New Social Media And Contact Info!

Hey there!

Some big changes are coming to my blog and a few have already happened. I want to make it easier for people to find me and my content so I have created a special Instagram and Twitter for all things Courtney!

Follow me!
Instagram: courtney.val
Twitter: @courtneywval

I already had a personal Instagram and Twitter but I know some of my family and friends don't really want to constantly see pictures of meals, make-up, etc. So follow me through the accounts listed above!

Other types of posts you can expect on my new social media sites:
~Photos of sales, discounts, or bargains I see while shopping
~Motivational and inspirational content
~Pics of my bunny, Luna
~Mini-product reviews
~Beauty content
~Fashion content
~Budget-friendly and affordable ideas for every day living
~Travel content
~ and more!

I also have a new email address for comments, questions, business inquires, and vidoe/blog requests.  Email me at courtneywval@gmail.com

As always you can also connect with me through my Youtube channel .

Thanks for stopping by!

Dollar Tree Haul Price Comparison

Hello Everyone!

I just posted a new video on my YouTube Channel. It's another Dollar Tree Haul and this time I really found some great bargains. After I purchased the items from my haul I did some research to compare the actual value of the items to what I paid for them. I found these prices by doing a simple Google internet search so if you search yourself it is possible you will find prices that vary by $1-2. 

Below are the items from my haul with the quantity I purchased along with the total retail value. As you can see I saved 89% off of the retail value! That is amazing and so far all of the items I purchased at Dollar Tree have performed really well. 

 I encourage you to stop by your local Dollar Tree next time you are out shopping to see if you can find some great deals too. 

3 Fembody vitamins= $66  

3 Physician's Formula spf 50 powder foundation=$30

3 Physician's Formula Rose Quartz lip gloss=$21

2 Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips=$14

2 Physician's Formula concealer pen=$14

2 Physician's Formula baked eye shadow=$16

3 Physician's Formual Mineral Blush-$30

1 Sports muscle ache cream=$9

2 Claudia Stevens Overnight Lip Plumper =$12

2 Claudia Stevens Plumping Lip Balm-$12

1 Raid Fly ribbon-$10

1 Got2b Smooth Operator Hairspray-$7

1 Got2b Fat-tastic Volumizing Hairspray= $9

1 Neon index cards=$3

1 Quinoa conditioner=$2

2 Sassy and Chic nail set= $2

1 Chalkboard labels= $4
3 Soft T-shirts=$18
1 2 count Soft Lips-$3
1 Sally Hansen Mineral Foot Soak=$9
2 Fing'rs Nail Polish Strips=$12

Total Value:$303

Total Paid: $38

89% savings!

Click the play button to watch my 2nd Dollar Tree Haul!

Thank you for stopping by and please leave any comments, questions, or blog/video requests in the comments section below. 

Have a great day!

NEW VIDEO: Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mint Body Scrub (Plus The Story Behind It)

Hello!

I just posted a new video to my YouTube Channel that shows you how to make your own body scrub that smells just like a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie! You can watch the video here.

If you saw my Tree Hut products review then you may remember I mentioned that I wanted to try coffee body scrubs for their exfoliating and firming properties. Before I ran out and bought one I decided to make my own. I simply mixed coffee grounds and coconut oil together and scrubbed away in my bath. After I drained the water from my tub there was quite a mess so I whipped out my Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap to clean it up. As I was cleaning I noticed the coffee and Dr. Bronner's scents combined smelled just like a Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie. (light bulb moment!) I added one more secret ingredient (watch the video to find out!) and I had a delicious smelling body scrub.

So, that's the little story behind this DIY. It's super easy to make so check out my video and make your own!

Here are links to other related videos:

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap Review
Tree Hut Products Review

Have a great day and don't forget to subscribe to my channel for my DIY videos! Also feel free to leave any video requests in the comments section. I am always open to suggestions.


Courtney

Review Update: Trader Joe's Nourish Antioxidant Face Serum

Hello again!

About a month ago I did a review video on my YouTube channel and in that video I reviewed a skincare product from Trader Joe's. I also told you in that video that I would update you on how it was working after I used it for a bit more time.

In case you didn't see the video you can watch it here or below:

Now, on to the update FAQ style.

Q:Have you seen an improvement in your skin from using this product?
A: Over the past 1-2 months my skin has improved a lot but I think it is a combination of things. Since I have used this product in place of my primer I have noticed my pores are less clogged but I still get the same primer effect. I think this product has helped smooth my skin and hold in moisture from the daily moisturizer I use on top.

