Simply Green and Healthy Living

DIY Face Hydrating Mist

2011-03-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Want to avoid those ingredients you can't pronounce in your favorite hydrating facial mist? Here's a great way you can do just that by making your own with just a few ingredients. A few main reasons for keeping our skin hydrated: It delays the signs of ageing and brings the skin to a healthy and glowing skin. Now who doesn't want that for their skin?

Personally, I love using facial mists with my mineral foundation powders. It allows me to do a wet application for that natural look. So here's what you'll need:

- 1 ounce of distilled water
- 2-3 drops of your choice of Essential Oil

You may use EO's such as Lavender, Neroli, Rose Geranium, Rose, etc...

Next step is to simply combine the two and store in a bottle with a mist cap. See picture above. As you can see, mine is a bottle intended to be re-used.

Shake well before each use and mist away naturally!

How to re-use glass jars!

2011-03-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

There are many small acts one can do on a daily basis to preserve our planet. One simple act such as re-using your glass jars and cosmetic containers will greatly reduce the burden on our environment and will also save you money. There are so many wonderful uses for those jars that once housed your favorite spaghetti sauces, olives, fruit preserves and makeup products. Dating back to my childhood days, I have always enjoyed crafting with them and still do.

Below are just some of the many uses for these gems. If you already have a unique use for these, please feel free to share.

Use to store spices, cereals, cookies, chocolate, flour, grains, salad dressings, pickles and even hot sauce. Then simply create a label and attach to jars. Hot sauce pictured right -->

Utilize as a holder for pens and pencils. Get creative by decorating the jar with ribbons and bows. Great project for the kids too!

Store your DIY sugar scrubs and bath salts. Below is a simple coconut oil jar that is now re-used to store one of my favorite DIY scrubs -- Cinnamon Bun Sugar Scrub.

Get organized by storing your crafting & sewing supplies. See picture below. You may also get creative and add a pin cushion on top of jar.

Fill with water and use as a vase.
Use as food storage containers.

Use for your DIY candle projects.

Store coins.

I apply this same principle with re-using my glass cosmetic containers. I have cleaned and sanitized the pots pictured below which once housed a few of my favorite eye shadows before converting them into lip balm pots. The pot on the right now stores a bit of Raw Organic Shea Butter.

Please remember to always clean your glass containers and allow to air dry before re-using. For cosmetic containers, I like to spritz with rubbing alcohol after it's been washed with regular soap and water.

I hope I have given you some insight for re-using your glass jars and cosmetic containers. Remember conservation is necessary for preserving our environment and planet as a whole.

Go Green With Baking Soda

2011-03-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but as Spring quickly approaches there's one thing on my mind besides going out and smelling the fresh air and that is Spring cleaning. Have you started your spring cleaning yet or do you plan on doing so soon? Have you decided on which products you'll be using around your home this spring? Stop! Before you do so, I urge you to pull out those products from under your sink and start examining the ingredients. You may be surprised at your findings. If you can't pronounce all of the ingredients listed then that's a great warning sign that your product may not be so safe for your family and the environment. Traditional household cleaning products are loaded with an array of dangerous chemicals, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, ammonia etc. All of which contributes to indoor pollution due to the toxic fumes they produce. The elderly, kids, pets and asthma sufferers will be most at risk for developing either breating complications or skin and eyes irritation. If you live in North America, then you must be aware of our poor air quality so switching to safter alternatives is 'the' best option for both your family and the enviroment.

Making your own products really isn't that difficult, considering the fact you'll only be requiring a few ingredients per formula. Baking Soda happens to be so versatile for formulatig both beauty and household cleaning products so you'll want to stock up on a few boxes at a time.

Below are some of my favorite Household Cleaning & Beauty Uses for Baking Soda

Cleaning the oven & stove top. Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and wipe clean.
Remove tarnish from silver. Mix a thick paste of Baking Soda with water, apply the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and pat dry.
Cleaning the sink (stainless steel). Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.
Adding as a booster to laundry detergent. Add one-half cup Baking Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.
Cleaning the bathtub, shower & tiles in general. Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean. Depending on the degree of grime, I may add white vinegar right after the Baking Soda. Allow this solution to sit for a bit then scrub.
Cleaning & deodorizing the refrigerator. For cleaning, simply sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and wipe clean. And for deodorizing, place an opened box in a corner of your refrigerator.
Drains Maintenance: Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of Baking Soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar and same amount of boiling water. Allow to sit for about 1/2 an hour then wash away with more boiling water.
Remove burnt-on food on either cookware or stove top. Do Not Use On Cast Iron! Dampen area, sprinkle with Aluminum Free Baking Soda, allow to soak for about 1/2 an hour, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.
Remove coffee or tea stains from china. Dip a damp cloth in baking soda, gently rub the china, and rinse clean.
Clean coffee and teapots. Soak in a warm water solution with about 1/4 - 1/2 cup baking soda. Go over with a sponge to wipe away any residual stains then rinse and pat dry.
Brush your teeth. Whether you're looking to remove tea or coffee stains or just plain brushing, add a small amount onto your dampened tootbrush and brush as usual then rinse. It's safe and besides Baking Soda is fluoride free.
Soothe tired feet or full body soak. Add 3-4 tablespoons to warm bath water and soak feet/body. You may also add a couple tablespoons of epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oil for an invigorating bath/foot soak experience.
Glowing Skin Recipe. Mix equal parts of honey, baking soda & a few drops of milk. Use on any part of your body & rinse. Honey hydrates the skin, baking soda exfoliates while milk cleanses.
Use as a deodorant. Dust a miniscule amount of baking soda in the palm of one of your hands, add a bit of water to create a paste & apply under arms. Allow to dry completely before getting dressed.
Dry up pimples. Mix a small amount of baking soda with warm water & apply daily on pimples. Leave on for up to 1/2 an hour then rinse.
Remove crayon marks from walls. Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently then wipe clean.
Get rid of build-up from hair. Add one tablespoon of Baking Soda mixed with your shampoo. Massage into hair. Rinse, condition and style as usual.

Are you convinced of how versatile baking soda is? Above are just some of the uses for this wonderful product. If you've already been using this awesome stuff, please drop by and share your favorite
recipe(s) with my readers and I. You may do so by either leaving me a comment here on my blog or on over at my Facebook Page: Simply Green & Healty Living. I'd love to hear from ya!

