Vegāns

trešdiena, 2015. gada 22. jūlijs

Amarone


Amarone della Valpolicella, usually known as Amarone, is a typically rich Italian red dry wine made from the partially dried grapes of the:


  • Corvina - Italian wine grape variety that sometimes also referred to as Corvina veronese or Cruina . It is mainly grown in the Veneto region of northeast Italy. Corvina is also used with several other grapes to create light red regional wines Bardolino ( 18.11.2015. ) and Valpolicella ( 15.07.2015. ) that have a mild fruity flavor with hints of almonds. Corvina produces light medium bodied wines with a light crimson coloring. The grapes naturally high acidity can make the wine somewhat tart with a slight bitter note.
  • Rondinella - Italian wine grape mainly grown in the Veneto region and used also in Valpolicella and Bardolino. The grape has rather neutral flavors but is flavored by growers due to its prolific yields.
and other approved red grape varieties.

Amarone grapes are harvested ripe in the first two weeks of October.

trešdiena, 2015. gada 15. jūlijs

Aglianico Grape


Aglianico is a black grape grown in the Basilicata ( 11.11.2015. ) and Campania ( 18.11.2015. ) regions of Italy, Aglianico is also known as Uva Nera ( Black Grape ).

The grape has also recently been planted in Australia, Texas and California, as it thrives in predominantly sunny climates. 

The grape has a tendency to ripen late, with harvests as late as November in some parts of southern Italy. If the grape is picked too early the grape can be aggressively tannic. After ripening the wine is placed in temperature controlled inox steel tanks for 15 days, while maintaining a temperature of 24 - 28 Celsius, thus reaching the stage of fermentation. after this, the wine is transferred to larger steel tanks, where they remain for a period of approximately year to mature.

Wines produced from Aglianico tend to be full bodied with firm tannins and high acidity, endowing them with good aging potential. The rich flavors of the wine make it appropriate for pairing with rich meats such as lamb meat.

In this youth, Aglianico is very tannic and concentrated, requiring a few years of ageing before it can be approachable. As it ages, the fruit becomes more pronounced and the tannins more balanced with the rest of wine.

The trademark coloring of the wine is a deep garnet.

In well made examples of the wine , it can have chocolate and plum aromas.



piektdiena, 2015. gada 10. aprīlis

Breakfast Smoothie


Good Morning :D
It might not be morning when you red this, but it's morning when I'm making it :D
Today I decided to make simple smoothie, yet it went out really tasty :)
I used frozen strawberries ( about 200 grams), 2 large banana and 200 ml peach yogurt. 
When my smoothie was ready and served in beautiful glas I tasted it and realized it is too sour :D I added teaspoon honey and two tablespoons of bran and blended it again :)


I served it in glass I made myself ( not made, painted myself :) ) with straw and mint leave :)

Enjoy!

P.S. What's your favourite smoothie recipe?


ceturtdiena, 2015. gada 9. aprīlis

Schiava


The original name of Schiava was Farnatzer or Vernetzer, it is a red German / Italian wine variety that was likely first originally cultivated in the wine regions of south Tyrol and Trentino, but today is almost exclusively cultivated on steep, sunny locations in the Württemberg wine region of Baden-Württemberg.
Its first ever documented historical mention dates back to the end of the Middle Ages, and it has played a central role in Alto Adige wine growing since the sixteenth century.
At some point the grape migrated northwards to the southern regions of Germany though the exact date of its arrival is unknown.
Also known as Vernatsch, in Germany, produces a light wine that is low in tannins, with a moderate alcohol content. The grape produces mostly red, though some dark color rose styles are also produced. In Württemberg, the wine is often slightly sweet with some residual sugar leftover after fermentation is completed. 
Italian styles of Schiava tend to be similarly light but are more often dryer and more noticeably acidic.

Fiano Grape





Fiano is a white Italian wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region ( 18.11.2015. ) of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily ( 8.07.2015. ).
In Campania region, this fairly strong favored white grape is particularly noted around Avellino where the DOCG wine of Fiano di Avellino is produced. The grape has a long history in this region and is believed to have been the grape behind the ancient Roman wine Apianum. Even today, the name Apianum is permitted to appear on wine labels.
The Roman wine Apianum was produced by a grape known as vitis apiana, whose name is related to the Latin word for "bees", which were strongly attracted to the sugary pulp of the grapes.

