Turmeric: The super skincare spice (and it doesn’t always turn you yellow!)

There is a reason turmeric is a core ingredient in beauty rituals and medicinal regimes all the way from Japan and Indonesia to Sri Lanka and India. Multiple reasons, actually: this yellow-colored spice is a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and detoxifier. It keeps skin soft and smooth, makes it glow, tackles acne and helps bust hyper-pigmentation. Turmeric paste is also prescribed in Indian medicine for various skincare issues, like puffiness, wrinkles and eczema.

Besides this, it is used for cuts and burns due to its antiseptic effect and ability to promote healing. In addition, turmeric boosts liver detoxification, so that pesticides and other environmental chemicals are safely removed from the body. And it can help to decrease muscle soreness after an intense workout. In fact, turmeric is currently even being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer’s, cancer and arthritis.

Surprise: Turmeric doesn’t always stain your skin!

Many of us balk at putting turmeric on our skin for fear of looking like a character out of The Simpsons. I resisted it for quite some time as well – right until I attended an Indian wedding, where the bride was covered from head-to-toe in a mixture of turmeric, gram flour, sandalwood powder and mustard oil. It turned out this is an ancient bridal ritual to deep cleanse the body and impart a radiant glow. A similar tradition is held sacred in the palaces of Indonesia, where brides-to-be rub a mixture of turmeric and gram flour on their bodies on the morning of their wedding to give their skin a golden glow.

Holiday Gift Guide: Feeling Creative With My Adult Coloring Book #MoodEnhancingMandalas #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my tenth post!

I have been artsy for as long as I can remember. I went to an art high school, and then took graphic design in college. With me being a new mother, I don't really have much time to do art. That doesn't mean that I don't want to be creative, I sometimes enjoy doodling or coloring when I get the chance. I have little kids coloring books at home, but those are too simple to keep my creative juices flowing. I recently got a chance to review My Masterpiece Adult Coloring Books Mood Enhancing Mandalas Volume 1.

Holiday Gift Guide: Finally Getting Some Sleep Thanks to BabySense #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Photo credit: BabySense site.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my ninth post!

My little munchkin was born this past July, and it's been a fun journey so far. She's going on five months now, and a day doesn't go by that I'm not amazed by her. I look back at pictures from day one, and I can't get over how much she's grown and changed... my little angel is growing so quickly. We've been trying to sleep train her, and have been trying to get her to sleep in her crib. She's still having a hard time falling asleep, unless she's cuddling with her mommy feeding. So I'm currently trying to break that habit, and get her to sleep directly in the crib. Since she's sleep training, I'm incredibly thankful for getting the opportunity to work with a company called BabySense.

Save 25% at Freshly Picked #fpblacktuesday @freshlypicked

Swing by Freshly Picked for 25% off for their Black Tuesday. 

Check out my review for the company!

Feeling Inspired With #simplyeartha

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

With the holidays quickly approaching, I'm greeted in every store with holiday themed items. People will be going to Christmas parties and family events, which means lots of pretty dresses, sparkly shirts, and lots of bling. I'm not that much of a girly girl, but I do like stuff that's shiny and sparkly, whether it be some form of jewelry or makeup. I recently came across the company Simplyeartha... a line of accessories that say something. They're little reminders that you wear, a form of inspiration at your fingertips. Kitt Shapiro's company is a tribute to her mother's wisdom and beauty. Yes, Eartha was her given name.

"Remember. Treasure. Love."

Day 9 of Introducing Food to Brianna - She Likes Her Peas!

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

My little Munchkin has been eating her food puree now for over a week... nine days to be exact. I started her November 15th on butternut squash, and fed her that for five days straight. She LOVED it and couldn't get enough. I could of continued to feed her more, but I was afraid she'd turn yellow like when I was a baby.

Brianna started green peas this past Friday, and I must say the first two days were rough. The first day I had to fight with her to even keep it in her mouth... which I think I was wearing more of it then what she was eating. Now that she's been eating it for a few days, she has come to like them. She still prefers the squash though, but I think that's because of it's super smooth texture. No matter how much I pureed the peas, they were still somewhat lumpy at times.

