You Are What You Eat? Fact or Myth?

      You are what you eat. You have probably heard this saying many times throughout your life. And I am here to let you know, it is 100% true.

     Throughout the past month, I have changed my eating habits dramatically. I went from basically eating whatever the heck I wanted, to not just watching what I eat, but living and eating by a high standard. And I will tell you honestly, I have noticed a HUGE difference in my skin, mental health, period pains and symptoms, energy and strength.

     My diet now consists of three major things. Vegetables, Fruits and Legumes. Many people say things like "Oh, I feel so bad for you!" or "You must have NO variety!" But I am hear to tell you, that I don't regret one minute of eating like a "health freak".

Let me begin with how I started eating healthfully.

     I was born lactose intolerant. Milk made me throw up. Even when my mother drank milk, and I nursed, I would get sick. Despite my allergy, I still consumed milk products until this passed summer.

     One day my father had an awful pain in his back, and the medical doctor advised him to eat vegan for a while. After doing so, he felt SO much better, he decided to continue with his diet.

      Our whole family a  majority fruits and vegetables, with some bread, fish and fast food thrown in there. Even though we ate "healthy", I didn't feel healthy. My stomach constantly hurt, I had little to no energy. It wasn't good. I told my parents how my stomach hurt constantly, and they both recommended me cutting out gluten completely. With a lot of influence, I eventually did, and I felt better.

     It was then that I realized, the more whole foods I ate, the better I felt. I began only eating one ingredient foods, and I felt much better. From that. I read Dr. Fuhrman's Eat To Live (which I completely recommend for anyone who's very health conscious), and have been following his diet ever since.

     I have noticed that I have more energy, I am less sluggish. I have little period pains, and I don't get worn out as quickly as I used to. I exercise, and love it. I don't miss the processed foods at all. In fact, I am now repulsed at what I used to eat.

     So, I believe, you are what you eat. In my life, that is what I experienced. The healthier I eat, the better I feel. You are what you eat.

How To Transform Old Jeans Into Adorable Jeans!

So if you watched my last video haul, (I'll link it here) you saw my overalls that I purchased for $2. Bargain huh? Well although I thought they were cute, I thought they'd be even cuter with a little lace.

My father and I set out on Thanksgiving morning to find some vodka (for making our own vanilla), paint, some other craft supplies and my lace. Michaels was closed so we went to the good ol' trusty Walmart. We found everything except the vodka.

I basically took the lace and put in over the two back pockets, sticking out of the front pockets, and also on the chest area. I think they are 1000x cuter now. This is a great Christmas present idea, and easy to do. It just takes time.

You Will Need

Pair of Jeans

Lace

Thread & Needle

Pins

Lots and Lots of Patience!

Tips!

Try Looking For A Pair Of Jeans From A Thrift Shop!

1) Lay the jeans out flat.  Easy enough. 

2) Trim the lace to fit wherever you think is best.  I chose the back pockets, the front pockets, and the décolleté area.

3) Pin the lace in place. 

4) Thoroughly sew the lace onto the jeans,  When I say thoroughly, I mean around the entire edge of the lace.
5) Repeat!

6) Be Creative! Use the lace to add a nice touch to your jeans!

As you can tell, this is a super easy way to make your old jeans, adorable! 

Please, let me know what you would like to see/read next. XOXO

Click Here for the lace I purchased.
Click Here for my YouTube channel.

Delicious Healthy Chocolate Nut Cookie Recipe!

Hello! This is one of my favorite cookie recipes! They're a lot fewer calories, and much, much better for you! Instead of getting all of that fat, and sugar from a cookie, these hearty one's are great for breakfast bars, or when you're on the run. They're inspired by one of Dr. Fuhrman's recipes.

Healthy Chocolate Nut Cookies

Ingredients

1 Cup of Walnuts*

1 Cup of Pecans*

4 Large Bananas

1/4 Cup of Prunes**

2 Tbs Cocoa Powder (un-sweetned)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract (un-sweetned)

1. Set the oven to 250º F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a food processor.
3. Put desired amount onto non-stick cookie sheet
4. Cook for 30 minutes. 
5. Remove from tray!

