The Amazing Health & Beauty Benefits of Raw Cacao

If you're like me, you love chocolate.  What if you could have your chocolate and get amazing health benefits too?  Win win. :)  Raw cacao is cold pressed to preserve the vitamins and minerals while cocoa powder is processed, heated, and stripped of it's nutrients and often contains hydrogenated oils.  Raw organic Cacao is a nutrient dense superfood that is:

*Full of anti-oxidants which are beautifying and can slow the aging process

*One of the richest sources of flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properites 

*A good prebiotic because the good bacteria in your gut love flavonoids

*High in essential vitamins and minerals

*Mood enhancing-contains phenylethylamine, a brain chemical also known as "the love drug"=BLISS

*One of the highest food sources of Magnesium, which many people are deficient in

*an energy booster

*Alkalizing

*Beneficial for hair, skin and nails

So go ahead and treat yourself to some chocolate!


Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.  This does not constitute medical advice.

17 Signs to Help You Spot a Narcissist

I know the word narcissist is thrown around a lot but with a true narcissist, a person with narcissistic personality disorder, we're not talking about someone who is just vain, but someone who can do you real harm and can leave your life in shambles.  Your experience with a true narcissist is likely to be a bad one, especially during the discard phase.  I've had my own experience with a narcissist, but I'll save the details for a future post because I'd like to focus on how to spot a narcissist and protect yourself.  Below are some of the signs that he (or she) is a narcissist:

1. Self centered-it's all about them
2. No remorse for their wrong doings
3. Doesn't care about consequences of their actions-engages in risky behavior
4. No empathy-insensitive to others
5. No real values
6. Pathological lying (sometimes mixed in with the truth to make it hard to distinguish & they are typically good liars having had a lot of practice)
7. Lies about even little things when it would've been easier to tell the truth
8. Controls or tries to control you
9. Hangs on to resentment
10. Blames you/others-nothing is their fault
11. Has little to no conscience
12. Has a Secret life-hides money, other relationships, etc.
13. Tries to make you dependent on them for control reasons
14. Manipulates you/others to meet their needs
15. Gaslights you-a form of psychological abuse that manipulates you into doubting yourself.  For example: doubting your own memory,  your perception of things, and even your sanity.
16. Love bombs you by lavishing attention on you (like constant compliments) and trying to move the relationship forward too quickly.
17. Mirrors you by pretending as if they are like you (copying your attitudes, the way you talk, etc.)

Remember they also put on a convincing front of being a good person by acting kind and caring when it suits them, usually to manipulate you and other people.  This isn't a comprehensive list, if you feel you may be dealing with a narcissist educate yourself as much as possible.  Pay attention to red flags and your intuition. Love bombing and moving a relationship at lightening speed are big red flags.  Make sure you create healthy boundaries for yourself.  Really taking the time to get to know someone is important, anyone can put forth their best behavior in the beginning.

Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

Sugar scrubs are so easy to make and are such a luxurious way to pamper yourself without spending a fortune.  We all need a little TLC and self care and what better way to treat yourself than to give yourself a little spa experience in your own shower or tub?  If you don't have the exact ingredients for this easy, chemical-free, DIY, brown sugar scrub, don't worry, you can substitute.  For example you could use coconut oil instead of sweet almond oil.  You could use whatever sugar you have on hand and your favorite essential oil.  Vanilla with brown sugar makes for a heavenly experience.  Pamper. Exfoliate. Glow. :)

Recipe:

1 C. Organic Brown Sugar

1/2 C. Sweet Almond Oil

2 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin or Castor Oil

1 Tsp. Rosewater, or Pure Vanilla Extract

Or

Add 15-25 drops of Your Favorite Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients together and use right away or store in a container with lid.  (I like using mason jars).

Savory Roasted Garlic Green Beans

We all know we should eat more vegetables and less junk foods, but sometimes we forget how something so simple can make a great snack.  This is a quick and easy recipe to add to your "go to" list of healthy snacks. Of course, it also makes a fabulous side dish.  And just when you think you never want to see another green bean again, you can substitute with another one of your favorite vegetables.  Almost any vegetable tastes amazing when you add a healthy fat and roast it. 

Recipe

1/2 lb. of Fresh Green Beans (Preferably Organic)

1 Tbsp. Grass-Fed Butter (Coconut Oil is great too)

Chopped Garlic or Garlic Salt to Taste

Parmesan Cheese to Taste

Salt and Pepper if desired

Place green beans in pan, drizzle melted butter evenly over green beans and sprinkle with chopped garlic or garlic salt. Roast @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until desired tenderness).  It's good to stir at least once to mix green beans with the melted butter.  I sprinkle the cheese on near the end.  Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this idea, stay tuned for more healthy meal and snack ideas as well as beauty tips and holistic health posts. :)