What I've noticed since I introduced food... her bowel movements have become more regular. She was good previous, but would sometimes go a couple days without going. I noticed since starting her on pureed veggies, she's more regular. I've also noticed that it's slightly a little more solid. Before it was more liquid, and sometimes would leak out of the leg of the diaper... gross! Now it's like the consistency of guacamole... and actually looks like it since the green peas... I'll be avoiding that for quite some time now!

Since she's on day four of the peas, tomorrow will be her last day. With the intro of two items so far, there hasn't been any allergy issues. What's next on the list of food? Carrots and then avocado...  yum!

Pet Lovers Unite and Join in the Fun With #SubZeroDifference @PetSmart #ad

Mr. Jingles, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

This post is sponsored by Nutrience, PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the launch of Nutrience Subzero in PetSmart Canada but A Spicy Boy, A Cat, and My Fat Ass only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nutrience and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.

With the holidays quickly approaching and the year coming to an end, it means that the new year will be here before you know it. Many of us continuously make annual resolutions year after year, and a huge majority of us usually choose to try and become healthier. For as long as I can remember, I've always had some type of weight loss, eating healthier kick every new year... especially after all the holiday goodies that I've indulged on. The same usually goes for my fur-baby Mr. Jingles... my cat. My Butterball turkey of a cat could probably lose a couple pounds... the last time he was weighed he was 16 lbs.

My fur-baby is naturally a big cat, long and tall, but his ideal weight would be around 13-14 lbs. I've tried him on a number of weight management cat foods in the past, and nothing seems to fully work to help him get down to his ideal weight. I notice that one of the main issues with most pet foods when it comes to weight loss, is that they contain way too many fillers. Just picking up many of the bags, you can tell that they feel lighter than the regular dry food. I've started to believe that a diet that's high in protein, would be most beneficial to help aid in his weight loss journey. With that said, I can't wait to try out a new brand of food... Nutrience® Subzero.

Beware of the Company #Rosegal... My Worst Experience Ever! #fraudulentcompany #fraud

Normally when I write a review I always put..

"I received an item(s), in exchange for my honest opinion, and a review of my experience. I did not receive any other compensation or incentive nor was I required to write a positive review. Individual results or experiences may vary."

this doesn't apply to me this time. I made three separate purchases from Rosegal.com, and I wish that I hadn't. The company shouldn't even be in business, as they are a complete fraud that rip people off. The items that I received finally ended up going directly in the trash, as I wouldn't let any human being wear what was sent. The customer service was a complete waste of time, and I'm out $300.

Getting My Beauty Sleep With Dream Shields! #SleepMask

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

With me being a new mother, any sleep that I get is important. I find myself trying to catch a few zzz's here and there, all different times of the day. Since my daughter was born my sleep pattern is completely messed up. In the beginning I would sleep when she slept, but when does the housework and cooking get done? Now that she's a little over four months old, things are starting to get a little easier. For those times where I must catch a nap during the day, I  use my sleepmask from Dream Shields to help me sleep. Taking a nap in the middle of the day can be a real challenge with the sun, and the outdoor noise... but my life has gotten a little easier now that I received a travel kit from the company.

Frank's RedHot Rebate - Free Hot Sauce!!!

Purchase any one (1) 354 mL bottle of Frank’s RedHot® Sauce products listed below and receive up to $5.49 to cover the cost of the product, plus the cost of applicable taxes, by mail.

o Frank’s RedHot® Stingin’ Honey Garlic™
o Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili® Sauce
o Frank’s RedHot® Chili ‘n Lime™ Hot Sauce
o Frank’s RedHot® Kickin’ BBQ® Sauce
o Frank’s RedHot® Slammin’ Sriracha® Chili Sauce
o Frank’s® RedHot Bollywood® Indian Style Sauce
o Frank’s RedHot® Rajili™ Sweet Ginger Hot Sauce

Gotta love free stuff!!! 

Offer only available in Canada... sorry my American friends.

