health – Stylishly Zen

5 Ways To Up Your Self Care Game As We Step Into Spring

Published on March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Congratulations for making it thru winter! It is FINALLY spring! While summer remains my favourite time of the year, I love spring and the way that the world seems to come alive again. This year my focus is on self care, and the beginning of spring is the perfect time to elevate my self care game. Here are 5 ways that I am elevating my self care routine this spring

Go For A Massage

Now this may seem like a standard self care proclamation but the truth is that I (like many) have spent the last few months cooped up indoors, hunched over a screen. A massage is a great way to release tension in your body, work open some knots, relax after a long and old winter and detox your body. My plan is to treat myself to a 90 minute deep tissue massage to really release any knots that my body is currently holding onto, I can’t wait!

Move

I have tried to keep up with my workouts but if I am being honest I have been taking it very easy these past few months. I don’t feel like myself and my pants are definitely a bit tighter then normal. Spring is a great time to find a new workout or even just get outdoors and go for a walk. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Try a New Recipe

Spring is the perfect time to start introducing lighter fare to your plate. After spending the colder months enjoying hearty stews and warming meals, fresh lighter foods are probably just what your body is craving now that the weather is getting warmer. Fresh fruit, lighter salads and grilled proteins are all great additions to your plate.

Do a Bit of Spring Cleaning

When people think of self care, images of bubble baths and candles are the first things that come to most peoples minds but cleaning is an undervalued form of self care Cleaning out some clutter or just tidying up a bit actually does wonders for one’s mind. It helps to put you in a fresh mindset and allows you to think a bit more clearly.

Get Back Into A Routine That You Have Been Putting Off

As many of you are aware, I started my own beauty tool business a few months ago. I custom designed my own gua sha (you can purchase yours here at http://www.reiynbeauty.com). I am incredibly proud of the product that I designed and I try to use it often myself, but some days my exhaustion gets the better of me and I curl up on the couch in lieu of completing my skin care routine. Now is a great time to re-evaluate your own routine, are there parts of it that you have been skipping or rushing thru?

How are you feeling about the new season? What are you planning on doing to step up your routine as we move into Spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today? I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Five Faves

Published on September 3, 2019September 2, 2019 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Happy September Everyone!

I cannot believe that the summer is over! Truth be told though, I have every intention of keeping the warm weather attitude alive as long as I can. So that means, that while I will soon be bundled up in boots and coats and cozy cardigans, the happy light weight attitude of summer will remain for as long as I am able to hold on to it. How are you celebrating the new season (yes I realize that the calendar still gives us a couple of weeks until this actually happens – work with a girl please!)? Let me know in the comments below!

Here are five things that I am currently loving:

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It’s nothing new, but I am seriously loving the pairing of sporty clothing with something more sexy. I am especially into outfits like this one that pairs basic sweatshirts with a cute mini skirt and some fabulous heels. Until I need to seriously cover up and put on some boots I will happily be rocking this trend.

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I am currently on vacation in Madrid where I recently tried this dish – sautéed shrimp with mango and avocado and it was delicious! It is so good and simple to make that I will be recreating it once I get back to Montreal in an effort to keep the summer spark alive!

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I am completely hooked on Money Heist aka La Casa de Papel. I found the first couple of episodes a little challenging to get into, but ever since I am a woman obsessed. I am currently watching season three for the second time and I cannot wait until season four drops (any ideas on when that will be???). If you are looking for a phenomenal show on Netflix to watch (and you are okay with Subtitles unless you are fluent in Spanish), Money Heist is worthwhile checking out.

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Fall is the season for leather, and while I will happily be incorporating a bit of leather into my outfits I am especially loving the idea of accenting my home with it. This chair in particular matched with a jute rug has me on the hunt for a similar version. Love, love, love!

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I came across this on Instagram today felt the need to share. I loved this post because it reminded me that I do have control over somethings, and that I owe it to myself to put effort into them in order to show up as my best self. Therefore, once I am back from vacation I will be putting in the effort in all of these areas of my life in order to be the best version of myself, I owe myself that much as do you!

Thank you for tuning into todays post and I hope that you have a fabulous day! XXS

photo credit: @mrsrodial, @soreiya, http://www.fotograma.com, @happilygreyhome, @thelawofattraction

Five Faves

Published on July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 by soreiyaLeave a comment

It’s hard to believe that we are half way thru 2019, but I am so happy to finally enjoy my favourite season of the year. I absolutely LOVE the summer season, and while lately I feel like time is just moving too quickly, my goal for this summer is to take some time to slow down, just breathe and enjoy the things that make me happy as often as possible. Here are five things that are currently making me very happy:

This watermelon and halloumi salad is a summer staple in my diet during the warmer months. While watermelon and feta seems so be a little more common, I love the salty bite that halloumi adds to the mix.

E70A11C1-F74D-4781-833B-36C7B9D5B46F I love to enjoy a chilled drink on the balcony when the weather is warm and sunny. My two favourites being an april spritz or a glass of rose. Le Pive was recommended to me a few years ago when I was on the hunt for a good but not too expensive rose and it has been one of my favourites ever since. This year, I am loving it even more as it is now certified organic. Clean, fresh and not overly sweet, Le Pive is the perfect wine to sit back and relax with during the warmer months.