Q: What are the pros for the product?
A: It's gentle on your skin. It's full of great, mostly natural ingredients. It helps retain moisture and hydration in the skin. It doubles as a light primer. It is well packaged and I like the sanitary pump. It works great on bare skin or paired with a little powder for a make-up less look.

Q: What are the cons for this products?
A: It's a bit too thick in my opinion for a serum. I also wish it didn't have as much dimethicone as it does.

Q: Would you repurchase this product?
A: As of right now I don't think I will immediately repurchase this product because I want to try similar products from other brands but it is something I would use again down the road.

Q: Would you recommend this product?
A: I would but with a disclaimer that it is not like traditional syrupy serums. If you are looking for a primer with the added benefits of antioxidant ingredients then this is a good product to try.

Q: Is this product worth the cost?
A: At $10 for 1 fluid ounces I definitely think this is worth the price. I have been using it generously for 1-2 months and I really haven't made a big dent. You are also getting a lot of great ingredients for that $10. (if you'd like a full list of the ingredients just let me know and I'll type it up.)

Q: Overall impression?
A: Overall I think Trader Joe's did a great job developing this product. I think it mixes skincare with cosmetics and I like that a lot. Anytime you can accomplish two things with one product it's a plus. Also, like I said in my video I feel this is a unisex product which is unique. Good job, TJ's!


As always let me know if you have questions or comments. You can tweet me @imperfectperla, email me at cwlinguistics@gmail, or follow me on Instagram @cbwright.

Have a great day and thanks for being here!

DIY: Make Your Own Vegetable Make-up!

Hola!

A few days ago I posted a video on my YouTube channel demonstrating how I made some all natural, allergen-free veggie make-up. You can check it out HERE or watch below.

If you want to follow along with the video here are ingredients you will need:
~ 1-2 slices of beet
~Food processor or food chopper.** I got my little food chopper at Walmart for about $8.
~2 tbsp of water
~A small mixing bowl and spoon
~1 tsp of coconut oil heated to a liquid
~Small container to store your product
~Freezer

**You could also juice some beet if you prefer.

This product gives your lips a really nice rosy tint similar to the Benefit Bene-tint. I love it! It is also really moisturizing. It works best on your cheeks if you dab it in the area you want and blend QUICKLY. As is the case with most liquid/cream blush products you don't have a lot of time to work. If you get a too much on or the color spreads where you didn't want it, you can always go over that area with your foundation or powder brush.

Ok, and now for the final test....before and after!

Before:

After:

Ta-da!  I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if you try this yourself.

Have a great weekend!

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

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

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: 

http://youtu.be/ly8QD85JfDA

Have a great day! 

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

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap

Welcome back!

I just posted a new video on my YouTube channel here reviewing the Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap. This stuff is really amazing. I bought mine at Whole Foods but I have seen it in basically every health food store I've ever been to so I can't believe it has taken me this long to try it. The price is not bad at $9 for a 16 oz bottle. or $10 for a 32 oz bottle. It is concentrated so a very little goes a long way. It's certified fair trade, certified organic, cruelty-free, and vegan.

The best thing about this product is its ability to multi-task. This soap can be used to clean just about anything. Just as the bottle states it is an "all-in-one" cleaner. I have used this as a face wash, body wash, floor cleaner, and shaving soap. It can also be used as a shampoo (both human and pet). If you are going to use it as a floor or household cleaner you need to dilute it. Use 1/2 cup of soap per gallon of water. I am not sure if I will use it as a shampoo since I color my hair and I think it might strip the color. As a face wash I found it really unclogged my pores and left my skin feeling very fresh. It did leave my skin a tiny bit dry but I always follow cleansing with a moisturizer so it's not a big deal.

Have you tried this magic soap? I'd love to hear your thoughts about this product.

Let's Talk!
Twitter: @imperfectperla
YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheImperfectpearl

Affordable and Beautiful: Wet N' Wild Spring 2014 Nail Polish Collection

Spring is right around the corner (I hope!) and with it comes lots of new spring beauty items.

Today I wanted to share with you some watches and a review of the Spring 2014 Wet N' Wild limited edition nail polishes. I have been a huge fan of this make-up brand since I bought my first lip gloss in the 7th grade. The brand is always affordable, good quality, and not tested on animals.

