Sheila Smith

Change your thoughts, love yourself

September 30, 2015 by Sheila Smith

Why don’t we start the morning with ‘Today is a great day and I decide to enjoy every moment!’ Why is it so hard to wake up happy and satisfied, start the day with a smile and be happy, simply because we woke up. We always postpone happiness for a better time; on the weekend, when I finish renovating my home, in the spring, after the summer, once this meeting passes, next week for sure and so indefinitely. Sounds familiar?

Everything starts from ourselves, from our thoughts and feelings. When we change the flow of thoughts, we can change everything from the relationship with ourselves, to the relationships with others, life just moves in a better direction in all aspects and it truly works. And there will always be those who will say, ‘It’s easy for you, you have this or that …’ and those who live by the principle that the grass is always greener on the other side, but if only we could separate a little time and focus on our thoughts for one hour, for one day, we will understand how they manage the entire process of life.

Imagine the mornings when you wake up grumpy, angry at yourself and the whole world, it’s raining outside, you have to go to work and you are mad because the weekend was over, and Monday is already knocking at the door … How many times have you felt that way?

Now imagine the same situation but with other thoughts, Monday, wonderful rainy day, perfect for a new challenge and you decide that today nothing can be out of line because you love yourself, you enjoy your job that brings abundance in life, you have wonderful relationships with your colleagues and meetings that await today will go perfectly with excellent results, and at the end of the day you will enjoy your free time, whether it will be a pleasant evening with family, going out with friends, going to the cinema, it’s up to you to create what makes you most happy and fulfilled.This is much better, right?

Day by day, changing the negative thoughts into positive ones, visualizing the day that is before you in the way that suits you, everything becomes different, more beautiful and more fun. And do not forget that you are the creators of your own thoughts, whether positive or negative, and they determine how your day, week, month and year will look like and ultimately your life, and we all have everything we need to be happy and live in happiness, here and now, in this moment. Make your present filled with happines.

Life is very simple. We get what we give. I believe that we are all responsible for every experience in your life, the best and the worst. Every thought creates our future. Each of us creates their experiences with their thoughts and words. Remember that it is a thought, a thought can be changed.

Turkey meatballs in Mediterranean sauce with grilled polenta

September 30, 2015 by Sheila Smith

A healthy and delicious meal in less than an hour.

Ingredients:

2 + 1 + 1 tablespoon
olive oil
250 g of ground turkey
1 small onion
2 + 3 cloves garlic
handful of fresh chives or parsley
5 large tomatoes
100g mozzarella
handful fresh basil
oregano, salt, pepper
cups instant corn grits
3 cups water

Preparation:

Start with the polenta. Cook it according to the instructions on the bag (the ratio of water and polenta is 3: 1), then pour it in an oil-coated mold and align the surface. Cool down to room temperature and place in the refrigerator for two hours.
After two hours, cut into pieces if desired, and coat each piece with a little olive oil. Bake on a hot grill pan for about 3 minutes on each side, ie. until the appearance of “grill lines”.
Wash the tomatoes and blanch for 1 minute in boiling water. Peel the rind and cut the tomatoes into small cubes.
Put the ground turkey in a bowl, mix with finely chopped onion, two cloves of finely chopped garlic, chives or parsley and season with salt and pepper. Create a walnut-sized balls and place them on a plate. Let them stand for 20 minutes.
Then fry on all sides in two tablespoons of olive oil, about 5-7 minutes. When they are fine and crispy on all sides, remove them and put them on a plate.
In a pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and then fry the three cloves of garlic cut into slices. Be careful not to burn the garlic, add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Then add salt and pepper and add the oregano (dried or fresh).
Add the meat in the pan and cook all together for 10-15 minutes, until the tomatoes are completely soft. Finally, add the basil and mozzarella sliced . Serve the polenta and meatballs in sauce while they are still hot, with a green salad. Good apetite!

Top 5 twisting exercises for perfect abs

September 24, 2015 by Sheila Smith

Flat tight stomach is the dream of many of us, but it requires a lot of work and effort! It is necessary to regulate your diet and to exercise regularly. In today’s post we reveal TOP 5 exercises with the twisting of the body to tighten the abdominal muscles, with special emphasis on the lateral muscles.

You can do all these exercises in the comfort of your home, so there is no excuse for the lazy!

