The weather has officially turned. We're starting to wake up with the sun rather than an alarm clock, and if you're like me, you crave to spend every moment outside. This beautiful weather means that it's time to switch from hot drinks to iced drinks. The preference of the iced lattes and cold brews has switched from the piping hot lattes that warmed our souls in the winter weather to get us to this point.

I don't know about you, but I love a nice iced tea when I'm sitting in the sun reading or just enjoying the company of some of my favorite people. Raise your hand if you've ever had a GTL (Green Tea Lemonade) from Starbucks? 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️It was my go-to in college from our campus' most prized possession. When I was in the mood for something less sweet, I'd opt for just an iced green tea. This drink is not only refreshing and hydrating, but it's also calorie and guilt free!

My current go-to on my way to work is as follows: a trenta green tea with no sweetener and light ice. These can be pricey, however. Roughly $4 a day can add up, my friend. So I decided to figure out how I could replicate it and now I want to share it with you!

Ingredients:

• Tazo Zen tea
• Water
• Ice

A little while back, I asked some of my followers on Instagram to answer and few questions:

1. What would like to see me post about?
2. Which posts have you enjoyed? 

Not so surprisingly, I got an overwhelming response for people wanting to see more self-care posts.

So, what is self-care exactly? It is the prioritizing of you, and your emotional, mental, and physical health. The taking of time for yourself. My favorite analogy is that of the cups- you cannot pour from an empty cup, your cup needs to indeed be full. The thing is, it's up to us to make sure our cups are full. You can never expect anyone else to fill your cup, because you don't know how full their cup is.

I'm writing this post as more of a proposal, the proposal of The Coffee Rule. The Coffee Rule is all about taking one moment from your day to do something, one thing for yourself. What does that look like for you in your day to day? Only you know that. It may just mean leaving the office and going for a walk outside. For me, sometimes it looks like leaving the office to go grab lunch or take a walk in one of the parks by my office. Most times, however, it looks like grabbing a cup of coffee or cappuccino (which is often a necessary afternoon pick me up). It could be getting a manicure post-work, getting up early and going for a run or walk, baking some cookies, snuggling up and watching Netflix. #TheCoffeeRule could be anything as long as you're taking some time for YOU!

So, let's start prioritizing us. One thing, every day.

I would love to know what your daily #CoffeeRule is. Let's make this a priority. What will your Coffee Rule be? Tell me! Post about it, tweet it, snap a pic of it with the hashtag #TheCoffeeRule or #CoffeeRule- whatever grammatically makes sense at the time. I'm going to start sharing mine daily!

Hello loves,

I'm sitting here on my couch as I watch the snow fall outside on this second day of spring. This time two weeks ago however, I was sitting in a chez lounge chair looking at the ocean as my skin soaked up the sun's rays. But alas, here we are. I posted on my instagram this morning a picture of the yummy-licious waffles I made. A decent amount of my followers (if you are one- HIIIII) said that they'd like the recipe so here I am!

Let's cut to the chase because let's be honest, no one really reads the paragraphs before a recipe, they just want the recipe! I'm hip.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt

You wake up and it's the weekend, or a day like today where, if you're like me, you just needed a day to yourself. I woke up and decided that I was going to have a day, a day where I was going to live my proclaimed best life. So, what's the best way to start a day where you plan to live your best life? Waffles.

If you know me, you know I have an affinity for lemon and blueberry goodies and treats. Few things pair together  quite as perfectly as lemon and blueberry. You have the obvious peanut butter and jelly or classic tomato and basil but the combination of blueberry and lemon come together quite blissfully.

I started my morning like I start all mornings by making a cup of warm lemon water. Before I poured the warm water into my lemoned cup, I plugged in my waffle maker in preparation for these healthy blueberry lemon waffles. These waffles evoke all of the joy and nostalgia with none of the guilt. You'll see why when you check out the recipe!

