True Love

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

-Bob Marley

The Best of Trader Joes

 [ I am starting to realize that I have a tendency to share my favorite "hidden gem" life secrets... ]

Here are some of my most incredible food secrets. One, because I love food and two, I believe the best kept secrets must be shared! What is life about if you can't share what you know, ya know?

Here goes nothing....some of my favorites from Traders Joe's and a comment or two about what's to love about each. [ I can't take credit for the images ]

1. Bruschetta

Picture something chunky, bursting with flavor, fresh. You can load this stuff on just about ANYTHING. Scrambled eggs, homemade pizza, sliced bread, dip for bread sticks.... Anything! My mom makes her own home-made pasta sauce with a can of plain tomato sauce [from TJ's], add a jar of this bruschetta.

 

 Fresh Tomatoes, Garlic, Basil.

2. Tempting Trail Mix

 You know when you have to pick out the pieces of trail mix you don't care for? This one is the kind where you want to throw back an entire handful without being picky.

Cashews, Almonds, Peanuts, Dried Cherries, Peanut Butter Chips, Chocolate Chips

3. 100% Cranberry Juice 

Learned about this stuff while my mom and I tried the Fat Flush Diet.  Mix 1oz of this with 7oz of water and you've got a semi-bitter but extremely cleansing & hydrating drink. [Kills cellulite too!] 

Whenever I feel bloated or am in need of a good flush, I'll grab a bottle and add a splash to my water bottle.

4. Crushers

Something our family discovered for my niece, Macy. I have now turned them onto my boyfriend, who loves this kind of stuff! I prefer the Apple Carrot, its delicious! But they are all fast, easy, clean and cheap! Click Here is a bit more info on them from Traderjoes.com

5. Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels

There are a few other flavors but this specific one is my FAV. That means I can eat them all, right?

 

         

6. Steelcut Oatmeal

Yes - it exhibits! And it is quick - 3 minutes in the micro and you have an incredibly healthy 'brek'. We like to add dried cranberries at our house, although I'd imagine fresh blueberries would be tasty too!

I personally love it because I can store it in the freezer at work for a quick and easy breakfast each morning.

 

7. Olive Oil & Sea Salt Popcorn

You should just buy 3 bags at a time. I am not exaggerating, either.

3 Ingredients: popcorn, sea salt, olive oil

8.  Dark Chocolate Pretzel Slims

I think I ate an entire bag in one sitting. A great way to kill your sweet tooth without a ton of guilt. SOO, so, so good!

9. 21 Seasoning Salute

A salt-free seasoning that you can put on AN-Y-THING.  You must have this in your cupboard at all times, this is not joke.

 

A smooth blend of onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice and lemon oil. 

 

10. Turkey Corn Dogs

 Who doesn't LOVE corn dogs? These ones are all-natural AND Turkey, so less guilt. They are a MUST TRY!! 

 

11. Tarte d'Alsace

  Another easy, crowd-pleasing item. I personally love this for a night in with wine [as an appetizer with friends while watching our favorite shows.]

 

Ham, Caramelized Onions & Gruyere Cheese

"I smoke pot and I like it a lot."

According to a recent study by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 8 million American women smoked up in the past year—a low-ball figure that reflects only those willing to cop to it. Among them is the upper-middle-class Pottery Barn set: One in five women who admitted to indulging in the previous month lives in a household earning more than $75,000 a year.

".......they are card-carrying, type A workaholics who just happen to prefer kicking back with a blunt instead of a bottle."

Read more: Female Stoners - Women Pot Smokers - Marie Claire

A NORML Life documentary speaks the truth about Pot & Hemp.Watch the trailer by clicking here.

Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask

In honor of sharing products, wanted to share my love for this Aztec Clay Mask.

I personally love mixing it with the Apple Cider Vinegar, but water is great for those who have more sensitive skin. 

