You Glow, Girl!

Ha like the title??  After this post, you'll have the opp to be as smooth as a freshly lasered Kardash, glow like J Lo, smile like Brit, and smell divine with a fresh mani to boot!  The best part??  I've found HEALTHY and inexpensive options for us to get that summer glow on as we're forced to wear less and less clothing while the heat increases!  I've listed products pictured below, in order from the safest to least safe products according to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, with nothing above a 4, and a few that aren't listed but seem to be great options.  Happy Glowing!

• Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant Roll-on in Pomegranate~ In my first skin and products post, I complained about natural deodorants doing the OPPOSITE of working, and asked for some input.  A follower suggested something similar to this one, but it wasn't until I tried this specific version (a free 'sample' in full size from drugstore.com!) that I found (near) success. It's not made with the typical Aluminum Chlorohydrate that has been linked to breast cancer and absorbs through the skin (particularly when pores are open after showers and shaving), but it's also not just throwing some oils on your pits and praying it sticks after a good sweat-give me a break!  Those versions are just ineffective and icky in my opinion.  This is made with the natural mineral salts, Potassium Alum, a similar ingredient to aluminum but the difference is key-it does NOT absorb into your skin the same way because of its larger molecular structure.  Of course for certain events you may want to grab your Secret if you feel you'll be sweating away for whatever reason, but for the Summer season where you'll be in and out of water and more casual, I'd suggest this for daily frolicking-can't go wrong with a ZERO green safety rating in the database either!!  Give it a try for $5;)
• Aubrey Organics NuStyle Organic Hair Smoothing Serum~ Rated a 1 in the database, I just love this USDA Organic product.  It's not your typical "straightener" that often contains damaging alcohol, preservatives, etc; but it's a nourishing serum with oils and proteins to throw on your dry tresses in a variety of ways.  You can deep condition before a shower by applying it to dry or dampened hair before washing out, use it AFTER a shower and leaving it in if you're going to bed or leaving your hair wet, or, my fave use:  applying it and letting the sun do all the work of heating and strengthening your hair while protecting it from the sun simultaneously!  You know you're going to shower after a beach or pool day anyway-why not throw in some oils that'll do wonders in salt and chlorine as well??  Apply to hair after swimming and throw it in a braid!  A little pricier of products, but a little goes a long way, and I found it while on a monthly sale at the health store.
• Dr. Bronner's Magic "All-One" Organic Fair Trade Shaving Soap Gel~ What a mouthful for such a simple product!  I love all of Dr. Bronner's products, but this one will keep you smooth all summer long:) A 1 in the database, it's USDA Organic and made with the simplest of ingredients-all super yummy.  I love the Lavender version, and it's a thin gel that protects your skin beautifully while shaving.
• Eco-Dent ExtraBrite Dazzling Mint Tooth Whitener without Fluoride~ I found a safe tooth whitener!!!!!  I was pretty bummed I'd never dare stick Crest Whitening Strips on my teeth again after becoming more and more health conscious because of the daily foods and beverages that tend to stain, but I found this product at the health store and did my research-looking good as a 2 in the database and made with natural ingredients.  Even fluoride is questioned in the health world these days, so it was nice to see baking soda being one of the main ingredients instead-you can replace your toothpaste while you use it!  I haven't done extensive research on each and every ingredient in this, and because of this fact, I wouldn't use it while pregnant or breastfeeding.  I found this for about $8 in the health store and online (always try drugstore.com or amazon).
• Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Glow Bronzer~ Love this powder bronzer (one of my MUST product haves in all seasons)... on the inexpensive side, rated a 3 in the database, no harsh chemicals/synthetic preservatives/parabens/synthetic fragrance or colors/GMO's and is cruelty-free!  Most powder bronzers, whether it's a $3 Wet n Wild or a $35 Lancome variety, WILL have items you do not want on your skin all day-I don't care how fancy the packaging is.  Love this because you can purchase conveniently at CVS and Walmart type places:)  Try their mascaras too-LOVE!
• Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer~ Same as above goes for this little gem... if you want light coverage but spf 15 protection for being in and out of the sun (you'll need higher for a full on outdoor summer day), you want this!  Not super moisturizing, but enough for humid days, it's also rated a 3, and made of 80% organic ingredients-including the active sunblock being Titanium Dioxide, which is recommended-check out my safe sunscreen post!
• Nature's Gate Glow Lotion~  This is rated a moderate 4 in the database, but when it comes to a self-tanning lotion (the gradual and subtle kind), you're not going to do much better!  About $12 in the health store, I was excited to give it a try, and so far I'm loving it!  Since I am just building a base tan now, I went with the light skin tone version-very subtle and moisturizing.  It's paraben/synthetic fragrance/mineral oil/petrolatum-free, and you get a large bottle at a reasonable price.  It was also a winner in Allure's Best of Beauty awards!  Again, this is a product I wouldn't use during pregnancy or breastfeeding-just in case:)
• Mineral Fusion Sheer Tint~ Not rated in the database, but can be found at drugstore.com and some health stores, this foundation is light and sheer-PERFECT for summer nights (or fun days, as it does contain some Titanium Dioxide to filter the rays as well)!  It leaves a dewy bronze finish to your skin, and while a little pricier (I've seen between $20 and $30), you need a very small amount for application.  The lightest color I've found is neutral, and even that is a little on the tan side, but blending some bronzing powder over it helps a lot-just remember your chest and neck too!  
• No Miss Nail Polish~ Another one not rated, and still has that slight "nail polish smell" (not nearly as bad as conventional polishes), but is MUCH more user-friendly than the water-based nail polishes (which are definitely safest, but really difficult to apply evenly and remove), and is above and beyond conventional nail polishes in the health department as it does NOT contain cancer-causing formaldehyde, brain damaging toluene, or camphor (linked to birth defects and emphysema), and is still moisturizing, non-yellowing, and chip-resistant.  I'm loving it, and for $8 per bottle think of how much you'll save on manis-especially during the summer months when chipping is way too easy... I'm enjoying the fun summer pale yellow color:  'Riviera Beach Banana'!  Pair it with No Miss or Tate's polish remover-amazingly odorless and actually MORE efficient than conventional removers, which are just awful for us-just smell them!! 
• Acure Radical Age Reversal Treatment~ Made with anti-aging Chlorella Growth Factor and the amazing Argan Oil (all the rave among celebs these days-just make sure you're using an organic variety for hair or skin), I couldn't find this in the database (although I did find body lotions by this line rated a green 1), but this luxury line looks amazing, as I recently discovered it at the health store.  You have many options from serums to moisturizers, but this seemed like the best of both worlds-hence it being a little pricer (around $30).  You'll see why due to the richness to hydrate-plan on using it as a night cream to reverse that daily sun damage!  The ingredients alone sold me.

