5 steps to the perfect Sunday Routine.

5 steps to a perfect Sunday Routine are:

1. Wake up & visualize your day. Imagine yourself having a great day. Imagine where you want to go and imagine yourself being happy. Then when your feet hit the ground, say thank you. Having gratitude & forgiveness brings you more happiness.

2. Eat your breakfast! I always have a strawberry, banana smoothie w/ protein powder mixed in. And while I am drinking it, instead of playing with my phone, I either begin playing a girl power podcast or I rub a jade roller all over my face.

3. Then off to yoga! I usually take 1 hour and a half classes on the weekends to help me get deeper and better into my practice. Yoga has wild mind benefits, much more than the body. It has helped me refocus my mind much faster and stronger (and natural!) than other methods.

4. After yoga, I use the steam room - for a solid 15 minutes to help detox.

5. I grab a coffee & an avocado toast and then "BEGIN" my day.

These 5 steps are crucial for me to feel accomplished. It sounds like a lot of steps, but it's important to making me feel like I am "ready".

I also consider these steps major "me" time, which a lot of people ignore, especially moms out there!! It's so important to focus on yourself and your wellness so you can be the best for those around you.

Now, next weekend, attempt these 5 steps, and tell me how you feel after!!

xoxo,

Annabella Z.

How to Detox + Skincare After the Holidays.

I have had a few requests to write about skincare so here it goes. About four times a year I go to the spa with my sister and I get a facial. I love going to a spa with amenities because then I can spend literally the entire day there and relax - I can use the jacuzzi, the steam room, sauna, showers and iced towels - yum!

So when we first arrived they walked us over to the locker rooms and provide us with a robe and slippers, the mood is so nice I immediately relax. You have the option of going as early as you would like and “checking in”. I prefer to use the amenities after the facial. Then they walk you over to the rooms once you are changed and your therapist comes to get you.

When I get a facial, I make sure to always get one that has a glycolic exfoliator of some sort (not necessarily a glycol peel because that’s a little too intense I think) - I got the “Urban Radiance” facial at the St. Regis in San Francisco. It’s expensive but so worth it!

Product my esthetician always recommends: Vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, glycolic. For some reason they don't recommend retinol for me, maybe because I don’t have many brown spots? They recommended retinol to my sister. In the past, I have received a “Fraxel” laser for my face at a plastic surgeon’s skincare office, which basically took off multiple layers of my skin, my skin was peeling for almost two weeks! I believe this is why I have less brown spots & acne scars. So after the facial they give you some water and usually have a snack room. I usually grab fruit and chocolate and some champagne of course!

Then we return back upstairs to the women’s lounge which has the jacuzzi, steam room & sauna. I usually spend a lot of time in the jacuzzi but without wiping my face to save the serums they just added. Then I go to the steam room after and then lounge at the amazing pool they have.

This experience for me is a blend of skincare & SELFCARE which is so important! I love letting go of everything and existing in a space that makes you feel so far away from the rest of the world. I am big on yoga & meditation and this is definitely an addition to my practice that further supports my care.

Sweater Weather SALE! All under $100!

So what I love to do after the Holidays, is finally shop for myself. And the best trick to saving money for the next year, is to purchase all of your winter gear AFTER Christmas - because it all goes on sale. So I have SCOURED the internet for hours to find you the list below...LACOSTE is killing it. ALL UNDER $100

Recipe: Simple Vegan Mushroom Coconut Soup , Gluten Free

I like to keep my recipes very simple, for those of us that don't have much time. So this is intentionally simple.

Yield: 4 servings

1. 1 Large Onion, chopped into small cubes
2. 1 box of mushrooms (which ever you prefer!)
3.  Ginger
4. 2 Limes / Lemons
5. 1 Can of Coconut Milk 16 OZ
6. 1/2 Box of Vegetable Broth
7. 1 bunch of spinach
8. 4 Pinches of pepper flakes

STEPS:

1. Simmer vegetable stock for about 10 minutes.
2. Chop up the onions & mushrooms
3. Add the onions & mushrooms to the stock
4. Simmer for another 10 minutes or until the onions are soft
5. Add in the coconut milk only after the onions are soft
6. Squeeze in 2 limes / lemon
7. Add salt/pepper/ginger/crushed pepper flakes to taste
8. Add the bunch of spinach very last, and cook for 2 more minutes or until very green (they cook fast!)

#TRUTH

So I decided to dedicate my year to #TRUTH, which is essentially your throat chakra - the chakra that allows you to SPEAK with clarity.

There are so many times when I HOLD my tongue and allow for others to judge me, stereotype me, or assume things about me based off an expression I have made. Miscommunication is SO common! I also HOLD my tongue when I experience micro-aggressions & daily injustices, and it's not doing my body any good, and it's not doing anyone else any good either!

So therefore, this entire year, the MOMENT I feel the need to SPEAK - I WILL.

And I hope you do too!