Tag: healthy

The Gift of Luminous Skin

s

The Gift of Luminous Skin

‘Tis the season for gifting…and what could be better than giving the gift of luminous skin? Whenever I am selecting a gift, I like for it to have three characteristics:

s
1. Something that is lovely and aesthetically pleasing
2. Something a bit indulgent…the person may not be inclined to purchase for
themselves
3. Something that is useful

s
Giving Soveral skincare will accomplish all of these goals. The packaging is elegant, the products are luxurious… Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, they are the true definition of luxury. They are also useful – Skincare is essential and something used frequently. Voila, a clear winner! Some of my favorite gift ideas include the below…
Style & Life: December Post #1 The Gift of Luminous Skin

s
1. Angel Balm
A truly unique, award-winning product that can be used as a cleanser and also as a regenerative mask. You can use it for a daily cleanser or as a treatment 2-3 times per week. It cleans and moisturizes at the same time.

s
2. Woodlands of Avalon Candle
This crisp scent of rosewood, cedarwood and the resin of oakmoss will make any room smell incredible without overpowering it.

s
3. Perfect Skin Book
A best selling book that shares all of Alexandra’s tips including what the skin is, how it works and how to make it as healthy as possible from the inside out and the outside in. A great read… I learned so much from reading it.

s
4. Forever Young and Midnight Oil Facial Oils
These facial oils are essential to my skincare routine -they detoxify, hydrate and give you that fresh, luminous glow.

s
5. Organic Tea Leaves
This delicious tea is made in Alexandra’s garden in Portugal and has notes of verbena, peppermint and lemongrass. It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day.

s

Head over to shop these items on the Soveral website in addition to some other lovely gift sets they are offering. I guarantee your family, friends (or yourself) will be delighted.

s

Bisous,
Rebecca

f. 4.2018
The Foundation of my Soveral Skincare Routine

s

The Foundation of my Soveral Skincare routine

Earlier this month, I announced that I am a Soveral skincare brand ambassador. This relationship is incredibly important to me because I want to share elegant products that are made with the highest quality, that I believe will truly benefit you. And Soveral skincare is exactly that.

I have spent over 20 years in the fashion industry and my favorite roles have been creating clothing and accessory collections. While fashion insiders appreciate designer labels, what we truly covet are those ultra-chic brands are that are understated and incredibly well designed…the brands that the fashion editors wear and write about without being paid for it.

That is precisely what Soveral skincare is in the beauty industry. It’s that chic, elegant line that is packed with quality. Vitamins. Anti-oxidants. Hand blended. It honestly does not get more luxurious than this. I understand how to manufacture goods, so while I will buy a shirt from Zara, I will not buy a face cream from Target because I want the ingredients that I use on my skin to be of the highest quality. My skin is simply too important to me.

Here is the foundation of my skincare routine. I do this every morning and evening and am enormously pleased with the results. It is also a moment for myself…a little bit of self-care in my crazy day and that is the ultimate luxury.

Step 1: Awaken Cleanser
Awaken cleanser is a light, milky cleanser that smells like a little bit of heaven. Every evening when I take off my makeup, I take a deep breath and inhale the lavender essential oil. It is made with aloe vera, sunflower seed oil and will give your skin a deep cleanse (also removes eye makeup) without damaging your skin.

Step 2: Floral Rain Face Mist
After cleansing my skin, I will then apply the floral rain face mist that is made with orange blossom and red roses. It hydrates prepares the skin for the facial oil and cream. I also use it mid-day for a little refreshment.

Step 3: Forever Young or Midnight Oil Facial Oils
These facial oils are probably my favorite product in the routine. I feel they make a significant difference in my skins appearance. There have been times when I ran out and people have asked if I am tired….and the truth is that I have run out of my facial oils!

I use Forever Young during the day. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids to protect the outer layer of the skin while a synergistic blend of essential oils to stimulate the detoxification and regeneration of the skin.

At night, I use the Midnight Oil, which was voted “One of the Best Radiance Boosters”. It is made with palmarosa and rose geranium, which balances both oily and dry skin. Lemon and fennel help the skin the skin decongest and breathe while stimulating cell renewal to refresh and hydrate. If your skin is sallow and tired, then this product is for you.

Step 4: Formula 1 or Formula 2
Because I like my skin to be very hydrated, I then follow up with the Formula 1 (at night) or Formula 2 (during the day) moisturizer.
These creams have a rich luxurious feel but have never clogged my pores.

