http://www.myhealthguardian.com

Hello my lovely readers! I welcome myself back to blogging after taking quite a long break. When I started the blog, I promised myself that I would only write when I felt really inspired and would never allow for the writing to feel like a burden. And with everything else that has been going on in my life, Leyla’s Room did unfortunately start to feel like something “I have to do”. So I decided to take a break until things got a bit more settled into place. Now that they seem to be, I am really excited to start writing and sharing what helps me in my life with all of you!

I was contacted by a lovely, sweet lady, by the name of Patricia Harris, who expressed her interest in writing an article for Leyla’s Room about Diabetes. Patricia has a lovely blog called Diabetic Menus, where (like the name suggests) she shares recipes specifically designed for Diabetics, so please be sure to check it out if you or anyone in your family has or is at risk of diabetes. Since I think that prevention is the best way of dealing with any disease I thought it was a great idea to have someone knowledgeable in the area of Diabetes to share her thoughts, advice and tips on the subject.

Thank you, Patricia for taking the time to share your advice. Please take it away.

If You Won’t Stay away from Type ii diabetes Now, You’ll certainly Hate Yourself Later

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Numerous Americans are told they have diabetes Type 2 symptoms, and more are unsuspecting they’re at high risk. Some groups have a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes than others. Diabetes Type 2 is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Indigenous Americans, Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians along with Pacific Islanders, as well as with the older population. In diabetes Type 2, either one’s body isn’t going to produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is critical to the body to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, your body reduces the sugars and starches into glucose, that’s the fundamental fuel for any cells in your body. Insulin takes the sugar from blood into your cells. When glucose increases in the blood rather then going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications. You have the ability to boost and protect your overall health. With proper nutrition and training and making good lifestyle choices (like not smoking), it is possible to feel better, stronger, and healthier, and can reduce your risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and heart stroke.

What is actually Healthy Weight?

There’s a great way to find out if your current weight puts you in danger of developing serious diseases. Go to www.diabetes.org/bmi and take the Body Mass Index (BMI) test. The results can help you decide if you need to make a change in your lifestyle to lower your weight. Better You consume, Better You Feel.

http://www.seniorservicedirectory.com

Below are a few basic guidelines to support you and your family in making healthier food decisions:

• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit.
• Choose whole fiber foods over processed grain products. Try brown rice as a substitute for white. Substitute brown bread bread for white.
• Eat fish 2 – 3 times per week.
• Select leaner cuts of meat like those that end in “loin.
• Remove the skin from poultry and turkey.
• Eat non-fat dairy
• Drink plenty of water and low calorie non-carbonated liquids.
• Use liquid oils for cooking instead of solid fats.
• Lower or completely eliminate your intake of too-high calorie junk foods like chips, cookies, cakes, and regular ice cream. Look for baked chips and reduced calorie snacks. Or better yet, have some fruit instead.
• Watch your serving sizes. Even a lot “healthy” food can cause extra weight. Tips:Compare labels of similar foods, then opt for the one with smaller amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium.
• Adults should consume less than 2400 mg. of sodium every day. In case you have hypertension, it’s best to prefer even less.
• Try adding spices and herbs in your cooking to substitute for salt for enhancing flavor.

http://www.purdue.edu/

Being physically active is crucial to maintaining a healthy body. Something that gets you up and moving will work for you. Some tips about what it might do:

• Lower your risk of developing diabetes type 2 symptoms
• Reduce your risk of heart problems and stroke
• Lower high blood pressure and cholesterol
• Reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels if you have diabetes, which often can reduce your risk of developing diabetes-related complications
• Decrease tension
• Make it easier to manage your weight
• Give you more energy
• Allow you to sleep better
• Build stronger bones and muscle mass

Certainly, you must consult a family doctor prior to starting any exercise program. For those who have Diabetes. Eating healthy and staying active are much more important when you’ve got diabetes. Well-balanced meals might help keep your glucose (sugar) level as close to normal as possible. Being active also helps to reduce your blood glucose. In case you increase your level of physical activity, you might be able to take less insulin or diabetes pills. If you’re very inactive, have heart disease or simply a history of foot ulcers, consult your doctor about safe exercise in your case. Check your blood glucose before exercising. If it’s under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers or drink glass of milk or juice. Check it again after exercising to understand how your blood glucose reacts to workout. Bring a snack if you’ll be active for a couple hour.

About the writer -Patricia Harris writes for the Diabetic Menus blog , her personal hobby weblog devoted to ways to eat healthy in order to avoid and manage diabetes.

