NATURAL COSMETICS SALON WUNDERSCHOEN VIENNA

NATURAL COSMETICS SALON WUNDERSCHOEN VIENNA

| 13. October 2019 | Beauty

Natural Cosmetics Salon

Salon Wunderschoen, is the new beauty salon in Vienna with certified Natural cosmetics, bio and vegan products. Not to mention that all the packages are tailor-made to your needs. Simona Dohan, the owner of the salon is a true expert when it comes to detox, and more important she offers to her clients the best that nature has to offer, with her natural cosmetics products.

High-tech Natural cosmetics, that are bio, vegan and cruelty-free are the products Salon Wunderschoen  uses in her salon, therefore you will have one of the best experiences, and the best products for your next beauty treatment.

Nowadays, most of our cosmetics are mixed with parabens, paraffine, alcohol, mineral oils and artificial fragrance and artificial colors. Not to mention that the beauty industry uses animals to test their products.

Simona, the mastermind behind salon Wunderschoen, believes you can get the best of cosmetics in a natural and cruelty-free way. Therefore, she works with the best European High-tech beauty companies, to offer you not just the best service, but also the best products.

 

Vagheggi High tech beauty products

It is an Italian company founded in 1975, with expertise in the field of Phyto cosmetics. They use every single active principle presented in nature, and turn them into high-end cosmetics. They have a meticulous selection of natural ingredients according to the concentration of active ingredients, geographic origin, harvesting methods, and seasonality. Between the ingredients you will find citrus fruits from Sicily picked in January, lavender from Upper Provence harvested in June, golden chamomile, cold-pressed oils, organically grown Althaea Officinalis, between others. Consequently, they create incredible products for your skin with innovative formula technologies that increase the potential of the natural ingredients, giving you long-lasting results.

Top Treatments with Vagheggi products:

 

Rehydra Supreme Treatment

Salon Wunderschoen offers the incredible treatment: Rehydra Supreme from Vagheggi. The ultimate hydration treatment works from inside out giving your skin a new look. Nowadays, pollution and stress play a huge roll on how your skin looks, therefore this treatment helps the skin to hold on to water in a natural way, and restore the balance of your skin.

Balance Pure Skin

This is the optimal treatment for skin imperfections that calms your sensitive skin. If you have uneven bumps, dilated pores or outbreaks this treatment is for you. This incredible combination of natural products combats oily skin, and free your skin from toxins and impurities that accumulate on your skin.

Energizing Lime-Vit C

Early skin aging is a result of many factors like stress, poor diet, inflammation, pollution, smoke and UV Rays, between others. The treatment with the Lime line helps your skin to remineralize and revitalize, with a real vitamin C boost, and it will have a brightening, elasticizing and energizing effect.

 

Team Dr. Joseph

This is another brand, that salon Wunderschoen works with to make the treatments. This South Tirol company specialized into bringing two worlds together: the ancient world and the latest scientific technologies to develop their products. The high-tech natural cosmetics company started almost 40 years ago when the young Joseph was looking for natural remedies. Their rules:

  • 1. Every step into new territory is a step forward.
  • 2. Failure can be a recipe for success.
  • 3. No relationship is more perfect than the natural balance.

‘’Our work’s unique quality comes from binding by these three rules. It is this standard that our customers know to value highly’’

The top Treatments with Team Dr. Joseph

Intensive Purifying face Treatment

This treatment is perfect for a deep cleansing specific for your skin type, the result will be a soft, radiant and bright skin. The process starts with warm herbal compresses and a nice massage to stimulate the lymphatic system, to continue with a delicate peeling to remove all the toxins of your skin, together with a deep cleansing with cupping glasses, followed by a tonifying facial pack, and to finish the process a peel-off mask.

Cellular Recreation Face Treatment

This treatment is tailored to your skin type, which is deeply relaxing. First, Simona will make a skin diagnostic, then she will start with contouring your eyebrows and perform a stimulating massage to activate the lymphatic system. Next, she will apply a warm herbal compress, a peeling to clarify your skin and she will perform deep cleaning with cupping glasses, she will add a special serum and make a modulated facial massage and add an intensive facial mask. This treatment is recommended for sensitive skin

Advance Bio Lifting Face Treatment

This is a biodynamics Lifting with organic ingredients. The procedure is almost the same, with the skin diagnostic, the contouring eyebrows, the stimulating massage to activate your lymphatic system, the warm herbal compresses, peeling, deep cleansing, special serum, and bioenergetic lifting massage. You will see immediate results.

