DIY Light and Nourishing Face Oil

Hey Everyone!

I have tried quite a few face oils over the past few years but have found them to be expensive! Since then I decided to make my own and have been loving it! This is my go to face moisturizer! One of the reasons I love this oil is that it has an Aloe Vera base, many of the less expensive face oils I have tried have a water base. You can read about all the benefits of Aloe Vera in my previous post!

This small jar lasts me about two weeks, I use it both morning and night on my face and neck.

You can add or subtract the Aloe Vera based on your skin type. My skin type is combination but if yours is oily you may want to add more Aloe Vera, or less if yours is dry.


What You Will Need:

- Small jar (Mine is an old lip scrub jar from Lush!)
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Your favourite Essential Oils, I am currently using Tea Tree Oil and Rosehip Oil.


How To:


1. Pour 4 parts Aloe Vera, 2 parts Apricot Kernal Oil and 1 part Jojoba Oil in your jar.

2. Drop in 5 drops each of your favourite Essential Oils.

3. Shake your jar to mix all the contents.

It's as easy as that! Now apply to clean and toned skin both morning and night! Because of the Aloe Vera it does not take long to sink into your skin and you can apply your makeup directly on top in a matter of minutes. Make sure you shake your jar between each use, as there is no emulsifier the oils and aloe will separate
.

Let me know if you try out this Face Oil and which Essential Oils you chose!


Peace & Happiness,

Jules

** I purchased all of my oils through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

All About Aloe Vera!

I have loved Aloe Vera for so many years but have only most recently discovered it has so many amazing benefits!

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Aloe Vera has long been known as a miracle worker, used to heals wounds, burns and skin irritations for thousands of years. This plant hails from Africa but can now be found all over the world in warm and dry climates or sunny windowsills.

Although I love to use Aloe Vera straight from the plant, I recently moved and had to give my dear plant to a friend. Until I  find another I've been purchasing bottled Aloe Vera Gel, not to be mistaken with Aloe Vera Juice (which also has amazing internal benefits!). The brand I've been using is Lily of the Desert, not only are their products organic, they also use minimal preservation ingredients.

Reasons why I love Aloe Vera:

- It is an anti-inflammatory, which means it helps to reduce swelling and any redness. 

- Contains an incredible amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene which all help to keep your skin moisturized and firm.
- It is alkalizing and helps to restore the natural ph balance of your skin.
- It has a 96% water content making it a great moisturizer.
- It includes saponins, which means that it is capable of cleansing and has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

I am currently using it for: 

- After Sun Gel, also perfect for when you've been a little too sun happy (sunburn)!

- As a base in many of my DIY lotions, creams and potions. 

- As a face primer (before makeup!)

- To soothe any skin irritations (rashes/burns/wounds). 

- As an aftershave gel (My husband also loves this!)

- Stretch mark reducer

- An Astringent (After washing my face before moisturizer/oil).
- Muscle and Joint Pain Reliever
- Reduce the look of Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin)
- Bug bite itch relief

I am thinking about trying this out as a hair cleanser. Has anyone done this? Let me know your favourite uses for Aloe Vera in the comments below!

** I purchase my Aloe Vera through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan]

Hey everyone!

As you will be able to tell from the menu I eat and recommend vegan foods. In a perfect world this would be 100% plant based and consist only of whole foods but I do occasionally treat myself to a pizza made with vegan cheese (I love SOYA!) or a yummy vegan desert. Most importantly, I always eat until I'm full and have included the nutritional information only for your information. Although I don't count calories or track macros I do think that is great way for those new to this lifestyle to see if your on track!  I'm not always perfect but here is what I ate today!

I drink a full glass of water before each meal and throughout the day.

Rise and Shine

My day starts with a refreshing glass of water with half a lemon (I fill this glass with water twice).

- 6 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0.1g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, good source of folate and high in many minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium

*If there is one thing I do daily, it's drink my lemon water in the morning!

