Tuesday Ten: 10 healthier food alternatives in 2016

My decision to make healthier substitutes and habits to my diet came after years of just eating what I wanted. For me eating was a need and I satisfied it with what I could get my hands on, junk food, sugar and processed foods. Lots of people around me went down the ‘healthier’ route when it came to diets but since I didn't have to worry about dieting I didn't really care- yes, I am one of those people who can eat lots and lots and not gain any weight! But that doesn't make up for the health problems that you can still face and while I thank God that I don’t have any serious health problems and that it didn’t take a serious health problem to see the light, in some cases it can be that real. I started to notice small problems as a result of my diet and I eventually figured that my diet did play and large part in those things. Also as you get older you can’t get away with eating unwholesome food and getting away with it and you come to appreciate your body and not feed it with rubbish, I now know that my body is a temple and a precious gift from God to use well. So with all that in mind plus the growing trend of a healthier lifestyle and YouTube influencers I decided that it was about time I made some small but significant changes towards a healthier lifestyle. The YouTuber “SunkissAlba” keeps coming up a lot on here but that's because discovering her channel made me really change the way I think about healthy eating and what actually goes inside my body. So I started a journey of being more aware of what I put in and on my body! While I'm not where I want to be, I'm far from where I used to be and I feel great!

1. Drinking more water- Water has so many amazing benefits internally and externally, we are supposed to drink at least 2L a day some say half of your body weight in ounces! Make substitutes for fizzy drinks and juices and if you don’t like water start slowly by having it after meals when your body craves it more. Adding fruits to create detox water is a great way to add a bit of taste to it. Check out "verified_beauty" on instagram for water detox ideas.

2. White sugar alternatives- White sugar is bleached,chemically processed and refined. Although brown sugar is a tad healthier it really is just white sugar mixed with molasses. I use brown sugar but I don’t have a sweet tooth and only really eat sugar in the mornings with my porridge. If I want something sweet in my beverages I use honey. If you do have a sweet tooth there are many sugar alternatives such as coconut palm sugar and honey. Also becareful of ‘low fat’ products because usually other chemicals have been put in as a substitute.

3. Cutting down on white rice and bringing in the browns- Less processing and more nutrients!

4. Adding more fruit and veg to my diet- Get ahead on your five a day, as we know fruit and especially organic fruit makes a great healthy snack.

5. Adding super-foods to my diet- Great in minerals and antioxidants which can aid so much in the body. Get the low down on super-foods here > superfoods 101

6. Smoothies and juices- Great way to get all your nutrients in one go.

7. Healthier snacking: From popcorn to healthy home-made desserts to rice cakes there are so many great alternatives. Here’s a great and healthy food blog with lots of ideas > Hungry Happens

8. Saying no to white bread and eating brown bread but cutting down on bread in general.

9. Exercise- This has made such a positive difference in my life and I really do advise you to take up some form of exercise if you don’t already do so! I started off by joining the gym and going to exercise classes, now I can’t imagine my life without it! I feel so healthy and overall it makes such a difference to your body.

10. Digestion aids, having a healthy digestion system is great internally and externally! It gets rid of that bloated feeling! Apple cider vinegar great for digestion. Diluting it with water and taking it before and after meals is great for it. It also makes a great toner along with other fantastic benefits!  Peppermint and other herbal teas are also great for digestion.

XO Verified Beauty 

Photo Credits: Pinterest

Try it Thursdays:Combating Enlarged pores

Enlarged pores are such a bane of life! I usually get them when my skin is in need of a deep clean and I can usually shrink them with a face mask but prevention is better that cure! While it is impossible to get rid of them, you can shrink their appearance. I have found that staying away from heavy oil based products and moisturisers help but enlarged pores can be caused by a lot of other factors such as genetics, blackheads and ageing. 

Here are 5 great ways to reduce enlarged pores and stay ahead of the game:

#1 Baking soda: There are lots of different ways in which you can incorporate baking soda into your regimen, you can add it to your face wash, use it as a facial mask or use it as a facial scrub by adding water to it. It’s great as a facial scrub if your skin is like mine and doesn't take well to sugar scrubs for exfoliating. Whichever way you choose to incorporate it, baking soda serves as a great at home dermabrasion, helping to increase blood flow to the skin and removing dead skin cells giving you a deep clean. With baking soda a little goes a long way as it is very potent! If your skin is very sensitive please use baking soda with caution as it can irritate the skin.

#2 Staying away from Harsh Products: Products that are too strong and using them very often can cause enlarged pores. Cleansers, toners and astringents that may be too acidic or alcoholic may be to stripping for the skin and dry out your skin.  When skin becomes overly dry, our oil glands produce excess oils which can clog our pores and enlarge them. So while there might be a temporary tightening of the pores from those harsher cleansing products, the long-term effects can be adverse.

#3 Using face masks: Natural face masks are great and inexpensive. One that I found out recently was mixing 2 egg whites, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. There are lots of ingredients out there that you can mix together but here is my go to facial mask when I do have enlarged pores and I guarantee you will see a difference overnight!

You will need:

1 teaspoon of gram flour

A pinch of turmeric (my fave!)

