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
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
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
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/
As winter has quickly arrived so has the loss of sunlight. Shorter days means less hours of the day with natural light and more nights starting at 5.00 pm. The loss of sunlight and the disappearance of summer days can mean many things for individuals. Many people tend to experience mood fluctuations this time of year and can often struggle with seasonal depression. One way that I fight this inevitable reality is burning candles and creating a different kind of natural light. It is truly amazing what a simple candle can do for the mood and one's environment. Candles create warmth and nourishment especially during those cold days of winter. As I have become a more conscious person, I have realized that having a healthy lifestyle goes farther than the food we eat.I realized that while burning candles over the years I was falling victim to synthetic fragranced candles that were actually burning chemicals and soot into my bedroom. To think that for years I was breathing these chemicals into my lungs while I slept, quickly lead me to ditch any type of chemically filled candle. This left me with the purity and simplicity of one of nature's most incredible gifts, beeswax. Unlike other types of synthetic candles, beeswax emits little if no smoke while it burns. This means that the flame produces no soot unlike all other paraffin candles.
Paraffin is what most store bought candles are made from and what most well-known candle companies use. Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum which, when burned becomes a toxic substance. If you have ever noticed that your candles produce a black soot coming off of the flame while it is burning this is doing none other than emitting toxic chemicals into the air. This soot can stain walls ceilings and more importantly damage the respiratory channels and even act as a carcinogen.The synthetic fragrances that are used as well become toxic when they are burned creating something called toxic fluorocarbons. This is one of the many chemicals that gets released into the air when these candles are lit, acting as little pollutants for our homes and our bodies.
Beeswax on the other hand does just the opposite. Beeswax is produced by honey bees from the natural nectars of flowers. Honey bee pollen, and royal jelly are also made through this amazing process. Beeswax candles are also naturally scented, smelling of the pure and pleasant aroma of natural honey. This is great for anyone that is sensitive to smells or is an asthmatic. When a candle made of a hundred percent beeswax is burned, it produces negative ions. This acts as a natural air purifier. These ions cleanse the air of dust, toxic chemicals and molds that are hanging in the environment. anything that is floating in the air is doing so because it is positively charged. Beeswax cleans these ions creating a cleaning and purer air for us to breath. Beeswax is the only fuel that is known to produce a fully negative ion. Burning beeswax in a home will naturally eliminate odors and almost act as a humidifier.
Beeswax is also non-toxic, non-allergenic, and non-carcinogenic.
Many tests have been done to prove that beeswax not only cleans the air but can drastically improve asthma, allergies, sleep disorders and other types of respiratory problems. It is also said to act as a natural detoxifier when burned, balance hormones, strengthen the immune system and create a general sense of well being. Unlike paraffin candles beeswax has a longer burn time and has barely any wax drip. Because beeswax has a higher melting point of 145% fahrenheit, the candles themselves burn slower. This in turn means the candles last longer, and even though they do cost more than other candles they are an investment in terms of their life span. Beeswax is an incredible addition to any healthy life style and for anyone that wants an added comfort. I have noticed beeswax uplifts my moods and creates a calm and clean space for me to sleep. There is nothing more important for our health than the air we breath, beeswax allows us to breath the clean air we need to stay healthy. Another gift from nature!
Fall is a beautiful time of year and my personal favorite season. The arrival of fall means crisp air, falling leaves, pumpkins and nostalgia. As much as I try to savor this special time I also severely struggle with the change of season from hot to cold and what that means for my body and in particular my sinuses. For many people the change of seasons is when the immune system is the most compromised. For people that suffer from allergies this time of year is a struggle mainly because of something called Ragweed. Ragweed is the most common plant that causes allergies in the fall weather and can be highly uncomfortable when breathed in. Most people that are allergic to pollen are allergic to ragweed as well. When an individual breathes in particles of ragweed that are airborne, a protein called histamines get released in the body. This gives us the common symptoms of itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, closed throat, fatigue and even asthma attacks.
Even if you have never noticed allergies before, one year it might hit you along with flu-like symptoms this time of year. In Ayurveda there are three doshas that are said to govern the body and the seasons as well. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vata is usually the cold, dry and windy winter days, Pitta is the humid, hot summer and Kapha is the transition between these seasons. Most people will notice that they find themselves getting sick during the spring as well as the fall. This is because the temperature is drastically changing and the body is trying to adapt, this in turn is Kapha time. When Kapha is out of balance, the body can feel lethargic, exhausted, heavy, sick, and just over all low energy. This is when the immune system tends to get compromised and when our body builds up toxins and gets sick.