Hi loves,

It's been a while, but, I'm back! I'm feeling a whole new wave of inspiration. This time, it's not going to be half-assed. I'm not going to go into it with a half-motivated state of mind. I'm really feeling it. I spent this past weekend mapping out my goals, purchasing necessary success tools, and organizing my processes.

I wholeheartedly intend for 2018 to be the year of B. What does that mean? I'm focusing on my self- mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This life is too goddamn hard for us to just merely get by; searching and grasping at things that will make us happy in the moment (chocolate, ice-cream, a Netflix binge, or a bottle of wine) but at the end of the day, it's just a glimpse, a meager moment of that happiness we so long for. I'm taking control. I've had enough of dreading Mondays and counting down until the weekend. I'm prioritizing myself and my happiness so I can stop wishing my days, weeks, and ultimately, life away.

I'm using this platform as a space where I am going to share my goals, check-in about those goals, share tips and tricks that I'm finding to be successful along this journey as I retake my life (is that too dramatic??). I currently have many ideas and thoughts flowing through my brain but on this first post, I intend to map out my goals and break them down into achievable milestones, both minor and major. We need to be kind to ourselves. We need to nurture ourselves. We need to be realistic. Below are my goals and what I feel are realistic expectations for myself!

Daily Goals:

• Meditate in the mornings: my plan for this goal is to wake up ten minutes before my alarm typically goes off to meditate. I am going to lay out my yoga mat, light a candle, and play a centering playlist or listen to a guided meditation. 
• Drink lemon water to start my day: there are so many benefits from starting your day with lemon water and it being the first thing you ingest to break your fast. This combination flushes your digestion system while also kickstarting your metabolism. It's also super hydrating and great for your skin!
• Drink three 40 oz water bottles a day: for those of you who don't know, I am a walking, talking HydroFlask advertisement. I'm obsessed with my 40 oz water bottle and how easy it makes it to drink water. My goal is to drink three of these big babies a day! 
• Journal daily: journaling alone is something that is cathartic in itself but my goal is to have a food journal, gym journal, and a couple self-reflective journals to jot down my thoughts, emotions, failures, and successes. 
• Read everyday: reading is always beneficial. It helps us to grow in so many ways so, there's not much else to say on this particular goal! 

As we go, we learn more about ourselves because every day, we learn more about ourselves. Be kind to yourself, love yourself, nourish yourself, and fulfill yourself. I haven't done this with myself. I haven't been kind to myself. But, I'm taking this new year as a fresh start for myself. I cannot wait for this journey and I'll check in soon! 2018 is going to be the best year yet!!

xoxo,
B

If you're close to me, then you know how challenging my back and forth personal struggle with acne has been over the last four years or so. I have a few month period of breakthrough where my acne clears up and my face is back to normal again and then it's back (dun dun dun). But actually. I've tried every on-the-spot treatment both over the counter and prescribed. I've been on acne clearing antibiotics and they would work for a few weeks or so then it's right back to the struggle.

When the New Year rolled around, I decided to try something I had tried before, two years ago, to help combat the nuisance that controlled my face and sometimes my happiness. Sad to admit, but very true. I decided to give up drinking coffee.
I'm one week in and I'm not going to lie, it has been a struggle. I find that it is harder to sleep at night, the bags under my eyes aren't great, my kids at school ask me why I look so tired, my appetite has grown and I find myself reaching for any sugary product around but the one (and probably the most important) thing I've noticed is a change in my skin. The pimples on my face aren't cystic, the breakouts are showing up less and less, and the redness on my face is disappearing. Mind you, it has only been a week.

The tea that I am absolutely in love with is Yogi tea. Yogi tea can be purchased at pretty much any grocery store around the nation! I swear by this tea for the taste and also for the little uplifting quotes and sayings they put on their tea tags. My Yogi tea of choice is Yogi Blueberry Slim Life Green Tea.

If you're interested in following the progress of my journey to a clear skin life, I will be posting an update post in about a month! I'm very excited about the results!