Until next time, Go Green and start keeping the toxins off and out of your bodies.

Review: 100 % Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

2011-03-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

"Are you guilty of neglecting your under-eye area?"

If you are, I promise you wouldn't after you're done reading this article. Once upon a time, I was guilty of not paying too much attention to that area of my face simply because I didn't feel like I had much to address and still don't. Sounds familiar? I'm sure it does but without realizing that's where the first signs of ageing will creep up on you -- under your eyes. Why? Because the skin around our eyes are 'the' most delicate and thins as we age, in addition to sun exposure, lack of sleep and free radical damage.

"So, how can we prevent this?"

The answer isn't what many of you may anticipate since ageing is inevitable we all will eventually grow old at some point but this does not mean we should just throw in the towel and ignore our skin completely. Absolutely not! It simply means that we must start to pay extra attention to what needs to be addressed. The earlier, the better. As you all know, I'm an advocate for using only Natural and Organic products and choosing an eye cream is no different. Since the skin under our eyes are so delicate, it's vital to choose a product containing only natural and potent ingredients that will quickly target that area minus the chemical additions. The 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, contains none of the latter and is formulated with nothing more that what is required to effectively and safely perform; making it an ideal product to target the under eye area.

"About the 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream."

This potent formula is an anti-inflammatory product that contains caffeine rich green tea and coffee. It is chock full of nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients that are therapeutically formulated to de-puff while increasing blood circulation to alleviate and brighten dark circles. As stated above, it's a natural formula and also free from all known carcinogenic ingredients, synthetic fragrances, preservatives and petrochemicals.

"How Does It Function?"

This product works mainly because of it's combination of potent and concentrated blend of anti-ageing nutrients and antioxidants. See ingredients below.

Ingredients:
It contains only 100% natural and potent organic botanical extracts: Organic Green Tea1, Organic Calendula Hydrosol1, Organic Rosehip Oil1, Organic Green Coffee2 Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Extracts of Coffee Cherry, Organic Rosemary3, Organic Oregano3, Organic Thyme3, Organic Grapefruit Seed3 and Organic Goldenseal4, Organic Vanilla Absolute3, Candelilla Wax

"Here's my experience with the 100 % Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream."

Ever since I learned of this range, which was a few years ago, I had placed it on my list of products to try. Like any other range on the market, there are both positive and negative reviews. And I certainly didn't let the negative deter me from trying the 100 % pure range. It's definitely a range that has a lot to offer especially for those on a mission to avoid the chemical nasties. To learn more about 100 percent pure, I suggest you visit their site here.

According to my findings, this formula is quite concentrated and extremely moisturizing and it leaves my undereye area quite hydrated which is a major plus in delaying the signs of aging. I purchased the one ounce size which will last me quite a long time, judging from it's concentration. It glides onto the skin very smoothly and absorbs very easily. The smell in another thing I that I love about this product -- smells like a delicious coffee dessert. You coffee lovers will definitely get your fix with this one.

Thus far, I don't have any major under eye issues to address except for those days when I'm sleep deprived and that's when this product comes in handy. It makes my under-eyes appear alive and awake just as it promises. This product deserves a 5 star and more.

"Where To Buy?"

This awesome product can be sourced directly from the 100% Pure site, major online beauty sites or even at select online healthcare stores.

My source of purchase happens to be via Ebay since that's where I found the best deal -- $15 plus shipping: Kenda at PureCosmetics on Ebay. She is just lovely to do business with and I'm so glad we connected. She was super helpful and very effecient with shipping and communication. highly recommend you check out her store. She only stocks non-toxic, green and healthy cosmetic and skincare. You may also follow her on Twitter to be notified of her deals.

So ladies, what are you waiting for? Why not give your under-eyes a treat to some of this yummy coffee goodness? And please do come back and share your thoughts here with me.

Wishing you all beautiful and healthy looking skin.

Mwah!

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid to review this product. I purchased this product on my own. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Goodbye dull looking skin!

2011-03-07T17:40:00.000-08:00

Does your facial skin appear a little dull? If so, here's a quick tip for you, one that I have effectively used since I was a teenager. Today is just one of those days that I feel the need for perking up my skin and thought that I should share my remedy with you as well.

As most of you know, I'm a DIY enthusiast and always have been especially when it comes to taking care of my skin. I prefer using raw and fresh ingredients as much as possible. This enables me to also avoid toxic laden products.

This natural treatment would also be ideal for those of you who battle acne. For this treatment, you'll need to grab some good quality honey(about 1 tablespoon), preferably Manuka or Raw and the juice of half a lemon.

The next step is simply combining the two ingredients then using your fingers, apply to your cleansed face. Allow it to sit and do it's magic for about 15-20 minutes before washing off with warm water. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

Lemon juice is a natural form of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which loosens and dissolves dead skin cells from the skin's surface and help to regenerate new skin cells. AHA's controls acne and smooths rough dry skin, making it ideal for ageing skin. Overall, your skin will retain moisture while leaving your skin healthy and vibrant. Honey being a humectant, attracts and retains moisture to the skin which will leave it hydrated and alive.

One tip about using any form of acids on your skin: Never go out into the sun without SPF since your skin will be suseptible to sunburn. Always protect using a straight SPF or a moisturizer containing zinc or titanium dioxide.

This happens to be one of those no-fail masks/treatments that has always done wonders for my dull looking skin. You should give it a try.

Protecting Your Tresses

2011-03-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

About Protect Hair Repair

Whether you're looking to repair your dry damaged hair or simply wanting to bring it to a healthier state, you may want to consider adding a product such as the Miessence Protect Hair Repair to your hair care regime. Why? That's because this wonderful product is formulated with Organic Rosehip seed oil which is know for it's moisturizing and anti-ageing properties and will be especially effective on dry brittle hair. Rosehip Seed is an absolute favorite of mine and I always opt for products containing this very beneficial oil. I can do an entire blog post on this oil but will briefly tell you it's used in many beauty products mainly beacause of it's awesome properties. It is also high in essential fatty acids which helps to promote healthy skin and hair.

