And So It Is Confirmed......

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2140438/Can-green-coffee-help-slim.html

Yes, Green Tea boosts metabolism and aids in the weight loss effort.

BEAUTY IN A CUP, continued

Yummmmm.....

A Matcha Green Tea Latte not only tastes good, the goodness is infinitesimal.  Did I mention that Matcha Green Tea boosts metabolism which aids in weight loss?

Okay, where was I???  Oh yes, TEA, divine, elegant and more often than not, therapeutic and medicinal.

NILGIRI TEA

I mentioned above that I love Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, well there is a Tea counterpart.  Nilgiri Tea grown in the Nilgiri hills, so called “The Blue Mountain”, situated in the South India is another very popular spots sheltering numerous of beautiful tea gardens. The hilly landscape of Nilgiri , unlike Darjeeling and Assam, grows Tea plants all over the year. At Nilgiri the tea is grown at the elevation of around 1,000 meters to 2,500 meters. The major teas produced on the Nilgiri hills are the Oolong and black tea. The favourable climatic conditions, makes Nilgiri a truly unique tea.

The tea is produced on the Coonoor Estate in the Nilgiri hills in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. To date Nilgiri tea has really only been known to connoisseurs actively seeking out teas from this particular region, but now it will be available to us all in small, whole leaf batches.  At its best when brewed with a tablespoon of tea for two and a half minutes and drunk without milk, it has a rich flavor with hints of malt, caramel and orange peel - it really is absolutely delicious.

Nilgiri Tea Benefits: Health

A few health benefits associated with Nilgiri tea are:

• The tea is believed to contain antioxidants, subsequently assisting in lowering down the cholesterol level.

• This beverage is known to be quite successful in preventing asthmatic attacks, as the tea is enriched with caffeine which helps in clearing the air passages.

• People suffering from diabetes are sure to benefit from the intake of this black tea, where the sugar level is expected to go down.

• There is a great possibility with respect to osteoporosis prevention where the bone density of an individual would be improved as a result of black tea consumption.

• This black tea is supposed to enhance the mental alertness of an individual.

• Problem of heart attack would be avoided as a result of intake of Nilgiri tea.

Health Benefits found on http://www.ifood.tv/network/nilgiri_tea

Also fabulous go to website for all things pertaining to tea is .http://jingtea.com

One more tea from which I have obtained outstanding results is 

SENNA LEAF TEA.

Can we talk freely?  Elimination!  Even the best diet habits may require a little help.  Well, SENNA LEAF TEA provides just that in SMALL QUANTITIES.  Through trial and error, I have discovered what amount works for me.  Early on, I spent many a night in the Loo for hours.  That’s why Senna Leaf Tea is “affectionately” called the “Dieter’s Tea,” "Smooth Move" and "Ballerina's Tea."

Senna is a primary component of many commercial colon cleansers and diet pills. In tea form, Senna is available as a single herb, or as part of a blend of complementary digestive herbs.  Warning:  Do not use Senna often.  It is only meant to be imbibed on an as per needed basis.

Smooth Move Herbal Stimulant Laxative Tea which is senna leaf tea, a naturally sweet tea is a very gentle natural laxative if used correctly.  Drink 1 cup at night before bed, no later than 8 or 9 pm as you don’t want it to affect you as you go to work.  Senna generally takes anywhere between 8-10 hours. Use your discretion with this, if you are eliminating with no problems then I wouldn’t use it everyday.  It will affect everyone differently so please use your own judgment on drinking it daily.  DO NOT ADD ANY SWEETENER to the tea (no sugar, honey or artificial sweetener)!

These are just a few teas I use for beauty maintenance.  I will feature others later on the blog.

Cheers!

BEAUTY IN A CUP OF TEA

Let the truth be told.  I am a Coffee fiend.  However, I do love a good Tea.  My approach to Coffee and Tea is distinctly different.  Coffee for me represents a “bold” contentment.  My elixir for either initiating my relentless drive for progress or culminating it.  Whereas Tea has always been an either an elegant repast or/and especially as of late, a medicinal or therapeutic essential to my diet.

Interestingly, Tea delivers more sensually than Coffee.  Coffee asserts whereas Tea lulls.  LOL  Except in the case of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.  (A topic for another blog insert.)

My precious Nana, Mama Julia Dean introduced me to my first cup of Tea.  She was a saintly Christian woman who lived by Levitical rules, among them, no stimulants.  So, she only drank herbal teas.  Her favorite tea was Sage Tea.  I remember being about 4 years old and drinking Sage Tea nightly whenever she was caring for me.   I loved it!!!

SAGE TEA

Research has suggested that the presence of volatile oil in Sage is largely responsible for most of its therapeutic properties, especially its anti-septic, astringent and relaxing actions. Sage is also used internally in the treatment of night sweats, excessive salivation (as in Parkinson's disease), profuse perspiration (as in TB), anxiety and depression. Externally, it is used to treat insect bites, skin, throat, mouth and gum infections and vaginal discharge.

It is thought that Sage is similar to Rosemary in its ability to improve brain function and memory. In a study involving 20 healthy volunteers Sage oil caused indicated improvements in word recall and speed of attention. Meanwhile the activity of Sage and its constituents have been investigated in the search for new drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with promising results.

