Wet-Skin Moisturizers will Save Our Skin from Winter.

The worst winter experience has to be stepping out of the shower then subsequently experiencing dry skin even though you were emersed in water only minutes before. It never fails, the minute you step out of the shower it’s like a timer goes off in which you have a small window to moisturize your skin otherwise you’ll be dealing with extreme dryness for the remainder of the day.


For some reason, lotions just don’t seem to have the same effect in the winter like when it’s warmer. Their formula seems to thicken as temperatures drop making it more difficult for them the permeate dry skin. 


Thankfully, it seems as if there’s a new answer to our winter dry skin woes. Beauty brands have felt our pain and developed a new line of products made specifically to moisturize post-shower skin.

Ladies, allow me to introduce you to in-shower body conditioners. 

In-shower lotions are long overdue.  They're a new product category meant to deliver high doses of hydration as soon as you step out of the shower. We’ve all heard the advice to apply lotion on wet skin after stepping out of the shower to improve hydration longevity. But most traditional lotions weren’t really meant to be applied on wet skin. Lotions are thick and typically sit on the wet skin longer than necessary.  Notice how long it takes for your skin to absorb lotion when rubbed in while you're still wet.


Wet skin moisturizer is on the other hand were specially formulated for this exact type of activity.  They take advantage of the added moisture to soften and hydrate.  There’s even a line of products called body conditioners which is the same concept.  In-shower body conditioners are meant to be rinsed off in the shower leaving behind intensely hydrated skin. 

When we wash our hair, we'd never step out of the shower without conditioning because we’d be left with dry frizzy hair.   Yet we shower with rich cleansers and step out before conditioning leaving the skin vulnerable to becoming extremely dry. 


Now, we have options we can either choose a wet skin (post-shower) moisturizer or a rinse-off body (in-shower) conditioner. They are a few options available in the market to choose from. If a wet skin moisturizer picture interests you, then check out Curel, Nivea, or Jergens. Curel claims to have a developed a water-activated formula that works with water to penetrate the deepest layer of the skin surface- resulting in three times more hydrated skin. Curel’s formula contains a ceramide complex, provitamin B5 as well as jojoba and olive oils. 


I’ve tried Neutrogena’s in shower bath oil and to be honest I wasn’t a fan. The formula just kind of sat on my skin and didn’t really do much to boost hydration levels. But I am very interested in using a wet-skin lotion first then maybe finishing off my body moisture routine with a sealing oil.    

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Japanese Towel Method ~ Lose Inches & Improve Posture without Moving A Muscle

One of my intentions for the year is to flatten my midsection. Ideally, I’d like to achieve this result in the simplest way possible. The easier method, the more I'm motivated to get started and stay consistent.

Wouldn’t you know it, I just happened to stumble upon one of the easiest ways to flatten and tone your tummy ever. It’s called the Japanese Towel Method and some claim that it actually works to flatten your stomach without you having to move a muscle.

This flat tummy technique was developed by a Japanese doctor who recommended this to his patients with back discomfort. But a welcome side effect of this stretching technique is a leaner midsection. The doctor who developed this method believes that poor posture contributes to the look of a swollen midsection.  A correction in our posture can create a leaner physique overall. 

The movement involves merely lying flat on your back while placing a rolled-up towel on the lower part of your back. Next, you point your toes together so they’re touching.  Finally, you lay your hands flat behind your head making sure the pinky fingers touch.  Then you just lay there for five minutes and enjoy the relaxing stretch.

The theory is that this Japanese tower exercise may correct the pelvis placement which could lead to a smaller waistline.  Do I think the Japanese towel method will result in any weight loss?  For some, it has.  Even those who don't experience weight loss rave about how much it’s helped with lower back issues and improving posture.  

We’ve all stood in front of the mirror and straightened up our posture and noticed how that makes a difference in how her body looks. Now Imagine training your body to maintain that posture all the time. 

I completed my first towel session this morning and walked away from it feeling a bit more energized. I even threw in a few yoga stretches since I was already laying on a mat.   To make this method even more powerful, I opted to meditate while I laid in silence to tack on some cognitive benefits.  Starting tomorrow, I'm extending the time from 5 minutes to around 10-15.   

 Give The Japanese towel method of try for 10 days.  You have absolutely nothing to lose.  If you have any pre-existing back issues, please consult your doctor to make sure you can do this challenge safely and comfortably.  

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New Weekend, New Vibes.

Here we are, in the midst of a new weekend. But this isn't just any weekend.  It's the first weekend of 2021.  To commemorate, I'd like to share a lifestyle design ritual I've implemented in the past that I'll be bringing with me into the new year.  

This ritual was born out of my desire to incorporate an action component to my feel-good routine.  I wanted to really raise my vibration before the start of a new week. The only way to do this was to invest part of the weekend into the deliberate act of creation.  

Creation simply means bringing something new into existence as a direct result of my direct actions.  Creating a new outcome before the start of the new week almost guarantees that your week will be a good one.  We only get 52 weeks a year and if we make this weekly creation process a ritual then we have the potential to create 50 new outcomes in our lives.  

The act of creation doesn't have to be a huge undertaking.  All that's required is for you to make something exist that wasn’t there before.  Let's talk about a few examples. 

In one scenario,  we can spend the entire weekend relaxing and catching up on your favorite shows, by the time Monday arrives you enter into the new week where nothing has changed.  That’s because we haven't done anything to change it.  This increases the possibility of the week ahead looking and feeling very similar to the recent past.  

But what if, instead of spending two full days relaxing on the couch, you decide to dedicate 1 to 2 hours cleaning out your fridge and meal planning for the week ahead.  Now you are participating in the act of creation.  Basically, you are creating an opportunity for you to experience a healthier week and a healthier body.  If you pack five meals for the week ahead you have essentially created a new habit for yourself for this week.  And you’re guaranteeing that the week ahead will be very different from the week(s) prior.  

