Monday Motivation | Manifest Faster by Focusing on Feeling Good

This year, I'm determined to improve my manifestation skills.  Meaning, I'd like to increase the likelihood of my intentions coming into reality and reduce the amount of time it takes to do so.  The the gurus tell you to make sure you feel good about the intentions in order to bring about your desires.  Feeling good is the fuel that powers the manifestation process.  It's like the key that unlocks the door that leads you to the life you want.  Positive feelings also increase your belief that it'll occur which motivate you into taking the right actions.

Sometimes, I find it a little difficult to generate feelings of "already having", especially when it hasn't appeared yet.  When that happens, I just do things that make me feel good overall.  I'm a Cancer. We are described as emotional. For me, this means that small things can make me feel bad even when it's not that serious.  To keep my feelings in check, I have a system of actions that I know will work 100% of the time to positively affect my feelings.  For the past month or so, I've experimented with identifying what makes me feel good.  Once identified, it's my job to make sure I carry out those feel good actions regularly to keep my vibrations at a high level.  I've jotted down some of  the feel good actions which seem to have the most impact.

Clean + Organized Environment

The fastest method, I've found, to positively impact my mood is to elevate my environment.  Keeping the space around me clear and clutter free is absolutely essential.  Any time I walk into a clear, organized space, I receive a surge of feel good energy.  It's like my battery is getting recharged.  The only problem is, that if I'm not conscious, I default to creating a mess.  Which is why, I created a system where I set my phone time for 15-20 minutes and invest that time to focused cleaning/decluttering.

You'll be amazed at how much can be accomplished in 15 minutes.  When the environment is clear, it's like I can think again. There's no more of that feeling of anxiety and overwhelm.  Nothing feels better than that.

Eating Natural Foods
Last week, I replaced my normal dinners of rice and beans with salads. Or I had a small bowl of rice and a large salad. Not only were the salads tasty, but I had this amazing feeling afterwards.  It felt great.  Like my body was thanking me by sending endorphins to my brain.  Best of all, there wasn't any of that sluggishness one has while waiting for a large meal to digest.  It was absolutely wonderful.

Exercise
Each day last week, I made sure to enjoy a long walk at a nearby park.  Some days I didn't feel like doing it, but I did it anyway.  And each time I did, I felt amazing.  Not only did I get the benefit of having my brain pump feel good chemicals into my body, but I also enjoyed another feel good moment when I slipped into a skirt that almost split at the seam the last time I attempted to wear it.

Personal Appearance
The one area where I've been slacking is in making sure that I get fully dressed everyday.  Now that I work fully from home, it's easy to let the day zip by without putting any effort in how I look.  This is a huge mistake because I'm missing out on critical opportunities to experience "feel good" moments each time I look into a mirror.  Instead, I hear that small voice that says something like "you need to put yourself together."  That probably sends a subconscious message that will negatively impact my mood, my confidence. I've been doing the bare minimum, like making sure my nails are neat and painted, but that ain't enough!  I can't let that continue to happen, especially since my appearance is completely in my control.  This week, I'm committed to look my best, even if no one else sees me.

Side note:  I've been watching episodes of this show where OCD cleaners go clean houses of hoarders living in filthy conditions.  One observation I made was that the OCD people seemed to be better put together with regards to their appearance.  The "messy people" also looked messy.  Perhaps there's a correlation between how one takes care of themselves and their environment.

Gratitude Reflection
I feel amazing when I reflect on all that I currently have which were once intentions.  First I focus on the feeling of having a physical object (or experience) and then I think about the things I want and how they too will become a part of my reality.  This exercise is excellent for keeping the feelings of lack away.  Works like a charm.

Life Moments 
As part of my experiment, I'm infusing small, feel good moments, into my week whenever possible.  Two weeks ago, I treated myself to a massage.  Maybe this week, I enjoy a movie in the middle of the day (something I said I would do once I had freedom over my time).  Whenever I carry out one of those feel good moments, I really exaggerate the essence of the moment. I take in all the sensations and get the most out of the experience.  Again, I use those moments to think about what I want to experience in the future and use the feelings to help further the excitement about what is to come.

