Gypsy Tan.com

Came Monday you might have snuck some leftover Easter eggs to work and shamefully ate them when no one was looking.. But it's Tuesday, time to get your ass back in gear. Easter season is over. Don't get me wrong, I love the Easter Bunny because he is the bearer of all things sweet, delicious, and right with the world. But what he is really doing is... Screwing.Me.Over. I feel like as I should crawl into the rabbit hole with him.

I tried to stay healthy over the wonderful whirlwind of a weekend- I went hiking, drank my green smoothies, made kale chips, cooked healthy meals, ran, and even battled it out on the basketball court with Leif, Dakota, and Koll. But I didn't stand a chance against Moscow Mules (my favorite cocktail) and table after table of homemade sweets. I'm more than ready for a little detox and so I made a variation of my favorite Ginger Lemon Turmeric Cayenne Detox Tea (try to say that 10x's). There's a lot going on in this lovely infusion but this easy to make recipe is a combination of some of the healthiest ingredients known to man. I won't go into too much details but below are the key benefits of each ingredient.

Ginger warms up circulation and metabolism, giving you energy and natural stimulation. It has antibiotic effects and can help digestion, detoxification, infections, inflammation, joint pain, circulation, nausea and motion sickness.

Cayenne contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, manganese, and flavonoids (which give the chili its antioxidant properties). It is super potent and effectively treats fevers, poor circulation, nausea, and other digestive problems.

Turmeric is a very strong antioxidant. This anti-inflammatory, free-radical-fighting antioxidant-rich spice contains an anti-cancer compound called curmumin.

Lemon is a another great detoxifier that naturally cleans your liver and adds a nice dose of food-based vitamin C. Best to drink a glass of lemon water first thing you wake up.

Ginger & Turmeric Detox Tea | yield 2 servings

You'll Need:
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger)
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 lemon, juiced
Raw honey, to taste
2 cups water
Pinch of cayenne powder

Do this:
1. Peel and grate the ginger root
2. Bring water to boil, then add ginger and turmeric. Simmer for 10 minutes. Don't let it boil.
3. Strain tea into a mug, allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
4. Add & stir raw honey (or your choice of sweetener), lemon juice, and pinch of cayenne pepper.

Note: Avoid taking large doses of turmeric & ginger if you have gallstones, bleeding disorders, overly acidic stomach, taking medication that contains blood thinner, or are pregnant or nursing. Turmeric also stains clothes and your hands so handle with care.

This infusion can also be refrigerated for a day. Reheat but do not re-boil.
Drink and Feel Good!

Sabrina xo.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Ginger & Turmeric Healing Detox Tea

Where my Peeps at? These glittery colored, animal-shaped marshmallows have become an Easter Basket staple in the last 61 years. I have the most ridiculous memories of competing with my brother and trying to stuff the whole packet in my mouth. But let's face it, Peeps aren't for eating anymore. It would literally be like eating a ball of sugar. I use them for my flower arrangements and decorating my smoothies instead. Thank you Pinterest for my inspiration. I can party with my Peeps this Easter!

STRAWBERRY BANANA GREEN SMOOTHIE BLAST

serves 1

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 1/2 cup spinach

• 1 cup strawberry

• half a banana

• 1 Tbsp chia seeds

• 2 tsp ground flex seed

• 2 drops of Stevia (or raw honey)

Blend almond milk & spinach. Then add rest of ingredients and blend until smooth.

***The key is cutting the tulips and saving the leafy-stems to fill the vase.

Put a small cup inside the round vase. Decorate around the cup with Peeps and faux "grass".

Fill with water. Then arrange your flowers!

Have a Happy Easter if I don't talk to you before Sunday!

Sabrina xo.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Where My Peeps At?

If you ask Leif what is the one flavor I'm obsessed with he will tell you coconut. I'm not sure if it's my Malaysian island heritage but I love the sweet vanilla-like scent and nutty flavor of coconut. Which is probably what led to my obsession with coconut oil. If you're like me, coconut oil is a panacea, used for everything from cooking eggs to shaving my legs. I've been riding the coconut oil bandwagon for three sweet years now but I am curious if it is truly a food cure-all. Is it really an antidote for everything from poor immune function, thyroid disease, heart disease, to obesity, cancer, and even HIV?

With my Google PhD I proceeded to search.. Every other article I read can convince me in either direction. I honestly can't tell you whether it will help you loose 14.6 lbs, improve your mental focus, or whether you should swish it in your mouth, or rub it between your toes. I'm no expert. You can decide for yourself- just make sure you look for credible sources if you do your own research.

