Interview with the Composers who scored the film “Martha Marcy May Marlene”
Such a fun interview with these guys…check it out!
Keeping a Daily Journal
I have been keeping a daily journal for as long as I can remember. Writing down your thoughts keeps you focused and centered. I find that I appreciate everything in my life once I write what I am grateful for on paper. If I am having a bad day I write out my thoughts and it seems to make things easier because it puts everything in perspective. I have always believed that your mind is your most powerful tool and if you can get your mind to believe in the limitless potential of the universe there will be NOTHING YOU CAN”T ACCOMPLISH! Writing down your goals and vision for life will help you keep your mind focused on what you want in life. Start today by asking yourself: What do I really want? What am I passionate about? Let the words flow on paper. You might learn something new about yourself.
xoxo,
Guest Blogger for Wellbox
Hello readers! It’s been a while but I have been keeping myself pretty busy the last couple months blogging for another health blog called Wellbox. This website offers daily tips for your everday life. Check out my posts HERE. Thanks for reading:)
xoxo,
My Favorite Makeup/Beauty Products
My philosophy when it comes to skin and beauty is always “less is more.” I think makeup should enhance your natural beauty so applying less on skin actually looks better. Too much makeup can make you look older and less radiant.
Some tips I live by:
- Eat the right foods (Check out this post for those foods to eat)
- Get enough rest
- Wash makeup off before going to sleep
- Apply a great moisturizer and SPF
- Drink lots of Water
- Exercise
Some of My Favorite Beauty/Make Up Products:
- Oil of Olay SPF 15 daily moisturizer
- Purpose or Cetaphil daily face wash
- La Mer’s The Eye Concentrate eye cream- It’s worth the investment. You will definitely see the difference.
- Tinted moisturizer-I love Stila’s Sheer Color SPF 15. Its so light and perfect for summer. I also like Laura Mercier’s tinted moistuzier with SPF 20
- Nars Bronzer in Laguna color
- Nars Blush-favorite colors are orgasm, lovejoy and deepthroat
- Nars lipgloss-Striptease, orgasm and lipstick-belle de jour and cruising colors
- Nars Duo Eye Shadow-Summer time color
- YSL Touche Eclat-used for under eyes
- Smashbox High Definition Concealer
- Dior Show Blackout Mascara
- Evian Facial Spray-hydrates skin and creates that dewy glow. It also sets makeup and is so refreshing on hot days.
- Beautyblender-the ultimate makeup sponge applicator
- Make up Forever HD High Definition Foundation
- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Beauty starts within. Be confident in your own skin… that is BEAUTIFUL:)
xoxo,
What’s on my Plate? Salmon, Quinoa and Grilled Vegetables
Salmon is rich in Omega 3′s, great for your skin and helps your mood. Quinoa is the best quality grain and stands alone as being the highest in protein. It it also gluten-free and wheat-free for those who follow a special diet. Vegetables are just great for you..LOL. You can choose any you like.
Ingredients for Salmon
- Olive oil
- 8 oz. Wild Alaskan salmon (serves two)
- Salt and pepper
- Half a lemon
- White cooking wine (optional)
- Dill weed
Salt and pepper the salmon to your liking and drizzle the olive oil and white wine on both sides of the fish. Squeeze half a lemon on the salmon and sprinkle a pinch of dill weed and let sit in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes to marinate. Grease grill grates with oil then preheat grill to medium high heat. Arrange salmon on grill, skin-side up and cook, gently flipping once, until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 15-20 minutes total depending on the thickness. The key to turning the salmon on the grill is to do it gently but swiftly, using a spatula, if needed. (If grilling is not an option you can bake in the oven.) Serve with Quinoa and Veggies.
Here is the organic Quinoa I like to buy. Cooking time is 10 minutes.
Enjoy:)
xoxo,
“Dirty Dozen”-Produce with the most Pesticide Residue
Buying organic produce can be expensive but these foods are worth the money because they contain the highest amount of pesticide residue. These foods contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving!! Buy the organic version of each to reduce this exposure.
