The Conscious Chick

Blog Relaunch Coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:30:59 PDT

Hello All

I will be relaunching the blog in the next few days. Please go to http://theconciouschick.com.

Thanks for your support and I look forward to sharing healthy and green tips with you.

SITE TEMPORARILY PAUSED

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:06:50 PDT

Hello Conscious Ones,

I will be upgrading this blog within the next couple of weeks (eventually moving over to Wordpress) so it will be down until then. I will however, be updating via Twitter and my brand new CC Facebook Page.

Here are the links to stay in touch.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Conscious-Chick/151493084877751

http://www.sunCerewellness.com
http://consciouschick.yelp.com
http://twitter.com/consciousch

Tata for now.

Conscious Product Review: CVS Green Toilet Paper

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:53:23 PDT

To avoid grossing some people out, I'm going to keep this one short and just get to some basic points.

I felt this was a good one to review since I think most people are afraid that "green" tissue is too thin. True - that's what makes it green. And also true - some brands are not worth paying for since you have to use twice as much to compensate for the thinness. This is not the case with the CVS Earth Essentials brand. I'm actually really surprised and so much so felt that I needed to include a post for it.

This line is endorsed by Greenpeace and made with recycled fibers. The brand also includes paper plates, paper towels and napkins.

Not too thin, not too hard, not too soft, not too expensive and eco-friendly, this one is juuuussst right. 5 out of 5 stars.

Conscious Restaurant Review: Josie's, Murray Hill, NYC

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:15:32 PDT

I've visited this spot before not realizing that it was for the "health conscious diner." I thought the food was pretty good but nothing to write home about. So now that health and wellness have become part of my personal brand, I decided to revisit with a H&W perspective that I can share.

I had the portobello mushroom burger which was very tasty and filling but truly confusing. Usually a portobello burger is made of mostly the mushroom as the "meat" in between the bun. In this one, there were slivers of the mushroom on top of a veggie-type burger made of quinoa, buckwheat and some other grains that escape me (and are curiously missing from the online menu). It clearly was not gluten-free because I was "Gas-sius Clay" all day. (I'm probably dating myself with that reference).

Anyhoo, the butternut squash soup was great- the right amount of sweet and salty. The grilled calamari was surprisingly tasty as I wasn't sure how I would respond to un-fried squid.

While the food was good, I'm only giving 4 stars for the lack of gluten-free options on the menu. And I'm giving 4 stars instead of 3 for the menu being organic and natural with cage-free meats and eco-friendly seafood.

Conscious Ingredient: Pomegranate

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:22:04 PDT

photo credit

Fall is my favorite season, so much so that if I ever had a daughter I would probably name her Autumn. I love the crisp air, the leaves, the onset of change both physically and metaphorically and most of all- the pomegranates are back in stores! As a kid I was fascinated with the deep rich color and it's tart rubies They pack a powerful antioxidant punch and has for the last couple of years been considered a wonderfruit for its nutritional assets.

There seems to be some debate over where the fruit actually comes from: Middle East, Africa or Asia. In any case, it is now available worldwide during the fall/winter season earning it the moniker "jewel of winter." They taste a little like cherries and the seeds kind of pop with flavor.

Now let's get down to the benefits:

Good for blood flow, increasing circulation and protects against heart disease and stroke
Lowers cholesterol
High in vitamins A and C, and minerals Potassium and Magnesium contributing to its antioxidant powers which help prevent cancer and are anti-aging.
Speaking of aging, it also has pantothenic acid- more commonly known as Vitamin B5 which is beneficial for healthy hair, skin and nails as well as metabolizing fats.

The pomegranate is easily bypassed in the stores because so many people are intimidated by how to eat it. Truthfully, it's messy and tedious. That's why it was a genius move for the corner stores and fruit stands to start selling the seeds in a container (already separated). It cost about a $1 more but is so worth it to be able to just take a spoon and dig in.

For those of you not as lucky to have someone separate them, you will have to cut the fruit into sections and just separate the seeds over a bowl. You can also do this in a bowl of water. (Make sure you don't wear anything light.) There is always the option of drinking the juice as there are now brands like Lakewood and POM that bottle and sell it.

