Organic Cosmetics Review: Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask

Today I want to show you another great skin care product I can't live without anymore: The Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask. Fridays are usually my "spa days" at home, where I just try to unwind, and restore my hard working body. Mani, pedi, a hot bubble bath... you name it.

So I was very happy I've got the chance to test the "Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask". I have known Valentia for a while now. If you are looking for a brand that believes in the power of nature and therefore treats nature with the utmost respect and care, THIS is the brand to go for. Inside every Valentia product you will find ingredients that are organic, natural, toxin- and paraben­-free, made using sustainable energy, vegan friendly, animal cruelty free, and made in the USA. Isn't that amazing?

   

   

Valentia's Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask is unlike any ordinary skin cleansing mask you might have been using up until now. It is a powerful antioxidant, and rich in natural ingredients that help repair your skin and to remove excess oils and dirt to keep your skin stronger, firmer and healthier.

Let's take a closer look at these natural ingredients and how they work on your skin:

CLEANSES & EXFOLIATES: Kaolin Clay works in this mask to effectively draw out impurities caused by the environment, leaving skin clean, clear, and smooth. 

POWERFUL NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Hibiscus & Cranberry fibers, Spirulina and Astaxanthin have all been chosen exclusively for Valentia Detoxifying Clay Mask because they increase collagen production, anti-aging properties, reduce free radicals and restore skin elastic for a tighter and smoother appearance. 

YOUNG & HEALTHY GLOW: CoQ10 is a key ingredient that reduces the appearance of wrinkles by stimulating collagen productions to reduce free radicals that can cause premature signs of aging. Smoothes out an uneven skin tone with astaxanthin, which is known to restore skin's natural elasticity so your skin looks and feels healthy. 

REDUCE SIGNS OF AGING: One of the main ways in which free radicals damage skin and cause premature aging is by attacking the skin and leaving it weak and loose. Valentia Detoxifying Clay Mask reverses that damage so the skin is firm and strong, leaving you looking stronger and healthier. 

SPA AT HOME: Pamper your skin with an expensive spa treatment right at home. Apply the clay mask and leave on for less than 15-20 minutes, grab your warm water and towel and wash gently off. Get the same deep cleanse and skin exfoliation the spa offers for less money and in the comfort of your home.

Overall the "Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask" is an awesome product I have NO shame talking you into buying. From scent, over texture and results, this is, hands down, my new go to face mask! You can order it here: Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask

And now for the obvious disclaimer: "I received these products complimentary from Valentia for testing purposes."

Yep. Free stuff for me to try and then review... because I'm Batman.

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Expat Problems: Getting Used To New Food

I am in the USA for almost 2 months now. It's been great living here so far. The weather in southern Arkansas is been wonderful, I enjoy spending time outside.

I do have a major problem over here though: The food. I've had 2 really bad allergy outbreaks already. I would show you guys a picture of my hand, but since I plan on talking food in this post, I'll postpone it.

The food market in Europe is way different than it is over here. Additives, GMO, colors, sugars... Most things you find in "food" in the USA are prohibited by law in the EU. 

I read labels at the grocery store, and I'm honestly shocked!! It reads like a label of a chemistry set, and it sounds nothing like something I would EAT! It's really sad, but now I do understand why my body reacts to all this poisoning stuff. If a loaf of bread is advertised being "sugar free", I don't even want to know what's inside all the other bags on the aisle. 

I can cook! I love to cook! But even ingredients you would NEVER EVER GUESS having any additives, are loaded with them. So my shopping trips to the grocery store will take a whole lot of time from now on. Reading labels is very time consuming.

I'm glad I'm used to cook from scratch. So I buy mostly fresh food, and rock the kitchen! I do need some ideas though, cause coming up with new recipes every day is challenging.

Luckily I was stumbling across a great website most recently. It's called "fitsme"! 

Fitsme provides users with the ability to browse recipe and food dishes that are tailored to fit the individuals' dietary preferences. Users are also able to auto-generate meal plans or build meal plans by hand. Our use of persistent preferences and a thumbs up, thumbs down system allows us to learn over time about the each user's cooking and purchasing habits. This, in conjunction with an intricate ingredient relationship database, gives us a competitive advantage in the food tech market. We analyze every ingredient in every recipe and adapt our intuitive Pinterest-like interface to show only dishes that fit your tastes and dietary needs.

