For All you Ice Cream Lovers

No matter how healthy we are, we're all still going to love some kind of sweet. For me that sweet is ice cream and dark chocolate. Admit it guys, you love dessert, and we've all craved it sometime or another when we've tried to eat healthy.

So, I'm here to give you an alternative treat to try. Wait for it . . . Frozen bananas! Yes, that's what I said, frozen bananas. Peel a few, put them in a bag, then throw them in the freezer. When you start craving some chocolate ice cream, a salted caramel mocha, or a verity of other treats you can just pop a frozen banana in a blender. You can throw in peanut butter, protein powder, a few chocolate chips, almond milk, really any ingredient you think would taste good. This morning for breakfast I made a caramel and chocolate bowl of banana ice cream which is what you see in the picture.

I didn't follow any recipe, but here's a list of what I threw in my banana blender:

- Two smaller frozen bananas (Since this was my breakfast I decided to put in two. But, I'd just do one if it's going to be for dessert)

- A cup of chocolate protein powder

- About half a tablespoon to a tablespoon of caramel extract (I didn't measure, I just poured some in, so this is just an estimate)

- About half a teaspoon of salt to taste

If you don't have a blender that's specifically for bananas, then I recommend putting some milk, almond milk, or maybe even a bit of coffee in with that so you don't accidentally strip the blender blade. (I may or may not be speaking from experience)

And voilla!

Here's a few facts for you about bananas:

- They are high in potassium. They help the body's circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain which helps you maintain a regular heartbeat. 

- When we eat them, they also release a mood regulating substance called tryptophan which helps produce serotonin in the brain. All that to say it helps elevate our moods! 

- Bananas give you brainpower and instant energy because they are packed with potassium and contains necessary carbohydrates to replace the muscle glycogen in your body.

So, next time you're craving ice cream or something else sweet try some frozen banana ice cream. It tastes amazing and is so much better for you than your regular old grocery store ice cream! xoxo

My Top 10 Health Tips

I've been thinking lately how much I've changed this year. It hasn't just been my hair, but also the way I think about health, food, and myself. I noticed there are some things about me that are different that others. I'm turning into a quite the little health snob. It's not because I'm obsessed with body image, but because I honestly enjoy learning about healthy and natural things I can do to take care of my body. I thought I should share what I have learned so far in my journey toward living a balanced and healthy lifestyle with you guys. Here are my top ten health tips!

1. Drink lots and lots of water!

When you laugh and drink water you end up with this face.

I know you've probably heard this a lot from your parents or online, but I can't tell you enough. Water is so important!  We're supposed to drink at least 8, 8 ounce glasses of water a day and that's just a minimum! I always keep a water bottle with me. Even when I go to the store I keep it in the car or carry it in with me. Right now as I'm writing this I have an Advocare water bottle by my side. Get a cute water bottle from Walmart! Get into the habit of taking your water bottle everywhere. Soon, you might even prefer water over soda, like I do. The only drinks I have are water, tea, and an occasional coffee.

2. Use coconut oil.

This stuff is so good for you! I use it for moisturizer, conditioner, lip balm, food, and oil pulling. Oil pulling is when you take a spoonful of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for around 15 minutes. It sounds gross and the texture feels weird, but it's such a good way to get white teeth! You can make a face mask for acne with it using tea tree oil and coconut oil. I also use a homemade toothpaste using coconut oil, baking soda, peppermint oi, and a sprinkle of Stevia.

3. Workout at least three to four times a week.

You can tell I've been running in those shoes!

I know we all have our busy schedules and school, but we all have time for a twenty minute workout every other day. Find a workout you love to do! Even if it's just taking a walk through the neighborhood, you're still off your bottom and moving. I personally love running, yoga, Pilates, and dance. A Youtube channel I really recommend checking out is Blogilates. The fitness instructor, Cassie Ho, is so encouraging and positive. Her workouts are so much fun!

4. Use Apple Cider Vinegar.

I accidentally poured way to much . . . yikes!

Granted, it smells like stinky feet, but it has amazing health benefits! Just look it up on Pinterest and you'll find dozens of uses for it. I sometimes drink one to two tablespoons of it in my water as a detox. I also use it as shampoo by mixing water, ACV, and baking soda together. It can also be used as a toner. Just fill a spray bottle half with water and ACV. It works miracles for acne and helps even out my skin tone.

