Tree Huggin'

The time has come to drag myself away from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and head back to the concrete jungle. Here's what I'll be bringing home with me to conjure up the great outdoors back in my little studio...

Happy Holidays!

A heartfelt thank you to all the readers of my fledgling blog!  Wishing you       all the good breaks this Holiday season and in the New Year~

xo Shana

Everyone needs to rock a tiara once and
a while...especially if you're a
hippie princess!

Ayurveda and skincare

Previously I posted about the three Ayurvedic doshas, and I thought I'd round out the topic by featuring a great natural brand like Pratima that is based on Ayurvedic principles. 

Here are some of my picks from the line:

Sandalwood Rose Mask - I'm a big fan of Sandalwood (see more here) and it's a staple in the Ayurvedic community. I'm dying to get my hands on this mask not only for the sandalwood, but also as I love turmeric for its healing properties and for the inclusion of rose and ocean mud.

Ingredients: SANDALWOOD MUD, TURMERIC, OCEAN MUD, MANJISTHA, PURE DISTILLED ROSE WATER EXTRACT.  Rose Oil - I looove me some body oil and this is a totally exotic and decadent blend. Plus it looks cool. Ingredients: SWEET ALMOND OIL, ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OILS OF LAVENDER, CINNAMON, ROSE PETALS, CARDAMOM, CLOVE, VANILLA AND PRATIMA’S LOVE Rose Neem Face Sunscreen - a non-chemical sunscreen that includes Neem, which is great for preventing breakouts, soothing licorice and lovely rose. Ingredients: IONIZED WATER, NON-NANO MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE 18.6%, ORGANIC EXTRACTS OF NEEM, BRAHMI, SHATAVARI, LICORICE, VITAMIN E, LECITHIN, ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OIL OF ROSE, XANTHAN GUM.

Ayurveda Skin Dosha ABCs

A few people have asked me what I think their dosha is, and while I'm certainly no Ayurvedic expert, I thought I'd do some research and include a quick rundown for my lovely readers here! There are 3 main doshas which really relate to your whole self and body (digestion, overall health, personality and wellbeing, etc.) but I'm going to focus on skincare for this post.

~ Vatta (Air and Ether) 

~ Pitta (Fire and Water)

~ Kapha (Earth and Water)

• Vatta - typically characterized by dry/flaky and thinner skin, this skin type is more prone to lines/wrinkles but on the plus side, less so for acne. Hydration and antioxidants for the skin are essential. In addition to a good oil (oils higher in oleic acid are better for Vatta like avocado, almond and argan) or serum, pick yourself up a hydrosol (recommendations here and here) to keep your skin extra happy throughout the day.
• Pitta - pitta, c'est moi. Prone to inflammation, irritation, redness, etc., pitta skin is easily sunburned and often suffers from rosacea. Pitta peeps often have moles and freckles and skin in general is on the high maintenance side. Pitta skin needs to be calmed and cooled and is the opposite of Vatta. Seabuckthorn, rosehip and maracuja oils are my pick for this dosha.
• Kapha - generally oily and break-out prone. Skin is usually thicker and has larger pores. Key for Kapha is using anti-bacterial essential oils that are skin friendly (tea tree and rosemary are good ones) and moisturizing with sesame and Neem oil. Oil is not your enemy! But harsh cleansers and products that strip your skin are. The good news is, typically Kapha types are slower to show signs of aging, hurrah!

You can also be a combination of doshas, so if you want a more in-depth look, Google "ayurveda dosha quiz" and you'll find a few online that will guide you through what your individual type is. 

Next up, I'll discuss an Ayurvedic skin care line that I like. Stay tuned!

Holiday Treats

I can't believe Christmas is next week and 2014 is almost over, although I must admit, I'm beyond ready to put this year to bed!

Still, I'm trying to soak in as much holiday spirit as possible and I was thrilled to come across these adorable little gingerbread cookies the other day. That, and the discovery that my favorite coffee company Porto Rico Coffee Roasters had Pumpkin Spice on sale, practically made my week!

And, while I usually tryyyyy to avoid processed foods/sugar as much as possible, I gave in to curiosity and sampled the new croissant donut (aka "cronut") from Dunkin' Donuts. Hey, we all deserve our guilty pleasures and I mean, who has the energy to wake up with the pigeons (and tourists) and stand in line at Dominique Ansel??  I feel compelled to tell you guys that it was gooood.  Really good.  This may just be my new thing. It came in its own cute little box, and part of me wondered if it was to make it appear more special, or if it was because it sat on a shelf for a week...either way, it was yumm-o!