Day 3 of Brianna Starting Food... my Baby is Growing!

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

My little Munchkin is now four months old, and she's growing so fast. I look back at pictures from when she was just born, and she looks so tiny. My cutie amazes me each day, and is getting smarter day by day. Just last week she had her four month pediatrician appointment, and got her second set of shots... poor baby cried. The doctor said it's time to start introducing some foods, which has been fun so far.

The first food of choice is butternut squash! We are currently on day three of giving it to her, and she's loving it. So far it doesn't appear to bother her one bit... no allergies to it. With it being fall and in season, I thought squash is the perfect thing to start with, plus it's quite mild and slightly sweet. Yes, I decided to stick to making my own baby food... cheaper and healthier than buying anything prepared. I will most likely share any recipes that I create in the near future. I will be feeding her a new food every fifth day, that way she sticks to one food for four days to monitor for allergies. The easiest way of keeping track of everything, is to just share it on here... kind of keeping a little food diary. I think next, she will try green peas!

Holiday Gift Guide: Amazing Artists Around the World With Novica - $50 Gift Certificate #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2014

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my eighth post!

I'm born and raised in Canada, but I have to say I've always had a love for other parts of the world. I love living in Canada and being Canadian, and have a love for all types of art. I guess you can say I'm a bit of a dreamer, and wish to someday travel the world to enjoy a wider range of art. I came across an awesome website that showcases artists from around the world, where you can purchase their art: Novica. Novica is in association with National Geographic, and everyone has heard of them!

Novica features artists from around the world: Andes, Bali and Java, Brazil, Central America, India, Mexico, Thailand, and West Africa. By purchasing from Novica, you're helping those smaller companies and artists that may not have that much money. Visit Novica Live and find out how you can become a consultant, or even host your own Novica party!

Holiday Gift Guide: Make Memories with I See Me Personalized Children's Books #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Photo credit: I See Me site.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my seventh post!

I've always loved the holiday season, and have celebrated it year after year on here. This is the first time that I get to experience it with my daughter, and I'm super excited... feel like a kid again. One of the best parts of the season, is curling up on the couch with family and friends, with a nice cup of hot cocoa, and a good old fashioned Christmas movie. Sometimes it's even better getting all cozy under a blanket to enjoy a good read... a nice Christmas themed book, that will leave you all warm and fuzzy inside. There's nothing better than one of the old holiday classics... and even better... being able to personalize a book, to bring your loved ones alive in the story. There's a company called I See Me, and they specialize in personalizing children's books to help bring them to life. They don't just offer books, they also offer personalized puzzles, lunchboxes, coloring books, place-mats, stickers, and growth charts.

Holiday Gift Guide: Cuddling With My Cutie and Her Swaddle Designs Blanket #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my sixth post!

Prior to having my little bundle of joy, I was contacting a number of companies for baby items to review. Anyone who has children, you know that baby products can surely add up quickly if you're buying most of them.  Even though I had a baby shower, there was still quite a lot of things that my daughter needed. I was fortunate to get to work with some awesome companies, and I truly enjoyed testing out a product from the company Swaddle Designs.

Announcing the winner for the Fairhaven Health Nursing Products - Nursing Pack!

It's time to announce the winner for the awesome Fairhaven Health Nursing Products - Nursing Pack. The winner is...

Why you should wash your face (and hair) with vodka

If you were in Russia, your day would probably begin and end with vodka, which is called upon for everything from rinsing the mouth to curing hair loss. Translating as “little water” or “dear water” in Russian, this crystal clear liquid was invented in 1503 by Kremlin monks who used it as a topical antiseptic and cure-all drink. The tradition continues till date – which can be a little weirdness-inducing at first glance. Then you see the zillion beauty benefits and figure that it’s simply like the French love for wine… cheers!

On this trip to Moscow and Samara, I pestered scores of women for traditional vodka-based beauty recipes. So, this weekend, save a few sips of this potent alcohol for absolute (Absolut?) miracles on your face. And hair. And

every other pore of your body. Salud! Vodka’s beauty benefit #1: Astringent action

Flavorful Alcohol

There are times when alcohol is good by itself as it can give you a rush, and there are times when you might need mixers for alcohol that add a little flavor so that the burn of the alcohol isn't as strong. There are a few mixers that can be added to make a drink healthy when it seems like the drink should be bad for you.

