Feng Shui - The Art of Harmony in the Home

The home is a representation of our daily lives. I truly believe this to be true. Harmony in the home starts by creating an environment that fosters us from the madness of this world. If we have an orderly home then it becomes much more fun coming home from work. It allows us to create self expression and give to others by entertaining. The opposite also proves true. Imagine a long day filled with meetings, appointments, errands and little sleep while walking into your living room and finding untidiness, clothes all over the place, dishes undone and you can't find your bills. The following ideas will help you keep your home organized and clutter free. Harmony in the home can go a long way...

1. Clean your closets. You will find items which you no longer use or have no interest in wearing.

2. Donate or sell your unused items. If you look around your home you might find plenty of items which you could sell online or yard sales.

3. Be creative with your space. A bookshelf can hold just about anything not just books.

4. Keep the color scheme. It is much pleasing to the eye if you stay with a few color combinations. This tip creates a sense of order.

5. Maintenance is the key. Keeping track of your progress is necessary for these changes to last. A chore board helps everyone around the house be responsible for their part.

6. Plants make the world go round. Plants create a sense of vibrance and peace in the home. Just don't forget to water the plants.

7. Lighter colors open the room. The lighter the color scheme the bigger the room will appear. You can create this effect with the paint color, decorations and lighting.

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RELAX!

The day seems like it is never going to end. The workload is stressful, the coworkers are challenging your sanity and the boss is irritable. This describes a typical bad day at work. Life can be difficult at times and our very selves can get trampled in the everyday routine leading to neglecting our minds, bodies and souls. Here are a few ways I like to RELAX and unwind after a very chaotic day in the workplace. I hope you enjoy these suggestions which I believe can help ease the worries of a long and strenuous day.

1. Have some chamomile tea. This tea has great soothing properties allowing you to feel relaxed...very relaxed!

2. Chocolate is called the food of the God's! Chocolate releases endorphins which are chemicals in the brain associated with happiness. Dark chocolate is my favorite and it is high an antioxidants.

3. Read a new book! Go to the library or the store and find that book you have been wanting to get around for a while. Sit back and enjoy!

4. Go for a run! Running or any other type of exercise helps the body get rid of stress and some studies suggest even depression. Plus your confidence increases as you get into shape.

5. Have a healthy smoothie! Get the blender out of storage and mix some fruits, protein powder and ice. Now you have a palate pleasing smoothie that is also really good for you.

6. Call a friend! It could help you make sense of the situation at work by allowing you to sort out ideas and help you to think clearly.

7. Get a massage! There a so many types out there such as aroma therapy, hot stone, reflexology or a simple 20 minute chair massage can also help you relax and deal with stress.

Passionate for Passion Fruit!

Passion fruit or Maracuja or Parcha (as I grew up calling it) is one of my favorite tropical fruits. The fruit can range between a nice shiny yellow or purple for the exterior and it consists of black seeds mixed in with a sweet gelatinous substance. This succulent interior is then extracted out of the fruit and made into refreshing juices, desserts, pastries, ice creams and supplements. The fruit has many benefits such as relieving anxiety, lowering blood pressure and decreasing insomnia. It is such a sweet and luscious fruit rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber. You should try it sometime :-)

Benefits of Aloe Vera

The benefits of aloe vera are incredible. I found my hands to be dry, itchy and sensitive to the touch due to the brutal climate changes and rubbed some of this plant's silky product into my skin. The coolness of the aloe was soothing to my hands and helped with healing after a few applications. I recommend growing your own aloe plant at home. The plant does not require much maintenance and its many uses are a miracle! 

Here are a few simple steps:

1. Go to your local flower, gardening or plant store and buy some aloe vera seeds, fertilizer, soil, pots and gardening gloves.

2. Keep your plant by a window or outdoors and water it daily without over doing.

3. If you notice the plant is changing colors then move the plant away from sunlight until it starts to become its usual green again.

4. The plant could take weeks or some months before it is ready to be cut and used. Be patient! It is all worth the wait.

Handmade Coconut Cream Soap - Vegan - 5 oz - No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing by Soaps By Virginia

Coconut Cream Soap 5 oz

This is one luscious and creamy bar of soap! Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Lye, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. This and all of my soaps are never tested on animals!!

• Highly moisturizing formula • No animal testing • 100% All Vegetable Soap• Biodegradable

All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. ❤❤

Note: These are handcrafted soaps and the appearance of each soap varies. Every soap is distinct.

Handmade Bubblegum Soap - Vegan - 5 oz - No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing by Soaps By Virginia

Bubblegum Kisses Soap 5 oz

I love the smell of this soap! It takes me back when I was a kid and looked forward to the bubblegum machines after school. Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Lye, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. This and all of my soaps are never tested on animals!!

• Highly moisturizing formula
• No animal testing
• 100% All Vegetable Soap
• Biodegradable
All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. ❤❤

Note: These are handcrafted soaps and the appearance of each soap varies. 

