Pages

Thursday, May 29, 2014

New Health Video!

Good Morning!

I just posted a new health related video on my YouTube channel. It's about the current vitamins I take. I have been really good lately about consistently taking all my vitamins and I am noticing a positive difference inside and out. Check it out and let me know which vitamins you recommend.



Have a great day!

Courtney


You can check out my other videos on my channel HERE

You can also follow me on twitter HERE

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Meet My Rabbit + Making Chew Toys

Hey there! Today's post is for all you rabbit lovers out there. If you don't have a pet rabbit then share this post with someone who does! :)

If you have a pet companion of any kind then you know how costly buying pet toys can be. I love my dear bunny so I don't mind shelling out some cash for her toys but I do love when I can make her toys for FREE.

This is my lovely pet rabbit, Luna.
Luna is a 7 month old female Havana rabbit. Her likes include bananas, chasing towels,head rubs, and chewing on anything that doesn't move.

Rabbits have a natural instinct to chew so it is very important to provide plenty of chew toys to keep your rabbit happy. This will also keep them from destroying your furniture. About a month ago I bought a toy pine cone from a pet store for around $4. Luna enjoyed the toy so much I decided to search my local flora for more bunny toys.

Here is my method to prepare pine cones from your local pine trees to use as rabbit chew toys. This might also be a toy option for hamsters, guinea pigs,or other small animals but I would check with your vet first to make sure it's safe.

Before you start:
Make sure you are choosing pine cones from a tree that has not been sprayed with pesticides. Pesticides can be very dangerous to your little bun.  Also make sure the pine cones are completely free of sap.

Step 1: Soak the pine cones in a solution of white vinegar and water. If needed use a toothbrush to remove any dirt.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.

Step 3: Use nail clippers to clip off the sharp points from the scales. Also clip off any prickly points on the top and bottom. Rub your fingers all around the pine cone to make sure you have removed anything that could potentially hurt your pet.


Step 4: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the pine cones on the sheet.

Step 5: Bake the pine cones for 30-40 minutes or until the scales start to open a bit and the entire cone is dry. Let the pine cones completely cool before giving them to your rabbit.

Step 6 (optional): For an additional treat you can brush on a little mashed banana right before giving the toy to your bunny. Bunnies love banana.


Additional Tips:

  • If you are concerned your pine cones have bugs place them in an air-tight bag for a few days. When you remove them from the bag use a toothbrush to clean in between the scales to remove the dead insects.
  • Do not store pine cones with banana on them. They will mold and ruin your chew toys. 
  • If you notice mold growing on either prepared or unprepared pine cones throw them away and do not give them to your rabbit.
  • If you are unsure about whether or not this toy is right for your specific rabbit consult your vet. 


I really hope you and your furry friend have enjoyed this post! Let me know if you would like to see more pet related posts.

Have a great day!

Other places to connect:
Twitter: @imperfectperla
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com\TheImperfectpearl or click here






Friday, May 23, 2014

New video: Chats about conditioner

Good morning! 

Before you take your morning shower check out my latest video on how to make your own cleansing conditioner. It's  comparable to the Herbal Essence cleansing conditioner but half the price AND cruelty-free! 

Check it out here: 


Have a great day! 

Friday, May 16, 2014

TGIF: Healthy Weekend Cocktail Recipes

Happy Friday!

I don't know about you but I am ready to enjoy the weekend and along with it a light cocktail or two. Usually I limit my alcohol intake because it tends to give me a headache but when I do indulge these are my go-to drinks. I've also included some "mocktail" options below in case you're not of legal drinking age.

Prosecco/sparkling wine:
Bubbly is the perfect drink when you want something light. It only has 60-80 calories per glass and 1-2g of sugar. If sparkling wines are too dry for you, try adding the juice from a couple fresh, ripe berries. I like blackberries or blueberries personally.

Grapefruit Wine Spritzer
1 oz of pinto grigio
2-4oz of Polar brand ruby red grapefruit sparkling water. You could use any brand just as long as it doesn't contain artificial flavors or sweeteners. I have sampled many sparkling waters and I find the Polar brand to have the most flavor.
**Another good idea is to make a carafe of this and add in ripe ruby red grapefruit slices. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours and it will taste extra delicious.

Kombucha Wine Cocktail
1/2 bottle of GTS Trilogy kombucha or 8oz home-brewed kombucha.
2 oz of blush or white wine of choice

Raw Margarita aka "Skinny" Margarita
1.5 oz tequila
Juice from 1 lime
1 tsp of agave nectar
seltzer water and ice
Salt for the rim (optional)
If you're going to have a margarita this really is the best way to go. It's light, refreshing, and very low on the glycemic index. My husband makes the best raw margaritas.

Classic Mimosa
3 oz sparkling wine, champagne, or prosecco
Fresh juice from 1-2 oranges. Try to stay away from pre-packaged juices as they usually contain extra sugar.

X-rated Martini
1 oz X-rated vodka (a vodka infused with blood orange, mango, and passion fruit flavors)
2 oz champagne
A little fresh raspberry juice
Raspberry to garnish.
This is one of my all-time favorite cocktails. They serve it at a lounge I used to frequent in college called Room 38.  Man, I miss that place.


Mocktails
By the way, I am not endorsing underage drinking. Your time will come so don't rush it. :)

Mock Ipanema
8oz Ginger ale
A few mint leaves
Crushed ice
~Add a silly straw or fun umbrella!

Mock Champagne cocktail
Sparkling white grape juice
2 fresh raspberries


As always drink responsibly and listen to your body. Everything in moderation.


I hope you enjoyed this post and have a great weekend!



