Kick Salmon Up A Notch

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Salmon is one of those rare foods that’s delicious and healthy. Let’s face it those foods are few and far between. Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality proteins, vitamins and minerals but most importantly it’s loaded with omega-3’s. Despite its naturally great taste, sometimes it can get a little boring, especially if you are trying to work it into your diet on a more regular basis. These salmon toppers below will have you wanting salmon every night of the week!

Horseradish Cream Sauce (makes sauce for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. white horseradish
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
  • juice from 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 cup toasted Panko breadcrumbs

Whisk all the ingredients together, minus the breadcrumbs and refrigerate. After salmon is done cooking, spread sauce over the top. Then top with toasted breadcrumbs.

Honey and Lime Glaze (makes topping for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 6 tbsp. raw honey
  • zest of 1 lime
  • juice from one lime
  • 2 tbsp. Sriracha
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tbsp. freshly grated garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. cracked red pepper
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch

In a small pot, whisk together all the ingredients. Wait for the cornstarch to dissolve. Whisk your glaze over medium heat until it begins to thicken. Pour over your salmon immediately after it comes off the grill or out of the oven.

Mango Salsa ( makes topping for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 1 large mango, pitted and finely diced
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced red onion
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced jalapeno
  • 3 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. of fresh cilantro diced
  • 1/4 cup diced avocado, peeled and pitted

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let it set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Then top your salmon fillets with the salsa. This is also great for fish and shrimp tacos.

Emotional Wellbeing

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Maybe you didn’t stick with your New Year’s Resolution or perhaps gave up chocolate for Lent then ate a whole bowl of Hershey Kisses. Okay that may or may not have been me. It’s fine. It’s spring, a time to start anew. Known as the season of rejuvenation and regrowth, however, I always think of it as a time for new beginnings and experiences. The abundance of lush greenery and active wildlife only match the beautiful weather we start to see. If you live in colder environments like me, you can definitely feel the switching of seasons. Sometimes you hear people say they live somewhere because they like “the seasons” and it sounds corny, but it’s true. I could probably do with a few months less of winter, but it’s a pretty amazing thing to see and feel the changes. If it wasn’t for the cold, dreary months, however, my appreciation of spring might not be as high. Once you learn to appreciate what surrounds you, big and small; you become grateful for everything.

As I write this, I have every window open in my house. It’s only 41 degrees out, and I have a hoodie on, but it feels like a perfect day. The sun is beaming through, and I can hear the birds chatting away. I often wonder what they talk about; they’re probably excited that spring is here too. It can be easy to take things for granted, even something as simple as the sun. We all know what it feels like to go a few cloudy days in a row. You aren’t as happy; it’s something about when it’s sunny that makes us smile and feel better. A lot of experts now believe Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is linked more to lack of sunlight than the temperature dropping. The sun is proving to make you emotionally happier; this is why it’s so important just to get outside. With a lot of our jobs, we’re indoors with artificial lighting, recycled air and sometimes just dirty conditions. Get some fresh air. Spend your breaks outside. On the weekends get out of the malls and off the couch and in the presence of nature.

I went for a walk through this gorgeous park last weekend, and it was incredible. I was covered in mud and walked into a couple of branches but was worth all of it. I saw natural rock foundations that would rival the work of Picasso. I heard beautiful melodies from water running off enchanting waterfalls, the types of sounds they sell on CD to help you relax. Save your money and experience it firsthand. It’s important to get outside and immerse yourself in nature.

You may think you can’t appreciate the seasonal changes if you live in a warm climate but you’re wrong. No matter where you live there’s so much to admire. Florida’s weather is pretty amazing year-round but, it gets even better in the spring. Not only do different flowers and animals come about but farmers go to work. A lot of their fruit and vegetable crops start mass producing this time of year. They supply delicious food to the whole country. A simple little change in the season enables them to provide nourishment to millions of people every day. Think about how amazing that is.

Spring is a time to encompass all things new. They’re new challenges, new journeys, and new growth. Enjoy it all and reflect on the changes and appreciate them. There is so much to experience out there that we often take for granted. Once you realize this, it’s a humbling feeling. Leave the last few months behind and don’t think about what we messed up on or what we didn’t accomplish. Instead, use this opportunity to get excited. It’s about new beginnings and embracing all the beautiful changes that surround us.

