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What’s it like using a metal razor?

Welcome to today’s post everybody. I hope you are healthy and well reading this! I know it’s been a while, but I have quite a few post ideas in store for everyone over the next few months! There will be some reviews, tips and inspo for all of you๐Ÿ’• .

For my first post of 2021, I wanted to write a review about a metal razor that I’ve been using for a few months. This post is part of my Eco Reviews blog, so if you’re looking for any sustainable products to try out, head over to Eco Reviews after you finish reading this post!

Pssst, I love buying new sustainable products so comment below, or let me know through one of my socials, if there are any products you’d like for me to try out and write about!

I wanted a metal razor for a little over a year before I eventually bought one from a company called Bearradh. I don’t really remember how I found it but I know it was because of Instagram๐Ÿ˜€. I went with this brand because it’s Irish, and felt like supporting someone who’s small and local, rather than buying from somewhere like Amazon!

The review

So the first few times I started using the razor, I learned some things the hard way, like, don’t press the razor too hard on to your skin or put it back together the right way. I think everyone goes through different lessons when they start using one, and it’s perfectly okay. You live, You Learn!!!

At the very start, I would have to shave at least every 1-2 weeks because the hair grew back soooo quickly ๐Ÿ™ƒ. I have fair hair so when I used the disposable razors the hair wouldn’t grow back for weeks! But after a few months of regular shaving, I realised that the hairs on my skin didn’t START growing until 2/3 weeks.

It’s quite easy to use a metal razor. You just take the top of the razor apart, add in the blade and tighten it back. Here is a short 20-second video on how to put the blade in the razor. I use ASTRA blades but there are many other ones out there.

You are probably wondering what’s it like to shave down at the bikini area, and I’ll just say that more effort goes into it. It’ll also take extra time to shave at the start but once you start getting used to the razor you eventually start shaving quicker. I learned that it’s important to foam up more because it’s a sensitive area and is prone to cuts.

I love how it shaves perfectly and I don’t need to go over any parts that I already went through. I think this razor is great for shaving down there and I prefer it more than the disposable ones ๐Ÿ’š

The one thing that seriously stressed me out (at the start) was the blade, I was so afraid to touch it just in case I cut myself and guess what… what I thought about, the universe brought to me! I made a deep cut in my finger a few months back, and it’s still sore today. So be careful guys, don’t overthink too much as I did๐Ÿ˜….

On the bright side, shaving has become more enjoyable now. I love the sound when I shave (bit random… I know) and the best part is you don’t have to go over the parts you already went through. Another thing I like is that you don’t need any shaving gel. You can use a bar of soap and it works the same.

Disposal

Before buying the razor, I watched tons of youtube videos and read many blog reviews and came to two main conclusions. You can either sharpen your blade each time after use or throw it out.

I haven’t sharpened any of my blades yet because I’m still afraid of cutting myself, but if you’re on a budget, or want to produce less waste, then it’s the perfect option for you!

I keep a small metal box and throw in my blades (dried, after each use) inside the metal tin. You should check with your local recycling centre if they accept blades before-hand! I’m not sure if you need to sterilise them but I would recommend doing so because you never know what can happen!

My final opinion

Likes

  • Hair STARTS growing back (for me) between 2-3 weeks after shaving
  • I love knowing that I’m not gonna have to throw out this razor after the few times I use it for shaving, therefore, less plastic being thrown out into landfills
  • Like I mentioned earlier, it’s very satisfying to shave ๐Ÿ˜†

Dislikes

  • At the beginning, it takes a while to learn how to shave
  • Time-consuming. You need to be extra careful when shaving! You can’t shave one hour before you leave for a party and you can’t apply a lot of pressure or you will cut yourself
  • The handle of this metal razor is so thin and it can slip out so easily from your hand

Rating

I am giving 4.5 stars for this razor as I would say its quite uncomfortable to use while shaving. There are plenty of metal razors out there that have thicker handles, but if you prefer something thin then this one is perfect for you!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Thank you for reading my post! I hope this review clears your doubts a bit! If you have any questions comment below xo

Germa๐Ÿ’•

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How to stay healthy, calm and sustainable during COVID-19

I hope that whoever is reading this feels healthy and is taking care at home. It is a very stressful time for everyone. I just want everybody to know that we can get through this and as long as we follow the guidelines for what we should do, everything will pass quickly.