1. Russian twist with weights – Sit on the floor, bend your knees, keep your spine straight and arms bent at the elbows, take a weight or books. It is essential that you have a load. Then, while maintaining the same starting position switch hands from left to right, so that you are twisting the torso.

2. Bicycle exercise – Lie on the floor, lift the legs and upper back, arms bent at the elbows behind your head, and start alternately connecting the left elbow to the right knee and vice versa.

3. Supine spinal twist – Lie on your back, spread your arms, with your legs bend at the knees, and alternately turn on the left and right side.

4. Twisting plank – This is just the regular plank on your hands and you just twist your hips to the floor.

5. Twisting windmill – Lie on your back with your arms extended. Raise your legs until they’re perpendicular to the floor. Lower your legs to the left side of your body so you meet the floor a few inches away from your left hand, then bring them back to center. Repeat, lowering your legs to the opposite side.

Aspirin – a miracle worker for health and beauty of the face

September 24, 2015 by Sheila Smith

The problems on the facial skin (blackheads, acne and enlarged pores or blemishes) generally require great effort and perseverance in their treatment. In addition, it is necessary to adjust the treatment of not only the problem, but also the type of skin – therefore you need to cover more aspects!

The good news is that there is a tool that has solution for all of these problems and suits every skin type face! It is ASPIRIN! Depending on the type of problems and skin type you can combine it with other ingredients and get the perfect remedy! Here are a few different masks with aspirin.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are allergic to aspirin or any of the ingredients of aspirin you should not use any of these masks for the skin. Also, these masks are not recommended for pregnant women. Which problems can be treated with aspirin?

Aspirin can be used for the following skin problems:

– Blackheads, acne and pimples,
– Red spots on the face,
– Various forms of skin irritation,
– Sensitivity and skin flakes,
– Very greasy skin,
– Enlarged pores,

How often should you use aspirin for treatment?

In all the above mentioned types of skin problems, aspirin should be used once to a maximum of two times during the week.

How to use aspirin to treat skin problems?
Aspirin is used exclusively in the form of face masks. The way you prepare depends on the type of skin problems you want to solve.

1. Mask for healthy skin

If you want to nurture your skin and maintain healthy skin and thereby prevent any problems this is a mask for you!

Dissolve three effervescent aspirin tablets in a bowl of warm water. Apply the resultant mixture gently on the face and leave on for 10 minutes. After that, rinse the skin with lukewarm water and leave to dry naturally without the use of towels.

2. Mask for dry, irritated, scaly and sensitive skin

If you have dry, irritated and sensitive skin, which is further scaling this is the perfect solution for you!

Mix three tablets effervescent aspirin with a teaspoon of honey and a spoon of olive oil. Stir the ingredients until you get a compact mixture, and gently massage into the face. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and dry naturally without the use of towels.

3. Mask for oily skin / skin with stains / skin with enlarged pores

You recognize some of these symptoms on your skin? This is a mask for you!

Mix three effervescent aspirin with spoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir. The resulting mask apply to the face and leave on for 5-7 minutes. In 1l of warm water dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda and water, rinse the face. Let the skin dry naturally without the use of towels.

Nature as an ally for treating greasy hair

September 22, 2015 by Sheila Smith

One of the most common problems with your hair is greasy scalp. Surely you’re familiar with this problem – You washed your hair, but after one day it is ready for a new wash. It’s crazy, right? Here are the possible causes for greasy hair and natural remedies which you can try.

The causes of greasy hair

Everybody know this, but it is certainly a fact – the more you wash your hair the more oily it gets. Frequent washing rinses the natural layer of fat on the scalp. The scalp sees this as an alarm, and produces more fat to compensate for what is washed. In addition, buying shampoos, even those designed for oily hair, are full of chemicals and harmful ingredients which aggressively act on the scalp, dry the skin and encouraged production of more fat.

Natural remedies for oily hair

Baking powder

One of the great ingredients for oily hair is baking powder. Yes, you read it right! In addition to solving the problem of excess fat, baking powder eliminates dandruff and other impurities. So, make a shampoo made from baking powder and try to use it to solve your problem.

Ingredients: teaspoon baking powder and a cup of water.

Preparation: Mix the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture, and massage it into the scalp. Then just rinse with a mixture of 1 tablespoon apple cider and one cup of water.