Half a teaspoon of milk

A pinch of lemon juice (optional, use with caution)

A pinch of almond oil or oil of choice (note this bit is optional)

Mix all the ingredients together and apply to a clean face. Leave it on to dry and then wash off! Follow by applying a moisturiser of choice.

Check out the Verified Beauty Instagram page for more pore reducing tips and ingredients.

I would love to hear some of your tips.

XO VB

Product Review: Alba Botanica Hawaiian facial wash, toner and moisturiser.

The search for non-toxic and healthier skincare options continue. A facial wash that I've been using is the Alba Botanica Hawaiian range. One thing I would say is that getting to know your skin is very important but it’s also an ongoing journey! My skin has changed a lot over the past year and what I could get away with in the past I can’t get away with now! Before I could get away with just giving my skin TLC here and there but now my skin screams for TLC everyday! My skin has become very needy and even though I'm only 24, I know that it’s good to start putting in extra work into your skincare at a younger age so you won’t regret it in the future! My skin is very needy at the moment and I want to give it the best so I need to be on top of my game! I've been using this facial cleanser for about 4 months now, the toner I have been on and off with and the moisteriser I used for the first month. I heard about the Alba Botanica brand from YouTube from a you-tuber called “SunKissAlba.” I absolutely love her channel; she is all about green beauty and health. Alba Botanica is an American brand and is not available in any UK shops that I know off but it is available online! I ordered mine from a website called Lucy Rose. The Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Milk Face Wash 237ml was £7.29, the Alba Botanica Hawaiian facial toner 251ml was £7.29 and the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Moisture Cream 85g was £9.29 At first I was using the trio every day as part of my night time routine and then I stopped using the facial toner for a while and the moisturiser altogether. Alba Botanica is a 100% vegetarian brand, using no parabens, sulphates, artificial colouring and phthalates. Some of their ingredients are certified as organic but that is dependent on the product #knowyourbrands

The Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Milk Face Wash 237ml

 Ingredients: Aqua (Water), C14-22 Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract*, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol*, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol , Coumarin, Fragrance (Parfum)

PROS

• Some really good ingredients such as ginger, aloe vera, papaya and coconut
• Light weight formula
• Moisturising doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry and stripped
• Fruity pleasant smell

CONS

• This facial wash was not cleansing enough for my skin, definitely can’t be used once especially if you’ve had a day of city grime and make up on. I was finding myself having to use it 3 times on the days where I had a full face of make up on and most of the times I would still have traces of make up on.

• Too oil-rich for my face on some days- on the days where my face really needed a deep cleanse I felt that this cleanser was just a bit too moisturising and not cleansing enough to really clean deep into my pores which I believe resulted in mini break outs and oversized pores (which is a skin problem that I struggle with!). That plus adding an oil moisturiser was just too much for my pores. This has resulted in me alternating between the Hawaiian range and the acne dote range which is very cleansing and stripping.

I found that using the facial wash in the mornings was a much better option for my skin!

Alba Botanica Hawaiian facial toner 251ml

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol).

PROs

• Clean, citrus Smell

CONS

• This toner did not go well with my skin at all and I think that was because of  the high concentration of lemon extracts, it was just too harsh my skin and left my skin feeling a little irritated. I decided to dilute the toner with water as that is what I usually do when I add lemon to any facial products and it worked much better but on its own is a no-no for my skin. If you have sensitive skin especially to citrus I would not recommend.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Moisture Cream 85g

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil (1), Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyl Palmitate , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Cetyl Alcohol , Glyceryl Laurate , Tocopheryl Acetate , Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil (1), Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil (1), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (1), Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract , Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract , Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract , Allantoin , Dimethicone , Panthenol , Stearic Acid, Tocopherol , Tromethamine , Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool , Fragrance (Parfum).

PROs

• Nice cool citrus smell

CONS

• Contains Alcohol

• Too oil rich for my skin, contributed in my skin having mini breakouts and clogging my pores, there is a oil-free alternative version which I think would have been better suited for my skin. I’m really learning that my skin doesn’t like moisturisers that are oil rich, I prefer it when I add oils to my moisturiser as and when my skin needs it.

Throughout the process of using Alba Botanica I've realised a lot about my skin and what it likes and dislikes. Most of my skin problems, random breakouts and enlarged pores are as a result of my pores being clogged up with bacteria and I've realised that moisture rich or citrus based products don’t help my skin. I have combination skin so I need a very good deep cleanser that isn't too stripping but that also has the right amount of moisturiser to really balance out my skin but nothing that is too moisture rich. I also need a lemon and alcohol free toner.

Yay or Nay: Nay

XO Verified Beauty

10 new things that I'm trying in 2016

Photography: This is something that has been on my mind for a while; I already love and admire good photography so I want to try it out myself and I feel like I have a good eye for it lol. I can’t wait to get started on the angles and lighting not so excited about the editing side though.

Immune boosting and sickness prevention juices and foods: My immune system is a sucker when it comes to colds and prevention is always better than cure so, I’m going to take better care of myself by adding immune boosting juices and super-foods into my diet on a REGULAR basis and make it fun and exciting (so I stick to it)!