Visual Stimulation
One thing that worked really well for me in the past that I'll be incorporating again, is visual stimulation.  Basically, I'd save images that resonated with what I wanted to experience/achieve.  Then I'd play back those images as a slide show to music on my Ipad.  This was pretty much a daily ritual.  And it worked extremely well.  I'm gonna round up a bunch of images from my Pinterest Boards and add to my vision board collection and do it again.

When my primary concern is making sure I do the things that make me feel good, everything else just flows so easily.  Manifesting feels effortless and natural.  Another wonderful side effect is that I don't seem as impacted when small inconveniences pop their ugly head.  I just do what I know works and everything works itself out.

Fit Friday | Your ultimate small waist routine.

If you're on Instagram for any length of time, you may have come across young ladies wearing waist trainers in an attempt to shrink their waistline.  A tiny waistline is the desire of almost all women because it enhances the hips/thighs, giving us a more curvaceous figure.  Clothes fit better when our waistline is toned, and it boosts our confidence like nothing else.

From what I hear, those waist trainers actually do work. But, you've got to wear one pretty much all the time.  Nothing wrong with that. Some people are able to do that. But, what if you can activate your inner corset, pulling your tummy inwards in a natural way?  Years ago, I knocked out a couple of hundred sit ups every night in hopes of achieving a flatter stomach.  In the end, my stomach was stronger, firmer, but not necessarily flatter.  I remember a classmate playfully punching me in the belly and being surprised by the firmness of my tummy.  I want to pull everything inwards, not make it extra hard.  If you have a short torso like I do, rock hard abs make your midsection look wider which doesn't accentuate curves. So I had to give up sit ups altogether and try something different.

When I incorporated the transverse abdominal regimen into my routine, everything changed. Suddenly, I could see a natural cinching of the waist.  My tummy flattened naturally.  Best of all, it was pretty easy to achieve.

Basically, my routine looked something like this:

1.  Reduce overall body fat % by incorporating long walks (3 miles)  3-4 days a week.  Or 1 hour on treadmill doing inclined intervals (3-4 days a week).
2. Increase frequency of eating healthy salads, drinking water, eating fruit. (Eating for a small waist)
3. Build lower body with squats, lunges, etc.
4. Incorporate transverse exercises into daily routine.

That's all it took. The results were pretty spectacular.  For the first time in my life, I had a tiny waist.

Let's talk more about which inner corset exercise were more effective.  I was most consistent with the stomach vacuum.  They say the body builders in the 70's would incorporate transverse exercises like the stomach vacuum into their routines which created their caved in waistline.  But, some modern bodybuilders have lost the tradition and are sporting larger, more extended abs as a result.

 Although stomach vacuums don't feel like you're doing a work out, they are actually pretty effective.  Almost like how kegals give you results simply by contracting the muscles inwards.  I learned a few variations of transverse exercises but it was always so easy to do a few stomach vacuum exercises in front of the mirror while getting dressed.  Strengthening my inner core also encouraged me to engage my core at all times.  While on those long walks, I would engage my core. I kept my stomach tight while on the treadmill.  I did stomach vacuums if I worked on the computer while standing.  Suddenly, I could do ab exercises at any time, anywhere, and I took full advantage.  I'm not saying that you shouldn't do any more crunches. I believe every muscle should be worked, but those days of doing hundreds of sit ups for flat abs are over for me.

Along with transverse workouts, I sought to tone the external ab muscles as well. That's when I incorporated the "waist whittler" stretch which lengthened and toned my midsection.  Again, this was easy to do so I stayed consistent.  Finally, I targeted those hard to reach areas with specific workouts meant to target the lower back fat.  Everything worked together to create my ideal results.  If you are interested in getting a waist trainer, I'm not gonna stop you.  Pairing these exercises with your trainer might even accelerate your result.  It's all about having options.

Stomach Vacuum (How To):



Transverse Abdominal Workout


The Waist Whittler (Trimer) Exercise



Waist Trimming Workout (MY FAVORITE WAIST WORKOUT OF ALL TIME)

New In | Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence Serum

In my Mastering the At Home Facial post, I mentioned that I was on the market for a high nutrient serum for post-facial application.  In the comments, one of my readers raved about Snail Bee High Content Essence.  I didn't grab it right away because I rediscovered a bottle of Hyaluronic/Glycolic Acid serum stashed away on my dresser.  While, I was loving the results, deep down I still yearned for another product with unique nurturing qualities with the power to transform my skin.