Note: There may be a reaction on the scalp at the beginning, but it’s just a natural reaction of your scalp which has so far been “tortured” with industrial shampoo.

Egg whites – In addition to using baking powder for the care of greasy scalp you can use scrambled egg whites. Whisk as many egg whites as you need to cover the scalp, rub and let sit for 20 minutes. Then wash your hair with a natural shampoo.

Black tea – You can treat greasy scalp with diluted black tea, by massaging it into the skin and then rinse.

Lemon – Lemon juice is another natural remedy for oily hair. However, if you do not want to lighten your hair, do not use it, because with a long-term use of lemon juice the hair becomes brighter.

Nettle – certainly the most beneficial plant when it comes to hair care is the nettle. In addition to reducing the production of oil, nettle is excellent as an ingredient in the fight against hair loss, and dandruff.

Tips:

No matter how hard or uncomfortable is seems, do not wash your hair every day, whether with natural, industrial or medical shampoo. This will allow the scalp to recover and eventually your hair will become less and less oily.

If you have oily hair, never apply conditioner and mask on the entire hair, apply a small amount, but only on the ends.

Forgive yourself and others

September 22, 2015 by Sheila Smith

How many times have you uttered the sentence, ” I will never forgive you for this” or “How can I forgive this?” Are you willing to forgive? Yourself? Life? People you meet on your path?

Sometimes it’s really hard to forgive when we are hurt and when our heart is broken, when we were humiliated and disgraced by people whom we gave everything, from situations in life when we were not ready to accept them and deal with them.

Indeed, the most difficult thing to do is to forgive yourself primarily, and then to all those who have hurt us in any way. Often not forgiving pushes us towards the bottom, and we ask ourselves again what we do in life that we can not go on. Not forgiving leaves us no room to move forward. Resentment goes hand in hand with not forgiving, so these two dark companions push us farther away from success and happiness, and thus of the love of self and others. The accumulation of impossibility of forgiveness, resentment and anger is opening the way for diseases.

The most important thing is forgiving ourselves. Talk with yourself, be kind to yourself and your feelings and do not blame yourself for errors and situations. We are all doing the best we can in given situations and if we knew differently then, believe me, we would have done things differently. And so you should not bite and blame yourself, release the past and the events that sadden you, just forgive yourself. And remember that there are no mistakes, only experiences and lessons that teach us to become stronger and better people.

Only when we forgive ourselves, we can forgive others because others are a reflection of ourselves, and they did the best they knew. We’re not all the same and do not perceive the problems and events in the same way, so we don’t act the same in similar situations.

If you can not forgive others by talking directly with them, imagine the person standing in front of you, or look in the mirror and imagine that the person in the mirror, and then tell them what’s on your mind and heart, and let go of all the anger, sadness, bitterness and all that you have with that person. After that you will feel ready to step forward.

Forgiveness sets us free, releasing the past, clears the soul and makes space for the new. For new developments, new situations, new people. Forgiveness makes us better people, we become more honest with ourselves and with others. Forgive everyone, because don’t forget that you are, sometimes, those which someone else needs to forgive.

Roasted pumpkin soup

September 21, 2015 by Sheila Smith

Sprinkled with sesame or pumpkin seeds, with cream or pumpkin seed oil, roasted or cooked vegetables – it is always good, and can serve as a meal if you add a little rice or millet. Kids love it, and the main advantage is that it is extremely healthy and nutritious.

Ingredients (2 servings):

half hokaido or butternut pumpkin (about 700 -800 g uncleaned)
1 large potato
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
500 ml of water
salt
half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
tablespoon of fresh or dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
pumpkin seeds for serving (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 200 ° C, and line a large baking pan with baking paper. Clean the pumpkin from seeds, peel and cut into cubes. Do the same with the potatoes and onions. Clean the garlic. Put all ingredients in a bowl, add the oil, thyme, salt and pepper and mix all ingredients. Put them in the baking pan and bake for about 30-40 minutes, until the squash and potatoes are tender.
When the vegetables are done, put them in a blender or bowl, add water and mash them (you can use a hand blender). Boil for 5 minutes and add seasoning if necessary. Serve with pumpkin seeds and, if desired, with a little sour cream. Bon appetit!

