One Minute Smoothie: Healthy Hair and Skin

Hola!

This morning I made a delicious smoothie so I thought I would share the recipe with you. I also filmed it and posted the video on my YouTube channel. You can watch the video here:

Recipe:
2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp of coconut oil
2 Tsp of hemp seeds
3-4 Frozen mango chunks or slices
A handful of frozen or fresh spinach
10 oz of  coconut water (you could use almond milk, coconut milk, or regular milk if you like)

Blend it up and enjoy!

Health Benefits Breakdown:

Apple Cider Vinegar: It helps balance your body's pH levels, promotes a healthy metabolism, and stabilizes blood sugar.

Coconut Oil: It produces lauric acid which can kill bacteria (Acne!) and fight off viruses. It promotes shiny and strong hair. It can even reduce or prevent hair loss.

Coconut Water: This juice is naturally very hydrating and being properly hydrated keeps your hair shiny and skin plump. Staying hydrated is also the number 1 way to prevent premature aging.

Mango: Eating mango can actually unclog your pores and clear up pimples.

Spinach: Greens=glow. It's that simple. The more greens you eat the more your hair will grow and your skin will glow.

Hemp Hearts: These seeds are high in Omega 3's and Vitamin E which treat hair and skin conditions.


Thanks for joining me and leave any comments or questions down below.

Also feel free to follow me here:
Instagram: courtney.val
Twitter: @courtneywval

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!