The Skin I'm In..

This has been one of my favorite make-up looks to do lately, and how lucky am I that it's the easiest one ever! LIPSTICK! That's all I'm wearing, just lipstick! Two years ago I would have never gone out like this (and if I did, I definitely didn't think "presentable"). Why? Because I was self-conscious about my skin. 

I never really had "bad" acne (bad is in quotes because any acne is bad acne in my eyes), but I did have a lot of trouble keeping my T-Zone under control. I would only get breakouts on my forehead and on my nose. The breakouts led to dark spots, and eventually the dark spots led to me having uneven skin. It goes without saying that foundation was my best friend…

NOT ANYMORE… And I'm going to tell you exactly how to get beautiful, healthy, even, and glowing skin! But first, let's do a little housekeeping...


For those of you who don't know, the skin is the largest organ that you have (y'all know I don't like to bore you with the statistics and facts, so if you would like to know more, Google is your friend). However, to the average female it's the most important organ. I think that some of us would rather go into cardiac arrest than to have a pimple (it's a bit of a stretch, but we've all been there). Just like you have to put healthy things in your body to keep your internal organs running smoothly, you have to put healthy things on your skin to keep it in good working order. Although pimples, zits, bumps, and sometimes PLANETS, aren't 100% preventable, there are some steps to be taken to have the skin of a goddess most of the time.

I am going to tell you about the skin regiment that I practice personally, because #1 I know it works, #2 it's the only one I can tell you about from all aspects without lying, #3 The products that I use on my skin are natural so they should work for a lot of you (notice I said A LOT and NOT ALL, because not everything works for everybody).

1. DRINK WATER. Water is vital to the health of your body period, not just for your skin. It is really important to stay hydrated in order to have a healthy body and healthy skin. When I put down the soda and picked up the water, I saw a dramatic change in my skin.

2. CLEANSE (2x a day). I use Ology Peppermint Pure Castile Soap (I switched from the Alba Botanica cleanser), it can not only be used as a face wash, but also as a body wash and a shampoo. It has a really nice and gentle lather, it does not dry my skin out, and the smell is divine. I bought my bottle for about $13, and it comes in a bottle size of 32 FL OZ, a great bargain if you only use it on your face. This cleanser is paraben, sulfate, and petrochemical free, and they do not test on animals! Also, if you do not like it they will refund you your money!! 

I usually wash my face two times in one setting (wash, rinse, repeat; just like your hair), this is VERY IMPORTANT (you will be able to feel your face getting even cleaner on that second wash, it's like when you first wash your hair and it doesn't really lather, and then the second time you have suds for days) the first time I just use my hands to clean my face, and the second time I switch to my face brush after I have lathered my entire face. At night I use my hands both times versus using the face brush to avoid irritation.

3. FACE BRUSH. This bad boy is the secret to success. Science lesson: our skin creates new cells all the time, however, it is hard for our skin to shed those dead skin cells after the new ones are made. The face brush helps to remove the dead skin cells resulting in smooth, glowing skin. I only do this one time a day because too much exfoliation will lead to irritation (I know y'all caught that rhyme). After I have washed my face once, I rinse and then use the cleanser to wash it again, however, the second time I use the face brush to continue to wash my face instead of my hands (except at night, just use the hands). Priced at only about $3, it's hard to believe it makes such a huge difference, just remember to change them out every 3 months, and you're good to go. Now ya'll can post REAL "I woke up like this." pics on Insta!

4. TONER. Even though a new cleanser has stolen my heart, I am still using the toner from the Alba Botanica line (LOVE their products). After I have washed my face TWICE (The two times is very important) I apply this toner with a cotton ball, it removes any dirt that may have lingered around, and it also helps with balancing my complexion (hence the name).

5. MOISTURIZER. I also use one of Alba Botanica's moisturizers. It is lightweight, smells great, and hydrates your skin without leaving behind a shiny residue (which leaves your skin prepared to breathe, or for make-up application. This is the last step of my face regimen and is a great finale after steps 1-4. It has aloe and green tea in it, so it helps reduce redness and irritation if you have any.

Alba Botanica's products are natural and are not tested on animals. I have been using these products for about a year now and the results are amazing, and to think I was paying to go to a dermatologists, when all of these inexpensive products were right under my nose. Thank God for guidance and eventually coming to my senses. 

This is my skin at night after I did my night time face routine.

