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Courage Bagels Review: Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

Courage Bagels Review 

If you’re a fan of bagels, then you need to try Courage Bagels in LA. This hidden gem in Los Angeles is gaining a reputation as one of the best bagel places in the country, and for good reason. We stumbled upon this place when we were trying out a restaurant across the street called Sqirrl. We couldn’t help but notice the huge line outside and decided to do a quick Google search. After reading rave reviews, we were eager to give it a try. We ended up visiting on a Thursday and had an amazing experience. In this review of Courage Bagels, we’ll share what we ordered, our thoughts on the bagels, and tips on how to avoid the long lines.

 

The Courage Bagels Story: 

Ari Skye started Courage Bagels out of her home in 2017, selling the Montreal bagels off of her bike. In 2020, she opened a window front store in east LA and these bagels grew to an addiction level with lines wrapped around the street. 

My husband and I were not familiar with Montreal style bagels prior to stumbling upon Courage Bagels. Montreal style bagels are crispier than their New York counterparts. The main difference comes from Montreal bagels being baked in a wood-fired oven. The resulting bagel is slightly smaller than New York Bagels and has a smaller hole as well. 

Location: 

Courage Bagels LA is located at 777 N Virgil Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90029-3646. If you’re planning on visiting this delicious bagel spot, you’ll be happy to know that there is plenty of street parking available. When we visited on a Thursday morning around 8:30 am, we were able to find a metered spot right in front of the restaurant. However, it’s important to note that depending on the time of day, parking can get quite busy. So, it’s always a good idea to plan accordingly and give yourself a little extra time to find a spot. 

 

The Window Front Restaurant Experience: 

The restaurant is a walk-up only with minimal seating on one side of the street. We were fortunate to have arrived at a good time and were able to snag a table for ourselves. The lines did get long after we arrived and it did get extremely busy. 

Before we went to get this Instagram worthy bagels, we did our research on when to arrive at Courage Bagels to avoid lines. We had seen the lines grow immensely when we first stumbled upon this location and people online were stating they had waited 30 min to an hour for bagels. 

Knowing this, we decided to arrive early on a Thursday morning. We got there around 8:35 am and this ended up being perfect timing. There were only 4 people in line before us. It took about 15 minutes from the time we got in line to the time we got our bagels. Now, it’s worth noting that 5 minutes after we got there the line continued to grow and was really long for the entire time we were there. We could’ve been lucky with our timing, though I do suggest going early.

This restaurant is on the pricey side. We ordered two bagels and two drinks which came out to a whopping $47 dollars. I ordered cream cheese and tomato on a plain bagel. They had fresh avocado for additional $6 dollars so I decided to add that. That was also where a lot of the money went as well since my husband added it to his bagel as well. He ordered dealers choice bagel with salmon and half avocado. We also got a mint tea and Pink Lemonade for drinks. 

 

The Final Verdict: What was our Review of Courage Bagels?

So what was our final Courage Bagels review? Courage Bagels are the most gorgeous bagels I have ever seen. We almost did not want to eat them since they were so beautiful. The tomato looked so red and ripe on my bagel.  These are some of the photos I took. Look how pretty!

Tomato, avocado cream cheese bagel at courage Bagels

My bagel was astounding. It truly was the best bagel I’ve ever eaten. The tomato was juicy, avocado perfectly blended. You can truly feel the organic and fresh ingredients. What really tied it all together was this amazing olive oil that was drizzled on top and some sea salt. I would definitely go back just for this bagel. My husband on the other hand enjoyed his bagel, but wasn’t blown away by it. He said he would order mine next time since he liked it more. 

Salmon Bagel with avocado at Courage Bagels LA

In regards to the drinks, we absolutely loved the mint tea. I highly recommend this. The pink lemonade was too tangy and I would not order this again. My husband added more water to it to make it drinkable. It was a shame because it did come in a fun container. 

Courage Bagels LA drinks - Mint Tea and Pink Lemonade

Courage Bagels is worth the hype. We had a great experience as we got a parking spot right away and had a minimal line. Since it is very expensive, it’s not a place I would frequent weekly. These bagels are more of a treat. Hope you found this Courage Bagel Review helpful! If you tried it out, tell us about your experience in the comments. 

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Easy Textured Crochet Dish Scrubbies Pattern (Reusable)

Easy textured crochet dish scrubbies pattern

I love switching home products to reusable ones.  This easy textured crochet dish scrubbies pattern is a perfect way to create something functional and pretty. It’s also very beginner-friendly!

