Lifestyle: Live the Lovely Life

Lifestyle: How to live a lovely life ... in style!

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Beauty: Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

November 26, 2016 · 1 Comment

Coconut Oil is a multi-purpose, go-to remedy for many beauty, health, cooking and household uses. Finding a quality grade coconut oil is a worthwhile investment. A brand we like is Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil because 1) it is a food grade, cold-pressed, extra virgin oil 2) it has an appealing flavor and scent 3) it absorbs into the skin with a non-greasy finish, and 4) it makes our hair soft and shiny without dull residue.

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

COCONUT OIL USES
Coconut Oil is a fabulous hair and skin conditioner. It removes makeup. It locks moisture into skin after a shower. Coconut Oil can clean makeup brushes and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. There are also numerous health benefits to consuming Coconut Oil.

FINDING A QUALITY COCONUT OIL
For all that Coconut Oil does, it makes sense to use only a quality Coconut Oil for topical application and cooking use. Not every Coconut Oil brand is created equal. There is a wide variety of price points for Coconut Oil. Some brands are not as suitable for eating, and even some of the food grade Coconut Oils are not very tasty or lack an appetizing aroma.

While most Coconut Oil brands will provide some benefits (serving as a shaving cream or moisturizing cuticles), few Coconut Oils are truly food quality. Fewer have USDA Certification. Coconut Oil must be pure, fresh, free of additives, and, of course, be tasty to be used in cooking and baking.

ABOUT ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL
Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil is a USDA Certified Organic 100% raw, cold-pressed (first press only), extra virgin coconut oil that has a wonderful flavor and scent. Made from pesticide and insecticide free coconuts, with no additives such as salt, sugar, yeast, gluten, eggs, shellfish or preservatives.

PACKAGING
Island’s Miracle uses PBA-Free Plastic packaging to prevent toxins from getting into their pure coconut oil. The container comes sealed, as you can see in the video below. I had to loosen it before I did the video, because it came quite tightly sealed!

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

TASTE
I was impressed by the light, natural smell of coconut and the cold pressed texture resulting in a densely packed, emollient oil.

It is a quality food grade, making it suitable for use in cooking, baking and included in energy drinks, smoothies, and in coffee. There is no strange aftertaste to the Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil. It is fresh, light and natural tasting.

USING ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL ON MY HAIR & SKIN

I’ve used several brands of Coconut Oil on my hair and skin, and do like the results. What I don’t like is how greasy it can be on the skin, and how the residue can make hair dull. I didn’t have that experience with this Coconut Oil. It’s not greasy and absorbed into the skin well. It is suitable for use on the skin (even on the face and around the delicate eye area) and hair, as well as used as a baby skin ointment. I also used it on the ends of my hair; it left it a soft sheen and my hair felt thicker and softer. There was no dulling film after I shampooed it out.

Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil

TEST: HOW TO INCORPORATE ISLAND’S MIRACLE ORGANIC COCONUT OIL INTO MY DIET FOR EASY & HEALTHIER EATING HABITS

I haven’t found the taste of a Coconut Oil very appealing in other brands I tried, but since Island’s Miracle Oil is pure, cold pressed and virgin oil, it has so many health benefits it’s worth trying. I was pleased to find it to be a pleasant taste with no aftertaste or strange texture.

Since Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil is tasty and smells delicious, it is easier to make some healthy dietary changes, such as opting for using the healthier Coconut Oil over less healthy fats like butter, cream or cooking sprays.

I tested a few Coconut Oil substitute ideas using the Island’s Miracles Coconut Oil. These little calorie-saving tricks add up and still give me more energy without sacrificing taste.

1. One substitute I tried was spreading Coconut Oil on my toast instead of butter. This gave me more energy before a workout or long day. The taste was light and sweet, and Coconut Oil still melted into a warm consistency on my toast like butter does, and with the Coconut Oil, my toast was not dry or bland, so I didn’t miss the butter much, and it is an easy switch while watching calories.