“Dirty Dozen”-
- Celery
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Domestic blueberries
- Nectarines
- Sweet bell peppers
- Spinach, kale and collard greens
- Cherries
- Potatoes
- Imported grapes
- Lettuce
xoxo,
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle While Dining Out
You can still enjoy a healthy lifestyle even when going out to eat. Being healthy is all about happiness and enjoyment so if you are obsessed with what you are eating that doesn’t contribute to your overall health, not to mention it can make you crazy! LOL
Here are some tips:
- Make smarter choices- order baked, broiled or grilled. Try to limit fried foods and white flour foods.
- Watch your portion sizes- If your dinner comes out on an 18 inch platter don’t feel obligated to finish your entrée. Better yet, split it with someone. Moderation is key!
- Start with a salad or veggies so you don’t overeat on all other courses
- If you are ordering drinks I suggest ordering red wine- there are added health benefits to drinking red wine. Be mindful when ordering sweet, sugary drinks.
- Skip the bread basket
- Limit or split dessert
- When eating Sushi choose rolls that are not fried and do not have any added ingredients such as mayo. Great options are veggie rolls, sashimi and ordering salmon with avocado(superfoods). Also substituting the white rice with brown rice on your rolls.
- The more colorful food on your plate the better. You know you are not making smart choices when you see all brown or white food on your plate.
The key to remember is that eating out is all about enjoying time with friends and family! It is good for the soul, which will instantly add to your quality of well-being.
xoxo,
Be the BEST Version of Yourself
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” -Judy Garland
If you look up authentic in the dictionary you will find that it is “not false or imitation.” Being authentic is being “true to one’s own personality, spirit or character.” So many people compare themselves to others and are so hard on themselves for not being the “perfect” version of that other person when it is impossible to be anything but yourself. If you had control over what you looked like, the things you are good at and what your personality is like then I bet we would all be walking around looking and acting exactly the same. How boring! Being who are is enough and not trying to be anything other then the best YOU is the goal. This is one of the main reasons I don’t believe in competition. No one is ever going to be you! The media does a great disservice of this sometimes because it tells us there is only ONE way to be and you feel bad about yourself if you don’t fit into the mold. I think it leads down a road of never feeling good enough. Be proud of who you are and the gifts you were born with:)
Empower and Inspire…
xoxo,
Daily Inspiration-Make your Dreams Come True!
“You see things as they are and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were, and I say ‘Why not?’ “-George Bernard Shaw
Everyone has something that they want to do in life. Something that they are passionate about. When you find something that makes you happy you don’t think of it as “work.” So why aren’t you doing it? What is stopping you from reaching your true potential? Maybe it’s money, your current circumstance or it comes down to fear and doubt. Sometimes it’s other people who tell you NO or YOU CAN”T DO IT. I think those people who discourage your dreams are those who have likely given up on their own dreams. I challenge you to ask yourself what is my purpose or Dream? Why am I not pursuing it? What is the worst thing that happen if you decide to have a fresh start?
My mom gave me “The Energy Bus” to read and it is a great book with many great lessons that will impact your life. One thing in particular that has inspired me is to “Enjoy the Ride of Your Life.” If you don’t I promise you that you will live a life of unhappiness and regret. Here is some inspiration from the book that will remind you why you should enjoy the ride of your life.
The goal in life is to live young, have fun, and arrive at your final destination as late as possible, with a smile on your face because this would mean that you truly enjoyed the ride.
The best legacy you could leave is not some building that is named after you or a piece of jewelry but rather a world that has been impacted and touched by your presence, your joy, and your positive actions.
Live and work like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain
3 things a 95 year old said when asked if they could do it all over again: 1.) They would reflect more. Enjoy more moments, more sunrises and sunsets, more moments of joy. 2.) They would take more risks and chances. Life is too short not to go for it. 3.) They would have left a legacy. Something that would live on after they die.
We all deserve to live an amazing life! Go out and pursue whatever it is that will make you happy. Even if you can’t quit your current job and start something else ,do it as a hobby. Create a life of bliss not one of stress and depression. I love how Dr. Wayne Dyer puts it “ Don’t Die with your Music Still in You.“
xoxo,
Want Healthy, Glowing, Younger Looking Skin? Eat These foods…
“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” –Buddha
We all want healthy, glowing, younger looking skin and eating these foods can help you achieve that. In researching these foods I have found that most of the same foods are not only great for your skin but also good for you in general. Eating well and exercising is linked to everything whether it is healthy skin, healthy organs and immune system, weight management, mental health, etc. The list is endless! Eating a well-balanced diet and having a well-balanced life is ESSENTIAL to your well-being:) Achieve that and you can do ANYTHING!
