Month: September 2021

Immune Boosting Ginger & Turmeric Tea

With the season of flu and colds right around the corner not to mention that Covid 19 is still lingering around and doesn’t seem to go anywhere anytime soon it’s time to boost our immune system.

This tea is packed with immune boosting ingredients and it’s easy to make and super tasty. I like to prep a big batch and enjoy hot as well as cold. Ideally you want to drink it in the morning on an empty stomach just to make sure your body gets all the good benefits. But I also like to sip the beverage chilled throughout the day.

The key ingredients are:

Ginger is great at fighting flu or colds. It is great for your gut which helps boost your immunity

Turmeric is anti-inflammatory which really helps fighting off any inflammation processes that start in your body when you are getting sick. It helps you fight off a variety of viruses.

Lemon– we need some extra vitamin C when we are under the weather.

Honey is great in strengthening the immune system as well as relieving any pain.

Cayenne pepper is rich in a lot of vitamins like C, E , K, B6. It has metabolism boosting properties which helps our body clear off colds or the flu much faster.

Ingredients:

5 cups of water

1 piece of ginger (about 2 inches) sliced

1 lemon (using the juice and the zest)

Use a veggie peeler to remove the yellow part of the peel.

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

I usually prefer making it with fresh turmeric. But it’s not always available in my area. If you are using fresh use about the same amount as the ginger. Slice it into thin pieces, skin on. It gets messy so be careful around light clothing.

Raw honey

Sprinkle of cayenne pepper

Black pepper

Instructions:

Add water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and add the ginger, turmeric and lemon peel . Simmer for 10 minutes covered . Take out from the heat and add a crack of black pepper to make the turmeric easily absorbable. Squeeze half of the lemon into the pot. Add honey to taste in a mug and strain the tea over to make it dissolve. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper and enjoy!

Sometimes I make a double batch and store the tea in a glass bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. Saves me so much during the week and keeps me healthy!

Transitional Skincare | Fall Skincare Routine For Radiant Skin

Summer fun associated with long beach days, partying till sun rise, sipping on yummy cocktails by the pool are sadly gone. Tepretures are slowly but surely dropping. Aside from the good memories and a few great IG posts , summer has left some not so fun sun spots and dry brittle hair. Sure that bronzed glow looked really good at one point , but soon after seasons change we start seeing sun discoloration, dehydrated skin, dull complexion. And on top of that the drop in the temperature makes things even worse. Our bodies feel the change of the seasons more than we even know. Skin is the first to show all those signs. I hate to say it but you need to add a few new products to your daily regimen, just to make this transition smoother.

Here I carefully selected products that will target all fall skin needs and leave you with a youthful complexion! The main focus is repairing skin damage, hydration and restoring skin’s natural balance. We need to bring that firmness back and make the skin look supple and revitalized .

  • Starting with cleansing the face. This antioxidant rich cleanser is gentle to the skin but yet powerful enough to remove all impurities. Loaded with vitamins it acts like a powerful smoothie for your face and support skin’s pH balance. A great start for your fall skin routine.

Facial Cleanser – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftcj9tc5s47

  • Hylauronic acid is something I swear by year round. If you haven’t added it to your beauty cabinet now is the time. HA simply locks in the moistures in your skin. So the best time to apply it is right after you wash your face, ideally when it is still wet. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave a film on your skin and you can proceed with all your other face products. It will make your skin look plump and supple instantly.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9esac5s47

  • One thing you should absolutely add to your routine and now more than ever is Vitamin C serum. It is great to treat that sun damage, diminish dark spots and fine lines associated with it. It restores dullness and makes the complexion glowy. Vitamin C goes really well in combination with the hyaluronic acid but works great on its own as well.

Vitamin C Serum – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftf2wxc5s47

  • Good face oils are essential in my routine and especially in the colder months when my skin needs that extra boost of hydration. So many on the market but when I choose one I try to get a combination of oils rich in vitamins in order to target as many skin issues as possible. This one from Summer Fridays visibly boosts the look of skin elasticity and infuses the skin with intense soothing moisture. It is a great cocktail of luxurious oils like pomegranate oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil, cucumber, prickly pear, sunflower, cranbery, olive. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants your skin will feel plump, soothed and moisturized.