I am also a huge fan of nail polish in general because something about changing the color of my nails just makes me happy.

There are six polishes total in the Spring 2014 collection but I only picked up four of them because the other two were very similar to polishes I already own. These polishes are $1.99 each and I found mine at Walgreens.

Here are the four I tried:

Elegance is a subtle pink frost. The color is buildable so you could go with just one coat for a natural shine or build it up for a more intense baby pink color. I found this color changed a bit depending on the light and it can come off more silvery than pink.

This swatch is two coats of polish with no topcoat.


Champagne Toast is a frosty goldish beige color. The color is very neutral toned and also subtle like Elegance. I am quite fair complected with cool undertones so I have to build this one up to be really noticeable. This one might end up mostly as a toe color for me this summer when I want to go bare but not naked. I think this would be particularly pretty if you have skin with warmer undertones.

This swatch is two coats of polish with no topcoat.


Valet Tag is a satin grey color with a tiny hint of shimmer. Although the shimmer is subtle I think it really helps this polish look chic and not drab. Normally I wouldn't gravitate towards grey nail polishes but I actually like this color as a soft transition from Winter into Spring.

This swatch is two coats of polish with no topcoat.


Sophisticated is a very sheer opal-blue polish with shimmer. This one can be kind of tricky. It is so sheer that I don't think it looks very nice on its own. It is however a very lovely topcoat as you can see in the picture below. The opal sheen gives darker colors a little oomph.

This swatch is three coats of polish with no topcoat. My index finger is one coat of navy polish with Sophisticated as a topcoat.

My Overall Impression:

I really like these new polishes. Except for Sophisticated, the pigmentation is very nice. The formula is very smooth and easy to brush on. The brush has the same square manicure-friendly style as all the other Wet N' Wild Megalast polishes so that's always a winner in my book.  I am a huge fan of neutrals so I think I will get a lot of use out of these this Spring. My favorite is the shade Elegance because I think it looks cute and girly but not too immature. I'm hoping this shade will make me appear a bit more sun-kissed once the weather warms up and I can justify using self-tanner.


I hope you enjoyed my review and I would love to hear your thoughts about these polishes,other polishes, the Spring, or about anything health and beauty related. :)

Have a great day!

Courtney

Check out my new YouTube Channel!

Hello everyone!

I want to share some fun news with you. I decided to start a YouTube channel. Woo hoo!!

I started this blog and now this channel as a sort of self-care project. My day job involves hearing about a lot of traumatic events so it's good to have a positive outlet to relieve stress. Plus I think it might be fun!

Head on over to My YouTube Channel to check out my first few videos. Please subscribe and leave comments telling me what other kinds of videos you would like to see. You can also Tweet me your requests or comments @imperfectperla.

Some of my future video ideas include:
~Health product reviews
~Cooking/baking tutorials
~Craft DIYs
~Budget-friendly videos
~Beauty, makeup, and fashion
~Motivational and self-care topics
~ Your requests! :)

I hope you're having a great start to your week!


Courtney

Video: Random Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Trip

Hola gal pals!

Yesterday I had to travel 2 1/2 hours away for work so I decided to take a little side trip to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

Before I put everything away I made a little video showing you what items I picked up. (including some of my absolute favorites!)

I actually did a more complete grocery trip last week before I knew about this work trip so I didn't need any fresh products.  I was just replenishing some everyday staples and trying out some new foods.

I hope you enjoy this video. I LOVE watching these types of videos because it gives me ideas of different items to try.  I have another trip planned for early February so please let me know if there are any other things I should try from either Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. You can comment below or tweet me @imperfectperla.



Peace,

Courtney

How To Tuesday/Wednesday: Make Delicious Roasted Chick Pea Snacks!

Good Evening!

 

Today I want to share a delicious chick pea snack recipe. I have been working for a while to figure out the right technique to make my chick peas crunchy and not chewy. These are a great healthy snack and making them yourself will save you a lot of money. The average bag of roasted chick pea snacks retails for about $2 per serving.  With this recipe each serving is only about $.50. That's incredible!

 

  

What You Need:
1 Bag dry chick peas
Large Bowl (for soaking)
Small Bowl (for mixing)
1 tbsp. Olive Oil
Salt or Spice of your choice
Baking Sheet
Aluminum Foil (optional)
Vented Pizza Sheet
Paper towel

 

The Night Before:
Soak dry chick peas in enough water so that all beans are covered. I suggest using dry beans over canned because they don't contain any additives, salt, or sugar. Plus, they are usually cheaper!



