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Gray is Gorgeous

Natural approaches to aging beautifully

  • CLEAN BEAUTY
    • Clean Makeup
      • NON-TOXIC TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY
    • Non-Toxic Skincare
  • HAIR
  • LIFESTYLE
    • FOOD
      • CUSTOMIZED MEAL PLANS
    • HEALTHY AGING
      • SELF CARE
    • RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
    • WORK FROM HOME
  • FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY

CUSTOMIZED MEAL PLANS

 

CUSTOMIZABLE MEAL PLANS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

REMOVE STRESS, EAT WELL, AND  MAKE DINNERTIME ENJOYABLE AGAIN

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Tell me if this sounds familiar.

You want to eat better, want to stop grabbing takeout, going out, and reverting to quick, unhealthy options at home, but are just too busy or cannot seem to get organized enough to make it happen.

You have the best intentions. countless meals plans and planning systems have cycled in and out of your hands, you even buy loads of fresh ingredients each week, but invariably most of it gets tossed in the trash at week’s end along with the plan that failed. This just adds to the frustration.

I know how you feel because that was me!

There was this desperation to eat better because I knew I would feel better If I did. But because I couldn’t get organized I kept returning to our old standbys- like nachos or frozen pizza- or we would just go out because I was too tired and frustrated to cook. I was wasting so much produce this way, which made me feel so guilty: I was wasting money, contributing to the global food waste epidemic, and was feeding my family crap.

My husband is an amazing help when I have a plan, so when I attempted to make customized meal plans using a system I found on Pinterest, it worked pretty well for a while. But it was labor intensive and stressed me out. I am a teacher and deal with enough paperwork.

Feeling hopeless, I gave up on it and tried another. And another.

This created a terrible cycle. We were eating well when I could get it together, but more often than not this wasn’t the case.

A nasty flare brought the wake-up call I needed. I resolved to get serious about not just my health, but the health of my family as well.

Enter Real Plans

customized meals plans for Paleo, Keto, AIP, Gaps

 

For those of you who are struggling with meal planning for whatever reason, be it lack of time or specific food sensitivities, or even lack of creativity, I cannot recommend Real Plans highly enough. I have been using Real Plans for a little over a year now and it has changed the way I view meal planning.

When I originally joined I thought it was awesome that I could manually select ingredients to remove from all recipe recommendations and meals plans (dairy, soy, peanuts, nightshades, gluten). It was an immense time saver to not have to sort through ingredient lists or recommended recipes for offending items while trying to figure out replacement ingredients. Now it is even easier.

There are now preloaded selections for GAPS, KETO, Paleo, AIP, Traditional, Whole30, and Vegan, so once you click this, all noncompliant foods are excluded. You can further customize where necessary.

It is perfect for those with food allergies and sensitivities.

Also, more and more developers are adding their recipes to the program.  I have followed  Nom Nom Paleo for years, so imagine how excited I was when they got on board. Autoimmune Wellness is another addition I am super excited to see.

thousands of recipes are included, but if you are like me and love searching for new recipes on Pinterest, there is an import option that loads any recipe into the database by simply copying and pasting the URL

It makes following a specific diet much easier.

Are you still thinking that following a Paleo, AIP, or Whole30 plan is too difficult or expensive? Or do you think spending money on a meal planning service will make it even more expensive?

I thought so, too and I put this purchase off for too long.  The reality was quite the opposite.

 When I had a concrete plan for the week instead of just good intentions and a customized shopping list I actually saved money.

Now I choose recipes that match my skill set and time constraints and shop only for the ingredients I actually need and know I will use. This means less waste.

When I think back to the rotten, unused ingredients I have thrown away in the past, I could have paid for this many times over.

What You Get

  • Personalized weekly meal plan
  • Adjustable portion sizes
  • Transformed picky eaters who can’t resist the smells from your kitchen
  • Access to over 1500 original home-style recipes
  • Renewed Enthusiasm for cooking
  • Live Chat Support with Meal Planning Specialist
  • Automatic shopping list
  • Recipe Importer
  • Flexible schedules to suit your weekly commitments
  • Warm fuzzy feeling from shopping with confidence
  • IOS and Android Mobile Application
  • Nutritional Data to support Macro-Nutrient/Calorie counting

Every week a meal plan based on your dietary specifications is generated. It is completely customizable. When you are happy with it, just select it, generate the shopping list, and customize it further for your needs.

The last step is to text, print, or email the shopping list to someone else to do the shopping for you. HA!

It really doesn’t get any easier or better than this.

Let me know if you try it out!

