4 Ways To Access Your Inner Ninja

How to be a kick but Ninja (忍者), aka shinobi (忍び) and other super relevant stuff: 

1. First off, you're you. So, bam. That's your first and most important Ninja move. And we're serious about this, all joking aside. We don't kid when it comes to Ninja things. 

You are your best asset, period. Believe it. Know it. Live it. And the universe is yours. 

2. Patience is key. Everyone wants things right here, right now. Because we're all in such a hurry to get somewhere, fast. But if you've ever witnessed a real life human ninja, you'd know they tend to enter into things a bit slower than the rest of us mortals. This is because they're assessing a situation.

But once they've purposefully observed their surroundings and planned accordingly, they move quick with precision and then back to patient again - with each step methodical as the next. 

And you wonder why you never hear 'em coming? 

3. Where the heart goes the feet will follow. You're body knows where it wants to go even before your mind does. And Ninjas are hyper aware of this phenomenon. It's a part of their intuition, and super sensors that quickly gather the most pertinent information autonomously and unconsciously, as if on auto-pilot. We have that ability too, to tap into our God given guidance system that helps us find our purpose and direction. When we acknowledge this to be true, we become more aware over time until trusting our gut is automatic.

4. It's all in the hands. Hands represent a Ninja's ability to grasp and hold onto things. Hands are symbolic for strength. We use them to help ourselves and those in need. They can be strong when lifting heavy loads or gentle when needed to comfort. Ninja's know this, and allow their hands to guide the flow of things by moving and pushing energy where it needs to go. BTW, there is a name for this. It's called the "Kuji Kiri" or the "Nine Syllables" and it's all very cool really. And you can incorporate it any way you'd like. For instance, I practice these techniques instinctively while exercising or in prayer. 

So what are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to get your "suppa" on. 

So Woosah and Konnichiwa to you, and bam.💗

6 Ways To Better Moisturize Mature Skin

With age comes wisdom, knowledge, and even sometimes power. So make sure to count yourself blessed. Because it doesn't get much better than this. HOWEVER. And don't you know, there's always a however... 

With age also comes those pesky little wrinkles, worry lines, and that super dry or flaky skin that just can't seem to get enough, when it comes to moisture.

But worry not my beautiful, puffy-peeps (in honor of Easter, of course). If we make it a point to take great care of ourselves, we'll get better with age, like those quality Antique Persian Rugs, just hanging out in Bazillionaire houses - Purr... 

The majority of us that have reluctantly come to grips with the aging process like to call this, the trade-off. But don't let that scare you. Trade-offs can be good. So. Very. Good. BECAUSE it's proof that we've grown our calm and confidence, that most, only truly discover with age.

Enter happy/sad face here.😏

So when our skin ages with us, it's likely to bring challenges that these 6 pointers can help out with. So in the words of father time, bring it already...or um, maybe don't:

1. Using a good face cleansing gel or cream, we like (Oil-free Acne Cleansers with Salycilic Acid). Lather up and gently massage-clean the surface of your skin using circular motions with a warm-damp and textured wash cloth. The salycilic acid and texture of the cloth will help to exfoliate mature, flaky-dead skin. While the circular action combined with the  textured warm cloth will help generate more collagen. Making the skin super plump, slightly pink and more youthful over time. 

Cautionary tale - never combine rubbing action with a granular facial scrub on the face, as this can cause more damage than good - leaving microscopic tears in the skin.

2. After cleansing, lightly pat dry excess moisture, leaving skin slightly damp before applying a quality day serum - ours is home-made (get instructions here), or buy your own here.

3. Then follow with a moisturizer, we like (Cera Ve' Daily Moisturizing Lotion) because of the ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help moisturize and restore the protective skin barrier. Allow a few minutes to penetrate.

4. Next warm a small amount of coconut oil between both hands and smooth over any areas on the neck and face that require more thirst quenching attention.

5. Finally, take another small dab of coconut oil, mix with your favorite spf tinted moisturizer or bb/cc cream and apply generously to face, neck and hands, (this stuff is too good to waste) gently patting as you apply. This will give mature skin a luminous, glassy glow. However, if you prefer not using a heavier oil during the day - complete steps 1-3 and save your coconut routine for end the day, as described in step 6.