Stop Using Expired Makeup

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When talking about spring cleaning we usually think about cleaning out our cars and straightening our closets. How so much stuff ends up in the back of it, I’ll never understand. There’s a lot of things to focus on washing and organizing but, this is also the perfect opportunity to clean out your makeup bag. This is often overlooked and sometimes never done but, it’s essential to our health. We, women, like to hoard makeup. Let’s face it, we send away for every free sample, grab add-on gifts and use coupons on items we probably won’t use just because we have a coupon. We are also always trying to keep up with the latest trends and products. This leaves us with a plethora of makeup. It’s crucial to know that just like food, makeup can go bad and does expire.

It’s not that the color isn’t as vibrant as it once was or the coverage isn’t as good; it’s a much more severe issue. Expired make can cause an array of skin and health problems. Sheena Joslin is an Aesthetician and Nail Technician at ESSENTIALS MEDISPA, she stresses the importance of throwing away expired makeup. She says using expired makeup can lead to problems such as, skin irritation, eye infections, pink eye, staph infection, fungi infections, clogged pores, acne breakouts and can even cause you to lose eyelashes. Yikes! So how do we know when these products expire? Sheena says makeup products have an expiration date usually on the back bottom corner of the product. “you will find a picture of a small jar with a number inside of it, that number is how many months you have until it expires once the product has been opened.” Below are general timelines of when makeup generally expires, natural products may be less time because they use little to no preservatives.

  • Powdered shadows, blushes, and bronzers- 2years.
  • Cream shadows and blushes-12 months.
  • Oil-free foundation-18months.
  • Concealer-12-18 months.
  • Lipstick and liners-1year. (Unless you notice an odor sooner)
  • Lip gloss-18-24 months.
  • Liquid and gel eyeliner- 3months.
  • Mascara-3 months.

Aside from following this timeline another option Sheena notes is trying makeup that includes antimicrobial ingredients. They’re ingredients that protect against the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi. And viruses. “Keeping an eye out for these products are always a plus.” It’s also very beneficial to keep your makeup clean. Sheena says shadows and powders can be wiped down with a tissue after each use to remove the last layer that was used. Lip liners and eyeliner pencils can be sharpened to remove the previously used product. It’s also important to keep your makeup in a cool, dry place. Also, keep the makeup bag itself clean or replace it when you can no longer clean it. This will help prevent your hands from getting dirty before you are about to touch your face and eyes. Maybe you’ve been using expired makeup and didn’t realize it or dirty brushes. It would be a great idea to get a facial and get a deep cleanse to get any unwanted bacteria that may be there out.

Next time you get excited because you found your favorite lip gloss you haven’t seen in forever, check the date. Spending another ten dollars or trying a new shade is a lot better than ending up with a possible infection or an skin irritation. Your makeup’s status shouldn’t be overlooked. Keep your face and makeup clean with these helpful tips from ESSENTIALS.

Blueberry Peach Basil Salad

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Welcome spring with this healthy and fresh salad that’s bursting with flavor. In the beginning spring months, we start to see new plants and flowers pop out of the ground. Flordia has great weather year-round, creating a long and bountiful planting season. Spring, however, is when their crops begin to shine. It’s a beautiful season because it’s a time of regrowth. Embrace it. This salad encompasses all things spring. The fresh herbs and juicy fruit make this unique dish a crowd pleaser. Make one big salad for your family or set up individualized ones in mason jars so that you can see the vibrantly colored layers. They say we eat with our eyes first; well enjoy. The colors and textures of this salad will leave your mouth watering.

This recipe makes four individual salads.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. sweet basil
  • 1 cup of blueberries
  • 4 peaches ( cut into pieces)
  • 1 cup of crumbled goat cheese
  • 4 tbsp. chopped cashews

Layer everything in mason jar and make your dressing.

Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly grated garlic
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced red onion

Whisk together pour over your salads.

Creative Ways To Organize Your Beauty Clutter

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It can be daunting when you think about the number of beauty products that are out there and let’s face it we own most of them. Whether you’re working with a small space or just have too much stuff, try these cute organizational ideas. They will not only help you declutter but save you much-needed space.

MAGNETIC MAKEUP BOARD
These are awesome. They can hold a lot of items and don’t take up much space. All you need is a frame without the glass. Personalize it however you want. Paint the frame and add some bling, make it your own. Then a buy a piece of sheet metal from a home improvement store and have them cut it to fit your frame. You can also put fabric over it to give it a beautiful background or use it how it is. I love the industrial look. Next glue magnetics to the back of your makeup items. Then stick them on! You can also magnetize small baskets to hold larger items like pallets and makeup brushes.