Hi lovelies!! I know it's been a while since I've shown my face... well written on the blog. I just wanted to say that the last few months have been crazy hectic and kind of a whirlwind for me. But, I'm back and going to be making my blog a priority! So I wanted to ease back into things by sharing with you lovely readers a sweet treat that is also healthy, may I add..

So next time you've got your freezer open about to grab the ice cream, I suggest grabbing a frozen banana to make this sweet tooth satisfying, yummylicious, body-lovin' treat.

Here's what you'll need:

1 frozen banana
1 cup of almond milk (sweetened or unsweetened)
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (I used dark)
2 tablespoons of almond butter

Put all of the ingredients in your blender and pulse until the ingredients are smooth. Yep, it's that easy. Finish it off by sprinkling some cocoa nibs on top and you've got yourself and healthy sweet treat!

xoxo, B

This salad is the most simple salad to prepare on planet Earth. Most salads are easy to make and assemble but this is is probably the most delicious. I first had it 4 or 5 summers ago while on the Cape with my Aunt and sister. It reminds me of summer in it's shear simplicity and fresh taste. The salad has only 4 ingredients that can be found in any market or store. It is so beautiful and so fresh it's a must on a brunch menu. 

Ingredients:

• 1 small or medium sized seedless watermelon
• 2 ripe mangos
• 1/4 cup of julienned mint leaves- about 8 or 9 leaves
• 1 lime

1. Have a place for things: Designate certain areas in your room for specific things. Keep items you don't need on a daily basis out of sight- under your bed, in your closet, up on shelves, etc. The items I use on a daily basis have their own space on my desk or my bureau so they're easy to access and I can always see them!

2. Make lists: Ah, lists, man's best friend, right? Yes! Research has proven that lists are great for visual people, but I think they're useful to anyone. Make a list when: you're organizing your ideas, getting ready for the day, grocery shopping, packing, preparing for finals week. Lists are useful for any occasion and they can really put your thoughts in order to help make any task easier and less stressful.

3. Keep your room tidy: If you know me, you know that I'm not exactly the best at keeping my room clean. Well, some weeks are busier than others and you just end up throwing all your clothes on the floor. If you have trouble keeping your room clean here's a tip: designate one or two days a week to cleaning. My days are Sundays. Keeping your room clean also aids in creating a blissful spot to relieve your stress and relax.

4. Have good time management: You know the old college "right of passage" that is pulling all nighters? Yeah, that's a result of terrible time management. Budget your time wisely especially when you're preparing for finals. Having good time management is a valuable life skill that you're able to practice in college. So get to it! I promise you'll relieve a lot of stress if you manage your time wisely!

5. Go to sleep at a reasonable hour (during the week): Proper sleep has a copious amount of benefits. Sleeping refreshes and revives the body so that it can perform at its best the next day. It's proven to be beneficial in weight loss and keeping you healthy which leads to less bodily stress!

6. Exercise: Exercising is a widely known stress reliever. It not only makes you feel amazing about yourself, but it releases "happy" hormones in your brain to help relieve stress and boost your mood! Exercising is beneficial for your mind, body, and health, what could be better?

7. Drink Tea: Okay, I love tea. If you know me, you know I start my day off with blueberry green tea. Tea is amazing. I could talk about it for days. It's relaxing and also so good for your health. There are so many types, flavors, and varieties that it's fun to drink tea! So, make yourself a cup of warm tea and relax.

8. Do something everyday that'll make you happy: This is such an important philosophy. The people who live the longest lives are the people who do what they love, everyday. So, ride your bike, walk your dog, write, make cookies, read your book, or take a bubble bath. Always make time to do something you love- it relieves stress in the now, and for the future.

9. Prepare for the day: One way that I like to prepare for the day is to set my clothes out the night before and get my bag all ready for the next day. This way, I'm not rushing around grabbing stuff when I'm already two minutes late to getting out the door. Doing these things will give you one less thing to worry about when that alarm goes off.