A15506F9-3DF5-41B0-A4A0-631CB82FE79C I have not yet read the book but I got hooked on Big Little Lies last year. Despite the fact that it was produced as a limited series, it is back for a second season and it is sooooo good! Just when I thought that the cast couldn’t get any better, they add Meryl Streep to the mix and as always she is fabulous! If you have yet to watch Big Little Lies, there is no time like the present. It is the perfect excuse to head indoors and enjoy a bit of air conditioning while you get lost in the lives of the Monterey Five. B5DEF063-20CF-4BB4-BB62-EEB6757C1A20 If you have not yet watched Brene Brown’s Netflix special A Call to Courage you are missing out. Motivating and insightful, it is a must watch. I am currently reading her latest book Dare to Lead which carries on the message that we need to learn how (and when) to be vulnerable and how to successfully work with and lead others. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in self improvement, impactful leadership and collaboration.

CE3FDA9C-45BE-477F-8C67-27235E02FBA4 I hate wearing socks and closed toe shoes, so as soon as the weather starts to warm up I happily pull out all of my sandals. While normally I alternate between high heels and leather flats, lately all I seem to want to wear are my Brikenstocks. They are comfy, cute and they go with many outfits (or so that’s what I have been telling myself). It may even be time to invest in a new pair! While the new Birkenstock Valentino version is not in my budget, I plan to admire them from afar as I add a new pair to my shoe collection.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today! I would love to hear what you are currently loving this month – let me know in the comments section!

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Big Little Lies photo credit http://www.hbo.com, Birkenstock photo credit http://www.birkenstock.com

Beautifully Zen -Volition Tumeric Brightening Polish Review

Published on January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 by soreiyaLeave a comment

There are a few things in life that I could honestly say that I am obsessed with:

Travel? Check!

Food? Double Check!

Interior Design and Architecture? Absolutely!

Turmeric? Without a doubt!

Now obviously my turmeric obsession is completely different then all of the others, and I realize that it is a bit of an odd one to have. But the truth is that I have been interested in the benefits of turmeric since I was a child. When I was younger, my mum and grandmother introduced me to the idea of exfoliating with a paste that had turmeric in it to help to achieve beautiful, glowing skin. Frankly, I would do it everyday if it didn’t leave my hands and nails a bright yellow hue. Even before I started studying nutrition, I was aware of the benefits of including turmeric in my diet, needless to say turmeric has been a staple in my pantry and on my plate for many years. (You can read about the benefits of turmeric here)

A few months ago, I was wandering the aisles of Sephora when I came across Voliton’s Turmeric Brightening Polish. Despite the fact that I has never heard of the brand or this scrub, I immediately grabbed a bottle and headed to the cashier to pay for my new found discovery.

Having used this scrub periodically over the past few months are here is my honest review:

Volition is a cool beauty company that make products thought up and created by real people just like you and me. If you go to their website, you can vote on beauty ideas suggested by regular people and they develop the product. In my opinion, the idea of creating a turmeric exfoliant is brilliant and had I been aware of such a company, I would have voted for this product myself.

The packaging, like all of Volition’s packaging includes a little introduction and picture of the person that came up with the idea for this product – I love that they get credit for their great ideas! Other then that, the packaging is nothing out of the ordinary but I will say that the rose gold coloured cap on the bottle is pretty.

Fragrance – there is no scent making this product idea for people with sensitivities with highly fragranced products

Texture – this is where I was disappointed. The bottle states that this product is for face and body but the texture is quite grainy. The exfoliants are quite large which I find are better suited to use on the body as it would be too harsh to use as a facial scrub. I like to use it as an extra scrub step when my skin needs a little extra attention and follow it with a good moisturizer.

I really wanted to love this product especially since it contains my favourite all star miracle spice, but unfortunately I can’t honestly say that I do. It is effective as a body scrub but there are many others on the market that work just as well and are less expensive.

Stylishly Zen rating – 2.5/5

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

The Mineral That You May Be Missing In Your Diet

Published on July 9, 2018July 8, 2018 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Lately it feels like everyone is perpetually stressed out. Between multiple obligations, the pressure to be our best selves, poor nutrition and conflicting world views, it’s no wonder that we are more short tempered, bloated and completely exhausted.

One of the first things to fall by the wayside during stressful and challenging times is good nutrition. Whether you are pressed for time or turn to comfort food to ease the pressure the you may be feeling (full disclosure – I am guilty of this on nearly a weekly basis), good nutrition is often viewed as negotiable. The truth is though that good nutrition is what will help you to successfully meet the challenges that you are dealing without sacrificing your health. Even if that just means making an effort to get in a few necessary vitamins and minerals that help to support good health.

One of my favourite minerals is Magnesium. Often referred to as the “anti stress” mineral, Magnesium levels are often low in most people. Medications such as diuretics and antibiotics, stress, poor nutrition due to the standard Western diet including increased intake of caffeine, sugar, alcohol and processed foods, chronic gut problems and soil depletion are all factors that deplete magnesium.

Increasing magnesium in the diet has been shown to help tame headaches, promote regular digestion (especially when you are not eating enough fibre or moving enough) ease menstrual cramps and it helps you to wind down so that you can get some much needed rest. Magnesium has also been shown to help with a myriad of health issues and diseases including (but not limited to) adrenal fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, insulin resistance and sleep issues.

Good sources of magnesium are dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds legumes and whole grains in particular wheat, brown rice and millet. Soil depletion though will affect how much magnesium you are actually getting through your diet so it may be worthwhile to consider supplementation if you feel that you need more magnesium.

The RDA’s for magnesium are 400mg for men and 310mg for women. Glycinate (for relaxation) and citrate (for constipation) are the two most absorbable forms of magnesium supplementation. Another way to increase magnesium in the body is to add epsom salts to your bath.

Overall magnesium is an important yet often underrated mineral that you may want to consider increasing in your diet to help to lower your stress level and improve your overall health.

Please Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified healthcare practitioner.

I hope that you have a fabulous day! XXS❤️