I created this pattern after falling in love with Red Heart’s scrubby yarn.  I’d seen it in Michael’s before but never used it. This week I decided to buy some and boy was it a pleasant surprise! I love the yarn texture.  It’s perfect for making crochet dish scrubbies. 

Red heart scrubby yarn Marble

The yarn is soft yet textured.  It does a great job with cleaning dishes and it lathers up so well! After making 1 reusable sponge for my mom,  she and my aunt requested 5 more. After that my sister-in-law wanted 12! Needless to say, these are a big hit in my family!

This textured crochet dish scrubbies pattern works in the round and uses one stitch: half double crochet (hdc). It’s very beginner-friendly and works up fast.  I can make one within 10-15 minutes.

You’re welcome to sell any products you create using this pattern. I always appreciate design credit.  You are not allowed to sell this pattern as your own. 

Let’s make some crochet dish scrubbies!

Black and white textured crochet dish scrubbies

Why Should You Use Reusable Dish Scrubbies Instead of Disposable Sponges?

1.) It’s Environmentally Friendly 

As humans,  we create an unimaginable amount of waste every day.  Much of this waste is not biodegradable, meaning it won’t break down. Rather it piles up in our landfills, polluting our beautiful planet. 

Disposable sponges add to this waste problem as we constantly need to buy more to handle our weekly dish load.  Reusable sponges and scrubbies last longer, eliminating the amount of waste created. 

Reusable Crochet Dish Scrubbies

2.) It’s More Hygienic than Sponges 

Since these scrubbies are reusable and easy to make enough for a week’s worth of use, you’ll be able to stop spreading bacteria onto your dishes. Simply throw your dish scrubbies in with your kitchen laundry items and reuse them as needed.  I like to use one per day and wash them all at the end of the week. 

This is way easier than cleaning sponges that tend to go unwashed on sink counters and become bacteria breeding grounds. 

3.) It’s Cost-Effective

DIY reusable sponges are cheap to make! One skein of dish scrubby yarn costs about $4.50-5.00 and makes between 5 and 6 scrubbies. With proper care these scrubbies will last much longer than your disposable sponges, saving you money in the long run. 

We all love to save money!

Why Crochet Dish Scrubbies Yourself?

Because it’s fun and easy! Crocheting is such a great hobby that can be done anywhere. 

If you’re a novice or advanced crocheter, you’ll enjoy this pattern. Plus it’s so satisfying to use something you’ve made yourself.  You’re more likely to incorporate it into your routine. And, you get to decide exactly what colors you want so you can customize the scrubbies to your home decor.

Easy textured crochet dish scrubbies pattern

Easy Textured Crochet Dish Scrubbies Pattern 

Supplies

1 skein dish scrubby yarn (I used the color Marble)

H 5.0 MM crochet hook

Stitch markers

Weaving needles

Stitches

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Yarn over,  insert hook into stitch, yarn over, and pull through 1 loop. You will have 3 loops remaining on hook.  Yarn over and pull through all loops. 

Pattern Notes

  • This yarn is textured and it might be hard to see your stitches depending on the color you choose. I kept my stitches loose which helped. 
  • Chain 1 at the beginning of round 1-4 does not count as a stitch. When using a stitch marker,  add to your first stitch, not chain 1. 

Textured Dish Scrubbies Pattern 

Foundation: ch 3, sl to first ch,  ch1

How to make crochet dish scrubbies

Row 1: 9 hdc into circle, sl to first hdc, ch 1 (9 stitches)

Crochet dish scrubbies pattern

 

Row 2: *2 hdc* into first stitch, repeat from * to * 8 more times. Sl to first stitch and ch 1 (18 stitches)

Half Double crochet dish scrubbies

Row 3: *2 hdc in first stitch and 1 hdc in the next*. Repeat from * to * 9 times. Sl to first stitch and ch 1 (27 stitches)

Black and white textured crochet dish scrubbies

Row 4: *2 hdc into first stitch*. Repeat from * to * 26 times.  Sl to first stitch (54 stitches)

Diy reusable Crochet Dish Scrubbies

Fasten off and weave in ends. 

And that’s it! Hope enjoy this textured crochet dish scrubbies pattern. I love to see any creations you make.  Tag me on Instagram @by.bindi.

Want to try more crochet patterns? Check out this striped crochet washcloth pattern and beginner-friendly single crochet washcloth pattern. 

 

Are you a beginner crocheter? Check out these tutorials:

How to Single Crochet

How to make a Slip Knot

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Powerful Daily Affirmations for Self-Love

powerful daily affirmations for self love

Self-love is something many of us don’t prioritize and it is so important for our esteem, confidence, and mental health. These powerful daily affirmations for self-love will guide you to appreciate who you are. 