I wanted to write this blog post because I’ve been doing a couple of things to change up these few weeks by taking care of myself and investing my time into healthy eating and positive-thinking. Think of this virus as a way to catch-up on all the things you said you didn’t have time to do before!

Remember to keep your distance when you go outside, don’t go out socialising with your friends, use an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer and wash your hands for 20 seconds singing Happy Birthday to help you keep count.

Sleep well

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

A fixed sleeping pattern is really important for keeping your mental health and energy levels up as it increases your concentration and productivity throughout the day without you even knowing it.

What is important to know during this current pandemic is that a disruptive or short sleep is clinically proven to bring a reduction in strength of the immune system (it not being able to produce enough cells due to these problems) (1).

Try going to sleep at a specific time (not too late) and setting an alarm at least eight hours after the time you go to sleep. Try doing this for 3/4 days in a row and you will see how much better you feel, especially when waking up!

Eat the right nutrients and vitamins

Photo by Louise Burton on Unsplash

Making sure you eat your breakfast is also a very important thing. Try adding some fruits and vegetables to your meals or as snacks. Kiwis, lemons, peppers, kale and tomatoes are rich in vitamin C so if you have any of these stored in your kitchen, now would be the best time to go and grab some. It is essential for the immune system because vitamin C works as an acid that is absorbed by your body. Remember to always drink water whenever you get the chance!

Another important vitamin to consider taking is vitamin D, as we are stuck inside our homes and not getting enough sunlight. A lot of the foods we eat contain a high level of vitamin D. From oatmeal to shrimp, you can include these to your diet without having to go out grocery shopping for special products! Look up what food contains vitamin D.

Instead of constantly having to go to the food store, stock up and try to eat whatever you have in your fridge or freezer. Try buying in big bulk that will last you a few weeks (no, that does not mean buying a trolley full of toilet paper).

Make sure to get some fresh air

This is important not only for your health but for your mind. If you are stuck inside the house for the next few weeks and you breathe in absolutely no fresh air, I can guarantee you will not feel very well. It’s great to go out for a walk with your dog or your siblings because whatever may be on your mind can be put on hold for a while.

Don’t panic

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

If you are a student or you usually work from outside your home, you might feel overwhelmed by the thought of work and feel like there is no escape from it. Just know that it’s okay and I understand. Here are a few tips I have on how to stay organised during these hard times.

  1. First things first, make yourself some hot green tea or get a glass of hot water (any of these can help you stay focused, feeling calm and healthy).
  2. Organise yourself by whatever means possible, whether you have to get a journal or paper and a timetable to write everything out.
  3. Get all your work and materials out on your desk and start sorting out all the subjects/topics you will have to deal with. Stack them up into one pile, starting from least important to most important as it goes up.
  4. Get a little piece of paper or open up a Word document and write out what you want to do for the whole week. Try to start on the work that is closer to the deadline date to make life less stressful for yourself (this is something I find impossible to do so if you are struggling, like me… welcome to the club!)
  5. Look up some ideas of how to study effectively on Pinterest (my favourite website ever) or any other well-known sources you may have!

Do something different

If you haven’t already started doing something or maybe you didn’t have time to start, try to make a change in your living lifestyle. Do something new that was you have never done before, it can be on weekends, every second day or in the evenings.