Just when I think to give up and stop writing for the blog, the Universe sends me a signal in the form of a friend who inquires why I don’t write my Weekly Hits & Misses anymore… Perhaps my desire to quit writing was a bit premature. I suppose even if I have only one reader, and I can help inspire that person, then my mission of sharing & spreading the love to others is accomplished. So, thank you Vitalik! =) You were the inspiration I needed to get back on the horse (so to speak )

This Week’s Hits are:

- Personal Trainers. For the past few weeks I was fortunate enough to experience what it is like to workout with an amazing Personal Pilates Instructor – Elena, who has her own Studio and offers private & semi-private classes. I cannot say enough good things about my experience of working with Elena. She is patient, kind & has a natural ability to educate & share her vast knowledge of the Pilates practice with her students. Even after only one session with Elena, I felt a huge difference in my awareness of proper posture, breathing and an overall health of my body, long after my session was over for the entire duration of a week between my two classes. If you value your health & want to get toned & lean muscle through an amazing, total-body workout, I wholeheartedly recommend you contact Elena today & book your session ASAP. I had to miss my session last week, so I’m really looking forward to my Thursday morning Session with Elena this week!

- Being Creative. Although I’ve always known that I am always the happiest when I get to do something creative, sometimes I lack motivation and inspiration to actually put my creative abilities to good use. Luckily for me, I’m fortunate enough to have an incredible support system in the form of family & friends who encourage me to get back to my creative side. Just recently, my amazingly talented Personal Stylist & Image Consultant sister, Mimi has decided to write a Book on Effortless Style & How to Dress. She was sweet enough to have faith in me, and has enlisted my help to create Fashion Illustrations for the book. The book is still in its early stages of development, but I can say that it’s been an amazing experience so far collaborating and working together with Mimi to combine her vision & my ability to put that vision onto paper. I know you guys must be curious to see what it all looks like, so here is a sneak-peak of a few sketches so far. =)

This Week’s Misses are:

- Pimples! In my 25 years of living, I have always had fairly perfect skin… Never through my teenage years did I have to suffer and fight with pimples or anything of that sort. And just recently, in the past few months, I have started to get pimples on my face, chest and back… I know that your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside. And it’s puzzling to me, because I have not changed my diet. I try to maintain a healthy diet & exercise routine, so I don’t understand what’s up. I have a few theories of why I am getting pimples, but I’d like to hear what you guys think. Why is that I’ve never used to get pimples up until now, and now when I’m almost 26 years old, I have to deal with this frustrating issue?? Any ideas? Please share…

OK, so here is the deal: I normally don’t post 2 articles in a row in the same category on the blog. But today will be an exception. My parents were having a get-together with friends a few weeks ago, and my mom has asked me to make my Tiramisu for dessert. I gladly agreed, because it is one of my all time favourites, and I can never have too much of it anyways.

Everyone loved it so much so, that one of the ladies have been dying to try it at home, and she’s been asking my mom to get the recipe from me ASAP. So I decided instead of just writing it all out for her, I might as well post it here for all of you, my lovely readers (and of course the lady who requested the recipe initially), to see and try for yourselves as well.

Now, this version of a Tiramisu, might not be the “proper”, from scratch version, but I’ll tell you, it’s quick, easy to whip up on short notice & tastes heavenly nonetheless. Even better than some that I’ve tasted at fine Italian Restaurants. I am not even kidding you either!

So here is the list of the ingredients you’ll need:

Tiramisu
Preparation time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

One package of Ladyfingers (could be found at many grocery stores, just ask the sales clerks to help you find it if you don’t know where to look)
6 eggs (which will be separated into egg yolks & whites)
1 package of Mascarpone Cheese (about 450 g)
Brewed Espresso or  Dark Coffee (cooled to room temp)
OPTIONAL: You can add a shot or two of your favorite coffee flavored liqueur to the espresso/coffee, to punch up the flavor, (but you don’t have to)
Small carton of Whipping Cream (or about 1 1/2 cups)
1 Cup White Granulated Sugar
2-3 tbsp Cocoa Powder for garnish
Small chunk of dark chocolate for garnish

Here is a visual:

Ladyfingers, Mascarpone cheese, Eggs, Whipping Cream, Espresso, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Dark Chocolate. As for the equipment, you’ll need: a mixer, mixing bowls & rectangular baking dish to assemble the end product in.

Start off by separating the egg yolks from the whites. Now, this is a crucial point. BE VERY CAREFUL, to not get even a drop of the egg yolk or water into the bowl with the egg whites. If you do, your egg whites will NOT whip up to that fluffy and cottony white that we need. I have done this mistake in the past, and now I am SUPER careful when I separate my eggs. Lesson WELL learnt!

Add the sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks…

Mix on med-high with an electric mixer until…

The mixture is well incorporated and is light in color.

