By Jodi Hettinga

There’s nothing better than finding natural remedies for your skin care needs. With so many chemicals and manufactured components in our makeup, lotions, and skin care products, it’s a relief to discover beauty products that are made of clean and natural ingredients. Even better is finding natural remedies for your skin that you can make at home, with items already found in your kitchen.

Homemade facial masks are the most effective and nourishing facial masks I use; here are some of my favorites:

Moisturizing Avocado Mask

1/2 Ripe Avocado

Mash avocado with a fork and apply evenly to face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool to warm water. If you’d like extra moisturizing, or have extra dry skin, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the mix.

Exfoliating Brown Sugar Mask

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoon regular milk

Mix the two ingredients well and massage into face for 1 minute. Leave on skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with cool to warm water.

Soothing Yogurt Mask

1/4 cup plain yogurt

2 drops essential oil; preferably lavender or jasmine.

Mix yogurt and oil, apply evenly to face, and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. I usually use Greek yogurt, but regular yogurt is good as well. This mask is great for irritated and/or sunburned skin, and when using these natural remedies for your face, you can choose to add the oil or not; it all depends on the dryness of your skin.

Firming and Pore Shrinking Egg White Mask

1-2 egg whites

Whip the egg whites in a bowl until fluffy. Apply evenly to face and leave on for 15 minutes or until dry. Rinse with warm water. If you’d like to add a little nourishment to this mask, add 1 teaspoon of honey.

Refreshing Cucumber Mask

1/2 cucumber; chopped

1 tablespoon regular yogurt

1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley

Puree all the ingredients in a blender till smooth. Apply evenly to face and rise off with warm water after 15 minutes.

They say you are what you eat, and that what’s good for you on the inside is also good for you on the outside. Ingredients that make your body healthy and strong also keep your skin glowing and well cared for. Rather than reaching for chemicals and layers of expensive product, there are natural remedies for your skin care needs. All you need to do is browse your local grocery store aisle, stock up, and start mixing!

via Natural Remedies for Skin Care @dailyglow

With roots in Aryuveda no one knows natural beauty like the Indians! Try these hair masks to treat and tame damaged hair with ingredients from you probably already have kitchen. Jacq

Egg mask

1. Beat two eggs alongwith their yolks with two tablespoons of water.

2. Massage the concoction into clean, damp hair.

3. Keep it on for ten to fifteen minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Going bananas

1. Mash one banana and mix it well with one beaten egg, three tablespoons honey, three tablespoons milk and five tablespoons olive oil.

2. Apply on hair and wash off with a gentle shampoo after 15 to 30 minutes depending on the extent of hair damage.

Yo yogurt!

1. Remove the yolk from an egg and beat the egg white till it is nice and frothy.

2. Add six tablespoons of yogurt to the potion.

Massage it into hair and wait 15 to 30 minutes for the magic to unveil.

3. Wash out with a mild shampoo.

Milk and honey mask

1. All you need to do is mix a tablespoon of honey with a cup of full fat milk.

2. Apply evenly on hair.

3. Wash off with a mild shampoo after 15 minutes.

Fenugreek mask

1. You need to keep fenugreek seeds overnight in a little water, enough to soak them not drown them.

2. Grind the seeds to a fine paste the next morning and apply it to your hair.

3. Wash it out with a mild shampoo after 15 to 20 minutes.

Olive and egg mask

1. Whisk five tablespoons of olive oil and two eggs to a foamy mixture.

2. Massage it in your hair.

3. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for at least 30 minutes for the oil to penetrate into your hair.

4. Wash off with a gentle shampoo.

Banana and almond mask

1. Add a few drops of almond oil to one mashed ripe banana.

2. Mix it well and massage it thoroughly into hair.

3. Wash it off with a mild shampoo after 15 to 30 minutes.

via Try some exotic homemade hair masks – Times Of India.

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. -Buddha

What is BPA?

BPA is short for Bisphenol-A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic, the hard clear plastic widely used in food and beverage containers like portable water bottles and in the lining of most canned goods including soups and sodas. It can leak into food and beverages stored in these containers, especially when they are acidic, high in fat or subjected to high heat such as in the dish washer or microwave. It’s been used since the 60′s and a study of over 2000 people in the U.S. found that over 90% had traces of BPA in their urine.

