Miracle Serum

Miracle Serum

As we age (especially us women) we tend to greatly dislike or even hate the deep wrinkles...

 

And, the saggy turkey neck...

One option is to inject toxins into our faces, to make you look like a blow fish...

For me, that is not an option!  I want to be naturally beautiful and only use 100% natural products to achieve a youthful appearance.  That is why I choose Shaklees Enfuselle skin care line.  Specifically, the Firming Serum, which is a miracle in a bottle, that just so happens to be 100% natural, Yeah! 

My mother was so gracious to allow me to put the serum on half her face and take pictures to see the difference.  And, WOW, was there a difference in the fine lines, deep wrinkles and saggy neck.  These pictures will prove it!

The above picture is with out. 

This above picture is with only one application of the serum, which with every use improves the skin over time.  As you can see the skin above the eye is firmer and less saggy, the wrinkles around the eyes are less noticeable, and some have disappeared.

The left side has the serum and the right does not.  Again, the skin is firmer and the wrinkles are less noticeable and some have disappeared.

The above picture is with out the serum.

This above picture is with the serum.  You can see the skin that hung below the neck is firmer especially the part to the sides that puckers out, in the picture with the serum it firmed up about 2 inches!

Being the kind person I am, I just couldn't keep this a secret, so I'm sharing it would all of you.  If you are interested in trying this miracle stuff 100% money back guarantee from Shaklee.  Meaning if you don't like it you get your money back no questions asked.  You can buy the Firming Serum here:

http://jberinger.myshaklee.com/us/en/shop/healthybeauty/enfuselleskincare/product-_p_instant-firming-serump?g=specialtytreatments

Cleaner Air

Cleaner Air

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't know the air ducts in a home were suppose to be cleaned.  Meaning that a professional crew comes to your house and pretty much super vacuums them clean, and if they are really dirty and/or have mold they need to scrub them clean.  I do however, know that it is important to clean or change the furnace filters every three months.  After finding this information out, I did some research and found that the FDA suggests every home have there floor vents cleaned every year and the clean air returns cleaned every five years, man was I behind...

Being a "Green" healthy home, meaning I don't use any products that are toxic or not 100% natural in my home.  I wanted to find an air duct cleaning service that was organic.  Which I did, I actually found two!  (If you want the names just let me know and I will post them)  This year was the first year in 11 years that the air ducts in my home have been cleaned.  I'm actually excited to turn the furnace on when it gets colder to see if that icky smell won't happen this year.  You know the smell I'm talking about right?  It smells like burnt, old dust and dirt.

I've noticed that there isn't as much dust floating around my home or sitting on my furniture, since I cleaned right after the ducts were super, duper cleaned.  Also, days after we had our air ducts cleaned the temperature outside got unseasonable warm and the house got super hot.  So, we turned the A/C on for a few hours to cool it off.  Which made me wonder if more dust was going to collect around my house, but it didn't in the first time since I've lived here. 

So, my suggestion to you and any one with a baby(ies), children, asthma, allergies, breathing issues, a super dusty house, or anyone for that matter to get their air ducts cleaned.  Because, in my opinion, it will be well worth the investment in regards to the maintenance of your home and health.  After all, we all want a comfortable, clean and safe home!

Longer Lasting Pumpkins with this Craft

Pumpkin Craft

To get the most bang for your buck when it comes to pumpkins, it's best to not carve them, because that will cause them to rote quicker.  Although, sometimes a good old fashioned pumpkin carving is just what we need to create beautiful memories.  However, if you are looking for a few other ways to make pretty pumpkins on the cheap with very little effort, this post may be just what you are looking for.

To create the above designs there are a few options.  The first is to pick up an application sticker set that is made for many different crafts. (I found mine on clearance for super cheap at Michael's).  