Yes, 92% of its fat is saturated -a bad fat that increases overall cholesterol levels and especially bad cholesterol. Here comes the big... BUT what makes coconut oil unique is that the main saturated fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid which are easier to digest than the long-chain fatty acids in most fats, like butter. There are even some studies that show it is beneficial on our cholesterol level. (source)

Although I found that many ~~trusted~~ wellness experts and talk-show hosts touted coconut oil as a miracle oil with no credible sources. The truth is that there isn’t yet enough scientific evidence to support all of these claims about coconut oil’s potential health benefits. Many health organizations like American Heart Association, United States Food and Drug Administration,World Health Organization (just to name a few) still recommend limiting our total saturated fat intake until further studies are done. (source)

In a coconutshell, coconut oil is not some kind of miracle cure panacea or a green light to go overboard. While there seem to be some promising research, just hold off on taking it by the spoonful or adding a ton to your smoothies. The key is m-o-d-e-r-a-t-i-o-n. It is better for you than butter but not better than olive oil.

Wait, I meant using it as a tanning oil. Not the oil getting a tan. ;)

What about using it as a beauty product?

I didn't find studies on the effectiveness of coconut oil. Although I will continue to use it as my multifunctional beauty product. I can testify that the fatty acids have done wonders for my hair and skin. It's such a cheap and efficient way to keep your beauty regiment on point. I gave up most of store-bought beauty products filled with unknown ingredients and replaced it with coconut oil.

Amazon carries a gargantuan container of cold-pressed, USDA organic extra-virgin coconut oil for only $26-something. I transfer the oil into separate mason jars and place them throughout my home- in my kitchen, by my night stand, in my bathroom, and even have enough to share the love with my girlfriends.

11 Ways I use Coconut Oil:
I can't use it as a face moisturizer or hair de-frizzer for daytime use. It is too oily for my skin-hair type.

1. Makeup Remover: put some on cotton pad & wipe away

2. Massage Oil: warm coconut oil in the microwave and add a few drops of essential oil like vanilla, lavender, or peppermint for a soothing massage mix

3. Moisturizer before bed & out of the shower (head to toe -except my face- I find it a little too oily for day time use)

4. Dry Feet Treatment - I mix with Epsom salt to form a foot scrub.

5. Oil pulling: a new one for me-(not sure if it really does what it's suppose to- but it's not harmful)

6. Overnight Leave-in Hair Moisturizer: I've actually done this since I was 5 years old. My sweet grandma would use to wrap my hair with olive or coconut oil.

7. Body scrub
8. Cooking at High Heat: has high smoke point (better for cooking than olive oil)

9. Baking: to replace Butter
10. Shaving Cream: how to

11. Tanning Oil: natural SPF5
12. Makeup Brush Cleaner: we are suppose to clean our brushes atleast once a month.
Which reminds me...

Are you just as loco for coco? How do you use coconut oil?

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Coconut Oil: The Truth

After a long dark winter, I love the end of the Northwest dreariness when spring arrives in Seattle. Colors start to fill our world again as nature transform herself with brighter days, spring flowers, and a myriad of greens. I especially love the cherry blossom trees that have burst into brilliant shades of pinks.

Spring brings a rejuvenating energy as we anticipate more activities outside. We need to say goodbye to our 'winter coats' before we can fully embrace spring's energy. Think-- margarita in a cup bigger than our face on our favorite happy hour deck. Spring and the rebirth of nature is the ideal season to detox the body according to ancient healing of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda from India. Doing a cleanse gives me an opportunity to rehabilitate myself from the stupid amount of Jameson, comfort foods, and crazy emotions I endured during holidays and Seahawk games! Plus, we gotta slim up to put on that itty-bitty bikini.

Choosing the right cleanse can be overwhelming but don't be discouraged by it. I personally do the Advocare 24-Day Challenge in the spring and in the fall I do a juice cleanse (no fasting, I still eat clean food). The Advocare Challenge is realistic and attainable because it doesn't involve you being on some sort of crazy diet or fast. No fasting for this girl or she gets reaaaal cranky. With this cleanse, I can actually eat 5 (clean) meals and it's a no-brainer with the provided instructions and supplements. I will admit though it does take a bit of planning for meals but the effort you put in is SO worth it. I am not an Advocare distributor, so there's no bull-s-ing here. If you have any questions my Advocare coach (Danny) is very helpful and knows his stuff. My first challenge 2 years ago was the best thing I ever did because it gave me a great jump start to my healthier lifestyle since it promotes clean-eating.

