All posts tagged: healthy

Protect Your Skin this Summer

One thing I’ve always been adamant about since high school is protecting my skin! I started seeing a dermatologist pretty young and wearing sunblock  everyday was the best advice she gave me. Sunscreen simply and effectively helps block your skin from the sun’s UV radiation that will otherwise increase its risk for melanoma (skin cancer), cause pre-mature aging and other general damage like (wrinkles, sunspots, etc.). In switching my products to more natural ones, I was happy to discover COOLA, an organic suncare line. The product is sold conveninetly at Target and also on Amazon.com. I am a huge fan of ‘user reviews’ and before I purchase any product online (or even in stores), I always check reviews from real people. It’s also another reason why I started my blog to give honest feedback and of course inspiration. COOLA, had great reviews on many of their products on Amazon. I decided to try the COOLA Sun Care Sport SPF 45 for my body. This product is great because it’s protective, organic and safe for my …

Healthy Radiant Face ft. Suntegrity Skincare

Sunscreen is and has always been my #1 beauty product. I wear it every single day (even during the winter months) whether or not I wear makeup. Protecting your skin is important for a number of reasons. It prevents sun spots, discoloration and slows down the aging process but most importantly, it helps prevent skin cancer also known as Melanoma. I was shocked and disgusted when I found out the product I had been using to protect me was actually hurting me in the long run. When I scanned my beloved Eucerin sunscreen, it scored a solid 10 on the Think Dirty App, which means that it is filled with carcinogens. Carcinogens = cancer causing Of course, I dumped it immediatly. I used the App to help me find a healthier brand…alas ‘Suntegrity’ Skincare. Suntegrity is a natural, healthy, holistic mineral sun care line. “Suntegrity Face and Body SPF 30 products use only the best known physical block ingredient (non-nano size zinc oxide) to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and super anti-oxidants and amino acids to …

Avocado Banana Berry Smoothie

I love eating avocados since they are delicious and a healthy fat. I changed up my morning smoothie routine this week by trying an avocado smoothie. Here was my recipe: Ingredients: 1 small avocado 1 cup frozen berry mixture (or fresh) 1/2 cucumber 1 small-medium banana 12 oz of almond milk The banana and frozen berries helped to sweeten up the drink. If you don’t use frozen berries, you might want to add ice. Enjoy!

Cauliflower Crust Pizza (GUEST BLOGGER)

Materials: Food processor, juicer or high-powered blender Cheesecloth Ingredients: 1/4 cup chia seeds 1 large head of cauliflower 1 egg 3/4 cup ground almonds or almond powder (I used flax seed) 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of oregano 1-2 teaspoons of mixed garlic salt and pepper to taste Directions: *Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Take 1/4 cup chia seeds, put into a bowl of 3/4 cups of water and let sit in fridge for 20 mins until it kind of gets goop-like. While your seeds are soaking, take 1 large head of cauliflower (you’ll need 3 cups of it once it’s blended), chop it up and then place it in a food processor and blend until it’s fine (kind of looks like the pulp that comes out of the back of your juicer. One recipe even suggested “juicing” the cauliflower then using the pulp.) Once the cauliflower is grounded finely, use a cheesecloth to get as much moisture out of the cauliflower as possible. (*You can also use a clean dish towel if you don’t have …

RECIPE: Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Chicken (GUEST BLOGGER)

Hey everyone! My name is Ashleigh, visiting from Team Never Going Back and I am just thrilled to be posting on Stay Classy Ana — we met in high school and now both have new, growing blogs. I am a huge fan of her blog, so I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. Just a little bit about myself and my cooking style: My goal is to create the healthiest, most flavorful dish by using minimal ingredients, simple methods, and avoiding anything too “off the wall.”   Let’s just say I like things easy!  Thank you very much for tuning in, please feel free to leave comments! Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Chicken: Spaghetti Squash, about 3 lbs 3 oz fresh basil, about 2 cups 2 tsp chopped garlic 1 tsp lemon juice 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 18 oz chicken breast tenderloin, thawed 1 tbsp AND 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 large zucchini 2 medium Roma tomatoes Alright guys, for this pesto “pasta“, I went all out and not only made my own noodles, but my …