2. Another substitute is stirring the Coconut Oil into my coffee instead of milk or creamer. If hot coffee and Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil are mixed in the blender, it makes a creamy cappuccino kind of texture. Coconut Oil is used in Bulletproof coffee recipes, which gives an energy boost and helps curbs the munchies, making it easier to stick to a diet. Coconut Oil in a smoothie makes for a surprisingly good texture, adds some sweetness and gives energy because of Coconut Oils’ fast acting MCFA fats.

3. A fun way we found to incorporate the Island’s Coconut Oil as a healthy fat substitute is for making popcorn! It smells just like movie theater popcorn! To make Popcorn with Coconut Oil, we melted a few tablespoons of Island’s Miracle Coconut Oil in a pot on the stove. Then we popped the kernels the old fashioned way with a tin foil “lid.” Once popped, drizzle the popped kernels lightly with some more melted Coconut Oil add toppings to taste such as sea salt, spices, or cinnamon. Yum! Much tastier than microwave popcorn and without the chemicals.

OTHER COCONUT OIL USES IN COOKING:

1. High-heat cooking, such as Sauteing and Frying, can be done with Coconut Oil because of its high smoke point from its’ heat-stable, healthy saturated fats.
2. A teaspoon of Coconut Oil can substitute for a non-stick cooking spray.
3. To bake with Coconut Oil, exchange the same amount of coconut oil as the butter or vegetable oil that is called for in the recipe.

CONCLUSION: A quality Coconut Oil is a must for every household, it serves so many purposes! A worthwhile investment is a USDA Certified Organic, cold pressed, virgin oil like the Island’s Miracles Organic Coconut Oil, a tasty oil suitable for cooking, baking and a host of beauty purposes. An excellent price for a pure, additive-free Coconut Oil!

Find Island’s Miracle Organic Coconut Oil at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C79Y0EO

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIoDEEGAhXI[/embedyt]

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Men’s Fashion: The Garwood 360 Watch

November 25, 2016 · Leave a Comment

You know that guy that just seems to have everything…together? Always has an easy-going smile on his face. Always affable. Always has a great story about how he went kayaking last Saturday morning, spent the afternoon in a used bookstore, and then went to a charity event at his Alma Mater…where he graduated top of his class before he started his successful tech firm? And he’s actually…humble about all of it?

That Guy is a rare breed. It is impossible to buy a gift for That Guy, because, well, he has everything already.

Fortunately, The Garwood has solved the gift-giving issue for the That Guy in your life with The Garwood 360 Watch.

The Garwood 360 Watch

I’m not entirely sure when wrist watches fell out of favor with men. It makes sense to check the time on your phone, of course, but I, for one, still find pulling out a phone in the middle of a conversation, even to check the time, to be a bit rude. A quick glance at one’s wrist is forgivable. Even if we are taking function out of the equation, a quality watch adds incredible polish to any outfit, from jeans and a tee shirt to a tux.

So, let’s get your That Guy polished and polite with a 360 from The Garwood.

The 360 is a well-crafted but affordable investment watch. The frame is made of 100% Natural American Maple Wood, crafted to ultra smooth perfection in a classic shape. The face is a 45 mm modern carbon fiber design, making it sleek and lightweight. The Quartz Miyota movement (the same movement as used in Bulova watches) is fluid, and the Crystal Sapphire Glass is scratch-resistant and quite luxurious.

The Garwood 360 Watch

The 9.5″ band is impressive. The feedback I get from a lot of men who don’t like wearing watches is that they don’t like ill-fitting bands. This isn’t a problem with the 360. The face lays flat against the top of the wrist, and the band conforms perfectly to the wrist. The band has a felt exterior over a butter soft leather strap. It feels luxurious on the wrist.

