Hair Days of Summer

Swimming

Now that the weather is warming up we can’t help but think about lazy summer days laying out by the pool or on the beach. We protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but what about our hair? Our hair is made up of the same protein our skin and nails are made of, Keratin, so our hair is also susceptible to the elements. Swimming in chlorinated pools or the salt water of the ocean, and yes, even the sun, can damage our hair. Proper hair care before and after swimming can help keep hair healthy.

Chlorine from a swimming pool or salt water can make hair dry and brittle, causing it to split or break. Preventing these kinds of issues should begin before you step foot in the water. Pretreat your hair with a natural oil, such as jojoba or coconut, to smooth the cuticle. This seals your hair, preventing chemicals and salt to penetrate the cuticle. If these oils are not readily available, simply wetting your hair before getting into the water will saturate the strands leaving no room for chemicals or salt.

After swimming, you should always wash and condition your hair. This is a great time to use a deep conditioner to replenish any moisture lost.

Preventing damage is simple and quick, and you don’t have to worry about swimming being rough on your hair anymore.

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Guide to Pesticides

Fruits and Veggies

We all need to eat our fruits and vegetables. They are delicious, and they say they are good for us, but fruits and veggies containing pesticides should definitively be avoided.

Pesticides are known to cause damage to the nervous system, birth defects, and cancer. And according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) children are especially sensitive to pesticides, as their organs are still developing and maturing. 

Every year The Environmental Working Group (EWG) produces a list of the most pesticide-contaminated produce, using analysis of more than 28,000 samples tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. According to the EWG, the organization’s ranking uses “six measures of pesticide hazards, among them, the number of pesticides detected on a crop and the percent of samples testing positive”.

On the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list, apples came in #1, followed by strawberries, grapes and celery. They also have a Clean Fifteen list containing fruits and veggies with the lowest pesticide contamination. That list included corn, onions, pineapples and avocados.

“When given a choice, more consumers are choosing organic fruits and vegetables or using EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to find an easy, affordable way to avoid toxic chemicals,” said Sonya Lunder, and EWG senior analyst. “They want to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables without eating too many pesticides. And they want to support local farms and agriculture that is better for the environment”.

So let’s think twice before we buy our produce. Where are they coming from? How are they grown? Buying local and organic is probably the best way to go.

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Coffee Scrub for Cellulite

Coffee

Cellulite is a very common issue.  It doesn’t matter how much you weigh, everyone has cellulite. Cellulite developes overtime in areas of our bodies that don’t get enough circulation. That’s why it’s more prevalent in our thighs and butts… we sit on them all day long. Cellulite is made up of toxins that the body is unable to get rid of it.  Exercising will help in getting rid of cellulite and improve circulation.

Coffee, however, can also help. This stimulating substance is rich in caffeine. Caffeine works to dilate the blood vessels so that blood can flow better inside the body, aiding in poor circulation. It also stimulates the vessels and allow for detoxification. Caffeine can enhance fat metabolism right beneath the skin, where cellulite developes. It is easily absorbed when applied directly on the skin. It’s also a diuretic, getting rid of some of the fluid out in the fat beneath your skin, making cellulite less visible.

Instead of purchasing cellulite creams, try this DIY coffee scrub. It contains the same active ingredient as those expensive creams… caffeine.

Combine 1/2 cup of coffee grinds with extra virgin olive oil. Use as much olive oil as it takes to make a paste. You can also add brown sugar for extra exfoliation. If you choose to add sugar, make sure you add more olive oil as well. While in the shower, rub the mixture into the skin in a circular motion. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off. (Fresh, caffeinated coffee grinds are best, but you can also use your brewed coffee grinds, instead of throwing them away.)

Enjoy!

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Dandelions: Not Just a Nasty Weed

Dandelion

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been noticing an increasing number of articles about dandelions. From desserts to teas to the nuisance they are, I’ve seen and read about it all. Maybe it’s because they are starting to invade our yards and we don’t know what to do with them all. Well, here’s what I’ve learned:

This common weed is readily found in our yards and nearby parks, so collecting them for recipes should be very easy. Dandelions are especially great for relieving bloat. They are a strong diuretic, cleansing the liver and kidneys, relieving bloat and detoxing our system at the same time. But unlike synthetic diuretics, one advantage of dandelion is that they are a good source of potassium, a nutrient lost through the use of other diuretics. Dandelions contain  a large amount a vitamin C and iron, and they contain more vitamin A than carrots.

Make a tea using dandelion leaves and water, adding some honey for taste, to relieve PMS symptoms. You can also find dandelion in capsules.

Enjoy!

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Vitiligo Routine

Vitiligo

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about my Vitiligo, so today I just wanted to give you an update and share part of my routine.

I have noticed some slight depigmentation on my hands and feet since my last vitiligo post. Although it’s very minor and slow progressing, I am doing everything I can to keep my stress levels low, as stress can accelerate depigmentation.