Adding the seeds to a dish gives it a Mediterranean touch. Here's a healthy recipe with salmon as the main course.
http://pomegranates.org/recipes/main_courses/salmon_couscous.html

As mentioned above there are beauty benefits to using pomegranates and can be applied topically. Its antioxidant properties protect against aging, it's anti-inflammatory and promotes collagen and elastin thereby slowing the signs of aging. There are numerous products that have been introduced in the last couple of years and Weleda has an entire line dedicated to the Pomegrantate including oil, hand creams and body wash.

So if you have not tried it yet, do it now before it's too late, you only have a few months to go before they disappear.

Conscious Restaurant Review: Cafe Blossom Upper West Side NY

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:09:24 PDT

I've been hearing about Blossom for a while. A friend and I stumbled upon the one in Chelsea, NY but we got there too late as it was closed. So when another friend raved about Blossom and suggested we go, I was thrilled - until she told me it was the "cafe." I thought it was going to more fast food- like but it was a great experience.

It's more like a casual restaurant than a fast food joint or diner. It was spacious and the decor pleasant.

I had the polenta with artichoke shavings and grilled asparagus. (gluten-free btw) My friend D, had the quinoa salad that she is still raving about a week later. It was flavorful with just the right portions. For the beverage, I opted for the Ruby Red which had beets and some other veggies that I can't recall now but it was very good. I had to mention that because sometimes people make the juice with too much this or that.

We were there for longer than expected; long enough to be seduced by the desserts. I had the carrot cake and tried some of D's chocolate cake. Both were decadent. Even though, mine had a faint garlic flavor. I figured they must've used a utensil or something that still had the aroma of garlic on it.

Anyhoo, we were both happy and my friend D wants me to note that Blossom is her favorite vegan spot. And as for me, any place that says they are "First And Foremost Animal Caring" is alright with me.

Can't wait to try their dessert and wine place, Cocoa V.

You can check out other reviews and places I've been by checking out the Yelp Wigdet on the right side of the site or clicking here.

http://consciouschick.yelp.com

466 Columbus Ave
(between 82nd St & 83rd St)
New York, NY 10024
Neighborhood: Upper West Side

(212) 875-2600

www.blossomnyc.com/site/

Conscious Product Review: Yamerra

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:18:01 PDT

So I met this woman with really cool hair in Union Square, NY sitting at a small table with products neatly displayed. Her name is Maryam but her products are called Yamerra. The product line is 100% Luxurious Organic Skincare and Haircare while her tagline reads "Love Your Skin...Love Your Hair.... Love You."

She created many body butters and soaps made with shea butter and the hook is that she combines essential oils with herbs to provide nutrients to the skin for healing effects. Her fragrances were truly sensual and the butters were moisturizing without being greasy. After sampling some of her shea body butters, my friend decided to purchase some right on the spot and when tried some the next day, she said she actually got turned on! "Love yourself" in effect!

If that isn't a ringing endorsement for her products, I don't know what is. To see more of her products you can check them out here.

4 out of 5 stars.

Links for 2010-09-07 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 PDT

10 Ways to Eat Healthy On the Road

DIY Glass Cleaner

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:11:00 PDT

This is probably going to be the quickest entry I ever do on this blog. The recipe is super-easy:

2 teaspoons of vinegar
About 4 cups of water

That's it! In a previous entry, I mentioned newspaper but you can also use a soft cloth. The vinegar smell dissipates when dried so don't worry about that.

Look how happy this woman is to be cleaning her glass with an all natural cleaner. :)

10 Ways to Eat Healthy on the Road

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:17:36 PDT

Does this sound familiar? You're driving, starving and pull into a rest stop to grab something quick. The spread that's laid out before you includes, Doritos Slim Jims, Wise chips and my personal favorite- Bugles. Everything is cheesy, salty, sugary and full of ingredients that take you 5 minutes to pronounce. None of these things are good for you but you are starving and eating healthy is just not an option right now. Well, I'm here to tell you that it can be with some preparation and a discerning eye.

