Wellness Wednesday: 5 Simple Juice Recipes

As some of you may or may not know, I started my juicing journey a few years ago.  It completely changed my life both physically and mentally!  I went from a girl who couldn't stand any kind of veggies, to a girl who can't go a day without getting her greens.  My green drinks make me feel good and you know what they say… “When you feel good, you look good!” 

Juicing can be intimidating so for today’s #WellnessWednesday I wanted to share 5 of my favorite, easy, go-to recipes!

Remember that these recipes are for making fresh juice with a JUICER and NOT A BLENDER!  If you’re more interested in a smoothie rather than a juice, you will need to downsize the recipes.  With that being said, I encourage you to try and start implementing fresh juice into your daily diet.  When I’m juicing consistently, I notice such a huge difference.  I feel lighter and healtheir, my skin is brighter, and it prevents me from getting sick because of all the nutrients.  

So without further ado, here are your 5 easy recipes! 

Orange Power 

3 Gala Apples 

6 Whole Carrots 

½ Inch of Ginger Root 

1 Lemon 

Wellness Booster 

3 Oranges 

2 Gala Apples

1 Lemon 

½ Inch of Ginger Root 

Kale Aid 

6 Kale Leaves 

3 Green Apples 

1 Lemon 

½ Inch of Ginger Root 

Going Green 

3 Green Apples 

6 Kale Leaves 

1 Cup of Spinach 

½ Cucumber 

Sweet Beet 

1 Beet 

2 Gala Apples 

1 Lemon 

¼ Inch of Ginger Root 

I hope you enjoy these recipes! 

Xoxo 

Ash 

My slim down secrets

My slim down secrets 

Hello everyone!!! I’ve had a few people ask what supplements I use and how I get ready for pageants.  I thought on today’s blog, I would share some of my favorite products and slim down secrets.  

I’m a huge advocate for using products that are 100% natural.  I don’t use any protein powders, pre-work, fat burners etc.  I know a lot of people swear by those things,a but I prefer to use products that are 1. all natural and harmless 2. I can use for the rest of my life.  Trial and error with other “diets” lead me to the conclusion that I wanted to start a lifestyle that didn’t have “use for 8 weeks and then stop” expiration date.  On top of juicing and eating an all natural diet, there are a few things I think help to shed those last few pounds and really help with de-bloating.  I bloat like crazy… If eat something that has a lot of sodium, you can tell the next day, so I have done quiet a bit of research on how to naturally drop water weight.  These are a few things that work for me! 

1. Dandelion Root 

Dandelion Root is like magic! It serves as a digestive aid and flushes waste, salt, and water out of the kidneys which significantly helps with bloating.  Dandelion reduces inflammation throughout the body, is rich in antioxidants, regulates blood sugar levels, and boosts the immune system. 

You can purchase dandelion root at most health food stores.  It comes in a tea form and in a pill form.  I prefer the pill form because I find it to be more potent, however I like both! 

2. Epsom Salt Bath 

Epsom salt baths are the bomb.com You’ve probably heard to take one when you’re sore, but if you happen to be feeling like you're carrying a little extra water weight… these bad boys will do the trick! 

I prefer to use warm-hot water and soak for about 30-45 minutes.  I use anywhere from half a bag to a whole bag and I love the Dr. Teals brand.  I typically buy it at Target and my favorite is the lavender! 

3. Magnesium 

Magnesium is an incredible mineral.  There are a lot of foods that have a high magnesium content, but I take the pill form daily. It helps digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats among several other things! 

4. Digestive Enzymes 

Taking a digestive enzymes to help with digestion is like hiring workers for a large task inside the body. Digestive enzymes help fight to keep your gut healthy.  They break down our food and help us absorb properly.  If you feel bloated or constipated, enzymes could be your saving grace! (pictured below are women's digestive enzymes because that's what I use but there are men's available as well)

5.  Probiotics 

Probiotics help with overall digestive management! Keeping your gut clean is important when trying to lose or maintain weight.  

