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Nutrition for your Skin

April 17, 2018 Shannon Taatjes
CountermatchLotion.jpg

Today I want to talk to you about nutrition for your skin, whether all "natural" products are safe, and what you NEED to know about oil-based vs. water-based products.... I also have a special GIFT with purchase offer for you, so read to the bottom! Enjoy!


A couple of years ago, I started learning that what I put ON MY BODY (products) was just as important as what I put IN MY BODY (nutrition).

I'm so excited to have found the Countermatch Line, it's what I consider NUTRITION FOR MY SKIN.

As I've swapped out my skincare and makeup to safer options over the past two years, I've learned a lot about what to look for and what matters most when choosing safer products...

At first, I thought NATURAL automatically meant SAFER.

When I first started the search for safer options, I thought if I chose a product that was "natural" or from a totally natural source, it meant it was SAFE. Well, it might be, but not necessarily.  Here's why...

The word "NATURAL" doesn't always mean SAFE. This is because natural products aren't standardized and therefore can be a bit of a wildcard. 

The biggest complaint about natural products is that they don't perform as well.

Natural products can really vary with their amounts of effective ingredients. That's why the performance isn't usually the same as traditional products. I know when I first started trying natural products, the performance just wasn't there.

Natural products aren't always screened for harmful ingredients, preservatives, or contaminants. These unwanted ingredients can sneak in through the supply chain even if the company has good intentions and no one knows if the product isn't screened for them on a regular basis. The truth is, most of these products are never being screened. If they are being screened, they may be screened ONCE, from one batch, and never again. 

That's not good enough for Beautycounter. We are a completely transparent company and consider 1% to be too much when it comes to ingredients like Parabens.

When people ask me if Beautycounter is a completely "natural" brand, the answer is no. Beautycounter is so different because they put SAFETY over SOURCE which allows them to shine in being SAFER AND EFFECTIVE. Let me explain...

Beautycounter uses a small amounts of synthetic preservatives, but ones that are well vetted and won't harm our health. This creates a longer shelf-life and decreases contamination.

The truth is, unlike oil-based products, water-based products have to have a preservative in them for it to be safe for your health. If not, they can become contaminated with bacteria.

This is where Beautycounter really shines. They are able to make SAFER products with HIGH PERFORMANCE because they actually carefully regulate the amounts of the effective ingredients so they actually work like they should! They have mastered the delicate balance of the precise amount of an effective ingredient with the correct amount of a SAFER preservative.

They rigorously screen every product...every single batch...THREE TIMES. That makes me feel confident because there's finally a company looking out for our HEALTH!

I learned some interesting facts about a very popular yellow lotion that I used to use in my teens and twenties...maybe you used it too.

About 25% of its ingredients were actually beneficial to our skin. The other 75% of its ingredients were harmful preservatives, silicones and synthetic polymers that make the lotion slip and slide on skin to make it seem hydrating. The majority of  the ingredients aren't even usable or beneficial to skin! What??

Our skin is our largest organ. It's needs healthy nutrients too.

This is why I'm LOVING the innovative Countermatch Line by Beautycounter. 

100% of its ingredients are usable and beneficial to our skin. 100%.

This is why I consider it NUTRITION FOR MY SKIN. The longer you use it, the better it gets. Plus it bio-mimics skin and delivers exactly what it needs and nothing it doesn't for 24 hours.

Just like we have to FEED our bodies with healthy ingredients, we need to FEED our skin healthy, safer ingredients too.

I hope this helps you understand what matters most when choosing safer products for you and your family.


GIFT WITH PURCHASE (expires April 30, 2018)

When you purchase any Beautycounter products through my link I will give you a FREE full size gift!

SHOP BEAUTYCOUNTER SKINCARE + MAKEUP HERE

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One of my favorite new products from Beautycounter is the Cleansing Wipes and I'll give you a free pack of these when you spend $100 or more!

These are the best wipes I've ever tried...the material of the wipe is SO soft, it cleanses and removes make up with no rinsing, and leaves my skin feeling amazing. These are PERFECT for travel or after a workout. These are the FIRST biodegradable wipe on the market! I want you to experience these too so take advantage of this awesome freebie from me! (Must purchase $100+ in product before tax + shipping to qualify and this freebie will ship separately from me.)