5. Stop eating goldfish, pretzels, chips, cookies, and really any other processed food for snacks.

I actually hate potato chips, they give me a headache for some weird reason.

These foods will not keep you full or satisfied for long, and will sometimes leave you feeling bloated. Instead go for fruits, veggies, and nuts. These foods will keep you full longer and are packed with healthy vitamins.

6. Take Biotin.

This stuff is so good for hair, nails, and skin! I take it every morning. It's very inexpensive, and you can find it at your local grocery store.

7. Stop washing your hair so much!

Wow, that's some hat hair.

I know, I know, you're afraid it'll get greasy if you don't wash it everyday. But, the reason it is so greasy is because you wash it so much. If you slowly start to break away from washing your hair everyday, then your body will adjust and stop creating so much oil to moisturize your dry scalp.

8. Be clean.

We all have those days when we'd rather put on a beanie than fix our hair, or wear sweatpants instead of jeans. Those are the days our moods are probably not the greatest either. It's amazing what a little makeup and a cute shirt can do to make us feel better. It's not just getting dressed out of our pajamas, it's also looking neat and clean. That might just mean ironing your t-shirt, cleaning your fingernails, or washing your face. Before you walk out the door today, give yourself at least fifteen minutes to get ready. You deserve it.

9. Take a detox bath.

There's people out there who hate baths because they find them gross and you might be one of them. I understand it can be gross if you're covered in dirt or sweat. But, a hot bath after you've spend a minute to rinse off in the shower first is not going to kill you. It's actually very good for you. Pour some Epsom Salt, ACV, Baking Soda, and a few drops of essential oil in there and soak for at least twenty minutes. This will drain the toxins from your body, help with stress, and relax you. You might feel a little lightheaded when you get out, but that's normal. Make sure you drink plenty of water before hand, you don't want to get dehydrated from the detox.

10. Start off your morning right.

Get up early, have a cup of tea, do devotions, write a to do list, do some yoga while watching the sunrise. Do what makes you happy! This is the time for you to have your "me time." Everything is quite and peaceful which is a perfect time for you to get ready for the day.

Just for fun here's a bonus tip I thought I should add:

Be happy!

Hey, we've only got one life so let's live it to the fullest. There's no time for worrying. You'll save a heck of a lot of trouble if you take a deep breath and decide to trust in God. Put a smile on the beautiful face of yours and go change the world! Right now that might just mean cleaning your room, sweeping the floor, or reading a book. But, we should do it all in happiness and joy because positive people are the best kind of people.

What Being Healthy Means

Balance.

That's it, it's balance. It's something I've been thinking about a lot this week.

I want you to picture in your mind two teenage girls. The first one has been on at least four different diets, claiming she is fat though she looks quite average. She is trying to be vegan, workouts seven days a week, and if she slips up and eats a cookie then its an extra workout a day to punish herself.  When she goes on vacation, the only thing on her mind is, "How will I eat healthy? and, "I'll get back to my normal self when I'm home," as she allows herself to have ice cream. All this poor girl talks about is health, her weight, how she hates her thighs, and pretty much every part of her body. She doesn't realize it, but all her friends and family do.

Now let's imagine the second girl. This girl eats when she's hungry and stops when she's satisfied. After a meal, it's quickly forgotten as she occupies herself with other things. Sometimes she'll eat chocolate, or maybe some fries. But, she never punishes herself for it. This girl doesn't really like lifting weights or doing burpies, but she loves yoga, Pilates, and running.

She tries to do a few workouts a week because she loves the way they make her feel. When she goes out on vacation, it's about enjoying time with family and the places they go, not about food. Ice-cream, cookies, and fries are eaten on the trip, but in moderation. This girl doesn't really think much about food. She knows what is healthy and she knows what's not. Instead of loving food and letting most of her day revolve around calories and how to burn them off, this girl likes food just fine and enjoys life.

