Homemade Facial Scrubs #SarasNatureCare

I've decided to do a new serious of blog post talking about all things skin and hair related. I'm calling it Sara's Nature Care!!

I love using natural ingredients when it comes to my body as it's not just good for me, my skin benefits from it also. Yet in the past when I've tried to find natural face products I always found them to be either really expensive, or they had some sort of a chemical that I did not feel comfortable using on my skin. As my skin is really sensitive and dry many of the products I've used have just either stung my face or have left it looking worse.  And since I'm a student I can't afford all these expense brands. So I've been learning to make my own skin care using natural ingredients... And the best thing is, you probably have all the ingredients on hand right now.

My top Facial scrubs

Honey and oil scrub

I've been using this scrub a lot lately as I have found leaves my skin feeling so smooth. I've also struggled a lot with dry skin, but now using this scrub, it has helped all those dry spots disappear.

What you need:

• 1 Tbs of Honey
• 1 Tbs olive or even coconut oil (I do prefer olive oil for my scrubs) 
• 2 Table spoons of Sugar
• A squeeze of lemon

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then just simply apply to face. Leave for a couple of minutes to help soak into your face, and then scrub that baby right off.  This scrub is also perfect for you lips if you're struggling with dry lips.

Note: If you don't use it all that night. You can store it in a airtight container to use in the next couple of nights. 

The Magic baking soda scrub

Baking soda would have to be my number one used item in my cupboard. You can use it for anything. Seriously!!! But one of my favourite ways would have to be in a scrub. What baking soda does to your skin is removes all the dead skin cells and yes ladies, it even helps with those nasty pimples on your face.This recipe is my most simplest recipe and quickest scrub to make.

What you need:

• 1 Tbs of Baking soda
• Splash of Water

When mixing it together you want to get a consistency perfect for spreading where those pimples are. After a good 5 minutes of scrubbing those areas, wash it straight off.

Brown Sugar and Honey Scrub

This is another supper easy two ingredient scrub. Brown sugar is perfect for you skin as it has small particles which means its gental and safer on your skin. It's also perfect for scrubbing away dead skin cells and creating healthy, glowing skin. All you need is well whats in the title...

What you need:

• 1 Tbs Honey
• 1 Tbs Brown Sugar

Like all the other recipes you just want to mix it all in and then start to apply it to your face. Wash face well and then apply to face, scrubbing all over. You honestly only need 1/2 tsp for this scrub, so store the rest of it in an airtight container to use again. Rinse of well and pat your face dry.





Let me know if you want me to post more natural beauty tips like these. I love using these scrubs. They are so inexpensive and also extremely good for your face.

God bless,
Sara-Jayne

Why I Eat Healthy!!!

If you haven't noticed by now from all the healthy recipes on my blog, I eat quite healthy (or at least I try to). I enjoy it! When I started my healthy journey and made the choice to do it all, I chose to do it with God. I didn't want to do this without Him, because I've learnt the hard way when you try to do something by yourself.. You never fully succeed!

So many people have given me weird looks on what I'm eating or have constantly asked "are you on a diet?" hahah.... Oh the amount of times I've had to explain why I am eating a salad instead of chips.

I never chose to live a healthy lifestyle because I thought it would make me better or people would like me more or that I would even love myself more.

Before my journey I told myself I had to make sure I made the choice to love myself. Not just on the days I feel like it or have eaten well.... But even on the days I'm having a 'fat day' or have stuffed up continuously.  

Every morning I've made the choice to get up, look in the mirror and tell myself that I am beautiful the way I am. As dorky as that might be..... It reminds me that I don't need to be someone I'm not. God made me, me and there will never be a better me! So I don't need to strive to have a 'skinny' body or even strive to be so called 'perfect. Life's not about that!

I've learnt in the past being focused on wanting to be skinny, I was only hurting myself. It's not about being skinny, it's not even out being healthy. It's about living your life for God. Making Him your number 1 in EVERYTHING!!!

He is the reason I live, the reason I sing. And the reason why I eat healthy! I want to look after the body God has given me. I want to be healthy and fit, to be the best person I can possibly be. I nourish my body with delicious, healthy, whole foods. While also looking after my body by trying to get my body moving when I can.


I believe that it is important to look after your body, but I also believe in treats and having treats now and than. I'm not on some sort of a diet or have body image 'problems'. I've chosen to live a healthy lifestyle! It's a lifestyle, not a diet with an expiry date.  It's about looking after my body and wanting to be a better me. Because striving to be a better you is fine. It's like the talents you have been given! You're responsibility is to either just look at your gifting or choose to work on it. The same with your body. It is a temple of God! It's the only body you have and the only one you'll ever have. Make the choice to look after and love your body.