Healthy Vision, Skin, Hair and Nails Juice Recipe

The best way to consume vitamins is naturally! Carrots is and has always been one of my favorite vegetables to juice because of the amount of liquid it produces. Also you can buy carrots in bulk at a good price. Carrots are high in Vitamin A which is essential for healthy vision and our immune system. Carrot juice also increases hair and nail growth, fights aging, prevents acne and helps to control sun damage. Here is the recipe for my Vitamin A in a cup. Healthy Vision, Skin, Hair and Nails Juice Recipe 8 Carrots 1 bundle of Celery 1/2 Cucumber 1 tbsp Ginger 4 Clementines 1/2 Lemon Here are some fun Pinterest charts that show the health benefits of each of these ingredients. Whoa, so much goodness in one glass. Drink up!

Homemade Baked Chicken Taco Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious Sunday recipe, try these baked chicken tacos. They’re the perfect dish to serve and make for a party. They are tastier than buying a crunchy taco shell and healthier than frying a taco in grease. Ingredients: 3-4 boneless chicken breasts 1 jar of your favorite salsa soft corn tortillas olive oil spray cheddar cheese tomatoes cilantro Greek yogurt (as a sour cream substitute) Avocado Directions: Chicken Place boneless chicken breasts in a crockpot and cover with your favorite salsa. Turn crockpot on high for 4 hours or low for 6. The chicken is done when it shreds easily. Taco Shell Preheat oven to 375 degrees Take taco shells and spray each side with olive oil Hang taco shells over oven rack for 7-10 minutes until they form a shell Place tacos next to one another in a baking dish and fill with the shredded chicken and shredded cheddar cheese. Place back in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble Remove from the oven, let …

Crostini’s at Fig and Olive: Melrose Place

Looking for a trendy chic restaurant this weekend or even for a Valentine’s date? If so, now is the perfect time to try Fig & Olive on Melrose Place. The upscale restaurant is absolutely gorgeous with its elegant white decor. It almost feels as if you’re eating in a luxe garden patio at night in some foreign land. The menu features a variety of fresh and healthy Mediterranean inspired dishes. They have a wide selection of appetizers, including a mouthwatering selection of Crositinis. The dishes are in the $20-$30 range, but the portions are a generous size so I don’t think you’ll be left hungry. They also provide bread with three different types of olive oils from around the world for you to try before or during your meal. Your server will explain the origin of each oil at the table. I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night and was surprised at how crowded the restaurant was. You will definitely want to make reservations when coming here. It is the perfect place to meet …

Stay Clean and Think Dirty

One of my goals in the new year is to make healthier choices beyond my normal diet and exercise routine. As I’ve grown older and become more health-conscious, it’s forced me to reflect on how important the daily choices we make can affect our long-term health. I’ve been trying to make healthier choices in my beauty routine slowly ever since the negative effects of some of my favorite makeup brands were brought to my attention from my fellow beauty/health/fashion blogger friend Hello Amanda. She started an amazing Instagram called @OrganicBunny which features beauty and skincare products the are certified organic and overall healthier for your skin. She also introduced me to the Think Dirty App, which is a phone application that educates consumers on potential toxic ingredients in beauty products.  The application allows you to scan products and get an overall rating based off of a 1-10 scale (with 10 being the worst). The app is great because it’s backed by scientific research and provides references from its studies on how the evidence is determined …

Stay Awake and Glowing with My Morning Routine

I’ve been wanting to share this routine for awhile. I know mornings can sometimes feel rushed or groggy after a late night. I’ve been on this routine for the last few months and really feel that it helps me start my day and my digestive system on the right foot, no matter what happened or what I ate the night before… Routine: 1 full glass of water as soon as I wake up. I always fall asleep with a water bottle next to my bed in case I get thirsty in the middle of the night. Whatever I haven’t finished, I finish immediately in the morning when I wake up. 1 cup of black coffee while I get ready. I genuinely enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning. There’s something about the smell, taste and oh yea the caffeine that really helps wake me up and focus me. I’m not addicted and typically only drink one cup per day, but I do love to drink coffee! I used to add sugars and creamers, …