Lipstick 101

Happy National Lipstick Day ladies!

Here are some fun lipstick facts for you to learn today :)

And I am so happy to share that it is my first year to celebrate
Lipstick Day using organic lipsticks!!!

I've been loving them and I encourage you to switch as well.

Why do you have to switch?

I went to Morocco last year and I saw firsthand how an organic argan oil is made.

It sure takes time but the process is amazing!

Plus we get to help women in Morocco have a fair trade living.

Here are the different shades of
Neal's Yard Remedies Lipsticks:

Which shade of nature will you choose?

Message me! :)

Homemade Tocino

TOCINO

 is bacon in Spanish, 

typically made from the pork belly, 

which is popular in the Philippines

due to the Spanish colonization.

In Caribbean countries, such as Puerto Rico and Cuba, 

tocino is made from pork fatback (equivalent to slab bacon cut) 

and neither cured nor smoked, 

but just fried until very crunchy and added to recipes, 

much like lardons in French cuisine.

When I was young,

my mom used to make homemade tocino for our own consumption

as well as a side business.

Different regions in the Philippines

has their own version.

Mine is more of what I've grown up with

but has been altered for healthier reasons.
And no preservative or artificial color added.
You can freeze them for later consumption as well.

Before I start the recipe,

I would like to share some info 

on why I have altered the traditional ingredients.

You can use whatever suits you.

*Traditionally in the Philippines,

we use banana ketchup as it is sweet.

But so far I haven't seen an organic version.

I am staying away from artificial colorings & preservatives

so I have been using organic tomato ketchup instead.

*If you are allergic to gluten,

substitute soy sauce with tamari.

FYI:

Tamari: Little to no wheat (always double-check if avoiding gluten)

Soy Sauce: Includes wheat (not gluten-free)

I am not allergic to gluten but it is the organic soy sauce 

available in my neighbor grocery store.

*Sea salt vs table salt/iodized salt

Sea salt is produced through evaporation of ocean water or water from saltwater lakes, 

usually with little processing. 

Depending on the water source, 

this leaves behind certain trace minerals and elements. 

The minerals add flavor and color to sea salt, which also comes in a variety of coarseness levels.

Table salt is typically mined from underground salt deposits. 

Table salt is more heavily processed to eliminate minerals 

and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping.

*I used to add Sprite/7-up but I haven't been drinking soda for a while 

and it is just unhealthy.

It still tastes good without it.

But if you are one of those who can't omit an ingredient,

you can make your own healthy version.

Healthy Lemon & Lime "Soda"

*1 cup sparkling water

1/2 lemon

1/2 lime

honey/organic sugar for sweetness

Ingredients: 

(organic if possible)

1 kg boneless pork or chicken, cut into thin strips

1 cup Healthy Lemon & Lime soda (see above) - optional

1 cup pineapple juice or apple juice

1 cup honey or brown sugar (you can add more depending on sweetness preference)

6 tbsp tomato ketchup

4 tbsp soy sauce/tamari

2 cloves minced garlic 

5 tsp sea salt

freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in a container except the pork and mix well.

Add the pork and "massage" them for as long as you can. lol

If container has no cover, you can use clear wrap/foil to cover.

Put in the fridge for at least 2 days to cure the meat.

Cooking:

Tocino is traditionally boiled in water (just enough water to cover the meat) 

or fried in oil, 

or is cooked over medium heat until the fat is rendered.

I personally just put a few sprays of oil (I use coconut or olive oil)

 in the pan just to coat it.

Put the meat in.

Liquid will come out on its own.

I turn the meat once in a while

and let the liquid evaporate on its own.

Best served with garlic fried rice, tomatoes and egg.

And/or a spicy garlic vinegar as a condiment for the tocino.

Enjoy! 

Focus

April – concentration and memory

If you’re finding staying focused and remembering things a challenge, 

then you’ll love our practical tips and natural remedies to help get you back in the zone. 

It’s often hard to stay focused, make decisions and remember important information. 

Amongst day-to-day stresses, whether it’s a presentation at work or exam time revision, 

your brain can sometimes need a bit of help to stay focused. 

Here are a few of the tips we’ve found most helpful:

MINDFUL DECLUTTER

If concentrating isn’t coming naturally, 

you can train your brain one step at a time. 

Start by eliminating distractions and focus on a single task for 30 minutes.