 

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I believe one should never underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee or the perfect glass of wine and that non-toxic living is the key to aging healthfully and beautifully. Read More…

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FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

I love a #silversisters challenge, so thank you @t I love a #silversisters challenge, so thank you @thefiftyist for suggesting #silversistersineyeliner 
Here’s my contribution. 

I love liquid liner (I have a lovely non-toxic version I am happy to share) but don’t use it often because although it doesn’t take me long to apply, it takes a while to use because if I don’t wait for it to dry completely it will end up all over my upper lids. . . Just one of the joys of hooded lids. 😂

Speaking of hooded lids, The reason I don’t have any eyeshadow tutorials (yet) is because I just haven’t even come close to mastering eyeshadow for hooded lids. 

You know I’m not afraid of posting super amateur makeup tutorials. I will never claim to be a makeup artist, but my attempts would put me on the “what not to do if you have hooded lids” list. 🤣

I am watching tutorials and taking notes though, so hopefully I’ll up my game soon. 🤣 

Feel free to play along. I love seeing all of your beautiful faces in my feed. 

#hoodedeyestruggle #hoodedeyes #silversisters2021
How exfoliation and facial oils can improve your S How exfoliation and facial oils can improve your Skin. 

The secret to glowing, dewy skin? 

Proper exfoliation, hydration, and facial oil. Yes- even for oily skin. 

Our skin NEEDS lipids. Even those with oily skin need lipids.

Our skin naturally produces oil (sebum), but as we age or have inflammation, our oil and collagen production can decrease . 

This causes dry skin symptoms. Lack of oil in the skin can lead to dry patches/flaky skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and breakouts (yes, acne from being too dry). 

The right oils also help to tackle specific skin concerns (reduce your own oil production, fight breakouts, plump from lost hydration, brighten, and reduce redness or irritation). They really do work with every skin type!

But you must exfoliate properly to maximize the benefits of your skincare. 

It is really important no matter your skin type! 

If your makeup cakes, flakes, or doesn’t sit well and/or if you have dry, combo, or oily skin, if you have milia, rosacea… you need to exfoliate. It removes the dead skin cells that clog pores, improves circulation, encourages cell turnover & better absorption of skincare.

Help those new cells forming when you sleep and remove the dry, dead skin with either a physical (our Clear Pore Cleanser uses jojoba beads are most like our own sebum and very gentle) and/or chemical (like fruit acids in Overnight Resurfacing Peel) to help gently slough. Both can be used together, depending on your skin. 

In a four step regimen, exfoliation can either be part of the cleansing step (step 1) if using and exfoliating wash, or the treat step (step 3) if using a peel or mask. 

The oils are part of step 4 (protect). They can be added to moisturizer or used over it. 

We have three oils, 1 brightening, 2 plumping, and 3 balancing.  I mix the number three oil into my daytime and nighttime moisturizer. It helps balance and calm my skin. 

And don’t forget your body skin! Your body lotion will absorb much better if you’ve exfoliated prior to application. Make sure you are using a non-toxic lotion. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs what we put on it. 

I’ll share more about exfoliators and  oils in my stories today.
Why you need a 4 step regimen. 1️⃣ Cleanse 2 Why you need a 4 step regimen. 

1️⃣ Cleanse
2️⃣ Prep (tone)
3️⃣ Treat
4️⃣ Protect

1️⃣ CLEANSE: Step one is obvious. You need to cleanse your skin, right? 

I’ll talk about the importance of exfoliation more later and how to do it gently, but many swear by double cleansing to get the benefits  of cleansing and exfoliation all at once. 

To double wash, wash with a lipid cleanser to hydrate first and remove makeup (like with our Countertime Cleansing Oil) then clear out the pores with the exfoliating wash. Not everyone needs to do this (I don't), but it could be a game changer for you if you have oilier skin! 

2️⃣ PREP: Toning the skin is critical for the pH of the skin’s acid mantle. But, it is the most commonly skipped step. 

I always thought toning was optional but It is so, so important!

This prep step balances acidity which allows our skin flora to thrive, sweeps impurities away, helps better absorb our skincare, and can help even out skin tone, reduce pore size, etc.😱

Think about it this way: Your skin is like a sponge. Cream on a brittle dry sponge won't absorb. But if you wet the sponge, the cream will sink in. Similarly, large pores are commonly a dry skin issue, like dry earth with cracks. Reducing moisture exacerbates it, but proper levels let good in and keep bad out, with no cracks or divots.

3️⃣TREAT: treat your skin’s special needs (anti-aging serum for example) or The Overnight Resurfacing peel for gentle exfoliation. 

