Why I'm drinking Apple Cider Vinegar and putting it on my face and hair!

Hey Blog Readers!

So for a long time my sister has drank Apple Cider Vinegar diluted with water and raved about the health benefits but to be honest I didn't really listen... That was until deciding to use Apple cider vinegar as a toner! yup a toner on my face as part of my skincare routine!
I am a big believer in keeping your skin/beauty regime simple.. a lot of home remedies work and are the basis of some of the most expensive products out there so why splurge the cash when you can have equal if not better results doing it DIY style ;)
Since moving to Los Angeles my skin hasn't been as good as it was in Ireland and I believe that is because of the smog and pollution that exists in this big city compared to that fresh Galway air that I miss so much, lol, anyway while looking for a remedy to tone my skin and minimize pores I came across a bunch of videos (YouTube addict alert) on using Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic and with "the mother" ingredient) as a toner!
The videos and blog post I came across really sold me so off I went to Trader Joe's to pick some up! It was very easy to find and a lot cheaper than buying a toner on it's own + it's a big bottle so I imagine it will last me awhile! Anyway, ever since I've been applying it to my skin after washing my face and before moisturizing and I've already noticed a huge difference!
It feels refreshing! it's definitely minimizing my pores and my skin in so much clearer!!
(NB!!! Make sure you always dilute it by mixing in water to avoid it being too strong)

I'm AMAZED! :)

Benefits of using Apple Cider Vinegar on the skin! 

1. Oil control - Chronic oily skin leads to breakouts and oily patches on the face. This can make wearing makeup problematic. Apple vinegar toner can help control oil production and reduce the appearance of oiliness.
2. Antiseptic - Beauty mavens have used apple vinegar for centuries to clean their skin. As an antiseptic, apple cider vinegar kills bacteria and yeast that may trigger breakouts.
3. Balance pH - Enjoy good skin health by maintaining your pH level. Acids keep your skin remain elastic and youthful looking.
4. Natural skin care - Apple cider vinegar is an all-natural skin toner that you can make yourself. Using natural products will insure the best care for sensitive skin that may react adversely to harsh chemicals.
5. Stimulate circulation - For better looking skin, get your blood moving with an application of apple cider toner to the face and body. Natural alpha-hydroxy and acetic acids in this fluid stimulates the skin's capillaries. Improved circulation gives your skin a natural rosy flush.

Every now and then growing up I would rinse my hair in vinegar diluted in water (an old wives tale my mum told me about) and it always made my hair SO shiny!! so while I have the bottle in the house I decided to give it ago (it had been a few years) and YUP there were SUPER RESULTS! JESUS this stuff is like magic! I also felt that it really cleaned my hair and my hair seemed to stay non-oily/greasy for longer! (I got a few extra days out of it) If you plan on doing this though make sure you rinse your hair thoroughly as nobody wants to smell of vinegar!lol!

Why rinse hair in apple cider vinegar..  

1. removes clumpy residue and gunk in hair from product buildup!
2. Natural detangler!
3. Leaves hair soft and smooth! 
4. Accelerates hair growth!
5. Closes the cuticle of the hair which makes light reflect off it - in other words... it makes your hair ridiculously shiny!! :)

So while seeing such good results from my skin & hair I decided to research and see what all the fuss is about (what my sis raves on about) when it comes to drinking Apple cider vinegear..
I have been drinking two spoonfuls mixed in a glass of water every morning for about two weeks now and I'm actually secretly (not so secretly) loving it!