Happy Friday everyone!

Lip Lovin'

Sometimes I forget that in the winter our lips need a little extra lovin', so I've done a quick round up of some good natural options (your kisser can thank me later).

• Marble & Milkweed Rosy lip tint - coconut and sesame oil base, with rose clay and precious rose otto
• Fig & Yarrow Rose and Vanilla Lipblush - this cute little tin is full of great antioxidants and moisturizers like avocado oil, shea butter, rosehip seed oil, plum seed oil and cocoa seed butter
• Aster & Bay Lip stain Beetroot and Hibiscus- looks beautiful on with a natural beetroot tint, but is also super hydrating thanks to rosehip seed oil, coconut oil and mango seed butter
• Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne - heavy in Resveratrol, an antioxidant from grapes, along with jojoba, shea and agave make this a lightly tinted and powerful lip treatment

Don't forget to exfoliate once and a while with an easy homemade sugar scrub. Just combine honey and/or coconut oil and sugar. Gently rub, follow afterward with a moisturizer and you'll be mistletoe ready!

Monday Mood Board

"Hi, I'm Shana and I'm into crystals." There. I said it and it's out in the open now.

I have to say, if I could turn my apartment into Planet Krypton (*editors note: extreme nerd reference - this is the planet Superman is from and it's full of crystals) I would. And to avoid it looking like the Fortress of Solitude (sorry people, another extremely nerdy Superman reference) I'd maybe throw in a plant or two...except I don't have a green thumb and giant crystals aren't that cheap.

So, to infuse some more crystal power into my life (literally), I turn to some interesting small brands like Aquarian Soul & Earth that are incorporating crystals into their products.

I must admit, they had me at "desert shaman" when they described their Cactus Flower and Quartz spray as being created with "The wanderer who roams the desert drawing on the energies of the earth to journey to another place" in mind.

 They also do some interesting crystal infused massage oils, and I very much liked their disclaimer: "All gemstones used in our massage oils were cleansed by the light of the full moon  & are energized with healing reiki energy. This means they have a very high vibrational energy that can be used to heal, raise and transform your vibrational alignment." Now we're talking!

Are you into crystals? Share below!

It never hurts to get your crystal
with a side of rum..

Stocking Stuffers $15 and under

Out shopping for last minute stocking stuffers? Here are a few quick ideas that are sure to please...

(Clockwise from top)

• Karuna masks - a favorite amongst celebrity jetsetters like Rachel Zoe and Kim K., these are easy to apply, biodegradable masks that come in a variety of treatment options. Now I don't think I'm bold enough to sport one on a longhaul flight (Jason anyone?) but on a Sunday night in? Absolutely!
• Bliss Fabulips and high intensity hand cream - the perfect stocking stuffer for someone who travels often, these little babies will definitely come in handy during the cold weather months.
• Kula Herbs Holiday spice soap bar - this smells warmly of pumpkin and clove, is full of natural oils and I'm a fan of anything made in Maui for some reason..
• Queen Bee Cocoa Body Butter - I mean, the name...enough said! But if you need another reason, it's made with wildcrafted beeswax, macademia nut oil, sweet almond oil, shea/mango/coconut butters and vanilla bean in (where else?) Maui!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend beauties!

Head in the clouds...

Holiday Wishlist Round-Up Part 2

As the holidays creep closer, it's time for round two of my holiday wishlist roundup!

