Eco Beauty Editor

Can Positive Thinking Reprogram Our Genes?

Shannon Dunn — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 05:18:43 +0000

Research proves genes can no longer be blamed for the skyrocketing disease statistics—and the answer to long-term vibrant health may be closer than you think. We’re a society addicted to fast-paced living, negative thinking and junk food fuels—a recipe for disease acceleration that means we’re set to live shorter lives than our ancestors, say many holistic health experts. Yet, while many blame the rise in cancers and heart conditions on their genes, scientific research proves only five to 10 percent of all disease is hereditary—far less than many have been lead to believe, according to leading stem cell biologist, Dr Bruce Lipton. It’s now a global discussion that’s being heard by those seeking another way: health, or lack thereof, doesn’t always begin with our parents or our bad habits alone. Rather it’s collaboration between the environment and our lifestyle, as well as our mind, and the thoughts we generate within it. “If genes are only responsible for five—at most 10—percent of the illness on our planet, what about the other 90 percent of the illness?” asks Lipton, who is also bestselling author of The Biology of Belief, a book that details how genes can be turned on and off by […]

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Belinda Davidson, the Modern-Day Mystic

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:43:31 +0000

Gone are the days when white witches were burned at the stake for performing spellbound healing rituals. Yet, their legacy of energetic remedies, or hands-off healings, is experiencing a modern surge of popularity, with patients seeking answers beyond the poke and prod practices of mainstream healthcare. From Reiki practitioners to biofield energy workers, there are a growing number of alternative healing professionals who work specifically with the energetic body, referred to in Tantric tradition as the Chakras. These energy centres receive, assimilate and express “our vital life force energy”, explains author and holistic healthcare expert, Deepak Chopra. When one or more become blocked, physical and mental illnesses may develop. Belinda Davidson & Her Gift of Clairvoyance These spinning vortices are nothing new to professional psychic and medical intuitive, Belinda Davidson, who was born with the ability to see beyond the tangible world—a gift of intense clairvoyance that allowed her to diagnose her doctor father’s patients while still in the waiting room. “I knew what was wrong with the patients just by looking at them,” she says. “I would just blurt these things out, which would get me in a lot of trouble—I was always in trouble for telling the truth.” […]

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Chromium. Are You Getting Enough?

Shannon Dunn — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:36:41 +0000

You may have never heard of it, yet chromium is an important trace mineral that’s needed in the diet, in small amounts, to protect against some of society’s most common diseases. Western diets lacking from this naturally occurring ingredient may be more likely to face life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It’s society’s reliance on modern food processing methods, as well as industrialised agricultural methods, that have resulted in a widespread chromium deficiency, an important trace mineral that enhances insulin performance—a hormone critical for metabolism as well as carbohydrate, protein and fat storage within the body. However, our addiction to fast-paced living and the stress that fuels it can also be to blame for the body’s chromium depletion, say many health industry experts, who agree that in such acidic conditions, this also sets up the body to become insulin resistant, where cells don’t respond to insulin. This leads to elevated blood levels of insulin and glucose, leading to disease. Yet before topping up, it’s important to know that it’s found in two forms: one, which is biologically active and found in food (chromium 3+) and a toxic version, which comes from industrial pollution (chromium 6+). Beneficial Chromium Foods […]

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Looking Within to Heal the Skin

Shannon Dunn — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 22:29:42 +0000

Healing skin of acne, dark circles, fine lines and pigmentation can benefit overall health, say many holistic health experts, who are using the face as a road map to help clients regain inner health and outer beauty. Common skin complaints, from acne to pigmentation, could reveal secrets to our internal health by simply looking in the mirror. Modern health experts are turning to an ancient Chinese technique for diagnosing internal disturbances, giving them the ability to treat specific conditions according to where signs are showing up on particular areas of the face. Combining dermatology and Chinese Medicine philosophy, Face Mapping is giving vital clues for those who are seeking more specific answers to their skincare woes. “From seeing the face colour and condition of the face muscle, I can tell the blood circulation quality and how the digestive organs function—and how much nutrition the patient is able to absorb from their diets,” says Sydney-based Chinese Medicine practitioner Peter Chen, who commonly treats clients for skin conditions such as acne and eczema at his Logical Medicine clinic. “If people have low kidney function problem, it will show as swelling around the eyes; if people suffer from liver or gallbladder issues, it […]

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Postnatal Doula Jojo Hogan on the First 40 Days with Baby

Shannon Dunn — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 07:11:05 +0000

