No one wants to be a walking air balloon so I’ve done a bit of research as to how you can beat the bloat and look your slimmest! 

• Cut the unhealthy fizzy drinks!
  This one’s a given. Not only do they harm your teeth - they’re the most useless thing to ingest. I’ve given up fizzy drinks for almost a year now and I can proudly say it’s a choice I strongly recommend! These carbonated drinks with fizz end up sparkling in your glass and then sparkling in your belly! Excessive gas, excessive sugar and just an all around no no - ditch them. Replace these with water. If you’re really keen for some flavour, try infuse your water with fruits like lemons and strawberries. Citrus is a winner in the summer!
• Cut down on the salt.
  The excessive salt in your body will cause a temporary retention of water (if you do biology, this is osmosis - water moving from an area of high to low water potential!) and resulting in bulge you don’t want.
• Are you intolerant?
  Chocolate, gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast, shellfish, eggs, peanuts, soya and chocolate are some of the most common foods that people are intolerant to - this intolerance can result in a nasty bloated feeling. 
• More ginger, peppermint and fennel! 
  These reduce bloating and can either be added to your meal or made into a delicious tea! Pawpaw, papaya and fresh pineapple also contain enzymes beneficial to digestion and assist in the reduction of bloating.
•  Beans beans a magical fruit, the more you eat the more you toot!
  Cut down on legumes as they are gassy and result in bloating. That means reducing the amount of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions etc. Don’t cut them out all together by any means, but smaller portions of these can help bust the bloat.
•  Say yes to bananas!
  Potassium is a diuretic and will flush excessive liquid out of your system!
•  Be careful how you eat!
  Being mindful while you eat will help you enjoy your meal more, realize when you are full faster and reduce the amount of water you ingest with your meal. Would you like some oxygen with that?

I hope these help you beat the bloat! Leave me a message if you have any more questions! 

xxx Ada 

 

One of the most frequently asked questions is what the most efficient way to get rid of body hair is. Usually you’ll be told that shaving or waxing is the way to go - but I just thought i’d share with you my (incredibly underrated) preferred way that is the middle ground between shaving & waxing. It takes the positive aspects from each and merges them in a little cocktail of (in my opinion) the best, most cost-effective and long-lasting way to get silky smooth legs.

Now I’ve tried shaving and i’ve tried waxing. Shaving gives you silky legs but by the next morning you’re as prickly as a hedgehog. Waxing? In one word - a mess, and it’s very unlikely you’ll get every last bit. 

So, what’s the solution?

Epilating

At first it may seem like a big scary device that makes intimidating whizzing noises and ruthlessly plucks your hair from the root and more often than not leaves behind little red dots (have I convinced you yet? ;) but aside from the pain, which does subside the more you epilate (and in my opinion completely worth it and probably comparable to waxing) and the slightly longer time it takes than shaving (pretty certain it’s faster than waxing!) it’s a decision i’ve made that i’d never look back on.

It’s long lasting. It’s fast. there is no mess, no sticky residues and best of all? It’s a one-off investment. Unlike repetitive purchases for shaving foam or waxing strips - as it’s electrically powered. Best of all? Your hair doesn’t grow back prickly (a side effect from shaving as the tip of the hair you shaved becomes blunt and therefore darker) and I’ve realized it’s even lighter when it grows back! You don’t even have to deal with those in-between waxing stages where your hair’s too short to remove but too long to wear pretty summer dresses… and let’s face it, who wants to wear jeans all summer?

Just remember to do it the night before a big event as the little red dots may take a few hours to subside - but then say hello to silky smooth skin for up to two months! And, don’t forget to exfoliate exfoliate exfoliate to reduce ingrown hairs. Feel free to message me with any questions you may have regarding epilating and i’ll be happy to help!

xoxo Ada 

From soothing aching muscles, to quieting the mind through relaxation, the healing powers of a warm bath reach far beyond merely cleansing the body. In fact, the benefits of allowing a few minutes a day to unwind, de-stress and meditate in the bathtub have been observed and practiced in societies as far back as the ancient Egyptians.