Then build up your ‘focus stamina’ over time. 

Regular meditation and reading can also help.

So dig out that novel you’ve always wanted to read.

A HERBAL FOCUS

Start your day with a revitalising mug of Organic Refreshing Tea and a Cognitive Supplement – packed with all-natural ingredients including gingko biloba, vitamin B5 and green tea extract to help boost concentration and fight fatigue.

For an atmosphere conducive to study and hitting deadlines, 

you can’t beat Focus Aromatherapy Blend,  

with energising spearmint and rosemary – ideal in a diffuser.

Or the Study Remedy to Roll for when you're on the go.

And you can get all of these in my exclusive

 NATURAL BOOST YOUR CONCENTRATION KIT!

Contact me for details:

www.facebook.com/PrincessNYR

princess_sitti@yahoo.com

@princessweetah

TOP TIPS FOR BOOSTING CONCENTRATION

Make a plan – be clear about what your task is, and what ‘finished’ looks like

Prioritise – if you have lots of tasks, decide the order you’re going to tackle them in

One thing at a time – start with short periods of intense focus and build up your stamina over time

Get enough sleep – it’s the best way to maintain focus and energy

Eat well – heavy carbs and overeating can make you sluggish and tired

Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water or herbal tea to help you stay alert and focused

Adapted from http://wellbeing.nealsyardremedies.com/index.php/portfolio-view/april/

Potato Omelette

Hi everyone!

Today is National Tater Day!

And that means that I am eating potatoes all day long. haha

So for brunch,

I made a super simple

POTATO OMELETTE.

It is so easy to make and it doesn't even need a blogpost 

but someone in my IG requested for it.

Ingredients:

(organic whenever possible)

1 medium-sized potato

2 eggs

pinch of salt

olive oil/butter

Directions:

Peel the potato.

Slice into strips like fries/chips.

Heat oil/butter and sauté potato until soft or brown 

depending on your preference.

Beat the eggs in a bowl.

Add a pinch of salt.

Pour into the potato slices.

Let the egg set.

And that's it really!

Enjoy your simple yet healthy tater! :)

Fragrance 101

It is National Fragrance Day!

Let us talk about some info about fragrances.

Neal's Yard Remedies,

an ethical organic and natural

health and beauty company,

do NOT use phalates.

Let us discover what is inside a perfume.

For educational purposes,

we are going digging into Pure Essence No. 2 Rose

Ethereal and eternally romantic, the sophisticated, velvety scent of rose 

is imbued with wonderfully calming and uplifting properties.

We've blended hundred petalled and damask roses 

with organic rose geranium, organic cedar wood 

and pink pepper to create a beautifully subtle, natural scent.

TOP NOTES:

Palmarosa and pink pepper

-these give the first impression of a fragrance. 

 MIDDLE NOTES

Damask rose, hundred petalled rose and rose geranium

-often called the "HEART NOTES",

as these make up the main body of the fragrance.

 BASE NOTES

Cedarwood and benzoin

-these give the fragrance depth and help ground the lighter notes.

Directions:

Spray onto pulse points and décolleté. 

We recommend keeping your Pure Essence Eau de Parfum in its box, 

as perfume is a delicate beauty that can be affected by light and heat.

*adapted from Neal's Yard Remedies Rose Perfume file

Sleep Solutions "Cheat Sheet"

Do you know that today, March 18th is WORLD SLEEP DAY?

How well we sleep is tangled up with so many aspects of our lives: 

what we are eating, 

the amount of stress we are under,

 the demands of balancing life and work

 and the physical atmosphere of our bedrooms are just some of these.

While the occasional sleepless night is understandable, 

even to be expected when occasional insomnia turns to chronic insomnia 

it’s important to take actions to remedy things.

There is now a wealth of information to show that chronic lack of sleep can lead to 

depression, premature ageing and weight gain.

If you are having trouble sleeping here’s our best ‘cheat sheet’ solutions to help you get back on track.

SUPPLEMENTS    

Lack of sleep can be sue to nutrient imbalances. 

If stress is keeping you awake at night consider if you are getting enough of the following:

B vitamins 

Stress depletes B vitamins which are necessary to 

balance moods, improve energy levels and 

promote the production of serotonin and support restful REM sleep. 

You may be specifically low in B6 

which has a tranquilising effect and can helps balance moods swings related to PMT, 

which can also keep you awake.