Formula 1 is made with sunflower seed oil apricot kernel oil and mango butter and a natural regenerative stimulant to keep you glowing all day. They also contain a blend of essential oils that help you fight fatigue and stress.

I use Formula 2 during the day. It is the same blend as Formula 1 and adds SPF 15 to protect from sun damage.

Step 5: Forever Young Eye Cream.

The name pretty much says it all. If you are battling puffiness or dark circles then this eye cream is for you. It contains mandarin peel, frankincense, vitamin E, honey extract and evening primrose to decongest and prevent wrinkles.

Friends, I encourage you to take care of your skin, you only get one set of it. If you have any questions, please reach out; I am happy to answer any questions you may have. To shop these styles, see below or go to www.alexandrasoveral.co.uk.com for the full collection.

Bisous,
Rebecca

SHOP THE POST

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”3372761″]

f. 23.2018
3 Super Smoothies

s

3 Super Smoothies

Breakfast for me is either an egg bake with veggies or a smoothie. I love smoothies because they keep me feeling light, full of energy and are the perfect on-the-go breakfast. Here are the 3 super smoothies that I rotate between…they can all be prepared in 5 minutes or less!

s

Strawberry Banana Delight

4-5 organic strawberries

1 banana

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1.5 cups almond milk

Simply add all ingredients to blender and blend. Drink and enjoy.

s

s

Tropical Fruit Smoothie

1/2 cup pineappple

1/2 mango

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1.5 cups coconut milk

Add all ingredients to blender and blend. Drink and enjoy.

s

s

s

Super Green Smoothie

2-3 cups organic spinach

1/2 bunch organic parsley

1 organic Fuji apple

1 banana

1/2 lemon, juiced

1.5 cups cold, filtered water

Simply add ingredients to blender, blend and enjoy!

If I have kale, dandelion greens or any other type of leafy greens, I will add a handful of those. I also add hemp, chia and flax seeds if I have them.

Hope these recipes help simplify those busy weekday mornings…I always feel light and full of energy when I have one of these smoothies for breakfast!

s

Bisous,
Rebecca

f. 16.2018
Flavored Water Recipes

s

Flavored Water Recipes

As discussed in one of last weeks posts, taking care of myself and creating a healthy lifestyle is one of my key intentions for 2018. When I had my daughter, I found myself reaching for sugar free Red Bulls or Diet Coke when I needed an energy boots. Two years later, I have not kicked the habit…but it is time! Since these are not healthy beverages, I have vowed to replace these caffeine cravings with better choices and so I was looking for ways to spice up water and discovered this pretty gold Drop Bottle. It makes water or tea look as good as it tastes. Here are four of my favorite flavored water recipes!

.s

Lemon, Cucumber and Mint

This is my go-to recipe as I almost always have the ingredients on hand. It makes me feel like I am at a spa. Take a few slices of lemon, cucumber and add mint leaves. It is very refreshing!

s

s

Grapefruit and Rosemary

This delicious blend has a tangy and herbal flavor that will not disappoint. Simply add a few springs of rosemary and slices of grapefruit!

s

s

Apple Orange Lemon

Not only do I like how this tastes but I like seeing the red, orange and yellow colored fruits in this pretty bottle.

s

Strawberry Basil

Just add strawberries and basil and you have a unique and refreshing beverage.

s

Hope you enjoy trying these combinations. What are your favorite water recipes? I would love more ideas!

s

Bisous,
Rebecca

f. 11.2018
Delicious Summer Salad Recipes

s

Delicious Summer Salad Recipes

s

Salads are my favorite food category…they are healthy (mostly), flavorful and convenient. They can be an entire meal, the first course or, if you want to follow French tradition, served after the main course and before dessert. The three salads featured today are packed with flavor, texture and variety. If you have not yet tried making the Asparagus, Strawberry Gouda Spinach or Corsican Mint Salads previously featured in our posts, try those as well as the delicious summer salad recipes featured below.

s

Peach Salad with Grilled Basil Chicken

Ingredients (approximately 5 servings)

Grilled Basil Chicken:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Vinaigrette

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad

10 oz mixed greens

3 small peaches, sliced

2 ears corn, husked and kernels cut from cob

½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

½ small red onion, sliced thin (rinse with water to remove harsh bite)

4 oz goat cheese crumbled

Instructions:

For the chicken

In a small mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, basil, garlic, and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Using the back of a spoon, press basil against sides and bottom of bowl (to help extract flavor from basil). Place chicken in a resealable bag and pound thicker parts of chicken to even thickness with a meat mallet, then pour basil mixture over chicken and evenly distribute basil over chicken. Seal bag while pressing excess air out, rub marinade over chicken and transfer to refrigerator and marinate 2 – 5 hours.