4️⃣ PROTECT:  Protect skin with hydrating moisturizer (add SPF is moisturizer doesn’t contain it). We say “protect” because the stratum corneum, the moisture barrier, when intact, properly prevents pathogens from getting in or moisture from getting out. 

And thus concludes my Ted Talk on why skin regimens are 4 steps. ☺️

I just realized my slides are cut off so I will post to my stories. 

As always, I’m here to answer questions and have a Free Sample Survey in my bio that will help me get customized samples into your hands. 

#skincarematters #investinyourskin #skincareisselfcare
🌟It’s Tuesday Tip Day as well and Non-Toxic 🌟It’s Tuesday Tip Day as well and Non-Toxic  Transformation Tuesday. 

TIPS for flawless foundation and concealer application follow.  Save this post to refer back to. 

Here are a few screen shots from today’s #nontoxictransformationtuesday reel. 

I added another side view to show the subtle shimmer from the illuminating cream highlighters.  I love shimmer. I don’t care that it’s on many of those dumb over-40 no-no lists. 

I forgot to take a before picture for my before and after side by side so it looks like a mug shot. 😂 

My face is extra red because I was hot. I had just diffused my hair. I probably should have waited but I had a quite a to-do list to tackle. 😂

Tips for flawless foundation and concealer application:

1️⃣ Make sure your skin is properly exfoliated. 

You can use a gentle exfoliator like our Overnight Resurfacing Peel  or our exfoliating face wash to encourage cell turnover. I do not use the peel or exfoliating wash on my nose or cheeks when my rosacea is flaring- but will still use it on the rest of my face. I wash with a gentle microfiber washcloth daily and am just extra careful when exfoliating sensitive areas. 

2️⃣ Make sure you’re skin is properly hydrated. 

I will talk more about skincare in my stories and posts this week but one way to prep skin for makeup is to: 

Mix a face oil with your daily moisturizer. Even oily skin benefits for the right oil to balance natural oil production. Your skin should feel “juicy” for lack of a better term. 

3️⃣ Apply makeup with a damp beauty blender for a dewy look.

This was a game changer for me. I had always used a brush before the Better Blender came out (you can see this in old videos) but I’ll never go back now. 

Our blender is currently out of stock. 😫

The foundation and concealer are both great for buildable coverage so you can just sit on a tiny bit extra where to need it and dab it it for perfect blending. 
 All BC products are available through the top link in my bio and the products for this look are in a blog post linked to the reel in my makeup highlights. For past looks, click the non-toxic transformation Tuesday link in my bio. 

#tuesdaytip #tuesdaytipday #makeupapplication
Your skin is a canvas. 🎨 If your skin is dry a Your skin is a canvas. 🎨

If your skin is dry and in need of exfoliation and moisture, makeup will not cover this and will actually highlight it by settling into lines, caking, and flaking. 

I honestly thought that because I have dry skin, peeling and flaking were natural, especially with rosacea and rheumatoid arthritis, and just something I’d have to deal with.  My makeup never looked like I wanted it to: dewy and fresh. 

I have clients who assumed that because their skin is oily, they were destined to have their makeup slide off mid day. 

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Addressing the skin’s moisture barrier is the key solution and it is a game-changer. 

This week, in addition to my non-toxic Tuesday transformation makeup post, I’ll be sharing more about skin science and skincare solutions. 

I’d love your help. 

What would you like to know more about? What topics interest you? 

#agingskin #dryskin #skincare #skincarequotes #skincarequote
Since we all love a before and after, here is mine Since we all love a before and after, here is mine from today’s makeup Reel. I really like today’s look. 

I actually made two Reels today, so you will see the headband again tomorrow if you spend some time on the gram. 

Since the storms have let up here in the states (for the most part) I hope you are staying warm and if you are without power, I hope it comes back on soon! Hang in there. 

#tuesdaytransformation #beforeandaftermakeup
Why am I smiling? There are many reasons to smile Why am I smiling? There are many reasons to smile today, but here are my biggies:

1. My daughter is having a good day. This may not seem like much- but she is courageously battling severe anxiety right now and good days have been few and far between lately. 

2. It’s Friday and the sun is shining.

3. I’m meeting a friend out for a margarita later at @chuysrestaurant (outdoor heated patio perfect for social distancing). 

3. I love participating in positive challenges like the #silversisterssmiling challenge from @tangledsilver.

4. Over the next few days I am hosting a love yourself though self care event in my FB a group and on my private Instagram page. It includes a free Gua Sha webinar complete with giveaways tomorrow and you are all invited. 
Check my stories for more info. 

What are you smiling about today? 

#silversisters #grayhairmovement #smileitsfriday #smileitscontagious
© 2021 Gray is Gorgeous