In a separate bowl whip the whipped cream until it soft peaks are formed. About 3-4 minutes.

Scrape and add the whipped cream to the egg yolks & sugar mixture and mix well together.

To that add the mascarpone cheese…

And whip it all together on med-high… Deliciousness!! YUM!

Now mix / whip the egg whites on med-high speed for about 4-5 minutes, until soft peaks appear.

Using a spatula, gently add the egg whites to the mascarpone mixture….

Using the spatula, very, very gently fold the egg whites into the creamy mixture. DO NOT over mix! The point of the egg whites is to add lightness and fluffiness to the cream, so mix just until it’s well combined.

Now dip the ladyfingers, one by one into the cooled espresso / coffee mixture, holding it down for about 1 second on each side. The ladyfingers are extremely light & absorbent, so make sure not to hold it in the coffee mixture too long, as the ladyfinger will likely fall apart on you.

So dipping the ladyfingers one at a time, arrange them in  a single layer in the baking dish…

Just like so…

Dump half of the cream onto the ladyfingers and spread evenly all the way across with a spatula…

Now repeat the process… dip each ladyfinger into the espresso / coffee mixture and arrange on top of the cream in a single layer.

Top it off with the remaining cream and spread evenly all the way across…

Now… You have my permission: Lick the remaining cream off of the spatula & the bowl… this cream tastes heavenly! Mmm…

Now, using a small sieve sprinkle the cocoa powder in an even layer all the way across the top of the cream

And to finish it off, shave some of that delicious, dark chocolate over the top of the cocoa powder…

And you are done!

After you take however much time you need to admire the beauty and the deliciousness… Cover the cake with plastic wrap carefully, not to ruin the top, and place in the fridge for a couple of hours.

After all the ingredients have time to marry each others flavours… there is nothing that tastes as good as a Tiramisu…

Make one soon!

You’ll be glad you did!

Enjoy!

]]> http://leylasroom.com/food-and-entertainment/tiramisu/feed/ 9 http://leylasroom.com/food-and-entertainment/honey-cake/ http://leylasroom.com/food-and-entertainment/honey-cake/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:01 +0000 Leyla http://leylasroom.com/?p=1285

Honey Cake, which is called Midoviy Tort in Russian, was and still is one of my favourite dessert cakes of all time. When I was growing up I would always ask my mom to bake this, and would always ask her to buy this cake when we were going to visit relatives and friends. As time went by and we moved to Canada, I completely forgot about this delicious and rich cake, until we went to visit back home after 5 years of being away.

It was at one of many family gatherings that my cousins, sister and I were given the task to go out and buy a cake. When we entered the bakery and as soon as I saw this yummy cake, so many memories flooded my mind, and I immediately told everyone that’s what we were going to get. Thankfully, I didn’t have to convince anyone too hard, as everyone seemed to agree this was the best option. I had to be so patient after we came home, to wait until dinner was over and it was time for dessert. As soon as I dug in with my spoon and was finally able to taste this deliciousness, I was in dessert heaven!!

Since then, I’ve been dying to make this cake at home, and recently was able to obtain the recipe from one of my favourite women, my sister’s future mother-in-law. This is one of her signature cakes, and I just had to try it!

And try it I did! It was absolutely delicious and I got rave reviews from everyone who was lucky enough to try a piece. I made this cake a few weeks ago, and have been saving the recipe to share with you all on the blog. As I’ve been putting together this post, I am getting increasingly hungry to make it again soon. And you should too! It is a real piece of cake to make And here I will show you how.

Here is a recipe to start you off with.

Honey Cake
Preparation time: 20 minutes, baking time: 3-4 minutes per layer (usually you’ll have 4-5 layers in total)

INGREDIENTS

For the dough:
2 eggs
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 cup unsalted butter
2 tsp baking soda
4-5 cups of sifted flour

For the cream:
1 can of condensed milk
3/4 stick unsalted butter

And again, because all posts are better with photos, here is what you’ll need:

Sugar, eggs, sifted flour, baking soda, honey, butter and condensed milk (which we’re going to boil)

Put the can with the condensed milk in a pot and cover with water. You’re going to need to boil the condensed milk for about 2 hours in advance to making the cream. So plan ahead.

Next, if you have a double boiler use that, if not (like me here), use a small pot, fill it with water and bring to a boil. On top, in a glass bowl combine sugar, butter, eggs and honey…

Keep stirring the mixture over the steam of the boiling water, as it melts and make sure to not let it boil over.

Once it’s all nice and melted, take it off the heat, and sprinkle in the baking soda, and put back over the boiling water.

Keep stirring, until it’s all combined. You’ll notice the mixture is going to lighten up in color considerably after you’ve added in the soda. That’s a good thing.