 

The salon

Of course, you will find many treatments, like manicure, pedicure, massage, between others. Important is that no matter which treatment you decide to do, you will be in the best hands, and with the best natural products.

Nowadays, everybody is looking for the ultimate beauty treatment, but not necessarily means you can get the best treatment from chemical products, you can indeed, get the best beauty treatment from natural cosmetics. For the salon, Wunderschoen Team is important that you feel unique, and you get the best healing treatment. Therefore, they will sit with you and give you, personal expert advice, to define your skin type and tell you which treatment will be the best for your needs.

I personally love the detail on how the team of salon Wunderschoen works, and I love that the salon is the only natural certified cosmetic salon in Vienna. Also, they work with high- tech Bio, Vegan, and cruelty-free products. If you are looking to get the best treatment with the best products this is the salon to go to Vienna.

For more information, please visit: Salon Wunderschoen

BANANA BREAD RECIPE

BANANA BREAD RECIPE

| 3. October 2019 | Recipes

Banana Bread Recipe

Today I want to share with you my Banana Bread Recipe. I am a big fan of bananas, I can eat them every day and in any form. In Venezuela, we have around 24 different types of bananas. Our Bananas came in all types of shapes and sizes. From the normal banana to the cuayaco pineo, from the cambur manzano to the normal platano or plantain.

Truth is, the bananas are a tropical fruit that can be found in Australia, Papua New Guinea and of course in South America. The banana is so popular the global export back in 2015 registered around 18 million tons.

 

What are the benefits of Bananas

Bananas are high in potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Not to mention that one banana contains 3,1 grams fiber, 3,1 grams protein, and 0,4 fat.

Also, banana helps you to regulate blood sugar levels, because they are rich in pectin and when they are unripe they contain resistant starch. Both, resistant starch and pectin will help you to moderate blood sugar levels. If you eat a banana after a meal it will help you reduce appetite because slow down the emptying of your stomach.

Bananas will improve your digestion because they have pectin and resistant starch. Not to mention that pectin could help protect you against colon cancer.

Potassium is one of the key minerals for heart health, and a potassium-rich diet can help you lower blood pressure, which is good for your heart.

As you can see bananas are very healthy and you should include them in your diet. If you are trying to lose weight or you just want to eat healthy bananas should be a must on your daily diet.

How can you include bananas in your diet?

Well, that’s easy, there are many ways that you can include bananas in your diet. I love to eat them raw, or with my oats. Either way, there are many recipes that you can prepare at home that includes bananas like banana bread, banana cake or banana oatmeal.

This is one of my favorite ways to include bananas on my diet, especially because this recipe is high in protein because I used Greek yogurt, which is an amazing source of protein. Also, to give the bread an extra flavor, I added some cut walnuts. I love walnuts, not just because they are healthy but because the flavor is amazing especially if you cut them and add them to the batter. The mix between the yogurt and the walnuts make this recipe extra moist. Also, if you want your bead to be sweet, use ripped bananas. If you don’t want your banana bread sweet you can reduce the amount of sugar, or just leave out the sugar. Important is that you can play with this recipe, depending on your taste!

Banana Bread Recipe
Print Recipe

Banana Bread Recipe

The best Moist Recipe
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana bread
Servings: 12 slides
Calories: 121.3kcal

Ingredients

  • 250 grams flour
  • 150 grams sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • a pinch of salt
  • 150 grams butter
  • 2 ripped bananas
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 100 grams chopped walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
  • 100 grams yogurth

Instructions

  • Mix the sugar with the butter with a hand mixer until you have a creamy mixture for at least 3 minutes. Add the eggs one by one in medium speed add the bananas and the vanilla extract and the yogurt and mix well.
  • In another bowl add the dry ingredients and mix them and add them. Add the dry ingredients to the first mix, and mix it with a spoon by hand till the flour pockets are gone. Add the chopped walnuts; fold the nuts in the batter with the spoon.
  • Transfer the batter to the baking pan and cover it with aluminum foil for 40 min. This will prevent your banana bread to get too dark. After 40 minutes, take out the aluminum foil, and bake it for another 20 min.

Notes

To get a moister taste you can leave in the fridge for 2 days and it will get softer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 121.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.7g | Protein: 3.6g | Fat: 1.2g
BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY

BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY

| 30. September 2019 | Lifestyle

Benefits of Aromatherapy 

Aromatherapy has many benefits, it can improve mood, it can be used as supplemental medicine and can change cognitive states. One of the benefits of Aromatherapy is that can relieve depression and anxiety. Another benefit is that it can speed up the healing process, help you to sleep, and boost energy levels.