But because B vitamins are a ‘family’ that works best together, 

try taking it as part of a B-complex.

Vitamin C 

Stress also robs the body of vitamin C 

which plays a role in our energy levels and the body’s ability to ward off and recover from illness.

Essential minerals 

A combination of calcium, magnesium and zinc 

may also be helpful since it will help with energy production, 

have a calming effect on an overexcited nervous system and help relax the muscles.

HERBS

Herbs can be taken as soothing teas 

but they can also be infused into a warm bath to help induce restful sleep. 

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) 

Has a nervine and sedative action that can help relieve stress. 

Aids chronic insomnia and leaves you feeling refreshed the next day. 

Antispasmodic action relieves muscle tension, cramps, twitching and pain.

Limeflower (Tilia vulgaris) 

Also known as Linden, 

it relaxes nervous tension, excitability and helps insomnia. 

An antispasmodic action that can help relieve tension headaches.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) 

Excellent, safe sedative herb, great for children where it may be used as herbal baths. 

Helps anxiety, stress and any conditions associated with it such as insomnia.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 

Tonic to the nervous system, helping ease exhaustion and promote natural sleep. 

Can help relive painful tension headaches.

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oils have a powerful effect on our mind and emotions. 

Use them in a variety of different ways, 

including massage, in bath oils, diffused in the air for instance with a diffuser or burner

or roll on your pulse points 

or simply a drop on a tissue or on your pillowcase.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 

Harmonises the nervous system and can have a sedative or stimulant action depending on body’s needs. Use for insomnia due to stress and anxiety.

Roman chamomile (Anthemis noblis) 

Soothing, calming and anti-depressant. 

Eases the stress and anxiety that can contribute to bouts of insomnia.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) 

Helps relieve anxiety and is rejuvenating to the nervous system. 

Good for stressed, tired or overwhelmed people and a useful aid to peaceful meditation.

Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia) 

Uplifting, cooling and fruity, this eases anxiety and gives support in times of stress 

particularly if you feel irritable and over wrought. 

Used throughout the day it eases tension for a better night’s sleep.

DIET    

There’s no escaping that we are what we eat.
To help encourage restful sleep think about rebalancing your diet.

Take these out:
Remove chocolate, stimulants, cigarettes and alcohol from your routine
as these ‘stimulate’ the body and disrupt sleep.
It’s worth noting that some prescription drugs affect sleep patterns too.

Add these instead:
Whole grains, pure water, rainbow fruit and vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds.
These contain B vitamins, magnesium and other nutrients
vital to supporting the nervous system and overall health and vitality of the body,
helping you to eliminate stress!

         

LIFESTYLE          

Getting the work/life balance right is something many of us struggle with.
Here are some thoughts about how to get the best for your health throughout the day.

When you are at work:

Keep remedies on hand.
Use relaxation remedies throughout the day to use as needed.
Or diffuse in your office using de-stressing essential oils.

Get organised practice time management.
Communicate better try to think positively.

Give yourself a break it’s great to be focused and efficient but remember you are only human.
Worry less about mistakes and remember to have a little fun every day.

And when you are at home:

Turn the noise down.
Avoid TV and computers before bed
and try instead to incorporate deep breathing exercises, meditation or relaxation techniques before sleep.

Get out more.
Make time to exercise or walk in green spaces for 20 minutes a day.

Try a warm bath.
Warm baths before bed relax the body and muscles.

*Adapted from NYR Natural News 16.3.16

Green Smoothie

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Today, we are going easy on beer
(no Guinness this time).

Instead I made a 

GREEN SMOOTHIE!

got the glass from Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland last year

Ingredients

*preferably organic

Neal's Yard Remedies Organic Greens Complex -1 tsp
*only $1.28/serving! Cheap for a certified organic good stuff

Spinach -a handful

Parsley - a handful

Apple juice -250 ml

Avocado -1/2 

Blueberries - a handful

optional ingredients:

Omega 3.6.9 Organic Oil Blend- 2-3 tsp

and/or

organic virgin coconut oil- 1 tbsp 

baobab-1 tsp 

bee pollen -1 tsp

Instructions

Just put them all in the blender.

Enjoy!

*good for 1 serving

________________________________

To learn more about the Guide to Pesticides in Produce,
click here.

Here's a cheat sheet you can print out
and place in your wallet or stick on your fridge.