We tend to think that putting ourselves first is selfish and it feels weird to give ourselves so much attention. On the contrary, showing ourselves some care is not only needed, we should give it proper attention. 

Because you not only are worth it, you deserve your love and care as much as anyone else. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks!

Powerful Daily Affirmations for Self-Love

powerful daily affirmations for self love

Why Should You Focus on Self-Love? 

Self-love is not a selfish act. Caring about your needs and putting your happiness first allows you to go through life without being drained. 

Often times we are pulled in many different directions as we try to keep those around us happy. This could lead to negative thoughts we fail and can’t keep up. 

Focusing on self-love and kindness teaches us from an area of positivity. It nurtures our minds and shows us that we will be okay. 

Some benefits that come from practicing self-love are: 

  • increased internal strength
  • decreased stress
  • higher productivity

Sounds awesome right? 

What are Affirmations? 

what are daily affirmations

Daily affirmations are positive statements that are directed towards a specific goal. They help engineer your mind to focus and stay on track through repetition. Repeating affirmations daily trains your brain to believe the statement. 

For example, if you are having trouble with self-confidence, your daily affirmation might be, “I am enough.” 

This simple statement might sound funny to utter at first and maybe you don’t believe it right away. But, with practice and time, you will change your mindset from negative to positive acceptance. 

Say it enough times and it will come true. 

Sounds hokey? There’s science behind why affirmations work. When you visualize what you say, you create a positive image. Your brain starts associating this image as a fact. With repetition, we condition our minds to accept it as truth. 

How to Practice Daily Affirmations

Your mind will believe whatever you tell it. how to practice affirmations for self love

There is no right or wrong way to practice daily affirmations. Try a couple of different methods and see what feels good for you. It is a very personal experience and you need to feel comfortable. Whichever method you choose, stick with it until you feel the release of your negative feelings. 

Affirmations are great because you can continue to tailor them to your life and goals. As you evolve so will your affirmations. 

Here are some methods for practicing your affirmations: 

  • Say them out loud to yourself while you face a mirror. 
  • Write them down in a journal every morning after you wake up. 
  • Create post-it notes and place them in high-traffic areas where you will see them daily. 
  • For deeper connectivity, use positive affirmations during a meditation session. Close your eyes and visualize the words as you say them either in your mind or out loud. You can pair your meditation with calming music and essential oils to ground your focus and energy. 

Whichever method you choose, stay consistent and keep going even if you feel it isn’t working. Sometimes these things take time to wash away our negative feelings and anxiety. 

Powerful Daily Affirmations for Self Love

self love daily affirmations

“I am Enough”

This one is simple and short, but it gets right to the point. It’s a good one to use when you are feeling mentally drained from life’s obstacles and need a reason to regain your worth. You are enough. Who you are is separate from what life throws your way. 

“I am Worthy”

Often we tie our self-worth to our successes and failures. Our self-worth is independent of those things. We should believe that we are worthy no matter what life throws our way. 

“I am Okay”

Life stress can interfere with our sanity and increase anxiety. Take a breath and know that you are okay. 

“I am Powerful”

Circumstances can beat us down to the point where we feel completely useless. While we cannot change what happens to us, we can change our response to what life puts in our path. We have control of our actions. Saying and believing you are powerful will help you through the tough times. 

“I am Confident”

Here’s a little secret: most people are not confident. Many of us are faking it. The idea is to get comfortable enough where the negative thoughts don’t cloud your thoughts and give you anxiety. Keep telling yourself you can surpass your limitations and nothing will stand in your way. 

“I am Beautiful”

You are perfect the way you are and there is no need to change anything. You don’t have to hide underneath layers of makeup (unless you like makeup) or baggy clothes to hide your figure. Each of us is unique and that is nothing less than beautiful. 

“I am Amazing”

Look at what you have accomplished rather than tearing apart things you have not done. You have done so much and are capable of even more. Revel in your shine. 

“I am Centered”

This one is great for times when our anxiety and worry overpower us. Take a deep breath, close you’re eyes and repeat this affirmation. It works by rewiring your brain to take a beat and slow down your negative thoughts. 

“I deserve my Love”

We tend to focus on everyone around us rather than giving ourselves an ounce of thought. We should be kinder to ourselves and appreciate who we are and how far we have come. The love we so freely give should also come to us as well. 

“I am not my Mistakes”

Our self-esteem can take quite a hit when we fail. It’s important to note that mistakes and failures happen to every single one of us. It does not define who we are, rather just our experience. Who we are comes from how we grow and learn from our mistakes. 

positive vibes for self improvement

Use these daily affirmations for self-love whenever you need some TLC. With repeated use, you will feel more comfortable with yourself and empowered to love yourself exactly as you deserve to be. You are always worth the effort. 