What is Aromatherapy?

The benefits of aromatherapy have been around for thousands of years. Cultures around the world have been using all the benefits of aromatherapy for years. Using essentials oils can be tricky, but many companies have amazing products for the home. 

Ritual Cosmetics is one of my favorites aromatherapy company. The new Floral Collection, pays special attention to personal well-being, and more importantly, will make your home a place to relax. 

Now that summer is over, and winter is coming, we have to make our home cozier. One way to make your home cozier is through aromatherapy. It has been proven that aromatherapy has a positive impact on our emotions and the way your home smell can influence your daily life. 

It is important though, to limit the amount of scent per room, that means that you can use different scent in each room of your house. Remember your home is your sanctuary, so you can make your home with aromatherapy smell like it.

With aromatherapy, you can transform your 4 walls into a cozy ambiance and sometimes is not easy to decide which scent goes in each room. When you want to get the most benefits of Aromatherapy, it is important that you also choose the right products. One of the companies that I like the most is Rituals Cosmetics. Ritual Cosmetics have luxurious fragrances for home, that creates a retreat that invites you to find inner peace and relax.

 

Aromatherapy for each Room

The Kitchen

The kitchen is the place where more smells mix together. If you are like me, and love to cook every day, sometimes it can get tricky to get rid of food smell. Luckily for you, there is nothing better to cut food smells like with notes of citrus. I love the citrus smell, like orange, lime, and mandarin. Therefore, any citrus scent will help you to get rid of food smell.

Ritual Cosmetics have sets for the kitchen. The set consist of hand soap and hand balm and you can find these sets in Precious Amber, Savage Garden, and Sweet Jasmine.

The Bedroom

One of the benefits of Aromatherapy is that, it can help you sleep. The smell of lavender, for example, is associated with rest and relaxation, so using this scent in your bedroom would be beneficial. Another scent you could use is white lotus or scented candles.

Living Room

The living room is one of the easiest rooms to get the best out of the benefits of aromatherapy. In this room, you can use almost any scent you like, like Jasmin, imperial rose, cardamom, etc.

The Ritual Home Collection

The new Private collection of Ritual Cosmetics, have luxurious scent sticks, candles and perfume for your home.

The Private collection has scents like Oriental Vetiver, Sweet Jasmine, Imperial Rose, and Orris Mimosa.

This scents give the rooms an original and minimalist feel. You can combine the oils with the matching candles and you will have a more intense effect at home.

Also, an individual and invigorating ambiance can be created at any time with just one spray of the new Perfume d'Interieurs. The Perfume d'Interieur is available in Wild Fig, Sweet Jasmines, Imperial Rose, Savage Garden and the popular fragrances Green Cardamom and Black Oudh.

Also, the new fragrance cartridges of the Private Collection for the perfume genius transform the home into a personal retreat anytime.

Newly available in the six fragrances Black Oudh, Precious Amber, Savage Garden, Oriental Vetiver, Sweet Jasmine and Imperial Rose and spray up to 270 hours of pure bliss.

BEST CARIBBEAN ISLANDS TO VISIT

BEST CARIBBEAN ISLANDS TO VISIT

| 24. September 2019 | Travel

Best Caribbean Islands to Visit

If you are planning your next vacation, and you would like to go to the Caribbean Islands, then you know how expensive this travel can be. Even do this destination can be pricey, I can assure you is an experience you will never forget. Therefore, if a Caribbean Islands destination has been always in the back of your mind, now it’s time to bring that dream to reality.

There are ways for you to save money for this kind of destination, but before you take the calculator, the first step is to declare: I am going to the Caribbean Islands. By saying this, it’s put you in a different mindset, and you will start putting money aside. Another important step is to open different savings account exclusively for this matter, so every time you get a paycheck, you can put in that saving account the excess money every month.

Also, it is important to set a goal, you have to decide which is going to be your budget, and like this, you can organize better to reach that goal. Although there are many ways to get cheap flights and cheap hotels around the world, once you are there you want to relax and enjoy as much as possible your vacation.

How you should calculate your money for travel in the Caribbean Islands?

