Oil Pulling

If you haven't heard of oil pulling you may be hiding under a rock. It's getting quite a bit of attention over the last few years for its supposed health benefits including:

• Teeth Whitening
• Reduces plaque
• Prevents bad breath
• Increased overall oral health
• General Detoxification
• Clears Complexion
• Reduces Inflammation
• Etc, etc, etc

In a nutshell, oil pulling is swishing about 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or other vegetable oil) in your mouth for 20 minutes per day to draw out toxins. The oil doubles in size from saliva and the "toxins" as you swish it around. I started oil pulling last week and do notice whiter and cleaner teeth overall, but the main reason I tried it out was to help get rid of my canker sores. They're healing faster than they would normally, but it's not a miracle worker overnight. I have noticed that they are less painful, which is a huge plus! If you're interested in oil pulling read more about it from some trusted sources in the links below.

Mercola.com link
US News & World Report Health link

Tips from a Celebrity Makeup Artist

I was the lucky winner of a makeover with Lindsey from the Painting You Pretty blog! She worked as a Celebrity Makeup Artist in Los Angeles with clients like Victoria Beckham and Amanda Bynes, and she now lives in the Phoenix area with her hubby and cute son Harvey. Learning tips and tricks from a true pro and not just a girl at the Sephora counter is worth its weight in gold, so I was all ears (and eyes) during my appointment.

Lindsey wrote about my makeover on her blog (here). Below are a few of my favorite tips she shared with me.

1. Eye Cream. "I don't care if you buy the cheapest one from Wal-Mart, just use an eye cream." She didn't ask, she just knew! I was like a kid caught with his mouth full of candy. The skin under my eyes were parched for moisture, and a little anti-aging action never hurt anyone. Lindsey will be happy to hear I purchased an eye cream today.

2. I was wearing the wrong foundation. I've been using Bare Minerals Original Foundation for years, but just recently switched to the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation. The problem is, I have dry skin. What is the powder sticking to? Not much. I've switched now to a CC cream with a light dusting of powder to give my skin a finished look. Consider your skin type before choosing your foundation!

3. Wet your eyeshadow. I'm not too creative with my eyes, so I don't use much shadow. Lindsey taught me a few great tricks with my eyes and perhaps my favorite is getting the tip of the brush wet then getting some color from a dry shadow and apply it to the lower part of your lid. Amazing results! It applies like a cream this way and looks so pretty. (She suggested NYX shadows)

4. Shaping eyebrows. Wow. She did some amazing things with my brows. She outlined them to how they should look, and I've got some growing in to do and need to chill out on the plucking. She filled them in just right and used a brow gel. Seriously, get a pro to help with your brows. GAME.CHANGER.

5. Applying blush. OK, so like a dummy I've been going crazy with the blush. It took my appointment with Lindsey to help me realize I only need blush on the apples of my checks, not a long pink streak up the side of my face. She used a cream blush that was great, and I've been using Stainiac which I love. Either will wear much longer than a powder blush.

If you're in AZ and want to learn some great tricks from a pro, make an appointment with Lindsey! She personalizes her suggestions, is knowledgeable, sweet, and affordable.

Why We've Converted to Juicing

One evening when the hubs and I had nothing better to do we watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on Netflix (movie trailer below). This journey of an overweight Australian who goes on a 60 day juice cleanse is intriguing. From fat to fit, his transformation is pretty awesome. Next we watched The Gerson Miracle about the effect a juicing diet can have on cancer. Is juicing really the miracle non-drug? Some say it is.

Chase and I aren't overweight, we don't suffer from regular migraines, but I am convinced there is something to adopting juicing into your daily diet that can provide huge health benefits (even if you're not trying to cure cancer). The extreme form of juicing that is shown in these documentaries isn't for everyone, but who couldn't use more vegetables? Americans consume far too many carbs, fatty snacks, and sugars in our grab and go lifestyle.

Well, we now own a juicer. Stay tuned for more juicing experiences, recipes, and benefits.

Louie Season 4. Watch It.

Yes, you should watch season 4 of Louie. Comedy doesn't always have to be funny. That's right, Louis CK has made his miserable life so relatable that it's comical. It's not jump-out-of-your-chair or slap-your-spouse-in-the-face funny. It's sad. It's dark. It's real.