Cherries

- 148 Calories, 0.4g Fat, 37.4g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Powerful Antioxidants, Vitamin C & A

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Cinnamon & Coconut Sugar

- 382 Calories, 8g Fat, 84g Carbs, 16g Protein
- High in Fiber, Magnesium & Iron

Morning Snack

2 Apples & Cinnamon

- 117 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 20.8 Carbs, 0.3g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Iron & Fiber

Lunch

Garden Salad (Lettuce, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Sweet Peas, Radishes) with Chia and Hemp Seeds

- 296 Calories, 7.6g Fat, 29.8g Carbs, 33g Protein
-High in Vitamin A, B6, C, Omega 3's, Phosphorus, Potassium and a multitude of other Vitamins and Minerals

3 Homemade Flatbread with Olive Oil

- 318 Calories, 0.5g Fat, 22.3g Carbs, 3.8g Protein
- High in Iron and Fiber

Afternoon Snack

Frozen Mixed Berries

- 240 Calories, 51g Carbs, 3g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, Fiber and a good source of Folate and Potassium

2 Oranges

- 124 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 30.6 Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin C and Calcium

Supper

Bowl of Carrots, Cucumbers & Snap Peas

- 148 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 16.9g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Calcium and Iron

Sweet Potato Oven Roasted Fries (2 Sweet Potatoes)

- 258 Calories, 20.1 Carbs, 1.5g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, B5 and B6

Evening Snack

10 Stalks of Celery

- 60 Calories, 2.2 Carbs, 0.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin K, Folate and Potassium

Days Total: 2097 Calories, 17.2 Fat, 319.10 Carbs, 65.3g Protein

* I used S Health to find the the nutritional information.

What is your favourite food or meal? Please be sure to leave it in the comments below!

Peace & Happiness,

Jules

Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar Wax - Review and How To

I've used razors and wax for a long time now but I have recently been looking for ways to green up my hair removal routine! While I love the convenience of shaving, I hate having to do it so often! Wax is also a great method but I'm not a fan of the ingredients which is why sugaring really appealed to me. You can make it at home with simple, natural ingredients (water, sugar, lemon) but seeing as I'm a newbie I wanted to find one that I could purchase.

I came across the brand Parissa which is not only cruelty free but is Canadian as well! They have quite a few products to choose from but the one I purchased was conveniently available at my local Walmart.

What comes in the box:

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- 20 large reusable strips * You can cut these for smaller areas

- 2 large wooden spatulas

- 1 precision wooden spatula

- Azolene Oil *Made from Chamomile Flowers, great for preventing ingrown hairs

- Body Sugar * You can see I only used 1/5 of the jar for one use! ( Full legs, underarms, bikini area)

How to:

1. Ensure you have clean dry skin * I like to have a rinse in the shower (water only) and then apply powder (I use arrowroot powder, you can also use corn starch or natural baby powder) to the areas I am going to be removing the hair from.

2. Heat the sugar * Microwave on high for 20 seconds or place in water bath for a couple minutes. 

3. Apply sugar in the direction of hair growth and place the removal strip on top. *Gently rub the strip in the direction of hair growth to ensure it has adhered to hair. 

4. Pull skin taut and quickly remove the strip keeping it as close and parallel to your body as possible. 

5. If you have a couple spots that were missed you can immediately go back and remove the hair in the same manner. 

6. Dab on a small amount of Azolene oil in areas prone to ingrown hairs.

Newbie Body Sugaring Tips:

* If this is the first time you are using body sugar make sure your hair has grown out a little more than usual, at least 1/4 inch. It has a difficult time grabbing on to short, coarse hair that has been bluntly cut by a razor.

*Always do a test patch 24 hrs before committing to it! You don't want to have an adverse reaction the day before a trip or day to the beach!

* Complete your hair removal the day before you will be showing it off so that any irritation or bumps have time to dissipate.

* Remove hair in small areas to start, it will become less painful as time goes on and you'll be able to do full strips.

* You may need to reheat the sugar to complete your hair removal if you do not keep it on a warmer or under a lamp. Pop it back in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds or back in a water bath for a minute. Ensure the sugar is smooth syrup like consistency.

* If you run out of strips you can wash them and use them damp!

* Exfoliate every day to prevent ingrown hairs, I love to use my body brush!

After using this product I would definitely purchase it again! One day I hope to overcome my fear and make it at home but until then, this is an easy and convenient substitute.

Let me know about your favourite hair removal method or product in the comments below!

Peace and Happiness,

Jules

* I purchased Parissa with my own money and as always all opinions are my own!