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

  

How To Tuesday: Gluten-Free Chips

Good Evening! For some of you this will be more of a "How To Wednesday" since I'm posting it so late on Tuesday. Sorry about that. I've been feeling sick with a bad cold.

This past weekend I made a trip to Trader Joe's while I was in the DC area and I picked up one of my favorite items to make my own chips. These brown rice tortillas cost $1.99 for a pack of 6 tortillas. They are wheat and gluten free so your tummy will stay happy while you enjoy this snack.

 

You can also use this same process with any tortillas you like. I find these chips are great on their own or with hummus. Enjoy!

What You Need:

~Tortillas
~Sharp knife
~Cutting board
~Olive oil
~Sea salt or your favorite spice
~Vented pizza pan or baking sheet

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using a sharp knife lay one tortilla on the cutting board and cut into bit-sized pieces.

 



3. Next place your tortilla pieces onto the pizza pan or baking sheet. If you use a baking sheet make sure to spray it with a little cooking spray.

 

4. Combine a little olive oil and sea salt into a small dish. You can also add in garlic, cayenne, or any spice you like.

5. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon lightly spread a little of the oil and spice mixture on the tortilla pieces. If you are using the Trader Joe's brown rice tortillas you need only a very little amount. If you use too much the chips will burn.

6. Bake the chips at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown. If you are using a baking sheet flip the chips half way through the baking time to brown both sides.

Here is the finished product:

These were so delicious I may or may not have eaten all of these in one sitting. Opps!

I hope you all are having a fabulous day and if you have any other suggestions for How To Tuesday please comment below!

Peace,

C

How To Tuesday: Make Your Own Kombucha

Hello lovelies.

Today I am sharing my method for making Kombucha. Kombucha is a probiotic tea made from a mushroom culture. If you've never seen a Kombucha culture it may look a bit scary, like something from a science lab, but it is completely safe. Drinking Kombucha regularly helps balance the PH in your body. This is especially important if you consume alcohol or coffee. Kombucha also aids in digestion, is high in antioxidants, and boosts energy levels. It has also been said that Kombucha prevents grey hair and helps relieve depression, but those statements have not been evaluated but any medical organization. If you have serious health concerns or are pregnant you should consult your doctor before drinking Kombucha.

I started drinking Kombucha because I was experiencing mysterious stomachaches that not even my doctor could figure out. I tried over the counter medicine and nothing worked so I decided to search for a natural remedy.  I've found drinking Kombucha has really helped regulate my digestive system. I rarely have those horrible stomach pains or cramps anymore.  I also notice a definite increase in energy and an elevated mood when I drink Kombucha.


What You Need to Get Started: 
1 Gallon glass jar or container. Never use plastic to brew Kombucha.
32 oz of filtered water
Extra filtered water to top off brew
4-7 tea bags. Organic non-flavored tea is best. I like to use black tea. It is best to only use one type of tea per SCOBY. You can always add flavors in the second fermentation.
1 cup of sugar
Dish towel or cloth
Rubberband
Kombucha SCOBY (the culture)
1 cup starter tea. Usually cultures will come packaged in this liquid. If you get a SCOBY from a friend just ask them to include some of the tea.
Vinegar for sanitizing Kombucha container


Steps for Successful Brewing: 

1. Sanitize the glass container with vinegar. Do not use soap as it will kill the Kombucha culture.

2. Bring 32 oz of water to a boil and add your tea bags. Let the tea brew for about 10 min. Remove pot from heat.

3. Stir in the 1 cup of sugar.

4. Let the tea cool slightly and then add it to your glass jar or container.

5. Gently place your SCOBY into the tea mixture along with about 1 cup of the starter tea.

6. Add cold filtered water on top, leaving about 1-2 inches of room.

7. Place the cloth over the opening of the jar and secure it with a rubber band.

8. Sit the jar in a dark, warm place in your home.

9. Check your brew everyday for signs of mold. Mold is uncommon but if your culture develops mold you have to throw the whole brew out and start over with a new culture.

10. After 7 days taste the Kombucha. If your brew is too sweet let it brew for a few more days. If it is too tart decrease your brew time in the next batch. For too tart or vinegary tasting batches you can add some fruit juice to them to even out the taste.  A good brew will be slightly carbonated and you will be able to see strands of yeast developing.


This is the basic recipe for making Kombucha. After you have brewed the Kombucha you can put it in separate glass jars or bottles for a second fermentation. Simply add fruit and let it ferment for 24-48 hours.  My favorite fruits to add are pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries. You could also add a little 100% natural fruit juice as a flavoring.

If you need a starter SCOBY let me know in the comments section as I always have extra cultures and I would be happy to send you one.

Happy Brewing!

C