Author: dangchristine

Introduction to Superfoods

Clean Eating
su·per·food
ˈso͞opərˌfo͞od/
noun
plural noun: superfoods
  1. a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.

chia

Chia Seeds They are among the healthiest foods on the planet and are loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain.

Key Benefits:

  • Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients With Very Few Calories
  • Loaded With Antioxidants – Antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which are unpaired electrons that are very reactive and can damage molecules in cells and contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer.
  • High in Quality Protein – Much higher than most plant foods. Protein is the most weight loss friendly macronutrient and can drastically reduce appetite and cravings. They also contain a good balance of essential amino acids, so our bodies can make use of the protein in them.
  • Lowers The Risk of Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes – Given that chia seeds are high in fiber, protein and Omega-3s, they improve metabolic health. They can significantly lower blood pressure and a marker for inflammation.
  • High in Many Important Bone Nutrients – Higher than most dairy products. Chia seeds are high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and protein. All of these nutrients are essential for bone health.
  • High in Fiber – Almost all of the carbohydrates in chia seeds are fiber. Fiber has many benefits such as, helps maintain bowel health, lowers cholesterol levels, helps control blood sugar levels, and aids in achieving a healthy weight. Chia’s stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat.
  • Packed with Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Important for brain health!

Chia seeds are incredibly easy to incorporate into your diet. They can be eaten raw, made into puddings, or added to baked goods. You can also sprinkle them on top of oatmeal, yogurt, and vegetables. They can be used to thicken sauces and even used as binding ingredient in recipes.

acai

Açaí Powder Açaí is a berry commonly found in the rain forests of the Amazon. This antioxidant-rich fruit has been heralded for centuries as a healing, immune-stimulating, energy-boosting fruit.

Key Benefits:

  • Improves Heart Health – Research shows that açaí berries are extremely high in anthocyanins, a form of plant antioxidant associated with the ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Açaí reduces levels of the components of metabolic disease, including glucose and insulin levels and cholesterol.
  • Promotes Healthy Skin – Açaí powder is one of the most effective natural skin treatments on our planet that not only combats unpleasant skin conditions, but it also actively prevents unwelcome fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Good for Your Eyes – Improves night vision, boosts circulation within the capillaries of the retina, reduces the risk of retinopathy in diabetics, and provides protection against macular degeneration (loss of vision).
  • Boosts the Immune System – Helps the immune system to function at a higher level and increase the strength of attack against illness.

Açaí powder can be blended directly into your favorite smoothies, shakes, protein drinks, and juices or used as an ingredient in delicious puddings and desserts. My favorite are Açaí Bowls!

goji

Goji Berries Goji berries are high in vitamin C and fiber, and low in calories. Their history as a medicinal plant has roots in ancient China, where goji berries still are used to treat eye, liver, and kidney ailments.

Key Benefits:

  • Goji berries are high in vitamin C and fiber, and low in calories. They are also a good source of iron and vitamin A.
  • Promotes Healthy Skin – Goji berries are loaded with beta-carotene, a pigment found in plants and fruits, which aids in improving your skin.
  • High in Antioxidants – Antioxidants protect cells against breaking down when they are exposed to elements like smoke and radiation. These antioxidants fight against cell damage that results from inflammation from free radicals, preventing the likelihood of cancerous tumor development. With their healthy levels of antioxidants, they are high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats.
  • Aids in Weight Loss – Their rich, sweet taste, along with their high fiber content, provides a feeling of fullness that can keep you from overeating and packing on the pounds.

You can eat them raw or soak them in hot water, so they soften up. You can add them to smoothies or as a garnish on oatmeal, salads or yogurts. Basically, goji berries can be baked, cooked, steamed, and processed in any way.

I’ve been loving incorporating these superfoods into my recipes lately! I do notice that after eating them, I feel fuller for a longer period of time and more energetic. I highly recommend these particular ones that I purchased. They can be found on Amazon for a reasonable price compared to what you’ll find in store.

Beauty Faves: 2014

Girl Time

As 2014 came to a close, I decided I wanted to dedicate my first Girl Time post to my favorite beauty products of the past year. I highly recommend any of these products to anyone that is either new to makeup and beauty products or have been using them for a long time, like myself!