Whenever I participate in this weekly creation ceremony my goal is simple....do one or two small activities to differentiate this week from the next. Tackling a small DIY project is a great way to engage in the act of creation. My favorite creation activity typically involves improving the look and feel of my space,  I find that when my environment is improved my entire vibe is different.  This weekend I decided to do some small updates in my bathroom to change the look and feel.  Next weekend I’ll dedicate a little time to building out my studio office space.  The goal isn’t necessarily to complete the entire project in one weekend, just enough to create a small shift in the overall vibe.  

By the time I wake up on Monday morning, I can look around my environment and feel the difference thanks to the actions I took over the weekend.  I’m not saying that you shouldn’t relax and enjoy your time off but consider setting aside a couple hours and dedicate it to building or creating something new for the week to come.  Even if those actions tiny they will compound over time as long as you focus on consistency. 

  If you dedicated an hour and a half towards your biggest goal this weekend, by Monday you would be one step closer to realizing that goal.  You also create a springboard of sorts that prepares you to experience a great week ahead.  

 A little bit of effort may not feel like much but, trust me, everything you do adds up.  Better yet everything you do compounds and multiplies.   If you’ve set financial goals for yourself in 2021 reality creation activity could be setting up a weekly savings goal to focus on weekly for the rest of the year. There are no wrong answers when it comes to the weekend creation process.  Whatever you decide to do will make a difference.

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Drink This Beverage to Increase Blood Flow, Hydration, & Circulation to the Skin.

 

The other day I talked about how important it is to engage in activities that promote healthy circulation.  Within the context of beauty, I especially believe in maintaining healthy blood flow to the skin. One of the most powerful ways to stimulate circulation is via a relaxing session in the sauna.   

But I know that not everyone has direct access to a sauna so I'm here to bring you a suitable alternative.  

I am a huge fan of maximum results with minimum effort.  That's why I'm such a proponent of infrared saunas.  All you do is sit there and you'll get to enjoy all the bountiful benefits.  This morning, I learned of yet another way to promote increased circulation to the skin with little to no effort and I can't wait to share it with you.

A few months ago, I wrote an article about a wonderful habit I developed thanks to the purchase of an electric tea kettle.  Because I had easy access to hot, boiling water within seconds, I found myself drinking several cups of tea a day.  As a matter of fact, my commitment to daily tea drinking is what jumpstarted my quarantine weight loss.  

Becoming an avid green tea drinker is something I was deliberate about because I wanted to be the recipient of the long-term benefits.  Little did I know that my tea drinking was also doing something wonderful for my skin.

Ok, so according to a study published in 2011, drinking green tea consistently for 12 weeks has been shown to increase "blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin."  Those words are like music to my ears.  Not only are you enjoying increased longevity and a smaller waistline, but green tea might actually be a key to healthier skin from the inside out.  

A group of 60 women from the ages of 40-65 were asked to either drink about 1 liter of green tea a day or a placebo.  Halfway through the experiment, and at the end of 3 months, their skin was exposed to UV light (a pro-aging stimulus) to see how their skin behaved.  Wouldn't you know it, the skin of the green tea group showed a greater level of resiliency against the damaging effects of the UV rays.

Another notable outcome of the study is the texture of the green tea group appeared softer and less flaky.  When they measured oxygen saturation and blood flow, they were pleased to find a huge difference between the two groups.  

What caused this to happen?  

They speculate the high flavanol content could be the X factor.  Flavanoids contain high concentrations of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.  Not only do Flavonoids help protect the skin from sun damage, it also has the ability to also help the skin repair itself.  Antioxidants are notorious for their ability to neutralize free radicals preventing further damage to the skin.  Green tea also widens the blood vessels over time which allows more blood to flow more easily.  Get this....you start to enjoy improved circulations as quickly as 30 minutes after green tea consumption (source).  The green tea group also experienced an increase in skin hydration of 17% by week 12 which was the result of an increase in their skin barrier.  

Side note, the women in the control group were also asked to drink the same amount of a placebo beverage daily. They too experienced an increase in the level of hydration in the skin after 12 weeks but their improvement was only 5.2%.  Still an improvement (because of the increased fluid intake) but nowhere near the levels seen by the group that drank antioxidant-rich green tea.  They also ran a short term study where the test subjects were given green tea extract but in capsules.  The green tea capsule group did not experience the blood flow increase benefits like the beverage group.

So there you have it.  Yet another reason to incorporate organic green tea into your daily routine.  The list of benefits keeps growing and it's too long to ignore.  

   

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FENTY Beauty released a powder foundation...and I am here for it!

One of the intentions I set at the start of my skin journey was to have skin so flawless that I'd never have to wear full coverage makeup again.  As my skin improved, I found myself reaching for my foundation less and less.  

I viewed this as a huge win but I no longer needed the help of heavy foundations to recreate the look of even skin.  But, instead of forgoing makeup altogether, I turned my attention to power foundations as a suitable alternative.  Powder foundations are great, especially if you're an oily girl.  Instead of covering discoloration, they sort of blur them away. 

I have 6 or so foundations in my rotation, but I only owned a couple powders. One was from Bare Minerals and the other from NYX.   I was pretty happy with the options I had, that is until I learned that Fenty Beauty finally added a powder foundation into their lineup.  I had no choice to buy it, and I'm glad so glad I did because Fenty's Pro Filt'r Powder Foundation is a must-have. 

My requirements for a high performing powder foundation is simple, cover my acne scars and even out my skin without looking dry or ashy.  Bonus points if my skin still looks like actual skin after application.  The reason I purchased Fenty's Soft Matte powder foundation without hesitation is because their liquid foundation is known for creating a perfectly natural look so  I knew their powder would not let me down.

Let me tell you that I was not disappointed.  Pro Filt'r Foundation is my skin's perfect match.  Listen, I love Bare Mineral's loose powder foundation.  It creates a beautiful finish but loose powder isn't portable which makes it sort of impractical for touch-ups.  Fenty's packaging is super-cute and perfectly packaged. Fenty's compact has 2 mirrors which is a genius attention to detail.  We all know how compact mirrors tend to get powder residue on them rendering them almost unusable.  Fenty solved that problem forever.

If you are a fan of natural-looking makeup, you have to check out Rihanna's Pro Filt'r powder.  Rihanna is an advocate for highlighting your natural beauty and it shows.  This power is non-cakey, long-wearing, blurs beautifully, and claims to be humidity resistant.  If it indeed resists sweat and humidity then I have found my long lost love. 