Healthy on the Road Tip #1- Buy one of those personal coolers. These are great for when you have to be on the road for more than a couple of hours. You can get one for as low as $20. Fill this up with healthy food before you hit the road so that you won't be so inclined to pull over to Roy Rogers.

Healthy on the Road Tip #2 - Know how to decipher which snacks are healthy. Many places like 7-11 and Starbucks are starting to include granola bars like the Kind brands. They have whole nuts and fruit with limited sugar. My favorite so far is the Apricot and Nut which are low in calories, high in fiber and sweetened with honey.

Healthy on the Road Tip #3 - Grab some nuts. They may have a lot of salt but so do chips. The difference is that these almonds actually have some nutritional value including omegas and vitamin E. It's better to have them raw but that's not too easy to find at a gas station store.

Healthy on the Road Tip #4 - Drink bottled water instead of soda. I can't emphasis this one enough. Drinking soda is like pouring sugar down your throat. I've been saying this for years: soda does nothing but make you more thirsty; that is why all the commercials are all about quenching thirst. It's a conspiracy, I tell you! Try some of these alternatives, like drinking veggie juice, teas (especially if you need the caffeine) or purchase some Hint flavored water. They have some refreshing ones like watermelon, pear and cucumber.

Healthy on the Road Tip #5 - Choose or bring along some dried fruits. They can help alleviate that sweet tooth. (dates are especially good for that).

Healthy on the Road Tip #6 - Pick fast foods that are healthier: If you find yourself in a situation where you just have to eat what is there (bus trip to/from Boston & NYC, anyone?), make sure your ordering the "healthier"options that are on the menu. For example, most places offer grilled chicken instead of fried, baked potato instead of french fries, water or a juice instead of soda. You can even order a salad.

Healthy on the Road Tip #7 - Buy some healthy frozen meals. You can store them in the cooler and when ready to heat up, you can use the microwave at the various stops. Amy's and Kashi make tasty ones with no trans fat that are made with natural ingredients. I want to caution that they do tend to have a lot of sodium but so does the McDonald Filet-o-Fish and Fries. Besides, these have less calories and more nutritional value.

Healthy on the Road Tip #8 - Hire a Health Coach. Okay so this one is not so practical but we really can help keep you on track while your on the road. A lot of health coaches are also healthy food chefs so if you can afford it, hire one. They can teach you how to cook on a hot plate. I'm available for any international and exotics trips. ;)

Healthy on the Road Tip #9 - Utilize mobile applications- like Yelp and Where- that will find restaurants or health food stores nearby using the GPS system on your phone. They can tell you where the closest Whole Foods is.

Healthy on the Road Tip #10 - Consort with people that are supportive. This may be the hardest recommendation as I realize that not everyone is on the same wave length as you. However, it is very helpful to have people that are willing to check out restaurants that are healthy and be sensitive to your lifestyle changes. If someone is pressuring you or ragging on you about your new lifestyle, it may be time to get out of that after-school special episode.

Challenge yourself and try some of these tips on your next road trip. Let me know how it goes. Or if you have some tips of your own, by all means, share.

Eco-Product Review: Martha Stewart's Clean Dishwasher Detergent.

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:09:29 PDT

There are two items that I have a hard time finding that are effective: dishwashing detergent and drain cleaner. Well in this post, we are going to review the former from none other than Martha Stewart.

Although her detergent works better than most, it still falls in the category of not being as good as those less-than-eco-friendly cleaners. I found that it left a little residue and didn't clean the silverware as spotlessly as I would have liked. I try not to over-stuff the washer so I don't think that was the issue.

I bought a large bottle of it so I will continue to use it but it was rather economical with no harsh smells. Over all I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Links for 2010-09-04 [del.icio.us]

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Co-Op coming soon to Queens
For those in the Queens area....