No Make-Up (well lipgloss)

I know that this is a lot of information, if I left out anything or if you have any question please don't hesitate to comment or email. 

Always with love,

Gabs!

Pregnant On Purpose: Teen & Young Adult Pregnancy

Hi Chicas! I would like to start this post off by saying everything on this blog is intended to encourage and not condemn. I am not here to pass judgement on anyone, but to help and encourage everyone, so please keep that in mind when reading this.

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, however, I think it depends on what season of your life in which you experience pregnancy that really matters.

During my junior year of high school, I started to notice an increase in teenagers and young adults becoming pregnant. Since 3 years have past since then and I am now a sophomore in college, I have began to analyze how and why more and more teenage girls and young women are becoming pregnant.

HOW?

If you're interested in most of the things that I post on this blog, I assume you are old enough to know how people get pregnant, so I won't insult you by explaining the scientific process. However, I will go over a few sex-ed "rules" or tips in case you were asleep during that part of high school.

ABSTINENCE: We all know that the only way to not get pregnant at all is to "keep em closed". Sex is not mandatory to maintain a healthy relationship before marriage, and if you are not comfortable doing it, then don't! He will just have to deal with it, and if he makes it too much of an issue, tell him to delete your number and politely add him to your block list. Not to mention, that The Lord said wait until you get married, and if nothing else that should be enough.

CONDOMS: Although sex should be reserved for marriage, we all slip up and make mistakes, and that is TOTALLY okay. God forgives so you should not feel guilty or shameful at all. All I ask is that if you are going to have sex, or if you are actively having sex, please use condoms!! Not only will these prevent you from becoming pregnant, but they also protect you from STDs, and the only consequence of sex ,worst than having a baby (at the wrong time of course) is getting AIDS, or some other disease. Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, save the "I'm allergic to latex BS", because they have condoms that are made without. 

BIRTH CONTROL: If you plan to be sexually active birth control is a great option as well, IN ADDITION TO condoms. Remember that I said "in addition to" and not "IN PLACE OF!" Birth control should act as your safety net in the event that something goes wrong. There are many forms such as the pill, the shot, NuvaRing, and many others. DO some research on your own and talk to your doctor about which form of BC is best for you.

The most important thing to remember is to protect your body and your future!

WHY?

This can't be proven, but I think that most young ladies getting pregnant actually want to get pregnant. I know this sounds crazy, but people have done crazier things than getting pregnant on purpose. Yes, I said it, I THINK GIRLS ARE GETTING PREGNANT ON PURPOSE! Why? Because condoms have a typical failure rate of about 18%, meaning that the success rate is about 82%. Put that on top of most forms of birth control that have a 9% failure rate and 91% success rate, then yes there should be some pregnancies, but not so many. I say that because of the whole "the condom broke story" There is a higher chance of a guy not wearing a condom, than it actually breaking… and that's exactly what I think is happening. 

**I know it takes two to tango, but after he tangos, you're the one stuck with the baby and your dreams are put on hold, not vice-versa.

With that being said, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET PREGNANT TO KEEP A MAN! That is one of the worst ideas in the history of mankind. If you think you have to have a baby in order to keep your man, you don't need that man and you DEFINITELY don't need a baby. 

"You is kind, you is smart, and you is important." You do not have to have sex, have a baby, or do anything else that is life changing in order to get or keep a boyfriend. Live your life and do the things that you like and the right guy will come to you. I know people say that all the time, but that's because it's true.

Don't look up and 5 years of your life has past because you had your head up some boys butt, or cut your life short to have a baby by a boy who doesn't love you. You and your baby deserve more.

I hope this has helped someone put things into perspective. Once you get pregnant you can't send it back. As harsh as it may sound, the only options you have are to keep it (which changes your life forever), or get rid of it, whether through abortion or adoption (which changes your life forever).

Make smart choices, they mold and shape your life.

Always with love,
Gabs!

Water, Agua, Eau; More, Mas, Plus!!!

I've disovered a way to drink MORE water, and did I mention that you will actually DRINK MORE WATER? Thanks to Pinterest and some help from my favorite girl (my Mommy), I've finally found a way to drink more water that works for me, and hopefully it will help you guys drink more water as well!

BENEFITS:

•  Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue
• Water Can Help Control Calories
• Water Helps Energize Muscles.
• Results In Pretty & Glowing Skin
• Flushes Out Toxins
• Boosts Immune System
• Puts You in a Good Mood

Drinking more water also prevents headaches and SAVES MONEY, and if nothing else appeals to you SAVING MONEY should have you wanting to drink more water if nothing else does!

