Tag: Lifestyle

MAKING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR MENSTRUAL PHASE

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Today, I want to share with you 5 ways you can make the best out of your menstrual phase. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you concrete tips to guide you through your menstrual journey. Specifically, during your menstruation and luteal phase as both can be emotionally overwhelming, tiring, and uncomfortable. You also might experience PMS symptoms during those phases which make us go through a festival of emotions. Menstruation is not fun and I want to share with you how you can make the best out of it!

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Physical activities 🧘‍♀️

The first way you can make the best out of your menstrual phase is through physical activity. By that, I don’t necessarily mean an intense cardio workout, I mean more a physical activity like walking or yoga. Body movement is a wonderful way to soothe premenstrual symptoms. It notably improves blood circulation, regulates your mood, and calms painful cramps. Plus, I always feel like shit and bloated during my periods, and body movement helps with that.

Taking time off 🍸!

In general, your menstruation phase calls for relaxation. It’s the moment your body asks for you to take it slow and rest. So, a second way you can make the best out of your menstrual phase is by taking some time off. I take my menstruation phase as an opportunity to rewind and make time for myself. It’s my self-care moment of the month. This is when I usually paint or read a book on my very comfortable couch. It’s not the best time for me to socialize or go partying, but I love having solo dates and just chilling at coffee places!

Hot infusions 🫖

The third way you can make the best out of your menstruation is through tea! Herbal infusions are another way you can relieve emotional and physical PMS symptoms. Here are some of my recommendations:

🌼Chamomile to relieve cramps and reduce stress

🌱Raspberry leaves to soothe cramps

🌸Valerian to relieve cramps, soothe anxiety and help with sleep

🤍Ginger to relieve back and stomach pain and soothe digestion

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Food during your menstrual phase🥑

A healthy diet is an important aspect of everyone’s life and for each phase of our cycle. Some of the general rules you can follow are to try to favor fruits, legumes, and vegetables, keep yourself hydrated, avoid eating transformed food in big quantities, and eat diverse sources of proteins. During your menstrual and luteal phase, you can opt for food rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E such as bananas, sweet potatoes, raw spinach, or dried tomatoes. During that phase, I love to eat warm food that feels comforting and that doesn’t make me feel bloated. I’ve also read that caffeine can make your cramps worse, it’s something I’ve also noticed, so opt for herbal tea instead which has a lot of benefits.

S*xu*l activities 🍑

Finally, one way you can make the best way out of your menstrual phase is through sexual activity. This is definitely personal and more of a preference, but I find that it’s a great way to soothe cramps, strengthen your relationship with yourself and your partner, and just feel good in general. This is of course something you should talk to your partner about ahead, keep an open mind and set boundaries if needed. You can also find comfortable ways to do it, like putting a towel on the bed or doing it in the shower. It’s really up to you and your partner!

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That’s it for today! I hope you enjoyed reading this post today and I will see you on my next blog post 🤍!

HOW TO RECHARGE WHEN YOU FEEL DRAINED

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Today, I am sharing with you how to recharge when you feel drained, after a long day at work or school. I am all about staying productive and working hard to achieve one’s goals. But, I am solely against tiring yourself out to a point where you can’t function or even enjoy life.

So, in this post, I want to share with you how you can recharge your mind and body when you feel tired and drained.

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Engage your senses 👂

The first way you can recharge your mind and body is by engaging your senses, in a way that makes you more aware of your surroundings and that allows you to be more present. What we see, feel, hear, touch or taste can also affect our mood for the better. You can choose to light a scented candle, turn on the tv to listen to some ambient music and relax on your couch.

Take a break from technology 📱

The second way to recharge is to take a break from technology. Social media can specifically feel emotionally draining and can take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. So, taking a break from your phone can help you unwind and free your mind from overwhelming media presence. During that time, you can engage in a relaxing and fun activity and this brings me to my next point.

Engage in a relaxing activity 💆‍♀️

Engaging in a relaxing and fun activity that you enjoy can help you recharge your mind and body. Hobbies have been shown to reduce stress levels, enhance work performance, increase happiness, and improve sleep patterns. It’s also another wonderful way to practice mindfulness daily.

Take a warm shower or bath 🧖‍♀️

Another way to unwind after a hard day is to take a warm shower or bath. Taking a warm shower allows you to get rid of any negative energy you might have accumulated during the day and also, to relax your muscles and ease the tension. To enhance my bath experience, I love to light scented candles and put on some music. That way, I engage my senses while relaxing in my bathtub.

Meditate 🧘

The fifth way to recharge your mind and body is to meditate. Meditation is a perfect way to practice mindfulness. It allows you to be more present and grounded but also helps manage your stress. It’s an ideal method to clean your mind of unwanted thoughts and rebalance your energy. I know meditation can be tricky, especially for beginners but let me give you some tips.

First, start meditating for 5 minutes or less. With time, you’ll be able to meditate for longer. Second, the point of meditation is not to not think at all but instead, to focus your mind. While meditating, I love to practice visualization and I usually like to put myself in my happy place. I also transform my thoughts into clouds and imagine they slowly shift away while I look at them pass by. This is a wonderful way to calm my mind and relax my body.