Protect Hair Repair also contains other beneficial organic herbals which helps to promote body and overall strength of your hair. One more reason why you should use Protect Hair Repair is to protect your hair from the sun. Yes, heat is quite damaging to the hair and will eventually cause split ends. Split ends are not pretty neither is it easy to get rid off. Another plus about this product is the fact that is leaves your hair smelling great - botanical scent.

Product Usage:

It's super simple to use, simply shake and spritz on either dry or damp hair. I prefer the latter since I find it distributes more evenly. Then I like to run my fingers through and style as I normally would.

Sizes Avaiable:

This awesome product is available in two sizes, 8.5 ounces and a Trial Size. The Trial Size is just perfect for carrying in your purse for touch ups and also great for travelling.

Here's to healthy looking hair!

PS: Should you have any questions concerning this product or just would like to say hi, then I suggest you head on over to my new Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/f5GhJT C'mon over and I'll assist in any way possible. Cheers!

"Thicker, Fuller and Longer Eye Lashes, Naturally."

2011-02-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

I know my subject sounds like I'm about to promote or launch a product that delivers, "Thicker, Fuller and Longer Eye Lashes." In actuality, I am not launching or promoting such a product but here to share with you how I manage to achieve healthy looking lashes, naturally.

A Brief Overview Of My Eye Lashes:

Overall, my eye lashes are fairly healthy since I've never had any issues like hair breakage and shedding but still thought it could do with a boost. Yeah, I'm greedy. I want 'em longer and fuller:) Who wouldn't? So, in my quest to preserve my fairly healthy looking lashes, I'm very careful with the products I choose to use on my lashes and near my eyes. And I prefer to not wear mascara on a daily basis, even if it's a natural formula.

Lash Conditioning:

In my opinion, great looking lashes should start with proper care. You may want to read my most recent post entitled, "DIY Eye Lash Conditioning Treatment."

My tools & products for great looking lashes: (Pictured above & to your left.)

To pull off great looking lashes, one must find the right tools to suit your needs. Although I'm not a daily mascara user, when I decide to indulge, I want my lashes to make a statement. The products and tools that never fail me are my beloved Miessence Mascara, E.L.F's Mechanical Eyelash Curler, priced at $1.50 and available at most dollar stores and the Tweezerman Folding Eyelash Comb. If you can't source the latter locally, then follow the link provided. I was able to source mine at the Rexall Pharmacy for under $12.

Steps I take for great looking lashes:

The first thing I do is to line my lashes with a liquid or pencil liner before curling and applying my first coat of mascara, then I use the Tweezerman Folding Eyelash Comb to separate my lashes. It's important to do this while mascara is still wet. I then repeat this process depending on the coats of mascara I am going to apply. If you follow these simple steps, I guarantee you'll always achieve great looking lashes.

Additional tips:

To promote healthy eye lashes, limit your use of waterproof mascaras -- water resistant may be a better option. I find waterproof formulas can be way too harsh on the delicate eye lash hairs, especially when used on a daily basis. Some may argue this but this is my personal findings.

Use a natural carrier oil like Olive or Jojoba to remove your mascara. It's gentle and conditions while removing eye makeup.

Opt for natural mascaras since they don't contain an array of toxic substances that may cause irritation to your eyes. If you have sensitive eyes, then go natural.

In all photos, I'm wearing 2 coats of the Miessence Pure Black Mascara.
I hope this article has inspired you go greener with your beauty products, specifically your eye lash products.

Stay Beautiful!

DIY Eye Lash Conditioning Treatment

2011-02-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

This natural DIY treatment is especially for those of you who are aiming to go a little greener with your beauty products. The big question for many seems to be, "where do I start?" Forget those toxic laden formulas that promise grand results and give this simple DIY Treatment a go. I think you will be majorly impressed, if used religiously. As in the case of anything you take on, consistency is key to yielding great results so just keep this in mind.

In my experience, I have encountered individuals who tend to believe that natural products aren't as effective as let's say, major conventional brands. And this clearly isn't the case as you can tell, judging from my postings and photos. I have a strong testimony of going natural with my beauty regime. Our skin being the largest organ, absorbs every single ingredient we feed to it. Isn't this the real reason why you'd go out and splurge on a specific formula targetting wrinkles, per se? It's simply because you believe that your skin will absorb all those potent ingredients to iron out those wrinkles but, have you ever stopped to ponder what your skin does with the rest of the unnatural ingredients in that same formula? Ingredients such as parabens, phenoxythanol etc. Your skin absorbs those too! The latter ingredients will do my body no good but pollute my blood stream. I'm hope this picture gives you reason to choose more natural alternatives to such toxic laden products.

Making your own beauty products at home is indeed one great way of avoiding toxic substances and it's also an economical option since you may already have some of the ingredients at home. And here's one ideal example. Start your green beauty regime today with this simple recipe. Here it is, using only 3 ingredients -- all oils.

Recipe:

1 part Castor Oil
1 part Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A few drops of Vit E Oil OR 1 capsule

Directions:

Combine all of the above ingredients into a sanitized (spritz with rubbing alcohol) container of your choice and store in a cool dark place. Before each use, gently shake to incorporate the oils. I suggest making this recipe in small batches to preserve it's freshness. And be sure to use the finest oils you can get your hands on. I sourced mine from MountainRoseHerbs.

Curled lashes picutred below with this recipe on my lashes -- No Mascara!

Application:

Starting applying this concoction at the base of your lashes and work to the tips. I store mine in mini lip gloss tubes because I feel like the sponge tip applicator is gentle on my eyes plus it's a better option in terms of sanitation. I don't like the idea of dipping my finger into the oil. This is just my preference though. You may apply this at nights before retiring to bed or do like I do and curl lashes in the morning, then apply in place of mascara. And I repeat this at nights with the exception of curling lashes. Double application will only maximize your chances for healthier looking lashes. It will definitely encourage hair growth and volume.

I'm on cloud nine that yet again another Natural DIY Beauty Treatment has given me beautiful results. I felt compelled to share this with you. I know it's not always easy to log in and leave me comments but please share your results, should you give this a go. I'm eager to know how this will work for you.

Please Note: Results may vary using this DIY Treatment. It's the same concept as using a finished product, which may or may not work for you. Kindly keep an open mind.

Here's to great looking lashes, naturally!

Are you wearing the wrong color nail polish?