All-In-One Face Oil- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftckbuc5s47

  • And the one oil that I reach for is Marula oil. It has been favorite of mine for many years. Rich in critical antioxidants and omega 6 and 9 it has so many great benefits for the skin. Makes it look and feel rejuvenated and radiant, soothes dry skin, diminishes scars, reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Doesn’t make your skin feel greasy and provides great moisture and the powerful antioxidants act as a defense against pollution and damaging environmental free radicals.

Marula Oil- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftckcec5s47

  • A mask here and there will give our skin that extra boost it needs right now. The first one I am obsessed with is this Youth To The People mask that has my favorite ingredients Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. An overnight mask packed with skin loving ingredients that feels super comfortable on the skin . This rich mask is great at brightening skin, boosts the skin hydration and also helps combat free radicals which is a great strep at preventing future damage.

Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftf2xrc5s47

  • Another mask that is an absolute must-have this fall and not only because it has pumpkin in it, but it is a great post summer skin healer. This 3 in 1 product works on 3 different levels to reveal smoother, younger and radiant skin.The Pumpkin Enzyme provides enzymatic exfoliation to polish away dead skin cells, revealing smoother complexion. The Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) acts as a chemical peel to get you younger and radiant looking skin. And the Aluminum Oxide Crystals polish the skin surface to improve the look of uneven texture.

Pumpkin Enzyme Mask- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftf2zhc5s47

  • A hydrating mask works anytime anywhere. This particular one from Summer Fridays is especially good for skin that lacks luster, feels dry and irritated. It nourishes, hydrates and calms the skin. Loaded with great ingredients like antioxidants, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. It will give you visibly brighter skin that is soft and supple.

Jet Lag Mask – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftf2ydc5s47

  • Even though sun is not as strong as in the summer, you should not forget your daily SPF to prevent future damage. This one from Fenty is really lightweight, oil free and doesn’t clog the pores. Great for under makeup.

SPF Moisturizer – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftigy8c5s47

  • And last but not least I am including a simple face moisturizer that provides 24 hours of ultra-lightweight hydration. Because you need hydration but you also need to avoid products that can clog your pores and make things really bad and ugly. This one is great to combat dryness, dullness and uneven texture. It will make your skin nourished, will retain moisture and give you baby soft face.

Ultra Facial Cream- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ftig2wc5s47

Thanks for stopping by! If you tried any of these products let me know your thoughts !

xoxo Ivelina

AFTER SUN SKINCARE ROUTINE

So you know very well that sunscreen is important! But you had an incredible day at the beach, too much fun, a cocktail here and there and didn’t follow the recommendations to REAPPLY!! Hopefully you learned your lesson and won’t let it happen again. But the damage is done and your skin feels parched, red and sore. Here are a few steps you can take to get your skin to a somewhat healthy state and make things more comfortable.

One of the first things you need to focus on is hydration inside out. Drinking plenty of water is essential to heal the sun damage and restore your body and skin. Make sure you drink at least 8 cups of water during the day.

Start by a cleansing shower, you need to get rid of all the sweat , dirt and gunk from your body. This will allow your skin to better absorb the products applied afterwards.

Make sure you moisturize your body right after shower. I like using body lotions with Aloe Vera and cucumber. They are super hydrating and cooling. And do reapply them as needed. Sunburned skin is super dehydrated and it soaks the moisture right away.

Aftersun Soothing & Hydrating Lotion – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9ewgc5s47

If things feel really uncomfortable you can try some of those home remedies that work pretty good and will ease the feeing of burning.

Yogurt- it restorers skin’s natural barrier, balancing the pH level. Apply a thick layer plain yogurt on any areas you want to soothe. You might want to get help from someone if you need to do your back. Wait 15-20 minutes and gently wipe off with a damp towel or wash it out in the shower. Your skin will start cooling down pretty quick and will feel much better. Repeat as necessary.

