Oneka Elements Review

 I received a bottle of the lavender shampoo, conditioner and body wash.  I am allergic to most body washes and know within half an hour after showering weather I can use it again or not.  So I showered right away and was more than happy that I had no reaction.


Ive fried my hair in the last few months using at home hair dye in an attempt to save some money.  Ive tried several shampoos since December to try to make my hair soft again.  Normally after I shampoo my hair and I go to use conditioner its like I'm rubbing conditioner into a bail of hay.  I used the shampoo and rinsed it out and my hair was actually soft.  After conditioning it and drying it my hair was smooth, soft and actually felt lighter than it has in the past few months even though I'm long over due for a hair cut! And... I could still smell a hint of lavender.

I could do with out the fact that my scalp gets flaky this time of year.  I usually buy a certain conditioner that costs $35 to treat it.  I have had a completely flake free scalp since  using this shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo is safe on colored hair which is important because 80% of women color their hair these days! They are also safe for kids as they are very gentle. 

I love the fact that the products are made with 100% biodegradable ingredients so we aren't polluting the water when we use them.  The smell is great.  Its not a chemically altered smell, its refreshing and natural just like a lavender plant. The products are made in Canada and are made with Certified Organic extracts.  Being a vegetarian I love the fact that they are vegan friendly!

To see more:
http://www.onekaelements.com/

Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa 

1 mango - diced
3 tbsp cilantro - chopped
1 jalapeno - diced
Juice from half a lemon
Juice from 1 lime
2 tbsp red onion

Mix all together, add in lemon and lime juice and let sit in fridge for at least 30 mins.
This is a simple, healthy recipe which is great over a bbq salmon!

Takes 10 mins to make.
8 servings.
Calories: 23

Stainless Steel Water Bottle ***GIVEAWAY***

 * The bottle in this giveaway is Pink*

Karscot Distributors is a company on Vancouver island who supply's wholesale stainless steel water bottles made from 100% recycled and reusable products to minimize all the plastic water bottles going into our landfills each year.   All Bottles are BPA free. 
Karscot does pad printing and screen printing on the bottles for company's or special events.
Check out this link for more info:

http://www.stainlesssteelbottles.ca/

Prize:
Water bottle pictured above but in pink.


Contest Rules:
Canada only
Contest runs from July 17-July29th.
Must leave separate comment for each entry!

How to enter:
Mandatory:  Follow this blog via GFC
Extra Entries:
1. (2 entries, 2 comments) Make a post, tweet or Fb about this giveaway and copy to your comment.
2. (2 entries, 2 comments) Go to http://www.stainlesssteelbottles.ca/ and tell me something you learned.
3. (1 entry, 1 comment) Tell me why you would like to win this bottle :)

Please leave your email with your comments unless you have it on your site.  Thank you

Corn Salad

Corn Salad

3 cups corn
1 c diced red onion
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp red pepper flakes
1/2 c cilantro chopped

1. Put olive oil, garlic and onion in frying pan and heat on med heat.  Cook for 3-4 mins until onions are soft.
2. Add corn, cilantro and red pepper flakes, mix well.  Cook until corn is heated through.

See, wasnt that easy?  You can serve hot or put in fridge for 30 mins and serve cold.

This recipe can be used as a main dish and serve over mixed greens as a salad or as a smaller portion side dish.

Takes 15 mins to make and makes 4 side dish servings.
Calories per serving: 126

Why Stretch After A Work Out?

The first time I got asked to go to Yoga I said "No way I'm not flexible!" the lady who asked me laughed and said "neither am I that's why I go!!!"  The first few months of my weight loss journey I never stretched once.  Maybe if I was super sore Id throw my leg on the side of the bath tub and lean forward for 1.2 seconds and call it a night but other than that I just didn't know why I had to.   Now I stretch after every work out and through out the day.


Why Stretch?
Stretching prevents injury
Increases preformance
Increases or maintains flexibility
Offsets muscle soreness or stiffness after working out
Reduced muscle tension
Increased movements in your joints
Increased blood circulation

Basic stretching rules:

• Stretch slowly and with control
• No bouncing
• No pain
• Don't compare your flexibility with others
• The key is to relax
• Breathing should be slow, rhythmical. Don't hold breath.
• Hold only stretch tensions that feel good  

So next time you do some physical activities take an extra 5-10 mins and do your muscles a favor and stretch them out! 

Home Remedies 4 Mosquito Bites

The sun took its sweet time coming out this year.  Its July and I'm finally able to wear the new shorts I bought 3 months ago.  I love the summer for many reasons; bbq's, longer days, going for walks to the gelato shop, hanging out with friends on the deck, you know... all the fun summer things.  Last weekend after spending a few hours outside at a bbq I woke up with mosquito bites all over my ankles and then the itching began...  Here are a few home remedies for those of you who feel like me.

Dab the bite!  With what you may ask... oh... there's many household items you can dab with:
Rubbing alcohol, nail polish, tooth paste, mouth wash, vinegar, deodorant,  honey, etc.

Tea?  Take a tea bag and make tea, this wont soothe the itch but using the tea bag as a hot compress over the bite will.

Make a Paste.

Salt & water.  Vinigar & water.  Baking soda & water. Mix together and rub over the bite.

Clean yourself.  

Have a hot bath with Epsom salts or baking soda.
Take a bar of dry soap and rub it over the bite.  Apparently this works wonders.  Just make sure its dry and your skin is dry.

Then there's the usual: 

Calamine lotion, tiger balm, gold bond cream, after bite, vicks vapo rub, orajel, etc.

Feeling fruity?

Rub lemon or lime juice into the bite.  Id imagine this would sting.  Or take a lemon or lime and cut it in half, use it to rub over the itchy bite.  This also works with the inside of a banana peel.

Portobello Bruchetta Burgers

Bruchetta Portobello Burgers:

2 large tomatoes diced and seeded
2 tbsp low cal mayo
1/2 C shredded mozza
1 tsp dried sweet basil
1/2 C minced red onion
2 portobello mushrooms stemmed
2 "thin" buns
1 tbsp olive oil
Paper Towel


1.Mix the first 5 together and put in the fridge for 30 mins or so.
If baking preheat the oven to 350.
2.Place mushrooms in baking dish and brush with olive oil, cook for 5 mins, remove from oven.
3.Take the bruchetta mixture and fill both mushroom caps, return to oven and cook for another 12-15 mins. Place "burger" in the bun and enjoy! Make sure you have your paper towel handy because these guys are messy!!!

Tomatoes are one of the top anti-oxidants and even if you don't usually like them the sweet basil in this recipe changes the flavor!


This recipe makes 2 servings
Each "burger" is 368 Calories.