Let me get to the good stuff, water alone has all of the benefits that I've listed above, however, this small new trick I've discovered has more benefits than water alone, tastes better, and actually makes you drink more water!

INFUSED WATER!!! I know I've posted about it before, but I feel like something this great and useful deserves it's own post. I recently came across a recipe for infused water and now I don't want to drink anything else, LITERALLY. If I have some of this stuff pre-made in the fridge, it's my go-to drink. I'm in the process of transitioning to a healthier lifestyle (which takes time let me tell ya) and this infused water is really aiding in making this transition an easier one.

The main ingredients are:

• Water (I prefer purified or distilled; Sparkling water is great every now and then too, be careful though, the carbonation in sparkling water can erode the enamel on your teeth!)
• Cucumbers
• Lemons
• Any other fruit or herb that tickles your fancy (yes, you can add herbs like mint, lavender, and cilantro also!)

The main goal of infusing your water is to make you drink more of it, so make sure that you create a water that you find tasty and will want to drink ALL the time. In addition to making you drink more water there are also other benefits from drinking infused water. They are very similar to the benefits of just drinking plain water, but have a few slight differences.

• Boosts your metabolism.
• Fills you up so you don’t eat as much junk.
• Naturally helps your body release fat cells.
• Keeps food moving through your system.
• Flushes toxins from your system.
• Improves your mood.
• Reduces muscle fatigue while working out.
• Helps you recuperate faster from a workout.
• Keeps your organs healthy while you’re sweating.
• Keeps you from feeling groggy in the afternoon.

Out of all of the benefits of drinking infused water that I have listed above, the ones that I can personally attest to are: 

• Keeps food moving through your system
• Flushes toxins from your system
• Keeps you from feeling groggy in the afternoon

I like the way that infused water keeps my bowels regular, but doesn't over do it. I know this is a bit TMI, but the water doesn't cause you to have diarrhea or poop all night. It results in you having a nice clean healthy poop every day. At the beginning of your infused water journey you will notice yourself pooping a little more, however, once your body gets regulated everything will level out.

I also feel more alert in the afternoon and since you're drinking more water of course you will run to the potty a lot more, and it's kinda hard to feel groggy when you have to pee all the time. 

To make infusing your water even easier, and for a little treat as we approach summer, you can make…. Infused Ice Cubes.

Simply place your fruit and/or herbs in an ice tray and poor water over it and place it in the freezer. Once frozen you can place the ice cubes in your water for quick on the go infused water.

The benefits that I am most proud of from my infused water journey are my skin and my overall wellness. I am going to post separately about my skin because it is definitely a journey deserving of an individual post. I hope that this water helps you all as much as it has helped me and I hope it helps you feel as great too!

Always with love,

Gabs

Ion Foot Bath Detox: Hoax or Helpful?

I'm not sure how many of you have heard about this phenomenal new spa treatment, called the Ion Foot  Bath Detox, and I'm not really sure how new it is. However, I did go get one on Friday and it really worked. But before I go into telling you about my experience, I would like to explain what it is. I'm going to explain it in simple terms, because we all know if you want the scientific reasoning and all the big words you can just Google it.

The way it was explained to me, is that the Ion Foot Bath balances the positive and negative charges in your body, removing toxins from your organs and blood, resulting in a youthful and light feeling.


The process is as simple as a pedicure. Your feet are placed in the Ionic Foot Bath Device, which is filled with warm water, and your detoxing begins. The entire process takes about thirty minutes, and you will be able to see and feel the results immediately.

Before 

After

Before (random person)

After (random person)

Since I am always actively detoxing (by drinking lemon & cucumber water; I'll post about it later) my before and after results aren't that drastic. However, my mom's water was quite a bit darker than mine (it looked a lot like pee), because she had more toxins in her body than I, but we were told that both of us were quite healthy, because most people's "After" looks like swamp water, and for those who smoke, their water is BLACK. 