One quick note, if you already own Fenty's liquid foundation and want to try the powder, the numbers aren't an exact match.  Keep that in mind when selecting the color for you.  Overall, I deem Fenty's Pro Filt'r as Top Tier and many of the Beauty Gurus on YouTube would agree.  One word you'll hear repeated in the reviews to describe this powder is "skinlike"  and that's exactly how I want my powder to operate.

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Biore Added SPF 50 to Hydrating Essence and People Are Saying it's Perfect!

 

This weekend I went to the local farmer's market to get a little fresh air.  While strolling through the outdoor area, I came across a tiny little booth filled with pastries from a french bakery.  I heard a small voice that whispered "treat yo self" as I looked over the selection of goodies.  After a few moments of contemplation, I gave up and asked the guy, to lead me in the direction of their best-selling item.   He asked me what I liked and I revealed my weakness for almond croissants.  That's when his eyes lit up.  With a huge smile on his face, he advises me to try their chocolate-filled almond croissant because "you get the best of both worlds."

Obviously, I took his advice.   And, let me tell you, that chocolate-almond croissant was the highlight of my entire weekend.  

That story is meant to illustrate my excitement for a recent discovery. It's a beauty product that, like my chocolate-filled croissant, marries two amazing concepts into one holy grail must-have.  

For the past couple of years, I've purchased more sunscreens than any other type of beauty product.  I've been on a relentless search for the sunscreen that "does it all."  Overall, I've been pretty fortunate to find some really great options.  Like my Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Protect (SPF 30) which leaves the skin with a healthy glow.  I also fell in love with Neutrogena's Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer which offers just the right amount of moisture with a respectable 50 SPF.  Most recently, I splurged on Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (SPF 30).  I'm obsessed with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream moisturizer so I figured the same formula with sun protection would be amazing.  

Kiehl's sunscreen formula is pretty impressive, but here I am about to make yet another sunscreen purchase.  The reason I'm about to open my wallet for another sunscreen is 'cause this one is unlike any sun protection product I own.  Somehow, the geniuses at Biore discover a way to combine essence and sunscreen into one.

I don't know if I've mentioned this but facial essence is probably my favorite type of beauty product.  When the 10-Step Korean routine gained popularity, I learned of the existence of essence and never looked back.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a brand would offer unto us an essence that protects the skin from the sun, yet here we are.  

Biore has basically changed the entire game by developing a watery, gel-like essence that hydrates with the consistency of a serum.  Some of the hero ingredients in this product include vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, royal jelly extract, and glycerin.  Your traditional sunscreen feels thick and heavy.  Biore's Aqua Rich is light, watery, and hydrating.  Because of the water-based formula, you don't have to worry about the dreaded white cast.  

Once I learned that this amazing formula has an SPF of 50, I could not pass it up.   I'm loving how creative brands have become with their sun protection products.  Last year, I couldn't contain my excitement about Super Goop's SPF 50 Glow oil stick.  Back then, I thought nothing could top that....I was mistaken.  Guys, I'm not overexaggerating about the potential of this product, the reviews I've seen are pretty stellar.  Basically, it's been granted holy grail status by those who've tried it.  

Biore Aqua Rich could not have come at a better time because winter dry air wants to ruin our lives but we can't let that happen.  So let's stay true to our commitment to wear sunscreen every day while enjoying moisturized, dewy skin. 

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Here's the Best Time of Day to Drink Water for Optimal Weight Loss.

 

A brand new month awaits us. Have you set your lifestyle goals for the year ahead?  One area where I'd like to focus in 2021 is in maintaining my weight. Thanks to quarantine, I reached peak weight gain in 2020. Thankfully, I was able to shed the extra pounds and eventually reach a milestone that I hadn't experienced in years.


Going forward, I'm striving to maintain a healthy weight without thinking too much about if I'm exceeding my desired caloric intake. Today, I'll share this super-simple tip that's easy to do and has been proven to help promote a healthy weight.Can I start by asking you a quick question?


How's your water intake been lately? I don't know about you but I've been slackin.' It never fails, as soon as the temperature dips, so does my desire to drink water. Normally, I'm sipping on water all day but, come wintertime, I can't be bothered. The biggest culprit for our lack of water intake in the winter is diminished thirst.  Without the feeling of thrist, we have fewer triggers to remind us to drink water.

What if I told you that there's a way to help remind us to drink water and that solution could help us lose an average of about 4 lbs?

 Sounds amazing right?!

Glad you're just as excited as I am because this tip might be life-changing.



Ok so, starting this week, let's fill up our water bottles and modify our drinking schedules to mirror an experiment that involved drinking water as a way to help lose weight. 


Researchers gathered a group of 48 participants between the ages of 55-75. All the participants were placed on a low-calorie meal plan that spanned 12 weeks. But, get this, half of the group was asked to drink about 16 oz of water before each meal. At the end of the experiment, the water-before-meal group lost an average of about 4.5 lbs more than their peers.


Think about it....55-75 is when our metabolism is probably at it's lowest. Yet team #waterbeforemeals was still reaped the rewards of their properly timed water intake. Let's talk a little about why drinking water before meals could help keep our bodies lean.


1.) Water helps fill our bellies. This results in fewer calories consumed during the meal. Last weekend I went out for an early brunch. While waiting for the food, I drank 2 glasses of water. By the time the food arrived at the table, my hunger was already subsiding. Before I knew it, I had a full belly while asking for a take-home box. Thanks to water, I ate much less than I normally would.


2.) Swapping high-calorie beverages for water means that you're guaranteed to consume fewer calories at meals.  Fewer added calories is basically the key to weight management.

3.)  Lastly, everyone should know that the more hydrated we become the more fat we burn. It's been scientifically proven.    Basically, as fat cells become saturated with more water, they start to release fat into the body to be metabolized. 

I didn't even mention how drinking slightly at a cooler temperature water causes our bodies to have to burn a few extra calories just to warm up the water.  If all this isn't convincing enough to get you to drink more water, I'm not sure what else to say.  This is a no-brainer.  Especially if maintaining a healthy weight is a personal goal.  