10. Eat Well: Eating well is something people too often take for granted. Your health is just too important not to worry about. When you eat well, you feel good about yourself and that alone relieves so many stresses. Take care of your body, please- it's the only one you've got!

11. Drink Water: Last but not least, water. Water is just too good for your mind, body, and health. So drink up!

I hope these tips can help you in your everyday life but also as we begin to prepare for finals! In what ways do you relieve your stresses? Comment below!

Okay, so you wake up in the morning to find that your face has been attacked overnight by the acne-stick (is that a thing??) Horrible. What is worse?? Okay, obviously there are worse things in life but a breakout can be pretty devastating especially if you have a big day full of presentations, meetings, an interview, or a date. A breakout can make your confidence levels go down ten-fold. It's such a hassle and it's just unattractive. So, to make it better, you cover it up, suffocate it, and you have created a negative skin cycle. But, you can't not cover up your breakout, so what do you do?? I have compiled a few tips that can help to beat that breakout because everyone deserves to feel gorgeous and happy!

1. Clean your makeup brushes: Cleaning your makeup brushes is such an overlooked task. It's actually something that should be done weekly. When you fail to clean your makeup brushes, bacteria and unwanted germs build up on your brushes. This can aid in causing a breakout because you're introducing that unwanted bacteria to both your face and your makeup. So please clean those brushes! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. First, wet your brush with warm water (it cannot be too hot- think lukewarm). Rub the wet brush on a bar of soap- I use Dove. You'll start to see the residue from your makeup products come right off. Last, rinse it with the warm water and let it dry on a towel. I usually let mine dry overnight but it all depends on your brushes and their thicknesses.

2. Analyze your diet: You know the old saying "you don't need to write down what you eat because your body is a walking food journal" or some derivation of that? Yeah, well the same thing is true for your skin. Your body is a machine and when it isn't nourished the way it's supposed to be, it tells you. Think about what you put into your body because there are many foods that cause breakouts. High levels of gluten, fried foods, etc. Breakouts can also be caused by what you're not feeding your body. There are so many miracle foods out there-all of which come from the Earth might I add.

3. Coffee & chocolate: The thing with coffee and chocolate is that they cause hormonal imbalances within your body which can lead to acne. If you look at where your breakout is, you can analyze why. Your T-Zone breaking out is normally due to imbalanced hormones. Aren't they annoying. Think about what you put into your body because everything has it's own energy compositions therefore, your body perceives them all differently. Also, I am a huge fan of tea and tea is great for your skin!

4. Natural detoxes: there are plenty of resources out there that can tell you a million different things to detoxify your body. Lemons are an amazing thing to have on hand at all times. They make for a great scrask (check out my lemon&honey scrask) and if you put them in hot water with some honey and cayenne or just by themselves, they make for a great skin detoxifier. So many people swear by this. I know I definitely do (check out my post here).

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: I don't think I can ever stress this enough. Hydrating your body is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself. If there's one thing you take from this post, be it that you DRINK WATER. It's really just too important to me. It's such an easy thing we forget to do but it has some major consequences. One of those being that you breakout. Drinking a lot of water brings nothing but good health to you. I know it's a hassle when you have to use the bathroom 20 times a day, but that's HEALTHY. It's the natural way your body rids itself of toxins. Every person should drink AT LEAST 60 fl oz of water per day. In terms of plastic water bottles, that's 4. You should be drinking more than that. Your goal should be 75-100 fl oz of water. If you workout or sweat a lot, make it 100-120 fl oz. It's so good for you health and your skin. Please, make water your best friend when you're suffering from a bad breakout. You'll truly see a difference.

What are your acne remedies? Please share in the comments!

Gum is a great little sidekick to have on your health journey. It's not just so you have great fresh breath, but that's definitely a bonus :)

Here's why:

1. Keeps your mouth from drying out: When I workout, especially during cardio, I have a piece of gum in my mouth. When I run, I don't quite have the "in through your nose and out through your mouth" breathing technique down. I'm more of a "in through your mouth and out through your mouth" kind of person. For better or worse, the solution to that, for me, is gum! It keeps your mouth salivating and moist. This helps because you aren't constantly grabbing for your water bottle and trying to drink it while running (I usually end up spilling it all over myself- not cute). I find the best flavor to chew is peppermint- sorry to all the spearmint fans out there. Through my experience,  spearmint dries out my mouth. My fav gum is: 5 Gum Cobalt!