Here are a few of my favorite scenes so far:

• Louie loses his mind and publicly berates his daughter for intentionally stepping off the 6-train
• Louie has an internal struggle with an overweight woman that makes him laugh
• The local news reports that LeBron James died in a hurricane ... along with 5 million other people

Louis CK, season 3 was a let down, and I was disappointed that I had to wait over a year for season 4, but it was worth it. Well done.

-Scratch

Six Tips for Healthy Hair

Photo Credit: Averi Black 

I was fortunate enough to be blessed with lots of dark brown locks. It's not as thick and luxurious as it used to be, but I don't have much room to complain. As we age, hair doesn't stay naturally amazing. It takes some work to keep it looking great. Below are a six tips I adhere to that help keep my hair healthy.

ONE. Keep coloring your hair to a minimum. I don't dye my hair. I have in the past, but it's not a regular occurrence. I'd say my last dye job was 3 years ago. Overprocessing=bad. Natural=good.

TWO. Go easy on the amount of product you put in your hair. For example, I don't use much hairspray (if any). Let it go natural.

THREE. Heated tools should be used sparingly. They can strip your hair of essential oils. If you use a straightener or curling iron regularly, use a heat protector spray. I only use heated products (hair dryer, curling irons) about 3 times per week.

FOUR. Don't wash your hair everyday. This one took me a while to adjust to, but it's worth it. You save time, and your hair will be healthier in the long run. It's a win-win.

FIVE. Wash your hair with warm water since hot water stimulates sebum production and leads to greasy hair. Seal the hair cuticle with cool water.

SIX. Eat well. Protein, omega-3's, and fruits and veggies are good for your hair. Junk food is not. And it's not good for your body. Are you shocked? #dontbe

DIY Fruit Fly Trap: Flies Be Gone!

It is so easy to make a DIY fly trap. Yep, that's right, say goodbye to those annoying fruit flies.

Here's what you need:

• Water bottle*
• Scissors
• Appe cider vinegar
• Dish soap

Step 1:
Remove the cap from an empty water bottle. Cut the bottle where the neck meets the body

Step 2:
Turn the new funnel upside-down and place it into the other part of the water bottle

Step 3:
Pour some apple cider vinegar into the water bottle

Step 4:
Add a drop or two of dish soap. This affects the surface tension of the vinegar and ensures that the flies can't escape.

You're done. It's that easy!

*Please recycle and stop drinking so much bottled water - highly recommed you watch Tapped on Netflix.

-Scratch

Cold Artichoke Salad

This is a great filling, yummy salad for summer. Another of my sister Susan's recipes that goes the distance! It's a great side for a variety of meals. You'll notice in the photo I have 2 cans of artichokes- I went a little overboard. One can is all you need, maybe 1.5.

Cold Artichoke Salad

1 pkg. chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni
1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. curry powder

Cook Rice-A-Roni according to directions on the box. Mix cooked rice, artichoke hearts, green onions and water chestnuts.  Use 1/2 the liquid from can of artichoke hearts and mix with mayonnaise and curry powder for dressing. Pour over rice mixture and mix well. Let set for at least 4 hours in refrigerator before serving.

A Fun Family Card Game: Monoply Deal

If you don't love Monopoly, the original board game, chances are, you were born sometime after 1990. Grow up. It's a fun game. It teaches many life lessons: how to balance a budget, paying rent, being a landlord, paying taxes ... need I go on?

Here's the rub with Monopoly, it takes FOREVER to finish even one game. Enter Monopoly Deal. This is a fun family card game. Yes, that's right, it's a CARD game. It's easy to play, nostalgic, and you can complete a game within 15-30 minutes.

Get it. Try it. And live a fuller life.

You're welcome.

-Scratch

Palm Springin'

Palm Springs was THE vacation destination for Hollywood royalty back in its heyday. It may not be as famous now, but it's still a fun place to getaway for a short trip. Over Memorial Day weekend the hubs and I met up with some friends for a little fun and relaxation. We shared lots of pool time, meals, and full-sized beds that made our stay extra cozy! A great time was had by all. Here are our recommendations of eats and things to do while you're in Palm Springs.

1. The Tram. Probably the most well-known thing to do in Palm Springs. It's a rotating tram car that takes you up the side of the mountain to cooler temps and pine trees. A little pricey, but you're paying for the experience.