6. Before hitting the sheets, remove soil and/or makeup while still keeping all things dewy, by dabbing your favorite coconut oil (or an oil similar to the one below  - I recently purchased mine in bulk for better savings) on neck and face, and gently massage. Then take your textured cloth, soak it with very warm water, ring out excess, and smooth the warmly dampened cloth over entire face. 

Mmmm... in love. This stuff, this process...not a miracle, but too good... LuxieYou

Photo via Amazon Associate
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*Always consult your doctor before starting any new skincare regimen. Those with fragile skin, wounds or sores, it's important to cleanse gently using soft material, a mild cleanser or coconut oil.

3 Easy Ways to Look and Feel Your Best!

Tell me if you've heard this saying before "He that feels good, looks good"? Well, we certainly have, and it's totes-me-goats with me. Which in likeher speak simply means, yes - we totally agree. 😉

So to all of you girly-girls, manly-men and the rest of you coolio - regular folk out there just hoping to look and feel a tweee-bit better than, uh-hmm usual.

Then have we got gold nuggets for you! So sit tight, and cha'-ching' on up:

1. First-off - You gotsta' breathe yo'. Breathing - 

With so many self-proclaimed yoga-mights out there, you'd think we'd remember using those dang breathing techniques they're constantly blah-blahing about in class.

Wait. Say what? Technical breathing is something you consistently do?

And is that your final answer? 

Well tisk, tisk, my cutie little fibberers. Unfortunately for you, research says - it just ain't so (pardon my French, but it's just more fun this way). 

Actually, most of us tend to think "the hours done, no more fun" and as the day progresses, those learned mantras often times fly straight out the window. Ohm no!

But we're only human, I tell ya'! ...and God forbid anyone just be human. I mean jeez. Come on now.

We're kidding of course. Yet, there's always a bit of truth in everything said, isn't there?

So, when we forget about our breathing and how important it is to live (and let's be real here - breathing is basically the exact definition of it). We're slowly letting those nagging bits of worry and the stress we diligently expelled on the yoga mat, drip back in. The problem with that is the effect it has on our look good / feel good departments - it restricts these areas on the regular.

And that my friend is not good.

So, if you take anything away from this, try and remember to breathe like your entire body's involved. As if your life depends on it - because let's not be fooled here my prickly pears and peachy-peaches, as we've established earlier - it kind of does. And with a little self-awareness and enough practice you'll eventually get in the habit of taking such deep and intentional breaths throughout the day that you'll begin to feel your insides - I mean, how cool and crazy is that?

      2.   And in the words of MC Hammer - "...that's why we pray." Prayer

I believe that breathing and prayer go hand-in-hand. This is where our peace comes from. Being thankful, meditating on the things that are bigger than ourselves, offering a prayer for others and giving our worship to God.

There is NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING I could recommend you buy in a store that's going to give you a more youthful, powerful and healthy glow, than knowing your creator and being in contact with him. So, if you're even just slightly intrigued and need more information on this, contact a local church - they'll do best at guiding you in the right direction. And if God forbid - nothing turns up in your search, reach out to us here and we'll help you find a House of Worship that's right for you.

Cause - you can't touch this!

       3.   Milk / Music - It does a body good. Pass it on? Music/Beats

I don't know about you, but for me, music's always been an integral part of my personal healing process. It can act as an agent to inspire, motivate, soothe, educate and even bring one closer to God - depending on the music, of course, it's capable of many things - and stimulating endorphins is top of the list.

So if we can breathe like there's no tomorrow, pray our butts off for today and curate an epic Hip-Hop/Beethoven/ Strauss like playlist one-day at a time - we'll be fast on our way to looking and feeling our very best in life! Ohm & Namaste.

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Coming Soon!

DIY Shish Kabob

We adore the ritual of going out for a cool yet steamy California night on the town. Searching for that ever elusive hidden gem of a restaurant that somehow seems to offer an out of this world culinary and dare I say chakras'esq like dining experience, which might I point out - up until said discovery has kept most blissfully and thankfully unaware.

But alas' my quirky, foodie friends. As these fantasies can often lead to, too many astronomically priced dining frenzies, which as we all know, can sometimes hijack even the sturdiest of relationships. check.book.in.point.