Here are a couple of fun and sustainable ideas that I hope to try out myself sometime soon:

  • Try knitting and/or crocheting
  • Go outside, grab a rock and paint something nice on it with nail varnish
  • Practice doing new makeup looks
  • Start yoga
  • Learn new cooking recipes
  • Declutter your room – give something away to charity
  • Play some board games with your loved ones
  • Finish a book every few weeks
  • Do some gardening (if the weather is nice)
  • Put together a puzzle
  • Answer thought-provoking questions in your journal, i.e. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
  • Message someone you haven’t talked to in a while and ask them how they’re doing?
  • Download a podcast and go for a long walk while listening to it
  • Here’s a lot more!

It is important to remind yourself that you are not a superhero and even if you take a little time out for yourself to do something fun, it doesn’t mean you have to have all the work you still have left to do finished.

Stay Safe! Germaโค

Thank you for reading. I Hope you enjoyed this post! Comment if you have any of your own cool tips or ideas!
Featured

5 simple steps to start living a sustainable lifestyle

Becoming Eco-friendly during this day and age is really hard and trust me no matter how many times I finally think I’m 100% Eco-friendly I am always finding more different trends and ideas (like, a few weeks ago I started using coconut oil as a makeup remover). I want to share some simple tips that I find useful on how to live a more sustainable and experience a greener life!

Try to be resourceful

Remember when you were in secondary school and all your teachers would give out biology notes every single week and when you finished school you had absolutely no clue what to do with them. If you’re in the same situation again, just reuse your paper whether it is for notes in class, ideas or math practice. What about using old magazines as wrapping paper?

Take shorter showers and wash the dishes instead of using a dish-washing machine. The same goes for washing clothes and using a tumble dryer when you can hang your clothes and let them air dry instead. Try seeing what you can wear multiple times before you throw it away in the wash!

Change your single-use plastics into long-term alternatives

Photo by Anna Oliinyk on Unsplash

Uusually, it can be quite hard to remember to bring your reusable cup or carry your canvas bag with you when you go out but always try to remember the benefits. If you are someone who has to go grocery shopping and you are sick and tired of paying for those cheap plastic bags from Lidl, you save yourself money in the long run by bringing a bag with you.

Remind yourself some things that you do that may be impacting the environment. and what little changes can do to help control whats going on in our world today. You can start by looking at these plastic alternatives:

  • Plastic toothbrushes – Bamboo toothbrushes
  • Plastic bags – Canvas bags or any reusable shopping bags
  • Plastic drinking bottles – Metal and glass bottles
  • Plastic food packaging – Silicone food bags and paper bags
  • Shampoo, Shower gel and other plastic bathroom products – Shampoo and soap bars and toothpaste tablets etc.

Why not commute greener?

Take public buses, carpool, cycle and breathe in the fresh air that is all around you. Also, try to avoid getting a lift to town and go on a walk even if it takes you forty minutes.

Sometimes it’s hard for us to not buy an aeroplane ticket during a Ryanair sale and fly overseas but some countries like Ireland, for example, can only depend on transport that carries journeys only over the sea. Try doing less of it and explore your own country, get on a bus to the other side of where you live. There is so much more to explore than having to get a plane or a ship overseas.

Look for inspiration on social media

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

I absolutely love using social media websites and apps such as Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook to get inspired to live a greener lifestyle. There are so many Eco-influencers, creative pages and DIY life hacks. You can always find something on social media and what’s great about it is that you can spread awareness and positivity for anything you care about!

Invest yourself or your money into eco-friendly products

Photo by Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash

The last tip that I want to share with all of you is to slowly start investing your money and time into more environmentally friendly things. I have given up a lot of things I used to do and I hope to give up more in the future, for the better.

Below are a few more ideas on the things you could invest your money in to help you save time, energy and money in the long-run.

  • Buy products that do not contain any plastics or micro-beads. You could start by converting your plastic soap dispenser into a bar soap or make your own shower gel and hair products by yourself! Also changing your toothbrush, beauty products, kitchen supplies into alternatives.
  • Consider getting yourself an E-reader. Of course, that’s if you are a bookworm, like me. Although I would say that going from paper books to an electronic device is one of the most difficult things to do.