The Garwood 360 Watch

The box is perfect for gift giving: a plain brown cardboard box opens to reveal the watch on a custom-sized watch pillow. If your guy doesn’t already have a watch case, this pillow is far better than the standard generic watch pillow available and will keep the watch safe when stored.

So let’s get every That Guy the distinctive 360 from The Garwood: it’s the one thing we can get him that he doesn’t already have, making you That Girl – the one who knows what he needs, even before he does.

Find The Garwood 360 at http://thegarwood.com/home/360. Now through Cyber Monday, get $30 off the price with code CYBER.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qds0sR9KYgM[/embedyt]

Entertaining: Olde Tradition Spice Mulling Spice

November 21, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Every fall since we were young, a family friend with a small apple orchard has served fresh apple cider mulling in her home whenever company came over. The delicious aroma has always been heavenly. As her guests file in, she greets them with a warm mug of her mulled cider with a cinnamon stick in it, and guests young and old gather around the fireplace hearth and sip the tasty brew. Nobody knows her secret recipe of spices; she just keeps the spices and cider at a low, rolling boil for a few hours, tending to it in between greeting and serving each of her guests. Nothing beats a warm drink with fall spices after being outside on a cold, crisp day. During this season, there are lots of opportunities for entertaining ranging from formal events; family get-togethers and even informal tailgating parties and football games. A common theme in all of this is welcoming guests with a delicious drink that everyone can enjoy.

A tasty and traditional drink of the season is either Mulled Wine and Mulled Cider. Mulled Wine, originally the drink offered by generous and well-to-do wealthy households in medieval times, it has seen various incarnations over time. A combination of favorite autumnal flavors such as Cinnamon and various spices taste especially good when simmered in apple cider, claret, port, or in a signature drink of your creation. Still a popular tradition today, in the hustle and bustle of entertaining, this charming drink sometimes get overlooked due to time constraints while cooking a large meal for many guests.

OLDE TRADITION SPICE MULLING SPICE

OLDE TRADITION SPICE MULLING SPICE TEA BAGS: ALL THE TASTE WITH LITTLE WORK

To enjoy the taste of a simmered mulled drink without having to allocate excess prep time during a busy meal or gathering, consider a tasty Mulled Spice preparation to kick-start your simmered warm beverage options. These bags come eight to a box and are as easy to use as a tea bag. These bags quickly add the flavor and taste of what normally takes a hostess’ watchful eye to maintain a rolling boil on the spice steeped beverage to achieve a full bodied, evenly simmered, not too sweet mulled beverage. If you would like to enjoy being with your guests instead of babysitting the mulling process, the Olde Tradition Spice Mulling Spice Tea Bags is a great option for you.

TASTE

I was surprised at how much this tastes like the combination of spices used in my apple orchard friends’ cider recipe. A natural and healthy combination of Cinnamon chips, orange peel, cloves, allspice and pure orange oil both smell and taste delicious. It tastes homemade but is very simple to make. Unlike other commercial preparations, there is no added salt or sugar, and it is caffeine free. Add sweetener to taste.

Of course, if your family enjoys any special additions to your signature brew, you can always add in raisins, orange slices, sliced almonds, a pinch of ground ginger, cardamon, and if you prefer to go sugar-free, a vanilla pod for some sweetness. But just adding the bag directly to your brew of wine or cider imparts plenty of flavor.

And, as a side bonus, the mulled spices make the house smell delicious, warm and inviting to guests.

OLDE TRADITION SPICE MULLING SPICE

USES

Traditional known to be included in mulled wine or cider, the Mulling spices can be used apple juice or other fruit juice, red or white wine, and tea to make a delicious mulled drink. The OldeTraditionSpice.com website has a whole list of recipes to choose from (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) so that the kids and designated drivers can still join in on the fun. Recipes include Hot Toddy, Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Apple Toddy, Hot Buttered Scotch Toddy, Caramel Apple Smoothie, German Wassail, Eggnog, Holiday Apply Cranberry Punch, and Spiced CoffeeLate, amongst many others. I counted about seventeen non-alcoholic recipes so the whole family could enjoy.