*** I've added photos of the more drastic change.



Rainbow Water:

Although my water appears yellow, and the very drastic photo appears brown or rust in color, a lot of colors are left in the water after the foot bath and can also be seen in the form of flakes floating in the water afterwards as well. Each color represents a different part of the body being detoxed:

Color or Particle	Material or Area of the Body Being Detoxified
Black	Detoxifying from liver
Black Flecks	Heavy metals
Brown	Detoxifying from liver, cellular debris, tobacco
Dark Green	Detoxifying from gallbladder
Orange	Detoxifying from joints
Red Flecks	Blood clot material
White Cheese-Like Particles	Most likely yeast
White Foam	Detoxifying from Lymphatic system
Yellow-Green	Detoxifying from kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, female/prostate area

STAY HYDRATED:

Drinking water is MANDATORY before, after and during this procedure in order to stay hydrated. I recommend preparing a pitcher of infused water the day before you go (I'll post a recipe below) for your foot bath and to fill up a large water bottle with the water you have made. This way you can be sure that you are drinking enough water and are not at risk for dehydration. 

If you do not know if this service is offered in your area, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, google it first. I attend college in what seems like the SMALLEST town ever, and the service is offered here (you never know what's hiding under your nose). 

Even if you have reservations or some hesitation about trying the Ionic Foot Bath Detox, try doing some of your own research, and keep in mind that new experiences and trying new things is fun and exciting and could one day change your life. If your life is not being put at risk GO FOR IT, you never know what you could be missing out on. 

My experience with this detox was a great one, and I will definitely be back to have this detox again!


INFUSED WATER RECIPE:

• One Large Pitcher (A kool-aid pitcher is fine)
• One Large Cucumber (sliced)
• Two lemons (sliced; I like to roll my lemons before cutting them because it extracts the juice easier, resulting in a more flavorful water)
• Distilled Water (enough to fill up the pitcher)
• Add Strawberries, Blueberries, Cuties, Blackberries, and whatever other fruits that you like and are in season, until you get a flavor that you like and will result in you drinking more water.

*** Try to add FRESH FRUITS and not fruits that have added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. For example: canned fruits

-Always with love,

Gabs

Yoga… Seriously, Do Something YOU Love!

I have always known about the benefits of yoga, such as improved flexibility, lowering blood sugar, helping lose weight, and many others (if you don't believe me just look it up). Anyway, my point is, although I always knew about the benefits, I have just now started to take advantage of them.

The school that I recently transferred to, has an AMAZING intramural center. I'm talking an olympic size pool, a rock wall, too many basketball/volleyball courts, racquetball, bowling, like almost anything you can think of, plus a gym equipped with any machine you can think of, and weights. However, I digress because I'm usually not using any of those facilities (I'm trying to do better), BUT… you can find me at…… YOGA! 

This practice has really influenced my life physically, mentally, and spiritually. Ya'll I love yoga so much, and you already know I am going to tell you why.

1. It is so much fun, I realize that working out is a big part of having a healthy and balanced life, and yoga allows me to do this while also having fun. I promise that you are more prone to exercise if you find something that you like to do versus just going to the gym and running on the treadmill (unless that's what you like, then by all means girl.. DO YOU).

2. Yoga allows me to not only to physically see, but also feel my body getting stronger. Yoga is like practicing anything else, the more you do it, the better you become. I like the fact that I can feel myself improving each week, every class I go to I feel like I can reach a little farther, stretch a little longer, and balance a little easier. Doing an activity that allows you to see yourself growing and improving helps to better your confidence and self-esteem, and what woman doesn't need more of that?

Bikini Bodies don't come from laying on the couch!

3. Mentally I am in a better space since I started to consistently go to yoga. Doing strenuous moves while constantly breathing in rhythm and relaxing different parts of the body while feeling a stretch in others, teaches you to cope with things in life more easily. If you can stay in plank while holding one foot in the air and squeezing your core all while still breathing rhythmically, you can handle any little test your teacher decides to throw at you last minute. Just breathe, like you always do, because that's what you are taught in yoga.

4. Spiritually I feel more connected with other people and other creatures because of consistently practicing yoga. In class everyone is at different level of ability, but you all have one common goal and that is to leave better and stronger than you came. And don't forget breathing, hearing other people breathe audibly is very relaxing and reminds you to breath through positions that you may find difficult. At the end of yoga my teacher, Courtney (I love her so much, she's  like the human form of peace) always says something along the lines of "May the energy we've created with our practice here today, in some way benefit all creatures. The light in me, sees and recognizes the light in you. Namaste."

I mean how can you not love something with a motto such as that?? For those of you who may be freaking out about the "namaste" it's not like "amen" or anything like that. It's a gesture of gratitude expressed by saying the actual word or doing the gesture, which consists of bowing to others. It means the light in me, sees and recognizes the light in you. 