Here are some of the best foods for your skin:
- Low-Fat Dairy Products- loaded with Vitamin A, which is one of the most important components to skin health. A great choice is low-fat yogurt
- Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums-these foods are high in antioxidants which protect skin cells from free radical damage
- Salmon, Walnuts and Flax Seeds- loaded with essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Healthy Oils- choose extra virgin oil, cold pressed oils or expeller processed oils
- Whole-Wheat Bread and Cereals, Turkey, Tuna, Snapper- All rich in the mineral Selenium. ”Selenium has the ability to reduce the risk of sunburn and promote an even skin tone.” According to Sue Moores, RD
- Green Tea- has antioxidants, Vitamin C, D and K
- Water-replenishes skin. Drink 8 glasses a day
- Sweet Potatoes-contain beta carotene which is great for your skin
- Kiwi-rich in vitamin C
- Sunflower Seeds-rich in Vitamin E
- Carrots- rich in Vitamin A
- Avocados-rich in Vitamin B
- Beans-Legumes such as black beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans and peanuts all help smooth wrinkles
- Brussel Sprouts- loaded with vitamins A, E and K, as well as omega-3 fatty acids
xoxo,
Health Tip: Brown Bag Your Lunch
Packing your lunch will not only save you money but will help you stay on track to eating healthy. Since you pack our own lunch you have control over what you are eating and won’t be tempted to grab those office snacks that are loaded with calories. Fill up on veggies, salads, healthy sandwiches, almonds/nuts and fruit. I use Ziploc’s 100 calories snacks bags to control the portions of my snacks. Enjoy:)
xoxo,
Flat Stomach Tip: Add Fiber to your Diet!
One of my tips for getting a flat stomach is to add fiber to your diet. It is recommended to have at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day!
Here are just a few of my favorite Fiber-Rich foods:
- Apple- 5 grams
- Blueberries-2 grams(half cup)
- Cantalalope-1.3 grams(1 cup)
- Almonds with Raisins-6 grams(1 oz. alomonds plus 1.5 oz raisins)
- Strawberries-4.4 grams(1 cup)
- Dried Guava-4 grams(2 slices)
- Oatmeal-6.6 grams(3/4 cup)
- Papaya-2.5 grams(1 cup)
- Blackberries-3.8 grams(half cup)
- Bread, 100% stone ground whole wheat bread(Martin’s)-4 grams (per slice)
In addition, a hearty salad (recipe here) has approximately 15 grams of Fiber.
xoxo,
Owning a pet is good for your health!
I came across this article on the benefits of owning a pet and I couldn’t agree more.
The 3 main health benefits:
- Providing companionship
- Staying active
- Coping with stress
My dog has changed my life. Even when I am having a bad day she is always so excited to see me that I can’t help but feel better. I know owning a pet can be hard and a huge responsibility but what they add to your life is so much more than what you do to take care of them. My dog proves to me that love sometimes is all you need!! Happy Birthday to my little baby who turns 9 today. (I can’t believe it has been so long!!) Thanks Ginger for the best 9 years:)
xoxo,
Lisa D.
What’s on my Plate? A healthy Salad with Grilled Veggies
I am one of those people who LOVES salads! I know a salad can tend to be boring sometimes but you can get creative. Just be careful because you still want it to be healthy. Here is one version I enjoy along with some grilled zucchini and eggplant. Perfect recipe for Meatless Monday. www.meatlessmonday.com for more info.
Salad:
- Mixed Greens (Earthbound Farm)
- Kale
- Beets(natural with no added preservatives)
- Chickpeas
- Walnuts
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Blood Orange
Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- White Balsalmic Vinegar
- Pinch of Garlic Salt
- Pinch of Salt
Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant:
- Marinated with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a pinch of garlic salt
Enjoy!!
xoxo,
Lisa D