It is also tasty as a straight drink when used just like a tea bag in hot water. Steeping a mulled spice bag in green tea is a great way to make the vegetal taste of green tea more appealing to kids without using lots of sugar. It also adds a nice taste to ginger ale and can be served cold. Any of these options make for a nice mulled drink for kids during the festivities.

The bag can also be cut open and the contents used as a seasoning in cooking or baking. As seen in the video, the spices are a good size and not the “dust” remainders of the respective ingredients.

Each bag can be used two to three times or can be used to steep a larger quantity of liquid.

OLDE TRADITION SPICE MULLING SPICE

ABOUT THE OLD TRADITION SPICE INC COMPANY

In reviewing their website for mulled spice recipes, there was something else interesting I liked about the makers of this product. Olde Tradition Spice, Inc., does community outreach by employing Americans with disabilities for their packing process for various products. The company also stands by using natural and wholesome ingredients to create a product that tastes homemade.

CONCLUSION: I like to be able to make a tasty mulled drink, alcoholic or not, quickly and easily, whether brewed for a large group of guests or just one cup for myself. The Olde Tradition Spice Mulling Spice Tea Bags smell and taste delicious and smells homemade. I like the option of being able to serve mulled wine to adults and have a similar tasting mulled cider or tea option for kids or those who choose to opt out of drinking. This mulling spice is a nice treat to have tucked away to entertain unexpected guests or to quickly make an inviting beverage during the cooler season.

Find Olde Tradition Spice Mulling Spice at http://OldeTradtionSpice.com. And stay tuned to Style Chicks, as we will be featuring our favorite recipes made with Olde Tradition Spice Mulling Spice in the next few weeks, ranging from Mulled Wine to amazing Spiced Green Tea recipes!

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcmQtqXxSRM[/embedyt]

Skincare: Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion

November 17, 2016 · Leave a Comment

My skin is sensitive, so I invariably get at least some skin irritation when shaving. While part of this irritation is due to the hair removal process itself, some of it is also a reaction to the shaving lotion I have used. It’s hard to find a shaving lotion that enables a close shave and is also made of natural ingredients yet still leaves skin soft and hydrated.

Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion is a cut above traditional shaving lotions and creams. It is a highly hydrating and deeply nourishing cream that creates a full, rich lather that provides a smooth shaving surface. It is made with Aloe Vera to help pre-empt and treat any skin irritation such as razor burn.

Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion

ANDAVI ALL NATURAL SHAVING LOTION FIRST IMPRESSIONS
There is a lubricated feel that does not leave a sticky or gummy residue, yet it produces a creamy, rich lather with a smooth, feel that does not have a sticky pull or drag when the razor is used. The smell is a fresh, pleasant scent, suitable for men or women to use. No one ingredient is particularly overwhelming in scent; the Aloe Vera is notable.

USE
I applied the lotion generously, the amount in my hand as seen in the photo is what I applied to one leg while shaving. It lathered well and made for a smooth surface. I did not cut my legs while shaving, even though I used a duller razor than normal. I also tried shaving with a straight razor, which often gives me razor burn, but I did not experience that with the lotion. It does not sting even on preexisting scrapes or cuts. It rinses off cleanly after use without soap and does not leave a residue or any lingering after scent. I did not experience any razor burn, redness or little bumps even over already existing skin irritations from the previous time I shaved with a competitor brand lotion.

Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion

ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion is an all-natural shaving lotion that combines Aloe Vera with several moisturizing, nourishing, hydrating natural ingredients to provide a close moisturizing shave. Andavi skincare moisturizer and shaving lotion are pH-balanced to match the pH level of healthy skin.

BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA
Many of us are familiar with having an Aloe Vera plant in the kitchen to treat minor skin cuts, abrasions, and burns. It provides a protective barrier while shaving that washes off cleanly. Aloe Vera is highly moisturizing and nourishing to the skin, it has much of the nutrients needed for skin to be properly “fed.” But not all products that list Aloe Vera as an ingredient contain the actual beneficial part of the Aloe Vera plant. While many products contain some portion of an Aloe Vera plant, it can be adulterated or misbranded, leading consumers to buy products that meet a legal definition of Aloe but do not contain beneficial Aloe.

So how do you know if you are getting the right kind of Aloe Vera in your skin care product? The International Aloe Science Council is an organization that certifies quality, freshness and hygienic practices use of the Aloe Vera used within products. The IASC has strict standards for product testing, production facilities, and the actual product which contribute to the classification of the concentrations of Aloe Vera within their products. They require purity, freshness, quantity and hygienic practices. All Andavi skincare products contain Aloe Vera concentrations above the requirements for certification by the International Aloe Science Council.

Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion

Other ingredients include moisturizing, hydrating, nourishing ingredients, ingredients to protect and heal and ingredients to make for a better shaving experience. These are:

Evening Primrose Extract is used for skin issues like acne, wrinkles, and eczema. Full of Omega-6 fatty acids, it keeps hair and skin healthy.
Meadowfoam Seed Oil is a very stable oil that lubricates and can stay on the skin without leaving a residue after it is rinsed off.
Green Tea Leaf Extract is an antioxidant that soothes skin and reduces inflammation.
Honey antibacterial and moisturizing.
Jojoba Seed Oil is a stable carrier oil that treats sores and wounds. A non-greasy, non-comedogenic oil that is similar to human sebum in structure, it is often seen in skincare to soothe and smooth skin.
Coconut Oil is the go-to beauty ingredient of late, and for a good reason. It soothes the skin, provides an emollient base for other ingredients and is nourishing. It also helps reduce inflammation.
Argan Nut Oil is another beauty favorite that deeply hydrates scaly skin, is an anti-oxidant and has fatty acids that are like a superfood for skin.
Arrowroot Powder is a skin softener that heals burns and abrasions. It also works to thicken the consistency of a product.
Comfrey Leaf Extract speeds wound healing.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract is used to treat minor cuts, burns, and skin irritation.
Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Cinnamon Extract and Peppermint Oil have Antiseptic and Healing properties.

Andavi Skincare Shaving Lotion does NOT include detergents, soaps, alcohols, parabens, phthalates, synthetic chemicals, coloring additives, fragrance or preservatives. This means that in addition to meeting the International Aloe Science Council standards, Andavi Skincare products comply with Whole Food Market â€œPremium Body Careâ€ Standards and â€œWhole Bodyâ€ Standards. These standards dictate that a product does not have any ingredients deemed unacceptable as per World Food Market requirements.

This combination of ingredients helps make shaving easier, reduces any irritation, cuts or abrasions, and leaves skin soft and smooth.

CONCLUSION: Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion is an all-natural lotion with a high quantity of quality Aloe Vera and a host of other skin soothing, nourishing, softening, and healing ingredients that make for a rich lather, lubricated surface, close shave. It smells good and washes off easily. I did not experience any bumps redness, scrapes, or razor burn, even when shaving with a straight razor. My legs were left soft. Suitable for men or women, skin is razor burn free and left in better condition than before shaving. Recommended!

Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion

Find at Andavi All Natural Shaving Lotion http://www.AndaviSkincare.com

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGB4xwCyC50[/embedyt]

Contest: Win a bottle of AD2 by Scent2Health

November 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

If you have read our review of AD2 by Scent2Health, you know how great we think it is. Now, thanks to the great folks at Scent2Health, you can win one of two bottles of this amazing oil!

To enter, send an email to ad2contest@stylechicks.com.The winner will be notified by email after the contest ends on Tuesday, November 15th, 2016. We won’t use your email or other information for any purpose other than to notify the two winners.

AD2 by Scent2Health