Hydration with Nubian Heritage

Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons and my personal favorite. There is something about the crisp air and simplicity of time changing. There is movement and energy which moves us out of the heat and humidity of summer. The transitions between the seasons however, can be very challenging on the body if not taken care of properly. In Ayurveda this time is known as vata season. Qualities of vata are dry, light, rough, cold and quick. This coincides perfectly with the actual weather that we experience  leading up to the winter months. We change the food we eat from summer berries and greens to more grounding root vegetables and warming foods. We change our daily products as well. I go from using cooling coconut oil on my skin and hair to the warming properties of sesame oil. This is the time of year that we want to warm the body as well as hydrate it from the cold air. Most people experience the downsides of the cold on their skin. 

In the summer the humidity makes our skin glow and we need less help with hydration. Our skin appears naturally dewy and fresh and fewer beauty products are needed. In the fall and winter however, we need to spend a little more time adding moisture and nourishment to the skin. In addition to healing oils I like to use a heavy body lotion after a shower in the winter. I have tried many different organic and natural lotions but never found one that I was in love with. Until my recent discovery of Nubian Heritage lotions. Nubian is an incredible and unique company. The products draw on global healing and knowledge from across the world. The list of ingredients used are lemongrass, blackseed oil, raw shea butter, tamanu oil and chai. These are all indigenous ingredients that are combined to nourish modern day skin conditions. 

The products are made to bring balance and harmony to the body, physically and emotionally. These products offer more than just a beauty solution but actually heal the skin and target actual skin disorders. The list of ingredients heal, acne prone skin, combination skin, dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. All their products are natural, contain no parabens, no phthalates, no synthetic fragrance,  and never any animal ingredients. This is incredible because the smell of the lotions are unbelievable and so luxurious. The specific favorites of mine are the Raw Shea Butter with Frankincense and Myrrh and the Honey and Black Seed. 

The Honey and Black seed has such an unusual and musk-like smell to it. Honey as we know in other organic products is a great natural moisturizer. Black seed is an unusual ingredient but does wonders for an uneven skin tone. This is great for keratosis pilaris on the backs of arms and thighs, a very challenging skin condition to treat.  The Shea butter, Frankincense and Myrrh scent is also one that is intoxicating, truly a smell like none other. Frankincense specifically is known to have an anti-aging effect  as well as toning lose skin. Frankincense is a resin from the bark of a tree and is used in perfumes and incense. Myrrh, is a resin as well and is leaked from the sap of a tree. It is known as a natural gum because it has a sticky and gooey texture. Myrrh is has many skin healing benefits but mainly it helps to treat chapped and broken skin. It is also great to increase circulation and can be used on the bottom of the feet, hands and anywhere to increase blood flow. 

Both of these formulas are rich and luxurious and perfect for sensitive skin conditions. The texture is thick but not greasy and absorbs very easily into the skin. They are a perfect transitional product for this time of year. They prepare the skin for the dry, windy, and cold autumn and winter weather ahead. The scent of these lotions will linger on the skin all day while moisturizing! Definitely the perfect product to prepare for the winter ahead!

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/nubian-heritage-honey-black-seed-body-lotion-13-fl-oz-lotion/7q-1048#.VD6p-lbVDG4

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/nubian-heritage-raw-shea-butter-lotion-13-fl-oz-lotion/7q-1016#.VD6qOFbVDG4

A Gold Star: Golden Berries

On the road to perfect health, we often find some major bumps in the road and challenges. Each individual has specific unhealthy habits that they find harder than others to kick. Weather it be alcohol, coffee, carbs, fast food, etc.  For me personally it is the dreaded sweet tooth. I love sweets of all kinds healthy or unhealthy. I have always felt a sense of calm biting into a chocolate bar or cupcake or any other baked good. However, nothing satisfies my addiction like that of candy. Candy is something that makes me feel like a little girl again. Its fun to eat and a tradition my best friend and I have shared over the years. Unfortunately, candy is one of the most processed and energy draining things one can consume. Filled with artificial sweeteners, colors, gluten, and many other carcinogens, it is difficult to justify eating such a thing. After many cavities over the years and serious energy drops, I had to find a way to replace my life love. 