I learned a lot from my first pregnancy. Top of my list during my second pregnancy was self-care, minimising stress and rallying a team around me to bring incredible gifts and knowledge to the pregnancy, birth and postnatal table. In my search for finding a spa for pregnancy massage, my osteopath recommended Bella Mama Pregnancy Spa and Wellness Centre. And so, I took my bump to Auckland’s North Shore and had one of the most divine massages I’ve ever had. Blissed out, I vowed to make this my little sanctuary during the remainder of my pregnancy. Upon finding out owner Jojo Hogan is also a postnatal doula, I promptly made an appointment to chat about postnatal care, and how I might incorporate her services into my 40 days of rest after bub arrives. I left our appointment feeling uplifted, confident and excited—I knew then I had a team of incredible women with me on this transformative journey called pregnancy, birth and mamahood. As a first time mama, I had no idea about so many things, especially postnatal rest and care. So, I’m excited to be able to share this interview with Jojo, so you might learn some things I had absolutely no clue […]

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How to Grow Truly Healthy Hair (Part I)

Shannon Dunn — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 08:07:30 +0000

Subjecting your locks to the latest dyes and dos can leave your hair looking less than lively. Add to that a nutrient-deficient diet and it’s little wonder our tresses can appear they belong to an aged rocker. Yet, there are steps you can take to reverse the damage and get a natural shine, no products necessary. If you’ve ever been to a hairdresser, you’ll be well familiar with the end-of-session sales pitch of the latest product to hit the market—a little pot of hair miracle promising to shine and polish your locks to perfection. While immediate effects of chemically made products, including colour dyes, may take your tresses from unruly to tame with an enviable shine, in the long term, hair is being damaged, follicle-by-follicle, cuticle-by-cuticle. Couple this with daily use of heated styling tools: straighteners, dryers, curlers, crimpers; and you’re getting further away from achieving true healthy hair, which can only come from the roots up. Laying down your favourite tools may not be an option, but there are steps you can take to bring back your silky locks of childhood, to a time when split ends were simply a band. However, it’s firstly important to understand how hair […]

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In Season: Grapefruit + its Heath & Beauty Benefits

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 20:10:05 +0000

With plentiful immune-boosting Vitamin C, the grapefruit is enjoyed as much for its health properties as its tangy flavour. These juicy fruits are now coming into season in Australasia, so you should start to see them at farmer’s markets and on supermarket shelves from May until January (those available year-round are usually flown in from other countries, so be sure to ask if buying seasonally—and locally— is important to you). Discovered in Barbados in the 1800s, grapefruits can add tart and tang to a summer salad or simply be squeezed to enjoy a juice alternative to orange. However, it’s the impressive nutrient profile that really makes this citrus worth popping into your shopping basket. Thought to be crossbred between a sweet orange and pomelo, grapefruits claim fame all of their own thanks to being high in free-radical destroying anti-oxidants. According to a study at the University of Glasgow, pink and red varieties are the best fruits to consume for beta-carotene and antioxidant benefits, along with grapes, apples and cranberries. While resembling an orange, they are much larger and boasts a pink or deep red flesh. Also available in white, it’s the colourful vitamin and mineral-rich grapefruit varieties that are said to […]

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Cultivating Beautiful Skin with Fermented Foods

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:05:33 +0000

While creams, gels and lotions may be labeled with promises of skin-youthening miracles, they can’t match the power of internal nutrition. Fermented foods are gaining widespread attention for their beautifying properities and preparing them is simple. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest anti-ageing hype, from vitamin-infused elixirs to laser resurfacing. However, tackling wrinkles, sagging and sunspots from the outside is only temporary fix and does little to reach the cause of our skin’s woes once we hit the age where gravity takes hold. Ageing, as we’ve come to know it through media campaigns and movies, isn’t inevitable, nor is it treatable in the long term simply with topical creams. But understanding why this is so may be the key to slowing down the ageing process—and learning to love the skin we’re in. Despite what beauty industry hype suggests, applying a chemical-based product to the outer layers of the skin, the epidermis, can do very little to plump and nourish what’s underneath—the dermis—which is made up of collagen, elastin, nerves and follicles. Rather, it’s primarily the body’s overall health that determines our outer glow and youthful looks; and such health relies on a balance of nutrition, adequate sunshine […]

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Crystals for Health, Wealth & Wisdom: ENERGY MUSE