OVER THE DOOR SHOE ORGANIZER
I have used this trick in every apartment I have ever lived. You can never have enough storage. Free up some room with this neat idea. Forget shoes, most of our heels don’t fit in those things anyway. Place hair products, perfumes, lotions, brushes and styling tools in individual slots. Everything will be easy to identify and grab quickly. Also, your cords won’t be all tangled (I hate that). These are affordable and hold so much stuff.

TIERED CAKE STAND
Find a cheap tiered cake holder. Garage sales and consignment stores are good places to look. Decorate it. Then keep all your daily beauty ritual items in one convenient spot that doesn’t appear messy. You can separate things by the tiers. Some even rotate. A perfect way organize your essentials while keeping them nearby.

BRUSH HOLDER
Get some cheap clear vases or use mason jars. Fill them halfway with vase fillers. They have everything from pretty gems to seashells. Make it your own or match them to your bathroom. Then stick your brushes in. The filler will enable them to sit upright. This is a great idea for not only storage but, essential for the health of your brush. It will protect the bristles and help keep them clean.

PALLET HOLDER
Since contouring became a thing, we have loved our pallets. Now there are ones for our brows, eyes, and lips too. Organize them. Get yourself a letter holder. There are a lot of cute ones out there or find one second-hand and jazz it up. The individual slots work great for separating your pallets and leave them easy to identify.

Cucumber Crush Cocktail

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Spring is around the corner. It’s a time for renewal and regrowth. The weather breaks and landscapes change. We see beautiful flowers and hear melodious songs from birds. We begin to find ourselves and our neighbors outside more. It’s a time to not only enjoy this refreshing change in weather but refreshing cocktails as well. There are a lot of amazing drinks that mysteriously disappear during those winter months but make their comeback now. This cucumber cocktail is one of them. Delicious all year round but perfect for this time of year. It embodies all things spring, even the colors.

cucumber crush

  • 1 ½ oz. Skinny Girl Cucumber Vodka
  • 3 oz. Prosecco
  • 1 oz. simple syrup (make with truvia to save calories)
  • 1 tbsp. of seedless cucumber, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup raspberries
  • Juice from half a lime (save the other half for garnishing)

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the chopped cucumber with the lime juice. Add the vodka, simple syrup and a few ice cubes, and shake away. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with lime wedges and mint leaves. Cheers to spring!

Get Your Daily Dose Of Vitamin C With Image’s Vital C

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Vitamin C is great for your overall health. Your body needs it to form blood vessels, muscle and collagen in bones. It’s also vital to your skin’s health. When we think about vitamin C we often picture bright, juicy oranges. Oranges are loaded with it, but you aren’t going to go rub orange slices on your face. Vitamin C can be applied to your skin through: serums, oils and lotions. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells against the effects of free radicals. It can help with anti-aging by increasing collagen synthesis, stabilizing collagen fibers, and decreasing collagen dehydration, according to an article in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

Hydrate and rejuvenate your skin while protecting it from future damage with Image’s Vital C collection. It’s an amazing line of Vitamin C packed products that helps prevent and treat aging, while leaving your skin looking beautiful and smelling like a sweet orange. After using these products your skin will thank you. The Vital C line comes in an array of products and even a trial kit to see if you’ll like it ( spoiler alert, you will). The kit includes Vital C hydrating facial cleanser, hydrating anti-aging serum, hydrating repair crème, hydrating enzyme masque and a prevention + hydrating moisturizer with SPF 30+. I know I have mentioned in the past about how much I love the prevention and hydrating moisturizer, because it’s amazing, but the whole line is incredible. All these products used together will change your skin’s life.

The facial cleanser is gentle but cleans deep while hydrating. Use it in the morning and before bed. The anti-aging serum is ideal for applying in the morning onto your clean skin. It immediately nourishes. It will also instantly lighten and tighten troubled spots. Follow it up with the Prevention and Hydration Moisturizer. It’s a long lasting lotion, great for all skin types with SPF 30+ built in to prevent future damage. Before bed use the cleanser again, follow it up every other day with the Hydration Masque. The masque exfoliates dead skin cells and infuses your skin with antioxidants and minerals. Leave it on your face for around 10 – 30 minutes and your skin will be glowing. Then apply the hydrating repair crème. It is a rich moisturizer that is also full of antioxidants and minerals to fight the effects of stress, smoking, fatigue and environmental damages. This is great for not only your face but neck too.

