Organic Skincare: Pai Skincare

Did you know that 60% of what we put on our skin enters our bodies? Not a good thing if you need a chemical degree to read the ingredients in your products. Check out Pai Cosmetics, a plant based, chemical-free line. It's one of the few skincare lines certified by the SOIL Association and the first beauty company ever to get Social, Ethical and Environmental credentials.



Pai products really are natural. No artificial colors, fragrances, formaldehyde, mineral oils, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulphates. All cosmetics are made from organic ingredients, and the creams carry a shelf life of 9-24 months. There is no animal testing or ingredients sourced from animals, all Pai products have been trialled by willing humans.

Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin

The nourishing properties of echium seed extract is rich in stearidonic acid which helps to regenerate skin and reduce wrinkles. Echium Organic Eye Cream.

Happy Thursday!

The Majestic Plastic Bag: A Mockumentary

A little spoof on the journey of a plastic bag by Heal The Bay. Click here to send a letter, or call your senator, to ensure The Single Use Bag Reduction Act {Assembly Bill 1998} passes.

Do What You Love What You Do

{Letter Happy $10}

Bye Bye Belly Bloat

Foods to avoid to prevent feeling bloated:

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• Salt, salt seasonings, and highly processed foods. Since water is attracted to sodium, when you consume higher amounts of salt then you typically do, you will temporarily retain more fluid which contributes to feeling sluggish, a puffy face, and some extra water weight.

• Excess carbs.

• "Gassy Foods" like cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage, peppers, citrus fruits and legumes.

• Gum. While chewing gum, you swallow air, which gets trapped in your GI tract and causes pressure, and bloating.

• Sugar alcohols cause gas, abdominal distention, bloating, and diarrhea.

• Fried foods digest slowly which causes you to feel bloated and heavy.

• Carbonated and high acid drinks.

Restore Your Energy

A few tips on restoring your energy.

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• You need Vitamin B for your mitochondria to produce energy from glucose. The majority of us do not get enough of it, or enough Vitamin D, which we need to fight cancer, to keep arteries young and to help brain function. At the very least take a multivitamin in the morning and in the evening. Also try and get 10 minutes outdoors without sunscreen on.
  
• Drink green tea. It has one third the caffeine of black tea, but it's been shown to yield the same level of energy and attentiveness, in more even levels than the ups and downs associated with other caffeinated drinks. Drink it without milk though, as the casein in it has been shown to inhibit the beneficial effects of tea.
  
• Monitor your body so infections do not linger. Many infections are viral, so sleeping well, washing your hands frequently and eating a well balanced diet are helpful.
• Eat the whole grain chia, which can help restore energy levels and decrease inflammation because of its omega-3 fatty acids.
• Stay well hydrated.
• Avoid simple sugars, like glucose, sucrose, maltose or dextrose.
  
• While not always possible, try and get 8 hours of sleep a night {as many nights as possible}.
• One of the best ways to gain energy is by doing some physical activity. Try and get about 30-45 minutes a day in.

Botanical Beauty Benefits : Roses

The linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids in rosehip oil have been shown to offer fabulous results of cell regeneration and super hydration. High concentrations of vitamin A also help treat eczema, acne scars, sun-damage or mature skin. Rose petals have great astringent, bactericidal and some aphrodisiac properties as well.

Some great rose based eco-beauty products are:

• Wembe White Rose Cleansing Blend, is made with rose petals, is vegan, and uses organic vegetable dyes for its vibrant colors.

• Weleda is one of my favorite lines of skin care products. Their Wild Rose deodorant is natural and nontoxic.
  

You can read more on beauty benefits from flowers here.

Happy Monday! ;)

Superfood: Spirulina

Spirulina is a blue-green algae has been used as a nutritious food source dating back before the 16th century. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Spirulina made its come back, and is now being praised as a superfood of the future. As one of the highest sources of predigested proteins ever, the algae is 60-70% protein. One kilogram of Spirulina is equal to 1,000 kilograms of veggies!

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Countless studies suggest, that Spirulina supports a healthy immune and digestive system, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, is good for the brain and heart and provides us with loads of energy.

Some Highlights:

• Spirulina is rich in gamma linolenic acid and L-Phenylalanine, which supports your brain chemistry, improving communication between neurons. It also signals the release of the protein cholecystokinin, which helps the body feel full.
  

• It's low in calories.

• Spirulina is a steady sources of calcium, potassium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium & zinc.

• Spirulina protects from oxidative stress.
  

Adding Spirulina to Your Diet:

You can add some Spirulina powder to shakes and juices in the morning for breakfast or a snack throughout your day. The powder is the fastest acting, but capsule and tablet forms are good too. You can also find spirulina in health bars, shakes, protein powders and even in health food store baked goods.

Tips On Eating Less...Without Even Noticing

A few tips to eating smaller portions without even realizing it ;)

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• Try to leave the serving bowls off your table {except for the salad and veggies}.
  

• Serve your meals on 9-10 inch plates, which is a perfect size to prevent overloading your plate.
  

