 Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Makeovers and Changes; Self-Care Transforming one’s appearance can be a powerful journey of self-discovery and confidence-building. Style My Soul presents expert-backed strategies to help clients embrace makeovers and enhance their self-care routines.
Guide Clients Through a Style Evolution Instead of framing it as a “makeover,” I find it’s far more effective to guide clients through a style evolution. This means asking: What in your wardrobe no longer works for the person you are today, and what still feels like you? This shift in mindset removes the pressure to become someone entirely different. Instead, it allows people to build a wardrobe that reflects both who they’ve been and who they’re becoming. It’s a form of self-care that respects their identity while still making space for growth. By refining what already resonates, clients experience less resistance, and the transition feels empowering rather than overwhelming. - Celeste Routh, SEO Strategist, The Elegance Edit Build Trust with Gradual Hair Changes After 20 years in the industry and helping clients through countless changes at Salon Eunoia, I’ve found that the most effective strategy is starting with what makes them feel emotionally safe. Most people resist makeovers because they fear losing the version of themselves that others recognize. I always begin with their hair’s existing length and work within their comfort zone first. When someone comes in wanting to go from brunette to blonde, I don’t jump straight to platinum — I start with subtle highlights that improve their natural color. This builds trust and lets them see how good change can feel without the shock. The magic happens when they see that small improvement in the mirror and get compliments from people they care about. I had a client who was terrified of cutting her waist-length hair, so we started by adding layers and dimension while keeping the length. She loved how it moved and felt, which gave her confidence to book a second appointment for a more dramatic cut. This gradual approach creates a ripple effect — once they trust the process with their hair, they start experimenting with makeup, trying new clothes, and taking better care of themselves overall. The key is proving that change can improve who they already are rather than erasing it. - Victoria Michael, Owner, Salon Eunoia Use Authenticity Anchoring for Makeovers After 15+ years in the beauty industry and launching Perfect Locks in 2007, I’ve learned that the biggest resistance to makeovers comes from fear of looking “fake” or losing your identity. The most effective strategy is what I call “authenticity anchoring” — using one unchanged element as your security blanket while changing everything else. I discovered this accidentally when helping women with hair loss who were terrified of wigs. Instead of changing their entire look, we’d match their natural hair color and texture exactly, then gradually introduce length or subtle volume. They kept their familiar hair identity while gaining confidence to experiment with makeup, clothing, or styling techniques they’d never tried before. The key is identifying what makes someone feel most “like themselves” — maybe it’s their signature red lipstick or favorite earrings — then making that the constant while everything else evolves. One client kept her go-to black eyeliner routine unchanged while we transformed her hair from shoulder-length to long layers with our tape-in extensions, then she naturally started experimenting with bolder clothing choices. This approach works because it eliminates the “who am I?” panic that kills most makeover attempts. When you anchor to one familiar element, your brain interprets the changes as improvement rather than replacement, making the transition feel exciting instead of threatening. - Priyanka Swamy, CEO & Founder, Perfect Locks Introduce Subtle Changes to Boost Confidence At Batik Malaysia, I’ve learned that starting with small, subtle changes helps people feel more confident about trying new styles. When introducing clients to batik patterns, I begin with neutral colors or minimal designs they can easily incorporate into their existing wardrobe, like a simple printed scarf or accent piece. This gentle approach usually leads them to experiment more boldly with traditional patterns and contemporary cuts, ultimately creating their unique style journey. - Gerald Ming, Owner, Batik.com.my
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 Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Green Bell Peppers for Foods and Drinks Discover innovative ways to incorporate green bell peppers into your culinary repertoire. This article presents creative ideas for transforming this versatile vegetable into delicious snacks, meals, and drinks. Drawing from expert insights, these suggestions offer both nutritious and flavorful options for everyday cooking.