Aloe vera gel is another great remedy for sunburn. Really cooling, soothing and hydrating. Everything you need right now! If you have a plant at home that’s your best bet. If not you can purchase aloe vera leaf from most food markets or grocery stores. Slice a leaf in half and run the inside part of it all over the affected skin. Keep reapplying throughout the day as your skin is most likely super dehydrated and will absorb it immediately.

Cucumber- this veggie that is probably already in your fridge is 90% water and is rich on vitamin A and C that are great to combat irritated or inflamed skin. Use refrigerated cucumber to add a little extra cooling. Slice it and put the slices on the sunburned skin.

Your face will probably suffer the most and will show some damage first.

So we need to take extra care of it.

Make sure you wash your face with mild cleanser and avoid any exfoliating products for at least 5-7 days.

Gentle Clenser – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9e8nc5s47

A sheet mask that you pop in the refrigerator for a few minutes before applying it will feel like heaven. Try to get one that has soothing ingredients like rose water, which hazel, camomile and loaded with vitamin C, vitamin E or Collagen.

Variety Pack of Sheet Masks – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9em3c5s47

Or a soothing and extremely hydrating gel mask can do great for your skin.

Cucumber Extreme De-Tox Gel Mask- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9ejcc5s47

Hydration is very important to bring back the natural balance of the skin and make it recover faster. So you need to add serums and facial oils that will ensure you have that extra hydration boost.

Hyaluronic acid serum applied on your clean wet face will lock in that extra moisture.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9esac5s47

Another serum you should definitely add is vitamin C , it will help boost cell recovery.

Vitamin C serum:

https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9et9c5s47

https://rstyle.me/cz-n/e2bydmc5s47

Try to use a face moisturizer that is fragrance free so it doesn’t further irritate your already broken and sensitive skin.

Fragrance Free Moisturizer- https://rstyle.me/cz-n/favy2yc5s47

Have a facial spray handy to mist your face throughout the day for some cooling effect and hydration.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater – https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fs9e94c5s47

And don’t forget to load on the sunscreen next time!!

My sunscreen picks:

https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fjuu6pc5s47

https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fetnrmc5s47

https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fetnuqc5s47

My morning routine that sets me for a productive day

I am very firm believer that the way you start your morning can set the tone for your day. And for someone that is not a morning person it is very important for me to start the day slowly but yet be productive.

7:30am Get up

I usually wake up around 7:30 and I don’t like laying in bed for long once I open my eyes. I try not to reach for my phone immediately after I open my eyes. So after a quick stretch and a moment of silence I get up. I go to the bathroom wash my face and teeth. I get dressed in my workout clothes and go downstairs. Putting on my workout clothes kinda sets my mind for a workout.

7:45am Coffee

I first drink some water just to rehydrate my body ! I then have to have a few sips of coffee in order to make my brain function. When the weather is nice I love having my coffee outside at the patio. It is just so relaxing, fresh air, birds singing, the sun light coming. It gives me positive energy right away! And while I have my coffee I like to catch up with news and social media. I also open my planner and see what I need to do for the day. I love writing everything down and crossing it off once finished. Makes me feel accomplished and gets stress off my shoulders.

8:30 Workout

Lately my schedule allows me to work out in the morning. Which is great for me because it really wakes up my body and pumps me up for the day. I usually do pilates, HIIT or barre class from YouTube.I try to do a class 4-5 times a week. Intense morning workout sessions really keep my anxiety levels low, keep me grounded, confident and happy. I prefer going to a studio or the gym and get a class there because it keeps me accountable and I push so much harder but with my schedule and the pandemic still around I would rather do it at home. I switch the workouts daily just so I don’t get bored.

10am Shower

I take a quick shower and get dressed for the day.

10:30 Breakfast

I start with a little fruit while I prep my breakfast. And for my main breakfast I usually have an avocado toast with 2 eggs. I switch up the way I make it pretty much daily and I rotate the eggs style. Having satisfying and nutritious breakfast really helps me refuel my body and stay full till lunch . This way I can focus on important tasks throughout the day.

