:: Chocolate Chip + Coconut Greek Yogurt with Slivered Almonds ::

A while back I was in the grocery store and spotted a certain mix of Chobani that had all of my favorite vices : dark chocolate, coconut, and almonds.  I threw it in my cart and pretty much devoured it the next day.  It was GOOD...and it was healthy!  That's a match made in heaven in my book.  So instead of heading to the store each and every single time I wanted some, I figured I would re-create it at home.  The best part is, I already have all of these things on hand in my kitchen and it's super quick and easy to put together.

Chocolate Chip + Coconut Greek Yogurt with Slivered Almonds:

-Vanilla Greek Yogurt  (or regular Vanilla Yogurt)

-Shredded Coconut Flakes

-Mini Dark Chocolate Chips

-Slivered Almonds

Spoon desired amount of yogurt into bowl and top with coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and slivered almonds.  Note that I didn't add measurements...I usually am pretty liberal with the coconut and almonds and just add a pinch of the chocolate chips.  There's no way to mess this up, so put as much as you please!  I love that it satisfies my sweet tooth for both breakfast and dessert.  Feel free to pin this onto your "healthy eating" board with the caption #winning!

Organic Beauty

One of my new years resolutions last year was to take better care of my skin.  Surprisingly, it's the only resolution that I made an attempt to fulfill.  As much as I love trying out new products I don't love shelling out money left and right for things that will undoubtedly be banished under my bathroom sink.  Also, I'm trying to live a healthier lifestyle.  I've always tried to be "healthy" in some sort of fashion.  Who wants to look like they're 60 when in reality, they're 40?  I think spending time as a nurse in the ICU really enforced my desire to be healthy.  It's sad to see young adults dying of preventable illness, yet at the same time it's incredibly inspiring to see elderly adults looking and feeling amazing.  That got me thinking about how so many people "back home" have such gorgeous skin and live long lives.  I decided to try some "home-remedies" that I grew up hearing my family talk about.  You may have heard this before (if you're Arab I'm SURE you've heard this before!)  And I can guarantee that 99% of you have it in your pantry right now.

Olive Oil.

Yep, the "secret" to gorgeous skin is using olive oil.  Growing up, olive oil was basically the cure-all antidote to any ache, pain, or problem. 

 Got a backache?  Warm up some olive oil and massage it onto your skin.

Earache?  Repeat above.

Want gorgeous shiny hair?  Massage olive oil into your hair and leave for a few hours or overnight.

So now I'm sharing with you my tried and true, in-expensive "secret" to healthy skin and hair.

After washing my face before bed I apply a small amount of  olive oil to my face.  I put just enough that it covers my whole face, yet dries by the time I get to my pillow.  We're talking less than quarter size here.  Also, after you shower use a little bit of olive oil instead of lotion..your skin will be SO smooth the next day.  And last but not least, give your hair a hot oil treatment by massaging in a little bit of olive oil for a few hours.  I usually do mine overnight so I can just shower it out in the morning.  

And here's another beauty tip for you.  If you're like me you HATE having chapped lips, but in the winter it's so hard to avoid!  

Try using this honey and sugar scrub to exfoliate chapped lips:

I usually make a small batch and keep it next to the sink to use before bed and before putting on my lipstick/make-up.  It's great-not to mention, you don't have to worry about a bad taste getting into your mouth.

Do you have any organic beauty tips?  If so, I'd LOVE to hear them!

{Olive oil bottle and lip scrub container were purchased in the travel section of Wal-mart.}

cleansing out the seasons

Source: womenshealthmag.com via Valoree on Pinterest

lately, i've been itching to try my hand (and body!) at cleanses.  i've never done one before so i've been trying to find one that's *just right*.    

i'm looking for something no longer than a week (i'm still a cleanse virgin after all)  in addition, i want it to be easy and convenient.  i'd rather not stock the pantry with foods that i may or may not use.  but most importantly, i want it to be beneficial (i.e. SAFE!)  i'm looking to go into DKA here folks.  while i'd love to shed a few pounds along the way, weight loss really isn't my main motivator

do you have any tried and true cleanses? 

 i'd love to hear about your experiences:)

Serendipity

I recently discovered Amy Atlas' blog and I am obsessed.  I love the way she creates  these gorgeous themed tables that look too pretty to eat.

In lieu of the holiday season and all of those bad-for you goodies how about setting aside one table specifically to healthy foods?

Here's a table Amy featured on her blog.

My heart is fluttering... I think it's love!

As always, I'm a sucker for things color coordinated and mini and this is right up my alley.

I am seriously going to have to try this out very very soon!!  I'd love to see pictures if you end up trying it!

xoxo