Links for 2010-08-30 [del.icio.us]

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT

10 Naughtiest Vegetables
Funny..

Links for 2010-08-24 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT

8 Reasons Why People Drink Soda/16 Reasons to Stop.
How many of you can recognize your reasoning in this list?

DIY Fruit and Vegetable Wash

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:06:45 PDT

photo credit

Pesticides are obviously used to ward off the pests that destroy our food. Although it was created as a benefit, the chemicals can be harmful to our health. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, pesticides can potentially cause nerve damage, birth defects and even cancer.

Eating organic definitely mitigates that with the use of non-chemicals pesticides. It's important however, to wash all fruit and veggies since we can also carry home fruit flies from the market.

Doing your own wash is as easy as 1-2-3-4.

Mix the following ingredients and spray away.

1 table spoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of vinegar

1 tablespoon of baking soda

1 cup of water.

Links for 2010-08-22 [del.icio.us]

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT

Buy Organic...For the Health of It
Indoor Plants Could Save Your Life Indoor Plants Could Save Your Life
I need more plants in my house!

Links for 2010-08-20 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT

9 Food Label Lies
Read the ingredients not the labels on the outside of the package.
FDA Sued Over Thyroid Damaging Toxins in Antibacterial Soap
Castille Soap is so much better. Add some tea tree oil which is a natural antibacterial agent and your good to go.

Conscious Ingredient: Ginger

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:30:43 PDT

All of us have had an upset stomach and have been told by someone to drink ginger ale as a remedy- and it works! Well, we don't necessarily need to drink the "ale" part of it which includes a lot of sugar. (For every 8 ounces of ginger ale, there is about 22 grams of sugar.) The ginger is the ingredient that soothes and calms the stomach. This sweet yet pungent ingredient also has a myriad of other health benefits besides calming digestive issues.

Ginger can be found in environments all over the world and any time during the year. It's loaded with potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium and Vitamin B6. You can buy it tea form, grounded spice or straight from the ground as a root. If you choose the last form, make sure you take off the skin before ingesting.

Some of the benefits include:

Slows the growth of colon cancer cells
Eases sinus congestion
Migraine relief
Heartburn relief
Motion sickness/nausea cure
Increases circulation
Anti-inflammatory properties helps with arthritis
Promotes sweating which helps break fevers and detoxes
May destroy ovarian cancer cells

It's very easy to incorporate some ginger into your diet. You can include a slice in your smoothies, drink some ginger tea or even make your own ginger ale. I tried this recipe from Simply Recipes, making my own adjustments (see below) and it came out pretty good.

Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

Ingredients

Ginger water

1 cup peeled, finely chopped ginger

2 cups water

Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Let cool for 20 minutes or so (I put the pot into the fridge)

Once cool strain through cheesecloth or strainer

Add:

Agave Nectar (to taste)

Club soda

Lime juice (optional)

Lime wedges

Ginger is not only beneficial when ingested but also as a topical agent. As an antioxidant, it makes a great anti-aging beauty treatment. As a matter of fact, I used some of the ginger juice I made and put it into my homemade facial toner.

Here is the recipe

1/2 cup Witch Hazel

Ginger Juice (see method above)

A couple of drops of tea tree oil.

Store in the fridge for a month or so. Your skin will feel so refreshed and instantly soothed.

So the next time you have a bit of a tummy ache, some nausea or need a skin pick me up, pick up some ginger.

Links for 2010-08-11 [del.icio.us]

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 PDT

What the Hell is a Health Coach? 10 Ways One Can Help You

What the Hell is a Health Coach? 10 Ways One Can Help You

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:14:01 PDT

Ever since I started classes at Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I've been getting that question a lot. I don't mind people asking because it gives me an opportunity to explain but I do wish it were a more prevalent profession. More health coaches would mean more people living happier lives, less prescription drugs and hospital bills which means less tax dollars spent on healthcare.

Since graduating last week as a Certified Health Coach, now seems like the perfect time to include an entry on what I do.

Health coaching is simply helping people lead healthier lifestyles. And there are many ways that signing up for my program can help you. Let us count the ways.

1) Managing stress: Sometimes what's going on in your life affects how you eat. We tend to reach for food and alcohol as a way to avoid dealing with unhappy situations. Through my program, you will be able to identify areas in your life that trigger those responses.

