Mar 21, 2016 | Body & Beauty, Health & Wellness
As we get older, our bodies change. But as a woman, that shouldn’t feel like a punishment or force you to slow you down. We want to bring you some comforting tips for dealing with your hormones in a way that supports you and helps you feel good.
Here are the 6 tips you need to take back control of your changing hormones:
Tip #1: Food for Hormones
The best medicine is preventative, and the most preventative medicine is found in the food that you eat. Eating good fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein will provide your body with the nutrients it needs and will keep your hormone levels under control. Also, have plenty of fruits and vegetables at every meal. It’s best to eat three meals a day and two or more snacks to keep your blood sugar stable. And reduce carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates and sugars.
Tip #2: Spirulina
This blue-green algae comes from lakes and ponds and contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These essential hormone-balancing nutrients will reduce cramps, mood problems, breast tenderness, and overall inflammation.
Tip#3: Herbs
Supplement with herbs. Herbs are miraculous because they share a similar molecular structure to our hormones, allowing them to support our hormone production by slowing them down. Some herbs that can help reduce menopause symptoms include St. John’s Wort, Black Cohosh, Passionflower, Chasteberry, Wild Yam, Ashwagandha, and Vitex. Vitex has been shown to help myriad PMS symptoms including irritability, depressed mood, anger, headache, bloating, breast fullness, skin disorder, fatigue, drowsiness, and sleeplessness. Vitex is most effective taken as a tincture, but is also useful when included in medicinal herbal teas.
Tip #4: Stay Active
Be active. Because of your fluctuating estrogen levels, your body will tend to hold on to fat. Additionally, fat actually produces estrogen, which can create even more fat. So it’s easy to get stuck in a frustrating cycle if you’re not active. Moving your body has a major impact on your weight, other menopausal symptoms, and your overall health. Gentle exercise can be helpful too, especially if your adrenal glands are overworked and you constantly feel fatigued. Movement is also medicine so find an activity you enjoy, and then be consistent.
Tip #5: For the Hot Flashes
Keep the hot flashes at bay. Those up and down hormones cause you to feel hot out of nowhere, so be prepared. Be sure to drink a lot of water, so the heat doesn’t tax your system. Also be sure to stock up on our Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist that you can either spray into the steam of the shower to invigorate you or for you to spray around your body as the hot flashes hit. Eucalyptus is cooling and calming; the perfect helper to this crazy season.
Tip #6: Maca
Maca is a tuber plant native to South America. It’s an excellent superfood for hormonal imbalances like menopause and PMS. Maca is extremely high in calcium, potassium, iron, fiber, and protein. Maca creates balance by regulating the hormones via the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. This can help with symptoms like hot flashes, low libido, and PMS.
(Note: Maca should not be consumed by women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), as it may have a subtle androgenic (testosterone-boosting) effect.)
You don’t have to suffer through the changes. Just learn to support them.
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Jan 31, 2016 | Body & Beauty
Acne and skin blemishes can be exhausting regardless of the cause. But the causes usually stem from imbalanced hormones or an accumulation of internal toxins. So, if you want to heal your chronic skin conditions, it’s imperative that you treat the problems on the inside for lasting results.
Here are some easy tips to help them heal faster for healthier and more glowing skin.
5 Tips to Eliminate Blemishes Naturally
Cleanse. Never go to bed with dirty skin. Our faces end up with lots of dirt, oil, and environmental debris throughout the day that adds up and clogs our pores. So wash it off before bed.
Tone. After cleansing, reach for witch hazel and place some on a cotton pad. Smooth it over your entire face to pick up any residue that may have been missed during cleansing.
Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is great for clearing up your skin. And it’s gentler than benzoyl peroxide, the main ingredient in most acne treatments. Apply it to a cotton pad and use once to twice daily. However, it is important to note that heavy usage of tea tree oil can dry your skin out, prompting your skin to produce more oil which will make acne worse. So pay attention if your skin begins to dry out.
Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is useful because of oxidation, which breaks down harmful bacteria and destroys it. Cleanse well and rest a cotton ball of H2O2 on the pimple first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.
Eucalyptus oil. Because of it’s antibacterial and analgesic properties, this essential oil is key to keeping your skin healthy. The best way is to spritz some of our Eucalyptus oil ShowerMist into the steam of your shower or into a steaming pot for your face. And you get the added benefit of cleansing your sinuses in the process. What’s not to love?
Finally, you can live with clear, healthy skin. Put these tips into practice today to start healing.
Which tip did you find most useful? Let us know in the comments, and help others live acne-free by sharing this article!
Jan 26, 2016 | Body & Beauty
Pregnancy isn’t an easy adventure for anyone, but the hardest challenge comes with trying to stay comfortable. The body is expanding and growing a miracle, and it hurts. Of course, it’s still a beautiful process, but if she’s not comfortable, then any enjoyment is out the window.
A well-nurtured pregnancy is well worth the effort, and we know these tips will help you get there.