Transform Green Peppers into Versatile Toppings Green bell peppers are the ultimate salad topper — but they’re also incredibly versatile. I love slicing them thin for sandwiches and wraps, tossing them into fresh salads, or grilling them for a smoky, crunchy side. They add flavor and texture without overpowering a dish. - Diane Howard, RN and Founder, Esthetic Finesse Blend Peppers into Healthier Brownie Mix We love adding vegetables with minimal flavor to our baked goods. If you have any extra bell peppers lying around, blend them up and add them to your favorite brownie recipe for a hidden, healthy treat that will fool even the pickiest eaters. - Eva Valdebenito, Owner, Caña y Canela Roast Pepper Wedges for Low-Carb Nachos One creative way I’ve repurposed green bell peppers is by slicing them into “nacho chips.” I roast thick-cut wedges with olive oil, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until slightly charred, then top them with black beans, cheese, salsa, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. It satisfies the nacho craving with a fresh crunch and no actual chips. It’s also toddler-approved, surprisingly. A fun swap when you’re low on tortillas or avoiding carbs. - Tornike Asatiani, CEO, Edumentors Freeze Diced Peppers for Smoothie Boosts I recently started dicing green bell peppers into tiny cubes and freezing them in ice cube trays with a bit of water — they’re perfect for adding to smoothies or infused water for a subtle veggie boost. When I’m counseling teens about healthy eating habits, I often suggest this as a sneaky way to incorporate more vegetables without the strong taste that some kids dislike. Working at Mission Prep, I’ve found that creative presentation makes all the difference in getting young people to try nutritious foods. - Aja Chavez, Executive Director, Mission Prep Healthcare Serve Bruschetta in Bell Pepper Boats At Zinfandel Grille, we discovered that hollowed-out green bell peppers make amazing ‘boats’ for serving our signature bruschetta mix. I love how the peppers’ crunch and slight bitterness perfectly complement the sweet tomatoes and herbs, plus they’re super practical since guests can pick them up easily. We’ve actually started using these pepper boats during our happy hour service, and they’ve become such a hit that customers now specifically request them as a healthier alternative to traditional bread-based appetizers. - Allen Kou, Owner and Operator, Zinfandel Grille Grill Korean-Inspired Stuffed Pepper Appetizers Having run both a Korean BBQ restaurant and dealt with tons of food waste through my disposal business, I found something brilliant about green bell peppers — they make incredible natural smokers for mini grilled items. I slice thick bell pepper “boats” lengthwise and stuff them with marinated beef bulgogi scraps or leftover Korean short rib. Then I throw them directly on the grill for 8–10 minutes. The pepper chars on the outside while steaming the meat inside, creating this amazing smoky-sweet flavor that’s completely different from traditional Korean preparation. At our restaurant, we started serving these as bar snacks after I noticed we were throwing away perfectly good pepper ends daily. Now they’re one of our most requested appetizers because the pepper eliminates the need for banchan sides — everything’s contained in one bite. The best part is zero food waste. Every pepper scrap that would’ve ended up in my dumpsters now generates revenue, and customers love the rustic presentation. My freight driving days taught me efficiency, and this hits both profit and waste reduction perfectly. - Lux Chhen, Owner, Bins & Beyond Create Curried Lentil-Filled Roasted Peppers Roast green bell peppers that have been filled with chopped onions and curried lentils. The tops char, the filling maintains its shape, and the skin becomes softer. At Rourke’s, I’ve employed that technique to test vegan blends for new pies. It’s effective, makes use of leftovers, and produces a durable, solid texture. They travel well if you cut them into wedges and refrigerate them. It’s a great choice for cafe platters or packed lunches. You can also pan-fry green peppers with garlic and smoked paprika. Mix that into scrambled eggs or reheated rice. The heat takes out the bitterness, and the spice lifts the whole dish. I’ve pulled from that when refining seasoning for fillings. At home, it’s a quick way to reuse cooked vegetables and bulk out simple meals. Add coriander or cumin if you want more edge. I stick to what works. These ideas aren’t complicated, and they don’t need to be. At Rourke’s, we build from basics and repeat what holds up under pressure. The same rule applies in a home kitchen. You don’t need extras. You just need a method that respects the ingredient and gets the job done. Green peppers have a place if you give them one. Gary Rourke, Owner, Rourke’s Pies Craft Green Pepper Pesto for Versatility One of my favorite creative ways to use green bell peppers is turning them into a bright, flavorful pesto — it’s not just for pasta. Roast and peel the peppers, then blend them