2) Lose weight: Not only do HCs help keep you on track nutritionally but physically as well. Exercise is a very important part of the program as it increases energy, moods and metabolism.

3) Improve Personal Relationships: When you feel good physically, you feel good emotionally and mentally. And when you feel good emotionally and mentally, you will become more positive, light-hearted and less irritable.

4) Gain more energy: Adding certain foods and eliminating others will increase your energy.

5) Help with specific medical issues: If you suffer from health issues such as diabetes, digestive disorders or thyroid conditions (my specialty), an HC can recommend (sometimes working in conjunction with a healthcare professional) a nutritional program that helps alleviate symptoms and may even reverse the condition- naturally.

6) Navigate through the myriad of nutritional advice such as the benefits in choosing organic, knowing the difference between cage-free vs free range poultry, vegan vs vegetarian, etc.

7) Deciding what diet is best for you: How you ate as a child, your blood type, your dohsa (Ayurveda) all can play a part in deciding what diet is most effective for you. You may benefit from eating meat or a Mediterranean meal plan could be your best bet. We will figure that out.

8) Curb cravings: sugar, salt, coffee - all of these items are okay in moderation but when we are craving them, it could mean that there is something nutritionally missing and your body is communication that. We will discover how to identify and eliminate cravings.

9) Integrating healthier foods into your diet: I will help you discover some new foods and show you ways to prepare them. You never know what you may end up enjoying!

10) Having a personal advocate for your health: I'm not bashing the healthcare system but sometimes it can feel like you are barely being heard. Taking control of your health and practicing preventive healthcare is really each individual's responsibility and it helps to have someone who is there for 50 minute one on one sessions twice a month. I keep you on track with the program and lead you to the road of having a happier healthier life.

For a free health history and to find out more about my program go to http://www.suncerewellness.com/

DIY Cleaning Products for the Bathroom Part 3 (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:02:38 PDT

The final piece of the DIY bathroom green leaning puzzle. To see more episodes you can catch me on MyTempO! with Morgan airing a 8:30 on Sundays on Manhattan Neighborhood Network. Sorry non-Manhattanites. Don't feel bad; even, I can't see the program because I'm in Queens. You'll just have to keep coming back here. :)

Natural Product Review: Indigofera Herbal Shampoo

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:39:56 PDT

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed a shampoo that I really wasn't feeling. In the post I mentioned that I was going to recommend a better one at a later time. Well here it is....Indigofera's Aromatic Hair Cleanser. I love the fact that they refrain from calling it a shampoo. Cleanser sounds more.....fresh! That's the word! And that's exactly how your hair will feel after using it. The aroma and the blend of herbs evoke a sense of spring time and natural surroundings.

The company's credo is plant-based solutions so there are no harsh chemicals such as SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) or parabens (an agent used as a preservative). Rest easy knowing that the cleanser is saturated with natural ingredients such as aloe, lavender, vitamin E, coconut and jojoba oil. It's 80% organic and smells....fresh! There's that word again.

It leaves your hair cleansed but moisterized with some shine.

This is just one step in their Hair Care Ritual so to check out more of their items check out their site.

DIY Cleaning Products for the Bathroom Part 2 (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:52:00 PDT

Hi folks, I know you've been anxiously awaiting Part 2 of the bathroom cleaning products video. Well your wish is my command. Here we actually do some demonstrations of green cleaning providing non-chemical alternatives to cleaning the bathroom. Do you have any chemical-free cleaning tips? Please share.

DIY Cleaning Products for the Bathroom (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:28:17 PDT

Check out Part 1 of my video with Morgan from My TempO! With Morgan. We are discussing DIY cleaning products for the bathroom. The episodes get better so stay tuned for more videos.

Episodes air on Manhattan Neighborhood Network Sunday nights at 8:30.

DIY Salad Dressing

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:03:09 PDT

Salad dressing was one of those food items that I thought just magically appeared in a bottle. I never thought much about making my own. However, while researching liver cleanses, I discovered that olive oil, lemon and garlic were all agents in helping to detox the liver. I remembered seeing a recipe for a salad dressing with those exact ingredients and decided it was a perfect intro to making my own.

