Apple Cinnamon Water: Add some spice to your life!!

Hello and Good Evening!!

The air has been crisp and fresh as it blows in the open windows.
Mmmmm loving the small break from the heat!

I had come across a new water idea and my mom decided to make some last night cause she said it sounded too good to wait! Not to mention it tastes better if you let it set over night :)

Apple Cinnamon water!!!

Water is so key to drink and it can get old if you're drinking something tasteless ya know?

Plus, it's nice to always find creative ways to feed your body added nutrition.

So let's discuss some interesting facts about Cinnamon...

Being an old and rather exotic and pretty common household spice it proves to be a valuable thing to have around! Both for topical and internal purposes. 

(Not to mention it makes a wonderful addition to many a DIY air freshener)

Cinnamon:

Can be used in various cold remedies and cold prevention

Gas prone tummies

Upset tummies

Painful cramps pertaining to the monthly gift

May improve energy, vitality and circulation

(The circulation aspect may help those who suffer with warm bodies but chronically cold feet)

Is also proven to help you digest dairy 

Apples come in so many colors and sizes, they are one of my favorite snacks and I can't help but let their scent dance about me when fall is in the air. I love apples! 

These are also very common in households which makes this such an easy water to make.

Apples:

Protects your bones

Aids in treating asthma

Prevents or aids in preventing Alzeimer's

Various types of cancer prevention 

Diabetes aid

Weight loss for women

And these benefits for both items are only a fraction of what they offer!

And when putting these two together in water it not only delights your senses, it hydrates and awakens the vitality within us. What wonderful news :) I made sure to snag some before I crashed last night and noticed the flavor intensify come morning.SO yummy!!

All you need is:

A gallon or 2 gallon pitcher of water

Ice or a fridge

1 or 3 apples depending on the depth of flavor you desire

Several cinnamon sticks

(Yes, sticks and NOT powder)

Prep the night before use for best results:

1. Fill pitcher with water.

2. Cut apples to desired size, halves work well.

3. Add your cinnamon stick then chill.

4. Enjoy the following day! 

I'm sitting here sipping on some myself and very pleased to have this new addition to my growing water beverage arsenal. I find this is one of the best ways to stay hydrated and have more energy! It really helps, esp since part of having leftover side effects regarding my TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and one of the biggest being lack of energy. Drinking stuff like this is a life saver, believe me! 

(Might also be a creative way to keep the kiddos hydrated as well Mom's)

Hope y'all have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Shannon<3

Something simple: Cucumber water!!

Good Morning!

Looks to be another hot one today, phew...

Let's look at a refreshing beverage you've prob seen or already tried shall we?

Cucumber water!!

I know you're prob thinking this is a super easy DIY... Why on earth post it?

Well, it just so happens to be a water with many hidden secrets that will greatly benefit you alone or you and your little one if you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing.

I love cucumbers to start out with so I adore the taste, however some it takes time to fall in love with. 

But I promise you, this will make your body smile!

(Unless you're allergic which I'm finding there's a handful who are. Who'd a thunk it??)

Anyway.

Here are a few reasons why you should be drinking cucumber water:

1. If you're looking to loose some weight and are working out, eating right and trying to keep your system flushed properly, this would be a great help to you...Cucumber water is hydrating and low on calories!

2. It has some key vitamins and nutrients your body needs on a daily basis such as:

 Vitamins A, C, E & K

Potassium, Iron,Calcium etc...

3. This wonder may also help those battling obesity, cancer and high cholesterol.

4. Cumber is good for ladies who are pregnant and or looking to get pregnant, the cucumber has properties that help with baby's development! This should be a staple for an expecting mother. 

5. Some say cucumber water isn't great during breast feeding an infant due to the potential laxative effect it may have on your baby. If you drink it in smaller amounts you should really be fine. 

Just read your body and that of your newborn. If you're really concerned, be sure to ask a midwife or somebody along the more nutritional line of things....

6. There are claims a cucumber water diet is great for belly fat, this one I'm not sure of as most diets really aren't what people praise them to be... Half the time you're killing you're body vs helping it. 

(But that's another topic all together...)

Now used as a water fast? 

This may do the trick for some intensive detox techniques! 

Now here's the trick to getting what you need out of this refreshing beverage...

The best way to get full benefit out of making cucumber water is:

1. Make it in a 1 to 2 gallon pitcher right before you go to bed!

(The longer it sits and chills, the bigger the impact on your body.)

2. For best result keep it cool or out of direct sunlight and toss after 2 days.

3. You can slice half of a cucumber or a whole cucumber.

(Heck, make yourself a travel cup the day before with a few slices and grab it if you have a busy day ahead of you! Trust me, flavored water works like a dream on a busy day with little time to rest. )

4. Most importantly, enjoy! 

You'll love your new found energy :) 

Here are a few links to look at and see some more facts on cucumber water:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/506219-cucumber-water-weight-loss/

http://www.wkankan.com/cdcvyinshiwenhua/Pregnant+women+to+eat+cucumbers+in+favor+embryo_cbfbcj.htm

Have a wonderful day!