These are the benefits that can be seen when you drink apple cider vinegar daily 

1. Weight Loss! Experts believe that it may stimulate genes that help to break down fat! Another study found that it suppresses your appetite (I find this to be true for me). 
2. Kills bad breath! It has anti-bacterial properties which helps to break down plaque and kill bacteria!
3. This killing of bacteria can also stop infections such as halitosis and even a sore throat! 
4. Reduces blood pressure! Therefore it's great for keeping a healthy heart <3 
5. It keeps your blood sugar levels in check. Therefore it can help with diabetes and blood sugar regulation! Drinking it is shown to improve insulin sensitivity to high carbohydrate meals. 
6. It's rich in polyphenols, which help fight oxidative stress. Research has shown that eating diets high in antioxidant-rich foods may help reduce your cancer risk, but don’t expect a magic panacea!
7. It balances your PH levels! by helping to restore alkalinity in the body which can boost your metabolism, strengthen the immune system and slow the aging process to give you clearer and wrinkle free skin! 

So what are you waiting for?? get down to the supermarket and pick yourself up some of this miracle in a bottle that smells funny :) lol

Lots of Love,

Shahira Xo

If your company would like a review or specific blog-post on a product, treatment, service or any other item to appear on www.shahirabarry.com email info@shahirabarry.com with the details.

My every day morning drink...

Hey Blog Readers! 

Happy Friday! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

So every morning for as long as I can remember I have started my morning with a mug of hot water, lemon and honey! I think it may have originally been my sister, Lauren, who introduced me to this but it's been so long now I can't even remember! Anyway... recently I came across an article which explained just how good hot water, lemon and honey is for you so I thought I'd share some of it's benefits incase anyone is interested in giving it ago! 

1. It gives you an instant boost of energy and improves your mood! The honey acts as an instant energy booster minus the calories of something sugary or the unhealthy alternative of coffee as a morning energizer, the water clears your mind giving fresh blood to the brain!  and the lemon activates negatively charged enzymes in your stomach - a great way to combat positively charged enzymes that react with the food you eat adversely, leading to poor digestion! Moreover the scent is lemon is known to be a relaxant which can help to uplift your mood! 
2. Improves oral health and helps to beat bad breath! Since moving to LA I've become more of a coffee drinker than I was ever in the past.. when on set the idea of a caffeine-boost  can seem extremely tempting but what turns me off is that I truly believe coffee gives you awful breath and I feel I've been on both ends: having drank coffee and had bad breath as a results or having been beside someone who is suffering, lol! However the acidic nature of lemons combined with the honey and water can help to beat bad breath almost instantly! The lemon cleanses the mouth, activates your salivary glands and kills bacteria. 
3. Clear Skin: this concoction of water, honey and lemon lend a unique restorative, antibacterial and  collagen boosting property to your skin!
4. Increases the chance of weight loss! as well as cleansing the stomach lemon contains a type of fiber called pectin that helps to make you feel full and keeps cravings at bay! the water and honey also creates a more alkaline atmosphere in your stomach which will aid in loosing weight. 
5. Improves digestion! it assists in the flushing of unwanted toxins from the body! 
6. Cleanses the lymphatic system! a dehydrated lymphatic system is one of the leading causes of illness. Lack of water and essential fluids in the lymphatic system can make you feel sluggish and fatigued, lead to constipation, disturbed sleep, high or low blood pressure, stress and an all-round lack in mental function. The benefit of drinking this mixture early in the morning is that it helps hydrate your entire lymphatic system that not only beats all the above symptoms but also improves your immunity.
7. Sore throat and cut-cough.. bye bye! It reduces soreness and irritation of a sore throat! The honey coats the throat while the warm water soothes! It is also great for singers!
8. DETOX! become regular(lemon increases urination) and flush out toxins from your body! toxins can build up in your body and cause many negative issues including disease! It also maximizes enzyme function and stimulates the liver to help with detoxification! 
9. Better health! Increases hydration and the level of 'good' cholesterol in your body as well as reducing cardiovascular strain! ... win win! 
10. Gives your immune system a helping-hand! Honey has amazing bacteria-killing properties! It's full of enzymes, vitamins and minerals that lead the front line in protecting against bacteria! The combination is also an anti-oxidant! 

What are you waiting for! 

Just take a tall glass of warm (not hot) water, add the juice of half a lemon and one tea spoon of honey to it. Mix well and drink it quickly. Remember not to drink coffee or tea for at least one hour after drinking this mixture.