Being skinny, bigger, taller, shorter doesn't change the fact that God made you beautiful. Yes it's easy to find flaws in how you look, but always remember to love yourself. You don't need to try and be something you were never called to be. Enjoy this life you live and learn to love yourself!

My Morning Green Smoothie

Since I've been in a green smoothie mood... I decided to post my quick on the go, energy, delicious smoothie recipe. This  is a very basic green smoothie and can be adjusted in anyway to make your own version of a green smoothie.

I've written the recipe out so it's easy to follow and understand. There are so many reasons why you should give a green smoothie a go!! Green smoothies are fun and a great way to start the morning as spinach/kale are really really good for you and both have protein. So does the greek yogurt! :) 

Bananas are best in the morning as they are great source of energy and help prevent muscle cramps. Cinnamon isn't just DELICIOUS!!!! But it's so good for your body as it lowers blood sugar and it's great for lowering your cholesterol. So for those who have a high cholesterol, cinnamon is perfect for you!

Just a few ingredients blended together in your blender can make a perfect combination to kick start your day. Just five ingredients and you've got a drink that doesn't just taste scrumptious but so so good for you.

Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Smoothie Recipe

• 1/2 cup Almond Milk or Coconut Milk (or any milk you prefer)
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• 1 cup Kale or Spinach
• 1 frozen banana (the browner the better)
• 1 tsp cinnamon 

Add ins:

• 1 tablespoons flax seed
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 1/2 cup berries
• 1/2 avacado
• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or squeeze of lemon as both boost your metabolism 

Blend all the ingredients together, pour into a cute jar or glass and enjoy!! :D  

Pin and share!!!

My scrumptious Paleo Banana Bread

My weekends as usual consists with me creating new foods in the kitchen. My aim today was to come up with a delicious banana bread that the whole family would love. And let me say... this would have to be one of the best banana breads I've ever made... And this recipe would definitely have to be one of my family's new favourite! So I thought I'd share this paleo recipe with you!!

Pin and share!!!

Family Favourite Paleo Banana Bread

 Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled and broken into pieces. Plus one extra for decoration.
• 1  tbsp raw honey (Or you don’t have to add as I find it sweet enough from the dates)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup desiccated coconut
• 1 cup plus two tablespoons almond meal
• 3 tbsp tapioca or arrowroot flour
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp gf baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarb soda
• 2 1/2 tbsp coconut oil melted
• ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
• 5 dates, chopped up

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 165°C and line a loaf tin with non-stick baking paper.

Place eggs with a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl and whisk well. Add the 2 mashed bananas, honey, vanilla and whisk together until well incorporated. Add the almond meal, baking powder, tapioca, coconut flour, cinnamon and desiccated coconut, and mix together well. Lastly add the melted coconut oil and mix well. Fold in walnuts and dates. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Smooth the surface and place the extra banana (cut in half length ways) on top of the mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes until the skewer comes out dry. Serve and enjoy!!! 

 

Blueberry, Coconut Buckwheat Pancakes

For Mothers Day we decided to do things a little different... You see Sunday mornings are as busy as anything. Getting ready for church and all having responsibilities we have to be there early. But that doesn't stop us from blessing Mum and making her breakfast. Only this time we didn't have pancakes for breakfast. Yep! Instead we became rebellious for the day and had them for lunch.


I had some leftover buckwheat flour that I wanted to use up so I decided to come up with a pancake recipe. And knowing me, my two favourite things are blueberries and coconut... So putting them together in a pancake sounded like a perfect match... haha...  But seriously!! If you love buckwheat and coconut... You going to love these.

Blueberry, Coconut, Buckwheat Pancakes 

(Makes 6)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 Tablespoon coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon GF baking powder
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup organic coconut milk
• 3 teaspoon stevia
• 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Handful of blueberries 

Method:
Place the flours and baking powder/soda into a bowl and lightly stir. Add in the rest of the ingredients, except for the blueberries. Mixing as you go. Put the mixture to one side and let it sit. Doing this will help the ingredients soak in.

Heat up your pan with coconut oil. Scoop some mixture into the pan then grab your blueberries and evenly sprinkle over the mixture. Flip over when you start to see bubbles form and cook on the other side until it looks golden.

Serve with blueberries, banana and coconut cream or greek yogurt.

Pin and share!!!

Healthy Goodness: Super Easy Oat Bars

Today I thought I'd post one of my favourite healthy oat muesli bar recipes. I love cooking and whats the point of having a great recipe and never sharing?! haha...

I baked these today for my Dad so he has something to take to work. These bars are simple, really quick to cook and great for an on-the-go snack. I'm thinking about posting more of my healthy recipes over the next few weeks.  I love cooking and have a passion for healthy eating and living a healthy lifestyle. If you do end up trying this recipe let me know so I can also see your marvelous creations!!