Shannon <3

Popping that zit safely!

Good Morning!!

I figured it's about time to get back into my DIY blogs!

Let's talk about a way to care for/before dealing with that awful zit (s) as it has now come to a full white head and is ready to be exterminated! There are of course proper vs improper ways to take care of this... Esp if you're not going to see your Aesthetician every time you need one popped. (Which some say is a MUUUUST, but we all know that isn't going to happen haha) 

Some people just go for the kill which isn't the ideal way to prep and protect your skin.

Here's a quick step by step you can do after you've cleansed your face and are getting ready for bed!

Assuming you've let your little friend come to a white head (Which is the safest/best!) 

This is what you'll need to do:

1. Wash your hands!

2. Cleanse 

(Using a light exfoliating cleanser NOT a scrub as it will break open the infected area spreading the bacteria about your face giving way for more possible issues!)

3. Take a dampened cotton ball that has a little tea tree oil on it and apply to infected area.

(This will prep your skin even more giving you a sanitized area to work with seeing as the properties of tea tree are a fabulous anti bacterial.)

4. Take a fresh blood lancet and prick the side of your blemish VERY gently!

(Not straight down into the pore or else you may cause permanent scaring or reinfection. I like this type as I can replace the cap and safely toss it.) 

5. Use 2 Q-tips and GENTLY press from the bottom of the infected area...

A white puss will start to ooze and then a "head" should pop out followed by a little blood.

(If this is done correctly and you've pressed from the under side vs the top you should now be pain free! If pain is still there then you may have tried too soon or not extracted the entire "head" I do caution you on how many times you try this as you don't want a bigger infection nor a scar.)

6. Re-clean area with a fresh damp cotton ball and tea tree oil.

(There should be a satisfying sting indicating it's getting any possible straggler bacteria.)

7. Spot treat with a clay mask to really make sure you've got that sucker out of there!

After mask is hard an dry rinse with mild temperature water.

(It's cool to see how it extracts the last of the gunk if there's any left.)

8. Treat with any acne treatment to ensure proper healing and apply nightly moisturizer.

(Come morning your little friend should be gone and there should be only a small red mark with now signs of swelling and/or pain. This will heal if properly cared for in a few short days depending on how fast your body naturally heals its self.)

So there you have it! 

8 steps does sound like a lot but when you're actually doing it, it seems like you've taken hardly any time at all. You can never be to careful when dealing with these little buggers....

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Shannon <3 

Milkshake w/Coconut Oil!! YUM!!

Greetings!!!

So I JUST bought a small tub of coconut oil yesterday at Whole Foods.

I paid around $11.00 for 16 FL OZ which really isn't that bad. 

And since a little goes a long way this makes the price look even better!

Anyway.

I've been playing with it and I thought a milkshake sounded yummy so I decided to whip one up adding some of my coconut oil for flavor and added nutrition. (Esp since it helps with hydration and I've been feeling kinda blah for a couple days now so it seemed like a good idea.)

 To say the least I am beyond pleased and have a very happy tummy!!

If you want to make the same quick and yummy milkshake I just did here's what you'll need:

A handful of strawberries

Handful of blueberries

 Vanilla Yogurt: The amount is up to you, I wanted mine kinda thick. Eyeball it.

A little less or just about 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, slightly softened.

(As you can see my phone takes crappy pictures haha But you get the idea :)

1/4 to 1/2 a cup of whole milk, or simply eyeball it.

Blend well and enjoy!!!

**For those who have any allergies adjust to what suits your diet and or fruit preference.

I was shocked at how refreshing the coconut oil was and what it did to marinate all of the other flavors. I will def be playing around more with my cooking and coconut oil!!! 

Have a wonderful day!

 Bask in the delight of eating something sweet yet healthy :)

Shannon <3 

P.S.

(I am hoping to one day have a camera that I fully document all my steps directly but until then stand in pics will have to do...Thanks for understanding!)

DIY Coffee & Cinnamon Sugar Scrub!!

Good Evening!!

It's been a grey and rainy day here in the Springs so I felt the urge to play in my kitchen today...

I decided I needed a new sugar scrub seeing as I haven't had one in a LOOOONG time.

It's very simple and I'm pretty sure you have everything in your kitchen already if you're a coffee drinker. It took me less than 10 min to whip up, so all my errands and household cleaning could take a step to the side w/out causing any time constraint on my very busy day. 

Bonus points!!!

First things first....

What are these ingredients and why are they good for my skin??

Coffee:

Helps reduce inflammation

Aids in killing cellulite allowing circulation to take place

Makes a wonderful exfoliant 

Sugar:

Can help smooth skin that's eczema prone

Makes your skin glow

For every skin type

Can aid in unclogging pores

Cinnamon:

Plumps the skin

Yet another eczema treatment

Kills acne

Olive Oil:

Moisturizing

Soothes various irritations

Anti Age aid

Gives way for a smooth and closer shave

My husband says it smell like Starbucks haha 

(He doesn't like coffee but still wants to try it, I love him. :)

Lets get started!!