To me, this seems like such an easy experiment to try.  By pairing water intake with mealtime, We'll create a trigger that will ultimately reinforce mealtime water drinking as a lifelong a habit. 

Drink up!  

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Juice Cleanses are Cool but Infrared Saunas are the Ultimate Health & Beauty Detox

 

If you've visited this blog before, you know that I'm a fan of infrared saunas.  I've talked at length about my personal sauna experience and that of others.  Lately, I've seen a few people I follow on Instagram share glimpses of them sweating in an infrared sauna.  The frequency with which I am seeing these stories prompted me to ask the question....is there a benefit to sauna during the cold, winter months?

The answer to that question is a resounding yes!  And I'm here to share them with all of you in hopes that you finally treat yourself to this amazing experience. 

Not long ago I looked at my hands and noticed that my fingers were all shriveled and wrinkly looking.  Yes, I'm a year older but that doesn't necessarily explain why my hands seemed to have aged overnight.  The real reason why this was happening is because of the lack of blood flow to my fingers.  Unfortunately, cold weather causes the body to have to prioritize which areas of the body receive adequate blood flow.  

With increase blood flow, comes increased warmth.  Hence why we sweat during workouts.  In winter, our body is busy trying to keep our organs warm so it's diverting blood flow inwards leaving our extremities to fend for themselves.  This explains the cold fingers, toes, and ears.  Cold finger/toes is not really a big deal but when I think about the fact that our skin's surface is also getting reduced blood flow, it makes me pause.  

When it comes to optimal health and beauty, blood flow is one of the most precious commodities available.  Without it, we die...  But with adequate circulation, we experience a myriad of benefits.  One such benefit is an enhanced immune system.  That's because good circulation allows white blood cells to be transported through the body.  Exposing our bodies to extreme heat also stimulates autophagy which is a process in which old and damaged cells are cleaned out in order to regenerate new, younger cells.  Perhaps one of the reasons why people don't get as sick in the summer is because our blood circulation is greater in the warmer months...who knows? 

But let's talk about what beauty benefits of enhanced blood flow.  Blood carries nourishment that feeds our cells.  When cells don't get access to enough nutrient-rich blood, they don't do well.  In extreme cases, the cells die off.  But, for most people, lower blood flow results in dull, dry looking skin.  When our scalp doesn't have access to a constant flow of nutrient-rich blood, hair growth slows.  

All these reasons are probably why I'm seeing more celebrities treating themselves to trendy infrared saunas.  The very first time I tried a sauna, my skin was breaking out badly.  After a few sessions, the acne lesions seemed to magically go away.  Perhaps the intense sweat sessions helped my body to release toxins that would've been purged through the skin on my face.  When I committed to visiting the sauna at my gym a few times a week, my glow was undeniable.    

Recently, I stumbled on a video where a guy treated himself to a sauna session a day for 10 days.  At the end of his experiment, he enjoyed several wonderful benefits from weight loss & pain reduction to improved skin and better mood.  So, of course, I want to try a similar experiment for myself...especially heading into a new year.  You know how some people do juice cleanses every year to clear out toxins?  I think saunas make a great detox alternative if juice fasting isn't your thing. 

If you didn't get what you wanted for Christmas, consider treating yourself to a series of infrared sauna sessions.  I got started by buying a few sessions on Groupon.   After my first round, I was hooked and decided to splurge on an at-home unit.  If there aren't any spas offering sauna sessions in your neck of the woods, hot yoga might be a great alternative.

Although I don't use my sauna as much as I should, it's been an amazing asset over the years to help with pain.  Infrared heat is also a great way to intensify deep conditioning on wash day.  

Really looking forward to trying a consistent sauna challenge to see if I can compound the beauty benefits in a short period of time.   If you're going to give this a try, be sure to implement the tips I learned from Karrueche's sauna wellness routine. 

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Milestone Method of Motivation- The Fool Proof Way of Reaching Your Goals in 2021

 A new year awaits us.  That's another opportunity to strive for our goals.  This week, I spent some time contemplating on some lofty goals that I'd like to achieve in the year ahead.  Setting goals is only half the battle.  Another important aspect of goal achievement is the process of getting there.   

Once upon a time, I attended a personal development seminar that successfully created real-life transformations.  At the end of the seminar, they encouraged us to sign up for another training program that promised even greater results.  To help convince the audience of its effectiveness, they invited past attendees to discuss all the success they achieved as a result of the training.  

Instead of signing up for the next seminar, I paid close attention to the testimonies to see if I could glean any powerful insights.  This was over 5 years ago.  But one goal achievement tip I learned that night has stuck with me ever since.  

Their goal achievement system involved working as a group to create an environment of high accountability.  Another successful tactic involved working towards reaching specific milestones that would lead to the successful accomplishment of an overall goal. 

This idea of striving for individual milestones was a very attractive concept.  Going from A to Z may seem like an impossible task but transition from A to B is much more doable.  

The method I will use to tackle my goals in the year to come is to break down my goals into tiny, bite-sized milestones that I can easily reach.  There are two types of people, those who are motivated by reaching a big goal and those who are motivated by the small wins along the way.  

Which type of person are you?

I absolutely need those small, steady wins otherwise I lose all motivation, or I get distracted and move onto something else. 

Let's say you want to lose a few extra pounds gained during quarantine.  You can choose to set your sights on losing 20 lbs or you can set a goal of losing 1.0 lb.  Which of the two options is easier?  I, personally, would prefer to set a goal to lose one pound then go from there. 

Creating a micro-milestone is a no brainer because you're almost guaranteed to achieve it.  Once you have, you'll want to experience the taste of success once again...so you shoot for another pound then another.  

Earlier this week, I was watching a Youtube video where the guy was giving advice to online creators.  He mentioned that if someone were to grow their Instagram audience to 100,000 or more, it could alter the course of their life (financially).  I'm sure the people watching were probably like "how in the world do I get 100,000 IG followers?"  My answer to that question is to strive for the next closest milestone.  If that means you're sitting at 4,800 followers then set a goal for 5,000 followers, then move from from there!  

