healthy living – 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

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❤️

My Top 4 Winter Beauty Boosters

Published on December 14, 2017December 13, 2017 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Winter weather can cause a myriad of beauty woes. Even the most well intentioned beauty aficionado can get caught easily with hat head, static cling and parched skin. While updating your beauty routine for the cold weather is a necessity in many parts of the world, you may also want to consider adding in a few nutritional beauty busters to help maintain your glow all year long. As I have mentioned (many times) before, I love to eat for skin health. Here are a few of the food that I reach for when the temperature drops:

Miso

Beauty and good health begin in the belly and miso is a perfect winter warming food. Made from soy beans, this fermented food is very popular for it’s many benefits. Miso has been consumed for centuries in Japan and China and many regard it as the secret to the luminous skin that many Japanese women are known for. It is jam packed with antioxidants that help to address the signs of aging and bacteria (the good kind) which helps to balance the gut flora. Packed with antioxidants such as isoflavones helps to address the signs of aging and contains beneficial bacteria that helps to balance the gut and in turn aids in keeping the skin clear. Miso is alkalizing for the body and also helps to strengthen the immune system making it the perfect food to indulge in during flu season.

Tips:

Make sure that you use hot but not boiling water when making your own miso soup as you don’t want to kill the good bacteria
In a rush? Enjoy a simple cup of miso soup by creaming a teaspoon of miso in a 1/4 cup of hot water until completely dissolved. Top with 3/4 of hot water and a few drops of chilli oil if you like it spicy and enjoy!

Mushrooms

I love mushrooms so I don’t need an excuse to indulge but, knowing that they are a fabulous beauty booster makes them taste even better. Mushrooms are the only vegetables that make Vitamin D from sunlight which is essential for healthy skin and bones. Vitamin D also helps to regulate the turnover of skin cells which will keep you looking beautiful. Mushrooms are also a source of zinc which is well known as a acne fighting mineral. Mushrooms are a total skin clearing winner in my book!

Tip:

Try showing mushrooms in to stir fries, pastas, curries and anything else you can think of. The subtle earthy flavour will add a new tasty dimension to most dishes

Red Cabbage

Most people reach for Vitamin C during the winter months, especially when they feel a cold going on. While oranges are a great source of it, there are other foods that are rich in Vitamin C as well and red cabbage is definitely on that list.

Red cabbage is said to have twice the amount of Vitamin C then green cabbage making it a smarter vegetable to reach for. Rich in fibre and antioxidants and low in calories, red cabbage is an amazing but underrated vegetable. The collagen boosting properties of Vitamin C will help to keep your skin smooth and clear while red cabbage’s anti-inflammatory properties (the carotenoids) help to fight inflammation based skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

Tip:

Roasted red cabbage is simple to make and seriously delicious. Drizzle thick slices or wedges of red cabbage with olive oil (on both sides), sea salt, pepper and minced garlic and roast for 15 – 20 mins at 450F for an easy vegetable dish

Rosemary

I read a study a few years ago that touted the longevity benefits of rosemary. Since then I frequently reach for this fragrant herb. Naturally astringent and filled chockfull of anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary is a powerhouse in the world of herbs. Helpful in reducing redness and puffiness, rosemary even works to address breakouts due to excess sebum. Rosemary’s ability to help stimulate the body’s circulation make it a great warming herb that helps you to achieve beautiful glowing skin.

Rosemary’s scent is said to help improve one’s mood, enhance brain function and boost energy – perfect for jump starting those sluggish winter days. Many people swear by rosemary oil – applying it topically is said to help with indigestion and mental disorders.

Tip:

Not sure what to cook with rosemary? Try a simple rosemary tea, simply steep a sprig or two of rosemary in hot water for 5 mins. Remove sprigs and add honey to taste, and sip your way to a glowing complexion!

I hope that you have a beautiful winter season! XXS

5 Reasons Why You Should Switch to Matcha

Published on October 12, 2017October 11, 2017 by soreiya2 Comments

Many people reach for coffee when they wake up hoping that a cup of the hot brew will perk them up for the day ahead. As coffee has gotten a bad rep over the past few years, some people have switched to tea. With it’s lower levels of caffeine and multiple health benefits tea seems like the perfect alternative (albeit without the huge caffeine boost that coffee offers). So what if there was another alternative that gives you a nice boost of energy and alertness but without the crash and it is was really really good for you, would you believe me? In case you haven’t tried it before, let me introduce you to matcha.