Want more self-love ideas? Check out these self-love quotes and self-care ideas for a happier life. 

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Best Natural Acne Remedies for Clear Skin That Actually Work

Best Natural Acne Remedies for Clean Skin

I’ve battled acne since I was 13 years old. My face has seen all kinds of damage over the years and I have the scars to prove it. Through my years of combatting pimples,  I’ve come across the best natural acne remedies for clear skin. With consistent use, they can help improve skin tone and texture too. 

It’s taken me almost two decades of trying everything under the sun.  I’ve had prescriptions such as tretinoin, Accutane, and clindamycin. Over the counter, I tried everything from clean and clear,  Clearasil to chemical  peels,  Proactive, and Murad. 

I don’t even want to know how much money I’ve put into finding an acne treatment that works. 

 

wasting money on expensive acne treatments

Over time I became more aware of what I was putting in my body and on it and switched to natural, non-toxic products. My skin has been so much clearer and I hardly ever breakout anymore.  Relieving acne naturally is one of the best things you can do for your skin. 

Best  Natural  Acne Remedies for Clear Skin That Work 

What causes acne?

Before we can look at treating pimples naturally, we need to know and understand how and why acne is caused. Acne occurs when the pores in your skin get blocked due to debris, excessive oil, bacteria, and dead skin. Your skin produces sebum, an oil, to lubricate the skin. The sebum comes out of your pores. If there are bacteria and clogging in the pores, your skin reacts adversely. 

Pimples are your body’s response to the build-up in your pores. 

how does acne form, what causes acne

Different types of acne:

As if it wasn’t difficult enough that we have to deal with breakouts, acne occurs in a couple of different forms. 

  • Whiteheads
  • Blackheads
  • Nodules
  • Cystic

Why Natural Acne Treatments?

When I was younger,  my mom always told me to watch my diet and use natural products on my skin.  I didn’t listen. I didn’t think it mattered and focused my energy on chemical-laden products that  I thought were superior. 

As the popular saying goes, “You are what you eat.” This is so true. Feed your body a poor diet of junk food and sugar and your skin will dearly pay for it. You are also what you put on or in your skin. 

Many chemicals in acne products have awful side effects.  Accutane is some heavy stuff and while I managed to escape with minor side effects, others were not so lucky. 

Natural products work with your body and not against it. They nourish it and provide the essentials it needs.  Yes, hormonal and puberty acne is super difficult to control.  

natural products to combat acne

However, with gentle care and consistency, you can control it as I did.  

Combat Acne with a Consistent Skincare Regimen

When you have acne, you want to fix it right away and get rid of it within hours.  I’ve been there I know the anguish of cystic acne exploding over your face before a date or work presentation.

Most acne treatments fail because we tend to switch products too quickly, use too much or too many products when dealing with acne. 

The best natural acne remedy is to pick one regimen and let it do its thing.  Stick with it even if you don’t think it’s working.  Things take time to improve. It can take at least a month to 3 months to see changes in your skin. This is because you have to wait for your skin layers to turnover/shed to start seeing a difference. 

Once I simplified my acne treatment routine and stayed consistent, my skin returned to normal.  

Best Natural Acne Products and DIY Recipes for Clear Skin

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks!

Aztec Healing Clay

My sister introduced me to Aztec healing clay and it was a game-changer. It made my skin so soft after one use and the notorious pulsing feels weird at first,  but I’m addicted to it. And, this product is insanely popular because it works. 

Don’t believe it? Check out the 43k plus reviews Aztec healing clay has on Amazon. 

Aztec healing clay mask for acne treatment, natural skincare product

How to Make a Face Mask with Aztec Healing Clay: 

Mix 1-2 tbsp of Aztec Healing clay powder with enough apple cider vinegar to form a paste consistency. Make sure it isn’t too runny or thick. You can also use water to mix with the powder, but I find vinegar is better. It also is great for helping treat acne!

The mixture will bubble. I like to add a drop of tea tree oil and lemon essential oil for extra healing power.  Plus it smells nice! Make sure to mix ingredients in a non-metal bowl.  I like to use this mask bowl and spoon. Plus it’s so cute!

Apply to face and wait 15-20 min. If you have sensitive skin,  you might want to wash it off sooner. After 5 minutes or so you will feel your skin pulsing. This is normal and don’t get scared!

When you wash it off, your face will be red.  Make sure to properly moisturize. Your skin will return to normal within a couple of hours.  