The small, thick skinned berries of Fiano usually produce very little juice, it was for reasons that Fiano saw significant declines for most of the 19th and 20th century as growers uprooted the grape in favor of varieties like Trebbiano (24.06.2015. ) and Sangiovese ( 23.09.2015. ) that could yield larger amounts of wine. 

Fiano can produce an ageworthly wine that has to potential to develop in the bottle for several years after the vintage date. 
in it's youth Fiano is often intensely flavored and aromatic with honey notes that over time develop more spicy and nutty notes. 
The advent of modern winemaking techniques with its emphasis on limiting oxidation and preserving freshness, have improved the overall quality of Fiano wines.

Enjoy :)

Broccoli and Sweet potato side dish

Prep time  - 10 minutes
Cooking time - 25 minutes
Serves - 4

Ingredients:
1 large sweet potato
1 large broccoli head
1 cup couscous
1 avocado
Few fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup water
salt, pepper and basil 

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 200 C
  2. Peel and cut in bite sized pieces sweet potato and place on a baking tray. sprinkle with a teaspoon of olive oil and cook for 15 minutes or until soft.
  3. Cut the broccoli in smaller pieces and boil or steam for few minutes - just until it starts to loose crunchiness.
  4. Bring water to the boil, add salt, pepper, basil and couscous. Turn off heat and leave couscous for 5 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl mix couscous, sweet potato, broccoli, diced avocado, mint leaves and season with lime juice and olive oil mixture, salt, pepper and basil.
  6. Toss well and left for a ten minutes on a room temperature.
  7. Serve :)
Ingredients:

Broccoli: an edible plant in the cabbage family.

Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and dietary fiber. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of vitamin C . Boiling broccoli reduces the levels of suspected anti - carcinogenic compounds, such as sulforaphane, with losses of 20 - 30 % after five minutes, 40 - 50 % after 10 minutes, and 70 - 80 % after thirty minutes. So try to use  steaming or quick stir frying methods.

piektdiena, 2015. gada 3. aprīlis

Fashion Friday I Rectangle Body Shape

The rectangular Body shape you can determine if you look at yourself in the mirror in your underwear.
Stand with your legs together and your arms a bit away from your sides. Look at your are from under your arms, past your bust and ribcage, over your waist and hips to the fullest part of your thighs. Then just compare yourself to the image .
Then think, do you:
Wear the same size on both - your top and bottom halves? Do you have quite small bust? Do you have a little waist definition? Do you have quite flat hips and bottom?
If you have more than one "yes", congratulations - You have a beautiful Rectangle body shape :)
But keep in mind - you have to create the illusion of waist. it should be easier if you'll keep your silhouette uncluttered, invest in some unstructured jackets that gently shape your waist. Also hip and bottom detailing works good for you - as long they create gentle curves.
Better avoid details at the waist, such as noticable waistband, high waisted trousers and belted jackets as they will keep attention to your not defined waist part. Also you should stay away from fussy ar droopy style in your clothing, as well as from rectangle shaped bags or clutch bags.
Unfortunately square toe shoes also is not made for your body shape. 

ceturtdiena, 2015. gada 2. aprīlis

Beauty Myths


One thing I learned lately?
Flip through the pages of some fancy fashion magazine or check out huge/popular/professional beauty blog, and I get a million of advice.
Even readed someone say that dry skin can be fixed just by drinking more water - I have dry skin! No it is not working. I do drink about 1,5 - 2 liters water, but still - my skin is dry :)
Do you know some beauty myths?
Here is few I finded:

1. There are skin-care products that work like Botox
No! I'm sorry, there is no skin-care products that can work like Botox, because the ingredients cannot reach their target areas. And in fact - no one will use a Botox if there would be magical cream :D
There is absolutely no research showing that any skin-care product can even remotely work in any manner like Botox.

