However, I always hated that the masks were harsh and often contained ingredients that really irritated my skin. Plus, they never really provided noticeable results.

Well, today I have a natural remedy to share. Actually, it’s one that my natural beauty-loving friend Ashley shared over on her blog Never Homemaker (cute name, huh?).

I made it the apple pie face mask for the first time about a month ago and LOVED it. It tightened my skin, seemed to tighten and refresh it, and gave it remarkable texture. It was like a super-power all-natural face mask made of nothing but food!

Since then I’ve made it several times and have been dabbing a little on my face here and there right out of the shower or before bed. Friends, I’m hooked. I think you should be, too.

Find the exact recipe over at Never Homemaker, but all you’ll need is a banana, apple cider vinegar, oats and cinnamon!

Ashley does a great job at outlining the benefits of each ingredient for our skin, which gave me even more confidence that it not only felt like it was working, it was actually working.

Since trying this mask it’s the the only one I’ve used since! But it has me wanting to try and experiment with all other kinds of natural masks to beautify my skin. In the meantime, however, I’m very happy with the results this mask has provided!

If you have a favorite homemade mask recipe, please share! I’d love to know.

xo,
Dana

Today I was reminded of a funny thing that happened early on in John and I’s marriage.

We had been married for just a few months , were living in Portland, and I had just started this blog. I didn’t have a clear ambition with it, but I knew I wanted it to be something great and special and something people loved. So naturally, I put a lot of time and effort into it, and without realizing it became my baby. My figurative, very needy, ugly (at the time) baby. And if John came anywhere near it and threatened my baby I would rise up and get all defensive and start swinging.

So we were at church one morning and it was time for me to go downstairs and work in the nursery while he went off to work. We were talking about the blog  and I don’t even remember what John said exactly but whatever it was, it made me really mad and upset and sad all at the same time.

I was like a pregnant woman with no food being attacked by 13 birds – no good. So in my protective, motherly state I began crying a little bit (or a lot) and I said something like, “I wanted this blog to be my little celebration, but it feels more like my little devastation.”

Yes, I said that. About a BLOG.

Life is too short to take things that seriously.

This is a post about taking life too seriously. Or rather, why you should not.

Taking life too seriously gets you no place but sour, sad and feeling like you’re being attacked by 13 birds while someone steals your dinner. Take a tip from me and navigate life with a more laid back approach and you will be all the better for it. Here’s why.

1. It stresses you out. When things get the slightest bit overwhelming, I get stressed out. It could be something stupid like “What? I have to get FIVE bananas at the store now instead of THREE?! What if I can’t!? Too much pressure…”

This stress reflex is not something I feel I can talk myself down from either. John has to help me, but I’m getting better. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far is that when you take life too seriously it stresses you out. And stress makes you a sourpuss. So in the moment before things get hairy, take a breath, step back and analyze the situation from a broader lens, and then act accordingly. Ideally, rationally.

2. Laughing is more fun. Laughing is more fun than crying. Laughing is also more fun than frowning, grunting and complaining.  The photo above is of a “quote tote” I tried to make last fall. While stamping, I swapped the “d” stamp for the “b” stamp, and then “i” stamp for a “j” stamp and it came out saying something entirely different than I wanted.

So much irony, so little time.

I felt like a fool, but instead of huffing and puffing, I laughed at myself. That was way more fun than pouting. When you feel yourself taking life too seriously, laugh at yourself. That usually helps.

3. Life is short. I don’t know where exactly along the 26-year road I adopted this mantra, but I’m so glad I did.

I most often use the “life is short” slogan to propel myself toward adventure in everyday situations. But I’m realizing more lately that I need to use it to steer myself away from taking life too seriously in stressful situations.

If I say life is short, it should apply to all circumstances; not just the adventurous ones but the potentially stressful, aggravating ones, too.

