Sweet & Sassy Strawberries

For years, even decades strawberries has been known to have huge health benefits for the skin. Strawberries contain a salicyclic acid to get rid of dead skin cells therefore, helping to fight and eliminate free radicals that attack the skin. Because strawberries contains a good amount of antioxidants, strawberries should be incorporated your diet as much as possible. I LOVE strawberries and actually decided to start a business after attending the strawberry fest in Oxnard in 2007. I was so inspired by the other vendors and their crafts in soap, that I too wanted to do the same. This year, it's returning and if you live in or near Los Angeles County, I'd advise you to attend and bring the entire family! It's super FUN! Listed below are a few of my favorite Strawberry Recipes. Try them all!!!!

Strawberry Mask

Strawberies have astringent qualities which tighten and tone your skin.

Mash the strawberries in a small bowl. Apply to your face as directed in the basic mask instructions and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

(Body Book By Anne Akers Johnson)





Strawberry Teeth Whitener

Are you wanting clean and white teeth? Try this:

3-6 strawberries
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water

To make:
In a blender puree the berries
Pour the fruit in a small custard size dish.

To use:
With your toothbrush or cosmetic brush, paint a paste of the berries onto your teeth. Let sit on your teeth for 5 minutes.
Add teaspoon of the baking soda and the cream of tartar to the cup of water.
Swish the soda water around in your mouth
Brush your teeth with 1 teaspoon plain baking soda
Rinse with cool, clear water.

(The Herbal Home Spa by Greta Breedlove)

What other ways do you use Strawberries? Please share.

Dollars & Cents

Friday afternoon, I decided to take my kids on a field-trip to teach them the value of money. Because, I have so many empty plastic bottles from the ingredients used to make products for Scentsational Soaps, both my son and daughter wanted to recycle them. That's not to mention the many soda cans that has been collected by my father-in-law that he donates to the kids on a monthly basis. We loaded up the van with all of the recycled items and also brought along a bank that the kids use to save coins, etc. This would definitely be a trip that would teach them the benefits of saving. I was just as eagered as the kids to see just how much was in the bank. The kids both agreed that the money would be split amongst the two of them for their own personal use. I prayed that this trip would allow them not to ask mommy or daddy for aany money in the days ahead.....yeah RIGHT!!!!! When becoming a parent, you are a parent for LIFE!!! However, teaaching them the value of money early will allow them to become more responsible. We went to a local store and deposited all of the change in a Coinstar machine.



Yes, I know, this service is not free, there is a fee, but it sure beats wrapping up the coins in rolls! The kids thought that this was fun. Just pour the coins in a watch the screen display the amount as it counts each coin. As you can see, they walked away with $50.14.......Were they excited? Most definitely! The entire way to the next stop; The Recycling Center, they discussed how they were going to spend it, etc.





We arrived to the next stop. This definitely was not my cup of tea. Everything was grimmy, dirty, and smelled. My son did his job like a man as my daughter and I looked on. Of course, she was there to help sign the receipt to get paid....LOL!!! They had made another $10.07. They were HOT stuff now! $60.21!!!!!! That meant they would get $30 each. They were too excited & I was excited too because, now they could see the concept of saving. Now, they can't wait to go back to get more.

Save that loose change that you have on your dresser and watch it grow. It will definitely come in handy for a number of things such as gas, lunch, etc.

Don't Eat Your Heart Out!!!!!!!

Hello there! How is everyone coming along with their New Years resolutions? I never make any resolutions as I always fail. However, this year, I wanted to try something a little different. I told my family that eating junk food was out the door. Would this be considered making a New Year resolution? I think it's a lifestyle change. It just sounds better and makes it a bit more permanent. Well, whatever it is, may it be a mental play on words or not, I have been in the kitchen cooking. Of course, I'm always cooking and dishing up wonderful bath & body products for the skin www.scentsationalsoaps.com but this called for me to create wonderful, light and healthy meals for the body; internally. I absolutely LOVE cooking but found it so not convenient while running a business, along with a husband and two kids. This is NOT TRUE. As with anything, you have got to plan. AND, I'm responsible for what the family eats. With that said I've been browsing a couple of cookbooks and making smoothies for the kids. They love them. I tossed in a few blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, soy milk and agave nectar in the smoothie listed below and it was absolutely delicious!