Bye guys! Germa โค

I hope you enjoyed reading this post! If you have any questions comment down below!

Ways to improve your eco-living

3 min read

Recently I’ve been thinking about the future and what we could do to make it greener. Which could be changing up our plastic packaged products into small alternatives. I know it’s hard to be eco-friendly, especially if you live with friends or family members that don’t show much interest in these things. There are different ways you could help them make greener decisions, like going grocery shopping with your parents or, making dinner instead of ordering takeaways.

1. Buying products in glass

I was thinking about this a while ago, was just eating and stared at a ketchup dispenser and wondered ‘why do we use them instead of glass jars?’. In Ireland, there are several glass recycling centres that are FREE to use, and it’s way better than throwing away plastic to some landfill๐Ÿ˜‰

2. Make your own ice cubes

The other day I thought to myself wouldn’t it be great to reduce my use of plastic and save a bit of money at the same time? Water is free for now (in Ireland) so why not buy an ice mould tray and reuse a bag to keep the ice inside?

3. Make your own beauty products

Go on Youtube and look up all the different eco-friendly products that you could make instead of buying them๐Ÿ˜‰. To this day, my favourite DIY product that I made is deodrant. I hope to be trying out more products so stay tuned for something soon!

4. Buy fresh produce from local farmers

Photo by Benjamin Massello on Unsplash

This one is super easy, especially if you live in Ireland. I mean we are literally surrounded by fields and farmers everywhere! Which is great because that makes it easier for us to get fresh farm produce.

5. Plan your meals

Photo by Cristiano Pinto on Unsplash

It was always hard for me to plan my meals because I felt lazy and it’s such an effort, right? But I’ve realised that it’s amazing because I get to save money and plastic along the way. Of course, here and there I get some extra things but I try to make sure it’s used up properly๐Ÿ‘

6. Switch to more sustainable stores

There are so many eco-friendly shops here that I never knew existed, and I’m sure you don’t know that much either! Try joining Facebook groups or go on a Google hunt to find stores that are near you! There are some in Ireland from Reuzi to Youme!

7. Try new things

You could try out so many things that are out there. These are some of the things that I’ve tried before, and I’m learning new things everyday which is helping me save money and save the planet!

Bye everyone!๐Ÿ’ž

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any tips or want to see more posts like this, comment below!

A review of Georganics Toothpowder and Mouthwash

Everything I have written here is entirely based on my own opinions

So a little over a month ago, I found a brand called Georganics, and I really wanted to buy something and try it out to reduce how much waste I use and throw away. Some so many people don’t and won’t try being eco-friendly, but that shouldn’t stop you. Be different. If you’re living with your family or friends, you can always be the first one to make a change! Now is your chance to do something you’ve never done. Even if it means buying toothpowder/toothpaste in a glass jar๐Ÿ˜‰. It’s never too late to start your eco-friendly journey!!!

Anyways, without further ado, let’s get into the review!

Natural Toothpowder

First of all, you’re probably thinking TOOTHPOWDER? Secondly, how on earth does that work. Yes, I know. If you told me that I would be using this a few years ago, I would’ve had the same reaction. Most new habits seem hard and funny to get used to, but I think changing up my choice of toothpaste was a good idea.

It comes in a compostable box with a glass jar and an aluminium lid. I got the English Peppermint flavour but there are others too. Honestly, I didn’t find it very difficult to get used to. It was a funny feeling at the start like a mini bath bomb was fizzing up in my mouth, but it grew on me and I kind of enjoy it now.

I still use my normal toothpaste once a week as the toothpowder doesn’t have fluoride and fluoride is really important to strengthen the outside of your teeth and prevent cavities.

Final thought: I honestly love brushing my teeth now๐Ÿ˜†. I got the 60ml size in April and I still have one-third of the jar left! I think it’s also great for bringing on travels and airplanes as it’s lightweight and under 100ml.