Sleep Early 🌙

The last way to recharge when you feel drained is quite simple and that is to sleep early. Most of the time after work I am too lazy to do anything productive so, I always choose to sleep early and wake up at sunrise to tackle the next day in full force..(okay not that early but you get the point). Sleeping is also the one biological way your body can recharge and rest!

How To Recharge When You Feel Drained

In today’s fast-paced world, life can feel pretty draining and tiring but there are some simple exercises you can do daily to recharge your energy and unwind after work. I hope you find this post helpful and I will see you next time🤍!

Vision Boards: Creating the Life of Your Dreams

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Do you find yourself struggling to find the motivation to achieve your goals? Do you want to create the life of your dreams? Constructing a personalized vision board might be the answer to your problems. 

WTF is a vision board?

A vision board is a collection of photos and text that can help you approach the future with hope. Instead of focusing on what habits you should be stopping, focus on the possibilities of the next year. “From a scientific perspective, vision boards do what we call ‘priming,’ which essentially is when exposure to a certain stimulus affects how you act towards whatever comes next,” said Elizabeth Mateer, a licensed mental health counselor associate. A vision board can also help you be specific about the goals you want to manifest. “A vision board is an opportunity to focus on the reality you want to create, a prediction of your possible future, and a connection to hope and a life that feels aligned,” Elspeth Robertson, a registered clinical counselor and professional art therapist said.

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There are two ways to create a vision board: digitally and physically. If you are someone who likes to do hands-on activities, you may want to create a physical vision board. However, if you are someone who prefers digital activities, you may want to create a digital vision board. The choice is yours.

If you’re not sure where to start, try looking for images that inspire you or reflect your goals. You can also use quotes or affirmations that resonate with you. Once you have a few items collected, start arranging them on a bulletin board or piece of poster board. Then add any additional details that will help bring your vision to life.

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HOW TO CREATE A DIGITAL VISION BOARD

Step 1: Gather digital photos from any website of your choice. I find that Pinterest is one of the best platforms to utilize for vision boards.

Step 2: Decide where you would like to create the vision board. If you are unsure where to begin, Canva has great templates.

Step 3: Place and move your images around until you are satisfied with the final look.

Step 4: Make sure to save your final copy, and just like that, you are one step closer to achieving your goals.

Feel free to make your final creation your lock screen—this way you will be looking at your goals daily.

HOW TO CREATE A PHYSICAL VISION BOARD

Step 1: Order a vision board book or cut out images from your favorite magazine that pertain to your goals and dreams. Cut out images from magazines or print out pictures from the internet that represents you (skin color, hair, nationality, etc). If you need a suggestion, Amazon has a wide selection of vision board books.

Step 2: Get a poster board, cork board, or some paper and play with the placing of the images until you are content with the look.

Step 3: Glue or tape your images to the board or paper.

Step 4: Decide whether you want to hang your vision board up, or if you want to put it somewhere else that is visible to you.

Now that you have your personalized vision board, go reach your goals.

BENEFITS OF CREATING A VISION BOARD

Now that we know how to create a vision board, let’s look at what neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart has to say.

“The science behind why it’s helpful is that we’re bombarded with so much information all the time,” she explains. “There’s a natural process in the brain to selectively filter what’s important to our survival and selectively put attention on what’s important for us to thrive.”

Dr. Swart also mentions value tagging, which is an additional system in the brain that pieces together the information in order of importance. “There is a logical element and an emotional element to that,” she adds.

“If you create imagery that represents how you want your life to be, then you’re more likely to notice and grasp opportunities to make that a reality,” she emphasizes, “it’s priming your brain to remember what’s important.”

You’ve heard it from a professional, so what are you waiting for? Go make a vision board!

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What makes a successful vision board?

It’s all about setting your intention. What do you want to manifest in your life? When you have a clear vision, it’s easier to select images that represent that goal. Creating a board that is both visually pleasing and spiritually in alignment will help you to stay focused on your goals.

A vision board is a tool that can help you clarify your goals and bring them into focus. It can also help you identify what steps you need to take to achieve your goals. By looking at your vision board regularly, you can keep your goals at the forefront of your mind and stay motivated to achieve them.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Oftentimes I would find myself setting goals for myself and forgetting about them. I had a picture-perfect life that I wanted to achieve, but I was not motivated to go and get it.

It was the summer of twenty twenty-two when I was offered the great advice of creating a vision board. This was something I’ve always wanted to do, but never got around to doing it. I started with a physical one and eventually decided to create a virtual one, so I could look at it each time I opened my phone.

I find that my vision boards motivate me to create the life that I’ve formed on paper. I continue to strive to achieve these goals, and it makes me feel good knowing I am one step closer to becoming the person I want to be.

Will you be creating a vision board? Leave a comment below.