What To Do:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In the smaller mixing bowl coat 1 cup of chick peas with the olive oil.
• Then add in your spice, making sure all of the chick peas are covered.
• Line you baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch any oil drips.
• Place the vented pizza sheet on top of the baking sheet.
• Then spread your chick peas onto the vented pizza sheet.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes taste one chick pea from the center and outer edge of the vented pizza sheet. Fully roasted chick peas are crunchy and may have browned slightly.
• Remove all fully roasted chick peas and set them aside in a small bowl.
• Any remaining chick peas that are not fully roasted can go back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes. Check on them every 5 minutes though to make sure you don't over-roast or burn them.
• After all the chick peas are fully roasted spread them out on a paper towel to absorb any excess olive oil.
• Add extra seasonings to taste. I like to put them in a zip lock bag and shake them with some spices.
• Then enjoy and share with a friend. :)

Fun Facts About Chick Peas!
India is the #1 producer of chick peas
Chick peas are high in fiber, iron, magnesium, zinc, and essential amino acids.
"Chick pea" comes from the Latin word "cicer"
They are perfect at stabilizing blood sugar and recommended for diabetics.
There are two types of chick peas: Kabuli (larger) and Desi (smaller).

 

 

I hope you all are having a great day and enjoy this tasty, healthy snack.

 

Paz,
C

 

 

P.S. Let's talk! Tweet me suggestions for recipes or post topics @imperfectperla or leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpea

 

https://www.integratedbreeding.net/chickpea-facts-figures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video: Holiday Health Travel Essentials

Hello again, 

I hope you are having a great week. Today I wanted to share with you a little something different: a video!

Today I am traveling back to my hometown for a 10-day trip to celebrate the holidays. I couldn’t be happier to spend time with loved ones but unfortunately my family and my husband’s family have all been sick. Last year I came down with a horrible flu on Christmas Eve so this year I am packing an artillery to protect myself against those nasty cold and flu viruses. I hope you enjoy this little video and please let me know if you would like to see more videos. 

 I would love to know your recommendations for vitamins or supplements. Let me know below or tweet me @imperfectperla

Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

How To Tuesday: Recycle Magazines and Boost Your Mood

Happy Tuesday!

In today's post I want to share with you how I take a giant stack of magazines and turn it into a compact book. It's super easy and a great way to have all your favorite articles in once place. Plus it is a great way to boost your mood! (keep reading to find out how)

What You Need:

• Your stack of magazines. I like to stick with one type of magazine per book but you can mix magazines if you want.
• Three-hole binder
• Scissors
• Clear sheet protectors. Make sure to get sheet protectors that already have holes punched in the side.

How To:

• Grab your stack of magazines and organize them by type of magazine.
• Flip through each magazine and cut out each recipe or article that you want to keep.
• Create different piles for your articles. For example I divided mine into three piles: recipes, workouts, and beauty/fashion.

• Slip the articles into the clear sheet protectors and then pop them into your binder. You may want to use a separate blank sheet of paper to make a divider to separate each of the different themes within your binder.
• Optional: Make a decorative cover or label for the front of your binder. 

To prepare for this project I like to make a cup of my favorite coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and get snugly on the couch. I also like to turn on my favorite music or movie. I found this project to be a great way to unwind while still keeping my mind active.
 Sometimes a small project can have a big effect on your mood. The act of organizing stimulates the left side of your brain and when you are able to easily complete this project you are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment. In addition, the act of creating something or looking at creative content keeps the right side of your brain happy. In combination your brain produces more serotonin. (The chocolate can help too!) Serotonin makes brains happy. A happier brain means a happier you! So the next time you are feeling a little down grab that stack of magazines and those mood-boosting juices flowing.


I hope you enjoyed this fun little DIY. If you make a binder like this let me know what magazines or recipes you used in the comments below! You can also tweet me @imperfectperla.

Have a great day!

How To Tuesday: Make Your Own Healthy, Travel-Friendly Coffee Creamer

Happy December Lovelies!

Today we're talking about one my favorite things in this whole wide world: coffee. During the colder months I like to change up my morning coffee routine and add some creamer. There is just something so comforting about a hot, creamy cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning.  Usually I like to add almond, soy, or coconut milk as my creamer but I have been traveling a lot lately and it's not easy to constantly have one of those on hand.