Preheat a grill to 425 – 450 degrees over medium high heat. Brush grill grates lightly with olive oil then place chicken on grill. Grill until cooked through, rotating once halfway through cooking, about 4 – 5 minutes per side. You can also bake in the oven at 425 for 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest 10 minutes and then slice into strips.

For the vinaigrette

Whisk together all ingredients until well blended and season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in refrigerator until ready to use, stir again before pouring over salad

For the salad

In a large salad bowl gently toss together lettuce, peaches, corn, pecans, onions, and grilled chicken. Sprinkle goat cheese over top and drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Source: Cooking Classy

x

s

Hydrating Salad

Ingredients (approximately 3-4 servings):

1 English Cucumber, diced

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 ¼ cups corn

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes (for added color, use half red and half yellow)

½ cup packed fresh cilantro, chopped

1 lime

1 avocado diced

salt and paper to taste

Instructions:

Place the cucumber, black beans, corn, red pepper, cherry tomatoes and cilantro in a bowl. Squeeze the fresh juice from the lime to onto the salad and mix well.

Mix in the avocado, season with salt and pepper.

Source: Popsugar

s

Arugula Salad with Lemon-Parmesan Dressing

Ingredients (approximately 2-3 servings):

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

4 cups (packed) baby arugula

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (I like to use half red and half yellow)

Instructions:

Blend first 4 ingredients in food processor. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Cover; chill up to 3 days.

Combine arugula and tomatoes in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. I like to top with a bit of shaved parmesan.

Source: Bon Appetit

I am excited for you to try these delicious summer salad recipes! Enjoy!

Bisous,

Rebecca

f. 12.2017
Quick and Healthy Breakfast Options

s

QUICK AND HEALTHY BREAKFAST OPTIONS

sWith the new year in full swing and those fitness goals still front and center, I have shared three quick and healthy breakfast options below. I find preparing meals in advance makes it much easier to be successful in eating clean. All of these recipes can be made ahead of time, are delicious and healthy.

s

PROTEIN PANCAKES

These Perfect Fit Pancakes from Tone It Up are easy to prepare and taste great! I add vanilla, nutmeg and blueberries to give them more flavor.

Ingredients, 1 serving

1 scoop Perfect Fit Protein

½ banana, mashed

¼ cup egg whites

½ tablespoon almond milk

1 tsp cinnamon

Step 1: Mash banana with almond milk before stirring in remaining ingredients

Step 2: Spray pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-low before pouring in batter. Flip when ready. The key to the perfect protein pancake is to cook them slow and low.

source: www.toneitup.com

ss

STEEL CUT OATS WITH APPLES, PEARS & ALMONDS

Ingredients, 3-4 servings

1 cup steel cut oats

3 cups water

pinch of salt

1 apple, sliced

1 pear, sliced

optional toppings: sliced almonds, walnuts, cranberries, brown sugar

Step 1: Bring 3 cups water and pinch of salt to a boil, add 1 cup of oats.

Step 2: Reduce heat to low simmer. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, depending on preferred consistency.

Step 3: Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for a 3-5 minutes

Step 4: Heat a little coconut or grapeseed oil in a pan and sautee sliced apples and pears. I season with cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander.

Step 5: Top your oatmeal with fruit and any other toppings!

source: my own concoction

s

ss

BREAKFAST WRAPS

These breakfast wraps can be whipped up quickly and also be frozen. Change up the ingredients to give yourself some variety.

Ingredients, 1 serving

1 tortilla (I usually select a low carb option, there are gluten free or whole wheat options)

3 egg whites

¼ cup chopped tomatoes

¼ cup chopped spinach

2 mushrooms, sliced

sprinkle of sea salt and pepper

Step 1: Spray non-stick cooking spray in a pan and cook egg whites, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Step 2: Add egg mixture to tortilla and roll tightly. If freezing, wrap in plastic wrap.

To unfreeze, microwave for 4-6 minutes. For added flavor, dip in salsa and enjoy.

source: my own concoction

Bon Appetit!

sBisous,

Rebecca

f. 25.2017

Tag: healthy

The Gift of Luminous Skin

The Foundation of my Soveral Skincare Routine

3 Super Smoothies

Flavored Water Recipes

Delicious Summer Salad Recipes

Quick and Healthy Breakfast Options