with nuts, Parmesan, garlic, basil, and olive oil to make a versatile spread. I love it slathered on crostini, stirred into warm grains, or even spread on sandwiches — it adds color, flavor, and zero waste. But here’s the kicker — believe it or not, green peppers can even shine in cocktails. Try muddled green bell pepper in a Gimlet for a crisp, herbaceous twist — it adds a fresh, vegetal note that’s unexpected but totally delightful. It’s all about seeing familiar ingredients in new contexts — whether it’s a simple pesto or a cocktail, green peppers bring a surprising pop that guests remember. - Dallas Walton, Executive Chef, River Stone Chophouse Blend Roasted Peppers into Argentinian Chimichurri I value simplicity, freshness, and creativity in food. My favorite way to repurpose green bell peppers is to make chimichurri, a classic Argentinian sauce. To make it, you blend roasted green bell peppers with parsley and garlic. A dash of olive oil and vinegar is added as well. It becomes a nutrient-packed topping with big flavor yet zero additives. It works perfectly over grilled meats and roasted vegetables. Sometimes I even use it as a dipping sauce.Green bell pepper chimichurri is what happens when clean eating meets bold flavor. It’s a pure, plant-powered twist on a classic. - Oskar Thorvaldsson, CEO/Owner, Dr. Clark Store Replace Chips with Peppers for Healthier Nachos Use green peppers to replace tortilla chips in nachos for a low-carb, high-fiber twist! Chop green peppers into wedges and top with your favorite nacho toppings. Heat in the oven until the cheese is melted and enjoy! - Amy Chow, Registered Dietitian, CEO, BC Dietitians  Credit: Beccy Dickson, Founder of Branded Bio Studies show that plants have an incredibly positive impact on the brain. I’m Beccy and I am a biophilic designer. My specialty is designing Living Walls — otherwise known as Vertical Gardens or Green Walls. I am a huge advocate of plants and biophilic design and I have seen first-hand the advantages they have on people’s health — especially brain health.
Statistics suggest that almost 80% of people prefer to use natural remedies and supplements for their healthcare requirements. In fact, about a third of all drugs are inspired by nature’s remedies. As the concrete jungle around us continues to grow and technology becomes ever more invasive, our need to reconnect with nature is greater than ever. Bringing nature inside encourages activities such as watering, planting with soil and caring for plants, which genuinely have a proven, positive effect on people. Soil itself is also thought to have an actual antidepressant with it, so that when our hands are in it, the effects are incredible. These activities ground us and promote substantial relaxation benefits, both mental and physical. In both tests and real life, most people report feeling more relaxed and happier after tending to plants. Studies have shown that watering indoor plants significantly reduces blood pressure, without affecting pulse rate. A study at the University of Technology in Sydney found a 37% decrease in reported tension and anxiety, and a 58% drop in feelings of depression or dejection, in plant-rich environments. Other research from Heriot-Watt University used EEG to measure brain activity in different environments. Green spaces were found to decrease frustration and increase meditation, compared to busy urban areas. In Japan, doctors actively prescribe forest bathing — Shinrin-Yoku — for mental health issues. Forest bathing exercises can be beneficial for everyone, helping to teach concentration and mindfulness, whilst also providing an excellent opportunity to learn from each other, encouraging social behaviour, thereby improving cognitive function and memory. It is also proven that plants create a 44% reduction in anger and hostility. And it doesn’t stop there. According to Oliver Heath in “Design a Healthy Home”, plants placed within workspaces have been found to improve task response by 10%, improve energy levels by 76%, improve reported happiness by 78% and improve reported health by 68%. Biophilic design is not necessarily just about plants. It is the method of bringing the outside inside, and incorporating patterns, colours and shapes from nature. It is quite clear to me that spending more time in nature is the way to a healthier brain and lifestyle — it’s a win-win solution! Meet Our Contributor — Beccy Dickson Beccy Dickson is the Founder and Managing Director of Branded Bio, one of the UK’s leading biophilic event design studios. With a passion for connecting people and spaces through nature, Beccy specialises in creating sustainable, living installations for events, exhibitions and workplaces. Her approach blends innovative design with a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, ensuring every project supports ESG goals and the circular economy. From brandable living walls to interactive green experiences, Beccy champions real plants and authentic storytelling, helping clients make a lasting impact while capturing the restorative power of nature in every space. |