  • You should calculate the transportation cost
  • The hotels
  • Meals
  • Activities
  • Shopping
  • Extra cost

That being said, you can start researching in advance, how to get there, how are the daily cost, transportation, and more important what activities you want to do. Therefore, you will be able to plan your trip ahead, and you will not have any uncomfortable surprises. Another tip is to estimate your costs a bit higher, so you will have enough is you want to do something extra. If you have any money left, after your vacation is over, you can always put it in that savings account for the next adventure.

How many Caribbean islands are there?

The Caribbean archipelago has more than 7000 individual islands, with 12 dependent territories and 13 sovereign island nations with ties to Europe and United States. Also, there are 10 Latin-American countries with Caribbean coastlines.

Which Caribbean island are part of the United States?

The United States has two Caribbean Islands: Virgin Island and Puerto Rico.

When should I plan my travel to the Caribbean?

Plan it with time! If you plan your travel to the Caribbean Islands with enough time, you will have enough time to search for the best flights and the best deal for hotels. You can find cheap flights with our Trip Planner, and you can set up in the filter how many stops you want to do, which times you prefer to travel and if you want to travel with luggage or just with hand luggage. If you organize well, you could travel just with your hand luggage and your flight will be even cheaper than a regular flight with normal luggage. Also, if you decide to pick 2 stops, the flight will be again cheaper than a direct flight.

How to find cheap hotels in the Caribbean?

Nowadays, you can find most of the hotels online, and with our trip planner, you can find the best deals for hotels as well. In the filter, you can set up how many stars the hotel should have and, on the map,, you can see where is the best location for your hotel. If you want your hotel direct in the sea coast, you will be able to find the proximity to the beach on the hotel maps option, to help you choose the best location at the best price. Another important tip, if you are not sure if you should choose that hotel or the other, you can read the reviews to help you make your decision, and choose the best hotel for you.

To travel to the Caribbean will be expensive not mater from where you come, but is how you plan your travel to the Caribbean what is going to make a difference. To travel to the Caribbean is not just about going to the beach, is about to discover beautiful and incredible food.

Best of Caribbean islands to visit?

  • The British Virgin Islands
  • St Lucia
  • Turks & Caicos
  • St Vicent & The Grenadines
  • Cayman Island
  • Antigua
  • Anguilla

 

The British Virgin Islands

This island is particularly picturesque, with white sand beaches. The Bath National Park is breathtaking, and there are so many activities to do, I will be hard for you to keep the list short. The British Island is the least developed but still most exclusive island of the Caribbean. With many resorts, restaurants, villas and much more. A lot of travelers come by ferry from another island, so if you are planning to visit this island you can program your visit and split your time between Anguilla and Virgin Island. The best places to visit are The Bath (Virgin Gorda) Cane Garden Bay (Tortola) and Anegada Island.

St Lucia

St Lucia is a fascinating Island, with a lot to offer. Whereas you are a music lover, a honeymooners or adrenaline junkie, you will find everything on this island. Best things to do are Pigeon Island National Landmark, Reduit Beach, and Anse Chastanet. If you are a music lover the best time to visit is in May because you will find the St Lucia Jazz & Art Festival.

Electricity is different, so you might need a converter because the electricity runs on 220 to 240 volts. Also, driving is different, because St Lucia has a history with the British Empire, and therefore the drive on the left side of the road.

Turks & Caicos

This place has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and is home to the largest barrier reef system in the world. The best things to do are Grace Bay, Taylor Bay, and Bight Reef. If you book in advance you can save a lot of money, because this island can be expensive. This island does not have public transportation, so the best way to get around is either by car o taxi.

St Vicent & Grenadines

Because this place has 32 islands, St Vicent and the Grenadines has a lot to offer. It doesn’t matter what you decide to do, you will have the time of your life. If you want to take a boat and sail to remote landmasses for snorkeling or diving, or you want to visit Kingstown where you will find the botanical garden, this destination should be in everybody list. Best things to do are Tobago Cays, Canouan, and Bequia. The best way to get around is by taxi and the fares are reasonable.

Cayman Island

This one of the most charming spots in the Caribbean. This archipelago offers great hotels deals, so be prepared to enjoy the white sand beaches without ruining your travel budget. Whether you want an adventure vacation or you are on your honeymoon, Cayman Island has a lot to offer. From Coral reef and shipwrecks to hike the 200-year-old Mastic Trail, you will love this island. The best things to do are: Seven Mile Beach ( Grand Cayman), Stingray City ( Grand Cayman) and Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef ( Grand Cayman)

The best way to get around is by car, and you can easily rent a car right across the international airport.

