Get The Green Tea Glow!

Hi! 

You all know that I’m not one to forego my morning cup of coffee. 

It is a staple in my morning routine and I look forward to the flavor and the caffeine that wakes me up each morning. It is especially important to me since I have insomnia most nights and can rarely fall asleep earlier than midnight. BUT…that said, I am going to try and tackle a new challenge this upcoming month… I’m going to try to make the switch from coffee to green tea! 

According to Natural News, green tea naturally contains caffeine. It’s not nearly as much as a cup of coffee, so it will reduce my caffeine intake by about 70%, which I think will help regulate my energy levels throughout the day. I started doing some research about the goodness of green tea and I found some facts that got me really excited to make the switch. Read them below—you just might be tempted to take the green tea challenge along with me... 

•  Green tea has tons of antioxidants. 

 Antioxidants, which can help prevent cancer, are so important for our bodies, according to WebMD. Sip up for a healthy body and a longer life! 

•  Green tea boosts your metabolism. 

 Livestrong reports that green tea can increase your 24-hour energy levels while burning fat at the same time. So, if you can’t make it to the gym one day, sip some green tea and reap the benefits. 

•  Green tea gives your skin a glow. 

 Those antioxidants that also help you fight off diseases will also fight off free radicals that cause skin damage and cause breakouts, according to LaurenConrad.com. This means that brewing a cup of green tea will help to calm your skin if it’s that time of the month or if you are recovering from a bad sunburn!  

How could you not want a cup of this miracle tea after reading those fun facts?! Do you drink green tea? Will you take my challenge and make the switch from coffee to green tea? Get your glow on!

xoxo,

Sharlene

HEALTHY HABITS: 7 FOODS THAT BEAT THE BLUES

I know that soaking up some sunshine always helps me to lighten up, and catching up on sleep allows me to de-stress too.

 I was browsing the web as usual and I actually came across some really great stuff!

 Take a peek below and get ready to be pleasantly surprised!

1. Stressed? Chew on chocolate! Expert health and nutrition blogs like Livestrong say that nibbling on this yummy treat can help reduce stress hormones that can make you moody. Even eating just a tiny bit has proven to reduce anxiety and keep you level headed. Dark chocolate is more effective (and healthier) at reducing stress than milk chocolate, so remember that when you need a sweet pick-me-up!
2. Sluggish? Snack on a spinach salad! Besides being amazing for your health, spinach will also give you an energy boost in the middle of the school day or workday. These leaves have yummy nutrients that help increase blood flow to your brain and help you to recall information, according to WomansDay.com. Eat up to be strong, smart, and alert… just like Popeye! LOL.
3. Cranky? Eat an apple with peanut butter! I know I get cranky when I haven’t eaten in a while, and sometimes feeling grumpy just means you need a little snack. Apple slices with peanut butter are a great way to boost your mood because this snack won’t give you a sugar crash (it only has natural sugars) and the peanut butter has healthy proteins that will increase your energy levels too.
4. Anxious? Try a salmon burger! Ok, I know this one is random, but there’s truth behind it, according to Health.com! Salmon is a really good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are nutrients that will help to calm you down during the day. In fact, regularly eating foods with omega-3s has even been proven to keep you a happy camper! A salmon burger is a yummy way to switch up a traditional American hamburger. Add some veggies and toppings and you’ll basically be eating away anxiety…in a good way! So cool!
5. Angry? Sip on green tea! I think green tea is a really refreshing drink, and I like to pour mine over ice on a hot afternoon. I’ve read about so many benefits of this drink, including lowering your cholesterol, preventing cancer, and giving you a healthy dose of antioxidants. But little did I know that it actually helps to keep you calm, concentrated, and focused too. If you’re angry about something and it keeps bugging you in the back of your mind all day, grab a green tea, take a deep breath, and say ahhhh…
6. Sad? Munch of a bowl of cereal! Ok, first of all, I don’t want any of you to be sad…ever! I want you to always have smiles on your pretty little faces :) But for those downer days when you do need a little happiness boost, a bowl of healthy cereal and milk can do just the trick. Sometimes we get sad because our bodies aren’t getting the right vitamins. Vitamin D, which is in milk and healthy cereals, helps to promote happy thoughts in your brain. According to Shape, not getting enough Vitamin D throughout the day can really bum you out, so drink up! A good way to give your body this boost every day is to have a good ol’ bowl of cereal for breakfast.
7. PMSing? Make an egg-salad sandwich! All you ladies out there, this one’s for you. You might automatically reach for ice cream or salty chips to cure your cravings when it’s that time of the month, but these foods can actually make you feel grumpier because they don’t give your body the right nutrition. An egg-salad sandwich on whole grain toast should be your new best-PMS-food-friend. Eggs have happiness-boosting nutrients, and healthy carbs like whole grain breads are a healthy, alternative way to satisfy your cravings for bagels and chips.
   

 If I were you, I would bookmark this page and make it your go-to guide for when you need to beat the blues.

Well, what did you think!? What mood boosting food looks the yummiest to you? If you have any of your own tried-and-true tips for beating the blues, share them in the comments below!

xoxo
Sharlene

Dear Coffee...