2. Make up causes acne

Probably not. There is no research indicating that make up or skin-care products can cause acne. Even more - there is no consensus an which ingredients are or are not problematic.
I feel it is more about how well you take off your make up or for how long you are wearing make up. Everything is good if you are using it wisely :)

3. Everyone needs an eye cream

There is no evidence, research or documentation validating the claim that the eye area needs ingredients different from those you use on your face or neck area.
I have 4 face creams and 2 eye creams at the moment. And guess what? They all have the same ingredients, even organic one doesn't have different ingredients!!!! It's crazy - only thing that changes is proportion.

However I think I'll keep my it is. Don't think I can live without, for example, eye cream. Only next time shopping for one I'll check ingredients for something different :)

trešdiena, 2015. gada 1. aprīlis

Wine Wednesday I Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau is a white grape variety which was created by Herman Müller in 1882. Herman Müller, born October 21, 1850 in Tagerwilen. He was Swiss botanist, plant physiologist, oenologist and grape breeder.
Müller researched and published on a wide range of topics in viticulture and winemaking, including the biology of vine flowering, assimilation of nutrients by the wine, wine diseases, alcoholic fermentation of wine.
Müller-Thurgau he created during his time in Geisenheim, in a breeding programme initiated in 1882, by crossing Riesling ( 29.04.2015. ) with Madeleine Royale.
The grape is used to make white wine in Germany, Austria, Northern Italy, Hungary, England, Australia, The Czech Republic, slovakia, Slovenia, New Zealand, The United States and Japan.

By the 1070s,Müller-Thurgau had become Germany's most planted grape. A possible reason for the popularity of this varietal is that it is capable of being grown in relatively wide range of climates and soil types. Many of these were planted on flat areas that were not particularly suitable for growing other wine grapes because it was more profitable than sugar beet, which was the main alternative crop in those locations.

I totally agree - wine is better option than sugar beets :)
Have a nice Wine wednesday 

otrdiena, 2015. gada 31. marts

Tasty Tuesday I Asparagus Salad with Radish


Makes - 4 servings
Prep time - 15 minutes

Ingredients 

 One bunch of asparagus
2 tablespoons vinegar ( I prefer balsamic, but you can use white too)
1 tablespoon soy sauce ( if you prefer to reduce salt in your diet skip this)
2 tablespoon oil ( I like grape seed oil, but you can use coconut, olive, avocado )
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon grated garlic
1 big bunch of radishes
1 cup of sliced onion

Preparation 

Fill a medium sauce pan with a ice cold water and second pan fill with 3 cm water and bring to a boil.

Slice asparagus in pieces you prefer ( I like smaller pieces, because it is easier to cover them with sauce and seasonings.
Boil asparagus for about 2 minutes or until tender crisp and transfer them into ice water.
When asparagus is cooled down drain them well.
Combine vinegar, soy sauce, oil ginger and garlic in a large bowl. 
Add the asparagus, thinly sliced radish and onion in bowl and toss to combine.
Serve well refrigerated.
Have a nice appetite:)

About ingredients: 



Asparagus scientific name Asparagus officinalis is a spring vegetable. It was one classified in the lily family like onions and garlic, but now there is separate asparagus family. 
Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten - once the buds start to open, the shoots quickly turn woody.
Water makes up to 93% of asparagus, it is low in calories and very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6 ( 9.05.2015. ), calcium ( 16.05.2015. ), Magnesium ( 11.04.2015. ), and a very good source of dietary fibre, protein and lots of vitamins.

Tasty Tuesday I Spinach Salad



Prep Time - 5 minutes
Makes about 4 servings

Ingredients

300 grams / 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
100 grams / 1/2 cup feta, brinza or soft goat cheese
1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly ( you can skip this if you don't like )
1/2 dried cranberries
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Dressing

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 
1 orange - squeeze juice and use peal to gel orange zest
1 garlic clove
a bit of salt and pepper

Instructions

Wash and clean spinach, if you don't have baby spinach tear into bite size pieces and place in a large serving bowl.
Crumble cheese and add half of it together with onions, toss to combine.
Combine dressing ingredients in a smaller mixing bowl.
Pour over salad and toss.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese, almonds and berries.