6. Cranberry Tea 

Cranberry has a lot of powerful benefits.  This superfood is even more delicious in a tea form and filled with vitamins and antioxidants.  Cranberry tea helps flush the kidneys, liver, and burns fat by removing toxins from the body.  It can also help increase the metabolism depending on how much your drink. It’s good stuff!!! 

7.  Dry Sauna 

Do whatever you can to sweat! Sitting in a sauna induces sweating significantly which in return rids the body of waste products.  You will be getting rid of toxins and shedding excess water weight.  I love sitting in the dry sauna at the end of my workout. I always feel great when I leave the sauna!  

8.  Juicing 

Of course, I am a huge believer in juicing.  If you are looking to drop a few pounds for any reason, I highly suggest adding more fruit and veggie juices to your diet.  Fruits and veggies have an unlimited amount of nutrients that heal the body from the inside out. Juices also have a very low sodium content which helps when trying to de-bloat.  

Because these supplements are all natural, you can incorporate your favorites into your daily or weekly routine!  I personally use about half of these product on a daily basis.  A lot of excess weight is stored in the gut which is why it’s so important to always keep things moving.  I highly recommend finding a good probiotic and digestive enzyme to take regularly.   You can buy the majority of these at health food stores like Whole Foods.  

XoXo
Ashley 

D-I-Y Detox

DIY (do it yourself) Detox 

The idea idea of doing a juice detox can be intimidating.  You may or may not have thought to yourself, “ I want to juice but….Should I buy pre-made juice?  Should I make the juice myself? I don’t know if I want to buy a juicer… Do I eat anything or just drink juice?  How on earth am I suppose to go days on JUST juice… ok forget it!”  

I completely understand that juicing can be overwhelming, expensive, and time consuming.  Today I am going to share my DIY detox.  This is my go-to plan when I’m too busy to make fresh juice myself.  Ordering cleanses can be pricey and this is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to put your own detox together which is why I consider it a DIY. I would say that this this a “mild” detox because I mix in smoothies and detox friendly foods.  This is great for beginners or those who have no desire to do a full on juice cleanse but want to jump start a healthier lifestyle. 

Start each morning with warm lemon water.  Use the juice of a fresh squeezed lemon. 

Breakfast:  Green Detox Smoothie. 1 cup of water. 2-3 cups of spinach. 1 pear. 1 banana.  2 limes.

Snack:  Evolution’s Organic Spicy Lemonade.  Ingredients:  Lemon, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper.  If you are still hungry, have 1 Granny Smith Apple 

Lunch:  Sweet Greens Evolution juice.  This brand can be purchased at: Starbucks, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Albertsons, & Natural Grocers. If one juice doesn't satisfy your hunger, feel free to drink another.  I recommend the sweet greens because It’s only 100 calories and loaded with detoxing fruits and veggies.  This juice also tastes good!  If you want to make your own juice, the ingredients are: Celery, Apple, Spinach, Kale, Lemon, Lime, Parsley, Romaine, & Cucumber.  OR Kale Yeah from Whole Foods 

Snack:  Skinned cucumber slices soaked overnight in lemon juice, lightly salted (YUM!!)  You can have an unlimited amount of this snack.    

Or a bowl of broccoli 

Or a bowl of berries 

Or a small handful of almonds 

Dinner:  Evolution’s Essential Greens with Lime.  70 Calories.  Ingredients: Celery, Cucumber, Spinach, Romaine, Kale, Lime, Parsley.  

Dessert:  (if needed) Evolution’s Organic Strawberry Lemonade.  Ingredients: Strawberries and Lemons OR Orange/Tangerine juice from Whole Foods. 

Detox Bath: 1/2 cup of Sea Salt 

                              1/2 cup of Epsom Salt 

                              1/4 cup of Baking Soda 

                              1/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar 

A few drops of your favorite essential oil.  (before bed I like to use lavender)

Soak in bath for at least 25 minutes.  This salt bath will help pull out any remaining toxins.