Matcha is the highest quality powdered green tea available. It’s made from nutrient rich, young leaves picked from the tips of the camellia sinuses plant that have been shaded. Once they are picked, the leaves are steamed and de-stemmed then stone ground into a fine powder. It is important to store matcha properly and away from sunlight and oxygen in order to preserve matcha’s bright green colour and antioxidant properties.

Here are my top 5 reason’s to reach for matcha on a regular basis:

Enhances A Calmer State of Mind – matcha is commonly used as a means to calm the mind, relax and meditate while remaining alert
Boosts Memory and Concentration – this is a side effect of the L-Theanine in matcha. L-Theanine helps to boost the production of serotonin and dopamine within the body. Both of these neurotransmitters can help to improve your memory, promote better concentration and boost your mood.
Detoxify The Body – Matcha is very high in chlorophyll which is a natural detoxifier. Chlorophyll is great for removing heavy metals and toxins from the body.
Weight Loss – many people reach for the matcha in the hopes that it will help them to shed unwanted pounds. While matcha can help boost weight loss, while on a healthy weight loss program it is not a magic cure all. Matcha has a high concentration of EGCG, which has shown to increase the rate of buying stored fat within the body as energy, it also helps to decrease the formation of new fat cells, and increase the body’s rate of calorie and fat burning especially while exercising.
High in Antioxidants – this is my favourite reason to reach for matcha. Matcha contains 5X as many antioxidants as any other food. The antioxidants help to reduce inflammation within the body, support skin health and reduce free radicals that accelerate skin aging.

When purchasing matcha powder, be sure to purchase organic as high concentrations of lead and fluoride have been found in non-organic matcha. Also make sure that it has been sealed and stored properly, in order to maximize the benefits of this fabulous green drink.

After a quick internet search, I learnt that everyone has their own favourite way to make matcha. Some like to keep it traditional, while others like to get fancy and include it in smoothies and lattes. Personally, I like to keep it simple but I also like to enhance it a little bit. I don’t use the traditional method, but I enjoy it and wanted to share it with you.

Soreiya’s Morning Matcha (1 Serving)

1 tsp of organic matcha

1 scoop of organic collagen powder

pinch of cinnamon

Hot water

Traditional bamboo whisk + bowl

It’s important not to use boiling hot water as this can cause the leaves to burn, so I normally boil the water and wait 5 – 10 minutes for it to cool.

Combine the matcha, collagen powder and cinnamon in the bowl and use the whisk to combine them and break any lumps that may be in the powder (the texture should be smooth and even)

Add 2oz of hot water

Whisk the tea using a zig zag whisking motion until the tea is frothy

Either enjoy drinking the tea straight from the bowl or pour into a cup and drink

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

Published on August 31, 2017August 30, 2017 by soreiya2 Comments

I realize that summer 2017 is coming to an end, but I am planning to enjoy every day that we have left. Lemonade is a summer favourite for most people and there is a cool coffee shop in my neighbourhood that makes the best honey ginger lemonade. Unfortunately, treating myself to a glass often can get pretty pricey so I have been making my version of this delicious beverage at home to enjoy on a regular basis. The other day I had some leftover pineapple in my fridge so I decided to make a variation of my summertime favourite beverage. A quick Google search taught me that I was not completely original in my thinking, as it turns out that pineapple ginger lemonade is a popular Indian beverage but I am quite fond of my variation so I still wanted to share it with all of you.

This recipe is super simple and is very easy to tailor to your own taste. Naturally sweetened with raw honey it also has some great health benefits (you can learn more about the benefits of raw honey here). Overall this recipe is refreshing and great if you are suffering with a summer cold as the ginger, lemon and honey will help you on the road to recovery.

Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

Makes 4 cups

1 inch piece of peeled ginger

2 lemons + more for garnishing

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks

1 1/2 tablespoon raw honey

3 cups water

Directions:

Juice the 2 lemons and pour into a high speed blender
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high speed until completely blended
Strain (optional – I prefer to not to)
Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until cool
Pour into glasses (add ice if needed) and enjoy!

I hope that you have a wonderful day! XXS