Thursday, May 15, 2014

Spice Up Your Life!


Are you having a hard time waking up in the morning? Try this hot and spicy detox water to wake up your senses and give your body a jumpstart. You can also drink this in the afternoon when that 3 O'clock slump hits.

~12 oz hot water
~Juice from 1-2 slices of lemon
~2 dashes of cayenne pepper

**Add 2 dashes of cinnamon to this and drink after a meal to stabilize your blood sugar.



P.S. If you get the 90's reference in my title you are awesome. :)



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

DIY: Recycled Box Lipstick Holder

Well hello there!

I have been getting into more DIY (Do It Yourself) projects lately and this past weekend I tried a little experiment that actually worked out, so I thought I would share it with you. Since I didn't plan to make a post out of this when I was making my lipstick holder I didn't take step by step pictures like I normally do. Sorry!

DIY: Lipstick Holder

What You Need: 

~Empty rectangle cardboard box. I used an empty Nature Valley granola bar box.
~Extra cardboard box.
~Sharp knife
~Scissors
~Hot glue gun and glue sticks.
~Ruler
~Pen/pencil

What To Do: 

1. Remove any flaps so that your box has one open end. If your box is more than 3 inches high you will want to trim it down a bit so you will be able to see the lipsticks.

2. From the bottom of your box measure up 3inches and mark it with your pen. Draw a line above this mark around 3 sides of the box.

3. Using a very sharp knife or scissors cut out those three sides, leaving the back flap if you like. Leaving this back flap will make your holder more sturdy.

4. Now turn the box with one of the shorter sides facing you. Take one of your biggest lipsticks and line it up with the far edge. Make a small mark with your pen on the opposite side of the lipstick. Repeat this step until you reach the other side of the box.

5. Count the marks and this will be how many strips of cardboard you need to cut to make your rows.

6. Now measure the entire length of your lipstick holder and then cut the row strips from your extra cardboard box. The height of the strips should not be shorter than 1 inch.

7. Transfer the marks you made on the side of your box to the inside so you know exactly where to place each row.

8. Using your hot glue gun spread a line of glue on both ends of your row strip and then place it carefully into the bottom of your box.

9. After gluing in each row place in a lipstick and make sure you have enough room in-between the rows for your lipsticks to fit.

10. Repeat until you have finished all of the rows.

11. Next, place your lipstick up against a row and make a mark along its left side on the inside of the box. This will tell you where to place your divider.

12.  Cut a few more long strips from that extra cardboard box. The cut off approximately 1/2 inch squares to use as dividers.

13. Glue in your dividers at approximately 3/4 inch intervals. The best way to know exactly how much space you will need between dividers is to use your actual lipsticks. Place one in, mark how much space it needs, remove it, and glue in your divider. As you can see in my picture not all of my dividers are perfectly lined up and that's OK.

14. Repeat until the entire bottom of the box has smaller boxes for your lipsticks.

15. Place in all of your lipsticks and you are done!

16. If you want you can paint or decorate the lipstick holder however you like.



I really hope that wasn't too confusing. It's actually really easy once you get going. From start to finish it took me less than an hour to complete my lipstick holder.

Here is my finished product:



Let me know if you have any other ideas for organizing makeup. Also leave any comments or questions below. Or you can tweet me @imperfectperla. You can also visit my YouTube channel here for more content like this.

Have a great day! :)

Courtney

Saturday, May 10, 2014

April Favorites Giveaway Winner

Just a quick post to announce the winner of my April 2014 Favorites giveaway.


The winner's Youtube channel name is MacabreMakeup. Congratulations! If this is you, please check your Youtube inbox messages so I can get a shipping address for the goodies.


If you didn't win this time don't worry I will be doing many more giveaways (international too!) in the future.


Have a great weekend!


Courtney



Friday, May 9, 2014

Have you seen my latest videos? Giveaway ending tonight!

TGIF Ya'll!!

Have you seen the last few videos I have posted on my YouTube channel?  There is a giveaway happening on my April Favorites video and it closes tonight, May 9th at 11:59 PM EST. Enter to win a few neat treats!

You can head on over to My YouTube Channel-Blush&Bunnies to watch the videos or just watch below!

April 2014 Favorites+ Giveaway!



Review: Trader Joe's Nourish Antioxidant Face Serum


Hope you enjoy! Leave me any comments, questions, or requests below. Subscribe to my channel here for more health and beauty content.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Quick and Easy Vegan Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Hey there!
I want to share a recipe I made today for lunch. I don't know about you but I love mac and cheese so anytime I can figure out a way to make it a teeny bit healthier I will.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:
~1/2 cup of quinoa pasta noodles. I get mine from Trader Joe's. You could also use brown rice pasta if you like
~1/4-1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk. The amount really depends on how thick you want the sauce.
~1 tsp ground mustard powder
~1 tsp chili powder
~1/2 tsp turmeric
~ 1 tsp sea salt
~4 tbsp nutritional yeast. I would add in 2 tbsp and then give it a quick taste. If you want it to be cheesier then add in the other 1-2 tbsp. You could also add more than 4 tbsp. It really depends on your personal preference.
~Dried parsley for garnish (optional)


What to do:
1. Cook and drain pasta.
2. In a sauce pan add in almond milk and warm it on low-medium heat.
3. Add in mustard powder, chili powder, and turmeric first, stirring the mixture well.
4. Then add in nutritional yeast.
5. Add the salt in last because depending on your brand of chili powder and nutritional yeast the sauce might already be salty enough.
6. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle on the parsley.
7. Enjoy and share with others!


Hope you enjoy this recipe and if you know any other healthy spins on the traditional Mac and Cheese please let me know in the comments section!