Why should I be concerned?

Research has shown that in certain amounts BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor by mimicking the human hormone estrogen. In 2008 the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in which higher BPA levels were associated with higher incidences of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and abnormal levels of certain liver enzymes. There is a long list of studies concluding there is at least some cause for concern about the association of high BPA levels to many major health issues from neurological disorders and cancer to reproductive issues and obesity.

What is the FDA’s position?

In 2008 the FDA declared BPA safe but began expressing some concern in 2010 stating in it’s report on BPA:
“on the basis of results from recent studies… The National Institutes of Health and FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children…FDA is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.
In the interim FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. These steps include:
*supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market
*facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans; and
supporting efforts to replace BPA or minimize BPA levels in other food can linings.
*FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA.
*FDA is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA.
*FDA is also supporting recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services for infant feeding and food preparation to reduce exposure to BPA.”

So you can see there is “support” by the FDA to move away from products containing BPA but the only change in regulation has been the ban of BPA in baby bottles and toddlers sippy cups.

What can I do to avoid BPA?

1. Avoid Canned Goods Containing BPA
In a study by Harvard subjects who ate one serving of canned soup a day for 2 weeks had a more than 1200% increase in their BPA levels. Here are some some good alternatives…

Make Your Own
Nothing beats homemade tomato sauce and soup. Use fresh veggies instead of canned whenever possible. Beans require a little planning but just soak overnight and boil for an hour and you’re good to go. When homemade isn’t an option try…

Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes

This brand owned by General Mills has been using BPA free cans since 2011. Look for cans with use by dates of 2013 or later. Available at Whole Foods, some supermarkets and online

Pomi Tomatoes

Pomi tomatoes are packed in a BPA free tetra pack. They are reportedly pesticide free though not certified organic. Available at most major supermarkets.

Eden Organic Canned Beans, Chili and Rice

Eden has been using BPA free can liners for their beans since 1999. Available at Whole Foods and online.

Trader Joe’s Brand

Trader Joe’s has made this statement “all Tetra Pak is BPA-free. The same goes for all of the plastics we use (i.e., our plastic water bottles, cookie tubs, etc.) All of our canned fish, chicken, and beef are now in BPA-free cans EXCEPT: sardines, crab, Cherrystone clams, & oysters. Our suppliers are working on a 2012 BPA-free solution for these exceptions. All of our canned fruits and vegetables (including but not limited to tomatoes, beans, and the organic canned pumpkin, which is a seasonal item) are in BPA-free cans EXCEPT: mandarins, hatch chilies, artichokes, organic baked beans. We are working on an early 2012 BPA-free solution for these products, as well. Coconut Milk is also in a BPA-free can. All pet food is in BPA-free cans.”

Soups and Sauces in Glass Jars

Just reuse or recycle after.

2. Use Stainless Steel Water Bottles

They’re better for your body and better for the environment! Some metal water bottles have BPA containing plastic liners so make sure it’s liner free.

3. Avoid #7 Plastics

While not all #7 plastics contain BPA, many do. Numbers 1, 2, and 4 do not.

4. Do Not Heat Items in Plastic Containers or put Plastic in the Dishwasher or use Plastic Containers for Hot Liquids.

How Can I Make a Difference?

The first thing I came up with is to share this information to help others stay informed, hence this blogpost. Now all you have to do is hit the share buttons below. One of the best ways consumers can advocate for change is by using their dollars to support companies who do not use BPA in their packaging. As awareness grows so will the demand for BPA-free products and, as we learned in high school economics class, as demand grows you can be sure the supply will also. That would be good news for all of us!

Here’s to our health! Cheers, Jacq

Here’s a useful guide that gives you all the basics…Jacq

How to shop for, prepare and cook healthy vegetables.

If you want more fiber, nutrients and antioxidants in your diet—eat more vegetables! We know it’s tough to expand your vegetable vocabulary when you don’t know how to cook unfamiliar varieties, so we’ve compiled this cooking guide for 20 of our favorite vegetables. Click on the link below to find grocery shopping tips, quick and easy preparation techniques and cooking methods to bring out the flavor of each vegetable. Start with 1 pound untrimmed raw vegetables.

click here: The Eating Well Guide to Cooking 20 Vegetables.

