Posts tagged natural beauty

I have immense appreciation for Amy Galper, a pioneer in natural beauty, who hosted an amazing yoga beauty bar pop-up shop Sunday, March 19 at the Yoga Beauty Bar at Pure Yoga East, NYC. Amy’s Beauty Bars help spread awareness of how important it is to actually look at products you’re buying and be conscious of what they contain. It is so common to pick up a bottle that says that it will erase are wrinkles, smooth skin, or make you look ten years younger without an afterthought of the ingredients and how they can actually harm you more than help you. After an invigorating complimentary yoga class at Pure Yoga, I attended a tremendously insightful workshop led by another incredible pioneer, Karim Orange, a nationally known natural cosmetics expert, celebrity make-up artist and two-time Emmy Award nominee whose work graces the faces of countless stars in television, music, movies and the theater! Karim is leading the charge for more transparency in make-up ingredients and more choices for clients who want to look fantastic without the fear of putting harmful chemicals and additives on their bodies. Some of her celebrity clients include Jay Z, Matt Damon, Rosario Dawson, and Tom Hanks, just to name a few. Amy, the founder of Buddha Nose, is on a mission to teach the yoga community about more eco-friendly beauty products that will keep you glowing on the inside and out. The Beauty Bars highlight a selection of lotions, aromatherapy, and cosmetics completely free of potentially toxic chemicals and made my companies committed to sustainability. Just like everything you consume, everything you put on your body either gets assimilated or eliminated. Chemical creams and perfumes tax your body big time. Your skin absorbs 60% of the products you put on it! The skin is our largest organ, and by using only organic ingredients, we not only respect the health and well-being of our bodies but we also respect the health and well-being of our environment. We’re working out hard, we’re eating clean healthy diets, we cleanse and we detox, but what about our skin, are we neglecting that? When I moved to my new apartment this past August, I took advantage of the opportunity to trash all my remaining half-used cosmetics and body products containing a slew of potentially toxic ingredients. I stocked my new apartment with beauty care and skincare that contains natural essential oils instead of chemically created parfums and dyes, paraben-free and eco-sustainable. The result? My skin has a dewy glow, I feel radiant and happy. Q: Why you should care about using non-toxic skin care products? A: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4071/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Cosmetics-Chemicals-Infographic.html Q: How can I tell if my products contain nasty ingredients? A: Search for your products via the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database to determine the toxicity.  Q: Did you know that Antibacterial hand soap poses environmental health risks, and doesn’t clean any better than regular soap? A: Antibacterial soap (not to be confused with antibacterial gel such as Purell) contains triclosan, which is an endocrine disruptor in the human body and discharges the environment when you wash your hands with it. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with hormone functions, and can result in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological or immune effects. When triclosan breaks down, it turns into dioxins, which are known carcinogens.  Read: “Scientists Warn of Low-Dose Risks of Chemical Exposure – Yale University” The Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative advises that “triclosan is acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic organisms,” that it “may degrade into other toxic compounds,” and - speaking of super-smart microbes - “may encourage antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.” Triclosan and triclocarban accumulates in crops, such as soybeans, grown in sewage sludge amended soils. Triclosan is absorbed in the skin of farmers who use sewage sludge as fertilizer, or others who come in contact with the sludge. Gross, and sad. Products we use not only have an effect on what we eat and what water we drink, but also on other people. Don’t be selfish! My personal mantra: If you care about clean drinking water, endangered species, anything at all concerning the environment you live in, please don’t use this nasty stuff. Thank you! The antibacterial ingredient triclosan is found in hundreds of antibacterial soaps and other personal products from toothpaste to cosmetics to deodorant. Carefully look at the ingredients in your products (even those ‘green’ ones, and if it contains tricolsan, you may want to rethink restocking it when you run low.  “We have a lot of bacteria on our hands” said Dr. Allison Aiello, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and they fall into two groups: transient bacteria- which include human pathogens- and resident bacteria that stay with us all of our lives and keep our skin healthy.  The purpose of hand soap is to remove potentially harmful transient bacteria, while not completely wiping out beneficial resident bacteria. Aiello noted that “handwashing is rarely practiced at recommended levels in the community,” which in practical terms means that handwashing for one or two seconds with antibacterial soap is just as ineffective as handwashing with plain soap. “Hygiene is not a technology problem; it’s a human behavior problem” said Weiss. To improve hand hygiene, CDC recommends washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, regardless of the type of soap.

I have immense appreciation for Amy Galper, a pioneer in natural beauty, who hosted an amazing yoga beauty bar pop-up shop Sunday, March 19 at the Yoga Beauty Bar at Pure Yoga East, NYC. Amy’s Beauty Bars help spread awareness of how important it is to actually look at products you’re buying and be conscious of what they contain. It is so common to pick up a bottle that says that it will erase are wrinkles, smooth skin, or make you look ten years younger without an afterthought of the ingredients and how they can actually harm you more than help you.