Antigua

This is the best place is you are a suffer, with 365 beaches, this is the place to go if you are interested in water sports. But Antigua also features historical attractions like Nelson Dockyard and Bettys Hope, if you want to learn more about the colonial past of Antigua. If you are looking for a more relaxing type of vacation, your place to be would be Barbuda, which also has a less tourist feel. Bets things to do are Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights and Devil’s Bridge.

If you want to save money you can book in advance between May and November, because hotel rates can drop as much as 40%. Also, it will be cheaper to rent a car if you are planning to stay for a couple of days than to pay for a taxi every time you want to go explore the island.

Anguilla

This island is beautiful with turquoise water and white powdery sand. Anguilla is the perfect destination for your honeymoon, with little to do but relax… But once the sun goes down, the live music scene comes to life. Bet things to do are Meady Bay, Rendezvous Bay, and Sandy Ground.

Because there are no direct flights to Anguilla from the United States, you could fly to St Martin, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Island and then take a regional ferry or carrier. The best way to get around is by taxi, and you can even save money on tourist guides because your taxi driver will give you all the necessary information about the best places to visit.

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER CLIFF KAPATAIS

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER CLIFF KAPATAIS

| 21. September 2019 | Photographers

Food Photographer Cliff Kapatais

Cliff Kapatais is a food photographer, and today we have some tips of trick about food photography. As a food photographer, Cliff is one of the best food photographers in Austria, not to mention that he gives food photography workshops, and have a YouTube channel. Although this interview focusses on him as a food photographer, in the past we made an interview about his career as a photographer. 

In his YouTube channel Honest Monday, you will find, all the tips and trick you need to start in the world of photography. How to make product pictures, travel pictures tips about how to charge as a photographer, what you should include in a photography offer, and all the inside information from the hands of a professional.

A lot of his tips are very easy to follow and I used them every time I have to make either a product pictures for a client or when I photograph any of my recipes. When I started this blog 5 years ago, I didn’t know anything about photography, and I had to learn my way to photography, edition, and co, on the way. Thanks to Cliff, I was able to improve my photography skills. 

Food Photography workshops

If you want to start a career as a food photographer, you could start by making his Food Photography for beginners’ workshop, in this workshop you will learn the basis for food photography, how to set up your camera, how to plan the shooting, how to set up the lights and tips & trick about food styling, and much more.

For the High-End Food photography workshop, you will learn about the theoretical Basics, planning a shoot, staging and Food styling and more important the edition of the photographs.

Egobranding Workshop

If you want to establish in Austria as a photographer you could also make his Egobranding course where you will learn how to set up your goals, who is your focus group and therefore your focus channels, how to make networking, what you should include in your photographer offers, and much more.

Tell us a fun fact about you

I'm a blonde Viennese with Greek roots. My career in photography started out shooting rock concerts because I liked hanging out with the bands.

When did your passion for photography start? And what about the one for food?

I always loved taking pictures. In 2009 I decided to do it professionally and took different photography courses and certificates, as well as the Austrian „Meisterprüfung“. In 2015 I finally gave it a go and became a fulltime self-employed photographer. The passion for cooking and eating went pretty well with the one for taking pictures, so food photography turned out to be one of my favorite things to do. And eating up the models afterward of course 

How does food influence your life and work?

I think it is all about finding the right things to do, which you enjoy. In your life and your job. So, it’s perfect that I can combine these two things I love, in my job. At home, food is also an important topic, as we love to cook together and create fresh, delicious meals. Which is a challenge, as my daughter is a very picky eater.

Are there any artists you’re inspired by?

There are many good photographers I follow. Some are brilliant in self-marketing, others are experts in reinventing themselves and their work over and over again. So, I let myself be inspired by those, who are doing things I like. One of the first blogs that inspired my cooking and photography was Souvlaki for the Soul   and one of the best food photographers in the world is a fellow Austrian, Thomas Schauer, who’s work I really admire: Taste in Motion 

Do you have any tips on food arrangement? How do you “stage” your photos?

For me, it is always important to tell a story. depending on the story I then choose dishes and props. Light is the most important thing when taking pictures, so I always think of what I want to tell and if I can achieve it with natural lightning or if not, how I want to set the lights to achieve the best results.

What is the most flattering light for food photography?

Soft indirect lighting trough a big window and a curtain normally work best.

What is your favorite kind of food to shoot?

I love all the food, but I have a soft spot for Burgers...

To know more about Cliff and his Photography Courses, please visit: Cliff Kapatais