2011-02-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't enjoy a walk down the beauty isle? I do! In fact, I always feel like a kid in a candy shop upon every visit, even if I didn't venture out with the intent to shop for beauty items; I still savour that time spent looking at products. One section in particular that always gets my attention is the Nail Polish section and I know that comes as no surprise, especially to those of you who know me well. I'm a nail polish junkie. On several ocassions, I ran into ladies that just couldn't figure out how to choose the appropriate colors that compliment their skin tone, and of course, I rendered my assistance. I can totally understand this experience being overwhelming for some given the array of shades all lined up in a pretty row.

The Solution:

Shopping for Nail Polishes is basically the same concept as choosing the appropriate colors in clothing and makeup that will actually match and enhance your skin's undertone. This is why it's vital for you to figure out your skin's undertone and will ultimately aid tremendoulsy when you venture out shopping for makeup, nail polish or that next outfit.

Here's an awesome video that gives some insight for finding your skin's undertone. Zoya's Nail Color Expert also gives some color examples of how to match polishes perfectly to specific skin tones.

If you're one of those ladies that didn't even know what an undertone is, then I sure hope you figure out yours today.

Raw Homemade Coconut Milk

2011-02-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

Please note: This is one of my dated posts initially shared on one of my older blogs just over one year ago. I thought it may be useful for those of you who are striving to avoid the dreaded toxin, BPA.

Making my own fresh homemade coconut milk is just one of the ways for avoiding BPA and preservatives in my food. As a matter of fact, when i was growing up, canned foods weren't so accessible as it is in our present day while fresh fruits, veggies and poultry were displayed everywhere in our local markets. I miss those days, however, by just making some small changes we can avoid most canned foods.

To make your own coconut milk is super simple and does not require an actual recipe. Simply crack open one or a few coconuts and using a sharp tool (i used a knife) simply place between the outer shell and meaty part of the coconut and it should easily pull apart. Although it's not necessary to remove the outer (brown) skin, you can if you wish, then cut up into small pieces and transfer to a blender. Then fill with water covering the coconut and blend away. Simply strain and transfer the fresh milk to preferably to an ice cube tray and store in the freezer. I find it's easier to use when stored in a container such as the cube tray.

Hope this post has inspired you to make you own coconut milk.

Wishing you all great health.

More Hair Care Talk with Pics Overload -- Be warned:)

2011-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

With reference to my last post, "Proper Winter Hair Care," I have decided to share some updated photos of my hair. These were all taken on a very frigid day. As I mentioned before, you can achieve healthy hair even during the winter time. And my hair is proof of that. I wish my hair looked this good when I was younger. I really do! I plan on growing out my hair but will keep trimming the ends to promote a healthier appearance. I just recently took about four inches off and as painful as that was I did a bit of change in hair style and wanted the bottom a more horizontal cut instead of the usual 'V' shape. I'm liking is so far. I thought I should also add, I cut my own hair and have been doing so for some time now. Upon every visit to the salon, I got tired of shedding tears due to how much they'd take off from my length and just decided that I was going to go the DIY route. So far so good and I don't plan on sitting in a stylist's chair any time soon. Enjoy the photos and don't be afraid to share your thoughts. I always enjoy reading your comments.

And now for the photos:

I also wanted to share with you the following package (pictured right) I recently received from hennasooq, my source for henna powders. Their most recent sale offered free shipping on both Canadian and US orders so I took advantage and ordered a good stock of Rajasthani Henna (500 grams) and two powders that I piqued my interest. They are Bhringraj and Shikakai.

I'm so excited to incorporate these into my natural hair care regimen and will do an update post with my thoughts on these powders.

Wishing you all a head full of healthy hair.

Proper Winter Hair Care

2011-02-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

For some of us, caring for our hair during the winter time can be rather tedious. These cold months with no doubt do affect the way our hair look and feel however, with just a little tender loving care your hair can look it's best just as it does during the warmer months. I have outlined below a list of tips that work for me and hopefully they work for you too.

Tip #1 -- Always wear a hat or toque to protect your hair from the cold and wind. I NEVER venture out without a hat. And my friends always recognize me from a distance -- go figure:)

Tip #2 -- Never venture out with damp hair since your hair can easily become frozen and ultimately you'll stand the risk of hair breaking.

Tip #3 -- Avoid using heat appliances as much as you can however, if you must blow dry, do so on the lowest setting. And before blow drying, allow your hair to sit on top of your head in a towel. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes. This will absorb almost all of the water limiting your hair's exposure to heat.

Tip #4 -- Never use hot water to wash your hair, even during the summer time, this is quite damaging to your hair. A trick I use during the summer is rinsing my hair in cold water. It promotes shine and locks in moisture but I definitely wouldn't recommend this during the winter so stick with warm water.

Tip #5 -- Winter is drying on our hair so using products that add moisture is always a good thing. Avoid products that are drying and opt for natural shampoo and conditioners. These are products that will actually add nourishment to your hair. My go to shampoo and conditioners are by Miessence & Aubrey Organics.

Tip #6 -- Even though I use natural shampoos, I tend to grab my conditioner more during this time of year. The key is to keeping hair moisturized and looking healthy so too much shampoo can be drying on hair.

Tip #7 -- Give yourself a head massage which will encourage proper circulation around your hair roots. I like to flip my hair over and go through with my fingers, massaging in circular motions. This practice feels awesome too. Give it a try and you'll see.

Tip #8 -- Don't be afraid of oils. Oils are ideal for protecting each strand and "the" perfect alternative to products containing dimethicone. My ultimate favorite oils for hair are Jojoba, Argan, Coconut and Olive. Simply pour a small amount in the palm of your hand to warm it up then start applying from the ends of your hair. Whatever is left over, I like to finish on the upper part of my hair.

Tip #9 -- Do NOT neglect your scalp. Apart from a good massage, always massage oils into your scalp to prevent that annoying itchy dry feeling. This is probably winter's worst effect that I constantly battle. Apply oils help tremendousbly because it keeps the scalp moist.

Tip #10 -- Limit brushing and combing your hair. If you must do so, use a brush with natural bristles and a wide tooth comb for long hair. I have never invested in pricey brushes and combs because my fingers do an excellent job at keeping my hair tamed.

I would love your feedback on how these tips work for you. And do continue to care for your hair naturally.

Happy Groundhog's Day!