Now that it’s well combined, take it off the heat and start adding in your sifted flour, one cup at a time, mixing well to combine.

The batter is going to be extremely sticky, because of the honey, so you’ll need to add plenty of flour to make it manageable. I can’t remember how many cups I used exactly, since it’s been awhile. But I think you’re probably going to need about 4-5 cups. Basically, you want the dough to be soft and pliable, so you’ll be able to spread it over the parchment paper. Use your judgement here.

Now, using the bottom of a spring form pan, outline the shape on a parchment paper and cut it out. You can either make 4-5 of these to use for each layer that we’re going to bake, or you can just make 2, and keep re-using them, which is what I did.

Now spray the parchment paper with cooking spray oil lightly…

Dip your fingers in flour and flour the surface of the parchment paper to prevent the dough from sticking. Next, take a chunk out of the dough and place in the middle of the circle. Using your fingers, gently spread the dough to cover the entire circle in an even layer. Don’t worry if you didn’t get enough dough, you can always add some if you don’t have enough to spread all around. Or add in places if you have any holes or tears.

This is what it should look like when you’re done.

At this point, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take the bottom of the spring form pan and place the circle with the dough on top of it.

Once your oven is heated to 350, place the circle in the center of the oven, on a middle rack and bake for about 3-4 minutes, depending on your oven. Want you want is a nice golden-brown color all around.

While it’s baking, spread a large kitchen towel over a flat surface (kitchen island or dinner table). Once the layer is baked, take it out of the oven (be careful not to burn yourself), and turning it upside down, place it on the kitchen towel. Once it’s cooled a bit, carefully remove the parchment paper from the baked cake layer.

Repeat and do the same thing with all of the layers. I managed to get 4 layers out of my dough, which worked out fine, but if you can get more, you’ll end up with a nice, high cake.

Leave all 4 layers to cool on the kitchen towel

Now on to make the cream.

Crack open the can of condensed milk…. And exercising all of your will power, try REALLY hard not to grab a spoon and devour all of its contents at once.

Assuming you were able to withstand the temptation, dump the condensed milk into a mixing bowl and your butter, which should be at room temperature. Cube the butter, so it will be easier to mix.

Using a mixer, beat the butter and the condensed milk until it’s well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to cool.

Once the cream got a chance to cool a bit, it’s time to assemble the cake.

Using whatever platter you want to serve the cake in, place one layer of the cake onto it…

NOTE: I should mention here, the mistake I did… I forgot to consider that I would need some extra dough to make the crumbles that are supposed to cover the entire cake after you’ve assembled it. So what I did is, after my cake was done, I went around it with a knife and cut off the uneven edges, and crumbled up those pieces. But my mistake was in that it was hard to crumble, because the cream is so sticky.

So what I should have done instead is either: A) bake an extra layer of dough and use that to crumble, or B) put all 4 layers on top of each other without the cream and cut around the edges then. Oh well, live and learn!

Back to the assembly…

Spread the first layer with a generous amount of cream over top

Repeat the same with all of the layers, including the top layer.

Now using those crumbles that I’ve just talked about (hopefully you used one of the A & B options, and not do what I did), sprinkle them evenly over the entire surface of the cake…

The trick with this cake is patience. Once it’s assembled, you’re supposed to leave it alone for at least a few hours, so the cream can work its magic and absorb into the dough. If you’ll be patient enough, then you’ll have a deliciously rich, soft and moist cake to indulge all of your senses.

Because it’s a very rich cake, I recommend enjoying it with a nice, hot cup of tea…

Mmm… Yum! I want a slice.

Make it soon, I promise you won’t regret it!

What is your favourite childhood dessert? Go ahead and share it in the comments below. =)

Very interesting and ironic, but today’s post will be my last post from my beloved book The Teaching of Little Crow – The Journey of the Soul by Angelina Heart. Life is filled with significant and less significant beginnings and endings… In my personal life, I am facing a double “ending” situation, where I have to find the strength within to face & accept the situation, let go of the people that I’ve come to love and care for and move on to hopefully bigger and better things.

By God, it is awfully difficult… but since it is happening to me, I know there are lessons I should be extracting that will hopefully make me a better, stronger & wiser person.

When something good ends, that means something better is about to begin. At least that is what I am choosing to believe. You have to have faith. You have to believe.

Believe in Yourself.

Believe in God.

Believe in Your Dreams.

Believe it is all going to work out in the end.

Because this life is merely an illusion, a game, an act… of God experiencing itself through a human form.