Mouthwash Tablets

I won’t lie, this is something that I bought on impulse. Originally I was supposed to get the toothpowder alone, but the excitement of trying something new rushed over me and I told myself ‘why not do it?’, so here I am writing about these cool mouthwash tablets. 

The packaging is the same as the toothpowder, with a compostable paper box, aluminium lid and glass jar including 180 tablets.

To use it, all you need is 20ml of warm water and one tablet, although I usually put in two because they make it stronger, and your mouth feels fresher afterwards. Pop in the tablet(s) into the warm water and let it dissolve. They suggest leaving it in your mouth for 30 seconds, but I usually gargle for 20 seconds, I’m a bit impatient! 

Final thought: Really great for going plastic-free. I use it whenever I need to, and there is plenty of tablets to last at least a few months. They aren’t as strong as normal mouthwash liquid so that’s one of the cons. Not sure about travelling for this one, but you can always take out the tablets and put them somewhere else.

Overall I would rate these products 5/5 stars. Some of the best swaps I’ve ever made. Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to make my own zero-waste tooth products, but for now, I’m sticking to eco-friendly goods from companies.

‘Til the next post – G๐Ÿ’š

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any products that you would like me to try and review, please comment below.

No-bake date balls (vegan)

Hey you lovely and great people! Today I’ll be sharing a really nice dessert I made about a week ago (actually, might make some today) with dates. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures while making them, and I’m a bit upset about it, but it’s really straightforward so you won’t be missing out on much๐Ÿ˜Š

I tweaked up the original recipe that’s from AnnieJaffrey on Youtube (she is so lovely to watch). This is great for when you’re literally dying for something sweet and it only takes around 15/20 minutes to make, maybe even less๐Ÿค”.

Let’s get into this short and simple recipe!

Prep: 15 min |  Makes: 10 balls (depends on the size)
What you will need:
  • 2 Tbs. chia seeds
  • 3 Tbs. cocoa powder
  • coconut flakes
  • 15-20 pitted dates
  • 3 Tbs. peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup water
Method:

Throw in the cocoa powder, chia seeds, water, peanut butter and dates into a blender or food processor. Let everything mingle while you eat some pringles.

If it’s too sticky/creamy put in some more dates. You can add any nutrients you like, to make it healthier, I used chia seeds๐Ÿ˜‹

Take a little bit out and start making them into balls. Dip into coconut flakes, making sure the whole ball is covered in them. Finally, put them on a dish, leave them in the freezer for ten minutes (totally optional) and serve! It couldn’t get any easier than this.

I don’t have a blender for food so I used a small smoothie blender, which was really difficult to use when making these balls. I think it would good if you mix everything without the dates first and then add them in one by one!

Bye everyone๐Ÿงก – G

Let’s connect on social media!

Thank you for reading this post! It really means so much to me๐Ÿค— If you have any tips on how to change up the recipe, comment down below!

May Mental Health: 31 days of self-improvement

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the first weekend of May! Today is Mother’s day (in Lithuania) so my family and I had a delicious barbeque๐Ÿ˜‹ Also, the weather is amazing and I hope that today was a nice day for you, whether it was cloudy, rainy or sunny – any day can be nice as long as you make it one.

A few days ago, I was scrolling through Instagram and I saw that it’s actually mental health awareness month. I think that our mental health is one of the most important things that keeps us going every day of our lives. It affects how we think, sleep and communicate. It’s really important not to keep negative energy inside you and to let it all go. Even if it’s only once every few weeks, it’s better than nothing!

I have a big goal that I want to achieve which is to live with a healthy body and mind.

This month, I want to do something I haven’t done before, or I guess you could say I haven’t ever fully committed to doing, and that is a daily challenge for the whole month. My best friend encouraged me (without even doing anything) to do one of these challenges together, so we both found daily journal prompts and self-discovery challenges, that we both liked from Pinterest.

Of course, being as extra as I am, I created a little book by reusing my old notes from secondary school!