There you have it – three very practical reasons not to take life too seriously. Have any more to add? I’d love to hear.

cheers,
Dana

Just two weeks ago now I was starting my two week trial on the Conscious Cleanse – a program that’s emphasis is more mindfulness than it is depravation. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have signed up. My good pal Holly asked if I wanted to try the cleanse for free in exchange for a review, and, since I’m generally up for exploring new healthy eating programs I agreed. To make things simple, I hope to break my thoughts into the primary things I took away and why I would recommend the program to anyone interested in achieving more mind-body connection with their food. Let’s begin.

WHAT IT IS >> As I’ve explained it,  the Conscious Cleanse is more of a learning process than a diet that aims to challenge participants to focus on food as medicine and how it nourishes the body. I feel it helped me realize how I’d grown so very unaware of how food and the body work together to achieve health, and how grabbing for cheap, easy snacks like cereal, PB&J toast and granola bars had become my downfall.

The cleanse is run by nutrition coaches Jo Schaalman and Jules Peláez. By eliminating things from your diet for two weeks -  like gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, peanuts, corn and caffeine - it gives your digestive system a break from the heavy foods it’s used to. Though it seems restrictive, I felt it offered so much more than it took away.

HOW I PLANNED >> The planning process was a doozy and one that snuck up on me, because you really do have to have every meal and snack planned out and almost all of my go-to foods were eliminated. It felt like being stripped naked. Though I had access to a Conscious Cleanse Facebook group for support, I found it almost intimidating at first when I’d see women who’d already mapped out their two week meal plan before I ever cracked the manual!

Even worse, as I read through the foods I couldn’t have I began growing internally angry – angry at the book, angry at Jo and Jules, angry that I couldn’t have wine or chocolate for two weeks. To me, this was a sure sign of food addiction and something I (stubbornly) knew I needed to address.

To plan I simply read through my manual, skimmed the book, listened to as many support calls as I could (you can ask questions and interact or just listen as  Jo and Jules talk), and then planned out two weeks worth of meals and snacks. Then, I went to the store and got to prepping.

WHAT I ATE >> 

For breakfast >> most mornings I had a big bowl of gluten free oats made with almond milk and water. I sweetened it with dates – since you can’t have sugar – and heated up some frozen berries to lie beneath. I topped it with flaxseed, pecans and a drizzle of honey. This went alongside a big hot mug of lemon water, which is great for clearing skin, jumpstarting metabolism, and balancing pH levels, among other things. It took the place of my morning coffee and I found it a refreshing way to start my day. I surprisingly didn’t have any less energy without my morning caffeine and felt clearer headed throughout the day.

Lunches and Dinners >> were either a salad, hummus and veg, banana almond butter in brown rice tortilla, or soup. Of course, all of these were made from scratch and were cleanse friendly, meaning they were dairy, gluten, sugar, soy, peanut and corn free.

hummus, carrots, radish and almond butter (radish almond butter is my new favorite snack!)

roasted chicken, beets, carrots, onions; gluten free vegan falafel + hummus; kale with olive oil.

this amazing salad (seriously my new obsession) minus croutons.

more falafel + hummus and a green smoothie (- strawberries + mixed berries)

green smoothie – recipe via Conscious Cleanse – with mango, berries, spinach and water.

Snacks/dessert >> I made little almond joy balls Jo and Jules created for the cleanse that were basically nuts, dates and almond butter. HEAVEN. They were so good, however, that I became a little addicted and began eating multiple a day – no good. After I finished my second batch by early week 2, I knew I should eliminate those altogether as they were becoming a pacifier and milking my insatiable sweet tooth. Dangit!

HOW I FELT >> Honestly, I felt amazing, especially in the first few days. Clear headed, lighter, less bloated, sleeping better, more energy, more mindful, more in tune with my body, feeling less guilt about my food choices – all around positive reactions.

The second week was rougher as I fought more cravings, but they tapered off the more I mentally focused on the benefits I was drawing from the cleanse. All in all, the cleanse really did help me feel better, lighter and more aware of my choices.