Tips for Staying Comfortable During Pregnancy
Help Her Sleep
She’ll need a lot of sleep, and if she doesn’t get it, you can bet on a difficult day. So respect her needs. She may need to sleep in or even go to bed early and rise early. Some days she may need darkness, others light. Some days white noise and other days, silence. Try to be flexible. Remember, it doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to be respected.
Invest in a Body Pillow
Get her a body pillow. These are wonderful additions to the bed as they support the hips, the belly, neck, and back depending on how you use them. This will not only make for a better night sleep but also come in handy when the baby is born.
Keep Her Hydrated
It’s vital that she stay hydrated both for herself and the growing child. If she is dehydrated, there won’t be enough embryonic fluid, which can lead to complications. If she can’t handle the taste of water, play with it. Add ice, lemon wedges, or cucumber slices and a couple drops of stevia to sweeten it. Don’t be discouraged if she doesn’t like it. Remember, this is frustrating for her too.
Body Care
Keep body relaxation and pampering on the schedule regularly. Book her weekly or monthly massages if it’s in the budget. Rub her neck, feet, and hands a few times per week without complaining. Use the best Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist to make her a foot soak or a steam shower to not only relax those tired muscles but to help energize her without the use of caffeine.
Remember, her body is constantly changing, and she has more hormones circulating through her than she knows what to do with. If she’s edgy, see how you can help but be sure not to take anything personally. Her feeling sick and uncomfortable is not your fault. But if you’re short-tempered, defensive or aggressive, that will be your fault and not a smart move. Just be loving and patient. Be sure to invest time into yourself and remember that this too, shall pass.
Those are just a few ideas to start with, but we are confident that they will make a world of difference, so try them!
What other pregnancy tips do you have? Share them in the comments and spread the word on social media!
Jan 19, 2016 | Body & Beauty
Everyone wants healthy flowing hair that shines with a strength like no other. We’d like to remind you that those inspirational magazine photos are unrealistically touched up. But we do want to leave you with some tried and true tips that will condition and strengthen your dried out and brittle locks—all naturally and done at home, of course.
8 Spectacular Ways to Naturally Moisturize Hair
Avocado
Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply this home remedy to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids, and minerals that will help restore luster to your hair, says Stephen Sanna, expert colorist at the Pierre Michel Salon in New York City. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair.
Butter up
You can treat dry, brittle hair with a small amount of butter for a glossy shine. Massage it into your dry hair, then cover your hair with a shower cap for about a half hour. Shampoo as usual, and rinse all the butter out.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water each day helps the body to process and flush out toxins faster, which makes it a quick and easy natural method that will make your hair grow a lot faster. If you drink about 8 cups of water a day, not only will your body feel better, but your hair will get stronger. The stronger the hair, the faster it grows. Drinking water also keeps your hair hydrated from the inside out. Hydrated hair is happy hair because, when dry, your hair is much more likely to break.
Comb or wait
Never brush your hair when it’s wet. It’s more likely to break. Use a wide tooth comb after applying a detangler and hair protection spray. Brush each night to keep the hair smooth and tangle free, further avoiding breakage while sleeping.
Protect from heat
It’s old news, but heat is damaging to your hair! Try to stay away from blow dryers and heated tools, as they burn the hair. If you MUST use them, be sure to use a heat protecting spray or cream first, before styling. Keep in mind that the sun damages hair as well. In warmer weather, or intense sunlight (even in the snow) keep a hat on to protect your hair from over drying and burning.
Wrap it dry
Instead of rubbing your hair after you get it wet, wrap up your damaged hair in a cotton towel, and let the cotton absorb the moisture for a few minutes. This helps protect against further split ends.
Good foods
Did you know that what you eat actually makes a difference in how fast your hair grows? If you eat a lot of good fats and protein-rich foods, you will see a huge difference in the quality of your hair, as well as the speed with which it grows. Things like organic butter, coconut oil, avocado, flax oil, fish, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even different meats all make a difference, so cut down on junk food and focus on healthy meals.
Eucalyptus
Get into a sauna, steam room, or even your shower one to two times a week and spray Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist near your head, about an arm’s length away, never onto the head directly. The circulation promoting plant oils will penetrate into your open pores, waking up the follicles. Add to this a gentle scalp massage, and you’ll have one happy head. You can also make a topical essential oil blend. Mix three drops of lavender oil, three drops of rosemary oil, and two drops each of thyme oil and cedarwood oil, along with some jojoba oil.
Don’t be discouraged by your dry, brittle hair. Trim what you are willing to part with and then do your best to nourish it naturally. You won’t deal with dry hair much longer.
What other ways do you know of that moisturize dry hair? Please let us know in the comments!
Jan 4, 2016 | Body & Beauty, Health & Wellness
Whether you’ve suffered a bad cut or are just ready to have more flowing locks, it’s common to want long healthy hair as fast as possible. While there are no guaranteed paths to hair perfection, there are some tried and true home remedies that help move the job along. Keep in mind that if your hair is breaking, thinning or growing slower than average, other factors may be contributing to the process such as the weather, your age, what foods you eat, living habits, and general overall health.