I have found that for every unhealthy food there is a healthy counterpart waiting patiently to be found. For chocolate, there is pure dark chocolate or raw chocolate, baked goods, there is gluten and sugar free options. For pizza there is cauliflower crust with raw or fresh cheese. Sadly, candy has been a food (or chemical) group that has been very trying to replace for me. I think this is mainly due to the fact that candy is not a food at all but rather a mixture of perfect chemicals that give us that chewy and satisfying bite. Being a fan of gummy chews and licorice I have been on the lookout for years for something to appease me. I have finally found something that I couldn't wait to share! Golden berries! Goji berries and raisins are also good alternatives but I have always hated the taste of both, especially goji berries and raisins are too sugary. Golden berries are the perfect solution. Think of golden berries as the healthy alternative to sour patch kids. They are soft and chewy bites of both sweet and tart tastes. Originally from Brazil, golden berries provide a power house of nutrients to the body.

Not only do golden berries taste incredible but they are lower in sugar than any other dried berry and are much higher in protein. They are a nutrient dense superfood with tons of health benefits. They are  filled with antioxidants and full of Vitamin A, B, and C. One of the most amazing things that golden berries can do for the body is to prevent redness and swelling. This can be an indication of many diseases or an imbalance in the body. The berries fight redness by reducing the amount and impact of proteins on the body. This can be used to treat hives, inflammation, bruises, bee stings, etc.  This is also great for the skin when it is red and puffy from over exhaustion, too much drinking or dehydration. The berries natural ability to decrease redness is also said to help strengthen other organs such as the liver. Any food we eat that strengthens the liver is also going to strengthen the bodies elimination process. The liver is the main organ of the body responsible for detoxification. 

Golden berries are also known as a belly blaster, in the way that they burn fat, increase metabolism and balance digestion. This is an ideal snack for athletes in that it helps with recovery and inflammation. These berries are anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and perfect for anyone that has dips in blood sugar levels throughout the day.  The pectin in this fruit helps to normalize blood sugar levels and balance the body. This is achieved by preventing carbohydrates to breakdown, which have an adverse effect on energy levels. Golden berries can be added to yogurt, cereal, sprinkled on salads or just eaten out of the bag as a quick pick me up. These are truly nature's sweet, sour, and chewy candy. They are healthy, addictive and a great addition to a clean lifestyle.There is no reason to consume chemicals, when nature has provided us with every taste imaginable!

http://www.sunfood.com/food/incan-golden-berries/incan-berries-8-oz-organic-raw-sunfood.html

The Miracle of Egyptian Magic Cream

I am always on the lookout for new, organic, and natural products. I am fascinated by beauty and health rituals from across the globe. One of the reasons for this being, the purity of the ingredients used. Often we see in the U.S, mass products filled with chemicals and extremely harmful substances. Many of us have been using these products on our hair, skin, and in our diet for as long as we can remember. It is truly incredible the difference that simple and organic ingredients will have on our health. As a teenager I would cover my skin in harsh, chemically rich products such as Clearasil, Neutrogena, Proactiv, etc. These products to my knowledge were meant to clear my skin, restore its natural beauty, and keep me zit free. Unfortunately they did just the opposite leaving me miserable and self conscious of my complexion. My skin needed to breath and heal rather than being masked by chemicals and animal products.

In healing my skin I turned to the basics of oils, water, beeswax and flower essence. My skin cleared up after about 6 months of eliminating those products. Along with coconut oil, rosewater, and argan oil, I have found a multi purpose product that is a regular in my beauty routine. A formula derived from ancient Egypt, Egyptian Magic Skin cream is an incredible and simple product. This cream is more of a beeswax/oil and can be used as a hair mask, face cream, body cream, shaving balm and even eye cream. There are only six ingredients in Egyptian Magic,: Honey, beeswax, olive oil, royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee propolis. There are no additives, preservative, chemicals or parabens and the product is never tested on animals. All of the ingredients are of the highest quality and most of them are a 100 percent organic. 