• One Love Double Cleanse kit - while I'm much too lazy to actually do it, the concept of "double cleansing" is intriguing, so I thought I'd include this adorable kit. The pack includes the Skin Savior cleansing balm, foaming cleanser and rose clay konjac sponge. The balm has received rave reviews from other bloggers, and I'm a huge fan of the rose clay konjac sponge (great for sensitive skin!), so this kit is something I'm actually really interested in checking out.
• Kjaer Weis foundation in Paper Thin - the oft-blogged about and cult favorite Kjaer Weis foundation is at the top of my list (not that I need any more foundation at the moment!). Touted as "Your skin, but better", it's full of great natural ingredients like sweet almond seed, coconut and jojoba oil, and for lazy bones like me, you can easily apply with your fingers. The good news is, despite the high price tag, you're getting both quality packaging and ingredients, and they sell refills so you don't have to repurchase the whole shebang.
• La Tierra Sagrada Treatment - part of me is curious about the much ballyhooed hallucinogenic ayahuasca, but I'm afraid the closest I'll get to trying it is via this Treatment.  Apparently this product sends your hair on a trip it'll never forget, thanks as well to the inclusion of babassu, meadowfoam seed and coconut oils.  I'm in!
• Pendleton travel blanket and leather carrier - the cuteness of this ensured that I had to include it in the round up. As someone who regrettably spends more time in the great outdoors vis-a-vis the Nat Geo channel than in actual nature, if I were more outdoorsy, this would be a must in my arsenal.
• Belle Fleur Palo Santo candle - palo santo is one of my favorite scents for the home, its sacred woody aroma instantly brings calm and peace of mind. I'm keen to try this candle from Belle Fleur that combines palo santo with violet, amber and heliotrope. Perfect to warm up your home this winter!
• Jurlique Rose Hand Cream - unlike other rose scented creams/lotions, this really smells like the actual flower. Sweet almond oil, honey, echinacea and calendula make this a satisfyingly rich hand cream, yet it also absorbs quickly. Really, the best part of it is that I can't stop sniffing my hand like a weirdo after I put it on..

Monday Mood Board

For the past month I've been pretty consistent with a morning yoga practice- something I'd always read about other people doing, followed by an internal eye roll...until now!  I must say that it's kind of stuck as a morning routine and has been really helpful in grounding myself, getting rid of residual ickyness from any nighttime anxiety dreams and readying myself for the day. And hurrah (!) my new mat has arrived from La Vie Boheme yoga. Can't wait to get down(dog) and dirty with this puppy!

Before I get my ohm on, I like to apply some essential oil to help me get zen.  Currently I've been using Valentina's Home Brewed roller ball in Psychic Detox (reviewed here) which is an uplifting blend of mint, citrus and neroli.  But as the weather gets colder and I get more into meditation, I'm jonesing for something a little more woody. Enter Aster & Bay's Sacred Incense oil...containing Palo santo, white sage, frankincense and myrrh in an organic jojoba oil base,  this is just the ticket to complete my morning ritual.

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu

Winter skincare saviors

As the temperatures drop, our skin needs a little extra TLC.  Above are a few products that I have in heavy rotation to keep my skin protected and happy in the colder weather.

(Clockwise from left)

• Alterna Caviar dry shampoo - I like to wash my hair less in the winter if possible as the drier air tends to wreak havoc on my highlighted hair. This dry shampoo is specially formulated for color treated hair and helps me go longer between washes. A good rule of thumb is to apply dry shampoo at night so that it helps absorb scalp oils while you sleep. I'm not crazy about the smell of this one so likely won't repurchase, but dry shampoo is definitely a staple for me.
• Goe oil - beloved by celebrities, this power-packed tube is multi-purpose (hair, skin, lips, etc.) and chock full of oils. It comes out creamy but quickly turns to oil once warmed by your hands. Terrific for extra dry parts of the body and a little bit goes a looong way.  It contains tiare (a tropical gardenia) and that is definitely the top note, so if you're not a fan of gardenia, you probably won't like this.
• Heritage Store rose petal hydrosol - I use this puppy all the time. Before I apply oils to my face post cleanse I mist with this; I use it to set make-up; I spray on my hair and pillowcase to lightly scent...the list goes on and on. A hydrosol is a must in the winter to help keep your skin hydrated and absorb products better. There are tons of great ones on the market. The Heritage Store one is super affordable (you can also purchase with glycerin if your skin is mega dry), but if you're in the mood to splurge, you can't beat Evan Healy's collection (reviewed here).
• Honey I Shrunk the Pores by Simply Divine Botanicals - I recently reviewed this brand and one of the standouts was this mask. It oh-so gently polishes your skin with enzymes, which if you have sensitive skin like me is a necessity. It's important to exfoliate once a week in winter as dry skin can build up and block your dermis from receiving the moisture it needs. It's also equally important to find the right exfoliant that won't irritate or harm your skin. I wrote more about this here.
• Essential oils - if you read this blog on the regular, you know I'm a big fan of EOs. Currently I'm using a peppermint/lemon combo to tackle allergies, but for this post I'm featuring clary sage.  Clary sage is not only a great oil to include in your skin care for its anti-aging properties (you can add a drop to whatever cream or oil you're using to moisturize and Burt's Bees has a whole line featuring it), but it's equally great in winter to help fight the blues. An uplifting aroma, many use it to help deal with anxiety, depression, insomnia and hormone imbalance. I love its fresh scent and count it and patchouli as my two favorite mood boosters.
• Destiny Boutique argan oil - when winter hits I find myself reaching for my oils more than ever. This age defying blend by Destiny Boutique is a great one (more info in my review here) as it contains carrot seed oil which is also a fantastic moisturizer, especially for mature skin. You can use alone with great results, or if your skin is especially dry, pat on top of a cream.
• Giovanni Ultra Sleek Hair and Body Potion - this diminutive bottle boasts a host of moisturizing oils like macadamia, argan, grapeseed and coconut, along with keratin and shea butter. The crazy thing is, despite all that, it doesn't weigh my hair down. You only need a small amount and it's fantastic for moisturizing dry ends, calming frizz, adding shine etc. It's an extra bonus that you can use it on your body too - and both that and the ability to lock the spout make it a great product for travel. I love getting all that effectiveness in a natural product!

