tips

Eat to beat bulges

Pick bright bites

Colorful veggies are loaded with vitamin C, which is essential to preventing collagen breakdown. Collagen is the skin's support structure; as shown in the diagram on page 145, strands of the tissue running through fat attach skin to the underlying muscle layer. When these strands weaken, skin loses elasticity and fat can pop up and bulge against the skin, rendering the bumpy layer underneath even more visible. (Beach bum alert: Excessive sun exposure also contributes to collagen breakdown.) Vitamin C is linked to collagen synthesis,  the super vitamin can help you blast up to 30 percent more fat during exercise. Aim for at least 75 milligrams of C daily.

Healthy Summer Dates

Because cocktails and miniskirts sometimes don’t mix when your booty doesn’t feel right!

Ladies, we all know it's almost summer, and with it comes late nights, multiple drinks, and skimpy-impy skirts. When drinks and dinner aren't quite fulfilling your healthy quota, here are a few alternatives to the routine.

Get Some Fresh Air: Many studies show that simply being outdoors improves mood, lessens stress response, and increases happiness! Take your summer date nights outdoors and attend popular movie or music in the park nights, or street festivals to heat up your love life!

Keep It Fresh: Nothing quite beats combining fresh, organic food with romance. Check out your local farmers market for local cheeses, fruits, and bread, and have a total French affair with your lover over a romantic picnic!

Sweat It Out: Get multiple items checked off your to-do list by combining your workout with your date night! Go hiking around a local park or grab your bicycles and hit up the local trails for sights and sounds out of this world!

Ice Ice Baby: Nothin’ says summer like a little ice cream in the park! Find your inner youth by grabbing some probiotic-rich, low-sugar froyo, and laugh your worries away at the local playground. Plus, all that jumping around burns off extra calories! Score!

Slip Sliding Away: Too hot to move? How about float? Grab some tubes and head to a local creek where you can stay cool all day long! Finish the day off with a cool drink with your man for a great summer day!

10 Foods to Stop Eating Now

These munchies are not kind to the waistline!

Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds or simply clean up your diet, we all know that eating more fruits and vegetables is the way to go. But what shouldn’t we be eating? Conflicting messages are all around us, but here are the top 10 definite foods to stop eating now!

1. Soda: Soda consumption has been linked to allergy development, tooth decay, and osteoporosis. Plus, all of that high fructose corn syrup can cause obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Water, please!

2. Anything Fried: Fried foods, especially fried meats, nearly double a person’s risk for bladder cancer, not to mention clogged arteries, higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, and heart disease. You can’t get healthy with a fried chicken leg in your mouth.

3. Fast Food: The average fast food meal clocks in at 830 calories (if you need a reminder, the average woman only needs about 1,800 calories each day). But fast food should really be regarded as edible chemicals since it’s chock-full of preservatives, trans fats, and food dyes.

4. White Flour: It starts out as a wonderful, whole grain but then gets stripped of all its nutrients, then pumped up with chemicals, deodorized, and bleached. It causes a spike and then a crash in blood sugar — a vicious cycle that can lead to pre-diabetes. When it comes to grains, stay whole!

5. Treats at the Coffee Shop: Commercial baked goods are everything that white flour is, but with a lot more sugar, butter, and fat. And all of those delectable toppings are actually vats of chemicals, preservatives, and oodles of trans fats. So not sexy!

The Flat Belly Smoothie

Here’s a cool way to slim down this summer

Hi, babes! Summer is coming! Ahhh! So excited. It’s time to get down to business, and this “flat-belly smoothie” will whip your butt right into shape. This smoothie was created to drink before and during bikini season.

Spinach aids in reducing puffiness; orange juice has potassium, which flushes out the system; and blueberries are full of antioxidants. The flat-belly smoothie hardly takes any time at all to prepare, and the blueberries and Greek nonfat yogurt camouflage the spinach taste (I promise!).

Check it out:

The Flat Belly Smoothie

Ingredients
1 handful of blueberries
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 scoops of Greek 0% fat yogurt
2 splashes of orange juice (make sure it’s 100% OJ )
1/2 cup of ice

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together.

Enjoy!!!

5 Brain Foods

Food for Brain Cognition

Do you have trouble concentrating? Do you walk into a room and forget why you went there?
Well, let me tell you that is not only because of age, diet and lifestyle has a lot to do with it as well. Since mother earth is so wonderful with us, we can find in nature all we need, there are “ brain foods ” that have been shown to improve brain function, protect against age-associated cognitive decline and encourage focus and clarity and will also help boost your concentration.

Before we start let me give you a couple of tips, first of all eating breakfast may help with brain preservation, having some fresh fruit and/or high-fiber whole grains like oatmeal and bran. High calorie breakfasts laden with sugar and fat tend to detract from concentration.

Eat lighter and combine the following foods, introduce them into your daily diet which will help prevent your brain from becoming sluggish! Getting enough sleep, exercising daily and managing stress are keys to a healthy cognitive function. So, let´s begin.

1. Walnuts

Walnuts even look like a brain, and they help it, great how that works! Walnuts are able to  reverse brain aging,  including age related motor and cognitive defects. If consumed daily, they are also rich in antioxidants which fight against free radical damage to the brain cells’ DNA.

2. Coffee and Dark Chocolate

A free-trade organic coffee can do great things for your focus and brain power. The caffeine found in chocolate or a cup of coffee first thing in the morning will wake up your brain and allow you to focus and concentrate, in addition to harnessing rich, brain-protecting antioxidants.

3. Berries

Berries protect the brain from oxidative stress while decreasing the effects of age related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, they also improve learning capacity and motor skills and one of the best anti-aging foods.

4. Spinach and Carrots

Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that is loaded with vitamin E, which helps increase brain tissue and releases dopamine, which controls information flow in the brain and has been shown to improve cognitive function. While carrots are great for vision they also help to reduce inflammation and restore memory, the compound found in carrots, known as luteolin, appears to reduce age-related memory loss and boost overall brain health.

5. Fish

Consuming fish weekly can reduce the risk of stroke and dementia while slowing down mental decline, its also one of the best Omega-3 sources. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish give our brain a huge boost!