2. Keeps you from snacking: I find that when I have a piece of gum in my mouth, I don't snack. It keeps your brain stimulated so you're not thinking about food. It's kind of a brain trick! The best thing to do when you're feeling the urge to snack is pop a piece of gum in your mouth. I know for me, I don't like to waste a piece of gum and the fresh flavor. Try this the next time you are feeling the urge!

P.S. I know Extra Gum makes different dessert flavored gum. So if you have a sweet tooth try them! Or just eat some fruit :)

3. Helps you to study: Okay, I know this isn't a fit tip, but it is a tip that people should know about! There have been numerous studies out there that show that chewing gum while studying helps you to remember information. Chewing helps to stimulate your brain in ways that just studying can't do. Chewing gum during a test after you chewed it while studying helps you to remember more.

After these tips, you're gonna be one smart hottie- the best of both worlds! If you have any other tips for gum comment below! Have a great week, everyone!

Shoutout to my extremely patient boyfriend for taking this pic! Love you, Anthony!

1. Have a reason: Getting to the gym is the first step and sometimes the hardest. Having a reason to go makes it a lot easier to get there. This goes along with one of my 8 Tips for A Healthier You. That tip is to have goals. No matter how big or small, having a goal gives you a reason to get to the gym. I know for me whenever I didn't want to go to the gym or just loathed the idea of working out for whatever reason, I would get myself there and kill the workout.

2. Have a plan: Have a plan for when you get there. Make your own routine. I know a lot of people have their own routines- but it takes time and getting used to. For me, I like to get my cardio out of the way, for a lot of people it's the opposite. Some people like to fill up their water bottle or stretch first. It all depends on you and your level of comfort in the gym. Another thing people use as a resource before going to the gym are gym workouts. You can find these everywhere on the internet. People have devoted their lives and careers to creating these. There are so many resources out there you can use as your tool for success.

3. Look good, feel good: I'm definitely a firm believer in this. Wear clothes that you feel good in or accentuate what you love about your body. Whether its your legs, arms, or booty, love your body love yourself!! Also, invest in clothes and sneakers that are good for you. Don't buy things that are just cute because sometimes they are not sensible (for example: Nike Free sneakers).

4. Be confident: I can't stress this enough. Be proud of yourself for the moves you are making to better yourself and your life. Go to the gym and be confident because no one is looking at you or judging you. Everyone is there for a reason and 9/10 times, it's the same as your reason. Do not be embarrassed. Everyone in the gym had to start somewhere- you're not just magically fit. Keep your head up and do your thing. You'll get there, it just takes time. If you're starting to go to the gym to gain confidence, GOOD but it comes from within, not just from the gym.

5. Eat the right foods: You will not have a good workout if you haven't eaten the right foods beforehand. You body is a vessel. This means that you need to put the right forms of energy into your body in order for it to perform at it's best.  This means having a balanced diet: proteins, carbs, and healthy fats. Foods like chicken, turkey, whole grains, sweet potatoes, salmon, nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts), avocado, extra virgin olive oil, etc.

6. The reward:  When you walk out of those gym doors after completing a workout, there's just no better feeling. As I'm sure you've heard from so many sources, working out is a great way to relieve stress. Also, it has been proven that working out releases endorphins that make you happy. These are just a few of the rewards going to the gym and working out offer. It also gives you a sense of pride and self-love. What is a better reward than self-love and confidence? Not much in my book.