• Drink from skinny glasses, as your mind perceives height over width, you will think you have had more.

• Try to eat in a room which is not too bright and loud. People tend to eat more when they are overstimulated.
  

• Eat with smaller spoons {in one Cornell study, participants ate 11% less ice cream when they used a small scoop.

Why You Should Stop Drinking Bottled Water

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You Can If You Think You Can

{You Can If You Think You Can $15}

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Hemp Health Benefits

Hemp is a fibrous plant of three raw materials {bast fiber, hurds & seeds}. It is an environmentally friendly crop, cultivated for many industrial uses, and used to make everything from textiles and clothes, cereal and oil. Its seeds are nutritionally compared with flax seeds, containing essential amino acids and fatty acids. Boasting the richest natural single source of essential oils for human consumption, hemp oil helps to restore bodies and improve damaged immune systems.

Hemp has many benefits for both our Planet and for our health.

• Hemp seed is compressed into an oil such as olive oil, and is effective in treating ADHD, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis and contributes to the health of hair and skin. It is the only vegetarian source of the potent form of Omega 3 {minus the toxins often found in fish oil}. You can cook with hemp oil or pour some in dips and salad dressings for a nutty flavor.
  
  

{Good Hemp Seed Oil}

• Hemp is one of the safest, natural resources to maintain. Cultivation methods require no ecologically damaging chemicals, herbicides or pesticides.
• Hemp seed oil replenishes our essential fatty acids, helping our skin hold moisture and prevent skin aging. It is made up of 80% essential fatty acid, and contains the ideal ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 based on our cells needs. Other benefits have been said to include relief to acne, psoriasis and eczema. It is also the only plant that contains vitamin D.
• Hemp paper can be recycled up to seven rotations while pine pulp can only do three, because it has four times more fiber then pine trees.

The Healing Seed offers virgin organic hempseed oil body care products free of phthalates, parabens and sulphates.

• Their color safe shampoo and conditioner are scented with orange oil, and a dime sized amount {used like a styling product} run through towel dried hair can reduce frizz while adding texture and bounce, due to hempseed oil’s ability to penetrate the scalp and infuse it with nutrients.
• The facial cleanser acts like a detoxifier easily lifting dirt and makeup, relives redness, and noticeable signs of inflammation. The facial cream will reduce fine lines after a few days, because the gamma-linolenic acid helps stimulate new skin growth ;)
  

Superfood: Chlorophyll

Ever wonder why plants are green? Leafy greens have the superfood chlorophyll to thank for their color. Chlorophyll is what absorbs energy from the sun to facilitate photosynthesis. It is key to plants growth and respiration, and many scientists and nutritionists have found that it is vital to our bodies as well.

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After ingested, chlorophyll imitates the job of hemoglobin {transports red blood cells and makes 75% of your body} in our bodies, helping repair and increase the production of red blood cells. It boosts our energy, detoxifies our bodies, fights infection, heals wounds, and promotes the health of the circulatory, digestive and immune systems.

• Chlorophyll kills bad breath by acting as a deodorizer and promoting a healthy digestive tract.
• Is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Full of vitamin A, C and E, chlorophyll helps keep the immune system strong and protect from free radicals. It’s also rich in vitamin K, folic acid, iron, calcium and protein.
  
• Chlorophyll protects against carcinogens in fungus-laden foods like nuts and grains and, get this, even the airborne crap from pollution.

In addition to eating your greens, you can get liquid chlorophyll supplements in capsule or liquid form.

Healthier Nail Polish

Conventional nail polishes contain about around 70%, of chemical solvents such as toluene, acetates and alcohol, which seep into the air we breath once applied. Some 'natural' nail polishes still contain chemicals that are not that great for our health and planet. While, the following nail polishes might not be 100% healthy approved, they are free of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, & formaldehyde.

Zoya nail polish is formaldehyde, toluene, DBP and camphor-free. With 300+ vegan polishes, you will have no problem finding your perfect shade. It was also named by Women's Health Magazine "longest lasting polish".

SpaRitual nail lacquers are DBP, formaldehyde and toluene-free with no synthetic dyes, parabens or petrochemicals. They also come in eco-friendly packaging.

Acquarella is a non-toxic, water-based alternative to conventional polishes with more than 20 colors. No formaldehyde, phthalates or chemical solvents and absolutely no animal byproducts!

Happy Monday...Twinkle Toes ;)

Krochet Kids International

The Steven is a new handmade line of thin laptop sleeves by Krochet Kids International, to empower women in Northern Uganda to rise above poverty. Each laptop case, made of organic cotton and locally sourced yarn from Uganda and Kenya, is hand knit, sewn, zippered & labeled by the Northern Uganda women. The Steven comes in three styles and is $49.95. Also, half of the proceeds are donated to children’s education initiatives in the developing country.

The Krochet Program consists of ten Ugandan women who sew in a small brick hut. Each purchase not only helps them rise above poverty, but its helps their entire community as well.