Last but not least ladies and gents, don't forget the wonders of a humidifier in the winter. It's a game changer in keeping your skin moisturized and plump, in addition to helping your airways. You can find models that allow you to add essential oils and this is also a great way to diffuse mood-elevating or cold-fighting oils through your rooms.

Whether you're out and about or staying snug and warm inside, hope you have a great weekend!

Morning Routine

Since we bloggers like to overshare, I thought I'd do a quick blog about my current morning routine!

No matter how parched I am upon waking - which can vary depending on how much I uhmm, overdid it the night before - I try to let the first thing that hits my stomach be a cup of warm water with lemon and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  Loads of celebrities and health gurus alike have raved about the benefits of the warm water/lemon combo. It reputedly aids metabolism, alkalizes your body and gets your p.H. balanced, wards off colds, etc.  I throw in some apple cider vinegar (ACV) as it's known for the same kinds of health benefits and because I feel like it's like a carwash for my insides! If I don't have time to do this step, I somehow feel a bit less refreshed and healthy.

I then follow this wonderfully healthy start with a nice big cup o' Joe!  Now I know, there are a LOT of coffee naysayers out there in the green world, but I simply can't do without it.  Sorry, not sorry.  Lately I've been loving Porto Rico coffee's cinnamon blend and I prepare it in this awesome cone drip that lets you brew the coffee for a few minutes before filtering into the cup.  And if anyone's interested, I take my coffee with milk and no sugar (sidebar, haven't you always wanted to be one of those people that drinks their coffee black? I think it's ridiculously cool, but maybe that's just me!)

If there's time next, I try to do at least 30 minutes of yoga. I either do my own thing or follow a video on Youtube (I'm liking this lady lately), and I'm so excited to try out my new mat coming in the mail tomorrow, yay!

Finally, I'll fuel up with a smoothie and then hit the shower. I posted a recipe I really like here, and lately I've had in heavy rotation a strawberry/banana/almond butter combo with plain yogurt, protein powder, cacao, chia and almond milk.

Phew! I didn't think that'd turn out to be as long winded as it was! What's your routine?  Share below!

Simply Divine Botanicals review

Back to business! I've been a fan of Simply Divine Botanicals for quite a few months now. So much so that I featured one of their products in my very first blog post.  The problem is, I want to buy ALL their products. Lo and behold, on a recent trip to Live Live (if you're in or around NYC I highly recommend this store; they make Bee Yummy and also carry RMS) I spied a sample pouch from Simply Divine and thought that this was the perfect way for me to try several of their products without breaking the bank.

Contents include:

Amazing Face 1/4 oz.
Black Velvet Foaming Facial Cleanser 1/2 oz.
Body Butter 1/4 oz
Body Cream 1/4 oz.
Creme de Rose 1/4 oz.
Crystal Ally Deodorant Spray 1 oz.
Feet Treat 1/4 oz.
Gypsy Rose Tea 1/2 oz.
Honey, I shrunk the pores1/4 oz.
How Now Brown Cacao Chocolate Butter 1/4 oz.
Keeping Abreast of It 1/4 oz.
Melon Medley
Outer Body Experience 1/2 oz.
Peel Me A Papaya 1/4 oz.
Rose du Jour
Skincredible 1/4 oz.