Regardless of how you cleanse, I encourage all of you to clean up your diet over the next couple of weeks as we continue to transition from spring to summer. Choose more dark leafy greens and incorporate lots of lemon in your diet as a natural detoxifier. I promise your body will thank you for it.

Find some springtime energy to inspire you.. go to your local farmer's market and grab one of the hundreds of bountiful bouquets of tulips and daffodils that awaits you at the stands. I found my inspiration by visiting Pike Place Market in Seattle...

Good luck with all of your spring cleansing and drink lots of water!

Stay tune for more wellness tips and healthy recipes.

Spice up your life..

Dakot smelling the lilacs

Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, Washington....

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Spring Rebirth

I have been getting a lot of questions about this blog...this is just a hobby. I am no writer or expert on anything.. and I am not trying to be. I just love expressing myself through fashion and I like to share with you as I continue my journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Hope you all have a great week! Sunshine in the forecast...

-S

Monday, April 7, 2014

OOTD

Your best friend, your mom, your neighbor -- they're all eating hummus. This nutritious Mediterranean dip is our favorite snack for a good reason. What better way to eat your raw veggies than drowning it with this ethereally smooth creamy dip?

But do AVOID those red-rimmed tubs of Sabra hummus that is taking over America's grocery store. Sabra is jointly owned by Israeli food company Strauss Group and Pepsi Co. The Strauss Group openly supports the Israeli Army branch Golani Brigade, who are notorious for human rights violations. We are unknowingly supporting Israelis brutality every time we buy that tub of hummus. Pepsi on the other hand, donated over 1.7 million against GMO labeling! Shame on you Pepsi. Sabra...it will leave a bad taste. Don't do it!

For me making hummus at home is the only way to go, and it's surprisingly easy. You can't trust store bought products as companies will use all kinds of additional additives and ingredients. Yes, unfortunately even most of those "reduced fat" or "natural" labeled products are not truly healthy. A good rule of thumb is to either buy USDA organic or home-make all your favorite everyday foods like oatmeal, dressings, sauces, & dips. It might be a hassle but think when you're old and clear of hospital rooms and bills - the efforts will be well rewarded. Hummus is honestly the easiest snack to make. A few basic ingredients and 3 steps. Gather ingredients, peel chickpeas (optional), toss everything in a blender. Viola!

Warning: You'll be standing in your kitchen over the food processor bowl, licking it off the spatula.

You'll Need: (makes 3 "tubs")
• 2 15oz cans BPA-free, no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• 1/3 cup tahini paste
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3-4 Tbsp water, for consistency
• dash of paprika, olive oil, & parsley for serving

Directions:

1. Peel your chickpeas for the smoothest texture. Honestly, if you don't want to spend that extra 10 minutes, it's ok. Although If you decide not to peel the beans make sure you rinse, rinse, rinse! I found an easy method: (start with a small amount at a time) Soak the chickpeas in a large bowl under running water and use your hands to gently "pop" the naked chickpea out. The skin will float as the chickpeas sink- then use a slotted spatula to discard the skin and separate the already peeled chickpeas. Repeat this process until all the chickpeas are skinned.

2. In this order: first blend the tahini and lemon juice. Then add the garbanzo beans, oil, cumin, salt, garlic, and water. Blend until smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add more water until consistency is to your liking.

3. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the hummus. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley. Serve with pita or veggies. (Also great for sandwich spread).

TIPS:

• Store in small separate airtight containers and refrigerate up to one week. That way it's ready to grab-and-go when you're heading out to work or school. Prep your veggies too!

• You can also microwave the canned chickpeas for a few minutes to soften them up before throwing them in the blender.

• DON'T HAVE TAHINI??? You can leave it out or substitute with peanut/almond/cashew butter.

Sabrina xx

Friday, April 4, 2014

Hummus, say no to Sabra!

I am so excited to announce that.... I'm moving back to Japan next month!! In honor of Japan and its traditional Japanese garment.. I'm rocking my kimono! I love that it has turned into a fashion trend. Wear it on the beach, as a robe, over a tee... There are no rules. This particular flapper-style kimono I picked up from Simply Chic is a great alternative to a cardigan or lightweight jacket perfect for spring. Layer with a over-sized top for daytime wear or a crop-top & heels for a night out with the girls...so fierce.

PS- April Fools! You're stuck with me.. I AM NOT moving.