And so, nothing can truly hurt us. As it is reminded to us in the words below, we are all part of God and all of us have the Divine Wisdom, Intelligence and Love vested inside of us. All it takes to fully feel empowered is to bring your entire awareness to it. =)

I truly hope that the information I shared with you from this fabulous book, The Teaching of Little Crow – The Journey of the Soul, sparked some inspiration, enlightenment & shed some light on such subjects as religion, spirituality, love, karma and many more.

Today’s post is a short one about Dylan’s final realizations about Jesus, religion and the Law of Life. – Page 497

< While reading the words highlighted in red in the New Testament (those supposedly spoken by Jesus of Nazareth,) it became evident how often his most profound statements were prefaced with the words “I AM”. Crow realized Jesus referred to the God within – “the Father within me” – and not his personal self.

His childhood training always presented Jesus as the only son of God, the intercessor, holding mankind once removed from God, always looking to this being for mercy, instead of looking to the God within. After reading the teachings of Jesus with new eyes, he could see his brother had only taught about the God within ALL mankind. When he understood Jesus’s reference to the Universal Christ Consciousness as the intercessor, suddenly, “as above, so below,” became crystal clear. This great and holy being, by his example, came to remind us we are, in fact, One with God, and have the Father anchored right within us, and the Christ-self acting as the intercessor between the lower self and the Mighty I AM Presence – God individualized within each man.>

< Every blessed and loving thing you freely put out to the world, whether it be thoughts, feelings, words, deeds, or money, returns with more of its kind. No wonder Jesus Christ instructed us to love our enemies. What we send out must come back to the creator, magnified. >

< Whenever life hands you experience of disappointment or betrayal and you feel your heart is broken beyond repair, turn your attention to God, and he will fill your broken heart with the illumination of his Divine Love, Intelligence, and Wisdom. Then will this world appear to you as the illusion it truly is, and all experience will serve only to teach and enlighten you. >

Oh, I so needed to be reminded of that wisdom from the last paragraph.

If you haven’t already, I highly-highly recommend you get and read and re-read this book many times over. Because it is filled with priceless, enlightening information and insights.

I hope you enjoyed reading the excerpts from this wonderful book. I am a bit sad that it is over, and at the same time excited to start sharing with you another one of my MOST favourite books of all time, that has changed my life!

Subscribe to my blog today to receive updates, because I will be featuring a brand New Book with you soon, and will be having another fabulous Giveaway to go along with it!

Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.

I’ve mentioned in one of my older posts, that I have recently discovered small wrinkles under my eyes. Being a person who likes all things natural, I took to the all powerful source of information – The Internet, to find ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or even prevent new ones from developing.

I always knew that natural ingredients are great for the skin, and that fruits and vegetables not only benefit us from within, but can also be applied directly to the skin to achieve amazing results. You wouldn’t believe how fast and effective these all natural, homemade masks were! After only using these masks a few times, people started noticing that my skin looked better. Someone even told me that my wrinkles disappeared! While, I know they didn’t disappear, their appearance is definitely softer and not as noticeable.

Although, I can’t say that I am an expert, as I am still testing out various homemade facial masks, I thought I’d put together a list of the ones I’ve tried so far, and have felt the positive effects of, so that you too can start using these regularly to maintain a beautiful and healthy skin.

Before I give you the recipes, I wanted to quickly tell you of the process of how you should apply and remove these facial masks.

Start by washing and cleansing your face with warm water. What this dose is opens up the pores and makes the masks a lot more effective, as they penetrate the skin on a deeper level. You can always apply the masks after a shower, which would be ideal. Once your skin is clean and the pores are nice and open, dry any moisture with a towel.

Next, apply your chosen mask using a brush or your fingers all over your face and neck, making sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.

Once the time is up, I usually take off the mask using tissues. I find it to be a less messier approach, than just trying to rinse off the mask into the sink (of course, this depends on which mask you are using) Once you’ve taken off the mask, rinse your face and neck with cool water, which will close off the pores. Again, dry off your skin with a towel and always end with a thin layer of your favourite moisturizer.

There are a million different recipes out there, you should do your research and choose whichever one suits you and your skin type the most. Here are a few recipes that I’ve tried and like so far:

For Dry Skin:

Avocado Mask

1 Ripe Avocado
2 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Yogurt

Mash the avocado with a fork until it is of smooth, creamy consistency, then add in the honey and the yogurt and mix well together. Avocados and honey are great moisturizers, packed with nutrients. This mask is particularly great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. Apply all over your face & neck, avoiding the eyes, and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

Honey Mask

2 tbsp Honey
1/2 lemon, juiced

This is one super easy, and I found it to be very effective. Simply stir in the honey with the lemon juice, apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 30 minutes. Honey is a known humectant, which means it works as a natural mosituriser. It is hydroscopic, drawing pure moisture into you skin to help hydrate, smooth and soften. My skin felt silky smooth, and the wrinkles under my eyes were a lot less noticeable after only a few uses.