About Ingredients:

Spinach -  Value per 100 grams ( 3,5 oz)
Energy - 97 kJ / 23 kcal
Carbohydrates - 3,6 grams
Sugars - 0,4 grams
Dietary fiber - 2,2 grams
Fat - 0,4 grams
Protein 2,9 grams

In a 100 g serving portion only 23 calories, spinach has a high nutritional value, especially when fresh, frozen, steamed or quickly boiled. It is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C ( 4.04.2015. ), Vitamin K, magnesium ( 11.04.2015. ), manganese ( 18.04.2015. ), folate ( 25.04.2015. ) and iron ( 2.05.2015. ).

svētdiena, 2015. gada 29. marts

Travel Sunday I My travel Tips

I've traveled a lot since I remember myself, of course there is at least million people around the globe who have traveled a lot more than I am, but these are my best tips, I've discovered.

1. Rize and shine

Rise earlier than you ever done it at home, you will have all city to yourself - without any crowds. You will have most amazing photos to share with friends, due the magical lightning and the best - you will have longer day to see more amazing places!

2. Cash!!!

This is extra important - cash is king in all city around the world. To cover your head up in some unexpected situations, always make sure to stash cash in a few different places - I recommend to have some 3-5 places each worth few days of living in the destination. Why? There are millions of reasons - you can lose your wallet, break your credit card, there is no ATMs, there is no pos terminal,...
Some of my favourite stock places are 
  • under shoe inserts
  • under phone case ( yeap you will need that ugly big case to do that :) )
  • in a make up bag

3. Take huuuuuge amount of photos.

Yo never know what can happen tomorrow - maybe it is the only time you are visiting this place, so remember this place, people you met and emotions you had forever with plenty of photos. I believe that great photos are the best ever souvenir - they are cheap ( actually they don't cost anything if you already have camera), they are easy to share with friends even if it is not possible to met all them, and they don't take a space in your tiny luggage.

4. Don't forget you still have a family and friends.

Stay in touch - call your family and friends, but even best way, if you are away from home for a longer time is the old fashioned way - write them letter or send postcard from place you are.

5. Be patient

even life is too short to sweat the stuff you can not change, traveling time is even shorter - you miss the plane, train, bus??? I promise you - there will be another. Airport lost your luggage? Great - go out of your comfort zone and try to buy as less as possible to live for few days. Just breath deep and smile :)

Please, feel free to Share you tips with me in comment section :)

sestdiena, 2015. gada 28. marts

Healthy Saturday I Vitamin A


Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds, that includes retinol and several carotenoids, among which beta - carotene is the most important.
Vitamin A has multiple functions:
  • It is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and good vision.
  • Vitamin A is also needed by the retina of the eye in the form of retinal.
  • Vitamin a also functions in a very different role as retinoic, which is important hormone like growth factor for epithelial and other cells.
Vitamin A comes from animal sources, such as eggs, meat, milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, cod and fish oil. All of these sources that has been fortified with vitamin A are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

If you don't get enough vitamin A, you are more likely to get infectious diseases and vision problems.
If you get too much vitamin A, you also can become sick. 

piektdiena, 2015. gada 27. marts

Fashion Friday I How to Dress Your Body Type?

It is not a secret that the clothes which flatter you best will depend on your body shape. Nowadays the fashion choice is so varied that there is something for everyone. Today it is no matter what scale, height, proportion ar body shape you are.
How?
Because when it comes to looking good, it is not your size or mood that matters, it is the fit of your clothes. but wearing the clothes that fits you is not about following the latest fashion trends, it is about choosing what suits you.

The Inverted Triangle. To determine if you are this type of body, look at yourself in mirror in your most expensive, most beautiful underwear. Why most beautiful and expensive underwear? For no reason - just for fun and for feeling yourself beautiful! Stand with your legs together and arms a bit away from sides. Do you see the Inverted Triangle?
If You think You see the triangle you can check yourself!
Do You:
  • Have wider shoulders than hips?
  • Wear a larger size on your top half than bottom?
If you answered "Yes" on both of questions - congratulations - You are the Inverted Triangle! So you should:
  • Keep bold details, fluffiness, ornaments, and anything that makes you broader to your lower half and keep your top half clean, classy and unornamented. 
  • Wider belt are your best friend - create the illusion of a waist!
  • Avoid necklines , big straps, halterneck tops or big shawls that make you broader on top.
  • Delete "shoulder pads" from your vocabulary! You will never use it!
  • Avoid any boyfriend jeans, clumsy sweaters, oversized anything - you need your silhouette, show your waist, be beautiful and womanly....
  • I'm sorry, but clutch bags are not made for you :(
You can catch some inspiration from these gorgeous ladies:

You're not Inverted triangle? Wait a bit and check which body type you are:
  • The Rectangle Body Shape - 3.04.2015.
  • Apple Body Shape - 10.04.2015.
  • Pear Body Shape - 17.04.2015.
  • Neat Hourglass body Shape - 24.04.2015.
  • Full Hourglass Body Shape - 1.05.2015.

trešdiena, 2015. gada 25. marts

Arneis


Arneis is a white Italian wine grape variety originating from Piedmont, Italy. It is most commonly found in the hills of the Roero, northwest of Alba, where it is part of the white DOCG wines of Roero. 

Wine historians disagree on how long Arneis has been in the Piedmont region and under what name. a potential root of the name Arneis in the Piedmontese dialect, renesi, makes an appearance in the description of several different grape varieties in the 15th century.
Some historians believe that Arneis maybe the Ranaysii grape that has documented in 1432 growing in province of Tourino.

Arneis historical role has been as a softening for Nebbiolo, though today the grape is more commonly seen as a varietal wine.
In the United States, Arneis is mostly found in California Wine region of Sonoma Country and the Oregon.
Most of plantings of Arneis are found in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont Where the grape is used in the wines of the Roero and Langhe DOCs.
The Arneis can be a difficult grape to cultivate, with naturally low acidity and tendency to get over ripe it is harvested in September.
In the past couple of decades, Arneis has become synonymous with the wines of Roero. There it produces floral scented white wines whose delicate aromas, typically of pear and apricot rounded out with a creamy hint of hazelnut.

piektdiena, 2015. gada 20. marts

Nail Care tips



Who doesn't know that well manicured nails are an integral part of a neat, pulled together appearance. Unfortunately, style experts says both, men and women fall prey to myths about how to care for nails.
To help set the record straight and get myself on the road to beautiful nails I have found these tips:
  • Don't cut cuticles

Leave Your cuticles alone, this is the natural barrier to fungus and bacteria - once You breach that, protection is lost. Cutting cuticles will not only make your hands look worse - red, swollen and ragged, but also land you a nasty infection that harms the nail bed and leads to permanent nail damage.
If you're hoping to make your nails appear longer, you can push your cuticles back gently with a wooden orange stick.
  • Moisturize nail bed and cuticle
Moisturizing nail bed will help nails grow, it also can make cuticles look better and help protect nails from breaking due to a lack of moisture.
  • Avoid acetone based polish removers
It has been documented time and again that it stris the nails, causing them to become brittle.
  • Remember - toenails count too
Basically everything that applies to your fingernails applies to your toenails.

Any other steps are so individual and mostly are only nail design steps. 
Keep Your hands beautiful and have a nice day :)

trešdiena, 2015. gada 18. marts

Calabrian Wine

Calabrian is Italian wine from the Calabria region of Southern Italy. Over 90% of the region's wine production is red, with a large portion made from the Gaglioppo grape.
Gaglioppo performs well in drought conditions but is susceptible to odium and peronospora. The grape produces wine that is full bodied, high in alcohol and tannins with a need for considerable time in the bottle for it to soften in character.

Calabria is located at the "toe" of the Italian peninsula and is characterized by its Mediterranean climate. To the north is the Apennine Mountains forming the border with Basilicata. The winter time conditions in the interior are cold and harsh, the majority of the region's wine production takes place in the central areas of the eastern and western coastlines.

The region of Calabria was first cultivated by the Oenotrians, and then by the Ancient Greeks.
For many centuries Calabrian wines were famous not just in Italy, but also in other European countries. Their glory began to dissipate, as competition arose from french regions such as Bordeaux which were closer both geographically and culturally to key markets such as London and Amsterdam.