Which girl do you think is having a great life? Plot twist, they are both the same girl. Another plot twist, that girl is me. Well, I haven't yet reached total second girl status yet, but I'm striving too. I can honestly say I am changing and changing for the better. You know how? It's balance. Let me break it down for you.

Balance Is:

Eating reasonable portion sizes
Enjoying food
Working out to reap the benefits it
Spending some time on social media, then putting it away to enjoy other things in life
Being conscious about health and what you put in your body, but not being obsessed with it
Spending time inside but also getting outdoors for a breath of fresh air

Balance Is Not:

"Lose up to 20 pounds in two weeks!!!"
Skipping a meal to make up for eating that brownie last night
Planning out everything you're going to eat the next day as you lie in bed
Getting angry after eating something that wasn't the healthiest and promising yourself you're going to go on a juice cleanse or something to get back on track
Spending hours on social media rather than reading the five unfinished books you started

I could go on. The only diet I have found true and lasting results from is the "Balanced Lifestyle Diet." This is where I say to myself, "Shelby, you are not fat. You are a beautiful young woman. Why? Because you were created by a loving and caring God who made coco beans so that we can have chocolate. So, eat the food God has given to us to enjoy. But, be balanced about it. Enjoy everything in moderation. Be happy because who knows what tomorrow may bring? You only have one body, so I suggest you treat it well and don't call what God made in his image 'fat' or 'ugly.'"

Does it work? Yes. Is it easy? No. Anything worth something will take work to gain. Letting go of these habits and thoughts can be hard. But, just think about that second girl again. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start training myself to be her. Let's all go on this "Balanced Lifestyle Diet" together. In fact, let's just call it "God's Intended Way for Us To Live." Because God wants us to enjoy his creation, he wants us to be happy with how he made us, and he wants us to enjoy all things in moderation.

Hello Gorgeous!

At last I finally found the makeup I've been looking for! It's 100% natural, looks great, and smells so good! This is honestly the best makeup I've ever come across. It feels so light unlike the Walmart makeup I used to wear. I also feel a lot better wearing it because I know it's something that is not going to damage my skin. 

The brand is called Glory Boon. You can find their shop on Etsy. The prices weren't too bad. But, I wasn't expecting everything to be so small. I don't mind too much since I don't wear very much makeup anyway.

I'm definitely going to be getting more makeup from them!

What The New Year Is Bringing

At the beginning of every year, everyone is making New Year's resolutions. Why? Because when the fireworks explode and people around the globe cheer at 12:00 AM on January 1st, we feel like we have another chance to a fresh start. Today is February 18th, and I feel like I'm off to a pretty good start. 

One year ago tomorrow, my heart was broken for the first time. My loving, amazing Grandpa passed away. I didn't know what to think or what to feel. I had written about heart break and tragedies in my novels, imagining what it would be like. But, I didn't really feel it until I heard those words from my Father that morning, "Pepaw went to be with The Lord last night." 

So many sleepless nights filled with tears, so many hugs from people I didn't know saying, "I'm so sorry. He loved you so much." So many days filled with confusion and bitterness. Why, God? Why would you do this? I would start to cry wherever I went. He was gone. He wouldn't be there to tease me anymore, or tell me funny stories, or make me laugh. Sorrow changes people. sometimes it makes us become bitter and angry towards God. But, other times it causes us to draw near to Him, to run into his arms for comfort.

It wasn't until a few months ago I realized something. We have no right to tell God what is and isn't fair. We don't have the right to question his authority or curse his Will. We are to trust and obey.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding."

I may not know now why The Lord took my Pepaw away from us. But, I do trust Him. I believe with all my heart that as soon as I take my last breath on this earth, I will join him in Heaven to worship our Lord forever and ever.

But, before that happens, its time for me to leave a positive mark on the World. I didn't really think about that after Pepaw died. Sugar and junk food seemed like a good remedy for my grief. But, all it did was worsen it and make me feel bloated. The numbers on the scale slowly started to slip upward and I just was an emotional mess.

It was a constant battle for me to stay healthy and workout. I went through ups and downs of going a whole month eating great, to eating chocolate muffins for breakfast and huge amounts of goldfish for a snack. I was absolutely sick of it. I even went to the extreme of almost eating nothing for a whole day. That only made it worse.