Banana Mask

1/2 of banana, peeled and mashed
1 tbsp honey
1/2 lemon, juiced

Peel and mash the banana with a fork. Stir in the honey and the lemon juice. Apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 20-25 minutes. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals, and contain triptophan, a natural relaxant. Bananas are also one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A, B (folic acid), E and F. On top of that, banana acts as a cleanser and a moisturizer all in one.

Egg White and Olive Oil Mask

1 egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil.

Beat egg white until smooth, add the lemon juice and the olive oil. Smooth all over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. This is a great anti-wrinkle mask. Egg white tightens the pores, while olive oil nourishes the skin.

Cucumber Yogurt Mask

1/2 cup cucumber, grated
2 tbsp plain yogurt

Cut the cucumber in half, spoon out the seeds and grate the cucumber with the skin on. Add the plain yogurt and mix well together. Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Cucumber helps to sooth and soften the skin, leaving it smooth and supple.

Go ahead and give these recipes a try. Anybody should be able to do these, as these ingredients can easily be found in most of our kitchens. It is super easy, fast and way more inexpensive than store bought creams and treatments, or botox and plastic surgery. I think the earlier we start to take care of our bodies, inside and out, and especially our skin, the better. So don’t put it off any longer.

Try these at home, and come back to let me know of the results.

Have fun with it!

]]> http://leylasroom.com/health-and-fitness/all-natural-facial-masks/feed/ 8 http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses18/ http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses18/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:31:49 +0000 Leyla http://leylasroom.com/?p=1258

To all my Canadian readers, Happy Family Day! What a great little holiday it is! I hope everyone makes the best of this day, and spends some quality time with those we love the most. I think it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as it’s done as a family, gathered together, it will be all worth it.

This Week’s Hits are:

- Zuzana of Bodyrock.tv! Whenever I lose my motivation to workout and keep fit, I usually find inspiration by looking up at other women who have amazingly fit bodies. Last year, when I made the commitment to working out consistently, it was one a girl who had a similar body type to mine, but was much more toned and muscular. So she inspired me to push hard to achieve the same results. Recently, I have been feeling less inspired to workout, because I guess I needed another visual motivator. And I found her! This woman is a beast! She has the most beautiful, toned and muscular body, and I know that if she can do it, so can I! And so can you! All it takes is to stay focused, motivated, consistent with your workouts, and of course have a balanced & healthy diet. The best thing about Zuzana is that she shared all of her amazing (tough & intense, I tell’ya!) workout videos and photos on her awesome website, called BodyRock.tv. I highly recommend you check it out, and start working out with her & with me. Summer/bikini season will be here in no time! So Lets get fit together!!

- Driving and empty roads at 6 a.m.! This morning I had to drive my dad to work, and it was awesome! Since it was a holiday & it was so early in the morning, the streets & highways were almost empty and I cannot tell you how I love driving when the roads are free of cars. I can’t explain the satisfactory feeling entirely, but I think it’s got to do with the fact that it is quite liberating, and makes you feel like you own the roads & the world, and can do anything! Very empowering feeling. Silly? Maybe. But that is who I am. I try to find joy in the little things in life. Makes it much easier to live =)

This Week’s Misses are:

- The gloomy weather! I know I can’t really complain, because, sure it is winter, and we were lucky not to get too much snow this season. But, I can’t tell you how much I miss the sunshine. If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, then you know! You know, that I am a total Sun-Worshiper. And having this gloomy and dark weather really doesn’t inspire me, at all. I miss Summer, I miss Sunshine, I miss the beach, and the green lawns, and trees and the buzzing bees… Oh Summer, will you hurry up please?

How about you guys? Are you making the best of Winter with skiing & skating trips, or are you like me, and are hibernating indoors and counting the days till we can all wear our short shorts, flip-flops and have picnics on the beach or in the park?

With the Spring Season just around the corner, I think it is time to start inspiring you, my lovelies, with some awesome, hot & trendy color combos in case you’re planning on doing any large or small home renovating or decorating in the upcoming months. Personally, I LOVE color! I can’t just choose a favourite, as most of the vibrant colors make me feel happy inside. I say, most, because it all depends on the tone of a certain color, that takes it from trendy to fugly…

So today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favourite, vibrant and happy color combos! It’s a gorgeously rich Peacock blue & a citrusy, vibrant green that can be called any of the following: wasabi, chartreuse, olive and avocado. This color combo has been popping up everywhere recently, from the hottest Runway shows to the trendiest hotels and boutiques. I think this pairing is dramatic & pleasing, and can be incorporated into our home decor in various ways.