Some time later, the Snail Essence serum popped up in my mind.  The next course of action was to see what others were saying and find out why I would want to put snail secretions on my face.  From what I read, snail slime can work wonders to fight acne.  The slime itself is composed of proteins, glycolic acid and elastin.  It acts as a barrier to protect the delicate snail from damage and infection. Not only can the serum de snail protect the skin from inflammation, it also said to have extraordinary healing qualities.  According to this article, Chilean snail farmers experienced the benefits first hand. Constant contact with the snail serum healed their skin, leaving behind no scars.

Garden snails leaving their slime all over my snail slime serum.

Benton's ingredient list was pretty amazing.  Seeing snail essence as the first ingredient was a bit of a shocker.  I mean, how often does that happen? This pretty much lets us know how potent this product is.  Another ingredient that made me raise my eyebrow is the bee venom.  Yes, bee venom, the poison that bees emit to protect themselves and attack their enemies.  Although I've never been stung by a bee, I can imagine the venom having redeeming qualities in small doses.  Blood rushes to the infected area to try to heal the sting.  And we all know that increased blood flow to the skin can be a really good thing as it can promote regeneration.  But, a word of warning, those of you who are allergic to bee venom will have to get your snail essence elsewhere.

Benton's Snail Essence serum is also loaded with botanical extracts which makes it a pretty attractive beauty serum.  Not to mention that it's under $20.00.  I had to try it for myself.  Thankfully, my skin no longer breaks out like it use to, but warmer weather has aggravated my skin, causing some mild inflammation below the skin surface.  My hope is this serum can squash all that.  The product itself is clear, unscented and absorbs in moments.  I consider it a "dry serum" because it leaves no greasy residue unlike the slimy trails left behind from our tiny snail friends.  It's a very easy product to fit into your current skin care routine.

So far, I like it.  What I'm really looking forward to is a reduction in discoloration and acne scarring. And, hopefully, the snail essence can actually prevent any potential breakouts that might rear their ugly head.  Maybe this stuff will actually transform my skin like the others who rave about it so much.  If you have acne prone skin and can benefit from the healing qualities that snail slime offers, check out this nifty little serum.

Ingredients:
Snail Secretion Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Arbutin, Human Ogliopeptide-1, Bee Venom, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Laminana Digita Extract, Dios Pyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ulmus Campestris (Elm) Extract, Bacilus Ferment, Azelaic Acid, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross Polymer, Adenosine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Arginine

5 Healthy Skin Boosters for your DYI Facial Mist.

I'm completely enjoying the warmer weather but each day that passes, means we're one day closer to summer.  Last summer, I stumbled upon a major beauty essential.  I kept a bottle of Evian Facial Spray with me at all times.  Then, an Instagram Beauty Secrets post introduced me to Chanel's Hydra Beauty's Essence Mist.  What lured me the most about this product is how many yummy ingredients it has.  I mean, who wouldn't want to mist themselves with ingredients such as camellia flower extract, vitamin E, & hyaluronic acid and other moisture boosters?

On one trip to the mall, I dipped into Neiman Marcus and tested Chanel's Hydra Mist for myself.  Long after the water absorbed into my skin, the feeling of moisture remained on the skin.  Although I loved the product, I couldn't convince myself to invest $90.00 into a 1.7 ounce bottle.  Maybe in the future but, for now, I've decided do a little experimenting with adding various boosters to my DIY facial spray.  

So far I have a ideas in mind.

First on the list is rosewater.  Can you imagine how decadent it would feel to experience the aromatic fragrance of roses each time you mist your face?  Rosewater soothes the skin.  It also contains antioxidants, and vitamins A& C,  which is great from the skin.  Another reason to add rose water to my spray mister is for it's astringent and anti inflammatory properties, which will help keep acne at bay.