Shannon Dunn — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:16:09 +0000

So many are enamoured by the allure of crystals, and all they promise to deliver. I, for one, have had a long-time love affair with them, from clear quartz to lapis lazuli and, most recently, selenite. From the ancient Sumerians to the Egyptians, crystals have been known as powerful protectors, healers and talismans by cultures worldwide; spiritual supports that, today, are popular subjects of Instagram feeds and mind, body, spirit expos. However, beyond social media, crystals continue to be revered and used by those who have delved much deeper than The Crystal Bible, decoding their messages and tapping into their energy for greater health, wealth and wisdom. Heather Ankinosie and Timmi Jandro are two such pioneers; modern-day crystal medicine women who, through their thriving business, Energy Muse, are teaching people how to work with these seemingly magic stones to bring greater clarity, purpose and, yes, even protection. I met Heather and Timmi 10 years ago, when they gifted me a luck bracelet, a marrying of black tourmalinated quartz, heishi shells and pyrite to foster positivity, and in turn, good luck. It has been my mainstay piece ever since, until I made a new purchase for the next stage of my […]

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Innovative, All Natural, Truly Active: BIOLOGI

Shannon Dunn — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:26:20 +0000

Biologi, a skincare range that boasts ingredients from just one plant in each product, is being touted as one of the most exciting natural beauty brands to hit the market—ever. How so, when there are countless products on the shelves, each promising to naturally nourish, repair or turn back the clock? It’s a big statement. But as you’ll read below, chemist and founder Ross Macdougald really has formulated a one-of-a-kind skincare family, straight from Mother Nature—yep, really. The range of active plant serums are just that: naturally-occuring active ingredients, extracted from native Australian flora: the Finger Lime, Kakadu Plum and Davidson Plum. You won’t find one additive, any fragrances, perservatives or even water. The Luminosity Face Serum (Davidson Plum), Hydration Body Serum (Finger Lime) and Rejuvenation Eye Serum (Kakadu Plum) are 100 percent organic plant serums, kept fresh and active thanks to what is being called an “innovative method of extraction”. You won’t find one additive, any fragrances, perservatives or even water. Produced in the Byron Bay/Northern Rivers region of Australia, Macdougald says his serums are “unprecedented”. Biologi is also a brand that stands firmly behind its marketing promises: “(We have) transparency, honesty, truthfulness and (we) deliver a product that […]

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Fennel: A Digestive Superhero

Shannon Dunn — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 20:29:29 +0000

With its subtle, yet distinct, anise flavour and reported healing properties, fennel is becoming a popular addition to salads, smoothies and winter-warming vegetable soups. It’s a fibre-rich vegetable packed with health-boosting properties, from cold-preventing Vitamin C to the cancer-fighting phytonutrient, anethole. A diet staple in India, Pakistan and the Mediterranean, fennel, with its edible feathery leaves and hefty bulb, is becoming more widely sought after in Australasian kitchens, thanks in most part to nutritionists, chefs and food bloggers. While beneficial when eaten year-round, it is a particularly good winter vegetable, thanks to its ability to warm the digestion. However, come summer, it’s this very ability that can counteract the negative health effects that come with drinking and consuming cold beverages and foods, such as soft drinks, refrigerated water and ice cream. According to nutritionist and bestselling author of Be Your Own Nutritionist: Rethink Your Relationship with Food, George Cooper, these chilled foods and drinks stop gut enzymes from working, while compromising blood circulation and stomach secretions. “Fennel is an all-round warming superhero,” he says. “Traditional indications include relief of digestive pain and nausea and stimulation of appetite—it’s also used to warm the uterus, stimulating circulation to treat period pain.” Fennel […]

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The Ultimate Beauty Detox

Shannon Dunn — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 21:27:07 +0000

Fast-paced living, unhealthy fuels and lack of sleep all contribute to accelerated ageing, from lifeless skin and limp hair to excess weight and energy slumps. Looking great and feeling vibrant are a package deal say the experts, and achieving both is more simple (and fun) than you might think… You’ve burned the midnight oil and wake the next morning longing for your trusty double soy latté, the daily antidote to your lack of energy and fuzzy thinking. While a quick fix is guaranteed, the long-term effects of burning the candle at both ends—and all that comes with it—can not only be detrimental to our health, but also to our skin, hair and nails. Over time, it’s a recipe for what the experts simply call “accelerated ageing”. Yet it’s the little shifts that can not only contribute to the reversal of damage caused by a life of excess, but also help us to look younger, say some experts, who are bucking society’s accepted ageing criteria with a healthy lifestyle that incorporates organic whole foods, clean spring water, gentle exercise and positive thinking. Sixty, it seems, is fast becoming the new 30. MIMI KIRK’S BEAUTY DETOX For Mimi Kirk, who was once […]