At $39.95 this was actually a really affordable way for me to try many of their delightful items (and some of the small pots actually lasted me for weeks!).  This would be far too long of a post for me to discuss every sample, so I'll highlight some of the standouts for you.

Monday Mood Board

I spent the weekend communing with nature up in Lake Placid (okay, well, I went for a walk or two in the snow), and I'm still finding it hard to adjust back to big city life this Monday morning..

Hot apple cider with spiced rum by the fire? Check. Walking around charming Adirondack towns and window shopping? Check. Visiting a local farmer's market and bee-lining it to homemade skincare items whilst pointedly ignoring all vegetables? Double check!  

Cabin life sounds pretty good to me right now - complete with wood burning fireplace and a claw-foot tub of course!

Holiday Curios

Come November/December, a favorite tradition of mine is to peruse the holiday markets here in NYC. I came across the above charming stall during a recent visit, and while I admired a necklace made with an antique doll's ear as a pendant, it's not an Xmas gift any of my friends would appreciate I don't think..so I moved on in the market to sample handmade truffle salami (yum!) and pick up a cup of warm apple cider and gingerbread cookie.

What are your holiday season faves?

Pumpkin Round Up

For many of us, pumpkin will play a prominent role in tomorrow's menu, but it can also feature in your skincare regimen!

Pumpkin contains natural AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) which brighten skin and help cell turnover, along with antioxidants like Vitamin A and C that help boost collagen production and reduce signs of aging.  Pumpkin enzyme is a common ingredient in masks, scrubs and creams. Here's a green round up to check out while you relax over the weekend with a glass of egg nog..

• Shamanuti Pumpkin Enzyme Masque
• MyChelle Pumpkin Renew Cream
• Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel
• No Bull Pumpkin Scrub

Lastly, not sure what to do with leftover canned pumpkin?  Make a face mask or body scrub!  Face: Combine canned or fresh pumpkin, a dash of cinnamon/nutmeg/allspice, a tablespoon of honey, some milk/soy milk to thin the mixture and apply to your face for 20 minutes.  Body: Combine 1/2 cup pumpkin (fresh or canned), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 coffee ground (optional), 1/2 cup coconut oil. Mix together and enjoy!

Holiday Wishlist Round-up Part 1

With Black Friday and the holidays fast approaching (yikes!), I'd thought I'd kick it off with what's on my beauty wishlist to give you some gift giving inspiration..and then you can think about shopping for other people too. 
Hee hee...

• Kahina Fez body serum - Winner of Best Eco Product by Swedish Beauty (hey, the Swedes know their stuff!) this serum is major splurge and oh so decadent. The smell is intoxicating, and who doesn't want to pretend they're lounging around in some gorgeously tiled Moroccan bathroom in a silk caftan eating figs?  Or maybe that's just me! Full of moisturizing carrier oils (Argan being top of the list) and exotic essential oils like rose, sandalwood, neroli and bergamot, this is a stocking stuffer you can't miss with.
• Rahua shampoo and conditioner - a popular duo in the blogosphere, I'm eager to give them a whirl for their all-natural ingredients and the fact that they contain palo santo essential oil, one of my absolute faves.
• RMS Lip2Cheek in Demure - I currently have this product in Smile, which I love and wore all summer-long, however I'd like to incorporate Demure into my winter make-up look to compliment the cool colors more.
• Lush Yog Nog soap bar - I looove me some egg nog (spiked of course) around the holidays and this soap is too tempting not to pick up. While many of the Lush products contain emulsifiers and fillers that I'm not a big fan of, this soap seems to have less of that than some of their other items. The yogurt, rapeseed and coconut oils will keep you moisturized and it is warmly scented with clove, ylang ylang and gardenia. To top it off it's dusted with nutmeg and cocoa powder which sounds to me like the makings of a scrumptious shower treat. 

What's on your wishlist?

Make Yo' Own Yoga Mat Spray

Hey You Yogis!

Since I'm in the market for a new yoga mat, and it has to be pretty too (duh), I thought I'd do a combo post to both ask advice on which mat to pick and share a DIY yoga mat spray recipe.

