Tag: easy diy

How To Kick Your Chocolate Cravings With Something Better!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Chocolate is everyone ultimate bae, but lets not deny that it’s not great for our health, and definitely not our skin. So, in my continual efforts to be healthier and control my cravings, I switched to cacao, and I’m not mad at it. It tastes like dark chocolate which isn’t my favorite kinda chocolate but still feels like I’m getting a hit of sweetness, but it’s actually a superfood that’s bursting with antioxidants. And no – it’s not a typo, and it’s definitely not the same as cocoa…

Cacao VS Cocoa

Cacao (pronounced CU-Cow) is a raw powder, derived from the unroasted cocoa beans found most commonly in areas of South America and Ghana. What makes it different to cocoa, is cocoa has been roasted at a high temperature, which reduces the enzyme content and decreases its nutritional content as much as 90%. Cocoa powder is then often processed with sugar and other chemicals, which is what dehydrates your body and can trigger breakouts. Cacao retains all these beauty-boosting enzymes and is free of any refined sugar, here’s how it works:

For your skin: When applied onto your skin, cacao will give you an even complexion and a stunning glow as it increases blood flow and hydrates your skin. It’s ideal for any acne sufferers as its full of fatty acids and raw enzymes that boost skin cell renewal helping you get rid of any acne scars. As its high in antioxidants and vitamin C, it fights sign of premature aging while keeping your skin looking firm and youthful.

For your hair: If you incorporate cacao into your weekly diet, your mane will seriously thank you – we’re talking major volume and extra glossy locks. This is because cacao increases blood circulation, boosting growth while strengthening each strand of hair, helping to keep split ends at bay.

For your body: Love to sprinkle cacao nibs (think of them like chocolate chips, but instead they’re cacao) into our yogurt, smoothie, and porridge, as it lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of heart disease, not to mention it helps detoxify your body. It’s a serious mood booster too and actually releases the same gooey brain chemicals as when you’re falling in love. It’s packed with other minerals as well, like iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Favorite Cacao Recipes:

You can buy cacao as a powder or as nibs, either online or at your local health food store. We like this Raw Organic Cacao Powder from Amazon, $14.

Vegan Cacao smoothie
For the perfect post-gym or afternoon refuel, blend together 1 1/2 cups of almond milk, one banana, 1 tablespoon of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of raw cacao. Serve over ice and enjoy.

Cacao Fudge
This sweet treat is actually super nourishing for both your skin and your hair. In a food processor, blend together 4 tablespoons of almond butter with 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Then add 2 tablespoons of raw cacao, 4 tablespoons of raw honey, and a pinch of sea salt. Place on a tray lined with baking paper and pop it into the freezer for an hour, then break it into pieces and enjoy!

Cacao mask
This mask is amazing for acne-prone sufferers or anyone who wants a quick glow, as the cucumber will instantly brighten the skin and the cacao is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Start by mashing 1 avocado in a bowl until smooth, then stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of cacao until well combined. Squeeze the juice of 3 to 4 slices of cucumber, ensuring the seeds make it into the mixture. Apply to your face, leaving it for 20 minutes before you rinse it off with warm water.

Let me know if you’ve already tried cacao in the comments below.

And also, what do you guys want to be officially called? Comment down below and head over to @BeautyLeeBar Instagram for more fun and cute posts!

Sipping Pretty: Infused Water Recipes

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Aside from coming across as beautiful, drinkable works of art, infused waters have a subtly sweet taste and a cleansing effect on your body that is equal parts refreshing and healthy. From time to time, I find myself making a large pitcher of lemon cucumber mint water and drinking it for a week. And after embarking on a recent “pinge” on Pinterest, I discovered a few other infused water recipes that I was eager to try. I gave them a go and were pleased to find that they tasted as lovely as they looked. Here are the four infused water recipes I created (and couldn’t get enough of)…

  • orange + lemon + lime
  • lemon + raspberry + mint
  • lemon + cucumber + mint
  • blackberry + cherry + lime

To make any of these recipes, all you have to do is slice the fruit you want to use and drop them into your water. You can start drinking it right away, but you might not notice the flavors until it infuses for a few hours (four hours achieves the most potent flavor). I like to let my waters sit overnight in the fridge, and if I’m using a recipe that calls for lemon I will squeeze half a lemon straight into the water for a little detox boost. As long as you keep your water refrigerated, the fruit should stay fresh. If you are filling your pitcher with water throughout the week, keep in mind that it will dilute the flavor each time you refill. I would recommend drinking your water within 3-5 days and making a new batch once you notice that fruit has started to soften or turn your water cloudy. Which infused water recipe will you try first? Leave your questions and comments below! And if you liked this post, be sure to take a peek at my detox diary for all the details about my first juice cleanse. xx

Say “I Love You” with These 4 Easy DIY Projects!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Whether you’re looking to surprise your lover with breakfast in bed (along with some adorable sugar hearts for their coffee ), or, if you want to get together with your BFFs and spoil yourselves with a mini at home spa night (I see you, single gals!) … I have you covered!

