Tag Archives: health

Orange Sugar Scrub

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I’m starting to dabble in making my own skincare products (scrubs/bath bombs/facial moisturizer/facial wash, etc.) – super fun and educational with the added benefit of knowing what goes into the products I put on my body…which if you think about it, my skin absorbs and is an organ just like all of the internal ones affected by what I put IN my body. How many skin or hair care products do you use that come with an ingestion warning because they’re toxic…I mean, if it’s toxic to your internal organs, perhaps you shouldn’t be applying it to your external largest organ? Just a thought.

So I google, I look for recipes, buy ingredients (mostly via Amazon Prime) and then try my hand at making things (aka, switching out ingredients)! At first it seemed daunting and like a pain in the ass – but it really isn’t and I tend to pick and choose my recipes on the easier side of mixing/setting, etc.

This is a recipe my sister tagged me in on Facebook, and I thought it seemed not only easy, but I LOVE citrus scents. I also happen to have all of the ingredients on-hand to make. Per usual, I improvised (I rarely if ever follow a recipe, for anything). I apply it last in the shower, and the coconut oil leaves my skin feeling refreshed, like it just took a big drink. So clean you could ingest it (okay I tried it, it’s super tasty)!

Orange Sugar Scrub

  • 1/2 cup raw cane sugar
  • 3/4 cup soft coconut oil
  • 20 drops orange essential oil
  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil
  • Zest of one orange

Mix all ingredients together and place in airtight jar. I have 8 oz quilted glass jars with plastic reusable lids. I’m able to keep it in the shower and keep it airtight.

Original recipe is grapefruit peppermint sugar scrub, with more peppermint oil. I had oranges and orange oil on hand, and prefer a more citrus note. Enjoy!

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Thursday Thoughts

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Thoughts are mental energy; they’re the currency that you have to attract what you desire. Learn to stop spending that currency on thoughts you don’t want.

—Wayne Dyer

Coconut Curry Chicken Celery Bowl

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Created a new recipe last night in the kitchen completely by accident using up ingredients I had on hand and needed to be used. Lately we’ve been craving Thai and curry flavors for the warmth, comfort and health benefits they provide so I decided to use the package of ground chicken I had in the fridge and create something with curry. I ended up creating a chicken curry bowl that I will definitely make again! It was very quick, hearty and flavorful.

Coconut Curry Chicken Celery Bowl

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 1/2 TBSP curry powder
  • 2 TBSP minced garlic
  • 2 medium yellow onions, diced
  • 1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • Avocado oil
  • Salt/pepper
  • Coconut milk
  • Coconut aminos

Saute the onion and garlic in a saute pan in a little bit of avocado oil on medium heat, once the onions are almost transparent turn to low heat to keep warm. Meanwhile, brown the ground chicken with the curry powder in a separate pan in a little bit of avocado oil so it doesn’t stick and burn. Try to mince the chicken as small as you can with a spatula (makes for a nicer texture while eating). Once the chicken is browned reduce to low heat to keep warm. Turn the vegetables back up to medium heat and add the mushrooms and a drizzle of avocado oil, sauteing until mushrooms start to soften and then add the celery. Season with salt and pepper. Toss for about 10 minutes to make sure the mushrooms are cooked but not mushy and the celery is thoroughly heated through.

Put the curry chicken in a bowl, and top with the vegetable mixture (as much as you want with both!). Top with coconut milk and coconut aminos. Stir to coat and enjoy!

Side note: I initially didn’t add the coconut milk and aminos, was just going to eat the bowl as is. Still plenty of flavor, but my husband said it seemed like it needed a sauce…and like always, I had a half a can of opened coconut milk in the fridge that needed to be used so I warmed it up, dumped some on, sprinkled with coconut aminos and voila!

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Cabbage Bacon Slaw

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It’s hot in San Diego…which means…light, cool meals and sides! The next time you attend a BBQ or party and want to take a fabulous side dish that isn’t A) soy and corn syrup filled potato salad, or B) blood sugar spiking inflammatory grains macaroni salad, whip this together!

Cabbage Bacon Slaw

  • Shredded cabbage
  • Walnuts (I used pieces)
  • Diced red onion
  • Fried bacon pieces
  • Himalayan pink salt
  • Cracked black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Bacon grease
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Toss everything in a bowl, season to your liking with salt and pepper, squeeze the juice of 1/2 the lemon over the mix. Drizzle just a little olive oil, and 2-3 large spoonfuls of fresh bacon grease (from frying your bacon pieces) over top, and toss!

You could definitely add fresh apple, if you choose, the lemon would help the fruit last 🙂

Cabbage Bacon Slaw

Mexico Recap V.2 – Progress through Baby Steps

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I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve publicly worn shorts or a short skirt, in my entire life. I’m 33. I’ve always wanted to hide behind fabric because my legs looked and felt different (not knowing then, why).

Once I received my diagnosis of Lipedema (stage 1), I understood better. Not sure what it is about lipedema that scares the living hell out of me, but it does. It’s a fear that is ever present for me, that I work to manage regularly. A cut on my calf – will that turn into cellulitis? Sprained ankle/contusion – how long will it take that deep lump/bruise to heal? Why are my legs covered in bruises and why do I bruise with the slight touch of a finger or a bump into something? Why are my legs so tender and painful? Will the added stress on my vascular system have diabetes implications in the future? Why do my legs feel so “heavy” and “thick” today? Why is the lymphatic buildup so bad right now – my insulin pump sites won’t work.

You get the idea.

I’ve worked really hard to change the way that my legs look and feel, and my mental thoughts. The last few years have been transformative in all areas and some have asked if it’s possible that I’ve put my lipedema into remission (don’t know if that’s an option?). They’ve changed shape, become lean, toned, and I’ve almost mentally arrived. Our trip to Mexico played a huge role in this. For the first time in my life, I wore nothing but shorts and skirts! And I felt completely comfortable in my own skin. For the first time, I thought, “hey! I’ve got real, visible ankles – look at all of my hard work!” Mexico was empowering for me, and it’s been many baby steps to get to this point, but here I am!

First two pics, are after flying/dehydration – they were extra puffy!

Puffiness! 2 Puffiness!

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