Interior design and decor: I absolutely love Interior design and with the endless inspiration on Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram, my obsession is well and truly being fed! I have so many ideas and colour schemes for my future house!

A new found appreciation for flowers: So another thing that I have a slight obsession with is event planning and particularly wedding event planning (blame Instagram!). This has made me develop an appreciation for flowers! I am in love with floral detailing. From floral walls to floral photobooths to traditional bouquets and petal arrangements! I will definitely be incorporating flowers into my home and life!

Quintessentially British things: A new found appreciation for where I live and my lovely city of London (yes despite the weather). So let’s dive into all things British from tea to British brands.

A book a week: Can I just say how difficult this is! I’m definitely trying to be more proactive rather than reactive this year so I can’t really complain but it’s something that I have to be really intentional about doing otherwise there will “never be time.” When it comes to reading, I have been slacking for years now but it’s time to get serious about it. I have so many unfinished books and books that I need to read!

Mastering highlight and contour: This needs to be done; I’ve been procrastinating from learning and doing it properly on myself for far too long

Sticking to plans: This one speaks for itself, say no to feelings say YES to plans and preparations

Drama lessons: I loved drama as a child but somehow got disconnected from all things arty, it’s time to rekindle the love this year

Quality over quantity: The older I get the more I appreciate this saying and it’s one that I’m most definitely embracing this year! Woop! From material possessions to design, it’s one saying that is here to stay.




What new things are you doing or trying in 2016? I would love to know.




XO Verified Beauty

Image Credits: Pinterest

My 2016 Simple Healthy Hair Regimen

2016 is underway and what a great time to share some of my 2016 hair and skin goals with you guys. As each year goes on my aim is to continue to be the best version of me possible and that applies to all areas of my life. Here is my 2016 hair regimen for the foreseeable future and I will be sticking to it! Here’s to healthy, long hair!

I have afro-Caribbean hair. My hair is currently always in protective styling (cornrows) as I grow my hair. My last relaxer was in March 2014 and since then I have transitioned to natural hair.

Daily Liquid Intake

Morning: Cup of warm Lime/ Lemon infused Water /Peppermint Tea or Green Tea

Before Lunch: (I haven’t incorporated this into my regime yet but will be after a month) Cup of Bamboo, Rosebud and Grapefruit Tea – all rich in Silica and Antioxidant which is great for your hair!

Throughout the day: 1 litre of water

Early Evening: Fruit & Veg Green or red Smoothie (will do a blog post the green smoothie) link to red smoothie is here.

Diet: So my diet is pretty good, I have been making healthier substitutions for a while now, I generally don’t eat junk food and I don’t really have a sweet tooth apart from when it comes to cakes or dessert but I only indulge in those once in a while.

Maintenance of ends:

Everyday apply moisturiser and oil to cornrow and edges- not scalp (apart from shampoo and hot oil treatments 24 hours before shampooing I don’t put anything else on my scalp as my scalp does not like it. Putting too much product on your scalp causes product build up which blocks hair follicles) Contrary to what I believed when I was growing up our scalp does produce oil!

Take Omega 3-6-9 Fish oil (one) and Spirulina (two) supplements DAILY – both are from Holland and Barrett’s

Every wash-day I will be rubbing some oil onto my damp ends before I style

I will also be moisturising and sealing ends everyday.

Exercise and blood circulation to scalp

Increasing your heartbeat will increase blood circulation even to your scalp, plus the benefits of exercise are endless.

Oil Scalp Massages

12-24 hours before I wash my hair I will be massaging my scalp with a mixture of essential and carrier oils the base of which will be coconut oil.

Washday Chronicles

I will be switching from washing my hair from every 2 weeks to washing or co-washing (washing hair with conditioner) every week, washing and protective styling natural hair is very time consuming so I need to be on top of my game!

I will be washing my hair with the Shea Moisture jamaican black castor oil strengthen and restore shampoo here’s a review I did on it. I will also be adding a green tea hair rinse to my regimen.
Green Tea hair rinse: Take some green tea bags and put them in hot water. Let the bags sit for at least 4 hours then wash and condition your hair. Meanwhile wash and condition your hair then lastly rinse your hair with the green tea.

For deep conditioning I will be using the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Mask link here plus adding extra oils in there. I use the beautiful textures moisturising curl cream available here with coconut oil (Lucy Bees) and argan oil (I bought this from Morocco but any argan oil that is raw, pure, cold-pressed, organic and fair trade). I will also be applying oil to my edges. I use the beautiful textures cream when cornrowing available here to give my hair extra slip.

Once a month I will do protein treatments instead of the deep conditioning mask, I will be doing a blog post on a DIY protein treatment.

When I wash my hair I section it into two and wash one side at a time.

Pretty simple right? I will be doing weekly personal reviews and monthly reviews on the blog. So that wraps it up. I will be using the hashtag #VBHealthyHair for my pictures and I will keep you guys updated!

What’s your current hair regimen for 2016?


Stay tuned for my 2016 skincare regimen.


XO Verified Beauty


Note: I am currently not affiliated with any products or companies, all products have been tried and tested on my own accord.