 

Super Easy Oat Bars 

• 3 ripe large bananas (really ripe bananas are the best ones to use. The larger the bananas, the more moist it will be)
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 cups of organic rolled oats (gf)
• 1/2 cup of chopped dates or any dried fruit you would prefer
• 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (I used peanuts) 
• 1/4 cup of cacao chips or 80% dark chocolate chips (optional) 
• 1-2 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• Dash of nutmeg
• pinch of salt (optional)

Mash the banana really well until all the lumps are gone. Add the rest of the ingredient's into the bowl, mixing as you go. Pour the mixture into a 9x9 inch baking dish, pressing the mixture down evenly as you go. Sprinkle with cinnamon and place into a heated 180 degrees oven for 30 minutes.

Optional: drizzle with dark chocolate! Anything with chocolate gets any kid excited!

 

The Best Carrot Cake EVER... And it's healthy!

Morning Beautiful people!!

For those that Don't know... I'm sugar free. In other words, I stay away from sugar and will only eat natural sugar such as honey. 

Recently I've been feeling like carrot cake (haha.. Funny how that happens), so I decided to try and come up with a recipe using on of my old recipes and replacing it with healthy natural ingredients.

I've been a little hesitant when it comes to cooking something 'healthy' as I've tried many recipes with all natural ingredients and many have failed. But that hasn't stopped me from trying! Instead I've been able to learn more about coconut oil, honey in baking etc.

So since my family can be a fussy audience (sometimes), I've been trying to find recipes that they like.... And this one has become a family approved!

So enjoy this recipe and sorry I don't have many photos. I didn't get the opportunity to take many as the cake went quickly.... Proves it was good!! :)

Carrot Cake (refined sugar free)

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon (a bit more if you wish)
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 3/4 cup no added sugar apple sauce
• ½ - 3/4 cups honey
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups finely grated carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (Australian).
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
3. Add the melted apple sauce, honey, and eggs in to the bowl and mix well.
4. Fold in the carrots and walnuts.
5. Bake in 2 greased 9-in round cake pans for 30-40 minutes or until is cooked through.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool  before removing from the pans. When cooled ice with cream cheese frosting.

Hope you all enjoy and If you make it let me know!!!

God bless!!

Sara-Jayne xx

My decision on... Living a healthy lifestyle!

Note: Everything I’ve post below is for me so don’t feel bad or pressured to start doing what I’m doing.  This is just to encourage you!

So today I just thought I’d talk about something that I have been thinking a lot lately and living…. And that’s a healthy lifestyle! I have never been an extremely healthy person when it comes to food or even exercise as I don’t play sports…. Nor am I good at sports… haha… But lately I’ve just been so excited when it comes to eating healthy. I’ve started to get a fresh revelation on this topic and how to do it in a godly way. 

Now I’ve decided to go 100% into this (Well more like 95% as well.. You got to have treats, because you’re not living if you don’t!!)… Although I want to start off by learning to love myself, cutting out processed sugar (And a few other foods) and to exercise at least five times a day. And I’m doing all this with God! I don’t want to become obsessed like I did the first time and failed… I want to do it in a way that I’m putting God first and just having fun with this whole lifestyle.  

Although to be honest, it has taken me awhile to get to where I am now. For example, I use to say “Yes” to every chocolate pudding or lollies that would come my way. Although I had discovered that eating sugar had started to overpower me. I would find it so hard to say “No” and would give into eating even if I was full. It was physically, emotionally and mentally making me tired and sick. But I didn’t know what to do or how to change.  I wanted God to take over and not for me to continue to hurt myself. I wanted to start treating my body like a temple of God. Because that’s what my body is and I was physical abusing it by stuffing myself. I would then get so mad at myself for eating too much and give myself big long lectures.. ahaha.. But now I have learnt that it’s ok, and when you start hurting yourself for something bad you ate then.. well.. You’re doing it wrong!!

So I’ve decided to live a healthy lifestyle. And do it God’s way! I had to learn not to be obsessed with my body or what I ate. And to not beat myself up if I ate something that was, well… ‘Naughty’ (sugary/fatty food). To love my body and who God made me to be, because this healthy lifestyle (diet) would just not last long! As I’ve said, I tried and failed!!! If you want more on this topic, check out my ‘Being Healthy Not Skinny’ post where I go into more detail!

All in all this is a new journey for me, so I might post more on this topic now and then. It's something I want to keep doing and I know I'm still learning!

God Bless!!

Sara-Jayne <3

P.S. This is only a snippet of my experience and what I am currently doing. I don’t use the word diet at all as a diet has an expiry date, where a lifestyle is forever!!