First things first, which one do we like of the below? I'm obsessed with the girls behind this brand right now. Comment below and let me know which one to pick, or if you hate both, let me know that too!

La Vie Boheme yoga mats

Now on to the mat spray. Here's a lovely smelling and effective all-natural mat spray you can easily make at home:

• 1 cup filtered water
• 1/4 cup witch hazel (I like Thayer's non-alcohol rose scent, but if you like you can also use white vinegar)
• 10-15 drops tea tree oil (use more or less depending on how you feel about the smell)
• 10 drops your choice of essential oils (lavender is popular, oregano is a good pick if you're extra worried about germs, peppermint helps energize you, pine oil is nice in the winter - really you can experiment!)

Combine, shake it up in a spray bottle and presto!  If you're in a rush, wipe down with a damp cloth afterward or leave in the sun to dry if not.

*Note, some mats (like Lululemon's) don't react well to essential oils because they're "open pore" mats. If this is the case, you can use the above sans essential oils. Manduka mats generally are fine with them and I believe the spray they make and sell contains oils. Take a minute to find out about your mat before spraying - unless you're like me and your mat is so old you're ready to throw caution to the wind!

Allergies and 5 essential oils

I seem to have inherited a perpetually runny nose from my mother (thanks mom!). The joke growing up is that we should buy stock in Kleenex we use so much of it.  You know it's bad when you've got on a jacket you haven't worn in a while, and in a panic you reach inside the pocket and are actually happy you found a used tissue in there...

For years I've put up with it, thinking that it's just something I have to live with, but today I say no!

I figure there must be essential oils out there that can help and after doing a bit of research, I've come up with the following:

• Lemon - anti-inflammatory
• Lavender - antihistamine and anti-inflammatory
• Eucalyptus - decongestant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory
• Peppermint - anti-inflammatory and decongestant
• Frankincense - anti-inflammatory and immune boosting

Those who've had success using the above for runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes etc. recommend rubbing on neck pulse points, back of neck, sinus and bottom of feet (see chart). You can blend the above with a carrier oil base in a rollerball or apply individually (*remember that lemon is phototoxic, and always patch test before applying oils neat - especially to face). I plan on putting them to the test soon and hopefully can sell my Kleenex stock soon.. 

Have you tried any of these oils to treat allergies? Comment below!

African Botanics - Neroli Marula Oil

Every time there appears to be a buzz about a certain natural skincare product, well darn it I feel duty bound to report on it. And there has been a lot of chatter online recently by celebrities and others about African Botanics marula oil.  Now while I have no doubt that it's ethically sourced and produced, I'm not sure what sets apart African Botanics' marula oil from other (more inexpensive) brands - although the company was founded by a couple based out of L.A. so as a fellow native Californian of course they score points for that in my book!

What did catch my eye however is their Neroli infused marula oil..

I've previously blogged about Neroli here, but to recap the skincare benefits, it's effective in reducing redness, stretch marks and acne/acne scarring as well as anti-aging through its skin rejuvenating properties. An uplifting aroma, it is produced from the flower of the bitter orange and has been used since ancient times for various aromatherapy purposes.

I'm intrigued by the combo so I'll be adding this to my (very long) list of potential splurge products to see if it has a positive impact on my persnickety skin and rosacea.

Have you tried African Botanics? Comment below!

Monday musing - Vita flex

As I began doing more and more research on essential oils I often came across people who say that they put EOs on the bottom of their feet at night and I thought huh??  So I decided to delve into this phenomenon and I discovered a practice called Vita Flex.  Similar to reflexology and believed to have originated in Tibet, the premise is that with the use of essential oils (which are reputedly more easily absorbed through the feet) you can activate different pressure points and nerve endings that are connected to every organ/major muscle group in your body.

My first experiment with applying oils to my feet happened recently. While doing some research on clary sage (which I'd recently purchased) I found that it has a big reputation for helping balance hormones, elevating mood and alleviating PMS (in addition to various skincare benefits). So, I decided to apply clary sage to what I was learning about vita flex and rubbed it below my ankle on either side of my right foot (see above chart). I'm lucky in that I don't really get cramping, so I can't report on that, but I can say it seemed to decrease the flow...(sorry if that's TMI dear readers!).

My next experiment will be to see if I can use vita flex points to reduce shoulder pain, as I seem to carry my tension there a lot and wake up in the mornings with stiff/sore shoulders. For that I'll try using my rosemary and/or oregano essential oils.