Here's what you need.....

A large mixing bowl

Measuring Cups and spoons

A spatula 

And a clean mason jar

**There's no particular order to mix this so don't worry :)

You can use fresh or used coffee grains, I tried used but will do fresh next round.

1 cup

The sugar is up to you, wether organic or not, but obviously organic would be better.

1 cup

Again freshly ground or not, it's whatever is easiest for you!

1 tablespoon

And last, extra virgin olive oil

About a 1/4 cup

 (I used a 1/2 and that made it too soupy...)

**Mix until blended.

Place in a mason jar for safe keeping and store in a cool dry place.

Your scrub should stay fresh for 2 months! 

(Makes sure when getting it out for use that clean hands or a clean spoon is used to keep from possible bacteria build up. This is very important.)

You skin should feel soft, supple and well moisturized!!

This is great for fast moving mornings when you don't have time to apply body lotion 

OR if you live in a humid climate. 

Use once a week for proper body exfoliation :)

And as always, enjoy you latest creation!!!

Hope you enjoy this as much as I am and will, it's great to know I'm using something safe and I paid under $5.00! I love that.

Good night!

Warmly,

Shannon <3 

Sore muscles? Try this bath!!

Hello! Hello!

So my husband just took his 11.5 hour black belt test and as you prob guessed he's pretty sore...
I told him I'd concoct a bath for him so we could get in there and work on releasing some tension in his body. His back, legs, arms ect all felt like one giant brick! He had trouble walking, go figure he was moving 9 hrs straights out of that 11.5. So proud of him!!!

A bath sounds like the perfect way to treat yourself doesn't it?

Try this if you're sore from a long day, healing muscles from a hard workout or feeling that sickly yuck from a flu or cold......

You'll need the following:

1. Essential Oils of pure form something like oils from doTERRA

(I used this round Peppermint)

2. Epsom Salts

3. 2 teabags of Tension Tamer 

(Simply drop in the water or open up and sprinkle around.
I usually open mine up then rinse afterwards.)

4. Olive Oil for slip if you're planning on working some massage or just use as a natural moisturizer/cleanser.

I never use measured amounts, usually just eyeball it.
But if I had to guess I would say....

Do all of this while to tub is filling up:

1. Start out with you epsom salts and sprinkle a med handful in.

2. Take the tea and either drop or sprinkle in.

(Mix both well! You don't want lobster hot water but you do want it def warm.)

3. Add a small amount of olive oil
(This does make the tub slippy  so use with caution)

4. Count out 25-35 drops of essential peppermint oil
(You want to have a slight cooling effect on the skin)

5. Continually mix until you're ready to get in!

**Try to let your body soak for 15-30 min, some people find the peppermint to be too intense and can only stay in for 10. It has a Biofreeze effect on your body and gets in there to soothe those muscles.

My husband asked me to work on some of his muscles while he soaked and the olive oil gives PERFECT slip to do just that. He also commented afterwards that his skin no longer felt tight or dehydrated. (Loosing all that water when sweating is murder on your skin) He's requested another before the week is out seeing as he feels better but now needs to tend to 2nd stage healing.

The good thing also is if you have a headache this will help as well :)

Hope you like this and it helps!

Have a wonderful day!

Warmly,
Shannon <3

Painful blemish?? Make it happy :)

Or at least make you happier haha

Here's a super quick way to help ease the pain of a blemish or two that may be causing some discomfort...

(Check for allergies first before considering this treatment)

Easy as 1, 2, 3:

1.Take uncoated aspirin tablets using genuine aspirin

2.And damp cotton round(s) & pre-dampened skin

3.Let the tablet dissolve before gently applying to effected area

(A slight white film over blemish or particles are normal)

4.Leave on the skin for 3 min the rinse with lukewarm water.

5. If desired dab on a little lemon juice or tea tree oil to finish off treatment.

For those ridiculously painful ones try the band aid method for half and hour!

* * Place moist tablet or capsule powder on skin,

use a small band aid to cover and hold to blemish for 30 min. 

This should reduce the size and ease the pain making it easier to conceal!

 Esp if you have a big event or date coming up. :)

Tip:

If pustule pops open use Hydrogen Peroxide to draw out any remaining toxins!

If need be hold soaked Q-tip to blemish and let the fizziness take hold.

You can see it clean out your pest before your very eyes!!

Just be aware over use of peroxide may dry your skin. 

And by over use I mean several times a day all week long.

I usually try to keep this to evening before I crash seeing as all my makeup is off and I can sleep letting my body heal from that wonderful little visiter. 

Hope this helps!

Don't forget to come by my facebook page and like me!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-P-Aesthetician-Professional-Makeup-Artist/135714456464011?ref=tn_tnmn

Blessings,

Shannon <3