Once my song came on and the chapel doors opened, it was absolutely breath taking. All my hard work & planning really paid off. All I could see was my fiancé standing there staring at me with shock & amazement. Once I got to the alter my fiancé looked at me and said “Where’s the priest?” I started laughing because I thought he was joking. Suddenly it came to reality we had no priest!

About 5-10 minutes later (which felt like hours) the priest arrived and i was able to do a TAKE 2!

So there we are all again, walking down the isle twice. The second time was probably the best thing i ever did. Everyone was clapping & cheering for us. It felt amazing.

The rest of the day went on perfectly, no more hiccups & the reception was even more stunning. My new husband and I really had a great time.

When we think of Valentine’s Day, we think of the heart, so cooking a heart healthy meal seems like a logical fit.  Here are a few hearty alternatives to give your loved ones this Valentine’s Day.

For an entree, think fish it’s the richest source of heart-healthy omega 3 fats.  Walnuts are also a good source of omega 3′s, try grinding them up to make a crispy crust the fish which can be sautéed in heart-healthy olive oil, or toast a few walnuts to bring out their flavor and toss into a green salad, or add a touch of walnut oil to your salad dressing.

Stimulate the visual sense with a phytonutrient-rich colorful salad that includes tomatoes, carrots, parsley, peppers, beets, purple onions along with avocado one of the richest sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.  Round out the meal with some ‘sweets for the sweet’ – try oven roasting a sweet potato or some winter squash with a bit of honey and fresh ginger until it’s tender and sweet as candy.

The squash is rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant.  Dark chocolate has more beneficial polyphenols that milk chocolate but the health benefits of chocolate can be significantly diluted if the dessert is full of butter and cream.  A square of delicious dark chocolate pairs nicely with a tart blood orange sorbet, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on fresh berries provides heart-healthy benefits from the chocolate, along with heart-healthy anthocyanins from the purple pigments in the blood oranges or the berries.

Issued on behalf of Herbalife

This does not have to be an expensive affair, but if you like, there are amazing products out there that not only smell incredibly good, but are incredibly good for your skin. Go visit some salons, and just sit and watch…to see who comes out of the facial room, and what their skin looks like. Ask friends and family do recommend someone; don’t book until you have investigated a few options. As a consumer you have the right to freedom of choice…so don’t get bogged down with sales-speak. And again: ask for samples!!!

If you are not offered samples, then surely they must have testers!?

Caring for your skin does not have to be pricey, but it does have to be! Look for nurturing, safe and healthy alternatives, and consult professionals.

I am a big fan of  EABS (often used in nursing), which can only be found at a pharmacy, and come  to think of it, I haven’t seen it around in a while. I used it during pregnancy and also to wash my wee ones. As a gentle but effective cleanser, it is an absolute delight. For a long time I used vitamin E cream as a moisturizer on my rather dry skin, but I am a fan of Bio Oil and use it just once a day after cleansing(a drop or two would suffice). I sometimes tone with a spritz of rosewater. I use witch-hazel only when my skin has a bit of a tantrum and breaks out at a certain time of the month!?!

The best way to find your favourite products, is to find out what you believe is the best way to care for your skin. I look for the least amount of chemicals and synthetic elements. It takes time to know what you’re looking at, because the ingredients list normally reads like modern hieroglyphics: I recognize the symbols, and can even pronounce the names, but I have absolutely no idea what they mean. There is a site online called Skindeep, which gives you a better idea of what you’re putting on your face. I must warn you this is not for the faint-hearted. The ratings can surprise you…or scare the bejeebers out of you.

Give as much thought to what you put on your skin as you would to what you put in your body. Eating healthily, cleansing and moisturizing, wearing a high quality sunscreen (and a hat) are pretty basic, and quite easily done! As with everything in life: what you put in is what you get out. So fill up with happiness, joy, love and care; and especially enjoy taking care of yourself.

Bliss be to you.

Natasha

the MakeUp Mistress

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