That being said, there are still many natural ways to hurry along hair growth that are easy and great for your health.
Home Remedy Tips to Get Long and Healthy Hair Naturally
Regular Trimming
We’ve all heard this one before, but there’s truth in it. Trim your hair 1/4 inch every 6-8 weeks. It will clean the damaged ends off, allowing the shaft to continue growing out rather than in many damaged directions.
Up the Omegas
Eat a diet high in Omega 3, 6, and 9 nutrients for not only healthy hair but also for better brain function, healthy bones, and ligaments. This means your joints, your mind, teeth, and nails benefit too. Find omegas in flax seed, salmon, and in supplement form at any natural grocer.
Oil Massages
Just heat up a hot oil treatment, rub it into your scalp, wait a little while, and you’ll see the difference—your hair will feel thicker, softer, and longer. While you can always use a store-bought treatment, homemade hot oil treatments work just as well. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oils, and most other oils you like will do wonders; just heat it up and apply thoroughly.
Egg Mask
A lot of people believe that this tip concerning how to make your hair grow faster doesn’t work well, but egg whites have been known for their healing properties and their ability to replenish hair, restore softness and shine. Just crack open a few eggs, strain out the yolks, and make an egg white mask for your hair. Your hair will look ten times healthier instantly and will feel a lot stronger as well—ultimately allowing your hair to grow faster.
Keep Hydrated
Water helps process and flush out toxins in our bodies faster, meaning drink water is a quick, easy, natural method to improve hair health. If you drink about 8 cups of water a day, not only will your body feel better, but your hair will get stronger. The stronger your hair, the faster it grows. Drinking water also keeps your hair hydrated from the inside out. Hydrated hair is happy hair.
Brush Smartly
Brushing your hair once or twice in the morning and once or twice at night will stimulate the circulation in your scalp, feeding hair follicles and ensuring undisturbed hair growth. But never brush when your hair is wet. That can cause severe breakage, which ultimately stunts hair growth. Use wide-toothed combs instead, especially if you experience tangles. And lastly, start at the bottom and work your way up to detangle at the source, rather than breaking them to untangle the mess.
Heat Safety
Try to stay away from blow dryers and heated tools since they burn the hair. If you MUST use them, be sure to use a heat protecting spray or creme first, before styling. Keep in mind that the sun damages hair as well. In warm weather, or intense sunlight (even in the winter), keep a hat on to protect your hair from drying and burning. If you like pulling it back, spend the next 2 months with your hair tied back to give it a break.
Eucalyptus, the Miracle Plant
Get into a sauna, steam room, or even your shower, and spray Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist near your head one to two times a week. Spray from an arm’s length away, never onto the head directly. The circulation-promoting plant oils will penetrate into your open pores, waking up the follicles. Add to this a gentle scalp massage, and you’ll have one happy head!
Are you ready to ditch dry, damaged hair? Then put these home remedies to good use!
How do you get naturally healthy hair? Let us know below and share these great tips with friends!
Dec 20, 2015 | Body & Beauty, Seasonal
Dry skin is an uncomfortable byproduct of winter. Going from an overly heated car or indoor space into the crisp cold winter air can be a real shock to your skin, causing tightening, dehydration, and flaking. Nobody wants that. That’s why we want to share some tried and true home remedies to an annoying problem.
Here are 3 Easy Ways to Prevent Dry Winter Skin
Exfoliation
An exfoliating scrub made by concocting lemon juice and sugar leaves your skin soft and glowing. Mix a teaspoon of sugar and mix it with the juice of half a lemon, using cotton balls to scrub all over the face. With a circular massage of the skin with this beauty scrub, rough spots on the face become even. Lemons remove patches on the skin and help skin cells regenerate. Put a jar of it on your nightstand and apply it regularly.
Steam
Winter is not a friend to dry skin. The heating in homes evaporates the water from the air, making it very dry. Humidifiers are useful at a time like this by adding moisture to the air and thus hydrating your dry skin. Also, add a few sprays of our Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist to the room to enhance the health and wellness benefits. Eucalyptus in the air will not only open up the bronchial passages for better respiratory health but also cleanse your skin.
Moisturize
Moisture forms a protective layer on the skin by keeping it hydrated. Oils that are easily absorbed by the skin, such as coconut, jojoba, and almond, tend to be better at keeping the real moisture in, allowing the skin the best nourishment possible. Coconut oil makes the skin feel soft and removes its previous scaly characteristic by moistening it naturally. Coconut oil has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. Applying oils like these work best when left on for an entire night. Rub on a generous amount before going to sleep and wash it off in the morning; do this every night. Over-the-counter creams work well in the beginning but only leave a surface layer of hydration.
Bonus tip?
Drink more water and reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine dehydrates skin cells and causes inflammation. Drinking water does the opposite; it calms the skin and nourishes the cells, allowing you to adapt to the changing temperatures easily.
We’re dedicated to your health and can’t wait to hear how these remedies helped you. So, let us know in the comments, and share on social with the buttons below!
