Summertime - Juice Recipes That Flush Fat

With all the environmental pollution, toxic body care products and processed foods, most people are in desperate need of a serious detox! A liver cleanse is a great way to do this. Try these 3 easy recipes that will not only detox your liver, but also flush the extra fat you’ve gained during the winter

Detox Drink

Ingredients:
1 Bell Pepper
3 Carrots
1 Medium Cucumber
Half a Lemon
1 Apple
Mix all of the ingredients and drink fast, before the antioxidants get destroyed! This detox drink contains large amounts of vitamin c, vitamin a, a nice amount of minerals, vital for a healthy skin & powerful fat and toxin-flushing antioxidants, contained in the apple and lemon. It does taste a bit strange, but is definitely not unpleasant. Drinking a glass or two a day is extremely effective for cleansing your liver, improving your skin complexion and generally improving your health & energy levels.

 

Green Tea Drink

Ingredients:
Half a cup of green tea, cooled down
The Juice of Half a Lemon
1 Banana Blended In
This is a bit more difficult to prepare, as it requires juicing, blending AND tea brewing! But it’s worth it – the EGCG in green tea acts together with the lemon juice to rapidly detoxify your body. EGCG is absorbed much, much better in an acidic environment and when combined with minerals (the potassium from the banana). Another huge benefits is that the juice tastes very nice – you can almost get addicted to it.

Liver-Flushing Drink

Ingredients:
Half a teaspoon of turmeric
A bit of ginger
The Juice of half a lemon
Half a cup of water
Combining this drink with lemon juice makes it even more effective. Unfortunately, this drink doesn’t taste that well. You can definitely improve it’s taste by adding a banana, but don’t add too much, as the sugar from the banana will slow down the cleansing action of the turmeric.

 

Keep styling

Angelika

(credit: Angelika)

Habits That May be Aging You

Has this been happening to anyone else lately? You’re scrolling through Facebook and suddenly one of those “Facebook Memories” from three or four years ago pops up….and your first thought: “Wow, I look SO young.” You’re wondering what happened. It’s only been a few years, but when you look in the mirror you feel like you’ve aged more like ten? You look tired, you feel tired and that glow you seemed to have in that memory photo is nowhere to be found. What were you doing differently back then? How did age creep up so fast? Believe it or not, you probably don’t look that different. But your self-critical habits can’t help but sneak up on you – and if you think about it, maybe you have been a little stressed, spending less time with friends and feeling generally overworked. If any of those things feel like issues you’ve been dealing with, you just may be creating a few bad habits that may be aging you. Let’s take a closer look and see.

1 – You’re working around the clock. This happens to so many of us at one point or another in our careers. You feel like you can’t get it all done and just when you think you’re catching up, more projects appears. It becomes a vicious cycle. And, when you’re trying to get ahead, advance your career and make moves – it’s very tough to walk away. But, here’s the thing. No one performs their best when they are stretch beyond capacity…no one. And, what you really need is to deliver your best for the duration of the working day – not around the clock and into the wee hours of the night. So stick to a schedule. Get done what you can during your set hours and at the end of that day, pack up and go relax. You’ll be more rejuvenated and on point in the morning. You’ll also give your body that much needed time to unwind and keep you looking (and feeling) young and fresh.

2 – You aren’t getting enough sleep. This is one of the worst things you can do for your poor body. Sleep is the thing that keeps us going – all living beings need sleep to let their whole body take a break and recharge in order to operate at peak performance. No matter if you’re working too much, partying too much or your kiddos are keeping you up all night, you have to find a way to get on a regular sleep schedule. Not only will that keep you looking and feeling younger, but you’ll stay nice and healthy too. Pretty much a win win.

3 – You aren’t drinking enough water. Guilty as charged on this one! (It’s so hard sometimes) You have to make hydration a priority in your life – it’s essential for keeping your body functioning at top performing levels and keeping your skin and complexion looking renewed, young and glow-y. Try investing in a fun water bottle you really like or use an app to track your water consumption each day if you have trouble remembering. You’ll have more energy, you’ll look amazing and your body will thank you for it.

4 – You aren’t getting enough exercise. This is a tough one when you’re super busy and trying to juggle and balance it all. You want to exercise, but sometimes finding that motivation is a real challenge – you just have to get out there. Once you make exercise a regular habit in your life, you’ll find yourself craving that awesome high that comes from working your body and working up a sweat. Next time you want to exercise, don’t just think about it – make a move.