Thanks to The Cookbook Called "Everyday Food" from the Kitchens of Martha Stewart, that same day I came across a wonderful looking recipe called "Asian Style Chicken Soup" that was low in calories and very flavorful.



It had ginger, cilanatro, basil leaves, tomatoes, chicken breast, jalapenos and vermicelli noodles in it. I'll be making this again, with only 301 calories per serving. It was a HIT for the family and also a healthy alternative to fast food. I continued to get excited throughout the week and continued on with my healthy cooking streek and made a tasty and comforting butternut squash soap. It was definitely something new that was introduced to the family but has always been a favorite of mine.



What I noticed as I cooked and ate each meal and / or snack, the food is not only better for our bodies but also has the same great flavor. Make healthy choices this year and watch some unwanted body fat begin to fall off. Furthermore, start introducing your kids to those healthy choices as this will make them strong and healthy as they grow.

Enhance Your Beauty......

With the New Year here upon us, many have vowed to do better, be better and look better. Some of us have promised to work out more consistantly, loose weight and even take better care of ourselves. I too, have said all of these things and I must say that I've been on track. Obviously, that's easy to say when we've only welcomed the New Year only five days ago...LOL! Yes, I know, it sounds funny but check back with me next month and see if I'm still on track. Consistency is key in anything in life, and maintenance is a must to enhance and repair dilapidated things such as our skin. My daily beauty routine consist of the following:

1. Neutrogena Deep Clean Long Last Shine Control Daily ScrubI love this stuff! It gets rid of all the dirt & oil build up
2. Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture w/ SPF 20 This product is my best friend, it keeps my face moisturized & has SPF 20
3. Mary Kay Foundation Primer
This makes your foundation look very natural upon your face with a nice finish
4. Mary Kay Powdered Foundation
5. Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives Instant Eye Reviver
This helps my eyes look younger than what they really are.
6. Maybeline Eye Studio
This comes in several different colors and they all match and compliment one
another. Great for everyday use.
7. Scentsational Soaps Passion Scented Massage Oil. Makes your body soft & supple with extra moisture
8. Scentsational Soaps Passion Scented Body Butter. Perfect for dry skin. Goes on smooth, leaaving your skin with a shine.
9. Scentsational Soaps Passion scented Body Mist. The scent will awaken your senses while refreshing your body.
10. Scentsational Soaps Lemon Foot Butter. The foot butter is infused with Tea Tree Oil to protect the feet from fungus and it smells heavenly.
11. Sally Hansen Tweezers. These are perfect for plucking unwanted hairs in your eyebrows.
12. Scentsational Soaps Lemongrass Patchouli Soap. One of my favorite soaps! It lathers extremely well and is handmade using essential oils. Lemongrass is known as an antiseptic as well as an anti-inflammatory while Patchouli essential oil is an estringent and aphrodisiac. Di I mention that the wrapper can be planted to grow wildflowers? Amazing!
13. Lastly, of course, you've gotta have a good make-up brush to apply the powdered foundation.

Check out Scentsational Soaps Products

These items have all been apart of my daily routine. What's your beauty routine?

The Great Get-Away!

2011 was an interesting year. A year of learning more about myself and those around me. With high expectations for others, I had to learn to accept people for who they are. Though, this issue had to do with others, I too had to shine the light on me. In August of 2011, I found myself depressed for the very first time. Yes, ME, Ms. Positive; always encouraging others, etc. I laid in my bed dormant and not wanting to do anything; not even shop (my favorite thing to do). I cried, I slept, I did nothing. It was a moment of self reflection and a time to listen in order to move forward. No one knew my pain, not even my husband. I felt inadequate, nervous, unsure and crippled. I felt that I was not doing enough within my business as well as my personal life. It was time to MOVE!!!!!