Calabria has 12 DOC regions but only 4% of the production is classified as a DOC wine.

otrdiena, 2015. gada 17. marts

My Wardrobe sorting tips


I absolutely believe that a clear uncluttered wardrobe filled with items I love is essential to good dressing. I think I do have only essentials, but of course my boyfriend thinks I do have way too much clothes :D What do I have and how I organize my wardrobe?

First fact - all my clothes have to:
  • Fit me
  • Make me feel like a top model :D
  • Are in good condition
  • I wear the regularly ( except for black dress and fancy heels )
The general rule for me is discard clothes that I have not worn for 1 year.
Yes it is hard for first times, because it feels like losing way too many clothes, but You are not wearing them anyway so they don't count :D

I as all the womens wish to create a wardrobe where everything goes with everything! How? I'm far away from perfect but these are my steps.

When I start sorting I usually divide my clothes in piles:
  • Anything that must go
  • Clothes that can be stored
  • Clothes that definitely stay in my closed
  • No more than 3 pieces that I do want to keep for sentimental reasons.
It is so easy to write it down here, but when I really have to do this ....

For me the must rule is to take action straight away - if I will not donate them today, they somehow will grow legs and walk back in closed and take a storage place again.

This pile step helps me understand my current style and then it is much easier to create a closed full of clothes that work for me. And again - easier said than done. When we think about this step - knowledge is power. The first thing I pay attention is my body type ( 23.03.2015. ).
Next thing I can find out looking on these piles I have is color range - If all my clothes is blue I may not need that red dress I never wear.
And maybe the most important part - do I have all the necessary basics for my style?

I always want to arrange the clothes by color, so I can easily find mach.
For me it is easier when only impossible to hang clothes goes in drawers - underwear, corks, accessories and bottoms.
I'm using a lot of hangers, because the drawers often goes messy even after one time I or my boyfriend have to find something.

Do You have some great tips?

pirmdiena, 2015. gada 16. marts

Vitamin K


Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that is most well known for the important role it plays in blood clotting. Vitamin K is also absolutely essential to building strong bones, preventing heart disease.

The absolute best way to achieve healthy bones is a diet in fresh, raw whole foods that maximizes natural minerals so your body has the raw materials it needs to do what it was designed to do. Vitamin K2 serves as the biological "glue" that helps plug calcium and other important materials into our bone matrix.
A number of studies have shown that vitamins K1 and K2 are effective against cancer.
Fermented foods, such as natto, typically have the highest concentration of vitamin K found in the diet. Adding traditionally fermented foods to our diet is a must.

Vitamin K1 is obtained from leafy greens and some other vegetables.
Vitamin K2 is a group of compounds largely obtained from meats, cheeses, and eggs.
Suggested natural vitamin K group sources is

While vitamin K deficiencies are rare in adults, they are very common in newborn infants. A single injection for newborns is standard.

trešdiena, 2015. gada 11. marts

Abruzzo Wine



Abruzzo is an Italian wine region located in the mountainous central Italian region of Abruzzo along the Adriatic Sea. 
 
It is bordered by the Molise wine region ( 21.10.2015. ) to the south, Marche ( 28.10.2015. ) to the north and Lazio to the west. The Abruzzo region has the Apennines running along its western border and includes Corno Grande, the highest point on mainland Italy. The mountain range serves as a tempering influence, blocking many storms that come in from the west.
o the east, the adriatic sea provides moderating Mediterranean climate for the vineyards that run along an west east orientation in calcareous clay river valleys that flow from the mountains to the seas.

Winemaking traditions in Abruzzo date back to the sixth century B.C. thanks to the Etruscans, who played a major role in introducing viniculture to the area.

Today more than 42 million cases of wine are produced annually in Abruzzo, making it the fifth most productive region in Italy, but only about 20 % of which is made under the DOC designation.

The most notable wine of the region is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo produced by the Montepulciano ( 12.08.2015. ) grape that is distinct from the Sangiovese ( 23.09.2015. ) grape behind the Tuscan wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Nearly 80% of all the wine in the Abruzzo region is produced by large co-operative wineries with the four largest:
  • Cantina Tollo
  • Casal Thaulero
  • Casal Bordino
  • Citra.
The wines of the Abruzzo region were internationally known as early as 17th century when the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes praised the high quality of the region's Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.






pirmdiena, 2015. gada 9. marts

All about Vitamin E!