The second option is to use a simple black sharpie marker.  If you choose the second option them you will need to create a design on paper and poke through the paper onto the pumpkin just like you would a carving design.  But, instead of cutting the design out, you just mark on top of the pokes with the black (or purple, blue, green, etc...) sharpie.  {You can use black eye liner, acrylic paint with a small paint brush instead of the sharpie, but I found the sharpie is easiest to control.}

If you were able to find the pre-designed craft stickers, just simply apply in the design you want.  I used one made of black jewels for a dark, antique type look.  The big and the small round pumpkins have the black jewel stickers, that were pre designed.

The small pumpkin with the swirls made of dots was done with a black sharpie.

A third option, is to use acrylic paint (or sharpie) to write words on the pumpkins.

The great thing about being able to keep the pumpkins longer is, having the chance to redo the designs as often as you want (or have time) for different parties or themes.  The important thing is to have fun!

Fluffy Pumpkin Body Scrub

Fluffy Pumpkin Body Scrub

You will need...

• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin: can use canned, fresh, or frozen (thawed) as long as it is pureed and a smooth texture
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1/2 - 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/8 cup Olive Oil

Mix Pumpkin, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil together until fluffy.  Add in the brown sugar, just enough to keep a fluffy texture while adding in the exfoliating sugar crystals.  You can add in a few dashes of cinnamon &/or nutmeg is you desire to add a nice aroma.  

Store in a large empty jam, jelly or mason jar.  As this mixture sits it can separate, all that is needed is to stir the ingredients back together.  

To use...

Apply the desired amount to skin and buff the skin to exfoliate and reveal beautiful soft glowing skin.

*I use this about every other day all over my body, and everyday on my feet, elbows and knees to keep them soft.

Hope you enjoy!

Pumpkin Fluff

Pumpkin Fluff

(It's like pumpkin pie with the whipped cream mixed in it!)

You will need…

•     15 oz. Pumpkin (canned or fresh)
•     16 oz. Cool Whip thawed (I used two 8 oz. Cool whip from Trader Joes, because there is no trans fat in it)
•     2 scoops of Shaklee 180 Vanilla smoothie mix or Shaklee Vitalized Immunity Vanilla mix, or can sub package instant vanilla pudding mix.
•     ½ - ¾ tsp. Cinnamon
•     5-7 dashes of nutmeg

Mix the cinnamon, nutmeg, protein mix and pumpkin together.  Then fold in Cool Whip.  Can garnish with a few dashes of either cinnamon or nutmeg.  Serve cold / cool.

I serve this delicious fluff with apple and pear slices, and windmill cookies.  You can also serve with ginger snaps, gram crackers or a buttery Ritz type of cracker for a salty sweet.

Or you can make a pecan-gram cracker crust or use a pre-made gram cracker piecrust and put the fluff on top to make a fluffy pumpkin pie. 

To make the pecan-gram cracker crust, you will need…

• ·   ½ cup crushed or chopped pecans
• ·    1-1.5 (about one package) cups crushed gram crackers
• ·    ½ stick butter, melted.

Combine all three ingredients and press into an 8” or 9” pie dish.  Make sure to spray the pie dish with either coconut oil or olive oil to prevent sticking.  Top with the pumpkin fluff.  Serve cold, you can garnish with cinnamon, nutmeg or extra whipping cream.

Enjoy!

Southwestern Chicken Stew

Southwestern Chicken Stew

(This stew is high in protein and fiber, and is super healthy.  You can substitute the chicken for portabella mushrooms for a vegan dish.)

• Four skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (i use mild to medium spice, but if you like a lot of kick you can use the hot spiced.)
• 15 oz. can black beans. rinsed and drained
• 9 oz frozen whole corn kernels, thawed and drained
• One sweet potato baked w/ skin, chopped
• One baked potato w/ skin, chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp red chili pepper
• 1/2 tsp cilantro
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown chicken breasts.  Add tomatoes with green chile peppers, beans and corn.  Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 25 - 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.  And in potato, sweet potato, ground cumin, red pepper, cilantro and salt.  Reduce heat to lowest temp and let the spices cook into the veggies and chicken, about 5 minutes or less.  

Serve warm.  Can top with light sour cream, unsweetened greek yogurt for additional protein, and /or sliced avocado.

Left overs are even more flavorful, so make sure there is enough to have left overs.