Since that experience, my life has changed. As mentioned in a prior post, I had to take time for ME. With that said, this past weekend, I took out time with my family. We headed to Rancho Cucamonga with my husband, mom, kids and nephew. We had a blast!!! We stayed at the Hilton, ate, went shopping at Ontario Mills Mall, went to the movies, ate, hung out, ate...O, yes did I say ate or EAT!!!! Lastly, to top it off, we went to my uncles home for dinner on Sunday before heading back home. I truly believe that I picked up 15lbs. on this trip alone. This year, I promised myself that I would do more things for me & explore. Small getaways recharges your body & cost very little when planned right. Name some weekend getaways that recharges your body.

Discover YOU in 2012

When was the last time that you taken time out for you? Do you give yourself 15 minutes a day, just for you? In the course of the year 2011, I found myself NOT doing that as much as I would like. Yes, I go places and have fun with my husband, family and friends, but for the most part, it's all work related. I promised myself, that I will do things differently and go to places that I've never been before in 2012. The picture above is a spot in Rancho Palos Verdes. It's absolutely beautiful there. One day, I was driving back from an event and decided to pull over on the side and close my eyes and inhale and exhale for a moment while there. I wanted to take in everything that was there in my possession and acknowledge it. I also began to think about things that I wanted and things that I needed to rid myself of. It was a peaceful moment. It's these moments that you will learn more about yourself while releasing stress from the body. With all the hustle and bustle with life, it's important to take time out for YOU. Run along the beaches in the sand, take your shoes off and let your toes feel the grass, listen to the birds chirp, take long baths while using Scentsational Soaps Products. It will do the body good! Start making the changes today & share some things that you do to take out time for YOU.

Rejuvenate, Revive, Restore, Relax

Being an entrepreneur has both it's high & low points. There are times when you feel overwhelmed and then there are days that you are ecstatic about your business! This is not only true for entrpreneurs but for everyone for that matter. Life is a beautiful gift that has been given to us all but in order to master our LIFE, it's essential to revive our minds. Going to the beach to watch the sunset, enjoying time alone reading a good book, or just pure rest is the best way to clear the mind. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of going to Paradise Cove in Malibu! I love this restaurant and it's picture perfect views.

Just this past weekend, I watched the sunset with my husband. It was very nice, calming and relaxing, and guess what? It was FREE!!! Remember, when you feel a lil overwhelmed, take some time for you! Check out Paradise Cove at http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/

Toushonta Hogan President, Founder
Scentsational Soaps

How bad do YOU want it? What r YOU willing to do for it?

This saturday, I had the great honor and privilege of speaking before a group of wonderfully courageous women who are apart of a non-profit organization called Shepherd's Door. Shepherd’s Door is a domestic Violence Resource Center, that provides a safe and secure refuge for women who are ready to put an end to the cycle of violence that has shaken and shattered their lives. Through direct rescue intervention, residential support in the transition, counseling, and resources linkage new beginnings are launched and lives are changed forever and women are made able to begin again via the outreach efforts of Shepherd's Door. The experience got me to thinkin about my own life; which further inspired me to pose some questions to you that I asked of myself:

. Are you genuinely and authentically happy with your life? With who you are?

. If you had it to do over, what would you change about your life?

. Would you marry or date you if you were You?

. Do you believe you have control of your whole life?

. If you don't...who have you relinquished control of your life to?

. Do you treat yourself kind and with respect?

. When you look in the mirror, do you like who and what looks back at you?

. Have you forgiven yourself?

. Have you forgiven those who have trespassed against you?

The take away from Saturday's event was to forgive yourself for the choices you may have made that didn't serve you. Forgive that person who you feel has wronged you. When you forgive others, it allows the Universe to not only lighten your heart, but also forgives you for wrongs you may have committed.

The second take away I derived from the luncheon was to walk in love. The more love you express, the more love you'll receive.

Lastly, move on.If we continue to live in the past, we'll continue to draw unto ourselves the same kind of people, situations and circumstances that we attracted in the past that didn't serve us.

We want to hear your answers. Feel free to share with us your story.

In closing, I'd like to thank Toushonta Hogan and Tanisia Offrey for the wonderful opportunity of speaking before the ladies of: Shepherd's Door.

Fee King
Your Health and Fitness go-to-girl
www.uniquefeesiquesla.com