WHAT I TOOK AWAY >> I felt like my body and mind began working together to bring about mindfulness in my diet. It was a process of purging bad eating habits I’d fell into, eliminating foods that were doing my body more harm than good, and realizing once again that food really is medicine. I not only felt lighter physically but also mentally, having more energy, focus and resolve. For example, one night at 10:30 – when I’d usually grow exhausted and want to crash – I felt a second rush of energy and decided to sort through my closet and get rid of unwanted items! It was such a cathartic, refreshing activity and one that almost came out of nowhere. In that, the cleanse affected more areas of my life than just my diet, and extended to my actions, thoughts and my daily routine.

HOW I’VE CHANGED >> I’m not swearing off gluten or dairy or sugar just because it helped me feel better. It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I don’t want to longterm. I know myself and the minute I say “I’m going off gluten,” I’ll read a contradicting article and decide to cut out meat instead. So, with that in mind, I’m going to:

• Move forward with a new sense of mindfulness with my eating choices, my daily habits and how I schedule my day.
• Make time for me – exercise, down time, etc.
• Fill up on foods that have exceptional nutritional value.
• Limit wine, chocolate, ice cream and other indulgences to a designated 1 or 2 days out of the week.
• Cut back on sweets/wine/other items when I feel myself growing addicted and/or negatively affected by them.
• Listen to my body if it doesn’t jive with certain foods – eliminate/add items as needed.

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT? Yes yes and yes. I’m grateful for the experience I had on the Conscious Cleanse and found myself pleasantly surprised at how different I felt even within the first few days. I cannot recommend the cleanse enough for anyone who is feeling a little less than themselves lately, who forgot that food is meant to nourish and repair instead of stuff and bring guilt and misery, who wants to lose a few pounds, or who just wants to feel good for once.

I could’ve said much more but I’d go on forever! Thanks again to Jo and Jules (and Holly) for letting me experience the Conscious Cleanse for free. It really has changed me for the better and I’m so happy that you’re out spreading the knowledge about food and body mindfulness – it’s a message our overfed, undernourished culture very much needs right now.

xo,
Dana

Though I was given the opportunity to try the cleanse for free, I was in no way compensated for my time or for this review. My opinions remain my own. 

As I’ve shared before, my skin started giving me problems in high school and I didn’t know the first thing about skin care. So at the first sign of trouble – be it breakouts, oiliness, redness – I would plaster on harsh products thinking it would help. Well, it didn’t. It only caused more oiliness, breakouts and tired-looking skin. So, after doing a ton of research and a little experimentation I’ve found a natural beauty routine that works for me. I still have breakouts here and there (usually related to hormones/periods) but they’re nothing like they used to be, and my overall skin texture is much improved.

In the morning here is what I do.

Cleanser >> Since I work out most days I can’t go without washing my face. I tried, it didn’t work out. So, I’ve been using Yes To Cucumbers Soothing gentle milk cleanser, and will occasionally add a dot of the Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin daily pore scrub for improved skin texture. Then, I rinse, pat dry and move on.

Toner >> Right out of the shower only every few days I dot some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and gently run it over my face as a toner. I don’t do it every day because it can be kind of harsh and my skin is sensitive. But it does help tighten my skin and prevent breakouts, so it’s a good thing to do every few days.

Moisturizer >> Then I moisturize with unrefined coconut oil – the little white dot  you see in the container above. This is important: I use THIS TRICK to remove excess oil and ensure my skin isn’t oily throughout the day before applying makeup. I’ve been doing it for a few weeks and LOVE the result. My skin has been perfectly moisturized and even stays looking great until night time. I was skeptical at first, but really love the way it moisturizes my skin.

Spot Treatment >> For trouble spots I use a dot of tea tree oil or this Clearasil spot treatment, whichever I’m in the mood for.

Lip Balm >> I love Burt’s Bees and have been using it for years. I use the lip balm stick in the morning and at night, and carry a metal disc of the balm around during the day for extra application.