2011-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Dearest friends,

I'm just taking this time to wish you all a Happy Groundhog's Day. For those of you (including myself) who aren't huge fans of the frigid cold weather, let's hope that the predictions for an early Spring is indeed going to happen. Here's a video I know you will truly enjoy. My kids want to watch it repetitive times -- go figure.

And before you go, take a peek at what we're presently experiencing here in the Toronto area.

My boys and I opted to stay indoors today due to this major winter storm and we're enjoying every bit of each other's company. I'm going to treat myself to a huge mug of Organic Matcha Green Tea and they'll have hot chocolate. Can life get any better that this? Maybe only If I hit the jackpot, *insert giggles*, sipping margaritas instead of tea on some exotic beach.

Wishing you all a safe and happy rest of your day.

Your Invitation To Celebrate With Us

2011-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

ONEgroup invites you, your family, friends, co-workers, and anybody interested in joining a company that is redefining what an organic business is all about to join in a month long birthday celebration. As one of the world's leading suppliers of certified organic products, ONEgroup's green business practices and carbon negative standards have taken Miessence to another level altogether. Now we just have to continue to get out the word - and of course we couldn't do that without you!

Would you like to:

Save up to 40% on every Miessence order?
Receive special Organic product offers not available to the public?
Receive free shipping on all your qualifying monthly orders?
Gain access to some of the best organic educational information available?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we've got a great once-a-year offer for you!

$8 Enrollment! (£5GBP, ¥700JPY) - For about the price of an organic lunch you can start your own organic business and become a part of our caring Miessence family while enjoying the discounts and income earning potential of the world's first certified organic business opportunity. That's over an 80% savings off our usual enrollment fee!

$50 to $100 gift certificates on all Fast Start and Super Fast Start orders - Yep, we'll also email you a generous $50 gift certificate when you enroll with a qualifying Fast Start order. Place a Super Fast Start order and you'll receive a $100 gift certificate good on any followup purchase of Miessence products. (* See the FAQ below for an explanation of Fast Start orders.)

Change your world and the planet by enrolling as a Miessence Representative for only $8 during the Birthday Blast 2011 celebration!

BIRTHDAY BLAST 2011 FAQ'S

Q. When does the enrollment offer begin and end?

A. Beginning at 12:01AM on February 1, 2011, the offer will run for the entire month ending at 11:59PM February 28. All dates and times are Australian EST.

Q. What is a Fast Start or Super Fast Start order?

A. A Fast Start order is an order placed for the products you choose during the enrollment process that totals more than 250PV. A Super Fast Start order totals more than 600PV. We use the term PV, also known as Point Value, as a number assigned to all products. PV appears alongside a product's price in the shopping cart. Using PV numbers allows us to simplify and standardise our pricing offers to worldwide customers without introducing confusing international currencies and fluctuating exchange rates.

Q. Is there a minimum order amount required for this offer?

A. No. If you simply want to pay the $8 and not take advantage of the Birthday Blast Fast Start or Super Fast Start offers referenced above by placing an order, that's fine with us - however, we'd encourage placing a Fast Start or Super Fast Start order to receive the maximum savings possible.

Q. Can the Fast Start and Super Fast Start gift certificates be used on my first order?

A. No, the Birthday Blast 2011 gift certificates are not issued until after the new member's enrollment and first order are complete. Gift certificates will be emailed to all representatives no later than March 7.

Q. Am I obligated to make a monthly order?

A. Obligated - no. But you'll want to take advantage of our monthly ordering options to receive the highest discount levels and free shipping.

Q. I'm not sure that I want to build a business. Should I still enroll?

A. Absolutely! Many of our representatives have enjoyed the abundant benefits of our organic products by making regular monthly orders before deciding to build their own Miessence business.

Remember, our $8 Birthday Blast 2011 celebration enrollment offer is only valid in February. For further questions, kindly contact me directly at: greengirlorganics@gmail.com Or to register as a Miessence Representative, follow this link and click on Join Now.

Green Skin & Hair Care Secrets

2011-01-31T16:26:00.000-08:00

The secret to healthy looking skin and hair can be easily achieved by avoiding all harsh chemicals in conventional beauty products and opting for more natural products. In this video below, you'll learn just how to do so with ingredients found right in your kitchen. I'm positive most of you have the following in your kitchen: Lemons, Milk, Baking Soda, Oatmeal, Sugar & Olive Oil. These are some of my favorite beauty tricks that I have used over the years with awesome results.

A word of caution when using sugar on your face -- always choose a fine grain texture which is far less abrasive that let's say, turbinado.

Another great reason to beautify naturally is the fact that it's kinder on our environment. Let me know how these tips turn out for you. I'd love to know.

Stay beautiful!

Healthy Seeds For a Healthier You

2011-01-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

Maintaining good health is one of my main priorities in life apart from spending quality time with my family.    It's been a while back I had seen a television ad. regarding chia seeds then Dr. Oz had also made mention of it on the Oprah Show. After learning about all the benefits, I had to do a bit of researching. I wanted to make sure it was safe for my entire family to consume, especially my young kids. As you know, even natural products can pose possible side effects. A lot of time had passed, and it was until my friend Lisa, posted a recipe on her facebook page, I was reminded to give this a try.

As a child, I was and still is a huge fan of tapioca pearls. And I thought that the chia seeds when in pudding form, looked very similar to that of tapioca pudding. I was right except that chia seeds are packed with nutritional benefits. Chia seeds is actually a wonderful Superfood. They are available in both black and white seeds. And used as an energy food for centuries. It's a food that can promote good health or prevent disease. Chia seeds are a great option especially for vegans since it's a great source of omega-3 and fibre. They are also rich in antioxidants and contain 18 amino acids, three times more iron than spinach, six times more calcium than milk and fifteen times more magnesium than broccoli.

Armed with this knowledge, I headed to my local Organic Health Store and purchased some. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to prepare -- no cooking involved.   So, here's my Raw Organic Chia Pudding recipe. I hope you give it a try. One of the most noticeable effects of consuming Chia Seeds is the fact that it leaves me feeling fuller for longer. With my busy mom's schedule, this totally works for me!

