Morocco Naturals

A few months back (well several at this point) I did an Instagram post asking what natural products people used. I've been trying to transition basically everything I use over to natural products with short ingredient lists that I recognize. Around the same time I started using this body butter and tooth paste from Morocco Naturals.

When it comes to things like skin, hair, and basically any product you put on or in your body, there isn't necessarily an immediate difference or reaction. With food you know how it tastes immediately and how it makes your body feel within a day. So reviewing food is a lot easier and quicker for me, but I really wanted to give these products a try. Sure I could say well the tooth paste has a nice taste and the body butter smells good, the end. But I feel like that's not the whole or even anything more than about 10% of a review of the actual product. So now I have been using both of these for months, and I feel like I can really give you guys a fair assessment. 

I'll start with the tooth paste. I've been using the CinnaClove flavor. Initially just looking at the package I see that it has less than 10 ingredients (all of which I recognize) which is a big thumbs up for me. Once I used the product, my reaction was that it has a nice taste. Obviously I didn't eat it, but you get the idea of tasting it when it's in your mouth. The consistency was definitely different than traditional tooth paste, but it still absolutely got the job done and left my mouth feeling clean and fresh. I went to the dentist earlier this week with no issues, and they didn't know that I had switched to an all natural tooth paste. Overall, I definitely recommend this tooth paste.

Onto the body butter. Ingredient list is again less than 10 recognizable ingredients. Now I should tell you I have had very dry skin my whole life. Dry skin, dry hair the whole shebang. This winter was especially rough. My hands were constantly dry, and the heels of my feet literally split in half. Sorry for the mental image. But IT WAS BAD. This stuff literally came at the perfect time. The consistency is a bit thick, kind of like that of coconut oil but not as greasy. I lathered this on everywhere, and within a few weeks my heels were healed (how about that for a play on words). But really, this was the only thing that could save my skin from the frigid dry winter. As it started to warm up I did start to use it less on my entire arms and legs and more on targeted areas like my feet, knees, elbows, etc. But this stuff is a miracle! If you take anything away from this post, it's that you need this in your life especially if you struggle with dry skin and can't seem to find a solution.

So overall two thumbs up from me on both products! I highly recommend both, and I still use both every day to this day. Definitely go check them out.

 

Pique Tea

I'm a huge tea fan. I pretty much crave iced tea multiple times a day during this time of year, and hot tea is my jam in the winter. So when I came across Pique Tea, it was pretty much a no brainer.

These little packets contain whole leaf tea that has been brewed and crystalized. So you just pour yourself a glass of cold or hot water, open the packet, pour it in, and mix. Voila, delicious tea! It's super easy, and, yes you read that right, it dissolves in cold water too! Plus this tea is organic and sugar free, so it's literally like you just brewed your own great tea without the hassle. 

They carry a variety of teas: Sencha green tea, jasmine green tea, early grey black tea, and mint Sencha green tea (my personal favorite) all of which are organic. Besides the actual tea, they come in easy to carry packets, so they're perfect for when you're on the go. And this is probably absolutely silly to mention, but the box is super pretty for those of you (like myself) who sometimes pick things based on packaging. 

So would I recommend Pique Tea? DUH! There's nothing I don't like about this product. It's cute, convenient, and most importantly delicious. Pique Tea has been kind enough to let you guys in on a little discount. You can use the code TEACRYSTALS15 for a limited time to get 15% off your order over on their website.

Taste of Whole Foods Market - Graduation Party

Another weekend means another Whole Foods Market event! This week's theme is graduation parties, and Whole Foods Market Princeton has some seriously delicious ideas! I had the chance to make the heirloom tomatoes with sherry vinaigrette and the shrimp and tortellini with olive bruschetta pasta salad. Both dishes have minimal ingredients and are super simple to throw together. Plus they're both SO tasty and perfect for a grad party or really any spring/summer party you have coming up! The tomatoes are so fresh and light, and the pasta salad really packs a flavor with only three simple ingredients.

You can get the full recipes for both of these dishes and all of the ingredients this Saturday 5/14/16 from 12-4 PM when you stop by Whole Foods Market Princeton. Plus you can taste test them yourself! Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Taste of Whole Foods Market - Easy Arugula Salad

I'm super excited to announce that throughout the month of May, I am working with Whole Foods Market Princeton during their Taste of Whole Foods Market event. I'll be giving you all a sneak peak each Thursday into a dish that they'll be featuring that week at their in-store event that Saturday. This week's theme is Mothers Day Brunch, and we are starting it off with an Easy Arugula salad that is sure to please the entire family.

This recipe includes some 365 EDV essentials plus other fresh Whole Foods ingredients. It only took about 10 minutes (or less) to put together, and it packs such a delicious flavor. It's so light and fresh to perfectly offset some of those heavier brunch plates you might find this Sunday. 

Want to get this recipe and try the dish for yourself? Head over to Whole Foods Market Princeton this Saturday, May 7th, between 12-4 PM. You can taste this delicious salad for yourself and pick up this easy-to-make recipe and it's ingredients!

30 Must Make Healthy Picnic Recipes

It's National Picnic Day! Yes, that's a thing, and no I'm definitely not mad about it.

Whether you're celebrating today or not, it's still the start of the picnic season. Mother's Day is just a few weeks away, and it will be summer before we know it. I can see (and taste) all the sandwiches and side salads now. So what better way to celebrate this day and season in general than with a roundup of some of the most delicious, healthy, picnic-themed recipes I could find from the lovely ladies of the BGB Community. 

We've got ya covered on everything from sides to main dishes to desserts. Whether you're vegan, gluten free, paleo, you name it, there's something tasty for everyone!

Starters, Sides, and Salads

Fit Chick Chicken Salad - Hello Spoonful

Vegan Shredded Tofu Pesto Sandwich - Diary of an Ex Sloth

Crunchy Almond "Tuna" Salad - Balance with B

Kedgeree, Quick and Easy - Apron Strings and Sticky Fingers

Vegan Tuna Salad Sandwich - Apollo & Luna

Chipotle Chicken Salad Sandwich (Paleo, No Mayo, Gluten Free) - Fitful Focus

Smashed White Bean, Basil, and Avocado Sandwich - Pumpkin & Peanut Butter

Pizza Scrolls - Five Beans Food

Healthier Homity Pie - Emma's Little Kitchen

Desserts and Snacks

Photo by Emilie Eats

Photo by Emilie Eats

Dark Chocolate Covered Popcorn - The Clean Eating Couple

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies - Ana Goes Fit

Fruit Platter Squares - A Traveling Wife

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwiches - Chronicles of Passion

Peanut Butter Banana Sushi - Nutrition Starring YOU

Cake Batter Popcorn - Fairyburger

Chocolate Covered Chickpea Protein Balls - Emilie Eats 

Yogurt and Berry Bark - Masala Girl Travels

Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins - All Roads Lead to Healthy