Matcha Green Tea

I just discovered Matcha Green Tea.   While grocery shopping at NYC’s Fairway Market which has an awesome selection of teas and coffees, I saw this weird green powder which cost $60.00 per lb.  What?  After doing my research, I found out why it is so expensive.  The health benefits of matcha exceed those of other green teas because matcha drinkers ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.  One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of nutritional value and antioxidant content.

Matcha is only grown in Japan. Japanese tea, in general, tends to be more expensive than teas produced in other countries. It’s the rule of supply and demand. Japan is a small country that only exports about 1 percent of its teas, due to high domestic demand. 

Matcha made in the traditional Japanese style, whisked with water, is a full-bodied green tea.  The intensity of the experience compares to one’s first taste of dark chocolate or red wine.  When added as an ingredient, the taste of matcha becomes subtler.  It adds the flavor and color of green tea to your creation, be it a smoothie, latte, savory sauce or pastry.  I LOVE MY MATCHA GREEN TEA LATTE BREAKS.

In fact, let me take a Matcha Green Tea Latte break..........to be continued. :o)

EKATERINA ULYANOFF - MOST INCREDIBLE MAKE UP ARTIST

MAKE UP DESIGN BY EKATERINA ULYANOFF

Biblical Beauty focuses upon the beauty and health products that essentially create a healthy, strong and glowing face and body foundation.  However, I would like to share a beautiful example of make up artistry which to me defines the "finished work."  Specifically, the work of the Make Up Artist, EKATERINA ULYANOFF.  I have fallen divinely and madly in love with her work.

Ekaterina Ulyanoff is a Certified Make-up artist, currently based in Montreal, Quebec.

-Top 5 Finalist of National Salon Beauty Industry Awards 'Contessa 2012" in a category "Makeup Artist of the Year"
-Top 5 finalist of 2012 Mirror Awards for Canadian Salon Industry Awards in a category for "Make-Up Artist"

Raised in Russia, she got attracted by beauty of art since she was a little girl, when at the age 6 years she was brought to a school of Professional Ballroom Dancing.
From this moment she has been living in a beautiful world of art that combined graceful movements, beautiful music, clothing, and, of course, gorgeous makeup.


Here is a video that I watched several times in order to instruct myself on the art of eye makeup.    My eyes are small and I am always looking for ways to play them up and make them stand out.  I actually went on a shoot and asked a make up artist to give me this kind of look and the artist on site couldn't really do it.  But, after watching this video, I can ALMOST (lol) do it myself.  The video intrigued me, however about Ekaterina Ulyanoff.  So, watch and enjoy.....




Did you notice the small piece of tape underneath the eye to aid in perfecting the contouring????  Awesome!!!  

THE PERFECT LIPS

Wow, I didn't know about using a concealer pencil as the last step to make a clean lip line.

Here's a quickie lesson on creating the perfect lips.

TIGHTEN UP, OOOH, TIGHTEN UP!

Niaouli essential oil

(Melaleuca quinquinervia, formerly viridifolia)

      Niaouli is a member of the Myrtaceae family, being related to the Tea Trees (Melaleucas). It is a native of the southern Pacific tropical regions and is also found in northern Australia. Niaouli oil is extracted from the fresh leaves by distillation and then is purified to remove irritant constituents.

Niaouli Oil helps to tighten tissues and reduces the appearance of cellulite, stimulating circulation to the skin and regenerating skin tissue.  In fact, Niaouli’s tissue regenerative properties directly enhance tissue oxygenation. 

Niaouli has been noted by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt as an excellent general immune system booster, and an agent to help one with allergic reactions. His protocol is the application of 5-20 drops of oil directly to the skin after a shower, for best absorption.

If your skin doesn’t have particular damage to it, but appears lifeless due to exhaustion and/or exposure to significant amounts of pollution or environmental toxins, this is the blend for you. Use one part Rosehip Seed and 4 parts Hazelnut as the base. To each ounce, include fifteen drops Carrot Seed (also known as Wild Carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace – a well known skin restorative), fifteen drops Lemon verbena (which enhances the removal of toxins from skin tissues), fifteen drops Niaouli (an all-around brilliant antiseptic oil with firming effects), and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone (again, for it’s regenerative and stimulating effects). 

If you are wishing to strengthen, tighten, and firm your skin, try this dilute mixture (the concentration of essential oils is relatively low here for use near the eyes) five ounces of Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, fifteen drops of Green Myrtle, fifteen drops of Rock Rose (a plant grown in very sun-drenched areas, excellent for gently tightening the skin). If you like, add fifteen drops of Rosemary verbenone for it’s regenerative properties, but omit if this causes sensitivity used near the eyes.

APPLY between 5 and 20 drops of the oil to the body with a loofah pad or facial sponge.  

Because Niaouli Oil can lead to irritation, it is often mixed with tea tree or lavender oil.  I usually put my oils in a carrier oil like Jojoba or Grapeseed. 

General Safety Information: Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use essential oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an essential oil that you've never used before. Instructions on conducting a skin patch test and more safety information can be found by visiting the Essential Oil Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on essential oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs.

Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum - Face Serum by Clarins Serums

Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum - Face Serum by Clarins Serums