It's common knowledge that vitamin E is good for our skin, but even week ago I couldn't tell you exactly what this nutrient does.
Vitamin E is a powerful, fat soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can harm cells, tissues and organs, but antioxidants are agents that neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage, vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants, but our body can't produce it, which means we have to make sure that we're getting enough of this valuable nutrient. Therefore, the use of vitamin E in the prevention of UV induced damage has been extensively studied.
There is limited information concerning the effects of vitamin E supplement on photodamage, which is commonly observed as skin wrinkling. Although vitamin E can protect mice exposed to UV from excessive skin wrinkling, this is a photoprotective effect rather than treatment of pre existing wrinkles.
Vitamin E and oils containing tocopherols have been reported to have moisturizing properties.

Food Sources :

The best way to get the daily requirement of vitamin E is by eating food sources. Vitamin E is found in the following foods:
  • Vegetable oils - sunflower, safflower, corn, soybean oils...
  • Nuts - such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts
  • Seeds, such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • Green leafy vegetables - spinach, broccoli...
Products made from these foods, like margarine, also contains vitamin E.

Vitamin E is necessary for structural maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and muscle.

The body also needs vitamin E to help keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria, it is also important in the formation of red blood cells and it helps the body use vitamin K, vitamin A, iron and selenium.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans, so don't worry and have some green leafy veggies :)

sestdiena, 2015. gada 7. marts

Primer, tips, tricks,...

A flawless face is the basis of every great make up look. While foundation, concealer, etc. work wonders, I have one more trick for stunning result - primers. This stuff preps my skin for the perfect foundation application, it fills my lines, pores, it cancels my redness and dark circles, it keeps my makeup looking applied minute ago all day...
How to use them?

First and most important, useful tip I can share? Try a tinted formula!!! 


Primers, like Benefit That gal Brightening Face primer can add an amazing glow. I love this primer, I'm ready to tell everyone who can stand my rambling about how amazing it is :) It makes my dry skin appear more healthy and glowy, even under foundation the glow shines through.
Lilac shades brighten sallow skin, and green formulas neutralizes redness. 
My favourite redness eraser is physician Formula mineral Wear Correcting Primer in Green. It is amazing product - an oil free, with SPF, dispensed through the brush of a twist pen, fragrance free, hypoallergenic, paraben free,.....

Now when you have the best formula for your skin, what's next? My next tip is to remember - less is more! Yes, you don't need to coat your face fully with primer. I know it is not a proper tip, but it IS important! Use a very small amount and apply to your skin with fingertips and blend thoroughly. Wait a fer minutes before putting on foundation to allow the primer to sink in and create a smooth surface.

It is also worth mentioning that you need a separate eyeshadow primer. You can find soma amazing ones on the market.
Mac Paint Pots are one of my favourite. They are acrylic based which means they don't budge and they will hold colour on. They has a great consistency, they feel smooth and blend easily, and buying one you get a fairly great amount because you only need a tiny bit. The only one downside is the longevity of the product itself, my paint pots tend to go bad fairly quick ( about 6 months ).

Don't agree with me? Don't like Mac Paint Pots?

You can use , maybe, Urban Decay Primer Potion? This one of Urban Decay pioneer products. It is a good product overall, makes the eye shadows stay longer than usual and makes them more pigmented. Packaging and price are quite ok, but it is not my favourite priming product, but it is not bad at all, I just prefer Mac. 

We have primed our faces, eyelids, now it's the time for lashes! Yes, yes, you can prime lashes also! Why?
To get thicker, longer lashes! These formulas amplify sparse fringe and contain vitamin E  or glycerin to condition lashes. 
I'm using Lancome Cils Booster XL, the brush is thick and bushy and formulation tends to make lashes white, but I don't see it's I anyway use mascara after primer. This really make my lashes look noticeably longer and thicker. I'm applying only one coat, because even two coats and I have clumps and heavy weighted lashes.

We have a huge amount of make up on market, but remember - only you choose hoe much you need to use and the most important:
It is not a make up that makes us beautiful, it's joy of living, confidence and smile that makes us beautiful.