* These nuts can be substituted for another type of nut. Experiment! Find your favorite variation!

** The prunes can be substituted for raisins, dates, or whatever other dried fruit you may want.

Wait for the cookies to cool before eating them. They are great as an after lunch dessert, or a breakfast treat! They're good for you too, and they don't contain all of those unnecessary calories! They're great for people who are looking to satisfy their chocolate craving, without getting all of the processed junk. 

Best of luck!

-Rachel 

Affordable Holiday Gift Guide For Her!

Ooooh! The Holidays are right around the corner! I'm sure there's that "one person" who you have no idea what to get. Here are some quick, affordable, and easy ideas! Mostly for her!

1. A scented Bath and Body Works candle
2. A nice mug with some chocolates inside
3. Fuzzy socks
4. Home-made dessert (preferably chocolate)
5. A mini nail polish collection By OPI
6. A coffee mug with some K-cups inside
7. Some nuts in a nice box
8. A box of truffles
9. Cocoa mix in a decorative jar
10. Gift card to Ulta
11. A nice Target watch
12. A magazine subscription
13. A piece of jewelry in a nice box
14. Home-made cookie mix
15. Warm PJ's
16. A specialty cook-book
17. Makeup (lip-gloss)
18. Decorative Ornament
19. Home-Baked Bead
20. A picture frame and a gift certificate to the Picture People (or any other affordable photography place)!

Hope this helped!

-Rachel

How To Avoid Food Temptations...

Hello guys! This is going to be a simple guide on "how to avoid food temptations"!

     Food is one of the hardest things NOT to be tempted by. It is a huge part of our culture, whether you've noticed it or not. When have you ever been to someone's house without them having some sort of snack? Most likely never. The sad part is, most of this snack food isn't so good for you. In fact, most of it, is BAD for you.

      Food will most likely never stop tempting you. It's all around us. The trick is, that you have to really think. "Is the calorie cost in this, worth the nutrients I am getting?"  If the food is a snack food, most likely no. However, if you are eating a bowl of steamed veggies, that is a whole different story.

     Food is a type of pleasure, just like coffee, drugs, alcohol along with physical pleasure. We are designed to seek after any sort of comfort, or pleasure. Breaking free of an addiction is hard. But not partaking in that pleasure, while it is all around you, is harder.

     If matters couldn't get any worse, these extremely addictive foods are LESS beneficial to your health! Bagels, pastries, cream cheese, desserts, pizza, they're all bad for you! Foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and nuts, aren't as satisfying to our desire for pleasure.

     Since I started avoiding these unhealthy foods, I have noticed a large increase in my energy, and a decrease in my pain levels. It is absolutely worth the "torture". It really isn't torture though. You loose your cravings after the first two weeks or so. Unhealthy foods will always be around us, and it's up to you to stop eating them!

     "Is the calorie cost in this, worth the nutrients I am getting?" That is the question! Every time you eat, think, "how many calories is this?" and "how good is this for me?".  You will soon start to realize that many foods you eat, aren't "worth" their calories.

     Surviving parties can be tough. With all those people munching away at munchkins, and chips... and you'll be sitting in the corner? Naw! Just eat before you come. If it's a party where you can bring a side dish, bring something that goes along with your healthy eating. It's not that hard.

     For me, the strongest temptations come in my own home. My entire family avoids sugar during the week, but on the weekends, they can go crazy! My sister frequently makes chocolate chip cookies on Fridays (when our weekend begins). I'll admit. I am extremely tempted to sink my teeth into a gooey, warm, sweet, magical chocolate chip cookie. But thinking through it, I decide differently. The chocolate chip cookies which she makes are about 75-100 calories, and when made with white flour, they are not very nutritious. You can't completely avoid temptations, but you can withstand them!

     Remember, "Is the calorie cost in this, worth the nutrients I am getting?". Cling to this in your times of temptation! We can persevere together! Good luck on your journey to health!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me!

