05/16/2012

We leave on a jet plane to the beautiful island of Maui VERY early Saturday morning. I cannot wait to eat my weight in pineapple. I will be posting from Maui, sharing pictures of all our adventures. I will also be reviewing the best spas in Maui, dreaming up some fabulous tropical facial recipes, and learning more about some new favorite key ingredients.

Now, time to pack! I usually do not check luggage when we travel, and rely on one carry on for EVERYTHING I will need for the week. I lucked out on this trip, as there is a Whole Foods right next to the airport. I will pick up organic body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and extra snacks when we arrive so that I dont have to bring it all with me. However, I do always show up prepared. With many fun trips under my belt, I have my packing routine down. Here’s what I plan to pack for 8 days in Maui:

osmosis Travel Kit, normal skin
sanitas Solar Block and Osmosis Shelter (yes I need both)
everyday Minerals make-up
sun hats
rash guard (great sun protection while snorkeling or if we are out all day)
bathing suits
cover ups
sun dresses
flip flops
wedges
hiking clothes and shoes
yoga pants
yoga Rosary Necklace
essential oil perfume
laptop – for posting!
Camera
cell phone with tripit app (this great app allows you to organize your entire trip in one place and keep all important info, like reservation numbers and house security codes, handy)

In Spa Community

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05/10/2012

Ahhh plastic. We live in a plastic coated world. Toys, furniture, storage containers, electronics, food packaging, even surgical supplies can be and are frequently made of plastic. What’s wrong with this? Well, if we are bombarded by a substance that leaches hormone disrupting chemicals…lots. So, should we all flee our homes and go live in the woods Swiss family Robinson style? Mmm that does sound fun, but it’s probably not the answer to this growing problem. We may not be able to avoid plastic entirely, but it is possible to limit our exposure, especially in items that we ingest.

Back in 2009, US News blogged about the hormone disrupting chemicals that leach from plastic water bottles. While, sadly, all drinking water has some amount of hormone disrupting chemicals (from birth control and medications that flow into our water system and aren’t filtered,) the water tested from plastic containers had more than twice the amount! Knowing that these thin plastic bottles aren’t even cooled completely before being filled with H2O is even more reason to cut them out. When plastic is heated, leaching occurs at a faster rate.

But, plastic isn’t just found in water bottles, now is it? Most food and beverage items can be found in plastic. So, everyone should just switch to canned foods and drinks, right?
Maybe not… studies show that most cans used in canned foods like beans, vegetables, pasta, sauces, soups, sodas, and even infant formula…have a thin plastic lining inside the can. Ugghh!You just can’t win!

Speaking of infants...why are so many baby toys made of plastic? If you’ve ever seen a baby with anything in his or her hands, where does it do immediately after? Yep, the mouth. When did wood and rubber get the axe? There are wonderful companies still making natural baby toys, so it may be a good idea to keep it “old school” in this department.

Bottom line: choose your products wisely. What goes into your mouth (or your baby’s mouth) should be plastic free whenever possible. We are back to the “whole foods” method. Eat whole foods, and learn to cook (or have someone do it for you.) Eat convenience foods only when necessary, and purchase brands that do not use plastic. It’s impossible to avoid plastic entirely, but it can be quite easy to limit plastic where it counts.

Here are some easy tips to help you limit plastic leaching:

Invest in a glass or metal water canteen and refill with purified water.

Choose canned goods wisely. These articles here and here list some great brands that do not use plastic lining in their canned goods (and several of them can be found at Trader Joe’s!)

Purchase food fresh or in glass containers whenever possible.

Never microwave food or drinks in plastic containers.

Switch to glass food storage containers. We have these from amazon and love them!

If you have and infant or toddler, purchase wooden toys instead of plastic – especially when used for teething.

In Skin Nutrition

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05/09/2012

Summer is almost here! If you are anything like me, it’s a time for sundresses, flip flops and beach walks. All this means showin’ a little extra skin. Is your skin up to summer standards? Follow these 5 easy tips and get your skin ready for summer:

Dry brush before every shower – I say this all-the-time. The dry brush is our friend! Doing this before every shower will gently exfoliate, stimulate the lymphatic system and increase circulation. All of these things are necessary for beautiful skin. Dry brushing is also highly recommended for those of us wanting to minimize or prevent cellulite!!

Re-hydrate from the inside out – Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day to keep your skin fully hydrated. Limit sugary and caffeinated beverages, and drink more water or herbal tea instead. Load your meals with hydrating fruits and veggies, instead of filling up on starches or carbs. If you haven’t already, enjoy a green drink or juice (once a day is ideal.) Greens are inflammation busters and help keep skin glowing from the inside out. They will also help to detoxify the body and reduce acid, which keeps skin youthful.

Switch your shower head – Unless you have a built-in water filtration system for your bathrooms, think about getting a filtered shower head. They are available at Home Depot and online. In California, we have a very high amount of fluoride and chlorine in our tap water, which dries the skin and hair (especially when used hot – and most of us are taking hot showers.)

Don’t forget to moisturize – after every shower or bath, apply a natural lotion or body oil from shoulders to toes. This will seal in moisture to help protect your skin from dehydration. Using a plant based oil, like coconut, will provide extra antioxidants and vitamins to keep skin plump and smooth.

Get a better shave – switch from a traditional shaving cream (which are loaded with synthetic chemicals) to a more natural version. (We like Alba botanicals shave cream.) Better yet, don’t buy a separate shaving product, and use Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap (which acts as a soap / body wash / shaving cream) or use your natural hair conditioner to shave. Your skin will stay softer for it in the long run, without the use of harsh chemicals or dyes.

In Skin Care 101

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05/03/2012

Have any of you ever accidentally burned yourself getting something out of the oven, with the curling iron, or ah-hem, in the sun? It hurts, and it’s even worse when the skin blisters. Most of our mothers have told us that running the burn under cold water immediately helps to soothe the burn and prevent it from getting worse (which is true.) But I’ve found another little trick that can easily be done after the cold water treatment to help prevent blistering: tomatoes!

Slice a fresh cold tomato and apply (skin-side out) directly to the affected are of the skin. Hold the tomato in place for at least 10-15 minutes. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an important nutrient that reduces the heat from minor burns. (*Common sense note: If you have a serious burn, get to the doctor immediately.)

Incidentally eating tomatoes on the regular can help prevent sunburn, so make sure you stock up this summer! The antioxidants and lycopene found in tomatoes strengthens the skin’s natural protection from UV radiation and inflammation.

In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Skin Care 101

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05/01/2012

I LOVE smoothies for breakfast, and as the months grow warmer, I love them even more. Smoothies make it ways to eat (drink) breakfast while getting ready for the day and checking emails. They’re a great way to pack in protein, antioxidants, vitamins and fiber first thing in the morning. The digestive system isn’t fully awake in the morning, so smoothies are a great alternative to heavy or carb-laden meals. I always have frozen organic berries on hand, but when I came across some extra blackberries, I had to invent a new recipe.

Black and Blue Coconut Smoothie

handful of frozen organic blackberries
handful of frozen organic blueberries
½ cup coconut milk (store bought, or better yet – make your own*)
1 scoop protein powder of choice (I like Clearvite and Warrior Food)
½ cup purified water

*You can make your own coconut milk with a young Thai coconut (available at most health food stores.) Here’s a great tutorial on opening a young Thai coconut, and an easy step by step recipe for making your own coconut milk!

In Skin Nutrition

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