The skin is it's happiest when it's slightly acidic so I'm inclined to add a few ingredients to lower the pH of the facial spray.  On top of my list is coconut vinegar, which has taken the place of ACV in my regimen.  If I go too many days without using a low pH toner, my skin suffers a dermatitis outbreak.  The acidity keeps my skin at it's healthiest so lowering the pH of this facial mist is a must.  I'll just make sure to keep my eyes shut, when I mist, to avoid getting any mishaps.  

Next on the list of facial spray boosters is powdered MSM.  MSM is sometimes called the beauty mineral because of it's sulfur content.  I read a post where a girl raved that applying MSM cream on her face every day filled in (and faded) her deep acne scars. So it's an absolute must.   

Lastly, I'm considering adding a little powdered vitamin C to transform my facial mist into a mild version of a  vitamin C serum.  Vitamin C on the skin can have major anti aging properties.   Some vitamin C serums can get very pricey but why spend all that money when you can make some at home for yourself? 

Oh, one more.  I think this time around I may use acid water as a base.  If you've never heard of acid water before, it's basically the opposite of alkaline water.  This water has a low pH and is known as beauty water. Why? Because our hair and skin both prefer slightly acid environments and respond well to acid water.  Acid water, and all of the other skin healthy ingredients will make this the ultimate in facial mists.  Oh, and rosewater, MSM, coconut vinegar are also good for the hair, so it easily doubles as a hair moisturizing mist as well. 

First things first, I'm off to get smaller size aluminum bottles which are more portable.  It'll also allow me to take make smaller batches.  Once that's settled, I'll start formulating.  Can't wait to get started.

Monday Motivation| How to feel like doing it, when you don't feel like doing it.

I realize that most of the time, I'm engaged in a mini battle of the mind where I attempt to motivate myself into doing something that I don't feel doing.  But I know I should be doing it, so I  silently try to convince myself into action. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

That's why I decided to create a system of strategies for whenever that feeling comes up.  The goal is to increase the rate of action even when I don't feel motivated at that moment.

1. Visualizing myself doing the action.
Whenever I don't feel like getting up and exercising, chances are it's because my mind wants to avoid the experience. It thinks I'll be uncomfortable and miserable. Maybe it's right.  But only because I allow it to think that way.  What if instead I create new pictures of myself walking outside, taking in the fresh air, feeling the warm sun on my skin, being energized by the increased blood flow.  Suddenly, going for a walk sounds amazing.  Whenever you don't feel like doing something, be present to the thoughts you have that make it seem unattractive.  Change everything about that picture and create a new one focusing on all the wonderful aspects of taking the action.


2. Focusing on what I will get once I do it.
When you get that internal prompting to do something, it's because you want to experience the benefits of taking that action.  With each action you take, you receive a benefit. It's kinda like an exchange.  Most times. the biggest benefit comes from repeated action. But every time you take a positive action, you receive something in exchange.  To motivate myself, I think about the benefit I will get in exchange for my action.  For instance, if I do some of the work that I've been putting off, I get a feeling of accomplishment.  My mind also doesn't have to constantly remind me of what I need to do which takes away the feeling of  stress and anxiety.  In exchange for doing some work, I can enjoy a calm, stress free day.  In exchange for eating a salad for lunch, I'll enjoy a flatter belly and clearer skin. And so forth.

3. Do it for only 1-2 minutes.
Another way of motivating myself into action is to tell myself that I only have to endure it for a minute or two.  That's it. Then I'll be done.  This works well for actions that you really don't feel like doing.  Set you timer for a minute and go! Chances are, that minute will go by really fast and, once you're in the flow, you'll go for 5 minutes and maybe even 15.    Last week, I practiced doing small de-cluttering sessions of 5, 10 and even 15 minutes per room.  The outcome was much greater than I expected.  You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish in that little  amount of time.

4. Rewards.
Establishing a reward for yourself before you take action is extremely powerful.  Rewards multiply the benefits. First, you receive an internal reward for completing the action, then you layer on another reward as a symbol of your accomplishment.  It's like double dipping!  Suddenly, repeating that task doesn't seem so hard.  A good tip is to create different rewards depending on the level of action.  Start small and build up the reward for taking greater actions. Or maybe log all of your actions and reward yourself at the end of the week.  Have fun with it, it's up to you.