One of the things that you can add to alcohol is sparkling water. This will give it a bubbly effect and a little added taste without the calories. It's better than adding juices and sodas to the alcohol. Another item that doesn't add a lot of calories is hot sauce. You don't need to add a lot of the sauce to get a large amount of flavor. The spice from the sauce can help to decrease your appetite where alcohol can sometimes make you want to eat more. A flavorful beverage is an ounce of vodka with about four ounces of tomato juice with about a teaspoon of hot sauce.

TLC For the Lady In Your Life

If you have a lady in your life that you love with all of your heart, you should do something special for her when she is least expecting it. Nothing tells a woman that you love her more than a surprise gift for no reason at all. If you want to do something nice for your special lady, you will need to think about what her gift will be. There are certainly many things you can choose from. While jewelry is nice, you should choose a gift that is a tad more original. Here are a few reasons to give your lady a spa treatment.

1. Get her nails done

Women always love to have nails that look perfect and beautiful. However, many women do not have the time or money required to have their nails professionally done at a salon on a regular basis. There is not a woman alive who would turn down the chance to have her nails look perfect. She can choose a unique and colorful nail design that she has always wanted.

Holiday Gift Guide: Awesome & Fun Shirts From Snorgtees #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my fifth post!

I'm a huge fan of wearing t-shirts, as I like to be comfortable. I normally like the woman's style, so it hugs my curves instead of making me look boxy. I've reviewed many shirts from different shirt companies, and I keep coming back to a few of them... Snorgtees is one of my favorites! I've reviewed their t-shirts a few times in the past, and if you're interested in reading my last review click here. I love that they give different shirt styles to choose from, sometimes different colors, and a wide variety of sizes. Sometimes they include plus sizes as well as kids sizes, as well as also available in hoodies.

Holiday Gift Guide: My Munchkin Loves Her Bath Time Products, Thanks to Fayebaby! #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my forth post!

My little Munchkin is almost 4 months old, and the time is flying by fast. She's growing so quickly, with her cute pudgy baby rolls! It feels like just yesterday she was born... tiny, with a lamb-like newborn cry. Now her cries are much louder, and her adorable personality is starting to shine through even more. One thing that hasn't changed, is that she loves her daily bath time routine. She has her morning bath to freshen her up, and in the evening to prepare her for bedtime... she usually prefers the bath at night. Up until now I was using the regular store bought baby care products, that was until my cousin who is a make-up artist at Motives Cosmetics by Fayebaby mentioned DNA Miracles Natural. It's a new line of baby care products that both myself and my daughter fell in love with... move over Johnson & Johnson, Miracle Naturals is our new favorite!

Holiday Gift Guide: Five Finger Tees is the Perfect Gift for Anyone on Your List! #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my third post!

If you have a sense of humor like I do, you'll probably find that the funny t-shirts at Five Finger Tees will crack you up. Five Finger Tees is a family owned and run business, with a passion for designing and printing t-shirts. The prices of their t-shirts are affordable because they do all the work, from customer service and designing, to printing and shipping. As their motto goes, "We are Five Finger Tees - Prices So Low It's Like Stealin!"

Holiday Gift Guide: Good Sleep Begins with Cloud b - Twilight Buddies Giveaway!

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Photo credit: Cloud b main page 

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my second post!

One of my favorite times of the year while growing up was the holiday season. I'm in my 30's now, and it's still my favorite. This year will be the first Christmas that I celebrate with my daughter, and I'm super excited about it. As many of you already know, she was born this past July... I had already been partnered up with the company Cloud b for a product review and giveaway before my angel even arrived. I had originally hoped to get this post published a couple months ago, but having a newborn is more work than I truly expected. Now what does that have to do with the holiday season? Cloud b is an amazing company that would make for the perfect gift for many children of all ages.