It does not get any better for your skin then this Vital C combo from Image. Try it as a set or pick out the pieces you enjoy most. They also makes a Vital C hydrating eye recovery gel, hydrating hand and body lotion, facial oil, and A C E serum. All these great products are available at the ESSENTIALS Boutique and Imageskincare.com. Call the boutique at ESSENTIALS to learn more or discuss it with one of the experts there next time you are getting a facial. Your skin is your body’s biggest organ. It’s important it stays hydrated and healthy. Vitamin C is very important for it’s health. Keep your skin happy with this amazing Vital C line.

Pack A Lunch Full Of Love

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With Valentine’s Day falling on a Wednesday this year, making plans can be more difficult. Show your love all day by packing your sweetie a lunch full of love. These little heart-shaped pizzas are cute, filling and nutritious. The ingredients are interchangeable and this can easily be a vegetarian dish as well.

Ingredients:

  • One can of Pillsbury pizza crust (thin crust style)
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup of reduced fat mozzarella
  • 1 Roma tomato, cut into small wedges
  • 15 pieces of turkey pepperoni
  • few sprigs of fresh basil
  • heart-shaped cookie cutter (or you can use a knife and your hands to shape)

Directions:

  • Heat oven to 400 F. Line pan with parchment paper.
  • Unroll dough on work surface. Using a metal, heart-shaped cookie cutter, press into dough and cut out heart shaped pieces. Place on lined baking pan.
  • Spread a thin layer of tomato paste across crusts.
  • Top with reduced fat mozzarella, tomato wedges and turkey pepperoni.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes.
  • Top with fresh basil leaves.

Pair with a fresh salad and of course a couple chocolate hearts.

A Romantic Night At Home

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Save money this year and prepare a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at home. Make this amazing dish for a fraction of the price of going out. Light some candles, set the table and get dressed up. Create the atmosphere of a nice restaurant and enjoy a special night with your sweetie at home.

PAN SEARED RIBEYE WITH MERLOT MUSHROOM SAUCE AND POTATO MEDLEY

Steak

Ingredients:

  • 16oz ribeye steak
  • 2 tablespoons of oil for searing
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons of butter

Directions:

  • Place oven-safe skillet in oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush both sides of the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper. When the oven is heated, carefully remove the pan and place on stovetop over medium heat.
  • Place steak in skillet and sear for 2 minutes. Flip meat, place skillet back in the oven for 6-7 minutes.
  • Put skillet back on stovetop over low heat. Flip steak, top with butter and carefully tilt pan while scooping melted butter, to continually coat steak for 3 minutes. Confirm doneness with an instant read thermometer and pull from skillet at 125°F for medium rare.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Top with Merlot Mushroom Sauce.

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons of drippings from pan
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1/4 cup of mushrooms finely diced
  • 1/4 cup shallots finely diced
  • 1/4 cup of a good Merlot (have the rest with dinner!)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh garlic
  • splash of heavy cream

Directions:

  • Saute onions and mushrooms with butter and garlic.
  • Add remaining ingredients.
  • Simmer all the ingredients together for 5 minutes, while your steak is resting.

Potato and Tomato Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1/2 cup purple potatoes (halved)
  • 1/2 cup fingerling potatoes (halved)
  • 1/4 cup diced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss all your ingredients together. Place on pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Heart Shaped Hotcakes

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Medical Weight Loss in Melbourne, FL

Start your Valentine’s Day out full of love with this delicious and healthy breakfast. These coconut flour pancakes are light, fluffy and sweet. The cute shape and colorful berries will showcase your love and get your Valentine’s Day off to the right start.

COCONUT FLOUR HEART-SHAPED PANCAKES

  • 4 eggs, room temperature.
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract.
  • 1 tsp. of stevia.
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour.
  • 1 tsp. baking soda.
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt.
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • raw organic honey for topping
  • fresh fruit for topping
  • Metal heart-shaped cookie cutter

Mix the first 8 ingredients together until you have a nice, smooth batter. Grease your pan and heat. Carefully place your cookie cutter in your pan and pour the batter inside the cookie cutter. After 1-2 minutes, remove the cookie cutter and flip your pancake. Repeat. Drizzle with honey and fresh fruit. These cookie cutters are also great for heart-shaped eggs and toast. Make a complete, heart shaped breakfast for your honey this Valentines Day.