I am always on the look out during these times to avoid the common cold and fight allergies. This is an incredible find that I stumbled upon in the San Francisco airport during traveling. I was feeling congested and it looked like the perfect company for my 4 hour flight time. Aromafloria Sinus help Inhalation beads has been my savior during this high ragweed month. These are tiny inhalation beads to help combat and clear stuffiness, congestion and respiratory problems. The small jar of beads comes with a small cloth pouch which is to be filled and inhaled to soothe all sinus problems. The beads are filled with Eucalyptus, polyolefin, peppermint, lemongrass, and other natural essential oils. This product is truly amazing and makes you feel like you have been in a steam shower after inhaling. I keep thse by my bed when I feel a cold coming on or if I just need to open my sinuses and relieve some stress. The Aromafloria company, is eco friendly, sources environmentally sound packaging, never tested on animals, all products are 100% preservative free and 100% wind powered and organic. This is a great product to throw in your purse for traveling, help with allergy relief and other flu like symptoms and can even be used to help smokers clear their lungs. Another great find and one I recommend everyone use this holiday season!
http://www.aromafloria.com/detail.aspx?ID=42
As an avid beauty and health nut, I am always looking for new products and techniques to better myself. The inner truly reflects the outer and there is so much knowledge out there to refine both. Ayurveda is a philosophy that I have grown up with and a study that will always be close to my heart. Ayurveda literally means the Science of Life and is commonly known as an Eastern medicine practice native to India. Many of the techniques and products I use in my own life and have written about originate from Ayurveda. Many of these techniques I have grown up practicing and others I have excitedly added to my life with great results. A recent discovery of mine has been the Ayurvedic tradition of the Copper Cup. This is a simple and ancient ritual in India of drinking purified water out of a copper cup or jug. By drinking water from this metal the water is said to become energized and ionic. This happens when the copper is dissolved in the water, killing any bacteria or virus.
Copper is an essential nutrient for a healthy body and one that many individuals greatly lack in their diets. The water is said to be poured into the cup and left overnight so that it has time to be charged for the full effect, usually 8-10 hours. The water is then said to be drunk in the morning as soon and you are up from sleep. By drinking in the morning the copper has time to benefit the body throughout the day. It can also be refilled and drunk again in the evening before bed. The addition of copper in one's life can prevent and help cure many diseases. Copper can for starters greatly help in the aging process by promoting healthy skin and hair and purifying the blood. This is done because the copper produces melanin, which is necessary for pigmentation of eyes, hair and skin. This will help the skin become naturally colored and help eyes glow with health. Because copper helps in creating pigmentation, greying of the hair is also slowed and even prevented. The water that is drunk from a copper cup acts as a very strong and effective detoxifier, removing toxins immediately and increasing metabolism. Copper in the body is also an antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic, preventing cell damage and cancer cells from forming.
One of the most effective uses of copper is that is possesses an anti-convulsion property, which can prevent seizures and epilepsy in people. This in turn is fuel for the brain and helps in nerve coating formation. Copper has been often referred to as 'brain food' in that it restores balance in the brain and helps in effective functioning. Copper also aids in arthritis, inflammatory pains, bone strength, heart disease, and helps lower cholesterol. Copper is also a great way to ease digestion and help food assimilation. It greatly calms the fire or acidity that many people experience in the stomach.
Although there are foods out there that contain copper, many people find themselves deficient in this important mineral, especially vegetarians. These deficiencies can cause anemia, osteoporosis, low skin pigmentation, and thyroid problems. Drinking Copper infused water is the easiest, most effective and natural way of ensuring our body gets the right amount of this mineral. The taste of the water after it has been sitting in the copper is an unusual taste but tastes truly alive. Many believe that this water is literally magical and can greatly improve a persons, health, beauty and happiness. Copper tends to get dark stains on it when it is exposed to air after sometime. To prevent this and to clean your copper cup, use a lime to clean its surface, or vinegar and salt. Pregnant women should not add copper to their diet or people that are already taking other copper supplements. The Indian men that drank out of copper jugs each day were said to live long and healthy lives.This is another secret that I will carry with me for life! It is an easy and highly effective way to improve our health and beauty routines, cheers!
http://www.mapi.com/maharishi_ayurveda/products/ayurveda_herbal_remedies/coppercup.html
Recently started working for this company and I love their products and philosophy! One of the many items I use and love