P.S. Evolution juices range from $2.99 to $6.99 a for a 15.2oz bottle depending on the juice and distributor.  I am recommending evolution juices because they are sold in the biggest variety of grocery stores across the country.  Other brands that are sold in stores that would be an ok substitute would be SUJA & Blue Print.  

If you live near a Whole Foods, I would recommend buying their brand of cold pressed juices because they are made fresh in stores.  

If you want to make your own juices, check out the ingredients in each juice and you can duplicate the same recipes with your juicer.  

Toxins are just a part of our daily lives which is why every now and then we need to detox and refresh our bodies with natural foods.  I hope that through this blog, you are able to do your very own detox and that it’s simple.  You will be amazed how great your body will feel afterwards!  

XoXo Ashley

I am not a health care professional.  I only share my experiences and the lifestyle I enjoy.  You should always seek advice from a healthcare professional before making any major changes with your diet. 

My Skin Care Secrets

Happy Friday! I am excited to say that I am going to be expanding Sparkling From The Inside Out into a health AND beauty blog! It’s important to me that Sparkling From The Inside Out is constantly evolving and growing. I truly believe that when you feel good, you look good and when you look good, you feel good! Outer beauty starts on the inside, and I want my website to help everyone optimize their natural beauty.  My hope is that with Sparkling From The Inside Out, you will be able to become the very best version of yourself and be the very best YOU, you can possibly be! With that being said, stay tuned for a lot of fun and exciting beauty tips and tricks that not only I use, but also secret tricks that professional make up artists and hairstylists use as well! 

I am kicking off this new endeavor with my all-time favorite skin care products and secrets! 

#1 Face Wash: Obaji.  I have used this face wash for over 13 years.  I had chronic keratosis pilaris growing up so I had to start using face wash at a very young age.  I have tried a lot of different face washes over the years… Clinique, MAC, Neutrogena, Proactive, & Clean and Clear. I have pretty much tried everything at one point or another and I have always resorted back to this one.  I love everything about it but I especially love the way my skin feels after I use it.  I highly recommend this product and in my opinion it’s best to invest a good face wash over anything else.  (my mom has also used this skin care line for YEARS and has beautiful, young skin!) Click HERE for information on Obaji.

#2 Face Lotion: Neutrogena Oil-Free.  I have also used this product for several years.  I have experimented with several other products but I enjoy this one and it’s inexpensive.  You can find it at almost every drug and grocery store.  Neutrogena has a few of the same kind (oil-free) that has sunscreen in it, but I personally do not like those.  I can feel a difference between the ones that have sunscreen and the one that doesn’t, so be on the look out!   Obaji has a face lotion called Vitamin-C that I like a lot too, but it’s pricey and I personally don’t find it necessary to use.  If you are dealing with a chronic skin problem then you may want to check into the Obaji lotion.  Obaji has a fantastic skin care line.  

#3 Juice: drinking just one juice a day can improve your skin.  Your skin is a reflection of your health.  Our liver is detoxing our bodies 24/7.  With all of the chemicals, processed food, sugar, alcohol, pollution, and other junk we put into our bodies, our liver has to work that much harder to cleanse all of those toxic chemicals out.  When the liver is being over worked, it recruits the skin.  There are other reasons that cause skin problems however, adding more natural fruits and veggies into your daily diet can certainly help decrease those issues.  

Juicing has several detoxing and cleansing benefits, but one of the most beneficial things juicing does is clean out the liver.  By cleaning out the liver, you will be able to clean up your skin.  By drinking just one juice a day, you are able to remove some of the toxins built up inside your body.  Fruits and Veggies that help with skin are: Carrots, Pineapple, Kale, Beets, Celery,  Lemon, Apple, and Cucumber.  

Juicing is also very hydrating to your cells and internal organs which reflects positively on your skin.  

#4 Exfoliate:  I like to use these little exfoliating pads about once a week just to make sure I completely remove everything.  I don’t like to exfoliate frequently because it feels too harsh on my skin. I purchase these at target .

