Spotlight: VERED Organic Botanicals

About a year ago, I bought VERED Organic Botanicals Anti-Aging Face Treatment Oil. I fell in love with how soft and improved the texture of my skin became. It was pricier than other products I have used, but I found that a little goes a long way. Vered founder, Vered Black, uses high-quality, herb infused oils that aren't watered down. Once I open a bottle you enhale the amazing scents and it's truly luxury in a bottle. What I think is more amazing than the products is Vered's story.

She is a master esthecian and herbalist that began integrating holistic methods to her profession. Like me, Vered faced challenging health issues. She had come down with an undiagnosed illness, which had sent her to some of the best doctors conventional medicine had to offer. A year later, and several expensive tests behind her, she was still no closer to a diagnosis. The doctors dismissed her and suggested anti-acids for her chronic stomach pain. She turned to her own herbal remedies and applied her knowledge into taking control of her own health. Almost immediately, she started to experience the positive effects  of her remedies and felt immediately empowered. She not only started to regain back life-force energy, but also some of the pounds that she had lost during her illness. Vered is a beautiful person inside and out and her products are a testimony to her story. They are incredible, 85-100% organic products where you will see positive differences in your appearance. I know, because I have.

Love,
Jennifer

For My Boys

When I was growing up, I suffered from eczema. It was worse in the summer since I lived in a hot and humid climate, and I would get rashes on the inside of my elbows and the backs of my knees. I was prescribed steroidal creams and told to bath in tepid water since eczema didn't like hot water. These recommendations provided temporary improvements, at the least. One thing I did notice was as I continued to have stomach problems, I continued to have eczema. As I started to change my diet and products, the severity lessened and eventually went away. And it's never been back. For any of you suffering from eczema or have a child or friend suffering, I suggest taking a look at both your bath and skin products and your intake of packaged foods, non-organic lunch meat and dairy.

I have two precious boys and when I was pregnant I changed all my skin and bath products to organic. When they were babies, I never wanted to put anything unnatural on their bodies. Even products that claimed to be natural still contained chemicals. I love using Little Twig Baby Wash and Lotion and BABYBEARSHOP Cheeky Baby Butter. Both brands use organic ingredients and are perfect for sensitive to normal skin. Cheeky Baby Butter is excellent for dry skin and healing to skin with eczema or atopic dermatitis. It sounds like a product for kids, but I love to use it too!

Love,
Jennifer

Essentials Supports Pink!

October spotlights breast cancer awareness, and as pink products are all around us, it's a great time to stop and think about our own health. I've been through difficult times with my health and seen a bevy of doctors from coast to coast, but I've been fortunate that none of my problems have been life-threatening. My journey to rid myself of harmful chemicals and toxins has always been to find an alternate cure for my current health issues, but also to try and prevent any future more serious problems. I also wanted to give back to amazing non-profit organizations that provide incredible support to those in need. One of those organizations is Bright Pink.

Bright Pink is a national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals. I am lucky to have an incredible supportive community of family and friends around me and that's what Bright Pink gives plus resources to help with prevention. We are all at risk and there are things we can do today such as maintaining a low-fat diet, regular exercise that can help reduce our risk.

How can you help Bright Pink achieve their mission? For every bottle of ACURE Organics Argan Oil, $1 will be donated to Bright Pink. Argan Oil helps fight lines, repair imperfections, minimize scars + stretch marks, restore texture, elasticity and tone, and reduce inflammation. Do something good for you while supporting an amazing charity!

Love,
Jennifer

Introducing VERED Oragnic Botanicals

I am so excited to introduce VERED organic botanicals! VERED organic botanicals is an organic skin and body care line integrating therapeutic botanical essential oils that are 100% chemical and preservative free. Creator Vered is a master esthetician and herbalist who brings 23 years of combined experience to VERED organic botanicals - integrating holistic modalities such as phytotherapy, medicinal plant research, skilled esthetician expertise, extensive bodywork and aromatherapy - to develop and share these high quality 85%-100% organic products for face and body.

Essential oils are subtle volatile liquids distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, and seeds. They are oxygenating and help transport nutrients to the cells of our bodies and maintain our health and skin. They are highly concentrated. The distillation of an entire plant may produce only a single drop of an essential oil. Essential oils are extremely different than vegetable oils, they are not greasy and do not clog the pores.

The fragrance of essential oils can directly effect your emotional state and your lifespan because the limbic system is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control our emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance.