I also have a promotion going on this month for anyone interested in becoming a business partner of mine. If you'd like to start your own Beautycounter business sharing our mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone...learn more here. I'm offering 250 beautiful 2-sided business cards from me to start your business off strong! Contact me at shannon@happywifestyle.com for more details.

In Beauty & Products Tags Happy WifeStyle, beautycounter, countermatch, nutrition for skin, safe skin care, safer makeup, green beauty, natural skincare, clean beauty
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Chimichurri Sauce

April 2, 2018 Shannon Taatjes
chimichurriHWS 2.jpg

Chimichurri sauce is a fresh, green condiment from Argentina that is great on everything from steak, eggs, veggies...even french fries.

The first few times I made this awesome sauce, I tried recipes that were prepared in a food processor. What this did was emulsify the oil and made a more creamy sauce. While this tasted great, I was after the more traditional, chunky sauce that showcased all the fresh ingredients...a more olive oil looking sauce.

After a few attempts that tasted too vinegar-y, this was the winner. My family LOVED it. It's really simple and I hope you love it too.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 whole shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or large flake salt
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Get the first 4 ingredients ready first and combine the red wine vinegar, garlic, shallot, and salt and allow this to sit  and marinate while you get your other ingredients ready, about 10 minutes.

Add the parsley and cilantro to the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and then whisk in the olive oil last with fork. Salt to taste and add the red pepper flakes if you want a little kick. If you happen to have a large mortar and pestle, crush and grind all the ingredients a bit to really combine...if not, no biggie, just mix well.

I store this in a mason jar in the fridge and spoon it onto anything and everything! Just shake it up before using as it will separate. I usually try to use it up within a week. It makes about a cup and a half of sauce.

Enjoy and let me know if your family loves this fresh sauce as much as mine does!

Note:  People either like cilantro or they don't. If you don't you can use all parsley and visa versa...all cilantro. If you like both, try it the way I've written it as it's the perfect mix in my opinion. And yes....fresh herbs are a must with this one.

How do I use Chimichurri?

The day I make it I usually put it on tri-tip...because that is usually what inspires me to make it!

The next day I'll usually make a big romaine salad and dress it with ranch or caesar dressing. I then chop up some leftover tri-tip and put it on top and drizzle Chimichurri on top of the steak. This makes an easy and DELICIOUS salad. My husband loves it too!

The third day we had a burger + fry night and I made these Chimichurri + Gorgonzona Sweet Potato Fries which were to die for... and that finished off the Chimichurri Sauce in 3 days for 2 or 3 people.

This sauce is excellent on everything though! Tell me how you use it in the comments. Great on eggs, veggies, shrimp, steak, fries and more!

GorgonzolaChimichurriFriesHWS.jpg
In Food & Recipes Tags Happy WifeStyle, chimichurri, traditional chimichurri, chimichurri sauce, chimichurri recipe, steak sauce, paleo, whole30, whole30 condiments
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What I'm Packing for Maui

March 14, 2018 Shannon Taatjes
GoodTimesandTanLines.jpg

This next weekend my husband and I head to Maui for a week-long business trip with some of our favorite people on the planet...our Chiropractic friends that are like family. We learn and laugh and soak up the sunshine, while getting super inspired talking about big goals. We've been going on this Super Achiever Gold trip for about 10 years now...and I can't wait to get packing.

So I thought it'd be fun to share a few of my favorite things that I'm packing because I found some great clothes and swimsuits this year! I know how hard it can be to find a good swimsuit.

First off, let's talk swimwear. I needed new swimsuits this year as my old ones were starting to look a little shabby AND my body has changed a bit since the last time I shopped swimwear.  Sometimes I look in the mirror and think, "where'd my 25 year old body go?!....even my 35 year old body?!"  But even though my body isn't what it once was at 46 years old and it doesn't bounce into shape as quickly as it used to, I found some suits I really like.

At my age, a high quality swimsuit makes a big difference and is well worth it to get a high quality fabric that fits well.

Here are the swimsuits I'm packing this year...

HWSMauiSwimsuits.JPG

The first one in the photo (left) is a new brand for me that I found on Instagram. It took some returns to get the sizing right because this company's sizing was way different than the other brands I'm used to on the right.  They run bigger than the other brands. This suit is SUCH high quality, thick fabric. It's also completely reversible so it's like 2 suits in one with a classy Navy and White on one side and plain Navy on the reverse side. It looks great on both sides unlike some suits that "say" reversible but only look great on one side.