1. Bikram Yoga, practised in heat and humidity, can help you acclimate to the season’s warmth by “teaching” your body to cool itself more efficiently and effectively through sweat. It also arms you with coping tools (focus, concentration and deep breathing) to help you better manager when summertime temperatures reach unbearable heights.

2. It works the other way around, too. When the yoga room feels cooler than the great outdoors, practising becomes a cakewalk! With a body (muscles, joints and ligaments) that’s already nice and warm when you enter the studio, you’ll likely find you’re more flexible and can go deeper into the postures during the summer.

3. Bikram Yoga encourages you to stay well hydrated by keeping on top of your water intake and replenishing your electrolytes regularly. During the hot summer months this can be a boon outside the hot room, too!

4. Warmer weather often translates into a lighter appetite, which in turn means you’re less inclined to scarf down a steak or polish off a big bowl of chili right before class. This can take your Bikram Yoga practice to a new level by relieving you of that “full” feeling and letting you go much deeper into the postures.

5. The summer heat can make you feel stifled and sluggish; Bikram Yoga is a great way to fill your tank with energy by increasing your oxygen intake and balancing the various systems of the body.

6. Bikram Yoga is a great physical workout, burning a plethora of calories per 90-minute class and buffing your bod in all the right places. You’ll look great and feel more comfortable and confident in your skin – not to mention swimsuit – all summer long!

7. Unlike winter, when people like to hibernate at home, summertime means patios and parties – lots and lots of patios and parties. Make sure you sweat all those extra toxins out of your system by committing to regular stints in the hot room!

8. Summertime is your time – what better way to spend it than by focusing on your health and wellbeing and fitting in plenty of “me” moments with daily Bikram Yoga sessions that force you to forget about everything else and focus solely on you?

9. Planning on swimming, hiking, sailing, biking, jogging, beach volleyball-ing and doing any number of other fun summertime sports? Bikram Yoga will give you the athletic upper hand no matter what outdoor activity you choose, increasing your strength, stamina, balance and co-ordination.

10. We’re not saying you shouldn’t come to class this summer BUT, with more students planning out-of-town vacations this season you may just wind up in several intimate classes, where the teacher’s able to devote some extra personal TLC to a smaller group of students. This can really benefit your practice, allowing you to soak up more knowledge and ask all your burning questions before and after class!

via Top 10 Reasons to Stick With Bikram Yoga this Summer.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Read this and you’ll be out buying coconut oil today.  It’s great to use topically on your skin and hair too! -Jacq 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

You’ve no doubt noticed that for about the last 60 years, the majority of health care officials and the media have been telling you saturated fats are bad for your health and lead to a host of negative consequences, including high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Meanwhile during this same 60 years, the American levels of heart disease, obesity, elevated serum cholesterol and Alzheimer’s have skyrocketed.

Did you know that multiple studies on Pacific Island populations who get 30-60 percent of their total caloric intake from fully saturated coconut oil have all shown nearly non-existent rates of cardiovascular disease? (1)

The fact is, all saturated fats are not created equal.

Read more @ Dr. Joseph Mercola: Coconut Oil Benefits: When Fat Is Good For You.

Reblogged from the beach house kitchen:

I find it quite alarming that most fruits and vegetables grown that are not classed organic are covered with all sorts of chemicals which are of detriment to our health.  With long term exposure to such chemicals, namely pesticides, we can develop serious illness.  They cannot be washed off or peeled away, they absorb into the fruits and veg and then into our bodies.  

Read more… 861 more words

Organic produce

I find it quite alarming that most fruits and vegetables grown that are not classed organic are covered with all sorts of chemicals which are of detriment to our health.  With long term exposure to such chemicals, namely pesticides, we can develop serious illness.  They cannot be washed off or peeled away, they absorb into the fruits and veg and then into our bodies.  The elderly and young are most effected by this.

I realise we cannot all be super healthy, uber organic munching beings.  We normally lead hard lives in a difficult situations and mostly live in very polluted cultures/societies, this relates to physical pollution (the air we breath, what we choose to eat and drink….) and also the mental pollution that we tolerate and consume via the media and skewed social norms that do not promote health, love and vitality.  Many of these social norms seem to be leading us away from happiness and our connection with nature and each other.