I started off by ripping each page into 12 pieces. I wrote down each day of the month along with a journal prompt and something that will change up my daily routine, for example, it could say ‘bake some cookies for someone you love’๐Ÿฅฐ.

Sure, it’s not perfect but I love how simple it is and I feel like writing down my feelings and thoughts will help me think clearly especially when I have so many college assignments and exams coming up this month… HELP!

Even if it isn’t the 1st day of May, it’s never too late to start!

Write soon! – Germa๐Ÿงก

Thank you for reading this post! If you have any helpful ideas/thoughts on how to make the most of May Mental Health Awareness, write them down below!

An honest review of Friendly Soap

Everything I have written here is entirely based on my own opinions

Hey everyone! A few weeks ago I was scrolling through my feed online and I came across a thing called a shampoo bar. At first, I was pretty sceptical about it and I wasn’t sure if I should buy it because I was literally looking at a soap bar…

So I gave myself the task of researching a little about it and in turn, I found a website called Friendly Soap. What I really liked about their soap were the benefits that they have. They are cheap, travel-friendly, vegan and eco-friendly.

Looking at the prices of their products and reviews from other bloggers and influencers I decided that I must try out their products because I knew I wasn’t the only one who was curious. Now, here I am writing this review, for all of those who are curious like I was. Throughout my journey of using Friendly Soap, I made it my mission to review each soap after I used them every time. 

Without further ado, let’s get into the review!

Shampoo Bar

The shampoo bar is most likely why you are reading this blog and want to find out how this bar of wax works. To start off, applying it is super easy because it lathers up a lot but I won’t lie, it’s a struggle trying to get the soap onto every piece of your hair especially if you have long hair.

When you wash your hair, it might feel like your hair is dead and straw-like, well, surprise! That means it’s working. The first few times I used this shampoo, my hair felt very greasy afterwards and I wasn’t sure if it was because I have really dark brown hair or because I didn’t wash it out properly. I looked it up on their website and they suggested using a baking soda solution which did help reduce the greasiness a little bit!

Final thought: It feels nice until you start washing it with water and then that’s when you kind of want to give up and go back to using your old shampoo but don’t let this be a problem because the conditioner fixes up everything.

Conditioner Bar

If you ever buy a shampoo bar you need to get yourself a conditioner bar too because it really comes in handy after you use the shampoo. 

However, there’s a big difference between the two. For me, applying it on my hair isn’t as easy but washing it is another story. I feel like it doesn’t lather up as well as the shampoo and it takes a long time to apply it. When I apply the soap and wash it out, the texture of my hair usually feels less rough and it makes you think as if you have just used your average conditioner.

Final thought: It is great to use after the shampoo and it makes my hair feel really soft while I shower. I feel like it would be better if they came in a bigger size as I have to use a lot of it to get that nice smoothness in my hair. So buy two, just in case you’re a big fan of conditioners (like me)!

Shaving Bar

This is something that I plan on buying again in the future. It is amazing! It lathers up so quickly and nicely in your hands and all you need to do is just apply it on to your skin and well you don’t need any further instructions from there on๐Ÿ˜„ I will suggest using a moisturiser after using the bar. I have only used it twice so far but I am pretty sure it lasts for a few months so it is definitely worth the price.

Final thought: This bar is a swap that must be made!

Fragrance-Free Cleansing Bar

This bar is very interesting because it feels like normal hand soap but when you apply it on your face you do get a sort of refreshment. The website said that this soap is great to use for those with eczema (that’s me) and I did not feel any difference with my skin. I’ve just been using it as soap for my hands and my face from time-to-time.

Final thought: This is great to use as a face wash but in the end, it’s just regular soap.

My Opinion

Overall I would give Friendly Soap a 4/5 for the price and quality of their products. The shipping is very fast as I got my order in four working days.