After an invigorating complimentary yoga class at Pure Yoga, I attended a tremendously insightful workshop led by another incredible pioneer, Karim Orange, a nationally known natural cosmetics expert, celebrity make-up artist and two-time Emmy Award nominee whose work graces the faces of countless stars in television, music, movies and the theater! Karim is leading the charge for more transparency in make-up ingredients and more choices for clients who want to look fantastic without the fear of putting harmful chemicals and additives on their bodies. Some of her celebrity clients include Jay Z, Matt Damon, Rosario Dawson, and Tom Hanks, just to name a few.

Amy, the founder of Buddha Nose, is on a mission to teach the yoga community about more eco-friendly beauty products that will keep you glowing on the inside and out. The Beauty Bars highlight a selection of lotions, aromatherapy, and cosmetics completely free of potentially toxic chemicals and made my companies committed to sustainability. Just like everything you consume, everything you put on your body either gets assimilated or eliminated. Chemical creams and perfumes tax your body big time.

Your skin absorbs 60% of the products you put on it! The skin is our largest organ, and by using only organic ingredients, we not only respect the health and well-being of our bodies but we also respect the health and well-being of our environment. We’re working out hard, we’re eating clean healthy diets, we cleanse and we detox, but what about our skin, are we neglecting that? When I moved to my new apartment this past August, I took advantage of the opportunity to trash all my remaining half-used cosmetics and body products containing a slew of potentially toxic ingredients. I stocked my new apartment with beauty care and skincare that contains natural essential oils instead of chemically created parfums and dyes, paraben-free and eco-sustainable. The result? My skin has a dewy glow, I feel radiant and happy.

Q: Why you should care about using non-toxic skin care products?

A: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4071/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Cosmetics-Chemicals-Infographic.html

Q: How can I tell if my products contain nasty ingredients?

A: Search for your products via the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database to determine the toxicity. 

Q: Did you know that Antibacterial hand soap poses environmental health risks, and doesn’t clean any better than regular soap?

A: Antibacterial soap (not to be confused with antibacterial gel such as Purell) contains triclosan, which is an endocrine disruptor in the human body and discharges the environment when you wash your hands with it. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with hormone functions, and can result in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological or immune effects. When triclosan breaks down, it turns into dioxins, which are known carcinogens. 

Read: “Scientists Warn of Low-Dose Risks of Chemical Exposure – Yale University”

The Santa Clara Basin Watershed Management Initiative advises that “triclosan is acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic organisms,” that it “may degrade into other toxic compounds,” and - speaking of super-smart microbes - “may encourage antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.”

Triclosan and triclocarban accumulates in crops, such as soybeans, grown in sewage sludge amended soils. Triclosan is absorbed in the skin of farmers who use sewage sludge as fertilizer, or others who come in contact with the sludge. Gross, and sad. Products we use not only have an effect on what we eat and what water we drink, but also on other people. Don’t be selfish! My personal mantra: If you care about clean drinking water, endangered species, anything at all concerning the environment you live in, please don’t use this nasty stuff. Thank you!

The antibacterial ingredient triclosan is found in hundreds of antibacterial soaps and other personal products from toothpaste to cosmetics to deodorant. Carefully look at the ingredients in your products (even those ‘green’ ones, and if it contains tricolsan, you may want to rethink restocking it when you run low.

 “We have a lot of bacteria on our hands” said Dr. Allison Aiello, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and they fall into two groups: transient bacteria- which include human pathogens- and resident bacteria that stay with us all of our lives and keep our skin healthy.  The purpose of hand soap is to remove potentially harmful transient bacteria, while not completely wiping out beneficial resident bacteria. Aiello noted that “handwashing is rarely practiced at recommended levels in the community,” which in practical terms means that handwashing for one or two seconds with antibacterial soap is just as ineffective as handwashing with plain soap.

“Hygiene is not a technology problem; it’s a human behavior problem” said Weiss. To improve hand hygiene, CDC recommends washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, regardless of the type of soap.

Stuff I love

I’ll be posting new “Stuff I Love” weekly, stay tuned. 