"I'm so sick of my body!" I would cry as I looked at my miserable self in the mirror. It wasn't even until late December it started to get easier. I stopped counting calories. It only reminds me that I can't eat as much as I used to if I wanted to lose weight.

Then, I began to read more into skin care as well as health care.

Instead of piled up with lotions I never used, my bathroom cabinets began to fill up with coconut oil, honey, olive oil, and apple cider Vinegar. My bookshelf turned into a "health shelf" as essential oils, Epsom salt, and other natural skin care things started filling it up. I stopped wearing makeup which caused me to grow more confident in my appearance and enjoy the way I look.

Then, late into January, I discovered something. I liked being healthy! I enjoyed making healthy meals, natural conditioner, and detox baths. I felt so much better when I went a whole day eating healthy food than when I ate three slices of pizza and a few cookies for dinner. 

Then, I could see it. I could see a future lifestyle of living organic and healthy, of having a garden and house plants, of making my own dishes, running 5ks, and growing healthier in my spiritual life as well. That's what I want. I want that healthy life style.

So, this year, that is what I am going to do. I am going to strive to be fit, healthy, happy, and closer to The Lord.

Three Natural Skin and Hair care Tips

Before you roll your eyes and say, "Oh boy, another health freak?" I'm actually not that bad. I've just learned a few tips here and there about how to take care of your skin and have learned a lot about living a healthy lifestyle. I've decided I'll be sharing what I know about living healthy with you guys over the next few weeks. Keep in mind I'm no expert. I’m still figuring things out myself. But, I've come a long way and want to share with you guys my journey and story.

Today, I'm going to share with you three things I use for skin and hair care.

Number One: Apple Cider Vinegar

The reason I use this is because of one of my favorite Youtubers, Jordan Taylor, does. He revealed to me the amazing things it is capable of doing. One of them may gross you out, so be prepared. You ready? *takes deep breath* It can be used as a shampoo. 

If you know anything about ACV you probably know its smell is very peculiar, which can cause some complaints to the people who have to share a bathroom with you if you happen to start using it as a shampoo. I’m not speaking from experience or anything…haha.

How I Use It

I fill a jar or bottle with ACV half full, then fill the rest with water. While I’m in the shower I carefully pour some onto the crown of my head while my head in tilted back. You don’t want to get this stuff in your eyes or mouth, it’s not pleasant.

Why I Use It

APC is a very healthy tool, especially for hair. It softens it and makes a good natural conditioner. It also helps destroy the fungus that causes dandruff if you leave the ACV and water mixture in your hair for about fifteen minutes and then rinse it out.

Number Two: Honey

No, I’m not Winnie the Pooh, but I do love honey. It’s a great natural sweeter and believe it or not, very good for your skin and makes a great face cleanse.

How I Use It

Make sure you’re using natural, raw honey. Not that extremely processed honey you find in those bear shaped, plastic containers. I take a small container (seen in picture above) and fill it about half way. That way I don’t have to use the bottle of honey every time I need to use some.

Turning the water on warm and making sure my hair is pulled back with a headband (you don’t want this stuff in your hair) I take a small amount of honey on my finger tips and spread it across my face. I let it sit there for about a minute, then rinse it off with warm water and pat my face dry with a towel.

Why I Use It

Honey gently removes dirt and impurities from the skin without removing natural oils from your skin, like most cleansers and soaps do. It helps with acne and breakouts because of natural antibacterial properties it possess. It’s also way cheaper than a face cleansing kit!

Number Three: Coconut Oil

I absolutely love this stuff. It’s an amazing moisturizer and also works as a lip balm.

How I Use It

As you can see in the picture, I put my own supply in a jar so I didn’t have to use the container it came in. Even though I use it like a face lotion, it has a much different texture than regular moisturizer. It’s rather junky. I take a small piece of it and rub it around in my hands until it dissolves into a oily like substance. Then, I rub it on my face and lips, since it also works as a lip balm.

Why I Use It

Coconut Oil is the best moisturizer I’ve ever used. It contains vitamin E which helps with skin growth and making the skin smooth and contains proteins that keep the skin healthy and rejuvenated.

Well, there you have it! Three things I use for skin and hair care. Hope I helped!