9 ways to eliminate stubborn belly fat

September 21, 2015 by Sheila Smith

The fat on the stomach may be the most hated feature of our body. Apart from the fact that it spoils our figure, these fatty deposits are accumulating around vital internal organs and can cause serious health problems.

The fat in this region is called visceral fat and it directly impacts the secretion of cortisol – a stress hormone – and inflammatory substances called cytokines that affect the increased secretion of insulin in the body. If you notice fat on this critical region, then you need to pay special attention to its regulation – not only because of good looks, but also because of your health. Fat deposits on the stomach increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Check out these 9 ways to eliminate stubborn belly fat.

1. Drink apple cider every day – Studies have shown that obese people who consumed 2 tablespoons apple cider daily for 8 weeks significantly lose fat, especially in the abdomen. The reason for this are the acids in the cider that burn fat.

2. Increase the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids – This is a quite simple thing – saturated fatty acids have greater influence on the increase in visceral fat than polyunsaturated fatty acids. A simple study showed – when people eat 750 calories more, if they contain saturated fatty acids the deposits on the stomach increase, and if they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids they increase their muscle mass. Nuts, seeds and fish are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

3. Get enough sleep – five hours of sleep or less will certainly impact the increase of fat on the abdomen. Why? The body needs rest in order to recharge the batteries for the next day. When you don’t get enough sleep, the body turns on the alarm and it sends a signal in our brain that we need more energy. Then, the body converts all of the nutrients into energy reserves. Energy reserves = Fat!

4. Excessive sleep on weekends – We know that you can’t wait for the weekend to begin to get some sleep until noon. However, be aware that this can be disastrous for your line! Women who have a routine at bedtime and getting up in the morning have a stable metabolism and less fat on the abdomen. Chaotic changes in sleep habits negatively affect the body, because it disrupts the biological clock and the body begins to secrete more stress hormones – cortisol – that gives rise to excess weight. So, try to get up on weekends around the same time as on weekdays. Our body system works best when it’s all very well programmed.

5. Eat more protein – With age the body starts to produce more insulin, because the muscles and cells become less responsive to it. Insulin influences the greater storage of fat especially in the belly. A diet that includes a high percentage of protein can block the excess secretion of insulin and stop the deposition of fat. Make your diet contain 30% protein, 40% carbohydrates and 30% healthy fats and soon you will start to notice the results.

6. Practice yoga – A study from 2012 showed that postmenopausal women who practice yoga for 16 weeks significantly lose their fatty deposits on the stomach. If you are not a fan of yoga and exercise, even the extremely simple exercises such as breathing exercises will help you. The point is to reduce the level of stress hormones – cortisol – which is responsible for the deposition of fat in the abdomen.

7. Drink more green tea – Green tea contains antioxidant catechin, which acts as a fat-burning bomb in the stomach. It is best when it’s combined with physical activity that activates this antioxidant.

8. Eat more foods rich in fiber – study from 2011 showed that subjects who ate 10g of fiber a day more than usual – the equivalent of two small apples, one cup of peas and half a cup of beans – have reduced fat percentage by 3.7% after 5 years.

9. And the most logical way – Be active – One thing is good about visceral fat – it is quite easily removable with aerobic exercise. Jogging, cycling, swimming – essentially everything that quickens the pulse is great for belly fat elimination. Studies have shown that running 19 km per week is enough to eliminate excess weight in the abdomen.

Simple exercises for flexibility and elasticity

September 15, 2015 by Sheila Smith

If you belong to a group of people who are not too stretched, maybe you should try to deal with this. [Read more…] about Simple exercises for flexibility and elasticity

DIY Gentle parsley facial toner

September 15, 2015 by Sheila Smith

Over the years and as a result of various factors from the environment the skin changes the appearance and condition. We can notice stains, freckles and other irregularities appear on our face.

Do not despair if a notice this on your face – there are completely natural ways to restore the face healthy, fresh and clean look. This homemade parsley toner is one of them! In addition it will help you to whiten and clean the skin, it will eliminate the pigmented spots, freckles and it will restore your healthy complexion.

With just a little effort you can prepare the parsley toner and use it every day!

Why is parsley so good for the complexion?

Parsley is rich in vitamins and minerals, and its juice contains essential oils with a high content of potassium and manganese.