#5 Never workout with make up on:  When you sweat, your pores open up so you do not want make up going directly into your pores.  Working out with make up on can cause breakouts.  

#6  Never go to bed with a dirty face: No matter how tired you are at night, always wash your face before going to bed! Our bodies naturally detox every night and it is so important that your pores are clean and clear! 

#7 Zit Cream:  Since I started juicing, I can’t say that I have had one break out.  I haven’t touched my acne cream once in almost two years, but prior to juicing I would break out occasionally and I would use Kate Somerville’s acne cream.  You can purchase this as Sephora.  

#8 Keep it simple:  As much as I want to say that I have all these cool little tricks up my sleeve, the truth is, I don’t.  Since I started juicing, I have been able to keep it really simple when taking care of my skin.  I don’t use foundation… I only use loose powder.  I only do face masks when I randomly have to urge to do so and I don’t spend a lot of money on skin care products.  

As I mentioned earlier, outer beauty starts on the inside.  Rather than investing and spending a ton of money on skin care products, try to invest in what you are putting into your refrigerator and pantry.  Start making small changes, such as incorporating one juice a day into your diet.  Slowly but surely start to expand your intake of natural fruits and veggies and I promise that your body will start to follow! 

XoXo 

Ashley 

For daily tips, tricks, and inspiration follow me on twitter: MissAshleyMoora

or  

On Instagram: ashleynicolemora1 

Tips to Feel Skinnier by the End of the Day

Did you have too much of a good thing over thanksgiving?  Don’t beat yourself up.. we all did!  The best way to bounce back from a weekend of overindulging is to counteract with consuming as many fruits and veggies as possible.  Follow these simple tricks and by the end of the day you will shed some of the bloat!  

Morning: 

Start the day off with 1 glass of fresh lemon, ginger water. 

Take a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning and before all meals.

This will balance your entire body… which after a weekend of eating bad foods, we mostly likely threw our bodies completely out of whack.  Apple cider vinegar not only has detoxing properties but it will also stimulate your digestion and suppress your appetite.  It also regulates the amount of sodium stored in the body.

For breakfast, have a green smoothie or juice (for recipe click HERE) with parsley.  If you are thinking..”ew, no way!” you wont be able to taste the parsley, I promise.  Parsley helps flush fluids from the body and encourages digestion.  Parsley also has several anti-inflammatory properties!

Snack: 

Fill up a big water bottle full of water and aloe vera juice and sip throughout the day, all day long.  The water and the aloe will flush your system.

Tea to sip on throughout the day: 

Green Tea 

Dandelion Root Tea 

Ginger Tea 

Peppermint Tea 

Apple Cider Vinegar with Hot Water 

If you hate drinking tea, you can purchase dandelion root pills.  The pills are actually more potent than the tea which help you lose water weight more quickly.    

Lunch: 

Water Weightloss Juice with Detox Salad & Lemon Dressing 

Juice Recipe: 

juice or purchase fresh, plain cranberry juice. mix with two dandelion root tea bags, lemon juice, and water.  This helps you lose water weight because it breaks down waste and fats during digestion.  

Your detox salad recipe:  2 cups of Kale, 2 cups of purple cabbage, 1/2 cup of parsley, 1 cup of carrots, 1 cup of sunflower seeds, 1 tablespoons of sesame seeds, cherry tomatoes, 1/2 avocado sliced up.  For the dressing, mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup of olive oil.  Mix in 2 tablespoons of garlic, a dash of salt, a dash of pepper, and a pinch of cayenne.   

Dinner:  

For your last meal, enjoy this delicious detox quinoa & veggie salad.  click HERE for the recipe!

End your day with a relaxing Detox Bath and Smooth Move Tea. 

The bath will help pull out and remove toxins from the body.  The smooth move tea is great if you feel backed up and bloated. You can purchase smooth move tea at most health food stores!

Bath:

5 cups of epsom salt 

2 cups of baking soda 

1 cups of sea salt 

1 tbs of ground ginger 

1 cup of vinegar 

a few drops of oil (lavender, tea tree, orange peel etc.)