1 1/4 cup Organic Milk
1 Tbsp Raw Organic Honey
3 Tbsps Organic White Chia Seeds
Splash of Vanilla
Dash of cinammon

Just simply combine all ingredients in a glass bowl and leave to set. This mixture will soon be transformed into a thick gel. At this point, I like to transfer to my refrigerator to chill or you may serve as it. Within 10-15 minutes, your pudding will be ready to enjoy. Please note: You may need to adjust the milk according to your liking to achieve the desired texture.

I incorporate seeds into my diet by sprinkling over top cereals, salads, adding them to shakes and smoothies and also baking.

Here's another lovely recipe for Pumpkin Chia Seed Muffins, shared by Dr. Oz. For more Raw Chia recipes, follow this link.

For an extra healthy boost, try incorporating blueberries (like I did), raspberries or strawberries. Raisins, prunes or currants will also make great additions. Have you tried Chia Seeds? I'd love to hear about your experience with this superfood. This has now become a staple of mine. It's raw, healthy and yummy. Talk about a healthy dessert!

How I Care For My Nails

2011-01-21T13:40:00.000-08:00

How do I care for my nails? This is probably one of the most common questions I receive along with a ton of compliments regarding my nail art designs. First of all, I have always been a crafty gal at heart. At a tender age I begun to sew and design my own garments. This all started out with making clothes for my dolls then I expanded into making for myself. I also crochet and decorate cakes to name some other artistic hobbies of mine. The designing aspect of my nails is something that I greatly enjoy and It brings me much joy and satisfaction. Pretty much the same feeling when I transform a piece of plain fabric into something exquisite or bake and decorate a cake. Art is a huge part of my life. I'd be non-existent without it in my life.

My nails are "natural." Yes, I don't believe in acrylics as it can be damaging to the nails. Besides, one can achieve so much even with short nails. My hands are exposed to water a lot, doing the dishes etc. so keeping my cuticles and hands moisturized is necessary to prevent dry cracked skin especially around the cuticles. Because I formulate my own beauty goodies, I always have an array of carrier oils around but my absolute favorite for moisturizing my cuticles are jojoba and Vitamin E Oils. Jojoba Oil is similar to our skins own oils, making it suitable for this kind of use. I simply add a few drops of Vitamin E Oil and keep this concoction in a bottle easy accessible for use.

Here are a few photos of recent designs on both long and shorter nails.

I have never believed in pushing back my cuticles and don't think it's necessary. Here's a quick video with more on why you shouldn't push back your cuticles.

I also allow my nails to breath in between manicures and I yield great results with cleaning my nails with fresh lemon or lime juice on a cotton ball. Baking soda also works great. Simply add a small amount on a saucer and wet with a bit of water before scrubbing with a nail brush. To prevent staining of the nails, I always apply a base coat before laying down my initial coat of polish.
For those of you that are experiencing difficulty with dry, brittle nails, I strongly recommend you not bite on your nails, use gloves to do the dishes, stay away from acrylics and I have found that filing your nails in a square shape helps tremendously with promoting durability. Always file your nails ONLY in one direction to avoid chipping. There are many nail file options at your local drug store. Opt for one that enables you to file, buff and shine. I highly recommend you stay away from Acetone too as it can be quite harsh on brittle nails. My choice is always a non-acetone formula. I know some gals claim that the latter isn't as effective as acetone for removing glitters and rhinestones. The non-acetone formula does take a tad bit longer but does work great too.

I hope this post has enlightened you in some way. Should you have any further questions, don't be afraid to send 'em my way.

My best to you!

2010-12-30T15:43:00.000-08:00

http://hubpages.com/hub/free-new-years-clip-art

Hey friends,

I hope that you all are enjoying your holidays thus far. I had a wonderful time with family. And we're looking forward to welcome the New Year. I'm sure you are too:) Due to holiday preparations, I haven't had much time to update my blog but quickly wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and yours much happiness and and great health for the New Year, 2011.

I would also like to thank you for your continuous support. Your friendships mean the world to me. Stay well and be safe.

Cheers!

My Cherry Pie Indulgence

2010-11-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I'll be honest, I love pies especially homemade ones. Not that I'm bad mouthing store bought ones but honestly, I feel it's so much better to consume food without all the extra additives. And I apply this very concept when choosing products to use on my body. Using non-toxic products on my body is like feeding my skin with good healthy food which is why I'm always excited to try out new products that are free of chemical additives. And today it's my pleasure to introduce you to a wonderful range of non-toxic nail care range that I recently discovered.

A new range is discovered and here's how it all happened....

Not very long ago, Robin hosted a giveaway over at her blog for non-toxic, water-based nail care products by Keeki Pure and Simple, and since I'm a nail art fanatic and looking to build my collection of safer nail care products, I decided to enter and won. Yay! I don't normally enter giveaways but this one was so worth entering. Thanks to Robin and Keeki Pure and Simple for giving me the opportunity to try out this range. Pictured above are the products that were included in my package.

Base Coat
Cherry Pie Nail Polish
Top Coat
Nail Polish Remover
Organic Lip Shimmer - Ooh La La
Organic Lip Balm

More on my cherry pie indulgence
Once my package arrived, I quickly cleaned my nails and did a basic homemade treatment, making sure they were prepped for applying my beloved cherry pie nail polish. That's the name of the shade! That evening, once my kids were down for the night, I pulled out the products that were sent to me. I pretty much followed the instructions that came along with my package, except that I only used one coat of cherry pie instead of the recommended two thin coats and I didn't use the blow dryer to speed up the drying process - didn't want to wake up my kids. My first impression was, wow, this looks really awesome and I was quite impressed at how quick it dried -- honestly! The formula glided across my nail with ease. And as you can see in the photos, it's pretty pigmented unlike some other water based ones I've tried in the past. So, that night I refrained from dipping my fingers back in water just so optimize adhesion.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this polish. I've only had to retouch on day 3, since the ends wore off just a tad. And for the record, I don't use gloves to do the dishes, neither was I going to since I wanted to put this formula to the test and it held up pretty well. It's been 5 days now and still going strong.

Putting your doubts to rest. We all have them.......

I know many are put off by the term, "water-based" because I did when I first learned about this form of polishes but believe me this stuff works. Unlike traditional polishes, water-based ones are free of formaldehyde, Dibutyl phthalate(DBP) and toluene and does not have a chemical odor. I'm a busy mom who spends most of my day in the kitchen and my fingers are constantly exposed to water so if anyone should be put off, it should be good old me but I'm not. Just thought I'd share that with ya!