If you are brave and bold, you can always paint the walls, or just choose a feature wall, and paint just one, or at the very least, if you’re not as brave and don’t want to commit to painting the walls, you can always incorporate this color combo through accessories which can be easily switched around when you get tired of it or when the seasons change.

The key is to choose furniture and accessories in the coordinating colors, which will create a flow throughout the space. The easiest way to do this is by changing up the window treatments, throw pillows, accent chairs, lighting fixtures, glamorous cabinet hardware and other little knick-knacks accessories.

Here are just a few images & ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

What do you guys think of this color combination? Love it or hate it? Would you give it a try in your home? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. =)

Happy Wednesday!

I have been neglecting my blog for a few weeks now, and I can’t say that I am proud of that at all. But at the same time, I never intended for the blog to become a chore. And unfortunately, with all the rest of my life’s challenges in the past few weeks, that is how I felt. To say I didn’t have the time, would only be half the truth. The other half is probably more relevant: which is that I was lacking the motivation.

But, my friends, since it is Monday, and it is a new, fresh day, I am making an official commitment to get back to blogging regularly. You know, it feels quite embarrassing to be admitting your mistakes to the entire blogosphere like this, but it also feels liberating.

So, now that I have made this commitment to you in writing, I give you all a permission to hold me accountable if you see me slacking. I think it is important to try and find a way to stay motivated, even if you feel as though it is missing. The hardest thing in life, is to START something. The next hardest thing is to maintain something… So, knowing and accepting those challenges laying ahead, lets move forward.

This Week’s Hits are:

- My robe! I can’t entirely understand and explain it, but something really magical and so super comforting happens every time I slide my comfy robe on. Somehow the warm, cozy softness that envelopes my body is quite reassuring in a way that makes me feel like all is well with the world, and that I am protected and comforted by the plush feeling of the fabric against my skin. I love my robe, and if you’re not a robe-wearer (yes, I am aware that I just made up that word), I suggest you invest in a good quality, soft & cozy robe. You will be glad you did! Just imagine shedding all of your days clothes and the stresses & worries along with it, taking a nice, relaxing shower, and then allowing the plush feeling of the fabric to comfort you! Oooh… cozy! =)

- Pets! I was driving past a park last week, and while stopped at a red light, I witnessed a simple scene that put a huge smile on my face. A couple came to the park with their cute little doggies, and as soon as they let them off the leash the dogs took off like there is no tomorrow! After I observed them for a few more seconds, I realized there was a reason to their madness! The doggies were chasing after poor little, scared to death squirrels! I know it might be mean to say, because I am sure the squirrel didn’t think it was funny, but it was a hilarious little scene to witness. That moment made me really miss having a pet at home, because they truly give you so much unconditional love and happiness and do some pretty funny stuff that always seems to bring a smile to everyone’s face. We are currently looking to adopt a new kitten to our family, so if anyone can help out, let me know!

This Week’s Misses are:

- Liars. One thing I really pride myself on, is being open and friendly to everyone I come into contact with, and not having any enemies in my life. Well, that is what I thought up until yesterday. I will spare you the details of exactly what happened, but someone, that still remains anonymous to me, has said a pretty terrible lie about me to someone special in my life to deliberately try and screw up my relationship with that person. Although, I don’t have any anger towards that individual, it just puzzles me. How can someone be so miserable and cruel to want to do bad onto another on purpose?! It would be easy for me to judge that person, and want to wish bad upon them back, but you know what? I will not do that. Instead I will pray for them to be liberated from the dark forces of the EGO, and instead find a place within that derives from Love, Peace & Light.

And in case you are curious, I’m glad to report that although it came pretty close to an end, thankfully their dark lie did not ruin my relationship at the end of it all.

Moral of the story: Be open & trust everyone, until they give you a solid reason not to. Otherwise, you, yourself run the risk of living a miserable life. And it is just not worth it! Life is way too short to waste it on negative people, emotions or situations!

Lets keep on smiling, despite it all!

Can any of you guys relate to my situation? Have you ever had to deal with lies being told about you? How did you manage the situation? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I love to read them! =)

]]> http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses17/feed/ 3 http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/what-exactly-is-karma/ http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/what-exactly-is-karma/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:24:16 +0000 Leyla http://leylasroom.com/?p=1239

http://www.trueyogainc.com

I can’t say I understand the depth of what Karma means and how it works completely, and I am by no means an expert in an area of spirituality and wisdom. However, I think I understand the basics of the principles of directing one’s energy at creating only constructive experiences, because by nature, what you put out, inevitably comes back. Whether or not, you believe in Karma, it exists. It’s just one of the Universal Laws, of cause and effect, that you don’t have to fully understand or believe in, for it to work. It’s like the Law of Attraction. We might not fully get how it works, or why it works… But it works. It has been tested by me (and many others, of course), MANY times, and it definitely works if we learn and master how to properly use this magnificent and powerful Universal Law. So it is the case with, Karma as well. Anytime you put out any kind of energy into the world, know that by virtue of Universal Laws, it will make a circle of life and come back into your energy field.