Another wonderful benefit of setting micro/milestone goals is that they help you to develop valuable habits.  For instance, let's say you set a goal to lose a single pound, and you do it, to repeat that goal you'll have to replicate some of the same behaviors that generated your first win.  If you repeat those same behaviors long enough, it becomes a lifestyle. When I wanted to earn an online income, my first goal wasn't "earn six figures" it was "make my first sale."  Once that sale was made, I worked to replicate that outcome again and again. 

Sometimes we don't even know the path that will take us to long our term goals. But we know exactly what to do to get to the next closest outcome....and that's where we should place our focus. We can't achieve our goals unless we generate a steady stream of motivation to move us forward. Milestones-based will take us there.   Reaching one milestone is another way of activating the Domino Effect.  It's powerful and will change your life.   

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Your Favorite Hair Growth Vitamin Might also be Making You Gain Weight

I adore supplements that provide multiple benefits in one formula. I've been really consistent with my vitamin regimen lately because I want to harness their wonderful benefits. Because I'm so focused on the positive aspects of incorporating supplements, I rarely think about the flip side.

Yesterday, I learned of an undesirable possible side effect from one of the most popular beauty vitamins on the market. You and I have taken this vitamin without realizing that it might also be working against your health/fitness goals.

When I was starting my healthy hair journey, I learned that adding supplements would be a sure-fire way to promote thicker, faster hair growth.  The most popular hair vitamin that everyone recommends taking is biotin.  

Biotin is accessible and cheap so it's almost a no-brainer.  As biotin gained popularity, manufacturers started to increase their competitive edge by increasing the dosage.  It's not uncommon to find 10,000 mcg biotin pills over the counter.  Because biotin is water-soluble, most people assume that it's better to take a large dose and allow your body to flush out any excess.  

No harm done....right?

We've all heard stories of impressive hair growth just by upping the dosage of this miracle pill.  But then there were rumblings of people who started to experience a few unwanted side effects from overconsumption of biotin.  The most common side effect was unwanted breakouts.  Obviously, breakouts are the very last thing anyone wants to experience.  Unwanted breakouts are one thing, but now I'm hearing there's another possible side effect that might be even worse.

Unfortunately, some biotin users are claiming that supplementing with high doses may have contributed to unsuspecting weight gain.  

I know! I'm shocked too!

After reading about multiple accounts where people have experienced bloating and weight gain, I figured there might be something to this.  From what I gather, biotin itself doesn't actually make you gain weight.  In fact, it's a vitamin that's said to help promote a healthy metabolism.  Meaning, if you take biotin because of a deficiency, you are helping to support your body's metabolic process.  But, most of us aren't necessarily deficient.  We take large doses to help super-charge our hair growth.  In doing so, some people experience an increase in appetite and hunger.  Perhaps this happens because the metabolic system is revved up making us crave more food to keep up.  On top of that, others say they experience an increase in water retention while on high dose biotin.

If you're not aware that this might be a potential side-effect, you might put on a few extra pounds without even realizing it.  

Keep in mind that this is a possible side-effect...meaning it doesn't happen to every single person who's on biotin.  But I wanted to put this out there in case this was happening to you.  Maybe biotin is giving you awesome results, but your appetite has increased. Just being mindful of this potential side effect puts the control back in your hands.  Now you can make a conscious decision not to over exceed your caloric intake.  Or you can scale back the biotin dosage to a level that still provides benefits while not affecting you negatively in other ways.    Unless your hair is actively falling out or extremely damaged, maybe you don't need to take an ultra-high dose.  Maybe you start with a lower dose then work your way to see how your skin and appetite responds.  

I had an old bottle of 10,000mcg biotin laying around so I decided to take it more consistently.  Not long afterward, I started noticing increased breakouts.  At first, I attributed the acne to mask-wearing but since I stopped taking the pills, my acne subsided.  Looking back, I noticed that my appetite increased as well.  During the day, I kept craving snacks in between meals and couldn't figure out why.  Since scaling back on biotin, I noticed that my appetite getting back to normal levels.  

 

So if biotin isn't a viable option for you to grow thicker hair....what's the alternative?

Well, I'm glad you asked. Don't you worry, I've got you covered.  I'm compiling a list of various healthy hair vitamins that work magnificently without ruining your skin or making you gain weight.  Stay tuned for my next post.  

 

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This LED Mask Brings NASA Technology to Your Beauty Routine.

A few years ago, I was introduced to the wonderful world of LED light therapy. At the time, LED masks were just entering the beauty space as the hottest must-have. Celebrities were posting selfies featuring their own personal LED masks purchased exclusively from their estheticians. I looked around at pricing and, at the time, the most popular brand was going for somewhere around $1,000.

Needless to say, I decided to wait patiently for the prices to make sense. Sometime later, I found a generic version of the infamous Desse mask at a far more reasonable price. Once I had the mask in hand, I questioned whether a mask with a bunch of tiny colored light-bulbs would actually work to change my skin.

In reality, it did. Although I didn't use it as consistently as I should've, I always noticed a difference when I wore the mask vs. when I neglected it. But, alas, the mask broke after my clumsy self dropped it.  Recently, I stumbled on an image of Kourtney Kardashian wearing a newer, more modern version of the LED mask. I was intrigued and immediately wanted to know more.Unlike traditional LED masks, this one is transparent. Another obvious difference was that the wearers were not lying down to receive the red light treatment. That's because this new generation of LED mask was now cordless and portable. Which meant that we no longer had to be confined laying down to use our mask.

This is a huge deal because portability means a greater likelihood for consistency and consistency will produce greater results.

My package arrived in a cute small box.  Much smaller than I expected.  Unlike my previous mask which came with a bunch of plugs, extra bulbs, straps, etc, this only contained a clear face shield, USB cord, and instructions. Since we're living in the era of covid, many of you will understand when I say that this LED mask pretty much looks and feels like your typical face shield. It's super light (I placed it on the scale & it only weighed 2.7 oz) and very easy to wear. 

On the side of the white band is a simple on/off button. Each time you press the button again, the color changes from Red, to Blue, to Yellow.  The various colors have the potential to provide unique benefits. Red for collagen production and anti again.  Blue for anti-inflammation and acne. Yellow/Orange for detoxifying and treating discoloration.  The mask is also equipped with a self-time that conveniently shuts it off after 15 minutes of use.  

