Summer Picks

Seasons change and so should your body/hair/face products. Summer means life gets better; and it also means; oily skin, sweat central, exposure to intense sun, & hair drying out.

Here is a list of my summer go-to picks:

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1. Origins Revitalizing Eye Creme - made with espresso to wake-up sleepy eyes

2. Yesto Carrot Body Moisturizer - uses all natural products to protect skin and restore its natural glow

3. "Not Your Mother's" Beach Babe Sea Salt Texturizing Spray- think TIU trainer Katrina.. woah beach waves! 

4. MAC Bronzer - adds a little shimmer to sun-kissed skin 

5. NARS Lip Gloss - summer is all about a shiny, shimmery, and glowing lip

6. Dove Clinical Protection Deodorant - for those extra sweaty summer days

7. "Not Your Mother's" Curly Hair Creme - i have curls for days so this helps keep them nourished

8. "Kiss my Face" Face Creme + Sunscreen! - important to always get a face creme with sunscreen in it for summer sun & this one is Vegan friendly, not tested on animals, and no artificial fragrances 

9. Essie Nail Polish - Emerald is 2013 Pantone Color of the summer.. enuf said! 

10. Neon Swimsuits w/ head turning backs - get me to a beach!!! 

I'd love to know your Summer picks!

<3 Gabrielle 

My Summer Bucket List

Since the weather is heating up and the nights are getting longer, I have been dreaming up a Summer 2013 Bucket List. I feel like it is harder to get out and do the things I love when I work full-time in an office, so I made a little to list to motivate me and keep me accountable. I want to take full advantage of this beatuiful season!

Here's what I have come up with:

Film on the Rocks





Camping

Outdoor Concert

Happy Hour(s) on a patio

Go on a vacation

Backyard BBQ complete with yard games

Drive to the middle of nowhere to gaze at the stars

Hike a 14er

Watch the morning sunrise at least once

Rockies Game

Road Trip to somewhere new

Read 5 Books

Plant a Garden

What's on your summer bucket list?

Soak it up- Protect Your Health

Can I get on a soap box for one minute? I promise it will be worth my rant to read this post. Summer is here, which means pool days, boating trips, wilderness hikes, beach vacations and many BBQ’s! It also means lots of exposure to the intense summer sun. I was diagnosed with skin cancer (melanoma) about 2 years ago so protecting against the dangers of the harsh rays is something that I am passionate about. I am thankful to be cancer free now but that doesn’t mean I remain ignorant and ignore my health concerns. I want you to enjoy everything summer has to offer but I also want you to be smart and wear sunscreen. That’s all I’m asking- lather up your favorite Banana Boat, coconut smelling sun lotion. A couple applications of at least SPF 15 (do not go lower than that) during your summer picnic will do the trick. Ladies, I know having beautiful tan skin is a summer must. I understand and I’m right there with you, however you can still get that summer bronze through a low grade SPF (i.e. SPF 15). You can read more about different sun screens, types of skin cancer and my cancer story in my previous post Summer Sun Protection.

What I really want to encourage ya’ll to do this summer is get screened. There are many free skin cancer screenings that happen in most cities and it’s very important that everyone checks their skin regularly. Early detection is crucial and can be the number one reason skin cancer diagnoses are cured. I know this is true for me. If I had not had my “concerning” mole removed, it could have developed into something much more serious. I know from experience how much skin cancer sucks- I want to protect you from what I had to go through. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, but trust me- hearing the truth about the dangers of the summer sun now will be much less of a downer than actually getting cancer.

Do me a favor, ok? Be wise this summer and put on sunscreen. Also, please take advantage of the free screenings in your area- it could save your life.

Here are the resources to find the screenings in your area

The Skin Cancer Foundation and Rite Aid are providing free skin screenings in a mobile unit through

The American Academy of Dermatology as a locator for you to find free screenings in your state.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery also offers a locator for free screenings.

~Er

Patios in the summer; it’s what we do!

The Crunch Of The Week

Quinoa Cashew Salad 

Ingredients: 

- Spring Mix

- Quinoa (I cooked mine with chicken stock for added flavor) 

- Red Grapes

- Avocado

- Fresh Basil 

- Cashews

- Yellow Pepper 

- Red Onion 

On Sunday afternoon I washed and chopped all my ingredients. I stored them in tubber wear in the fridge for easy access. Every night before bed I filled one tubber wear with spring mix and one with all my toppings (Minus the avo and cashews). When you're ready for lunch, grab a plate, top your bed of greens, and you're ready to eat! 

I chose not to use any dressing because the grapes, quinoa, and avocado make the salad wet enough for my preference, but if you do prefer to include a dressing I would go with a light olive oil/ balsamic vinegar! 

Enjoy! 

~ Mekenzie 

Wake Up, Slow Down, & Eat Breakfast

Lately, even tho it's been 90+ degrees outside, I have been craving a yummy sweet N' healthy warm breakfast to pair with my ever satisfying morning cup. 

I love cinnamon and the health benefits are outrageous so I started there. I went to my "go-to" spot for recipes, a.k.a PInterest, and found a recipe that made my tummy grumble. And coincidence?.. it's from Gaby's G-Free Blog! 

Cinnamon Quinoa Bake

...is your mouth watering yet?

http://meaningfuleats.blogspot.com/2012/10/cinnamon-quinoa-bake.html

This is so tasty and is the perfect partner for a cup of joe' or tea; if you're crazy and don't like coffee :)

And like it says above, I am a firm believer in enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Life can be so crazy and get away from you before you know it. I like to take the time in the morning to slow down and start my day at the right pace. It really sets me up! If you can enjoy a relaxing morning, even if it's just an hour, then when the rest of the day gets bogged down with business, you know you at least had that hour to make a healthy breakfast, have a quiet time with the Lord, sit around and talk with your best girlfriends, or cuddle in bed with your huni :)

<3 Gabrielle