Below I’ve rounded up 4 of my Valentine’s Day DIY’s and I can’t wait to share them with you so you can share them with YOUR loved ones!!

Ps. We all know that food is the way to a mans (and WOMAN’S heart!) lol … so, make sure to swing back to the blog next week as I’ll be sharing some of my favourite recipes to whip up for that special someone in your life!!

Stitched Love Pillow

This easy DIY stitched love pillow is a great way to spruce up an otherwise old plain pillow and chances are you probably have a slip laying around the house that would be perfect for this!

Heart Banner DIY

I love little canvas and burlap banners, I think they are too cute. For my birthday I was searching for a simple banner and I couldn’t find what I was looking for so, I decided to make a mini one!!! It’s easy peasy and a great craft for kids too!

Rose Honey Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

If you’re getting together with all of your SINGLE LADIES to pop some bubbly and have a girls night in this Valentines Day, you might as well pamper yourself with a little at home SPA NIGHT!!! Try making this Rose Honey Brown Sugar Lip scrub for the ultimate KISSABLE lips!

Valentine’s Sugar Hearts

Is there ANYTHING cuter than DIY sugar hearts?! Serve them beside your lovers coffee (hellooooo breaky in bed!), or, gift them in a little bag to your girls!! No matter what you do with them, they are SURE to fire up a conversation on ANY occasion!!

Here you have it!! How adorable are these ideas?! I love the idea of creating something for someone, or making a girls night out of it! We ALL need those, don’t we?! Especially when they include sippin’ on some vino! LOL!

HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE’S DAY!

xoxo

Crystal Lee

8 Personalized Valentine’s Day Gifts

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Valentine’s Day is yet another holiday where people adhere to the social constructs of society and buy their significant others generic gifts they find last minute at Walmart. This Valentine’s Day, forget the typical flowers and chocolates and try giving one of these personalized gifts to show your significant other you truly care.

Customized Puzzle

If your one and only enjoys putting together a good puzzle, think about how puzzling together pieces of both your faces would make them feel. Not your average V-day gift, but a quirky one that you both can work on together — creating a memory one piece at a time.

Redeemable Love Coupons

If you’re not looking to spend any money this Valentine’s Day, try making redeemable love coupons for your significant other. The coupons can say anything from “one free kiss” to “making breakfast in bed.” You can tailor the coupons to things you know your significant other will enjoy, all it takes is a little creativity.

DIY Heart-shaped Hand Warmers

This gift is one that keeps on giving. If you’re more of a crafty person, try making your own heart-shaped hand warmers. Your beloved would appreciate the small token of your adoration, especially during these cold months. Something so easy to make, and yet so pleasing to give. Here is a step-by-step guide to making these heart-shaped hand warmers.

Five Senses

If you’re looking to give a more creative V-day gift, test your sweethearts five senses with five gift bags, each containing an item related to one of the senses. Try to make the items as creative as possible, but something your significant other would understand. Items such as their favorite midnight snack for taste or a lotion of their favorite scent for smell would be perfect.

52 Reasons

By using playing cards, you can write 52 reasons why you love your honey. It’s a creative take on expressing your love for someone, and being able to tell your significant other 52 distinct reasons why you love them will surely win you some brownie points. 

Memorable Places Picture Frame

This simple and inexpensive idea will mean a lot to your special someone because it’s completely personal. Some ideas of locations to frame could be where you went on your first date or where you had your first kiss. It’s a gift that will take you both back to one of the best moments of your relationship.

Scavenger Hunt

The gift isn’t the destination, but the journey you both can go on together. This adventurous idea can provide you with a day full of both your favorite spots, like grabbing your significant other’s go-to drink at that coffee shop you both love. The more places you go, the sweeter the walk down memory lane will be.

Balloon Chandelier of Memories

Balloons are always a nice surprise, but an even better one when photos of your relationship are clipped to the ends. By attaching some of your favorite memories of you and your love to balloons, it makes for a festive Valentine’s Day that your significant other could only appreciate.