 The interface is really user friendly! I just took this screenshot for you:

I know some of my friends are living a Vegan or Paleo lifestyle. You guys might want to check out this website, and see if it has some new yummy recipes? 

Let me know what you think!

 

Healthy Recipe Linkup // Easiest Pasta Recipe EVER!

Happy Monday!

I am linking up with a couple of awesome ladies today. We want to share our favorite healthy recipes!
Since this is one of my all time favorites, easy as heck, and pinned on Pinterest a lot, I will repost my "Easiest Pasta Recipe EVER!"!

Enjoy!

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Fried Green Tomatoes

Ingredients

2-3	green Tomatoes
1 Tbsp	Dijon-Mustard
1 Tsp	Sugar
1/2 Tsp	Salt
1/4 Tsp	Paprika
1 pinch	Cayenne pepper
1 1/2 Tsp	Worcester sauce
1/2 cup	Cornmeal
4 Tbsp	Vegetable oil

Directions

1. Slice tomatoes 1/2 inch thick. 
2. Scoop flour onto a plate. Whisk all other ingredients (except the vegetable oil) together in a medium-size bowl. Dredge the tomatoes in corn meal, then dip the tomatoes into this mixture, then dredge in the cornmeal again, to completely coat.
3. In a large skillet, pour vegetable oil (enough so that there is 1/2 inch of oil in the pan) and heat over a medium heat. Place tomatoes into the frying pan. When the tomatoes are browned, flip and fry them on the other side. Drain them on paper towels.

The very best way to buy your veggies! // A trip to the farm

Last weekend my sister and nephew took me to a local farm, where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. It was really awesome! Even though it's October and pretty much fall over here in Germany, there was still a lot to pick. On the left picture above you can see what I got. It's awesome: you go there, grab a knife and basket and/or wheelbarrow, and off to the fields you go, harvesting!

On Saturday I made fried green tomatoes right away. Yummy!! I will share my vegan recipe on here soon!

Here go some more impressions from our trip to the farm:

One thing is for sure and already discussed with M: As soon as we have a house with a nice and bigger backyard, Miss Anni will have some chicken and a garden! 

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My newest Challenge: Living vegan

Sometimes it feels as if my body is constantly trying to make me feel miserable.  And I am really sick of it.
I quit smoking 101 days ago. 
I'm on a healthy workout schedule, even though the freaking herniated discs were and still are a major setback. 
But somehow, no matter what, some shit happens.
I had a big check up at my doc about 3 weeks ago, because I had some health issues, especially being very, very, very, tired throughout the day. The test results came back, and long story short: I had to go on a vegan diet right away. I have a bowel inflammation which could become a chronically if I don't take any action. Both my cholesterol levels (the good and the bad) were HIGH! I'm just glad my food journal showed the doctor that I am far from eating crap 24/7. 
So - I am on this vegan diet now for about 2 weeks. If it would have been ME choosing this lifestyle, I would be ok with it. But no. My body decided.  I LOVE cheese. I LOVE fish. I LOVE beef. I LOVE chicken! Yoghurt!!!! Cake!! Ice cream... :o( I have to stop now.
I bet you can tell, the first few days were really tough. I had to clean out my fridge and pantry and was left with kinda nothing. I had to start doing research, finding recipes (THANK GOD FOR PINTEREST!!), trying them, liking some, disliking some. Trial and error. Geez, somehow some part of an animal is in every freaking thing you can buy at the grocery store! 
So where are my fellow vegan bloggers? Please stand up and help this lady walking through the valley of the shadow of death!
Tonight I will make Pasta + Zucchini + Mint + Cashew Ricotta Sauce + Almond Parmesan. Fingers crossed!
Yes, I accept this challenge! And guess what, it starts to be a whole lot of fun :o)

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Easiest Pasta Recipe Ever! // Printable!

I linked up here:

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Cooking - the way I do it! // *CREAMY SWEET CORN COCONUT SOUP*

Cut the onion, potato, and bell pepper into pieces

In a large pot, heat up 3tbs of oil and roast curry powder and pepper in it. (YUMMY SMELL!!)

Add onions

Add potato and bell pepper.... Let it roast for a while!

Add sweet corn and let it roast a little longer

Add the vegetable stock and let it all cook

GINGER!!!

Add coconut milk and spices.... Let it cook, let it cook, let it cook.... (about 30 mins)

Use your immersion blende to make it creamy!

Serve it!