And I start with my day.

How to add probiotics to your diet | Tips to choose probiotic supplements

Probiotics are something you must have heard of and know they are good for you. But do you really know what they are, do you need them and how to add them to your diet? Here I will break it for you with simple words.

You could be eating the healthiest food, adding a lot of whole foods and super foods to your diet but yet be deficient in many vitamins and minerals. Sometimes our bodies don’t absorb certain nutrients very well. Which sucks because at the end what’s the point on giving up on a chocolate dessert or pasta to make room for a healthy version that won’t bring any benefits ?? Ugh! But don’t worry there is something you can do to increase your body’s absorption of all the good stuff. This is where probiotics come. In few words they improve the gut flora and from there on help the body absorb the nutrients and vitamins consumed with food.

High quality probiotics or foods that contain them not only help with digestive and immune system but all systems in our body. They help cell detoxification in a natural way, and make all the nutrients that we consume with food get absorbed from our body.

A lot of well familiar foods have probiotics and adding them to your diet can do a lot for your gut health and overall well being .Those live microorganisms as we like to call them “ good bacteria “ are already familiar to your body because they usually live in your gut. But with everyday stress, exposure to free radicals , taking medications and many other things that come with our busy lifestyle, those good bacterias could be insufficient. Working on adding probiotic rich foods will be just like a little health booster to make sure everything else in the body works in coherence.

Some of the foods you should add to your diet are:

Yogurt . The one with the best quality probiotic content is Bulgarian yogurt, you can find it at Whole Foods or Sprouts. If you wish to stay dairy free you can consume vegan yogurts, they have a good amount of probiotics too.

Kimichi. This traditional korean pickled cabbage is packaged with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And it is also an excellent probiotic. Consuming kimichi can help you maintain good digestion.

Fermented cabbage or Souercrout is one of the best source of probiotic. It is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2, B6, vitamin C and E.

All fermented foods have probiotics in them. Like all

  • pickled vegetables
  • kambucha
  • apple cider vinegar with the mother
  • kefir

The difference is the specific bacteria they have and the concentration level.

Our digestive system contains a variety of probiotic bacterias, not just one! So you need to consume an assortment of foods rich in them in order to get the sufficient good bacterias.

If you have been taking antibiotics recently or you have been experiencing digestive discomfort definitely add some of those foods to your daily diet. If you wish to take a supplement you can do so, but if you have any medical issues I would recommend you to consult a health care provider. Probiotics are pretty harmless but just to be on the safe side.

And when choosing a probiotic supplement stay away from:

  • One that has only one bacteria ( this is simply not enough)
  • One that has too many bacterias ( this could indicate that you have a little bit of each bacteria but not enough so they can give the probiotic effect)
  • Don’t buy products that are chewable, gummies, tablets, powders. Instead get a single coated capsules.
  • Stay away from strains that say “soil – based”

I like to pick up once that stay in the refrigerator, they say “live”. This is one of my favorite kinds because it has pretty clean ingredients. And has the highest quality probiotics.

https://amzn.to/3nWyhCP
I have been adding kimchi to salads
I love kambucha in a wine glass lol

Simlpe and easy avocado toast with pesto

If you follow me on any other platform you may have noticed that my go to breakfast or sometimes lunch consists of avocado toast.

Simple, delicious, easy to make. I have created so many different versions that every time I feel I am eating something different. For the lovers of the easy and delicious toast and for myself ( just so I can recreate them afterwards) I will start posting the recipes here.

Toast a slice of bread or two. I use seedsational bread and I like to spread something on my toast before the avocado. I don’t like dry toast so I put on some butter. Then I add smashed avocado with salt, pepper and lime or lemon juice. Pile this over the bread and then I add homemade pesto. I love to add cucumbers. Gives it a great crunch and freshness.

My homemade pesto is loaded with nuts and hemp seeds. But you can always sprinkle those on top of the toast. And if you feel spicy add some chilly flakes!

Enjoy,

Xoxo Ivelina