 So, I did some experimenting and found a way to create my own healthy travel-friendly dry coffee creamer. I know many people will be traveling for the holidays so I thought I would share this quick little "How To" in case you want to try it for your next trip.

I actually made this specific batch last week when I was traveling to a tiny town in Mississippi and I knew my options would be limited. I packed it beside the baggie of stevia packets that permanently lives in my purse.

What You Need:
~1-2 Scoops protein powder. Mine is the Vanilla Nutribiotic
~1-2 Packets of Stevia
~ 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (You can add more or less depending on what you prefer)

 

 

You just pour the ingredients into a travel size baggie and shake, shake, SHAKE! Make sure it's  closed all the way before shaking. I learned the hard way.

 

It should look something like this:

 

 

 

Tip: I have found the best way to mix this into coffee is to add the creamer to your cup first with a little bit of coffee. Then, with a fork mix in the creamer really well. Add the rest of your coffee to the cup and enjoy! If you are at a coffee shop you can also ask the barista to add a splash of soy milk, which will help the creamer more easily blend.

 

Essentially the protein powder and stevia are the base for your creamer but you can add in whatever flavorings your like.



 

Here are some other flavor combinations I want to try:

 

Peppermint Mocha: Chocolate protein powder, stevia, cocoa, crushed all-natural peppermint sticks.

Flavor Of Fall: Vanilla protein powder, stevia, nutmeg, and cinnamon

Chai: Vanilla protein powder, cinnamon, allspice, and clove.

White Chocolate Mocha: Protein powder, cocoa, stevia, natural white chocolate chips (I found some at Trader Joe's)

Peanut Butter Cup: Chocolate protein powder, cocoa,  stevia, and PB2

 

Let me know if you have any other flavor ideas in the comments below or tweet me @imperfectperla

 

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



How To Tuesday: All Natural Nourishing Face Spray

Sometimes the best things in life are the most simple. Today's post is inspired by that concept. Each year, as winter approaches my skin tends to get dry and lifeless. Now, I could run out to the store and pick up an expensive, chemical laced product and just call it a day but I prefer to see what I can make myself with pure, simple ingredients.

I actually made this spray last Thursday and I have been using it twice a day everyday as a test  before writing this post. So far I am very pleased with the results. My skin feels softer and looks brighter.  In case you are wondering I have combination skin which tends to lean more on the dry side, especially in the winter. This spray will work on all skin types but if you have particularly oily skin you might add a few drops of Witch Hazel.

What You Need:
~1 cup of filtered water
~Pure Vitamin E oil
~The petals from 2 Roses OR pure rose essential oil drops. (Make sure the type of oil you use is safe to be applied onto skin. Do not use aromatherapy oils)
~Small spray bottle.
Optional: Witch Hazel if you have oily skin.

Directions:

Bring the 1 cup of filtered water to a rolling boil and then place your rose petals into the water. Reduce heat to medium and let the petals boil for about 2-4 minutes. Then remove the pot from the heat and let it stand until cool.

 

Once the water is cool fill your spray bottle about 3/4 full with the rose infused water. Add  2-3 drops of Vitamin E oil to the bottle. If you want a more moisturizing spray add a few more drops of the oil.
If you have oily skin you can add a little witch hazel to create a gentle toner for your skin.

Shake the bottle vigorously and hold it about 6-8 inches from your face. After you have cleansed your face, close your eyes, and spray the rose infusion all over your face. Let the mist dry and then apply your regular moisturizer or serum.

Enjoy and I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Peace,

C

Essential Health Foods For Just $1.

Today I wanted to share with you some of the health foods I have found and frequently purchase at my local Dollar Tree store. One reason people give for not eating healthy is that health foods are just too expensive. That can be true if you don't know where to shop. I found these items particularly helpful when I was in college and money was very tight.  

There are some health foods you can't get very thrifty with like specialty foods and organic produce. So my thinking is to save where you can so you can spend more on those specialty foods. I know there are Dollar Tree stores in the US and Canada but I'm not sure about the rest of the world.  I've been to similar stores in the UK so I encourage everyone to look for these items in their local "dollar" store. 

I chose these items based on ingredients and overall nutritional value. 

1. Flax Seed.

2. Quick Oats.

3. Tea bags. My favorite kind is by the brand Queen's Choice. 

4. Sugar In The Raw. 

5. Dry black beans. I've also seen dried kidney and pinto beans but it seems to depend on the store. 

6. Brown rice. 

7. Organic Soy Milk. 

8. Luna and Cliff Bars

9. Sea Salt

10. Seasonings. (Cinnamon, garlic, cayenne,etc. )

11. Frozen white fish. Not all Dollar Tree stores have a frozen section but the ones that do have a pretty good selection.