XoXo 

Ashley 

For daily tips and recipes, click HERE to follow me on twitter or follow me on instagram at ashleynicolemora1

Let Your Food Be Your Pharmacy

Flu season has officially kicked off! The colds, fevers, runny noses, sore throats, headaches, and congestion are in full swing.  We all know the signs, and who has time to be sick these days?! The good news is, with a few immunity-boosting juice recipes we can fight that winter misery. Don't let the cold catch you!

Immune Enhancer

2 Gala Apples 

5 Carrots 

1 Inch of Ginger 

1 Lemon
(a pinch of cayenne for the daring) 

Wash and properly prep. Place in juicer. Juice!

Big Green Cold Fighting Machine 

1 cup of Spinach 

1 cup of Kale

6 Brussels Sprouts 

1 Jalapeno 

2 Garlic Cloves 

1 Lime 

2 Cucumbers 

Wash and properly prep. Place in juicer. Juice!
 

Orange Sparkler 

1/2 Pineapple 

2 Oranges

1 Lemon 

2oz of Sparkling Water

Wash and properly prep, Place in juicer, Juice, add sparkling water! 

Angry Apple Fizz 

1 inch of Ginger 

1 Pear 

2 Apples 

2oz of Sparkling Water 

Wash and properly prep, Place in juicer, Juice, add sparkling water!

Warm Ginger Tea 

(good for the stomach flu)

2 inches of Ginger 

2 Lemons 

4 cups of boiling water 

 Juice ingredients and then add boiling water

Grab a juice rather than over the counter medicine

If you already have a cold these recipe are also good for easing symptoms.  I highly encourage you to fight flu season the natural way! When you give the body what it needs (fruits and vegetables) you are giving your body the proper fuel to function.  Rather than going to the store and purchasing over-priced, chemically-filled medicine, grab a juice and super-charge your immune system! 

Please keep in mind that these JUICE recipes are designed to juiced in a juicer. If you try and blend these, you will most likely have an overflowing blender! If you prefer smoothies over juice, you are in luck! Stay tuned later this week for flu fighting smoothie recipes.

If you are interested in doing a juice cleanse click here. 

For more juice recipes click here. 

Stay tuned for Flu Fighting Smoothie Recipes!

XoXo 

Ashley 

For daily tips recipes follow me on 

Twitter: MissAshleyMoora 

or  

On Instagram: ashleynicolemora1

5 Smoothies for Long Luscious Hair

We all want it... that beautiful long luscious looking hair!

Did you know that damaged and corse hair can be caused by our diet?  The good news is we can reverse hair loss and damaged hair with a few delicious recipes! In fact, we can actually promote hair growth just by adding a few ingredients into our daily diet.

I typically blog about juicing, but keep in mind that these are smoothie recipes, so you will want to use a blender for these.. not a juicer!

Drink one each morning as your breakfast and you will be well on your way to healthier hair and skin.  These smoothies also promote weight loss, detoxification, disease prevention, bright eyes, increased energy, and improve over all health! #winning 

Hair Health Smoothies 

Glowing hair and skin

1 cup of spinach
1 cup of kale
1 banana
1 1/2 cups of pineapple
1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut or almond milk

Shiny Hair

2-3 cups of spinach
1 cucumber
1 avocado
1 cup of blueberries
1 banana

Long Luscious Hair

2 cups of romaine
2 cups of kale
1 cucumber
1 lemon
1/2 cup of water
1 pear

No More Split Ends 

2 cups of kale
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of blueberries
1 pear
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of ice

Minty Morning 

1/2 avocado
2 cups of kale
1 cup of spinach
1/2 granny smith apple
1/2 cup of mint leaves
1 cup of water

For all my juicers out there, you can absolutely juice these recipes if you prefer a juicer rather than a smoothie.  Keep in mind that the ingredient amounts will change and you cannot juice a banana or an avocado!