5. Fall in love with the process.
One habit, I learning to cultivate is loving the process.  I'm one of those people who look for results, and when the results aren't evident,  I stop trying.  Of course that type of thinking will demotivate me. My old mindset was like a child who only wants to play if I get the ball.  If I don't get the ball, I pout, call the game stupid, and go home (crying).  Instead, I should be happy with the experience of having to play with the other kids, hearing their laughter. feeling the excitement of everyone around me having fun.

The process is just as important more important than the outcome.  The process has the ability to develop me into an elevated version of myself.  The version of me who builds a million dollars in wealth is very different than the version who wins a million in the lotto.  The process builds mental muscles that impact my choices for years to come.  The process causes me to reflect on what I've learned and how I can to next time to get even better.  The process is invaluable and I should be grateful for every second it.

Try some, or all, of these tips and you'll be motivated in no time.

Welcome Back | KeraCare Humecto Creme Conditioner

This post is to commemorate the return of on my favorite hair products all time.  It was one of my staples for the longest but somehow, I made the mistake of not purchasing a replacement when I ran out a while back.  I think it may have something to do with stumbling upon Keraste's Nutri Thermique mask.  Which took over Keracare's spot as my main hydrating conditioner.

Although I love Kerastase with all of my heart, it should have never taken the place of Keracare Humecto.  So, to make up for lost time, I decided to go all out and invest in the 5lb tub.  Yeah, it's pricey but compared to Kerastase, it's a steal.  Not to mention how much product I get to enjoy for $50.00.  Humecto is one of those conditioners that my hair never seemed to get tired of so I predict that I'll be scrapping the bottom of the tub in the near future.

Yesterday, I got to crack that baby open and take it for a spin.  The conditioner's scent instantly took me back to a simpler time.  I didn't have much knowledge about special ingredients, I just knew well how my hair responded with each use.  In typical fashion, I blended a small amount of Pure Protein into small batch of Humecto, mixed with a Sprush, and began the application.  The creamy, moist texture practically melted into my hair.

Once saturated, I misted with coconut oil spray to further seal in the moisture, then sat under the steamer.  Forty minutes later, I jumped into the shower for a final rinse.  Seriously, my hair was so buttery & soft, I could barely contain myself.  My hair hadn't felt this conditioned in a very long time.  Perhaps it was the combination of having clarified, then steaming in a yummy conditioner with oil.  Whatever it was, it was magical.

A day later, my hair is happy and ultra-moisturized.  Humecto + the washday L.C.O method are the perfect combination.  Detangling was a non-issue and my hair still carries the scent of Humecto which I love.  Now that Humecto is back in my life for good, I'm seriously considering picking up Keracare Hydrating Detangling shampoo since I've just run out of WEN's Honey Fig.  I think the shampoo/conditioner combination could be absolutely amazing.

Currently Loving | Palmer's Moisturizing Body Oil.

This winter,  fell in love with Johnson's Baby oil gel thanks to a recommendation of the beautiful stewardess with fantastic skin.  It definitely served its purpose, keeping the skin soft, moisturized while giving a little hint of shine.

Now that's a bit warmer, I set my sights on a suitable alternative appropriate for spring and summer.  The answer came in the form of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Oil.  I can't remember that last time I used actual lotion on my legs.  From my experience, layering thick creams on my body, day after day, only created a layer of unwanted buildup.  Oils, on the other hand, absorbed easily into the skin.

 Legs that reflect light are the epitome of sexy. Something wonderful happens whenever I use an oil based product on the skin instead of a cream.  Somehow, the legs instantly appear more toned and healthy.  Perhaps that's why fitness competitors slather themselves in oil to show off their hard work.  A little oil on damp skin after a shower works incredible wonders.

But, let's be honest, the main reason why I grabbed this bottle was to take advantage of Palmer's world famous chocolate scented products.  I can think of nothing better that walking around looking and smelling like a chocolate drop.  Actually, the chocolate scent is mild and non-overbearing which won't make you feel too self-conscious about smelling like you've been drizzled in chocolate.

The oil blend contains cocoa butter and vitamin e so I'm crossing my fingers that it'll have an effect on any light scarring I have on my legs.  The chocolatey oil blend easily sinks into the skin, leaving it soft and nourished.   One of my favorite summer finds so far.