As I have mentioned before, I have tried some European, Mexican, and South American topical medication that claim to help re-pigment the skin. However, these have not had any positive, or negative, effects on my vitiligo. One thing that I always use, and never leave home without, is Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. I don’t usually promote the use of petroleum byproducts, but years ago, a good friend, and MD specializing in natural medicine, told me to use Vaseline on my white spots everyday. I have to say, this is the only thing I have used and actually seen re-pigmentation. I don’t know why it works for me, but I feel it’s what keep my vitiligo from progressing faster. Now I’m not say that this is a cure, or that it will work for you, or that you should even try it. I’m just sharing what I do.

I also like to get a lot of sun. I’m so glad the weather has warmed up enough so I can get some good, vitamin D producing sun rays. We get most of our vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D produces melanin, which gives us our pigment. This has also helped the re-pigmentation in some areas of my skin. Again, this is what I do for me. Please consult your doctor before trying anything new. Also, I always use sunblock to protect my already sensitive skin.

What is your vitiligo routine?

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Spring Daffodils

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Daffodils are a sure sign that spring is here. Daffodils come in wonderful colors and slightly different shapes. These flowers, a favorite of many flower gardeners, have a pleasing aroma and are easy to grow and care for. Daffodils are grown from bulbs and can be found at any garden nursery, home improvement store or can be ordered from catalogs.

But they don’t need to be planted outside. Daffodils can be planted in containers indoors as well, just place them near a sunny window and make sure you keep their soil moist, not wet.

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Essential Finds: The Flower Recipe Book

flowerrecipebook

I consider myself a very creative person. I love crafts and decorating. I love taking something that’s not so great and turning it into something fabulous. I really enjoy it.

When it comes to flowers, however, I SUCK!! I can’t for the life of me put together a decent flower arrangement. Flowers are the Kryptonite to my creative powers. Until yesterday…

Yesterday I stumbled upon what I think might be my salvation from the world of ugly flower arrangements. The Flower Recipe Book, by Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo, immediately caught my eye at Barnes and Noble. I picked it up, flipped through a few of its beautiful pages, and I knew I had to have it. This book gives clear, step by step instructions on how to create a floral masterpiece, and how to care for your flowers. It provides the reader with a list of “ingredients” so you know exactly what blooms to buy and how many you will need, which is exactly what I need! And of course you can use your creativity to change things up and make these creations your own, using different flowers and unique vessels to put them in.

I am super excited about this book and can’t wait to make my first fabulous arrangement. I’m sure I’ll be referring back to this book regularly in future posts, as I explore this new world of beautiful flower arrangements.

Stay tuned!

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Beauty Basics 101: Coconut

Coconut

I will eat almost any dessert that has coconut in it. I really enjoy the taste and the texture of it. However, I do not like cooking with coconut oil… go figure. Although many people love the taste of it, coconut in savory dishes is not for me.

I do, however, have many other uses for my coconut oil. Coconut oil has a number of health, dietary, and medicinal benefits. But mostly, coconut oil is used in beauty products.

Coconut oil, also called coconut butter, is solid until you put it in your hand, where it then melts immediately. It is rich in antioxidants, which slows the aging process of the skin, and antiseptic fatty acids, which keeps away harmful bacteria and fungus in the skin. It is also very moisturizing, but not for the reason you might think. Coconut oil is not easily absorbed by the skin. Instead, it mostly sits on the surface of the skin acting as a protective layer, keeping moisture in. This leaves the skin pretty slick for a while, until it is absorbed. I would not recommend this oil if your skin is already oily, as it may clog your pores.

I do not use coconut oil, on its own, on my face; but I do mix it with other ingredients when making some of my homemade moisturizers. I do, however, use extra virgin coconut oil as a body moisturizer. But I still don’t like the feeling of greasy skin… What to do? I take a nice hot shower, which opens up my pores and readies them to receive nutrients. I then, before drying off, apply my coconut oil all over my body, except for my face. I do all this while still in the shower, being carefull not to slip, as the oil can my me and my shower very slick. Then I pat dry the excess oil and water. I feel this process helps my skin absorb the oil much faster and not leave the surface of my skin so oily, but rather with a silky feel and glow.

How do you use your coconut oil? Let me know.

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Spring Cleaning: Healthy Cleaning Habits

Spring Cleaning

We consider our homes a safe haven. It’s where we cultivate our families and memories. We would never think our home could be a place that harbors dangerous toxins. Unfortunately, our homes are, most likely, the place we will pick up skin and respiratory irritations, bacterial infections, and find dust and dust mite build-up. Incorporating healthy cleaning habits will help alleviate these problems.

Circulating Indoor Air
Spring is the perfect time to open up all the windows and doors and allow fresh air to circulate through the house. Getting rid of that old air that’s been locked in tight in your home all winter long will instantly refresh the home.

Minimizing Dust
Removing clutter will help minimize dust. Remove dust with microfiber cloths, which will trap the dust instead of spreading it. A “no shoe policy” indoors will also help eliminate tacking in dirt and dust from the outside.

Sponges
Use biodegradable sponges and reusable, non-toxic cleaning cloths, which can be washed, instead of sponges. Sponges trap bacteria, which can be easily spread throughout the house, cross-contaminating and infecting everything it touches.

Clean From the Top Down
Save the floor for last. Clean window blinds and shelves first, and work downwards. This will allow the any dust that escapes your cleaning cloth to fall to the floor. Allowing time for all the dust to settle before vacuuming will make sure you get all of it.

Keep it up!

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