The honey here is said to heal wounds on the skin as well as plump the skin, erasing wrinkles and fine lines. The olive oil, moisturizes, adds antioxidants, and does not clog the pores. Beeswax is a rather unknown ingredient in skin products but is one of the most effective and beautifying. Beeswax locks the ingredients into the skin by creating a barrier. This allows the cream to penetrate the complexion and nourish the skin. Many naturopaths have endorsed Egyptian Magic as well as homeopaths. Its is said to help clear and treat both psoriasis and eczema. This is indeed a magic cream and can be used in substitute for many over the counter jellys, vaselines and medicated creams. The cream works best when it is warmed in the hand as it is an oil based product. It literally is like butter for the complexion and gives a healthy glow all year round!

 http://www.egyptianmagic.com/store.htm

Product Review-Kiehls Soy milk and Honey body polish

This is the time of year for detox and cleansing. The transition between seasons can be the most challenging on the body as well as the skin. In Ayurveda this time is known as Kapha season, one of the three dosha principles. Moving away from the cold and dry winter (Vata season) the body is ready to release its toxins and build up from hibernation. Most people will expect to feel more energized once the warm weather hits but the body can feel just the opposite. Kapha time tends to bring fatigue, lethargy, and excess of bad habits. This is mainly because the body is trying to figure out the new temperature and how it can best to adapt to it. Stress and exhaustion for many can be first seen on the skin and complexion.

The skin is one of the first places that one tends to detox from. Hives, rashes, breakouts, etc are all signs that the body is detoxing and trying to throw something off the system. Spring is the perfect time to change our winter habits and take care of our body and skin. Along with a healthy, light diet this time of year, scrubbing the skin through dry brushing and massage greatly helps remove toxins. I am always looking for natural and organic body scrubs as I love to use them in the shower to smooth dead skin away. Many scrubs I have used have been very abrasive and caused irritation. This new product given to me by my sister is not a traditional scrub but rather a body polish.

Body polish's are great products for people with sensitive skin or keratosis pilaris, which is small bumps on the back of the arms. Harsh brushing or scrubbing can irritate this condition even more but gentle exfoliating can greatly decrease it.  Kiehls is one of my favorite and staple companies that I order beauty and bath products from. This soy milk and honey polish is by far my favorite polish I have ever used. All of the ingredients are natural and organic and after using this for one month my skin has never been softer. The pure honey and soy milk protein nourish but also detoxify the top layer of the skin. This polish also contains jojoba oil, pure honey, and shea butter.

The jojoba oil restores suppleness and the skins natural lipid barrier. The honey, allows the skin to rehydrate itself and prevents it from drying out as well as adding an incredible sweet scent. The shea butter is the natural fat in the product and prevents dehydration and the appearance of dry skin. The secret ingredient in this product however is ground Luffa fruit. The Luffa fruit is native to Vietnam and China and is in the same family as a cucumber.

When this fruit has fully ripened it becomes very fibrous and is the source of what we know as the loofah. Here the fruit has been ground and is used as the tiny beads in the polish. These natural beads work with the other fats and oils to scrub away dead skin cells, leaving skin supple and soft. This is truly a miracle product and one that is perfect to use on the skin this time of year. This polish helps the body get the skin ready for warmer temperatures and brings out its natural beauty. This is even gentle enough to use on the face as well as anywhere else on the body. A great product to start our detox season with!

http://www.kiehls.com/Creme-de-Corps-Soy-Milk-and-Honey-Body-Polish/680,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=body-cleansers-scrubs

Product Review-Living Luminizer

Having perfect health is something that most people strive for these days. A healthy mind and body cannot
be missed on an individual.  The first thing that I feel exudes health and vitality is that beautiful glow from a beautiful complexion. That shine on someone's face that draws you in and makes them look alive. There are many health practices that can create this glow from the inside out such as mediation, good quality of sleep, clean diet and of course exercise. However, we live in a stress filled world and sometimes its hard to avoid exhaustion, caffeine, and alcohol. All of these things can make our skin appear dull and lifeless. Especially during what seems like an endless and extra cold winter, our skin suffers immensely. The cold air dries out our hair, nails and skin. It is much easier in the summer to have that dewy and colored complexion that we all yearn for. However, in winter we just need to pay a little more attention to our body and give our skin a little more love.

I have come across an incredible company and one of my favorite products to enhance the natural glow of health even in this winter. RMS beauty is a company that gets my passion about organic and natural products stimulated! The slogan for this company is "Created by nature, untainted by man", and it is in fact just that. This amazing company is about recreating how woman use makeup and having an in depth knowledge of what we are putting on our face and bodies. All of the ingredients are certified organic and food grade and are minimally heated to maintain the living vitamins and minerals of the ingredients. All the products are completely free of harmful chemical, preservatives and genetically altered ingredients.The products are also all gluten free, soy free and never tested on animals.