There were only a few problems that I had while using the shampoo and conditioner bars. Firstly, they only lasted for three and half weeks (I have medium length hair) and I paid quite a bit as shipping was expensive so I would recommend buying in bulk if you live outside the UK. The other minor problem was that applying both the conditioner and shampoo bars takes a long time and you have to turn off the water otherwise you’re just wasting it. I didn’t mind it too much but I do think it is time-consuming and most people don’t feel like standing in the shower while it’s cold.

You also must be prepared for additional care like washing your hair out with apple cider vinegar or using baking soda solution!

Bye guys! – G๐Ÿ’ž

Let’s connect!

I hope you enjoyed reading this review! If you would like me to try out anything else or have any questions, feel free to comment down below!

The most simple pasta and pesto recipe you will ever find (vegan)

Hey guys! I hope that everyone who is reading this is taking care at home during these harsh times. It’s been a tough few weeks but I know that everything will be fine if we try to pull ourselves along through all of this. I like to distract myself from time to time and try out something new, why not do the same, if you haven’t already? It’s nice to do something different every once in a while.

It’s been a little over a week since I last posted the brownie recipe and I thought to myself why not write up another recipe but this time a healthier one. About a week ago I bought some pesto sauce and threw in everything I had into a bowl to make this amazing meal that took me under 30 minutes.

The weird thing is, I never liked pesto sauce until I started my new job and discovered that my favourite sandwiches have some in them. Long story short, we fell in love at first taste. Now here I am seven months later sharing my new favourite recipe with all of you guys!

  Cook: 20/25 min | Prep: 5 min | Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 of a small courgette
  • 2 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 200g pasta of your choice
  • 2 tbsp. pesto (you can add more/less depending on how strong you like it)
  • One big tomato
  • 1 tsp. salt for boiling the pasta
Making it:
  1. Cook the pasta in a large boiling pot according to the instructions on the package.
  2. While the pasta is boiling, cut up the tomato and courgette into small pieces. Add them to a heated pan with a few drops of oil. Fry for 10 minutes until the inside of the courgette is soft.
  3. Before you drain the pasta be sure to take out half a cup of boiling water.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, garlic, ground pepper, pesto and boiled water together.
  5. Add the vegetables and mix in everything until there appears to be a creamy sauce (don’t worry if you added too much water, leave it to set for a bit and the pasta will soak it up)

This is something that I would make for lunch at work or dinner with a friend. It tastes amazing the next day too (I know this because I’m currently munching on yesterdays portion) if you put it away in the fridge and heat it up the next day.

Be back soon, Germaโค

Thank you guys for reading this post! If you may have any questions or thoughts, feel free to write them down below!

5 ingredient brownies

“The simplest brownie recipe you will ever find”

David Chilcott CREATOR of onepotchef

Originally I got this recipe from OnePotChef on Youtube but a few days ago while making it, I decided to tweak it up a tiny bit and I want to share this amazing brownie recipe with you all!

For many years now, this is the only brownie recipe that I find myself always making, alone or with my friends and family. Whether you’re dying for a sweet snack or you’re in the mood to bake something, this is the perfect treat for any occasion! It’s not too sweet and has the right amount of everything to make it taste the same as any other brownie.

So… let’s get into it!

Prep: 5 min |  Cook: 25-30 min |  Makes: 16 pieces
Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 4 eggs
  • Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
Making it:
  1. Before you begin doing anything, preheat the oven to 160ยฐC/ 320ยฐF. 
  2. Combine the sugar, cocoa powder and butter in a bowl and use a large spoon to stir it all up, making sure not to create any big lumps!
  3. Put in the flour and mix the eggs while you’re adding them one at a time.
  4. Using an electric mixer smoothen out the brownie mix at maximum speed.
  5. Pour the batter into a small lightly greased baking tray and finish it off by adding some chocolate sprinkles (the sprinkles make the brownie crunchier later on!)
  6. Pop the tray into the oven and bake for a minimum of 25 minutes at 180ยฐC/ 360ยฐF. Use a thin fork or toothpick to check if the inside is fully baked.

P.S. I would recommend eating them with some ice cream when they are just out of the oven!