Eyes

  • L’Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner – Carbon Black This has been my absolute favorite liquid liner ever since I started using it in high school. The felt tip applicator makes it super easy to glide along your lash line and draw a winged cat eye. The carbon black gives you a rich, pigmented black color to give your eyes that perfect frame. I always get compliments on my eyeliner when I use this!
  • L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara 2X – Carbon Black For the longest time, I’ve used the L’Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black Waterproof and always went back to that one when I tried different mascaras because they never lived up to it. Recently, I picked up the Telescopic mascara and I instantly fell in love! I finally found a mascara that I like more (or just as much) than my Voluminous. The brush is a lot different, but once you get the hang of it, the formula is awesome and gives you long, beautiful lashes!
  • Urban Decay Primer Potion When using any eye makeup on your lids, you should definitely apply a primer beforehand. With my oily face, comes oily eyelids, so this primer has been a staple for me for as long as I can remember. It keeps your makeup in place and brings out the pigment of your eye shadow even more! This tube might be a little pricey, but a little goes a long way.
  • Urban Decay Naked Basics Ever since I got this eye shadow palette for Christmas 2013, I’ve used it for my every day look. It is so convenient and the colors in it make it so easy to create a nice daytime look or a nice night look. You could create a subtle smoky eye or darken it by adding one color. The eye shadows are so smooth and aren’t chalky at all. They’re very pigmented and the warm colors work really well with people with a fair to medium skin tone. With its compact size, throw it in your bag and you’re ready to travel!
  • Anatasia Dipbrow Pomade Filling in your brows, especially if they’re sparse like mine, is essential to completing your look. Your brows are what frames your face and could change the way your face looks. Dipbrow is a gel-like formula so is a little more trickier to use if you don’t have the proper handling. This has become one of my favorites because it applies on smoothly and stays on all day. With the right color (go two shades lighter if you’re hair is dark & two shades darker if your hair is light) you can achieve a natural looking brow.

Face

  • Revlon ColorStay – Combo/Oily Skin This has been my all-time favorite foundation ever since I started using it for the past 6ish years. I’ve tried many other foundations, both drugstore and high-end, and none of them trump this one. The formula goes on smoothly and spreads nicely (with the proper brush of course – more on that later). It gives you nice coverage without having your face feel too heavy or look cake-y. It doesn’t make my face extra oily than it already is, which is a major plus.
  • e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush With a liquid foundation, you need the perfect brush to apply it to your face. This brush is pretty darn close. It is SO soft (if you wash it regularly – which you should! I clearly need to wash mine) and picks up a good amount of the product. I first use a stippling motion to apply the foundation to my face and then use circular motion to buff it out. This brush ends up giving you an airbrushed look and doesn’t look streaky at all. Even better, it’s only $3!
  • NYX Blotting Powder After doing some research for a finishing powder that would help control the shine on my face and keep my makeup in place, I came across this powder. Using a finishing powder is also important because it provides a smooth surface for you to apply your bronzer and blush. It makes a huge difference because it helps you blend easier and not look splotchy. This powder controls my oil longer than other powders I’ve tried, so it’s a winner in my books! This powder is a little on the pricey side, so I suggest getting it when it’s on sale at Ulta and using a coupon on top of that!
  • NYX Matte Bronzer – Medium Using a matte bronzer gives you a more natural look and doesn’t attract unflattering lights that you would if you used a shimmery bronzer. This formula applies very nicely and blends really well. The color isn’t orange at all and doesn’t make you look muddy. I use this to contour my face and to add some color to my fair skin. Contouring can really make a difference and adds dimension to your face!

Lips

  • Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick – Airy Fairy This is my go-to everyday lipstick. It’s the perfect mauve/pink shade to pull my everyday look together. Since my main emphasis is my eye makeup, this lipstick is a great subtle color that doesn’t make me look like a clown. The texture is very creamy and goes on smooth. The coverage is opaque, which is perfect to tone down my naturally pigmented lips.
  • NYX Matte Lipsticks I’ve been on the hunt for a matte lipstick that wouldn’t dry out my lips or emphasis the lines on my lips. This is the ultimate winner. The colors are opaque and the staying power is awesome! For a matte lipstick, the texture is very smooth and creamy, so they don’t drag your lips when applying. Since it is a matte lipstick, I suggest exfoliating and moisturizing your lips beforehand!

Hair

  • Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray This is definitely a staple to have if you put any heat on your hair because it protects your hair from drying out or breaking. I used to use the original formula without the keratin, but after trying this version, I’m never going back! The keratin definitely makes a difference and leaves your hair smooth and shiny.
  • Tresemme 24 Hour Body Mousse Ever since I cut my hair shorter, I’ve been using this mousse on my roots before blow-drying my hair upside down. My hair is very thin and lacks volume, so this mousse helps add some body and holds it pretty well. It doesn’t make my hair stiff or “crunchy” feeling.
  • Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream After towel drying my hair, I put a nickel size amount in my hair, except the roots. This contains argan oil, so it leaves your hair smooth and controls frizz! My hair is naturally dry from all the damage I’ve done to it in the past, so products like this are a lifesaver!