What do you think? Can you break these bad habits by exchanging them for good ones and get your youthful glow back?

Keep doing

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Drink Water

It often seems that our solution to everything when it comes to health and beauty is to drink more water – and you know why? Because believe it or not, it actually works. Your body is made up of nearly 80% water and when it comes to taking care of that body, helping to replace that water content is essential. No matter if you’re exercising more than the average person or even not exercising at all, adding a routine of drinking a ½ an ounce of water for each pound of your body weight (example: if you weigh 150lbs, drink 75 ounces of water) every day is essential for keeping your body in tip top shape and your skin looking bright and clear. So how about it? Have you ever tried drinking that much water in a day?

If you’re not sure about all this, how about thinking of it in the form of a challenge? Sort of a resolution where the prize at the end is clearer skin and other great bonuses like more energy. Here’s what to do… Take a look at your body weight (like we did above) and drink a ½ ounce of water for every pound. Challenge yourself to take on this task every day for 10 whole days. Here’s what you can probably expect:

• First of all, you’re going to be in the bathroom, a lot. More than you’d expect because the water is flowing. It may be tough to get used to that at first – but you can do it!
• You’ll probably want to eat less snacky stuff. Drinking all this water will help keep you full throughout the day and will be an excellent meter for knowing when you actually are hungry.
• You may experience some initial bloating and headaches because you’re body isn’t used to all this water – don’t worry, you aren’t drinking too much, it will go away.
• Your skin will start to look clear and glowy.
• More than likely you’ll lose a few pounds – some people even lose up to 10!
• And, as an added bonus, you’ll probably lose a couple of inches off your waist.
• You may notice you have less joint pain and you aren’t sweating as much as you normally do – incredible, right?
• You’ll have increased energy and start to feel pretty great from the inside out
•  

So, what do you think? Are these incredible after effects enough to help you jumpstart your own water challenge? Take before and after photos to get the full effect – look at your skin, your weight, your waist size – anything you’re interested in changing to track your water challenge results and go for it for 10 days. Can you do it?

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com 

(credit: L.R.)

Morning Tips to Start in 2016

The New Year is just around the corner. Let’s ring in 2016 with a “bring it on,” attitude. Don’t be afraid to try new things this year. Be open to change. Changing can bring you happiness in ways you never would have expected otherwise. One thing you can change is your morning ritual. Starting your day right is important, which is why I wanted to bring you some daily rituals that’ll help jumpstart your New Year. Start your day right this 2016, and watch the world open up to you! Read on and let me know what you think in the comments section. 

Start With The Inside- Start your day by drinking some hot water with lemon. Doing this, activates your intestines. It’s lubricates your internal system. It helps to jumpstart your body in a natural and healthy way. Water keeps your intestines flowing while the lemon engages your digestive system. Try it and see what happens.

Practice A Stretching Routine- Find a stretching routine that’s right for you. I love doing a sun salutation when I wake up in the morning. It’s a time for myself to breathe and relax. At the same time, it helps to activate my muscles for the day ahead. It’s a time where I listen to what my body wants.

Move!- Start your day by fitting in a cardio exercise. I love a quick jog in the morning. Get your blood flowing by doing the same. Not only will you feel just a bit more energized during your day, but you’ll also get that workout out of the way. Keep moving, people!

Eat Breakfast- Take some time for your breakfast. Enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal. It’s the most important meal of the day and deserves its rightful place.

Keep healthy 

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com 

(credit: L.R.)

Healthy Foods against Winter Stress

When your plate is full of responsibilities and you’re praying for just one moment of peace, it can be really difficult to put one foot in front of the other; believe us, we know what it’s like. Taking time for yourself can be hard to do, but if you make it a point to take just a few minutes to grab a snack, you might be surprised to find that your stress will start to fade. That is if you know what kind of snack to grab! While “comfort food” might sound like the right choice, these healthy snacks are what you should be reaching for when you want to de-stress:

·      Leafy Greens: While a salad might not exactly ring your “comfort food” bell, there is quite a bit to say about how a bunch of fresh greens can positively affect your body and your mindset! Crazy as it sounds, spinach actually helps you to produce dopamine, the pleasure chemical, with how much folate it contains. If you need to chill, why not make a little salad and you’ll feel great in no time!