2. Home Tour. Drive around the streets of Palm Springs and enjoy the mid-century modern architecture.

3. Matchbox. Yummy pizza, great location, and fun atmosphere.

4. Lapperts. Ever had the Dole Whip at Disneyland? You can get it here. Great little ice cream shop, but the Dole Whip is a must have.

5. Great Shakes. Cute 50's style shake and malt shop. It comes with a shortbread donut on the straw. Cutest ever!

7. Trio. Awesome happy hour. The mac n' cheese and cheese plates were quite delicious.

8. Sherman's Deli & Bakery. Truth be told, we didn't go here. I learned about this deli after our trip and it received rave reviews. It's on the list for next time!

9. Walk the Main Street. Palm Canyon Drive is the heart of the city and is loaded with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

10. Where to stay? We loved the location of our resort, The Palm Mountain. It was within walking distance to so many great things! It also catered to a wide variety of people: families, foreigners, and young marrieds like ourselves. If you're looking for more of a hipster vibe we'd recommend The Saguaro. We stopped in for a round of bocce ball and to snap some shots of the bright colors.

 

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day will be here June 15th. Have you started shopping yet? At a loss for ideas? Here's a short list to get you started.

THE CLASSIC DAD.
1. Car Wash Package. Clean cars provide more joy than you realize. Clean anything, really. Buy a package or do it yourself and it will be appreciated.

2. Slang Flashcards. Really, this is just great. Any dad of teenagers could use these flash cards to his advantage. It will improve their home life, work life, and social media life. Plus, it adds a comedic element to any gift. What's to lose?

THE SPORTS GUY DAD.
3. Race Car Driving Experience. Maybe your guy likes NASCAR, or maybe he just likes to drive fast. Either way this would be a great experience to have. In Phoenix we have the +Bondurant School of High Performance Driving where you can learn how to drive a race car, or have fun with a group riding the go-karts. Explore the options in your neck of the woods.

4. Telescopic Fishing Pole. What's better than a regular fishing pole? A telescoping one that will fit in a backpack. You're welcome.

THE INTELLECTUAL DAD.
5. Kindle. I really enjoy my Kindle (when I have time to read). It's a great alternative from using a phone or tablet to read a book because it's easy on the eyes. Way to go Paperwhite Technology (TM)! Of course, a traditional book works too, it just takes up more space.

6. Chess Board. There are few things classier than a nice chess board sitting on a coffee table or in a den. It's a game of strategy and it's nice to see a grown up version with specialty pieces. Find one that fits your guy's personality.

THE HEALTH NUT DAD.

7. FitBit. A calorie management system that uses an online program to manage what is consumed and what is burned. Lots of similar products out there exist, so do some research before you chose which one to get.

8. Juicer. Lots of nutrients are found in fruits and veggies and the fastest way to get them into the body is through juicing. Fresh juice, not that prepackaged stuff. This is on my list!

THE FOODIE DAD.
9. Jerky of the Month Club. Need I say more? Yum.

10. Fixie Bike Pizza Cutter. How cool is this?! This could work for the Sports and the Foodie Dad! Make him feel welcome in the kitchen, too. It adds to owning his domain. :)

Toned Butt and Thighs Workout

It's that time of year when the shorts and bikini bottoms come out to play. Here are two killer booty and thigh routines that will leave you sore, but toned. If you have other routines that work well, let me know! Share below in the comments.

1. Booty Burn. Yowza. 

2. Thin Thighs. Ouch.

3 Ways to Remove Facial Hair

As a brunette I'm way too experienced with removing pesky peach fuzz from my face. Granted, blondes have it too, but it's typically not as noticeable. It starts to get expensive if you're going to the salon to have it taken care of professionally and sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands.

I've been waxing my eyebrows and 'stache at home for years. I purchased a waxing system, muslin strips, and applicators from +Sally Beauty Supply and they haven't failed me. Just recently I was introduced to the world of threading and (wait for it) shaving. Yes, shaving.

1. Waxing. As of today, this is the only method I've used to remove facial hair (aside from regular tweezing).

2. Threading. This method has been around for years, I have friends who rave about it, and I am ready to try it out ASAP!

3. Shaving. This video was eye opening (and made me laugh. This former Bachelorette contestant is slightly eccentric). Shaving? Are you serious? It's not the typical man shave and there are specialty razors for this very purpose.

Let me know! Have you tried any of these methods? What do you recommend? Comment below.