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Handmade Unscented Soap - Vegan - 5 oz - No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing ❤❤❤❤ by Soaps By Virginia

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Unscented Vegan Soap

This is an unscented soap without colors or fragrances. Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. 

• Highly moisturizing formula
• No animal testing
• 100% All Vegetable Soap
• Biodegradable
All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. ❤❤

Gluten-Free Buckwheat Pancake Recipe

I just made these super yummy and healthy buckwheat pancakes. I hope you get a chance to make these too, so grab a bag of  buckwheat flour and cook away!

Gluten-Free Buckwheat Pancake Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup of organic whole grain buckwheat flour
1 tsp of baking powder
2 tbsp of raw sugar
1/2 tsp of salt
1 cup of filtered water
1 egg beaten (or egg substitute)
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 tbsp of melted butter

Preheat a griddle or pan lightly with oil or butter. Combine all dry ingredients and mix well in a separate bowl. Add the beaten egg, water, melted butter and vanilla extract to the dry mix and beat well after each addition. Pour some batter into the griddle or pan and cook both sides for 1-2 minutes and continue cooking until the sides are a golden dark brown. Serve with organic fruits of your choice and maple syrup. Enjoy! Makes 2 servings.

Handmade Men's Bamboo and Teak Soap 5 oz - No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing ❤❤❤❤ by Soaps by Virginia

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Handmade Men's Bamboo and Teak Soap 5 oz

This soap is a nice blend of wood and mint. It has a soft fresh smell, masculine yet not overpowering. Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. 

• Highly moisturizing formula
• No animal testing
• 100% All Vegetable Soap
• Biodegradable

All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. 
❤❤

14 Foods that Cleanse the Liver

I stumbled across this video on liver detoxification. It was very informative and I wanted to share it with you. The video describes foods that help with flushing out impurities from the liver. I am going to incorporate these foods into my diet from now on and hope you are able to do so as well. 

Handmade Almond Soap - Vegan - 5 oz - No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing by Soaps By Virginia

Almond Soap 5 oz
This bar of soap smells so sweet and invigorating. Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Lye, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. This and all of my soaps are never tested on animals!!

• Highly moisturizing formula
• No animal testing
• 100% All Vegetable Soap
• Biodegradable

All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. ❤❤

Note: These are handcrafted soaps and the appearance of each soap varies. Every soap is distinct.

MADE WITH CINNAMON

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Simple Red Lentil Soup Recipe

Simple Red Lentil Soup Recipe

Ingredients: (Serves 6)
- 1 1/3 cup of red lentils
- 7 cups of low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 large onion
-4 cloves of garlic
- 1 large carrot
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt to taste
- chopped mint or cilantro for garnishing (optional)

Method:
In a large bowl set aside the red lentils, pick and rinse thoroughly. If preferred, submerge the red lentils in water overnight to speed cooking for the next day. Finely chop the onion, garlic cloves and carrot. Combine the low sodium vegetable broth, lentils, onion, garlic, carrot and tomato paste and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to cook in low heat and simmer uncovered. The vegetables will be tender and lentils will begin to soften while falling apart. Cooking time is approximately 25 minutes. 

Turn off the heat and quickly transfer the soup into a blender in small batches. Blend until the soup is creamy. Serve with black pepper and sea salt as desired. Garnish with mint or cilantro and enjoy!!

Note: Please use caution when blending hot liquids. Hold the lid down firmly with a kitchen towel and blend in low speed.

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Strawberry and Banana Protein Shake Recipe

This is one of my favorite shakes. I use organic fruits and flaxseed oil. The organic flaxseed oil I use if by Solgar and it contains Omega 3, 6 and 9. Hope you give this recipe a try, drink for your health!

Strawberry and Banana Protein Shake Recipe

1/2 organic banana
3 jumbo organic strawberries
1 scoop of protein powder
1 tablespoon of organic flaxseed oil
4 oz of filtered water

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree in high speed for 20-30 seconds. Serve immediately and garnish with extra strawberries if desired. Makes one serving.


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Handmade Sweet Oatmeal and Eucalyptus Soap - Vegan - 5 oz -No SLS, No Titanium Dioxide or Animal Testing ❤❤❤❤ by Soaps by Virginia

Sweet Oatmeal & Eucalyptus Soap 5 oz

Wake up or unwind to a nice bar of sweet oatmeal and eucalyptus. Made with organic ingredients. This soap does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Titanium Dioxide. It cleanses without stripping or upsetting the delicate natural pH balance necessary for soft, healthy skin. 

• Highly moisturizing formula
• No animal testing
• 100% All Vegetable Soap
• Biodegradable
All items are individually sealed in order to maintain the moisturizing properties of the soap. 
❤❤

MADE WITH CINNAMON

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Oatmeal with Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters by KIND

 This was my awesome breakfast this morning. I added some extra toppings such as strawberries, pumpkin seeds, dry cranberries and raisins, almonds, goji berries and the super delicious Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters by KIND. There is so much to love in this bowl!

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