I love this because if the world would say AND MEAN "namaste" more often, maybe it would truly be a more loving and better place.

I have attached a link with more info about "namaste", a lot of girls were kind of questioning it in my yoga class and I don't want people to think they are sacrificing their Christian beliefs because of saying it (I was a little skeptical my first time about that).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

Always with love,
Gabs

From Bread to Barf...

Let me first start off by apologizing in advance for breaking hearts. Because if you feel half as strongly about what I'm about to tell you as I do, it will break your heart.

Soooo… I recently found out that my FAVORITE fast food restaurant #ChickFilA is using azodicarbonamide in their buns. For those of you that do not know what that is (because I sure didn't before I looked it up), it is a chemical that is usually found in shoe rubber and yoga mats. YEP, that's what I said, shoe rubber and yoga mat ingredients, also in BUNS! 

From here on out azodicarbonamide will be referred to as the yoga mat chemical, or something of the like.

BARF

This chemical was also found in their chicken. Although they say it is "approved" by the FDA, this chemical has been banned in other countries such as Europe, and clearly for good reason. Whoever thought that it was okay to "approve" this yoga-mat-shoe-rubber-chemical to be an ingredient in the food that we consume is clearly having conscious issues. 

Like, I'm seriously disgusted. I am really starting to believe that everything we eat is slowly killing us and that in like 10 years we're going to find out that we're apart of some sick government experiment or something. Because although I am overly disappointed in Chick-Fil-As participation in this BS, I cannot in good conscious single them out.

The yoga mat chemical has been found in many fast food restaurants besides Chick-Fil-A:

• Arby's
• Wendy's
• Of course McDonald's
• Jack in the Box
• Burger King
• Subway

I know right? I'm over it as well.

But here is the kicker, LOL! (but not really) what the yoga mat chemical does is make the flour appear "more white" !

This is the face I made when I found that out as well!

At this point I could rant all day so this is all I have left to say….

The food ya'll serve us doesn't look like the picture or the commercial anyway… So why are ya'll trying to make the food look cute now? I'm POSITIVE that I would rather have a nice healthy, non-yoga/shoe rubber meal, than a bun that appears "more white"! So thanks fast food chains, but no thanks. We do not want to eat buns with the same ingredients as the shoes on our feet or the yoga mats we use to work off the calories we consume from eating your rubber! 

AND

To Chick-Fil-A: I am severely disappointed in your choice to participate in this shameful use of inedible ingredients. You are not the normal fast food restaurant, or so I thought and I hold you to a MUCH higher standard. Now I think everything I have ever eaten, that and you have ever told me has been in vain. Is it really "your pleasure" to serve me a chicken sandwich made with this yoga mat ingredient? But more importantly… Should we really eat more chicken? 

Always with love,

Gabs

Be Great! (Original Date: 6-6-13)

So in my last post I talked about how being mediocre is ridiculous and being great should be what we strive for..

Well I've been exploring that further (I think I'm in a stage of enlightenment, I LIKE IT) and I found this quote by Salvador Dali..

This will also double as a TWIB by the way! (I apologize again for slacking, life of the employed is so not a joke!)

Here is the quote..

First off let me say: YEEESSSS SALAVOR DALI! You are speaking to the people with this one!

So many people are just a waste of matter (not to be rude or anything) because they have so much intelligence and so much potential, but they don't have the drive to do anything with it.

Without work a goal is nothing but a dream, don't get me wrong it's okay to dream, as long as your dreams don't stay dreams forever. God did not give us vision and passion for no reason. The very thing you are dreaming about could help millions of people and you're just sitting on it.

I was at a bible study the other night and the teacher said "Your vision could be the Aspirin to somebody's headache.. How long are you gonna let them suffer?" So go ahead and answer.. How long are you gonna let them suffer?

If you can dance, sing, play baseball, WHATEVER! Don't waste your talent. If you weren't supposed to use it, you wouldn't have it.

If you continue to sit on your talent and just dream and don't put work behind them, you will look back on your life and realize that you have done nothing. At least not anything that you truly wanted to do.

So don't be a waste of matter and talent. Put work and effort behind your vision and dreams. Refuse to be a bird without wings, because what is a bird that cannot fly (sorry penguins, ostriches, do do birds, etc.) ?

Be great, and be happy, at peace, and joyful while doing it, because God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind!

Always with love,

Gabs