The proof is in the pudding or shall we say pie?

These polishes speak for themselves and I believe my images have also done some justification:) Notice how glossy and healthy my nails look. I have already paid several visits to Keeki's website, deciding on which colors to add to my wish list.

Shades that are calling my name are as follows: Lemonade, Blue Slushie, Raspberry Sorbet, Orange Sorbet, Grasshopper Pie. Darn, I want them all...LOL

To learn more about Keeki Pure and Simple's products, I urge you to refer to their website. I am confident you will be impressed too.

Happy Nail Painting!

Avocado and Honey Hair Conditioning Treatment

2010-11-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Credit goes to FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Is your hair feeling a little dry or looking completely dull? Then here's a simply homemade DIY recipe that will restore life into your hair, and bring it back to a healthy state. Our hair and body tend to benefit dramatically from using raw and organic ingredients rather than products loaded with toxic chemicals since they are in their most potent form. Avocados in particular have always been a fovorite of mine not only because they are so yummy but also because of their nutritional properties. Avocados are loaded with protein, antioxidants, minerals and healthy fats, all of which are vital for promoting healthy skin and hair. And besides, it's always readily available. Raw honey acts as a natural humectant and has antimicrobial properties. Honey also contains enzymes that hydrates the skin and hair, making it an awesome addition to DIY skin and hair care recipes. When combined with Olive Oil, it's 'the' perfect recipe for overall healthy hair since Olive Oil is also a powerhouse of healthy fats and has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. If you suffer with dandruff or itchy scalp, Olive oil is awesome for remedying this condition.

For the actual recipe, here's what you will need:

1 medium avocado
1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Manuka or Raw Organic Honey

Directions:

Simply combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl, making sure the avocado is completely mashes. Gently massage the mixture using circular motions into your hair and scalp. Leave on for approximately 20-30 minutes. Rinse and style as usual.

Oh, how I enjoy feeding my skin and hair with raw organic ingredients.

Your hair will be saying thank you with this recipe. Enjoy!

The Versatility of Jojoba Oil

2010-11-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

What is Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil is derived from the seed of the jojoba simmondsia chinensis shrub. While it is often referred to as an oil, it is actually a liquid wax ester which is very similar to human sebum. It is widely used in many skincare and haircare products and a favorite oil for many skincare enthusiasts. Organic unrefined jojoba oil has a clear golden color with little to no odor in my opinion, while the refined version is colorless and odorless. Very rarely one is allergic to jojoba oil because it is so similar to our own natural skin protectant. Despite your skin profile - combination, dry or oily, jojoba oil will actually work with your skin's sebum, normalizing the amount it produces especially for those with oily skin. The appearance will be naturally less shiny!

Where to source this miracle oil?

Jojoba oil can be easily sourced at most health food stores or online. From Nature With Love, stocks superior quality raw ingredients for the skin and hair care enthusiasts so do feel free to check them out.

Beautify With Jojoba Oil

In addition to normalizing the skin's oil (sebum) production, jojoba oil can also be used on the rest of your body and hair. If you're wanting to avoid synthetic additives commonly found in conventional skin and hair products then you can easily do so by incorporating this oil into your skin and hair care regimen. Yes, it's that versatile!

Here's how you can do so...........

1. Use as a facial moisturizer, add to your existing moisturizer or apply directly to your entire body right after a shower. And if it's good enough to use on your skin, it's good for your babies' skin too. You're bound to have soft and supple skin.

2. Works to replace your toxic Makeup Remover. It's been several years since I've been successfully using this product to wipe away my facial and eye makeup. You're not only going to wipe away your eye makeup but conditioning your lashes at the same time, and you need only a miniscule amount to get the job done.

3. Condition your hair naturally by applying a few drops onto your fingertips and massage into your scalp. Make sure to concentrate on the ends as well especially if your hair is dry and brittle. You may also add a few drops to your conditioner for an extra boost.

4. Use in place of your lip balm or add a bit before applying your balm. Now you can say goodbye to dried, cracked lips.

5. A smoother shave. Whether you're shaving your legs or face, apply jojoba oil before lathering on your shaving cream, will make shaving a much more pleasant and less painful experience. You'll be surprised at how soft and smooth your skin will look and feel.

6. Moisturize your cuticles naturally with Jojoba Oil. It nourishes the nails and keep them in a healthy state.

7. Massage oil. Use on it's own or mix with another carrier oil, and massage your entire body. Your skin will gladly accept all the goodness that jojoba oil has to offer along with feeling hydrated. If you wish, you may also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a more pleasing experience.

See how versatile Jojoba oil is? You certainly don't need a spa date to look and feel great. Jojoba Oil will do this for ya.So what are your uses for this miracle oil? I'd love to know!

My Obsession With Aubrey Organics!

2010-10-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

One of my main concerns while I was researching safer alternatives to my toxic laden products was finding a range that was free of parabens and other synthetic ingredients. And I was lucky enough to discover Aubrey Organics which is completely free of parabens and other chemical additives. I was even happier to learn that Aubrey Organics carried a full line of Skin Care, Hair Care, Bath and Spa, Makeup, Deodorants, Fragrances, Lip Balms, Baby, Men’s, Sun/Outdoors, Pet, and even some Household Cleaning products to choose from. With such a vast range of products, one can easily start going green in no time. This is why, I immediately stocked up on the essentials and was able to quit using many of my toxic laden products. As I went on to use these products, I was really impressed with their performance. And basically, this is how my obsession with Aubrey Organics all started. I'm happy that this range is readily available in most Health Food Stores and can also be ordered directly from their website by clicking on the banner below. I love the fact how products are also categorized according to specific skin and hair profiles which makes it super easy to find products that best suits your needs.

Just for reference, here are some of the products that I continue to enjoy in no particular order: 100% Organic Jojoba Oil, shampoos and conditioners - Blue Chamomile, GBP, Green Tea Clarifying and Rosa Mosqueta with the latter being my absolute favorite because it works beautifully on my henna'ed hair - locking in the color and shine. My hair doesn't feel stripped of it's natural oils, period! This formula is specially for color-treated hair but works great on all hair types too. I use it on my kids and hubby does too. The Rosa Mosqueta Moisturizing Cream is also another favorite of mine, however I prefer to use this at nights since I find it can be a bit too emollient for day time use. It moisturizes really well, sinks into the skin very quickly and most of all the scent is to die for. As a matter of fact all of the Rosa Mosqueta's products smell like fresh roses. Divine! They also contain Rose Hip Seed Oil which is known for it's anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Rose Hip Seed Oil is high in essential fatty acids which is key to keeping skin and hair in a healthy state.