It takes 60,000 rose blossoms to produce one ounce of rose oil. It's definitely luxury in a bottle.

I use VERED organic botanical anti-aging face treatment oil every night. Just a couple drops goes a long way to softening and balancing my skin. The body oils are wonderful to add a couple drops to a soothing bath or to pat on right when you get out of the shower. Using these products is the best way to start and end your day, leaving your skin soothed, hydrated and balanced.

Love,
Jennifer

Spotlight: Love & Toast

My favorite beauty obsessions are definitely lip glosses and body lotions. I carry them in my purse, gym bag, car, you name it. I love the natural ingredients in Love + Toast products. They not only smell great, but leave your lips and skin hydrated. The Lip Glazes are filled with extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and jojoba oil. I also love the Body Butter! Clementine Crush is my favorite. It's packed with mango and shea butter and goes on super smooth.

The best thing about Love + Toast is their mission. Their simple philosophy is "It is just as important to do good, as it is to look good". So it's good to know that with every Love + Toast purchase you are doing both. A portion of every Love + Toast sale goes directly to Regional Affiliates of Girls Inc.

Love + Toast products have been featured in Organic Spa, Better Homes and Garden, Fitness, Real Simple, InStyle and New Beauty.

With most products under $20, what not to Love + Toast!

Love,
Jennifer

Get More Energy

Now that you're on your way to a more natural lifestyle, it's always good to take a look at your current fitness routine. If you're doing the same thing over and over, your body will begin to plateau, and it will take longer to see results. I've listed a few suggestions below that may keep you moving forward.

• Set a Goal and Try Something New! I started running years ago, but only until I signed up to run my first marathon did I stay committed. Knowing that I had 3 months to train for 26.2 miles was more motivation than ever. Maybe your health club offers a group class that you've always wanted to try. Jump in! Dancing is all the craze right now and many places are offering Zumba, adult Hip Hop and Ballroom. What a fun way to learn something new and burn calories.
• Update your IPOD! I always seem to run longer or stay longer at the gym when I'm listening to good, new music. I try to pick songs that are upbeat with a fast tempo. That way I'm not staring down at the clock every minute.
• Grab a Friend! Holding each other accountable is a win/win plus it's a great time to connect when our busy schedules get in the way. Grab a friend for a run or walk or to try that new class at the gym. You may feel more comfortable doing it together versus going alone.

Love,
Jennifer

Spotlight: Pangea Organics

I fell hard for Pangea Organics' line of organic skincare. Their products are free of Petroleum, Sulfates or Detergents, Synthetic Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Fragrances, or GMOs. Instead they produce high quality, highly concentrated formulas that eliminate the practice of watering-down or adding fillers to obtain a lower price point. Their products are full of cold-pressed oils, natural antioxidants and botanicals.

Pangea Organics was founded by Joshua Onysko who is committed to smart, successful eco-living for both civilians and corporations alike. To propel the momentum of this new paradigm of social responsibility, a portion of Pangea’s profits go to support the important work of Women for Women International, a non-profit dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives through rights awareness education and job skills training.

Pangea Organics products have been featured in Organic Beauty, Lucky and Vanity Fair and many of their products have received beauty awards. My favorite? The Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub. I've stocked my home with their Italian White Sage with Geranium and Yarrow Hand Soap. It has the best natural fragrance and leaves my hands hydrated.

Love,
Jennifer

Kissable Tips

I'm constantly kissing my two adorable sons and husband so I want to be extra careful about what's on my lips. I definitely don't want to be passing on any chemicals onto their skin. I started searching for a gloss that was long lasting, wasn't too sticky and would hydrate my lips through the day.

I fell in love Nvey Eco's Hydrating Lip Lustre! The lip lustre is available in great colors to wear alone or to layer over Nvey Eco's Advanced Care Lip Color. Best of all these lip lustres are not goopy. They glide on smooth and are enhanced by organic beeswax which is extra hydrating. It's certified organic by the NATURE, a leading European and Global certifying body that audits and certifies cosmetics. Nvey Eco's Lip Lustre is free of parabens, talc, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, minerals, petroleum, GMO and is not tested on animals. 

Nvey Eco's Lip Lustre won Shecky's Beauty at Its Best award and Natural Health Magazine Beauty award. Nvey Eco also makes a great eco-friendly lip brush for application.

