Something besides coffee this morning...

I must finally be hitting my blogging rhythm cuz I had some profound blogging thoughts in the shower this morning. However, if you know me you know that mornings are not when I'm at my best so I hope I can remember it all now!

Just wanted to share with you how much I LOVE Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap! I opened a fresh bar this morning and for a meager $4.05 from my favorite health store (Food For Thought) it was a just what I needed to get me going this morning! In fact, I was so caught up in this small bit of luxury that I was inspired to even shave my legs....sorry T.M.I. You may think 4 bucks for a bar of soap is spendy, but who hasn't spent that on one cup of fancy coffee? Besides I promise you this bar of soap will live for quite a while compared to your average sulfate laden, skin drying stuff you find at Walmart. 

NOW:

Having suddenly remembered again why I switched to the natural soap I am putting it on my list to switch to a healthier shampoo. I have a lot of hair-do hangups so this should be an interesting project....stay tuned.



Here is the description from Dr. Bronner's website:

DESCRIPTION:Our most popular fragrance. The peppermint essential oil tingles the body and clears the mind. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant it increases vitality and clarity. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Wrapped in 10% hemp-flax / 90% post-consumer recycled paper from Living Tree Paper Co.

INGREDIENTS:

Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Mentha Arvensis*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil*, Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS

** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin

Summer Skin Nutrition: Watermelon

Watermelon has beneficial effects on the body's fluid balance, helping prevent water retention and promoting well-hydrated skin. It supports the body in shedding excess fluid, which is often held in the face, hands, ankles and feet. Watermelon is 92 percent water and 6 percent sugar, stays well diluted, does not negatively affect blood sugar levels and helps pull watter into the cells. The bright red color of the flesh is due to the watermelon's high levels of the carotenoid antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, which help protect skin from the damage caused by the sun's ultravoilet rays. Its diuretic effects help clean out the kidneys, thus supporting revitalizing detoxification. Eat slices of watermelon to cool down on a hot day, or make juice by scooping out the seeds and blending the flesh.

Source: LNE & Spa June 2011

Summer Skin Nutrition: Red Bell Peppers

The color of the red bell pepper comes from the antioxidant carotenoid lycopene, just one of the nutrients that distinguishes them from green bell peppers. It also has twice the vitamin C and about nine time the carotene as thier green counterpart. Its rich vitamin A content helps stop the damage to skin from ultraviolet light, which can appear in the form of wrinkles and age spots. The folate, needed for cell growth and skin renewal, keeps skin looking young. The red bell pepper's fat-soluble carotenoid needs oil to carry it into the body, so eating it with olive oil will double its health benefit and optimize its absorption.

(source: LNE & Spa June 2011)

Summer Skin Nutrition: Raspberries

Bursting with vitamin C and proanthocyanidins, raspberries have one of the highest antioxidant profiles of any fruit. They support circulation and, in combination with vitamin C, contribute to the health and vitality of our veins, skin and hair. These wonder berries are high in fiber, which helps remove toxins from the body. Fiber is as important as antioxidant content in the pursuit of staying young because it helps the body rid itself of toxins. Buy these beauties in season from local growers to enjoy the maximum benefit from thier nutrient content and choose the darkest berries.

(source: LNE & Spa June 2011)

Yum! I like 'em on yogurt with a little granola...try it!

I have been answering so many questions about sunless tanning lately. I think with summer heat creeping in and the shorts coming out people are considering it. Sunless tanning has come along way in just the last 5 years that I've been doing it. It looks more natural than it used to and the formulas seem to be of much higher quality than they once were too. So with more and more newcomers to the sunless concept I thought I'd share my own personal sunless success strategy:

The secret to sunless tanning success is all in the preparation.

The night before or the morning of my spray tan I do the following:

• Shave
• Use a sugar scrub on the top and bottom of my feet and on my elbows if they feel rough. (100% pure body scrub is what I have.)
• Scrub my whole body (not face) with a body brush and natural soap (I like Dr. Bronners)
• Use my Clarisonic brush on my face with my 302 Cleanser.
• After my shower I moisturize entire body (not face) with 302 Body Treatment Lotion and use 302 Recovery lotion on my face.

Seconds before my spray tan:

•  I put an excessive amount of body lotion on the bottom of my feet and a little of it on my hands and wrists. (we keep this in the tanning room)
• I do not wash off my makeup since I usually only wear a couple light layers of mineral powder makeup and the spray tan soaks right through it nicely. If you are wearing liquid makeup I recommend removing it or not wearing it to your spray tan appointment.
• Once I'm done being sprayed I wipe off the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. I usually wipe the soles of my feet several times. (using baby wipes that we keep in the tanning room)

After my spray tan:

• I wait at least 8 hours to shower although it usually ends up being at least 12 hours just because of my schedule.
• I use moisturizer on my whole body (including face) after my shower. I alternate daily between body lotion and 302 Sunless Tanning Gel. This makes my tan look better longer and it tends to fade more evenly too. Also if you're shaving alot this will help keep color on your legs since shaving exfoliates some of the color off each time.
• I use the Swedish Foot File on the soles of my feet after that first shower and it tends to correct any spray tan that accidently got left on the bottom of my feet, plus it keeps my feet from looking rough and callus-y in my flip flops.
• On day 3 or 4 I use the body brush lightly on my whole body again. Don't know why but seems too make my tan look better, longer.
• When my tan starts to visibly fade, I do the total exfoliation all over and repeat daily until I feel most of the sunless tanner is gone.

Then it's time to get another spray tan!

 

Summer Skin Nutrition: Cucumbers

One of my favorites...
Not only do they actually have a cooling effect on the body, they are a great source of silica which is a mineral needed for a healthy complexion. Cukes have a high water content too so you get the bonus of extra hydration too! It's a win/win with this vegetable all the way around. They reduce inflammation and prevent dryness AND they remove toxins that can cause further aging.
Everyone knows you can put a couple slices on the eyes to fight puffiness and fatique, but did you know you can use cucumber juice for cooling relief on cuts, burns and some skin conditions?

So when you're in the produce isle picking out those cucumbers, envision yourself as a fresh beauty with non-puffy eyes and ultra hydrated, smooth skin!

Summer Skin Nutrition: Avacados

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
Avocados have both monosaturated and polyunsaturated fat.
These healthy fats help to maintain the water level in the epidermis and supply the ceramides and fats that keep the bricks and mortar of the skin healthy and intact. This translates into less itchy, healthy-looking, glowing skin.


...so break out the guacamole' or put a healthy dose of avacodo on your next salad or try them on a sandwich...or just have one for a snack if you want they are yummy!
(Try to remember they have a lot of calories, recommended serving size is 2 tablespoons which is about on fifth of an avacado)....