Bella Hadid Swears by This Smoothie, so I Tried It for Myself

Published on by Lee1 Comment

As a lover of all things health and wellness, I’m no stranger to the many smoothie concoctions the internet swears will change your life. What I am a stranger to, however, is California-based organic grocery store Erewhon and its celebrity-inspired beverages. Some of their most recent smoothie collabs include the Tinx Smoothie, Marianna Hewitt’s Coconut Cloud Smoothie, Kourtney Kardashian’s Poosh Potion Detox Smoothie, and Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie. The newest viral drink to be featured on Erewhon’s menu? Bella Hadid’s Kinsicle Smoothie. 

After hearing all the buzz about the Kinsicle smoothie (named after Bella’s functional beverage company Kin Euphorics), I wanted to give it a try. But since I’m not lucky enough to a) live near Erewhon or b) have the budget for a $20 smoothie, I decided to make my own at home. Read on for the list of ingredients you need to make the Bella Hadid Erewhon smoothie, the benefits of the drink, and my thoughts on it. 

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The recipe 

According to Kin Euphorics, here’s what you’ll need for a DIY version of the Kinsicle smoothie: 

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  • 2 oz. High Rhode
  • 1 oz. Califa almond milk
  • 1 oz. aloe vera juice
  • 6 oz. OJ Evolution
  • ½ oz. of fresh pressed turmeric
  • 1 oz. coconut cream
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla
  • 1-2 tbsp. of Coconut Cult yogurt
  • 1 banana
  • 6 oz. mango
  • ½ tsp. of lion’s mane mushroom
  • 1 Medjool date

First, coat the inside of your cup with the coconut cream (for aesthetic purposes, of course), then blend all the ingredients until smooth. Transfer your mix to your already prepped glass and top it off with an extra large (preferably reusable #savetheturtles) smoothie straw.

Kinsicle Recipe Video:

@erewhonmarket

DREAMY KINSICLE by Bella Hadid🧡🍊✨ Bursting with benefits and tastes heavenly. A little over two weeks to enjoy! Get it while you can ✨

♬ original sound – Erewhon Market

The benefits

Just like Kourtney Kardashian’s smoothie that’s said to aid in digestion and Hailey Bieber’s drink that’s said to give you glowing skin, people are reaching for the Kinsicle smoothie for its health benefits and–let’s be honest–with the hope that it’s the secret to Bella’s supermodel glow. The truth? This recipe is packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants from the orange juice, mangos, banana, and aloe vera juice, making it a great immunity-boosting beverage. The addition of lion’s mane helps improve mood and cognitive functioning, and the dash of turmeric can help fight inflammation. In short, this smoothie is packed with all sorts of good ingredients to keep you feeling your best. 

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@bevsbybeverly

Erewhon X Bella Hadid Smoothie   3/4 cup Organic Pure Orange juice or Organic Defense Up 1/4 cup almond milk Half a frozen banana 1 cup frozen mango 1 date 1/4 cup coconut yogurt 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Dash of turmeric 2 tbsp aloe vera juice (optional) 1 tsp Lion’s Mane (optional) Coconut cream for glass   Add coconut cream to a glass. Combine all other ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy!

♬ Escapism. – Super Sped Up – RAYE

The verdict 

After a pricey Whole Foods trip (about $45, not counting the impulse items I also grabbed while I was there), I was ready to get started. Overall, it was a quick and easy recipe to throw together despite it calling for more ingredients than I typically include in my smoothies and requiring me to artfully paint coconut cream on the inside of my glass. It turned out looking and tasting pretty good if I do say so myself. But would I pay $20 for it at Erewhon? Probably not. Here’s why:

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I didn’t love the texture of it. I typically use Greek yogurt in my smoothies for added protein but also to give them a thicker, milkshake-like consistency. Instead, the Kinsicle smoothie calls for coconut yogurt, so it ended up having a lighter, frothier texture, making it feel less filling. This brings me to the second reason why I wouldn’t reach for it at the grocery store: I prefer to drink smoothies as a snack or a meal, but I still felt hungry after I finished this one. Sure, you could probably add more filling ingredients like protein powder or nut butter, but that also adds to the cost. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpnEOwvKSf/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=096aaa2b-9fc5-4dab-b250-124da761a700

While I wouldn’t personally pay $20 for a single serving of the Kinsicle smoothie, I am excited to have the ingredients to make it again at home. I’m not usually a big fan of the Creamsicle flavor, but I liked it in this recipe, maybe because it’s made from more natural ingredients. I was also pleasantly surprised that I felt more mentally focused than usual after drinking it and didn’t find myself reaching for my usual 3 p.m. coffee. But maybe that’s just wishful thinking or the Kin Euphorics talking?

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If You’re Making the Bella Hadid Smoothie, a Few Tips

  • Use ground turmeric. Half an ounce of fresh turmeric is equal to about 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, which is likely more readily available.
  • Don’t stress if you don’t use exactly the same brands of ingredients the recipe calls for. Another part of the branded smoothie is the way it calls for exact brands of ingredients. You can still get an optimal Bella Hadid experience even if you reach for your own preferred choice of almond milk, coconut yogurt, and orange juice.
  • Use a high-powered blender. If you have one, use it! Or else you might have to chew on the occasional date chunk — nature’s boba?