Moving to Facebook

Hi!  I just want to let it be known that I am going to move this blog over to Facebook.  I just think it will be easier on me to manage and also post information through FB and have more interaction from others.  Please join me over at http://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanNaturalista.

THANK YOU!

Today's Green Smoothie

I went to one of my favorite places for produce yesterday, TRADER JOE'S!  They always have a decent selection and the best prices.  I saw they had kale cut and ready to eat in bags.  Why had I never noticed that before?  I picked it up thinking it would make preparing my smoothies easier.  I think next time I will omit the yogurt and add carrot juice.  I really need to buy a juicer, but it came out great!  Here is what I used for today's smoothie:

1/2 cup kale
1/2 cup spinach
1 gala apple, cored & diced
1 cup banana, sliced & frozen
1/2 cup tart cherry juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 cube Dorot garlic
1 cube Dorot ginger

Clean Eating Magazine

Okay, so since I decided to do the 30-Day Eat Clean & Fitness Challenge I have been researching recipes and info like crazy.  I came across the most amazing thing.  First, let me say I love Pinterest and one day I will share some awesome stuff I found on there.  Next, let me say I occasionally pick up Clean Eating magazine and also love it.  Well, while on Pinterest I decide to search "clean eating" and low and behold Clean Eating magazine has a Pinterest account.  HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!


Their Pinterest is freaking great and I will be using it on my journey!  Here is the link for their Pinterest for all who want in on the goodness they have there.

30-Day Eat Clean & Fitness Challenge

My working out has been on a long pause since the beginning of May.  In turn, my weight loss has also halted.  Mostly it has been due to my bad knee.  I really don't know what is going on with it, but I get serious pain and inflammation.  It gets so bad that it is hard to walk on.  I have been babying it and not working out.

I recently came across a challenge on Naturally Divine's Facebook page where you are to workout everyday and eat clean for the next 30 days.  This is something I would like to continue past the 30 days.  I feel like this is the perfect time to get back on track.

Starting tomorrow I will begin working out again.  I haven't decided what I will do just yet.  I will keep updating my progress and I can't wait to see where I am in 30 days.  I will also post what workouts and recipes I am using.  I hope my frequent traveling this summer to visit family won't be too hard on my fitness goals.

If you need info on eating clean, check out the Eat Clean Diet website.  There are great recipes and info on that site.

Join in if you can!  Wish me luck. ;)

Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub

This is one of my favorite scrubs to make.  I mainly use it on my face, but occasionally use it all over my body.  It is so great for exfoliation without dryness afterwards.  When I first made this it looked kind of thin in consistency, but when I used it.... WOW!  It gave my skin a great "scrub".  I use it first, and then follow with a vitamin E or tea tree based soap.  Then I use my homemade toner.  I will share that recipe with you later.

Now, let's make it!
Mix together:
2 tablespoons grape seed oil
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
15 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops ylang ylang essential oil
15 drops clary sage essential oil
15 drops lime essential oil
***you can substitute the grape seed and avocado oil for 3 tablespoons of any oil you like***

Now I add enough brown sugar until it is the consistency of a caramel sauce.  Today I used about 5-6 tablespoons of brown sugar.
Here is the finished product.  Like I said, it may not LOOK like a scrub, but just WAIT!  You will be surprised!!! ENJOY!!!!

My Green Smoothie Base

I love green smoothies.  I buy them pre-made ALL THE TIME.  I figured I should be able to do something similar at home.  I went to the market and was overwhelmed in the produce section.  If I don't have a list with me I get sensory overload lol.  I forgot my list at home, but remembered a couple ingredients and then got creative with others.  Everything is organic.  Here is what I used:

4 kale leaves, chopped
1 cup of parsley, chopped
1 bosc pear, chopped
1 kiwi
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cups of water

I put the kale, parsley and water into the blender and set to liquefy.

Then I added the pear and kiwi.

Next I added the bell pepper.

Then I transferred to a plastic container.  I added a couple of drops of lemon juice to the container, too.

So that is my green smoothie base!

Here is the smoothie I made with it after:

It was really yummy and had a nice kick to it!  I can't wait to get a juicer, because the only thing I didn't like was the bits of bell pepper skin.  I will be having this every morning!

For this I used:
1/2 cup smoothie base
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
1 cube frozen crushed garlic
1 cube frozen crushed ginger
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
1 serving whey protein powder
1 tablespoon chia seed
2 tablespoons local honey

My FAVORITE Homemade Deep Conditioner

As you will come to find out, I LOVE making my own products.  As a matter of fact, I am working on my own business making natural hair and body products.  I am always telling people about my favorite homemade deep conditioner (DC).  Here is the recipe and the regimen I *usually* follow on the days I DC my hair.

My ingredients are:

1. Avocado
2. Coconut Milk
3. Honey
4. Water
5. Castor Oil
6. Tea Tree oil

First I scoop the avocado into the blender.

***I forgot to continue taking pictures of my process, but it is really easy.  I blame my anxiousness to use my fave conditioner on my forgetfulness. :)***

Next I microwave 2 tablespoons of honey with 3 tablespoons of water just until they are warm.  I add that to the blender and begin blending.  I use the "Puree" function.  Make sure you don't close the lid tightly because the warm water/honey mixture can cause it to pop off.  

After that is blended I add 1/4 cup of coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of castor oil (you can use any oil you want) and blend until smooth.  Then move the mixture to a container and I add 10 drops of tea tree oil (you can use any essential oil you want or omit it all together).

Mix it very well to make sure the essential oil is evenly distributed.  

Here is the final product.  Smooth, shiny and silky!

Now I just apply evenly through my hair, put on a plastic shower cap or conditioning cap and wait at least an hour.  Here it is on my hair.

This is my hair after rinsing out the DC and shampooing using Shea Moisture's Argan Oil & Raw Shea Butter bar soap.

I bought this product today at Walgreen's and decided to use this to condition.  Also here is a picture with it on my hair.  I put on a plastic cap again and will leave it on for 45 minutes.  

Here is my hair after detangling and rinsing.  The bioinfusion didn't allow for super easy detangling that some of my other products have.  It did feel good while I had it on and after I rinsed it out.

***Usually on days I DC with this mixture I also do my ACV rinse after this second conditioning.  I planned on doing it, but forgot.  I don't know what's wrong with me today. haha***

Then I sealed with a little Carol's Daughter Hair Balm:

I had planned on twisting it, but I am tired.  I think I will try dry twists tomorrow. 

I decided to add a little of Carol's Daughter Hair Milk after it dried some.

Try this homemade DC and I bet you will fall in love with it!