My hubby and I are on a green smoothie kick right now! A couple of years ago – when I lived and worked in San Diego – I decided to look into making smoothies to take with me to work in the morning because I really didn’t like feeling sluggish after eating a traditional breakfast at the university’s cafeteria. I felt so much better after making the switch that I kept up with it for several months. (Yay me!) I felt so full and didn’t have crazy cravings for anything salty or sweet. And most importantly I didn’t crash after a few hours because I didn’t have any major spikes in sugar.

However, after a while I got so busy with planning my wedding, traveling to visit my fiance’, and became so overwhelmed at work that I just didn’t stick with my new smoothie habit. I know, I know …

But a couple of months ago I created my Birthday Vision Board and one of the images that I pasted on there was a cute small picture of a green smoothie. I was eager to get back to being healthy and fit again – as that is one of my major goals this year. I really wanted to get back in the gym on a weekly basis, eat balanced meals, and make green smoothies a big part of my lifestyle. (Notice that I did not say “diet.”)

To make that happen, my hubby and I went to the market and stocked up on some of our favorite fruits and vegetables – strawberries, kale, spinach, berries, etc. And last night we came up with this delicious green smoothie that we had for dinner last night. (pictured below) Yes, for dinner! I promise you it was yummy! So what’s in our green smoothie?

Here’s the recipe to our Fruity Green Smoothie:

• 1 cup Soy Milk ( you can use almond milk or coconut milk if you prefer)
• Fresh spinach (we picked some from our garden)
• 5 fresh strawberries
• Half a banana
• 1 tablespoon Amber Agave Nectar
• 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar
• 1/2 cup Dole Wildly Nutritious Mixed Fruit (find in freezer section)

Give it a try! You’ll love it! Not only is it so tasty, but it is so very healthy for you.

Cheers to good health!

I’ve been making the switch to natural beauty products for a few years now. My journey to nature made products began when I was diagnosed with a skin disorder and later a rare skin disease/rash several years ago. I didn’t know what to do when I developed the rash (my doctor said it would go away on its own, and it did) but a friend suggested that I begin using organic and natural products on my skin instead of body lotion. So I started using raw unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil on my skin. My skin loved it!

Since my skin felt smoother, softer, and more moisturized using natural butter and oils, I decided to also look into using natural soaps instead of the “regular” soaps that I was so accustomed to buying. My first natural soap was Honey & Black Seed Soap by Nubian Heritage.

I used that for so long that I didn’t really step outside of that product for more than a year. A couple of years ago I started experimenting with other brands and have discovered that there is quite a large variety out there yet to get my hands on. Here are a few of my favorite natural soaps so far.

1. South of France Natural Body Care – Orange Ginger (my favorite!)
2. Pure & Natural – Renewing Grapefruit and Pomegranate
3. Sonoma Soap Company – Lavender Reserve
4. South of France Natural Body Care – Relaxing Lavender (can’t you tell that I love lavender?)

Have you tried natural soaps? If so, what do you use for a natural soap?

A couple of weeks ago I was searching online for a movie to go see during matinee  hours- as I hadn’t been to the movies in a while – when I kept seeing October Baby in the movie showtimes. Since I hadn’t heard of the movie before I kept passing on it until one day I decided to watch the move trailer. Then I decided to search for articles about the movie and then I finally got around to checking out the movie’s website. Though the film’s focus is very “touchy” for me and for many others to say the least, and very political at best, I wanted to see it anyway.

And see it I did. The story – a college freshman’s journey of discovery of the true facts surrounding her ailments, birth and adoption – was heart-wrenching, authentic, and honest without being overtly preachy. I cried, laughed, held my breath, and cried some more. I even cried during the credits as there was an unexpected video towards the end. Needless to say, I was deeply moved.

The message of the film – every life is beautiful – is a lovely message and is a true message. I will even venture to say that October Baby is a must-watch movie for women and families. (Though I wouldn’t show it to kids in middle school age and younger.) Don’t let the subject matter turn you away from a very powerful film and its strong message – no matter what your beliefs are and your current political stance on the topic. It’s a beautiful film.

And after seeing the movie, if you feel so compelled take action and get involved.