I'm obsessed with this mask because I can actually wear it while doing random things around the house.  I practically forget I have it on.  Yesterday, I wore it while doing housework.  Not having to be confined to a bed to use an LED face mask is the biggest technological advancement in modern history (maybe).  

Since I've had my new mask, I'd used it multiple times.  Every time I lay eyes on it, I want to put it on.  This is a big deal because I'd always have to remind myself to use the clunkier mask.  

These masks create subtle, yet noticeable differences in the texture of your skin when used consistently.   One concern I did have is that, compared to my white LED mask, the lights on the face shield aren't as bright and overpowering.  This made me wonder if the face shield wasn't as effective as its predecessor.  

After doing a little research and comparing the specs here and here, I was comforted in knowing that both masks have the ability to send skin healing light to the skin at around the same wavelengths.  This makes me feel so much better knowing that my skin is receiving similar skin-enhancing benefits for a fraction of the price and a way better user experience. 

There's a seller on Amazon who has these masks available for a little over $50.00. That's a far cry from the $190.00 option that Kourtney K offers. Amazon also has a great return policy so you can try this mask daily for a few weeks and see if your skin loves it as well.    

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6 Products for Scalp Psoriasis Relief On and Between Wash Days

I'm no stranger to scalp drama.

Since 9th grade (don't ask what year that was, just mind your business 😭), I've been dealing with psoriasis on my skin — and especially my scalp. When my scalp flares up (like it is now), these flakes show no mercy. They come for my hairline, for the areas behind my ears, along my nape, and of course, anywhere I might even consider parting for a style. And now that we’re in the middle of fall and staring winter in the face, that’s exactly what I’m up against.

Psoriasis tends to be tougher on us in the fall and winter months, when days are shorter and direct sunlight is sparse. In the spring and summer, sunbathing and soaking up Vitamin D helps tremendously with keeping psoriasis plaques at bay. And as we stare down November (honestly I can’t believe I’m saying that 😭), this is the time of year that I get desperate for solutions and relief.

Honestly, I can deal with the plaques themselves. I can live without parts and protective styles. But what I absolutely cannot handle is the near constant itching, and the flakes falling everywhere as a result. It's annoying and sometimes embarrassing, but not as severe as it could be — so I'm thankful for that.

Luckily, I've found a good selection of products that provide relief from those annoyances — keeping me from scratching my scalp like crazy and washing my hair every other day.

I hope they can bring you some relief, too.

Between Wash Days, Try:

Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh Micellar Rinse

Over the course of the last month, I’ve been using the Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh Micellar Rinse along with the Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum as a part of my nighttime post workout scalp care routine. I’ve noticed that with regular use, my scalp isn’t nearly as dry between washes, and any itching I do experience is almost immediately relieved.

When we sweat, our thick, dense, textured strands trap dirt, bacteria, and salt against our scalp — leading to itching, dryness, and flakes. Over time, the high salt content of sweat can actually dehydrate our already difficult to moisturize hair, leading to brittleness and breakage.

For me, this is where the Root Refresh Micellar Rinse absolutely SHINES. While the most straightforward solution for removing dirt, bacteria, and salt from the scalp is to co-wash or shampoo, over-manipulating natural hair can lead to even more breakage and damage down the line. Sunday II Sunday Root Refresh Micellar Rinse is the perfect alternative. It’s formulated with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and myrrh to gently cleanse and purify the scalp between wash days.

After my workouts or any time I have a case of the itchies, I spritz my scalp directly with the Root Refresh Micellar Rinse and massage it in. The sweet relief is near instantaneous.

Oh and by the way, if you ever wondered what a waterless or dry shampoo for natural hair should look like, it looks exactly like Root Refresh Micellar Rinse. 

Sunday II Sunday Soothe Me Daily Serum

If the Root Refresh Micellar Rinse is like a shampoo substitute, then the Soothe Me Daily Serum by Sunday II Sunday is definitely the conditioner. It’s jam-packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and scalp soothing extracts like cordyceps, turkey tail mushroom, and peppermint. When I do a full review, we’ll take a further dive into the ingredients Sunday II Sunday formulates their products with. They’re super fascinating and honestly unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

And y’all know I’ve seen a lot of ingredients over the last 8 years.

The Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum is clear, lightweight, and does a great job at tackling itching and dryness between wash days. Because of thick psoriasis scales, oils don’t always penetrate all the way through to the scalp — and minutes later, you’ll end up with itchy scalp all over again. Soothe Me Daily Scalp Serum is water-based, it penetrates easily, hydrates my dry scalp, and gets to the root of my itchy woes to provide relief that lasts.

As a matter of fact, I'm using it right now as I type.

 

Curls Blueberry & Mint Tea Hair Growth and Scalp Treatment

I’ve raved about this product since it was released because it contains one of my absolute faaaaavorite ingredients for tight, sore-feeling scalp — menthol.

Yes, the same menthol that’s in Vick’s vapor rub.

When my scalp feels dry and tight, or gets a little sore (my roots feel tender when my hair enters a growth spurt, and psoriasis exacerbates that), I always reach for the Curls Blueberry Mint Tea Hair Growth and Scalp Treatment. It works like a charm every single time.

I'm always adding a bottle to my drive-up order at Target.

If you love a cool tingle, this right here is the one! Catch my review on the Curls Blueberry & Mint Tea Hair Growth and Scalp Treatment here.

On Wash Day, Try:

TPH by Taraji Never Salty

Confession: I used to throw major shade at scalp scrubs. I never understood their purpose, and I was very much of the mindset that your fingers could get the same job done without wasting extra time fussing around with goopy scrubs.

I’m not above admitting when I’m wrong. So, I was wrong. And it was Never Salty from TPH by Taraji that helped me see the light.

This scrub y’all, is life. The cool tingle is next level, courtesy of my (already mentioned) favorite ingredient,  menthol. Never Salty also contains apple cider vinegar, peppermint,  sweet almond oil, and coconut oil — softening, soothing, and invigorating the scalp as it helps to lift stubborn flakes. The scrubbing sensation feels heavenly, and the oils prevent the scalp from feeling stripped after rinsing.