Apply
Let Dry* 
Rinse

*If you have dry skin you can apply, keep damp by spritzing some water on your face with a spray bottle periodically (you will achieve the same results without drying the skin completely) and then rinse!

Why it's my fav go-to mask?
Doesn't dry out my skin at all!
Skin tone is rejuvenated and feels bright & fresh
Cleans out my pores like magic!
Leaves skin tight and smooth






I mix it up in a mini tupperware plastic bowl and mix/stir with my finger. (they urge you to stay away from metal bowl or mixing device)

I use it 2-3 times a week and it's been about 3 weeks now. I am truly in love with this natural face mask! The next day at work, I had radiant skin. Didn't need to apply any face makeup!



 

Summer is Coming, Ladies!!

[  For the lucky ladies who never get razor burn or irritation from waxes, I am extremely jealous. ]

 

For those of you who have skin like me...??

.......extremely sensitive skin when constantly shaving or waxing the bikini area, prone to ingrowns .....??

this is for YOU!

Want to Buy? Tend Skin [Amazon.com]

• Reduces appearance of unsightly razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and redness from shaving, waxing and electrolysis
• For men's faces, necks and women's legs, underarms, and bikini line

By far the best kept secret for anyone waxing or shaving this summer... Truly a miracle product! I'd say it is a 'good to keep in your cabinet or drawer', go-to summer product.  Learn about it, buy it, use it, let me know how you like it!!! 

The Wine Library

A few pictures from my wine tasting trip!

V. Sattui was one of my favs!

Listening is Important

I decided to start today, Monday, by sharing a life-changing, journ-worth entry. Hello blogging world :)

I have been working on myself like crazy lately. By this I mean that I've been focusing on bettering myself and strengthening my relationships with others. I have been craving a strong, grounded life and although I may come across as someone who has their shit together, I still have so much on my mind I'd like to figure out. The trick I've learned is that I have to do it step by step, not all at once.  My mind has been crazy, constantly thinking, processing, analyzing life and my future, until now.

My first stop begins at listening; my ability to effectively listen to those I love and care about. 

Consider a time you've felt like you have tons of family and friends around you, a great job, you generally feel very blessed yet you still feel 'alone' or detached a bit? I have been trying to get to the bottom of why I feel like this and I may have the answer! At least, I think I've found a great start ;)

Listening Blocks - 10 things that you may or may not realize you do when listening to friends/family/acquaintances - they could be "blocking" your ability to effectively listen.

Do any of these listening blocks sound familiar to you?

1. Mind reading. [Assuming you know what the other person feels and thinks without asking.]

1. Rehearsing. [Planning what you want to say next and missing what’s being said now.]

1. Filtering. [Listening only to things that are relevant to you and ignoring the rest (even if it’s important to the other person).]

1. Judging. [Evaluating the other person and what they say rather than really trying to understand how they see the world.]

1. Daydreaming. [Getting caught in memories or fantasies while someone is talking to you. Maybe something they said triggers a memory that you have of a time you've experienced the same. At this point, you stop listening to the other person.]

1. Advising. [Looking for suggestions and solutions instead of listening and understanding. Before you get a chance to really listen, you've already formed a response or advice to respond with.]

1. Sparring. [Invalidating the other person by arguing and debating.]

1. Being right. [Resisting or ignoring any communication that suggests you are wrong or should change.]

1. Derailing. [Flat out changing the subject as soon as you hear anything that bothers or threatens you. Common to use a form of humor or a job to change the topic.]

1. Placating. [Agreeing too quickly (“I know …you’re right…I’m sorry”) without really listening to the other person’s feelings or concerns.]

Guilty??? Not to worry because I am too! Being aware of your own habits and these 10 blocks can help improve your listening skills. To me, the best gift you can give someone is the gift of your attention.

The article I snagged this from can be found here, however I strongly urge you to check out the book which opened my own eyes. 

Messages by Matthew McKay

"It is dangerous not to listen! You miss important information and you don't see problems coming..."