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How to Use Copaiba Oil

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 22:11:16 +0000

There’s a lot of talk in the natural health world about Copaiba, an oil extracted from copaiba trees in the Amazon rainforest. Why? Its benefits have been found to be similar to cannabis oil, without THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects. The essential oil is steam distilled from the copaiba oleoresin, a substance made up of resin and essential oils. The collection process of the oleoresin is unique among essential oils, as it’s tapped from the tree in a similar way maple trees. The oleoresin is then steam distilled to produce the essential oil. Copaiba’s main chemical component is beta-caryophyllene, similar to cannabinoids found in cannabis, which may protect nerve cells and benefit the cardiovascular and immune systems.* Great Ways to Use Copaiba Copaiba is a versatile oil. Here are some excellent ways to use it: Help keep your skin clear and clean and minimise appearance of blemishes by adding the oil to your toner or by applying it directly to skin before applying moisturizer. Copaiba blends well with Roman chamomile, cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense, or ylang ylang. Create your own personal fragrance in a roller bottle, and then fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil. Most […]

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Six Ways to Celebrate Earth Hour 2018

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:29:40 +0000

If you’re near a light switch at 8:30pm tomorrow night, remember to turn it off, at least for an hour. Starting as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, inspiring millions of people to take action for our planet and nature. In celebration of doing more to put less burdon on our planet, there’s also plenty we can do beyond saving energy. Even if you live in an urban area, it’s totally possible to connect to Mother Nature to do her—and yourself—huge favours. 1. Reduce Plastic Use It’s no secret single-use plastics make life convenient—but they are an environmental killer. When plastic isn’t disposed of properly, it often ends up in the ocean, endangering marine life. If it does make its way to a refuse site, plastic generally takes hundreds of years to break down. When it’s burnt, poisonous fumes are released—fumes that are bad for people and wildlife. The solution? Switch to reusable shopping bags, and avoid using plastic plates, utensils and straws. Think about preparing food at home store it in reusable containers. 2. Grow plants If you’re living in the city and are […]

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#LOVELIST: Empowering Jewellery, an All-Natural Paw Paw Balm + More

Shannon Dunn — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:19:47 +0000

From natural beauty and ethical fashion to good-for-you-and-the-environment utensils, here’s my latest #lovelist. Got something natural and organic that you’re loving right now? Please share in the comments! Wallace Cotton Organic Range The Wallace Cotton journey began when Kiwi Paula Wallace made a duvet cover for a friend. “That first duvet cover was so well loved that it inspired (us) to start a bed linen business based on beautiful designs and quality cotton,” she says. What I love about Wallace Cotton, is not only their designs, but also the fact that a good percentage of what they produce and sell is made with organic cotton, including this Aquasuvious european pillow case from their latest collection. Visit www.wallacecotton.com Organic Island Paw Paw Lip Salve Not all paw paw ointments that come in red tubes are actually good for you. However, Organic Island’s Paw Paw Lip Salve most certainly is. Certified organic, it is completely natural, which means you won’t find any petrochemicals, or any other chemical that doesn’t belong on your skin or lips. Using a patented delivery system (Olivem 1000 Crystal Skin and Si02 Matrix), the organic dehydrasome pumpkin papaya and Vitamin E will have your lips protected, nourished and soothed. […]

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The Lost Art of the Love Letter – World Poetry Day

Shannon Dunn — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 21:36:36 +0000

Today is World Poetry Day—the perfect day to bring back the lost art of the love letter. Who doesn’t love finding a sweet poem from your other half, friend, mystery crush? However, social media’s promises of bringing us closer together have, say some, actually driven us further apart, all the while killing the humble love letter. Instead, poems have taken a back seat to Post-It-Notes on the fridge, DMs and text messages — “Can you pick the kids up? Dinner’s in the oven. I’ll be home late. Wine? What shall we do this weekend?” Jo Power, founder of Things by Bean and expert wordsmith, says there is much to be gained from resurrecting a letter infused with love. “Written words have an awesome permanence to them. I’ll occasionally go back to special emails that family and friends have written to me. They’re fun to re-read, but not nearly as fun and moving as the special handwritten notes, cards and journals I have tucked away in a big yellow box under my bed.” She adds: “The physical contact you make with paper creates a bond to the paper itself and, more importantly, the words written on it. And when you engage […]

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Poison by Pedicure? How to Treat Your Feet Safely

Shannon Dunn — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 21:43:55 +0000