I bought one tube from Target, and went back for three more the next day. It's that good.

Home Health Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash

I've gone through my fair share of salicylic acid shampoos and cleansers over the years, and most of them weren't much to write home about. But then I stumbled across the Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash by Home Health on Amazon.

Of all the psoriasis shampoos I've tried, this one is the absolute best at lifting flakes and scales. I use the pump to apply it directly to my scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes or so with a shower cap, just like I would a deep conditioner. After 30 minutes has passed, the scales come up with minimal effort. This is such a critical function for folks with psoriasis — trying to lift scales forcefully can cause scratches and bleeding that leads to a vicious cycle of even more inflammation, scaling, and hair loss.

For loosening scales, the Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash is that jam. I love that it contains absolutely no artificial fragrance or colors. But be warned, it is not friendly on natural hair. It has no slip, and can leave you in a bad bind if your hair is super tangled before you use it.

Which leads me to the final must-have on my list:

Be Kekoa Be Clean Cleansing Conditioner

Yes, my absolute most favorite, undeniable holy grail nearly 6 years and running is also one of my must-haves for handling scalp psoriasis.

And here's why.

As a co-wash, it absolutely has that lovely itch-soothing tingle I love, and does a great job at softening psoriasis scales for removal. When I don't want to go all-in with a shampoo (either the Home Health Psoriasis Wash or Be Kekoa's own Be Clair), Be Clean is what I reach for. But beyond that, I've found that it's absolutely essential to use Be Clean before I put the Home Health Psoriasis Wash on my scalp.

As I mentioned earlier, the Home Health Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash has zero slip. Like, none. Not even on detangled hair. It's a medicated shampoo with sulfates, and not at all designed to be friendly for natural hair. So in order to not destroy my strands, I coat and detangle my hair with Be Clean Cleansing Conditioner prior to using the Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash. Important to note: I don't rinse the Be Clean out before applying the Home Health Psoriasis Wash.

The end result? My scalp gets the attention it needs, without making my textured strands suffer. For more on my love affair with Be Clean, read my review here. 

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Not Self Motivated? Here's How to Accomplish All of Your Goals Anyway.

When I first got into the process of personal development, I realized that a big part of reaching your goals and achieving success was fueled by being consistently motivated. At one point, I sought to learn from the most self-motivated people I could find. These people seemed to be able to tap into an endless source of internal motivation that most of us only dream of.

I tried to become one of those people....and failed miserably.

I just never seemed to consistently muster up the constant flow of self-motivation needed to crush my goals on a daily basis. Not having an endless source of self-motivation to tap into was frustrating. Once you label yourself a non-motivated individual, it all goes downhill from there.


Thankfully, I realized that being motivated isn't an innate gift that a select few are blessed with. In fact, I believe that the most motivated people have mastered one technique that I will share with you today.

When you say to "I want to do or accomplish xyz," at that very moment, you are motivated to set a goal/intention for yourself. The next day arrives and it's time to put in the work required to make turn your dream into reality.

But there's one problem....

You don't feel like doing anything. So you give yourself a pass and nothing gets accomplished. This has happened to me more times than I can count. But I'm happy to say that I think I may have figured out the key to getting rid of this destructive cycle. All I did was ask myself one simple question.

What motivates me?

There are times when each of us has plenty of internal drive to get things done. And there are also times when we don't feel like doing anything of purpose. If you were to analyze your personal patterns, can you determine what's the difference between when you're motivated and when you're not?


When I sat down to reflect, I was able to identify my motivation driver(s). What's a motivation driver? Basically, it's an internal or external factor that has the power to actually motivate you into action! After careful reflection, I realized that one of my greatest motivation drivers consisted of the following:


Surrounding myself with others who were doing what I want to do//
So for example, if I want to have a highly productive workday, I will be much more motivated to stay on course if I play YT videos of entrepreneurs sharing their "day in the life". Simply watching those videos alone, gives me a boost of motivation that can last for hours.


This also works well if I want to motivate myself to exercise. I can try to muster up some self-motivation (which may or may not work)......or I can simply watch IG stories or YT videos of people working out. The second option, for me, is a bit more effortless and comes with less resistance.

What gets you motivated? Are you inspired into action by looking at before/after pics? Or do the success stories of others make you want to get off your couch and do something? Are you more likely to change your behavior if you change your environment?

We all have a motivation trigger that pushes the right button. Whatever that trigger is for you, I want you to activate it and activate it often! If you're motivated by results, surround yourself with examples of others who've achieved the results you want.

The idea of being totally self-driven is an illusion. We shouldn't rely solely on a mystical internally generated motivation that may or may not exist. Instead, I want you to identify EXACTLY what motivates you. Look back on those times when you had the most motivation (that turned into action) and ask yourself, "what was it that motivated me?" Once you've narrowed down your greatest motivation triggers, you have the key that can unlock your greatest potential. The final step is to activate those triggers often and use them generously to accomplish everything you desire.

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Everything I Learned from Laura Harrier's Nightly Skin Routine.

The other day, I came across a video of Laura Harrier's multi-step nighttime beauty routine. I've followed Laura on IG years before her recent rise to stardom. A while back, I wrote an article about how she swears by honey masks to treat her skin. You can imagine how excited I was when I stumbled on a video featuring her entire nightly routine. 


Whenever I watch these "Go to Bed with Me" videos, I don't lend my full attention to the products use. Instead, I observe for any key takeaways that I can apply to my routine ASAP. Laura's routine certainly had a few precious gems that we all can benefit from. 

Let us discuss.
I'll preface our conversation by saying that I've been really slacking on my skincare routine as of late. I'm home a lot more which only allows fuels my laziness. But, since fall is almost here, I feel a greater sense of urgency to get back on track. So I paid close attention to Laura's routine and walked away with a few amazing tips:

CLEANSE// Clarins Foaming Cleanser.
Laura starts off her nightly routine by applying a gentle, double foaming cleanser to her skin. One thing that made my ears perk up is how she admits to using cold water to cleanse her skin in the morning. If you haven't yet tried using cold water on your face, now is the perfect time to start. As outside temperatures drop, so does the water that comes out of our pipes. Rinsing with cold water tightens up the pores and brings blood flow to the surface. Your skin will look amazing. 