·      Oatmeal: Start your day off with a big bowl of steel cut oats and you’ll be setting yourself up for a positive start! Since complex carbs (think no sugar) are known to help the brain create serotonin, a ‘happy’ chemical, you can effectively control your blood sugar levels so your body has a steady supply of serotonin to last you through ‘til lunch.

·      Blueberries: A handful of these little guys is just what you mind needs to relieve your stress! Since blueberries are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients (basically the superheroes of nutrients), the stress hormones in your body won’t stand a chance! Bonus: blueberries have been proven to improve your chances against cancer by boosting your immunity!

·      Salmon: If you’re feeling anxious, your body is probably on overdrive creating adrenaline and cortisol, the main hormones that are associated with stress. Luckily, the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon have been proven to help counteract these stress-inducing hormones. Why not head to the sushi bar and indulge in some delicious stress-fight salmon bites?

·      Pistachios: This delicious snack is an easy way to fight anxiety and enjoy a few moments for yourself. Pack yourself a bag of these nuts and crack a few open when you get hungry. Not only will the repetitive motion with your hands help you to chill out physically, but the phytonutrients found in these nuts will help to calm your brain and offer cardiovascular support as well!

·      Dark Chocolate: Okay, I saved the best for last! While dark chocolate has been proven to aid in heart health, your mind can also benefit from this sweet treat! Not only your morale improve from indulging your sweet-tooth, but the antioxidants in the rich cocoa will help your blood vessels to relax, which in turn leads to lower blood pressure and improved circulation. Treat yourself to a bit of dark chocolate and let the stress just melt off your body!

The phrase, “you are what you eat,” can certainly apply here – when you know what kind of properties are in your food you can pick the right snacks to benefit any situation, even the most stressful moments! Which of these super foods that help fight stress will you be stocking up on?

Stay healthy

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Ways To Waste Less Food

If you’re on a budget, saving food is imperative. Even if you’re not on a budget, wasting less food is great for the environment. Check out how you can waste less food.

Start Storing Smarter- Doing small things like separating bananas rather than keeping them in a bunch, keeps them fresher longer. You could also reconsider the organization of your fridge to have everything in the right places so they last longer. Don’t put fruits and veggies in the same drawer because they spoil together. All it takes is some research.

Only Buy What You Need- Make a list before you go to the store and be sure to only add what you need. Don’t get distracted by adding extra apples or tomatoes. You could even download an app for keeping your grocery list.

Freeze Your Veggies- Get into the habit of freezing your veggies. It doesn’t take much time and it saves you a whole lot of rotten vegetables.

Make More Trips- Making more trips to the store to get what you need on a biweekly or triweekly basis is better for saving food than going for weekly trips.

Don’t Buy In Bulk- Buying in bulk is a trap. How many people are there in your family? Do you really need that many crates of produce? Things like toilet paper or foods that have long expiration dates can be bought at discount when it comes to buying in bulk. Aside from that, stay away.

Use All Your Food- Use all of your food, like all of it. Cook with every part of your food, use veggie scraps to make broth, and leftover veggies for a frittata. Using all your food will definitely keep you from wasting food.

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

Beauty Tips for Every Woman in Her 30’s

Have you recently hit your 30’s and are finding out that all those beauty tricks you were using in your 20’s just aren’t cutting it anymore? Perhaps your tastes are changing – and you’re just starting to realize that it’s time to change things up just a bit. Not sure how to adjust your daily routine to your new 30s lifestyle? Here’s a roundup of some of the best beauty tips for women over 30.

1. Wash your face every night. In your 20s, there were probably loads of late nights out on the town where you came home exhausted and totally crashed without even thinking about cleansing the makeup off your face. Well, once you hit that 30 mark, it’s really time to start paying attention to your skin – and returning it to clean slate status every night is essential.
2. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself to the occasional facial – after all, you’re in your 30s now. There’s nothing as wonderful as giving your skin the refresh that comes with all the fabulousness of a facial. And, keeping up with that routine will keep your skin looking dewy and fresh – exactly what keeps you looking forever young.
3. Think about going to the dentist for a professional teeth whitening. Glowing and gorgeous teeth will help keep your whole face looking brighter, younger and just gorgeous. Skip the drugstore treatments and see your dentist about getting the job done right.
4. Don’t skip out on moisturizing. When you start to age, so does your skin and that means keeping it soft and supple is up to you. Finding a moisturizer you love is essential – and sticking to that routine will save your skin in the long run.
5. Add essential fatty acids and antioxidant rich foods to your diet. It’s time to fuel and cleanse your body from the inside out – and that means stepping up your diet to be more focused on the good-for-you foods that will keep you looking young and add some extra pep to your step.
6. Make protecting your skin from the sun a number one goal. Now is definitely not the time to add sun damage to your skin’s resume – it’s time to protect it and keep it looking just as young as when you were in your 20s. Utilize sun protection every day – and get into hats with wide brims as part of your new 30s style.
7. Hydrate. Hydrate. Your skin will thank you for this one. Keeping your skin hydrated and young actually starts from the inside – and that means loading up on water every day.