Do you put EOs on your feet? Tell me which below!

Snack break - raw Paleo chocolate avocado pudding

Continuing on in the quest for healthy, but still tasty treats, I made the below pudding recipe recently and it was shockingly good.  This will definitely be something I make again, and again, and again...it's raw, it's full of good fat from the avocado, the chia adds some extra fiber and omega, and the raw cacao is a superfood. Need I say more?

I doubled the below, 'cuz that's how I roll.

Flesh of 1 large very ripe avocado
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (can also use raw 1-2 tablespoons raw honey or agave)
1 teaspoon vanilla (or you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon)

Blend together in a blender or food processor.  The texture is just like a regular pudding. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask review

On a recent excursion to ABC Carpet and Home (can I puhleeeease be like Eloise and live there?!!! Pretty please?!) I was bowled over by the selection of brands in their ever expanding natural beauty (ahem I mean "apothecary") section.  I met a lovely young girl from Tata Harper, and we got to chatting and she kindly gave me some samples to try.  While I'd seen a couple of Tata's products in Sephora and heard about her line of course, I hadn't ever tried anything so was eager to give it a go.

I tried the highly touted resurfacing mask, which has the texture of a jelly and smells a bit like roses. It's a natural beta hydroxy mask so it's an enzyme exfoliant.  The pros: my skin definitely feels smoother the morning after and it didn't cause any redness or irritation (which I was actually surprised by).  The cons: it sucked all.the.moisture.out.of.my.face...! It also didn't get rid of the dead skin around my nose which was disappointing.  It was fun to try but won't be a purchase for me.

I also received a sample of Love potion and the Floral Essence, both of which are nice but for me personally not exceptional enough to justify the splurge.
Apparently Tata is on the verge of launching a cosmetics line, which I'm eager to see as it will follow her great commitment to all natural ingredients.

Have you tried Tata Harper? Comment below!

Get your motor runnin...

LEAN GREEN COCOA MACHINE

As someone who eschews vegetables on a typical basis, I'm chuffed to say that I've found a way to sneak it in to my morning smoothie without my mouth noticing.  Here's a quick rundown of the recipe:

• 1/2 banana
• 1/4 cup non fat plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, vanilla flavor
• 1 scoop protein powder (I'm currently using Raw Protein from Garden of Life)
• 1 teaspoon green powder
• 1 heaping teaspoon raw organic cacao
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• frozen blueberries
• small handful fresh baby spinach leaves
• tablespoon honey (*optional if you like things sweeter)

I SWEAR you cannot taste the spinach and the above combination gives you a super filling, high protein, tasty and fiber rich breakfast.  Bon apetit!

P.S. The trick to a perfectly blended smoothie is to put all the liquid ingredients in the bottom and the frozen items last.

Essential oils for sensitive skin/rosacea

Let's cut to the chase, my face is a super diva. She doesn't like extreme heat or cold, if you piss her off she turns beet red, and just to show me who's boss to top it off she'll throw in a break out or two every few weeks. That said, she's been on good behavior recently and I largely credit it to avoiding anything harsh/chemically or otherwise irritating, and keeping her constantly moisturized using oils. I think that seabuckthorn oil has been a game changer with my rosacea (read my review here).  However, given my love for (okay fine, obsession with) essential oils, I'm also determined to find an essential oil that will further reduce redness, hydrate and calm.

After spending a considerable amount of time researching, here's a shortlist of the most recommended EOs for rosacea due to their anti-inflammatory benefits:

• Helichrysum (aka Immortelle) - this is perhaps the most raved about for rosacea. It's quite expensive so I haven't made the investment yet, but it's #1 on my list to try. My plan once I do purchase is to add a few drops to my rose petal hydrosol (rose and rosewood oils are helpful for rosacea) and spray on my face prior to applying my seabuckthorn oil.
• Lavender 
• Sandalwood 
• German chamomile
• Geranium

Honorable mentions: neroli, patchouli, frankincense and myrrh.

I recommend diluting the above with a carrier oil like sesame, rosehip or seabuckthorn. As always, please patch test before applying any of the above "neat" (i.e. without a carrier oil). Oils are also best absorbed into slightly damp skin. I like to spray my face beforehand with a hydrosol or with Avene thermal water.

Taking my bear for a walk..