Not only does making your own dressing empower you to know exactly what's going on your food but you also save some money.

Here is the recipe.

1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup of lemon juice
1 clove of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
(and my own spin) Goya Adobo seasoning.

You will have to keep it out of the fridge because the EVOO is a monounsaturated fat which turns solid in cold temperatures. After using it a few times, it's actually one that I prefer. It's super easy to make, free of artificial ingredients and good for your liver.

Do you have any salad dressing recipes? Do share!

Liver Cleanse: Could You Use One?

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:16:45 PDT

Have you been feeling a little irritable?  Having problems losing weight? It could be your liver needing a cleanse. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is the organ that harbors resentment, unresolved anger, irritability and frustration. It's also the largest organ in the body and performs hundreds of functions. One such function is having a hand in metabolism as it produces T3 hormones which are necessary for optimum thyroid function which- as you guessed it - is responsible for your metabolism.

I have first hand experience with this as I decided to do a candida cleanse and through the research, found that a congested liver can be related to a yeast infection. So I decided to embark on a cleansing.   I started with eliminating sugar and caffeine (which feeds candida yeast). The liver cleanse consisted of 1 cup of water, a tablespoon of olive oil, some ginger, 1 clove of garlic, pinch of turmeric and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. I drank it every night for a week on an empty stomach before I went to bed.

I could definitely tell I was detoxing - crusty eyes, zits, itchy skin and I smelled like a skunk.  A lot of painful childhood memories began surfacing which made me very irritable. It felt good to do some purging of negative emotions that had been lodged in my body and I had to keep that in mind while going through it. Exercising assists in burning off the negative emotions as well, so some yoga, walking and running were musts. Below is a yoga move that stimulates the liver. It's called revolved head-to-knee- pose.

Some nutritional ways to support your liver:

milk thistle

dandelion leaves or tea

turmeric

cinnamon

beets

cabbage

artichoke

onions

garlic

Cut back on

alcohol

fried foods

caffeine

I'm still in the middle of it so I'm hoping to come out of this with not just a healthier liver but a lighter body and disposition.

Natural Product Review: Trader Joe Nourish Spa Shampoo

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:26:38 PDT

Most of the time I trust Trader Joe's food products and supplements. So when I was looking for a cruelty and SLS (sodium laurel sulfate)-free shampoo, I went with their Nourish Spa brand. I loved the fact that it was clear and smelled fresh so I was excited to use it. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to its claims of moisturizing and shine. My hair was more dry and brittle than ever, even though it claims to be "ideal for replenishing dry and brittle hair." Maybe it just wasn't meant for relaxed hair like mine. It did however, make a great re-purposed bottle for my homemade shampoo which I will reveal soon. I also have a much better brand that I will write about shortly. Stay tuned.

Have any great natural products for me to review? Let me know- I love trying them.

DIY Tub Scrub

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:58:11 PDT

Here is a recipe that can be used to help with the pleasant task (sarcasm) of scrubbing the tub. Instead of using the harsh chemicals like Comet and Ajax, try this simple recipe.

The chemicals in these products can cause skin burns, irritations to eyes and lungs and some can even cause liver and kidney damage with prolonged use.

1 cup of baking soda
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of borax

Borax is a natural product made from the evaporation of water in various lakes around the world- notably the Middle East and California. It's used as a bleach substitute so it will help clean surface stain in the tub. It's important to note that alothough it's natural, borax can also cause some skin irritation, don't let it stay on your skin too long.
The lemon juice will also aid in removing stains while the baking soda provides just the amount of abrasion needed to do scrub the grit.

So give your eyes, skin, lungs and the environment a break with this effective cleaner.

I'm always open to hearing new DIY recipes. If you know of any, please reach out so I can feature it on the site.

