Tips to maintain a healthy marriage!

Yes I have been in a healthy relationship for over eight years now. I came across this article from my husband is my best friend. It hits the mark on all points. Here are the tips and if you want the full scoop checkout their whole article.  





1. Have boundaries set around your immediate or nuclear family. Have individual, couples & family time built into your routine and redefined lines of connection with each spouse's family of origin.


2. Touch each other often. Hand holding, kissing hello & goodbye, laying together, sitting on the couch next to each other. Establish a routine to kiss hello when arriving home and goodbye in the morning when parting for the day.


3. Say I love you to one another. Hearing this is reassuring about the way your partner feels about your relationship. It's a small gesture that can keep your connection alive. Call each other during the day to say it if you miss your chance in the morning.


4. Have regular physical intimacy dates. Having an ongoing sexual relationship in your marriage is important. Maintaining your physical connection gives your marriage staying power and protects it from the stresses of life.


5. Compliment your partner in front of other people. Not only is it a nice thing to do, it helps your partner feel a deep sense of attachment to you as well as builds their self-esteem.


6. Regularly give each other small gifts or gestures of loving and caring behaviors. Write your spouse a loving note, get them a special treat from the store or when you go on a business trip.


7. Have regular weekly dates to keep your connection alive and have regular weekly couple's business meetings to discuss ongoing family "business" including the division of roles and household duties, weekly plans and items that need to be discussed in the relationship.

Fresh Watermelon Cake!

Looks delish doesn't it? It is! I made it the other night. Here's the recipe... 




2 cans cold full fat coconut milk, left in the refrigerator overnight
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds, toasted
1 large seedless watermelon
Blueberries, strawberry slices, and kiwi slices for garnish

Turn the cans of coconut milk over and open the bottom of the cans, then slowly pour the separated milky liquid out into one container and then use a rubber spatula to scrape out the thick cream into the bowl of a standing mixer.

You may want to save and use the milky liquid for smoothies or other recipes that call for lite coconut milk. Refrigerate and use within a day or two.

Add the vanilla and agave nectar to the thick cream in the bowl. Whip the cream on high-speed until it is thick and fluffy and has the consistency of whipped cream. Place the bowl of whipped coconut cream in the refrigerator until ready to frost the cake.

Use are long sharp knife to remove the top and bottom ends from the watermelon. Using the same knife, cut off the rind from the around watermelon. You will be left with a double-layer cake-shaped piece of watermelon. 

Pat the outside of the watermelon dry with paper towels. This will help the whipped coconut cream adhere to the watermelon.

Frost the “cake” on the top and the sides with the cold whipped coconut cream.

Press the toasted almond slices onto the sides of the cake. Decorate the top of the cake with the fruit.

Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serves 8

Foot Soaking: Remove Dead Skin From Feet

I don't know about you but I live for a good foot soak! After a long day, a foot soak accompanied by a glass of wine is the best way to wind down. It is a great way to keep your feet healthy, prevent odors, relax the bones and muscles in your feet, and remove dead skin. I came across this great foot soak recipe to remove dead skin in my Facebook feed. I tried it last night and it was amazing! My feet are silky smooth today! 


Ingredients

• 1 cup of Listerine (use the name brand because it has the most active ingredients)
• 1 cup of vinegar 
• warm water

Directions

In a shallow bucket or foot bath combine Listerine and vinegar. Fill the rest of the bath with the warm water. Soak your feet for at least ten minutes. When you take your feet out use a dry washcloth and wipe the dead skin away.


If you try this let me know how it works for you! 

Natural Organic Makeup

Sometimes Makeup can irritate the skin. This is because it is filled with chemicals. It really depends on each individual person because people with sensitive skin are usually the ones affected. My suggestion for people with sensitive skin is to stick to natural makeup. Then there are others who are just more of the organic type and would love to have natural make up. Here are some benefits.

1) Fewer Allergies: Organic Cosmetics does not have any chemical at all, but sometimes skin might be allergic to a certain type of natural ingredient too

2) Healthier Skin: Most of the cosmetics contain ammonia which actually causes the skin pores to close whereas the natural cosmetics have no traces of ammonia and keeps the skin pores open.

3) Better health: As mentioned earlier skin absorbs ingredients on the surface that reaches the bloodstream. So use of natural cosmetics will always be beneficial to the overall health of the body in long term.

4) Skin repair: The natural ingredient in the Organic Cosmetics also helps in skin repair that is usually caused due to overexposure in the sun or other damages of the skin.

5) Less use: Since the natural cosmetics comes in more concentrated quantity just a little use of it brings in the desired effect which is again better for the skin.

Overall my experience is that natural organic makeup is better for the skin and better for the environment.

If you have been looking for natural makeup look no further I have found a great online store where you can Save 15% on Natural and Organic Skincare & Cosmetics!

Get Rid Of Cellulite With A Coffee Scrub!

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When most of us see the first sign of cellulite the first question is how do I get rid of it? A lot of women go crazy and think life is over once they see even a tiny spot of cellulite. Well I'm here to tell you to relax! 90% of women have it no matter their size or shape so it's nothing to fret about! Also right here I have a great solution for you to get rid of your cellulite.

The caffeine and antioxidants in the coffee grounds stimulate and dilate your blood vessels, which tones and tightens the tissue. The sugar further helps exfoliate and the olive oil gives a big dose of hydration and plumping.



Ingredients:
½ cup coffee grounds
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup olive oil

Instructions:
Mix ingredients together in large bowl.
Apply in a circular motion to targeted areas on the body (approx. 5 min)
Rinse off with warm water
Pat dry with a towel and moisturize

Leave a comment and let me know if this works to get rid of your cellulite? 

Home Remedy For Acne - Thyme Facial Mask

I have suffered from acne for as long as I can remember. Acne can be a very annoying occurrence and from my experience can kill one's self esteem. I have tried almost everything and nothing seemed to work permanently. I came across this home remedy for acne a few years ago and it seems to work the best at keeping acne away. I think that natural home remedies work best for me because of the lack of chemicals. It's something about mother nature that works in harmony with the human body. 

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp of fresh thyme leaves 
• 1 Tbsp of sour cream 
• 1/2 tsp of lemon juice (can be substituted for orange juice for sensitive skin) 

Directions

In a blender or small food processor (I use the bullet) combine all ingredients. Blend until thyme leaves are finely chopped. Apply to your cleansed face or whatever effected area and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse well and blot dry. 

Do this routine 2-3 times per week and you should see your acne begin to disappear in as little as two weeks. 

Monday Mojito

Yeah it's Monday but why not enjoy and nice mojito to wind down your day? This is a simple recipe for mojito and is sure to please! Enjoy...

Ingredients

• 6 cl 7 year old rum
• 4-6 lime wedges
• 1-2 tea spoons cane sugar
• 4-6 mint leaves
• Club soda
• Crushed ice

Instructions

1. Muddle mint leaves, lime wedges and cane sugar in a highball og collins glass.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add rum.
3. Stir thoroughly, add some extra ice and top up with club soda
4. Serve and enjoy.

Source: elegant dessert