(T.O.) back to basics...

(T.O.) back to basics...

I haven't cooked properly in soooo long. I work with food so by the time I get home, I have no desire to cook. Add exhaustion from work and school to the mix, and I definitely have no intention of cooking when I get home. However, I was tired of eating Mr. Noodle every night and missed having a home cooked meal; so I decided it was time to step back into my kitchen. I was in the mood for something quick, easy and delicious.

Easy as one, two, three :)

I loving snacking on peppers, and I enjoy cooking with them even more! A little minced garlic and onion... *lips smacking* delicious!

Your choice of pasta and...

Voila! A simple and easy pasta dish made in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for people that are always on the go, and still enjoy a delicious meal. Even though I used parmesan cheese, the alfredo sauce was made with soy milk. YUM!

Happy Cooking!

peace, love and health

♥Bella♥

*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected* Tweet This

(T.O.) GREEN Nails 101

(T.O.) GREEN Nails 101

One afternoon while getting my nails done, I silently thought about all the benefits of wearing nail polish. I mean sure you'll have pretty hands and feet.. correction pretty finger nails and toe nails, but what is that nail polish really doing to you? To your health? There had to be more to that toxic smell that instantly invades your sense of smell when you go to a nail salon or open a bottle of nail polish/ nail polish remover. So I did a little research on nail polish and its ingredients... I wasn't pleased. So I rounded up all my nail polish, and in the garbage they went. I don't mind not wearing nail polish. To be honest I'm happy to have one less thing to do, ha ha ha; but I kinda miss playing around with different colors on my nails... This is how the search for safer nail polish/care began, as well as how I found Zoya...

.Zoya nail polish is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor. There are over THREE HUNDRED colors to choose from as well as 4 seasonal collections every year. They also have a 3 in 1 nail polish remover that not only removes nail polish, but also cleans the nail plate as well as helps to extend nail polish wear. All Zoya nail polish and nail polish treatments are free of the toluene, formaldehyde, DBP and camphor. I like, I like.

So why should you care?

Most people think that environmental chemicals just bounce off of our bodies. Wrong. In order to prevent damage our bodies have to efficiently process them. Majority of the chemicals that we inhale are absorbed into our blood stream, deactivated by the liver and then expelled from the system via the colon, urine, or sweat. 

Dibutyl Phthalates prevent nail polish from chipping, but they also improve absorption of topical ingredients into the skin- this is a negative quality when used in formulas with other chemical ingredients. Toluene and xylene are petroleum based solvents that are toxic and have been linked to cancer. Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic and a noxious chemical that is highly toxic to the liver. 

Noxious chemicals like the ones found in commercial nail polish, create an increased burden on your liver. The more chemicals you're exposed to, the harder it is for your live to function efficiently.

Even though Zoya products are not entirely free of chemicals; they immediately eliminate the risk that comes with using commercial nail polish that contain dangerous and toxic ingredients. If you must wear nail polish, I suggest choosing the least harmful path of resistance :)
Visit their blog and website to see more colors and for more info!
peace, love and health
♥Bella♥
*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected*

Tweet This

(T.O.) Why I LOVE it: Women's Gold

(T.O.) Why I LOVE it: Women's Gold

I wouldn't know where to begin the list of the many benefits that using shea butter brings. Since my beauty/skin care detox this is ALL I have been using on my face and body, and I LOVE it! I prefer to use unrefined shea butter instead of products that claim to contain shea butter as the refining process diminishes a lot of the vitamins... No thanks. Unrefined shea butter retains ALL its natural vitamins. I've heard that some people don't like the smell, but I think that they are so used to using scented products that the lack of fragrance bothers them. Poor things. It doesn't smell like anything...

I definitely understand why it's called "Women's Gold".

Shea Butter Trivia:
♥ Shea butter is also known as karite butter, and is made from the nuts of karite trees (aka Mangifolia trees) that grow in the West and Central African regions.
♥ Destruction of the shea tree is forbidden in most parts of West Africa, as the nuts provide a valuable source of food, medicine and even income.
♥ Shea butter is sometimes referred to as "Women's gold" as there are women that are employed in the production of shea butter.
♥ Shea butter is used to help heal burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, and stretch marks. It's an excellent moisturizer, as it promotes cell renewal, diminishes wrinkles, and increases elasticity and circulation.
♥ It also contains cinnamic acid which helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
♥ Shea butter also protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has also shown antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Why I love it? Because it's 100% natural, it doesn't contain any harmful toxins or ingredients, and it doesn't cost me an arm, a leg, or my health to enjoy its benefits! Who can use it? Everyone... actually it's not recommended for people with nut allergies. Sorry.
peace, love and health
♥Bella♥

*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected*

Tweet This

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

A few weeks ago I received lots of great products from my Beautyfix by Dermstore kit. One of the products I chose was the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. It comes in a little bottle that shakes out like baby powder. I was so confused on how to use it at first. You wet your hands and put some powder in your hands to make a pasty thick mixture. You're supposed to rub the paste all over your face (careful around the eye area) to scrub the dirt off your face. The product is made out of a rice-based enzyme and contains skin smoothing and skin brightening ingredients. I love that there is no artificial color or fragrance. It's gentle enough to be used everyday because of how fine the powder is.

I liked that this product had salicylic acid in it which helps with blemishes and green tea to calm the skin. It really does leave your skin smoother. If you're looking to really scrub off blackheads and debris that is deeper that the surface I would not recommend this product. I would recommend something with larger or more firm scrubing beads. I'm a huge fan of the powder form. It's a lot lighter to carry with your if you're traveling because you don't have the water weight of the product.

Personally, I like to use this in the morning when I wash my face so I can get a bright smooth surface to apply my make up. Also, I hate using a heavy exfoliantant in the morning because it'll turn my skin red sometimes. At night after I shower, I'll use a rougher exfoliant to remove the blackheads and the dirt and oil that's stuck in your pores. It's a perfect time to exfoliant in the shower or after because your pores are open from the steam. The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is really gentle on your skin and gives your skin a little pick-me-up in the morning when you need it looking good.

Try it out! I'd definitely recommend this to people with sensitive skin.

*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected* Tweet This