Instead of rinsing her cleanser away, like us simpletons, Laura opts to employ the help of muslin cloth to remove her cleanser. These cloths will mop up the cleanser while exfoliating the skin. Basically, they're sorta like Italy cloths but for the face

When I first saw her bare skin at the start of the video, the very first thought the crossed my mind was "her skin looks well exfoliated." If Laura, indeed uses this cloth twice a day, then she is engaging in the art of daily exfoliation for flawless skin. Daily exfoliation doesn't have to be intense. Just a simple way to remove buff away dead skin that dulls the complexion. Here's a quick bit of feedback from someone who's sold on the power of muslin cloths:

At first feel of this Muslin cloth, you would think that it won't be effective but I can assure you it most certainly is. Granted this feels weak when water is added but to remove the cleanser is really good, soft on the skin and definitely exfoliates well.
I will definitely be getting a set of these facial cloths 'cause I've been slacking on exfoliation. This seems like an easy, effective solution. 

SERUM // Clarins Double Serum
After cleansing, Laura skips the toning steps and reaches directly for her serum. Here, she's using Clairin's Double Serum. Basically, it's two serums that combine into one as you pump out the product. After witnessing the two serums becoming one, I paused the video and began to contemplate the pros and cons of combining two serums at once.

After a few moments of reflection, I decided that the pros might actually outweigh the cons and this might be worth a try. So I grabbed a vitamin C serum I had laying around and combined it with a few drops of hydrating serum. Then I rubbed the newly created hydrating C serum onto my skin and was amazed. Suddenly, my mediocre serum was enhanced beyond my expectations. Can't wait to pair up the other serums I have laying around to see if I can bring out their greatness.

As Laura completes her post-cleanse moisturizing, she wraps her routine by grabbing her gua sha facial tool. She then proceeds to give herself a brief lymphatic drainage massage while further ensuring that the products used are fully absorbed into her skin. If you have a gua sha tool but find yourself not using it that often, adding it to the end of your nightly routine is the best way to make it a daily habit. Gua Sha massage is also a great way to help alleviate the facial muscles of the stress of squinting at a computer or cell phone all day. If you only break out your Gua Sha massager every once in a while, you'll miss out on the cumulative toning & lifting benefits from long term use. 

Those are just some of my key takeaways from Laura's routine but she definitely drops some additional gems in the full video. 

Be sure to check it out.

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Vision Board Not Working? Try This Reality Creation Method Instead.

When the pandemic first began, I had a difficult time adjusting to all the changes happening at once.  As soon as my husband started working from home, we overindulged in our eating which resulted in unwanted weight gain.  By the end of March, I reached my heaviest weight.  

Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I had to do something.  But, I was feeling unmotivated.  I've always had an ideal weight goal in mind but was never able to reach it.  So, instead of using the number as my means of motivation, I decided to try a different, more powerful strategy.   Based on past experience,  my ideal weight number wasn't really an effective tool to drive weight loss because it wasn't bringing me any closer to my goal.

I needed to try something different.
So instead of being attached to a number, I decided to take a different route.  

The year prior, I visited a thrift store and stumbled upon a vintage pair of Levi's jeans for a decent price.  Only one problem....they were too small.  Faced with the decision of having to walk away from this amazing find or buying them in hopes of eventually losing weight,.

I decided to take the chance.  

When I got home and tried them on, the jeans barely fit over my hips.  Although I was discouraged, I decided to use these jeans as a new source of motivation that would fuel my action.  Over the course of time, I implemented a few, fairly simple strategies that would positively affect my weight.  Like, in the mornings, I started my day with a cup of unsweetened green tea.  That, paired with morning walks really helped kick things off.  

But what really contributed to my weight loss was knowing that the ultimate mission was to fit comfortably in those Levis jeans.  They became a physical representation of my ultimate goal. Without realizing it, I turned those jeans into a living vision board of sorts.  Every so often, I'd attempt to try them on to determine my progress.  And, each time I tried them on, I had a clear image of where I stood versus where I wanted to be.  If I saw no progress in how they fit, I'd add a new activity to help fuel my weight loss. 

Finally, after months and months, I was able to slide those jeans on and zip them up comfortably.  It was a dream come true....a real-life manifestation.   Reaching that milestone was awesome but then I realized that there's a lesson from this experience.  Having a visual/physical representation of my goals helped make things very real.   

BETTER THAN A VISION BOARD.

Those jeans represented a vision of where I wanted to be and it became more powerful than any vision board that I've ever created.  Fun fact, I have a picture of a woman with a flat stomach in a similar pair of jeans on my vision board, but it never really moved me into action like these jeans have.

So then I'm like....."how can I apply this process to the rest of my goals?"

Instead of simply saying to myself "I'd like to earn a certain amount of income,"  I put some thought into how I can create a real-life representation of exactly what my financial goals will look like if achieved.  

I'm thinking about creating a photoshopped image of my actual bank account featuring my ideal bank balance.  Why? Because, like the pair of jeans, I can compare the ideal result with reality. Then, one step at a time, I can work my way towards the intended result.  

If I wanted to write a book, I'd probably start by paying for the cover image as a real-life representation of the finished product.  Then, I'd work consistently until the book is completed.  If I wanted to find my ideal soulmate, I'd probably take myself out on dates to places I'd like to experience with someone special.   I might also invite a friend with me so I can experience those places with someone I enjoy being around.  These are just a few random ideas, you can certainly come up with examples that work better for you.  Basically, your job is to come up with creative ways to bring your vision before in a very real way that keeps you consistently moving forward. 

The key is to find something real and tangible that will spark your motivation and will keep you going.  I knew I wasn't going to stop until I fit into those jeans... and that's what made this process work so well.

It's time to stop relying solely on verbal goals or cut and paste images on vision boards.  Especially if those techniques haven't worked all that well for you before.  It's time to get real.    Let's utilize reality to create reality.   This is the ultimate example of lifestyle design at its finest. 

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