Natural Face Scrub >> As an alternative to my normal “Yes To” face washes, I will occasionally use 1/2 tsp baking soda + 1/2 TB fresh lemon juice for a face scrub. I only do this maybe once a week as it’s too harsh for me for daily use.

I learned this from a friend a while back and it’s such a great natural face wash that helps even out texture and really exfoliate your skin. Plus, it smells amazing and is super cheap. I especially love how it fizzes when you squeeze on the lemon juice.

Tips >>

-Scrub gently only for about 30 seconds.
-Avoid any sensitive areas (like cheeks or under eyes).
-Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
-Moisturizer with coconut oil (or other moisturizer) immediately after to avoid drying skin out.

Now, my p.m. routine.

Cleanser >> I still use the oil cleansing method and still LOVE it!

Toner >> Only on nights that I notice some breakouts, I dot some apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and gently run it over my face. In the morning I notice my skin looking more balanced, refreshed and clear. Again, because it can be kind of harsh, it’s a good thing to use only every few days.

Moisturizer >> I also moisturize with unrefined coconut oil at night, but I don’t rinse any off like I do in the mornings. I simply take about a 1/4 tsp amount, rub it in between my hands and then pat it on my skin until I’ve covered all areas. It shouldn’t look super oily, it should look moisturized. If you put on too much, simply splash with a little cold water after letting it set into your skin for 5 minutes, and then pat dry.

Spot Treatment >> Again, for trouble spots I dot on tea tree oil using my finger or a Q-tip, or this Clearasil spot treatment, whichever I’m in the mood for.

Lip Balm >> Burt’s Bees for the win.

We all know beauty starts on the inside, cliche as it sounds, and lemon water is my little secret weapon to starting off on a healthy foot every day. I learned this trick from Jo and Jules at Conscious Cleanse – a natural detox program I’m starting tomorrow, in fact. (I’ll be blogging about my 2-week experience as I go). As a former coffee addict, I love how fresh and rejuvenating hot lemon water can be in the mornings and I’ve been loving it over coffee lately. Plus, it has some pretty amazing health benefits. Check it out!

And that does it – my natural beauty routine in a nutshell. Questions, concerns, comments? Do share. This natural beauty thing is an ever-evolving experiment and I’d love to hear your experiences, too.

xo
Dana

Good news! It’s giveaway time! I know, it’s been way too long but I promise I’m here to redeem myself.

I was recently contacted by the lovely folks at Albion Women’s Apparel to do a giveaway for Y-O-U! Albion is a unique (and affordable!) clothing company specializing in women’s fitness attire and swimwear, as well as workout clothing. Given the option of a few items, I chose one that I could sport outside of the gym.

The item up for grabs? This super comfy, casual grey long-sleeve crew that I am officially obsessed with. Trust me, you want this shirt.

If you know me in real life then you’ve probably grown seriously concerned for how frequently I’ve worn this shirt since receiving it a couple weeks back. The day it arrived I ripped open the package and put it on right away. Instant love.

What I immediately loved about the shirt was how comfy it was, how the crew neck flattered my neck-line and face shape, and how it was long enough to give it an almost “dressy” feel.

Since receiving my shirt I’ve dressed it down – as you can see here with some boyfriend-fit jeans and a ponytail – and dressed it up with dark denim leggings, rider boots, and a blue cardigan over top. I even wear it around the house as a comfy sleep shirt! Because of its fit, shape and neutral color, it’s so versatile that I feel I could wear it anywhere.

Here are the details: To enter to win a long-sleeve black, white OR grey crew of your own, simply like Albion Fit on Facebook, visit their website and “PIN” your favorite item, and then leave a comment below with the link to your pin!

I’ll be running this giveaway through Saturday evening and will announce one winner Sunday, March 17. What a fantastic way to kick off your spring break. Good luck!

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for participating! Maeve is my winner! I’ve emailed you to get your size/color preference. 

xo,
Dana