How often to Use this Clay Mask?

Use once a week for best results.  Don’t use it too often or you’ll over dry your skin. 

Exfoliating Cinnamon Honey Mask

This nontoxic face mask recipe is a relatively recent addition to my routine and it’s amazing!  I love that it’s easy to make and made of all-natural ingredients. Plus it is cheap! Win-win.  

exfoliating cinnamon and honey mask for acne treatment

Why this Mask Works:

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon can shrink pores and reveal softer and smoother skin. This is perfect for those such as myself who have uneven skin tone from acne scarring. It’s also anti-bacterial which helps in combatting the bacteria that cause pimples. 

The granules from the powder also help exfoliate the skin when you wash it off. 

Cinnamon is considered a “hot” spice. Make sure to test for any reactions first and always wash thoroughly if you feel as if it is too much for your skin. 

Honey:

Honey is an ancient skin remedy that was readily used by the Egyptians. This sweet food is more than just an addition to your morning tea. This potent ingredient is anti-bacterial and can help eliminate excess oil from your skin. This helps to keep pores clean. Also, it’s gentle and won’t irritate your skin. 

Nutmeg: 

Nutmeg is great for improving hyperpigmentation and discoloration that is left behind by acne scars. This spice also improves oily skin and aids in gentle exfoliation similar to cinnamon powder. 

How to Make a Cinnamon Mask: 

Ingredients: 

1 tbsp Cinnamon powder

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tbsp honey

1 drop Cinnamon essential oil (optional)

1 drop Nutmeg essential oil (optional)

Directions: 

You can omit the essential oils if you don’t have them or if you’re skin is sensitive.  I personally love them and they add extra microbial and antibacterial elements.  

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Carefully apply to face.  The mixture will be sticky and can drip so be careful and wear old clothes if you need to. Leave the mask on for 5-10 minutes. If you are sensitive to cinnamon, it may tingle.  If it stings, immediately wash it off. 

I like to gently exfoliate my skin in circles when I’m washing it off. The cinnamon granules are perfect for smoothing skin out.

You’ll be left with super soft skin after this mask.  My skin always glows the next day! Store any leftover mixture in an airtight container and you don’t have to refrigerate it. Just be sure to use it up within a couple of weeks to a month. 

Natural Lavender and Tea Tree Face Wash

This DIY face wash is my morning and night go-to. It is so easy to make and lasts a really long time. This is great because it won’t break the bank as other acne cleansers do. Lavender and tea tree oil are great natural acne remedies.

Lavender, best natural acne remedy

Why it Works: 

Lavender: 

Lavender has so many great benefits for our skin, it’s no wonder it’s commonly used in skincare products. This plant and essential oil helps reduce redness in skin, can combat acne and helps even skintone. It also has anti-aging properties as well. 

Tea Tree: 

Tea Tree oil is one of the most popular natural acne remedies. This potent oil is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. This helps to keep pores clean and reduces redness. 

Jojoba Oil: 

Jojoba oil is very moisturizing. When treating acne, we want to make sure we don’t strip our skin and have it dry out. This oil is noncomedogenic and won’t clog pores. 

How to Make this Lavender and Tea Tree Oil Face Wash: 

Ingredients: 

1 (4) oz amber spray bottle

1/4 c Lavender castile soap

1 tsp jojoba oil

1/2  tbsp honey

6 drops Lavender essential oil

6 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Distilled water

Directions: 

Add all the ingredients to the amber glass bottle. Top off with distilled water. 

How to Use Your Face Wash: 

Spray a generous amount onto your palm or face scrubby. Wash face in a circular manner and wash off thoroughly. Use morning and night for best results. Follow with skin serum or moisturizer. 

best natural acne remedies

These natural acne remedies work to keep skin clean, help calm redness and even skin tone from acne scarring. With consistent use, you can help keep your breakouts under control. 

Did you try any of these products or recipes? Comment below on your experience. 

Want to try more DIY recipes? Check out these recipes for hair masks and natural lip scrubs.

 

 

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Hello world!

Hello and welcome to ByBindi, you’re go-to guide for everything arts and crafts, health and fitness, and nontoxic living. I’m an artist, writer, and overall positive person. I believe that we are in charge of happiness in our lives and this comes from fulfilling our mind, body, and soul. It may sound cliche, but it works. When you are mentally and physically fulfilled, everything else tends to fall in place. 

I’m a kid at heart and believe life should be fun! I’m creating this blog to put together tutorials, random musings, recipes, and advice that I have benefitted from. I’ve always wanted to start a blog and now seems like the perfect time. 

Join me on my journey to a joyful life!