What was once considered a privilege to be enjoyed only by select few (Egyptian royalty), is now an inexpensive yet luxurious way to pamper yourself - simply by sitting in a tub of good old fashioned H20. So the next time you contemplate taking a shower, why not opt instead for a warm, relaxing bath. Go ahead and pour in that bubble bath, add some enchanting oils and allow yourself to be transformed in the comfort of your very own bathroom.

Here are some tips to help you celebrate your down time and reap the ultimate rewards from your daily “hydrotherapy” experience:

1.) Make Your Own Bubble Bath Using Natural Ingredients. It is healthier, and easier than ever to make your own personal formula. Not only do you spare yourself the chemical additives and preservatives of a store bought brand, but handpicking ingredients also allows you steer clear of products that effect your allergies. Visit your local health food store and ask a representative for assistance in selecting your natural products.

2.) Bring on the Rose Petals. Often used in products to hydrate and moisturize skin, rose petals add a delightful aroma as well as a luxurious visual aesthetic. Why not grab a single rose on the way home from work and sprinkle a few petals in the bathtub to create an over-the-top multi sensory escape.

3.) Get disconnected. If it rings, beeps, vibrates or will otherwise distract you from your bathing experience, turn it off. Remember, this is time for you to relax, unwind and get in touch with your spiritual self. No electronic communication devices necessary.

4.) Let there be candlelight. One of the easiest ways to send a message to your mind and body that it is time to relax, is to dim the lights and light a candle. Focus on the comfort of the water against your body, the pleasant aroma of your natural bubble bath and the relaxing glow of candlelight. Enjoy the escape. Repeat often.

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(Source: e-ndorphins)

I can tell you from personal experience what a miracle a couple of drops of tea tree oil can be on a newly emerging pimple. If you want to treat a couple of pimples without investing in harsh chemical-based scrubs and topical treatments read on - you may be surprised!

“Tea tree oil, extracted from leaves of a tree native to Australia, is well known for it’s anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It is used to for a number of things, including bad breath, athlete’s foot, cold sores, body odor and even acne.”

Here are a couple of different ways in which you can use Tea Tree oil to treat your skin:

Dilute tea tree oil depending on your skin type. For use on normal to oily skin, mix 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts water, or for sensitive skin, combine 1 part tea tree oil with 9 parts aloe vera gel. Tea tree oil is very strong and should never be applied directly to the skin unless diluted.

Make a tea tree oil mask which can be applied once or twice a week to help control acne break-outs. Add one or two drops of tea tree oil to enough natural green clay powder to make a mask, adding enough water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste evenly to your face and neck and leave for 30 minutes. Additionally, you can use this mask to spot treat pimples, leaving the mask on overnight.

Use your tea tree oil solution by first washing your face and patting dry. To help cut oil and acne, place the solution to a cotton ball and apply a light layer to your skin.

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(Source: e-ndorphins)

Large pores can make your face appear dirty, oily, sallow and sickly. Large pores can be difficult to treat, as they do not respond to products the same way that acne blemishes do. Baking soda is an alkaline substance that can slough off dead skin cells from the face, as well as help tighten the pores and make them appear smaller.

Baking soda can be used to tighten pores in a few ways: as a toner, as a mask and as an exfoliative scrub.

To use baking soda as a toner, fill a bowl with warm water and mix in 2 tbsp. baking soda.

After washing your face, splash on the baking soda toner.

Pat your face dry with a towel.

To use baking soda as a mask, combine 1 tbsp. baking soda with 1 tsp. water, which will make a paste.

Apply the paste to your face after washing, and let it sit on the skin for about 1 minute.

Rinse off with warm water.

To use baking soda as an exfoliative scrub, create the same paste you made for the mask, but gently massage the paste around your face for 30 seconds.

Rinse well with warm water.

You can use baking soda on your skin once a day.