My favorite color? Lolita! It's great for fall!

http://www.shopmyessentials.co om/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NV%2DLip%2DLustre

Why to Avoid Phthalates

Phthalates are a key ingredient that is missing from all products Essentials carries. But why is that important and what exactly are phthalates?

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers which are substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, durability and longevity. They are used primarily to soften polyvinl chloride (PVC). Phthalates are used in a large variety of products inclulding personal care items such as lotions, shampoos, make-up, nail polish, soap and hair spray. In general, children's exposure to phthalates is higher than adults. These are commonly found in infant lotion, infant powder, and infant shampoo. Phthalate exposure is also high in fatty foods including butter and meats.

So why should we avoid them? Research has shown that women are at a higher risk for potential adverse health effects of phthalates due to increased cosmetic use. Diethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate are especially ubiquitous in cosmetics and personal care products. There is an association between phthalate exposure and endocrine disruption leading to development of breast cancer. Though the number of studies on phthalate and breast cancer is limited, this should not be reason enough to allow their use in personal care products. In studies of rodents exposed to certain phthalates, high doses have been shown to change hormone levels and cause birth defects. In addition, large amounts of specific phthalates fed to rodents have been shown to damage their liver.

So how do we avoid phthalates?

Read the ingredients. According to the organization Pollution in People, you can identify phthalates in some products by their chemical names, or abbreviations:

• DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. (BzBP, see below, is also in some personal care products.)
• DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices.
• BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.
• DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant).

Be wary of the term "fragrance," which is used to denote a combination of compounds, possibly including phthatates, which are a subject of recent concern because of studies showing they can mimic certain hormones.

Choose plastics with the recycling code 1, 2 or 5. Recycling codes 3 and 7 are more likely to contain bisphenol A or phthalates

Sources: www.thedailygreen.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate

 

Organic Spa Feature

Organic Spa Magazine August 2012 Features Feed Your Sunshine Hair Serum  

Yarok is among 6 Natural Products for Soft Silky Hair This Summer!

 

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Make room in your repertoire for this product. It will help keep your hair supple and shiny, no matter how steamy it gets outside. 

This pre-swim treatment is a blend of several vitamins and antioxidants as well as organic aloe vera and black currant seed oil that protects the hair and scalp from pool chemicals and ocean salt.

 

I've been using it this summer and it's become one of my favorite products!

 

Love,

Jennifer

 

 

Start at the Beginning

People have asked, "I want to start living a more clean, natural lifestyle. Where do I begin?" I think that's a common thought since we use so many products and eat so many kinds of foods, it can be very overwhelming. As my journey started, I made small changes that had big impacts. First, I started cooking with all organic meat, poultry and fish. Animals raised organically are not allowed to be fed antibiotics, the bovine human growth hormone (rbGH), or other artificial drugs. Animals are also not allowed to eat genetically modified foods. Second, I replaced one animal-centered dinner a week with one full of beans, nuts and vegetables. I'm now up to about 2-3 dinners a week, but start at the beginning. Last, I looked at some of the products I was using and replaced them with natural and/or organic products. I started with my day and night cream, face cleanser, and shampoo and conditioner. I love Acure's line of creams and cleansers and Yarok's line of shampoos and conditioners. I have normal to dry skin and these are the products I've been using to help clean and moisturize.  I hope these steps will help start your path to a more natural lifestyle.


Jennifer

Hot, Hot, Hot Hair Care Tips

We're right in the middle of summer and it's day after day of triple digit tempartures. Sun exposure is at it's strongest in August and your hair can have sun damage just like your skin. You'll want to take extra measures to keep hair healthy and hydrated. Wet hair before you go into the pool or ocean to keep hair from drying out from the chlorine or salt water. At night, after you've been exposed to sun and/or chlorine apply a hair serum to hydrate and treat. I love Yarok's Feed Your Sunshine Hair Treatment Serum, http://www.shopmyessentials.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Yarok%2DSunshine. Using all natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and oils, this serum protects from harsh pool chemicals and damaging effects of the sun. It's also specially formulated to replenish over processed hair.

Enjoy Your Summer!
Jennifer

Scotch Naturals and Hopscotck Kids Featured

Check out this article featuring Scotch Naturals and Hopscotch Kids,

an all-natural nail polish for adults and kids.

WELCOME!

Thank you for visiting my blog. I am so excited to launch shopmyessentials.com and bring you the best natural and organic skin care and beauty products. I will be updating the blog with new products, featured articles and more. I hope you come back often. Enjoy!

Jennifer