Time to Exfoliate!

Clearly I haven’t been the best at keeping up with my blog but I have a list of items I’ve tried and want to share, recipes I’ve created and lifestyle tips I can’t wait to write about.

This summer I have focused on my health. I’ve always been on the healthy side of the spectrum when it comes to consuming food and in high school I was very active but when college rolled around I became quite lazy. When classes were over all I wanted to do was take a nap or watch television with my roommates. Now that college is over I can’t have an excuse not to exercise, this is the youngest I’ll be and this is the time to create healthy habits and body image.

New exercise habits and living in the southeast equals sweat and buckets of it.  Not only am I covered with sweat and dead gnats after a run, I’m pretty sure I’ve inhaled quite a few as well.  Sweat and dead bugs clearly create build up on my skin and I noticed my normal exfoliant wasn’t cutting it. When I don’t exfoliate my skin breaks out more easily due to the build up of oils and dead skin cells, looks dull and my acne scars are more prominent. When I first heard that most scrubs can cause microscopic tears in the skin I switched over to more expensive products but not only did I burn a hole in my pocket but my face wasn’t happy with these products. Yes, they made my face smooth but that’s about it. I wanted one that makes my skin feel fresh, clean and fights blemishes, evens out my skin tone and fades acne scars. I’m well aware that’s quite a list for one product but that is the purpose of exfoliating and after trying scrubs from Origins all the way to Michael Todd True Organics, the scrub I recently fell back in love with is St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub. I used this product back in high school, rarely had breakouts and now it accomplishes everything I want.  I really enjoy the smell and it feels amazing on my face after a sweaty workout. I also use it on my shoulders and chest. It has reduced the appearance of acne scars and limits the amount of breakouts.

St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub benefits include:

-       100% Natural Exfoliants

-       Paraben Free

-       Oil Free

-       2% Salicylic acid

-       Dermatologist tested

-       Hypoallergenic

It contains corn kernel meal and walnut. Always exfoliate with gentle circular motions to prevent redness and microscopic tears. If you want a scrub that is less abrasive, I recommend products with rice starch or jojoba beads!

What are some of your favorite face scrubs? 

Healthy Delicious Brownies?! What?! YUM!

            I have heard about avocado brownies, but they just did not sound appealing. I love healthy desserts, and I LOVE FUDGY Brownies but it can be difficult to achieve a healthy version for your sweet tooth! These are actually amazing, I judged and if I hadn't my sweet tooth and waistline would've thanked me awhile ago! The only advice I have is, eat them after they cool down, you won’t taste the avocado at all and the chocolate chips are still gooey! There is no butter or sugar in this recipe, but you would have no idea! With a large piece less than 150 calories your tastebuds will be jumping with joy!

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

What you will need: * 1 Avocado, 3 Medium Eggs (or Egg Beaters), 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour, 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 1/3 Cup Boiling Water, 1 Tbsp  Vanilla Extract, 5.3 oz Chobani Vanilla Yogurt, 5 Packets Stevia, 3 Tbsp Dark Chocolate Chips, 3 Tbsp Honey, 2 Tbsp unsweetened Apple Sauce and ***Optional: 2-3 Tbsp Chia and Flax Seed Decadent Blend.

First you cut and dice the avocado, then crack the eggs and mix together adding the vanilla. I used my little blender then added it to a big bowl.

Next you want to add your unsweetened cocoa powder, Vanilla yogurt, Honey, flour and Flax/Chia mixture, applesauce, 5 packets of stevia and boiling water. You can then fold in your chocolate chips or place them on the top. 

Grease a baking dish and pour the batter in, place them in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, smaller pan you'll have to keep them in a few extra minutes! To test if they are done, stick a knife or tooth pick in the middle if it comes out clean then they are done!

I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the finished product! They were made on a Friday night and were devoured on Friday night. My roommates loved them and I kept it to myself they had avocado until I knew they were a hit! They were so surprised, two people at my apartment that night hate avocados but really enjoyed the brownies (They had seconds!)

You will want to store these in the fridge, keeping them cold makes them last longer and enhances the chocolate in them! YUM!

Let me know if you've tried them, or what you think!! I would love to see your pictures! :)

Enjoy! Anna xx

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