Decadent Chocolate Body Scrub

While sugar and (dark) chocolate should only be consumed in limited quantities, they make a great exfoliating moisturizer for your skin! Chocolate's antioxidant properties may help reduce free radical damage and can promote healthy detoxification of skin cells. Sugar is a sweet way to remove dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling soft and smooth. Everyone knows how great olive oil is for the skin, it will leave your skin feeling like silk. And let's face it, covering your body in chocolate is super fun!

1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c olive oil
1/4 c cocoa powder

Store in an airtight container. It will last for up to 6 months. Enjoy!

Healthy "Ice Cream" Treat Kids Will Love

Personally tested these out on my 3 and 5 year old daughters. They LOVED them!

2 ripe bananas
1 1/2 c plain greek yogurt
1/2 c natural peanut butter
2 tbsp liquid honey
2 tsp natural vanilla

Throw it all in a blender and pour into Popsicle molds. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!

Juicing A Few Of My Favorites

I started juicing daily about a month ago. I have noticed incredible changes since then. My skin is glowing, I sleep better and wake up feeling energized, my mood is better and I've even lost a few pounds. If you would like to reap the many benefits of juicing, here's a few easy juice combos to get you started. Hint: Always choose organic. If you can't find organic, wash fruits and vegetables well and remove skin.

You can't go wrong with carrot/apple. Even my kids love it!
4 carrots
1 apple

If you like V8, here's the original recipe:
4 tomatoes
4 green onions
1/2 green pepper
2 carrots
2 celery
handful spinach
handful parsley
2 lemons without peel
you can also add ginger and/or galic for a little bang
serves 2

If you like pineapple, you'll love this combo
1/2 pinapple with skin removed
1/2 large cucumber
1 or 2 kale leafs
3 stalks of celery

Here's a delicious way to get your greens
4 carrots
4 stalks of celery
1/2 large cucumber
2 kale leafs
bunch of parsley
1 apple

As I write this, I am enjoying an original V8. The garlic packs a powerful punch and keeps the vampires away ;)
Happy juicing!

Cleansing With Fruit & Veggies

I was feeling rather toxic. Irritable, anxious and tired. I realized that although I'm healthy and fit, something was wrong. I was feeling conviction about how I had been fueling this amazing body that God has blessed me with. "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
I decided that for the next week, I was only going to consume what God himself created for us. I started juicing fresh organic fruits and vegetables. That way my body was able to absorb the enzyme rich nutrients immediately. I ate avocados every day. I drank green tea instead of my regular coffee with coffee-mate (that stuff is a slow poison!) I ate raw cashews, gogi berries, fresh fruit and vegetables. For 7 days, I never felt deprived. I was never hungry. I believe that because my body was receiving all the nutrients it required, I had freedom from cravings. I felt more connected to God and His love. I will continue to eat this way. My skin improved, the dark circles under my eyes disappeared, my mind felt clear, I was no longer anxious, I slept great and had tons of energy. I was still irritable but what else is new lol. I blamed it on the toxins leaving my body! :)