OK, enough suggestions??!  As you can see, I get SUPER excited about products... Have fun, share your summer product loves, and get glowing!!  Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Blended Broc (and more!) Soup

As you know, I've raved in posts about making bone broth for healing, nutritional, and recipe use... well add another recipe to the list to use with the surplus of goodness you'll get out of it (and if you choose not to make the broth, pick up some organic veggie or chicken broth at the store to make this healthy and delicious soup!).

Play with this recipe-I based it loosely off of Dr. Mercola's, but you can definitely make it your own based on nutritional needs and taste preferences-mix up the milk, broth, herbs, spices, and veggies until you find the perfect blend for you... see mine below!

• 1T Coconut (or other) oil
• 1-2 Cloves of garlic, diced
• 1/4 Red (or yellow, green) onion, diced
• 1-2 Heads of fresh broccoli (preferable organic)
• 1c Greens (spinach, kale, or a combo)
• Handful of fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, etc)-can also do smaller amount of dried
• 2-4c Veggie or chicken broth
• 1-2c Coconut milk (or any milk)
• Pinch of salt
• Dash or 2 of hot sauce

1. Heat oil in large pan 
2. Saute garlic and onion for a couple of minutes (look for them to be translucent) 
3. Add broccoli, greens, herbs, and a cup of the broth
4. Steam it all, covered (I used a pot lid that didn't even fit but it worked!), for 5-10 minutes or until the broccoli is a bright green
5. Add it all to blender or food processor with the remaining broth, milk, salt, and hot sauce (you may need to do this in 2 batches if you make a larger portion)
6. Puree and stick in the fridge until ready to serve
7. Reheat (or serve chilled!!) and Enjoy

Can't even emphasize all the healthy properties from EACH of these ingredients... my son even enjoyed it!  It's super tasty... Thanks for reading, and let me know if you add or sub anything in this recipe!!  You can always add some cheese if you need a little indulgence-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Safe Sunscreen for Sunny Seasons

I'm back!  Thanks for your patience... had a little rough patch that I may address in the future when the time is right, but regardless, I know you're still here and supporting-so THANKS a bunch:)

What better time to get back into the game than at the start of a magnificent season??  Currently living in the south, the past week or so has been particularly glorious-my perfect weather hovering around 80 and sunny with minimal humidity (too bad it doesn't stay that way in the summer!).  Regardless of where you live, though, this has been a very mild winter and it's only a matter of time before you'll need some sunscreen-I used it today for the first time this year (and still got some subtle tan lines;)!

You may remember my raving about Vitamin D in my Healing post-a vitamin so powerful that it's said to have cancer prevention and fighting properties, and is essential for our immune systems to ward off many ailments, illnesses, and diseases.  One of my favorite alternative physicians, Dr. Mercola, states, "Studies show that people with the lowest average Vitamin D levels had a 124 percent greater risk of dying from all causes."  This is where some controversy comes in, since most of us have been made to fear the sun and its damaging properties such as aging, skin cancer, etc... Don't get me wrong, I would never say that the sun is harmless.  I have family members that have had skin cancer, I know it ages our skin, and sunburn is just horrible-BUT when you are getting the right dose for your body, the benefits far outweigh the risks.  In fact, it's speculated that the INGREDIENTS in most sunscreens (84% of products out there according to this article!!) are more toxic and cancer-causing than the sun itself-try to wrap your head around that one!  And it's this fact that brings me to this post.