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar - Being rich in natural minerals, vitamins and enzymes makes apple cider vinegar a great addition to any detox. The unique acids in apple cider vinegar can bind to toxins and help the body eliminate them more effectively. It’s important to buy an apple cider vinegar that is organic and unfiltered so that all of its nutritional value is intact. The Bragg’s brand is great. The hazy looking stuff that settles to the bottom is called “the mother” and it is the most nutritious part of the apple cider vinegar for its therapeutic benefits. Apple cider vinegar can also help to stimulate circulation and aid detoxification in the liver by breaking up mucus throughout the body and cleansing the lymph nodes to allow for better lymph circulation. A healthy lymphatic system can remove toxins from the cells in the body while improving immune system response.  I add 1-2 tablespoons of Bragg’s ACV to hot water, adding organic maple syrup or raw honey, fresh squeezed lemon, and a few dashes of cayenne pepper, and drink a big warm mug of it anytime I’m feeling a cold come on, or when I have a full blown rotten bug, I’ll be drinking a few cups a day until symptoms completely subside. I no longer take cold medicines – bye bye Mucinex and Sudafed. This stuff works like a miracle to break up mucus, fight inflammation, clear sinuses and respiratory blocks, I promise you that. I also drink this as a detox tea to help digestion and rid toxins out of my body. ACV possesses antimicrobial and antiseptic properties - it works wonders!

Bragg’s Amino Acid - Bragg Liquid Aminos is a healthy alternative to Soy and Tamari sauce. No table salt or preservatives are added. Amino Acids are the building blocks of all our organs and tissues. They are also the building blocks from which different food proteins are constructed. When we eat a protein food, such as meat or soybeans, the natural hydrochloric acid in the stomach digests the protein, releasing the Amino Acids. They are the link between the food we eat and assimilation for our body tissue. Lack of adequate Amino Acids may make it impossible for the vitamins and minerals to perform their specific duties. Bragg’s Amino Acid tastes just like soy sauce, but it is not made from GMO soy, unlike the stuff you’ll get from your local sushi joint. But just like regular soy sauce, it’s high in sodium so don’t douse your food in it!

Organic Raw Maca Powder - Used to increase stamina, boost libido, and combat fatigue, maca root has long been regarded as a highly adaptogenic food. Navitas Naturals Raw Maca Powder is the raw and natural form of this special root – gently dried and ground to preserve it’s vitality and nutritional structure. With an earthy taste that is slightly nutty with a hint of butterscotch, maca is easily blended into superfood smoothies, chocolates, or mixed into flour for dessert recipes. I add maca powder to my smoothies when I need an extra kick. At a cooking demo led by my ayurvedic nutritionist & yoga instructor Donnalynn Civello, we had delicious cacao-chip cookies made with maca powder – absolutely heavenly (and feeling pretty revved up afterwards!)

Raw Honey – Unfortunately, most of the honey eaten today has been heavily processed. Like most foods that have been chemically refined, many of the healthful benefits have been reduced or eliminated. Commercial honey is often treated with an excessive heating process that can destroy some of the critical natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. That honey bear from CVS or the grocery store – I will bet your bottom dollar that honey is not real honey and contains zero nutritional benefit – just adds sugary sweet taste to your tea. Raw Honey is a miracle for allergies and respiratory ailments. Raw honey contains bits and pieces of pollen and honey, and as an immune system booster, it is quite powerful - especially if you are using raw honey to treat allergies, get honey that was raised closest to where you live, the closer the better since it will have more of exactly what you’ll need. As mentioned above with Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar – I now steer clear of traditional over-the-counter cold meds. Some tea and raw honey does the trick, naturally. Raw honey is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the extractor; it is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurized, unprocessed honey. An alkaline-forming food, this type of honey contains ingredients similar to those found in fruits, which become alkaline in the digestive system. It doesn’t ferment in the stomach and it can be used to counteract acid indigestion. When mixed with ginger andlemon juices, it also relieves nausea and supplies energy.

Spirulina – Sprirulina supports brain and eye health, cardiovascular health, maintain healthy thyroid function, and boosts immunity and energy levels. Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica thrives in ponds fed with 100% fresh potable water from Hawaiian aquifers and pure, deep ocean water drawn from 2000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Read my “Green Smoothie” blog post to see why I drink a detox Green Smoothie with kale and almond milk every morning.

Nutritional Yeast – Nutritional Yeast is called the “vegetarians’ protein” as it is a rich source of protein and contains a number of other nutrients. Read my “Creamy Vegan Mac N’ Cheese” blog post – nutritional yeast gives my dairy-free Mac N’ Cheese a cheesy taste with huge nutritional boost of B vitamins and oh so much more. It helps give you glowing skin. Yes - It’s a lovely thing.

Coconut Oil – I cook and bake mostly everything with Coconut Oil – especially when I lightly sautee veggies. Coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle. The good fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It also works wonders as a moisturizer for all skin types, especially dry skin – I lather it on my hands before bed and I love the way I smell like I’m in Hawai’i as I drift off to sleep. Also makes an amazing luxurious eye cream.