So for now -  why not grab yourself a smooth glass of red, sweet little tottie, beer or sangria and join us for an in-home dining experience you're taste buds are sure to enjoy!

We crave Kabob. We really do. Almost all of the time. And because of this craving, or should I say acquired taste for exceptionally fantastic, superhuman, god-like food. We've implemented a dine at home Kabob Night - just out of necessity really, to perfection. "Because who?", said one extremely handsome and intelligent master chef of a husband, can afford this kind of taste, all of the time?

I mean, really.

So below, you'll find our ingredients list (Shop now at Amazon Fresh), so that you too can enjoy an out of this world night of Kabob and Boom, even on the most reasonable of budgets:

1. choice meat - beef, chicken or shrimp, etc...
2. mixed veggies (we like red onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and tomatoes)
3. skewer sticks
4. seasoning with limes/lemons (for marinade) - salt, pepper, onion, garlic to taste.
5. rice, potatoes or clay oven-baked flatbread (on the side)
6. you'll also need family, friends and Sinatra for good measure.


Btw, we had a comical exchange whilst briskly walking through the lobby with our freshly sizzled meats in tow, making a bee-line to catch a ride up the elevator.

There just so happened upon our path an extremely large puppy of a dog and the human that owned him.

After getting a whiff of the freshly concocted food pervading the air, the dog in question knew exactly what time it was, then looking back and forth between us and the man walking him, his eyes and frantic tail seemed to say, "a change in ownership?" "um-yeah, that could be good".

*This post contains affiliate links.

Echo

Is there an Echo in here?

I'm really loving my Amazon Echo 2nd generation. So far it's been the best virtual assistant for the money, and capable of doing so many more things than I even realized! If you've been contemplating getting your own Alexa device, I'd have to say I'm totally recommending this one. The hands-free voice control without having to push the microphone button has been ideal. And it's voice recognition through voice profile easily distinguishes your voice from that of a roommate or significant other.

Alexa comes equipped with skills giving the user-friendly options for games, quizzes, workouts and even the ability to add new skills whilst just using your voice, and not manually as with previous models. This device is ideal for hands-free recipe searches, timers, shopping lists, ordering household supplies and most importantly your favorite takeout for a relaxing night in while dancing to the sounds of an epic playlist. Shop now.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Teen Guide for Summer!

😍🍫💙

This post contains affiliate links. 

5 tips on looking cool while temperatures are rising and staying safe for the summer! 

1. Make sure to keep hydrated. 💦And using a thermos with crazy 😜 fun colors is totally recommended! Superheroes, 💥your thing? Why not? You're never too old for anime. So, don't be shy about it, own it. Get that favorite character water 💦 bottle, and then when no one's looking, jam pack it full of ice and maybe a single tea bag for a refreshing cold brew all day. It'll make sipping on water a lot more fun and for sure keeps you coming back for more!      2. Repeat with me; sun ☀️ protection is your friend 👫! So, if you want to avoid looking like your favorite Old Uncle Larry in just ten years time, then PLEASE 🙏 slather it on, and plenty! You'll thank me for it later. And remember, SPF anything is better than nothing at all. However, avoid being in the sun ☀️ for extended periods of time with anything less than 30 proof. It may require dedication on your part to re-apply throughout the day, but for safety purposes, it's a must. P.S. don't forget to make it broad spectrum, a uva/uvb lotion is best for ultimate coverage.3. Sunglasses 😎 anyone? No one has to ask me twice to play it cool!❄️⛄️Wayfarers? Ray-Ban? Aviators? Or the quintessential and affordable black plastic frame? Whatever your thing, just pick a pair and keep those peepers 👀 protected!

 

4. And of course, what would summer be without your favorite slip-on, flops or the infamous "Jesus Sandals", your total go-to shoes 👟for summer. They'll do wonders at keeping your souls protected, (ahem, sorry - we meant "soles" 😇protected). And adding a pair of calf or knee high socks to your sandal ensemble before and after a swim, ups your cool factor, keeping it 💯!   5. Find a beach umbrella ⛱ and park it in the shade. Cool pro-tip, they're usually closest to the 🏥lifeguards, depending on where you're swimming, and who knows you could even walk away with a +1 friend!❤