Heidi Klein Navy and White Reversible Bikini Top

Heidi Klein Navy and White Reversible Bikini Bottom

Sizing help: I'm a 32D size bra and a26" waist, 36" hip and the Medium top and a Small bottom worked great. This brand ships from London but I got it within 2 days!!


The second one (middle) is a brand favorite of mine and I love the soft quality of the material. I liked this suit so much I got it in two colors.  It lays really nicely against the body an doesn't dig in anywhere.  This brand runs on the small side and also comes in a classic black top and bottom.  

Vitamin A Sage Bikini Top

Vitamin A Sage Bikini Bottom

Vitamin A Ink Bikini Top

Vitamin A Ink Bikini Bottom

Sizing help: I'm a 32D size bra and a 26" waist, 36" hip and the Large top and a Medium bottom fit me.


The third one (right) is also a brand favorite of mine and fits great and is a flattering sporty style while still being sexy.  This brand runs on the small side also. These bottoms have the most coverage of all three while still having a really flattering style that fits straight across the hips. The color blocking is fun and is also reversible, but I probably will only wear it on the white side.

L*Space White Colorblock Bikini Top

L*Space White Colorblock Bikini Bottom

Sizing help: I'm a 32D size bra and a 26" waist, 36" hip and the Large top and a Medium bottom fit me.


Extra essentials in my beach bag:

Sun Hat with fun verbiage in different sayings - of course I chose Rosé All Day!

Beautycounter Safer Sunscreen


Here are a couple of the easy-to-wear outfits I'm packing this year:

HWSMauiClothes.JPG

 I looooove jumpsuits and rompers and this navy romper is darling!  It has a wrap look in the front and a drawstring for an adjustable look depending if you want a tighter or looser waist.  It has a snap in the chest area for closure and I'll probably wear a bodysuit underneath. The back has a beautiful lace detail on the upper back.  I got this in a Medium and it drapes really nicely and isn't too short. I'm about 5'7" and like my rompers to be a little drapey and loose because i'm too old for a tight romper! LOL! Sorry for the wrinkled look....I still need to steam it;)

L*Space Navy Romper

Screen Shot 2018-03-14 at 4.04.20 PM.png

Here's a peek at the cute lace back!


The short black flowy lined mini-dress with embroidered flowers will be so easy and comfy to throw on with flats and go for a day trip to Lahaina ....then dress it up with a quick change of shoes for dinner.  I love flowing sleeves....it always makes me feel like I'm channeling my inner Stevie Nicks.

Free People Mini-Dress

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Here's how the dress fits...


A few other essentials I'm packing:

My favorite Eric Javits Fedora that goes everywhere with me (yep that's the same one in all my profile pics!)

Clare V Striped Flat Clutch

Sam Edelmen Platform Espadrilles

Vince Camuto Blush Ankle Strap Heeled Sandals

Kendra Scott Disc Drop Earrings


I hope this inspires you to book that summer vacay! 

I'm so excited to pack up all my swimsuits, coverups, cute outfits, and shoes in my new Champagne colored Delsey Luggage....this will be it's first of many trips! 

Screen Shot 2018-03-14 at 4.36.05 PM.png

ALOHA!

I'm taking her on many trips this year!

Maui, then Palm Springs, then Minneapolis, then Bali ...and hopefully more!

In Fashion & Style Tags Fashion, swimsuits, maui, what to pack for Maui, What to pack for vacation, vacation outfits, fashion blogger, summer fashion, vitamin A swimwear, L Space swimwear, Free People, Delsey, Happy WifeStyle, ootd
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Hi friends!  I'm Shannon and WELCOME to my health + lifestyle blog.  I often found myself being asked about things like nutrition, health, and fashion...so I decided to start sharing...and Happy WifeStyle™ was born in 2014. Sharing led to inspiring people...inspiring people has led to coaching...and now I've turned my little blog into a business and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.  I hope to inspire you to live your happiest, most nutritious life.  I hope to empower you to know that you can do anything you set your mind to.  If I can do it, you can do it.  Thanks for stopping by and feel free to introduce yourself!

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