Have you recently turned 30? What beauty treatments have you found to be vital these days? xo

Keep styling

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

2015 - Keep You Fit

Happy New Year, everyone! If you’ve set your resolutions for 2015, then I hope one of them was taking action towards a healthier lifestyle. Any new step in the direction of your fitness is a great one. But you can really help your odds with a few gadgets to follow your progress and keep you on track. Setting measurable goals is key in actually achieving them. So lace up your running shoes, download your favorite playlist, and go for a run, all while watching those numbers get crunched for you by the latest fitness technology.

1. FitBit One – This tiny device is meant to track your calories, steps, sleep and has a silent alarm to wake you in the morning to get you to your workout on time. Clip this to your torso to get information sent via Bluetooth to your iOS app or computer.
2. FitBit Flex – Similar to the FitBit One, this gadget will track your steps, distance and calories burned as well as sleep cycle stats. Just slip it onto your wrist to keep score of your numbers and sync the data to any device.
 3. LG LifeBand Touch – This wrist device measures your steps, calories, distance, and speed and will allow you to sync up to various fitness apps and devices, all with the ease of a touch screen. The LifeBand Touch also contains an alarm and will work with your smartphone to deliver call and text message notifications.
 4. Mio Link – If you want to keep track of your heart rate but hate the idea of wearing a bulky (and potentially sweaty) chest band, then the Mio Link is a great solution. The sleek, silicone wrist band slips on and monitors your heart rate, while working in conjunction with the Mio GO Fitness app.
5. Finis Neptune Underwater MP3 Player – This little gadget keeps your music going for motivation underwater while swimming laps. There’s no need for headphones because of its special audio technology that allows it to transmit sound while submerged so you can keep your favorite playlist going while making a splash.

Have you invested in a fitness gadget?

Keep doing
Angel
www.styleupbyangel.com
(Credit: L.R.)

Skinny Mom Secrets

We all know how tough it is to keep our body looking exactly the way we want while also finding the time to manage a household, be a mom and maintain a career. The daily grind of getting the kiddos out of bed and either out the door to school or entertained all day long leaves little time for taking care of yourself. When you see those skinny moms with the body of your dreams, you have to wonder how they do it? What are the tricks to staying so slim?

1. Go for the healthy options. When you’re fueling your body with healthy foods, your body will continue to crave healthy foods. Go for leafy greens, veggies and other low calorie options that fill your body with good-for-you vitamins and minerals and simply skip the junk.
2. Portion control is the name of the game. Really, you can enjoy any type of food you like and stay looking your absolute best – how much of that food you consume is what matters. Eating small portions throughout the day means never feeling overly full – and, ultimately helps keep your calories in check.
3. Embrace your workout. Being a mom means being on-the-go, but squeezing in those workouts is essential for keeping your body in tip top shape. Can fit in a trip to the gym? Pull out the stroller and get walking. Can’t even squeeze that in? Get outside with your kids for a quick game of basketball in the driveway. Whatever you have to do – be sure to get your heart pumping at least once a day.
4. Eat when you’re hungry, not just for the sake of eating. Eating nourishes the body, so why not save it for those times when you actually feel like you need those vitamins and nutrients? Rather than mindlessly eating empty calories while the kids are doing their homework or getting ready for school, save eating for when you feel like you need to fuel the body.
5. Skip the diets and embrace an all-encompassing healthy lifestyle. Making your health your priority is the first step to having the body you want.  And, fad dieting isn’t the answer. Taking all these tips into consideration: eating when you’re hungry, stopping when you’re full; everything in moderation; go for the healthy stuff and make exercise part of your daily routine – and you’re on your way understanding the skinny mom secrets after all.