I highly encourage you to exchange your typical breakfast with one green smoothie.  Starting each day with green smoothie or juice will work wonders not only on your physical appearance but it will also start changing the way your body works on the inside.  Flushing your body out each morning with powerhouse food and greens will truly make you 'Sparkle From The Inside Out'

Have a fabulous week!
XoXo
Ashley

For Daily Tips and Recipes follow me on: 

Instagram: ashleynicolemora1 

Twitter: MissAshleyMoora 

17 Benefits of Juicing

17 Benefits of Juicing



 Hello Everyone! As we approach a new month I thought I would share some of the most important benefits of juicing.  I am coming up on my one year anniversary of being an avid juicer (Yay!)  So… why not share some of what I’ve learned this past year!  The holidays will soon be upon us and it’s no lie that set backs are defeating… so beat them! This Wednesday (October 1st) is the perfect opportunity to start fresh and head into the holiday season with confidence that you will start your new year without feeling like you need to start over.  Who says that January 1st has to be the only day we make resolutions?! The truth is.. it doesn't! We only have 3 months left of 2014, lets make them count! End 2014 with a bang! 

1. Raw juices help remove chemicals that we store in our bodies.
2. It helps cleanse out bacteria.
3. Cleanses your blood.
4. Juicing gives your digestive system a break & lord knows we can all use one of those!
5. It allows you to add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. You would not sit down and eat two apples, 1 cucumber, 3 celery stalks, and inch of ginger, a lemon, and 2 cups of kale. 
6. Juicing not only promotes but it also jump starts weight loss. Juicing rids your body of excess weight. It can provide a way to reach a dramatic weight loss goal.  
7. Increases energy.  When you start to add rich nutrients into your body you wont feel so tired and sluggish.
8. Helps boost your immune system.
9. It can help you ease into a healthier lifestyle.
10. Our bodies require a certain amount of nutrients from fruits and vegetables.  Juicing not only provides us a way to get those vegetables down but the juice is immediately absorbed into our blood stream making those nutrients we are consuming, more efficient. 
11. Can assist in helping you de-bloat naturally. 
12. Curbs appetite.  Yep, you heard me! All of the nutrients that are filled in one glass of juice make you feel full!
13. Juicing is great for your skin, hair, and nails.
14. Mental alertness and happiness.  Juicing improves blood circulation therefore it transports oxygen into the brain and body keeping you from hitting that 3 o'clock feeling.
15. Full of antioxidants!
16.  Keeps your cells hydrated.  Juicing replenishes nutrient rich fluid back into our bodies. 
17. Juicing truly is a Fat Flusher.

 Green Drinks are Not For Me!

If you are the kind of person who looks at a green drink and thinks to yourself that you would never be “into that” I highly recommend just TRYING it out.  I personally hate vegetables.  I wish that wasn’t the case, but unfortunately it is.  There is something so magical about being able to blend up broccoli, spinach, kale, celery, cucumber etc. toss in some apples, oranges, strawberries and have them mask the nasty taste of the green! Juicing is all about finding the right combinations of different fruits and vegetables that work for you!

Quick Green Juice Recipes: 

Mean Green 

2 Medium Apples 

4 Celery Stalks 

1 Cucumber 

1 inch of Ginger Root 

6 Kale Leaves 

1 Lemon 

Green Lemonade 

3 cups of spinach 

1 lemon 

1 cucumber

1 pear 

1 gala apple 

De-Bloat 

2 Apple 

1 Cucumber 

1 cup of Kale 

2 Stalks of Celery 

1 Lemon 

Dandelion Greens 

Green Mary Cocktail 

1 Apple 

1 Cucumber 

3 Carrot 

1 Green Pepper 

1 Tomato 

1 cup of Grapes

1 cups of Spinach

Tropical Green 

1 Pineapple 

1 Cup of Kale 

2 Oranges

1 inch of Ginger 

XoXo

-Ashley 

For Daily Tips and Recipes follow me on: 

Instagram: ashleynicolemora1 

Twitter: MissAshleyMoora