There’s more to consider than simply nail colour when booking in for a pedicure. Choosing a reputable salon is vital if you want to avoid nasties, from bacterial infections to callus removals gone wrong. A soak, buff and polish is supposed to be a beauty treat—an hour where those who are fastidious about their feet can pick out the latest in toe trends all the while forgetting about stressors of the daily grind over a massage and chat. While the humble pedicure is serious business, there’s a darker side to the industry that prides itself on glamour and affordable pampering. Choose the wrong salon, say may health experts, and you could walk out with more than Hollywood-inspired nails. From staph infections to airborne toxic chemicals, nail salons can be health hazards that can do serious harm to the unsuspecting, reports skincare industry magazine Skin Inc. And no one is immune. Even celebrities have been caught with unsightly foot fungus infections after visiting nail parlours that aren’t strict about cleanliness. The UK Sun told how supermodel Kate Moss walked out of a New York Chinatown salon with foot fungus that required potent antibiotics to clear it up. Meanwhile, Madonna was another […]

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How to Use Barbary Fig Seed Oil

Shannon Dunn — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 21:02:19 +0000

One of the most expensive oils on the market is also proving to deliver some of the best results. Barbary fig seed—or prickly pear—oil is an export from Morocco that’s said to be even more potent than the country’s other darling of the beauty industry, argan. It’s easy to get caught up in the next anti-ageing hype; ingredients sourced from far away lands that are said to plump, polish and perfect every pore. One to land on this beauty bandwagon over the last few years is Morocco’s barbary fig seed oil, or prickly pear, an oil extracted from sweet fruits of the opuntia ficus-indica, a species of cactus thought to be native to Mexico. Called tunas, the fruit ripen from August until October. It’s then they’re peeled and eaten—seeds included—boasting a similar flavour to watermelon. For thousands of years, Mexicans have used the fruit to make an alcoholic drink called colonche, while in the United States it’s favoured as cattle feed. Yet it’s the Moroccans who are showing the world that the barbary fig is more than just a local diet staple, and taking advantage of this prickly plant’s anti-ageing potential. But just how effective is it compared to other […]

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Khloé Kardashian’s Eco Baby Registry + What She Needs to Rethink

Shannon Dunn — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 00:42:50 +0000

I was inspired to see Khloé Kardashian choose some eco items for her baby registry. Below are just a few of her earth-friendly, kind-to-baby picks. However, there’s one product Khloé has put on her Amazon registry that she really needs to rethink. Read on to find out what it is and why… Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter for Breastfeeding and Dry Skin Khloé has chosen to only put organic and natural ingredients on her bub, the soon-to-be newest of the Kardashian clan. Earth Mama Organics are formulated by Melinda Olson, a nurse and herbalist who believes mamas, babies and families have a right to natural and organic herbal products, without any ingredients that “make you cringe”. Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray While I used another all-natural brand, I highly recommend following Khloé’s lead with using a postpartum cooling spray, to soothe and help ease discomfort of postpartum vaginal soreness, swelling, episiotomies and haemorrhoids. Ingredients include astringent witch hazel, antibacterial lavender, and cooling peppermint pure essential oils. Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil Khloé chose a mama-favourite with this fast-absorbing and non-greasy natural formula for her growing bump. This is an oil infused with a blend of organic oils, including avocado, olive, rosehip, […]

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Naked Beauty Bar Expands with Zero Waste Mission

Shannon Dunn — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 20:54:00 +0000

Aussie eco retailer, Biome, is on a mission to help people reduce exposure to toxins and beauty waste with the expansion of the Naked Beauty Bar. Located at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Brisbane, Biome’s Naked Beauty Bar is where you can bulk buy natural ingredients to make zero-waste body care products at home. Biome Eco Stores founder, Tracey Bailey, says modern skincare has “lost its way” with complicated, mostly petrochemical-derived ingredients. “The commercial beauty industry selects from a palette of approximately 12,500 chemical ingredients to produce a range of products with the average beauty product containing between 15 to 50 ingredients,” she said. “The production and disposal of chemical beauty products affect our environment with most beauty waste being washed down the drains, threatening marine biodiversity and the quality of our oceans and waterways.” Bailey says Naked Beauty Bar takes a back to basics approach allowing customers to truly understand the ingredients in their products. “It offers a natural alternative to chemical produced products and reduces waste, providing a healthier alternative for people and the planet.” More than 40 natural ingredients are available at the Naked Beauty Bar in bulk and premade options. From lip balm and body scrub to deodorant […]

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