While reloading at my local health/fitness supplement shop, I came across a jar of organic, pure extra virgin coconut oil. I’d heard so many good things about it, so I knew I had to have it!

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I can’t be bothered with crowded gyms or diet pills, so to kick off my “fit body” resolution for the year, I decided to drink more water.

It’s easily forgotten how drinking copious amounts of water (up to 100 ounces per day) can do for your body: feeling better-rested, more energized, heightened mental focus, less water retention, and so much more.

Being that tap water leaves a bitter taste in my palate and bottled water seems so wasteful, an at-home water filtering and purification system is ideal. I use HoMedics Restore Clean Water System.

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After taking my supplements for the day and enjoying a super-light breakfast, I knew I needed an additional pick-me-up after pulling an all-nighter. But, I wasn’t in the mood for coffee. Something about coffee reminds me too much of the work week… I wanted something sweeter and especially suited to the season. A chai tea latte sounded like a dream! Dropping $4 for one did not, so I did what any other frugal diva would and learned how to make one myself. This includes steaming milk for the latte without an espresso machine! Behold…

How to Steam Milk Without an Espresso Machine

• Pour cold milk you will need for your chai tea latte — 2/3 of a cup per cup of tea should suffice — into a glass jar. Cover the jar and shake until the milk doubles in volume in the glass.
• Place the jar of milk into the microwave for 30-45 seconds until the jar is just hot enough to handle without burning yourself. If you love froth, watch your steaming milk carefully because warming for too long will cause it to go flat, thus losing all your precious foam.
• Remove the jar of milk from the microwave to have ready for your tea.

How to Make a Chai Tea Latte

• Choose your potion. I love Tazo’s organic Chai Tea. Steep your tea bag or leaves as normal, then pour the steamed milk on top. If you love froth, spoon the froth from the steamed milk over your fresh chai tea latte. Sprinkle cinnamon on top if desired.

I’m enjoying a cup right now and mmm, you’ve gotta try this recipe if you haven’t mastered yours yet.

After receiving my shipment of Glowelle Beauty Drink, I was delighted to try it! I received both the 7-day mix stick kit and 30-day mix stick kit in Natural Raspberry Jasmine flavor and Natural Pomegranate Lychee flavor, respectively.

The first thing I loved about Glowelle Beauty Drink mix stick kits are the convenient and aesthetic ways in which they are presented to be stored. The 7-day kit comes with a little reusable zip-up pouch that you can store your drink mix sticks in for on-the-go portability – how cute is that? The 30-day kit is packed in a box with 30 slots – one for each drink mix stick. The box looks so chic sitting in your kitchen or on your desk.

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I’ve been drinking this yummy caffeine-free tea by Village Tea Company for the past two weeks and with pleasing effects. Cherry Me Bloom Rooibos and Acai Tea ($13.95) gets its tasty flavor from sour cherry, lemon grass, and acai and is full of antioxidants and natural energy. Rooibos is a choice herb for natural detoxification while providing a gentle energy pick-me-up. I drink about two cups of this tea each day and find myself retaining much less water and attaining clearer skin by the day.

The container holds not only the loose-leaf tea but also three cotton muslin bags to be used for brewing. What’s also cool is that the cylinder container is 100% recyclable and can be used over and over again to store items such as makeup brushes or paper clips once your tea runs out.

I’m going to kick off Fab Fridays with two citrus drink recipes that require Red Bull – sugarfree Red Bull that is, which has become a universal power drink for girls on the go. Thing is, it doesn’t taste too great… but a couple clementines and some ice cubes will freshen it right up!

First will be a low-key smoothie recipe containing Red Bull – with minimal fixings to make it easy for everyone – and with ginkgo biloba, which you can find at your local drugstore in the vitamin aisle, and which improves mental focus. After having a couple girlies ask on Twitter for my impromptu Red Bull/champagne drink recipe, I’m going to share that, also. So, without further adieu… (more…)