A few people have mentioned to me that man only developed into a sophisticated being (that’s what we are!?!) when he began cooking and eating meat in prehistory.  So why revert to a plant based diet?  I believe we have come a long way since then!!!!  We certainly have more choices than a caveman would, more science at our disposal and a better understanding of nutrition.  What we eat affects our entire being, it is not just fuel for the body to feed of, it can be an inspiration experience, a opportunity to be creative.  Food, and the enjoyment of it, is a life long passion that can brighten every day.  Eating food that is made with love is a huge step towards a healthy existence, this food must also be grown with care and love.

We will all get ill at some stage of life, this is for certain.  The choices that Jane and I are making now are not only based on a more vibrant lifestyle and a greater sense of vitality, but on putting a few extra miles on the clock.  Giving ourselves a better chance of enjoying our later years and experimenting with our bodies whilst we are young and in our prime(ish).

I may sound like a broken record here, but it is VERY important.  We are what we eat…….   Industrialised farming techniques and major pesticide corporations are definitely not your friend.  Moving to a vegetarian diet is a step in the right direction for the environment (plant based foods, on average, us five times less land and generate ten times less CO2 emissions than animal based foods).  It can also be a great choice healthwise.

The next major step that we face is trying to control our own food supply.  If we can take control of the food we buy and educate ourselves about how it is produced, we begin to change the way that we eat and view food in general.  We make a statement to the food producers that we will not tolerate substandard food that harms us and has little or no nutritional value or flavour.

Seasonal, organic produce has a greater concentration of nutrients, meaning less is more!  You only need a smaller portion and your body is satisfied.  Non-organically produce foods can have as much as 50% less vitamins and minerals present as organically grown ones.

If we accept rubbish produce, they will keep feeding us rubbish produce.  If we demand better, we will inevitably get better.  This is the wonderful power that us modern day consumers have.  Demand the best for yourself and the planet.  Most people take better care of their cars than their bodies!  Give yourself the best fuel possible and you will run on and on and……………

The way that we spend and direct out pounds/dollars/yen/rupees makes all the difference.  It is one of our greatest methods of influencing our societies which are increasingly controlled by large, profit hungry corporations/governments (the difference has become negligible).

This post is not designed to put anyone off eating vegetables and fruit!  It is a platform for information, produced by an independent research body, that will assist you in making an informed choice the next time you hit the market or shop.

I found the below information useful when trying to balance the cost of shopping organic with the potential moral and health factors of not buying certain organic produce.  The truth is, in our location, we cannot always buy organic, it is too costly and sometimes unavailable.  We don’t worry about some non-organic produce slipping onto our plate, life’s to short!  But we much prefer the ‘good stuff’, mainly due to the ethics of the people who decide to produce organically.  They are our kind of folk.

Below is a list of produce that you should try to buy organically, due to the high levels of pesticides used to grow them by non-organic means:

Fruits

Apples, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, strawberries

Vegetables

Bell peppers, carrots, celery, lettuce, all root vegetables.

And here are some foods with lower amounts of pesticides:

Fruits

Avocado, kiwi, mango, tomato, papaya, pineapple, watermelon

Vegetables

Asparagus, broccoli, corn, cabbage, aubergine, onion, sweet peas.

(Taken from the raw food book ‘Live Raw’ by Mimi Kirk)

I genuinely believe a good diet is one of the primary steps to making the world a better place to be and buying organic (or demanding organic!) is a choice well worth making.

Wishing long and healthy lives for you allXXXXX

by Jesica Cockerham

Just like any other beauty product you can pick up at the drug store, sunscreen contains a laundry list of harmful chemicals that you should not ignore. Many people immediately are in disbelief when they hear that. “What do you mean? Sunscreen PROTECTS my skin!” Well, unfortunately, that’s not completely true. If you care about the toxins that enter your body via the largest system in your body: the integumentary system (which includes your skin) then this is important.

It is good to remember that if you would not eat it, you might want to consider why you are putting it onto your skin (substances are absorbed through skin and go DIRECTLY into your bloodstream, unlike food that gets the benefit of kidneys and a liver to filter out impurities).

read more including the authors reccomendation for the best natural sunscreen on… Sunscreen- Something To Note | Run On Organic.