Bye guys! – Germa โค

Thank you for reading this blog post! If you try this or have any questions about this recipe please write down your thoughts below!

Home-made beauty swaps I can’t live without

When I first came up with the idea of the topic for my blog, I really wanted to challenge myself and start experimenting with different things like making my own beauty products or using alternatives to plastic packaged products. I have always wanted to try something new and I felt like this blog was an opportunity to do that.

In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my favourite eco beauty products and simple ways that will help you make your own. From homemade deodorant creams to lip scrubs, I hope you find something that you will want to experiment with!

Coconut and Essential Oil Deodorant Cream

This was one of the hardest things I had to get used to after getting rid of my aerosol and roll-on deodorants. At first, it felt like I was applying cream cheese under my armpits (I know, weird) but as I kept using this new creation I made, I started to like the difference it had on me from the previous deodorants. It dries very quickly with no staining and leaves a refreshing smell after application.

It works like this, swipe the top of your index finger lightly through the surface of the cream, to allow a small amount to sit on your finger. Once you do so, apply it to the centre of your armpits by rubbing it gently and letting it dry.

What you will need:
  • Small empty jar or container (mine was 50ml)
  • 1 Tbsp baking soda or bread soda
  • 1 Tbsp corn flour (maize starch)
  • 2 Tbsp raw coconut oil
  • 3-6 drops essential oil of your choice
  1. Mix the baking soda and corn flour together in a clean cup/bowl.
  2. Add raw coconut oil to the mixture and mash it in until you get a creamy paste solution.
  3. Finally, put in a couple of drops of essential oil.

Honey Lip-Scrub

If you love lip balm or vaseline this is your number one priority swap to make this year. A honey lip scrub with sugar! It is super easy and quick to make and if you’re sitting right now, knowing you have honey and sugar downstairs, give it a try! Why we use these two items is because honey is great for attracting moisture to your lips and sugar is known to help remove dead skin cells.

What you will need:
  • Small container (I used a 50ml once again)
  • 2 tsp organic honey
  • 1.5 tsp sugar
  • 1 drop of any essential oil
  1. Put in the honey into the container
  2. Mix in the sugar and the honey with a small spoon until a thick sugary solution is made
  3. Add a drop of your own preferred essential oil

Using the scrub, it can get quite messy but to apply it, use the tip of your finger to rub it onto your bottom and top lips. Wait 5-10 minutes and if you have a sweet tooth, lick it off but if you prefer not to just use a damp cotton round to clear it off. If the sugar sinks to the bottom after a few days, it’s okay! Just get a spoon and mix everything again.

Hair Mask (for Dry & Damaged Hair)

Not long ago, I was scrolling through the internet and I found an all-natural ingredient hair mask to soften damaged hair (at this time, I was in desperate need of a hair mask) and at first I was pretty skeptical about it, thinking ‘how on earth, is this even possible?’. Now, I feel different, since I am up for a challenge.

It is not your typical smooth and creamy hair mask and it doesn’t smell so good, but applying it is almost as easy as any other mask!

Apply it on damp hair at the roots and gently make your way toward the ends as you go along. Tie your hair up or wrap a towel and leave the mask to soak in for 30-45 minutes. Once time is up, wash your hair with a shampoo and moisturise it with a conditioner.

What you will need:
  • 1 full avocado (ripe, ripe, ripe)
  • 2 Tbsp organic honey
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  1. Make sure you have a very ripe avocado and mash it up with a fork until it is smooth and creamy. One of the problems I remember having the first time was that I used an unripened avocado and it didn’t work like I expected it to.
  2. Add your honey and coconut oil and mix in everything until you get a thick solution. Use this at least once a week to obtain super soft and shiny hair.

I got this recipe from Luxy Hair and if you liked this post or have any problems with your hair, whether it is too oily or frizzy, you can find some good advice on hair care at Luxy Hair.

Bye lovelies! – Germaโค

Thank you for reading. If you have anything on your mind leave a comment!