12. Frozen veggies and fruit. 

13. Canola spray for cooking

14. Rice cakes

15. Nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. 

16. Tuna in water. A nutritionist once told me to limit canned or pre-packaged tuna to 1-2 times per week but, if you're in a hurry or on a budget it's a much better option than the dollar menu. 

Aside from food products I have also found some personal health products which I buy on occasion. 

1. Vitamins. You should check the ingredients for each type though. I like the Vitamin E and Gingko Biloba.  

2. Antacids

3. Epsom salt for soaking sore muscles. 

4. Intimate cleansing wipes. Is that TMI, ladies? Sorry!

5. Toothpaste and toothbrushes 

Alternatively there are things I absolutely stay away from at these types of stores because of the dangerous chemicals they can contain.

~Body lotion- Holy parabens!

~Cookies, candy, chips- Sucralose. 

~Juice-100% sugar water

~Coconut water- This is a tricky one. It seems healthy but if you look at the ingredients they add a 

bunch of extra sugar. 

~FullBar- This looks like an innocent granola bar that is supposed to suppress your appetite but it's loaded with chemicals. 

As always you should look at the ingredients of each individual item because some products can vary from store to store. 

Let me know if you have visited a similar "dollar" store and what items you've found! I love being healthy and I love a deal. 

Have a fabulous day!

Peace, 

Courtney

  

Body Reboot: Homemade Juice Cleanse

A few weeks ago my husband and I bought a juicer with a gift card someone gave us for our wedding. I have wanted a juicer for a long time so I was beyond excited to juice everything in sight. Over the past two years I have developed a greater focus on nutrition and in doing so I learned that fresh juices can be a great way to get a large amount of vital nutrients without eating pounds of fruits and vegetables. I have also read about juice cleanses where you replace solid foods with nutrient-dense juices for 1-7 days. The goal of a juice cleanse is to rid your body of toxins and give your digestive system a little break.

The reason I wanted to try a cleanse is because I had been so busy with work and traveling I felt I wasn't getting a good dose of the essential nutrients my body needed. I was seeing evidence of this in my skin. I don't normally have break-outs but all of the sudden my skin seemed to be reverting back to its teenage self. I was also feeling very tired and just generally blah.

 I have looked online and in-store at a couple different juice cleanses but one thing always stands out to me: they are so freaking expensive! The average cost per juice is about $7-10. Most cleanses contain 5-6 juices so you're looking at about $60 for one day. Spending that kind of money is just not in my food budget at the moment so I decided to do some detailed research and make my own juice cleanse at a lower cost.

I thought I would share with you how I made the cleanse, how it went for me, and my impression of it overall. Since I have never done a juice cleanse before I chose to just make a one day cleanse to give my body a little reboot.


Disclaimer:  I am not a registered dietitian,  doctor, or nutritionist so you should definitely consult your physician before starting anything like this.

OK, I just wanted to get that out of the way in case someone reading this decides to juice an octopus or something, gets sick, and then says "Hey, that one blog lady made me do it!" Please don't do that. :)

On to the cleanse!

To start this juicing journey it is best to choose organic fruits and vegetables. This will provide you the most amount of nutrients with the least amount of, if any, pesticides. There is a small farmer's market near my home once a week so I chose to get the majority of my fruits and vegetables from there. This is also a great idea because you are supporting your local farmers and that, in my opinion, is just swell!  The rest of the things I needed I bought at a local grocery store and I managed to get everything organic except for the lemons and the beet. In total I spent about $30 on all my fruits and vegetables. After making my cleanse juices I still had a lot of vegetables left over. I estimate each juice cost me $2-3. Of course this may be different for you depending on where you buy your fruits and vegetables.

Next, you will need some glass bottles or mason jars. Most cleansing juices I have found in grocery stores are about 12-16 oz. I am a frequent GTS Kombucha drinker and bottle hoarder so I used 6 empty kombucha bottles to store my cleanse. These bottles just happen to hold exactly 16 ounces.