In cosmetology parsley has always been known for its whitening and regenerative properties. It eliminates redness, irritation and swelling, refreshes and tones. It also protects the skin from the appearance of wrinkles. It is excellent for the care of the sensitive eye area. Also it helps eliminate acne and blackheads.
Ingredients:

2 tablespoons chopped fresh (or dried) parsley leaves,
200 ml of boiling water,
1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the parsley and cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove it from the heat and let it cool. Then strain it and add lemon juice or apple cider.

Keep it in the refrigerator for 5-6 days. Use the toner every morning and evening by applying it on a piece of cotton pad and rub the whole face. After a month you’ll notice that the spots and stains from the face will disappear.

If you want to eliminate the dark circles and redness of the eyes, make the same toner, but without the addition of lemon juice. Soak cotton swabs in this lotion and put on the eyes in the morning and evening, leaving them for 5 minutes.

Conditioner for deep hydration of the hair – homemade cosmetics

September 14, 2015 by Sheila Smith

If you are concerned about the health of your hair and you want to get rid of dandruff and reduce hair loss, then we recommend to turn to homemade products. This way you will avoid the harmful chemicals contained in most commercial products.

Today we present a homemade conditioner for deep hydration of hair with honey and eggs.

Ingredients:

2 eggs,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
1 tablespoon of honey.

Nutritionists and dietitians believe that eggs are the complete package. Egg whites are rich in protein, and egg yolks are high in vitamin A, B, D and E. All of them are of key importance for the strengthening and growth of hair.

Honey is another key ingredient used in this recipe. Honey is a natural antiseptic and has antibacterial properties, and effectively solves the problem of sensitive skin. It also helps in the reduction of itching and provides moisture to a lifeless hair, leaving it shiny and bright.

Olive oil is one of the three main ingredients in the recipe. Olive oil is full of vitamin E and deeply cleanses the scalp while moisturizing the inside. It is great for solving the problem of sensitive skin and treats the problem of itching.

Instructions: Mix the olive oil and honey, and put them in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then add the eggs and stir the ingredients together.

Application: Rub the mixture after washing the hair gently massaging the scalp. Leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Meditation for body and mind

September 14, 2015 by Sheila Smith

It is a special feeling when you calm your body and mind and bring them in a completely relaxed state.

Meditation is very helpful for the whole body, it reduces or normalizes the blood pressure, and brings balance to the level of hormones in the blood. It works by harmonizing the whole being and it heals the soul. If we practice meditation regularly our body and our soul we will be grateful for that and we will reciprocate with love, peace and joy.

It takes very little time to relax and bring ourselves into a meditative state, it is enough to start with just five minutes each day so that the body gets used to the benefits of meditation. Later you can increase the practices to 10, 20 or 30 minutes, or longer if desired. At any time during the day, when you find it most convenient, take a moment for yourself, isolate and relax. Meditation needs calm and quiet place that suits you best, whether it’s at home or a beautiful place in nature. You can play quiet music for meditation to make you relax even better.

Once you find your oasis for meditation, sit or lie down, make yourself comfortable, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths through your nose and exhale through the mouth, become aware and relax the body; You can start from the feet, through the joints and upwards to the top of the head, or in the reverse order from the crown to the feet. Quietly name the parts of the body that you relax (‘My feet are relaxed, my joints are relaxed’ …). Try not to focus on the thoughts, listen to your heart rate and your breathing. You can also choose a topic of meditation, whether it is peace, moments without negative thoughts and problems or you want to visualize a beautiful event, perhaps a walk with your spiritual guide, or angels, or repeating certain words like; peace, love, prosperity, happiness.

Often in meditation we can get the answer to questions or problems that currently trouble us; just ask a specific question, such as, ‘What do I need to know or what is the next step?’ Through meditation you will find an answer and amplify the emotions related to the theme.

We can never be in a state of no-thought, because it is natural that they come, they go, have their own course, just let them flow, notice how they are created and disappear …do not give importance to negative thoughts such as anger, fear, bitterness, sadness, only let them go and replace them with positive thoughts and feelings. When you do not attach importance to them they’ll just pass.

There is no bad or wrong meditation, the process is very simple and effective. The more you practice meditation that more it becomes efficient and more effective, and your body, mind and soul will rejoice and reward you with happiness, love and healing. The answers to all the questions we have are in us. Through meditation you will be even more connected with you and you will be surprised how clever you are and how you can take care of yourselves. Relax and enjoy!