The average person should be getting about 20 minutes per day of unprotected sunshine on as much of their bodies as they can expose (this varies between those fairer than others, of course), but if you're anything like me, you're not spending a mere 20 minutes at the beach or pool!!  I love to soak up the sun, but too much makes me feel sick, especially those first couple of exposures-I'd say a good couple of hours, as long as I'm hydrated and going in whatever body of water is available, is perfection and not too much on my skin as long as I'm smart about it.  "Smart" for me involves a waterproof sunblock and a hat-I'll give myself a short amount of unprotected sunshine time, but with the strong sun and my semi-fair skin, I really do need to watch myself in the summer-especially until I build up that base tan.  I'm also very cautious with my most vulnerable areas that burn and wrinkle the most easily-my face and chest-this is where the sun or Yankees hats come in handy!!  (Nice protection for your hair as well:)  If I want to extend my time, I hang under the umbrella... but something tells me my now 17-month-old won't be sitting there as nicely this summer, so sunscreen is a must for everyone.

Ok, so which sunscreens do we buy and why?  Good old deliciously smelling Coppertone from our childhood, Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropics we adored during those teen years, or opt for something more "natural" that we believe is natural because it says, well, "natural"?  Sadly, we need to look at the specifics on labels rather than trust how they're advertised.  As mentioned in my Skin post, I do believe it's important to avoid parabens, chemicals, preservatives, colors, fragrances, etc etc in products, as they do absorb through the skin into our bloodstream; but even more important than these additives in sunscreens are the MAIN ACTIVE INGREDIENTS listed.  Bottom line:  if the active ingredients on your sunscreen or sunblock label are anything other than Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide, they are highly toxic manmade chemicals that will in fact seep through your skin and possibly do more harm than good, as they are known carcinogens and hormone disrupters.  The beauty of TD and Zinc is that they are true sunBLOCKS which block the sun from harming your skin-they act as a barrier.  They will most likely not cross the skin into your bloodstream, making them your only safe options.  Zinc has a downside of leaving a slightly white tint, yes, but it's easily blendable and I do tend to look to Zinc as the safest option, as some new research questions TD as well-in fact, the whiter the residue, the safer it is.  In the link posted above, it states that due to consumer complaints of the white color, Zinc is now being broken down into nanoparticles that may in fact absorb through the skin-so again, the whiter the better, I promise it'll blend!  Zinc also blocks both UVA and UVB rays.  The second thing to look for, of course, is the inactive ingredient list to avoid the items I listed above as well... Be weary of those labeled natural, such as Alba Organics and Botanicals brand, among others.  They may be free of certain things, but I've noticed that their active ingredients are still in the danger zone.

As with many natural products, the sunscreens may take some getting used to.  The true natural ones will have primarily organic ingredients, be filled with natural oils, be a little thicker than others, and may have a product/oil separation to them-don't fear-you WILL get used to this and learn that a little bit goes a very long way!  The oils actually smell delightful, they blend well, and you'll feel great that these truly natural ingredients are nourishing your skin without harming it-a rarity these days.

Below is what we use and some other recs:

Nature's Badger:  We use the SPF30+ version of this, and I recently bought the Baby version on sale as well.  I love using natural products because I truly feel that they're safe for the whole family to share... none of this baby or adult-specific nonsense to worry about; safe is safe, and if you don't feel it's good enough for your baby, it shouldn't be good enough for you either!  We love this line because they have minimal yet amazing ingredients, the main being Zinc, and oils that are very hydrating and nourishing.  There is some separation that goes away when blending, and the white hue is minimal, especially if you use only the small amount you need to.  And remember, the whiter the better-the company addresses the nanoparticle issue here!!  Their newest formula ensures that it is in fact the Zinc that will not absorb into your body.  You may think it seems pricey for such a small tube, but again, you don't lather on a huge amount as you would with conventional sunscreens or lotions-a little truly goes a long way!!  I was happy (yet not surprised) that this passed the safety test in Skin Deep's Cosmetic Database and was rated a safe green 1 on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the most harmful.  They do claim to be water resistant (rather than waterproof), but I've found that they do hang on for quite awhile of swimming and sweating; of course even with the most waterproof sunscreens, reapplying is necessary after prolonged swimming or sweating.

Don't forget to use this database in addition to reading ingredients-check out this list of sunscreen ratings with an SPF of 30 and up!  (I find 30 to be sufficient for most people if you're using a true sunblock).

Others worth checking out with equally safe ratings, and brands I happen to love:

• California Baby
• Aubrey Organics

Thanks for the love and tuning back in-I hope I've done some legwork for you, so you don't feel as if you're going into the warm seasons blindly!  We are most vulnerable during this time, since the heat opens those pores and we get everything in there... warm seasons can truly be the healthiest times of year for us-let's make sure that they are!  And please sound off if you feel you've found a healthy version that you love as well!!  Stay safely bronzed... and Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)