Conscious Ingredient

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:27:30 PDT

Ever since I was a kid, I've had a fascination with coconut. I insisted on having it on any cake we made or bought- (who remembers Pepperidge Farm's three layer coconut cake?) We also used to crack one open with a hammer, drink the juice and eat the meat. As it turns out we were doing something very beneficial for our hair, skin, nails and overall health. Fortunately, we can now get the benefits in easier ways that don't involve using a hammer.

photo credit

Coconut water is now becoming the drink du jour for fitness buffs. It's a great way to replenish the electrolytes that are lost via sweat including potassium and sodium. It's also used to maintain the health of the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder. If you don't like the flavor of it alone, try substituting it for water in your smoothies. Here's a recipe that's perfect for summer. It's both cooling and increases energy.

Coco water, mango, blueberries, chia seeds, greens of choice- (dandelion leaves are good for balancing out the sweetness and detoxing the liver.)

When researching remedies for my thyroid issue, I discovered coconut oil. The oil can be purchased in supplement form or within jars. It has a high iodine content which makes it a good source for people suffering with hypo-thyroidism. In addition, it helps in maintaining low cholesterol, metabolism and dental and bone health. It's also used to help candida yeast infections due to it's anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil is a very good cooking oil as it remains stable under high heat (360 degrees). When purchasing this product you should look for virgin or extra virgin coconut oil. You want a product that is cold pressed from fresh coconut meat. It seems to work best when other elements of the coconut are consumed.

Adding to its multifunction, the coconut is not only great internally but topically as well. Because it's an antioxidant, it's perfect to use as a moisturizer for the skin and hair leaving them both soft and well-conditioned. Sun tanners will be glad to hear that it also protects against UV rays. Create your own body scrub by combining coconut oil, sea salt and your favorite essential oil.

If you prefer to just use the meat, put some flakes in your smoothies, on top of desserts or in a fruit salad.

In whatever form you chose to consume coconut, it has a plethora of nutrients that nourish both inside and out. And summer the perfect time for that pina colada so drink up- just use real coconut milk.

Factory Farms: Unethical and Unhealthy

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:03:43 PDT

Well if this isn't a case for Vegansim, I have no idea what is. Factory farming is a horrible way this country attempts to make as much money as possible. I'll let the clever video do the taking but I will say that I will no longer eat poultry or eggs that are not free-range. Meat eaters will want to make sure the their meat is grass-fed. The treatment of the animals and the chemicals used to combat the diseases that they wouldn't have if they weren't living in such horrendous conditions, is too much for me to tolerate both ethically and health-wise. If you don't have an affinity for animals at least have awareness for your self. What these animals eat and how they live/die end up in your body. Be Conscious.

Natural Product Review: Bejia-Flor Naturals

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:58:27 PDT

They had me at the name. Beija Flor means (my college portuguese class had me thinking beautiful flower) hummingbird. They are a vegan/vegetarian company that creates yummy natural and organic products that are affordable. My favorite item of theirs is the Hemp Butter Creme as the texture feels like dessert frosting. It absorbs very quickly but your skin stays moisturized all day. You can also use it in your hair as a moisturizer - how green is that? In addition to hemp -which by the way is a great source of omega essential fatty acids- there is Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E oil. Both of these ingredients not only moisturize but also help in healing scars and fading dark spots.

For more of their luxurious products go to http://www.beijaflornaturals.com/

DIY Face Toner

noreply@blogger.com (SunCearRaye) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:13:54 PDT

I remember purchasing a tea tree oil toner from Lush a while ago and thinking to myself, "Why did I buy this? I could have made it myself." And furthermore, what is the purpose of this stuff anyway? Toner helps bring the skin's pH back into balance, tightens pores and helps clear the last bit of soap residue. I notice a slight difference after using it but whether or not it's necessary in a skincare routine, is debatable. I was sort of irritated that I spent money on it, especially after realizing that it has parabens in it. So I dumped the contents and used the bottle to house my own. Here's one that works just as well- if not better. It's great for me to use this in the summer when I don't need as much moisturizer.

1/2 cup Witch Hazel
Cucumber juice*
A couple of drops of tea tree oil.

*To get the cucumber juice, peel it, chop it, blend it or smash it to a pulp, place it in some cheese cloth and squeeze the juice out.

It's best to refrigerate it which will not only keep it fresh but the cold will increase it's pore tightening abilities.