The specific product I have started using is called 'living luminizer.', this is supposed to enhance the shine and glow of the face and add a youthful glimmer. It can be added to the inner corners of the eyes, the cheekbones and anywhere on the face to add a hint of health. The luminizer is translucent and has a pearl-satin finish as well as being  non greasy and easily absorbed. The ingredients are simple but highly effective when paired with one another. Castor see oil, coconut oil, rosemary extract, and  beeswax.  All of these ingredients are basically raw and certified organic.

What I love about this product is that it is not meant to conceal anything but rather enhance the health of the skin that might not be seen. It is not a easy feat to find organic and raw products that are also luxurious and highly effective.  To apply a makeup  that will make my skin healthier rather than damaging it is a progressive and incredibly innovative idea.  This is the companies' best seller and a definite new beauty staple in my makeup bag! The products are not cheap but well worth the price considering the quality and effectiveness of them. I have never had more compliments on my skin as when I started using this product. This is a great way to add a touch of radiance and shine in this cold winter!
http://www.rmsbeauty.com/shop/product4.html

A Product for the 'Girls'

The health of a woman has become more and more vital in our world today. After all without women we wouldn't have this gift of life we are all experiencing. In many cultures women are so sacred that they barely lift a finger all day and are just kept creatures. They are raised to nourish themeselves and their bodies and are shielded from the stress of the world. Although this is definitely an outdated idea, there is a beauty in it that has been obsolete in our society today. With the independence of single working mothers, women running for president, etc, we have gained a great level of equality and power but what have we lost? With this rise in power for women comes a significant rise in stress and disease. In a perfect world women would be able to achieve all of their many goals while still maintaining  the health and balance of their bodies. Women are sensitive creatures who are more susceptible to stress, anxiety and depression. Many studies have confirmend that women are actually twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression up until the age of 50 as men are. This stress and disease has not just risen in older women but has been consistently on the rise in the younger generations. 

Breast cancer specifically has been on the rise in young women over the last 3 decades. Woman as young as early 20's are now being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Although specific causes are still unclear at this point, most people can confirm that stress, tobacco, alcohol, and overall unhealthy lifestyle contributes to this disease. Along with a healthy lifestyle there are techniques that women can practice to achieve healthy breast health. The health of the lymphatic system is directly connected to the health of our breast tissue and health. Breasts themselves contain lymph vessels which work to balance the circulator system and help maintain fluid balance. Oil massage on the breasts is a simple process that can greatly improve breast health. The thin skin on the breasts contains a large amount of fat, this enables the skin to absorb both essential oils and herbal oils very quickly. This simple process is said to prevent and reverse cysts, rejuvenate cells, and increase the overall immune system. A daily oil massage on the breasts can also detoxify the immune system and soften breast tissue.

The product that I stumbled upon is 'Healthy Girls Breast Oil', This amazing oil is infused with natural essential oils and herbed oils to increase breast health and appearance. The specific essential oils used in this product have even been scientifically proven to prevent abnormal cells from developing. The base of the breast oil is Jojoba oil. Jojoba is a light oil that is easily absorbed into the skin and has many anti-inflammatory properties. It also works to stimulate blood circulation and skin elasticity. The other ingredients are carefully chosen essential oils. 

Lemon, specifically here is used to purify the liver, helps with lymphatic cleansing, detoxing and pacifies broken capillaries on the skin. Sweet orange, is said to fight tumor growth, assist in tissue repair, and eases the emotions such as depression and anxiety. Lavender, is added to balance both the system emotionally as well as quickly repairing the cells. It also helps to reduce blood pressure and and calm the heart. Geranium, is used to flush the liver of toxins and and regenerates nerves. Frankincense, an oil that is made from the resin of tree bark, adds oxygen to cells and glands and helps to ward off infection. Nerolina, soothes the skin and prevents aging as well as being an antibacterial. Marjoram, helps warm the body, and prevents congestion in the breast tissue, which can cause pain. Finally Rose Damascena, stimulates the nervous system, elevates the emotions, and beautifies the skin. 

This amazing infusion drastically works to improve and maintain breast health. It decreases breast pain and tenderness, minimizes breast lumps, and firms and smoothes the skin on the breasts. This is a great way for women to take control and do something each day that can improve their health and prevent disease. After using this product for a little over a month I saw immediate changes, such as firming of the skin,  less breast tenderness, and for the vanity in all of us, a perkier chest!  I would recommend every woman buy this product no matter their age! Another product that showcases the diversity that oil has for our health. 
http://www.healthygirlsbreastoil.com/shop/