More than any other day of the week, it tends to be Monday and Friday mornings that you need a cup of coffee most. For coffee lovers, nothing else really compares. That’s why this Friday morning, I wanted to take the time to thank coffee. There is perhaps no greater source of motivation on those tired, sleepy mornings at the end of the week than a simple cup of just that. Especially since Friday is my only Morning shift of the entire week. So, without further ado, a thank-you letter to coffee:


Dear Coffee,

It's mornings like this that make me appreciate how wonderful you truly are. I am so glad you were brought to this earth as a tiny bean so that we can brew you and enjoy you.

I prefer you with two teaspoons of sugar and a tiny bit of milk. But some people prefer you iced. And some people prefer you with cream. Some people even prefer you with nothing at all, a great testimony to how perfect you really are.

I just wanted you to know… because sometimes, there is nothing better on a tiresome morning than a good ole cup of joe.
xoxo,
Sharlene (+ the rest of the world!)

Tips For Healthy Hair...

As some of you may know, I have had a hard time with my hair's upkeep, and it's not like i just wanted it long or something that normal girls struggle with, i want it thick, dark, long, soft, and shiny. My hair is now just as long as my extensions, so at work, I dont normally use them but everywhere else i do because it gives me thick hair with shine and texture.

 Extensions are one answer, but there are other ways to keep your hair looking fabulous without having to spend so much time and energy on it. I'm new at this and always learning and I just researched these little tips for hair, skin, nails, etc..that I'm eager to try out, Check them out and let me know what you think!

 1) Drink a Lot of Water 

 A basic guideline is to drink half your weight in ounces of water each day. That might sound like a lot, but it’ll keep your skin moisturized and looking amazing!

 2) No Hair Ties to Bed

 Take out those hair ties before you crawl into bed. If they are worn tight while you sleep they can break the strands of your hair and you’ll end up with those pesky fly-aways.

 3) Get In That Nighttime Face Washing

 No matter how tired you are, wash your face with a gentle cleanser before bed. It takes away all of the yucky oil and dirt that can cause acne. Keep some face towelettes by the bed if you need to. It’s better than waking up with a big zit!

 4) Be Kind to Your Hangnails

 I know it’s tempting, but if you pick a hangnail it could damage your nail bed or even end up getting infected, and that’s definitely no fun. Instead, simply clip the hangnail and file until smooth. 

5) Don’t Wash Your Hair Everyday

 Washing your hair too often will cause it to dry out and break more easily. The natural oils help to condition your hair. Try washing every other day to every two days. Follow those 5 easy tips and I promise you’ll get more beautiful hair, skin, and nails. But if you want a little extra help, it doesn't hurt to also take your vitamins.

I Need Some Coffee Loving...

I never thought I’d say this, but I am really loving coffee these days. I just started drinking it randomly a while back and now I probably have a cup every morning. I even find myself craving the taste when I wake up and now I have a cup pretty much every morning.

 I guess you could say my coffee habit was inevitable considering my mother has one of those super easy to use kettle thing. Since it's is so simple, I haven’t had to learn how to make coffee the traditional way. I just buy the little coffee cans, pop some in my cute little Disney mugs and voila—I have a deliciously yummy cup of hot coffee. I like French Vanilla coffee mix that you can buy from Tim hortens or I like nestle coffee powder with some French vanilla flavoured syrup and a splash of milk.

When I’m craving something a little sweeter I use almond milk since it definitely gives it a nice warm nutty flavor. I also add in some sugar too, which add a tad of sweetness as well. But if I'm making the coffee then I make it pretty darn strong. I really like the almond milk and FV syrup combination because it makes me feel like I’m drinking a super sugary, Starbucks-like drink that’s actually a lot more healthier than it tastes. Recently, I’ve dabbled into iced coffee when I’m out and about with friends, but I’m still not hooked on them yet. Usually I only drink them when my friends get one… Maybe it will catch on soon? Do you drink iced coffee? If so, any suggestions for me?

I used to live Timmies Iced caps and now I prefer the Regular McDonalds Iced Coffee's!

My New Breakfast Love:

Oh my gosh! About a Month ago I was in subway and I saw this adorable and delish looking yogurt parfait thing that I wanted to try. I never had a something like that before and I just couldn't believe my taste-buds! I swore that I would learn how to make them so I wouldn't have to spend money buying them everyday.

Here are some mix-ins that you can add to your yogurt for a breakfast creation that’s all your own:
Any and all fruit
Granola
Your favorite cereal
Quinoa Nuts (almond slices or pecans work well)
Honey Cinnamon
A bit of vanilla extract
Raisins
Coconut flakes or coconut milk
Or just eat it plain!

PS: If you’re having Greek yogurt, adding a little sweetener can take some of the bite out of the taste.

I’m usually not too hungry in the mornings, but yogurt is a light and easy way to make sure I get something to eat. I really hate it when I forget to grab something before I leave for work, my tummy will growl all day and that's just not cute!
 I recommend giving this a try if you’re not much of a breakfast person yourself.

Bonus: this also makes for a tasty and healthy dessert, so stock up!