Now, it's time to get to juicing. Along with your juicer you will need a cutting board and a sharp knife.   Cutting up the fruits and vegetables can help extract the juice more easily. I chose to clean and set out only the items I needed for one juice at a time in order to reduce error in juicing the wrong things. Like I said earlier, I was very excited to be juicing and I tend to get carried away with other things in my life so there was a strong possibility I would just juice whatever was in front of me in a fury of juicing excitement.

The Juices:

I based these juices on a few different cleanses so I am not claiming these are my original recipes. I just looked up a few different cleanses and what each juice contained and then juiced those things myself. Another reason I wanted to make my own cleanse is because I am allergic to kiwi and many store bought juices contain kiwi.

Juice #1
1-2 Apples
6 Stalks of celery
1/2 Cucumber
3 Collard green leaves
Spinach (About 1 cup)
Kale (About 1 1/2 cup)
A sprinkle of mint

Juice #2
4 1/5 Large carrots
1 Orange
1 1/2 Apples
2 Slices Pineapple OR 1/2 Grapefruit
1/2 Lemon
A dash of Turmeric

Juice #3
3 Large carrots
1 Apple
3 Celery Stalks
1/2 Cucumber
1/2 Beet
1/2 Lemon

Juice #4
2 Apples
A LOT of kale
1/2 Lemon

Juice #5
2 Apples
1/2 Lemon
1/2 Cucumber
4 Celery stalks
A handful of Spinach
A handful of Kale
2 Collard green leaves
A pinch of ginger

Juice/Drink #6
10 oz Unsweet vanilla almond milk
1 tsp Honey (Real honey. No honey-like syrups)
A handful of cherries OR 1/2 grapefruit
A pinch of cinnamon
1Tbsp of coconut oil
* For this drink you will mix all ingredients in a blender instead of using the juicer.

The Cleanse

To prepare for a cleanse I read it is suggested you cut out caffeine. I read this the night before the cleanse so this was simply not possible for me. Yes, I am a caffeine addict. When caffeine addicts cut out all caffeine suddenly it can result in a horrendous headache and complete loss of life. OK, that last part is a lie. The headache part is real though and I have felt the rage of a caffeine withdrawal headache before. It is not pretty so I decided to allow myself 1 cup of black coffee in the morning.

I woke up the day of the cleanse at 9am and after my one cup of coffee I drank my first juice. I felt great! The juice tasted great and I had a sudden burst of energy. I happily got ready for the day and started some work. At around 11am I had my second juice. I drank this juice through a straw because the strong taste of carrots was not my favorite but still it didn't taste horrible. After doing some more work I could tell my mood was noticeably elevated. I had some errands to run so I packed my 3rd juice in aluminum foil and headed out the door.
One of my errands took me into the mall where I faced my Goliath: Auntie Anne's pretzels. The smell of warm dough and sugar was like a siren song calling to me. I was strong though and grabbed a cup of hot mint tea at the coffee stand directly across from Auntie Anne's. I win, Auntie.
As soon as I left the mall I opened up the 3rd juice and about 1/4 of the way through I started to feel very full. I had taken in a lot of liquids that day. It took me about an hour to finish the 3rd juice. When I arrived home I got into the zone working and doing some chores around the house. I felt very focused.  At around 6pm I started drinking the 4th juice. After this juice I was feeling thirsty so I drank a glass of water and watched some TV. Suddenly I didn't feel hungry or thirsty. At 8pm I tried to drink the 5th juice but my stomach still felt full and I couldn't seem to force myself to drink it. I ended my night with 2 juices left in the fridge.

At first I felt bad like I had failed the cleanse but then I settled on the fact that I should listen to my body and my body was telling me it was full.

I got ready for bed feeling rejuvenated and cleansed. Then at 10:30pm my husband came home from work and popped a goat cheese pesto pizza in the oven. As the smells of garlic and cheese wafted into our bedroom I felt many emotions: anger, resentment, and longing. I turned on the fan, closed my eyes, and went to sleep.

My Overall Impression

My experience overall was great. I would definitely recommend this type of cleanse for someone looking to improve their energy levels.The days following the cleanse I still felt good. I had more energy and my breakout started to clear up. Looking back I think I couldn't finish those last two juices for a couple of reasons. I should have chosen a day where my schedule started earlier say, around 7am. I also think if I had been more physically active that day I might have used up more energy and needed those last two juices. Regardless I feel it was a success and I will surely try this again in the future.


If you try a juice cleanse I would love to hear about your experience. Let me know in the comments below,  on my Instagram-liveloveandtiu, or on twitter @imperfectperla.

Have a great day!

C