Email: rachelsbeautyblogg@gmail.com

Check Out My YouTube Channel:  Rachel's Beauty Blogg 

Follow Me On Twitter: Rachelsbeautyb

Like Me On Facebook: Rachel's Beauty (Blogg)

Broadway Nails: imPress Press-on Manicure Review

I got these nails in my College VoxBox 2012 from Influenster. I'd like to say that I'm really happy that I received this VoxBox! I know of many people who have the same amount of "Points" who didn't receive this box. One of the items I received in this box was the imPress Press-on nails.

Packaging: The packaging on these nails is super cute. It comes in a little plastic "nail polish" shaped bottle. All of the individual nails are inside. It has an unscrewing top. These nails have great, sleek and cute packaging.

Packaging Grade: A

Appearance: These nails come in simple, solid colors, and also patterns! They are super adorable. They also come in many different sizes so that you can fit the fake nails to your real nails. These are so adorable. I just....can't. 

Appearance Grade: A

Application: One of the neat things about these nails, is that instead of gluing them onto your nails, you press them on. The adhesive is already made into the nails. This makes for very simple, quick and easy application. 

Application Grade: A

Longevity: This is only fault I found in these nails. They last only about one day. At least on me. I play guitar, and am involved in theater, meaning I dance and act. One of the nails fell of minutes after I pressed them on. I stuck that one back with a Milani nail polish. Others fell of the next day. Fed up, I eventually took them all of exactly two days after I applied them. 

Longevity Grade: D

Cost: The printed nails cost $7.99. and the solid nails cost $5.99. This is a decent price for 24 nails. 

Cost Grade: B

Total Grade: B+

Tips: Use these nails for a dance, a prom, a show. Don't fall into the belief that you can wear them for a week, like the packaging says. 

Click Here to check out the imPress website!

NYC New York Color Show Time Glitter Eyeliner

Well. Before I start this post, I want to say I was really surprised with this eyeliner! It works like a charm!


Packaging: The packaging on this eyeliner is very typical! Pencil with lid.

Grade: A

Application: This pencil glides on smoothly AND LASTS ALL DAY ON MY TIGHT-LINE! I love it...... You can also wing it, and it will last a very long time. It is absolutely a repurchaser. The only problem is that is can smudge when rubbed.

Grade: B

Cost: This eyeliner is sold at most drugstores for $2.49!

Grade: A

Total Grade: B+!

What I love most about this product is that is is SO affordable, and shimmery, and is SUPER pigmented! It is absolutely lovely, and ugh. It is just so amazing.

Will I repurchase it?: YES

Tips:  This eyeliner is very blend-able. Smear it out for a smokey eye!

Click Here To go to the NYC website

Click Here To go to the Influenster Website!

Blog Post: Featuring the 2012 College VoxBox!

Hello Guys!

Incase you haven't heard, I received the college VoxBox from Influenster! I will link the site below if you'd like to check it out. 

In this box, I received  

- imPRESS PRESS-ON-MANICURE

- NECCO TROPICAL WAFERS

- SHEETS ENERGY STRIPS

- NYC NEW YORK COLOR SHOW TIME GLITTER EYELINER

- PENTEL PENS: ENERGEL-X 

I wil review each one below!

 imPRESS PRESS-ON-MANICURE: Although these nails are gorgeous, they hardly last. The 'catch' about these nails, is that you don't use an adhesive, it comes with a sticker on the back of the nail. These would be great if you had a prom, or a short event to attend. If you are busy with school, like me, these aren't so nice. 

Grade: C+

NECCO TROPICAL WAFERS: Ugh... As you probably know, I am a health freak. I won't eat these. I gave them to my family, though, and they said, "They taste like tums.." and "Ew... I don't like these.". They do, however, smell nice. 

Grade: C+

SHEETS ENERGY STRIPS: Well... again, I wouldn't eat these. I gave one to a friend and when I asked her if she felt energized she said, "Absolutely not. But it tasted like mint!"

Grade: C

NYC NEW YORK COLOR SHOW TIME GLITTER EYELINER: Winner!!! Can I just say that this is my new favorite drugstore eyeliner!!!??? It is super pigmented, which I didn't expect from NYC. I will purchase this product when I run out! It is very similar to the Ulta brand glitter liner. 

Grade: A

PENTEL PENS: ENERGEL-X : Yay! I love this pen! I use it ALL the time!

Grade: A

College VoxBox 2012 Grade: B