Monday, August 19, 2013

Half marathon mark + natural energy gel recipe


Last weekend was my half way point in training.  That means I ran my longest distance ever - 13.1 miles or half marathon.  Looking back at it, it was not bad, but during my last couple of miles all I could think was “Why, 2 months ago, did I think this was a good idea!?!?!”   Now it’s behind me and I’m pretty amazed with myself.  I would never think my legs and my mind could carry me this far!  
For my route I didn’t do anything special this time, just tried to stick to low elevation and paved neighborhood roads vs. concrete, as I find it much easier on my body.   I did have to hit at least 10 traffic lights and make too many to count turn-arounds, which no doubt affected my pace... 


...but I ran, and that’s all that matters!

Once you start running distances over 10 miles it is recommended to take energy gels every 5-7 miles to help you keep going.   There is an endless selection of energy gels everywhere, but I always feel a little uneasy about “magical” energy boosting mixtures – their ingredient lists make me dizzy.  Plus, I couldn’t find anything with protein in it.  So I decided to make my own, natural energy fuel (big shout out to Pinterest for that).   Here it goes:

8 pitted dates soaked in warm water for few hours
1 tsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 TBS honey or agave syrup
Sprinkle of sea salt
1 TBS chocolate protein powder (some suggest to include protein in addition to carbs, in order to avoid hitting “the wall”
2 TBS grapefruit juice



It came out perfectly and it tasted pretty good, I must say!   Bonus: I feel safe giving it to my daughter, who has been begging me to have some energy gels for her soccer games.

So that’s where I am at this point and from here, I start running some serious miles!  

Till next time,
Liana.

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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Must have product: Reveal - Resurfacing Booster. What makes it special?


 It is time to give a big shoutout to our Resurfacing Booster - Reveal. It is a must have item on my list, because it makes my skin firm, smooth, hydrated and supple soft! And I do feel the difference when I do not use it. What’s the secret? It is its main ingredient – DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol). If you haven’t heard about it yet from big name brands, let me shed some light on this miracle component.

DMAE - is a primary alcohol and therefore an organic compound. It is used in skin care products to help treat aging/sagging skin. It is also used in a form of a food supplement to help production of another vital chemical that helps nerve cells to transmit signals. Even though some sources claim that more scientific research is needed to determine true skin care benefits of DMAE, let me tell you based on my own experience, that I saw results and changes with my complexion just few days after I started using Reveal every day!
RESULT: What I noticed was smooth, more elastic and firm skin just after a few days. It was a very obvious change that I know I could not get by any other means like diet, exercise, good night sleep, lots of water or facials. One day it was just there and it never went away. I also notice when I skip Reveal for a day or two. On those days my skin is more fragile, has paper-like, flaky feel and more lines.
I am also sure that other wonderful ingredients that are blended into our booster contribute a good deal to a healthy feel of my skin. Here are few other signature ingredients worth praise:
Extracts of Organic Bilberry, Organic Sugarcane, Organic Sugar Maple, Organic Orange, Organic Lemon, Organic Cranberry – these extracts are full of naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxyl Acids (AHAs) that have been shown to promote younger, smoother looking skin by increasing the rate of skin cell renewal. Just like any fruit acid, these extracts also work as gentle, natural peel that help melt away dead skin and reveal new, younger looking skin beneath.
Hyaluronic Acid - substance that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. It works by acting as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues.
Alpha Lipoic Acid - vitamin-like chemical called an antioxidant. Yeast, liver, kidney, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes are good sources of alpha-lipoic acid. It works by helping prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body, and also restores vitamin levels such as vitamin E and vitamin C.
CoQ10 - Coenzyme Q10 is a substance similar to a vitamin. It is found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. It also functions as an antioxidant, which protects the body from damage caused by harmful molecules.
Pro-Vitamin A, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C – those are all vital vitamins to help maintain your skin looking radiant and healthy not only outside, but also deep down on cellular level!

How does it feel? 
Reveal Resurfacing Booster has natural slightly off-white color and feels like a thin lotion. It is completely unscented with light aroma of rose water/distillate - its main ingredient.


Purpose: 
Main purpose of this product is to hydrate and moisturize your skin, minimize signs of aging and improve/renew overall complexion.
How to use it: 
After cleansing, apply toner of your choice (read why you shouldn’t skip this step here), then proceed with few pumps of Reveal. If you have dry or normal skin type, I suggest you top off Reveal with a few drops of Glow Facial Serum (my other favorite). TRICK: If you are looking for easier glide and more diluted moisturizer, apply your moisturizer immediately after toner, before toner evaporates from the surface.

Good news to those who have bought Reveal before: we have upgraded our pumps and they pump flawlessly now!

If you are using our Reveal booster now, I would love to hear your feedback.  If you haven't, I hope you give it a chance!

Till next time,
Liana.

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