I hope that these tips will be used to greater your successes in becoming a healthier you! Comment below with any comments or questions :)

Whether it's a cold day, or a hot day, lemon and hot water is one of my go-tos. There's something about it that just instantly makes me happy. Lemon and hot water are one of my favorite combinations alongside that of: tomato, mozzarella, & basil and navy blue & white. When I want to relax, I will drink hot water and lemon. It has a fantastic taste to it and as an added bonus, it has a copious amount of health benefits!

Here are some of the benefits of lemon and hot water:

• Vitamin C
• Cleanses your digestion system
• Balances pH levels
• Clears your skin
• Enhances your mood
• Hydration 

The New Year means that we all have a fresh, clean slate. We have a new starting ground, so we want to take advantage of it. Many people make their New Years resolution to become healthier or finally lose that weight. Well, you're not alone. Last year, I made the decision to get my health in order. I had always struggled with my weight and body image so, I decided it was time for some change. I can tell you now that that was the best decision I have ever made. I have never been happier with myself. Seeing that you can achieve anything, if you put your heart and soul into it, is the most empowering thing a person can realize.

Throughout this process, I have compiled a few tips that I, myself, have used for the success of my becoming a healthier me.

1. Set Goals: In order to achieve a healthier you, you must have goals and deadlines. Having goals gives you something to work towards and look forward to. Seeing the progress you're making as you get closer to your set goal is the most rewarding feeling.

2. Make Those Goals Within Reason: As everyone knows, you want to have goals that are reasonable. You can't make a goal to lose 30 pounds in a month. Be kind to your body. You will see the rewards of your progress soon enough.

3. Exercise: This one is big. You cannot simply become healthy without exercise. It has so many benefits. Whether those benefits are mental or physical, you are doing your body and self an immense justice. Start small, run a half mile or for three minutes. Don't get frustrated when you see people running forever, you will get there- just be patient. The benefits are worth the temporary pain. Push.

4. Healthy Eating: I am a firm believer that everything we need for our health comes from Mother Earth. Your body is a vessel and it needs the correct fuel in order to run in the best possible way. Feed your body the way it needs to be fed. You will notice a difference, I promise. Also, don't count calories. There are so many diet programs that focus on calories. Don't. Focus on nutrients and whole foods- things that come from the Earth. This approach will be most beneficial.

5. Water: Water water water. Hello, this is huge. Water is SUCH an amazing thing. You must feed your body with water. Everyday, you should be consuming at least 60 fluid ounces of water. That does not include if you work out. I try and drink 120 or more fluid ounces of water daily. This may seem like a lot because it is but your body needs it. Your average water bottle from say Poland Springs or Deer Park is 16.9 fluid ounces. That would mean you would have to drink roughly 7 or 8 water bottles. Also, a side note: if you're drinking from plastic water bottles, be sure to reuse them. Use one a day and refill it 7 or 8 times. Pleas make sure to recycle when you're finished with it. The Earth does her part for you, do your part for her. Another benefit is that water fills you up and it's zero calories. It's the perfect sidekick for your journey.

6. Take Pictures: If you want to see your progress, take pictures. Take them often. It's a real treasure to compare your first day pics to your third week or third month pics. Also, download the a PicStitch app so you can see the comparison side-by-side.

7. Reward Yourself: This one is also a big one. As you adjust to your new lifestyle, don't forget to reward yourself. If you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of healthy eats that can cure that sweet tooth- dark chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, tea. I'm not saying to always give into cravings, but don't torture yourself. Be kind to your body.

8. Positivity: Positivity is SO important. This is something that really helps me on my continuous journey, everyday. Give it out and get it- it's that simple. If you're negative, you don't get too far in life. No one likes a Debbie Downer. Please, if you take anything away from this post, be it that you give this world good energy because everything comes back around. Being positive changes your mindset to a "can do" mindset. That will help you in this journey. Be a positive light in this world.

Being healthy is a lifelong journey- it's not just something you do for a day, week, month, or year. When you make a resolution to become healthy, the best thing you can do is to change your lifestyle and have it become just another part of your day.

Please remember that health is not defined through the scale- it is about feeling good about yourself and treating your body right.