The Facts: More than one blogger's opinion

I am always one to sing praises for all-natural skin-care and organic products, but I feel I must add a disclaimer: I am not a doctor, skin-care specialist or have any expertise in what I recommend other than my own personal testimony. They may not work for everyone, but the research I've done, as well as my education in aromatherapy, massage, basic skin-care, anatomy, as well as my personal experience, has led me to trust more in natural and homemade products than anything synthetic or store bought. I'm just one blogger putting my love of naturalism out there, and I hope it works for you too! At the very least, you're investing in your body. Your skin is your largest organ after all, anything you put on it will go directly into your bloodstream and affect the rest of you too. Something to keep in mind when you want to get a self tanner or shimmery lotion...

So, if my opinion does not satisfy you to try natural cleansers, oils and edible scrubs, then here is a website that began my self-imposed exile from commercial products. (be warned, you may rethink everything you've ever bought for your skin...)

Cosmetic Database

They list products by recognizable labels, so just search your current moisturizer, cleanser, sunscreen, nailpolish, makeup, and see what happens. They list all ingredients, as well as the Hazard Level. This was a game-changer. Try your favourite concealer ladies, it might make you think about what you're putting on your skin!

On that note, My wonderful girlfriend Della recommended me to this amazing site. It started with a jello recipe, annd one thing led to another, naturally I was looking at the skin-care Instructables. 

This one caught my eye; something I had neglected to suggest! Now, bear with me, this one sounds counterintuitive as well, but hear me out (and read the Instructable!).

Wash your face...with oil. Just do it, try it once, a week, a month if you can! I like to use olive oil. I got hooked on it as an all-body oil and cleanser when I first went to Italy and forgot to bring any skin products with me. My hippie brain kicked in, and I used olive oil it for everything! My skin took to it like Nemo to the open sea. When I returned, I unconsciously went back to my normal skin regime. On my next visit to my kinesiologist, she said I was lacking something in my diet. Turns out, my body had gotten used to "eating" olive oil through my skin that it required that essential nutritional and moisturizing boost.

 So try it. When I ever suggest oils for the skin people cringe and say "doesn't it make your skin all oily???". Well duh, what would you rather your sebaceous glands secrete? Lotion? Your skin already produces natural oils to hydrate itself, when would you consciously put anything else on it? On the last page of the Instructable she recommends different oils based on heaviness and consistency. I like olive and coconut (in the winter as it's heavier). Jojoba is closest to your skin's natural pH level, so your skin will accept it the easiest. 

Try it out! Let me know what you think! If you have a favourite natural skin remedy you'd like me to give a shout out to, leave a comment! 

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Love,

Whit

P.S. Oil is also awesome for your hair...more tomorrow! 

images:weheartit.com

Reboot

Happy Monday! 


I thought I'd start today off with a mind-clearing remedy. It requires nothing other than 5 minutes of your time, and a little patience. Going into another jam-packed week can be a little overwhelming, so to start, try doing nothing. For 5 minutes. Just sit and close your eyes. Think about whatever you want. I'm not suggesting you aim for "enlightenment" or mental silence. Just sit quietly. Lean against a wall, or in a chair if you like.
And just breathe. Breathing is the most healing thing you can do for your body, both mentally, physically and spiritually. If you notice, a lot of us hold our breath while checking email, or reading, or walking. Try consciously breathing for 5 minutes and see how you feel. Set a timer if you like.

I hope this helps you start your week a little clearer and more peacefully!

Love,
Whit

image: weheartit.com

Today I Believe

I believe that daydreams can sometimes be the best therapy. Let yourself dream, inspire, yearn. It's what keeps us human, makes us stronger.

I believe in the power of music. Lyrics can bring you up when you're at your lowest.

I believe that you can never say "I Love You" too often. If you feel it, it's never excessive. Love with your whole heart or not at all.

I believe beauty is everywhere, best of all in the places you least expect to find it.

I believe in second chances. Even thirds, sometimes.

I believe nothing lasts forever, except love, in all it's forms.

I believe that there's a 50/50 chance you'll wake up on the wrong side of the bed. The trick is learning to deal with that chance and turn it back around.

I believe some of my best poems are written in my sleep. I only wish I could wake up in time to write them down.

I believe there's always a rainbow after a hurricane.

I believe in the magic of summer nights.

I believe it's going to be a long time before I figure out who I am. The longer it takes, the longer the ride, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I believe that my children are going to love this planet like we should've been doing this whole time. I believe each generation will start helping a little younger, a little bit more.

Finding Me. {bear with me, world}

So today's Alliteration Wednesday is on hiatus until tomorrow. Today I'm writing to boast my own spirits, they seem to have taken a hit lately. I'm feeling the accumulation of a lot of stuff, some I'm not sure I can even identify. I think a lot of it has to do with the end of semester, which in comparison to what I know a lot of other students are going through, is very minimal. So I'm taking my frustration out on my blog. Please bear with me everyone.
Got Bob Marley's I Can See Clearly Now playing, a song that's always been special for me. I remember my third grade teacher teaching it to us and we'd all sing while he played guitar. It's one of my fonder childhood memories.
I'm thankful for me. And really, I want to feel that you shouldn't have to search outside of yourself to find something to be thankful for. Yes, I'm thankful for my family, my upbringing and the beautiful city I live in, but today I just wanna be thankful for me.
If there's one person who you always have to put up with, and will always be there, it's You.
As corny as that sounds, I find I'm sometimes the hardest person I have to deal with. I know how to push my own buttons, and sometimes I just get in my own way.
Call it multiple personalities, call it whatever you like, but I think a big part of finding your place in the world starts with finding your place within yourself. And I think that's what I'm struggling with. Just figuring myself out, learning to do what makes me happy, and breathing through the things that don't.

Somewhere over the rainbow...

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