Remember, we are all built differently – some of us will never be what society deems as “skinny”, but you know what – who cares! YOU are you and being your best, most conscientious self is the ultimate goal. Teach your children to embrace their beauty, bodies and minds and remember – they watch everything you do. When you embrace a holistic and healthy lifestyle, they will too.

Keep eatingAngelika(credit: L.R.)

Planning to travel - The Top 10 Places To Dine In America

There’s no doubt that for many of us, a favorite pastime includes dining out. Experiencing a variety of restaurants both for the food and atmosphere is a fun thing to do. Whether it’s a relaxing evening with friends, an experimental foodie experience or just you and your honey having a romantic night on the town, we all have our favorite restaurants. When new places open their doors it’s exciting and entertaining – there’s nothing like great food and drinks. And, with the restaurant business being pretty cutthroat, failure happens all too often, however the good ones may last for generations. Choosing a favorite restaurant is pretty personal, but Business Insider’s roundup of The Best Restaurants in America is a solid list. Based on a variety of rankings made up of experts, diners and food critics here’s a look at the top ten  ...

1.       Le Bernardin, Chef Eric Ripert – New York, NY

2.     Eleven Madison Park, Chef Daniel Humm – New York, NY

3.     The French Laundry, Chef Thomas Keller – Yountville, California

4.     Per Se, Chef Thomas Keller – New York, NY

5.     Daniel, Chef Daniel Boulud – New York, NY

6.     Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Chef Dan Barber – Pocantico Hills, New York

7.     Alinea, Chef Grant Achatz – Chicago, Illinois

8.     Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Chef David Chang – New York, NY

9.     Jean-Georges, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten – New York, NY

10.  Bern’s Steak House, Chef Habteab Hamde – Tampa, Florida

Have you had the pleasure of experiencing any of the restaurants on this list? What’s your favorite restaurant for a night out? Let me know !

Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: L.R.)

“Healthy” Foods That Are Actually Bad For You

Ugh. Just when you thought you were doing the right thing, reeling in your unhealthy habits and getting your nutrition plan back on track, you find out this discouraging news: there’s a bunch of “healthy” foods that are actually really bad for you out there. At least when you indulge in a small serving of ice cream or a delicious slice of chocolate cake – you know it’s an indulgence and it’s a must-do special treat every once in a while. But what about those foods you thought were healthy and really they’re packed with nutrition busting calories and ingredients. Take a look at these waistline busters that seem healthy, but in reality may be sabotaging your diet plan. 

1. Pre-made salads. The already prepared salad is a super simple way to fall victim to having more calories than a big mac packed onto a big pile of leafy greens – it can be a real calorie buster. Watch out for salads packed with cheese, crutons, meats and dried fruits (like Cobb, Caesar, Chef’s salads) – often they also like to pack on the dressing. Try asking for the dressing on the side and make selections that include greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and grilled chicken and turkey. Most restaurants are pretty go-with-the-flow these days when it comes to making heart-healthy substitutions.

2. Multi-grain or wheat bread. As it turns out, even when you think you’re making the right decision by choosing wheat over white, many mass produced brands of wheat bread do not actually give you the benefit of the whole grain. When you’re checking out the ingredients list, watch out for breads that include the terms: unbleached enriched or bleached. Try skipping the calories of bread in general – or cut your normal intake in half, by trying an open-faced sandwich with just one slice instead of two.

3.  Granola. Just the word sounds earthy, crunchy and healthy – doesn’t it? Well, think again. Most store-bought granola packs a calorie punch exceeding 400 calories per serving. Often made with loads of sugar and fat, store-bought granola doesn’t offer much in the way of nutritional value. Opt to skip granola entirely and try a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal instead.

4. Gluten-free products. This is tricky as gluten-free living is all the rage right now, but the products made specifically for those who have a gluten allergy do not mean they’re healthier or low in calories. If you’re choosing to go gluten-free as a diet option, skip out on replacing all your foods with gluten-free products and simply focus on a diet high in leafy greens, fresh fruits and lean proteins. If you must have gluten-free products – be sure to check those labels and carefully read the calorie count. The extra eggs and oil used in these products can really add up.

5. Pre-packaged applesauce. This one is sneaky as it seems like such an innocent and healthy snack – too bad most store-bought applesauce packs on the sugar and high fructose corn syrup in those tiny little snack packs. If apple sauce is your must-have snack, look for unsweetened, try making your own or simply opt for a nice, crisp apple.

Have you recently adjusted your diet for a more balanced and healthy option? 

Keep eating

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: L.R.)