 

Lots of Love, 

Shahira Xo 

If your company would like a review or specific blog-post on a product, treatment, service or any other item to appear on www.shahirabarry.com email info@shahirabarry.com with the details.

Please Read

Today is World Meningitis day

ACT Meningitis has asked people to share the symptoms of Meningitis on their facebook Status today so that people may become aware of the symptoms and in turn it may save a life: As with Meningitis early diagnosis is everything. I thought I'd blog on this so that it will be here forever and more people may stumble across it rather than if I solely put it as my facebook status.

Any charity that is connected with meningitis is extremely close to my heart and I've reached out to ACT Meningitis to offer my help in any way that I can, as I really want to get involved and do my part.
As you may know If you follow my blog or if you know me personally: I lost my friend Sadhbh two years ago at the young age of 18 to the Meningitis Disease.

You can click here to read more about my friendship with Sadhbh on a blog I wrote based on our memories when it should have been her 21st Birthday last month.

Meningitis is very hard to detect as a lot of the symptoms are "flu-like" and often people think of the rash(-which does not disappear when a glass is rolled over it )when they think of meningitis and if the rash is not present they may delay and think that it cant be a case of Meningitis:

If you have any concerns DO NOT WAIT FOR THE RASH!! In many cases of meningitis the rash may not appear at all!!

Here are the symptoms please take a minute to read through carefully but remember not all the symptoms need to be present and can also be present in milder infections. 

Babies and Infants:

• Unusually sleepy/not waking for feeds.
• Very irritable, does not want to be handled or picked up.
• High temperature.
• Limp and floppy or stiff and jerky movements
• Not feeding as much as normal/vomiting.
• Not easily consoled/calmed
• Pale in colour or turning blue.
• Breathing unusually fast.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Blotchy skin colour.
• Red pin point or purplish rash (may not be present)
• An unusual or high pitch cry.
• A bulging soft spot on top of head.
• Check your baby often as babies can get ill very quickly.

Toodlers and young Children:

• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• High Temperature
• Confusion/irritable
• Very sleepy 
• Breathing unusually fast
• Cold hands/feet /Shivering.
• Pin prick rash or purple rash (again not always)
• Dislike bright lights (less likely under 3)
• Stiff neck (less likely under 3)
• Severe muscle pain-Not happy to move about, stand or walk.
• Jerky Body movements, possible seizures.

Adults:

• Severe headaches
• High fever
• Neck stiffness
• Dislike of bright lights
• Joint / muscle pain
• Vomiting.
• Uncontrollable shivering.
• Stomach cramps.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion/aggression.
• Seizures, uncotrolled jerky movements 

Meningitis can occur at any age this is why it is important to be aware of the symptoms at all times! It is very common among young people in particular-from babies and toddlers to teens and college students. Awareness is vital!

Personally I also think it is vital not only to raise awareness of the Meningitis disease but to raise awareness and consideration when it comes to our health system to ensure that nobody is left waiting for hours in A&E before being seen-This was an experience of mine when I went into A&E last year after suffering from a collapse due to heart problems.

Act is a non-profit organisation that aims raise awareness and to educate society on the signs and symptoms or meningitis. It was established in 2011 by Siobhan and Noel Carrol, who in 2008 lost their precious daughter Aoibhe-aged 4 to Meningitis. Since losing Aoibhe Siobhan and Noel feel that there is urgent need to increase awareness and educate people of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

Support their page on Facebook by clicking here and giving it a 'like' also visit their website to find out more about meningitis and about upcoming events that you can attend or get involved in to help the charity. http://www.actformeningitis.ie/

Please Remember Rapid medical attention is vital! Every second counts when it comes to early diagnosis of meningitis and most of all Trust your instincts!  

ACT stands for: 

A- ASK could these symptoms be meningitis?

C- CONTACT your doctor.

T-TIME -every second counts!!

Act today for a brighter tomorrow!

Lots of Love

Shahira Xo