All of these products are affordably priced below $20. each (seems to be cheaper on the website) which in my opinion is fantastic, considering they are free of synthetic ingredients and performs so well.

Using Aubrey's Organics give me peace of mind and I never have to worry about toxic ingredients getting into my blood stream. These products are scented with Organic Essential Oils and preserved naturally using citrus seed extract along with a number of vital vitamins. Honestly, investing in these wonderful products are worth every penny because they are so concentrated in consistency that a little goes a long way.

If you're an Aubrey Organic fan too, I'd love to hear from ya. Please do share your favorite products so I'll have an excuse to go shopping yet again:-)

My Love For Mineral Makeup!

2010-10-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

By now, I'm sure you all must know how much I love and enjoy using Natural and Organic beauty products but most importantly, I love the fact that taking this route has allowed me to continually feed my skin with ingredients in their most potent and beneficial form. And I'm happy to report that the results are very promising in both my skin and hair. Also, I am very diligent with my make-up choices making sure they are free of synthetic chemicals and other harsh ingredients. Although I must admit that the latter was somewhat challenging in terms of sourcing safer alternatives. On that note, It was about six years ago when I was introduced to Mineral make-up (MMU) by one of my aunts and she was kind enough to send me a few full jars from her personal stash. Mind you, I was super excited to give it a go since I had seen this very product range advertised on television and was planning on placing an online order. I thought this was 'the' perfect alternative to replace my toxic laden liquid foundation. And besides, it was produced by one of the leading Mineral make-up companies at that time, however, to my disappointment my skin did not tolerate this formula very well. Suffice to say, it gave me an itch from hell and besides I looked hideous - face appeared super shiny and very mask-like. Later on I discovered that this was due to the ingredient Bismuth Oxychloride. This was definitely not the look I was after however, In the back of my mind, I wasn't ready to give up on my quest to source a natural alternative to my toxic liquid foundation and it's a good thing I didn't. After doing a bit of research I went on to sample products from various mineral make-up companies and although I didn't experience the above adverse reaction, the formulas still didn't meet my specific needs. And basically, it's from this point I have progressed into learning how to formulate my own. And I have been happily wearing my own foundation for the past two years. There's no better satisfaction than creating a product that works for your own specific skin profile needs.

Mineral makeup gives me that natural glow - that perfect skin so to speak! And I love that I don't need to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to cover my imperfections but best of all It renders some natural sun protection which is awesome. I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding the safety use of mineral make-up since the majority of formulas are available in mostly powdered form; but so does loose dusting powder right? So here goes my opinion on this: There are many techniques one can use to minimize the particles getting every where. I may need to cover this in an entire post by itself but briefly, you may apply wet by spritzing a flat top brush, dip into the minerals then apply to your face or you can also mix a miniscule amount with your favorite moisturize to create a tinted moisturizer. Do you see the versatility in using mineral makeup?

So without further introduction, here's a chart with the blushes and bronzers I've created to date. At a later time, I will be sharing more MIY (make-it-yourself) photos with you! It takes a while to photograph each and every color so do bare with me.

And here are my MIY Bronzers pictured below:

Who knew my love for mineral makeup would lead me in this direction of formulating my own? All I can say, it's a truly satisfying feeling!

Here's why I love being a henna-head!

2010-10-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I thought I'd share a few photos to show you the wonderful results I've achieved by using BAQ (Body Art Quality) Henna on my dark hair. I've been henna'ing my hair for approximately the last two years and eight months with absolutely no regrets. I am in love with the way my hair feels and looks with each henna application. And as pictured below, the results are even more beautiful when I'm hanging out in the sun.

At this point, my only reason for henna'ing is to promote healthy locks but you can safely and successfully use henna to cover greys as well. For more detailed information on this, visit the hennaforhair site. Overall, your results will vary depending on your natural hair color so to have a better idea of how yours will turn out, simply visit this page on henna mixes.

And for reference, here's my favorite henna which I highly recommend - Fresh Organic Rajasthani Indian Henna Powder. This is absolutely superior stuff, in terms of both sift and color pay off.

I'm so thrilled with the results I continue to yield from caring for my hair naturally. Henna is definitely the best alternative to toxic hair dyes.

Happy Henna'ing

Update!

2010-09-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I would like to take this moment to update you on a few things. Firstly, kindly pardon my lack of postings. The month of August has been somewhat rough for us - my father-in-law fell ill and recently passed away. We're still trying to absorb it all and move on with our lives. If you've lost a loved one, then you must know that it is by no means that easy to turn on a switch in terms of resuming things to normal. He was such a quiet, humble and hard working man. Overall, he was greatly admired and loved and will forever live on in our hearts. I have also lost my only sister 8 years ago and it still hurts. She was only 21 years old. This is why I feel so strongly to live every day well, and with love. To me, every passing moment spent in the company of my family and good friends is considered a special blessing. I feel it's so important to fill the air with love and tell those around us how much they are loved. Life is too short not to do so. Won't you say?

On a different note, today marks the first day of school for my eldest son who commenced class as a Grade 1 student and tomorrow my youngest son starts Junior Kindergarten. Although I'm happy that they both will be in school full-day, it's also a feeling of mixed emotions. My babies are growing up so fast. *pouts* The good part: I am going to invest more time into updating my blog amongst other things:-)

And just quickly, I also wanted to mention the following savings for the month of September. I don't know about you, but I personally love sales. Here goes:

Until tomorrow, September 8, 2010, you save 10% off Dr. Mercola's products. I'm definitely excited to receive my order!

And lastly, now more than ever is the time to take control of your health with the Miessence's Healthy Body Nutritional Pack - Save 20% off your order! That's a huge savings of $45.18. With the colder months quickly approaching, I say this is perfect timing to stock up on these immune boosters. Feel free to share these offers with your friends:)

Stay well, my dear friends.