But enough of me trying to explain it. The little excerpt that I am about to share with you, explains what Karma is and how it works in beautiful, simple terms. So I hope that it will shed some light into the area and help you further your understanding of this important Universal Law.

Dylan continues to remain at the healing Center and is making quite a progress with his addictions. – Page 487

{ As he went on his usual morning stroll, he came upon a building whose entrance had been created with an inlaid violet stone he’d never seen before. It looked stunning. He simply had to go in.

The rectangular room contained only twenty seats, but as Crow sat, he filled the last one – coincidentally vacated by the gentleman to whom he’s just spoken. The lecture hall had been decorated in shades of violet. Through a skylight in the ceiling, which appeared to be encrusted in amethysts, the sun filtered through in purple streaks.

“Many of you are at the Center attempting to assess certain aspects of your life which have created imbalance. Some cannot seem to put a finger on which particular activity or event initiated your descent into the mire from which you wish to extricate yourself, and to that end, I’d like to address the concept of Karma this morning.

“Karma can be defined as energy and consciousness in action. It is the law, not only of cause and effect, but also retribution. Some ancient traditions referred to it as the Law of the Circle, which essentially means whatever you do inevitably goes around the great circle, collecting similar energy and returns to you, magnified.”

Now there’s a wee lesson that keeps popping up for me! Crow declared silently.

The old man continued. “The Law of Karma necessitates that the soul re-embody until all karmic cycles are balanced. Thus from lifetime to lifetime one determines one’s fate by his thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. In other words, it’s accepting complete one hundred percent responsibility for the way you use energy. Through many Eastern religious constructs it is taught that there is Karmic Board which dispenses justice to this system of worlds, adjudicating karma, mercy, and judgment on behalf of every lifestream. Every single soul must pass before this Karmic Board prior to, and after each incarnation on earth; receiving their assignment and karmic allotment for each lifetime before, and an overall review of their performance at its termination. The Lords of Karma have access to the complete records of every incarnation of every soul. These are referred to as the akashic records, which are an energetic imprinting of your entire life.

“This board determines who shall embody, as well as when and where. They assign souls to families and communities, measuring out the weight of karma that must be balanced. The Lords of Karma, acting together with the I AM Presence and Christ-self, or higher mental body of each individual, determines when the soul has earned the right to be free of the wheel of reincarnation.

“Now, I have just given you an overview of karma as seen through the eyes of most Eastern philosophies. Fact is, karma, or at least this concept that one must balance every title and jot relating to misdeeds by counteracting those deeds is a man-made concept. It is true that with every thought, feeling, word, and deed you create something – at least an energy form of some sort. Because energy is magnetic in nature, it attracts similar energy and by the time it travels the great circle, it does come back to the creator magnified. Now, that’s the truth of karma.

“Every single ensouled being, as Son of God, must learn to manage the unlimited substance of God’s energy in a constructive way. Nothing can stop you from coming back time after time, experiencing a relentless stream of trauma and drama to try to make things right…if that is your soul’s desire. If you’re someone who loves soap operas, it may, in fact, be your pathway of choice.”

The group, as a whole, laughed.

“BUT…it’s possible to forgive, dissolve, and consume the mis-creations, which, in this world of polarity may have served to further your soul’s education, but are now no longer required. A pathway of learning, or choosing, to use this energy constructively in a way that expands God’s perfection and expresses Divine Love may be more appropriate at this stage of your soul’s development. There’s no reason, save addiction to drama, to carry around all that excess baggage which weighs so heavily upon the soul, constantly acting as a magnet to draw more darkness into your world.

“As all children of God have free will, the choice is, of course, up to the individual.

“Those who are drawn to this facility may be dealing with conditions that have been brought forth from other lifetimes, or they may have misused their power in this one. Most likely, all here are dealing with a bit of both. You’re not in this room listening to this discourse by accident. You are present because your higher mental body and your unseen assistants have brought you here.” }

And so it is by no accident that you are reading this right now. You, your soul was ready to be exposed to this Universal truth and the Ultimate power of freedom that lies within it.

Now the choice is yours… How will you choose to dispense your energy from now on, knowing the power of creation that is in every single one of us? Please share your thoughts below. I love reading them! =)