Mid-Week Pick Me Up: Manuka Honey Face Mask

What's a better way to get you through that mid-week hump than glowing skin? One of my favorite pieces of skincare advice has to be the manuka honey mask. 

Manuka honey is different than your typical honey in a bear jar. It's unpasteurized, meaning it retains its potent and powerful dose of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This is a beneficial and rewarding product for those who struggle with acne breakouts or irritated skin. I recommend incorporating this mask into your skincare routine about once a week. First, cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser, apply to skin for about 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. However, this is some pretty sticky stuff so I recommend using a warm washcloth to help dissolve the honey first and then gently wipe off. If you feel as if a washcloth is too harsh, try using reusable cloth baby diapers (sounds weird but they're super soft!). After you take the mask off proceed with the rest of your skincare routine. 

You'll feel soft, clean, and look glowing! 

Remember, be sure to buy any manuka honey product that has the number 16 on it (it's the most powerful one). You can get this product online or at whole foods. 

References:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81nuka_honey

http://www.manukahoney.com/

Bye Bye Gym

It's official, I am no longer a gym member. I will certainly not miss the smell of sweat, or the naked old ladies in the locker room (no offense), or egotistical men grunting after every set. The habit of working out somehow died between pre Christmas and post new years eve. I kept asking myself why couldn't I muster up the energy to go to the gym!!! Then I came to the realization that not only did I not feel motivated, I also dreaded the environment of the gym. So after 15 minutes on hold with NYSC I finally cancelled my overpriced membership. 

Now I am proudly $69 dollars less broke a month, yay! I have to say that working out at home is way more enjoyable. I am in control of the environment I create. For example, I love to open my curtains wide to let the sun in and burn a lavender (L'Occitane, of course) candle to set a zen mood. Also, I use MY equipment. Not any that someone sweated all over. Even better, I can maximize my workout time by cutting down on 30 minutes of travel time to and from the gym. Another great benefit about working out at home is that I have the confidence to try new workouts I find online or in magazines without feeling self conscious. And last but not least, I can hop into the shower post workout, get ready and go! 

If you don't have any equipment at home, it is well worth the investment! My essentials include a yoga mat, 5 lb weights, a resistance band and a Pilates stability cushion. All pieces that will cost you $40 and under if you search amazon or websites on google. However, it's totally up to you what essentials will benefit and motivate you the most to workout at home. 

Remember, if you keep your equipment out in open sight then you're more likely to be reminded that you should get some workout time in!